Bend It Like Becker

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Author's note: No, Matt was not responsible, though I considered it when first writing this! However, since Becker is presumably good with cars (see episode 5.6), anything Matt could've done to jimmy his car would've been something Becker probably could've easily fixed, and I wanted Becker to have to stay over! Also, I'm a big believer in misunderstandings - I've had both comic and tragic misunderstandings in my real life, and I think they happen all the time, especially when people aren't saying what they really feel...and thus this chapter! Hope you enjoy it!

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Chapter 14 – UNTIDY & UNCOMFORTABLE

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For the second time in three nights, Becker was attempting to fall asleep on a couch with thoughts of Jess on his mind. Only this time it was Jess's couch, and his thoughts were only focussed on her well-being.

Frankly, he never would've believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. After all, they seemed to get along so well at work, Becker never would've suspected a thing. But tonight had made it perfectly clear that Jess's living situation was no longer tolerable.

When Abby and Connor had first come back from the Cretaceous, Becker had thought Jess's offer to let them stay with her, while incredibly sweet, was not the sanest move. In the first place, she didn't even know them, except for what she'd read in their files. Secondly, she wasn't aware that they were a "couple", per se, as their relationship had developed whilst they'd been away, and becoming the third wheel is almost inevitable when there's a couple involved. And thirdly, it was always a bad idea to live with your coworkers - the boundaries between work and home were liable to blur, causing stress in both quarters.

Yet amazingly the arrangement had seemed to work out incredibly well. The three got along remarkably, and Jess's gregarious nature obviously enjoyed having the company around. That is, until now.

Becker didn't know what had caused the change, but clearly Jess no longer felt comfortable here. Here! In her own flat! And that simply wasn't right.

So how had this happened? And why had she allowed it to get so bad? Why had she let them bully her out of her own home?

What was it she'd said at lunch today? Something about how Abby and Connor had gotten used to having the place to themselves this week and wanted more time alone? That was all well and good, but if they wanted to be alone, they should be busy finding their own place to live, not making Jess feel so unwelcome that she didn't even want to come home at night.

It was clear now why she'd been so eager to spend her evenings with him. She could relax when she was at his flat, something she couldn't do in her own home. The Jess who'd been wound so tightly this evening was a far cry from the girl who'd dozed off on his couch two nights in a row. And that simply would not do. Jess was too wonderful a person to be made so miserable by people who called themselves her friends.

She needed to tell them. She needed to let them know that they must find a place of their own, that they could no longer stay. But he knew she'd never confront them. She wouldn't want to upset them, wouldn't want them to feel like they weren't welcome. Jess was such a friendly, giving person, she'd rather suffer in silence than make anyone else upset.

So perhaps Becker could do it for her. He'd have no qualms telling Abby and Connor that they'd overstayed their welcome, that they had no right to make Jess so unhappy. It didn't mean that Jess no longer wanted to be their friend, but being friends and living together were two completely different things! And he was certain that he could make them see that their friendship would only grow stronger if they weren't always in each other's pockets day in and day out.

He'd almost said something to Jess about it when he'd left tonight, almost offered to act as bouncer, to kick them out so that she wouldn't have to. But it'd been late, and he reckoned that sort of conversation was best saved for the light of day, so he'd said nothing. But perhaps he would mention it in the morning, because he simply couldn't stand to see Jess so tense.

If he ever made it to morning. Jess's couch was ten times more uncomfortable than his, and he was certain he'd never catch any sleep on it. Finally he gave in and decided to move onto the floor, an apparently wise decision because within a matter of minutes he was fast asleep.

"...the coffee on."

The voice filtering through his sleep-addled brain was the only warning he got, but it was better than nothing. Before his eyes could even open, he felt something crash into his legs. The object, now off-balance, wobbled unsteadily and began to fall. Becker sensed this and, on instinct, rolled onto his side. It was a good evasive manoeuvre, for the body came crashing down atop him, its knee landing hard where only a moment before his groin had been.

"Unh!" Abby grunted as her face landed on Becker's shoulder.

"Abby?" he asked groggily. "You okay?"

"Becker?" Abby asked, surprised, as she sat back on her knee and got a good look at him through the dim morning light.

The soldier rolled onto his back and took her in as well. She was clothed in only her vest and knickers, a far cry from the stylish, colour-coordinated pyjamas Jess had worn to bed.

"What are you doing down here?" Abby asked, obviously confused by his presence. "And why are you on the floor?"

"Have you tried sleeping on that couch?" he replied through a yawn. A smile started to spread across her face, and it was clear that she had. He then explained further, "And my car wouldn't start."

"Oh?" Abby said with a suspicious smile, almost as if she doubted his sincerity. "Uh-huh." She stood and rubbed the knee she'd landed on.

"You gonna be okay?" Becker asked, the full implications of an injury becoming clear. "Because the team desperately needs you. You can't get hurt between now and Saturday next - that's an order."

Abby laughed. "Whatever you say, Coach," she teased, giving him a friendly kick where he still lay on the floor.

"Abby, why don't I smell coffee yet?" Connor asked, stretching, as he stumbled out wearing only his boxer shorts. He stopped, however, when he saw his mostly unclothed fiance standing with her feet straddling Becker. "What's...going on?"

"Becker's car didn't start."

"Oh," Connor mumbled before the full meaning of it hit and he gave an understanding, "OH!" He then looked confused, asking, "But then why are you down here?"

Jess's gasp let Becker know she was awake as well. As she appeared around the corner, he noticed she was instantly tense around her flatmates - he had to help remedy that situation!

"Are you okay?" Jess asked, hurrying over in her adorable pyjamas, which seemed specifically designed to show off her legs. "I thought I heard someone fall."

"That was me," Abby said. "I, uh, tripped over him. Didn't see him there - thought he was just another throw pillow."

Jess looked at the pillows still scattered about on the floor and frowned. "I'm sorry. I should've cleaned up last night but I...and then Becker came back and..." She trailed off, looking flustered. She then turned to Becker, apologising, "Sorry about the couch - I know it's terribly uncomfortable."

Terribly uncomfortable is exactly how Jess looked at present.

"I was fine, Jess. Really. I slept soundly on the floor. Thanks for letting me stay."

"Any time, mate," Connor said cheerily.

Becker saw Jess frown again, and the soldier sighed. Couldn't Connor see it wasn't kosher to blithely invite others to stay at Jess's flat? Clearly things had gotten completely out of control.

"Would you, um, like some breakfast?" Jess asked awkwardly. "I could make you some eggs or something."

"You never cook breakfast for us!" Connor complained.

That was the last straw. Jess wasn't their maid, to merely clean and cook for them. Becker hopped to his feet, tossing the blankets on the couch as he said, "No, let me get you out of here, Jess. I'll take you to breakfast."

"You'll TAKE her?" Abby asked with a smug smile. "But I thought you said your car wouldn't start."

"Dammit," he muttered under his breath, having forgotten the entire reason he was still here.

"I can drive," Jess offered. "Or we could walk - there's a cafe nearby. And it's a lovely day out - the rain's stopped."

Of course it has, Becker thought, annoyed. But then he realised that yesterday's rain had been a godsend - if not for practice being here last night, he never would've known just how bad things had gotten for Jess.

"Yes, a walk would be nice."

Jess smiled. "I'll go get dressed then." She shot a nervous look at her two flatmates before disappearing back up the stairs.

"Breakfast with Jess, huh?" Connor commented.

"That's what - the third time this week?" Abby asked pointedly.

Becker sighed. Could they make it any clearer that they didn't want Jess around?

This situation was simply intolerable, and Becker was determined to help rescue Jess from it.

...

The moment they stepped safely onto the pavement, Jess breathed a sigh of relief. They'd managed to escape the flat relatively unscathed, and thankfully Becker had seemed oblivious to her flatmates' final comments about not expecting her home for dinner. She knew they were only teasing because they were eager to see her and Becker get together, but it still made things bloody uncomfortable.

However, now that she and Becker were alone and no longer under such scrutiny, Jess could relax and enjoy spending time with him. She smiled to herself and stole a quick glance at him as he strode in silence beside her, surprised to find him staring down at her, a strange look of concern and anger on his face.

Flustered, she blurted out, "It's a lovely morning, isn't it? I love the way everything smells after a good rain - so fresh and clean. It's a pity Abby and Connor won't be able to enjoy it, since they'll be stuck inside all day at the Pet Show."

"Pet Show?"

Jess nodded, surprised that Abby hadn't already bent his ear about it. "It's a yearly event, with dogs and cats and, of course, reptiles, which is why Abby always goes. And Connor, he simply goes so he can spend time with Abby, though he's probably also building up points for when she tries to beg off going to the Doctor Who convention with him." Jess gave a wistful sigh, thinking how nice it'd be to have a guy willing to make similar sacrifices for her. "So what about you?" she asked. "What're you up to this weekend? I hope your car troubles don't keep you from your plans."

Becker shook his head. "I've got no plans."

"Well, that's good," Jess said, hoping perhaps they could spend some time together that didn't involve being watched like anthropological specimen by her flatmates. However, realising how it must've sounded, she quickly clarified, "I mean, at least you're not missing out on anything, yeah? So what's wrong with it anyway? Your car, I mean. Any idea?"

Becker shrugged. "Not sure. It could be a bunch of things. Maybe the starter."

Jess nodded, even though she knew absolutely nothing about cars. "Well, if you need any help - like driving you 'round to get parts or giving you a lift home from the garage or whatever - I'm happy to be at your service."

Becker eyed her warily. "Surely you have better things to do."

Jess laughed. "Not really. My only plans for today were to stay home and tidy up a bit - not exactly the most thrilling life, is it?"

"You're not their maid, you know!"

Becker's outburst was so sudden and so heated that Jess stopped in her tracks, staring aghast at him.

"They're your houseguests," he continued angrily. "If anything, they should be the ones cleaning up, not you."

"Abby and Connor?" Jess asked, thoroughly confused by what he was saying. After all, Abby and Connor were her flatmates, not houseguests. And she was the one who'd invited over the team last night and tossed all the pillows on the floor - certainly it was her task to tidy up, not theirs. So why did Becker seem so upset?

But whatever his reasons, he was clearly furious with them. "You need to talk to them, Jess," he stated firmly. "They need to know that the way they treated you last night was not okay. You should make it clear...they need to understand that...being friends and living together are two very different things."

Oh my God, so he hadn't been oblivious to their teasing and innuendoes - no wonder he seemed so cross! It turned out he'd recognized their hints about the two of them getting together after all, yet he only wanted to be her friend - apparently she'd been misreading all his signals! And because he only had friendship in mind, he obviously didn't appreciate being pressured into something more by their mates.

And Jess realised it was all her fault. She never should've told Abby anything in the first place, never should've mentioned the Look. But more importantly, she should've put her foot down firmly when the rumours started; it was one thing to share with Connor but quite another to go telling all their friends, and Jess should've put a stop to it. But she hadn't, and now their comments had ruined everything.

"I'm so sorry," she said, overcome with guilt. "I never should've let it go so far."

"Dammit, Jessica! You shouldn't be the one apologising! They're the ones who've done this, who've put you in this awkward position." He paused to take a calming breath and then continued more gently, "Look. I know it's difficult. Perhaps it'd be easier if I talked to-?"

"No! No, please don't!" That was the last thing she wanted. It was mortifying enough that she'd have to tell them all she'd been mistaken, that in fact he only wanted to be friends, but to have him confront them would be unbearable.

He stood there a moment, just looking at her, but she couldn't meet his gaze. She could feel her face burning with shame, and she wanted to flee, to run home and lock herself in her room and never come out.

Something up the street must've caught his eye for Becker suddenly grabbed her hand and, with a simple "C'mon," started leading her somewhere. She practically had to run to keep up with his purposeful strides, her high heels clacking loudly on the pavement. He led her to a small hardware store and walked straight up to the counter. Digging his key ring out of his pocket, he wound a key off and placed it forcefully down in front of the storekeep.

"I need this copied."

Jess watched in stunned confusion as the man made the key, at a loss for what was happening.

Once the purchase had been made, Becker picked up the key and placed it into Jess's hand. "Here. This is for you."

"Um...what is it?" she asked, staring blankly at the key. She was so confused. How had Becker gone from yelling at her about her pushy flatmates to this?

"It's a key to my flat."

Jess's jaw dropped as the key fell to the floor. Becker instantly stooped to retrieve it, and this time he tenderly wrapped his hand around hers when he gave it back to her.

"I just...it's so...I simply want you to know that you always have someplace where you're welcome," he said, looking meaningfully into her eyes before releasing her hand.

It took everything in her power not to simply drop the key once again.

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to be continued