831 Words
Chapter Twenty One: Evening in the Hospital
Jess and Emily returned to Becker's room where they quietly played cards. Emily had to go back to the ARC. Becker was sleeping so Jess quietly did crossword puzzles. When he woke up Jess was coloring Captain America.
"I knew you were young, but shouldn't you be past the coloring phase?" he asked.
Jess looked up and smiled. "Hi sleepy head," she said, moving to the bed with her coloring book. She kissed him then went back to coloring.
"You know the Captain may be buff," Becker said, watching her color, "but who dresses like that?"
Jess giggled.
"In fact, Avengers are 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes' so why are they all American?"
"Not all of them are. Thor's from Asgard."
"Right, he's not even from Earth. Talk about illegal aliens."
Jess giggled. "You liked that movie, remember?"
"I did. It had awesome action. Hulk was cool but seriously the nations of earth were under represented. Where were the Brits?"
Jess made a face. "I don't know. A guy running around wearing the Union Jack? Not fashionable."
Becker smiled. "Oh, wait. I forgot there is a Russian on the team," he said, smirking at Jess.
Jess frowned. "Hussy."
Becker laughed. "Shame on you, Miss Parker."
"Honestly, Becker. Who dresses like that? It leaves nothing to the imagination."
Becker smirked. "You know, you'd look fantastic in a Black Widow cat suit."
She smiled. "I would, but it would have to have a lot more color."
He laughed, pulling her closer to him and giving her a long passionate kiss.
"Mmm. Maybe I'll invest in some spandex when you're better."
"Now you're talking," he said.
She giggled. They sat together, coloring the Avengers. Becker colored the Hulk. No one colored the Black Widow.
Nurse Poppy opened the door. "Heads up, Jess. Dinner's about ten minutes away if you want to pop down to the canteen and bring something back to eat with him."
"Thanks. I will."
"How do you do that?" asked Becker.
"Do what?"
He chuckled. "You don't just make friends, Jess. You bond with people."
She shrugged. "I don't know. I'll be right back. Don't color Captain America."
"I won't."
She got her bag and left the room.
Then she stuck her head back in quickly. "No coloring Black Widow either," she said. Then she was gone and Becker laughed.
When Jess returned with a tray full of food, Becker's meal was set in front of him.
"Poppy just left. Good timing," he said.
She placed her meal next to his on the table over his bed and scooted the chair as close to the bed as possible.
Becker said, "I have bland chicken, bland rice, and bland peas. Plus red Jello. You?"
"Roasted chicken, baby potatoes in garlic butter, sautéed spinach with almonds, and chocolate Hazel nut cake."
"I hate you."
"Why? Becker, I got the closest thing to your meal as I could."
"It's not close at all!"
"Just eat your food," she said, digging in.
"Jess, do you have to start with the cake?"
"Why? You can start with the Jello."
"Oh. Yum."
Jess put the first bite of cake in her mouth. "Oh…my God! Oh, that is just so good!"
Becker glared at her.
She covered her mouth. "Oops. Sorry."
He sighed. He chewed the tasteless chicken, grimacing the entire way. Jess tried not to giggle, but the more cake she ate, the giddier she got. Becker sighed in disgust.
Finally, Jess took the cake plate and turned away from him. He heard giggling, rapid chewing and more giggling. Then she sighed with satisfaction. She turned back around with a sparkling clean plate.
"You're mean."
She giggled. "I am sorry. I'm trying to cause as little pain to you as possible. Let's just eat our dinner. OK, sweetie?"
Becker sighed. He forced himself to chew through his boring chicken, boring rice and boring vegetable.
"Mmm."
Becker sighed.
"Mmm. Mmm."
"Jess. Stop doing that please."
"Sorry," she said. She ate her dinner and tried not to react. She did, really.
A few seconds later…"Mmm."
Becker dropped his fork. "Jessica!"
"I'm so sorry! I can't help it! It's so good! Who knew hospital food good be so tender and succulent? I swear the juices in the chicken…"
"I'm going to hurt you. I don't how in my weakened condition, but…." He stopped, saw the coloring book and smiled. "Behave Jessica or Captain America gets a neon pink cat suit."
"You wouldn't!"
He grabbed a crayon. "I would."
"Maybe I should finish eating in the hall."
Becker laughed. "No, don't do that. I'll suffer through."
"Really? Why?"
He ate a helping of his bland chicken. "Because your face is that cute."
She smiled. "I feel complete quiet coming on."
And she managed to eat her meal without anymore sounds. In fact, the whole meal was silent, the two of them just staring at each other.
And Captain America got to keep his manly flag uniform.
End of Chapter Twenty-One