"Five...four...three...two...one." Becker finished administering the adrenaline to Jess and looked at her expectantly.
She didn't respond.
He lost her.
He didn't even have her and he lost her.
I'm sorry. You're nice, really.
You have lovely hair. Can I touch your hair?
The sound of her voice in his head made his eyes blur and he felt an agonizing pain in his chest.
He should have told her how he felt ages ago. And now, he may never get the chance.
Please, he mentally implored any force that would listen, don't take her from me.
As if on cue, Abby's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Her pulse is getting stronger."
Becker inhaled sharply as Jess' eyelids fluttered open.
She coughed a few times and looked around, taking in her new surroundings.
Becker squeezed Jess' hand to get her attention. "Hey," he whispered.
She gave him a soft smile and he choked out a sound of relief before moving forward to kneel on the floor beside her.
Abby and Emily exchanged a knowing look while Connor elbowed Matt in the ribs.
They all stayed quiet, not wanting to spook their emotionally inept friend, and shamelessly watched the scene play out.
"I thought I'd lost you," Becker said, tracing her cheekbone with his thumb.
Jess drew in a shaky breath. "For a moment there, you did."
"Don't you ever scare me like that again, Jessica."
Before she could reply, he bent his head and urgently pressed his lips to hers.
She brought her hand up and ran her fingers through his hair.
Becker pulled back slightly. "You can touch my hair whenever you like," he breathed.
"So lovely," Jess managed before his lips crashed down on hers once again.
"How romantic," Emily cooed.
Abby sighed happily. "I knew he could do it."
"Finally," Matt said, turning to a very giddy Connor.
Connor nodded. "There you go, Action Man."
Without breaking the kiss, Becker lifted Jess off the bench and cradled her in his arms.
She gasped at the sudden movement and he used it as an opportunity to deepen the kiss.
They separated after a few moments. "Do you want to get out of here?" he asked, suddenly remembering they weren't the only ones in the room.
"Please," Jess replied breathlessly.
He tightened his grip on her and stood up. He kissed her forehead and she snuggled against his chest as he started walking them toward the door.
The team watched in blissful silence as the newly established couple went to make their exit.
All of them, except for Connor, that is. "Where are you going?" he called, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Becker froze a few inches from the doorway. Only Temple would ask such a stupid question, he thought angrily.
He reluctantly turned to his teammates, hoping that what he was about to say would sound somewhat professional.
It didn't.
"I'm, um...I'm gonna..." Becker motioned to the door with his head. "...I'm gonna go do some security stuff."
His excuse was met with four equally annoying smirks.
Becker narrowed his eyes at them. "Something funny?" he asked through gritted teeth.
Sensing danger, the team shook their heads collectively.
Jess giggled at the look of terror on their faces and Becker shushed her with another kiss.
When he pulled away, he gave the team a hard look. "The ARC isn't going to clean itself," he growled. "Get to work."
And with that, he sauntered out of the panic room, his eyes fixed on the smiling brunette in his arms.
Connor grinned mischievously and looked at Abby. "Hey Abs," he said, waggling his eyebrows. "Want to go do some security stuff with me?"