The following days proceeded almost normally. At least, that was what you wanted to believe...

You were busy on your works alongside Rachel, as always, and although she was too much sometimes, because of her commanding and abrasive personality, you could have known her better, maybe because you two were the only women there.

However, the field officer had noticed that there was something distracting you...an afternoon, she was talking to you in the garden when accidentally the Mailman 2-1 squad came there; there, Rachel caught the eye of Sergeant Kay, who replied with a smile, and so did Lieutenant Kolchek, but you two ignored each other.

《Is something wrong with you and Kolchek...?》  She suddenly told you as you were on your way to her office.

《I don't know...he helped me a lot with the training, he must be just tired of seeing me so often.》  You replied with a grimace.

Meanwhile, you were placing a pile of books on the desk, but Rachel wasn't convinced of that.

《...do you like him, by chance?》

When you heard those words the tower you had set up began to wobble dangerously. Luckily, you stopped it before they fell to the ground.

《...of course not, he's still my superior, I'm not interested in him that way and I don't have time to think about this stuff now.》  You replied with a harsher tone than before.

Anyway, the caramel woman was suspicious of your answer, it seemed you weren't good at lying; however, she said nothing about it, maybe because her attention was elsewhere too, lately...she wasn't sure, but definitely enjoyed receiving Nick's attention.

《I'm going to make some photocopies, I'll be right back.》  Then, you said walking out the door with some papers tight to your chest, without Rachel saying anything about it. You wanted to stop that conversation, anyway.

You walked through that ancient gallery, surrounded by tall columns and immersed in that mystical atmosphere, almost impossible not to admire. Despite the unbearable heat, the sun reflected on all surfaces making that spectacle more wonderful.

Well, it's a real shame this place had become a military camp...

But you weren't the only one there and, not far from you, you saw Nick walking from the opposite direction. He appeared to be on hiatus and was dressed casually.
He hadn't seen you and you stood staring at him behind a column, curious to know which way he was going...and you widened your eyes when saw him heading towards Rachel's office.

Oh, they have to talk about something...right?

But you didn't know what a field officer should talk to a soldier about and started giggling, as you thought the reason was another one.

《What are ya doing there?》

Suddenly, someone asked behind you making you turn around.

Compared to last night, Jason seemed to be in his usual mood now and spied on you under the visor of the cap.

Apparently, he hadn't seen his friend.

《I was getting some fresh air.》  You said vaguely not knowing if it was right to tell the truth.

《Fresh? It's hot as always...》  He replied raising an eyebrow.  《Anyway, you shouldn't be here alone, what if we get attacked?》

《I hope not, I have to convert these documents into files, another briefing will be held soon and I have to prepare everything, I don't have time for other things!》  You sighed anyway, you didn't remember coming there to be a secretary of that woman...

Unexpectedly, the marine chuckled when he heard you complain about that.

《Welcome to the club, you know now why everyone calls her by that nickname.》  He said thinking it was funny, but you didn't laugh.

《This is because she cares a lot about her work, just like we do.》  You said seriously, ignoring the fact that she was with Sergeant Kay now, but you didn't want to think maliciously.

You were on the verge of leaving, although you wanted to stay and talk a little longer with him, obviously not about Rachel or anyone else.

《...would you like to accompany me?》  You asked him politely, waiting for his answer.

Jason moved closer to you, perhaps a little too much, as you felt your shoulder touch his chest.

《As our Miss Marshal wishes.》

You didn't know why, but when he said that you started laughing, squinting a little.

Jason stared at you, as if he hadn't seen anything else more beautiful than your smile; well, there was definitely nothing of that in the middle of the desert...

《I'm sorry for what I said last night, I can understand if you're mad at me now.》  He began to speak, looking down at you. He wasn't the type to apologize easily, unless the other one was his superior...

Or if it was you, now.

《I thought the same thing about you. And I'm not angry.》  You said, suddenly turning a corner with Jason following you at your every step.

《So, what happened at the checkpoint yesterday?》  You dared to ask, hoping that was the right time for him.

Jason continued to walk with his head down and his fists clenched. He told you, in the end...you were shocked by that terrible story and the fact he was putting all the blame on himself.

《...you can't really think that woman's death is your fault. Wasn't it Nick who shot after all?》  You asked as if you wanted to justify that, but the truth was you didn't want to see his sad face. It didn't suit him.

《But I was the one who gave Nick the order.》  He added turning his head on the other side  《I'm not better than him.》

Then, you put a hand on his shoulder, everything was much clearer to you now.

You didn't say it, but you had never killed anyone before, not even an enemy, because you were never trained to do that.

And you thought Marine life could be really complicated...

《You're not a bad person, Jason.》

Well, he didn't care much, as he had no regrets in his life, but he felt a lot lighter when you said that.

He didn't know why, but he had grown fond of you, ever since he started looking after you with the work in the training camp...and deep down, you were a sweet girl, not so selfish as he thought at first.

In that moment, the sound of your heels and that of his boots were the only ones heard inside the corridor; however, they began to slow down, until they stopped completely.

《Can I ask you one more thing, Lieutenant?》  You leaned against a wall and Jason stood in front of you.

《Sure, tell me.》

There wasn't enough light in there, so you were sure he wouldn't have been able to see the blush on your face.

《...do you have some interest in me, by chance?》  You tightened the sheets of paper against your chest when you said that.

And the silence followed later embarrassed you further, fearing you had made a mistake asking for it.

《...》

《Isn't that obvious?》

Jason replied and scratched the back of his neck as if he had gotten nervous.

《But I thought ya figured it out last time.》

You let out a short laugh making him grumble; apparently, he was used to any extreme situation except this one...

《Sorry, but I was afraid of that...the truth is, I've never been...》  But then, you frozed yourself when you didn't know what else to say.

Jason came closer and you looked at him with a look of expectation; no one had been there yet and so it was just the two of you, looking at each other as if one wished to get into the other's eyes.

《You don't know how much I want to kiss you Y/n.》

His deep voice reached your ears with strange vibrations and for a moment, you wanted to grant his request.
Suddenly, his hands began to slide down your back and though it was hot, you felt shivers coming from it.

You didn't know whether to hold back or let yourself go to that strange feeling, until your lips pressed against his.
Accidentally, some sheets fell to the ground hopelessly, as you leaned against him.

Of course, it was the first time you kissed him and you never imagined it could be so good...

Then, your fingers reached the base of his neck and gripped the shemagh tightly, as Jason deepened the kiss; moreover, he was pleased to hear your moans because of that.

He trapped you against the wall as he stroked your gentle curves around your hips; despite the clothes, you could feel his fingers run across the lines of your body.

Damn, it's not just a kiss...

• • •

You were desperate for oxygen. You had to admit Jason was a good kisser and his manners were kind to you...for example, he hadn't dared to touch you in some private place without asking you first.

However, you jumped when he had started kissing you on the neck, greedily sniffing your perfume.

《Should I stop?》  He asked in a more hoarse voice as he held you close and buried his face on your shoulder.

Meanwhile, your arms were behind his back and you had just let go of his T-shirt.

And you didn't want to let him go.

But you couldn't stay there for much longer, someone would have come looking for you two and if they found you with the first lieutenant, well, that would have affected your reputation for sure...and you couldn't allow that.

You pulled away to look him in the eye.

《Maybe yes, we shouldn't be seen like this by your men, no?》  You said in a faint voice, your mouth was really numb now.

But Jason chuckled, he didn't care if they saw him, anyway...

At that point, you composed yourself and before coming out from that half-dark gallery, you had collected your documents in an orderly manner again.

Jason was still by your side and that was making your heart beat wildly. Although temporary, that time spent with him was pleasant.

《So, what would have happened if you hadn't asked me to stop...》  You said as you tried not to notice the wisps of hair falling on your face.

But that sounded like a provocation to Jason.

《Depends if you'd let me have my way with you...》  But then, he stopped abruptly  《But that's not what I want, because I don't want to force you to do anything.》

A few minutes ago, he was on the verge of devouring you with his kisses, and now he was telling you that he could wait? That guy was really amazing, you thought with a smile.

《I see, you are a gentleman, after all.》  You smirked and finally the marine blushed for the first time.

《Cut it out, or–》  But he didn't finish the sentence as his lips were suddenly cut off by yours, after you got on tiptoe to reach him.

His growl trembled on your lips.

《You are a man full of surprises, Jason Kolchek.》  You said immediately after, breaking the second kiss.

Without further ado, you turned to keep on your way leaving Jason speechless, still with the taste of your lips on him.

He couldn't believe what he had just done with the youngest officer of the camp and shook his head at the thought of what he could do after that...

But shortly thereafter, a soldier came to his side and took up position.

《The helicopter is about to land, sir.》

Jason just nodded as he adjusted the cap on his head again.

It was time to welcome the new guests.

• • •

You whistled cheerfully the whole time in front of your laptop, that work was child's play, especially after doing it so many times.

Once finished, you let yourself rest in the chair, snapping your fingers with satisfaction.

Of course, you immediately thought about Jason. If he was serious about you, then you definitely had to put your goals in order, because your position was still number one for you.

But you couldn't ignore what you felt towards the marine.

Maybe, I'm falling for him.

Suddenly, your thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a rather flustered Rachel King.

《So, is it all ready for the briefing, Miss Hale?》  She asked you giving a quick glance around the room and then at you.

But you made a confused expression.

《I thought that was in three days. Did something happen, ma'am?》

Although she tried to keep calm, it was evident there was something bothering her, but she didn't tell you more beyond that.

《Yes. We'll have visitors soon.》

You thought she was going to stay there, but she turned back to the exit.

《I'll be back soon. I advise you to prepare yourself too, that outfit isn't going to be comfortable for what we're going to do...》

You looked at her more and more perplexed. Not only was nothing explained to you, but you were also ordered to change your clothes so suddenly.

But before doing that, you went back to checking your laptop, where you had previously read the name of the contact for the next briefing at Camp Slayer...

Then, you clicked on the picture of the man, whose last name was the same as Rachel's.

What the hell is going on...