707 Words, this chapter. Author' Note: I forgot to tie up the loose ends, except for Jess and Becker. I hope what I added here briefly is enough to satisfy.

Chapter Nine

Jess visited Paula in the hospital. To her surprise Jess found her holding hands with Pedro.

"Don't you dare take advantage of her weakened state!" Jess cried.

Paula laughed. "It's alright."

"Sim, meu amor. I offer friendship. That is all."

"And you call me 'my love,' as you hold another woman's hand," said Jess, laughing. "Nice."

Pedro shrugged. "I cannot help if a woman denies my love…for Laptop Man."

Jess shook her head. Pedro offered her his chair, beside Paula. "I was very worried."

Paula smiled. "I hear I owe Laptop Man my life."

"Por favor! Laptop Man? I am the one who sent the medics!"

"Yes, and it was Becker who thought of broadcasting a loud sound that drove off the lemur-monkey things, saved my life, and let the medics come in time to save Paula," said Jess.

Pedro looked unimpressed. "He showed very small respect for meu amor's precious ears."

Paula laughed loudly. "Ow! Stop making me laugh. You two behave."

Jess apologized and took her hand. "How are you?"

"I must stay here a few more days," Paula said. "Apparently the 'devil monkeys' bit me deeply."

Jess nodded. "Yes, but the doctors promise that you will be fine."

"Yes," said Paula, "but how are you?"

Jess chuckled. "Me? I'm the one that walked away under my own power, remember?"

"No, I don't," Paula said with a chuckle. "You also were hurt."

"True, but only superficially. Those horrible things left me with about a million bites and scratches."

"I would offer to treat each one of you," said Pedro, "with my tender loving care as I delicately spread anti-pain medication over each and every wound, but I know you would both only refuse."

Jess and Paula burst out laughing.

"Sorry, Pedro, but we know you," said Paula, "and you aren't strong enough to resist…urges."

Pedro sighed. "Yes, my endless ability to love is a curse."

Jess giggled. "Sim, but it was a kind offer."

Pedro smiled. "It was, wasn't it?"

Jess shook her head, chuckling. She dug into several bags she had. "Ok, Paula, I brought you books, and magazines, and chocolate…"

Paula took her hand. "You are too kind. I owe you, without your friends at the ARC or your skills with communications…."

"Me, I'm too kind? Paula, you nearly died protecting me."

Paula nodded. "It is my job."

"Oh, that I know, believe me," said Jess with a smile. "I was just doing my job too, but you're more than just a colleague. You're a good friend."

Paula smiled. "I feel the same way, Jess." They smiled at each other. Even Pedro could not make light of the moment.

After it had passed, Paula asked, "So…do you leave for home soon? Will you be with Becker?"

Jess blushed and grinned broadly.

"The answer to that question," said Pedro, "is a definite 'sim."

Jess laughed. "I'm leaving tomorrow," she said. "It's actually getting boring around here."

"I offered to liven things up, but you kept saying no," said Pedro.

Jess giggled. "Yes, I did."

"Boring?" asked Paula. "Aw…have I missed all the work?"

Jess smiled. "Yes, you did. Thanks to Connor's brilliance the Tijuca anomaly is closed. Communications finally connect all of Rio to the ARC, thanks to my brilliance," she said with a giggle, "and all that's left to do is some last minute shopping!"

Paula smiled. "Good, but I shall miss you, Jess."

Jess carefully hugged her, trying to avoid the many injuries on both of them. "I'll miss you too."

"Until Laptop Man envelops you in those mutated muscle-laden arms of his."

Jess giggled, got up, and kissed him on the cheek. "I will miss you too."

Pedro kissed her hand. "I must refuse to think of you once you leave, meu amor, or I shall drown in sorrow."

"Lord," said Paula.

Jess just laughed.

"However…may I have the…how do you say…contact information… for Lovely Red Hair?"

Jess shook her head. "Sorrow, he says," she said to Paula, "as he lines up his next 'amor."

Pedro shrugged. "I must drown my anguish at your departure," he said.

"I'm sorry, Pedro," said Jess, "but Cherry is a good friend. She doesn't deserve you."

Paula laughed.

"Few women do, meu amor."

End of Chapter Nine