1166 words, this chapter.

Author's Note: I reveal the identity of the admirer here. The person has appeared in other stories I've written. I don't want to spoil the surprise, so I'll list the stories at the end of this chapter. I know I've got new readers and I don't want them too confused. Thanks.

Chapter Five, Broken Valentine

Jess was forced to go back to work, ignoring stares and looks of concerns. At least they'd fooled the Ops staff apparently.

About half an hour later, a member of Becker's security office came in. "The Captain asked me to give you these reports," he said. "He told me to make sure you read the third one. It's urgent."

Jess nodded and looked at the reports with confusion. They had already been filed. She flipped to the third report. She had to stifle a laugh.

Becker had written something new in the 'comment' section: "Project successful. Both parties performed brilliantly. All is well."

Jess sighed with relief. That sweetheart! He would worry that her tears had been real. He was sending her a message that he was, in fact, acting.

"You OK?" asked Abby.

Jess managed a small smile, hiding her face quickly in a tissue. "I want to be alone, Abby."

Abby patted her shoulder, smiled quickly back, and left.

In the armory Becker was pacing. He wished something would happen. It had been nearly an hour and nothing had come of the pretend blowup. Jess' tears had nearly broken him and he almost called the whole thing off.

And then…

"Knock, knock," said a sultry voice.

Becker looked up and his heart stopped.

In the doorway stood a tall, tan, gorgeous woman. She wore a tight, red snakeskin dress that was very low cut. Her curly blond hair lay loosely about her shoulders.

"I'm just checking on you, Becker," she said.

Becker tried not to wince or scream for help. This was no mere woman; this was the Barracuda, the ARC's infamous man killer. She'd go after anyone she thought was attractive and if he was attached, it was even better.

Becker had nearly lost his chance with Jess because of her. Then she spread her 'charms' to Lester. The ARC director had been so flustered by her advances that he had actually begged the team for help.

They defeated her and she hated them all for it.

"You are flustered, aren't you?" she cooed. She stepped inside the armory and slinked over to him. "I heard about the little argument you had with little Jessie."

Becker quickly composed himself. "It's nothing. We're fine," he said brusquely.

She made little clicking sounds with her teeth. "If there is one thing I know it's a lover's spat, Becky."

"It wasn't. Everything's fine, Stella."

She smiled. "If that's what you want to tell yourself. I know better."

Becker looked at her. "What do you want? The same thing as last time?"

Stella laughed. "No. You only get one invitation to be with me. If you blow it, too bad."

"So, you're really here out of concern?" he asked with genuine disbelief.

"Of course, Becky baby. I'm sure it was awful for you, watching Jessie get another man's gifts. Did it tear you up inside, Becky?"

Becker narrowed his eyes. "I don't want to talk about it."

She laughed. "Of course you don't. It's humiliating, isn't it?"

"You seem awfully interested," he said. "Why?"

She shrugged. "I'm a gossip. I love to hear the juicy details." She ran her fingers over his abs. "Tell me Becky, is Jess still proclaiming her innocence?"

He sighed. "Maybe she is innocent."

She laughed. "You don't believe that. I know you, Becky. You're a jealous, red-blooded man caught up in your primitive emotions."

"Am I?"

"Hmm," she said, moving her fingers up his chest. "I'm afraid you're a little predictable, honey. I mean, it was kind of obvious that you'd fly into a tizzy if Jess got some anonymous presents."

'Here we go,' thought Becker. "You know, Stella, I'm not the only one who's predictable. You have to gloat, don't you?"

She hung her arms around his neck and smiled. "Actually, I shouldn't. I mean, it was a little too easy to wind you up."

'Bull's eye,' he thought, smiling. "Now that sounds a little like an admission, Stella."

"Does it? I don't know what you mean."

"I mean," he said, "that it sounds like you sent Jess those gifts."

"Ooh, that would have been devilish, Becky, and a little bit, mmm, what's the word? Oh, yes…ingenious."

"I hate her," said Jess in Becker's ear piece. He couldn't help but smile.

"It's a bit strange," said Becker. "Why send them to her and not me?"

Stella rolled her eyes. "You aren't very imaginative are you? Sending them to her stirred you up. It was fun to sit back and watch you break her little Valentine heart."

"I really hate her," said Jess.

"You're sick," he said.

Stella smiled. "Maybe, but I got what I wanted. Poor little Jess. All she could do was plead for you to understand. You wouldn't. You really were awful to her. I loved it."

"Bingo," said Jess. Becker smiled. "You know Stella, you're a bit predictable yourself."

She laughed. "Oh, Becky baby, the one thing I'm not is predictable." She grabbed his collar and pulled his face to hers. She kissed him.

"Get your lips off my man, you hussy!" cried Jess in his ear.

Becker laughed as Stella released him. She looked a bit upset. "That's an unexpected reaction," she said.

"Sorry. I was just thinking how pleased I'll feel when everyone hears your confession."

"Ha. You won't get me to confess."

He smiled. "Stella….baby…you just did."

"Hi, Stella," said Jess over the intercom. "I hate you."

Becker laughed. Stella looked confused so he took the smaller concealed comm out of his ear. "She heard the whole thing."

"No!" cried Stella. "You two are fighting!"

"Are we?" asked Becker. Jess giggled over the intercom.

Stella's face filled with rage. "No! There is no way you could have known!"

"We didn't…until you showed up here to gloat."

"Thank you, by the way," said Jess. "Oh, Lester would like to see you in his office. Now, Stella baby."

Stella flew into a furry and raised her hand to strike Becker, but it was caught in midair and pulled painfully backwards.

"Ow!" she screamed. She turned to see that her attacker was Emily. Stella immediately turned pale.

"I warned you," Emily said. "You were foolish to attempt to hurt my friends once more."

Matt appeared behind her. "Very foolish."

Lester's voice came over the intercom. "Mr. Anderson, would you and Lady Merchant please escort this…uh, woman…to my office?"

Emily smiled. "With pleasure."

"I also need Security to my office," said Lester, "lots of Security." Jess' giggle was heard after him.

Stella moaned as Emily twisted her arm around and pushed her out of the armory. Matt followed.

"Did I mention that I hate her?" asked Jess, speaking only in Becker's ear. "Now get up here so I can wipe the Barracuda off every inch of your body."

Becker smiled from ear to ear. "Now that's what I call a good Valentine's Day activity," he said, literally running to Ops, the sound of giggling filling his ear.

End of Chapter Five

Author's Note: Stella Blanch appears in "The Barracuda," "The Barracuda Bites Again," and "Possessed." "Possessed" is not a continuation of "Barracuda" or the sequel, but this story is, at least in continuity. (B/J are not a couple in "Barracuda," but are in the sequel. This story furthers the B/J relationship along.) Thank you!