Author's Note: Sorry, but I just don't write him well. He's too mysterious. I did my best.
Homemade: Matt
Matt handed Jess a small box. She opened it, read the label and smiled.
"Perfume! You made this?"
Matt nodded. "I cheated a little. I used essential oils I bought, but the fragrance comes from my plants."
"So it's one a kind? Cool!" she kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you!"
She ran off to show Abby and Connor. When she was gone, Becker got in Matt's face.
"What the hell? You don't give perfume to a girl who isn't yours. It's too personal. That was out of line."
Matt laughed. "Sorry, Becker. I would be intimidated, but you're just too cute."
Becker growled, making Matt laugh more.
"If it helps," said Matt, "Emily, remember her? My girlfriend? Yeah, suggested the perfume. So, nothing improper was implied."
Becker was still unhappy as Emily walked over.
"Is there a problem?" she asked, seeing Becker's face.
"Becker didn't like me giving Jess perfume."
Becker looked away, and Emily smiled.
"I apologize, Captain. It was my fault. I did not realize it was inappropriate."
"It's fine Emily," said Becker. "Matt's exaggerating."
"No I'm not."
"Shut up."
Jess, Abby and Connor came over.
"Isn't it nice?" said Jess. "Smell it, Becker." She leaned up to him, offering her neck.
There was a chorus of snickers, coughing, and giggling.
Becker blushed, leaned down a little, but quickly straightened back up.
"Yeah, its nice," he said stiffly, and sporting a nice shade of red.
Jess smiled. "What's going on?" she asked, seeing all the smirks and smiles.
"Nothing Jess," said Emily.
"Abby, Connor, here," said Matt, handing them gifts.
They opened their gifts. Abby had lotion and Connor some herbal tea, both made with Matt's plants.
"It will help you sleep," said Matt to Connor. "You look beat after those all-nighters."
"Thanks, Matt. I hope it works," he said with a smile.
"It should," said Emily. "He made me botanical bath gel and it was very soothing. I nearly fell asleep in the bathtub."
"Yeah, should probably use it sparingly," said Matt with a smirk. "Lester got his cologne earlier, so that leaves...Becker."
Becker looked skeptically at Matt, but took the package.
"I'm scared," said Becker, "so far I've seen bath gel, cologne, lotion, and tea. This is a bottle, I can tell. What are you giving me, aftershave?"
"That's not very polite," said Jess, poking Becker.
Becker smirked.
Matt laughed. "Don't worry. You're the last person I want to get the wrong idea. You're not my type."
Becker opened the gift and smiled pleasantly.
"I grew the grains, and I brewed it. Plus, kept some for myself," said Matt.
"What is it?" asked Jess.
Becker twisted off the cap and took a swig.
"Not aftershave or cologne, I hope," said Abby.
Becker sighed happily. "That's a very nice beer. Thank you."
Matt smiled. "No problem."
"No offense, Matt, I like the tea, but why didn't you give me some beer?"
Abby jabbed him. "That is not nice, Connor."
"Where are your manners, tonight, you two?" asked Jess.
Connor and Becker smirked.
"It's fine, Jess," said Matt. "Truth is, I'm selfish. I'm keeping the booze."
They laughed.
"All in all, not a bad party," said Lester, walking up, "and, Miss Maitland, the gifts were not horrible. I am impressed."
"I'm glad," said Abby.
"So, we've been making merry for nearly two hours," said Lester, "I believe I can now officially conclude the official ARC holiday party," said Lester.
"You can," said Jess, "but you don't have to. Someone hasn't danced with me yet, and he promised, Becker!"
Becker smiled. "I thought maybe you'd forget."
"Fat chance," said Abby.
"Yes, go dance with the field coordinator," said Lester. "Don't worry, the party shall continue, unofficially."
"Good," said Jess. "Come on soldier." She pulled Becker away, after he handed his beer to Connor.
"Don't drink any!" he ordered, but Connor smirked at Abby.
Emily put her arms around Matt. "This is the nicest holiday I've ever had."
Matt smiled and tenderly kissed her. "Me too, Em, me too."
"That is good beer," said Connor, with Abby nodding beside him, holding the beer and wiping her mouth.
"You guys have a death wish," said Matt.
They smiled.
"Feliz Navidad, everyone," said Lester, pulling the bottle from Abby's hands. After a few seconds, he said, "Oh, that is nice."
The End
Author's Note: Even though all the character's have had a chapter, there is one more, Jess gets a do-over.
