I know, I know, it's been forever!

Nag me people! :D

I'm afraid that this is one of those chapters where nothing really happens. I've had a few lately but bear with because it'll soon be getting gooooooood!

Now, Enjoyyy!

The next week passed quicker than Jess thought possible. They days at work dragged and she waited for the small analogue clock on the ADD screens to tell her she could go home, or to the shops and prepare for the upcoming party. Yet somehow, before she knew it, the party was the next day and she still needed to purchase a number of items for decoration of the hall she had hired and she still hadn't found the perfect accompaniments to her dress. Both Emily and Abby already had their entire outfits sorted to perfection and the Field Co-ordinator knew that their respective partners' jaws would drop at the sight of them.

But the excitement of selecting a whole knew ensemble for her dress had little appeal to Jess, it wasn't like the man she wanted to attract could see it. The only thing Jess had really put her heart into selecting was a perfume.

Feeling slightly sorry for herself about the reason why, she tried to block out the party excitement around her and lose herself in her work. The ARC was buzzing with anticipation. The Hub had been made the unofficial base for people to meet up with others and discuss the party, how they were getting there, who they were going with. The last of which was particularly important for Stacey who had been asked by Johnson to the event.

"Urgh, you're so lucky you know, Jess."

The Field Co-ordinator spared the Techie a glance, wondering in what world she would be considered lucky.

"It doesn't matter what you wear because the guy you like wont see it." Jess's fingers paused in her typing while she swallowed a small lump in her throat. "I mean, you could wear anything you normally wear and still look fabulous. Just add a little more makeup. Make your eyes darker here and here. And then that lovely lipstick you had on last time we went out and voila! It's not like Becker will notice." Stacey sighed and Jess forced a tight smile. "Plus, we all know the Captain likes you for you. I have to find something that will impress Johnson but not make him think he's got me because we all know what a player he is. And I really like him so I need to keep his attention and…"

As the older girl continued Jess zoned out and instead focused on the aforementioned Captain doing a few laps with Matt guiding him. Bounty was unable to participate in the run due to her injury. Becker hadn't mentioned the party since they had agreed to the… Jess forced herself to remember that they had only agreed to driving arrangements. Nothing more.

And as she went to bed that night, that was what she thought of. Those two words.

Nothing more.

-/-

"Jess's just driving me there, Mari."

"The child probably thinks it's something more."

Becker grit his teeth, he couldn't get Marianne to refer to Jess by name. "Pass me my white shirt?"

"Gah! Do it yourself for once!"

"Please?"

He heard his girlfriend huff, then the shirt was collected from his cupboard. "I don't see what it matters what you look like. It's not like you need to dress up for any of them. You're already my boyfriend."

"Oh really?" Becker asked. "So why did you get that new dress yesterday? Or the shoes?"

"What is your problem? I need those."

"They aren't exactly daywear are they?"

"What do you know, Becker? You're blind. Blind as a bat. I need to feel pretty and you don't do that." There was a huff accompanied by the swish of Marianne's hair.

"Why are you going? If it's just a little thing like you say it is then don't bother."

"I'm not staying in while you're going out, Mari. It doesn't work that way."

Marianne's voice rose in pitch. "You expect me to stay in with you on Christmas eve? Really, Becks? I can't do that! Don't you know me at all!"

Becker rolled his eyes behind his closed lids and pulled Mari towards him, knowing it would calm her.

"You'll have fun out tonight, yes, Mari?"

"Of course. I don't know who I'll go with though. Maybe Mark. Could go with Liam or Jason though…" She trailed off and Becker was sure she was trying to bait him, it's how their relationship used to work.

Pressing a quick kiss to her head he mumbled that he was sorry he didn't make her feel pretty enough, she was 'always beautiful' and should make sure she had fun. As he hoped, she took that as her opportunity to leave.

-/-

Jess was late to collect Becker, the decorating took longer than she had expected and she had only just finished when the first few people started to arrive. The girl had quickly rushed home, donned the silky dress and accessories Emily had discovered for her the day before, and 'fixed' her face and hair, before pushing the law as she rushed to Becker's.

By the time she, Becker and Bounty got to the party most people had arrived, drinks were being passed out and the laptop Jess had hooked up to speakers had Christmas music blaring in the background.

"It even smells like Christmas!"

Jess smiled at Becker's announcement. It was said with a small measure of childish glee which she had never heard from him before. She was glad she had ordered a real tree, made copious quantities of mulled wine and had the food hot. It gave Becker something he could sense as opposed to the stale air of a party which had too much alcohol being thrown around.

Once the last few people had arrived and been seated at the tables dotted around the edges of the room, Lester dryly welcomed them to the Christmas party and handed over to Jess who excitedly announced the annual ARC Christmas video.

It had been put together by a select few techies who, each year, attempted to out-do last years video. As a result they were always found with their cameras and copious amounts of ARC security footage somehow managed to make it's way onto their hard drives around Christmas time.

Whereas every other year they put the video up with a couple of background soundtracks, this year they had taken the time out to write out a few words for each photo for Becker's benefit.

"So!" Stacey clapped her hands together as she began the announcements. "We thought we'd start this year with out favourite new recruit."

Most people's eyes turned towards Lawrence who watched Stacey with an expressionless face, having not known what was likely to happen in a ARC Christmas party.

"Charming, good looking and loved by everyone, we," she gestured to the group surrounding her, "have undertaken the task of gathering as many images as possible from every walk of our friend's life. Robin?" She handed the attention over to a colleague.

"You may be impressed with the range of images we have which include: bath photos, training, casually lounging around the ARC, following Becker while working and annoying Lester - everyone's favourite pastime, wouldn't you agree, Soph?"

Sophie took the microphone from her boyfriend and grinned at the mass of people who were watching the group in shock. Bath photos?

"Yes, yes, I would. And our friend seems to be the only person who can get away with it. We give you…" She paused for dramatic effect, then clicked onto the first slide.

I know I don't normally end it like this but hey! It was this or a REALLY short chapter! :P

Let me know what you think guyssss! :D

Primeval Love!

I'll try and get more up soon :)