Hey everyone! Thanks a lot for the reviews – I can't tell you how much they mean to me :) More from Jess's POV this time but don't worry, you still get to be inside Becker's brooding mind! Had an idea for where I could take this story but I think it might possibly turn this 'story' into a novel! A sort of cross-over with The Time Travellers Wife if that gives you any clues! Let me know what you think x
Jess stared blankly at the computer screen, bored to tears of the restrictions of sick leave. Matt had agreed to let her stay in the ARC if she really wanted to, but under no circumstances was she to do anything strenuous or stressful. How she was supposed to do that, she had no idea, considering everywhere she turned she was reminded of the strange and infuriating situation with Becker. What was he playing at?
Again, she flicked through the camera shots, going from the Lab all the way to... the armoury. She paused, letting the camera circulate the entire room, and saw him. He was cleaning one of the AMDs, looking rather handsome in just a plain black t-shirt and trousers. She couldn't help noticing his defined muscles, smiling at the thought of his arms around her again. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
'Jess, what are you doing?'
She almost died. Abby had appeared out of nowhere, and she had seen. Abby had seen her staring at Becker... No!
'Nothing... Nothing! I'm... just...'
Abby laughed teasingly, resting her pointed chin on Jess's shoulder. 'He looks very dashing, I have to admit.'
Jess shrugged her off, desperate to conceal her now glowing cheeks beneath her hair. She should have expected that everyone would be checking up on her today.
'Stop it. There is absolutely nothing going on,' Jess insisted, though she wished there was. God, she really, really wished there was something going on...
'I never said there was! All I'm saying is that he would look very nice next to you – you'd be the perfect couple.'
The thought made Jess squirm and smile all at the same time. Partly, she wanted to believe Abby, but then again, the feelings she had for him were definitely one-sided. His outburst yesterday had confirmed that fact.
'I don't think so, Abby. Not now.'
The young blonde sighed, exasperated that her two friends were so blind, and decided something needed to be done. If Jess had given up, then she knew it was up to Becker to make the first move. Thank God he was a gentleman!
xxx
'Boo,' Abby said behind Becker, a playful smile pulling up the corners of her mouth. His expression was priceless.
'What are you doing here?' he enquired, a little gruffly. He was still shaken by Jess's reaction, and had no idea how to approach her now. Everything seemed to be unravelling around him.
'Thanks, Becker. Nice to see you too.'
Becker gave her an apologetic glance and went back to cleaning his toys. He still hadn't got used to these electric, light-up things yet!
'So... I know your little secret,' Abby said into his ear, trying to gauge his response. It was just as she had expected.
'What secret?' he asked, startled. How could she know?
'I know that you carried Jess through the entire ARC just to make sure she was safe. I know you held her in the car when she was cold. And, I know you held her hand when she was waking up. I don't think I've ever seen you smile so much, Becker! So... I know your secret.'
Becker wasn't sure what to say to that. If it was so perfectly obvious to Abby, then why couldn't Jess see it too? It seemed everyone knew but her!
'What can I do? I tried to explain it to her and she ran off. She was almost in tears!' he exclaimed, having never thought he would ever open up about his feelings for the young, cookie woman who had inadvertently stolen his heart.
Abby smiled sympathetically at him. He had always seemed so cold and detached from everyone, but obviously she had been wrong. He wasn't completely detached after all.
'Well, you must have your wires crossed then! Just go and tell her that you like her. It's not like she's going to reject you!'
Becker turned, his eyebrows arched. 'Why wouldn't she reject me?'
Abby smiled knowingly, and turned on her heel. 'Ask her and find out.'
xxx
The day had ended quicker than Jess had thought, considering she had had nothing to do for the whole day. Perhaps, for once, praying for the clock to tick faster had actually worked this time!
As she pulled her jacket from the locker, she felt a shadow behind her and turned. She was both relieved and nervous at seeing Becker standing in the doorway, mirroring her own expression.
'Hi.'
'Hi.'
There was an awkward silence which seemed like it would stretch on forever. It was Becker who broke it first.
'I never meant to upset you, Jess. That's the last thing I wanted to do.'
She felt awful for making him feel so guilty, even though he had practically told her she would never measure up to his former friends. It had stung, and he needed to know that.
'I know. It just wasn't tactfully put, that's all. I know your friends meant a lot to you, and I know I can never be as close to you as they were. You really didn't-'
'Wait... What?'
Jess knew she was in danger of making him angry again, but she had no idea how to get herself out of this hole.
'I just mean...'
'Jessica, what are you talking about? Of course you are as close to me as they are! You're closer! I don't... Oh, for God's sake, Jess – I love you!'
The words had come out before he had time to stop them, but it was an almighty relief to finally say them, rather than just practising in front of the mirror!
Jess, stunned into silence, could barely even think, far less speak. Instead, she stumbled forwards, feeling very shaky, and wrapped her arms around his waist. He was tall, lean and warm, and as his arms enveloped her in a loving embrace, Jess could only imagine that this is what heaven felt like.
OK, so definitely a romantic chapter! But this is only just the beginning! The next chapter is where EVERYTHING changes, and a glimpse of the future could threaten Jess and Becker's relationship before it's even started...