1239 Words
Chapter Eight
That evening, Becker drove her home with him after work. They had a nice, quiet, uneventful evening.
The next morning, Becker woke up to the smell of coffee. He found Jess in the kitchen. She stood wearing a long white nightgown with lace sleeves and a high lace collar.
He wondered if she wore that to cover her neck. Still, she looked beautiful.
"This is a nice domestic picture," he said, smiling.
Jess looked at him and smiled. He tried not to frown. She looked pale again. "I made you breakfast," she said, handing him a cup of coffee. "It's just toast and microwaved bacon."
He smiled, taking both the cup and plate. "Thanks, Jess. I love bacon, and I love my microwave."
She giggled, picked up her own breakfast and sat at the table.
He took his time sitting. He wanted to look her over. Despite looking pale, she wasn't as lethargic or confused.
"Should I be flattered that you're staring at me?"
He blushed. "Sorry, Jess." He sat beside her. "I just wonder how you're doing."
She took a bite of toast. "Ask me," she said with a grin.
He laughed. "Sorry. How are you this fine…" he stopped talking as he looked through a window and then he said, "misty, foggy, unnatural weather?"
She giggled. "It's London, what's unnatural about rain?"
"I don't know. It just seems…creepy," he said, looking out on the gray morning.
"I kind of like it."
"Since when Jess? You're always saying that rain ruins your shoes."
"Yeah, but today I like it," she said, staring out the window with a haunting look.
Becker felt a shudder down his back. He swore for a moment that a shadow fell across her face. Then she looked at him and smiled brightly.
Maybe he was over-stressing himself. "Thanks for breakfast. You didn't have to do that."
She smiled. "I wanted to. You've been so sweet to me. I…I don't know what I'd do without you." She blushed.
He smiled. "Me too, Jess, honestly."
She raised her head and smiled again. "I should get ready. I have a day to spend in the medical section."
"Sorry. I know you're bored, but…"
"Better bored than bitten, right?"
He felt a bit odd as she said that. He was sure something was after her. Something had bitten her, but to hear her say it made it seem more real, less caught up in his overprotective brain.
When he didn't say anything, Jess just smiled. "A rainy day is an excellent day for boots, Becker."
He laughed. "How many pairs do you have?"
"Several." She frowned. "All at home."
"No big deal. We'll stop off there before we go to the ARC."
"Good. I didn't bring my rain coat either. I'll have to pick it up too. I'll be ready in a flash," she said.
They got to Jess' flat. "Oh, shoot. My bedroom window is open," said Jess, walking into the room. "I swear this thing opens by itself. Becker, maybe I have a ghost." She giggled.
"Ghosts don't bite."
"That's one suspect off the list," she said with a smile. Then she giggled. She giggled a lot. "Sorry, I'm a little giddy today, don't know why."
Becker frowned. "I'll shut the window."
"No!" she cried, running in front, blocking the window.
He was startled.
"Sorry," she said, laughing. "I'll do it. Why don't you check the others?"
"I will, after you finish in here."
"Don't you trust me?" she asked with a cheeky grin.
"Well, you are acting a bit…odd."
"I am not! I'm just happy."
"Ok," he said doubtfully. "Why don't you close the window?"
"I will."
"Fine."
She frowned at him and then she closed the window, slowly, as if she was looking for someone outside.
"Jess?"
"I'm closing it Becker! Geez! Connor's right, you are obsessive!" she cried. Her face frowned, and she even began to pant.
"I didn't mean anything Jess," he said, very uneasy at her state.
She quickly dropped the attitude and resumed being giddy. "Of course not. Sorry. Boots. I need a pair of boots."
Becker stood in the doorway, watching her zip the boots up her legs.
"Well, I'm ready. We can go now," she said.
"OK, after you," he said.
She frowned. "You don't have to hover over me."
"Sorry. I didn't realize standing here was hovering."
She crossed her arms in frustration. "It is."
"Why? Do you want to do something that you don't want me seeing?" he asked.
"Of course not! I just…geez! I'm suffocating!"
"Sorry that you feel that way, Jess. I don't want you suffocating but I do want you well."
She softened a bit. "I know. I'm sorry."
"So am I," he said. They stood quietly, watching each other. "Whenever you're ready."
She stood, looking around uncomfortably. "Um…don't you want to check the rest of the flat, for security issues?" she asked.
He stared at her. She was acting strange and he couldn't shake the idea that it was like she wanted privacy. For what he wondered. "Sure," he said simply.
He checked the doors and windows, always making sure he could see her. He was on the last window when he looked back and she was gone. He went through the flat, calling her name.
Then he panicked. "Jess!" he cried. He finally tried outside. There she was in the back yard, just standing there, rain soaking her uncovered hair.
"Jess!" he cried, he ran over and grabbed her arm.
She stared at him, but it was unfocused, like she couldn't quite see him.
"Jess?"
She cocked her head. "Yes?"
"What are you doing out here in the rain?"
"I…don't know," she said. She had that same confused look as the first day of the bite. "I'm sorry. I thought someone called my name," she said, a bit dreamy-like.
"Who?"
"Huh?"
"Jess, who called you?"
She just stared across the lawn.
Becker grabbed her and shook her gently.
Suddenly she snapped alert. "Becker. Ugh, I'm wet. You must think I'm bonkers, standing in the rain. At least I wore my rain coat."
"Jess, what's going on? Why were you out here?"
"I don't…I guess I wanted to see the rain."
Becker frowned. "No. You don't know why, do you? It's coming back, isn't it? That strange behavior from before?"
"Becker, let's go inside. My hair's soaked," she said, running inside. She was giggling as she said, "Good thing I have a hair dryer." She kept giggling as she dried her hair. Becker kept watch from the bathroom doorway.
"Finished. See, no harm done," said Jess.
He didn't look convinced. "Jess, you're acting weird. Why were you outside?"
She rolled her eyes. "I was just standing in the rain!"
"Jess, I…"
"Becker, please! I've been under constant watch for days! I know it's for my own good. I know you're worried about me. I appreciate it, but I'm sorry, can't I even run out in the rain by myself?"
He looked at her. If he believed that it had been a case of her rebelling he'd be relieved. He didn't. He had to be careful though, and not push her away. "Fine. I'm sorry I got…worried."
"You panicked!" she said, laughing. "Well, shall we go?"
Becker nodded, following Jess out. He had hated her lethargic mood, but this near crazy, giddy mood was almost more frightening.
End of Chapter Eight
