5. Christmas Tree

Jess smiled to herself as she darted about her living room hanging up her Christmas decorations, and humming Christmas songs as she went.

"Looks like a fairy exploded its innards all over your front room," commented Becker leaning against the doorframe.

Jess jumped out of her skin, as she turned to face him. Her scolding, however, never fell from her lips, as she took in Becker's lack of dress.

His hair was tousled, and his eyes were a little bleary. His lovely sculpted chest was bare, and the waistband of his pants was visible over the top of his grey jogging bottoms.

"Morning," Becker smirked snapping her out of her reverie. Tutting, she walked over, and swatted his shoulder, before brushing past him into the kitchen.

"I know I said you could stay over for a couple of nights, but I mention insulting my handiwork with disgusting imagery!" she exclaimed, flicking on the kettle. "But, seeing as you're up, you can help me decorate."

"Jessica, what is the point of having a Christmas tree taller than yourself?" Becker asked, as he carried the box down from the loft.

Jess rolled her eyes. "Because five foot trees aren't tall enough," she responded, with a smile. Sighing heavily, Becker deposited the box in the middle of the floor.

"Right then," he said. "Let's get started."

Bit by bit, they put the tree up, and gradually began to decorate it.

It took several hours.

First to untangle the lights (and Jess - who'd managed to get tangled up in them). Then, most of the tinsel ended up on the floor, and all over Jess and Becker, before it finally found itself on the tree. After that, Jess had managed to lose her tree chocolates - Becker suspected that "lose" might be loosely applied.

And then, to cap it all off, Jess' ladder was round at Abby and Connor's, who were busy decorating their new flat.

"You could always put the tree topper on," Jess mused, albeit sadly. Becker shook his head.

"I couldn't possibly. It's your tree; you should do it."

"But I can't reach!" Jess complained staring up at the tree. Chuckling softly, Becker moved toward her.

The first thing Jess felt was his breath, soft and teasing, against her neck. The next thing she knew, his hands were lightly gripping her waist, and suddenly, she couldn't touch the ground anymore - quite literally.

"Oh!" Jess exclaimed in surprise, as she rose to meet the top of the tree.

"You know, I'm beginning to think that, besides chocolate, you really don't eat enough."

"Oh, hush, you," Jess rolled her eyes, as she stuck the golden star atop the tree. Clapping her hands happily, she turned around in Becker's arms, and hugged him, before she'd even reached the floor. Chuckling softly into her neck, Becker hugged her back.

Inhaling deeply, Becker knew he had to let go. Breathing an almost inaudible sigh Becker gently set Jess to her feet.

And, then, out of nowhere, she leaned up and pecked him on the cheek.

"Thank you," she murmured quietly. Blinking, to snap himself out of it, Becker hastily arranged his features into a smile, and hoped that the shock didn't show through.

"What for?" he asked quietly.

"For today," she shrugged. "For helping me."

Becker rolled his eyes. "You're letting me stay here while my heating's out, so I guess it's the least I can do."

Jess smiled. "So we're even then?"

Becker shook his head. "No."

"Why not?" Jess asked, her eyebrows furrowing in curiosity.

"Because," Becker said, wrapping his arms back around her waist. "You kissed me. So I'd like to make it even."

And he did. Several times, in fact.