New story, set after New Dawn - hope you enjoy :) xx

"Shut up!" Jess squeals, as they walk to the car park, "I can't believe you guys are getting married! This is so great!"

"Thanks Jess," Abby grins, sliding her arm round Connor's waist.

"Yeah, congrats guys," Becker says, ruffling Connor's hair and pretending to wipe away a tear, "I can't believe you guys are so grown up."

"Thanks, man," Connor laughs, sticking his tongue out.

"Right, we'll see you tomorrow," Jess beams, "Have a good evening." The newly-engaged couple wave goodbye and hurry to their car, leaving Becker and Jess alone.

"How are you getting home tonight?" Jess asks, "After Matt drove your truck into the anomaly?"

"I'm not," Becker replies, "The power is out in my block – I can't even get into my flat. I was gonna check into a B&B."

"No," Jess says firmly, "No, I won't hear of it. I've got plenty of room at mine; you're coming back with me."

"Jess," he says gratefully, "Thank you."

She drives him home, babbling about Connor and Abby, and Matt and Emily. He sits quietly, listening to everything she says and responding appropriately, but he's deep in thought. When she finally draws breath, he says, "Jess. You were brilliant today."

"So were you," she says graciously, "That was a tough one, huh?"

"Yes, it was," he agrees, "But you handled it so well."

"When the feed cut out…" she says, unable to finish a sentence, "When you weren't responding…When Lester got attacked…I thought I…I felt like I wouldn't make it through the day."

"Not many of us could have survived a predator attack with only one bullet," Becker says, a grudging respect colouring his voice, "But I promise you won't ever have to do that again. I'll make sure there is always someone in the ARC to protect you…and Lester."

"Today was special circumstances, Becker," she replies, "It couldn't be helped. There were too many anomalies, too many teams needed."

"And you managed to keep track of each and every one," he says, "I'm very proud of you."

"Thank you," she says, pulling into her usual parking spot, "Come on up."

He follows her upstairs, into her light and airy flat. "This place is lovely," he says, "So…you."

"Thank you," she says cautiously, "I think."

"No, it's a good thing, really," he says, breaking into a smile, "It's colourful and bright and all things good."

She flushes scarlet and hurries over to the kitchen, playing her answer machine. She has six messages, from her brother and her sister-in-law. "Did your parents not call?" he asks quietly and immediately notes the tension in her shoulders.

"It would be very impressive if they had," she replies, trying to force a smile, "They died in a car accident when I was 13."

"Oh, Jess," Becker replies, "I'm so sorry."

"It's ok," she smiles, "It was a long time ago, and I know they'd be proud of me if they were here today. Plus, my brother is there for me. Now, do you need to call your family, to let them know you're ok?"

"My mum and dad won't care," he says, "They're used to me being in danger."

"Doesn't mean they don't need reassurance," she says firmly, "You should call them."

"No, I should call my sister," he says, "She's probably worried sick. Do you mind?"

"Not at all," she replies, beaming, "I'll make up your room."

Half an hour later, Becker returns from the balcony and finds Jess cross-legged on the sofa. She's changed into a pair of leggings and a bright green jumper, with black wedge boots. "I think I'm going to go and get a take-away," she says quietly, "Can I get you anything?"

"I'll come with," he says warmly, "Just give me two minutes."

He hurries into his room, pulls on a jumper and some jeans and re-joins Jess on the sofa. "What do you feel like?" she asks, "Pizza or Chinese?"

"Pizza," he says instantly and she raises an eyebrow. "Sorry," he apologises, "Guilty pleasure."

She laughs, her eyes lighting up and she teases, "Captain, I thought you had more self-control than that. Come on then, let's go get a pizza."

In the car, he asks, "Are you not exhausted?"

She hesitates for a full minute before replying, "I…After especially hard days…Do you remember the school anomaly?" He nods cautiously and she continues, "I didn't sleep that night, after I saw that girl die. After traumatic days, I have trouble sleeping. I have nightmares. Since this is the hardest day I've had since I joined the ARC, I seriously doubt I'll sleep much tonight."

"Oh, Jess," he says, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," she replies, brushing it off, "It's just…I know I'm ok, but my brain thinks I'm at risk. I don't feel safe."

"I'm here with you tonight," he says calmly, "You'll be perfectly safe."

"Yeah," she says thoughtfully, "Who knows, maybe it'll help."

They pick up a pizza and drive back to her apartment. "Choose a movie, if you like," she grins, "I'm just gonna get some plates."

"Nah, we don't need a movie," he smiles, "We can talk."

She shrugs, and collapses on the sofa next to him. For a while they are silent and then she asks, "So why is pizza your guilty pleasure?"

"I need to stay fit," he begins, and she grins, eyeing him approvingly. He laughs, clicking his fingers in front of her face and teasing, "My eyes are up here, Jessica. Anyway, pizza is the worst thing to eat if you're trying to stay in shape, so it's a treat."

"You must be so disciplined," she says, admiration colouring her voice, "I think this is the first day I've ever gone without eating chocolate."

"Your guilty pleasure then," he laughs, but she shakes her head.

"No, chocolate isn't my guilty pleasure," she says cryptically.

"So what is it?" he asks, and his eyebrows shoot up as she flushes scarlet.

"I believe that is a secret for another night," she sighs, "For now, we'll stick with chocolate."

"Oh, I'm gonna get that out of you," he says seriously, leaning closer to her, but she pulls away.

"Do you want something to drink?" she asks and he nods. She produces a bottle of wine, which she steadily drinks her way through for the rest of the evening. By eleven o'clock, she is almost incoherent, and she curls into his side.

"So Jessica," he says, feeling slightly guilty for taking advantage of her, "What is your guilty pleasure?"

"My guilty pleasure?" she repeats almost incomprehensibly, "You have lovely hair." He smiles, kissing her forehead and she hugs him tightly. She stays clinging on for a few minutes, and when he looks down at her, she's fallen asleep, snoring gently. He beams, leaning back on her sofa, trying to get comfortable. As he drifts off to sleep, his last thought is that he is way too comfortable with Jess in his arms.