Chapter 4

"What?" asked Becker, not softly and not politely. "You're crazy. This is over the crazy meter."

Jane began to collapse, as Lester held onto her and motioned Jess to quickly get a chair.

"Lester we all played along, but she's going too far," said Becker.

"You're just mad because you're haunted," teased Connor with a huge smirk.

Matt stifled a laugh, and Abby and Emily chuckled.

Only Jess looked alarmed. "Why did you say that?" she asked Jane.

"Jess! Don't be ridiculous, of course I'm not haunted," said Becker.

"Yes, you are, dear. I'm sorry, but it's true. Although, again, the images are not evil. You don't like killing, you only do so when necessary, and that's how you've saved so many. I see that. You've saved them," she said pointing at the team, Jess, and Lester.

Jane went on. "Mostly you have shadows of those lost, attached to you. They aren't actual entities, just residue or energies. They are drawn to your guilt, and they linger. The creature energies I feel are undoubtedly residue from the creatures you've had to kill. I imagine negative energy was created upon the deaths and attached to your guilt and repressed emotions."

Becker guffawed, but Jane went on.

"Then there is other energy. It's good energy. That, we want to keep. Your predecessors, Captain Ryan and Stephan, when they died they left a tiny protective thought for their successor, you."

Abby and Connor exchanged looks, but Becker tensed.

"Indeed, they prayed for all you," said Jane. " I see now why there aren't full apparitions in this building. You are all so protected. I feel Nick's residue," she said.

Connor, Lester, and Abby looked uncomfortable. Becker looked about to blow.

Jane looked intensely at Becker. "I see Sara, not her actually. She's at peace, but she left a tiny piece of her essence. As she died, a tiny unconscious prayer attached to you and all the ARC, to protect you all."

Jess was crying. Connor, Abby and Lester looked sad and solemn. Emily and Matt were moved.

Becker blew.

"How dare you! Don't you dare use their names and deaths in this scam! Don't you dare! You didn't know them or know what we went through!"

Jane smiled sadly at him. "Your anger draws the residue energy to you."

Becker scoffed and stomped angrily away.

Jane quickly turned to Jess. "He needs to be cleansed. He needs to be personally, physically connected to the cleansing agents."

"He'll never agree. Besides, you said he had to believe. He doesn't."

Jane smiled slyly. "You do...to a point, and it's enough. He believes in protecting you. He'd believe for your sake."

"Well...I don't... He won't listen."

Jane smiled. "I wasn't thinking of talking to him, dear. I have another idea in mind."

Jess looked for Becker. She was nervous. Parts of this plan bothered her, like tricking him. Other parts made her giddy. She was scared, though. She didn't know how he'd react, and she was terrified that he'd hate her after this. Still, something was going on in the ARC, and he might be in danger.

She didn't really believe in ghosts, but she'd do whatever was necessary or stupid, to protect him. And Jane had described Becker, his emotions and attempts to deny them, perfectly. It was more reason to give the cleansing a try.

Finally, she found him in the locker room.

"Are you alright?"

He smiled at her. "Fine. Sorry I got so angry."

"It's OK."

He smiled.

"Are you leaving?" she asked, noting him putting on a jacket.

"I'm 'negative,' remember? So, I'm stepping outside. I'm just going for a quick jog around the building. Clear my head. Don't worry, got my comms with me."

Jess wondered how to go about with the plan.

"I um...Would you...give me a hug?" she asked.

Becker's eyebrow went up, and he cocked his head.

"I'm just creeped out over everything, and you make me feel safe. I mean, that your job makes me feel safe. How you do it. You're good at your job. I..uh."

She bent her head down and covered her face. She heard Becker laugh, and soon felt his arms around her. She sighed involuntarily.

"Feel safer?" he asked.

She eased her head against his chest and mumbled dreamily, "much, much safer."

He chuckled.

"You don't have to leave," she said. "I don't think you're negative."

"Thank you, Jess."

They looked into each other's eyes, and she knew this could totally destroy whatever the heck their relationship was, but she was also determined to protect him from the weirdness going on. She found her courage, and before he pulled out of the hug, she leaned up, and on her tip-toes, she kissed him.

Jane said she had to make sure the sea salt got onto him, so she had to do more than give him a peck. So, for the sake of his well-being, she really, really kissed him. She moved her lips all around, touching every inch of his lips. She even made him open up a little to get some salt on the inside of the lips.

Oops, she forgot that doing that meant he could taste the salt.

"What is that?"

She blushed. "Sea salt."

He looked at her incredulously. "What the heck are you doing?"

"Well, Becker, you wouldn't submit to the cleansing, and I know it's silly and probably doesn't mean anything but I didn't want you to take chances and even if you hate me now for tricking you then I'm sorry but at least now your safe. I mean, if it works. Even if it doesn't I feel better now."

Becker just stared. "So you ambushed me to 'cleanse me?'

"Yes," she said. "I've even got sage in my pockets and sprig of rosemary tucked behind my ear, and to make certain you were exposed to the cleansing agents, Jane burned sage right over me."

Becker burst out laughing. Jess didn't know what it meant, if he was mad or not, so she just stood still.

"You're nuts," he said with a grin.

"I know, but if you're wrong and it works, what's the harm?"

Becker shook his head. "And I got a heck of a kiss."

Jess blushed. "Yes, you did."

"It was sweet of you to be so worried," he said, taking her hands. Then he smirked. "So kissing me? Could you think of no other way to 'cleanse' me or was that just a bonus?"

She smiled. "Maybe a little of both."

"I really hate to say this, but your kiss was a little too salty, and I hate your new smoky perfume."

Jess laughed heartily. "Well, I think the salt's gone now. Care to try again?" She said, slightly bashful.

Becker looked at her for a second. He seemed to be debating if he should cross a line. Then, apparently he made a decision.

He pulled her close and he kissed her, just as firmly as she had kissed him.

End of Ch 4