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Chapter Thirty-Six: Countdown

Jess was giddy. She could barely keep her excitement in control. "Here are the requisition forms, Jess," said Sara. "I'm sorry, but Lester says they need to be reclassified. He wants them listed by date, not in alphabetical order."

"Okie dokie," she said with a smile. Sara giggled.

"Jess, that monitor on level 13 is acting up again," said tech Cherry. "I think it's a software issue. We may have to strip the whole program."

"No problem."

"Oh no," said Epstein, "that jerk reporter showed up at another incursion this morning. Security wants him arrested, but Lester wants a low profile, so what the hell do we do?"

"We'll handle it, Eppy, honey," she said, blowing him a kiss. "Don't stress!"

Ops giggled. "Nothing is fazing her today," whispered Sara.

Epstein nodded. "Wonder why?" he asked with a wink.

Sara giggled and smiled. "Right."

A security officer, Private Insen, walked in. "Miss Parker, I have the casualty list for this month," he said solemnly handing her a file.

"Fantastic!"

The private stared at her. She just smiled.

"You're a bit happy over something so morbid."

She went pale. "Oh. It's horrible, of course! I'm..." She sighed and hung her head. "I apologize."

He laughed. "Don't sweat it. You are leaving on holiday tomorrow. I suppose that makes you happy, especially considering why you're going on holiday." He winked.

She smirked. "Yeah, that makes it a bit special."

"Future Mrs Becker!" bellowed her boss. "Get on the horn to my dry cleaners, stat! They have lost my suits!"

"Do you want me to do that before or after all the other work you gave me?"

Lester stared at her. "Well, considering the fact that if they don't find them I'll be attending your wedding festivities in ducky boxers and a lovely white tee shirt, I'd say move it to the top of your list. However, if you don't mind my attire..."

"Not as much as I mind mine," she said cheekily as Ops giggled.

Lester stared. "Fine. Boxers and t-shirt it is."

She giggled. "Calm down. I can't have you looking anything less than posh. I'll handle it."

"Thank you, Miss Parker."

She gasped loudly and glared at him. It was the first sign of any distress anyone had seen from her all day. "What...did...you...call...me?" she asked, barely audible.

He rolled his eyes. "Good heavens. I beg your pardon. I meant...future Mrs. Becker," he clarified.

She smiled brightly. "That's better. You've been calling me that for months, no point dropping the habit now."

"Especially since we're in the homestretch."

She nodded. Her smile got wider. "Sixty-Eight hours and twenty-three minutes."

"Oh good Lord."

"That's all the time left!" she cried.

"Until what specifically?" asked the Private.

She looked at him like he was daft. "Until I finally, legally, wonderfully, romantically become Mrs. Captain Hil...ahem, Becker!" she cried.

Ops broke out laughing.

"And you're handling it so well," said Lester dryly.

"Thank you."

He rolled his eyes again. "Whatever, just get me properly attired. Now...I must go pack."

"Pack what? I'm getting your suits."

"My scotch, vodka, brandy..."

Jess shook her head. "Of course..."

The soldier laughed. "Don't fret, the Captain's almost as elated as you."

"Really?"

He laughed. "He hasn't hit, kicked, maimed, threatened or put anyone on report today."

Jess giggled.

"He even canceled our hike and the hand to hand sparring."

Ops gasped.

"It's love," said Epstein.

"It is," Jess said proudly. She sighed happily. "This time tomorrow I'll be happily roaming the romantic rose gardens of Rainbow Estates with my soon-to-be-wed hubby." She giggled, kicking her heels and squealing softly.

"Congratulations," said Private Ibsen. "We'll hold down the fort while you're gone."

"I know you will."

He nodded and left.

"Come to think of it, Jess, who will be holding down the place while most of us are having fun on the outskirts of London?" asked Sara.

"Well, since all of Becker's senior staff is invited, he asked Sergeant Daxter to take over Security and the missions."

"Dax, is a great choice," said Epstein. "He hates weddings...and love."

Jess giggled and nodded. "Becker found enough of his soldiers that feel the same way and they were only too happy to volunteer. As for our little section, it was so sad! I wanted everyone to come!"

They giggled.

"Finally, with Becker's help I split my section into those people who simply, absolutely had to come or I'd cry my eyes out and everyone else."

Sara laughed. "I'm surprised you could do that."

"I know! Anyway, those who qualified as the 'have to come' list were given Saturday off and some even tomorrow and/or Friday."

"Like us," said Epstein winking at Sara.

She giggled and nodded.

Jess laughed. "Yeah, like you lucky people. The others were politely asked which they'd prefer to attend: the bachelor/ette party or the wedding."

"How did that go over?" asked Sara.

"Very well!" cried Jess. "I was pleasantly surprised. It split perfectly in half, along gender lines."

Epstein laughed loudly. "The guys asked for the party?"

Jess nodded. "The girls preferred the wedding. I'm not sure that would have worked in the menagerie. Some of those gals definitely would have insisted on the party."

Sara snickered. "Definitely."

"Anyway, the Ops gentlemen who attended our party will be working on Saturday." She sighed wistfully. "Saturday!"

Ops burst out giggling again.

"Sixty-Eight hours and Eighteen minutes!"

Becker was finishing up in his office. He looked around as he shut off the lights. He strolled out, going to Ops. He took the lift and walked out into Ops but lingered.

He stared at a specific place. He sighed deeply, a dreamy look on his face.

He was standing in the exact spot where he first saw Jess Parker.

Slowly a smile spread across his face.

"Big day coming up," said Lester, coming out of Ops.

"Yep."

Lester smiled. "Well..."

Becker looked at him.

"Um..." began the director.

Becker smiled.

Lester was as good at emotion as he was. "It's about bloody time," he said finally.

Becker laughed. "Yeah."

"It's a fine thing."

Becker looked past him to a big red chair sitting in front of a row of monitors. He broke into a smile of pure, warm love. "It's a very good thing, the best thing ever."

Then they heard a squeal followed by "Sixty-five hours and no minutes!"

Lester shook his head, chuckling. "I will see you tomorrow, Captain, and it will be my pleasure to join you two as you embark on this new adventure."

Becker smiled. "Thank you, Sir. Neither of us...well, we wouldn't do it without you there."

Lester cleared his throat. "Well, um, quite right." He then smiled again and hurried out.

Becker smiled and watched him go before he finally entered the main hub.

"There you are, my gorgeous hunk of engaged man!"

Becker laughed as a small, soft bundle jumped onto him and kissed him breathless.

"Hi," he said.

She giggled. "We're getting married!"

He chuckled. "We are."

"In Sixty-Four hours and 48 minutes!"

"Is that a fact?"

"It is!"

He laughed. "Well, what do you say we go home and pack?"

"Becker, don't be silly. I've been packed for weeks!"

He chuckled. "Yeah, I know, but we have a big couple of days coming up. I just..." He stopped and smiled. "I want one last, quiet evening at home, me and you."

She smiled softly back. "Before we're really truly owned by each other."

"Ouch."

She knocked his head gently with hers. "Don't get cold feet on me now Mister!"

He laughed, still holding her in air. "Never. What do you say we pick up Chinese and head back to the flat?"

She blushed and giggled. "Any specific reason you want Chinese?"

He smirked, blushing a bit himself. "Yeah."

She smirked back, kissing him softly. "I say that sounds perfect."

"Good."

End of Chapter Thirty-Six