793 Words

Chapter Fifteen, Conclusion

"Vale, put me down!"

"I'm just helping a team mate."

"I have a cane. I'm not an invalid. Let me down!"

Vale kept walking into the canteen, carrying the lovely Nicole Bilson in his arms. He smiled his dazzling white smile. "I don't' know why, but the more you protest, the happier I feel."

"That's because you're insane, stupid, and oblivious."

"Yeah. I know."

"Put me down!"

"Sir. Put me down, Sir."

Nicole stared at his blue eyes. "Really?"

He laughed. "Yeah. I don't feel much like a sir. I'm too good-looking and charismatic."

"And humble," said Becker. "Lieutenant, if you don't put my sergeant down soon, I'll make you carry her into the kitchen. She can watch you peel potatoes for Bernie."

"But I might cut myself, Sir."

This made everyone in ear-shot burst into laughs.

Vale sighed and put Bilson carefully into a chair next to Jess.

"Thank you, Lieutenant," said Bernie. "I don't need potatoes at present."

Everyone laughed.

Jess looked at the cast around Bilson's leg. "Broken?"

"Yeah," she said.

"I wanted to write on it, but she won't let me," complained Vale.

"She's afraid you'd write something obscene," said Becker.

"Exactly," confirmed Bilson.

"It'd be memorable," said Vale with a wink.

"Vale, you're already unforgettable."

"Aw. Nicole, that's the sweetest thing you've ever said."

Bilson shook her head. "I meant impossible."

"Nope. Sorry. I heard unforgettable. I'm not letting you forget it, either."

"Do you think if I kicked him with my cast, that it would hurt my leg?"

Becker and Jess laughed.

"I do like when everyone is happy like this," said the Chef. "Now, what can I get you all?"

"What have you got?" asked Bilson.

"Comfort food: Yorkshire pudding, bangers and mash, and steak and kidney pie."

"Mmm. I'll have bangers and mash," said Bilson.

"Me too," said Vale. He picked up Bilson's cane. "You do know this is for your leg and not a weapon, right?"

Bilson winked at him.

Vale turned pale. "I'm scared, Cap."

"You should be," said Becker.

"What can I get you and Miss Parker, Captain?" asked Bernie.

"Nothing. Thanks. We have a date."

"I forgot," said Jess.

"Are you up to it?"

"Sure. I can't wait," she said, smiling at him.

Becker smiled back, and kissed her hand. "I want to check on Fred, first."

"I'll come with you. Goodnight everyone."

"Goodnight, Jess," said Bilson.

"Have a lovely evening," said Bernie.

"Don't stay out too long," said Vale. Bilson stared at him. "What?"

Becker and Jess drove to her flat.

Jess was about to get out. "I'll just run in and change. You can wait. Unless you don't want to wait. You can go for a beer or whatever. I might be a while. I haven't felt like dressing up in months. Yeah, it's probably better if you don't wait…Becker?"

Becker sat, just staring at her.

"What's wrong?"

He sighed. "I know how it feels."

"What?"

"Standing by…waiting for someone to …die. Tonight, with that allosaur." He blinked back tears. "I was sure I was about to watch the love of my life die in front of me. Horribly."

Jess reached across and brushed his cheek. "I'm so sorry. Now I know how it feels to be in danger and helpless to really comfort the one who loves me. I feel guilty."

"I didn't mean…"

"I know, Becker. Don't you feel guilty when you can't do anything?"

"Do I? All the time."

"Maybe it's good that tonight happened. Don't look at me like I'm crazy. Now we really understand what the other goes through."

"Yeah. It sucks."

Jess burst out laughing, and scooted into his arms. "It does. I have no doubts, though. I know where I belong and it's with you."

"For as long as we're given," he said.

She nodded. He pressed his lips to hers. It was the most tender, loving kiss either one had ever had. Then they just stared at each other.

"Let's skip dinner," said Jess. "Abby and Connor are still at the ARC. We have the place to ourselves."

He smiled.

They went into Jess' room where they made love for the first time in months.

She lay happily in his arms. "I love you."

"I love you too, Jess."

"Don't leave me again?"

"Excuse me?" he asked, as she giggled. "You broke up with me."

She giggled harder. "You could have stopped me."

"How? Tie you to the bed?"

She smirked. "Good idea."

His eyebrow went up. "It is a nice image."

She giggled. "I hope you had no other plans this evening."

"None," he said, flipping her over. "So, are we back together, for the long haul?"

She giggled beneath him. "What do you think?"

The End