This chapter involves talk about sex and about lingerie. It isn't that graphic. Use your judgment, and do not read, if you're sensitive. 1624 Words.

Chapter Eleven, The Wedding: Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

Later that night, after clean-up, Abby and Connor invited them all to watch a movie. Jess, however, wanted to talk to Becker alone.

They sat on her bed, and she was very quiet.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Am I too young?"

"What?"

"Is that why you haven't tried...I mean, is that why we haven't...Do you not want to sleep with me?"

"Jess! Of course not! What brought this on?"

She sighed. "I got really flustered at the hen party. The decorations were embarrassing. I couldn't even watch all of the stripping."

"Fine with me," he said, smirking.

"Am I too innocent for you?"

"No, not at all. I don't care if you've...never been with any one."

She smiled and blushed. "I'm not that innocent. I've been with one guy, right after I turned 18. I've only...done it twice."

Becker laughed. "I'm no expert either."

"But...you're a soldier."

He smiled. "Soldiers travel. I haven't been in one place long enough to have lots of relationships. I'm not the type of guy to have lots of one-night stands."

She blushed. "Good."

"I've only been with three women."

"Really?"

"Are you worried now that I'm too innocent?" he asked, with his characteristic eye-brow twitch.

She laughed. "No. I guess I just thought, you know...war...stress."

He laughed. "There are other ways to deal with...energy. I like firing weapons, a lot."

She giggled. "Big surprise."

He smiled. "I've given in to...urges, once or twice." He sighed. "OK. The first woman I slept with was right before my first deployment. I'm sorry to say that it was a one night stand."

"Sorry?"

"Like I said, I'm not one for sex outside relationships. I kind of regret that first time."

She nodded. "The second woman?"

He smiled fondly. "She was different. I loved her. We tried a long-distance relationship. It didn't work. I slept with her four times."

"Do you...miss her?"

He looked at his new love, and smiled. "No."

She smiled with relief. "You said three women."

"I did. The last woman I dated for a few months. We slept together twice. So, you see, I'm not that experienced either."

She took his hand. "Thank you for telling me. I...want to sleep with you. I just don't want you to be disappointed."

"Do you love me?"

"Yes, Becker."

"Than don't worry about it. I love you too."

She began to tear up, leaned across her bed, and kissed him. "I won't, not anymore."

"I'm in no hurry, Jess. I want you to be ready."

"I am," she said, then she smirked. "I've even decided when."

"When?"

"Yeah, the night we strip for each other."

Becker laughed. "I knew you wouldn't let that go."

"I thought you were looking forward to it."

"Oh, I am, believe me, but it doesn't have to end with us sleeping together."

"I want it to."

"OK, but you know, it isn't good to plan it out," said Becker.

Jess laughed. "Sorry, I'm a little obsessive-compulsive."

"That's OK, Jess. I like you just the way you are, even obsessive-compulsive."

She smiled.

The next day, Becker stood nervously in a type of shop he never thought he'd be in, shopping for something he never thought he'd buy, and aided by the last person he ever thought he'd go shopping with.

"How 'bout this?"

"Vale! Stop shouting!"

Lieutenant Vale chuckled. "Who's shouting? You know, Cap. You asked me to help. You said, 'I want to buy a sexy surprise for Jess. Can you help me?' That was you, wasn't it?"

"Yes, and I'm really regretting that conversation."

"Do you want to leave?"

Becker sighed. "No. I promised Jess. It would mean a lot to her. She's...nervous."

Vale smiled. "She's a sweetheart. Remember, this is for Jess. So deal with the embarrassment, soldier."

Becker laughed. "Right. I can do this."

"You can."

With that pep talk, Becker followed Vale into the male stripping section.

Jess looked over her Manga outfits. Any of them would do, but she wanted it to be special.

The first one was a tiny blue skirt with sailor top in blue with white trim.

She was wearing it when Abby walked in.

"Whoa! That is short!"

Jess blushed. "Hi."

"I'm not sure that's appropriate for work."

Jess giggled. "No, it isn't. It's actually a cosplay outfit."

"A what?"

Jess smiled. "It's short for 'costume play.' It's kind of performance art in Japan. Think of it like dress-up, for conventions, or playing with friends."

"Oh," said Abby. "Connor talks about Manga. I don't really get them."

"Well, it's a different culture. This is a "Tohru Honda" costume. She's a character from a Manga I loved when I was younger. It's called Fruits Baskets, it's about girl who loses her parents and goes to live with a cursed family."

"Cursed?"

"If anyone hugs them, they turn into animals," said Jess, posing in the mirror.

"Bummer," said Abby.

"I know!"

"The costume looks kind of young."

"I know. It didn't bother me when I was younger. I didn't see the sexiness. I just loved the story. Now, though...I wonder why they draw so many of the characters like sexy school girls."

"Because too many men are still sexist."

Jess smiled. "Don't get me wrong. I like my short skirts."

"No!"

Jess giggled. "Still, I don't wear anything that looks like a school uniform or sexifies girls."

"No, Jess, you don't."

Jess smiled. "Thank you. I wouldn't wear something this provocative in public. Which is why I saved it for the right guy."

"And now you're trying it on. Jess? Are you...thinking of wearing it for Becker, for a special occasion?"

Jess blushed, and nodded.

Abby took a deep breath. "I'm not your mum, and I don't want to sound like an old biddy, but, you don't have to rush things."

"I know. Becker said the same thing."

Abby smiled. "Good for the Captain. So...this is completely willing on your part."

"Completely Abby, and thanks for caring."

Abby smiled, and hugged her. "I can't help but care about you Jess."

Jess smiled. "Would you mind if I showed you a couple more?"

"Not at all, Jess. Maybe I'll ask you to return the favor."

Jess smiled. "Lingerie? For the honeymoon?"

Abby blushed and nodded.

Jess smiled. "I'd love to help you choose."

"We'll see," she said. "Call me when you're ready with another outfit."

Jess nodded. Soon she called Abby back in.

"OK, Abs. This one is Miaka, from Fushigi Yugi."

"Excuse me?"

Jess giggled. "It's Japanese."

"No kidding."

"It's about a girl, Miaka, who becomes a priestess leading a group of celestial warriors and falls in love with one of them."

"OK. What a surprise, another obscenely short school uniform," said Abby.

Jess wore another tiny skirt, this one in brown. She had a short brown jacket and a white blouse underneath. The blouse was tied in a knot, exposing a midriff.

"It isn't exactly faithful to the Manga," she said. "Miaka wore an actual uniform, although the skirt was short, the jacket and blouse were normal length."

"Why do they have to sex up girls?" asked Abby.

"Well, to be fair, this isn't a Cosplay outfit. It's meant for, um, the bedroom."

"Nothing wrong with that, Jess. I have a few for Connor."

"I'm not sure I wanted to know that," said Jess, with a grin.

Abby laughed. "Be glad Becker isn't into Star Wars."

"Ugh! Don't! I love that movie, you'll ruin it for me!"

Abby smirked. "Sorry. So, is this the special one?"

Jess frowned at her image in the mirror. "No. Not for the first time."

Abby smiled affectionately at the young woman. "Becker won't care. He wants you, you know."

Jess returned the affection. "I know, Abby. Thank you. I want to wear something perfect, though."

Abby nodded.

"I have one more to try," said Jess.

When Abby came back in, she was stunned.

Jess wore a long, flowing, robe-like gown. It had long pink sleeves, a red vest-like top, and a long yellow bow in the middle. The skirt was also pink with lots of volume.

"Not what I expected," said Abby.

"It's Miaka's priestess gown," she said. "I thought it was the one, but it isn't right either." She sighed. "I don't know what to wear."

"You're obsessing."

"I know." She sighed again. "Maybe I should just be naked."

Abby laughed. "I don't think he'd object."

"Not helpful."

"Sorry, Jess."

"This is a bit weird, isn't it? Asking each other for help deciding on..."

"Booty clothes?"

"Abby!"

Abby laughed. "It's not weird. Who else can we ask?"

Jess nodded. She looked at herself again. "Maybe it is right. I just need to tweak it, make it more me."

Abby smiled. "Becker would like it to be you."

Jess beamed. "He would. Abby? How are you at sewing and alterations?"

It turned out that Emily was a whiz at sewing. In no time, she had Jess' priestess costume exactly the way she wanted it.

Jess threw her arms around Emily. "Thank you! I love it!"

Emily smiled. "It looks like you now."

Abby nodded. "Cute, pretty, a tad innocent, but brave. It's Jess Parker."

"Thank you. I just have one more thing to add to it," she said with a smirk.

Emily looked thoughtfully at Jess. "I do not have...outfits for Matt."

"Perhaps...No. It is too brazen for me to buy such things."

"Emily Merchant, you are an independent woman living in the 21st century. Be brazen," said Abby.

Jess smiled. "You did say that you're no longer Victorian. Hey! We should have a lingerie party."

Abby nodded.

"What is that?" asked Emily.

"Don't worry, you'll learn," said Abby, smirking.

End of Chapter Eleven