907 Words, this chapter
Chapter Three, Secret Admirer
Becker went through the day. He had a few forms to take to Ops. Jess had not cooled down. She didn't say one word.
Later, he brought her a coffee as a peace offering.
She didn't thank him.
He stood by the ADD. He sighed. "I'm...sorry, Jess. I...got carried away," he said softly.
She didn't turn.
"I guess...I didn't know how to react. I don't have a warm and fuzzy personality..."
She snorted.
He laughed. "So...You might find this surprising, but...I don't really know how to accept gifts."
No response.
"I guess having an admirer...kind of scared me."
She gave a very slight laugh.
"I can handle raptors, enormous bugs, even a future predator...but a token of affection? It scares the hell out of me."
Her face lightened.
"I never intended to tease you, well, not so much," he said with a chuckle.
She looked at him finally.
"I am sorry."
She slowly smiled. "I accept. If...you stop."
He laughed. "I will. I promise."
"Good."
"But...uh, just to clarify, in my own head...not to keep the teasing going, just to make sure. It really isn't you?"
"No."
He sighed. "So...that means..."
Jess' face fell. "Someone likes you."
He nodded.
Silence.
"That's...uh, good, isn't it?" she asked.
He looked at her. "I don't know. It's hard to be excited when I don't know who it is."
"Right."
"I guess that's why I kind of wanted it to be you," he said.
She blushed.
His eyes got wide. "I mean...at least we're friends."
She giggled. "Having me fixate on you wouldn't scare the hell out of you?"
He laughed. "At least I know you."
"Do you?" she asked with a smirk.
"I think so." He smiled.
She smiled back.
"So..." he began.
"Yeah..so..."
"Who the hell is it?" he asked.
The next day Becker walked into the locker room and found a large wooden box sitting on the bench in front on his locker. It said, "Captain," in thick, cursive letters.
Connor and Matt walked in.
"Oh, boy. Another one?" asked Matt.
"It looks like it," said Becker. He opened the box. "Cigars?" he asked out loud.
"Hey...Emily was talking about them," said Connor. He looked at Matt. "Dude, your girl has the hots for Becker!"
Matt scoffed. "It isn't her."
Becker picked one up. "It's a very nice brand, Matt. Emily did say it had to be 'fine."
"It isn't her."
Connor laughed, picking up a cigar. "Awkward."
Becker smirked at Matt.
"It isn't her!" the Irishman yelled.
Connor and Becker laughed.
"She is a woman of fine taste, Matt," said Becker. "It looks like she finally got tired of you and is looking to trade up."
Connor snickered.
"Funny," said Matt. "She is a woman of refined taste, which is why I know it isn't her."
"Whatever, Matt. Don't worry. I'm not the type to steal another guy's woman," said Becker, smirking. "Even if she deserves someone better."
Connor laughed.
Matt shook his head and left.
"Who do you think they're from?" asked Connor.
Becker shook his head.
"Maybe it is Emily."
"Oh, come on. No way, Connor."
"Jess?"
Becker laughed. "No. Jess hates cigars."
Connor's eyebrow went up. "How do you know?"
Becker turned lightly pink. "I don't. I just...imagine she'd hate the smell."
"Right," said Connor, smirking.
"Shut up," he said, throwing the box in his locker, then he left too.
Connor just laughed.
Becker walked into Ops. "Jess, I need you. I mean...your opinion."
She spun toward him in her chair. "Sure," she said, smiling brightly.
He smiled as he looked at her. She was wearing a soft pink, fuzzy sweater. It took considerable concentration not to reach out and touch. "I, uh, got another gift."
She frowned. "Again? What this time?"
"Cigars."
"Really?'
He nodded.
"Emily was just talking about cigars."
"It's not Emily!"
"OK, OK," she said, slightly disturbed by his outburst. "Sorry."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout. This whole business is starting to get on my nerves."
"Not fun anymore?"
He shook his head. "What if...the admirer turns out to be someone I really don't want? Like...someone's girlfriend, or something?"
"It isn't Emily, Becker."
"No. Of course it isn't."
"Still...what a coincidence."
"Yeah, like you and the bakery yesterday."
Jess had a disturbing thought. "What if she's stalking you?"
"Me? Jess, it would have been you she followed yesterday."
She gasped.
He put his hand on her shoulder. "No, don't worry. I don't think so. It's someone in the ARC. It makes the most sense. Somehow she knew about your bakery trip and the cigars."
"Becker, she'd have to have been at the table at lunch, to hear Emily." She turned white. "Abby?"
He laughed. "No. Maybe someone at a nearby table though."
"Right." She sighed. "This is getting disturbing."
"Yeah. I've never been a fan of mysteries."
"Well, we seem to have one. It's a real whodunnit."
"I guess." He sighed.
She said gently, "I'll help you figure this all out."
He looked at her.
She blushed. "I mean, if you'd like."
He nodded. "Yes, Jess, please. I need all the help I can get."
She nodded and smiled.
End of Chapter Three