Rating:T

Spoilers: Series 5

Disclaimer: don't own Primeval or characters

Chapter Four

Becker's mom was sweet. His dad was quiet, and his brothers were typical, trying to embarrass him.

"It's nice to meet you," said Jess.

"You too dear," said his mom. "Honestly, I told Hilary I wanted to thank you for bringing joy back into his life."

"And color," said his father.

Jess smiled brightly. "I do like color, and chocolate."

"That's why you've been bringing me chocolate!" His mother exclaimed. "I knew there was a reason He's never done it before. Ha! It's because of her!"

Becker blushed, and Jess smiled.

"Sorry. I get a little excited."

"So do I, Mrs. Becker, mostly over shoes."

"Oh, of course, what woman doesn't," said Mrs. Becker. "These are Marc Jacobs. I spent too much, naturally, but I just love them."

"And the color is amazing," said Jess. "How does he get that shade?"

"I honestly don't know. Your shoes are amazing. Jimmy Choo?"

"Yes! I paid too much too, but it was either go hungry or go into withdrawal."

Mrs. Becker giggled. "Exactly."

"What is this attraction for shoes?" asked General Becker, while the women giggled and gushed over more shoe talk. "Why do you women go nuts for them?"

Jess and Mrs. Becker shrugged in unison, and Becker and his father traded smirks.

"One of the mysteries of women, I guess," said the General.

"One of many," said Becker, smiling at Jess and his mother talking animatedly about footwear.

Ashley and Lionel ran in.

"Where is she?" yelled Ashley.

"Hi," said Jess sweetly.

Ashley looked shocked, but Lionel smiled. "She's pretty."

"Lionel..." said Becker.

"Don't scold him for that, silly. It's a compliment. They're OK," said Jess. "Thank you."

"You are pretty," said Ashley, "and young"

Becker groaned, and looked at Jess. She was sometimes sensitive about her age.

Jess only smiled. "I guess it's better than you saying that I'm old."

Ashley smiled. "It just blurted out. I always expect Hil with some uptight, old soldier biddy. You're not."

"Thank you." said Jess,

"Mom, don't you have something in the kitchen Ashley needs to do?" asked Becker. He had lost patience with his brother.

His mother laughed. "Sorry, Ash. You've been banished til dinner."

Ashley sighed, hung his head, and went to serve out his banishment.

"So, Jess, can you tell us what you do?" asked Becker's father.

"Of course. I am a field coordinator."

"You?" asked his dad skeptically.

Jess smiled brightly. "That's the same reaction I got from your son at first."

"She soon won me over. She's fantastic."

"Oh," said Jess, blushing.

"That's a stressful job," said the General.

"Yes, it is, but I like to think I handle it well. I like to talk, and talk fast, plus I'm frequently doing fifty things at once, so running field operations isn't a big stretch for me."

Becker chuckled.

"I'm impressed," said Becker's mother.

The general still looked skeptical. "OK, there's a situation. Team alpha is cornered by enemy fire,"

"Dad, please don't test her," said Becker.

Jess bubbled with excitement, "No, test me! Go on, shoot!"

The general smiled. "Alpha is cornered, Omega is missing, and you're best sharp-shooter is demanding to take the shot, but the CO is screaming in your ear to find Omega and transfer captured enemy agents, 'step on it, Parker' he says. What do you do?"

"Well, first I tell the CO to take a sip of brandy and calm down."

Mrs. Becker and Lionel burst out laughing. Becker smiled at her and suppressed a giggle. The general stared.

"Then I listen to Alpha and have then repeat their coordinates, I send in reinforcements, tell the sharp-shooter that he knows his job more than I do and to act on his own judgment, I send security to handle the enemy and at least one reconnaissance team to look for Omega. If Alpha is clear I either bring them home, if they are tired or hurt or, depending on their status, I send them to look for Omega as well. Then I order something stiffer for the CO and have it delivered pronto along with all updates."

The General looked at her and she smiled. Becker smiled, then looked at his father.

"Well, dad?"

"I'm impressed. You may be one of the finest coordinators, just like the Captain here said."

"You did? Oh..." said Jess, taking his hand.

Becker blushed slightly. "Dad was supposed to keep that confidential."

"Sorry," said the general, winking at Jess. "Is dinner ready? These troops are hungry."

"I'm sure it is ready. To the mess tent," said his wife.

They all got up and Jess whispered to Becker. "I like your family."

"Even the brothers?"

"Oh, they're very handsome."

Becker's eyebrow went up.

Jess giggled. "Of course they are, Hilary. They're related to you, after all."

Becker smiled, and took her arm, leading her to the dining room.

End of Chapter 4