Title: Boundaries
Author: TalliW
Characters: Jess/Lester
Rating: T
Wordcount: 3357
Disclaimer: Primeval is the property of Impossible Pictures. I write just for fun.
Acknowledgments: Thanks to Fredbassett for beta-reading.
Summary: Jess has a crush on Lester. Or is more behind her feelings?
AN: Inspired by the team fest prompt: Jess struggled to her need for daddy figure in check (jooles34)
Jess' cheeks tinged pink as the sound of a discreet cough snapped her out of her reverie. Nonchalantly, she turned her eyes back to the screens, trying to appear as if she hadn't been caught staring. As though everything was normal.
Normal, right. As if it was normal for her to get turned on by watching James Lester verbally ripping Becker to pieces. She should have got angry on Becker's behalf. It was unfair to chew him out for something he'd had no control over. Everyone knew that wild animals were unpredictable and dangerous, whether they came from the Cretaceous or from the twenty-first century. Without Becker's quick thinking more than just a garden pavilion and some royal flower beds would have been destroyed.
But here she sat and lusted over her dour boss, who was more than double her age. Her cousin, a future psychologist would have a field day with her father complex.
Jess gave herself a mental shake and tried to see things rationally. She had got the hots for Lester. So what? That didn't mean anything. She had fallen for lots of other men before. Authoritarian men all of them. Always older. Boys of her own age had never held much attraction for her.
On closer examination even Becker fitted into that pattern although he was only seven years her senior and not really so authoritarian once you've got to know him. Maybe that was the reason her interest had shifted to Lester. Lester exuded such an air of authority that it was no wonder she had developed a crush on him.
Fortunately her crushes had never lasted long and she hadn't ever felt inclined to act on them, quite happy to fawn over those men from afar. She just had to keep out of Lester's hair until her infatuation was over and everything would be well.
Satisfied with her analysis, Jess followed Lester with her eyes as he made his steady way up the ramp. No, she wouldn't zoom the camera in on him or watch him in his office. Absolutely not! The man had a right to privacy.
On the other hand it was part of her job to keep an eye on everything. Lester might be in trouble. Maybe he had a drug problem or someone had replaced him with a clone and only close observation would unveil that.
Mentally cringing about the absurdity of her excuse, Jess switched to the camera in Lester's office.
Lester had shed his suit jacket and was now displaying a pair of bright red braces over his blue shirt. Jess admired the efficiency with which he attacked the stack of folders in his in-tray, reducing it to a manageable height within quarter of an hour. She always had found competence attractive.
Without conscious thought, Jess zoomed in on Lester's face, a face that showed the first signs of aging. But for her it was more beautiful than the smooth face of the boys she had dated.
Currently Lester was skipping over Connor's latest report. Jess could see Lester's frustration in the way he was furrowing his brow and squinting his eyes as he tried to make sense of Connor's technical jargon.
Suddenly Lester looked up, straight at the ceiling light with the hidden camera as if he sensed that she was watching him.
Startled, Jess pressed the wrong key on the keyboard and a piercingly loud 'Beep' emanated from the computer, alarming Matt and Becker.
"Nothing wrong. Just mistyped," she declared as she hastily switched to another camera. The monitor that had shown Lester was now presenting a view at the entrance to the menagerie. It remained that way for the rest of the day.
With a sigh, Jess sat down at her terminal and took a bar of chocolate out of her bag. She hadn't slept well and so had decided to go to work earlier, to give Abby and Connor some alone time. However the fact that the streets had been mostly traffic-free should have given her a clue as to how early in the morning it actually was. Now she would have to kill at least another two hours until the rest of the team showed up.
Jess looked at the time on the computer screen as she had been doing almost every five minutes for the last half hour. She was sick of system checks and playing solitaire. At one point she had gone down to the menagerie to visit Rex and the diictodons but the animals had still been asleep. And her attempt to draw the guards on sentry duty into a conversation had been met with stoic indifference. Small talk just didn't seem to be the forte of military men.
For a moment Jess considered using the opportunity to burn a few calories in the gym then decided that she didn't need to lose weight. Since she had worked at the ARC she had fallen back to the habit of skipping regular meals and it was starting to show. As much she loved shopping she just couldn't afford to get a complete new outfit.
Jess was on her third chocolate bar when she noticed the movement on the screen still showing the entrance to the menagerie. A familiar shadow was moving purposefully towards the mammoth’s holding pen, a small bag in his left hand.
Intrigued, Jess adjusted the cameras to get a closer look at what Lester was doing in Monty's enclosure.
She was met with the sight of Lester feeding and petting the Columbian mammoth as if they were old friends. Of course she had read the reports about the death of the Future Predator that Oliver Leek had set on Lester. The mammoth had literally saved Lester's hide. Still she was surprised that Lester had maintained the contact with the prehistoric creature.
A warm feeling blossomed in Jess' chest as she watched Lester mumbling gentle words to the large animal.
Jess was still smiling like a loon when the rest of the team arrived at the ARC.
After the fourth week had gone by, without any sign of her crush on Lester abating, Jess realised she might be in trouble. There was just something in Lester's personality that touched a chord in her so primal she dared not examine it.
Every morning she hurried to the ARC at an ungodly hour just to see Lester petting the mammoth. One of her screens was now permanently set to Lester's office and her heart did somersaults every time she saw Lester take off his suit jacket.
Although Lester had noted her strange behaviour he hadn't said anything yet, but she had received the occasional odd look if he caught her ogling him.
The rest of the team was busy with their own problems so no one registered that her performance had slipped a wee bit.
With a sniff, Jess watched how Becker was hauled through the swinging doors by Matt and Abby. All three had suffered injuries, mostly minor scratch wounds and bruises. Becker however had a large gash running across his shoulder, oozing bright red blood through the hastily-applied bandage.
She watched the medical team tending to her friends and resisted the urge to run after them to reassure herself that Becker would be well. She had no right to be there. Overall it was her fault that they had been injured. She had been distracted by Lester's argument with Burton and had warned them too late. The creatures had been upon them within seconds. It was only testament to Becker's shooting skills that the team had managed to get out of the cellar alive.
A fresh wave of tears threatened to spill forth and Jess took a shuttering breath to hold them back. She would have to bear the consequences of her mistake with grace and not make an utter fool of herself by bawling like a little girl.
She risked a brief glance up to railing, where Lester had observed the team's arrival with a stony expression. But Lester had already returned to his desk. What must he think of her after she'd shown such incompetence? He was the person she had wanted to impress the most. Instead she had let him down. She had let them all down.
The afternoon was passing in uncomfortable silence. Becker was still in the infirmary. Matt had vanished somewhere in the depths of the ARC and Abby and Connor had retreated into their respective offices.
Jess nervousness mounted with every minute Lester hadn't called her in to read her the riot act.
Despite her raising apprehension Jess went about her job with her old professional attitude. The camera in Lester's office was turned off and she had stopped trying to catch a glimpse of Lester when he walked along the railing to the other offices.
Evening came and Jess was still sitting at her terminal, waiting for Lester's decision as to what would happen with her.
By now she had given up hope that he would let her get away with a reprimand. He was probably just waiting for the staff to leave to avoid creating a scene when he sacked her.
The bottom of her stomach seemed to drop out from under her at the thought of losing everything that meant anything to her. The job, her friends and Lester.
Would she be able to return to her previous life and mundane job after working for such an exciting project? Jess suspected she wouldn't cope as well as Jenny Lewis had done.
Another half an hour ticked by without Lester calling her. Jess just wanted it to be over.
She waited until the last of the staff had left the building before she walked up to Lester's office, determined to make it easy on him and just quit before being fired.
When she entered his office without knocking, Lester was sitting at his desk with an expression of utter helplessness. Jess just wanted to hug him and make him feel better.
Before she could stop herself she moved behind the desk and pressed a kiss to the worry line on his forehead that she was responsible for.
Lester stared at her in shock, from the look of it not really understanding what was happening.
"Hush! It's all right, James. I'm a big girl. I know what I'm doing."
With a boldness Jess hadn't known she possessed, she loosened Lester's tie and opened the first buttons of his shirt.
Lester made a noise of protest but shut up as Jess started kneading his genitals through the fabric of his trousers.
"Jessica," Lester gasped out in pleasure, sending a wave of arousal through Jess' veins at the way he said her full first name.
To have the power to make a man like Lester lose control was a heady feeling, one that she wanted to experience again.
Without hesitation Jess straddled Lester's thighs, slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him frantically, using both tongue and teeth as she bucked and ground her hips against the bulge of his erection.
Suddenly she felt Lester pushing her away rather that drawing her close.
"Jess! No! Not here!" Lester panted as Jess had to give up his lips to draw a lungful
of much needed air.
Jess cast a quick look around the office and understood Lester's concerns. The staff had gone but the ARC was never really empty. She certainly didn't want a soldier walking in on her first time with Lester.
"Where then?"
"Somewhere with a bed."
"Bunk room?"
"My flat."
They made it to the underground garage without a major problem before Lester lost his cool and dropped the key.
Jess quickly picked the car key up and opened the door of the driver's seat.
"I drive," she announced and climbed in.
Lester accepted it with remarkable ease. He even let her choose the radio station on the drive even though he probably hated the music they were playing.
Encouraged by Lester's compliance Jess found it easy to take charge.
Jess and Lester stumbled into the bedroom, all over each other.
Lester's jacket and shirt had already gone in the corridor and Jess had lost her blouse somewhere on the way as well.
In the lift it had seemed as if Lester was going to balk so Jess hadn't taken any chances and had gone for skin the moment they had entered his flat. Now she was pushing him onto the bed and started to divest him of the rest of his clothes...
With the feeling of being watched, Jess opened her eyes to stare straight into Lester's guarded face.
"Good morning," she said with forced cheerfulness, hoping Lester would respond in kind. She hated those awkward morning afters.
For some reason she had expected it to be different with Lester. But judging by Lester's expression he seemed to have all sorts of doubts and questions about the previous night.
Lester raised his eyebrow and regarded her with amazed fascination. "I'm surprised you are still here," he said quietly. "I wouldn't have held it against you if you had bolted out of the bed the moment you'd woken up."
"Why should I do that?" Jess asked in sleepy confusion.
"I have a mirror, Jess."
"That means what?"
"I have neither Becker's boyish looks nor Connor's infectious enthusiasm."
"I never fancied Connor."
Lester chuckled softly. "I don't hear you deny your affection for our dear captain."
"Well, I'm here and not with Becker," Jess said with slight irritation. Why did Lester have to make this so difficult?
"That leads me to the question of why you are in my bed and not in Becker's."
Jess groaned silently. Lester just couldn't let it rest.
"I like Becker. As a friend. The time I fancied him is long over."
Lester's seemed to be satisfied with her answer so Jess was shocked as he softly declared, "Last night shouldn't have happened."
Jess heart thudded painfully in her chest. Had Lester's words of affection last night only been a lie? Had she been deceiving herself in believing Lester might have developed feelings for her in return?
"I understand," she said toneless and prepared to stand up.
"I don't think you do. I mean this complicates things. Relationships between superiors and subordinates are frowned on."
"Well, then it's good that I'm no longer employed at the ARC."
"Why would you think that?"
"I screwed up royally. I didn't pay attention and let the team down. People got hurt because me."
Jess hated how whiny her voice sounded as she listed her mistakes. She just wanted to be held and find comfort in the safety of Lester's arms.
"Is that why you came onto me last night? Because you thought I was going to fire you?"
In a way that had been exactly why she had started it. It had given her the courage to act on her feelings. But knowing Lester, he would most certainly take it the wrong way.
"I'm not in the habit of sleeping with my bosses to gain favours," Jess said sharply.
"Good, because I don't intend to dole out favours, no matter our private involvement."
"But I'm not fired?"
“If I’d fired everyone who had made a mistake, the ARC would be a very empty place. Besides you weren't the only one responsible for that disaster. Abby was sidetracked by her worries about Connor. Matt had his thoughts elsewhere as well and Connor didn't show up at all. Luckily for all of us at least Becker did his job. Can I assume that was a one-off slip and you will perform your job with enthusiasm, attention to detail, care and reliability again?"
"Considering that I now have a lover who will kick my arse if I don't do my job satisfactorily I think that's a given." Jess answered with a smile.
"Jess, be very sure about us. It won't be easy."
"I think no relationship is," Jess shrugged and gave finally into the impulse to snuggle up to Lester.
"'I'm not an easy man to live with. I'm snarky and I work long hours. All my previous relationships have failed. And no matter how professionally we might behave at work, people will talk. You would be better off with another man, someone closer to your age."
Jess had heard the hidden question in Lester's words, which subtly asked 'Am I really worth the trouble?' Just like everyone else, Lester had his own demons. She would have to be painfully honest if she wanted their relationship to work.
Gently drawing circles on his hip Jess told him, "Actually your age and your personality are part of your appeal."
"Why is that? You certainly might do better than an old bureaucrat."
Jess fidgeted under Lester's piercing look. The true was so embarrassing.
"Tell me!" Lester prodded, his hand carding through Jess hair in a soothing way.
"I'm a modern woman. I enjoy being in charge. But sometimes... I want to be given directions... from a lover I can trust enough to give up control."
Jess had doubts that she had explained it at all well but she wouldn’t be able to express her needs any other way.
"Then we should put up some basic rules," Lester said, showing that he had understood her perfectly. "No games without a safe word. I think the word broccoli would work just fine. And there won't be anything involved that might cause serious damage."
"Agreed."
"I won't go to clubs or discos with you. And most certainly will not accompany you on shopping trips."
"No problem. Clubs and shopping is more fun with the girls anyway."
"At work I expect the respect my position deserves. You won't ask for a pay rise or extra time off. I also demand you refrain yourself from overly intimate gestures or calling me pet names."
"Of course."
"Last one: You won't expect gifts or flowers from me. Or get mad at me if I forget your birthday. I'm awful at picking presents."
Jess furrowed her brows at Lester's last rule. "Uhm, can we negotiate about this one? I don't want anything expensive. Really not. But you could buy me flowers and chocolate. Lots of chocolate."
"I won't play your sugar daddy."
"Of course not, sweetie," Jess said with a disarming smile, then cracked up and giggled at the pained expression on Lester's face.
Three minutes later Jess found herself flat on her back with Lester looming over her, her arms bound and held over her head by the silken tie he had worn the day before.
"Tell me, how good are you in following directions, Jessica?" Lester asked with a velvety-soft voice that raised goosebumps all over Jess' body and made her nipples come to almost painful points.
Not waiting for an answer he slammed his mouth down on hers, taking Jess breath away with the erotic savagery of his kiss.
The gentle man from last night who had given up control to her so freely was gone. Now she was facing the dominant part of Lester's personality who demanded absolute submission.
"Oh, Jessica, I'm going to do things to you that a good girl definitely shouldn’t let a man do to her," Lester purred, his fingers digging hard into her hips, leaving bruises on her tender flesh.
When Lester forced her legs apart and plunged in deep, Jess smiled in excitement, knowing she had finally found what she had been looking for.
Epilogue
Obediently Jess knelt on the floor, her mouth opened wide on order of her master.
With a single stroke the thick cock invaded her throat and was pushed to the back, testing her gag reflex as her lover found release.
Jess swallowed it all, her eyes shining in love for the man who hadn't been afraid to accept the darker side of her psyche and who loved powerplays just as much as she did.
Over the years she and Lester had tried out many things that bordered on dangerous, but their safe word had never once been used.