Title: Traditions 3: Becker and Jess, Chapter One
Author: Pinkcat4569
Description: Traditions that the ARC staff carry out during the holidays are as varied and different as the people.
Rating: G
Characters: Becker/Jess
Disclaimer: I write only for fun. I don't own Primeval or the characters.
Author's Note: The third story in the Traditions series. It's very long, and broken into chapters. It's Jess and Becker.
1338 Words, this Chapter
Traditions 3: Becker and Jess: Christmas for children and families, Chapter One
Becker smiled as he walked into Ops. Jess was humming "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
She heard him and turned. She smiled as bright as the gold dress she wore. "Hello."
"Hey," he said, with an equally bright smile.
"How's your mum?"
"Being a pain."
"Becker! The poor woman just had back surgery! Shame on you!"
He laughed. "She's a poor patient, Jess. Bed rest does not go well with a woman who has to be in charge of everything, from meals to dusting."
Jess giggled. "That would be hard."
"And now the cruel doctor has informed her that any shopping she does must also be from her bed."
Jess gasped, her face wearing a horrible look. "The torture! How can he be so mean?"
Becker laughed "It's killing Mum."
"It would me too! You are going to help her, right?"
He cringed. "No. Luckily, she has other slaves. She knows I don't do well with the shopping. Anyway, her...situation...leaves me in a bind."
"You?"
"Yeah. She usually helps me. I, uh, was wondering...since Mum's out of the picture...I uh, have some things to buy, present-wise that..." He sighed. "Jess, I cannot shop for the female person."
She burst out giggling. "No. I don't see you in fashion boutiques or at jewelry counters."
He shuddered. "Lord, no. Anyway, um, I was thinking...you obviously like to shop...and you're a female person..."
She smiled.
"Would...would you help me out?"
She squealed loudly. "Of course! I'd love to!"
He laughed, pulling out a long list. "I really appreciate it, Jess." He handed the list to her.
"Wow. That's a lot of stuff! Your sisters and nieces must love you...hang on." She frowned. "You don't have sisters or nieces."
"Let me guess, that's in my file?"
"Yes," she said, frowning deeper. "Becker...um, if these are for...someone special..."
"Oh, they are, definitely."
She blushed. "Maybe you should personally buy them...I mean, she might be...offended...having another girl buy her presents."
Becker smirked. "It won't be a problem, Jess. Trust me."
Jess continued to look over the list. "Dolls? Toddler toys? Crafty things like crayolas? Becker? Do you...have children?"
He blushed and burst out laughing.
"How can you have babies and it's not in your file?" She was practically screaming.
Becker continued to laugh. "Calm down, Jess. I don't have kids. I swear."
She looked totally confused.
"Every year I buy presents for kids whose families can't afford gifts."
"Oh, Becker!" she cried, a huge smile replacing the frown. "That is so sweet!"
He chuckled. "I started doing it when I first joined the military. They're pretty big into giving Christmas cheer."
Jess nodded. "That's so wonderful."
He nodded too. "Then...when I got my command...and started...losing soldiers..." He sighed. "I always make sure the kids have presents and the family has festive food and happy decorations. It sounds dumb, actually, trying to give Christmas cheer to a family who are suffering so badly."
"It's not dumb at all! Christmas can be the worst time of year if you've lost someone."
"Yeah," said Becker solemnly. "Anyway, I spend more time and frankly a lot more money on the families of my own soldiers. I don't really have the time to volunteer with the organizations anymore but I still donate money and gifts. I always take the stuff personally to my soldiers' families, though. Always."
Jess gave him a tender, warm smile. She jumped up and hugged him. "Sorry, I just have to," she said.
He held her, chuckling. "Just don't spread it around, OK? I don't want to tarnish my shoot first reputation."
She pulled away, laughing. "I won't, but I know the truth."
He smiled warmly back. "That's OK. I trust you."
She laughed. "I'm so happy you asked me to help, Becker."
"We kind of need to get moving, especially with the toys that go to the charities. They need time to give them out."
"No problem. We can go shopping as soon as you like."
"Tonight?"
"Sounds good, Becker. Can I go with you too, when you deliver them to the families?"
"Sure."
"Ooh, you don't dress up, do you?"
He looked horrified. "Like...in costume? Of course not!"
"We could!" She began jumping around excitedly. "I could be an elf, and you could be..."
"Don't...even...suggest..."
"Father Christmas!"
Later that evening Becker pushed the trolley behind a positively giddy Jess. He laughed as she sung, skipping from aisle to aisle. She grabbed several different dolls and loaded them into the cart. "Now, every good doll needs to accessorize," she said, putting in brushes, bottles and of course loads of outfits. "There."
"I have to say, Jess, I'm having much more fun than usual."
She nearly blinded him with her smile. "I'm so glad! I'm having fun too!"
"Yeah, I can tell," he said, smirking as she ran down along the girl toys, grabbing brightly colored play makeup sets, jewelry sets and dress up kits. "Now, where are the young toys?"
They finally found the infant and toddler toys. Jess switched on several light-up musical toys.
"I think the parents may prefer quieter things, Jess."
She giggled. "Excellent point. How about these soft blocks then?"
"Perfect."
She nodded. "Bath toys...rubber duckies!" she cried out. "We need rubber duckies!" She giggled, running over to them and grabbing several, pressing their tummies. The aisle rang with quacking.
Becker chuckled.
"I'm not embarrassing you too much, am I?" she asked, tossing several of the quackers in the cart.
"No, surprisingly."
She laughed. "OK, now...the real fun part." She smirked. "To the clothes, Becker!"
He groaned. "Maybe you should do this part later."
"Oh, don't be like that. You'll have fun."
He shook his head. He watched as she was in the zone: grabbing little coats and dresses for small girls. Then she giggled as she ran from rack to rack, picking up glittery, stylish, and fashionable sweaters, tops, pants and dresses for older girls.
"Oh, I'm so envious! These are adorable!" she cried, holding up a pair of jeweled jeans to her.
Becker frowned. "I can't see your legs. Stick to your skirts."
She blushed. "Don't you think a change might be good?"
"No," he said, frowning "In fact, your scaring the hell out of me."
She laughed, throwing the jeans and several more like them into the cart. "I'll stick to the skirts, then, for you."
He smiled "I appreciate that, Jess."
She giggled. "OK, we just need boots and we're done."
"You're kidding! Already?"
She nodded.
"Wow! You're amazing! You are a pro."
She laughed, and kissed his cheek. Then she blushed. "Sorry. I...uh, get excited when someone compliments my shopping ability."
"No apology needed, Jess. Thank you for helping."
"I'm happy to. I'm having a blast."
"I'm having more fun than I expected."
"Good," she said. They strolled slowly to the boots, both pushing the cart together, and standing awfully close.
Jess quickly picked several styles for young women and girls. Becker helped picked out the ones for boys. They then loaded up Becker's truck.
"Wow, we even have time for dinner, if you're hungry."
"Starving!" she cried.
Becker laughed. "What would you like? Chinese?"
She giggled. "Sounds good."
He nodded and the two went for a nice, quiet dinner.
He dropped her off, walking her to her door. "I actually didn't hate tonight."
She giggled. "That is encouraging. Maybe I'll make you a shopper."
"No! Please stop the madness here, OK?" He laughed.
So did she. "OK. Thanks for dinner."
"No problem. See you tomorrow."
He began to walk off but turned back and lightly kissed her cheek. "Thanks."
She blushed. "You're welcome, Becker, anytime."
He smiled, then they both just stared. Eventually, Becker left.
End of Chapter One