738 Words, this Chapter. This one is short, because I'm breaking into chapters where it seems to naturally stop. The chapters will not be uniform in length.

Chapter Two

Lester was happily eating his muffin when he became aware that his main team was staring at him. They didn't stop. Then they began whispering while they stared. After several minutes, he ventured out of his office.

"Alright, out with it," said Lester. "Why are you lot fascinated with me this morning? Not that you wouldn't be, because I am fascinating after all."

Jess sighed. "Someone tell him. Maybe he'll believe you."

"You do it, Becker. You were the last one on her hook."

"He was not, Matt," said Jess, clearly annoyed.

Becker chuckled, putting his arm around Jess. "No, I never was, Jess," he said, and leaned down to kiss her.

"Good lord. I liked you aloof, Captain. Necking in my hub of operations. Very unprofessional."

Jess blushed, but Becker just smiled, pulling her closer to him.

Lester gave a small grunt. "If this display is over…"

"Lester, don't go," said Abby. She looked at the others. "It's about Stella."

Lester rolled his eyes. "You too, Miss Maitland? Parker already tried. Honestly, I have been admired before."

"Stella wants to do more than just admire you," said Matt.

Emily turned to him. "We are having a much detailed conversation concerning this woman," she said. "Soon."

Matt turned pink.

Becker smirked. "We can fill her in, can't we Connor?"

Connor smirked too. "Yep."

Emily frowned, crossing her arms in frustration.

"You're all over-reacting. Now, excuse me."

"Fine Lester, leave, but we're warning you. You're being hunted by the barracuda," said Connor.

"Again, I must ask what this word means," said Emily.

"Barracuda? It's a top predatory fish," answered Abby.

"Vicious and cunning," said Connor. "Like Stella. "

"Not really," said Abby. "It's just doing what it was built to do."

"Like Stella?" asked Becker, smirking. Jess frowned.

"Normally I would just ignore you all," said Lester, "but as it concerns me, I am a bit curious. Why do you refer to her by a predator's name? "

"She is a predator," said Jess. "She likes tempting men. It's a game to her. She doesn't care who she hurts." Jess stood, looking tiny and wounded.

Becker took her in his arms, and kissed her head. "She can't hurt us, anymore," he said softly. "We're together. Right?"

Jess smiled, and nodded.

Lester watched the couple. The pained look on Jess' face had been very sobering. "Well, uh. It doesn't matter," he said. "I do appreciate the concern, but do not worry. I am married, off limits. Stella will just have to admire me from afar."

"Stella won't settle for that," said Matt.

"No she won't," said Abby.

"In fact it turns her on," commented Connor. "She likes competition."

"Does she?" asked Emily, looking at Matt.

He shifted his weight nervously from one foot to the other.

"Do yourself a favor," said Becker. "When you see Stella coming, hide."

"Good idea," said Connor, laughing. "Especially if she wears a trench coat."

Their conversation was interrupted by the ADD blaring.

"Oh, thank God," said Matt, following closely behind Jess as she ran to the ADD.

"Has this been an uncomfortable conversation for you, Matt?" asked Becker, smirking at him.

"Shut up," muttered Matt.

"Wow, this is freaky," said Jess. "We've been talking about the barracuda, and guess where the anomaly is?"

"Water?" asked Matt.

"Bingo."

"That is weird," said Connor.

"It's unfortunate," said Jess. "Hard to hack into CCTV underwater."

Becker chuckled. "I guess we're going blind."

"Till reports come in."

"That means sightings, at the least," said Matt.

"Attacks at the worst," said Jess. She tossed the black boxes around. "I'll keep you posted, soon as I have anything else."

"Thanks," said Matt.

"Be careful," Jess whispered to Becker, as he leaned down to give her a quick kiss.

"Always."

They ran to the lift, and disappeared inside.

Lester moved back toward his office. "Keep me apprised of any sightings," he said. "Creature or, um…."

Jess smiled at his nervous, embarrassed expression. "Barracuda?" she suggested.

"Yes, I'm going to my office now," he said, walking, "to take your boyfriend's advice."

"Are you sure, as director of this whole facility that you should be hiding from one of the staff?"

"Yes," said Lester, pulling his door shut behind him, and lowering all the blinds.

Jess chuckled.

End of Chapter Two