1238 Words
Chapter Ten
Jess walked into the canteen. "Bernie? You should have left hours ago."
Chef Rice smiled. "I couldn't leave. I was too worried about the Lieutenant. I would have just been fretting at home. Here I can bake while I fret."
She laughed... "We do love your baked goods." She sighed happily. "We have the best people."
Bernie smiled. "What can I get for you? Chocolate cake?"
She smiled and nodded. "And some tea, please."
"How about something soothing like chamomile?"
"Perfect, Bernie."
Jess raised her eyebrow as Bernie presented the cake wrapped up and the tea in a to-go cup.
"I have a hunch as to where you're going."
She laughed. "You're right." She smiled and paid, but made no movement to leave.
"Is there something else Miss Parker?"
Jess frowned. "Yes. Do you have strawberries?"
Bernie smiled. "Only frozen ones, but I don't think he'd mind. I'll thaw them, of course."
She giggled. "Yes, thank you. I'll take him a coffee too."
Bernie smiled and nodded. Jess waited for him to prepare the second order.
"Thank you," she said, watching Bernie put everything on a tray, "for not asking questions or lecturing me."
"No lecture. You care for him, whether you're together or not, that doesn't change."
Jess nodded.
"He cares for you."
"I know."
Bernie smiled. "And I care for you both."
She giggled and leaned across the counter to peck his cheek. "I appreciate it." .
He smiled, and handed her the tray. "You are all set. Tell the Captain that I'm overjoyed to hear the Lieutenant will be fine."
"I will. Thanks Bernie."
"It's my pleasure," he said, smiling as Jess took the tray and left.
Back in Medical, Becker smiled as she walked in. "OK, I've got tea and chocolate for me…"
"Chocolate, a necessity," he said, making her smile.
"And for you…" she said, handing him first the coffee, then the strawberries.
Becker grinned. "Brilliant, Jess. Thanks."
She smiled. They sat quietly enjoying their snacks. Becker sighed. "I feel better."
"Good," said Jess. "Strawberries always have that affect on you."
"Yeah, but it's not just the strawberries."
She blushed.
"I really appreciate everything, Jess."
She just smiled.
He was about to say more, then stopped.
Jess looked at him. She wanted to say something, but wasn't sure what. "I'm…glad I'm here."
He smiled.
"Becker, maybe we should…" said Jess, interrupted by Regina Flowers coming back.
"Hey, how is he?" asked Becker, jumping up to give her his seat.
"He's pale," she said. "He's just lying there, but at least his hand was warm when I held it."
"He's going to get better," said Jess.
Regina smiled sadly. "I know. It's just…" she sighed.
"We know," said Becker simply. "Jess had a brilliant idea: food. I didn't feel hungry until she brought the strawberries. What can I get you?"
She shook her head. "Nothing."
"How about some coffee?" suggested Jess. "Maybe some biscuits?"
"I guess some of Chef Rice's famous biscuits," said Regina. "Coffee would be nice."
Becker smiled. "Be right back," he said, squeezing Jess' shoulder as he left.
Regina sank into the sofa. "I was so worried, Jess."
"I know," she said. "I honestly don't know how you do it, being an ARC wife I mean."
Regina chuckled. "I don't do it for the ARC."
Jess smiled. "No. I didn't think so."
Regina sighed. "I love him, Jess. I'd do anything to be with him, even worry night and day about his safety."
Jess nodded.
Regina looked at her. "I'm sorry, Jess. I guess this is a bit uncomfortable for you. I don't blame you for breaking up with Becker. It takes a lot to be a soldier's partner."
"And I don't have it."
Regina laughed. "I don't think any wife or husband of a military person thinks they do."
"But you do. You're here right now, as his wife. You accepted it."
"I accepted him. I hate the job, he knows it. He hates this part of it too, after someone's hurt."
Jess chuckled sadly. "True. This is the bad part."
"Yes, and I had to ask myself if I was willing to take both the good and the bad."
"And you answered yes."
"No, Jess," she said, looking at her. "I told myself no, I wasn't strong enough."
"But…."
"No one wants the one they love in harm's way all the time, or for that matter, in fear."
"But you married him."
"I had to. My brain might have reasoned that I could let him go, but the rest of me disagreed."
Jess was still a moment. "I'm sorry to ask this…"
"Go ahead."
Jess sighed, and then asked meekly, "Do you ever regret it?"
"Marrying him? Never," Regina said, as Jess nodded. Then Regina added, "But I regret that he's in the military all the time." She winked.
Jess giggled. "Yes."
"OK, Bernie went nuts," said Becker, entering the room with a tray crammed with baked goods.
"He's a sweetheart," said Regina, taking the coffee and sipping it. "I hope you two will help me eat."
Becker laughed. "You think we can handle it, Jess?"
Jess smiled, taking a fudge brownie. "We'll manage somehow."
Regina smiled. "Thank you. Both of you," she said. "I really don't think I'd be handling it this well alone."
"No problem," said Becker, dipping a scone into the strawberries. " I can't be anywhere else."
Jess smiled, and looked at him... "Neither can I," she said softly.
Regina noticed the look, and smiled.
As the night fell, the medical staff had transferred Flowers out of the Intensive Care Unit and to a private room. They made the extra bed up for his wife.
"Try to get some rest," said Jess, helping her into the bed.
'You too," whispered Regina. "Tell the Captain that I ordered him to rest also."
Jess stifled a giggle, looking over at a sleeping Fred. "I will," she whispered back.
Jess found Becker still in the waiting lounge. "There's no reason for us to hang out here," she said. "We need to rest if we're going to come back tomorrow."
Becker yawned. "Yeah. You're right."
Jess smiled. "Why don't you come home with me?"
His eyebrow twitched. "What?"
"You heard me. Come and sleep with me tonight."
"Jess…."
"Becker, we're both traumatized, and I'll worry about you. Just come with me, that way I'll know you're safe and if you get upset, I'll be there to comfort you."
Becker stared at her. "Thank you, but you don't have to offer."
"I know. I want to."
"I'm not sure it's a good idea."
"Me either," she admitted, " but I need you with me. I need to know you're safe."
Becker looked at her. He hadn't realized how hard this night had been on her. "OK."
She sighed in relief. "Thank you," she said. She walked up, and hugged him tightly. They drove to her place. Abby and Connor had gone to bed. Jess yawned. She took Becker's hand and they walked to her room together.
Silently they took off their clothes. Becker slept in his briefs.
They were both too exhausted to think of anything but sleep. Becker nodded off immediately. Jess lied there, looking at him. She sighed. She felt more at peace than she had since the breakup, despite the ordeal with Flowers.
She reached out and gently stroked his face. "I love you," she whispered.
End of Chapter Ten
