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Chapter Four, Transfer 3: Rio

Jess was a bit perturbed that she'd been cut off. But the conversation they had was so brilliant that it almost made up for the interruption.

She felt like she was flying. Becker had feelings for her!

She giggled with excitement. Soon she'd be able to say the words that had been cut short.

She sighed happily.

"That sounds promising," said Private Fuego.

Jess jumped up, ran over to her, and hugged her. "He loves me! Well, he didn't actually say that, but he did say that he'd wait for me."

"Close enough," said Paula, laughing.

"It is!" cried Jess, giggling and dancing.

"I'm happy for you, Jess."

"Thank you!" she cried, flinging her arms around Paula.

"No. That is not regulation," said a smooth, Portuguese voice. "I know. I have many reprimands from trying to hug soldiers."

"Pedro, that's because you don't ask permission first," said Paula.

Jess smiled, cordially at Pedro, then more friendly at Paula. "Let's get to work!" she cried. She skipped to the ADD. "I think I can focus much better now." She couldn't stop giggling.

"You are happy today."

"I am, Pedro."

"Is that because you had a wonderful time last night?"

"No, it's because of this morning," she said.

Pedro frowned. "But…I did not see you this morning."

Paula giggled. "And that tells you…what?"

"I do not know," he said.

Jess stifled a giggle.

"No matter. We shall have more evenings, meu amor."

"Um…no, I don't think so," Jess said. "We need to focus on our work. It's important."

"Oh, sim, of course," he said, sauntering over to her station. He wore maroon jeans and a vibrant green and yellow top. His smooth chest was visible through the open buttons. He hovered over her, kissing her hair.

. "Ah, meu amor…" he whispered, breathing in the sweet florals of her shampoo.

"Please don't do that," Jess said politely.

"Pedro!" scolded Paula. "Personal space!"

Pedro looked up. "I do not hurt her, Paula."

"That's not the point!"

Jess moved her head, shaking Pedro's touch away.

"Meu amor, you do not like hair kisses? That is no problem," he said, taking her hand to kiss it. She pulled it quickly away.

He frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes, Pedro. I know I was a bit…receptive last night, but that wasn't really me."

"Of course it was, meu amor."

"Pedro, listen to me. I'm sorry if I gave you the idea that I was interested."

"Of course you are interested," he said, smiling lustily. "Everyone is."

Paula groaned. "I told you, Jess. Ego."

Jess looked at Pedro, and wrinkled her nose. "Maybe he's joking."

"No, Jess. I wish he was."

"Why should I joke, meu amor? I am lovable."

Paula raised her eyebrows. "That is debatable."

Jess giggled. "Anyway, Pedro, please, I don't want you to…approach me in a romantic way."

He laughed. "I know only one way to approach and that is with love in my heart."

"Pedro, stop!" cried both Jess and Paula together.

"Why should I fight my longing for you, my paramour?"

"I'm not your paramour. I'm your colleague and you have known me for a few days. You don't long for me. Trust me, I know longing." She thought of Becker and her heart ached.

Pedro laughed. "Colleagues? Why limit ourselves?"

"Hang on, Jess. Let me get an EMD."

"The private jokes. I do not," said Pedro. "We can be more than colleagues, meu amor. You shall love it."

Jess shook her head. "No."

Paula sighed. "Fuego to Security. Can I have a small EMD brought to Ops?"

"Paula!"

"What? He doesn't understand words, Jess."

"Meu amor, you are so delicate and fragile," he said, bending down to her. "I know why you hesitate. I intimidate you."

"Excuse me?"

"Yes, I am much manliness, but I will tone it down for you, meu petite amor." Then he whispered, "Do not be frightened."

"Are you kidding?" she asked. "Are you serious? Is someone playing a prank on me?" Jess looked around Ops as Paula laughed loudly.

There were smirks and stifles of laughs from the other women in Ops.

Pedro looked shocked.

"I mean, I've heard of men with this much conceit but I never actually met any. Until now, I guess."

"That's our Pedro," said Paula. "I don't mean 'our' literally, by the way."

Pedro stood, looking at her, stunned. "Amor…"

"Please, stop calling me that. You may call me 'Miss Parker' or 'Jess,' but please, no more 'amors,' or 'paramours,' or whatever."

Giggles had now broken out and Pedro turned to see the women laughing and smirking at him.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm not trying to be rude. I just want you to stop."

"We could report him," suggested a tech.

"Again?" asked Pedro. "Why does everyone deny me love?"

"Or have him reassigned," said Paula.

"I guess," said Jess with a sigh. "If you can't work with me Pedro, then you will have to go…"

"No! I cannot leave my beloved Rio!"

"Then…cool it," said Paula.

Pedro took in a deep breath. "Cool. Yes. I am cool."

"Good. Can you work with me, professionally?" asked Jess.

"I can. Sim."

"Sim," said Jess smiling.

They both hit the computers, working.

Then, after a bit Pedro said, "I just do not understand why everyone is threatened by my love."

There were scoffs around Ops.

Jess bit her lip. "Well, for me, it's…that there is someone else. I'm…involved with someone." It wasn't actually a lie, she told herself, that is, if they ever got reunited.

Pedro stared at her. "You have love for someone in your heart?"

She nodded.

"And you have had this love for a long time?"

"Yes, too long," said Jess, with a chuckle.

Pedro laughed loudly, slapping his knees and spinning in his chair. "Of course! I knew there was a reason. No one says 'no,' to Pedro unless she is already set on another lesser man."

Giggles continued in Ops, accompanied by eye rolls and head shakes.

"Oh, he is certainly not lesser," said Jess with a large laugh, "but go ahead and think that if it makes you feel better."

The women laughed and cheered. Paula clapped. Pedro was oblivious. He rolled his chair over to her and took her hand, but she pulled it away. "Please, one small goodbye kiss, my para….um, Jess."

"Fine, but only on the hand and only one."

He kissed her hand. "Goodbye to our love that could have been," he said with a cheesy smile and dropped her hand.

"OK?" she asked, wiping off her hand.

"Yes, I will not steal another's love."

Jess' eyebrow jumped up. "How…noble."

He smiled and nodded. "Yes. We will still be colleagues, sim?"

"Yes, I mean sim! I need your skills to get the communications done so I can go home."

"To your love."

"Yes," she said, blushing. "To Becker."

"Beck-er. Hmm, he sounds inferior. Ah, but love is blind."

She smiled. "Yes. Now, um, work?"

"Yes, my…Jess, we will work."

Jess turned, but caught Paula's wink. Several of the other ladies laughed and one even gave her the thumb's up sign. She sighed happily. "Let's get this done," she said. She thought, 'Someone is waiting for me."

End of Chapter Four