Title: Under the Weather

Author: Pinkcat4569

Rating: T

Spoilers: No

Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or the characters

Author's Note: For moviefreak4634, this time the request is "Jess is sick and Becker tries to take care of her, but he keeps getting called back to work."

4283 Words, divided into parts

Under the Weather, Part One

"Where's Jess?"

"She's sick," said Abby.

"Yeah, mate. She looks awful: all pale, with her nose and eyes all red. Her voice is scratchy. I winced every time she tried to talk," said Connor.

"You left her alone?" asked Becker.

"She'll be fine, Becker," said Abby with a grin.

"She's alone, though," said Becker. He grabbed a black box. "Tell Matt I've got my box and mobile."

As Becker headed out of Ops, Abby said, "Shall we tell him where you are?"

He glared at her, but kept walking.

Abby and Connor giggled.

"Where's he going?" asked Lester.

Abby and Connor smirked.

"To play nurse maid," said Connor.

Becker knocked on the door, but got no answer. He rung Jess' cell phone.

"Hello," said a weak, scratchy voice.

"You sound terrible."

"Thank you Becker."

He chuckled. "Can you manage to get to the front door?"

"Why?"

"To let me in."

"Huh?'

"It works this way, Jessica. You unlock and open the door and then people can come inside."

"I don't want you inside. I look horrible. I feel horrible. Go away."

She hung up.

He stared at his mobile. Jess actually hung up on him.

He rang her again. It rang a long time. Finally she answered.

"What?"

He chuckled again. "I'm not leaving, Jess. Let me in."

"I don't want company," she said, her voice squeaking. She coughed. "Becker, I'm sick," she whined.

"I know. I'm here to take care of you."

There was a pause. As meek as a mouse she squeaked, "Really?"

He laughed. "Yes, really, now let me in, or I'll have to resort to other means."

"Don't shoot the lock." She coughed. "I'm coming. Ugh. It's a good thing you're cute."

He laughed. He wasn't sure she realized what she had said.

It took forever but finally the door opened. Jess, stood, hanging on to the door, in green ducky pajamas that covered her from neck to toe. Her hair was a ratted mess. Her eyes were blood-shot and her nose worn red, but the rest of her face was sickly pale. Connor had described her perfectly.

"Don't say it," she squeaked. I know I look awful."

"No, you don't."

"You're lying. Come on...ah-choo!...in."

Becker drug the several shopping bags he had inside and shut the door. He watched as Jess staggered to the bedroom. Finally he couldn't take it. He walked up and gently scooped her into his arms.

"Don't. You'll get...(cough) sick."

"Don't care. You're going to fall flat on your face or other parts of your anatomy."

She was so tired. She couldn't help but collapse into his arms. He smiled as he carried her into her room. He laid her down, and covered her up.

"You're shivering," he said. He pulled damp hair off her face and forehead. "You're sweating too. Jess, I think you have a fever."

She coughed. "Feel like it. And my head really hurts."

"It's OK, Jess. I'm here. First, let's take your temperature."

She tried to nod. "Ow," she said, grabbing her head. "I can't even move it." She whined and cried.

"Just be still, Jess. Hang on."

Becker left for a few minutes, and came back with a bag. "Right. Thermometer," he said, taking it out, shaking it and carefully sliding it into her mouth. He smirked. "I know its hard, but be quiet for a bit."

She glared at him.

"Now, let's set up some relaxation, shall we?" He shut off the lights and plugged in a small nightlight lamp.

"Mm. Dat's bedder," she mumbled.

"Sh," he said. "No talking Miss Parker. I brought a heating pad, ice pack, and anything you might need for a cough, sneezing, cold, flu, or headache.

"Mmm, mmm."

He laughed. "Jess, please. You have to be still," he said, then with a smirk added, "I know its nearly impossible, but shut your mouth."

She kneed his side.

He chuckled. "Well, you still have spirit," he said. The digital thermometer beeped. "102. Not to worry, we'll bring it down."

"You're sweet," she said, "And quite prepared."

"I know."

She tried to chuckle. "Ow!" she cried. "My head!"

"Here, pop these into your mouth," he said, handing her two pills. "What's best for a sore head, heat or cold?"

"Probably, a cool cloth, with this fever," she said.

"Right, be back."

He popped into the bathroom and she lied still.

"Here, this should help," he said, putting a cool cloth on her head.

"Ah, that feels good."

"Now, Jess, try to relax."

"Cant. Feel horrible."

"I know, but I am prepared," he said with a smile. He plugged in a small cassette player and soon Jess heard soothing sounds.

"Are those whales?"

"Yep," he said. Reading the back of a CD, he said, "There's also rainforest, thunderstorm, waves, plus some instrumental lullabies and soft jazz."

"Nice, Becker," she said. "Thank you. You're sweet."

He smiled. "We need to get you feeling better. We need our field coordinator, she is the best. You don't want to leave the ADD to other people for very long."

She smiled. "I don't want to leave you to other people for very long."

His eyebrows raised. "You don't?"

"No, you need me, I mean, the team needs me." She grabbed her head. "Stop asking me hard questions."

"Sorry," he said with a laugh. "You're right we need you. All of us. So, let's see what we've got to help you." He rummaged through the bag. "I'll put all of these medicines by the bed. I have some juice in the other room. You should drink some. We can't have you dehydrate."

"Ugh," she said. "Don't want any."

"I know, but you should try."

He left and came back soon with a glass of juice. He helped her sit up.

"My throat hurts," she said.

"I know, just a sip or two, please. For me?"

She glared at him. "You're asking a lot."

"I know," and he held onto her as she swallowed some juice.

"Good, now back under the covers."

"Ugh. It's good you're cute."

"Yeah, you said that before."

She rolled onto her side.

"I'll let you rest."

"No, stay, please."

He sat beside her on the bed. "OK," he said. He gently rubbed her back as the rainforest animals chirped and cawed.

"Nice, you're nice," she mumbled.

"Well, you are the best, and we need you back. I miss you."

"You do?"

He smiled. "Yeah. No one chatters over comms like you, or smiles as brightly when I walk into Ops. No one is as happy."

"Mm, mm."

He chuckled. "Get some rest," he whispered. "I'm right here."

He watched her lying still, and winced as he felt her wheeze. He continued massaging her back and finally felt her relax. The wheezes grew slower.

The two of them stayed like that, the only sounds coming from the CD.

Suddenly the peace was shattered by his mobile.

She groaned.

"Sorry, Jess," he said, and left quickly to take the call.

Jess was aware of him whispering harshly in the next room. She lie still, listening to waves. Finally, he returned.

"Jess, I'm sorry."

"You have to go," she said. She coughed.

"I'll come back as soon as I can."

"Be careful,"she whispered.

He smiled. "I will. Stay snuggled in bed, and try to relax."

"K. Thank you, Becker."

"No problem, Jess."

He leaned over and gently kissed her forehead. "I'll be back," he whispered.

"Better," she said sleepily.

Becker left her room, wincing as he heard her cough.

End of Part One