1155 Words

Chapter Four

Jess tried very hard to relax but she finally resigned herself to the fact that she would be a nervous wreck until she heard a certain smooth voice. She sighed, and giggled weakly, remembering every word he'd ever said.

Yeah, she was missing him that badly.

Fortunately the very next day he contacted the ARC.

"Becker!"

"Hey, Jess. I'm sorry; I need Lester."

"Oh. Are you OK?"

"Fine, I promise. It's just a mess here. Nothing dangerous, well, except for the possibility of drowning in red tape. That's why I need Lester."

"Right. He's the one to cut red tape," she said.

"I'm really sorry Jess, I wish I could talk."

"I know. I'm patching you in to Lester now. Take care, Becker. Please."

"I will. Thanks Jess."

Then he was switched to Lester. As the day wore on she kept looking at Lester in his office. He was on the phone all day. He looked frustrated, angry and just tired. She imagined that Becker was worse, stuck in a strange country with different rules and extreme conditions. Plus stupid officials in his face. Lovely.

She wanted information badly, but she couldn't interrupt them. They were taking care of it. She would just have to wait.

She went on with her work, always shooting glances at the office. Finally, after hours on the phone, Lester came out.

He saw her questioning face and smiled. "He's fine," he said.

Jess blushed. Then she smiled with relief. "Thank you."

He nodded.

"He had to go, I guess?" she asked.

"Yes. He sends his regards," he said.

She blushed again, and looked away.

Lester sighed. He looked tired.

"Is something wrong?" she asked. "I mean…Becker is OK?"

"Yes, Miss Parker," he said, sitting on the edge of the ADD. "He is fine."

"But something is wrong."

He sighed. "I knew this would be a sticky situation with Yemen. Politics. I expected them to want our help but not necessarily the British government's. And I anticipated that our government would not grant them full access to us without their knowledge and involvement."

"And?"

"And Miss Parker, I was right. The bureaucrats were arguing before Becker even landed."

"Arguing about what?"

"Everything. Even something as petty as getting Becker and the ARC from their location in Sana'a, the capital, to Zabid, clear across the country on the coast. I realize it's a 160 kilometer journey, but it's hardly an excursion to the moon."

Jess laughed. "And we know that Becker is completely outfitted with supplies," she said with a wink.

Lester laughed. "Happily," he said. "However the true issue isn't getting the Captain to Zabid, but how much of the ARC branch should go with him."

"Hmm. That would be hard to gage. How far apart are the incursions?"

He shook his head. "They do not know for sure. Information travels slower in a country with less industrialization and more rustic charm. Suggest to politicians that a plane could resolve the issue in about half an hour and they want your head."

Jess shook her head. "I'm sorry. You need your head."

Lester chuckled. "I do."

"And poor Becker is caught in the middle," Jess said.

Lester's face brightened. "Ah, the Captain," he said, chuckling. "Ha ha. I do give him credit. He really did try to wait for the red tape to be snipped."

Jess smiled and shook her head. "What did he do?"

Lester smiled wider. "After much delay and frankly stupidity on the part of both Yemen and British officials, the captain took matters into his own hands. He commandeered a Toyota from a member of the Yemen president's staff."

"Oh, no," said Jess, giggling and shaking her head. "Well, at least it didn't belong to the president." She giggled.

Lester laughed along with her. "He made the trip in record time, I'm told. It seems that his outfitter supplied him with some top rated maps."

Jess giggled. "I wanted him prepared."

Lester smiled. "You did well. Expensively, but well."

She blushed.

"The President's office is not happy, naturally," he said.

"You don't seem too upset about it," said Jess.

Lester smiled. "No, I don't, do I? Oh well, so the President is making some rather ineffective threats about suing the British government for the cost of a used vehicle."

Jess giggled. "Oh, dear, that much?"

Lester nodded. "I pointed out that the Captain saved the tax payers a fortune on travel expenses. The president wasn't amused. Several officials on our side were, however."

Jess laughed. "Is he in much trouble? Are you?"

Lester shrugged. "Not that I care, and as for Becker, I think the president is just happy that he's out of the capital, safe and sound in Zabid."

"Until he goes looking for creatures."

Lester smiled kindly. "Trust me, after the idiocy in Sana'a, Becker is looking forward to the creatures. He can handle that kind of beast. Easy."

Jess nodded. "Still, I wish I could guide him."

"He will be wishing the same," said Lester. "I'm afraid he and his backup are going to have to travel from village to village to find the anomalies."

Jess shook her head. "In the heat."

"He is equipped, Miss Parker." He winked.

Jess laughed. "Yes, and he has a brilliant pair of sunglasses as well."

"Paid for by the ARC?"

Jess giggled. "Maybe."

Lester shook his head. "I'll be glad when we're done with this international 'consulting.' It takes a toll."

"It does," said Jess. "It definitely does."

"Well, it's been a long day. I am going home. You?"

"I have one team out."

Lester raised his eyebrow.

"No incursion," Jess said, "just an anomaly that has been closed. They're doing one last sweep to make sure there are no surprise creatures, and then they'll be heading home."

Lester sighed. "I've been so busy." He shook his head. "Thankfully, I can trust my people to get their jobs done." He smiled at her.

"You can. You've had your own business to contend with. Go home, Sir. You've earned a rest."

He smiled. "You too, Miss Parker. Leave some work for the other coordinators."

Jess laughed. "I will. I just want to finish with this team since I sent them out. My replacement is already here. I'll leave right after."

"Good," said Lester. "Good night." He began walking across Ops.

"Good night," said Jess. "Thank you…for looking after him."

Lester paused. He turned and looked at the young woman. He simply smiled and nodded, then turned back around and left.

Jess spun back to face the ADD and sighed. She realized that she was acting considerably more than just Becker's friend. She knew she felt more for him. She wasn't sure what he felt for her. All she knew was he was gone and she missed him.

Maybe they'd figure out what they felt for each other when he came back.

End of Chapter Four