Jess walked into the armory, to find Becker sitting on a bench, facing away from her. He looked like he'd been cleaning one of the rifles, but was now staring absently at a place on the wall.

"Becker," she called, keeping her voice low as not to startle him.

His head snapped in her direction, and he gave her a warm smile.

"Hey Jess."

She smiled back and walked over, sitting next to him on the bench.

"Hi. Can we talk for a minute? I need to ask you something."

"Jess…if this is about what happened with Damon, I…"

"Do you like me?" she asked, cutting him off.

"Yes, of course, you're one of my closest friends, Jess."

She sighed, "I mean, could you ever consider me as more than that?" she asked quietly.

Becker looked into her bright blue eyes, eyes he often lost himself in, eyes he could see his entire future reflected in.

"Jessica, you are easily the most amazing woman I've ever met, and the truth is ever since I came back to the ARC to find you working here, I've actually looked forward to work everyday, because it meant seeing you. Jess, you asked if I could ever consider you as more than a friend…I already do. I think I love you, Jess."

Jess' face lit up at his words, her blue eyes sparkling like sapphires. He found himself… slightly mesmerized.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear you say that," she whispered.

He reached out and pushed her hair away from her face.

"So you aren't mad at me for what happened with Damon?"

Jess bit down lightly on her bottom lip, "I probably should be, but honestly I can't be, because it's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me."

He smiled, "Jess, I just…" he rose to his feet and walked a few feet away, "You could do so much better than him!" he said frustrated.

"He was a distraction, Becker. A distraction from you, because I never thought in a million years…"

She was cut off as he crossed the room and kissed her passionately. She rose onto her knees on the bench and wrapped her arms around his neck. His hand tangled through her hair and she sighed softly against his lips.

"I love you, Becker," she whispered.

Later That Night

Jess danced into her room, happier than she had been in awhile. She came to a halt when she saw Damon sitting on her bed.

"You have got to stop doing that!"

Suddenly Damon was across the room and inches from her.

"And why, would I do something. Like that?" he asked, leaning down and kissing her.

She froze before pushing against him to break the kiss. Jess, not being the strongest in the world, her actions were hardly noticeable. He began guiding her to the bed, and finally she managed to break her mouth away from his.

"Damon, stop," she said, taking several steps backwards, "This can't happen anymore."

"What, we're playing hot and cold, now?"

"No, we're not, but something happened today."

"Say no more, Becker finally fessed up?" he mused.

"Yes, he did, and Damon…I love him," she said, not meeting his eyes.

"You'd have to be blind not to know that. Besides Jess, you have no reason to worry, I'm not upset. I don't do serious, remember?"

"How could I forget?" she asked.

"I'll see you later," he said before disappearing.

Jess lay back on her bed, she hoped she hadn't hurt Damon, but she needed something stable. The truth was, the first time she and Damon had been involved, he'd broken her heart.

She wanted someone she could put her faith in, someone who made her feel safe. Someone, like Becker