1385 Words

Chapter Sixteen, Conclusion, Transfer 2: Feeling the Heat

Two days later, Becker laughed as the laptop connected to London. "Sh!"

The room booed.

"Seriously, guys, this is a hospital, you know."

"You only want us quiet because Miss Parker is coming," said Abid.

Becker shot him a dirty look but didn't deny it. The laptop beeped and there she was, wearing a soft pink blouse with multi-colored checks all over it.

Becker's face lit up like the Yemen sun. "Don't you look pretty?"

Jess blushed. "Thank you. I wanted to look especially cheerful. I hope Djhami isn't too depressed, but I'm determined to cheer him up."

Becker chuckled, as did a few other voices in the room. "Don't worry, Jess. He's managing." He stepped aside so the laptop got a view of Djhami.

He was propped up in bed, i.v.'s attached to his wrist. He was awake, eating some sort of fruit. Beside him set a pretty young nurse who was dealing cards. Across from the bed Sabban sat in a chair, taking the cards she dealt.

Next to him sat Kassim, also playing cards. Occasionally, Djhami moaned. He wasn't in pain though. Another nurse was massaging his shoulders.

"Ah, yes, that's the spot," he said with an approving moan.

Jess' eyebrow went up. "You're right, Captain. He is managing quite well," she said with a giggle.

"Did you hear that?" asked Djhami. "I hear the voice of an angel."

Jess giggled. "Anti-venom agrees with you apparently."

"Ah! It is an angel!" he cried, smiling at the laptop. "Miss Jess Parker!"

Becker chuckled. "He's a disgrace to soldiers everywhere."

"You would rather I cried out in pain?"

"No, I'd rather you took it like a man, quietly and subdued," said Becker, smirking.

"If I must be hurt, I shall make a holiday of it."

"Oh, he's a much patient than you are, Becker," Jess said with a grin.

Becker smirked.

"Of course, in the Captain's defense," said Abid, "I believe Miss Parker would be more distraught if it were he in a hospital bed and not the sergeant."

"Especially if the nurses treated him as they now treat Djhami," agreed Sabban, smiking.

Jess frowned.

"Do not tease her," said Djhami. "If it were not for her excellent packing abilities and her persistence in spending all of her ARC's budget, this simple desert dog would now lie under the sands."

Everyone laughed.

"Wow," said Becker.

Jess giggled. "That's the best thank you I've ever gotten."

"You should have mountains of thanks and adulations," he said. "Miss Parker, you are a delight. I am humbled by your intelligence, kindness, and audacity."

"She's the audacious one?"

"Hush, Becker, don't interrupt the man," said Jess, "please, continue."

Djhami smiled. "Will you do me the honor of allowing me to tell you how much I admire you?"

"Oh, of course. Admire away."

Becker chuckled as Djhami bowed as best as he could in bed and with his wound. "I am your servant."

"Ooh, I've never had a servant before."

"Ask and I shall grant it. Plead and I shall come to your aid. Beg and I shall steal the riches of earth and place them at your feet."

Becker's eyebrow went up. "Um…Djhami, what are those berries you've been eating? They aren't laced with something are they?"

"Becker, you're rude. The man knows how to express himself," said Jess. "You could learn a thing or two."

"Indeed," mumbled Abid.

Becker glared.

Djhami turned to the Captain. "There is much I could teach you."

"Is there?" he asked.

"Yes. I shall begin now. Confess."

"Uh-oh. Confess what? Becker, what did you do?"

"Nothing!"

"He has indeed done nothing. He has said nothing," said Djhami. "That is the problem."

Jess looked confused. So did Becker.

"He should confess to you now of how much he adores you."

Becker's eyes widened. Jess turned red and stared at Becker. The nurses exchanged looks. The others got very quiet.

"Should we leave?" whispered Kassim.

Abid shrugged.

"To be fair, however," continued Djhami, "you are also at fault, Miss Jess Parker. You love him as much and are as silent."

Jess' mouth popped open. Becker stared at her. The nurses began to giggle. Apparently they both understood English.

Abid stood up. "Djhami, I think you're feeling the effects of the anti-venom."

"Of course I am! I am alive! Death clarifies your life. Do not wait too long my friends."

Abid pushed him down onto the bed. "You should rest," he told the sergeant.

The nurses agreed, tucking him in and straightening the bed linens. They then left, but not before smirking at Becker.

"I..uh…I'm glad you're alright Djhami," said Jess. "I should, uh, go."

"Me too," said Becker. He looked at Jess. She blushed and looked down. "I have…stuff."

"Yeah. Stuff," said Jess. "Me too. I'm uh…going to disconnect."

"See you later, Jess."

She risked a look at him. She smiled and he awkwardly smiled back. Then she was gone. Becker hurried out of the hospital room.

"I think that went well."

"Really, Sir?" asked Kassim. He laughed. "I think your judgment is a little impaired."

"No, it is not. They are now forced to confront themselves," Djhami said. "It is for the best."

Abid shook his head. "I don't know. Becker doesn't seem the kind to face his feelings."

"Perhaps not, but it had to be done," said Djhami. He smiled. "She is audacious. Perhaps she will confront him."

Abid laughed. "She might at that."

Three days later and Becker shook hands with the professors. The village of Zabid gratefully and tearfully bid him goodbye. The soldiers stood at attention and saluted. Only Djhami wasn't present, because he was still in the hospital. He sent his goodbyes with the professors.

At last, Becker was going home.

He had mixed feelings, though. He longed to see Jess, but since Djhami's words in the hospital, they hadn't spoken. He was busy with creatures the first two days. Yesterday though, he talked to the ARC and Jess was 'unavailable.' Cherry began to say something, but Lester hushed her.

He had an uneasy feeling. Lester acted awkwardly too as he told Becker to head for home. Finally, on the plane, he got back in touch with the ARC.

"Jess?"

"No, it's me, Captain."

"*$# ^!"

"Same to you," said Lester.

"Sorry. I was…just expecting someone else."

"Yes, obviously. Do you often greet Miss Parker with swear words?"

"Lester, please, I need to speak to her."

"Captain…"

"I know something is wrong, Lester."

"No, not at all, but Miss Parker…"

"Please, I only need a few seconds."

"Becker, listen to me…"

"I know she probably freaked out over what Djhami said. I need to tell her it's OK."

"Captain!"

"What?"

Lester sighed. "I don't know what you're referring to, but as far as I know, Jess is not upset with you or some Yemen person."

Becker sighed and chuckled in relief. "Good. Thanks."

"Not at all."

"But can I talk to her anyway?"

"Goodness, you're like a teenager. No, you may not."

"Oh, come on DAD, why not?"

"That is not amusing, Captain."

Becker chuckled. "I thought it was."

"The truth of the matter is that Jess is not here."

"Is she sick?"

"No Captain, that was not what I meant." Lester sighed. "She is not in London."

"What?"

"Becker, be calm, but…Jess has been temporarily, I repeat, temporarily, transferred."

"Please tell me you're joking."

"No, I'm afraid not. Brazil's ARC branch needs help with communications and Miss Parker is the expert."

"She's in Brazil?"

"Yes, I had to deploy her immediately. She was very distraught at not saying goodbye to you. Actually, I was in fear for my life."

"You shipped her out already?"

"Yes, Captain, but it won't be for long."

Becker reeled at the news. He was nearly home and she wasn't there. It was a cruel trick.

"I assure you she's fine, Captain. I dare say she'll love Rio."

Becker shook his head. "Oh, this gets better and better," he said. "Rio de Janeiro, the home of tanned, sex-crazed, half naked people."

"Indeed."

"Lester, you should be afraid for your life."

"Jess is out of the country."

"Yeah, but I'm entering it. I'm going to kill you."

"I really hate this transfer business," said Lester.

"You and me both."

The End

Next up: Transfer 3: Rio!