Chapter Two: Becker's video

"Becker, your lieutenant will take over today, possibly tomorrow. You will be filming."

Becker groaned and Jess gasped with delight.

"Filming what?" she asked.

"A new video, actually," said Lester.

"With music?" asked Jess. "Ooh, you looked so….amazing in the last one."

Becker groaned. 'This is an order?"

"Yes."

"What's the song?"

"I have no idea," said Lester, "but this time, rather than taking visuals of the Captain from eye-witness clips, the action will be scripted."

"You're an actor!" cried Jess, jumping on Becker.

"Scripted? You're joking! Lester, I'm a soldier, not a bloody actor," Becker said. He glanced down at Jess and smirked. "Even if it does excite my girlfriend."

"You'll be fabulous," she said.

"You better be," said Lester. "Jess, go with him. Keep him from shooting anything or anyone."

"Yay! I'm going to see a video made! Becker, sweetie, you're going to be in it!"

"Hooray," said Becker sarcastically.

The next morning, Jess sat at the edge of her seat watching the action unfold. She was in the thick of the action, right next to the cameras and the producer.

"Pity we couldn't get the ARC director to relent on the costume," said the video director, looking at Becker in his normal ARC uniform. "Not that what you wear is bad. It's just plain, and black. Actually, it's a little intimidating."

Becker smiled, and winked at Jess. "That's what I like about it."

Jess shook her head, chuckling.

The director said sadly, "We had this suit all worked out: dark gray pants with red, white and blue trim on the sides, representing the national colors. Then the top was light gray with dark gray patches on the shoulders and across the chest, resembling armor. Oh, and there was a small Union Jack in the corner."

"Sounds silly," said Becker. "I thought the idea of this…video…was to promote the ARC, not fiction."

The director was a man of average height and weight with bushy black hair that looked like it hadn't been combed for a while. He wore sunglasses constantly. "You know, most of the time I deal with eager, glamour-struck actors and musicians who would do anything to be on film."

Becker just stared.

The director sighed. "Try to act like you want to be here."

"I don't."

"I do!" Jess cried with excitement.

The director laughed. To Jess he said, "You're perky. I don't suppose you can somersault and fire a weapon?"

"No. Sorry."

"Pity. You're cute."

"Watch it," warned Becker. Lightly snarling.

Jess giggled. "Becker, you don't snarl at a compliment. You give thanks." She turned to the director. "Thank you."

He smiled. "I like you."

She giggled more. "May I…" she said, gesturing at Becker.

"Oh, I'd appreciate any help you can give."

She smiled. "Becker, sweetie, just pretend you're on a mission."

"I have a problem with that sentence: the word 'pretend."

"Oh, baby, just relax and have fun."

"He looks like he's allergic to fun," said the producer.

"I am."

The producer sighed. "Let's just get through this, Ok? Try and give me a break, huh? I'm just doing my job."

Jess nodded. "That's right. He'll behave, Mr. Producer, sir."

The man laughed. "Oh, I really like you. Call me Chuck, honey."

Becker growled and took several steps toward Chuck.

"Easy! It's just another compliment!" cried Chuck, backing up and throwing his arms protectively in front of his face.

"I'd stop making them," said Becker through clenched teeth.

"I'm sorry, Chuck. My boyfriend gets a bit impossible when he's jealous."

"No worries," said Chuck, keeping his distance. "Let's get back to the video. Now, Captain, your stunts are fine…"

"Stunts? That infers my actions are silly and unnecessary," he said, "like this video."

Jess rolled her eyes. "We all know it's really you and you're a legitimate man of action."

"Yes, exactly Jess, uh, I mean Miss Parker," Chuck said quickly, "He's a hero. We're just trying to recapture your heroics on screen."

"Without calling up an anomaly and a creature," said Jess.

"We don't want innocents in danger, right?" asked Chuck. "So, just work with me."

"Fine."

"OK," said Chuck. "We've got the action moves down perfectly. We just need some close-ups on you. Try not to look at the camera and above all no silly faces."

"Not a problem," said Becker.

"Didn't think so," said Chuck. "Just run down, do some action stuff, maybe some flips, then I want you to stop at the wrecked car and pose."

Becker's eyebrow went up. "I don't…pose."

Jess giggled. "Just stand there, flexing your muscles and looking all sexy."

"Sexy?" asked Becker.

Jess smiled and said, "You are. You know it." They exchanged smirks. Then Jess said, "Ooh. I know. Stand like you do when you're waiting for Connor to stop his science babbling. Be kind of bored-like, aloof."

"Oh. Ok. That I can do," said Becker.

"Great," said Chuck with an appreciative smile to Jess. "Let's do this, people!"

A few moments later rock music played, specifically, "Let it Rock," by Kevin Rudolph. Jess thought it fit him perfectly. Becker ran down the set, did a couple flips and briefly struck a pose.

Which he quickly ruined by saying, "Wait. Where's my gun? I should have a gun."

"Cut! Captain! There's no speaking here!" cried Chuck, growing more frustrated.

"Sorry, but really, I would never run into an incursion unarmed."

Jess nodded. "Never. Neither would I."

Chuck rubbed his aching temples. "This isn't a real incursion! Just, try to do as I direct, please?"

"I can't. It's so unrealistic," said Becker. "You don't really want people to think the ARC goes around unarmed, do you?"

Jess again nodded. "He's right."

"Fine. Hold on," said Chuck, mumbling, "This thing's budget is going higher and higher. Prop guy! "

Chuck and a pudgy man talked and then there were a few minutes of just standing around. Then the prop guy came back holding an assault rifle.

"Here," said Chuck, handing the gun to Becker.

"Is that real?" asked Jess.

Becker smiled, waving the gun in the air. "No, but it's darn close. I was almost fooled. Almost. My compliments to the prop department."

The prop guy smiled and gave a little bow.

"Can we please complete this video?"

"Sure," said Becker. "I'm armed and happy."

Jess giggled.

"Good. Ready?" asked the director.

Becker nodded.

The music began again, and Becker ran down, brandishing his weapon. Suddenly he dropped down, crouching like he was protecting himself. He jumped up, ran a bit, and then did a somersault. He then continued, jumping over debris in the fake street.

Jess covered her mouth to stifle a yelp. Her man was so sexy.

Becker ran for the car. He paused beside it, standing firm, muscles rippling. He ended with a dead sexy, serious stare.

"Cut! Beautiful! Captain, that was awesome!"

Jess bounced in the chair, giddy with excitement. "That was wonderful, baby!"

Becker blushed. "Thanks. It was fun, actually."

Chuck laughed. "You're the man. We're almost finished. Now, hold the pose while we send in the girls."

"Girls?" asked Jess.

Chuck nodded. He nodded for the music.

Then four beautiful, scantily-clad girls ran in, swarming around Becker and running their hands all over his body.

Jess' eyes bugged out and her face paled. "Cut!" she screamed.

Chuck almost had a heart attack. "Miss Parker…you aren't allowed to do that," he said with a controlled, calm voice.

"Sorry, I just…do they have to, uh, touch him?"

Becker chuckled.

"Miss Parker, they're showing their appreciation for the Captain, who just heroically saved their lives."

"That's too much appreciation."

"It's just pretend Jess," Becker said, absently staring at the girls' legs.

"You, hush! And keep those eyes trained on me!"

Becker laughed. "Sorry. I can't help admiring beauty, Jess."

The girls giggled.

Jess clicked her heels toward Becker and jabbed him roughly in the chest. "These are the only legs you're allowed to ogle," she said, kicking out hers.

"They are my favorite," he said as she frowned. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you get plenty of stares, do you not?

"Not the point right now."

Becker laughed and kissed her. "First of all, I love you. Secondly, I'm just trying to follow orders."

"Nice try, but Lester didn't include checking out pretty girls' legs."

He chuckled again. "Ok. I apologize. I promise, you get all my attention from now on."

"I better."

Chuck groaned. "I should have agreed to make the talking fruit underwear commercial instead. Can we please get this video done?"

Jess and Becker nodded.

"Fantastic. Let's do this!" cried Chuck to the people on set. He took a deep breath.

Jess sulked back to her chair, and sat quietly with her arms folded against her chest. She did not look happy.

"OK. Action!" cried Chuck.

Becker posed, the girls ran in and to Jess' relief the girls showed some restraint. This time no one touched Becker below the belt.

"Cut! That's a wrap. We're done people!"

Jess ran over and hugged Becker.

"Glad that's over," said Becker.

"Me too," said Jess.

"Me three," said Chuck.