Title: Recuperation, Chapter One

Author: Pinkcat4569

Rating: PG for adult language and innuendos, but mild

Description: Becker has been hurt (again) but this time he has someone helping him through his recuperation.

Disclaimer: This is only for fun. I don't own Primeval or the characters.

3486 Words, broken into three chapters

Author's note: This is a short piece of fluff that, as usual, veers off in an unexpected direction. It was inspired by my annual checkup at the doctor's office, but I have no clue where the bit with the lotion came from…

Recuperation, Chapter One

"Come on Becker, no pain, no gain."

Becker slowly limped toward Jess. "You're pretty but ruthless."

Jess smiled and put her hands on her hips. "Yes, I am. Thank you, Becker."

He laughed. "You're a tyrant. Who knew?"

"Oh, people underestimate me all the time."

"Yeah," he said, staring at her legs. "I know."

She pretended not to notice. "This is pitiful Becker. I'm outrunning you—me: tiny Jess Parker is beating the pants off big strong Captain Becker."

He smirked as he neared her. "You do remember that I'm injured, right?"

"No excuses. Come on Becker," she said, running in place. "We have to get the lactic acid and other stuff out of those set-up muscles."

"Other stuff?' Jess, please don't use medical jargon on me."

She giggled. "At least you're funny bone is fine."

He shook his head. "It's a good thing you're adorable," he said, finally standing in front of her.

She blushed slightly. "Am I?"

"You know you are," he said, smiling, "and you're using it against me."

She smiled. "You use what's at your disposal, Captain."

He laughed. "Spoken like a soldier."

"Oh no. This is a temporary assignment. I'm merely an acting general. Have you seen how drab their uniforms are?"

He laughed and took the opportunity to slowly look her over. He certainly liked her workout clothes: tight but not raunchy short shorts in hot pink and a matching short sleeve top with the words "I'm the boss" spelled out in sparkling rainbow glitter.

'She could lead me anywhere,' he thought. Then he chastised himself for getting distracted. He was supposed to be rehabilitating his body, not mooning over his training partner.

"Are you listening to me?" asked Jess impatiently.

"Sorry. I was…never mind. What did you say?"

Jess rolled her eyes. "Becker, you need to focus. We have to get you fit again."

Becker smirked. Yes, his muscles had gotten stiff and creaky without his usual punishing regiment of exercise and training but he was hardly fat and flabby. "Oh, I didn't realize I'd gotten pudgy, Jess," he said, patting his abs.

Jess' eyes couldn't help but follow the movement. She found herself staring at his abs which were still plenty tight. She blushed despite herself and he grinned.

Damn him. She grimaced. "Yes, actually you have, Becker," she lied. "Come on; let's get rid of that flab."

His eyebrows shot up as he smiled that cocky smirk. "Right, Jess," he said with a grin. He wasn't buying it and she knew it.

She ignored him and jogged away. "Move it Captain!" she called.

He laughed and began to slowly jog behind her. His muscles ached with any small movement. His leg was the worst. Even though the wound was nearly healed, excessive movement could hurt like hell. Jogging was torture.

And yet…it didn't seem as bad as the last time he'd gone through physical therapy after an injury. As he followed behind his bright coach, who spun around frequently to yell encouragement at him or simply smile, he realized something. He was actually enjoying himself.

And it had nothing to do with the adorable, pretty young woman in front of him. Nothing.

'Yeah, right,' he told himself.

They did a long run around the park. It took forever, but Jess didn't mind. She was helping. She looked back frequently to make sure he was following her. Her heart went out to him. He was trying so hard. She knew his leg was still hurt, so this run must be torture.

He didn't complain though, not once. She was so proud of him. She smiled each time he smirked at her. Not that she'd go easy on him.

"Come on, Becker! Pick up the pace!"

"Easy to say on two good legs," he said. Then he smirked. "Did I say good? That word doesn't describe them accurately."

Jess stopped a moment. "Oh? What word does?" she asked innocently, batting her eyes.

He laughed. "I don't know. Awesome? Magnificent?"

She blushed. "You're trying to distract me."

He smiled. "Actually, I'm trying to flatter you into taking a break."

She giggled. "I knew you were up to something. Fine. Let's just jog over to that bench, next to the stream. OK?"

He nodded and she led off. She sat on the bench, clapping as he slowly moved toward her.

"Yay! Good job, Becker!"

He looked at her happy face. She was sincere. Even though his snail pace was pathetic to him, she was actually proud.

"You did fantastic!"

He shook his head, but grinned. "I'd disagree, but I know the General is always right."

"She is," she said. "Don't worry. You'll get faster."

"I better. Until then, I expect you to keep your promise: no gossiping about my poor showing."

"What poor showing? Oh, you mean how I beat you?" she asked with a triumphant, teasing smile.

"Jessica…"

"Oh, stop. I won't tell anyone. I did promise. Besides, if I wanted to blab I would have taken pictures to back up my win." She looked at him and giggled.

"I appreciate your discretion."

"You aren't honestly disappointed are you? You really did a great job."

He shrugged. "I'm used to a strict exercise routine, Jess. I don't sit back and…relax easily."

"You're joking!" she exclaimed with mock surprise. She giggled. "Becker, you aren't relaxing, you're recuperating. There's a difference."

"Not to me."

She rolled her eyes. "You're under medical orders, Becker. You jump into your usual marathon pace and you could seriously damage yourself."

"I know, I know."

"Then chill."

He raised his eyebrow. "Is that an order?"

"You bet your dimples it is."

"I don't have dimples! Dimples are for cute people, like you."

She giggled at his indignation. "Sorry. I forgot. You're macho. OK. That's enough exercise for today. Let's go back to my place for a light after work-out dinner."

"You don't have to…"

"Stuff it, Captain. The general isn't done with you." He raised his eyebrow as she exclaimed, "I didn't mean anything dirty! Now behave and follow me to my place."

"Yes Ma'am." He even saluted.

End of Chapter One