1296 Words, this Chapter.

Chapter Five, Just a Costume 2, Redressed

Becker came out in a dark blue coat jacket with thick gold lace stripes across the front and elaborate gold embroidery on the sleeves and back. He wore white pants with the same gold lace on the side.

"OK, I'm ready," said Jess. "Check me, Becker."

Becker strolled over to the booth and peeked in. "Wow!"

Jess giggled. She wore a short, short dark blue dress with a white apron over the top and skirt. The skirt had white frilly petticoats under it.

"Twirl for me," he said.

She did.

"Nope, can't see anything," he said. He then bent down. "Not even if I try."

She giggled and flirtatiously smacked him. "It's good to know no one else can either."

He laughed and nodded. "You're gorgeous."

"Thank you." She stepped closer to him. She touched the gold lace on his chest. "Hmm...you're gorgeous too."

He laughed again. "Thanks. I like it."

"So do I. It's very dashing."

"It has a sword too."

She shook her head. "Of course it does. And...we go together."

"We do?"

"Becker, I'm surprised that you don't know your history. I'm from the same period as your Hussar officer during the Crimean War."

Becker looked her over again. "You are?"

"Well, yeah, that's what Joe said. I'm Florence Nightingale."

Becker laughed. "In some war geek's fantasy maybe."

Jess giggled. "OK, so the costume designer took some liberties."

"And some fabric. Florence was pretty covered, if I remember right."

"She was. Actually, I think Emily wore her last year."

"It's a blur; you made us change costumes so many times," said Becker.

"I like this version, though."

"Oh, so do I."

"Is it OK to wear out?"

He smiled. "Only if I don't leave your sight. Yes."

She danced up to him. "You won't be leaving my sight. You can count on that." She kissed him. "I want to look at them in front of the big mirrors."

He nodded, took her hand, and led them out of the booth. They walked over to the row of large mirrors just ahead. Jess turned this way and that.

Someone whistled.

Jess moaned.

"Watch it buddy," said Becker, but than he laughed. The whistler happened to be the owner.

"Now that's a couple," said Joe, smiling. "You look good."

Jess giggled. "We do."

"I can't believe you managed to match her to me."

"Oh, I did my research. I knew you guys would need lots of matching outfits. No problem, I've got you covered."

"Thanks Joe," said Jess. "Let's try on some more."

"Do we have to?"

"Yes, sweetie. Shake a leg," she said as she twirled back to her booth.

Becker sighed, putting his sword in its scabbard. "What I do for that woman."

Jess hummed in her booth, waiting for Becker to announce that he was ready.

"Jess?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you pick a pirate? I told you no."

She giggled. "But it's so...sexy."

"No, Jess."

"Please? For me?"

"Jess!"

"Give it a try, Becker."

"But it's silly..." he said, trailing off. "Wait."

"You just found the two guns that come with it, didn't you?"

There was a pause. "OK. I'll try it on."

She giggled. "You are so predictable, Becker."

A few moments later, Becker peeked in. He had a huge grin. "I really like this one."

She laughed. "Let's see it then."

Becker walked into her booth.

Jess was speechless. Becker wore a loose black tunic that laced up, showing lots of his firm chest and that lovely black hair. She ran her fingers through the lacing. "I like it too," she whispered.

Becker laughed, blushing slightly. "O...K," he said as she fondled him. "Um...Jess?"

"Hmm?" she asked.

"Are you done?"

She sighed, pulling herself away. "I suppose, for now, but you're getting that. Definitely."

"For public viewing or..."

"We'll see," she said, blushing. "That is a keeper. No argument."

"I'm not arguing. I like it." Suddenly he pointed two old-fashioned, large hand guns at her. "This is a serious pirate, doesn't mess around with swords."

Jess giggled. "I thought that would change your mind."

"They do, definitely." He looked at her. "Plus, I have one serious hot pirate lady with me."

She smiled and twirled for him. "You like?"

He nodded. "You look ready for the high seas."

"Arr!" she cried, giggling. Jess wore a white and red stripe shirt and a short black vest trimmed in beads and small golden buttons. The skirt was black, hanging diagonally higher on the right leg. The left leg ended just mid thigh.

The skirt too was decorated with gold beads and coins. The red and white of the shirt repeated in a wide sash across the top that cascaded down the side seam. "It's not too long in front."

"Not too short in back," said Becker, bending down.

Jess smiled. "Sexy enough."

"Not too sexy that I'll throw anyone overboard."

She giggled. "Or force them to walk the plank."

"Right."

He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. "I'd say we complement each other nicely."

She blushed. "We certainly do," she said.

They stayed in the embrace for a few moments. "I love costume shopping with you," she said.

He laughed. "You're the only one I'd shop with."

"You better believe it," she said, giggling. "We should...um..."

"Move on?" he asked.

She nodded. "Joe's warned us about being alone in the booth."

"Yes, I have," came his voice, just outside the booth. "A few more seconds and I'm pulling bodies out."

"Are you spying on us?" asked Jess in alarm.

"Not spying," said Joe. "I'm just maintaining the family nature of my store. Now, out."

"We're coming," said Becker.

"Wow, I don't believe it," said Joe as Becker emerged. "You got him into a pirate outfit."

Jess giggled. "I have my ways. One of them is imagining getting him OUT of said outfit."

"Jess!" cried Becker.

She giggled again. "Sorry. Couldn't resist."

Joe shook his head. "Are you buying those?"

"Of course," said Jess.

"Fine. You're forgiven," said the owner.

Becker laughed. "What do you want to try next, Jess?"

"Um... Mad Hatter and Alice..."

"No. It's a Connor costume."

"Becker..."

"I'm in a pirate. I've compromised enough."

"He has a point Jess."

"Fine. Then I want to try the sexy king and queen."

"Maybe, but only if it doesn't have me in tights."

Jess mumbled. "King is out."

Becker shook his head. "No tights, Jess."

"Right. Forgot. OK...how about...a Greek god?" she asked, going into his booth to check the costume.

"Isn't that what you two wear every day?" asked Joe, leaving to help other customers.

"Funny," said Becker. He followed Jess into his booth. "I bet it's one of those sissy God costumes with a long tunic..."

"This costume has a shirt and pants, Becker. See?"

"It has a cape. No capes, Jess."

"But it looks sexy in the picture."

"No."

"But it's the god of war."

"Really?" he asked, looking at the picture with her.

"Yes, and it has a sword."

"It does?"

"Yep."

He looked at it again. "Well, it's not as good as a gun, but at least he's armed. OK, I'll try it. Do you have a goddess costume?"

"Absolutely," she said, skipping to her booth. She stopped and posed slightly. "It's goddess of looovvvve."

He laughed. "Alright."

End of Chapter Five