Disclaimer: i do not own primeval or any of its characters, plots, settings etc.
I apologise in advance for any spelling or grammatical errors, my program doesn't have spell check etc on it and i have to reread through my documents and manually check then correct any errors and may have missed some.
Prompt: Jess' day off gets interrupted by an anomally in her apartment. One her way out she saves a baby then gets saved by Becker, this story follows them in the twenty four hours after as they take care of the baby.
Jess Parker wasn't exactly sure how an anomally had opened up in her living room but she sure as hell wasn't sticking around to ask whatever was on the other side any questions. Hitting number one on her speed dial Jess spoke to her replacement coordinator.
"Celia, it's Jess. Have you dispatched anyone out to the anomally yet?"
"Jess, are you hacked into the system again? The anomally has only just shown up. I've called alpha squad and I'm about to notify the core team, Don't worry I've got this handled. Go read a book or watch some telly."
"I can't."
"And why not?"
"Cos the anomally is currently blocking my view of the telly."
"What?! You need to get out of there right now Jess while I call the core team."
"I'm on my way out now, send out an emergency alert message to the core team and let them know where the anomally is. I'm going to help evacuate the building, I'll pull the fire alarm."
"Stay safe Jess, the message has been sent."
"Thanks Celia."
Jess quickly ended the call and ran into the hall just outside her front door. Pulling the lever she sighed with relief as red lights on the ceiling started to flash and an automated voice began telling people to evacuate from speakers situated somewhere down the corridor. Almost immediately everyone came shuffling out of their apartments to see what was going on. Taking one last look inside Jess' eyes widened when the anomally surged. She slammed the door and locked it before running towards everyone with a silent prayer that back up wouldn't be long.
"Everyone out of the building! This is not a drill. We need to evacuate right now!"
People immediately started for the stairwell once they realised the elevators wouldn't work in an evacuation. Jess helped an elderly couple get to the stairwell when she heard an unsettling crash from behind them at the same time her phone buzzed with an incoming call. Keeping her eyes on the empty corridor she told the elderly couple to continue without her, when they objected she reassured them she was going to make sure no one had been left behind. She pulled her phone from her pocket and answered without checking the caller id.
"Jess Parker."
"Jess, Where are you?"
"Becker?"
"Are you out of the building? I'm almost there."
"No, everyone's exiting via the stair well from my floor but I just heard what I'm pretty sure was my front door being knocked down so whatever I locked in there just got out."
"Jess, get out now!"
She took a deep breath. "I need to lock the stairwell door and then I need to see if anyone else is still inside the building on the other floors."
"No, you leave that for the Alpha squad. You hear me? Just get out right now."
She turned to enter the stair well when she heard a thud followed by a small whimper from behind her. "Hold on a second, I think I just heard something." ignoring Beckers frantic speech about just leaving she looked back to see a small child at the corner end of the hallway. "It's okay, it's just a small child, I need to get her and then I'll leave, just hold on a moment."
Watching the corridor with a sharp gaze she quickly approached the young child, frowning when she realised it to be no more than a year old. Picking the teary eyed baby up she made quiet cooing noises to settle the infant before taking a chance to peer around the corner. Her heart pounded in her chest before she quickly retreated backwards as silently as she could. The child had not been left behind as she had first feared, the mother had been killed and the child had crawled away while a large theropod had fed on the body.
Holding the baby tightly to her Jess reached behind her when she felt the stair well door at her back. She turned the handle as the nose of the dinosaur became visible. Feeling the blood drain from her face she quickly pushed the door open behind her and stepped inside as the predator turned the corner. Jess turned the lock quickly but didn't miss the assessing eyes of the large lizard zeroing in on her.
Remembering she still held her phone she quickly put it to her ear as she backed away from the door, never once taking her gaze off of the approaching threat. "Becker, I have the child, an infant. The mother's dead."
"An incursion?"
"A large theropod not dissimilar to a raptor. I think that's what it might be. About fifteen feet long, stands as tall as a full grown man, sharp eyesight long talons on its toes, and a very big set of teeth."
"I've just pulled up Jess, where are you?"
"I'm in the stair well between my floor and the one below. Becker I hope you have a really big gun because I'm not sure how long the door will hold, especially now that it's seen me."
"I want you to keep going down, got that? I'm on my way up."
"I am but it's slow going I'm afraid."
"Why?"
"Well apart from the fact that I'm carrying a small child, I'm walking backwards so I can keep my eyes on the door at all times."
"Brilliant Jess. I can see you now, I'm two floors down."
Jess ended the call took a chancing look behind her. Seeing Becker making his way up she turned her back on the door and started down to him. When there was only a few steps separating them Jess heard the cracking of the door and her eyes widened. Becker surged forward and pulled her behind him. EMD in hand he took a stand watching the stairwell for the predator they could hear just above them. His EMD went forward as his spare hand motioned back so he could feel where she was. Her hand gripped his hard.
"Jess, go now, quickly."
"I-"
"I know you're about to argue but you have that little girl to look after and I want you outside safe, coordinating if you have to. Please Jess."
The shadow on the wall had stretched across the wall now and tears gathered in Jess' eyes. "Please don't make me leave you here to fight that thing alone Becker." She sobbed as quietly as possible.
Sighing as his heart broke for her Becker gave in. "Alright let's just back away down the stairs together then but if it gets too close you run and don't look back okay?"
She started backwards down the stairs, keeping his hand tightly gripped in hers."Okay but it won't come to that."
"This thing can't get outside Jess, you know that. Eventually I'm going to have to stay behind."
"No back up's on the way. They'll take over. You're not even on duty."
He sighed. "There's no such thing as off duty for us, you know that."
"Please, please don't."
"Just keep moving okay."
Her breaths were coming faster now as they neared the bottom floor. The child in Jess' arm tightened her hold on the womans neck and whimpered again as the raptor made a noise from above.
Jess cooed quietly. "Shh, it's okay sweetheart, shh." she whispered as she tried to keep herself calm, though she felt her heart beat increasing at a steady rate.
"Jess I think you should run now, get that baby where it's safe."
"But you-"
"Someone's bound to be looking for her, go get her to the rest of her family Jess, please."
He looked back at her briefly to give her a reassuring smile and almost faltered at the sight of her. Tears running down her pale face as she held the baby to her chest tightly whilst trying to get her rapid breathing under control. She tried to smile back but her bottom lip trembled instead.
"Becker."
"Please Jess, get to where it's safe. I promise I'll come find you when I'm done." he squeezed her hand in an attempt to get her to move back but was surprised when she stepped closer instead.
"Jess?"
She quickly lent up on her tip toes to peck him on the cheek while she squeezed his hand in return before stepping back and turning to leave. It was then that the Arc soldiers burst through the stairwell door at the same time that the raptor came around the corner seeing them all. Alpha team raised their weapons as the raptor reared back. Becker's eyes widened as he realised what was about to happen. Reaching out he grabbed Jess' arm and yanked her to the side as the raptor leapt forward to make a meal out of them.
Jess' back hit the wall knocking the wind out of her lungs as Beckers body held hers to the wall. She noticed how he wrapped his arms around her but was careful not to crush the baby between them. When she opened her eyes the raptor was down and the soldiers were making arrangements to get it back through the anomally while radioing the second unit to come and lock it.
Becker took a step back and looked at her with concern. "Are you alright?"
She nodded as the baby started to fuss. "I'm fine but I think she may need to be checked over."
"Is she injured?"
Jess shook her head. "Not that I can see but I just want to be sure and I want to find her next of kin."
"Of course. Jenson?"
"Sir."
"I want you to handle the anomally and the creature. I'm going to help Miss Parker find a home for the infant."
"Yes sir."
With a nod Becker and Jess left the stairwell and quickly exited the lobby to the crowded car park. First stop was the ambulance that had arrived in case of any injuries thanks to the fire alarm. The infant was checked over and deemed to be in perfect health. Next they walked around the area asking everyone if they knew the child or had any information that would help them. The fact that no one had any information about the child or if she had a father came as no surprise to Jess. The people of the building generally kept to themselves. Preferring to stay absorbed in their own life and spare a cursory hello when meeting one another in the halls.
When everything had been taken care of Becker led Jess to his four wheel drive ute. "Come on we can take the baby for now and get Celia to cross check all of the info we have to try and find out who this little girl is."
She nodded as a frown formed. "We'll need to stop by the shops. She's going to need food, formula, nappies, a car seat, a cot-"
A smile forming he grabbed her shoulders as she rocked the fussy baby. "Okay, okay Jess. We'll get everything she needs, I promise. We'll go get everything right now so she can be changed and fed as soon as possible I'm sure she'll be happier then."
Taking a deep breath she calmed herself slightly. "Yes, yes, you're right and while we do that I'll find somewhere to stay, I'm going to assume my flat is off limits."
"You would assume right but you don't need to find a place to stay."
She rolled her eyes as he opened the passenger door and helped her in. "Becker I can't exactly go to Abby and Connor now that they've finally gotten their own place and I doubt Lester would be very impressed if I brought a baby back to the ARC. Matt already has Emily so that's out of the question-"
"Jessica, you are staying with me."
A blush broke out across her face as the idea took hold. "I am?" she squeaked.
A small smirk appeared as he watched her from the corner of his eye. "Yes, you are. You need help with the baby and my place is big enough for the three of us for a couple of days if need be. Besides there is no need for you to go spending money on a hotel if my flat is empty and available. I have a guest room and a large living area and I have plenty of food that you don't have to pay for. And before you even suggest it, you are not putting me out by any means and I have been around babies before."
She bit her lip seeming to contemplate something for a moment. "You sure I won't be in the way of any plans with girlfriends or boyfriends or wives or-"
His chuckling broke off what he assumed was going to be a long nervous babble. "Jess, there is no one living in my flat but me so no you won't be in the way and you should know how hard it would be to date outside of our job even after convergence it's a nightmare."
"R-right, no plans ruined and no relationships that will possibly become rocky because a woman with a baby is staying with you, got it."
Before long they pulled up outside of a shopping centre. Immediately they silently decided on the supermarket first. The trolley was quickly filled with nappies, wipes, cream, powder, clothing, spoons, bottles, teets, formula, baby food, dummies and many more essentials. Exiting the shop they quickly found a bathroom where Jess changed a now very unhappy baby. Once she was clean they fed her together deciding to try baby food as they had no access to a kitchen for formula to be prepared. Once the baby was more content with a full stomach and a clean nappy they found a department store.
Inside that one store they found all the furniture and extras needed to house a baby. A foldable cot, a car seat, pram, car shade, high chair, stuffed animals and more. With the ute loaded to its maximum capacity they happily set off towards Beckers flat. On the way Becker placed a call to the core team asking for assistance in getting everything inside and set up. Pulling up he found the other four members of their team waiting patiently.
"Thanks for coming guys."
"No problem mate but care to let us in on why you've still got the baby?"
Becker glared at Matt tilting his head to a worried Jess who had picked up the baby as soon as they were stopped. "We can't seem to find who she belongs to. No one we questioned had any information and we're not sure which flat she came from so we can't search it for any evidence of a father or other living family. We have Celia checking the system with all the info to cross reference, hopefully we'll be able to identify the mother and then the child."
"Right, we get that. I even get that Jess won't leave the baby because she feels responsible for her and couldn't give her to social services if she tried. What I don't get is why you just took her baby shopping and are letting her stay with you."
Abby turned to scold her fiance. "Connor! He's being a nice person you idiot! Don't listen to him Becker, what you're doing is lovely and we're here to help out as much as we can."
Becker nodded and directed a glare at Connor.
Jess smiled. "Thank you Abby. At this stage all we really need is help getting all the supplies inside and essentials set up."
So together they worked to not only move all of the newly purchased materials into Beckers flat but also to put everything together. Almost all of it was set up in the living area save for the cot, clothing and changing materials. All of which were put into the spare room after the bed was pushed against the wall. Satisfied with a job well done the girls and Connor fussed and cooed at the baby while Matt and Becker simple wound down after the days events. Before long hours had passed and noticing the tired and fussy infant decided it best to leave their friends to care for their new charge.
When the door closed behind their friends Jess took the baby into the bathroom. "I'm just going to give her a quick wash and then hopefully we can get her fed and settled, it's getting a little late for her."
"I'll make the formula and heat up some pureed vegetables."
"Thank you."
Jess made quick work of the bath, dodging the splashes of water coming at her then made sure the baby was clean and dry before changing her into a polka dot onesie. Becker smiled when he heard Jess giggling and mumbling to herself while the baby made its own nonsense noises. When both emerged from the temporary nursery Becker noticed a slightly disheveled Jess.
"Bath time more challenging than you first assumed?"
Jess giggled. "Yes I forgot how playful they get at this age and I may have had a little trouble remembering how to properly fasten these onesies once they're on."
"I see. Why don't I feed her while you shower and freshen up."
Jess' nose crinkled. "Do I look that bad?"
"You look like you've had a hard day and just bathed a baby. So a little weary and half soaked."
She giggled before her smile dropped. "I forgot to get a change of clothes from my flat before we left. I was so worried about the baby I forgot about getting myself organised."
"It's okay Jess. I have plenty of clothes, you can borrow whatever you need for tonight and we'll put your clothes in the wash then go get a bag for you tomorrow."
She bit her lip. "Really?"
He smiled as he fed a spoonful of sweet corn and pumpkin to the baby. "Really. There are t-shirts in the second drawer of my tall boy sweat pants in the third or boxers in the first next to my socks. There's jackets, jumpers and sweatshirts in the left side of the cupboard hanging up if you're cold."
"If you're sure."
"Jess, I can manage the baby for ten minutes while you shower and clean yourself up."
"I mean are you sure you want someone going through your things?"
He smirked. "I have nothing to hide, besides I trust you. You'll find what you need and that'll be that."
"You know you shouldn't be so trusting Captain, other people might take this chance to snoop."
Becker chuckled. "Considering you're name's not Connor Temple then I think I'm pretty safe, besides if you want to know anything all you have to do is ask. Even if it's not me you're asking."
Clearing her throat Jess ignored the heat in her cheeks and Beckers grin as she made her way to the bathroom. "I'll, um, I won't be long."
The amusement was clear in his voice as he responded. "Take your time. Fresh towels in the vanity cabinet beneath the sink."
While Jess tried to think clearly about the fact that she was using the same shampoo and soap as Becker, the man in question was feeding a very fussy child. While she enjoyed the hot water Becker struggled to feed a baby that wanted to play games. Eventually the baby turned away the food so Becker wiped her face and picked her up before feeding her the bottle he had prepared.
When Jess returned to the living area she had to bite her lip to stop the giggle from escaping. In the middle of the living room stood the ARC's head of security covered in pumpkin and sweet corn nursing a baby with a bottle. The sight was so rare and peaceful, so unlike the Becker she knew, that it warmed her heart causing a small ache. When Becker looked up he gave her a crooked smile.
"Hey." he whispered.
"Hey." she whispered back.
"I see you found something to wear."
She blushed and looked at her feet. "Yeah, thank you it'll be a lot easier to sleep in a sweatshirt and pants than it would be in a mini skirt and large buttoned shirt."
"I'll take your word for it."
"Did you want me to take over so you can get cleaned up too?"
He sighed through a small smile. "I look that bad huh?"
"Well, no, I mean, not bad just um, you've got puree all over you and I'm not really sure how that happened considering you were feeding the baby not the other way around."
He grimaced for a second. "Yeah turns out she likes to play with her food, a lot."
She giggled and approached him. "Come on hand her over and go wash that stuff out of your hair before it dries properly or you'll never get it out."
He sighed and handed over the baby then the bottle. "Okay I'll be back soon."
The baby continued to feed for a few more minutes before she decided she wasn't hungry any more. Getting her to burp was no problem but getting her settled enough to fall asleep was proving difficult. She was tired, no doubt about it, but she was fighting. Jess rocked and swayed as she slowly moved around the room and had resorted to quietly humming when Becker came back into the room. Stopping in the doorway he watched as Jess continued to soothe the baby, unaware of his presence.
His breath caught in his throat at the intimate scene and for a moment it felt like he was watching her with their own child instead of someone else's. She looked so natural and at home barefoot in his living room, wearing his clothes while she swayed and hummed. Deciding that not making his presence known could be both weird and possibly shocking for her he made a noise as he stepped further into the room.
"Any luck?" he murmured as he reached her side.
"Almost, she's fighting me but she's close I can tell."
"I'll go put the night light on and pull back the bedding for her."
"Thank you I'll be in there soon."
By the time he had moved all the stuffed animals to a corner of the room, fixed the bedding so she could be tucked in, started the soft background music to soothe her and turned on the night light he could hear Jess coming up the hall. He turned just in time to see her enter with a soundly sleeping baby. He stepped aside as she approached the cot and carefully placed the baby inside without too much jostling. She tucked the baby in but then just seemed to stare at her. Placing a hand on her shoulder Becker pulled her gently to his side then tilted his head to indicate they talk outside of the room. Nodding she let herself be pulled out of the room but stopped Becker as he attempted to close over the door.
"Leave it open, please?"
"Whatever you want Jess."
"Thank you."
He led her to the couch where he sat her down then joined her at a respectable distance. Turning to face her he levelled her with his assessing gaze. "How are you holding up?"
She shrugged. "I'm fine."
"Jess, you had an anomally open in your lounge room, rescued a baby, saw a body and almost got eaten by a raptor today then took said baby home to a flat you've never been to before."
"It's been a long day."
"Jess."
"I think I'm still running on adrenaline but I'm going to run out soon." to prove her point she held up her hand so he could see her shaking hand.
"Do you want a cup of tea?"
She shook her head. "No I just need to let my body come down from the high."
"Let me know what you need and you'll have it."
She pulled her feet up beneath her as she lent over slightly, resting her head on his shoulder. "Right now I think I just want to sit here like this for a while."
Lifting his arm Becker moved it around her shoulders so she could rest more comfortably against him. He tried not to react when she snuggled into his side, knowing she was finally crashing from the lack of adrenaline and seeking his warmth. It took two minutes for the tears to start falling. Becker merely wrapped his other arm around her and held her tighter and when the tears stopped and her breathing evened out he continued to hold her. When he knew she was definitely asleep he picked her up and silently carried her down to his room. He carefully set her down in the bed before checking on the baby. Returning for a pillow he noticed she was awake and watching him.
"Hey, I just came to get a pillow."
In response she pulled back the blankets on the side of the bed she wasn't occupying. When he didn't immediately move toward the bed she sighed. "I don't want to put you out of your own bed and to be honest I'm not entirely sure if I want to be alone right now."
"Jess."
"Please? I just need a little reassurance that I'm not alone in that corridor any more."
Sighing Becker nodded. "Okay let me just get the receiver for the baby monitor from the lounge so we can hear if the baby wakes up."
He quickly retrieved the small device before returning to the bedroom and slipping in beside Jess. He made himself comfortable and waited for her to move but was mildly surprised when she didn't attempt to touch him to seek comfort.
"Goodnight Becker."
"Goodnight Jess." he relaxed his body and regulated his breathing while he waited. It wasn't long before he felt her hand hesitantly reach for his. He squeezed once to let her know he was there and everything was okay. "Get some rest."
She hummed in agreement as she turned towards him on her side seeming to finally relax from the feel of her hand in his. In minutes she was sound asleep beside him and he could finally relax. It killed him to see her so upset. He wanted to do something, anything for her, to stop her from hurting. Sighing he resigned himself to merely being there for her when she needed him and closed his eyes.
The night was long and filled with nightmares. If it wasn't Jess waking up in a panic it was the baby waking up with loud wailing. Becker found himself getting up almost every hour. Not that he minded both the baby and Jess had been through a lot in the last twelve hours, he was only happy to hold her as she cried or get up to the baby though that was never alone. Whenever the baby woke Jess did too. He tried to get her to stay in bed and get more sleep but she was adamant that the baby was her responsibility.
As the sun rose Becker took the baby from Jess and put her back in the cot before leading Jess back to the bedroom. She wearily climbed in to her side and waited for him to join her before she mentally said screw it and cuddled up to his side. Without a moments hesitation he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her hair. She sighed and drifted back to sleep. Becker joining her soon after.
When Connor and Abby used the spare key to come in the next morning it was so quiet they were worried. Quickly they checked the guest room and found the baby tossing in her sleep, next they went to Beckers room since the lounge room was empty. When they reached the bedroom doorway they both stopped at the sight of their friends cuddling so closely together. They shared a look before retreating to the nursery to grab the waking baby before she woke the soundly sleeping adults. Quietly they took her to the living area to look after her until her guardians woke up.
Four hours later Jess stirred within the comfort of Beckers arms. When she slowly opened her eyes she realised they were still cuddling and sighed in contentment. In response his arms tightened around her. She lifted her head to see Becker watching her with concern.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" he murmured.
"Better."
A small smile graced his face as he reached forward and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Good. Why don't we go check the baby before we start some coffee and breakfast."
She smiled. "Sounds great." Awkwardly they separated and went straight to the nursery. When it was found empty Jess panicked. "Becker where is she?!"
He held her tightly kissing her forehead. "I'm sure she's around here somewhere, We'll find her Jess, I promise."
Quickly they went to the living area and stopped in the doorway. Abby and Connor waved from the floor where they were playing with the baby but frowned when they saw tears in Jess' eyes.
"Jess what's wrong?"
"The nursery was empty."
Abby gasped. "Oh Jess, I'm sorry. We didn't mean to scare you. We came by and thought we would take care of her so you guys could get some rest."
Becker held her to him with an arm around her shoulder. "It's okay guys we appreciate it but um maybe a note next time or rouse us and tell us."
Connor tapped his chin. "That would have made sense."
Becker rolled his eyes and broke away from Jess when his phone rang. He took the phone out into the hall to take the call but was gone for no longer than five minutes before he came back in with a grin on his face. He crossed to Jess excitedly and took her hands.
"They found her dad! He was on a business trip and he's on his way back as we speak."
Jess squealed with delight and threw herself at Becker to hug him fiercely. "Did they tell you her name?"
"Her name is Piper Augusten. Eight months old."
"Oh Becker I'm so happy! She has a home!"
After a few moments Connor cleared his throat and Jess and Becker broke away quickly. "So little Piper gets to go home today but what are you gonna do with all this baby stuff?"
Jess' eyes widened. "Um I guess I could sell it or give it to charity."
Connor smirked. "You could always keep it for when you have kids of your own."
Jess gasped as her cheeks turned red. "Connor! That's years away!"
"Temple, leave her alone, you're embarrassing her. You do what you want with it Jess, technically it's all yours anyway."
"Maybe Mr Augusten could use some new baby stuff."
Becker smiled. "I think that's a great idea."
Something must have clicked as Abby grinned. "Jess, where are your clothes?"
"In all the commotion I forgot to pack myself a bag or get anything to sleep in so Becker kindly let me borrow some of his clothes."
Abby and Connor shared a smirk. "That was very nice of you Becker."
"I would do it for any one of you Abigail."
"Uhuh, okay."
Blushing furiously Jess turned around and headed for the bathroom. "Um, I'm gonna go put my clothes back on and then go get a bag from my flat."
Becker glared at his friends when Jess left the room. "Cut it out, she's had enough to deal with the last twenty four hours without you two embarrassing her. I only gave her something to sleep in so she would be comfortable."
Abby's smirk widened. "Jeez you're grumpy first thing in the morning, maybe you should just get on with it and tell Jess how you feel so you guys can be all love sick and adorable already. I'm getting tired of waiting Becker and so is she."
Becker fought the blush as he scowled at Abby. "Abigail."
"She's right mate, you could cut the tension between you two with a knife."
"Connor-"
Before he could continue Jess entered the room still blushing madly. "Okay I need to get some clothes from my place. Becker, could I possibly borrow your car?" Becker looked at her blankly. Rolling her eyes Jess explained. "I want to take Piper with me."
Beckers facial features softened immensely. "Jess, I can watch her if you wanted to go on your own."
She shook her head. "I feel like I shouldn't let her out of my sight so that her dad knows we did a good job you know?"
Becker smiled. "Yeah, that's why I'm coming too."
She blinked twice in confusion before understanding struck. "You think we'll get in trouble if you're not there to watch over us."
He looked away guiltily. "No."
She grinned as she approached him slowly. "Becker, I'm not going to fall down a rabbit hole if you leave me alone for ten minutes."
One eyebrow arched. "I'm not so sure about that."
She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Ha ha very funny. Fine, go get the nappy bag and put a few essentials in there."
"We're only going to get you a bag of clothes Jess."
"And if she does a massive poo while we're doing that then we can deal with it can't we?"
Sighing he nodded before retreating to the nursery. "Yes, ma'am."
Half an hour later they were finally getting in the car to head to Jess' flat. After triple checking they had everything and making sure Piper was fastened into the car seat Jess let Becker pull out of his parking space. The drive was filled with a comfortable silence only broken by Pipers happy babbling from the back seat. When they arrived at her flat Jess unfastened Piper and carried her while Becker walked beside her. They took the elevator up and braced themselves for the ding to tell them they had arrived on her floor.
Exiting the elevator they walked down the hall past numerous soldiers to her apartment. Nodding to them Becker let Jess into the apartment first. She quickly skirted past the anomally toward her bedroom handing the baby to Becker as they moved.
"Take her a moment would you? I need to gather some of my things."
"Of course Jess take all the time you need. I'll keep Piper amused, we can go get all of the soldiers wrapped around your little finger hmm?" he turned from her to head back to the entrance of the apartment so that the soldiers could meet the baby.
When she emerged not twenty minutes later she couldn't help but let out a giggle at the sight of five of Englands toughest soldiers playing with a baby. Becker looked up guiltily and smirked. "Okay guys shows over looks like Jess is ready to leave so we're going to have to take off, you guys need to get back to work anyway."
The soldiers nodded before returning to their posts albeit a little reluctantly. Jess and Becker quickly returned to Beckers flat so Jess could change clothes and pack all of the baby's things together. They used the morning to spend as much time with Piper as they could before the inevitable happened and she was taken home. Around midday a knock at the door signified the arrival of Pipers father.
Roger Augusten was a tall man with blond hair and somber grey eyes. He looked dishevelled as he saw them before tears appeared in his eyes When Jess brought forward his daughter.
"Piper! Oh thank goodness!" Rushing forward he took the now giggling baby from her charge and held her close. "Thank you, thank you so much."
Jess wiped her eyes as she responded. "It was nothing. I'm so sorry about your wife, I wish I had been faster."
Roger shook his head. "I will grieve her but I can't tell you how happy I am to not have to grieve my daughter as well as my wife. I can't thank you enough for saving my baby girl."
"No thanks necessary, Mr Augusten but I would like to ask you something."
"Anything."
"Would you be in need of the furniture and necessities we've purchased? Neither of us have children and we thought you may like to have something new but understand if you don't want them. We would like you to take the food and clothes even the toys but if you don't take the furniture we need to find somewhere for it to go."
"Thank you but I can't throw away my wife's furniture it meant too much to her."
"That's fine I'm sure there's a shelter somewhere near here that's in need of new furniture. Please come and sit if you have time I'm sure you have questions about your daughter in the last twenty four hours. I trust our boss has filled you in on the specifics of the incident."
"A cup of coffee would be wonderful, I haven't slept since yesterday when I heard on the news about the incident. They said an animal escaped from the wildlife park and your boss gave me the details."
"Of course please sit with Jess and I'll make some coffee for all of us." Becker disappeared into the kitchen for a minute to make the coffee while Jess gave a play by play of how she had rescued Piper. When Becker returned they all sat together and spoke about the events after the incident and the night they had experienced. Before they knew it over an hour had passed and both Roger and his daughter looked like they needed a nap.
"You must be exhausted please don't let us keep you Mr Augusten."
The older man smiled at Becker but nodded. "Call me Roger, but you're right I am exhausted and Piper could probably use a nap soon anyway. Again thank you both so much for everything."
"Of course, the bags are by the door when you're ready."
Roger nodded and picked up his daughter. Becker and Jess each picked up a bag and followed Roger down to his car before depositing them in the boot for him while he put the baby in the car seat. They said their goodbyes and watched as Roger Augusten drove away with his child to grieve his wife in private. When the car turned the corner Becker led them back up to his flat.
"Do you want me to put all the furniture in the car? Jess?" When she didn't respond he turned to her and pulled her close when he saw the tears she was shedding. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"I just realised she going to grow up without a mum."
He rubbed her back soothingly as she cried into his shoulder. "She'll be okay. I bet she has aunty's and grandmothers and cousins who will look after her. Plus her dad seems like a good guy."
She nodded into his shirt as she started to calm down. "I, I should find somewhere to stay until the anomally closes."
Becker rolled his eyes. "Jess, I already told you, you're staying here."
"But that was when we had a baby, I mean, you know what I mean."
Suppressing the smirk barely he pulled back to look her in the eyes. "Jess, you can stay as long as you need to. I'm not going to kick you out."
"Are you sure? I could always call Abby and Connor see if they would lend me their couch for a while."
"Jessica I have a perfectly good guest room that you can sleep in or take my room and I'll have the guest room, I don't care but I have plenty of room. Please don't feel like you need to leave. Just stay, I want you to stay."
She smiled bashfully. "Okay, um maybe we should get the baby stuff in the car and I'll research any nearby shelters for mothers."
"You sure you want to donate them?"
Jess nodded. "Yes, I don't need them and someone there will. I'll feel better than selling them and I definitely don't need to keep them. Could you imagine what my parents would say if they visited and found all this stuff in my guest room? They would have a heart attack."
Becker smiled. "You are brilliant."
She blushed and giggled quietly. "So I've been told."
He chuckled as he stepped back. "Okay I'll start putting these things in the truck, you find a shelter."
"Aye Aye Captain." she grinned. Becker rolled his eyes as he went to the guest room to get the cot.
Two hours later they left a homeless mothers shelter feeling like they had made a difference. They immediately headed to the ARC to check in with Lester. Walking the halls they found the rest of the team waiting for them outside Lesters office. After giving their report everyone stood silently for a moment before Abby turned to Jess.
"How are you doing Jess?"
"Me? I'm fine."
"You had a basically sleepless night after a hellish day and you just gave away a baby."
"Abby she wasn't mine to give away."
"No but it must have thrown you for a loop to one minute be entrusted with a baby's care and the next to give her up. You must be exhausted."
Jess smiled tiredly. "I'm fine, nothing a good nights sleep can't fix. Besides Becker had as much sleep as I did maybe less so I'm sure he's feeling a little weary as well."
Becker shook his head. "You're emotionally and physically drained Jess, I'm fine I've had worse but you're not used to this kind of stress on your body. Why don't I take you home and you can get some rest."
"I was under the impression that Miss Parkers flat was currently off limits."
"She's staying with me until she can go back to her own apartment." Everyone stared at them and Becker scowled. "I have a guest room."
Lester nodded as everyone else tried to hide their snickers and chuckles. Becker rolled his eyes. "If any one needs us just call us. Come on Jess, let's go."
Jess nodded and followed Becker all the while wishing her fierce blush would settle and fade. By the time they reached Becker's flat Jess felt her eye lids drooping every so often.
"You're tired you should have a nap when we get up to the flat."
"Hmm, maybe but first I need food. I'm starving."
"How about we cook up something simple and veg out on the couch for the afternoon?"
"Sounds amazing but I'm warning you I may fall asleep on you."
"Wouldn't be the first time."
"Becker!"
He chuckled. "Sorry."
She pouted before breaking out into a grin. "No you're not."
He grinned back. "Guilty." his grin dropped as Abby's words from earlier came to mind. "Jess."
"Is something wrong? Do you want me to leave?"
"No! No, I don't want you to leave." he took a deep breath. "I think that might actually be a problem though."
Jess frowned. "I don't follow."
"I don't want you to leave at all."
She blushed. "You don't?"
"No, I like having you here with me. Love it." when she still looked confused he groaned to himself and sighed heavily before fully turning in his seat and taking her hands. "Jess, seeing you in that stairwell scared me half to death but no way near as much as the thoughts I had when I saw you soothing Piper in my living room last night, or when we fell into bed together before dawn this morning. God Jess, I was struck so hard with want, the want for you and I..."
She gaped at him. "Becker? what exactly are you saying?"
"To put it simply, I like you and I want to cuddle you next to me at night and I want you wearing my clothes in my flat. I want-"
He was cut off by Jess leaning over and pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "I can't tell you how long I've wanted to hear that and I have an idea where you were going but let's take it a day at a time yeah?"
He grinned. "Yeah, I'd love that. Why don't we head on up? Have something to eat and chill out."
After a quick meal of toasted sandwiches they settled comfortably along the couch. Half way through a movie Jess had chosen to watch Jess scooted closer until they were cuddled together comfortably and by the end of the movie Jess was sound asleep against him. He wasn't going to complain however because he was sleeping just as soundly next to her with a small smile adorning his face.