The moonlight dips through the artificial pane of his tent, playing over his arresting torso. It illuminates the muscled slope of his shoulders and the hard flat plane of his midriff. She holds her breath. He looks so good she wants more of him but, he is sound asleep and she has duty in ten minutes. Aleska thinks a cool walk in the pre-dawn forest just might quieten down her hormones and help her process what she just allowed to happen. She knows  in hindsight that it will be a distraction allowing herself to become intimate again with Stone, but she has no restraint left. She'd tried from the very second she'd laid eyes on him again to bury her feelings for him but always at the back of her mind, he was there occupying her thoughts, dragging her back to their heated past, reigniting the fiery passions of their unfinished relationship. What's a girl supposed to do? She was human ... contrary to popular belief.

It had taken her almost a year and six months to forget Stone ... then six months ago, she had dated a civilian. It hadn't lasted long. She had not been able to forget Stone and now ... she had gone and ripped open the wound. Its sting was bitter sweet ... her future unknown. They were soldiers of different countries.

Aleska walks about forest. The small yellowish moon hovers above the giant trees. The moon grows paler as it rises higher into very early morning sky....making their surroundings ominous by the close, almost impenetrable canopy of trees. Aleska enjoys the companionable silence of the pre -dawn rain forest. The early morning air is crisp. The colossal trees covered in hanging vines offer some protection from the nippy whispering wind. She does not venture too far; in five minutes she must climb the portable tower to commence her duty. Very soon the sun will rise and the wildlife's daytime creatures will begin their morning shift; conversations from the parakeets and birds will fill the air with their chatter. The piercing vibrations of the cicadas will ricochet through the jungle when they fly overhead. With still too much unspent energy, Aleska runs up the stairs to the observation tower. She will take over from 2nd Lieutenant Simon Hack who is in charge of their weapons and equipment; and most importantly he was charged with chef duties. All the soldiers treated him with respect, their sustenance depended on him.

'All quiet. Nothing to report Major,' he salutes her and signs of.

'Thank you,' she signs on and commences duty. She does not really need the energy boost from coffee, but the aroma of the piping hot brew has her pouring some into a mug.

Aleska has been on watch for an hour and some when she feels his presence even with her back turned to the stairway.

'You should not be here,' she turns around and is surprised to see him in jeans and a T shirt. He looks gorgeous.

Stone smiles broadly at her. She looks deliciously tousled with her cheeks pink, and her eyes drunk with satiation...he beams proudly, taking personal credit.

'And why shouldn't I be here?' He brazenly plants a kiss on her lips. She tastes delectable ... just a hint of coffee. He wants to deepen the kiss. She steps away from him.

'I'm on duty.'

Stone is surprised at her cool dismissive manner. So, was the blazing passion between them last night, just a one night thing? Wounded by her dismissive manner, he attempts conversation.

'You should have woken me up.'

'Why? There was no reason to disturb you?' Her eyes do a quick scan of their surroundings.

'I could have walked you to your duty point.'

Aleska laughs softly. 'You have such good bed side manners.'

'Don't mock me.'

'I'm not.'

It was true. She discovered that in Serbia. He could be such a charming and chivalrous gentleman. It was one of his many attractions. Stone sees the sincerity in her eyes, an even broader grin breaks out on his face.

Stifled by sexual awareness, she averts her eyes. 'I didn't get the memo that you're off duty,' she teases, her eyes pointing to his attire.

He laughs, 'this was easiest.'

He did not want to confess his disappointment at not finding her in his bed when he awoke. He had put on the casual attire in haste so he could get to her as quickly as possible.

Aleska shakes her head. It was true. There was a strict regimen in donning one's uniform. It needed to be perfectly pressed before one dressed into it. It seems a waste at five in the morning.

'Aleska look!' Stone points to a thin column of smoke billowing from deep in the jungle.

She catches her breath. Whenever he speaks her name, she is breathless ... almost. She turns around follows where his eyes are trained. 'The communities boil the river water for drinking purposes and they cook with it on open fires as well.'

'Communities? I haven't met any in the three weeks we've been here!' She hears Stone's voice right behind her. His breath is warm at the nape of her neck.

'There are five or six in the near vicinity,' she informs him. 'They are deeply hidden. They have schools, clinics, small shops and public telephones as well.'

'Are they a threat?'

'Only to the environment.'

Stone hears the anger in her voice. There was worldwide concern for humanity's careless greed and barbaric butchering of the trees in this mighty jungle for the purposes of industrial wealth.

'They are largely responsible for the deforestation and degradation of the Amazon,' she laments. On her previous stint here, Aleska had heard the incessant drone of chainsaws hacking away prematurely at the trees. It was a sight for sore eyes seeing the decapitated giant trees. There was huge market demand for the trees that were felled and exploited for commercial use.

'We can't right the whole world,' he presses a kiss at her neck. His lips linger on her flesh erotically.

Again she shifts away from him. 'Go take a jog,' she murmurs.

'Are you saying that I'm --- unfit?'

'Now who's being defensive?' She laughs.

'Fine,' he sulks. 'I'll hike up to the Andes.'

'Silly,' she laughs as Stone leaves her to finish her duty.

Aleska is done with guard duty. It is almost time for breakfast. She smells the hearty aroma of bacon, eggs, toast from the dining tent. Earlier a slight drizzle caressed the dense jungle and within an hour the sun, had emerged, chasing the drizzle away

It was starting to warm up now even though a few clouds are visible over the canopy of trees.

Aleska pays a visit to the medical tent to check on McDouall before sitting for breakfast. She  expected him to still be sedated, but is surprised to hear McDouall talking to Stone.

'Thank you for rescuing me Colonel.'

'It was not me John. Major Maric saved your life.'

Aleska hears Stone's responding crisp voice.

'Nonsense Colonel. I saw you attending to me, and it was your voice I heard all the time. I know it was you.'

'John,' Aleska hears Stone inhale heavily. 'You were with the Major. You were attacked. Major Maric stabilized you and brought you back to base.'

'Stop it Colonel. I know you want her to fit in with our squad, but giving her credit for saving my life is going overboard.'

'I want you to rest now John.'

Aleska can tell Stone is barely keeping his emotions under restraint. And it is at that moment that Stone sees Aleska standing at the entrance. It is awkward that McDouall does not remember Aleska assisting him. But she thinks it natural that a person blocks out the memory of a traumatic incident.

When McDouall had awoken from the emergency surgery performed on him - it had been Stone tending to him. And it was Stone re-dressing his wound every morning and evening. So it is natural for McDouall to think she played no part in his rescue operation.

Aleska walks in. 'Good morning Captain McDouall. Good to see you recovering well,' she states.

McDouall's eyes flicker briefly in her direction. 'Yes the colonel's been taking good care of me,' he states defiantly, not acknowledging her efforts or showing any interest in her visit.

'Yes, the colonel's done a good job fixing you up. You should be ready for training again in a week,' she teases but McDouall does no see the humour.

'Major? How about we get some breakfast,' Stone tries to diffuse the tension.

Aleska nods. 'Good morning Captain McDouall.'

'I'm sorry,' Stone grunts loudly outside the medical tent. 'I thought McDouall would come around, seeing you did not leave him for dead in the jungle.'

'Don't worry about it,' Aleska shrugs it off.

'But McDouall should be grateful for your quick thinking and actions that saved his life.'

'I don't lose sleep over my enemies or those I'm unpopular with Colonel. McDouall's prejudice is irrelevant.'

Aleska walks into the breakfast tent; deliberately she keeps her distance from Stone, choosing a single table with her back to him. Stone looks up to see where Aleska is sitting so he can join her, he is astounded that she is maintaining that impenetrable divide between then.
What is wrong with her? Like last night had not happened!

He wants to be with her. He wants some private moments with her, but she sure as hell is not allowing any of it.  Stone is unperturbed, he will not lose hope. This time that he's had another taste of her, he's not letting her go that easily. He aims to ride this wave of passion with her for as long as he can.

'May I join you Major?' Stone pulls up a chair and sits opposite her without waiting for approval.

Aleska looks up, sees Stone is balancing his breakfast tray on his lap. 'I'm done Colonel,' she sets her knife and fork down on her empty tray.

'That all you eating?' He questions. More disappointed that she was leaving.

'Yes,' she stands up.

'You should eat more,' he grins. 'You're skinny as a rake.'

Aleska narrows her eyes at him and spits out a venomous response in Russian. 'If I don't satisfy you; you can always take your Geek Lady to bed. She is very interested in you!'

'What!' Stone stands up, his eyes threatens warningly.

'You heard me!' She hisses softly and starts to walk away.

'I'm not done with you Major!'

She turns around takes two steps back to him. 'I think that unofficial conversation is over!' She jeers and saunters away without due regard.

Aleska leans against the desk in Stone's tent. Where the hell is he? She assumed he would come to his private quarters after saying good night to everybody. Aleska had finished the odd tasks she needed to do before she could get some sleep and then made her way to Stone's tent expecting him to be in bed, but is disappointed to see his quarters empty. She looks at her wristwatch, heaves a breath and contemplates going to get some sleep.

Stone walks into his tent, pleasantly surprised to see Aleska patiently waiting for him. She is leaning against his desk, hands folded across her chest, one ankle crossed over the other. She looks so adorable. Their eyes meet. Hers narrows accusingly. She drops her hands and marches to him.

'Vy poproshchalis dvadtsatminut nazad ! Gde vy byli?' ... You said "good night " twenty minutes ago! Where were you?
She demands but does not give him the opportunity to answer. Her arms wrap around him, her mouth takes possession of his. Lust swirls in the atmosphere like heat from a smouldering furnace. Hunger too pools between her legs making her impatient for more. Only when the need for oxygen necessitates, does she stop.

He smiles. 'You were waiting long?'

'Just about seven minutes.'

'I went to check on McDouall,' he responds to her earlier interrogation.

'He needs to commence physiotherapy.'

Stone glides his hands through her silky hair. 'I tried to get him to stand earlier today. He almost blacked out,' Stone answers with some concern.

'Then give him a little more time,' she begins to unbutton his shirt.

'I don't want to talk anymore,' he hoists her in his arms and strides to his bed.

Aleska is impatient. She undresses him with much haste. When she reaches for his lips, he pulls away.

'Stone ---,' she cries out 'this is not the time to tease me.' His mouth traces the line of her jaw, she moans as his mouth finds the tiny pulse at the base of her throat. His lips brushes hers with a sensuous kiss. His tongue plunges hers with a whirlpool of excitement. She helps him remove her clothes, that go flying in all directions.

Stones sighs pleasurably as their naked bodies come together. Every single part of her was on fire. His fingers graze the sensitized peaks of her petite breasts. Her nails draw over the dark hairs that cover his chest. She presses against his throbbing shaft. Her response to him every bit as animal and basic as his was to hers. She wants to touch and taste every bit of him. Flaming desire shoots through her body as his expert fingers delved into the slick heat of her womanhood; making her shiver with pleasure. She cries out. Her body arches towards him in instant response. She draws her leg over his thigh in flagrant solicitation. He does not disappoint. He surges into her with all the force he possesses, driving the breath from her body. Just for a moment she is breathless, overwhelmed by the feel of him inside her ... so deep. His thrusts were hard and powerful, filling her silken moistness with his possession.

'Stone ---.' She groans his name.

His arms slide under her bottom, strong, virile, demanding as he surges into her with each powerful thrust.

It was wild and out of control and when she climaxes, his body erupts with hers as her inner muscles deliciously tighten around him. Their mouths meet in a slow tender erotic kiss as the ripples of pleasure spread through their bodies. Every one of their senses are heightened by the incredible driving force of wave after wave of ecstasy until the aftershocks were reduced to flickering embers from the powerful explosion.

They gaze into each other's eyes. Their fingers touching, caressing.
'Why did you leave me in Serbia?' Stone asks, clasping her hands between his on his chest.

Aleska lifts her head in surprise. His masculine naked body gloriously on display is distracting. 'General Arkov told me your Unit was moving north and our Unit were deployed in the opposite direction!'

There was a note of pain in her voice.  Stone raises his upper body. He leans over her. 'Navenka told you we moved North?'

The exclamation of horror bursts fom her lips. 'Nice to know you were on a first name basis with our Commanding Officer,' Aleska hisses.

She attempts to get out of his bed, but his body holds her prisoner. She glares at him furiously.
She has a right to her anger. She had been at the mercy of her draconian commanding officer.

'Aleska---,' he holds her down, his fingers lacing with hers. 'She meant nothing to me.'

'Humph ... famous last words.'

'I mean it!'

'But you took her to bed?'

'No! ---never. Why would you think that? And we did not move north.'

Aleska was pleased that any attraction between General Arkov and Stone had been one sided. At least Aleska had that over General Arkov who had been cruel, ruthless and sadistic towards her subordinates. She took great pleasure in breaking and humiliating the weak-spirited. It was a good thing Aleska was neither weak nor fearful. Aleska witnessed many a friend and colleague end their lives prematurely, unable to endure the torture Arkov subjected them to. Aleska stares into the distance with unseeing eyes. Stone gets a glimpse of pain...before her long feathery lashes veiled her icy blue eyes from further scrutiny. It had to run deep. They would need to talk about that later.

'We moved further south each day. It was pointless to even contact you.'

'I'll be damned! 'I thought you just dumped me and left without even saying goodbye. I can't believe Navenka told you that.'

'You must know she wanted you Stone.'

'No! Hell--- she was our Commanding Officer.'

Aleska half rolls her eyes. 'Are you not my CO now?'

Stone grins. 'We started this relationship when we were colleagues.'

'Well we're not colleagues now,' she reminds him. 'I'm your subordinate.'

Stone laughs. 'Major Maric,' he glides his fingers delicately over her shapely bottom. 'You don't know the first thing about obeying or taking instructions,' he leans over and captures her mouth in a slow kiss. 'All this time, I had not contacted you, thinking you did not want me,' Stone groaned loudly.

'I thought the same of you,' she whispers.

Stone hoists her onto his chest. 'We have lots of making up to do,' his mouth captures a dusty pink nipple.

'You always preferred this position,' she whispers. Aleska's eyes widen in surprise as he begins making love to her again. Was he --- did he think ---. She had the ability to endure a lot of physical activity but heck was he expecting her to reach another orgasm so quickly?

'Stone ---'

'Colonel! We are under attack!'

The screeching warning bellows on Stone's radio from the tower. The same message beeps simultaneously on Stone and Aleska's mobile phones. It takes Stone a few seconds to orientate himself.

'Stay down --- and out of sight!' Aleska instructs into Stone's radio, as she simultaneously hops into her trousers and shoes again.

'Damn, I've never experienced two orgasms at one go previously,' she tries to find her shirt.

'Never?' Stone grins fastening his own trousers. 'We have to remedy that!'

'Are you bragging about your exploits with other women!' Unable to find her shirt she grabs his.

'Hey that's my shirt!'

'Find yourself another one,' Aleska corks her weapon and rushes out.

Stone curses and storms out right behind her. He had not expected his entire squadron of soldiers to be standing outside his quarters awaiting his command, but there they all were wide-eyed and open-mouthed as Aleska comes out of his private quarters in a shirt with the insignia of colonel followed by their commanding officer.... shirtless.

           -end chapter 6-