It was missing little, very little and your lips would have ended up against those of the Iraqi soldier. But that didn't happen, or better, it was interrupted when you heard Eric's voice calling you...for a moment, you had completely forgotten he was still around.

《I...I think I have to go, now.》 You said putting the right distance between you and Salim again, who hadn't stopped looking at you in the meantime. Of course, you really didn't want to leave him out there and alone.

《I understand. Go then and don't worry about me.》 He replied, not that he really wanted it, but he didn't want you to have problems with your teammates because of him either and just watched your figure walk towards the tent, on the other side of the temple hall...

And yet, without forgetting the missed kiss he was about to give you without thinking. Or rather, after he hadn't stopped thinking about it for all that goddamn time with no guilty feelings. But Salim wasn't the only one there, as you still wore the redness on your cheeks.

For a moment, you couldn't believe you wanted to taste those lips and so, you let out a sigh of total frustration.

Fuck! Have you already forgotten what happened a month ago, Y/n?? I can't afford another bullshit like this. Not again.

You were thinking that with an absorbed look, when you saw the colonel turn in your direction just then.

《Good timing Dr. Kolchek! I need you to collect some samples to take away with us.》 Eric explained in a strangely enthusiastic tone and an almost forced smile.

《I've never seen anything like it before...do you think it is an ancient race or something similar? It doesn't even look terrestrial.》

Soon, you turned your attention to the creature's corpse, lying on the table in front of you 《I don't know, it's almost unbelievable that we managed to kill it...but now, it seems to be deteriorating and fast too. I think it's the lack of blood in their body.》

Eric listened carefully, any information was useful to better understand what those creatures were and just took a pair of pliers from his bag, intent on taking a piece of that rotten skin, in particular where he had noticed some liquid come out right from its jaws.

《Wait!》 You screamed suddenly and the colonel stopped instantly 《We don't know what it is exactly, but better not to touch that directly. It could be poisonous or whatever they needed to keep their prey at bay.》

Your uncertain and terrified face was enough to convince Eric not to investigate further, maybe because he trusted your medical knowledge, no way he had chosen you specifically for this mission...

Or it was also for this, to put it better.

《You are really talented to be just a physiotherapist. Who knows, maybe you should join the army, you'd be great as a medical officer!》 Colonel King added with a soft smile and you laughed at that, no doubt you were imagining your brother's face to the idea of ​​you, tight in a uniform and with a stick stuck in your ass just like him!

《I studied to be a doctor, but I had the worst chance to learn about blood and trauma stuff...》 You stopped at some point, you didn't want to remember those damn days and not in such a situation 《And honestly, I think I could never do that. I'm tired of all this and war.》

《I'm sorry for this, Y/n, I didn't mean to make you relive unpleasant memories.》 During that, Eric grabbed your hand to cup it between his 《I should never have asked you to come here. I don't want to lose you too.》

But there, you raised an eyebrow in confusion.

《Too? What do you mean by it?》 You asked and the grip on your hand tightened just more 《W-what happened to Rachel...where is she now?》

Of course, you had noticed she was missing, like most of the men in your brother's team, but you had thought they were just lost, like you and Clarice had been; by now, you didn't know what happened to her and even though Rachel had been a bitch with you, you didn't wish her the worst end. Not in a place like this.

《I saw her fall from a cliff.》 Eric tried to explain, now easing the grip he had around your wrist 《I tried to help her, but the rope...I couldn't do anything.》

This time, you put yours on his shoulder, as he was remembering the tragic accident.

《...I'm so sorry Eric, for real.》 There was nothing more you could say anyway and the blond one nodded slowly, as he looked you straight in the eye, intent on getting lost in them in a way...actually, there was no one else who could comfort him but you.

He brought your hand to his face and to your unexpected surprise, he kissed it softly on the back.

《What—!》 Of course, you tried to pull it away but Eric had no intention of letting go of you. Not now.

《Right now Y/n, you are the person who matters most to me.》 He started to say looking deeply at you, as if nothing else mattered at that moment.

Except your sudden shock when you heard his last words.

《...》

《From the very first moment I met you, I fell in love with you.》

Maybe, you were going crazy trapped for who knows how many meters underground that now you were running out of air in your brain, because it wasn't possible you had heard Eric tell you he liked you...

But that was all true and Eric was terribly serious...and you so damn confused, definitely you didn't expect such a thing from a man who had just lost his wife!

Or that was the point and this was just his way of fighting the loss, you thought genuinely.

《My marriage was over long ago. I was hoping to fix things with Rachel today, but...I found out she was seeing the sergeant.》 The colonel explained to you with a thoughtful expression 《I know this is not the right time, nothing less the right place, but I need to tell you what I feel first of all.》

Sure, it wasn't the right time to do any of that, but you couldn't help but feel sorry for him, as well as a little uncomfortable with his words.

Of course, the blond noticed your silence was getting longer and just took a decisive step in your direction.

《Why are you saying nothing...?》

This time, his tone became more disturbing and his advance made you hit the desk behind you, to the point that his black plate carrier touched your woodland vest, now dirty and ruined.

《Eric...please listen to me now...》 Really, you didn't know what to say to change that situation 《...y-you just lost your mind and I can't blame you for that, but now we have to focus on gettin' out of here and we can't make it without you!》

You rested both palms on his chest, aware of his sudden confession, but the most important thing at the moment was his lucidity, just to prevent further misfortunes from happening...

But the truth was, Colonel Eric King was perfectly lucid, maybe too much to allow himself to let go of certain things.

Things he didn't like at all.

《It's okay Y/n.》 The colonel spoke harshly, grabbing both of your wrists to get them out of the way, but without letting them go completely 《Except, there's just one thing I cannot understand...what's going on with him?》

Although he wasn't very clear there, you feared that he was referring to Salim and after that, you saw him stifle a laugh nervously.

《Do you think I didn't notice the way you were taking care of the Iraqi a while ago?》 Eric kept talking without giving you time to answer or break away from him 《Come on Y/n, I'm not as fool as you think–》

《What I'm supposed to say? Even if the uniform says otherwise, I think he's really a good person so please, stop with this nonsense.》 Again, you tried to free yourself from his grip, which was strangely growing stronger and hurting you.

《I like you Y/n, I don't know if you get it. I wanted this mission to be also an opportunity to tell you this, because I've always thought you were amazing, smart...and a very beautiful woman.》

Seriously, you were left speechless and for a second, you saw Eric's eyes shine inside that lightless temple, sure as the Hell you were in he wasn't kidding you.

Soon, the Lieutenant Colonel's hands advanced on your upper arms and without saying anything more, he slowly lowered himself...and when you understood his intentions, you put your palm in front of his mouth to stop him.

As expected, you didn't have the same feelings as him.

《Eric, I...》 You started saying with your head down 《I care about you, really. I was able to get through my bad times thanks to you, but this...this is not what I mean between us.》

You didn't dare to look Eric in the eye again and hoped the blond man could understand right away, but he just stared intently at you, clearly on the verge of bursting.

《Why? I can treat you better than that asshole who left you, Y/n!》 The colonel answered you with a raised eyebrow, as he gently stroked your hair with one hand 《He didn't deserve you and you know this.》

In that moment, you looked up and crossed Eric's warm smile, but that wasn't what really caught your attention...casually, Salim said the same words too and your mind just started to remembering his charming features, with his extreme and natural goodness...

And the lips you were about to kiss. Although you only met him a few hours ago, you didn't stop thinking about Salim. And not Eric, unfortunately.

《You are a good man, Eric...》 You decided to answer in a calm voice 《But...I don't think it can work. I'm not ready to throw myself headlong into another relationship.》

Finally, you managed to distance yourself from him, leaving the colonel temporarily in a state of uncertainty and misunderstanding, before he could realize that you were rejecting him. There, Eric took some deep breaths and swept the tuft of his dirty blond hair away from his forehead, clearly taken by surprise.

《I see.》 He just replied with a slight nod of the head, pretending not to be bothered by it 《I suppose the Iraqi has nothing to do with this, does it?》

You were staring back at the rotten body of the creature on the table, not in the mood to continue that weird conversation.

T-there's no way he's in love with m—

And that's why you gasped in shock when a couple of arms wrapped you so firmly.

《E-Eric!? Wha–》

《Then, let me show you this can work.》 Colonel King whispered behind you and shortly after, he started sniffing your neck before kissing the skin 《Because since that day, I've always dreamed of having you, Y/n.》

You didn't know what to say except having your mouth open in disbelief, just as you were petrified by his touch, so gentle and intimate, but not really desired.

The situation had completely gotten out of hand.

• • •

When he was left alone, the Iraqi Lieutenant had time to come to his senses again, not that he was stunned or anything, but he had thought about the last few hours and how the world around him had changed so much. And all for a stupid ambush...

But nothing was lost, not yet, as nothing could stop the man from turning back to his son...well, nothing except this, but he just had to think of a way to escape from his captivity without pissing off the Americans. And among them, there was a certain woman who had just taken his lucidity in hostage for who knew how long...

Her sparkling eyes, her dimpled smile and those milky and freckled skin, just everything about you seemed to bewitch his reasonable mind as if he were some brat in love! But the absurd thing was, there was some truth in it and those easy feelings he had towards you, were becoming something more deep, not really what one would expect between two enemies...

But, what if you weren't? From the first meeting, Salim had never considered you his enemy and right now, he wanted to find out what was suddenly binding him to you...

Well he would find out soon, because a sudden cry made him look towards the archaeologists' camp, but he couldn't see anything through the tents...until he heard the sound of an object falling to the ground, followed by a loud scream this time.

《...》

《—STOP!!!》

It wasn't a mistake, Salim recognized your voice immediately and it didn't seem to be a good thing. Something was happening there and you clearly needed help, so the Iraqi started to wiggle his hands and arms violently, hoping to untie those damn knots...and when he miraculously succeeded, the Iraqi jumped up and ran to the tent, ignoring his still numb muscles.

When he moved the curtain aside just then, Salim stared at the scene speechless. Without a reason, he found you half-lying on the back counter, trying to push away the blond American but without much success, as not even your muffled voice couldn't stop Eric from giving unwanted kisses on your cheekbones and on the sides of your neck, clearly showing your non-consent to this...of course, Salim couldn't stay impassive for much longer and without any warning, he just grabbed the other man with a quick snap, getting him away from you in no time and taking both you and Eric by surprise.

《S-Salim?!》 You wondered when and how the Iraqi soldier got there, but without hiding some relief for this unlike Eric, who instead seemed quite stunned to see him again on the loose.

《You! How did you get–》

《Either you Americans are stupid, or you just know how to take everything that is not yours.》 Salim interrupted the colonel with an intimidating look, as he stood defensively in front of you 《Because when a woman says no, it is NO.》

Eric hesitated to answer and his breaths just quickened more, while the Iraqi soldier didn't lose his composure, but at the same time he wanted to turn around and know if you were okay; for your part, you never stopped staring at Salim's profile, which stood in front of you proudly and fearlessly.

《Oh, that's how things stand...do you think this gesture will cost you nothing?》 Eric nodded amused and with his chin up, a few inches from the Iraqi's face 《You know, I wouldn't take another wrong step if I were you, soldier.》

Of course, Salim would have taken any misstep for no reason, except if the reason was you. In that moment, the ethical differences between them ceased to exist and the only thing that mattered to him was the lousy gesture a respectful man, as Eric King should have been, was about to commit, definitely there was nothing that could stop him from punching that bastard in the face! But he decided to stay calm and turned out to be the right choice, because the other marines came back just in time.

Seeing him free, and for the umpteenth time next to you, Jason pointed the rifle at the Iraqi soldier to prevent him from moving a muscle, as he thought about what fucking job Nick had done with the knots...

《Well, your work on the ropes was really bad, Sergeant Kay.》 Soon, Colonel King regained his authority in front of the group 《Do you have any idea what would have happened if I hadn't been here?》

No one, including you, understood what Eric meant until he run to grab the collar of Salim's uniform, squeezing it inside his fist.

《This bastard, I saw him forcing himself on our doctor!》

The following silence was something so frightening that everything outside the tent went into the background. You blanched at those words, because you knew perfectly well they weren't true!

《Y-you're lying Eric, none of this happened!》 But your words were useless, as your twin suddenly walked past you and punched the Iraqi with all his strength, causing him to stagger against the nearby table; even if too late, you tried to stop him and because of that, Jason clearly saw red marks on your neck and his anger just got worse.

《I guess it's your habit doin' this kind of shit, huh?》 Jason adjusted the rifle in his hands as he took a step forward, ignoring your attempt to calm him down 《How the fuck you dared, you motherfucker–》

《Shit, stop that now!》 You screamed at the top of your lungs 《One of those creatures tried to bite me earlier so nothing happened now...give yourself a fuckin' calm down Jason, okay??》

As you thought, you couldn't just say Eric was the culprit, or it would definitely have compromised the fate of your team, but you had to protect Salim's innocence too, because he was the only one who saved you; anyway, Jason understood you weren't telling the whole story and beyond that, the marine noticed Eric was smiling in the meantime, and like some fucking freak...seriously, he didn't know what the hell was going through that guy's brain...

But before turning away, the cap marine saw your eyes staring at Salim and his evident purplish cheekbone. Ok, maybe he had exaggerated with that punch, but it was impossible for him to hold back his protective instincts towards his sister, who should never have set her foot there in the first place!

He didn't know why, but something else was going to happen, and very soon too.

• • •

A slight shiver ran down your spine, along with the memory of what had just happened. More than shocked, you were somewhat disappointed and not because he had feelings for you, but more the way he had tried to express them. Hell, you still couldn't believe that Eric King could do such a thing, and not after what you had done for him three years ago.

But maybe, you had unconsciously taken care of him more than necessary when you learned that Rachel had never visited her own husband during the rehab...but despite that, fate had brought you to know and fall in love with Evan, your current ex boyfriend, and the reason of your insane choice to fly over half world at the same time, just for sinking into the Iraqi desert and inside a den of monstrous vampires. Sure, it couldn't get any worse than that!

What was the point of all this?? Definitely, the arrival of a certain enemy soldier only made the situation worse, but you couldn't forget his gaze as he watched Eric silently, with all the fury etched in his eyes...what was the point of getting killed for a girl he had just met for a couple of hours and in the middle of the dark??

Though you struggled to think about it, you didn't find the answer anywhere and just felt a sudden grip on your right shoulder, instead. You snapped quickly forward to break any physical contact, without worrying about who it was first.

《Damn Y/n, it's me!》 Fortunately, it was your brother, but your reaction had somewhat baffled him and Jason just raised both hands in the air, backing away in turn 《And don't do that anymore, you fuckin' scared me!》

《...I'm sorry Jason.》 You just answered avoiding eye contact with him, as if you didn't want to show yourself any more pitiful 《I kinda better now so, don't worry a lot about me, okay?》

As always, you tried to distance yourself from everything else when you felt so down and hurt, but unfortunately for you, Jason had the ability to always understand you right away, especially when you didn't call him tenderly by his nickname.

《Do you really wanna make me believe the bite story is true? Come on Y/n, I know you too well to understand when you lie and that's exactly what you're doin' now.》 Jason raised a bored eyebrow before approaching you and encircling your messed shoulders in his dirty hands 《So, you better tell me the fuck happened there before I find out for myself, 'kay?》

When you looked Jason in the eye, it was as if you saw yourself, in a way, as there were your exact same fears within them; even though he was tougher than you in this kind of situation, he couldn't deny he was worried about you.

《Sali- I mean the Iraqi, he got me out of trouble earlier. Eric was wrong doing that to him–》

《And you? What did he do to you?》 This time, Jason's expression was deeply serious, not surprisingly his grip on your forearm had tightened to make you spit the toad 《Colonel or not, I don't give a fuck. If anyone dares to touch my li'l sister, I'll kill them.》

You rolled your eyes, but with a smile on your face hearing that after a long time. From those words, you understood that he knew and that was why you raised a confused eyebrow.

《W-wait, you knew Eric...》 Once you realized it, you opened your eyes in bewilderment; on the contrary, your twin smirked and with his right dimple fully visible 《Why the hell did you hit Salim then!?》

《'Cause I liked the idea, of course!》 Jason answered you without taking that annoying smile off his face, until he decided to get serious again 《And he's an Iraqi soldier Y/n, it's fault of those like him if good people die everyday in tragedies like that...and even if he manages to survive down here, he'll never be our friend.》

After that, the First Lieutenant stared at the deep, black chasm outside the temple. Instead, you stood looking at his now cold and detached profile and didn't stop your fist from clenching tight for how much wrong his thinking was.

《...but, what if those aren't all the same? What if there are also good ones?》 You added in a clear voice and your words caught the cap marine's attention again 《You know Jay, not all people are bad...just have to realize that before it's too late. And before they're gone.》

Your expression softened a little, not that you were mad at your brother, but right now your charitable side was playing a big role under there, which could have changed anyone's point of view; from now on, you just knew what your real enemy was and it was down there, in that deep black hole, waiting to attack all of you when you least expected it...when you others were busy shooting men who didn't have the same uniform as you.

Anyway, you turned around to reach the entrance of the temple and casually crossed paths with Sergeant Kay, who was busy guarding the perimeter in the meantime, but he didn't say a word to you, since he did that with your brother.

《Dude, your sis really knows how to shut you up, huh...》 Nick joked with a half smile as he paused next to Jason, now frowning under his visor. 《No wonder someone fell for–》

《Damn Nicky stop boring me with such bullshit!》 Jason grumbled when he interrupted his friend, surely bored with that 《What's the matter now?》

《You know what I mean.》 Nick kept talking and for some weird reason, Jason didn't want to hear more and tightened the rifle in his hands nervously.

《Come on Jason, there's something between the Iraqi and your sister...I got it from the way he stood in front of the colonel, do you really think he would do such a thing and then protect her? He cares about her for real and don't deny it, man.》

Well, how could he do it anyway? First Lieutenant Jason Kolchek, as well as one of the best soldier in the Marine Corps, couldn't deal with an enemy now, because he was probably interested in his twin sister??

Again, bullshit.

《I can fix this. There's no way Y/n is interested in a guy like him, I mean she's not that naive— hell fuck if she is sometimes! 》 The cap boy said with deep sighs as he peered in his sergeant's face, who seemed to have understood the other's concern and for this, Nick gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.

《Sure you can. Isn't that what jealous brothers do?》 Jason moved the other's arm to hide his slight discomfort, as it was actually true, but the fact that someone else was pointing this out was downright annoying for him!

《Go check the fuckin' radio sergeant, and get us out of this place, okay?》 The first lieutenant barked as he pointed to the item they had found shortly before, but which they needed to repair if wanted to call for help on the surface. Damn, he was still gritting his teeth over what had happened to Merwin and now, they needed to sort it out on their own.

《Don't you prefer that I go and check, you know...》 Nick tilted his head towards the temple ironically, once again getting a menacing glance from his superior and the darker-skinned marine just raised his hands in surrender.

Definitely, he had to cut it out if he didn't want to be killed and not by the creatures this time...

• • •

You avoided looking Eric in the eye, even though you constantly felt his gaze on you, or Salim's, now sitting again in a chair watching the creature's autopsy. Yes, because you were back and pretend that nothing had happened so as not to stay under there to die, of course.

《I would be very careful with that light.》 There, Salim spoke suddenly and cautiously to the colonel 《The demon doesn't react well to sunlight.》

《Did I tell you you could talk?》 On the contrary, Eric didn't seem to take his suggestion well and continued to bring the UV lamp towards the corpse...

Bad choice, because a flame came out in the next instant, taking the blond man by surprise; luckily, you had somehow foreseen it and with a fire extinguisher in hand, you directed the jet against the flame, which was about to burst into a real fire inside the tent. Of course, Salim was quite far from it, but he could still feel the heat of the flames on his dust-smeared face and were tremendously hot..so, it was a big relief when he caught you put out the fire, reducing the vampire's corpse to a pile of ash.

《Like this, we'll end up burnin' what remains of this temple. Better not to risk it...》 You commented in a friendly voice, but still not looking Eric in the face 《At least we know this is an effective method of killin' them.》

The two men stood listening to you until Colonel King made the first move and his gesture caused some tension in the Iraqi one, as well as you. By now, it was clear you had no desire to interact with him and this was evident from your sudden, thick accent.

《I...I didn't forget what happened so stay away from me, please.》 You explained by stepping back from the table and with the empty fire extinguisher still in your hands 《We have to focus on how to get outta here before those creatures attack us again.》

There, your eyes looked down at the floor, still disappointed and that really hurt Eric...hell, how the fuck he thought about kissing or touching you, and in that shameful way?? In that moment, the blond officer had lost control of his own emotions, especially when you rejected his feelings, after he finally decided to leave behind his now, deceased wife; except that, he wasn't ready to face an enemy soldier because of it, defending your person more than his and there, Eric couldn't forget how his dark eyes had caught his with such and violent intensity. Seriously, if it weren't for the First Lieutenant Kolchek and Sergeant Kay, who knew what would happen between them, definitely they would kill each other!

But now, you were in front of him and Eric just felt the need to fix things, as best he could.

《I...I'm so sorry Y/n...》 He said in a dying voice and with his hands outstretched towards you, yet never reaching you 《I don't know what got into me...I shouldn't have done this, not to you. I was been a total asshole.》

This time, you looked up at the colonel and immediately noticed his pained, lost expression, actually you wanted to make a heart choice and forgive him, but didn't know if you could trust him again or not. Just then, you saw him look at Salim.

《So, it's true...you have— *THUMP!* 》

Without any chance of warning him, Eric was suddenly hit in the back of his head and the hard blow made him fall unconscious to the ground.

《ERIC—!》 But your voice had to keep from shouting or whatever when you recognized the stranger hiding behind him, together with the wound on his right shoulder, the same one you gave to the man who had attacked Salim during the ambush.

Oh fuck, not this one!

[Don't move, woman!] The newcomer began speaking Arabic as he pointed his rifle at you [Tell her to put that damn thing down, or I'll shoot her.]

Once again, those words were incomprehensible to your ears until Salim's low voice translated for you.

《Put that down slowly Y/n, or he'll pull the trigger.》 Of course, you were forced to stifle the voice in your throat and do what he told you, also raising your hands in surrender, but without being able to know if Eric was still alive; he barked at you again, this time to make you free his friend and when you lingered, Salim spoke to you again in English, aware that his Captain couldn't speak or understand it.

《I promise nothing bad will happen to you.》 He reassured you as you were intent on releasing his wrists and when he was free, he quickly got up from his chair to treat and calm the other Iraqi.

[She is not dangerous Dar, she is a civilian and a medic too.] Salim put his hands in front of the man to invite him to lower the weapon and he did, fortunately, but without losing sight of you. [There's no point in killing her.]

Captain Basri stared seriously first at his Lieutenant and then at the young American woman behind him, before giving him an answer about your fate.

[If she really is a doctor, then she will come in handy for later.] Dar said nodding in your direction with his AKM rifle, giving you a briefly gasp every time he did that [Tie her up, she will come with us.]

Again, you didn't understand what they were talking about, but judging by Salim's worried face and the other's bad smirk, it didn't seem like a good thing. Anyway, you became sure of it when the younger Iraqi walked slowly towards you.

《Try to understand I have to do this. And for your own sake...》 Salim explained to you in a low voice as you saw him take a rope, the same one used by the Americans to tie his wrists 《He won't hurt you, I swear.》

Despite his words, you couldn't help but think how fucking wrong and pathetic you had been until that moment; maybe, your brother was right in the end, there was no way that there could be a truce between your side and Salim's, but you still believed there was just one between you two at least, like a sort of connection that could go beyond this conflict...

But the truth was, you had showed your naive colors to the wrong people and now, you had no way out. Eventually, you lowered your arms to let the Iraqi soldier doing his duty, tying your thin wrists right under your eyes and in an unexpectedly kind manner, but not enough to allay the disappointment within you.

You shouldn't make promises you won't be able to keep, Salim... This was your last thought before you suddenly disappeared from the tent, leaving behind an unconscious Colonel King on the ground and a real, nasty surprise to your brother marine.