TITLE: It's the Thought that Counts

AUTHOR: Pinkcat4569

RATING: K+

DESCRIPTION: Jess has a holiday surprise for the ARC team and especially Becker

SPOILERS: Series 5

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know it's early, but after reading the prompt fill for mistletoe by morrigans-eve on Just Kiss Her Drabble Tag by hurricane_pixie it got me thinking about the holidays at the ARC.

Update: Re-edited for grammar and spelling, and has been broken into chapters since it's over 4000 words.

Chapter One

"Please, please, I'm begging you, for God's sake don't make me do this," came Becker's pitiful, desperate voice.

"Stow it, Captain," said Lester harshly. "You're a leader. I'm surprised at you. You should know it's up to us to set an example. If I can stomach this disgusting plan, you certainly should be able to. Buck up."

Becker's face was green, and he felt like he was going to vomit. "I trusted you Jess. I can't believe you'd do this to me."

"Oh, for God's sake Becker," said an annoyed Jess. "What a huge drama you're making out of this. It's not about you, but about others. It will bring us all together. Did I mention its fun? "

Becker moaned. "Do we have to have an office gift exchange, really?"

Jess stuck her tongue out at him. He softened slightly because today, she looked especially lovely.

She wore a long, clingy red dress with white heels and white headband. When he first saw how long the dress was, he was baffled. Jess seemed to have a fear of not exposing her legs. Then Jess turned around and he saw a long slit in the back that showed plenty of leg. It was a relief!

Wearing that dress, it was nearly impossible to make Becker mad. "I'll draw a name, but I won't like it."

Jess moved on to Lester, offering the small basket of names to him. Becker looked at the paper he had just drawn.

Jess

He smiled. This wouldn't be so bad after all.

Jess finished handing out the names. She opened the last one.

Becker

She managed to keep from squealing but could not remove the blush and smile that appeared on her face.

"Now remember, you can only spend 25 pounds actual cash. No charging more on a credit card or writing a check, but you can trade. Like, in college we did an exchange and I found the perfect book. It was too much, so I traded the bookstore for a used book of my own. "

"How bohemian," said Lester in disgust.

Everyone was moaning and complaining. Connor was especially upset.

"I just want to know how it happened, is all," whispered Connor. "I was supposed to get you, Ab..." Connor hushed as Abby kicked him.

"I knew it was fixed," said Becker.

"How did you keep from getting Abby then?" asked Matt.

"I don't know," said Connor. "I put all the ARC names in the computer, categorized by section, team, seniority, etc., and then let the computer choose them, allowing no one to get themselves, obviously, and oh, yeah I withheld the 4 names."

"4?" asked Jess.

Connor and Abby exchanged glances. Connor's face read 'Oops.'

"What four names?" asked Jess again.

After more silence, Becker said, "I'm betting you have my name."

Jess thought about denying it, but Becker had an idea of what was going on, and she wanted to know too. "Yes."

Becker smirked. "These two comedians thought it would be fun if we got each other's names."

Jess' eyes grew wide. "You rigged it, really?" Connor and Abby looked guilty. "Why?"

"Because they can't mind their own business." Becker said accusingly at the couple. Then he saw Jess' disappointed, totally deflated face. "Don't worry about it, Jess. So what that if they did? I'm glad to have your name, 25 pounds of chocolate coming up."

"Oh, no," said Jess. "You have to put some thought into it. We all do. No easy gifts, or gag gifts, or certificates unless it is for something special that the person will truly appreciate."

"You'd appreciate chocolate."

"Yes, Becker, I would, but this is a special gift, showing how well we know each other and how thoughtful we can be. I love chocolate, and expect you to keep bringing it to me," she said, meeting Becker's smirk with her own, "but this gift exchange reflects the holidays and should be...goodwill to men."

Everyone groaned, and Lester mumbled, "You're fired," but Jess was so sincere, so honest, that they all agreed to try their best to get heartfelt gifts.

After lunch, Jess caught Becker as he was leaving the canteen. "I'm sorry to put you through this. It never occurred to me that some of you wouldn't enjoy it. I guess I'm a little too into the holidays."

"No, Jess don't apologize. This is what you do, bring us all together, and point out that there is a lot of life going on outside the ARC and the anomalies. This stupid gift exchange is an attempt to make us normal, and we need it. In fact, it was a brilliant idea."

"Nobody wants to do it, they're all miserable," said Jess.

Becker smirked and said, "Exactly...normal."

Jess laughed at that. "Thanks, for not being mad at me. I'm sorry Abby and Connor rigged the drawing."

"You are?"

Jess smirked. "Not really."

A couple of days later, Becker walked into the control room to see Jess slumped at the ADD. At first he thought she was asleep, but then he heard sobbing.

"Jess? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's silly."

"Come on, tell me."

"I was trimming the tree last night and I..." she starting blubbering heavy sobs, "I broke an ornament. My Gran gave it to me when I was 10 and now, it's gone."

"I'm sorry, Jess," he said putting his arms around her.

"Gran's gone, and that was really the only thing of hers that I had. It's old. They don't make them anymore, and you can't find them anywhere. I'm just so upset," she said, crying into his shoulder.

"I understand Jess, I really do." She shook her head no, and kept sobbing. Becker hated the sound. It broke his heart.

"I do understand. My grandfather and I shared something too. He collected model cars, old ones like you said, that can't be found anymore. When I was a kid I accidentally broke one, and I couldn't understand why he was so mad. He didn't punish me. He taught me about them, and eventually he helped me start my own collection."

Jess was quiet now, no longer crying.

"So, yeah, I understand how special that ornament was to you. Have you tried looking for it?"

She nodded. Then she opened up a page on the laptop that showed a little porcelain angel, kind of old fashioned and worn. "See," she said, "This website tracks antiques and collects all the stores, sellers, and auctions. If it's available it's on here. And it isn't on here," she said, going back to crying.

"I'm sorry Jess, really. I know how hard it is to try to collect something antique and rare."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," he said. "I've gotten several of the cars that Grandpa hunted for decades for, but there is one that I can't find anywhere."

"What is it?"

"'It's a 59 t-bird corvette in white. It's impossible to find." Becker said, "I just remind myself that it isn't the cars that are the special bit, but that I did it with my Grandpa."

Jess watched a small, slightly sad smile spread over his face. "When he died I was the one who he gave his precious collection to," he said. "That angel isn't the special part Jess, it's your grandmother."

"I know, but I still feel awful."

"I know," he said, holding her while she cried.

End of Chapter One