He does not want to stop kissing her. He is enjoying the fusion of his ravenous lips locked together with her demanding mouth, yet reluctantly, he drags his lips away. 'You were amazing up in the air,' he murmurs.

'I wanted to protect you,' her thick accented voice whispers, before indulging in another tantalizing kiss.

'Thank you,' he sighs appreciatively. 'I don't want you taking risks.'

'Calculated risks,' she smiles against his lips

'That dust cloud was a piece of brilliance,' he undoes a button. His teeth nibble; his tongue laves over the flesh on her breast.

'Stone ---,' she clings to him, her fingers rake through his hair. We're on high alert.'

He takes a measured breath, reluctantly loosens his arms from around her. 'You're right.'

She smiles. 'I heard this saying, "Revenge is a dish, best served cold." I'm sure Nazario knows it only too well.'

Stone laughs. 'Mmm. I've heard it too.'

She learnt the saying from the Brits who imported it from the Iranian language spoken in Afghanistan.

'What are you doing?' She gazes at Stone peeling of his armoured vest.

'This thing weighs a ton,' he tosses it on the desk, 'and I want to grab a quick shower.'

'I see,' and she is seeing. Her eyes travel up and down his bare chest. Her fingers tingle, craving the touch of his body.

He grins. 'You could join me,' he offers.

Aleska shakes her head. She can just picture Stone's Geek Lady coming to inform him of an attack again, and finding her and Stone in a compromising position. Aleska knows if she and Stone are going to be naked, a shower is not all they will indulge in.

She turns away. 'I'm covering the tower and the front perimeter, the rest of this night. Don't come anywhere near there,' she instructs him.

He laughs. An adorable laugh, if it can be described that way. 'So I've got rear guard duty, have I?'

Hah! As if the High and Mighty are subjected to such menial tasks. 'Yes. Better hurry to your station,' she bites on her lower lip and walks away. 'Oh, I've called Border Police to do damage control,' she tells him.

'Thank you,' Stone becomes sombre. 'I'll just radio London, before I commence my duty, Major.'

Her eyes lock with his. She smiles, salutes and walks out.

'Is he going to make you do a thousand press ups?' Simon enquires.

'What?' Aleska has already forgotten the reason she was summoned to Stone's quarters.

'The Colonel,' Simon jerks a thumb at Stone's tent.

'Oh. I apologised. It knocked him for a six.'

Simon laughs. 'You know such a word?' He teases.

'You learn quickly, when there is the threat of being court martialed.' She purses her lips.

'No! He didn't!'

Aleska smiles. He didn't, but he did have grounds to.'

'The colonel's a cool dude,' Simon sings their Commanding Officer's praises.

Aleska gets all tough. 'Where's your bullet proof gear?' She questions. 'Nazario will return without question.'

'Um ---yes colonel.

'It's still major.'

'But ---,' he points to her epaulet

'Get armoured and get up to the tower!' Aleska instructs.

'Yes colonel ---major,' he salutes and hastens away.

'Anything?' Aleska walks into the Geek Lady's control room.

'No movement what so ever, Major, either from the river or into the river.'

Aleska glares at the screens with contained annoyance. She knows Nazario is not scared. He is fearless, and vindictive so why has he not returned? Is he playing the waiting game? She can wait. She has patience...even if it takes all year. Except being that close a proximity to Stone is distracting, too distracting for her sanity. She needs to find a way to capture Nazario alive. How to draw him out? Perhaps she needs to go into the Lion's Den. Anything was better than measuring the length and breadth of their base camp out of pure ... sexual frustration.

'What about the satellite, Major?'

'Excuse me?' Aleska was so deep in thought, she forgot where she was.

'If we zoom into the satellite images, it will show us any person in the vicinity who is armed?'

Aleska looks at Nancy curiously. What! Did this Geek Lady want to shoot down every individual in the forest who may possess a firearm? Not every armed person who happens to cross any part of the jungle will necessarily be affiliated to Nazario or the drug cartel.

Aleska shakes her head. 'No, Lieutenant Stuart. The locals here in the jungle carry weapons for hunting purposes and to fend of the wild animals.'

'Oh I see.' Nancy was amazed that she was having an actual conversation with the revered Spetsnaz soldier, then disappointed when her bonding time with her Russian superior was rudely interrupted by her colleagues; Captains Scott and Simon.

Aleska observes the two casually bustling in like they are attending a sports game.
Simon has taken to following her everywhere like a puppy, since she rescued him from the quick sand. Aleska narrows her eyes questioningly.

'Captain Simon! I assigned you to the tower.'

'You did Major,' he responds smilingly, 'but Harris, Edgar and Second Lieutenant Luke Barry are all up there.'

Nancy stares awkwardly from the Major to her colleagues. She wonders if the Major is going to bite of her colleague Simon's head. She had witnessed first-hand, when the Major had had a screaming match with their Commanding Officer, so she would devour little Simon for breakfast.

'Besides ---,' Simon continues, 'I brought you some hot chocolate.'

Aleska stares at the steaming and delicious looking hot chocolate cupped in Simon's hands. Realizing now she was a bit ravenous after their return from their mission, since she hadn't had a moment to take a meal. First, Stone had summoned her to his quarters. Then Aleska went straight to do her stint atop the tower. After that she had come to the Comms Room to see if Nazario was showing any interest in returning. Nancy was watching Aleska and the guys with acute interest, somewhat astounded that her colleagues seem to have developed a curious rapport with the Major.

'Thank you Captain,' Aleska reaches out and accepts the drink. And as she does, Stone comes strolling in. She does not look his way. Silently she questions Stone's appearance there, when she had expressly forbid him from coming to the front observation areas. She starts to walks out with her mug of hot chocolate.

'Where you going Major?' Simon asks in a tone laced with disappointment?

Yeah. Where you going Major. I came here to be with you!

'You,' Aleska looks directly at Simon. 'Need to be on duty at the tower. You should get going,' she leaves them standing there. Four pairs of eyes are trained on her back, all for different reasons.

Stone masks his disappointment with much effort. He came specifically in search of her, just to get a glimpse of her and even hoped opportunistically for an endearing smile, but no such luck. She has treated him dismissively as if they were total strangers. Everybody in their unit now knew they were an item. Why is she projecting this air of cool indifference? He wants some alone time with her, but hell, she has put everybody on emergency duty with no hint of sleep or rest. He knows every one of his team can pull a twenty hour shift if needs be, but he just needs an hour alone ... privately with her. Stone resigns himself to the fact that he will have to get through the remaining hours of the day sans her company. Dejectedly, Stone makes his way to the Medical Tent to check on McDouall and is pleasantly surprised when he hears that intimately familiar accented voice and presence he himself yearns for, in a conversation with his incapacitated soldier.

'I can't.'

Stone hears the strained voice of McDouall.

'You need to at least put in a little effort, Captain.'

Aleska's soft encouraging voice reaches Stone's ears.

'I said I can't.'

McDouall's voice is laced with anger. Stone is tempted to intervene, but some premonition holds him back.

'Do you plan on spending the rest of your days in this sick bed until our mission is over?'

There was silence for a long moment. Stone expects McDouall to dismiss Aleska, but instead McDouall surprises Stone by answering Aleska.

'I discussed this with Colonel. He agrees with me. I am not ready for physical therapy.'

Stone's eyes widen for a second. He can't remember agreeing to that decision and there is absolutely nothing wrong with his memory.

'I find that hard to believe.'

Stone could tell Aleska was smiling.

'Are you calling me a liar?'

Stone smiles. Even though McDouall is posing the question, it does not carry the conviction it aims to effect.

'Are you?'

Aleska's voice was soft, challenging, but not confrontational. Stone has an irresistible urge to circle his arms around her, press his lips to her throat and inhale the feminine scent of her skin, but he stays put.

'Why are you wasting your time with me?' McDouall questions, 'you know how I feel about you?'

'You haven't told me Captain,' Aleska challenges, teasingly.

McDouall does not immediately reply. Stone waits with baited breath. McDouall does not rise to the challenge.

'And you are not going to detract from the therapy you need to undertake,' Aleska warns. 'I know you're stalling.'

'Don't you ever give up?' McDouall demands.

Stone's head is down. His ear is pricked. He does not have long to wait for Aleska's response.

'No I don't,' Aleska replies softly. 'I do not know the meaning of fear or failure,' she says without a trace of arrogance. 'I don't have many people I can depend on. So I depend on myself. '

You can depend on me Aleska.

'I'm not you! You don't understand. My leg has no feeling. My core muscles feel as if they are permanently switched off.'

Stone can sense the strain in McDouall's voice, as if he is about to break down.

'I don't want to let my colonel down. I don't want him to think me a failure.'

Stone gasps. He cannot believe McDouall is stressing for no reason. What is wrong with him? He has an injury. He needs to recuperate.

Aleska inhales heavily. Clearly McDouall had to have tested his core muscles in order to feel as if they were "switched off." So even though in the presence of others he was denying his readiness to start physiotherapy, clearly when no one was around, he was attempting some activity on his own.

'Colonel Bretton has a high regard for you, Captain,' Aleska smiles reassuringly. 'Are you not his second in command?'

'I was,' McDouall replies grudgingly, 'until you came along.'

Stones smiles. He can swear there was a note of respect in McDouall's tone. Aleska's soft laughter fills the air. Stone feels a stab of envy. He does not want her laughing with other men. She barely bothers to give him the time of day!

'It's just a matter of rank, Captain,' Aleska speaks softly. 'Colonel Bretton thinks no less of you just because of my presence here amongst the squadron.'

'Are you sure? He does not think I'm weak because of my --- because I can't ---.'

Aleska folds her arms. The expression on her face is weighty. 'He probably thinks you're a lazy lout for lying on your backside all day.'

There is a guffaw of laughter from McDouall, then he clutches his stomach.

'Now I am going to be in trouble with the colonel,' Aleska murmurs. She reaches forward and gently rests her hand on McDouall's shoulder.

'l'm okay,' McDouall releases a broken breath.

Stone was about to rush in to help McDouall until he hears Aleska's next words.

'Okay enough, to attempt a step out of your cot?'

'Would you quit trying to make me laugh? Of course I can step out.'

'You sure? I don't want to pick you up of the floor?'

'Watch this,' McDouall tosses the sheets. He attempts to lift his upper body. His face creases in a frown. A film of perspiration breaks out on his forehead. He stalls.

'Here put one arm around my neck,' Aleska offers.

'I can't,' McDouall's voice is close to a sob.

'I know you can, Captain. You're Special Force. You're no quitter!'

McDouall hisses an expletive. He growls in pain and manages a half crunch.

'Slide your legs off the bed,' Aleska encourages quietly.

You can do it John. You can do it. Just listen to Aleska.

McDouall gets one leg off. He again tries to lift himself. Carefully, with his arm around her neck, Aleska gently helps lift him up with painstaking slowness. His upper body is finally elevated and his one leg is of the bed.

'Told you I can do it,' McDouall brags breathlessly.

'Yeah,' Aleska laughs. 'You did it,' she gently lowers him again. 'Ten press ups tomorrow,' she smiles.

'Thank you Major,' his tone is reverent.'

'Pleasure Captain. '

'Don't say anything yet to Colonel. I want to surprise him,' there is a smile on McDouall's face.

'No problem,' she nods. 'Get some rest.'

'Yeah, I'm exhausted,' he closes his eyes. It had been an exhausting physical challenge. 'They --- right,' he murmurs.

'Who? is right about what?' Aleska asks, finding his comment incoherent.

'Scott and Simon,' he speaks softly with his eyes closed. 'They were here earlier. They say underneath your soldier's veneer--- is a caring lady.'

'The colonel needs to change your medication. You are alarmingly delirious.'

Outside Stone covers his mouth with his hand. He decides to get away from the Medical Tent before he is caught eavesdropping. Trust Aleska to deflect any compliment to herself and turn it into some form of offensive. He marvels at her remarkable ability to penetrate McDouall's rigid defences. Slowly but surely she was winning every one of his soldiers over ... like she stripped him of all his protective layers.

'Major,' McDouall grips his tummy. 'You trying to kill me,' there is a grin on his tired face.

'I've other duties to attend to, Captain. I'll let you rest,' she taps him gently on the shoulder and leaves.

'Aleska!'

Some ten hours later, Stone finds her at her favourite spot on the river bank. She hasn't spoken to him of her visit to McDouall. Neither has Stone confessed to eavesdropping.

'The troops have been on their feet for twenty eight straight hours. That's not healthy!'

Aleska looks at Stone peculiarly. She was fine. Infact she could go another thirty hours, no problem.

"Not healthy?" She repeats.

'Everyone's tired. I am sure their concentration is peaked. Surely they cannot perform at optimum level, when sleep deprived. We need to rest the guys.'

Stone knows if Nazario and his men come visiting, they will probably do it in the early hours of the morning. Stone also suspects, Nazario will make them sweat it out a few days before they return. Even though Aleska was right to put everybody on alert, still his men need a few hours rest. They will be more effective, after their bodies get some 'down time'.

'Okay,' she nods. 'Make a roster. We can allow two members at a time to rest for four hours and rotate shifts' she agrees.

'Good,' he had expected an argument and was surprised and privately ecstatic. 'I've done a roster already,' he grins.

'I hope we're off duty together,' she murmurs, thinking four hours in Stone's arms will be like heaven.

His eyes light up. He thought she would be of the opinion that they should both take turns holding the fort whilst the other rests. He loves her train of thought and supports it one hundred percent.

'Yeah, we get the last rest break,' he smiles. 'I assigned myself to work the graveyard shift.'

'Good enough for me too,' Aleska nods. She also believes if Nazario strikes, it will be during the very early hours. She would prefer to be on duty during those graveyard hours.

Impatient for her break with Stone, Aleska looks at her watch. There is still an hour and some to go. She needs to keep busy, and figures indulging in some self- training could pass the time productively. Bare-footed and dressed in soft grey cotton trousers, with a firm black elastic band grip around the hip; similar to the 'gi' worn as a judo uniform; Aleska is brandishing a sword towards an imaginary opponent.

To any onlooker, it is a mesmerizing and breath-taking sight to watch her strength, discipline and agility on display. She is gracefully leaning forward, perfectly balancing one delicately poised foot in the air behind her back; her face is a study of deep concentration. Her movements are precise, sharp, quick, and balanced.

Aleska is distracted by a movement to her left. She looks up and sees Stone's Geek Lady standing there. Aleska wonders why she is being spied on. Nancy waves awkwardly. She bows in acknowledgement.

'Can you teach me to fight like that?'

Aleska raises her eyebrows curiously. She wants as little as possible to do with Stone's Geek Lady. 'You want to learn how to fence?'

'Is that what it's called?' Nancy laughs nervously. She had observed Aleska doing many intricate martial art moves whilst wielding her sword about. Aleska bows again.

'Yes. Please teach me.'

'Okay,' Aleska throws her sword in the air. 'Catch it.'

Nancy involuntarily steps back. She ducks her head and raises her hands protectively above her head. Aleska allows herself a moment of silent humour.

'Sorry,' Nancy is apologetic.

Let us talk about some ground rules,' Aleska bows. Nancy nods profusely.

'There are techniques in fencing; namely offensive and defensive, like in a war situation,' Aleska starts. 'Techniques are used offensively, with the purpose of landing a hit on your opponent whilst others are used defensively, to protect against a hit.'

'Right,' Nancy nods as Aleska explains.

'When you are on the offensive,' you thrust by extending the sword arm,' Aleska demonstrates by lunging out. 'This is to declare an attack and attempt to land a touch upon your opponent,' Aleska illustrates. 'The purpose is to provoke your opponent to a response.'

'Okay,' Nancy nods again nervously.

'Let's practice,' Aleska hands her the handle of her sword. She demonstrates three moves to an eager and enthusiastic student.

''Very good,' Aleska bows. 'You are a quick learner.'

'Thank you,' Nancy laps up the praise.

'Now for Lesson Two. This next move,' Aleska explains, 'is very intricate, but lethal, if you perfect it.'

'I'm ready,' Nancy smiles.

Aleska bows, welcomes the confidence and enthusiasm she is witnessing. 'Pay attention to what I say,' Aleska instructs. 'Position yourself, to attack in one direction,' she makes eye contact with Nancy and gets another nod. 'Then quickly move the point of your sword down in a semi-circle to attack at a different location.'

'Okay.' Nancy has yet to get the revelation.

'This is used to trick your opponent into blocking the wrong direction,' Aleska is focused on the training she is administrating. 'As your opponent moves to the left to parry, you disengage and clinically finish the attack to the right side of his torso. Got it!'

'I think so.' This time there was no nod from Nancy

'Pick up the sword,' Aleska instructs. 'Attack me.'

'But --- you are not armed!'

Aleska smiles confidently. 'I am not going to give you the opportunity to strike me.'

Nancy laughs. 'So what you saying is, I can take my best shot, but it will not be good enough.'

'You said it,' Aleska bows, inviting Nancy to take a strike. Now demonstrate Lesson Two.'

'Nancy attempts to strike at Aleska three or four times, but each time, Aleska's accurate reflexes and lightning responses are too good for Nancy.

'One last time,' Aleska invites.

Nancy lunges forward, she raises her sword, ready to strike, again Aleska is too quick hitting the sword in the air.
A hand grasps the handle perfectly, but it is not Nancy.

Aleska is surprised. Her senses should have picked him up, but she has been so intent on the lesson, she had not picked him up, that was dangerous. Without warning, Stone lunges forward, the point of the sword directed at her chest. Aleska flips into the air, somersaults and trade places with Stone. Simultaneously, she removes the knife from its sheath, under the collar of her shirt. Stone lunges to her right. Nancy gasps loudly. Aleska smiles, accurate with her prediction as she effortlessly blocks his attack.

'Our break started five minutes ago,' Stone speaks softly, as he again lashes out.

'Oh!' Aleska moves instinctively out of harm's way.

They duel for another five minutes. Repeatedly Stone attacks, but is curtailed. Aleska lashes forward deliberately, her blade slashes his shirt. There is a loud gasp from Nancy. Aleska makes sure not to make contact with his flesh. He bows acknowledging the point she scores.

They trade strikes again competitively, showing no mercy or favour.

Then Stone raises himself into the air, the side of his boot uses enough pressure to kick the knife out of Aleska's hand. He follows that with his foot at her ankle. Aleska drops to the floor. Stone leans over, pointing his sword ... her sword at her chest. Nancy has both fists at her mouth, her teeth biting nervously.

'Touché!' Aleska murmurs, acknowledging defeat, her eyes locking with Stone's.

Stone bows elaborately, extending a hand to help her up.

'Perhaps you've chosen the wrong teacher,' Aleska purses her lips in Nancy's direction.

'I'm sticking with you Major, if you don't mind.'

'Same time tomorrow then,' Aleska nods.

'I believe we are of duty for the next four hours,' Stone announces. There is no trace of vindication, that he has defeated his very able subordinate.

'Yes,' Aleska nods, she bends to retrieve her knife.

As Aleska straightens, she finds Stone's hand reaching out for hers. Aleska's eyes meet his. She finds the promise of passion ... hot pleasure ... satisfaction etched in his eyes. Acknowledging him silently, her hand accepts his, as Nancy gapes wide-mouthed.

          -end chapter eight-