Author's Note: I named the store owner in After Armageddon Fred? I have an original character named Fred, Lt. Fred Flowers. Oh well, he doesn't appear in either Armageddon story so I guess it's OK. Sorry for the confusion.
Chapter Four: Life with a Sex Symbol
"Hi Fred," said Jess, as she walked into the corner shop.
"Jess, how are you?" he asked. Becker walked in just behind her. "I see you're still with the Captain. Any time you want to ditch him…"
Jess giggled. "Sorry. He makes good hot chocolate."
Becker nodded. "I do, really."
Fred chuckled. "Yeah, but I stock the stuff and all your chocolate bars."
Jess looked at Becker. "He has a point, honey."
Becker chuckled. "You'd bankrupt him in a week.'
"True. She would."
"It wouldn't take that long," Jess said with a smile. "Speaking of chocolate I only have three left…in the car, and just two in my bag, plus less than five hidden in our flat."
"Sorry, Jess. I'm not in love with you anymore," said Fred.
She smiled as she bent over the chocolate bars.
Becker just laughed. "So how's business?"
Fred smiled. "Pretty much back to normal, thanks to you and the ARC."
"Did you say ARC?" asked a young woman,. "I love that place! There's this one hottie that's all over the internet…" she stopped abruptly as she got a good look at Becker.
She squealed. Loudly.
"Oh my gosh! It's you!" she squealed more. "You're gorgeous!"
Becker turned bright red.
"You're so awesome!" she babbled. "I love you!"
'Um…thanks."
She giggled hysterically. Then she pulled out her phone and started taking pictures. "Oh, my god! Say something! Please."
"Uh…what would you like me to say?"
"I love that voice!" Then she blushed and stepped closer to him. "I melt to that voice," she said softly.
Becker looked nervously around for Jess. He needed protection.
Instead he got another fan girl's attention.
"You! OMG! I love you!"
"I know, right?" said the first girl.
"You're….brilliant!"
"Um…Thanks. I should go," Becker said, still looking for Jess.
"No! Don't leave yet, please!" cried the second girl. She too started filming with her phone.
Two more girls, even younger, saw Becker and their jaws practically hit the ground. They squealed together, making Becker jump.
He looked at Fred for help. "Got somewhere I can hide?"
Fred shook his head, chuckling. "Sorry, Mate. You won't fit behind the counter."
"I could try."
"Pose with me! My mates won't believe me otherwise," said the third girl. She stood very close to Becker and took their picture.
"OMG! Why didn't I think of that?" asked the second girl. "I want a picture with you too!"
She started shoving the third girl.
"Hey! I saw him first. I want a picture!"
There was now a fist fight going on between all four girls.
"Um…help?" asked Becker to Fred.
"Girls, please! There's enough of the Captain to go around!" Fred cried. They didn't appear to hear him because they began pulling at Becker and touching his abs, face, and other places.
"Watch the hands!" Becker yelled, grabbing his bum.
Fred laughed loudly.
"Don't' stand there laughing at me! Get Jess!"
Just then, she rounded the corner, arms loaded with groceries and chocolate. "I think I need a basket…."
She stopped, staring at four teenage girls playing tug of war…with her boyfriend as the prize.
"Becker, what's going on?"
"Jess! Jess!" cried Becker, pushing the girls fairly harshly, trying to get to the safety of his girlfriend. He finally reached her and actually hid behind her.
"Who are you?" asked one of the girls cattily.
Jess was stunned by the rudeness. "I'm…Jess?"
"My girlfriend. "
"Oh, darn it."
"Aw…."
"How old are you?"
"I beg your pardon?" asked Jess.
Becker chuckled. "She's old enough."
"If you're dating her you could date me," said the first girl.
Fred laughed. Becker looked ill. "Sorry, but…" before Becker could finish, the fourth girl found her voice.
"Are you guys, like, really together?"
Becker held onto Jess for dear life. "Yes. We are very together. Very."
"Men are notoriously fickle," said the second girl.
Jess stifled a laugh. This little girl was well acquainted with men, was she? Jess was just a few years older and men continued to remain a mystery. Even Becker.
"Not me. I love her. I love this little woman," said Becker.
"Thank you," said Jess.
"I'm giving you my number, just in case," said the first girl.
"No way! I'm giving him mine!"
"You're too young!"
"I'm as old as you!"
"Ladies, please!" cried Jess. "The captain will happily accept all of them."
"I will?"
Jess glared at him. "Yes. You will. You're a gentleman."
"Oh, I know he is. He's so selfless."
"Saving innocent strangers."
"Kicking dinos in the skull while looking so hot!"
Fred covered his mouth to keep from laughing and embarrassing his customers.
Becker took the numbers. Unfortunately, one girl tried to hang onto his hand a little too long. Jess had to pull him free.
"Bye!" said one of the girls, blowing Becker kisses.
"Call me!"
"I love you!"
The girls all left. Becker fell against Jess, sighing with relief. She patted his shoulder reassuringly.
Fred laughed. "I may have to get some more security measures."
"Do. Please. For my protection," said Becker, laughing along.
"You two are both horrible. Poor little things."
"What? Poor little things?" asked Becker, his voice rising in pitch. '"Seriously, Jess? They tried to pull me apart!"
"Becker, their hormones are raging."
"Exactly. I'm still terrified."
Fred kept laughing. "Maybe Jess should be armed."
"That's not a bad suggestion, actually."
"Becker!"
"Not with a lethal gun of course, maybe a tazer."
"Water gun would probably work," said Fred.
"Stop it! Besides, you'll ruin their clothes and makeup," said Jess, practically.
"Hit them where it hurts, I like it," said Becker.
"You frighten me, sometimes," said Jess.
Loud pop music was heard from a car parking outside the shop. Two young girls jumped out.
"Uh-oh, Becker," said Fred. "More potential fans coming in. "
"Let's get out of here!" cried Becker, panicking.
"I have to pay, Becker."
"Fine, here," he said, thrusting his wallet into her hands. "I'll be outside, hiding."
Jess watched as Becker dodged the girls, hiding his face with his arms.
Jess sighed, emptying the groceries onto the counter. "That's my fearless Captain. Oh well, at least I don't have to pay," she said, winking at Fred.
Fred nodded. "I don't blame him though, Jess. My teenage nieces can be terrifying."
Jess narrowed her eyes. "I was one, you know. Be nice."
"Jess, darling, you are far too mature, serious, and enchanting to even compare to those young girls."
Jess giggled. "Flatterer."
Fred smirked as he packed the groceries for her.
Becker poked his head in. "Oh God, Jess, a van of hormones just pulled up! Let's go!"
Fred chuckled, handing Jess the bag.
"I better go defend him."
Jess left the shop and found Becker with his back to the street.
"Come on Captain Courageous."
"Why did I agree to those videos, Jess? This is just going to get worse."
Jess winced. "You're right."
Becker groaned. "They're going to keep pawing me and taking my photo…." He shuddered.
Jess giggled. "It won't be that bad. It will pass, eventually."
They started walking, Becker carrying the bag in one arm and holding hands with Jess on the other side.
"It will pass," repeated Becker.
Jess kissed him on the cheek. "It will."
"Right." He chuckled. "Sorry I flipped out back there."
"I forgive you."
A young man also holding hands with a girl passed them. He looked at Becker a few times. Then he said, "You're on the telly!"
Becker groaned.
"OMG! He is!" cried the girl. "I love you!"
The boy dropped her hand. "Nice one, Shari. I'm your boyfriend. What's that bloke got that I don't?"
She snickered. "Are you kidding? Try abs, a cute butt, big biceps…"
"I'm making a run for it," whispered Becker. "Are you with me?"
Jess giggled. "All the way, baby. I guess this is life with a sex symbol."
"Sex symbol: brilliant," said Becker sarcastically.
The younger couple was still arguing as the sex symbol and his girl broke into a run.
Author's Note: My apologies if you are currently a teenage girl. No offense, honestly.