Rating: G
Spoilers: NO
Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or the characters.
Author's Note: There's a scene at the end of Jess' Holiday where Becker surprises her with gifts—frilly teddy bear, sparkly purple shoes, masses of chocolate, and finally an 18 carat gold heart necklace with diamonds. (Which he's going to have engraved with I love you.)
Description: Becker doesn't strike me as a guy who shops for women often. So, this story is about clueless Becker shopping for those gifts he gave her in Jess' Holiday.
Becker's Shopping Trip
Becker focused on the task at hand, and more importantly, the reason for the task: Jess. He took a deep breath, and entered the women's department.
He saw clothes, shoes, bags, and felt dizzy.
"Are you OK?" asked a sales girl. She was taller than Jess with blonde hair, and a name tag that said, "Brandy."
"I'm fine. Thank you."
"Can I help you with something?"
Without realizing it, Becker laughed sarcastically. "Sorry. I need all kinds of help. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm shopping for a girl," he said.
Brandy smiled, batted her eyes, and threw her hair over her shoulder. "Well, would I do?"
Becker blushed. "Uh, no. I have a girl, well, she isn't mine. I want to tell her how I feel, and since I've been kind of stupid, not knowing how I felt, I wanted to surprised her with all the things she likes."
Brandy stared at him
"That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard," she said, squealing. "Mandy, get over here. You want to hear the sweetest thing in the world?"
"No, uh, don't call more attention to me, please."
Brandy smiled at him. "You are so darn sweet. Mandy, this gorgeous guy wants to impress a girl."
"Just take off your shirt," said Mandy, eying his body.
Becker blushed.
"He didn't know how he felt, but now he does and instead of just telling her, he's going to surprise her with her favorite things."
"Aw...That's so sweet," said Mandy.
"That's what I said."
Becker was turning red, and not feeling so hot.
"I, uh, think maybe I'll just look around."
"Oh, absolutely," said Mandy.
"We'll help."
Becker grimaced. He wasn't sure he wanted their help if it came with "aws" and "sweets".
"So, what does she like?"
"Chocolate."
The girls giggled. "She's a girl alright."
"Her favorite are rose creams, but she likes anything without orange."
"Oh, I love orange," said Mandy.
Figures, thought Becker. "I want to buy mounds of it. Lots, and lots."
We have lots of boxed chocolate," said Brandy. "This way, to the candy counter."
"To the candy counter," said Mandy, grabbing Becker's hand.
Toward the back corner of the huge store was a section loaded with all kinds, sizes, and shapes of chocolate and candy. Beside shelves and displays loaded with candy stood a long counter, that itself standing in front of more shelves of chocolate and candy.
"Hello, Candy," said Brandy to a plump, dark haired middle-aged man behind the counter.
"You're name is Candy?" asked Becker.
The man smiled. "No, it's Mark, but I've been working in the candy section for a long time. As you can see, I love candy," he said, patting his large stomach. "The nick name, "Candy," stuck. How can I help you, Sir?"
"He needs lots of chocolates for his girl," said Mandy.
"She's not his girl yet," said Brandy.
Mandy, still drooling over Becker, said, "Why not?"
"Because I'm stupid. That's why I need to make it up to her. I want to get her favorite chocolate, and lots of it."
"Define lots," said Candy.
"What a person who has chocolate in her veins instead of blood would consider lots," said Becker.
Candy smiled. "Understood. Right. Let's get started then. What does she like?"
"Everything but orange, but her favorite are rose creams."
"Excellent. That's very girly, so we have several decorated boxes that are frilly and sweet, perfect for your needs. This one is five pounds, all rose creams. Comes in a square box decorated with wild flowers."
"Then we have this one, also five pounds, but it has solid chocolate roses mixed in with the rose creams."
"How is that boxed?" asked Becker.
"A heart-shaped, bright pink box with red roses painted on."
"That's perfect."
Candy smiled and took the box down.
"Like I said, she's practically carved out of chocolate," said Becker, "so I want some other kinds too, but not as large as this one."
"Fine. Um, let's see. How about some bars? We can do a little assortment: milk, bittersweet, hazelnut, caramel, and almond."
"Good," said Becker.
"We also have some miniature boxes. Shall I grab a bunch of different brands?"
"As long as it is orange-free, go for it."
"I like you, sir."
"You get a commission, don't you?" said Becker with a grin.
"Yes. Chocolate spreads the love around," said Candy with a wink.
Becker laughed. "Jess will be glad to know she helped spread the love."
"Is that her name?" asked Brandy.
"Uh, yeah."
"Sweet," said Brandy.
"Unpretentious and informal," agreed Candy, "a nice name indeed.
"She's all three of those."
Brandy said, "aw..." and Becker cringed.
Candy noticed and smiled sympathetically at Becker.
"Why don't you girls go and get a cart?"
"Great idea," said Brandy, skipping off.
"It only takes one of us," said Mandy.
"You can start wrapping ribbons around these chocolates."
"OK," she said happily. "I love decorating."
Candy motioned Becker down the counter.
"It's quieter down here," he said.
Becker smiled. "Thanks. I appreciate their help and they're very kind,"
"But they kind of hurt your brain?" offered Candy.
Becker laughed. "Yeah."
"I understand. There's something about a man being thoughtful towards other women that causes women to fuss and gush, and frankly, it perplexes me."
"Men just don't care," said Becker.
"Exactly. We mind our business. Still, as you said, it is kind of them."
"Yeah. I guess my brain can take it."
"Good on you sir," said Candy. "Here comes Brandy with the cart, and Mandy is finished decorating. Here is the sheet for the prices of all the chocolate. Nothing is marked on the boxes, so they are all ready for giving."
"Thank you very much."
"My pleasure sir. I hope the lady enjoys them."
Becker nodded, and he and the girls filled the cart full.
"OK, now what?" asked Mandy.
"Shoes."