1080 Words, this chapter

Chapter Six, Conclusion, Secret Admirer

The shape became clearer and they could see who the admirer was. There was no mistaking. It was...

Connor Temple.

"What?"

"Temple! What the hell?"

Matt slowly backed away.

"Hey," said Connor on screen. He was on some sort of video chat. "Yeah, it's me. It was a joke, man. I kind of got carried away..."

"I'll kill him!"

"I'll help you!" cried Jess.

"I know I should have stopped. Matt said to stop."

They spun around. "You knew?" asked Jess.

Becker took a few steps toward him.

Matt held his hands in front of him. "No. I didn't know his...plan. I knew about the croissants and the mug. I actually got the mug by mail by mistake. I said it was perfect for you, because it was black, but that you would hate the big red heart."

"So I naturally wanted to give it to you," said Connor.

"The stupid secret admirer was his idea. I didn't know about it until after the croissants. We were outside Lester's office when he phoned Jess to get the muffins. I made some stupid joke about if they were for Becker, she wouldn't mind. Next thing I know Connor is running off to the bakery."

"I knew they had strawberry. It is your favorite flavor," said Connor.

Becker growled.

"Then Connor was telling me about how you had a mysterious secret admirer. I didn't know until after he'd left the first two gifts."

"He's right. He's not my accomplice," said Connor. Then he adopted a deep voice and said, "I work alone..."

"You really went crazy, Mate," scolded Matt.

"Did he ever! I was terrified!" screamed Jess.

"I'm really sorry, Jess," said Matt. "I told him to quit after the holster. He promised he would. He didn't."

"I already had the bear and sexy stuff ordered!" cried Connor, still over video chat.

"Again, guys, I'm very sorry," said Matt.

"You could have told us," said Becker.

"You should have," agreed Jess.

"Especially after she got so worried," said Becker. Jess nodded.

"I know, I know," said Matt. "I didn't because, well, Becker's fury is legendary."

"With good reason," spat Becker. "Where are you Temple?"

"Like I'm going to tell you. You look homicidal."

"I am, Temple. I am."

"So am I," said Jess.

"Let's just remember we're all mates, OK?" asked Connor.

"No!" cried Becker and Jess at the same time.

"Connor, you idiot!" cried Abby's voice. Her face appeared behind Connor. "He'll pay for this, I promise," she said. "Just don't kill him, OK?"

"Can't promise that, Abigail."

Several hours later, Connor and Becker shook hands. Abby had brokered the peace: Connor would do 'soldier' duty for a few days. Becker couldn't fight him in hand to hand combat or shoot him but scrubbing the loo, polishing every gun in the ARC and a five mile hike were in Connor's future.

Becker still had murder in his eyes, but the look of relief in Jess' face evaporated most of it. Most.

"So, um...we're good?" asked Connor.

Becker glared. He ignored him and turned to Jess. He spoke a few words and she giggled. Then Becker turned back to Connor. "We'll be taking an early night. Clear it with Lester, huh, Connor?"

"How?"

Jess giggled, grabbing her bag. "You're a genius, think of something." She smiled and left with Becker.

Matt and Abby laughed. "Serves you right, Connor," said Abby.

The next day, Jess was giddy and Becker looked relaxed and happy.

Then Connor came in. "Hey."

"Hi," said Jess.

"You...OK?"

She nodded.

Connor smiled. "How about you, Becker?"

"I'm fine."

Connor smiled again.

"You have a date with the armory in an hour. After a few hours of duty in there, I thought we'd have the first five mile hike," Becker informed him.

"First?"

Jess giggled.

"Yes, Temple."

"Oh, OK, fine," said Temple. He nodded as the rest of the team walked in.

"How is everything?" asked Abby.

"Fine," said Jess. Becker nodded.

"No more...packages?" asked Emily.

Becker glared at Connor. "There better not be."

"Won't be any from me," said Connor. "I swear."

"Good," said Jess.

"Actually," said Connor, "speaking of the gifts, Becker, the gag is over. I need them back."

"You need what back?" asked Becker, gruffly.

"The stuff your 'admirer' sent you. Not the edible things, obviously, let's not get gross, but the other stuff I can return."

Becker smirked. "Don't you know that gifts become the property of the recipient?"

Connor sighed.

"You're out of luck," said Matt, chuckling. "That's what you get for this hare-brained idea."

Jess giggled, sitting at the ADD and drinking tea-in a black mug with a red heart on it.

"Hey!" yelled Connor. "That's..."

"Being used, Connor," replied Becker. "I doubt you can return it now."

"Dude, you gave it to Jess?"

"It was mine to re-gift, Connor."

Jess giggled louder. "He let me have the bear too."

"Becker!"

Abby laughed. "Your joke is backfiring, huh?"

Matt smirked. "Relax, have a cigar."

"Matt, no! They were almost as expensive as the holster!"

"And the only way your getting that back is to pry it off my cold, dead body," said Becker.

Matt laughed, lighting up a cigar. A whiff of smoke drifted across Connor as Emily walked by, already smoking.

"I divided them up," said Becker. "Jess and Abby politely turned them down, but Matt, Emily, some of my lieutenants and Lester were very appreciative."

Connor groaned.

Jess giggled. "Oh, I forgot. I ate the chocolates too."

"I helped," said Abby.

"You guys are horrible," said Connor.

"At least I think it cured you of practical joking," said Abby.

"Where Becker is concerned," said Matt.

Becker smirked proudly.

Connor nodded. "Yeah. I'm reformed."

"Good," said Jess. "You were the horrible one. It was awful what you did."

"Yeah...sorry," said Connor. "Hey. Wait. What about the...underwear and the sexy wax? I can return those."

Becker's eyes got wide. Jess turned pink. They both blushed and turned away.

Matt laughed. "I don't think you can, Connor."

Abby's mouth dropped open and Emily smirked.

"Ew!" cried Connor.

The End