It was a particular slow day at the ARC. Well past noon and not a single anomaly alert. It wasn't very often such a thing happened, so no one knew how to handle such a low key day. Well, Jess did anyhow, but that usually involved doing the massive stacks of paperwork that accompanied every anomaly. However, she was caught up with all her paperwork, which then left her with nothing to do…except think.

Jess sat at the ADD, switching from camera to camera throughout the ARC. She found Matt and Emily in the botanical lab. Matt appeared to be explaining some of the equipment to her. Jess switched the view into the menagerie. Connor was sitting on the back of the Mammoth, acting like he usually would. Abby was sitting on one of the desk with Rex flying above her head, laughing. Jess smiled lightly and switched the screen. The screen switched through several hallways, labs, and finally settled on an empty armory view. Jess sighed and shook her head. She closed the shot and switched back to the Botany lab and menagerie.

Jess leaned her chin on her hand and watched the screen. She watched how easily Emily and Matt got along. How quickly Matt always took to helping Emily adapt to the new time. And Abby and Connor were in a league of their, being married and all. She giggled lightly, watching Connor raise his hand over his head like he was on top of the world.

"Spying on the job Parker?" came a voice from behind.

Jess jumped, squeaking slightly. She spun her chair around and found herself in front of Becker. Jess exhaled deeply and turned back to her computer. "At least I'm not sneaking up on people."

"If you weren't staring at the screens you would have heard me coming." Becker said.

"It's my job to watch the screens, not listen for footsteps. That's yours." Jess replied.

Becker smiled. "I guess it is. Is there any particular reason you're watching the labs?"

Jess shook her head. "Just bored."

"You spy on people when you're bored?" Becker asked.

"Have you seen what Connor does when he bored?" Jess asked.

"Several times." Becker answered.

"While he's at work?" Jess finished.

Becker arched a brow.

Jess brought up the menagerie footage. Becker leaned over Jess' chair and watched Connor riding on the Mammoth. Becker shook his head. "Just when you believe you've seen everything."

Jess shrugged. "I guess Connor's doing one of the few things he hasn't done yet."

Becker shook his head. "I don't understand how Abby can deal with him."

"Please, out of all the things she and Connor have been through, riding a Mammoth should be nothing." Jess said.

Becker shrugged. "Mind if I ask how that could have been interesting? You were staring at it for five minutes before I came over."

Jess arched a brow. "Why were you watching me for five minutes? And don't claim boredom."

"I wasn't watching you Jess. I stopped to talk to Lester and when I came out you were still watching the screens." Becker explained.

Jess smiled lightly and looked back to the screens. "Becker, can I ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"Have you ever fancied someone?" Jess asked.

"Pardon?" Becker asked. Had he heard her correctly?

Jess turned quickly. "Um…I don't…I don't meant o pry or anything…normally I wouldn't ask you…I'd ask…a girlfriend of mine…but seeing as Emily and Abby are busy…and not that they' really be any help…I thought I'd ask you. Because…you see…I' just wanted a guy's opinion…and…just forget I asked."

Becker tried not to smile at her blushing face. Something was telling him not to continue the conversation…but seeing as how there wasn't much else to do…what could it hurt? "Yes Jessica, I have fancied someone before. What are you getting at?"

"Have you ever fancied someone that you shouldn't?" Jess asked cautiously.

Becker tilted his head curiously.

Jess sighed and leaned on one arm of her chair toward Becker. "Like…they're someone you probably would have never fancied years ago, but somehow you found yourself fancying them now. And you know you shouldn't fancy them at all and you…you try to get over them but it never works." Jess sighed. "I'm making any sense am I?"

Becker nodded slowly. His chest felt like a dead weight. "You fancy someone you shouldn't."

"Well, it's not that I shouldn't. It's just…it would make working a lot more difficult." Jess explained.

Becker arched a brow. "You fancy a coworker?"

Jess nodded slowly.

"Jess I'm not good with 'girl-talk'." Becker said.

"I know, but I need someone's opinion and I value yours." Jess explained.

Becker felt his heart skip a beat for a moment.

"And honestly, I wouldn't put you through this if I didn't have to." Jess continued.

Becker nodded. He moved around Jess and leaned against the consol. "So…you fancy a coworker."

Jess nodded. "Yes. And I've fancied him longer than I should have. According to Abby, it's obvious to everyone that I fancy him. Everyone except him."

Becker arched a brow. He'd never noticed anything like that.

"I've asked Abby and Emily what I should do and both of them think I should tell him." Jess continued. "The thing is, every time I do talk to him when it doesn't concern an anomaly or meeting, I start rambling stupidly and make a complete arse out of myself."

Becker choked out a laugh. Jess had never uttered a single word that even remotely resembled the language that he, Matt, and Connor used throughout the day. Hearing it now was…hilarious.

"What's so funny?" Jess demanded.

"I've never heard you talk like that before." Becker explained.

Jess pouted slightly, looking even more alluring in her chair. "You know, you and Matt are more than a pain in my ar-"

"As you were saying." Becker said.

Jess smirked lightly. "So i can't tell him because I know what will happen if I try. I'll start rambling off on some stupid topic and say something that I shouldn't have and then run off crying."

Becker folded his arms.

Jess sighed. "I just don't know what I should do."

"You should tell him." Becker answered.

Jess groaned. "I can't tell him, Becker. He's far too good for me. And…I'd only be making a fool of myself."

"Jessica, you will always be good enough. But there are very few men who would be good enough for you." Becker said.

Jess smiled and looked up. "You know I've seen thousands of romance movies and…that's probably the most romantic thing I've ever heard."

"Oh god I'm becoming one of them." Becker said.

Jess laughed. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

Becker smiled. "I appreciate that." He watched Jess for a moment. She looked older than she was. Maturity wise, Jess was older than all of them, especially Connor. But then incidences occurred as He remembered just how young she really was. Still, looking at her now, sitting at the console, she looked stunning. "You should tell him, Jess."

Jess looked up again. Her bright brown eyes wide. "No. No way can I do that."

"What's the worst that could happen?" Becker asked.

"I could make a fool out of myself, run away crying, and make things beyond awkward for the rest of my career at the ARC, which could even be cut short because of it." Jess explained.

Becker shook his head." You're over thinking it, Jess."

"Have you ever fancied someone you shouldn't?" Jess asked.

For a moment Becker said nothing. Then he nodded. "Yes."

"Did you tell her?"

Becker shook his head slowly. "No."

Jess leaned back in her chair and folded her arms. "What's your excuse?"

"I could die any day out in the field, Jessica. What kind of life could I give her with this job? She deserves better than me." Becker explained.

"Shouldn't that be her choice?" Jess asked.

Becker shrugged. "Saves us both the trouble."

"You mean strands you both in limbo." Jess replied.

Becker smirked. "Tell him."

Jess turned to the console. "No."

"Jess if it doesn't work, you still have plenty of time in your life." Becker said.

Jess snorted. "Oh please, I haven't had I date since I started working here. What chance do I have if I'm always working?"

"Touché." Becker said. "Guess that means you should tell him."

Jess shook her head.

"So you ask for advice and then don't act on it." Becker said.

"You don't even take your own advice, Becker." Jess replied.

"Jess is he can't see what kind of person you really are, then not only isn't he worth your time, he doesn't deserve you." Becker explained.

"Even if it's you?" Jess asked, looking up.

Becker was stunned. His mouth dropped open slightly as he stared down at Jess. Had she just said what he'd heard?

But his silence was taken all too quickly as an answer. Jess rose from her chair slowly. "Now you see why I don't act on other people's advice?" She turned from him and walked from the console shaking her head.

Becker pushed himself off the console and followed after Jess. She was a good few meters ahead of him. How she always managed to do that in her ungodly high heels always bothers him. Becker jogged a few paces, finally catching up with her. He reached out and took Jess' arm, stopping her. "Jess."

Jess looked up at him. Her cheeks were lightly flushed.

"Did you mean what you said?" Becker asked.

"That I fancy you?" Jess asked. "Yes."

"So why were you asking my opinion?" Becker asked.

"I honestly just wanted another opinion. I had no intention of actually-" Jess was silenced as Becker placed one of his fingers over her lips.

"You should have told me sooner Jess." Becker whispered.


okay i think the ending kinda died there so i'll let it be beofre i make it worse...what didyou think? next chapter should be up wihtin the next few days hopefully.