Under the Weather, Becker's Turn, Part Two
Rated: G
Spoilers: None
Under the Weather, Becker's Turn, Part Two
Becker lay still and groaned. He should be with them, not lying sick in bed. He worried about the team, but had faith in Jess.
He thought about getting up, walking around, and seeing just how bad he was. Maybe...no, he told Jess he'd stay put.
It was hard. He rolled over onto his side. He was very tired. He closed his eyes, thinking he would get up in a while.
He fell asleep.
He woke up to the sound of a familiar voice.
"Poor Epstein," whispered Jess, "but he called me in. It's not my fault that it was a simple fix."
"Jess?"
"Oh, hi, Becker," she said softly. She was sitting on the edge of his bed, holding his hand. "Sorry, Abs, have to go. Sure," she said, hanging up the mobile. "Abby says she hopes you feel better."
"How long have you been here?" he asked, wiping his eyes.
"Oh, not long. Fifteen minutes? I took your temperature. You'll be happy to know its still normal."
"You took it while I was asleep?"
She giggled. "Yes. You were out cold. You seemed happy, though. Were you having good dreams?"
Becker looked at her, blushed and smiled. "Yeah, very good dreams."
Jess looked at him. "Becker? What was the dream about?"
Becker flushed red. "Uh, I'd rather not tell you."
"Becker! Were you having a sexy dream?"
He chuckled. "No, unfortunately. It was just very pleasant. I was with someone...very pleasant."
Jess blushed. "It was me?"
He laughed. "Sorry. What's that old syndrome, where you crush on your nurse or doctor? Not that I'm crushing on you. I was dreaming...nothing bad. We've just been spending lots of time together, and I've been thinking about you, not obsessing or anything...you're babbling is contagious."
She laughed pleasantly. "Sorry. It's between you and your subconscious. I shouldn't pry."
"No you shouldn't. What about Matt and Connor?"
"They're fine. Epstein is a little embarrassed. There was a problem with the signals, alright, from our end. Once I ran a full system check I caught it. It was a pretty basic problem, and an easy fix. Epstein should have caught it. Everyone has bad days though."
"Is he in trouble?"
"No. He's a good coordinator. He just wasn't thinking. His mum's sick. Sicker than you, I'm afraid. She's in hospital. He should have took the day off."
"Some guys have a problem with that," said Becker, grinning.
Jess laughed. "You don't say?" They both laughed. Then Jess continued, Lester reprimanded him, but took his mum into account and made him take the next few days off."
"I hope his mum's OK," said Becker.
"Me too," said Jess. "Now, how are you?"
"Feeling so much better. Thank you, Jess."
She smiled. "You did the same for me. We should get together more often."
"You want us sick more?"
She playfully swiped at him. He laughed. "No, Becker. I've just...liked being with you, it would have been nice if we weren't sick, obviously, but it hasn't been horrible."
He smiled. "No, it hasn't. I even enjoyed the sci-fi flick."
"That reminds me. If you're up to it, of course, I rented another movie. We can watch it this evening, if you like."
"Just you and me?"
She smiled at him. "If that's OK."
"More than OK, Jess. I'll even watch a chick flick with you."
She frowned. "Oh, dear. I thought you were feeling better, but now you're raving in delirium."
He laughed loudly. "It sounds that way, doesn't it? It's your fault, Miss Parker. You've...infected me."
She smiled. "What a creepy way to put it."
He smiled.
"Well, I brought some soup with me. Let's see if you can eat it before we commit to a movie."
"Is it a chick flick?"
She smiled. "Wait and see."
Becker smiled, then slowly crawled out of bed. He staggered a little.
"I'm OK, just a little wobbly," he said when she looked concerned. "I might need to lean on you."
She ran over, and took his arm around her neck. "Maybe we shouldn't rush things, and you should lie back down."
"No, honestly. I feel better. I just need to get my balance," he said, pulling away from her. He walked, by himself, from his room to the living room. "See?"
She sighed with relief. She brought his pillows and blankets, and set him up on the couch, his legs stretched onto the coffee table. "OK?"
He nodded. She then brought the cough syrup, pain medicine, tissues, and juice to him. She warmed up the soup and brought two bowls out. She sat next to him, and they ate. Becker ate slowly.
"That feels better," he said, finishing the bowl.
Jess smiled. "This bug is running the same course as mine."
"We must have got it around the same time."
"Has anyone been sick lately?" asked Jess. "Who gave it to us?"
Becker looked at her in amusement. "They didn't do it intentionally, you know. Don't get set on revenge or anything."
She laughed. "Good point. Movie time?"
He nodded.
She cleared the soup bowls, checked his temp one more time, and put the movie in.
"I think the fever's broken," she said.
"I hope so. You're OK staying?"
"Absolutely" she said. She smiled as she pushed play on the remote.
The classic war film, The Longest Day, played.
Becker cheered. "I love this movie!"
Jess giggled. "I've never seen it, and it's supposed to be good."
"Good, Jess? It's brilliant."
Jess laughed, and slid closer to him. He watched her take his arm and put around her. "OK?"
He laughed. "As long as you don't get sick again."
She sighed happily. "I don't care. You were right, best sick day ever, even if it isn't mine."
He chuckled. They watched the movie, mostly in silence. Becker would hiss at the Germans, and cheer for the allied forces. Jess giggled.
After the movie, Jess said, "That was pretty good."
Becker stared. "Pretty good is a gross understatement, Jessica."
She giggled in delight. "You must be better. You're calling me by my full name again."
He laughed. "It's getting dark. I don't want you driving home too late."
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" she asked with a smile.
"Never."
She blushed. "Maybe I should stay the night"
Becker's eyebrows went up.
Jess continued. "I had Abby and Connor if I got sick. You might need me."
"Did you need them?"
"No."
He smiled. "I'll be fine, but thanks for the concern."
She sat back on the couch, next to him. "I'm concerned about you all the time," she said, stroking his hair. They both leaned in closer.
He couldn't help staring at her lips. "I really want to kiss you," he whispered.
"Fine by me."
"Jess, I've been sick. I'm still sick. Plus I probably taste like chicken soup, juice, and cough syrup."
"I'll take the risk. I need to kiss you Becker."
She leaned forward, and touched her lips to his. It was a gentle kiss, sweet, and tender.
"Oh, I have to do that again," she said, kissing him.
He grabbed her waist, and pulled her to him. She hung her arms around his neck.
After about ten minutes, Becker said, "If we keep this up, we're both going to need oxygen."
She laughed. "Alright, I don't want to overexert you. But, we're continuing this, hopefully tomorrow."
"Unless I'm comatose or dead," he said, "I promise you, we are continuing."
"Morbid but true," she said, kissing him again. "You sure you don't want me to stay? I'll sleep on the couch."
"Not necessary. I'll be fine, and I need to get a good sleep, without the distraction of you being so close."
She smiled. "Good point. I'm calling you first thing."
"Please do, Jess."
She gathered her things, tucked him in bed, and kissed him tenderly good night. "It's OK if you dream about me again," she said.
He smiled. "I'm pretty sure of it."
She laughed. "Maybe we'll have the same dream."
"I think we are, Jess."
"Aw, you're so sweet. Goodnight, my handsome Captain."
"Goodnight, my gorgeous field coordinator."
She smiled, kissed him one last time, turned out the lights and left the bedroom, and then his apartment.
The next day bright and early, Jess called, as promised.
"How are you?"
"Ready for work," he said.
"You sure?"
"Yes, I am. How about you?"
"Fine. I'm feeling good."
"Good."
"Oh, I have some news," she said. "Epstein's mum is doing much better. They think she'll be OK."
"That's good, Jess."
"Yes, it is," she said.
"Jess, I need a favor."
"Anything."
He chuckled. "I need a ride. Someone still has my keys."
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry. I do, don't I? I'll be right over."
"Hey, Jess? Was it really an accident?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Miss Jessica, did you swipe them on purpose so we'd have to ride in together?"
"Becker! How dare you! I am not that calculating! Plus, I didn't even think of that."
He laughed. "OK. I was just teasing. I'm glad we're going in together."
"Really? Then you don't...regret...last night."
"The kiss, I mean kisses? No. Do you?"
"No."
"Good. I'll see you soon. Oh, and Jess? You're getting one hell of a good morning kiss."
"I should hope so, Captain.
The end.