1526 Words, this chapter
Chapter Twenty-Three, Just a Costume 2: Redressed
Jess stayed beneath the table, praying for Becker.
That's when she heard a zap.
Then a creature fell to the ground, right in front of the table. Then another fell. And another.
She looked up and saw a knight in shining armor, only he was wearing black.
Becker.
He smiled, moving beside her, zapping pterosaurs. "You okay?"
She nodded. "I'm glad you're here."
He nodded.
"You're part of the...show?" asked the young woman.
Jess giggled. "Yeah, he's the hero."
Becker shook his head, chuckling but he never stopped shooting. As he shot, Jess peeked around the table. She saw his troops, including Lt. Vale and Sergeant Nicole Bilson, taking down the creatures. It didn't take long to stun them all.
The crowds of people stood still, unable to understand what was going on. They watched the black-clad men and women pick up the strange winged creatures and then carry them to the strange ball of light and throw all of them threw. Then one of the black-clad people used a strange device to close the ball.
Jess jumped up and down, clapping. She then threw herself on Becker and passionately kissed him. "That's my man!"
He laughed.
Lester ran over, shaking Becker's hand vigorously. "Good show! I dub thee Sir Becker!"
"Lester? What are you?"
"What do you mean? How dare you? I'm King Arthur you idiot!"
Jess laughed.
All around the club, people still stood in shock. Then they erupted in cheers.
"Wow! That was amazing!"
"Great show! Loved the Sci-Fi!"
"Cool, but what did it have to do with Halloween?" asked a scarecrow. A shapely crow beside him hit him.
"You guys are hot!" she screamed, to the scarecrow's annoyance.
Joe laughed. "Alright! Was that a show or what?" He traded smirks with the team. "Let's hear it for our...actors!"
"Take a bow, sweetie."
"I don't want to, Jess."
"I do," said Vale. Ever the cheesy charismatic man, he bowed and ate up the glory. He also flexed his muscles for the ladies.
Nicole Bilson groaned. "You're a ham. Sir."
Vale smiled. "Just giving them what they want, Bilson."
"This is embarrassing," said Becker, as people clapped him on the back and ladies gave him their numbers.
Jess didn't mind the back clapping. She took the phone numbers and tore them up.
"Why are they acting like this?" he asked. "If they really believe it's just a silly show?"
Lester laughed. "I'm glad they're clueless twits, Captain. Go with it."
"Yes," said Jess. "You are awesome, you know."
"And they like your costumes," said Abby.
"What costumes?" asked Becker.
Connor laughed. "The cool black Ops costumes. Play along Action Man."
The owner took over Joe's microphone announcing a round of drinks on the house for everyone.
The club went nuts.
Club employees and the team and ARC soldiers put back the tables and chairs and helped everyone to a seat.
"Becker, you're off now, right?" asked Jess, hopefully.
Becker laughed. "Yeah. We all are. We were heading back to the ARC when the incursion came over comms. Once I heard the address I knew I had to get to you."
Jess smiled. "Thank you."
"Anything to keep you safe," he said, kissing her deeply.
"Aw..." said Vale.
"You're going to die," said Bilson.
Vale smiled. "He's distracted."
Bilson chuckled.
The club owner beckoned them all to tables. With Lester's approval the off-duty soldiers all sat at tables and were showered with drinks from the grateful owner.
Lester showered him with threats to keep the secret of the fake show and the anomaly 'special effects.' Burt and Ernie and other club employees were all asked to sign secrecy papers.
Joe came over to the team's table. "Are you going to explain?"
"Explain what?" asked Lester. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I'd like one as well," said Mrs. Lester.
"Do you ever get one?" asked her husband.
Mrs Lester laughed and shook her head.
"Exactly."
Joe stared at them. "Really? No explanation?"
Matt stood up. "Sorry. Let's just say we had...a situation. It's resolved. Everyone is safe."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Except..." began Jess, "you don't have to worry. Any...situation that comes up will be handled."
"Count on it," said Becker.
Joe stared at them again.
"And any attempt to pursue certain facts will result in your imprisonment."
"Lester! Joe's a friend!"
"Business is business, Miss Parker."
"And what is your business?" asked Joe.
Becker laughed. "We handle situations, Joe. Simple as that."
He sighed. He looked around the club. Everyone was happy and safe. "OK. I guess I'll have to accept that. But these...situations...they happen a lot?"
The team all frowned.
"Don't worry about it, Joe," said Matt. "That's our job. You just keep ordering skimpy costumes for Jess, that's yours."
Jess giggled. "Yes. It helps keep us...light."
Joe nodded. "I bet. No wonder you guys need to escape."
Becker and the others nodded.
"I don't give you guys enough of a discount."
Jess giggled. "No, you don't, Joe."
"Jess..."
"Come on, Becker. The man wants to express his gratitude."
Joe laughed. He saw the owner make a motion. "Sorry. I have to get back to my other job."
"Are you OK?" asked Jess.
He smiled. "I guess. I have to be, huh?"
They nodded. He sighed and went back to the stage. A few minutes later he announced the winner of the costume contest. He had trouble controlling his laughter. "OK, folks, by overwhelming numbers, your choice for best costume goes to...Captain Becker and his team of super cool operatives."
The crowd roared. Lester burst out cursing. Jess squealed and pounced into Becker's lap. The others laughed.
Becker just hung his head. "Costumes?"
"Sweetie, go with it."
"Come on up and get your trophy," said Joe.
"Vale, you want to accept it?"
"Oh, yes Sir!" Vale jumped out of his seat, waving to the crowd. The ladies whooped and he bowed.
"What a ham," muttered Bilson.
"This is absurd," said Lester.
"I agree with Arthur."
"Thank you, Captain."
"I thought it was Sir Becker?"
"That's not funny," said Lester. Becker only smirked.
Vale came back, holding the trophy. "And I was bummed we were going to miss out," he said. "Although I wish I got to wear wear my Bump n' Grind Stripper outfit," said Vale. "I even had an inflatable pole."
Bilson shook her head. "The rest of us lucked out, though."
Becker nodded. "You are a ham."
Vale smiled. "I know."
"What were you going to wear, Nicole?" asked Jess.
Bilson smiled. "Amazon Queen."
Vale's eyes widened.
"It was a brown halter top and a matching short skirt, with high heeled boots, two swords, and a cross bow."
Becker's mouth popped open. Jess closed it. "Lucky for you, she didn't get to wear it," she said.
Becker laughed.
"Right?" she asked, digging her nails into his hand.
"Ow. Right, Jess. Right. What are you wearing, by the way? Did you stop by Joe's and buy another costume on the way here?"
"No. It's Emily's. All of my costumes were too sexy. I wasn't with you, so I didn't want anyone else to see my legs. Or any other part of me."
"Aww..." he said, kissing her. "That's sweet. I'm sorry."
She sighed. "I know, but my Halloween sucked. I want to go home."
He sighed. "Are you sure, Jess? I hate for you to be so disappointed. Maybe we can salvage the evening. We can go home, change costumes and come back and dance."
Jess shook her head. "I had a horrible Halloween because I wasn't with you. I just want to be with you, Becker. Let's go home and we'll both change, so we match." She smirked and leered at him. "And then let's not leave."
He laughed. "Sounds good to me, if you're sure."
"I'm sure. I've had enough of clubs for one year."
"Me too." He offered her his arm, and she took it. "See you guys later."
"Uh, Sir, you drove us here," said Vale.
"And I came with Lester," said Jess.
"Take the ARC vehicle," said Lester. "Your Lord and King will see that all of his knights are returned to their abodes."
"James, dear, you've been kinging it up all night. Put Arthur to bed. Please."
"How dare you, Guinevere. Behave or I'll have you beheaded."
"I beg your pardon!" cried Mrs. Lester.
"Sorry, dear," said Lester quickly. "We'll drop everyone home, Becker. Won't we dear?"
Mrs. Lester glared at him, but nodded.
Becker laughed. "Good night."
"Good night," said Abby. "You'll be OK, Jess?"
She nodded. "Becker's here now."
The others "aww-ed."
As they left Becker heard Vale say, "Hey, Bilson. When we drop by your house, any chance of getting a quick view of the Amazon Queen?"
End of Chapter Twenty-Three
