[FIC] And in This Corner (part 4 of 5) {Chapter 30}

[dd]

Sousuke took note of the sites and sounds of the shooting gallery. He also keenly watched all of his companions...hearing the sound and tone of their voices...keeping a keen eye on their body language...searching out new clues to who they were and what they liked.

His thoughts drifted back to a conversation with Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin, one in which the older soldier had spoken to Sousuke about the 'hats' that people often wear, and how many people often wore more than one.

The Lt. Cmdr. had spoken of himself, recounting his obvious role on the TDD-1, as well as some subtle roles that Sousuke had not been privy too. He also spoke of his role as a father in absentia, and as a subtle surrogate father to a number of younger soldiers.

The hats that Tessa wore were obvious: she held the rank of Commander andwas Captain of a sophisticated undersea warcraft...and was Whispered. Something that Sousuke was aware of intellectually---but had not given as much personal attention as he might---was the fact that Tessa also was a teenager...a young lady with questions not unlike his own...or Kaname's.

Melissa, so hard and seemingly reckless on the outside, had a side that Sousuke had never even thought to ask about. The rough and tumble former U.S. Marine spent a good bit of her leave time visiting orphanages and homeless shelters, contributing to the lives of people she had never met before and may not meet again.

Kurz? Who could ever overlook the more obvious roles that Kurz Weber played. Sousuke was surprised to hear that his flamboyant comrade directed a large percentage of his earnings towards the medical care of a mysterious young lady...a sister or girlfriend, perhaps.

Lt. Cmdr. Kalanin had made it a point to talk about Sousuke as well. He had talked about choices he had available now, and likely would be faced with in the future. Should he further his relationship with Kaname? Where did he see his career being five years down the road? Ten Years? Did he ever think about pursuing a career outside of the military? Did he ever think about the possibility of having his own family?

Which 'hats' did Sousuke wish to wear? And why?

*************************************************************

"Well, folks, after three rounds...it's as if we haven't taken a single shot. The two teams are even, and this becomes a best two out of three. Unless, of course it ends in a draw again. You sure you gals don't want to just arm wrestle?" Joe asked.

"Sure!" Kaname said, "But only if I get to go against Kurz!!! No way to lose that one...oh yeh!!!"

Tessa laughed, leaving Kurz with a rather startled expression. "Whose side are you on, Tessa?" he asked. "And I was going to be a gentleman and suggest that you two ladies try something more sophisticated...like mud wrestling!!!"

Melissa whistled loudly, getting Kurz' attention. She showed him a list she was writing. Shaking the list, she asked "Kurz...do you have any idea what YOUR name is right now?"

"Mud?" Tessa asked, smiling.

"Good girl," Melissa said.

"I...I think we shoot get back to shooting" Kurz added helpfully.

"Good idea!" Melissa put in. She nodded to Joe, who finished off the last of his vodka.

"This next round will be patterned after REACH FOR THE TOP," Joe started. We will use pistols, nine shots per shooter. There will be three close range targets...three medium range targets...and three long range targets. A shooter must hit all short range targets to move onto medium range...and all medium range targets to move onto long range.
The highest team total of targets hit wins."

At Joe's prompting, Tessa brought out the targets for that round. "This will take a little bit of time to finish up" she said, handing a packet to Kurz. "For the women, we will use this large photograph of a Tokyo General Hospital patient room, one for each of the three distances. We will attach three of these to each target." Tessa held up a bag of balloons. She handed some to everybody to start blowing up.

"And, this is what we LUCKY guys will be shooting at," Kurz said, holding up a different type of target. "Sousuke will recognize this as a giant-sized replica of his special little book." The photograph showed the cover of the condom book Kurz had made for Sousuke. "Balloons just would not do...so we'll be taking aim at these little gems." He held up a large pack of condoms, ribbed and unlubricated. "Three to each target...just the way I like it...oh yeh!!!"

Sousuke had a particularly sour expression on his face. Tessa and Kaname shared a knowing glance. "Are we going to fill them with water?" Melissa asked, laughing. Kaname knew what she was laughing about. Tessa did not.

"Hey...that's a great idea, Sis!!! I should have thought about that!" Kurz asked if he could use a small kitchenette Joe had behind his office space. Joe consented. "Things are always better when wet!" Kurz said joyfully when he got back.

"I agree," Melissa said, taking Tessa's soda and pouring it over Kurz' head. Joe, shaking his head, went to get a mop. "I wish you would stop horsing around," he said to Kurz when he got back. "Why can't you be more mature like Miss Melissa here?" Kurz just sputtered.

Sousuke and Kaname, finished with the dreaded balloons, took a moment to lean peacefully against one another. Tessa looked on, somewhat enviously. Things were too quiet for Kurz, however.

"Hey...Kanaaammme...did Sousuke ever show you the book I made him before I left to enter that grand and glorious battle?" He smiled at the look on Sousuke's face.

"Sousuke...?" Kaname had a penerating gaze.

"Uh--"

"Tell her what's under 'K'..." Kurz said, grinning wickedly.

"Uh--"

"While you're at it" Melissa said, "Why don't you tell Tessa what Kurz did under 'T'..."

"Uh--" Sousuke was uncomfortable, but now it was Kurz who started to sweat.

"Sousuke..." Tessa was curious, now. Even though she knew better. "Kurz?"

Kaname tapped Sousuke with the halisen. He snapped out of it. A quick exit came to mind. "Kurz, I find my memory to be a bit defective. Can you please remind me why you handed me that marker for the letter 'M'?"

After Melissa thoroughly stomped Kurz into the cracks between the hardwood planks, everyone got back to work preparing the targets. Sousuke could tell by the look in Kaname's eyes that he had yet ANOTHER question to answer some day.

When everything was ready, Kurz stood up on the table and waved his arms. "This has been a very quiet and dignified match so far," he claimed, hand rubbing his chin while everybody shook their heads. "I think we need to liven things up a bit!"

Melissa had to weigh common sense versus the potential for glorious mayhem. She looked down in her cooler...only two cans of beer left! She would have to find another source of refreshment. She settled for mayhem. "OK, Kurz...but it had better be good!"

"And decent!" Tessa put in.

"It has to be 'good'," Melissa officiated. " 'Decent' is only an option." Tessa, Kaname, and Sousuke each felt a sinking feeling in the pit of their stomachs. What would Kurz come up with if he were given free rein???

"Well..." Kurz mused, adopting the posture of Rodin's 'The Thinker.' "It seems we have all made the best use of the gun, bullet, and target aspects of today's competition. But...we have woefully forgotten to exploit the wealth of opportunity available in just such a mixed competiton!"

"Do you mean, human versus Kurz?" Kaname laughed. Tessa quickly went "Shhhhhh!...don't make things worse!"

"Kaname...Kaname...Kaname." Kurz hopped down, and walked towards her with his arms stretched out. "I thought THIS one up especially for you. I can't say I thought it up for Tessa, because when we get back on board she might do something drastic."

"What exactly are you talking about, Kurz?" Kaname was beginning to get that angry look.

"Well...what should we call it? Oh...I know...Strip Shot!" Kurz rubbed his hands together and slicked his hair back.

Joe spoke up hurriedly. "Hey, mister longhair...I run a decent joint here...I don't want any funny business." Melissa leaned over, and whispered in his ear a while. "Well...I hope you know what you are doing...I'll go up front until the gals are done shooting, then. I won't let anyone come back until then."

Melissa grinned, and gave Kurz a thumb's up.

"Melissa!!!" Tessa and Kaname both exclaimed simultaneously. "What are you doing!!!"

"Relax...it will be good for you...I don't usually agree with ANYTHING Kurz wants, but I think you gals might need to loosen up a bit!"

"OH YEH!!!" Kurz was ready to do cartwheels. "We'll play it like this. For every shot a lady misses...she has to remove an article of clothing. For every two shots a lady makes, the gentleman on the other team will remove a garment." Sousuke started looking intense. "Of course," Kurz continued "This is all about making you fine girls focus more on your shots...it has nothing to do about guys and gals getting a chance to see some skin."

"There is NO way I am doing that!" Tessa said.

"Same goes for me!" Kaname put in.

"Fine..." Melissa started, and Kurz's face fell like a shooting star. "But, if you don't play, you don't finish!" Kurz brightened.

"Oh no, I don't think so...," said Tessa smiling, "If Kaname and I forefeit, we are just back to square one...and Joe will let us play his final contest!" Kaname smiled at Tessa, nodding her head. "That's right...it won't work!"

"You gals seem to be forgetting one thing. With Joe up front...I am the one and only authority back here. And, I am Sousuke's superior. If you two don't want to play...that's up to you..." Melissa walked up to Sousuke and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. Sousuke swallowed, hard. "At that point, *I* will win the date with Sousuke!" Melissa didn't sound like she was joking.

Tessa and Kaname both sputtered. "You tell'em, Sis" came from Kurz. "Uh--" came from Sousuke.

"You might also like to think about this. I am not Tessa. I am not Kaname...If I get my paws on Sousuke, the boy will be coming back a MAN!!! And if he trains up good enough, I may pass him off to Mira a bit before I bring him back!"

"I'll play!!!" Kaname said, louder than she had wanted to.

"Me...too..." Tessa put in, very quietly.

"Capital! Let's get this show on the road, boys and girls!" Mayhem indeed!!! "Are you sure that you two don't want to quit?" Melissa said, staring conspicuously at Sousuke. Tessa and Kaname ran quickly to join their partners.

Walking side by side with Sousuke, Kurz tried to reassure his unhappy friend. "Sousuke, you need to look on that bright side. I have been trying to teach you that all along. You know you probably want to see more and more of Kaname, right? Literally and figure--atively. This way you can get started a little at a time, and your friends will be here to support you!" Kurz' spiel was having its usual near-hypnotic effect on his younger companion.

"And...I can guess what has been going through that little Sousuke head of yours." Kurz chuckled, thinking 'little head' to himself: Sousuke wouldn't catch that one. "You need to know if Kaname is the one for you, am I right? Well, this is a golden opportunity to get a peak at the alternative, without having to go through all the trouble! You could do a far bit worse than Tessa, I can tell you!!! Trust me....."

Tessa and Kaname looked at each other, wondering what Kurz and Sousuke were talking about, and both asking the same silent question with their eyes: 'Why are we doing this?!!!' "Sousuke..." they both answered out loud.

"Kurz...is this just for the ladies, or will the men play too?" Melissa asked, tapping her cane against her leg.

"Either way, babe." Kaname and Tessa looked at each other, then looked at Sousuke. Sousuke looked a bit out of sorts. "But things will be rather distracting if I strip too far down, since this place would become crowded with women sensing the spectacle that is, in fact, the majestic Kurz Weber!"

"My retching would certainly be distracting!" Melissa countered. "It probably won't matter anyway, since neither of you two will likely miss a shot. Let's roll, folks!"

"Kaname, you're up..."

Kaname hung her head silently a moment, trying to reach some inner peaceful space. Just as she raised her pistol to fire, she heard the last voice on earth she wanted to hear at that moment.

"Oh...Kanaaammme..." It was Kurz. Again. Damn! Kurz had blown up a large pink balloon, and held it against his groin. "Kaname...did you ever wonder what it might be like to feel Sousuke THROBBING inside you?!!!"

A beer can ricocheted firmly off the back of Kurz' head. The balloon quickly deflated, hanging limp. "Now THAT's the Kurz Weber we all know!!!" Melissa laughed. Then her voice got stern. "Enough's enough. It's time to keep things clean." She spun her cane around like a baton. "Have I made my self clear?"

"Yes...babe..." Kurz said sadly, rubbing the back of his head and picking up the beer can. Seeing that Joe was not there, he started to open the can.

"You don't ever want to father children, do you Weber?" Melissa asked menacingly. Kurz wisely tossed the can back to her.

Tessa patted Kurz softly on the back. "That's alright, Kurz...I'll take over.

Kaname lined up her first shot again. "Oh...Kaname...did I tell you that the Accountants had decided NOT to pay your repair bill?" Tessa aksed cheerfully.

Kaname's first shot missed. Blushing, she took off one sock. Sousuke looked as if he had never seen her foot before. Kurz started whistling an old stripper's tune.

She took aim again. "Ah, my mistake...now...what were some of those things we learned about you in the hospital...copious noxious stools...?"

Kaname hit a balloon with her second shot. She tossed her hair dramatically. She took aim again. "Oh..hah hah...a psychological consult...who could have guessed!" Tessa said, sounding shocked.

Her third shot hit. Kurz removed his shirt. Melissa looked as if she were turning green.

"Oh my...they saw it too...a need for facial reconstructive surgery!" Kaname's fourth shot hit---barely.

"Kaname...I can't believe it...does Sousuke know...sex with many women, including prostitues?!! I'm utterly shocked!"

Kaname missed. She ripped off her sock and threw it at Kurz. "You see, Melissa...I told you women threw their clothes at me!!!" Kurz said. Melissa didn't pay him any attention. He pouted.

"Sousuke, you come stand here behind me..." Kaname started.

"Oh yeh...she's getting hot...didn't I tell you something good was coming, Sousuke old boy...I..." Kurz didn't have the chance to finish, as Melissa bounced another cold one off of his moplike head.

"Sousuke...put your fingers in my ears!!!"

"Kaname?"

"NOW, Sousuke!" Sousuke did as requested. Kaname continued her turn in silence, trying not to lean back into Sousuke. Another hit...and Kurz removed his pants. Two more hits, and he started reaching for his underwear. "SOCKS FIRST, Weber!" Melissa yelled, holding another can. Kurz did as instructed.

One final shot for Kaname. A miss. Blushing, she took off her blouse. Acting galant, Sousuke took off his shirt and handed it to her, winning a big smile in return.

"No! Sorry Sousuke, your shirt is game property while Tessa shoots. Kaname's a tough girl...a little cold air won't hurt her." Melissa was in complete control.

"Oh yeh...cold air...do you know what THAT will do Sousuke..." Another beer can rang Kurz' bell.

"Tessa, you're up..." Tessa looked over at Kaname, who was holding her arms in front of her chest, covering areas her bra did not. Tessa hestitated, feeling the pressure.

Sousuke walked up to Tessa, and spoke to her quietly. "It's OK, Tessa. You will be fine. I won't look if you take off too much. Please don't worry."

"Thank you, Sousuke" Tessa said, blushing. "You're a true gentleman. If I get up enough courage to ask...would you look then?"

"Uh--"

"Sousuke?" Tessa asked, grinning. She thought she was putting on an act...but suddenly she wasn't so sure.

"Uh---"

"SOUSUKE!" Kaname quickly got Sousuke's attention. He returned to stand by her.

Sousuke and Kaname allowed Tessa to shoot in peace. She tied Kaname's score, and ended up similarly clad. She blushed, but she didn't retreat within herself. She even found herself smiling once when she caught Sousuke's secretive glance.

With everyone fully clothed again, and the score tied, it was time for Sousuke and Kurz to get to work. Before they had a chance to begin, they heard an argument through the open door to Joe's front office.

"But DAD, I told you yesterday that these guys booked space...you said your clients would be gone by now!" That was obviously Joe's son.

"Boy...those folks back there are not only clients...they're also my friends. And I figure to go back there now and join them. I don't think your buddies will want to mix with THAT crowd."

"Well...why don't we let THEM make the decision...let them see if they want to use the open lanes."

"Fine...it ought to be fun!" Joe's voice got louder as he walked into the shooting area.

Joe was followed by his son, a tall thin young man in his early twenties, sporting a crewcut, an ear ring, and a Cannibal Corpse T-shirt. Not far behind them followed a gaggle of noisy men, all too familiar looking to Sousuke and Kaname.

Walking into the range area, the rowdies carried their usual coolers of food and non-alcoholic beverages, along with their fuzzy, plaid, and vinyl gun cases. "Hey Joe!" one of them started.

"What you doin' with that gun in your hand!" High fives all around. They were stoked. It was shooting time.

Sousuke and Kaname were out of their line of sight. One of the bullies walked over to Tessa, looked her up and down, and whistled. "Whoo-eee...they're making them prettier all the time. This a new decorataion Joe, or did she come to shoot?"

Another bully walked up to Kurz and said "Girlie...did your mama hit you with the ugly stick or something? Damn. I'll be tarred and feathered...it's not a woman. It must be some kind of fairy fella!!!" Tessa clamped her hand over Kurz' pistol.

A third bully made a crucial error. He approached Melissa. "Holy shit!!! Will you look at THIS pretty little kittie...you lookin' for a tomcat, sweetcheeks..." No one would ever hear what else he had wanted to say. Melissa chopped him across the throat...rammed an elbow to his groin...and sent him flying, knocking open the rowdy folks' coolers and spilling the contents all over the floor. Silently, she brushed her hands together and walked back to her perch.

The room was very quiet. Quiet until Kaname stepped up with a big smile on her face. "Hey...did you guys bring MORE money?!!! Sousuke...look who's here to play!"

Sousuke walked up. He didn't say a word. He didn't have to. His rifle across his shoulder, he held his pistol in one hand and the TMP in the other.

With a rush, the bullies headed out of the room. A few moments later, they returned for the guns they had left behind. They didn't bother gathering up the coolers before they left. "Hey, Sis...nice way to get us more food and drinks!!!" Kurz yelled. Melissa smiled back at him.

Joe looked at his son, but didn't say a word. "I know...I know...the old man is usually right!" His son smile briefly, and headed back to the office.

"Kids these days..." Joe said. Sousuke didn't know if Joe was talking about his son, or the four of them.

Getting back to business, Sousuke shot without incident. He hit all nine condoms. For some reason, that gave him a feeling of accomplishment.

When Kurz stepped up to the line, Sousuke turned and spoke to Kaname. "Would you like to hear what happened between Lt. Concepcion and I when she came to my room late that night? I promised to tell you."

"Yes," said Kaname, looking a little apprehensive.

"OH YEH!" said Kurz, ready for his first shot.

"Should I begin now, Kaname?"

"Uh--"

"Kaname, are you OK?"

"Uh--"

"SOUSUKE! Begin already! Weber, start shooting!" Melissa smacked her cane against the wall. Joe smiled.

"We spent time discussing Sgt. Weber, thinking that it might prove useful to find out what the women all thought about him. Casimira thought that we might have a use for that information today." Sousuke smiled at Kaname, who brightened considerably. "Oh yeh!" she said.

"Good girl, Mira!" Melissa said to no one in particular. "Well, don't keep us in suspense, Sousuke...shoot! YOU TOO, WEBER!!!"

Kurz started carefully placing his shots. Sousuke repeated the commentary of various Mithril personel without mentioning the organization by name. Joe had learned that there were questions he was better off not asking.

The following women had these things to say about Sgt. Weber:

*...Lt. Concepcion: "To be totally honest, I am very fond of Kurz...he's like the little sister I never had..."

Melissa almost choked on her last beer.

*...Ensign Betty Carruthers, bridge crew: "I was TRULY amazed. I didn't know they made men like that any more...I thought they were supposed to come with MUSCLES..."

Joe rocked the rafters with a mighty laugh, tears running down his face.

*...Pilot Sue Rheingold: "Something just doesn't fit...it would be like Disney remaking Casablanca...but using Bambi instead of Bogie..."

Kaname and Tessa looked at each other, trying hard not to laugh.

*...Base receptionist Ilga Hefritz: "Like paying for prime rib and getting ground chuck!!! And you CAN'T send it back!!!"

Even Sousuke smiled.

*...Medical assistant Mary Joe Cummings: "It's proof that God is not a wasteful Creator...he had to find something to do with all the leftover scraps..."

Tessa and Kaname could no longer hold it. They burst out laughing.

*...Petty Officer Annie Kanratat: "I thought that men like THAT usually became monks!"

Everybody joined in. If laughter is the best medicine, not one of them would be likely to get sick for some time. When they finished, they realized that they had forgotten to watch Kurz shoot. He had shot a perfect round.

Another draw.

*************************************************************

Tessa took a moment to rest between rounds. She found herself thinking about the match so far. She smiled, realizing just how much fun she was having.

Not only that, but she was having fun doing thinking things she would not usually think...saying things she would not usually say...and doing things she would not usually do.

Envy was not a new emotion for Tessa. But at that moment, her envy towards Kaname was pushed far into the background. At that moment, it was Sousuke, Kurz, and Melissa she envied most. How they all got along! It might not be peaceful...and it might not be conducive to good physical or metal health...but it was fun!!! She remebered thinking of them as the Three Musketeers. She wished she could be a fourth! And briefly, she smiled, thinking of the Three Stooges. She wouldn't mind being a Stooge, either. At least some of the time....

In any case, there was a lot to see and do in the world that did not revolve around a Captain's chair or a briefing room. It wasn't necessarily and 'either' and 'or' situation. It was a matter of time and opportunity. She wanted more of both.

Joe's voice was the claxon call that brought Tessa's thoughts back to the competition. "Well folks, we're sailing right along. We can see the shore, but it will be a while until we put troops on the ground. You've all done yourself proud with your shooting today." He even smiled at Kurz, catching him off guard. "The fifth round will consist of STAGGERED RAPID FIRE." He paused to drink from a bottle of selzer water.

"There will be six targets, one each in six lanes. You will see the numbering for the lanes on the signs overhead. Lanes will be called out in a previously selected order. If you shoot in the wrong lane, you will be disqualified for this round. The least amount of team time needed to hit all twelve targets wins. Be very careful running with weapons, friends. This contest is of secondary importance! Let's see those targets!"

There were two types of target to be used by all of them. One picture showed a copy of Kaname's answers to Sousuke's 'homework' questions. Another showed a picture of Tessa's body with the head of a cute capuchin monkey.

"You may use as many clips as you want," Melissa called out. "The only things that matter are: do it in order...hit what you need to hit...and beat that clock. Any questions?"

Hearing none, Melissa called out "Kaname, you're up..."

Conferring briefly with Sousuke, Kaname ran down the length of the range, leaving clips on the shelves at each position. She pocketed an additional clip as well. At Sousuke's signal, she flicked off the safety on the TMP.

"Go!"

Undistracted, and uninterupted, Kaname turned in a time of fifty-seven seconds. "A very good time, Kaname" Sousuke said, brushing his hand along her hair.

"Tessa, you're up..."

Tessa followed Kaname's lead, setting out extra clips.

Kaname was rummaging about one of her shopping bags. "SOUSUKE...it better be in here...Oh...it's perfect! And the hat and uniform too!"

When Kaname came back, she was holding a little stuffed monkey. She had pinned a sailor's uniform to it quickly, and a sailor's cap as well. "I call her Tessa," Kaname said. "And Tessa wants to read a few things off of Sousuke's 'homework' papers." Kaname took out a copy she had made of her anseers to Tessa's questions. "Won't this be fun..."

Kaname moved the monkey about, making it seem like it tripped "Oooh...careful Captain." "OK, Kaname..." Kaname made the monkey say in a squeaky voice. "Best I start reading!" She pushed a button on the CD palyer. Hurdy-gurdy music filled the room.

"Go!" Tessa took off, fire in her eyes.

The further Tessa got away, the louder Kaname had the monkey yell:

*..."Stick of a girl with the breasts of a boy!"

Tessa took down one target.

*..."Personality of a good pet!"

Another target down.

*..."Probably lacks self-lubricating parts!"

Tessa stumbled, falling. She maintained good safety, however.

*..."No other person of such minimal value tries so hard!"

Two more targets successfully hit.

*..."Love not likely!"

Only one more left now. Another brief stumble, but no fall.

*...I'd shoot myself if I were her!"

Done. Time: 76 seconds.

When Tessa came back, winded and somewhat worse for wear, she surprised Kaname by smiling. "That's a really cute monkey. I hope I fill out a uniform that well!" She winked at Sousuke, and finished by saying. "That was rather clever Kaname...you obviously prepared very well for today." Melissa smiled.

"Kurz, you're up..."

Kaname followed Kurz up. "What are you up to NOW, babe?" Kurz asked.

"Oh...nothing," Kaname said sweetly." She put her bare leg up on the shelf nearest Kurz. Sousuke swallowed.

"Hey babe, that's not fair!"

"Sousuke...don't you think my legs are fair?" Kaname said with a 'Hmmpf!'

"Of course Kaname...very fair!"

"Oh...and another thing Kurz...I have this vision of you and Melissa...NAKED on the beach...arms around EACH OTHER!!! Oh yeh!!!" Kaname said it oh so smooth and slow. Kurz' eyes glazed over just the slightest bit. Until an empty beer can broke his revelry.

"Hey, Sis...what was THAT for!"

"You better NOT be showing up naked in any vision I'M in!!! Now...Go!"

Despite his earlier distraction, Kurz turned in a run time of 38 seconds.

"Sousuke, you're up..."

Tessa surprised everyone next. Even herself. Kaname had a nice idea. Time to improve on it! She walked over to Sousuke, dragging a small stool. She hiked up her skirt. She unbuttoned a few buttons. Then she stepped up and whispered into Sousuke's ear...after she nibbled ever so briefly on his earlobe. "Soouusskke...don't you want to kiss me too? You can have Kaname AND me...I won't mind. Double the pleasure, double the fun..."

Sousuke blushed dark red. Kaname looked even hotter...she made sure to give Sousuke a quick kiss before Melissa yelled "Go!"

Sousuke's time brought the 'Team Kaname' total to 92 seconds, besting the 'Team Tessa' score of 114 seconds.

Sousuke was still blushing.

Kaname was still fuming.

Tessa buttoned her shirt back up, looking a trifle embarrassed.

Kurz and Melissa smiled. Joe just shook his head.

One more round to go.

*************************************************************

[HELLFIRE]

Nice job dd!! Let's see...

Strip shoot. Wow, wish I was there in person to see it!!

Kurz with his balloon... down there. I can do without THAT particular image running around my head

Our intrepid group v. the toughs. LOVED IT!! Now too bad we couldn't
have alittle more sparks fly between them before our group kicks the
PANTS off them before they left. It would've been an absolutely
PRICELESS scene to script!!

Kurz Recollections, A Compilation. By the female personnel of Mithril.
Uhh... OUCH!!!

...now how are we gonna end this little draw / standoff here I wonder?





Regards

[dd]

Yeh...I thought about it. But even THEY aren't that stupid. Melissa alone is enough to scare them all out of a few years of life!!!

I do have a vision of a potential story that probably won't get written...But who knows?

Sousuke, Kurz, Melissa, Kaname, and Tessa versus the toughs in paintball.


OH YEH!!!

As for the ending...I wonder if anyone will see what's coming...

[HELLFIRE]

...can we say: PS2, Navy SEALS ad, four wannabes v. four _REAL_ SEALS?
To quote, "Like shooting fish in a barrel" Suuuuuuckers!!!





Regards