1734 Words, this chapter

Chapter Ten, Conclusion, Rotation

Jess sighed, sadly turning back to the ADD. She then talked herself out of her momentary sadness.

She had the team for now. Becker and the others needed her and she wasn't going to let them down. She went back to the job: directing, assisting, sending out alerts and information, and just being there for her team.

She tried not to think about the next time 'her' team went out. Maybe without her. Again.

The mission took all day and into the night. She and the morning shift, Becker's shift, were given the next day off. Jalissa would be called in for her.

She had seen Becker when he came back from the ARC, but they were both so tired that they ate together in silence. He had walked her to her car and even kissed her cheek.

Then nothing.

True, she slept all night and into the late morning. But when she awoke, there was no text message, no voice mail, and she couldn't reach him.

What was going on?

Had she misunderstood something? They connected, more than ever during that mission. It was obvious.

Wasn't it?

She flopped on her couch. It was past noon. She left yet another voice mail and three more texts. She had fought the tears for hours, and now they came.

She had misinterpreted his words, she guessed. She misread Alicia too. She had decided that there was nothing between the two. Maybe she was wrong.

The door bell rang and Jess felt new hope.

She ran to the door, but then had a horrible thought. 'It's probably Connor and Abby, checking on me. Maybe they know something...I don't...want to know.'

It rang again.

She said a quick prayer and opened the door.

There was nothing but a large bouquet of pink roses. Then Becker appeared behind them. She squealed.

"That's the affect I was hoping for," he said, with a chuckle.

"They're lovely!" she exclaimed, taking them. "Why?"

"Why are they lovely?"

She laughed and pulled him inside. "No, why are you giving them to me?"

"You saved my life."

"Oh." Her face fell.

"Those are for saving my life," he said, nodding to the roses. "These," and he brought a box of chocolates out from his jacket, "are just because I miss you."

She smiled hugely and jumped into his arms. "I miss you!"

He laughed as he held her. "Even with...Cooper...around?"

She gave him a mock glare. "Please. Don't even. You have Alicia."

"She's great."

"So's Coop," she said, smirking.

"Oh, it's 'Coop,' is it?" he asked as he gently let her down.

She nodded, giggling. "Do you...really like her?"

"Yeah. Do you really like Coop?"

"Yeah."

They nodded, standing in silence.

"Then why aren't we with them?" she asked.

He smiled. "I dunno."

She laughed and took his hand, and dragged him over to sit on the sofa. He put his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Alicia isn't you," he whispered. "That's why I'm not with her."

Jess looked at him and smiled. "Yeah. Coop isn't you."

He smiled too, then slowly moved in and kissed her.

She sighed, giving in and kissing him without any regret.

Except one. "Would Lester believe that I suddenly got ill?" she asked. "He wants me in tomorrow bright an early."

"Me too." He smirked. "Let's both play hooky."

She giggled. "Tempting...but if you'll be there too..."

"So will Lester, that kills it for me."

She laughed. "I guess it does."

"We don't have to ditch work," he said. "We'll have lots of time together."

"Will we? Even if I stay on rotation?"

He smiled. "Even if. We'll find a way."

She kissed him tenderly and stared into those brown eyes. "We will."

"Even if I have to beat Lester up."

"I can mess with his credit," she suggested.

He smiled, gently caressing her cheek. "See? We'll be fine," he said. He held her tight as she giggled.

The next day they did show up. Lester noticed that they walked in together, very close, with giggles and glances.

"Thank you both for coming," he said. "I've asked you here to inform you both that I have again received a communication from the field coordinators under miss parker's command."

"Again?"

"What could they possibly have to say?" asked Becker.

"Let me continue and you may find out," Lester said sternly. "It also happens that I have been handed a communication from the teams, yours included, Captain."

"Why?" asked Jess, alarmed. "They can't be complaining. Can they?"

"We haven't' done anything," Becker said, taking her hand.

Lester noticed. "They all commented on...a connection...between the two of you."

Jess blushed.

Becker kept hold of her hand. "So what?"

"So..." began Lester, "this needs to be settled."

"We're already rotated away from each other during work hours what else can you do?" Jess asked, practically yelling.

"She's right. You can keep us apart during the day, but once we leave the ARC, it's nobody's bloody business!"

Lester tried to hide it, but a small smile shot through. "At least you admit there's something between you."

"Why should we deny it?" asked Becker.

Jess looked at him and smiled. "Yes. Why should we?"

"You can't do anything about it," Becker said.

Lester smiled. "Actually I can."

Jess turned red with fury. She jumped up. "Then do it."

Becker nodded, standing with her. His fists clinched into balls. "Or we will."

Lester paled slightly. "You...aren't about to get physical...are you, Captain?"

"I might," spit Jess.

Becker chuckled. "No, nothing physical, Lester," he said. "But we might...do something drastic."

She looked at Becker. They exchanged smiles and she nodded. "If you force us," she said.

"But if we go," said Becker. "We go together."

"Absolutely," Jess said.

Lester took in a deep breath. He nodded. "Very well, then...together," he said.

Jess looked surprised, then she frowned and set her jaw. "If that's how you feel."

"It is," said Lester.

"Fine," Becker said, furious.

"Yes, I'm afraid it's the only action," Lester said gravely. He picked up his brandy and poured a drink.

Then he looked at them. "I have no choice. Therefore, I am taking Miss Parker off rotation and pairing her back with your team, Captain, effective immediately."

"Huh?" asked Jess.

"Was I unclear?" He took a sip. "It just so happens that these letters demand that I reassign the main field coordinator to the main team, or to whichever team the head military officer is assigned," Lester said. "That means you Captain Becker."

Becker and Jess laughed with surprise. "Thank you!" she squealed.

"Yeah, Lester, thank you."

"Don't thank me. Your co-workers seem to feel that no one should break the two of you up ever again, professionally, of course." He smirked.

Jess blushed, looked at Becker and smiled.

He smiled back and mumbled, "Good. Cause that isn't happening."

"No," Jess said.

"You're dismissed. I suggest you both get to work."

Jess looked at Becker and her face fell a bit. He sighed and nodded and stood beside her.

"Lester..." she began, biting her lip.

"Yes?"

She took a deep breath. "End the rotation, for all coordinators."

"You're pressing your luck."

"Yes, we are," Becker said, "but I think we've proven that...there is a...connection..."

"Between coordinators," said Jess, "and their teams. We've also proven that we can..."

"Adapt," they both said.

Lester rubbed his temples. "If I end rotation completely, will you stop talking like synchronized swimmers?"

"Yes," they said in unison.

Jess giggled. "Oops."

"We'll try," Becker said with a smirk. Jess nodded enthusiastically.

"Fine. Get out. Now," Lester said.

They began to, but Jess ran up and hugged Lester, as he protested.

She then took Becker's hand. He eyed Lester. "But our private lives...are off limits." He stared at Lester, but not with menace or malice.

Lester just nodded.

Outside the office, Jess jumped into Becker's arms.

"Whoa! What's this?" cried Connor, pointing at the pair. "He's not pulling away."

Abby smirked. "Maybe...they're together."

"It would appear so," said Emily, smiling.

Matt smiled and shook his head. "Took him long enough."

Becker ignored them. ""No one is separating us again, on or off duty," he whispered to her. "Not if they value their lives."

She giggled. "Or their private information."

Their lips met for a long, tender kiss.

Connor's mouth dropped open.

"Definitely together!" Abby cried.

Emily laughed. "It is good."

"It is," said Matt. "If he doesn't break her heart."

"He will not," Emily said. "He wishes to remain breathing."

Matt looked at her and smirked. "He better not then."

"Indeed," she said.

Jess and Becker kept kissing.

"Excuse me," thundered Lester's voice. "Must I command a refresher course on appropriate workplace behavior?"

"Looks like it," joked Connor.

Jess broke free from Becker and giggled.

Becker smirked. "No, Lester," he said.

Jess nodded. "We're going to our own separate work stations."

"Jolly good."

"After one last kiss," Becker said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to him as she giggled. Then they kissed passionately. Again.

Matt looked at Lester. "It seems rotation had an unexpected consequence, huh?"

Abby and Connor laughed.

"Indeed," said Emily.

Lester rolled his eyes and went back into his office.

Jess sighed with pleasure as he let her out of the kiss. "I'm so happy."

"Me too, Jess."

Then the ADD blared.

"Or I was," he said.

Jess sighed and ran to the ADD.

Becker grabbed a black box as Jess smiled uneasily. "Be careful."

He looked at her with a gentle smile. "I'm not worried," he said. "I've got the best watching over me."

"You do and she wants you to come back."

"I will."

"Don't worry, Jess. We have his back too," said Matt.

The others nodded.

"I know," she said. "You all be careful." She then kissed Becker.

He reluctantly let her go and ran off with his team.

She sighed as the lift closed, then turned to the ADD, preparing to once again keep them all safe.

The End