1161 Words

Chapter Twelve, Fresh Meat

Becker was chased out of Jess' room so the nurses could change her. They promised to keep a close eye on her until he returned. He walked into the corridor and noticed Sergeant Saunders sitting in a chair, reading a magazine.

"Good morning," said Becker.

Saunders smiled. "Morning, Cap. How are you?"

"Fine," said Becker. "She's awake and speaking normally."

Saunders beamed. "That's brilliant news."

Becker nodded. "So, Sergeant, what brings you here?" he asked with amusement.

"Oh…nothing. I was just passing time until my shift starts."

"In medical? And reading a ladies' magazine?"

Saunders chuckled. "I like to be informed on the female mind."

Becker laughed and shook his head. "You need to work on blending in, Sarge."

Saunders laughed. "Sorry. Mr. Anderson called Royce and Royce called me. We aren't letting that psycho Elm anywhere near our Miss Parker."

"Our?"

"Speaking in a figurative manner, Sir."

Becker laughed. "I appreciate it. Jess won't be up and walking around for a while, so as long as no one blabs to her, your secret is safe."

"No worries. I got the ladies all in on the plan," Saunders said, looking over at the nurses' station and winking at them. They giggled. "Medical is secure, Captain," he told Becker, flashing a bright grin.

Becker smiled. "Good. I'll send up a cup of coffee."

"Thanks, Sir. How about a Danish too?"

Becker laughed as he walked to the canteen. He met Connor and Matt on the way. "Sorry to get you in early."

"Don't be," said Matt.

Connor nodded. "If Jess is in any possible danger, I'm here."

"I don't know that she is," said Becker. "I just don't want to take chances."

"Agreed," said Matt. "We've got all the perimeter sentries on alert. Royce has a tail on Elm, discreetly of course."

"Good," said Becker. "That's very good."

"So just relax," said Connor. "We've got you and Jess covered."

Meanwhile, Nurse Jenny carried a large bouquet of red roses into Jess' room. "Someone likes you," she said with a smile. "Red roses…the flowers of love."

Jess giggled. "They're lovely. I wonder who sent them?"

Nurse Jenny looked surprised. "Your gorgeous Captain?"

Jess shook her head. "No. He knows me. If these were from him they'd be more…Jessified."

"Jessified?"

Jess laughed. "You've never heard that proper English word?" she asked. She moved forward to sniff the roses but winced as she felt a sharp pain.

"I'm so sorry!" cried Nurse Jenny, moving the table and roses directly over Jess' stomach. "You need to watch that shoulder."

Jess nodded. "I forgot." Carefully she moved close enough to sniff the roses and read the card. She frowned.

"What's wrong?"

Jess smiled uncomfortably. "Nothing. They're lovely."

"But?"

"Well, I don't quite understand why the person sent me these. I barely know him." Jess handed Nurse Jenny the card that said, "Jess, I'm thinking of you. I'm never far away. Love, Bobby."

"Who is Bobby?" asked Nurse Jenny.

Jess frowned. "I'm…not sure, actually." Jess laid back against the bed. She felt very uneasy and confused. "Why would he be so…attached?"

Nurse Jenny tried to comfort her. "Maybe he didn't mean it that way."

Jess shook her head.

"Don't worry about it," said Nurse Jenny. "You just relax."

Jess nodded but looked at the roses with unease. Why would Elm be so concerned? 'Love, Bobby?' Jess was wondering if she had done anything unwittingly to lead him on. She sighed. What would Becker think? Would he be consumed with jealousy and anger?

Fortunately, these disturbing thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of another bouquet. It was so big that she could barely see Becker behind them. He smiled brilliantly as he walked closer to her.

She squealed. "Becker! They're lovely! They're so me!"

Becker smiled as he put the arrangement-made up of reds, pinks, yellows, oranges, and other bright colored flowers- on the table. "I thought they screamed 'Jess."

"They do!" she cried, beaming with delight at the flowers. "You've got lilies, daisies, carnations, roses, and some I don't know. Becker I love them!" She began to lean toward him but he stopped her.

"Uh…no. You stay still. I'll come to you," he said, sitting on the bed and leaning over her to kiss her tenderly. "I'm glad you like them, but now that I see them they aren't bright enough."

"You're crazy! They're like a rainbow!"

He chuckled. "Yeah, but they're dim compared to you."

"Aw. You flatterer."

He laughed and kissed her again. "I love you, Jess."

She beamed. "I love you, Becker."

They sat there, smiling at each other. Then Becker said, "I'm not even jealous over the red roses, aren't you proud of me?"

Jess giggled. "Yes. I am." Then, just for a second, her face fell.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Becker sighed. "As I've reminded someone recently, I'm security. You can't hide your feelings from me, Jess."

Jess giggled. "It's nothing, honestly. I don't want you…upset."

Becker looked puzzled, but then he noticed how she looked uneasily at the roses. His eyebrow rose. "Jess, I'm sorry, but I have to interrogate these roses."

"Interrogate? Becker you're brilliant but not even you can get roses to speak."

He smiled. "Oh, I'll get an answer from them even if I have to leave a trail of rose petals."

She giggled. Becker took the card from the roses and read it. "Damn it. I forgot to watch out for deliveries."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. So…one of my command seems to have fallen for you. I guess I'm not intimidating enough," he said with a slight smile.

"I swear I did nothing to encourage him…Besides, I was unconscious during most of our time together…"

"Jess, easy," he said, stopping her ramble. "I'm not mad at you."

She teared up a bit. "You aren't?"

"Of course not. You've done nothing wrong."

She sighed with relief and leaned into his chest, causing some pain. She didn't care. She needed him to hold her.

"Everything's OK, Jess."

"Why did he do it? Why does he think he loves me?"

Becker shook his head. "I don't know, but don't worry."

"I can't help it. It's weird. What if…I mean…is he dangerous?"

Becker paused a second. "I don't honestly know, but I do know that you are safe. I'm not leaving you alone again."

Jess sighed. "Good. I'm not really scared, I'm just…bothered."

Becker smiled. "Good. It bothers me too. I don't like that some cheeky bloke is sending my girl flowers."

Jess giggled.

"In fact, maybe I should throw these things away."

"What? No! Don't take it out on the poor roses. They aren't to blame," she said.

"I don't want some other guy's flowers in your room."

"Don't be silly."

"Silly? Jess, you are my girl, aren't you?'

"Don't be stupid. That's not the silly part."

He laughed as she giggled more.

"Fine. You can keep them," he said, "but…" He moved his larger, more colorful arrangement in front of them. "Mine are out front, grabbing your attention."

She giggled. "Obviously. You've always gotten my attention."

He smiled and kissed her. "That was a very good answer, Miss Parker."

She laughed. "I thought so, Captain."

End of Chapter Twelve