If anyone had asked her last year, how Jessica Parker would be spending her twentieth birthday, the last she would have said was 'alone'. She would have thought of a big party with dozens of her friends and family members with her. She would've dressed up and laughed the night away. Instead, she found herself sitting at the counter of a local pub, sipping her drink, alone. She'd taken the liberty of dressing up; nothing could ever force her to do otherwise. She sat on the stool with her slender legs crossed. The skirt of her dressed clung at her mid thighs. The fabric ruched all up her curved body. Her left shoulder was bare, but her right was covered by the straps. One thing she loved about her dress what that she could wear it as a V-neck, or a one shoulder number. Tonight, she felt like spicing it up and going with a one shoulder. She'd curled her reddish brown hair into loose ringlets and let it fall around her face. A matching pair of ribbon strap sandals completed her birthday apparel.

Jess lifted her costumed designed martini glass-a gift from an old school friend-and sipped her Afterglow. She set her glass back onto the counter, running her manicured nails over the bottom stem of her glass.

In truth, she could be spending the day with her friends or colleagues. There was no doubt that if she explained the occasion someone would join her. But after school, most of her friends had gone off to universities. And her coworkers, herself included, had been under so much stress in the past few weeks, it just seemed like the best idea to keep the date to herself and spend it at her own leisure.

Someone cleared their throat behind Jess, causing her to look over her shoulder. An older, visibly older, man stood behind her. His beard was short, trimmed neatly. He wore a black button up shirt tucked into his pants. His stomach was accented by the shirt. He wore dark pants and slightly scuffed up shoes. His hair was greying, but well maintained. He smiled politely at Jess.

"A young woman such as yourself shouldn't be in a pub alone." He said.

"Women do a lot of things men don't understand." Jess replied. She turned her chair out slightly, giving her a better look at the man "It's a gift."

The man chuckled. "Please, let me buy you another."

"No thank you, sir. I'm still on my first." Jess replied. She wasn't in the mood for dealing with flirts from older or intoxicated men. Maybe the pub hadn't been the best idea in the world.

"Then grant me the pleasure of paying for your drink." He said.

"There's really no need for that." Jess insisted. She hoped the man would take a hint and leave. She just wanted to be left alone.

"And why's that?" he asked.

Jess opened her mouth, ready to kick every ounce of courtesy she had left to the curb. She didn't care that it would be impolite, rude, and not at all lady-like. But frankly, Jess didn't care. This was her birthday, her depressing birthday, and she was going to do what she wanted.

"Because-"

"Because it's already been taken care of." Answered another voice. A strong arm came up around Jess' shoulder. A hand came down over Jess', gently grabbing it.

Jess looked over her shoulder to find Becker closely behind her. She felt his shoulder against her back in a protective manner. Working with the man for almost a year gave her the insight in what his posture meant. By the set of his jaw and the look in his eye, Becker was in his 'defense' mode.

But as he turned to look at Jess, the stern look and set jaw disappeared. "Our table opened up darling. Shall we?"

Jess smiled. She wrapped her arm around Becker's offered arm and rose from her chair. She grabbed her glass and followed Becker toward the back of the pub. Becker led her to a small booth. He sat on one and as Jess took the other. She set glass down on the table and settled into the booth.

"Thank you." Jess said.

Becker shook his head. "Not a problem. Though it looked like you were handling it."

Jess snorted. "Had you shown up a few seconds later, you would have witness my full rage."

Becker's brow rose. "Wait, Jessica Parker, raving mad?"

Jess smiled. "Believe it or not, Becker, I do have a temper. Unlike you, I happen to keep mine in control."

"Obviously not, otherwise you wouldn't have nearly snapped at the man." Becker said. He lifted his beer and took a quick drink.

Jess lifted the stem of her glass. "Well, usually I have it under control." She took a small sip of her drink before setting the glass back onto the table.

"Frankly, I'm surprised to see you out alone, Jess." Becker continued.

Jess frowned. "Why's that?"

"Well, considering it's your birthday, I would have thought you'd be out with your family or friends." Becker said.

Jess' head shot up. "How…how do you know it's my birthday?"

Becker smirked and leaned against the table. "You're not the only one who reads personnel files."

Jess smirked lightly, feeling her cheeks redden. "Okay, so what are you doing here alone, Becker?"

"I wasn't alone." Becker answered.

"Oh?"

"I was having drinks with an old unit mate." Becker explained. "I was about to leave when I thought I saw you at the bar."

Jess nodded slowly. "And you thought you'd come in a save me?"

Becker smiled. "Well it seemed like the best choice."

Jess laughed lightly.

"How come you didn't tell anyone it was your birthday?" Becker asked.

Jess shrugged. "Partially because it's just another number. Just another years passing."

"And?"

"And with the way things have going at the ARC, I didn't want the others feeling they were obligated to come." Jess finished.

"No one would feel obligated Jess." Becker answered.

Jess looked at Becker for a moment. His eyes were set against her, looking into her. Jess felt her cheeks warm and she looked away. "I should get back to my flat. God knows what Connor's doing unsupervised."

Becker chuckled lightly. "Do you need a ride?"

Jess shook her head. "No. Actually my flat's just around the corner."

Jess rose from the booth. Becker rose with her and escorted her out of the pub. The air was cool, but not too chilly. The stars were out, glistening brightly in the sky. Jess looked up at the stars, marveling their beauty. She smiled lightly.

"What is it?" Becker asked.

Jess shook her head and looked at him. "Nothing. Thank you again for saving me in there."

"Anytime, Jess." Becker replied.

Jess smiled. She turned and started walking down the sidewalk toward her flat.

Suddenly a hand caught her wrist, pulling her back. Jess turned, moving right into Becker's arms. Becker closed the gap between them, pressing his lips to hers. Jess gasped, stiffening against him. But her surprise quickly faded. She drew her hands against his chest, gripping the curve of his shoulders. She marveled how his arms felt around her, making her melt into his arms. She felt her heart soar.

Becker pulled away slowly. His breathing was ragged as he whispered. "Happy Birthday."

Jess smiled. She slowly-and unwillingly- stepped out of Becker's arms. She turned back only once. Becker was still standing in front of the pub, his eyes on her. Jess turned quickly, her cheeks blushing brightly. A small smiled formed on her lips, knowing she'd been caught looking back, but she didn't care. It hadn't been a terrible birthday after all.

finally got the ending to work.

also i might not be posting ANY new fics for some time. i have to send my computer in to get replaces. my dvd reader stopped working and it's driving me nuts. i've been dying to do some video editing for some time and i can't without my reader. so i'll be ofline for about 2 weeks. i'm so dead. :( anyways, thanks for reading and reviews are always loved.