Title: Christmas Crackers
Author: DrawnToDarkness
Rating: T
Pairing: Jess/Becker (with hints of Abby/Connor, Matt/Emily in various stories)
Summary: The first of six stories written as part of a Christmas challenge to myself, answering requests/prompts. Each chapter is a new story, dedicated to the person who requested it.
Author's Note: My plan was to post one of these a day in the run up to Christmas Day - unfortunately, a lousy case of the flu has put me behind on posting (and behind on writing Milestones II, but thankfully these stories are already written.) Anyway, here's the first two stories.

For Finchozombie – it may be a little bit different to what you were expecting (I started it originally from Becker's POV, then had to abandon it because it wasn't flowing right and start again from Jess's POV.) Anyway, I hope you're happy with the end result!

As soon as the call came over the comms, she immediately saw all of the plans they'd made for Christmas go up in imaginary smoke.

There'd be no cuddling on the sofa in front of the TV on Christmas Eve after they got home from work, no eating too much at his parent's house for dinner before joining the rest of the team for festive drinks on Christmas Day, no lazy day in bed on Boxing Day… Well, maybe they'd still be able to salvage their Boxing Day plans – lazing around in bed was something the medics would probably recommend, wasn't it?

As disappointed as she was, though, the overriding emotion she felt as the conversation continued was relief.

Relief that, given time, he would be okay.

This was to be their first Christmas together as an established couple – last Christmas, she told herself, didn't count even though they had technically been together at that time. They'd had a few dates and shared some very sweet kisses and exchanged Christmas presents but this year was the first they would share as a couple, living together.

Still, there was always next year, she told herself firmly as she left the hub and started to make her way to the medical bay to meet the team as they arrived.

As long as he was okay, they'd always have next year to make everything perfect.

She heard him before she saw him and quickened her pace at the frantic tone of his voice.

"It's okay, Mate, Jess is on her way." Matt, sounding more amused than alarmed, looked up when she pushed open the doors. "See? Told you," he added with a smirk. "She just can't stay away."

"What's going on?" Crossing the room as quickly as the three and a half inch heels she was wearing would let her, Jess's eyes widened at the sight of Becker struggling with both the team leader and two medics.

He was covered in dust and debris, the result of the building he'd been standing in falling down around him after the dinosaur he'd been up against – a Stegosaurus – accidentally knocked down one of the weight bearing columns keeping the ceiling up. There was blood streaming from an open wound on one side of his temple, his brown eyes were wide and agitated, his face pale and left arm hanging at a very awkward angle and still he was managing to put up a damn good fight against the people doing their best to try and treat his injuries.

"Jess." Her name was a hoarse cry. "Need to see her, need to…"

Hating the pain in his voice, Jess hurried towards him. "I'm here, Becker." He didn't stop struggling until she took Matt's place and fastened her hand around his in a tight grip. "Look at me, Hil. I'm right here. It's okay now. You have to sit still and let the medics look at you, okay?"

He shook his head. "No, gotta tell you. Gotta say…" His voice trailed off, beads of sweat breaking out across his brow as he tried to get his left arm to cooperate.

"He's been like this since we got him out," Matt informed her, shaking his head. "It's probably the concussion."

Her concern growing, Jess bit her lip as she looked at her boyfriend. "Becker. Becker, stop. You'll only hurt yourself more."

"Gotta get…" He winced as he jerked his obviously broken arm and fixed pain-dazed eyes onto her. "Right top pocket. Have to…"

At an encouraging nod from Matt, who seemed to be trying and failing to hide a knowing grin, Jess followed his instructions and reached into the top right hand pocket of Becker's Tac Vest. She didn't feel anything at first, then something brushed against her fingers and she managed to hook whatever it was over the tip of one finger and pull it out.

Once it was free, she set the item on the palm of her hand, her brow furrowing as she stared at in incomprehension.

The gold band of the ring glinted. The single solitaire diamond caught the fluorescent lights of the medical bay and sparkled, almost winked, up at her.

Her mouth went dry, her eyes wide as she looked from the ring to the man who'd stopped struggling and was now staring at her with such intensity that it took her breath away. "Hil…"

"Was going to ask tonight." His smile was small, apologetic. The look on his eyes was dulled a little by the pain he was obviously experiencing but his gaze never wavered. "Marry me?"

"Really?" It wasn't the yes or no answer typically given by a potential bride-to-be but it was enough make a grin spread across his face and those of their audience and a blush colour Jess's formerly pale cheeks. "I mean, yes! Of course! Like I'd say anything else."

"Well, technically, you did say 'really' first," Matt pointed out with a wide grin.

"Matt." Jess threw him a quick glare. "Shut up or I'll shoot you."

"Yes, Ma'am." Still, the grin only grew wider. "She wasn't like this before you started dating, you know," he said in an aside to Becker, winking when Jess only rolled her eyes.

Turning back to her boyfriend – her fiancé, her mind corrected with a girlish squeal she was glad no one could hear – Jess carefully took the ring from her palm and gave it to him, careful to pass it to his right hand. "Aren't you supposed to put it on me?"

Grinning and looking a little dazed, though she thought that was more likely caused by the concussion than anything else, Becker slid the ring onto her finger, his gaze locked with hers the entire time.

Leaning forward, she kissed him softly, keeping it quick. She smiled at the almost downcast expression on his face when she pulled back and rolled her eyes. "Later, when you're not bleeding or about to pass out from having a broken arm."

Reassured, Becker let the medics ease him back against the pillows and sat patiently while they started to do their jobs. He closed his eyes but kept his grip on Jess's hand as they worked, a small smile still lingering on his lips even as they poked and prodded at his injuries.

Jess looked down at the ring on her finger, the smile on her face impossible to get rid of. It might not be the way they'd planned to spend their Christmas Eve, with him being treated in the med bay and her holding vigil at his side but she was content to count her blessings and be happy with the way it was.

Merry Christmas! x