Disclaimer: As always the usual disclaimer, I do not own the TV show Primeval or its characters.

Chapter Summary: Monday has arrived and Becker's not sure how to act around Jess, he needs to work out what to do and quickly, as they'll be spending a lot of time together as they help plan the wedding.

Chapter Length: 1197

Author's Note: So I had wanted to get this chapter up on Monday, but annoyingly work got in the way—they decided I needed to work 25 hours this week, instead of my normal 15—that combined with everything else meant I had like no time to write. But I'm going to try and make sure that doesn't happen again. I'm going to try to get a chapter up every Monday, unless I finish it before hand, in which case you'll get it earlier.

Thank you again to everyone who's reviewed and/or followed this story, you guys keep me writing it and I love you all. And now enjoy the chapter X

Open Mic Nights

Chapter 4 – Monday Morning

Becker arrived at the ARC at 8:30 Monday morning—like he did everyday—and headed to his office in the armoury. Walking past the operations room Becker saw Jess sitting in her chair at the ADD, but instead of going over like he would normally, he continued on in the direction he had started. He didn't think he could face her—or Matt and Connor for that matter—not after how he kept staring at her. He didn't know what had come over him. She had looked so different to how she looked at work. She was just as beautiful, but it was a different kind of beauty, one that demanded your attention. Then when she sang, he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

When did I start thinking about Jess this much? How did this young woman get through to me? Well, it doesn't matter when this started or how she got through, this stops now. I can't risk a relationship, not with what I do. Plus she deserves someone who can love her properly, someone who isn't as damaged... But that doesn't mean I have to avoid her completely, she was my friend before all this, there's no reason she can't continue to be.

With that he resolved to go see her later in the day, so she didn't think he was avoiding her.

When Becker got to his office he found Connor standing by the desk, waiting for him. Groaning internally, he braced himself for the torment that was sure to come.

"You're here early."

"Yeah, we had to drive Jess in and you know how she likes to get in early."

"Why? Is she okay?" Becker asked, trying not to cringe at the concern in his voice.

"Yeah she's fine, just had to take her car in for a service." Connor replied, smirking.

Ignoring the look on Connor's face, and the slight blush creeping up his neck, Becker tried to change the subject.

"Was there something you needed?"

"I came down here to tell you Abby and I have started making wedding plans."

Becker raised an eyebrow, wondering why Connor felt the need to share this information with him.

"Turns out planning a wedding's harder than we thought, all we decided on was the wedding party, and…well…I was wondering if you'd be my best man."

Becker didn't know what to say, he hadn't expected to be a part of the wedding. Though thinking about it he shouldn't have been so surprised, none of them had many friends outside the ARC. With the secretive nature of their job, plus the possibility of being called off at any moment, it was hard to keep up relationships with anyone who didn't understand the job. As a result it made them all band together. If he was being honest with himself, Connor was probably the closest thing to a best friend Becker had. Not that he'd tell him that any time soon.

"Look I just thought, since I don't have any brothers, and the teams been through so much together and I've known you the longest. Plus you're probably the closest thing to a best mate I have, but if you're not comfortable…"

"Why does everyone assume if I'm quite it means I'm trying to think of a way to get out of what they've just asked me to do?" Becker exclaimed, thinking back to last Friday when Jess had done the same thing.

"Maybe it's because you generally avoid anything that involves interacting with people. So you'll do it?"

"Of course. I consider you and Abby both good friends, I'd be happy to do this for you."

"Thanks mate. But so you know, we both really have no idea what we're doing, so you're going to be spending a lot of time with us—as well as the maid of honour—trying to get this thing going."

"I figured as much. Who's the maid of honour?"

"Jess," Connor called over his shoulder as he left the office.

Becker spent the morning working on the stack of paperwork he had accumulated over the past week. It was tedious work, but unfortunately it had to be done. At midday, he decided enough was enough and that it was as good a time as any for him to take his lunch break.

In the breakroom Becker found Jess curled up on one of the couches, picking at a salad and reading a magazine. Placing his container of left over pasta in the microwave, Becker turned to Jess.

"Hey Jess."

"Hi."

A silence fell over the two of them as Becker's food continued heating. Neither of them knew how to act after last Friday. This is stupid; I want our friendship to continue so I should just act how I would any other day. Taking the container out of the microwave, Becker sat on the couch next to Jess, who put her magazine aside.

"How was your weekend?"

"It could have been worse, all things considered. I woke up feeling horrid on Saturday. I spent most of the weekend watching movies; in between talking wedding plans with Abby and Connor."

"Did you get much done?"

"They only chose their wedding party. We tried to decide on other details, but Connor kept complaining that it was unfair with me and Abby against him, and insisted we wait until he had 'back up.'" Jess rolled her eyes at how ridiculous Connor had been.

"Looks like planning this wedding's going to be harder than dealing with some of the creatures."

Jess laughed.

"I'll try to keep Connor in line from now on." Becker said with a fake serious look on his face, making Jess laugh again. I will never get tired of hearing that laugh.

"I'm guessing Connor spoke to you then."

"Yep."

"And you're going to do it?"

"Of course, they're two of my closest friends. Why does everyone seemed surprised that I'd agree to this."

"I'm not surprised, I knew you would. You'd do anything for them."

And for you, I'd go to the ends of the earth for you. Becker almost said this out loud, but managed to hold his tongue.

"I'm just sorry he didn't ask me sooner, I could have spared you all of his whining."

"Oh it wasn't so bad; at least it kept Abby from bugging me about her theory."

"What theory?"

"She has this theory that every song I sing has some deeper meaning behind it. I mean, yeah, my mood will affect my song choice; and when I lost my grandmother every song I sung for a month was about loss. But that doesn't mean I pick a song because it has some deep meaning behind it."

"I'm just surprised you're an ABBA fan."

"Hey, ABBA is awesome. I've been obsessed with them ever since I saw Mamma Mia. And hey, you recognised the song that must mean you're a pretty big fan as well."

"Ah, yes…well." Becker stuttered as a faint blush crept up his neck, causing Jess to laugh.

They spent the rest of their lunch break chatting and enjoying each other's company. Any awkwardness caused by last Friday, melted away.