952 words, this chapter

Chapter Four, Secret Admirer

Becker called Jess to the armory just before noon. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

He sighed. "Yeah. It's almost time for lunch."

"So?"

"It's an excellent time for another gift. I'm scared."

She burst into giggles.

Instead of irritating him, he found himself enjoying the sound.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I'll protect you."

"That's what I was hoping. I have to go to the locker room. Will you...escort me, and then have lunch with me?"

She giggled more, and nodded. "Absolutely," she said, taking his arm. "Come on, whatever happens I'll be with you."

"I appreciate that, Jess."

She giggled.

They walked into the locker room. He sighed with relief as there was nothing on the bench. "Now..." he said, going to his locker.

Jess stifled giggles as he slowly opened the locker with extreme caution, like there could be a bomb inside.

He sighed. "Nothing."

She laughed. "Good. Except...you're still stuck with me for lunch, Captain. Sorry."

He smiled. "I'm not," he said, offering her back his arm.

She smiled widely and took it.

He finally relaxed, confident that at least he had a few more hours til the admirer would strike again. He'd be on his toes after work. Maybe he'd ask Jess to 'protect' him then too.

They walked into the canteen, chatting and laughing.

"Becker!" cried Connor. "Over here! You got something!"

Becker's face fell. "Oh, no."

He walked with dread, Jess still hanging on his arm.

They approached the lunch table, where the team was seated. A large brown sack was in the middle. It said, "Becker."

He sighed. "What the hell?"

"It smells good," said Abby.

"Open it!"

"You do it, Connor."

"OK," he said, eagerly taking the job. "Let's see." He pulled out a paper box. "Definitely food."

"Prawn crackers?"

"What prompted you to suggest that food?" asked Emily.

Becker looked at Jess and they both blushed. "No reason," said Becker. "Wishful thinking." He smiled at Jess.

"I wish it was from me."

He nodded. "OK, Connor open it."

"It's a sandwich."

"That's not very romantic," said Jess.

"Hey, I recognize the brand," said Abby. "It's a cruelty free Vegan place."

Everyone looked at her. Becker's eyebrow went up.

"I'm just saying..." began Abby. "It's not from me!"

Jess giggled. "Are you sure?"

Abby laughed. "Unless I'm sleepwalking and buying Becker presents in my sleep."

"Nah, I'd know," said Connor.

Becker shook his head. "What is going on? First I get presents that make me think of Jess, then it's Emily, and now it looks like Abby."

"Clever," said Connor. "Someone is really messing with your mind, Action Man."

Becker sighed. "I don't even like Vegetarian food."

"Vegan, there's a difference," said Abby. "Actually, this looks like their Veggie Delight Burger. It's pretty good."

"You can have it, Abigail."

"Really? Cool. Thanks, Becker," she said, taking the burger and happily eating it.

"I have no idea who this person is," said Becker.

Jess sighed. "Connor's right. I think she is messing with you."

Becker nodded. "What do I do?"

Jess shook her head.

Becker was so tense afterward that he spent the day sparring with his troops. He felt better but several of them did not.

Jess met him in the locker room. "You showered?"

He nodded.

She shook her head. "How many of your men did you maim?"

He smirked. "It wasn't that bad."

"I find it disturbing that your favorite ways to de-stress involve shooting and brawling."

He laughed. "And your ways are better?"

"Yes."

"Jess...chocolate makes you high strung and fat."

"Excuse me?"

"I mean, people in general, not you," he said, looking her over. "You look fine."

She blushed and giggled.

"And shopping? Jess, that can be more dangerous than combat."

"True," she said with a laugh. "Um...did you get...anything else?"

"Not yet," he said with a sigh. "I'd like to think its over but..."

"Yeah. No idea who she is?"

"None."

"Are you sure? Have you been...attentive to anyone lately?"

He smirked. "Yeah, but you say it's not you."

She laughed. "Becker."

"I'm not overly chatty or friendly with anyone, Jess...but you."

She smiled. "Well, how about just helping someone out? Maybe it's nothing to you but they think it is."

He shook his head. "I can't think of anything, Jess."

"OK. I'm so sorry."

"Thank you," he said, pulling on his coat.

"I'll walk you out."

"You can't really do anything to help, Jess."

She put her hands on her hips. "I can too. Maybe if she sees us...together, she'll get the wrong idea."

"Wrong idea?"

She blushed. "I was thinking..."

"Yes?"

"Well, maybe if she thought you were taken..."

He smirked. "Do you want to be my girlfriend, Jessica?"

She giggled. "For pretend, if it would help. I'm a bit concerned that this person is...unhinged."

He sighed. "If she is, there is no way I'm letting her shift the target to you." He looked at her. "She might think...if we were...together...that you needed to be...removed."

Jess gasped. "I didn't think of that."

"It's OK, Jess. She's focused on me. I can handle it."

"I hope so, Becker. Be careful."

He smiled. "I always am." He stared for a moment than kissed her cheek. "Thanks for caring."

"I do, always," she said, smiling.

He smiled back. "I'm going to go home."

"Right. See you tomorrow."

He laughed. "That's the only thing I'm looking forward to right now."

She blushed but smiled.

End of Chapter Four