1252 words, this chapter

Chapter Four, Broken Valentine

Matt and Emily walked in. Emily was holding a card.

"We told them about Jess' admirer," said Abby. "I hope it's OK."

"I don't care," said Jess. "As long as everyone knows I'm not in any kind of secret romance."

"We know," said Matt. "No worries."

"We have been looking at the card the person sent to Jess," said Emily.

"I threw it away."

"It has been retrieved," said Emily.

Jess wrinkled up her nose.

"I do not know why you should be squeamish over a rubbish bin," said Emily. "I have gone inside far worse things to gain objects of need."

"Ew…" said Jess. "Em, I love you but the more I learn about your life the more it freaks me out."

Everyone laughed.

"I shall try to keep my disturbing tales to a minimum," said Emily. "Now about the card."

"Did you find something strange?" asked Becker.

"Sort of," said Matt. "We think we may be looking at this admirer the wrong way."

"What do you mean?" asked Jess.

"We believe your admirer is a woman," said Emily. She showed them the card. "The writing does not look like it was made by a man."

"You're right. It's too neat and…flowing," said Jess. "Oh my God! This is from a woman! Becker, it isn't my charm which is too much, it's yours!"

Becker chuckled.

"She's trying to get you mad at me so she can have you!"

"Or," said Matt, "it's even more diabolical."

"More?" asked Jess. "Trying to set up a girl to steal her man is pretty horrible."

"Yes, but perhaps the motive here is not to have love but to destroy it," said Emily.

Matt nodded. "The 'admirer' saw what the two of you have and was overcome with jealousy and hate."

"In other words," said Connor, "you might have a conniving witch trying to break you up."

Jess gasped. "That is more diabolical!"

Becker nodded. "It is, but you know, it's a good plan."

"Anyone who knows Becker would guess that he's the jealous type," said Matt.

"The raging homicidal type, you mean, "said Connor.

The others laughed. Becker didn't. He looked at Jess and hung his head. "For a while it worked. Jess, I'm so sorry."

Jess reached up and took his hand. "You apologized."

"I know, but I still feel awful."

"Good," said Abby.

"I forgive you," said Jess, pulling his head down to her and kissing him deeply.

"Becker, mate, she's way too good for you," said Matt, shaking his head.

Becker laughed. "Yeah, I know."

Jess blushed. Then she looked worried. "So…either some floozy is after my man or some hateful woman wants us both to be miserable and alone. Nice."

"The question is, who is she?" asked Becker.

Jess shook her head. "I hope she doesn't try anything more."

"I hope she does."

"Becker! Why?"

"Because, Jess, we can catch her in the act."

Matt nodded.

"This all needs to stop, Jess. I need to know that this person won't go further."

Jess gasped. "What? You mean she might…hurt me?"

"She won't," Becker said, wrapping his arms around her. "I won't let her, I swear, but I need you alert and prepared."

"Becker is correct. You must be on your guard," said Emily.

Jess nodded. "So…what do we do?" she asked. "Do we just wait?"

"Or...you could give her a push," said Matt.

"What do you have in mind Anderson?"

Matt smiled. "Well, Becker, since your temper is legendary, why don't we use it to spur her on?"

"You want him to yell at me some more, don't you?" asked Jess.

Becker chuckled. "It would be pretend, I promise."

Jess sighed. "Well…I do want her to stop. OK. Let's do it."

Becker smiled. "I get to be loud and angry."

"You don't have to be happy about it," said Jess.

They quietly went over details of the plan. Jess tried to go about her business but she was nervous as she waited for the 'admirer' to act again.

"How are you?" asked Abby.

Jess shook her head. "I hate the idea of fighting with him," she whispered, "even for pretend."

"I know," said Abby.

"Fake fighting with the man you love is a rotten way to spend Valentine's Day," Jess whispered.

Abby smiled sympathetically. "It will be over soon," she whispered back.

"I know," Jess whispered. "Thanks."

Abby nodded. "Oh, here comes Mr. Fury now."

Jess glanced over as Becker walked in. He noticed her but didn't smile or walk toward her. "Icy," whispered Jess.

Abby laughed. "He's acting, remember? We want the admirer to think her plan's working and driving a wedge between you."

Jess frowned. "I know. Like, I said, I hate it."

Abby patted her on the shoulder. "Hang in there."

Jess sighed. "I'll try," she whispered.

A few minutes passed uneasily, as Becker kept his distance. Then Jess heard her name. She turned to see the young delivery man from the mail department. He held a large white box tied with a red ribbon.

Becker played his part, coming over in a huff. "Now what?" he asked rudely. "Another one?"

Jess took a breath and played along. "I don't know, Becker," she said crossly. "I didn't know about the others either."

Becker scoffed and looked menacingly at the delivery man.

"I just brought it up here, Captain. I swear," he said, turning to run from Ops.

Abby stifled a laugh.

"Jessica, I swear if this is another present from your boyfriend…"

"Becker! For the last time! You are my only boyfriend!" she cried, looking away from him to keep from spoiling the act.

She could feel her heart beating as she tried to open the box. She was shaking.

"Becker, look what you've done," said Abby, taking Jess' shaking hand. "She's a nervous wreck." Jess smiled in appreciation as Abby helped her open the box.

Becker took in a breath, hoping it looked more like anger than fear.

Jess lifted off the lid and glanced at Becker.

He wanted to tell her it was OK, that she was safe and he loved her. He couldn't though.

Jess slowly held up a very dainty, very skimpy teddy made of black lace and mesh with red bows and accents.

There was silence.

"You've got to be kidding," Becker said angrily.

"Becker…sweetie," said Jess, "I swear to you this is not what it seems."

"Really, Jessica? It seems clear to me, intimately clear."

"Becker…"

"Someone wants you to wear that…thing for him! Who is he?"

"I don't know. I honestly don't. "

"Don't lie to me!" he screamed. He winced as Jess jumped.

Jess broke into tears. "Please believe me…"

"Believe you? How can I?"

"Because Becker, I love you."

"Yeah? Me and who else?"

Jess stared at him. He knew it was all part of the plan, but the look on her face broke his heart. He decided he needed to end this scene before he begged for her forgiveness, again. He threw his hands up and stomped out of Ops.

Abby knelt beside Jess who hid her face in Abby's arms.

"He is just playing, right?" Jess asked in a whisper.

"He is," Abby whispered back. "You were brilliant."

Jess pulled back and wiped her tears. She wasn't sure why she had started to cry. Maybe it was a little too real.

Abby kept her hand on Jess' shoulder. She looked around Ops to see if anyone seemed…pleased.

They didn't.

End of Chapter Four