Aleska walks into the Comms Room, sees Stone is advantageously positioned at the window that would have given him a clear view of her and Nancy indulgently burning tyres like drag racing enthusiasts.

Trouble!

'You inciting my soldiers to misappropriate military assets?'

'I --- it --- won't happen again,' Aleska looks away, knowing the allegation was warranted.

Stone holds his breath. He marvels at her selflessness. She could have defensively taken credit for not only tutoring Nancy, but empowering her sufficiently to perform stunts not easy to execute. It's why his heart does acrobatics every time he lays his eyes on her. She possesses every character trait that a dictionary will qualify as virtuous. He needs to re-focus.

'McDouall thinks he's ready to attempt some physical exercise in small measures.'

Aleska notes his sudden change of topic. She goes with the flow. 'Good,' she nods. 'The quicker he starts, the easier it will be. The nerve endings will be quite sensitive, so you must go easy on him,'

'He wants --- you to assist with his physiotherapy.'

'What!'

Stone smiles, walks towards her. 'Seems like he's finally come around,' he stands behind her, drapes his arms around her waist. 'I knew he would, eventually,' Stones presses his lips to the base of her neck.

Aleska steps away. She is prepared to lose all inhibitions in bed with him, but when on duty, she is off limits, especially when his sensuous touch pools fervent desire between her legs. She mumbles something and escapes out of the Comms Room.

She goes in search of Scott, finds him in the inventory room with Captain Jane Nicol, their Communication Head and Second Lieutenant Luke Barry who is in charge of supplies. They all stare at her in surprise. She has never previously entered the inventory room.

'Captain Scott,' she addresses him and the other two discreetly depart.

'Ooh you have it bad,' Scott grins.

'What!'

'Withdrawal symptoms,' he chuckles. 'I can recognize it a mile away.'

Aleska swallows uncomfortably. Is it that obvious, that she is lusting for sex with Stone?

'Come take your pick,' Scott grins and opens one of the cupboards to reveal the large stock of chocolates.

Aleska stares wide-eyed. He has like a candy store supply of chocolate bars.
So Scott thinks I'm craving chocolate!
She supposes chocolate is the next best thing to sex. She grabs two protein bars and rips open the wrapper of one of them. Scott shakes his head and laughs.

'Simon's going into Manaus to replenish our supplies,' Scott says. 'Is there something you wish to put on the list?'

'We need more medical supplies,' she slips the empty wrapper in her pocket and opens the second chocolate bar. And I want some rope and ---.'

'No Major,' Scott sighs. 'You! --- Don't you want anything?'

'Me?' She was not offered such luxuries in the Russian Army. Clearly these ones were spoilt and over indulged.

'What's your favourite comfort food?' Scott grins.

She used to love bliny with strawberries ... but that was a lifetime ago.

'There must be some home food you crave, Major,' he winks.

'Bliny--- but never mind,' Aleska walks away leaving Scott standing there confused.

Scott scratches his head then goes to check on Stone's requirements.

'We're ready to take off to Manaus, Colonel.'

Stone gives him a list of electronic items that he requires.

'What is "bliny" Colonel?'

Stone wrinkles his nose. 'A Russian version of pancakes or crepes made with sour cream and either strawberries or blueberries. Why?'

'I asked Major Maric what her favourite comfort food was. She said "bliny" but then told me not to worry about it.'

Stone inhales slowly. He remembers when they were on duty together in Serbia, on one cold, rainy day, Aleska had told him of how the weather reminded her of when she was a little girl and of her mum making hot delicious bliny for her.

'I'm sure Simon will know the ingredients required,' Stone removes a few notes from his wallet. 'Have him prepare some for Major Maric.'

'We have enough cash, Colonel.'

Stone would love to take Aleska on a romantic date, but the circumstances do not permit. 'No, use this,' he states, placing the money into Scott's hand.

'We're off duty,' Stone whispers in Aleska's ear.

They are in the Comms Room, watching coded satellite images sent to them of Nazario's movements for the last seventy two hours. She looks up, sees the suggestive glint in his eyes. Aleska's eyes shifts to Jane Nichol, their Comms Operator. She is focused on her screens. Her attention is not on Stone and Aleska.

'We are not going to be doing ---what I suspect you want to do,' Aleska replies softly. She stands up, shuts down her monitor.'

He has been counting the minutes till he can have her in his arms again. 'But --- we have four hours!' Stone protests.

'It's the middle of the day. We're not having sex,' she murmurs and walks out.

'Captain Jane, we're signing of,' Stone announces and hastily follows Aleska. Jane merely nods acknowledgement.

'So what we going to do then?' Stone questions, trying to conceal his disillusionment.

'Nothing else your one track mind can think of,' her eyebrows pop up questioningly.

He rakes his fingers through his hair. His eyes narrow, a scowl fills his face. Aleska shrugs hers indifferently and continues walking.

'We can --- watch a movie, if you like,' he offers grudgingly.

Aleska laughs. 'You have a cinema that I don't know of?'

'I have a few movies on my laptop,' he rasps, 'or I could download anything you specifically prefer.'

'Really?' She stops walking and stares into his face enthusiastically.

'Do you have any Bradley Cooper movies?'

A look of annoyance and disbelief etches on Stone's face. 'I asked your preference of a movie, not of any actors!'

Aleska is loving the controlled irritation on Stone's face and decides to add fuel to the fire. 'But Bradley Cooper is so sexy and I especially liked Silver Linings Playbook. Can we watch that?' She folds her arms, her eyes lock with his challengingly. She has watched that movie about five times, but Stone does not need to know it.

'It will take me about five minutes to download,' he mumbles, tugging her by the elbow to his quarters. 'Popcorn while we're waiting?' He scoffs. He opens a cabinet and holds up two packs for her to choose from.

Wow, these British soldiers are spoilt with luxuries!

She walks up to him. Wraps her arms around his neck, and brushes her lips to his. 'You choose,' she whispers, 'seeing I chose the movie.'

'I choose we make love,' he pins her to his body, holding her tightly at the waist.

'I meant the popcorn,' she pushes him away.

The download is complete. Aleska sets it up and Stone joins her with the pack of popcorn and two cans of soda. She may deprive him of sex for now, but he ain't sitting at arm's length. Stone drapes his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to his chest. Aleska smiles. His arm is comfortable and so is his sturdy chest.

'You have to watch this part!' Aleska starts laughing, before the scene plays out.

'You've watched this movie already!' He leans forward accusingly.

Oops busted!

'Maybe,' Aleska shoves some popcorn into her mouth.

'I take it Bradley Cooper is the attraction and not the movie!'

'Be quiet!' Her eyes are glued to his laptop.

Stone sits through the movie, making his disinterest obvious. His hand slides down through her shirt. She slaps his hand away.

'Look Stone. This is where Pat --- that is Bradley is going ---.'

'If you utter another word Aleska, I'm going to kiss you,' Stone threatens.

'Spoilt sport,' she heeds his threat and continues to watch silently.

They were almost three quarters of the way into the movie, when Captain Jane comes to Stone's quarters.  Jane stares wide-eyed at her Commanding officer's arm around the Major. She seems to have forgotten her reason for being there. Aleska presses pause on the laptop.

'Yes Captain Jane?' Stone questions, his arm still on Aleska's shoulder. Neither was Aleska showing any concern that Jane was witnessing their cosy situation.

'I --- um --- Colonel, Head Quarters say they have called your mobile four times, and that you are not responding.'

Stone stands up quickly. He had put it on silent when he wrongly presumed he will be spending his time off duty making love to Aleska. He later placed his cell on the counter next to where the microwave stood.

'Thank you Captain. I'll call London,' he addresses Jane dismissively.

'Yes sir,' Jane nods and hurries out.

'Let me hear what HQ wants,' Stone leans over from behind Aleska, pressing a kiss on her throat. She leans back, lifts her arms around his neck and reaches for his mouth.

'You didn't want to kiss me earlier,' he groans against her lips.

'We were watching the movie,' she murmurs against his lips.

'Damn that!' he hops over, lifts her onto his lap and claims her mouth.

'Stone --- you're supposed to make a phone call.'

He pulls away, grumbling under his breath and marches to where his mobile is. 'Where you going?' he demands seeing Aleska leaving.

'Make your call. I'll come back,' she leaves, to allow him privacy.

When Aleska steps out of Stone's tent, she sees some of the others playing some kind of game with a ball. She cannot determine what kind of game it is, as they are kicking the ball and throwing it to each other as well. She decides to join them. They quickly explain the rules to her. Aleska decides the girls will verse the boys. Very swiftly she gets the hang of it and her team get the better of their male counterparts.

Are you sure you've never played before?' Scott questions Aleska suspiciously.
She laughs, shaking her head in response.

'How can you win if you've never played the game before?' Simon demands advancing towards Aleska threateningly.

She laughs again, stepping backwards away from Simon. 'War--- sport--- the strategy is the same,' Aleska shrugs.

'Don't be a sore loser,' Nancy steps between Aleska and Simon, as if Aleska needs protection.

'I bet if we have the Colonel on our side we will run circles around you girls,' Simon brags.

'That will have to wait another day,' Aleska looks at her wristwatch. 'My break is over.'

Aleska was pleased another day was over. She was looking forward to her evening with Stone. No movies or conversation tonight. She wants him. She is hungry for him. Aleska finds him in the Comms Room, with his ---. For some reason she can't refer to Nancy as His Geek Lady' anymore. She has to become Nancy.

Aleska steps in but stands at the entrance. She is directly in Stone's line of vision, but he does not look at her. She folds her arms and remains where she is, but questions him in her mother tongue.

'Are you ignoring me?' Her tone is soft, taunting.

He does not lift his head up, but responds to her question. 'Is there something I can do for you?'

Aleska's eyes narrow.
Is he playing games now?
It is their time off for the next four hours... time that he is wasting!

'Da ...' Yes!

'And that is?' He challenges in Russian, his eyes locking with hers.

Aleska holds his eyes. She refuses to back down. 'YA khochu tebya ... I want you.'

'I need convincing,' Stone challenges.

Aleska stares wide-eyed. What! Is she supposed to make love to him right here on the table in front of Nancy?

'What are you saying?' Aleska responds to his challenge.

'Come here and kiss me.'

Aleska's eyes flick to Nancy. She is curiously staring at the both of them?

'Why are you speaking in Russian?' Nancy enquires curiously.

Aleska smiles at Nancy. 'I'm done speaking,' she lazily strolls up to Stone.

His eyes widen. He did not expect her to take up his challenge. Aleska can see Nancy is staring with her mouth opened. Stone does not bat an eyelid. He is not even breathing as far as Aleska can tell. She is that close to his face.

'You want to impress your subordinates Stone, find yourself another exhibitionist,' Aleska turns away. 'Good night. See you in the morning. She leaves Stone standing there shell shocked and storms out. She would like to spend her time off in his arms, but she will not beg.

She spends that night alone and frustratingly the next as well. She diligently completes her assigned chores. Uses much of her time to help others and in the process draws closer to the rest of the team. Stone's soldiers were finding more and more excuses to engage with her and Aleska was glad it made the time pass quicker.

She keeps a professional distance from Stone, speaking to him only when necessary. Half of her is still annoyed with him, but the other half longs for the passionate intimacy they shared. She missed the connectivity they renewed here in the forest.

Stone was having no picnic either. His temper was flaring all too frequently. He was snarling out instructions more than was necessary. He seemed to literally be on a constant warpath even with his own soldiers.

On odd occasions, he takes Aleska to task for issues outside of her control she quietly bites the bullet and rectifies the situation. But Aleska draws the line, when he is being uncharacteristically obnoxious towards their subordinates and she calls him out. She decides her favourite spot at the river bank would be an idea spot to have it out with her Commanding Officer.

'What's your problem Stone?' She addresses him in English, but her accented tone is laced with irascibility.

'I don't have a problem,' he hisses, avoiding her eyes.

'You're acting like a hormonal teenager!'

He turns his head aside, not bothering to respond.

'We both know you have a problem, Mister Congeniality. So let's hear it!'

He ignores her sarcasm. 'Fine!' He marches up to her face and vents his frustration. 'We're in a relationship, but I feel like your 'spare tyre!'

Aleska looks at him in confusion as she tries to process his accusation.

'"Spare tyre?" as in an accessory of a vehicle, kept just in case it may be needed. So you think you are my ---.'

'Yes, yes you get the terminology!' He answers with a trace of irritation.

She glares at him angrily. 'That may make sense if I am sleeping with somebody else here besides you!'

He looks away as if trying to hide that; that is exactly his suspicion. Aleska is incensed.

'You actually think --- are you accusing me of ---.'

'I don't feel like I mean anything to you,' he shoves his hands into his pockets. She was too damn independent for his liking.

'It does not mean, because we are in a relationship, that I must totally surrender my independence to you!'

His eyes narrow. He steps towards her threateningly. Hah! Like that will intimidate her! She strikes her favourite pose; folding her arms, and raising her eyebrows at him.

'Maybe Aleska, you want to define the parameters to our relationship!'

Does he want her tied to his hip twenty four seven? She searches his face. Her eyes soften. 'Stone ---,' she lifts one palm, cups his face. 'I am seeing you exclusively --- only you. Where is this insecurity coming from?'

He growls loudly, grabs her to him and kisses her roughly. She sighs softly against his lips before her hands wrap around him and return his kiss.

            -end chapter ten-