1127 Words, this chapter
Chapter Thirteen, Just a Costume 2: Redressed
Jess ran. She needed to get to the basement. Finally, there Becker stood, staring at her lifeless form.
Yes, hers.
It was...indescribable, seeing herself dead on the floor. She forced herself to look up.
Becker stood still. He was pale.
"Becker," she said softly.
She stepped toward him and took his hand. "Becker."
He stared at Jess, the dead one. He had tears in his eyes.
"Look at me," she said.
Finally he did. He gasped, blinking back tears. He grabbed her and held her close. "I knew it wasn't you but..."
"Sh. It's OK. I'm OK."
He held her tightly and sobbed. "It looks just like you!"
"I know. It's...creepy."
He pulled back, looking at her with tears. "Jess," he whispered. He held her again.
She was taken aback by his trembling. Still, she was supposedly the dead one and she was shaking so she couldn't blame him. It was another strange day with the ARC. "It's not me."
"I know," he said, "But...I can't get the look on your face out of my mind Jess, right before you fell...how you stared at me..."
"It's OK, Becker."
He shook his head, still shaking as she held him. "You know what?" she asked, pulling out of his grip to look at him. "Replace it," she said. "With this look."
She smiled sweetly.
He laughed. "I'm not sure I can."
She clung to him. "Then...what's your favorite? I mean, what happy look on my face is the one you remember the most?"
He smiled. He knew the one instantly. "The look after we...made love for the first time."
She smiled. "Actually, that's my favorite look of yours too."
He chuckled and hugged her closer. "I love you."
"I love you too, Becker."
They stayed in the embrace. Then Jess said, "Look at the creature now."
Becker reluctantly looked. The soft brown hair was gone. The peach skin had morphed into sickly yellow scales. Blue human eyes were now green lizard-like eyes.
Becker sighed. "It's not you."
"No," said Jess. "I'm right here."
He nodded. "You are," he said, kissing her deeply. "And you're warm, soft, and alive."
She giggled. "I definitely am."
He smiled, breathing out a relieved sigh.
Connor walked in. "Ew...is that its natural appearance?"
Abby shrugged. "I guess."
"It was not the pink creature we first encountered with the dog?" asked Emily.
"I guess that was another form it had taken," said Matt.
"I wonder where it comes from?" asked Connor. "It doesn't look like anything Prehistoric."
"Maybe the future," said Matt.
"You guys can feel free to dissect that thing all you want," said Becker. "I really don't like it."
Jess laughed. "Me either, Becker."
"I want to know how it changed like that," said Abby.
"Just keep it from looking like me," said Jess. "You thought I got crazy when someone showed up wearing the same costume as me, Becker. This is way, way worse."
Becker laughed and held her again. "That is a gross understatement Jess."
"Let's get out here," said Jess. "I told Lester I was taking you home."
He nodded. "Good. We still have an anniversary to celebrate."
She smiled. "We do."
He sighed and hugged her with relief. "I'm so glad we still do."
She nodded and smiled. She then took his hand and pulled him out of the basement, away from the horror inside.
They walked into Becker's apartment. They just kind of stood there. Finally Jess said, "Becker, I know we have reservations, but..would you mind terribly if we didn't go out?"
He stared at her. "Really? Are you sure?"
She nodded. "I don't need some fancy restaurant. I just need you."
He kissed her head. "If you're sure, Jess. You're not suggesting we stay in for my sake, are you? I'm fine."
She shook her head.
He smiled. "Then I'm more than OK with just you and me alone here." He bent down and slowly, lovingly kissed her.
She sighed and rested her head on his chest. "It sounds like the perfect evening."
He smiled. "It does."
Then his stomach rumbled.
She laughed.
"Sorry. It's been a while since lunch."
"It has," she agreed. "Pizza?"
He nodded. "Sounds good."
"You order it," she said. "I'm going to change."
He called in the pizza, then he dimmed the lights in the living room and smiled as he lit the candles. Jess loved being alone with him in candlelight.
As he lit the last one he heard her approach. "Ooh. You read my mind," she said.
He turned around and smiled.
Jess stood a few feet from him, wearing a long, snow white, clingy night gown. It hugged her in all the right places.
Becker smiled wider. "You're not answering the door, you know."
She giggled.
"Seriously, Jess. If pizza boy so much as gets a glimpse of you I swear I'll put out his eyes."
"Ew!"
He couldn't help laughing.
"Not exactly a Shakespearean sonnet," she said.
"Oh, you want me to talk poetic to ya?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Well, I thought maybe you would get inspired by this outfit."
He laughed. "I'm inspired all right." He took her hand and drew her close. Then he nibbled on her neck.
She giggled.
He smiled, and moved to her lips. He then lifted her off the floor and moved to the couch. She lay on his lap as they kissed. She fondled his hair and he ran his hands over her chest.
"Little stones," he said, "nice."
She giggled. "They're crystals."
He smirked. "I hope they're attached with a really strong glue."
She giggled again. He stroked gently up and down her body. "Mmm," she moaned.
They stayed on the couch for a while. Then Becker asked, "Can we ignore the doorbell when it comes?"
She giggled. "I thought you were hungry."
"I think I mixed up what my appetite was for," he said.
She blushed and laughed. "Well, it is our anniversary. Maybe they'll forgive us for not answering."
"I'll risk it, Jess," he said, picking her up in his arms. They kissed as he walked to the bedroom.
He had just laid her on the bed when the door bell rang.
"Damn. The first time they're early," he said.
Jess giggled. "We should answer it."
"Why?"
"They're the best pizza in town, Becker. They won't deliver to us anymore."
He smiled wickedly. "Then I guess we'll have to order the second-best pizza in town."
She laughed as he closed the door just as the bell rang again.
They missed dinner.
End of Chapter Thirteen
