825 Words. Another short chapter! I'm so sorry.
Chapter Eleven
She must have fallen asleep right after that, because the next thing she knew, it was morning. Becker was gone. Jess put on a robe and stumbled to the kitchen.
"Morning," said Becker.
She lit up. "I thought you left."
He chuckled. "I planned to, but then…I couldn't. I needed to see you before."
She smiled. "Oh. Did you sleep OK?"
"Honestly? I slept great, which is kind of horrible to admit since I nearly lost a good friend last night."
She laughed weakly. "You were mentally drained. You needed the sleep. Fred won't mind."
"Yeah. Lester said to take a few hours this morning. I thought I'd go home to shower and change. You want me to swing by and pick you up when I'm ready?"
She looked at him. "Yes, thanks."
He nodded. He got up and walked toward the door. "Jess, thanks so much. I'm sorry, I mean, it might have been awkward for you, but…"
Jess cut him off. "It wasn't, not at all. I needed to be there, with you. I'm not sorry."
"Good. See you in a while."
"Right."
When they arrived at the ARC, they went to the infirmary first. It was going to be a while until Fred was back to normal, but everyone was willing to help out.
They were surprised to find Fred awake and fairly alert. Becker winced when he saw him. His face was still bruised and swollen. "Well, you've never been too attractive anyway," he teased.
Fred laughed. "True. If this had happened to a pretty boy like you…."
"Oh, I'd be devastated," joked Becker back.
"It's good to see them talking stupidly, isn't it?" asked Regina.
Jess laughed. "Yes. How are you?"
"So relieved. Tired. His parents will be here soon, and then I'm going home for a bit while they're here."
"Does Ladonna know?"
"She knows Daddy got hurt, and he has to stay in hospital for a while. She's a little scared, but he talked to her earlier and that helped. Mum's got her drawing pictures for him."
"That's nice."
"Yes. Everyone's been helping. Nicole Bilson offered to watch her this evening so Mum and I can both be here. Fred's parents are going to keep her overnight."
"Wonderful," said Jess.
"It is. How are you?"
Jess smiled. "Relieved. Tired. I also feel…focused. Like, things are clearer than they have been in a long while."
Regina smiled. "Glad to hear it."
Jess chuckled. "I don't quite understand why. I mean, when Becker nearly died it so unhinged me, but now, after Fred…"
"It makes sense, Jess," said Regina. "One shock showed you everything you could lose, while another made you focus on what you still have."
Jess nodded. "I'm supposed to be helping you, not the other way around."
Regina laughed. "Believe me, I've been in your shoes, Jess, not knowing what to do, wondering if I should walk away."
Jess listened quietly.
"I couldn't walk away, or wait for someone else."
"You loved Fred."
"I still do, even with nights like last night."
"What are you two talking about?" asked Fred.
"Nothing," said Jess.
"It doesn't look like nothing to me," said Fred.
"It looks like plotting to me," said Becker.
Regina shook her head, and moved to her husband. She kissed him. "I love you, but you're a lot of trouble."
Becker and Fred chuckled.
"I should go," said Jess. "I have work to do, and the doctor warned us not to tire you out."
"She's right," said Becker, "but I'll be back."
"Thanks, Captain," said Fred. "Thanks for taking care of Regina."
Becker nodded. "You take care of yourself."
"Will do, Sir."
Becker walked out with Jess. "So…they seem good," said Jess.
"Yeah. They do."
She slipped her hand into his. He looked at her.
"You OK?" he asked.
She nodded. "I was thinking."
"About…"
"About how we've been through hell."
"We have."
"Did you notice how we clung to each other?" she asked.
He smiled. "Yeah."
Jess smiled back. "My heart hasn't changed."
"Mine either, but you said that love wasn't enough."
"I think I was wrong."
"You think?"
"Yes."
"Have you changed your mind?" asked Becker. Then he smirked and said, "Or made it up?"
She laughed. "I've made it up. I was scared. I was trying to protect myself."
"And now…"
"Now, I realize it's impossible. You'll never be completely safe, neither will I. I love you, Becker. I want to be with you."
"Even if I leave you alone?"
"I might leave you alone. Who knows?"
Becker nodded.
"Unless…you're tired of dealing with my drama?"
He laughed. "No, I like your drama, well, most of the time."
She giggled. "Take me back?" she asked.
He smirked. "Since you're begging…"
She giggled, and leaned up to him. He pulled her the rest of the way to his lips, and they kissed.
"I missed you," he whispered.
"Me too."
End of Chapter Eleven