Title: The Perfect Present

Rating: T for innuendos

Spoilers: Series 5

Description: Jess has begun Christmas shopping, but one name on her list is especially hard. She is determined to find Becker the perfect gift, and one that doesn't fire.

Disclaimer: I do not own Primeval or the characters.

Author's Note: This idea came from thoughts of my own Christmas list. It's a little like a story I wrote a while ago: Its the Thought That Counts, but this one was more about shopping.

The Perfect Present

Jess was hard at work, making a list. She wrote the person's name, followed by ideas for a Christmas present.

"You're kidding," said Becker, seeing the title 'Christmas List,' at the top of her notebook. "You're Christmas shopping already? It's not even December yet."

"Becker, it is never too early. For your information, I do not buy just anything. I find the perfect present."

"Perfect? Seriously? You've never given something a person didn't like or want?"

"Nope, never."

"Maybe you've just been lied to."

"You are such a scrooge!" she exclaimed, making him laugh. "No one's lied to me about their present. I could tell. They have always loved it, always."

Becker shook his head and laughed. "Well, I'd hate to be the one to break your streak, so please don't get me anything."

Jess frowned. "No."

"No?"

"No. Not only are you getting a present from me, you are going to love it, as soon as I figure out what you really want."

"I can't see you going into a gun shop."

"No guns!" she cried. "There has to be something you'd like to have besides a gun."

He cocked his head sideways and stared with a slightly turned up grin. "No comment, Jess."

He walked away, smirking.

"Did I just say something dirty again without realizing it?" she asked Epstein.

Epstein shrugged.

Jess gasped suddenly. "Hanukkah! I have to get decorations for Hanukkah. I'm decorating ops for the holidays, despite what Lester says, and I want to include you."

"Thank you, Jess," said Epstein. "But don't get in trouble on my behalf. And don't get me in trouble with you." He smiled.

"You mean you don't want me to coax Lester into letting me organize a dradle competition?"

Epstein laughed. "That sounds kind of fun, but no. Just a simple menorah and maybe some blue and white here and there will be more than enough. I appreciate the thought, Jess."

She laughed. "We are going to have peace, good cheer, decorations, and presents even if it kills Lester and Becker."

"Oh, jolly good, dead bodies for the holidays," said Epstein.

"That's scary. You totally just channeled Lester then," she said with a shudder.

End of Chapter One