DISCLAIMER: I do not own
A/N: A huge thanks goes to all my readers
Becker was confused, ok perhaps that was a slight understatement, well quite a big understatement if he was the telling the truth. It seemed that ever since he'd met Jessica Parker, the brilliant field coordinator, and even more amazing woman, that his feelings were all over the place. He was uncertain of what he should be feeling. Jess had basically done the equivalent of throwing a hand grenade at him, and now his mind was slowly exploding from the after effects. He knew that deep down he should be angry, and a part of him was fuming, but it was only a small part, because the larger part of him just wanted to protect Jess, and to love her, to make sure she didn't have to go through it alone.
What was he getting into? Jess was pregnant, she was to become a mother, and where exactly was he going to fit into her life once the baby was born? He wasn't the baby's biological father, and he had never prepared for children of his own anyway. His life was too dangerous for children, and far too chaotic. That thought brought him to Jess's job. If he'd been fearful for Jess before he'd known she was pregnant, he was purely terrified now.
" We'll have to tell him about ' your condition' " He flinched at his own voice. They probably weren't the best choice of words, and though he tried to keep the spitefulness out of his voice, it was still very evidently there. He was only spiteful because Jess had hidden the fact that she was carrying a child until their relationship had progressed, to the extent that there would be no turning back. There was no way his hearts could possibly turn away from Jess now.
She glanced at him fearfully, her features paler than should be healthy, and her eyes a stark blue in comparison, " Who?" She asked, licking her lips nervously.
" Lester. He has a right to know Jess. The longer you stay at the ARC whilst you're pregnant - the more likely you'll be putting yourself and the team at danger. " Again he wished that he had placed his words a little more carefully.
" I'd never do that!" She exclaimed in horror, " I'd never endanger the team!" She was getting quite worked up, and Becker was extremely worried that she would simply keel over if she yelled for much longer.
" No, not on purpose. Jess you'll have to tell him at some point. It's better that you tell Lester now, rather than later, " He paused for a moment, " I'll be right there by your side for when you do." He placed his hand on her shoulder, and gave her his best comforting smile.
" Tell me what? Hmm-" The man himself popped up out of thin air causing both Becker and Jess to jolt in shock.
Jess looked as though she was on the brink of hyperthentalateing, and Lester was stood, tall and proud with that usual glint of dangerous humour in his eyes. Becker clasped Jess's hand tightly and pulled her to his side. She was trembling, and he could feel her heart rate increasing as her pulse pounded against his palm
" Well I'm waiting - we haven't got all day you know. " Lester looked at both of them, and then said in annoyance, " Will you stop dill dallying around and just spit out what you wanted to tell me! Parker?" He squinted his eyes before turning to Becker, " Captain?"
Becker was trapped, unsure of what to say, or whether it was really his place to say anything. However something was niggling away at his mind, refusing to let go. He was the head of security and that meant he had to express any concerns he had for the safety of his team. Jess being pregnant, as harsh as it sounded, was a major risk for all parties involved. His mind made up, he spoke, hoping that Jess wouldn't be too angry with his decision, " Jess is going to have to spend some time off from the ARC." He scratched his cheek as the awkwardness he had been feeling swallowed him whole.
Lester crossed his arms, " Whatever do you mean?" He asked, an edge of suspicion tinting his voice.
Tears were springing in Jess's eyes, and her cheeks were glowing a deep red. He tried to distract himself from how just her blushing filled him with a lust that he'd never experienced before Jess had entered his life. He was quite sure that his cheeks were a similar colour, though he wasn't flustered like jess, just a little embarrassed at having all sorts of things in his mind … things that Lester would probably have a fit about if he could read minds … he can't read minds though, can he? Ok, scary, no terrifying thought.
" I'm pregnant." Jess blurted out, half choking on a sob.
Becker's heart leapt a little unsteadily. It was his fault that she was so upset. She would have told Lester in her own time about the child, but no, what did he have to go ahead and do? He had to pressure her into saying it.
Lester was shunned into a startled silence. He was prompt in fishing out a pristine handkerchief and giving it to Jess. She took it, wiping at her tears frantically in an obvious attempt to regain as much composure as she could. It took a while but she finally managed to stop the tears from falling, though her eyes still remained a little red and puffy.
Becker was squeezing her hand even tighter now. He hoped that through that gesture she'd feel a little comforted.
" Now Parker, no tears, do you hear me?" Lester tutted in a mild disapproval, though his tone was light and his face softened in compassion, " We'll sort this out. You see if we don't. " Jess tried to smile, though it was watered down dramatically by her still evident upset, " I presume Becker's - the father."
" You presume wrong." Becker practically snapped. Closing his eyes, he let out a loud growl of annoyance at himself. He didn't mean to be so abrupt, and although he spoke the truth, it wasn't needed in such ugly brute force.
" Oh, um right. Well this is really quite awkward, isn't it?" Lester glanced between them. Indeed the situation was slicked thick with awkwardness, " Look Parker, take some time off. No arguments. We'll be fine here. I shall inform you of what will occur during your lack of presence in the ARC " And with that their boss walked briskly away, as though he hadn't just witnessed Jess's breakdown, Becker's overly obvious protectiveness towards her, and the brittle ice that was between them.
Jess let out a frightened giggle of nervous laughter. It was good to hear her laugh. It was a relief that the Jess he'd first met was still there, and that it was still possible for such a happy noise to escape her lips, rather than the rather distressing cries that had occurred only moments earlier.
" I'm sorry." He kissed her on the head, dragging her closer against him, " I really am. I didn't mean -" He gasped breathily.
" It's fine, really. Could have gone far worse than that." She twisted her head, planting a delicate kiss upon his lips.
He felt his eyes pop in shock. It was still a surprise to be kissing Jess, a pleasant surprise at that. She pulled back and nuzzled her face in his chest.
" Jess - about the baby." He whispered. She didn't move from where she was positioned, but he could tell that she was scared, " I'm not their father - biologically I mean. But - well - er." He was really rather bad at this, wasn't he? " I just want you to know that I'll be there for you - the both of you. Because well, I think, well I know, that er, I love you. " There! He'd said it, and there was no going back now.
" You love me?" She questioned him, purely shocked.
" Yes. " He nodded. It was true, and he just hoped it would be received well.
" That's good because I feel the exact same way." And with that he and Jess were lost in a world of their own, a world where only three people existed.
They were oblivious to the rest of their team members giggling in joy, in fact, they were oblivious to everything.
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