1495 words, this chapter
Chapter Five, Secret Admirer
The next morning, Jess paced inside the front lobby.
"Hey," said Becker, walking in. The sight that greeted him woke him up. She wore a bright orange skirt and a red and yellow top with a flame motif across it. "You're prettier than the sunrise."
She smiled, but there was a troubled look in her eyes.
"What's wrong, Jess?"
"There...there is a package for you in the break room."
He groaned. "Oh, no."
"I'm so sorry."
He chuckled. "You have nothing to apologize for." He sighed. "Well, I better go see what she has for me today."
Jess nodded, walking beside him.
Inside the break room, the others waited.
"There's our romeo!"
"Connor, quit!" snapped Jess.
His eyes widened. "Yes, Ma'am."
Abby laughed.
Becker sighed, reluctantly opening the box. He smiled widely. "Now this changes things." He pulled out a very nice gun holster. "Nice. Maybe I should give this girl a chance."
"That's not funny, Becker."
"I wasn't joking, Jess," he said, taking off his jacket. "Ooh, soft under the arm, but it will definitely cushion and protect my delicate fire arms."
"Delicate?" asked Abby.
"Love through gun power," said Connor.
"It's just a holster, Connor. Now, if she sent me a gun...that would be love."
"You're insane," said Jess.
"I can't overlook the fact that she has excellent taste, Jess."
She folded her arms. "She's still stalking you! She could be crazy."
"I'm not so sure of that anymore," he said, lovingly stroking the holster.
"I think Jess is concerned that perhaps she has tempted you," said Emily.
Becker looked up and smiled. "Oh, she has."
"That's it I'm done," said Jess, turning to leave.
Becker chuckled, and caught her arm. "I'm joking."
She looked at him. "Are you?"
"Yeah. I mean, sure, it's a nice gift."
Jess shook her head.
"And I really like it."
Jess was about to break away.
"But," continued Becker, "that's actually why this is the most alarming gift. It says she knows me."
Jess sighed. "Yes. Finally. That's what worries me, Becker. She's really into you. She may not take no for an answer and now it's like...you don't care."
He smiled. "I care. She's still creepy. If she likes me...just say it."
Jess looked at him and bit her lip. "Right."
He chuckled. "Although...it's not always easy."
She smiled and blushed. "No...but driving you crazy isn't the way."
"Intentionally driving me crazy," said Becker. "I have more sympathy for women who don't know they drive me...crazy."
She blushed again. Then she noticed the team was staring at them and smirking. She frowned "I, uh...should get to work."
"Yeah, me too. I'll add these to the other gifts. We'll send them back or donate them once we find her. We might need this stuff as evidence depending on what she plans."
Jess shuddered. "Don't let your guard down."
"I won't, Jess."
"Hey," called Connor. "No worries, Jess. He's fine, I mean...we have his back."
Abby nodded.
"He's safe, Jess," said Matt.
Becker shook his head. "You're more scared now, right?" he asked Jess.
She laughed. "No. You've got good friends."
"The best," said Becker, smiling at her.
She smiled and left.
"We should all get to work," said Abby.
"Yeah, uh...Connor, I need a word," said Matt.
"Sure," said Connor. "Don't worry, Action Man. We've got you."
Becker sighed. "Stop scaring me, Connor."
Lunch time, Becker kept looking around in the canteen. "No presents yet," he said.
Jess took a bite of salad. "Maybe she spent all her money on that stupid holster."
"It's an excellent holster," he said, "and you're right. She probably did. It's top of the line."
Jess frowned. "Becker...the way you're...touching your side... OMG! You're wearing it!"
He blushed. "I...had shooting practice earlier."
"You said you were putting it with the other gifts!"
"I did. I just...it's really nice, Jess."
She threw down her fork. "Take it off, now."
"Ooh, save the sexy talk for private, Jess," said Connor, sitting down.
She glared at him. "Shut up."
"OK..."
"Everyone calm down," said Matt. "We're all a little tense. These stupid gifts are getting to us."
"I'm not tense," said Jess "It's just that Becker is being stupid."
He laughed. "I'm surprised you're so upset," Becker said.
"What if she sees you wearing it? She'll think you like it."
"I do."
"Do you like her?"
"Jess, I don't even know who she is!"
"Well, you're giving her a reason to hope! She wants you to like the gift. You can't let her think you do."
He sighed. "Yeah. Fine. I'll take it off, right after lunch."
"I don't trust you, Becker. Let's go to the locker room right now. I want to watch you take it off."
"Yeah!" cried Connor.
Abby smacked his head.
"Stuff it Connor," said Jess, pulling Becker up.
"I think you are tense, Jess," said Connor.
"Relax, Jess...everyone," said Matt, "I have a feeling the gifts will stop...soon. Right, Connor?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I think so too."
"I hope so. Come on Becker," Jess said.
They had made it halfway to the canteen exit when a clerk showed up, carrying a teddy bear. "Captain Becker?"
"Oh, no..."
"This was just delivered for you." He handed Becker the bear and a box of chocolates.
Becker sighed. "We're back to gifts that look like Jess sent them."
"I didn't!"
"I know," said Becker, "but this woman is all over the place...heart mugs, croissants, vegan sandwiches, gun holsters..."
"Don't forget the cigars," said Connor.
"Yeah, this woman is..."
"Crazy," said Jess. "Becker, I didn't want to suggest this... but...maybe we should call the police."
Becker sighed. "How can we? She hasn't threatened me. We have no idea who she is. How would they find her?"
Jess shook her head.
Matt stood up. "I think..."
"Easy, everyone," said Connor. "I bet the admirer is close to revealing herself. Very close."
"I'm scared," said Jess.
Becker put an arm around her and pulled her close. "I'll be fine."
Matt shook his head. "This ends. Now."
Connor nodded.
Becker stayed close to Jess for the rest of the day. He had reports to do and he did them beside her in Ops. She was relieved.
Matt walked in. "You guys OK?"
They nodded.
"I just want you to know how sorry I am about this."
"Why? It isn't your fault," said Jess.
Matt sighed. "I need to tell you something..."
"Becker! You got another package!" cried Connor, carrying it in.
"No!" yelled Matt.
Jess jumped from the ADD and grabbed Becker's arm.
"It's OK, Jess," he said.
Connor handed the box to Becker.
Jess frowned, looking scared as Becker opened the box.
His eyes bugged out. "Oh..."
"What is it? Becker, is it dangerous?" she asked
"Very."
Matt frowned. "It can't be. Let me see..."
"No!" cried Becker, pulling it away. "No one needs to see."
"Becker...you're scaring me."
"Jess, I'm sorry. It's not dangerous, at least not in the traditional sense of danger."
"Becker, what is it?"
"I'll find out, Jess," said Connor, grabbing the box.
"Don't!"
Becker was too slow. Connor opened the box and pulled out a tiny cheetah print bikini.
"Oh my God..." whispered Jess. Her mouth dropped open and she couldn't help glancing to Becker and where...they'd go. She blushed and turned away.
Connor smirked. "There's something else too," said Connor, pulling out a small tin. "Couples Love Wax..."
"That's enough!" cried Matt.
Becker snatched the box away. "I'll say."
"Becker, she's getting worse! First the gifts were innocent but now..."
"I know Jess."
"We have to do something."
"Connor, maybe we can look at footage of the deliveries..." began Becker. "Connor? Where did he go?"
All of the sudden music began to play over one of Jess' monitors. Then the screen turned red with pink hearts floating across.
"She's hacked in?" asked Becker.
Matt shook his head. "This is too much."
"Yeah..." said Jess.
Then the words, "Your admirer will now be revealed" came over the screen.
Jess grabbed Becker's arm.
The images swirled, causing a kaleidoscope affect. Then a tiny, tiny picture appeared. Slowly it got bigger. It was out of focus.
"Becker, you aren't armed, are you?" asked Matt.
The picture got bigger and clearer. A form took shape.
"Here she comes..." said Jess, gripping Becker.
"I see black hair..." said Becker.
"And a creepy smile," said Jess.
"Yeah," said Becker.
"Almost..."
And they watched as the form took the shape of...
End of Chapter Five