Chapter Four, Temporary Amnesia
In the canteen, they found Emily and Abby. They waved, and Jess waved back, then looked nervously at Becker.
"Are you ready for this?"
"I guess so," he said. "The blonde is...Abby, right?" Jess nodded and smiled. "She likes the creatures and sometimes we argue over it."
Jess nodded again and did a little happy jig.
Becker chuckled. "The other woman...is...Emily. She's from the past and in love with Matt who's from the future." He shook his head. "My life's a sci-fi flick."
Jess giggled. "Yes, I guess it is."
They approached Abby and Emily's table. Jess quickly whispered, "Remember, I'm here."
"I do, Jess. Thanks," he whispered back.
"You alright?" Abby asked him.
With a quick glance at Jess, he said, "Yes. I'm fine. You have to hit me harder than that to do real damage."
Jess grinned widely. Her pupil was doing well.
"That is a relief," said Emily.
"So, Becker, I guess you heard that we weren't able to send the smilodon home, and it's the newest addition to the menagerie?" asked Abby.
Jess looked nervously at Becker.
"Yes Abby, and I'm not too happy about you caring for the creature that nearly killed me, but I've decided not to fight you. I don't think I could fight two wild cats in one day."
Abby laughed and Emily grinned. Jess practically leaned over and kissed him, but she controlled herself.
"Captain Becker!" came a bellowing cry.
"Oh, no," whispered Jess.
"Would you care to tell me why a member of the medical staff is hassling me for compensation due to and I quote, 'an unwarranted and unprovoked attack by a member of the security staff.' Dear God man, don't smilodons, future predators, and raptors give you enough of a challenge without smacking down on medics?"
"I'm sorry, Lest...Sir," said Becker. "I'm afraid I was a little out of my head, for a moment. I'm fine now, though."
"Oh, glad to hear it. You're fine. Well, I'm not fine. This medic is threatening to make a fuss." Lester thought a moment, and said, "Maybe I should have you smack him again. No, no. Bad idea. Just, fix it!"
"Yes, sir."
"Good," he said turning to leave, "In the future, if you must smack someone might I suggest Temple or Anderson?" Then he strolled away.
Jess let out a deep breath.
"You hit a medic?" asked Abby.
Becker looked at Jess, unsure how to respond.
"It was all a big misunderstanding," she said. "Becker was kind of out of it, but he quickly realized he was mistaken, and shouldn't have lashed out.
"You did not apologize to the man?" asked Emily, somewhat appalled.
Abby smirked. "Becker's not big on apologies."
"We'll go right now and take care of that," said Jess. "Come on Becker."
Jess and Becker left the canteen.
"I find it amusing how Jess can get Becker to do things that he is 'not big on," said Emily.
Abby giggled and nodded. "Interesting, isn't it?"
In the medical section, Becker was saying, "So I was hoping that you would accept my apology. It's no excuse, but I was not myself."
Jess noticed the fear in the medic's eyes. "Yes of course, Captain. No harm done. The swelling should go away by tomorrow." He shook Becker's hand but looked terrified.
As they left the medical section Becker admitted, "I'm not sure I want my memories back."
Jess stopped cold. "What?" she asked in confusion and terror. He had to remember. He had to.
Becker shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another. "It seems that I'm not very likable, Jess. That medic is afraid of me, and not only because I hit him. It takes more than one crazed blow to cause that much fear. Then there's Matt and I don't care what you say, Jess that man is not my biggest fan. I've noticed looks all day. People fear me, Jess."
Jess frowned, but then smiled. Gently she took his hand. "Yes, you intimidate sometimes. That's your job. That medic, he isn't used to being in situations where someone might hit him. You live those situations every day. You..you can hurt people, Becker. You're a soldier, a weapon."
Becker's face fell. He didn't like what he was hearing.
Jess touched his cheek gently. "I'm not afraid. I've seen you care. You look after your men, not to mention, me and the team. You're a protector, and sometime protectors have to get tough, but that doesn't mean you can't be incredibly gentle."
It was a tender moment, Becker looking into Jess' eyes with fear and need as Jess returned his look with trust and compassion.
"You really aren't afraid, are you?" asked Becker.
"No, I trust you with my life. In fact, everyone in the ARC, including that medic, trusts you with their lives. They haven't all seen your tender side, of course, and frankly, I like to think that I'm special, and that maybe you're extra gentle with me."
Becker desperately wanted to kiss her then, but knew it wasn't fair—to her. That was the real reason he didn't want to remember. What if his memories returned and he discovered that he didn't feel this way about her?
Jess smiled sweetly, not knowing Becker's fear.
He couldn't tell her. "Thank you," he said finally, "for staying by my side, for helping me through all this."
"That's what you do when you...care about someone," she said. She desperately wanted to burst out yelling, "I love you!" but she knew that wouldn't be fair. He was so vulnerable and lost, but she'd make sure he would never feel alone.
End of Chapter Four