Pinkcat4569

Secrets: Simply Ballroom 2

Rating K-T

Spoilers: Maybe series 4 & 5

Disclaimer: ITV owns Primeval and I do not. This story is just for fun.

Description: Sequel to Secrets: Simply Ballroom. Becker's secret is out, for better or worse, and the ARC team goes dancing.

Author's Note: This is the final version of Simply Ballroom 2. I was new to posting when I originally posted this. I at first posted an unfinished draft. I left that one up with this version for people to read. I've now removed that draft and simply left this one. This one is super long, so in re-editing, I've broken it into chapters.

As I ended Simply Ballroom, I realized that there could still be fun for the Primeval gang on the ballroom floor. This is fun and lighthearted. I don't like to do angst and hurt. One more thing: I added more ballroom dancing in this. I know nothing, so, I used a ballroom site for information. I also watched a few dancing videos.

Chapter One, Secrets: Simply Ballroom 2

Jess had been so happy. She sat outside Becker's flat now, going over the day's events and how she'd gotten to this point. The day began so well. She and Becker both had the day off. Jess had plans, but not with Becker. For several months, she had been ballroom dancing with the captain. It had been a secret activity that he did for his mother, but when Jess found out, she had joined them and now she and Becker danced together every time. Jess loved it, and it had an added bonus, she also become best buds with Becker's mother.

Jess absolutely loved her. It didn't miss her attention, once she and Mrs. B spent more time together, how much alike they were. Mrs. B liked fashion, so did Jess. Mrs. B was bubbly and talkative, so was Jess. Mrs. B ignored Becker's commands, so did Jess.

That morning Jess called Becker to remind him to drop his mother at her flat.

"I still don't like this," he said, grumbling.

"Oh, don't be such a spoil sport. Besides, it's just shopping."

"I would give you a list of things not to talk about, but I know neither one of you would follow it."

Jess giggled. "We'd probably pick those as our first discussion subjects," she said with a loud chuckle.

There was silence over the phone. Then Becker said, "Just...I don't...would you please not...Ugh! Why do you leave me an incomprehensible mess, Jess Parker?"

Jess giggled into the phone. "It will be fine, I promise. There will be no trading secrets or sharing embarrassing stories with her. Even though most of the embarrassing things happen to me and not you. Honestly, why are you so worried?"

"I don't know Jess," he admitted.

"Well, don't. We are just going to pick out some dresses, a very short, sexy little number for me. I was thinking yellow or peach..."

"Somehow I never pictured my mother picking out sexy little dresses for a female companion of mine."

Jess giggled again. "You're so funny today, Becker! As I was saying. What was I saying? I won't talk about you, much, or the ARC or the creatures or the anomalies..."

"Stop, stop. Don't get them in your head, go back to thinking about dresses, and shoes."

"And bracelets, and earrings, and flowers for my hair."

"Really?"

"Oh, yes, Captain. I'm pulling out all my tricks. I'm going to be a knockout."

"Aren't you always?"

There was another pause over the phone, and Jess was glad he couldn't see how flushed she'd become.

Finally, Jess began breathing again, and said, "OK, well, I'm going to finish getting ready. I'll see you in a bit and then I'll bring your mum back to your flat after. It won't be long."

It was four hours.

The ladies were very good, hardly gossiped about him at all. After shopping they took a break before heading to Becker's. They stopped at a little coffee shop Jess knew and soon they were laughing over double chocolate coffees, chocolate biscuits, and chocolate bars.

"You do love chocolate," said Mrs. Becker, nibbling on a biscuit. "I am so glad. I distrust women who don't indulge."

Jess giggle. "I couldn't get through the day without it," she said. "Some days I just sit and stare at the door, waiting for Becker."

Mrs. B raised her eyebrow exactly like her son.

Jess blushed. "He...brings me chocolate...at work...while I'm at the A...my post. It's perfectly innocent, it's just chocolate."

Mrs. Becker smiled and made a 'mm,hm," sound. Jess wondered if it was something all mothers naturally did.

After a short, awkward silence, Mrs. Becker said, "So, tell me about your co-workers."

Jess was relieved at the change of topic. "Abby and Connor are my flat mates. They're wonderful. Connor is so smart, and we have so much in common. He's like a brother.."

"Abby's my best friend. She's an animal expert. She is so kind and caring, but she can totally kick butt when she has too."

Mrs. B chuckled. "My kind of girl."

"Emily is delightful. She's very cultured and practical and she too can kick butt."

Mrs. Becker smiled. "I imagine you can kick a little butt when you need to, as well."

"Not like them. I'm more of a virtual butt-kicker. I might not hurt you physically, but your checking accounts, credit report and anything else stored on a computer are mine."

Mrs. Becker actually looked a little alarmed, causing Jess to say quickly, "Not that I've ever done that to anyone, intentionally."

Mrs. B raised her eyebrow again, and returned to her coffee.

A little uncomfortably, Jess said, "Now Matt is a little harder to describe. He's nice and a great leader, and is super protective of all of us, and Emily, of course. He adores her. He's just very silent and mysterious."

"Lester is our boss. He tries to pretend that he's mean, but he isn't really. He is the most sarcastic person I've ever met. He's very funny, especially when he's firing me. Don't worry, he isn't serious. He couldn't run the place without me."

"They all sound wonderful. I'd love to meet them," said Mrs. B. Then she chuckled. "Maybe we should invite them all dancing with us," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Jess laughed so hard, coffee almost came out her nose. "Oh, I can just see Connor trying to waltz or samba! Abby would do a great samba. She's sassy. Matt would hate it, but Emily would love it, so that might persuade him." Suddenly Jess bopped up and down in her seat, "Lester!" she cried excitedly. "Oh my goodness! Lester would be a scream! We have to do it. We have to invite them!" She dug around in her bag.

Mrs. Becker watched Jess whip out her phone. "Make sure you call the silent, mysterious one. Oh, and call your sarcastic and mean, but not really mean, boss."

Jess frantically texted. In five minutes flat, she said, "Done!"

Mrs. B. raised the eyebrow again. "Already? No wonder Hilary says your the best coordinator he's ever met. That was impressive."

Jess smiled. "That's nothing. I can juggle several police precincts, a whole fire battalion, and direct multiple teams, all at the same time." She was giddy.

So was Mrs. Becker. "I can't wait! It's going to be smashing. Oh, of course there is one little thing."

"What's that?" asked Jess, happily.

"Hilary."

Jess' smile slowly dropped, and her eyes bulged out. "Oh...my...we are dead. I'm dead. I'm very dead." She shook her head in her hands. "He's going to kill me."

"I'm scared." They were still sitting outside Becker's flat. She had come down from the high and now had to face the consequences.

Mrs. B took her hand. "It'll be fine," she said with a sweet grin. "I do hope he doesn't still have those paint gun things around though." At that, Jess stopped walking and turned around for the car.

Mrs. Becker ran and intercepted her. Jess protested, "I love this outfit! Paint completely doesn't go with it!"

"I'm sorry, dear. It was a bad joke. I promise no paint, no shooting of any kind. I am his mother, there are some strings I can pull with him."

Mrs. Becker half-dragged Jess to Becker's door.

Becker opened the door smiling, but quickly dropped the smile. "What's going on?" he asked suspiciously.

"Why dear?" she said, smiling wide. Her eyes stared straight ahead, very still and controlled.

Becker looked at Jess staring at the floor.

"Why? Mother, that is your 'everything is fine ignore anything that suggests otherwise' smile, and Jess isn't even looking at me. She should be bouncing around babbling. Why am I suddenly very scared?" asked Becker

"You know how much we both care for you, Hilary..."

Becker hit his forehead and groaned, retreating into his flat. The ladies joined him, Mrs. B closing the door.

"What have you two done?" he asked.

Jess finally lifted her head and said, "We've invited Abby, Connor, Matt, Emily, Lester and his wife to come dancing with us."

Becker looked at both of them and broke out laughing. "That's a really good joke," he said through tears caused by laughing. His laughter weakened and he began breathing heavily. He sighed. "You aren't joking, are you?"

Both ladies slowly shook their heads.

Becker pounced toward Jess, yelling, "How could you? I asked you not to tell anyone, and them? You just had to tell them of all people? Emily, not so bad, and Connor, he does weirder stuff on a daily basis. I've still got things saved to tease him about. But Matt and Lester? Are you insane? Are you both insane? You two...you two are like the titanic: on its own it was fine but add ice and you've got a disaster."

"Hilary..."

"Stop calling me that! I asked you not to. You never listen to me, and Jess is worse. I do have feelings

you know. Sure, I don't know what to do with them, so I take the ribbing. I let you two talk me into things and get away with things that nobody else does."

Becker stopped his yelling rampage when he saw Jess' crying, whimpering, and utterly crushed face. Her whole body shook, and somehow, she looked even tinier.

Becker grimaced. He looked at her helplessly, shaking his head. He walked gently up to her and hugged her. "Don't cry, Jess," he said gently. "I can't stand you crying. Shoot at me; throw punches at me; kick me; even sic a t-Rex on me, but don't make Jessica Parker cry."

Jess' sobs let up slightly as he held her tight. "I'm sorry," she said. "I don't know why or

how it happened. It wasn't, 'let's tell everyone who Becker doesn't want to know the biggest thing he wouldn't want us to tell them.' I'm so sorry."

"It's OK," said Becker. "I overreacted it. It isn't that big of a deal. So, my closest colleagues will see me dancing. I'll get to see them too." He gently raised her head and smirked. "I bet they're worse than me."

Jess managed a small smile. "I feel so bad. I got carried away. I think it would be fun, all of us dancing, but that doesn't mean you do. I should have respected your wishes. I'm sorry."

"I forgive you. So, how about a preview of this short, sexy dress you bought today," he said with a slightly lecherous look.

"You do know that I'm still here, right Hilary?" asked his mother. "Oh, you don't want me calling you that.. 'Son,' no I don't like that, not all the time. I refuse to call you Becker. Calling someone whose diapers I used to change 'Captain,' is simply wrong. Any other suggestions?"

Becker still had Jess in his arms. He laughed and was glad when he heard Jess' laughter. "You win. You can call me Hilary."

"Thank you so much," responded Mrs. Becker, rolling her eyes. "Wait a moment, what was that you said about t-Rex? Why would you mention a dinosaur?"

"Just an inside joke, between me and Jess."

Jess decided to help. "I make him watch a lot of dinosaur movies."

"Oh, that explains a lot. Might I suggest dear, that if you make a man watch movies, try a nice rom-com." Don't just stand there Hil...uh..you...get Jess some chocolate. You make her cry you provide the chocolate."

Becker chuckled. "Yes Mom. As it happens, I have some on hand," he said winking at Jess. He left to get it.

"Mm hm, He's never kept chocolate on hand before," said Mrs. B.

Jess only grinned. "I should be getting home, after the chocolate of course," she said, wiping the remaining tears.

Becker came back. "Why don't we all have lunch? It is lunchtime now, actually it's after," he said, smirking. "How can anyone shop for four hours?"

"It's a skill," said Jess, unwrapping the chocolate bar Becker had given her.

"I would love to have lunch with you two," said his mother.

"What about Dad?"

"Your father can manage to feed himself. If he can manage troop movements and battle plans he should be able to handle a sandwich. Come on, I'm starving. How about Chinese?"

Jess and Becker exchanged a quick glance.

"We like Chinese," said Becker. Jess smirked. Becker ushered Jess out the door and the three of them went for lunch.

End of Chapter One