Revenge of the Toga Night Part 2
Rating: T or lower, No real spoilers
by Pinkcat4569
Part Two: What's in a Frock
"I am so totally confused!" yelled Jess as she walked into the break room.
The entire main team was there: Emily, Abby, Connor, Matt, and Becker.
"You're kidding," said Becker. "I've never known you to be stumped over anything."
"Well I am this time. I'm about to give up."
"Oh, don't do that," said Abby kindly, putting an arm around the young field coordinator. Jess leaned her head on Abby's shoulder. "What is it? Computer problems? Connor can help."
"Sure, Jess, I'd be happy to help."
"No, it's not computers, and no one can help."
"I am sure that is not the case," said Emily, patting Jess' head, still leaning on Abby.
"Maybe you just need a break," said Becker, flashing that winning smile. Jess perked up at that, and Emily and Abby exchanged grins. Becker continued, "Or maybe..." he reached in his pocket and pulled out a chocolate bar, and held it in front of her. "this will help."
Jess smiled, moved from Abby, and took the bar, opening it. "It might. Thank you," she said. She had eaten three pieces when her energy seemed to return.
"I just don't get it. I can't really see any difference. First I thought the Roman togas were shorter and showed more skin, but then I found a picture and the Greek male chiton thing looked just like a toga!"
Becker moaned. "You're joking! This is what has you so upset? Jess, its just a stupid party, in fact its not even a party. It's dinner at the canteen!"
"You're not being very sympathetic," she said, putting her hands on her hips. She was becoming angry.
"Of course not, it's stupid!"
Connor bent toward Becker and said softly, "Whoa, Becker, man, careful using the "stu" word to women. Seriously."
"It is stupid Connor, don't you think so?"
"Not going there. Share a flat with her," said Connor, backing away. "Abby, I'm going to...leave."
Abby laughed. "Coward," she called after him.
"You are mean," said Jess to Becker. Becker got that exasperated look which he paired with a slight smile that drove Jess mad. It was adorable, but it still made her crazy.
Becker was ranting, "I thought it was something important, that affected lives, but no it's about clothing! How ridiculous! I know you take fashion seriously but this isn't even current fashion. You're talking about stuff people wore ages ago, and guess what, those people don't care. Why? Cause they're all dead!"
Jess said nothing, she just stood there and fumed.
"It's a night at the canteen, Jess," Becker continued. "It's not worth getting upset over. It's stup...," he trailed off when he saw her face. She was seriously angry and upset. Becker realized, staring at her, his exasperation running off, just how deeply this little slip of a woman had gotten to him.
Making a point and being right no longer mattered. All that mattered was Jess and that she was not happy.
There was a moment of quiet, and then Becker.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I know you want your outfit to be perfect, and I know it makes you crazy when you don't understand something, so I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I said. It was insensitive and you're right, it was mean."
Jess looked at him, and felt her anger draining away. Usually, when she got that mad, especially if someone called her stupid, she'd hold on to the anger. Something about the gorgeous man in front of her always managed to ease her mind and emotions.
Jess took a deep breath, and put several pieces of the chocolate in her mouth. "Thank you for the apology," she said, making Becker grin, "but you're right. It is stupid," she said with a laugh. "I just pride myself on my research. I'm the field coordinator it's my job to know what's around the bend, literally. I know everything."
Becker's eyebrow twitched, and they both laughed.
"You are brilliant," he finally said.
"I just can't tolerate being beaten by a centuries' old frock."
Becker laughed out loud. "Okay, that I understand."
Jess smiled. All traces of anger, and a lot of the stress, were gone from her body. Becker had a way of doing that to her. One look at Becker usually made her day.
The two of them were quiet, staring at each other. A small cough broke the moment. Both Jess and Becker turned to see Emily, Matt and Abby seated at the break table.
"We're still here," said Matt. Abby smiled and waved. Emily laughed. "Thought you'd forgotten about us, so I thought I'd just remind you," he added with a smirk.
Becker shook his head, as Jess looked away. She blushed. She had forgotten about them. All that had been on her mind the last few moments was Becker.
There was an awkward silence.
"Nicely done, Matt," said Abby, swiping at his arm. "You broke the mood and now they're quiet."
"Well, if the show's over," said Matt, "May as well get back to work."
Matt left. Emily got up to follow him. "Do not worry about your attire, Jess," she said. "You always look lovely."
"Thanks, Em," she said as Emily smiled and left.
Abby sat still. "I don't have anywhere I need to be," she said with a smile.
Becker rolled his eyes. "I should go. Emily's right Jess, don't worry," he said, heading to the door.
"You always DO look lovely," he said, seeing Abby's smirk, he ignored her, and he too left.
Jess sat down next to Abby. "That was mortifying. I spazzed out in front of everyone, including Becker."
Abby patted her hand. "We all have things have things that spaz us out. I can't take animal cruelty, Emily hates being pushed around, Becker cried like a baby when his favorite gun got left in the future, and don't get me started on Connor and the last three Star Wars movies."
Jess giggled. "Ok, when you put it like that, I don't feel so bad." She put the last chocolate in her mouth. "I could take one of the looks I saw on line, kind of a shorter tunic, over a longer tunic, and leave off the longer tunic. No, then it looks like a toga." Abby was quiet, letting Jess think it all out, out loud. Jess went on. "Ok, how about if I shortened both, made like a layered tunic, and shortened that so it came to my knees, or higher. Hmm."
Abby smiled at her.
"I'll figure it out. I will," said Jess.
"I know you will," said Abby.
End of Part Two