1272 words

Chapter Three

Jess dried her eyes in front of the restroom mirror. She sighed as she re-did her makeup. "What a Valentine's Day," she muttered. She took a deep breath and steadied her nerves. "Back to work."

She walked to Ops and over to the ADD. She stopped cold. There, sitting in her chair was a large red stuffed bear. She was actually scared as she walked over to it. She saw the tag around its neck. As she took it off to read it she mumbled, "Please be from Becker."

She read the card. "I know I shouldn't," it said. "I know we should keep our distance, but I can't help it. Our love is too bright to fade away. I know you love me. We should be together. Please, think about it. Love, You Know Who."

"Damn it!"

"I've never seen that reaction to a stuffed animal," said Lester.

Jess looked up at him. She had tears in her eyes and frustration on her face.

"Miss Parker?"

She shook her head. "I don't' know who he is! I don't why he's sending me these things or saying that we're in love! I don't know who!"

"Jess, calm down," said Lester, concerned. "What on earth is going on?"

Jess shook her head, shoved the bear out of her chair and sunk into it. She was too upset to speak.

"Someone is sending her tokens of his love," said Becker.

At the sound of his voice she broke into sobs. "I don't…"

"Hold on, Jess," said Becker softly. He sighed. "I've come to the conclusion that I am an ass, as charged."

Lester's eyebrow went up.

Jess looked at Becker.

"Abby's right; I know you, Jess," he said. "You wouldn't cheat on me or encourage someone on purpose. I was way out of line and I should get down on my knees and beg you to forgive me."

"We just had the floor cleaned if that helps," said Lester.

Jess giggled slightly and Becker chuckled. He walked over to her and bent down in front of her chair. "I trust you. I never should have doubted you and I am extremely sorry."

Jess smiled and tears ran down her face.

"I know you love me," he said gently.

Jess smiled brighter.

"I love you, Jess."

With that she let out a few giggles and threw herself into his arms.

"Well, I think you're forgiven, Captain," said Lester. "I for one am glad I missed the drama. I much prefer the happy ending. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to ignore you now." He walked a few paces and stopped. "That is…if everything is OK, Miss Parker?"

Jess smiled and nodded.

"Jolly good. Carry on," he said, heading to his office.

"I do forgive you," she said, "but don't ever do that to me again."

"I won't."

Jess smiled as Becker wiped her tears and kissed her.

"Yay!" cried Abby as she and Connor walked in. "He's on his knees. I guess he groveled?"

Becker nodded, chuckling along with Jess.

"The idiot can be taught!" cried Connor.

"I can."

"You're going to have to make it up to her, you know," said Abby.

"She's right," said Jess, smirking.

Becker laughed. "I intend to," he said, smiling at her, "and just in time for Valentine's Day."

She smiled.

"Now, if you'll stay right here for a few moments," said Becker. "I'll start making it up to you."

Jess giggled. "Alright."

"Wait…should we be present?" asked Connor.

Abby laughed. "He's not going to do anything x-rated at the ARC." She shot Becker a look. "Are you?"

Becker laughed. "No." He winked at Jess. "Later on though…"

"Yuck," said Connor.

"I'll be right back," Becker said.

Jess smiled. "I'll be here."

"I wonder what he's got in mind?" asked Connor.

Jess shook her head.

A few minutes later, Becker jogged in with the red rose and heart shaped chocolates. "I was putting these in your locker for a surprise when…trouble started." He smiled and handed her first the rose then the heart box.

"Thank you," she said, sniffing the rose. "It's lovely. I knew you'd remember."

He smiled and kissed her. "And I'm not done yet," he whispered, "but you'll have to wait."

She giggled, kissed him back. "So will you."

He laughed. "I love you."

"I love you too," said Jess.

"You know, we've been so distracted, I forgot," said Abby. "What are your plans for today?"

Connor smiled. "You have to wait too."

Jess was in Becker's arms. "I'm so glad we're OK now," she said.

"Me too," said Becker, "And I meant my apology, but Jess, we need to figure out who is sending these things."

"Can't we just forget them?"

"I don't think you should," said Abby.

"Yeah, they didn't sound like friendly Valentines," said Connor.

Becker nodded. "I hope it is just someone who is lovelorn, but if he isn't…"

"What? You mean maybe he's a maniac?" asked Jess.

"He sounds a little obsessed," said Abby.

"And a little deranged," said Becker, "like he's convinced you're in a relationship." Jess' eyes grew with concern, but Becker held her close. "I want to make sure you're safe. "

Jess nodded. "How do we figure out who he is?"

Becker shook his head. "Jess, think. Has anyone been too friendly or suggestive?"

"Just you," Jess said with a smile.

Connor and Abby laughed.

"Has anyone asked about Becker a lot?" asked Abby, "or commented about your relationship with him?"

Jess shook her head.

"We could try to track the presents," said Connor. "See who sent them."

"Brilliant," said Becker.

Connor smiled. "Of course," he said with a grin.

"Jess, he's probably on the security cam," said Becker.

Jess nodded. She spun around to access the computer. Footage showing Jess' station was shown on the monitor. Several people came in and left cards and chocolates. "No one strange."

"How about the roses?" asked Becker. "Damn it. The locker room isn't monitored."

Jess giggled. "More than one man has cursed over that fact," she said. Becker laughed. "I'll check the corridor leading to the locker room."

"There he is…the dirt bag," said Becker as a thin, young man carried the roses to the locker.

The man had a clipboard and seemed to be reading it to find the right locker.

"No, Becker, that's not him," said Jess. "He's just one of the mail staff. They accept deliveries and take them to the right person."

Becker frowned. "I'd still like to question him."

"Of course you would," said Connor.

"I don't think it's him either, Becker," said Abby, "He's young and shy."

"And terrified of you," said Connor.

"I have an idea," said Jess. "The bear," she said, looking down where it lay beside her chair. "It's kind of obvious."

"Unless someone delivered that too," said Abby.

The footage ran and showed the same young mail clerk lugging the large bear to Jess' chair.

"Darn," she said.

"The delivery log," said Becker. "Try that."

Jess nodded and pulled the file up on screen. "Okay…deliveries to Jess Parker…red roses…bear…Ooh."

"No name?" asked Connor.

"There has to be a name," said Becker "It's protocol. Anyone who doesn't follow it is immediately terminated."

"There's a name," said Jess. She looked at Becker. "Honey, it's yours."

Becker moved over her to read the file. He cursed. "I seriously hate this guy."

"He's clever," said Connor.

"I'm really getting scared," said Jess. "This guy is a maniac."

Becker hugged her as he stood behind her chair. "It's Ok. I'm here and I'm not leaving."

She smiled.

End of Chapter Three