Author's Note: 1273 Words

Chapter Seven

Becker was changing into civilian clothes, when Jess jumped on him, shoved him against the locker, and smothered him with a heated kiss.

"I surrender," he said.

She giggled, and slid down. "Good." She took his hands. "Are you ready for your birthday evening?"

He nodded.

She smiled, pulling him out of the locker room. They stepped out, and were suddenly ambushed by off-duty soldiers.

"Let's go," said Vale.

"What's going on?" asked Becker.

"You're being kidnapped," said Private Thompson.

"What?"

"Just go with it, Sir, please," said Carlson. "Don't fight. I beg you."

"Jess?" Becker called.

"She's being kidnapped too," said Flowers. "Don't worry."

"Come along, quietly," said Sargent Nicole Bilson, pulling Jess.

"What are you guys doing?" asked Becker.

"Yes. Please, tell me. I have plans," said Jess. "Time-sensitive plans."

"We know, Jess. We won't detain you long, promise," said Nicole.

"And it will be painless," said Flowers.

"Oh, yeah," said Vale. "We're getting drunk for the Cap's birthday, so it'll be very painless."

They all hooted and hollered, and stuffed Becker and Jess into a van, and drove to a pub. They hustled them inside.

"Birthday...birthday...let's get drunk," sang Vale, off-key, "Captain's birthday."

Becker shook his head, and chuckled. "You're a nut. If you're drinking, who's driving you home?"

Vale smiled at the lovely blond Sargent. "Nicole?"

She laughed. "Yes, I'm the designated driver. Lucky me."

Flowers ordered drinks, and said to Jess, "Don't worry. We don't expect you love birds to get plastered."

"Yeah, you're just the excuse," said Vale.

"Thanks," said Becker.

"I do want you sober," said Jess. He nodded.

"A toast to our esteemed leader," said Flowers. "To your good health, and a happy birthday."

They all toasted.

"Thanks, Fred," said Becker.

Becker and Jess had light drinks, but the others, except Nicole, opted for stronger stuff.

"To the Captain," said Carlson. "My favorite superior officer. No one has ever let me blow up as much stuff, keep as many guns, or out gun-polish me. You're obsessive. I love you, Sir."

They all laughed, Becker, the hardest. "Love you too, Carly."

"My turn," said Vale." Everyone groaned and scoffed. "To Becker. I hated you when we first met, because you're almost as good looking as me."

The table chuckled and groaned.

"I soon learned that you didn't care, so it was easy to assert myself as the best-looking, which I appreciate."

They groaned.

"True, you're a slave-driver, and you could kill any one of us with your pinky finger, but, thankfully, you haven't."

"Amen," said Carly.

"Vale, where's the toast?"

"I am toasting, hush, Fred. So, in honor of the day you graced the earth with your presence, and made it tremble in fear..."

"Vale!" cried Fred. "Hurry up!"

"...I offer this humble toast."

"Humble?" asked Nicole.

"To the Captain."

"The captain."

They all drank. Jess kissed Becker. Carly led them all in singing, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

Vale got smashed.

"Seriously, Jess. If you (hiccup) hadn't fell under Becker's spell, (hiccup) wouldn't you be after me?" (Hiccup).

Jess smiled at the glazed-over blue eyes. "You really want me to answer that, with Becker so close?"

Vale nodded, his head waving drunkenly. "I can take him."

"I think you're in no condition," said Jess.

"Makes it easier (hiccup) for me to defend myself."

"Easier? Are you sure, Vale?" asked Jess.

Vale nodded.

"He's plastered," said Becker.

"He's had enough," said Nicole.

"Me too," said Flowers. "Tommy?"

Thompson nodded.

"OK, time to get Becker and Jess on their way, and you home," said Nicole to Vale.

"He he. I knew you'd give in (hiccup) sooner or later," slurred Vale.

Nicole rolled her eyes. "Luckily, he'll be sound asleep by the time we get there."

Becker laughed. Flowers patted him on the back. "Happy Birthday, Sir," he said.

Nicole kissed his cheek. "Happy Birthday," and dragged Vale along. "App Ithday, Ap."

Becker laughed, and shook Vale's limp hand.

"Carly, you OK?" asked Thompson.

"Fine. I just...have a few private words for the Captain."

They all nodded, and left to wait in the van.

Carlson saluted. "Sir, please. I want you to have this." He handed Becker a small lockable case.

Becker opened it, and lost his voice. "I...uh...Carly! Wow!"

Carlson smiled great big. "You like it?"

"Are you insane? Of course. Jess, do you know what this is?"

"It's a gun."

"A gun? Jessica, this is a Webley MK IV .455 revolver, 'the peacemaker,' the classic, legendary gun of the British Empire," lectured Becker.

"Oh."

He rolled his eyes. "Sargent Carlson, a gift of this magnitude requires the following response," he said, and he threw his arms around the ARC weapons expert.

Carly chuckled. "It does indeed sir. It was my pleasure. Only a handful of people have the taste and intelligence to appreciate such a weapon."

"It's just a gun," said Jess.

Carly and Becker both gasped. "Just a gun?" asked her boyfriend, in disbelief.

"Really, Miss. You hurt us deeply," agreed Carlson.

Jess giggled. "Sorry."

"I forgive you, Miss. I still like you."

Jess laughed. "Thank you Carly. I like you too."

Becker beamed, holding the gun and case like a small infant. "I love you Master Sargent Carlson."

"Way to keep your professional, military cool, honey."

Carly chuckled. "Have a good night."

"Thank you, Carly," said Jess. "I intend that we shall."

Becker smiled. Carly saluted and Becker returned it. Then Jess walked with him out of the pub, shaking her head as he lovingly stroked the gun case.

Jess had Becker drive to his flat. They walked in and Jess ran to the bedroom.

"What are you doing?" asked Becker, setting Carlson's gun in a place of honor in his gun cabinet.

"Last minute preparations, dear. Hang on a minute," she said.

"What...are we doing?"

"Sorry. No hints. What time is it?"

"Uh... ten til six."

"Eek! There's hardly anytime left!" she cried. She ran out in a robe.

He looked at her. "What?"

She hit him in the chest with a large box. "Hurry. We have to leave in like, five minutes."

"Jess..."

"Stop talking, and open it!"

Becker laughed, opened the box, and found a large jersey baring the logo of his favorite soccer team. "Sweet! Jess, you know how I love these guys! Thank you."

"You're welcome, now quick put it on," she said, pulling at his shirt.

"Whoa! Stop! What are you doing?"

"I told you, we're in a hurry, and you need to change. Put the jersey on. Now!"

He laughed. "Yes, Ma'am!" He changed into it.

"Good," said Jess. "Now, keep digging in the box."

Becker chuckled, and returned to the gift. "There's nothing else in here, Jess."

"There is."

He sighed, then said, "Oh, there is. Paper...Tickets! To a game...tonight! Jess!"

Jess giggled, ripped off her robe, to reveal a matching jersey of her own. "I know!" She jumped up and down, excitedly. "Which is why we have to move!"

He laughed, ran to her, hoisted her up and twirled her around the room. "Thank you!"

She giggled. "You're welcome."

He kissed her.

"Honestly, the game starts in half an hour, so we have to go...now!"

He nodded, still smiling widely. "Let's go then."

"OK, you start the car," she said, running to the kitchen.

"What are you doing?"

"It's a surprise, for later. Go get the car!"

He laughed, and headed out. Jess emerged soon after, pulling a cooler and holding a basket.

Becker ran out to help. "What's going on?"

"We're going to a game. That's all you need to know."

"OK."

Becker loaded the car, and sped to the arena.

End of Chapter Seven