Chapter Ten

Jess and Keiko took a break from shopping for tea and chocolate.

"Wallace is an idiot," said Jess. "He needs to stop playing the field and settle down. With you."

Keiko laughed. "I'm not ready to settle down. Why are you more upset than me?"

"Because you aren't even trying to fight. How can you not care?"

"Jess, it's going to be very hard to carry on a relationship with him while he's at sea every month."

Jess grunted. "I'd fight. That's all I'm saying."

Keiko smiled. "Are you speaking from experience?"

Jess blushed. "Well, I would have fought, but I didn't have a chance." She giggled. "He caved in."

Keiko laughed. "I think Becker and Wallace are very different. Wallace likes being single. I guess I'm more like him than I realized. I didn't mind being his for thirteen days, but I'm not ready to limit myself to one man."

Jess snorted. "I hated being single! I am very happy to say I am all Becker's."

"And he's all yours?"

"Absolutely."

Keiko laughed. "So, what should we do next?"

"I was thinking the spa," said Jess.

"Ooh. Good. I'd love a massage."

Jess blushed. "Me too. It's too bad I won't be able to have the masseuse I had last time."

"She's not on duty today?"

"No, and it was a he."

"Does Becker know?"

Jess almost spewed her tea. "Yes, he knows," she said coyly.

"Just as well to have a woman do it."

"Hmm. I guess. I really miss his…technique."

Keiko looked puzzled. "You're not telling me something."

Jess giggled uncontrollably. "I can't! He'd kill me!"

"Who? Becker? I don't get it."

"Let's just say Becker's talents are surprising and cover a wide range of fields."

Keiko's eyes widened. "Becker gave you the massage?"

Jess giggled and nodded. "You can't say anything! You can't!"

"I won't. I promise. So…was he good?"

"Oh! It was heaven."

"Jess…we're friends…right?"

Jess snorted again. "Sorry, but no one else is ever getting a massage from that man. Ever."

"Oh. Pooh," said Keiko.

They went to the spa, spending a relaxing, beautifying day. "I'm going to be so rejuvenated and gorgeous," said Jess, lying under an avocado mask and cucumber eyes. "Just in time to get stressed up at work."

Keiko laughed. "Stop it! You're cracking my mask!"

Becker and Wallace had a ball at the skeet shoot. They bantered playfully back and forth, challenging each other to harder shots. A crowd formed around them. It was a real party.

It helped they were a little toasted. Maybe that's why the skeets were abandoned and onlookers began suggesting other things to shoot.

One man offered his wife's gaudy new handbag.

"Sorry. My girlfriend's so into fashion I swear she'll feel the thing get blasted," said Becker.

Wallace spewed his drink.

"This is quite a job, isn't it?" asked Becker, looking at Wallace. "Drinking and shooting while you work. Nice."

"I hear you get to shoot on your job," said Wallace.

"True, but there isn't any drinking."

"Pity. Who wants to see the good captain hit a coconut?" yelled Wallace, taking the fruit from someone in the crowd. He was about to hurl it when they all heard a loud bellowing.

"Belay that!" cried Captain Sterling. "I've gotten reports of a drunken frenzy going on down here."

"Nah!" cried the crowd.

"Guns and drinks don't mix. Add in a boat, and you're all swimming back to England!"

They all laughed.

"Becker, you have a lovely young woman who I'm sure has plans this evening and you accidentally shooting yourself will dampen them. I suggest you find another amusement. Wallace, I already have one devised for you."

"Uh-oh," said Wallace. "Paperwork."

Becker laughed. "Too bad, mate." They surrendered their weapons. Becker decided to go to the cabin and sleep it off. He didn't want to disappoint Jess and whatever she wanted to do later.

Jess got back to the cabin, and smiled at the sleeping form on the bed. She tiptoed over and kissed his cheek. She then went about checking to see if she had all her souvenirs. For Abby she got a t-shirt from Fuerteventura, made in a soft blue with a gray dolphin swimming across. She found it at a nonprofit ecological shop that donated the profits to beach cleaning days.

Lester got an exquisite hand-painted box of La Palma-made cigars. Even though Becker declined Jess' offer to buy him a Fez hat, Jess got one for Connor so he could be like the Doctor in Doctor Who.

She got Emily a ring made with a cool gemstone, resembling a green peridot, found inside the volcanoes on Tenerife. She loved it so much, she got herself one, along with a matching necklace and earrings.

Matt got a book filled with breathtaking photos of flowers and plants native to the Canary Islands, including the famous Bird of Paradise.

She got a silk robe from La Palma for her mother, and despite the fact she was supposed to be buying gifts, she got three more in different vibrant colors for herself. She got leather sandals in Tangiers for her father and one pair to save as a Christmas present for Becker. Yes, she got two more for herself.

She had a miniature "timple", a Canary instrument like a ukulele, for her nephew. She hoped her brother would forgive the noise that was bound to fill his house. She had several assortments of Moroccan spices for the Ops techs. Becker said it was unnecessary but she went ahead and bought small wine bottles from Madeira Spain for his soldiers. After she bought them, he had smirked and said, "They're gonna love me." She giggled.

She looked over all the bags. She was sure that was everything. She turned and screamed. Becker stood so close to her that they nearly touched. "How long have you been there?"

He smirked. "A while. You're alertness is slipping Miss Parker."

"I was in shopping mode, it doesn't count."

He laughed. "So, how was your day?"

"Smashing. I got all relaxed and prettied up."

"I can't tell the difference. You're as stunning as always."

She shook her head. "So, flirty boy, how was your day?"

"Smashing also. I got Wallace in trouble."

"How?"

He chuckled. "We got a bit…buzzed at the shooting deck. The Captain seemed to frown upon it."

"Becker! Shame on you."

"Hey, he ordered the drinks himself. I just didn't stop him. I don't think he's in that much trouble. I'm sure of it. Sterling was teasing more than angry."

"I hope so. If he loses his job Becker…"

Becker smiled widely. "I can get him in at the ARC."

Jess' eyes widened. "I love Wallace, but you, me, and him, all cozy in London? No thank you. I don't need competition from a bro-mance."

He laughed heartily. "Don't worry. You have better legs."

"Thank you. Well, I guess I can start getting ready for dinner."

"Wear something smashing since it's our last night at the Captain's table."

"No it isn't," said Jess.

Becker smirked. "Yes, it is. After tonight, you and I are not leaving this cabin again until we reach home."

Jess giggled, and ran into his arms. "As busy as the ARC is, I think that's a brilliant idea. We need to store up as much alone-time as possible."

He nibbled her neck. "That's what I was thinking."

She giggled. "Let me go, or we won't leave starting now."

"How's that supposed to convince me to let go?"

She laughed, playfully elbowing him.

She looked at her dresses. Which one was right?

Becker beamed as he walked into the dining room, escorting the most gorgeous woman in the entire world.

Jess wore a red, long gown clinging to her curves. It was hot and spicy, just like the Moroccan town she found it in. The top had a halter around her neck. The dress was plain, no frills, ribbons, embroidery, or even leg slits. It was simple in its sexiness.

She was a vision. Becker knew it, and smiled smugly at every man in the room who turned to look. 'That's right, she's with me,' he thought proudly.

Jess was beaming too. She was on the arm of the hottest guy in the room. On the planet, for that matter. Becker had ditched the tux for a soft poplin black pant. It also clung to his muscles. As he moved, the eye wanted to follow him.

Not that he ever needed help getting the female eye's attention.

His top half was as sexy as the bottom. His shirt was silk and light gray; it looked soft and luscious. It was tight too, like it was made to fit his well defined body. He wore a tie that marked him as Jess'. It perfectly matched the red of her dress.

She was the envy of every woman there. She knew it too.

They sauntered across the floor, smiling pleasantly but relishing the knowledge that they looked as good as they felt and that they were a matched pair. Captain Sterling, like every man in the room was fixed to Jess.

"It's a good thing I like you, son," he said to Becker. "Otherwise, you'd be going overboard tonight."

Everyone laughed. Jess was seated by the Captain, Keiko beside her. Becker and Wallace were across from their girls.

Keiko blushed when she saw Becker. "I hate you," she whispered to Jess. "First for being with him, and then for making me forget about what's his name for a second."

Jess' mouth dropped. "Keiko! You can't say that!"

Keiko just giggled. "I told you, I'm not ready to settle down."

Jess looked at her and frowned. "Becker, honey," she said, "tell the girls how you've taught all of the ladies at our workplace several forms of self-defense. All of us."

Becker looked puzzled, and when he saw Keiko laughing and turning red, he knew he'd missed something. He looked at Wallace for help.

"Don't ask me. I'm sure it has something to do with you. You're gorgeous, or so I hear."

"Wallace!" cried Keiko, turning even redder.

Becker smiled pleasantly.

"Remind me to erase her contact information from my mobile," said Jess.

Everyone laughed good-naturedly. As the evening wore on, it became clear that while Keiko might think Becker attractive, she was actually fonder of Wallace.

"I hope she fights for him," said Jess, while she danced in Becker's arms. "Wouldn't it be nice if they were a couple, permanently?"

"Does this have anything to do with dinner tonight?"

"No. It does not."

Becker laughed. "I think they are a nice couple," he said, "and yes, I have an ulterior motive. I love Wallace, but he's still a guy, and I hate them all for glancing at you, even just a bit."

Jess smiled. "I should be put off by how paranoid and possessive that sounds…"

"But you're not…" said Becker.

"Nope."

He laughed, and kissed her hand as he held her out to spin her.

"I did make sure Keiko knows that I can kick her butt," said Jess, spinning back to him, "and wreak havoc with every file in the world that bears her name."

"Yikes."

She laughed. They danced closely, Jess' head in his chest.

"Miss Parker? May I escort you to your cabin, where we shan't be heard or seen until we reach port?"

She smiled, and slowly kissed him. She ran her fingers down his chest. He had a hand on her hip and was letting it dip low.

"Yes," she said, breathlessly. "Please."

He smiled. They said goodnight to everyone. Just as they reached their deck, he scooped her up, and carried her to their cabin.

They spent their last hours in bed, the Jacuzzi tub, or on the balcony. They took all their meals alone in their cabin.

Wallace and Keiko did not see them again until breakfast the morning they docked. They reminisced about their wonderful holiday. Then, they hugged each other goodbye. Captain Sterling saw them off, shaking Becker's hand and kissing Jess on the cheek. Then Becker and Jess' holiday ended as they disembarked the Adonis.

End of Chapter Ten