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Title: A Little More than TLC
Characters: Jess Parker, Hilary Becker
Fandom: Primeval
Series:
Written For: illfindmyway
Prompt: Jess & Becker
Summary: Becker realized what he could have lost and decided to do something about it, but it’s not as easy as he thought it would be.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: 504
Warnings: Becker is protective, Becker is a mother hen, Jess is injured off-screen
Disclaimer: No one recognizable belongs to me, not making any money off this.
Author's Note: illfindmyway has been talking about Becker and Jess. And I decided I wanted to write something for her. So this… So happy to have it done for her. :-)


”I have to go do…security things.”

Becker stopped about halfway down the hall from the lead-lined room, turning to bang his head gently against the wall. “Why the bloody hell did I say that?” he muttered. “Security things?” He hit his head again. “Such a bloody fool.”

“Captain Becker?”

At the sound of his name, Becker straightened up, turning to face the men that were headed towards him. “Sir,” the one in front said. “Where do you want us to start?”

“Let’s do a sweep and make sure it’s secure. Get teams in here to get things up and running,” Becker ordered. “And get a med team in here. We’ve got injured.”

For the next several hours Becker found himself running from one end of the ARC to the other—not for his life—but as he tried to be everywhere at once to oversee the clean-up. It wasn’t his job to do it, but his need to protect everyone keep him running long after his adrenaline ran out.

He was helping one of the men move some cabinetry back into position when Lester found him. “What the devil are you still doing here?” Lester demanded. “Go home, man! You’ve done enough for today!”

“I still have…” Becker started to protest.

Lester waved it off. “Go. Home.” He frowned. “You do have a home, right? You don’t just live here, do you?”

“Yes, Lester, I have a flat.” Becker looked around as he tried to see what else needed to be done.

“Then go.” Lester shooed him away. “I promise we won’t fall apart without you.”

“The others?” Becker asked.

“Connor and Abby and that dratted lizard have gone. Matt took Emily home and you can draw your own conclusions there. The medics took Jess to hospital, but she should have been released by now.”

“Good. Then I…”

“There’s nothing for you to do, Becker.” Lester glared at him. “Go. Home. I’m not going to tell you again.”

“I’m just going to…”

“Look. I know you need to have everyone safe but you did train your men and frankly you look like you’re going to fall over. That won’t set a very good example.”

“Fine.” Becker set down the crowbar he’d been using and stalked off.

“Good man,” Lester told the group that was now staring at him. “Stubborn as all git, but good man.” He glared at them when they continued to stare. “Well? Get back to work!”

The men quickly scurried to comply as Lester clasped his hands behind his back and strolled away.



Becker made his way decisively up to the landing where Jess’s flat was and then stalled. Raising his hand, he started to knock, then dropped his hand; staring at the door. A minute later, he raised his hand again, resting it against the door. Leaning forward, he set his forehead against the door. Straightening up, he knocked firmly before he could rethink it.

Jess flung the door open, a look of startlement on her face. “Becker.”

“I have prawn crisps.” Becker held up the box. “Or chicken soup. I wasn’t sure if you’d feel up to Chinese.”

“You brought me prawn crisps?” she questioned.

“If you want them,” he said. He waited a minute, but she didn’t move. “May I come in?”

“Oh.” She stepped back. “Yes. Of course.”

Becker followed her into the flat, looking around automatically. She had a nice open floor plan—even if it was cluttered with furniture and collectibles. “You must be glad to have Abby and Connor gone,” he commented.

“I was sad to see them go,” Jess replied. She pointed towards the counter. “You can put the food there. I’ll get plates.”

“It’s fine. I just wanted to make sure you had something to eat.”

“Don’t be silly.” Jess grinned. “That’s far more than I could eat in a week. Stay for dinner.”

“If it’s not too much trouble…”

“Absolutely not. I told you, I liked having Abby and Connor here. I have a huge family and sometimes this place is too quiet with just me.”

“Is that why you handle all of us so well?” Becker asked with a smile.

“I do not!”

“You do better with the military men than some officers I know. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” He looked at her empty hands. “I thought you were getting us plates.”

“Oh!” She jumped a little. “Right. And something to drink? I don’t have beer or anything stronger. But I can put the kettle on.”

“Soda is fine, Jess. Or juice. Or water. Whatever you’re having.”

“I’ve got Vimto,” she offered from where she’d stuck her head in the fridge.

“That’s good. Come sit and let me do it. You almost died today.”

She glared at him, but did as he instructed; seemingly taking delight in ordering him around. Becker was good-natured about it, setting up the plates and food so they could eat at the bar.

Jess allowed Becker to assist her onto one of the stools; reaching for a container once she was settled. “So what made you bring me food?”

“Well, you were kind enough to bring me dinner when I was on stake-out,” he reminded her.

She ducked her head. “I don’t know. That was probably inappropriate of me.”

“But very nice. I would have been stuck eating a brick they claim is food if you hadn’t.”

“It was the least I could do when you were stuck watching for that awful man.”

“And I appreciated it.”

Jess ducked her head again, concentrating on the food for a few minutes. Becker watched her, his own food almost forgotten as he waited for her to look back up at him. She glanced up after a little while, then blushed. “Why are you staring at me?”

“Is there something wrong with me looking at you?”

“I’m not much to look at,” she confessed.

“There is nothing wrong with the way you look,” he said firmly. “And whoever told you that… I’m authorized to carry deadly and non-deadly weapons. And I know from experience the EMDs hurt like a…” he paused. “They hurt.”

She giggled as she realized he’d changed his words at the last moment. “I have heard you swear before you know.”

Becker shook his head. “It’s still not right. And there’s no reason for you to hear it from me.”

“Aw you’re sweet.” Jess reached across the bar and squeezed his hand. “Thank you for bringing me dinner.”

“I’m just glad you’re all right,” he said, turning his hand over to hold hers.

“I’m sure you have… You have other things to do though.” She slipped off the stool, coming around to the side Becker was on. “I can take care of everything. Clean up at least a little bit. And do the rest tomorrow.”

Becker reached for his plate. “I don’t mind cleaning up for you. You had a rough day.”

“You’ve done more than enough for me,” Jess responded. She leaned forward, intending to kiss him on the cheek in thanks for what he’d done.

Becker’s first reaction when Jess leaned towards him was to pull away like he always did. Then he realized, as much as he didn’t want to take advantage of her, this might be a chance to see if she responded to him. As she bridged the gap between them, he turned his head so her lips landed not on his cheek, but on his lips.

Jess jumped as Becker’s lips pressed against hers. She pulled away, looking at Becker with wide eyes. “What? Why did you do that?” she asked him.

“I wanted to,” he replied quietly. “But I won’t ever do it again if you’d rather I not.”

“Are you daft?” she demanded. “I think you’re the only one who doesn’t know I have a huge crush on you!” She covered her mouth, mumbling, “I didn’t just say that.”

Becker just grinned at her embarrassment, well used to her just blurting things out without thinking about it. Using the hand he was still holding to reel her in closer to him, he said, “You are the most perfect, beautiful, irresistible, gorgeous, infuriating, nerve-wracking, brilliant,” he punctuated each adjective with another kiss, smiling as she blushed. “Do I need to keep going? Intelligent, lovely woman. I’ll keep thinking of more if you want,” he assured her. “I have ever met. Intimidating,” he added.

“I am not intimidating!” she yelped.

“Yes, you really are,” he told her. “Why do you think I’ve never done this before now?”

“Then why today?” she asked.

He ran a gentle finger down her cheek. “I almost lost you today.”

“But you saved me,” Jess argued. “I know you’ll always do everything you can for me.”

“I can’t lose you. Not after everything,” he confessed. “Please. Don’t do that to me again. You aren’t supposed to be the one in danger.”

She grabbed the front of his shirt, surprising herself with her daring. “Now you know how I feel every time you go out.”

“It’s my job, Jess,” he tried to argue.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t worry.” She rested her forehead against his chest. “Doesn’t mean I don’t worry. Every. Single. Time.”

Becker wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as she all but collapsed against him. “You hide it so well, Jessy. You’re so strong and in control for us. Now. You’ve had a rough day. And…”

“Will you stay?” she blurted out.

“Ah, Jess…”

“Just to sleep. I just. I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and find out this is all a dream,” she told him.

“It’s not a dream.” He brushed her hair back from her face, pressing a kiss to her forehead before tilting her head up and coaxing her mouth open with his own. He held her face gently, stroking his fingers across her skin as he relished finally getting to touch her. Pulling away, he said softly, “I have a kit in my car. Are you going to think I’m vanishing if I go get it?”

“No. I.” She frowned at him. “You think I’m being very needy, don’t you?”

“Not at all. Are you okay with me going out to the car?”

“Yes. I think I’ll be all right. I’ll um…” She waved at the counter. “I’ll tidy up.”

“Not too much,” he cautioned. “I don’t want you overdoing.”

“Is this how you’re going to be? Now that we’re… whatever we are.”

“No. Of course not,” he hastened to reassure her. “But you were injured today and you need to rest.”

She crossed her arms, glaring at him. “I am not a fragile flower, Hilary Becker.”

He grinned at her. “I’m well aware of that, but nearly dying and taking a rest doesn’t make you a fragile flower. Now I’ll be back in a minute.”

Jess watched Becker leave before turning her attention to the leftovers. She smiled a little at the container of chicken noodle soup before closing everything up and hastily putting them in the fridge. Putting the plates and silverware in the sink, she ran some water over them, and deemed it well enough for the night.

Going into her bedroom, she debated for a few minutes before grabbing a clean t-shirt and a pair of cotton pajama pants. She didn’t want Becker to think she was trying to seduce him, even if under less trying circumstances she wouldn’t mind. Changing quickly, she was turning down the covers when Becker entered the room. “You really shouldn’t leave your door unlocked,” he commented.

“I don’t normally. But I knew you’d be right back.” She pointed towards a door. “Loo’s through there.”

“Thanks. I locked up. You’re secure for the night.” Dropping his bag on the floor, he snugged an arm around her waist and dropped a kiss on her lips before heading into the bathroom with his clothes.

She touched a finger to her lips, glancing at the loo door, before deciding she didn’t want to be standing awkwardly next to the bed when he came back out. Much sooner than she anticipated, Becker was back in her bedroom and looking down at her. “Are you sure about this?” he questioned.

Jess restrained herself from rolling her eyes, but just barely. “Yes. I’m sure. Do you really think I’d ask if I wasn’t?”

“I just don’t want to push you into something,” he started.

“Hil,” she said. “I’m a big girl. And I’m capable of deciding what I want.”

Becker smiled, slipping into bed beside her. “I look forward to discovering how much of a big girl you are,” he teased. Gently, he pulled her towards his body until she snuggled down against him. He found a lock of her hair, twisting it around his finger. “Go to sleep, Jessy. I’ve got you.”

“G’night, Hil,” she murmured drowsily. “Thank you.”

He kissed the top of her head, smiling at how quickly she was drifting off. “Good night, Jessy. Sleep well.”
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