1210 Words, this chapter.

Chapter Eight, Just a Costume 2: Redressed

The next day, the team was in the ARC canteen, having lunch. Jess had been prattling on about costumes. "And they had a bunch of military costumes that Becker looked fab in," she rambled.

"To be fair, Jess, I looked 'fab' in all of them," he said, winking at her.

She giggled.

Connor shook his head. "Remember when he used to be all macho and silent? You've turned him into a kitten, Jess, all tame and vain." Becker punched him in the side. "Ow!"

"I guess my claws are fine," said the military man.

"Becker stop," scolded Jess. "Oh! And they had a lot of cool Anime costumes, but Becker wouldn't let me get them. Unless for private," she added with a blush.

"No bloke would let his girl wear those things in public," said Becker. "Unless he was an idiot."

Emily spoke up. "What do you use the costumes for? In private, I mean?"

Jess spit out her tea, coughing and gasping.

Becker's face turned red and he suddenly turned away.

Everyone else burst out laughing.

"Use your imagination, Emily," said Matt.

"I understand that they are for lovemaking," she said without a blush or stammer.

"Emily!" cried Jess, redder than Becker.

"I just do not understand why they are necessary. Unless you have problems."

Connor and Matt laughed rudely, while Abby covered her mouth.

Jess cried out again. "Emily! No! I mean...we're fine! I mean..."

She hung her head, embarrassed and mortified.

"She means it's not for discussion," Becker said firmly. "And she's right, we're fine."

"I did not mean any offense," said Emily. "I just do not understand."

Matt laughed, patting her hand. "She's Victorian, remember? And she had a loveless marriage."

"Extremely loveless," she said.

"I'm sorry, Emily," said Jess, cooling off, but still pink. She sighed. "I guess we're not as...repressed."

Becker laughed. "I'm not so much anymore, thanks to someone," he said, winking at Jess.

She smiled. "Not to go into...our private lives, but...um, I find that dressing in costumes makes...um, life...more fun and...adventurous, no matter what you're um...doing." She smiled shyly and moved closer to Becker, hiding her head in his shoulder.

To their credit, neither Matt nor Connor said a word.

"Thank you, Jess," said Emily. "I had been asking as...research."

Matt cocked his eyebrow. "Research?"

"I was just wondering, Matt."

"About..."

Becker chuckled and laughed. "Do you need more adventure, Emily?"

Matt glared at him. "We're fine, thank you, Becker."

"Indeed. And I believed you and Jess were fine as well, which is why I asked. I did not mean to imply that you had problems functioning."

"Oh my God," Jess said with a moan, still burying her head in Becker's shoulder.

Abby smiled. "It's not unusual for couples to wear...costumes. Sometimes its fun to change things up a bit."

Connor nodded. "And do play acting."

Jess moaned. "I'm not listening."

Becker laughed. "Yeah. I'm with you, Jess."

"It's fine if it's between you and your partner," said Abby.

"And not at the lunch table," said Jess, now completely avoiding their faces.

"I apologize," said Emily.

"No, don't," said Jess, still clinging to Becker, but coming out for air. "I just...like to keep things private...and in the bedroom."

"Amen," said Becker.

"I thought, given your delight with the costumes that perhaps you would not mind discussing it," said Emily.

"I don't, um, mind," she said. She glanced at Matt and Connor and blushed. "I just...like to be prepared for the discussion I guess."

"I ambushed you."

Everyone laughed. "She's good at that," said Matt.

Emily nodded.

Jess laughed. "Maybe I give off mixed signals."

Becker squeezed her hand. "No you don't."

"Becker, face it. I like to wear short skirts and stuff. Some people will automatically think I'm risque."

"I do not," said Emily.

Jess smiled. "Thank you. I guess I'm not just talking about you."

Becker sighed. She was still thinking about that Anime costume and those guys in the shop. "It's not your fault how stupid creeps see you."

"Thank you," she said, giving him a light kiss. "I try not to dress like a tease but sometimes I make the wrong decisions with what I wear," said Jess.

"Did something happen?" asked Abby.

Jess sighed. "I had a slight...problem...with admirers at the costume shop."

Matt and Connor laughed. "You didn't break the store, did you, Becker?"

"No," he said. "I didn't even break any patrons. Joe stepped in."

Jess nodded. "I'm so sorry and embarrassed."

"It wasn't your fault. Joe was right. It shouldn't have been out to try on."

"I know." She sighed again. "I'm realizing that there is a definite responsibility to dressing sexy. Of course it's the creeps fault if he takes advantage, but.." and she stopped. She smirked at Becker. "In hindsight I should not have worn the slave girl Princess Leia to a party."

Becker laughed. "OK. I agree with you there."

Jess nodded. "It's difficult sometimes knowing where the line is."

Emily nodded too. "Perhaps it is not where the line is but the fact that you believe there is a line."

Jess giggled. "True. I definitely have a line. Thanks, Em. I feel less cheap and trashy now."

Becker laughed. "You're not either of those things."

She looked at him, beaming with love. "Thank you, sweetie." They kissed.

Connor and Matt "awed," while Abby just laughed.

They pulled away. Jess blushed. "Sorry."

Emily smiled. "You are in love. Do not apologize for showing it."

"We won't," said Becker with a smirk. Jess giggled.

"So...shall we talk about something else?" asked Jess, looking at them with hopeful eyes.

Emily frowned. "I am sorry for not...choosing another topic, but I must ask you Jess. Are you

angered with me?"

"No, Em. Of course not. I guess I'm just a little...bashful still. Some things are better saved for girl talk."

Emily nodded. "Yes. Girl talk. I am still learning that."

"So am I," said Becker, making the other men laugh and nod.

"We all are," agreed Connor.

Jess ignored them. "We'll go to the costume shop without the guys," she told Emily. "I'll teach you all about the private costumes."

Becker looked uncomfortable. "All about?' Leave some things between you and me, Jess."

"Becker, please. That hurts. You know I'd never embarrass you. Not on purpose."

"I would welcome some assistance," said Emily.

Now Matt looked uncomfortable. "But um...keep some things between you and me, OK, Em?"

Becker laughed. "I feel better."

Matt shot him a glare.

"And there are lots of options," said Jess. "Lots of costumes aren't too revealing or risque. You probably want to go the alluring, tempting way."

Emily smiled and looked at Matt, who blushed. "Yes, that sounds exactly what I want."

Jess nodded and smiled. "Good. That's what we'll do."

The table was quiet.

"Like, for instance, you definitely want to stay away from Adam and Eve. They're almost too much for even us."

"Jess!"

"Oops. Sorry, Becker. "

End of Chapter Eight