SOOO SORRY about the long wait for this chapter! I had writer's block again :'( and I couldn't find any good music to listen to while writting... plus the new Harry Potter movie had my muse concentrating on other things but hopefully I'm back now unless they decided to take a vacation. I'm not entirely happy about the beginning and middle of this chapter but the ending I think you'll enjoy :D hopefully you can all expect quicker updates since I'm on winter holidays :D yey for sleeping in! Sorry about any mistakes :D Don't own anything except the plot and a few minor characters.
Enjoy :D :D :D :D :D
Becker couldn't help but laugh as he lounged across the couch in the hotel room. Jess sat on the carpet coughing. She glared at him. "It's not funny Becker! I could have died!"
"Oh no, we can't have that happening." he replied with a grin. "It would be tragic to be the one explaining how Miss Jessica Parker died from attempting to drink a glass of water upside down."
She tossed some popcorn at him in anger but he managed to catch some in his mouth, his grin only widening. Jess glared at him "I hate you."
"You know you love me Jess." he replied, his smile only growing wider. His eyes darted back to the tv, missing the deep crimson Jess' cheeks had turned.
"Whatever floats your boat Hilary." she couldn't help the small chuckle that rose in her chest. She kept her eyes trained on the tv, determined not to gaze into Becker's mesmerising hazel eyes that she knew were focused on her.
Becker continued to stare at her with wide eyes, noticing the curvature of her lips as they grew into a grin. How the hell does she know my first name? No one in the ARC except Lester knows my first name!
"The files say quite a lot, even without reading the person bits" She was tempted to turn her head towards him to see his expression but she refused. Instead she leaned against the couch and stretched her legs out in front of her, nibbling on the popcorn in the bowl on her lap.
"You've know by first name... this whole time? And you didn't tell Connor?"
Jess glanced at Becker then with a frown. "Why would I tell him?"
Becker gawked at her. "You do live in the same flat as him right? He'd never leave me alone if he knew!"
She grinned suddenly. "I told him a few weeks ago Becker."
His eye's narrowed, searching Jess' face for any signs of the truth. Connor would have said something if he knew. There was just no way the geek would let that little fact slide.
Jess clutched her stomach as she laughed. "Your face...is hilarious!"
"You didn't tell him." Becker sighed in relief, his eyes still narrowed as he watched Jess spill the popcorn onto the floor as she rolled over in a fit of giggles. She's so adorable when she laughs Becker thought suddenly.
Jess forced herself to breath, adjusting her position so she was kneeling on the carpet. A few small giggles escaped her lips as she looked back at Becker. "I've been saving it until the perfect moment..."
Becker's eyebrow raised. "And that would be?"
"Basically anytime I need you to do something you don't want to do. Blackmail is a brilliant way of getting things done."
He shook his head, smiling as Jess begun to clean up the mess she'd made. She had no idea that he was prepared to do anything for her. He had already risked his life to save hers and gone out of his way to buy her chocolate after missions. He would offer himself to a pack of hungry predators if it meant making her happy. There's no way I'll be admitting that anytime soon though.
He watched her wander over to the small kitchenette with the popcorn in her hands. His eyes trailed down from her reddish-brown hair that fell loosely down her back, to her wrap-around swaying around her hips as she walked. "Like anything you see?" Jess asked casually, her back still to him.
Becker's eyes quickly darted away, heat rushing up the back of his neck. He had been caught checking her out. "What did you say?" he replied in a casual tone, trying to play it off.
Jess looked over her shoulder and pointed to the open minibar beside her, the rows of drinks clearly on display. "Like anything you see in here?" Becker looked over at her with a sigh of relief. She was only asking him if he wanted a drink.
"You pick something." he replied and turned his attention back to the tv while Jess scanned the various alcohols, sneaking peaks over at Becker as he watched the tv. Why does he have to be so adorable? She thought with a frown. She picked up two beers and wandered back over to the couch, sitting down next to him with her feet curled up underneath her.
The silence was surprisingly comfortable around them as they both watched the movie playing. If the world ended today, I'd be happy Jess thought with a small smile.
They were both quiet for what seemed like hours. Jess glanced at Becker, her voice low and cautious as she spoke. "Can I ask you a personal question?"
Her heart skipped a beat when he looked at her with a questioning look on his face. "You can ask me anything. As long as it's not where I think Connor's socks are going to be found next."
She gave him a small smile before looking down at the bottle in her hands. A small frown begun to crease her forehead making Becker worry. "What was the old ARC really like? With Cutter and... Sarah."
"Is there a certain reason for wanting to know Jess?" she shook her head, looking at the tv to avoid his questioning gaze. He sighed, looking at the tv as well. "It was different."
He was quiet for a moment and Jess thought that was all he was going to say. She looked at him expecting an explaination.
His eyes narrowed in thought. "We laughed more..."
Jess grinned suddenly. "You mean you actually smiled at things? Waow, the Invinsible Captain does have a heart!"
Becker caught Jess' gaze in his and grinned himself. "Did you just call me invinsible?"
"I might... there's a possiblity... I could have..." she looked away to the tv again, a deep crimson making her cheeks glow. "I'm just going to shut up now." she mumbled into her knees as she hugged them to her chest.
"You're cute when you blush." Becker said quietly.
"What?" Jess looked at him with wide eyes, her heart suddenly pounding hard against her chest. Did he just... he couldn't have just said... I'm definitely dreaming this up!
Jess was pulled out of her little daydream with the loud ringing of Becker's cellphone. They both begun searching the room for it but Jess laughed as she reach for the small device on the small bench top before he could. "Becker's phone, Jess speaking." she grinned victoriously.
Jess! Thankgod! Is Becker with you?
Jess frowned when she heard Matt's worried voice on the other side of the line. Please don't tell me someone's hurt...
"Who is it?" Becker whispered quietly, his voice barely audible as he came and stood beside her. He was slipping into 'On Duty' mode, his expression growing serious.
Jess frowned. "Yeah he's right next to me. Matt what's wrong?"
We have a creature incursion by the south beach. It's possible there may be an anomoly around here somewhere. Did you bring the portable ADD? Matt asked calmly.
Jess' frown deepened while Becker held his hand out for the phone. "Um yeah. I'll put you onto Becker while I go find it." She passed the phone over and sighed "It's Matt. He says there's been a creature incursion down by the South Beach."
"Just what this vacation needed..." Becker sighed. He quickly put the phone to his ear. "What creature is it?"
On the other side of the line he could hear Matt sigh as well. "We found a young Therocephalian. Emily thinks it may have been injured somehow."
Not one of those again! Becker growled mentally. "Have you called Connor or Abby?"
"Connor never picked up. And I'm guessing Abby's still with him at that bonfire." Matt replied.
"Okay. We'll be there soon." Becker hung up and looked over at Jess who was rummaging through her suitcase with a determined look on her face. "What are you doing?"
"Flats. Top. New shorts. Portable ADD!" she announced happily, holding up the small touchpad device.
"You brought the ADD with you on vacation?" Becker asked incredulously.
She rolled her eyes as she slipped on her new pink blue and white shorts under her wrap-around "Don't tell me you haven't packed a couple of EMDs in your suitcase or your black uniform!"
Becker raised an eyebrow at her as he opened up his suitcase and brought out two small EMDs. "You know me so well Jess Parker."
"It's kinda scary." She laughed as she looked down at the screen in her hands. Sure enough there was a small glowing symbol on the map where the anomoly must be. "Good thing I slipped those trackers into Emily and Abby's bags..." Jess looked up at Becker but gasped and quickly turned away when he begun lifting his shirt up over his head. "A little warning would be helpful."
"You've seen me shirtless before Jess..." Becker laughed as he slipped on his black shirt and uniform jacket. "You can turn around now."
Jess turned slowly, keeping her eyes down on the device in her hand. "Abby and Connor are still at the bonfire. Should we go get them before we head to the anomoly site?"
Becker froze suddenly, his chest tightening at the thought of Jess being anywhere near the anomoly site. "We? Jess, you're not coming. You're not trained for the field."
She rolled her eyes. "I've faced future predators Becker. You don't get more trained than that!"
Becker shook his head. "We're not having this argument Jess. You're staying here."
"I know how to shoot an EMD Becker! I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself out there!" She was nearly yelling. "I'm not some kid!"
Becker's expression softened into what Jess thought looked a lot like worry. "I don't want to see you get hurt again Jess!" Becker whispered quietly. "I don't want to lose you!"
I shall end the chapter there so you can all wonder what Jess' reaction will be :D