Well, we're up to U now – only 5 chapters left after this one until the end of The Alphabet of Jecker 2! It's funny how time flies! Thanks to everyone! Any ideas, tell me! :) xxx

U - Ultraviolet

"Morning, all," Lester perched on the edge of Jess's desk and surveyed his team, "How are we?"

Jess was sitting beside him, fiddling with the computer keyboard, flashing the little ultraviolet light on and off. Becker sat on a little plastic chair not far away, watching her with admiration, whilst Matt sat beside him, tapping his foot impatiently.

"I'll take that as a 'good'?" he picked up a downhearted vibe in the room, despite how cute (Had he really just thought that word – cute? What was the world coming to?) Jess and Becker looked together. "Where are Connor and Abby? They should be in by now."

"Abby called in ill," Jess told him.

"Abby's never ill, is she?"

"Nope."

"What's wrong with her? And where's Connor, anyway? Don't tell me he's looking after her? What does that involve? A day in bed together, shagging?" he frowned suddenly. Really, where the hell had he got all of this language from today? Had he swallowed The Guide to Being a Chav? Cute, and now shagging? Dear, dear, dear...

"She said she'd been sick all night, and she was still in her pyjamas. She sounded... she sounded really bad. I said I'd go and see if she was okay, but she said she'd talk to me later."

"And she doesn't know where Connor is," Becker added.

Lester sighed, "How can she not know where Connor is? Don't they live together? What, he popped out to get the milk and got lost?"

"Don't, Lester."

He looked worried now. Suddenly, it wasn't such a joke, and it wasn't so annoying either. If Matt was telling him not to go on about it, and Becker and Jess were so miserable about it, then what did that mean? "Right, so..."

Becker suddenly fiddled with his pocket, flushing red.

"What is it? Your phone? Take it out."

"It's Connor... sorry, Lester; just give me a minute," he stared at the screen, stood up and moved across to the other side of the room, "Hi, Connor, mate. How're you doing?"

Jess carried on fiddling with the ultraviolet light as the conversation continued in the corner, too quiet to be audible to the team. It made patterns on the high white ceiling of the building, purple swirls.

"Yeah, yeah," Becker was saying, "I know. It must be a shock, mate. So what are you doing? Have you seen her?"

Matt and Lester both found themselves watching the roof silently, seeing the purple light patterns flashing in front of their eyes. Maybe it was just because they felt awkward watching Becker.

"Well, I know, but you should still talk to her. Yeah – I understand. Do you want me to come and see you or something?"

There was silence as Becker listened to his friend on the other end of the line. From the expression on his face, worried and sorrowful, it seemed as if Connor was really out of character.

"Connor, you did loads to help me. Yeah, you're a great mate. Look, it's really quiet here without you – it's weird. I'm sure she didn't mean it, she just... well, you know..."

"Can I talk to him?" Jess broke the silence suddenly, standing up and moving across to Becker.

"Connor, Jess is here," he handed the phone over reluctantly, mouthing quickly at Jess 'they argued'.

She nodded, "Hey, Connor."

More silence. Becker took her hand and she cuddled up against him, obviously remembering what had happened between them. She just wanted to help Connor and Abby. She just wanted to feel Becker's hold on her, and know he cared.

"She said she was ill. She sounded upset – she said she didn't know where you were," Jess paused, "She didn't want me to go across. Yeah, I know you're embarrassed, but I understand; I promise you."

Lester reached across and started fiddling with the ultraviolet light himself, just because he needed to do something. Matt was fiddling with the side of the chair now, tugging at a spare thread. The whole room was filled with awkwardness between them all.

"Yeah. See you in a bit. Yeah, it'll be okay."

She gave Becker his phone back, and he took her hand and helped her down to join them at her desk again. She was just beginning to look pregnant, now – showing a tiny bump. Becker sat down, and she sank onto his knee.

"He didn't tell me what it was about, but... but I think they argued, and they were both upset, and he slept on the sofa and then left before she woke up. I think he's feeling guilty for leaving her now, but he's coming in. He asked me to talk to Abby later."

"Okay," Lester nodded, stood up and walked back towards the ramp leading upwards, "Back to work, then. I'll see you later."
All he could think about was all the romantic troubles the ARC was experiencing at the moment. Just their ages, he supposed. If it's not one couple, he told himself, then it's another.

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