Title: Amends

Rating: T

Spoilers: No

Description: After the events of Possession, Becker finds his reputation marred. Women are afraid of him, men don't trust him, and there is even the possibility of legal action against him. Will he ever get his good name back? Can Jess help?

Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or the characters.

Amends: Ch. 1

Becker walked into the canteen and smiled at Kim. Kim backed away quickly, and whispered to Dan, one of the male servers. Becker watched as Kim went into the kitchen, and the server took over for her.

"What can I get you?" asked Dan coldly. He was usually friendly, and in awe of Becker and his men. He wasn't today.

"Just coffee, Dan. Thanks."

"It's my job sir," he said.

Ouch. Becker stood there, and noticed the glares from the staff, and how the women hung back. Becker sighed.

Bernie, chef to the ARC, came out. Instead of the usual friendly greeting, Becker got a stiff, firm glare. Bernie moved Dan aside, and took control. Bernie wasn't happy and jovial. He was papa lion protecting his cubs.

"Anything else Captain? I don't want to keep you. I know you need to be going. You're a busy man."

Ouch, again.

"No, thank you. You're right, I am busy, just let me pay, and I'll get out of your canteen."

"Don't be silly, Becker," said a soft, sweet voice beside him.

He looked over, and there stood Jess, smiling and perky. She looked like sunshine in her light, bright yellow mini sundress. Glancing at her feet, it had become a habit, he noticed the high heeled sandals, orange, with a big sunflower on the toes.

"You're going to sit with me and have breakfast," she said, taking his arm. "Bernie, I'd like the omelet please, cinnamon scones, and some of that yummy fruit medley, and Becker will have the same. Oh, I need a super large chocolate milk, too."

Becker smiled at his personal ray of sunshine.

Bernie looked concerned. "Miss Parker, I don't think that's a good idea. Why not let the captain get to his work, and if you don't mind, I'll keep you company."

"I'd love that, Bernie, but Becker is joining me. He has time."

Bernie looked at Becker fearfully. "No, Miss Parker, I must insist..."

"Bernie," said Jess, "Thank you. I know you're concerned for my safety, but you don't need to be. Becker is safe. He's back to normal, and the danger is no longer present. I promise." She smiled, then pointed to the food.

Bernie sighed, and dished up their breakfasts, reluctantly giving them the plates, and letting them go. He continued to stare at them as they sat down.

"Mm, I am hungry," said Jess.

"I'm not," said Becker, glumly.

"It will be fine," said Jess, taking his hand. "They need time."

Becker sighed, "I knew it would be tough, Jess, especially for Kim and Robin, but I forgot that it wouldn't be just them. Look around, Jess."

She did, and saw what he was talking about. Everyone was glaring, especially the men. Bernie was staring at Becker.

"I just don't know if I can handle it," said Becker. "I used to be trusted. How can I do my job if no one trusts me?"

"They will. It wasn't you, remember? You weren't the one who did those horrible things."

"I know, Jess. How do I tell them that? 'Excuse me, but I wasn't the one who tried to molest the women of the ARC, it was a hostile spirit that has been exorcised. ' I don't think that's going to work, Jess."

Jess smiled sadly. "It was a cleansing, and a strengthening, not an exorcism."

Becker chuckled and shook his head. "Sorry. My mistake. I apologize to the universe."

Jess smiled.

"Maybe I should, apologize, to people, not the universe," said Becker.

"For what? It wasn't you."

"They don't know that, Jess, and it would at least be a step."

Becker got up, and saw Bernie tense.

"I don't think this is a good idea," said Jess.

"Probably not, but I have to do something. I'm Action Man, remember?" he said with a grin.

Jess smiled back. "I'm going with you, for support, and if necessary, interference." She held out her hand.

He took it. "Thank you," he said, giving her a light kiss.

They walked up to the counter, and Bernie was on alert.

Becker looked at Jess, and took a deep breath. "May I speak to Kim, please?"

"No."

"I know Bernie, what Kim said I did, and I'm not denying it. I wasn't myself. I'd like to apologize."

"Ill pass it on."

"Bernie please. I'm OK now."

"Glad to hear it, sir," said Bernie. "But you're not talking to Kim. You aren't getting close to her."

Becker sighed, and shook his head, looking at Jess.

"It wasn't him, Bernie!"

"Jess, don't," said Becker.

"He needs to know. Becker was...possessed."

Becker closed his eyes. This was not going to work.

"Everyone has an excuse for their bad behavior, Jess. I'm afraid I don't accept this one," said Bernie,

"It's true!" she said. "There was this horrible, evil spirit, and it possessed him,"

Becker heard scoffs from behind him. A crowd of men, none of them soldiers, had closed in on them.

"They don't believe you, Jess."

"Of course, we don't!" yelled a tech.

"Why not?" asked Jess. "We deal with the unbelievable everyday. Did any of you believe the truth about this place when you first joined? Did you?"

They were all quiet, but did not draw back.

"It's OK, Jess. Please tell Kim I'm sorry."

"I will, but it won't help," said Bernie.

"Look at me, Bernie. Do I seem like me, now? Do I?"

"Yes sir, but how do I know it's not an act, or that you'll have a relapse, sir."

"You don't," said Becker, "But all I can do is act like me, and try to convince you it is me. I'm back to normal."

"It will take some convincing," said Bernie.

"It only took a minute to convince you he was bad," said Jess.

"That's true," said Bernie, "but what he did was very, very bad. I don't know if I can forgive him."

"I forgave," said Jess, "and what that thing did, or almost did to me was just as bad."

"Jess," said Becker, tearing up.

"It wasn't you," she said, stroking his cheek. "Look at him. Look at him, all of you! Does he seem remorseful? Does he? What about the Becker you knew before this, huh? Are you going to forget all the good things? The times he saved you?"

"Stop it Jess, please," said Becker. "I just want to leave, please."

He started to leave, but the men crowded in and wouldn't let him.

"Stop it!" yelled Jess. "Get away! Look at yourselves, are you protecting or bullying, huh?"

"He's scum!" yelled another tech.

"You'd never have said that before, and I doubt you would now if your fellow henchmen weren't here," said Jess. "Back away!"

Becker had to smile at the small woman staring down five taller, stronger men.

"Jess, back off. They have a right to be angry. Let us pass," he said to the men. None of them relented, but Becker said, "For Miss Parker's sake, let us pass."

That shook them a little, and they moved away, to let Jess, hanging on to Becker, pass.

"Captain Becker?" asked a small, frail voice.

Everyone turned to see Kim standing just outside the kitchen door, Ryan, the other sous chef, close behind her.

Kim slowly walked toward him, shadowed by Ryan and Bernie. She stood in front of him, and looked into his eyes.

"You wanted to speak to me?"

Becker teared up. "Yes, thank you." He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Kim. I'm sorry I grabbed you and said inappropriate things to you. I'm sorry I scared you." Then he chuckled, "and I'm very proud of you, that was an excelled kick, and my eye still hurts."

Kim stared at him. She felt the usual easiness around him. It was not like before, when she felt scared and uneasy.

Then, shocking everyone, she smiled. "You're you." She laughed. "I don't know what happened or why, but this is you now. I can tell, that...other you is gone. " She chuckled again.

Becker felt a huge relief. "Can you forgive me?"

"I... I don't know. I will try, but sir, what if...you're not you again?"

"He won't be Kim, the evil spirit isn't coming back."

There were scoffs, snickers, and rude laughs. Kim, however was still as stone.

"I've never believed in that stuff, but there are things that here that I never believed in either. It would explain your behavior, Captain. It wasn't you."

Becker felt tears run down his face. "Thank you for saying that."

"It's true," said Kim. "I felt scared, panicked. I don't now. You're not a threat."

There were scoffs and snickers again, and someone shoved Becker, but Becker stood firm.

"Kim, I don't expect you to forgive me, or forget. I wish we both could forget. I just want to say I'm sorry. I'm very, very sorry," said Becker.

"Thank you," she said.

"You're not forgiving him?" yelled one of mob.

"This is the man who taught me to defend myself," said Kim. "You weren't there, so you didn't see his eyes or his behavior. This is not the man who attacked me."

Jess hugged her, and Becker thanked her again. Then Kim gave a small smile and went back to the kitchen.

Bernie stared at the Captain.

"Kim is an amazing girl," said Bernie. "I don't think I can be so forgiving."

Becker looked helplessly at him, and said, "Of course not, Bernie. You're a protector, and we have a hard time forgiving, even ourselves. Thank you for breakfast," he said and took Jess' hand to leave.

Some of the men tried to stop them.

"Let them go," said Bernie. "There is no fighting in my canteen."

Becker smiled weakly, then he and Jess left.

"That was awful," said Becker, "except for Kim. Bernie's right she's amazing."

"She is, and I'm sorry," said Jess.

"I don't what to do Jess. I'm never going to be forgiven. It's never going to be like it was," he said.

Jess gripped his hand tighter as they walked toward the armory.

They heard sounds of a scuffle, and approached to see Vale fighting with two male menagerie workers just outside the armory.

"What's going on?" yelled Becker.

He quickly stopped the fight, but when the men saw who he was, they tried to attack him. He quickly karate chopped the first man's neck, sending him down, and fought off the other, with a quick knee to the stomach.

"Stay down!" he yelled.

The men stayed on the floor.

"What's going on?" Becker asked.

No one said anything.

"Lieutenant Vale, I order you to give me a complete and honest account."

"Yes sir," said Vale. "I'm sorry sir, but I had to. They made some remarks...about you, sir."

"I see," said Becker.

He looked to the first attacker, a man called Yates. "What did you say?"

Yates sneered. "I said you were a weak coward who played soldier but only wanted to assault innocent women."

Becker remained calm. "And that's why you hit him?"

Vale nodded.

"Apologize Lieutenant, because the man had a point. The man who attacked the women was a coward, but he's gone. I am not that monster."

Yates scoffed.

"Go about your business, but I'd leave my men alone. Their good men, and even though you all think I'm a monster, they'll defend me. They've been trained to defend their commanders."

"Then its a good thing you won't be their commander much longer," said a female voice, Robin.

"Robin...I...," started Becker.

"Save it. Whatever we have to say to each other, we'll say in court."

"Court?" asked Jess, horrified.

"I'm not a weakling, Captain. I can and will testify against you during your sexual harassment trial."

Jess gasped, and Becker shut his eyes.

"Lester should be around any moment now."

"For what?" asked Jess.

"To relieve him of his command."

End of Chapter One