Betty greeted him at the door.

"What are you doing here? You're mother's birthday isn't for months. All the major holidays are far off too."

Becker grimaced. "This isn't for my mother, and please don't make a big deal."

"What? Have you finally got yourself a girlfriend?" she asked, scoffing.

Becker just stared at her.

"Oh, my God! You do? Finally!" and Betty flung her arms around him.

"Easy, Betty. She isn't...yet. I kind of screwed up."

"Big surprise."

"So I'm trying to make it up to her."

"Well, you came to me, so that's a step. What would you like to send? Red roses?"

"Daisies."

"Daisies?"

"They're her favorite."

"You know her favorite? Oh, Becker," she said, hugging him again.

"Betty, please. It's been a long day, and I'm tired and nervous."

Betty looked like she would bust. "This is so wonderful. My best daisies coming up. What's the address?"

"I'll take them with me, please."

Betty stared at him.

"I'm going to put them at her desk and surprise her in the morning, OK?"

Betty smiled, tearing up, and nodded.

"You'll need a vase then," she said.

"Do you have anything bright or cute?"

She stared at him again, with teary eyes.

"You've come a long way, Becker. One cute, bright vase also coming up."

Becker waited and finally Betty came out with a light pink, ceramic vase with floral detail. It was stuffed with daisies and a bright yellow ribbon was attached.

"That's perfect, Betty. Thank you."

"My pleasure. Now, I want you to bring her round, soon, you hear?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Becker, not wanting to go into his fear that she may turn him down.

Becker took his gifts home, and tried to relax. He couldn't. He tried to eat, but that was a no too. He couldn't sleep either.

What if he was too late? What if she met someone? What if she simply didn't want him?

Finally, it was morning, and Becker went in super early. He was relieved to find the Ops room empty, except for Epstein, monitoring the ADD.

When Becker came in with his arms full of chocolate. Epstein paid no attention. When Becker left and came back with a shoe box and a vase of flowers, Epstein was mildly interested. When Becker left again and came back this time with a huge teddy bear dressed in pink, Epstein stared at him with his mouth open.

"Don't ask, please."

Epstein nodded and turned back to the ADD.

"When you're getting ready to leave, after your shift, I mean, I uh, need you to leave a tiny bit early, like five minutes. No, she may be early. I'll have someone detain her. Yeah."

"Are you alright, Captain?" asked Epstein.

"No, I'm not." He sighed. "You might as well know. I'm planning a surprise for Jess. I need you away from the ADD just before she sits at it."

"OK, not a problem, Sir."

"Thanks."

Becker was a nervous wreck by the time it was nearly Jess' shift. Luckily, she wasn't there yet. Epstein left early, and Becker promised to watch the ADD, until Jess got there.

Becker took his gifts, and slid them carefully under the ADD, all the way to the back, so she wouldn't notice them too soon.

He finished just in time, because heard steps. He ran for cover, and saw Lester coming to the ADD with roses. He set them on the ADD and left.

Then Becker heard commotion as a bunch of his men entered, all of them putting chocolate and bears on the ADD. Becker had to smile. He had been a little rough on his men during Jess' absence.

Finally, they left, so Becker could make his escape and wait for what would be either a good day or a very bad one. He got out into the corridor when he heard the sound of heels. He ran around the corner to hide. He caught his breath as he saw her.

She was so beautiful. He had missed her so much. It took all his control to keep from running up and grabbing her. It was too soon, and he just had to wait. Soon, hopefully, Jess Parker would be his.

The End

To see what happens read, Jess' Holiday.