It was the first day that Jessica came later than usual. Usually she was the first one to enter the ARC now she came in with Matt and Emily.
Abby and Connor greeted them, making sure Jess was okay.
"Sarah throws a hissy fit because Lester won't let her stray." Connor said.
"Where is Becker?" Jess whispered.
"Hiding in the armoury. Nobody has seen him yet." Abby answered her voice just as low.
Jessica was relieved because although she was yearning to see him she hoped that she wouldn't have to see the soldier or even speak to him today.
Jessica was typing in some files as Lester joined her.
"Jessica where is everyone?"
"Uhm Sir.I assume everyone is in their usual place."
"Something is going on and it has something to do with Burton! Please make sure someone looks after Dr Page. If she escapes us we are all destined to die! And tell Connor to find a way to send her back. And if you see Captain Becker tell him that our guest will stay here. She's not going anywhere and if he promises a hundred times to watch her himself."
Watch her himself? Take her in?
Her mood sank.
"Parker! Are you listening!"
"Yes Sir, of course. I'll take care of it myself right away!"
She wanted to see Sarah herself now. What was she like? Were they equal?
Maybe it was crazy but jealousy was always bad company.
She pushed the door open with a lot of force.
"Dr Sarah Page?" The woman was sitting on the bed listening to music on an mp3-player.
"Yes." The woman took the earplugs out.
She was taller than Jess, black hair, skinny legs, sporty.
"I am Jessica Parker, field coordinator."
Sarah scrutinized her as well. "Field coordinator?"
Jessica pursed her lips and straightened herself. Sarah was interesting, beautiful even.
"Yes. Why are you so surprised?"
"Just because, you look so…young!"
"I finished school early."
"I see." Sarah squinted. There was quite a tension in the air, although Sarah couldn't know about Jess and Becker.
"Do you need anything?"
"No thank you. Where is Captain Becker?" the name stung Jess.
"I…"her voice quivered."I don't know." She turned towards the door and bumped into Becker.
They stared at each other, shocked.
"Jess!" She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Good morning." She quickly squeezed herself out of the door. Becker watched her until she'd rounded the corner. Sadness lingered in his eyes. The first thing he'd noticed was the grey skirt Jessica wore. Grey.
A mixture of black and white. Both no colours according to Jessica.
As he turned to Sarah she was staring at him. Her mouth hanging open. Understanding dawned in
her eyes so Becker quickly set his mask back on.
Sarah had judged the other woman in one swift second. A young naiive computer freak.
"Who is she?"
"What?"
"Becker you stared!" He played dumb:
"What do you mean?" Sarah looked from one corner to the other and searched the room for some help.
"You know what I mean! Will you please finally tell me what is going on!" She was desperate and threw her arms in the air in a helpless gesture.
Becker opened his mouth to reply: "Sarah, I…"
Jessica cursed because she'd forgotten to tell Becker about Lester's order but she didn't care and went straight to Connor.
You're a big girl Jessica! Nobody ever believed the two of you would fit together anyway.
"Sarah has to disappear!"
"Yes thank you Jess I am good!"
"Connor stop joking! I mean it, she has to go back, Lester's order! The whole future could already be damaged. Please, tell me you'll figure out a way to sent her back!"
Jessica hugged herself. Connor watched her: "Okay…well, Jess I can't guarantee…"
She threw a pleading look at him.
"I'll find a way! Or I'll try to find a way."
"Thanks Connor!" she was about to leave.
"Jess!" She turned. "Is it only Lester's order? Or yours too?" She didn't answer. "Hey, don't worry about them too much!"
She lifted the corners of her mouth for a second. She wanted to ask him if he thought Sarah would be the better match for Becker, but she resisted. She just returned to the ADD.
The rest of the day she worked in silence and didn't saw Becker again.
Sarah had suspected something but Becker had denied everything.
And now he felt bad about it. So damn bad!
He excused his behaviour by telling himself that he only wanted to protect the future but a little voice in his head was asking if he didn't actually wanted to spare Sarah.
Right now he just felt like he'd betrayed Jess by denying to be with her.
He went straight to bed that night and thought about Sarah and Jess. Becker didn't want to but he compared them.
Sarah knew what she wanted, she was smart, clever and strong. She was an independent woman all along. Jessica on the other side was intelligent, cute, insecure, colourful and clumsy but brave.
Why was Jess wearing grey?
That was the last thought he had before he drifted to sleep.