CHAPTER 10

Flatmates and Catch-ups

"Just make yourself at home, you know where everything is after all."

Hannah moved to the side to allow Jess to step through the door into the flat, her own flat, before closing it behind them. Looking around Jess was startled to find it nearly exactly how she'd left it just days ago, before reminding herself that the Jess who had lived here had been gone for almost four months.

It felt really odd to think of it like that. She mentally shook herself to allow her brain to come to terms. Come on Jessica it was you, she thought.

The kitchen walls were the same burgundy, all the furniture in the lounge area was exactly the same, and her computer still stood on the island counter.

She turned to her cousin. "You haven't changed anything?"

"How could I? Everything here is a reminder of you, the three years that I missed and never got a chance to ask you about." Hannah replied softly, smiling sadly before chuckling. "Besides, I love it how it is, very stylish! And Becker would have my head!"

Jess laughed before glancing at the stairs. "So I'm guessing you have my room?"

"Of course. And your mum has Abby and Connor's old room. They and Becker helped to settle me in here. Told me so many stories about you – before Becker got me into the ARC. After I knew, the stories got a lot wilder! If I thought you going to Cambridge at such a young age was crazy, you can imagine how much I freaked out finding out everything you've faced over the past few years."

"How is my mum?" Jess asked, guilt flooding her as she sat down on the chair in front of her computer but turning it to face Hannah. Not only had she hurt Becker and her friends by what she'd done, but also her immediate family. Her mum had fallen apart when her dad had died, she couldn't imagine how it must have been for her to lose another loved one.

Hannah let out a breath then flicked the kettle on and began to rummage in the cupboards. "Coping, somehow. She puts on a brave face but I still hear her crying at night sometimes. I try to get her to talk but she just says she's fine and changes the subject. She's back home with my mum and dad at the minute, but she's coming back tomorrow."

Jess sighed. "I really didn't want it to end up like this. I won't be allowed to see her I've really messed up!"

Hannah stopped what she was doing and walked over to her. She placed her hands on Jess's shoulders and smiled. "Hey, everyone understands why you did what you did. You couldn't help what happened, you didn't want it but sometimes things happen that way. Besides, you know what's important now? The one wrong has been put right; we all have you back! I for one am not complaining about that! I may not completely understand how it all works but I don't care, I have my little sister back!"

Jess beamed, standing up and throwing her arms around her. Even if Jess disagreed with what she said, Hannah always knew what to say to cheer her up. She'd always been there for her and Jess couldn't help but let a few tears slip from her eyes.

Hannah made coffees and they sat on the sofa. Jess took the remote and switched a rom-com movie channel on but wasn't interested in watching it. She just wanted to talk to Hannah, talk about anything and everything. She'd missed it so much.

Her cousin began talking about the ARC team and how she'd become close friends with them, especially Becker.

"He's like a big brother to me, well they're all siblings really. It's a funny side effect, getting caught up in a dangerous career. But Becker's just been there for me. I guess we were there to help and heal each other. He seems so different now you're back, it's really good."

"That's hard to me to contemplate," Jess replied. "Him not knowing what's happened between us, I mean. I was in his bed two days ago, and he doesn't remember any of that. It's like he's been given amnesia after a knock during an incursion!"

"But you're able to show him now, right?" Hannah said suggestively, winking. Jess chuckled and felt her cheeks flush in response.

"You should have seen him this morning Han, when he asked me over to his for a date tonight. The smile on is face was just childlike!"

"He's just over the moon to have you back. Forget the circumstances now, it doesn't matter, everything is how it should be." Hannah said, beaming and squeezing Jess's hand.

Jess managed a weak smile back. Hannah had always been able to forgive her easily, but she wasn't sure whether she'd ever be able to forgive herself for the amount of pain she'd caused.

"So tell me about your end. I wanna hear all about America and what's happened since!" Jess said brightly.

"Well you know the basics, I started at the law firm in 2009. It was great I absolutely loved it. Making a difference to people's lives was such a rewarding experience. Socially there was a lot going on too. Me and Tom would go out to clubs and such with his friends and my work colleagues like every week. As time went on I made my way up through the system – it works slightly different over in the US but I got the hang of it quickly. I'm stubborn and fierce and was able to stand my ground and fight whenever I needed to and I got myself quite a reputation.

"And then came the fiasco with your twenty-first birthday. You know what happened with that. I broke up with Tom, came back and started at the ARC. And to be honest, it's great being home again. I got my British passport back a month ago, there's no way I'm going back now! Hey speaking of, you'll have celebrated your birthday won't you?"

Jess bit her lip guiltily. "Yeah, but it was only two weeks after you'd died Han. It wasn't much of an occasion to celebrate; I was a mess. Lester tried to suspend me from the ARC and Abby tried to get me to go back home, Becker just tried anything to cheer me up… It wasn't as fun as I'd have wanted. But I guess it was worse for you?"

Hannah nodded. "Emily told me how they'd been planning a party for you at the ARC, but of course they never got around to finalising it."

Jess rested her cup against her forehead until the heat became too much to bear and she tore it away. "God, I've messed everything up! All that was supposed to happen was that I got you back, nothing else!"

Then there was a knock at the door.

"Hey that'll be Becker!" Hannah smiled, placing her cup on the coffee table and leaping up. Jess placed hers on the table as well before slumping back against the sofa, her head in her hands. She jumped a mile when two hands squeezed her shoulders from behind.

"Hey, sorry it's just me." Becker apologised. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, fine. Sorry you startled me that's all, I must have zoned out."

He then appeared in front of her, his hand held out. She accepted it and let him drag her to her feet and into a hug. As always, Jess melted into his body, loving the feel of his muscles all around her, the warmth of his body heat relaxing her.

"Mmm I forgot how good your hugs are." Becker mused as Jess pulled away taking his hand. She entwined their fingers and gave his hand a squeeze.

"Thanks for having me round Han." Jess beamed.

Hannah embraced her tightly and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Anytime Jess." Then she turned to Becker. "I want her back at the ARC in one piece tomorrow, do you hear?"

He smirked at her in response but Jess didn't miss the slight tinge of red on his cheeks.

"Yes Ma'am." He joked and both women laughed.

"Alright, now get going you lovebirds!" She said.

Becker stepped forward and kissed her cheek before briefly hugging her. "Take care, yeah?"

"You too Becks!" She smiled.

Jess turned to Becker, laughing. "Your nickname?"

"More of a private joke." Hannah mused. "Your boyfriend has a secret passion for football, or more specifically the film Bend It Like Beckham. His name sounds quite similar to player David Beckham so the name kinda stuck!"

Becker slapped her head in retaliation but there was a grin on his face.

"Oh?" Jess teased.

"And I'll bet it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the main character is called Jess." Hannah said flatly, mockingly shaking her head. "I think you should be prepared for a few soccer practices at weekends Jess!"

"Hannah Evelyn Bails, shut it!" Becker teased before chasing after her. Hannah shrieked as she tried and failed to dodge his hands, all the while Jess was doubled up with laughter. He caught her and effortlessly flipped her over his shoulder in a fireman's lift and swung her around.

"Hey let me down!" Hannah squealed from halfway down his back.

Becker walked back over to Jess, a cheeky smirk on his face. "Where shall I put the trash?"

"Hey! Hilary James Becker put me down right now! Jess, help me?"

Jess just kept on laughing. She was enjoying the simple scene before her eyes and how close the bond between the pair of them was. Becker carefully lowered Hannah back to her feet and she punched him playfully in the stomach.

"Ow!" Becker cried, over exaggerating.

"Okay, we're getting out of here before this ends in tears!" Jess said brightly, taking Becker's hand. In response, he just lifted Jess over his shoulder the exact same way he'd done with Hannah.

"Your turn!" Becker grinned as Jess shrieked.

"See you!" Hannah called, as Becker carried Jess out of the flat.

. . .

No sooner had Becker set her down on her feet next to his truck did Jess snake her arms around his neck and pull his lips to hers. The kiss was both passionate and gentle, Jess savouring the sensation of his soft lips against her own. Becker eventually pulled away and rested his forehead on hers, a hand gently cupping her cheek.

"Jess I…" he began, but Jess cut him off by placing a finger on his lips.

"Shh. I love you Hilary Becker and tonight you're going to see just how much. Come on, let's go."

Becker held her hand during the ride back to his flat, not wanting to lose the simple contact he'd missed out on for so long. No sooner had they reached the flat did Jess head to his room to deposit her things. Her bags that had originally been confiscated on her return had been given back to her that morning.

However when she turned to exit the room she did a double take. Next to his wardrobe were several shoe racks, filled with the rest of her shoes.

"They were never in storage at the ARC." Becker said quietly from the doorway. He was propped up against the frame, watching her tenderly. "I had all of your stuff here, I'm sorry for not telling you. I didn't think it was right for you to be told I'd kept them all along; it would have sounded weird. Waking up everyday and seeing them reminded me of you and what could have been between us."

Jess walked over to him and kissed him gently, cupping his face in her hands. His hands went to her waist.

"Thank you." She said simply.

"Now about dinner: Chinese or homemade korma?" He asked, smirking.

Jess bit her lip to stop herself laughing. "Definitely homemade korma, and I want to help!"

Becker kissed her in response before grabbing her hand and dragging her to the kitchen. As they busied chopping and stirring, Jess having a bizarre sense of déjà vu, they talked about work, the latest film releases and Hannah.

"I think she's brilliant, it must be a thing in your family! After everything last November, she was always there for me like a younger sister. I have no siblings so it felt so natural to bond with her in that way. She told me all about your University antics and I told her about some of your work antics. She roared with laughter when I told her about the time you asked me in your typical nervous-rambling manner if I was single or even gay."

Jess blushed with embarrassment as she recalled the moment. It had been a few days after Abby and Connor had become her flatmates after returning from their hellish year stuck in the past and Abby, having noticed her obvious-to-everyone crush on the Captain, had nagged her to as him.

Jess playfully punched him in the arm and he grinned teasingly in return. "I was only nineteen, and inexperienced when it came to men. I improvised!" She replied, pouting teasingly back.

Once they had eaten dinner (and a very delicious chocolate cheesecake dessert!) they settled themselves on sofa. Becker put on a TV channel that was airing The Simpsons. However he turned his attention to Jess as he put his hands over hers and lovingly squeezed them.

"Jessica, I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me that you're here with me right now. I've been in a bad place the past few months but I already feel so much better. I love you so much and I want you by my side forever. I've lost you once and I will never, ever let it happen again."

Jess sat and listened to his words, allowing him to express feelings he had no doubt had to push out of his head.

"With Hannah and your mum being in your flat you really have nowhere else to go but I want to ask you properly. Jessica Parker, will you move in to my flat?"

Jess beamed and chuckled at his awkwardness. "Yes of course silly billy!" she exclaimed, leaning forwards to capture his lips. Then she broke the kiss to whisper in his ear. "Now let's get to the fun, Captain Becker!"

With that, he lay down on the sofa and pulled him on top of him so she was straddling him, their kisses heated, passionate and hungry.

After a while Jess broke away to stand up and hold her hand out to Becker, which he immediately accepted and allowed her to lead him into the bedroom. As they passed the doorway he lifted her up and resumed the kiss. She wrapped her legs around his waist, catching the edge of the door with one foot and giving it a light shove allowing it to close softly behind them.

. . .

To be continued.

[A/N: I only realised after I'd finished writing that the second half was meant to be Becker's POV but hey, I think it works as a continuation of Jess?

Thank you everybody for being patient with me, I'm sorry for the delays between updates. I've been on holiday again, encountered writer's block, getting sorted for the new academic year and the past few days I've had a bit of a sickie spell. I'm back at college this Thursday so my updates may get less and less frequent depending on workload, but I won't give up!]