Rating: T

Spoilers: Yes, major series 5

Disclaimer: Don't own anything.

Chapter Three

A few months later, the Becker's got a disturbing phone call.

"I just wanted to thank you both," said Becker. " You're the best parents. I love you. Tell Ashley and Lionel I love them."

"Hilary? What's going on?" asked his father.

"Look after them, Dad. Please, I can't say more, just, have your eyes and ears open and take care of them all. I love you. I have to go."

"Hilary?" asked his father, but there was no response. Becker had hung up.

They all tried to call him but there was no answer. Ashley did get a text message early the next morning. It only said, "Everything's fine. I'll call soon."

Finally, a few days later, Becker called back.

"You have some explaining to do," said his father tersely.

"I'm sorry, Dad, very sorry. I can't go into details, you know that. Things were bad, and I wanted to...say some things, in case I didn't get the chance."

There was silence on the other end of the line.

"I understand, a little," said his father. "I want the truth now, son. Is everything really all right?"

"Yes, dad, as far as anyone ever knows. Crisis handled."

"Good. I'm proud of you."

Becker's mother grabbed the phone from her husband.

"You scared me half to death, Hilary. You get over here and apologize in person. And stay for dinner. Tonight. Is that clear?"

Becker laughed. "Yes, Mom. Um, can I bring someone, if she's available that is?"

His mother smiled. "Of course dear. You can always bring a guest," she said, poking her husband in the ribs.

"Don't make too big a fuss over her mom. She's a friend, a good friend. I just, want her to meet you, and you meet her."

"Is she your girlfriend?" asked his mother.

"No. I told you, she's a friend. (pause) She's important to me."

"Then why aren't you dating her?"

"It's complicated. Maybe this is a bad idea."

"No, dear. I'm sorry. I'd love to meet your friend. We won't press, I promise."

"Can...the boys be...somewhere else?" asked Becker.

"Hilary, I have to feed them. I promise they'll behave."

"OK."

"Can I know her name?"

"Sure, mom. It's Jess. Jess Parker."

"Jess Parker," said his mother. "I can't wait to meet her."

After phoning his parents, Becker went into Ops, and there, of course, was Jess seated in front of the ADD.

"Hey," she said.

He sat next to her. "Hey, I have a strange request."

"Ooh, sounds interesting," she said with that bright smile.

"I was just talking to my folks, apologizing for the scare."

Jess smiled. They all had made vague 'goodbye' messages to people they loved. She'd be apologizing and making it up to her mother forever.

"Anyway, my Mom demanded I come over tonight for dinner, and I sort of, um. (He sighed.) I asked if I could bring you along."

Jess was shocked. Why would he invite her to meet his parents? They weren't a couple. She wasn't dating him. They hadn't kissed or anything. She was a little confused at the invitation.

"I know it's out of the blue. We aren't dating or anything. I just want them to meet you. Conversion was, well, scary, and you think about things, people who mean a lot to you. We're close, you and me, right?"

Jess smiled. "Yes. We are."

Becker smiled back. "You're important to me, Jess. You've had an affect on me, and they've noticed. I had been moody and sullen. They didn't know why. I never talked about Sara, or about Danny, Connor, and Abby going missing, but they noticed."

Jess smiled sadly at him. She remembered how he'd been when they first met. He was so closed off, so guarded.

"Lately they've all been teasing me about how I've begun to change back. I'm more talkative, more happy. They want to know why. Mom wants to know why I keep bringing her chocolate."

Jess giggled. "OK, I may be guilty for that one."

"You're guilty for a lot," he said. "I can't help but smile when you're around. Your heels, for instance, are ridiculous," he said, staring at her neon blue pumps with nose-bleed high heels. "You're bright and cheerful. I...I'm glad you're here."

Jess blushed.

Becker had gotten quiet. "You don't have to come," he said at last. "I know 'meeting the parents' is supposed to be something monumental. And I know we aren't, you know, a couple. I just...oh, never mind."

He started to get up.

"Wait," she said, grabbing his arm. "I'd love to meet your family," she said.

Becker smiled.

"They know...that we're just friends?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"OK, then."

"Great," said Becker. "Leave from work?" Then he noticed her scowl. "Right, girls have to dress for dinner," he said with a chuckle. "How about I pick you up an hour after work?"

She nodded.

"Oh, and Jess, just because I told them we're just friends doesn't mean they believe it. I hope they don't pester you too much."

Jess smiled. "Of course they're going to pester. They're family, Becker. That's what they do."

Becker nodded and chuckled.

So, two hours after work, inside the Becker home, Jess sat next to Becker on the living room couch, meeting the Beckers.

End of Chapter Three