FullMetal*Panic!

It was done.

They had all received their diplomas. Everyone was now a graduate. High school was behind them now. Who knew exactly what the future would hold?

The students milled around, exchanging high fives, throwing their mortarboards in the air, and trying to find a moment to speak with those people that they might never see again. Some hovered around their family and select friends, finding a place of comfort or security there.

Sousuke sought out Kaname, after asking Tessa and the others to wait for him outside in a spacious serenity garden. He knew that he might be intruding on her personal space, but he felt a need to see her. His feelings were not entirely logical, but they would not be denied.

As he walked up, he saw a smiling Kaname introducing Kyouko to her family. Nearby, Maya and Ryo awaited their turn. Everyone was talking and gesturing in animated fashion. For a moment, he turned and started walking towards the exit. He shouldn’t break that mood. This was a special day for them, the kind that only comes once. The same held true for him, but he didn’t live in the same world that they did.

He stopped. He turned back again. Even if Kaname might not want to introduce him to her father, she might still need to see him, if only to know that he was thinking about her. It had not been easy, but he had begun to understand more and more about her. He flexed the fingers on one hand, the one he most often used to hold Kaname’s.

“I’m a Specialist. I can do this. I will not make a mistake.” He squared his shoulders, feeling a small knot of fear in the put of his stomach. He wondered how Kaname might react. He worried how that might make him feel. Walking towards Kaname, he heard Oonuki quip “Uh oh! Sagara is heading over towards Chidori. Better jump for cover.”

“BOOM!” Someone else said. Sousuke shook his head. He hoped that Kaname’s father hadn’t heard any of that. He stopped. Someone else had obviously heard it. He hoped it wouldn’t lead to some kind of fight.

Tsubaki Issei stood off to one side. His eyes met Sousuke’s. While many students might be oblivious to the way that the unlikely relationship between a Student Council Vice President and an unpredictable mercenary had developed, the Karate Club leader was all too aware. Aware and jealous.

The two boys stood looking at one another. The crowd quickly cleared around them. Sousuke caught Kaname’s eyes. Her posture screamed ‘Oh no… not again… not now…’ Sousuke held his hand out. If the other young man was set on fighting, it would be a one-sided affair.

Tsubaki nodded his head, reached out his own arm, and clasped Sousuke’s hand. “Congratulations. You were a worthy opponent. I find myself wishing that I had taken the time to be a friend.” He looked over at Kaname briefly. There were other things that he regretted.

“Congratulations to you as well. You are a good person. I find myself feeling the same way.” Sousuke shocked the other boy by grinning. “Should we have one last fight? It will likely be our last opportunity.” He even went as far as to smile. “No weapons.” “I’d hate to ruin these robes, or my suit.”

Tsubaki smiled. That smile soon vanished. He heard a voice that he hadn’t wished to hear. “Tsubaki… TSU… BA… KI…” It was Mizuki. She was making her way through the crowd quickly, not caring who she bumped into. “Please…” Tsubaki said, looking at Sousuke.

Sousuke saluted. He then moved to delay Mizuki long enough for the Karate guy to disappear. Her primary objective stolen from her, the girl settled on the perfect payback. Seeing that Kaname was watching, Mizuki wrapped her arms around Sousuke’s neck and gave him a fierce kiss. “Oh. I’m sorry. I did that without asking.” It was an obvious reference to the kiss that Sousuke gave her, back when he was pretending to be Shirai. She smirked, and headed off.

Sousuke stood still. His yes met Kaname’s. He held his hands out in supplication. She didn’t seem angry. Her one hand was absentmindedly twisting at her hair. She was nervous. That spurred him to action, as he didn’t want to prolong this moment for Kaname. “Kaname, your speech was very impressive.” He walked over to join her. He would follow her lead from then on. His palms felt sweaty, and he found that his breathing had sped up.

“Thank you,” Kaname said. Her eyes spoke volumes more, and she looked torn by indecision. She wasn’t helped by the looks that Kyouko, Maya, and Ryo were sharing. “It was nice, the way that they presented you with that plaque, because of your heroism.” The students had asked the school officials for permission to commission an award for Sousuke, who had been wounded in defense of the city.

“During your speech, you looked very hot.” Sousuke’s pressure to speak had him grasp hold of the first thing that came to mind. Oonuki’s comment had popped into his thoughts.

“What?” Kaname’s mouth fell open. She reacted to the words, not having time to consider the context.

“Ahem!” Shunya Chidori pushed his glasses up on his nose, his face tightening up.

“Oh…” Ayame smiled, and then covered her mouth with her hand.

Kyouko took a picture. Maya and Ryo looked at one another and smiled. Oonuki ran off to spread the news.

“It… yes… I was very warm.” Kaname moved swiftly to diffuse the situation. She had had plenty of practice in the past. “I guess I was pretty nervous.”

“Was?” Ayame asked, an innocent look on her face.

“Yes. Well. I take it that you are the young man who appeared on the news. The terrorist attack made the media in New York. For obvious reasons, the city was very sympathetic towards Tokyo.” Shunya cleared his throat.

“Yes, Sir. I am Sousuke Sagara.” Sousuke shook Shunya’s hand, looking at Kaname out of the corner of his eye. She flinched, realizing that she hadn’t made the introduction.

“He’s really cute, Kaname.” Ayame looked up at Sousuke. “He’s a hero too, isn’t he? If you weren’t such an idol, maybe you could have a boyfriend like that.”

Sousuke tensed up slightly. He guessed what Kaname would do. Still, part of him hoped that she might use that opportunity to admit that the two of them had feelings for one another.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” a familiar voice said in passing. Sousuke looked, seeing a nondescript looking woman walking away. It was Wraith, in disguise.

Kaname began coughing. “Ayame!” She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “You… (cough)… you never (cough cough)… you never know…”

“But, he probably already has a girlfriend.” Ayame fluffed at her hair. “I think I saw him when he walked in. He was with a girl with silver hair and a ponytail. She was really cute.” Kaname’s sister had a faraway look. “I think I saw a taller woman kiss him, though. He might be in big trouble.” She gave Sousuke a mischievous look.

“He usually is…” Kaname said.

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“Angel,” Kurz said.

Melissa and Tessa pointedly ignored the blonde-haired soldier, who was busy ogling a Greek statue of a long-haired and naked nymph.

“Remind you of someone?” Kurz asked Sousuke, trying to get a rise out of his quiet friend. “Maybe if I colored the hair in blue?”

Sousuke looked over at a different statue. It was a frolicking satyr. “No. But that one looks familiar. At least it would with long blonde hair.” He brushed his hands together. “Woman’s hair….”

“What?” Kurz was slow in catching on. “HEY! I’ll have you know….” The sniper went on to proclaim his manhood in an ever-rising voice.

“Looks like our little boy has indeed become a man,” Melissa laughed. She looked over at Tessa, who quickly looked away from a statue of two lovers she had found herself staring at. “Tessa?”

“Oh… yes… man…” Tessa blushed up a storm. She lifted her chin, seeing Mao’s knowing smile. In an attempt to regain some dignity, she asked “So when will Sgt. Weber become a man?”

“Tessa, you wound me!” Kurz brought both hands over his heart. He grinned. A marksman needed good eyesight. Even though he had been hanging all over Sousuke, he had seen what caused his Captain to go red in the face. “Even so, I am your humble servant. Want me to see if one of the museums in town sells a small version of that statue?” He saw Tessa’s eyes go wide. “Did you notice where he was putting his hands?”

“Ummm… no…” Tessa was angry at her reaction.

“Kurz…” Melissa shook her head.

“The same place that Sgt. Major Babe likes me to put my hands.” Kurz was in a very rambunctious mood. “Right, Babe?” He stepped aside just in time to avoid a quick kick to the groin.

“If you injure him severely, I will not carry him.” Sousuke looked over at Melissa. “It is, after all, my graduation.”

“Yes it is,” Mao answered. “Now might be a good time to celebrate that fact.” Taking a few steps, she reached into a colorful shopping bag. “Each of us has a gift for you.” She walked over to Sousuke and gave him a hug. “Here. You don’t have one. I’m pretty certain that you’ll like it.” She handed him a gift-wrapped box.

“What caliber?” Sousuke asked, feeling the weight of the box.”

“Don’t go ruining things!” Melissa gave Sousuke a playful cuff to the head. She should have known that he would guess correctly.

“Ahhh…” Sousuke’s eyes widened when he opened the box. “PP-2000 PDW, from the Russian KBP. Simple. Light. Reliable and easy to maintain. Chambered for the NATO Std. 9mm Parabellum, but capable of receiving the Russian 9mm 7N31 +P +AP ammo, leading to superior stopping power characteristics when compared to the FN P90.”

“Sounds like he likes it,” Kurz said, giving Melissa a two-finger salute.

“Hmm… I’m not sure…” Tessa smiled.

“I do not have one. It is a wonderful gift. Thank you.” Sousuke ran a hand through his hair, not knowing what else to say. He was suddenly feeling very emotional. Melissa smiled. No more words were necessary between them.

“Not to be out done…” Kurz walked over and took out a fancy velvet case from his inside jacket pocket. “It’s custom made.”

Sousuke took the case into his hands and ran his fingers over it. He cocked an eyebrow. “A time piece? With special functions?”

Kurz cursed. Tessa smiled while Melissa laughed. “Did you tell him, Sis?” Kurz shot Mao an accusatory glance.

“Negative,” Sousuke said, opening the box. It held a rugged looking but exquisite Breitling wrist watch. “The display…”

“Multi-functional. If you push the top button, it will give your precise GPS coordinates. There is also a tracking device inside, set to a Mithril frequency.” Kurz smiled. “Best of all, it’s a real chick magnet!”

“Shit!” Melissa rolled her eyes.

“Thank you. Another wonderful gift.” Sousuke’s voice was husky. He hadn’t expected anything like this.

“I’m not done yet. These are also custom made.” Kurz placed a small box into Sousuke’s pocket, before anyone could see what it contained. “You may need them later. Maybe after that party you are planning to attend.” The soldier’s smile grew to enormous proportions.

“Weber! Were those what I think they were?” Melissa put her hands on her hips.

“Y-Yes…” Mao’s tone of voice had Kurz swallowing hard before answering.

“Good. There may be hope for you yet!” Melissa smiled.

“Sgt Weber?” Tessa looked perplexed. Her eyes went large when Melissa whispered in her ear. “But… he…” It took a few moments before the young submarine commander was able to present her gift to Sousuke. “Here Sousuke.” She looked down at her feet shyly.

“Captain?” Sousuke caught himself again. “Tessa?” She had handed him a tube of metal with a screw top.

“It… it would help if you opened it…” Tessa said. “I thought you would have taught him that much, Lt. Mao.”

“Can’t polish a turd!” Melissa said, smiling. She frowned when Kurz gave her a disapproving look.

“You can, if it is a coprolite.” Sousuke kept his voice deadpan. “Fossilized excrement.”

“Sousuke, it was a joke!” Melissa reached for her cigarettes.

“I know,” Sousuke said. “However, I doubt such subject matter is appropriate when I open Tessa’s gift.” He unscrewed the cap, and then removed a rolled up parchment. The writing was fanciful… calligraphy. There were signatures at the bottom. “Did you do this?”

Tessa nodded. Melissa whistled. Kurz hurried to get a look himself.

“It says…” Sousuke stared hard at Tessa.

“Mithril will exert its influence and get you into the college of your choice. It will fund your necessary credit hours until graduation. Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin worked as hard as I did, trying to gain approval from the High Council.” Tessa looked sad for a moment. LT. Cmdr.Kalin had wanted to attend the graduation, but he was hospitalized with a bad case of influenza one day prior to departure.” She pulled at her ponytail. “Strangely enough, General Amitt was the strongest advocate.”

“Yes, that is somewhat surprising. No doubt the final paragraph is his work. His, or Sir Malory‘s. It appears that they are not being entirely altruistic.” The document contained a proviso. For each year of college he received, he would owe Mithril another year of service. But, the years spent at school would count towards his requirements. “Just the same, it is a fine gift.” Sousuke was far from being a pauper. But, on his own, he would never gain entrance to a university for the next session. “Thank you.”

“Well done,” Melissa complimented Tessa. She was truly impressed. It was a great concession to have wrangled from the Council. But, it had been an even greater accomplishment to keep things secret from her and Kurz.

Tessa smiled, basking in her success. She might not have won Sousuke’s heart, but she owed him a great deal. For a moment, she thought back to her brief captivity. It had been Sousuke’s reckless landing on the soaring Amalgam sea-plane, in a free-falling Arbalest, that led to her rescue. It hadn’t been the only time that he had helped save her life.

Her reminiscence was shattered by Kurz, breaking like a struck mirror. “Hey, Tessa. Did you see this statue of me?” Kurz pointed over at the satyr. “It’s anatomically correct, and carved to scale.” The private parts on the mythological creature would have made a porn start jealous.

As Tessa stood blushing and Melissa schooled Kurz, Sousuke took a moment to reach in his pocket. He wondered what troublesome gift Kurz might have given him. Package in hand, he blinked rapidly, his fingers twitching.

It was a box of condoms.

“Uhhh…”

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“Come on. Smile. Pleeeeeease. I know you can do it….”

Kyouko held a large fancy camera, a graduation gift from her parents. She had a plaintive begging look as she addressed Sousuke. The young soldier was standing with Shinji, Maya, and Ryo, underneath a weeping tree heavy with blossoms.

“I am smiling.” Sousuke said doggedly. He brushed away a number of flower petals.

Kyouko shook her head. Shinji grinned. Maya and Ryo looked at one another knowingly.

“If Kaname were here, she could get him to smile.” Ryo stated. She grimaced for a moment. She couldn’t wait to get out of her tight new heels.

Sousuke looked around the area again. There was no sign of Kaname. She had gone off with her father and sister for something. He had hoped to get a chance to speak with her. There was something that he wanted to ask.

“Yes, I think I might actually have seen him smile around her once.” Maya looked down, frowned, and unbuttoned another button on her blouse. That felt better. It would also look better in the photo. “If necessary, she could threaten him with that paper fan of hers.”

“We want him smiling, not battered and bruised, right?” Shinji stood up for his friend. For some reason, he had become somewhat more vocal after the destruction of the high school.

“Do we?” Ryo kicked off her shoes, smiling. Her feet wouldn’t be in any of the pictures.

“Kyouko!” A flash went off. Kyouko had taken a picture of Ryo’s shoeless feet.

“I’ll send a copy to everyone,” Kyouko said. “Maybe even the school officials.” That remark had everyone chuckling. Soon they too removed their footwear, including Sousuke. More flashes followed.

A number of other friends walked up in time to be included in the photo shoot. All of them tried to get Sousuke to smile, but the results were disastrous. He looked best with his serious half-grin. After that, the group moved together, speaking lightly, looking for various friends and teachers. Ryo, Maya, and some of the others had brought their yearbooks, intent on getting remembrances they hadn’t gotten during class.

“Oh. Come on everybody. There’s Kaname.” Kyouko pointed, and then hurried to where her friend was walking with her father and sister. “Hurry up everyone. We need to get pictures with her. Ka…na…mayyyyyyyy!”

Sousuke swallowed hard, seeing Kaname run towards them all. He had stuck his hand in his pocket, bumping against the package that Kurz had given him. He began to sweat. If she found out what was in his jacket. If there was some way that the Whispered could read minds. If she reached in his pocket looking for something, like she sometimes did.

“Hurry up, Kaname. Come on, stand over there next to Sousuke.” Kyouko checked the settings on her camera.

“Kaname,” Sousuke felt his throat tighten when he spoke. She had taken off her robes and had been wearing a rather nice floral pattern dress underneath. Her hair had been elaborately arranged, and she looked so beautiful to him at that moment. He had to fight the urge to grab her hand.

“Uh… OK… Ky…” Kaname looked over at her father briefly, before standing next to Sousuke. Again, she felt conflicting urges. “Hey, Sousuke.” Looking at him in his well tailored suit, she held her breath. He looked so handsome to her, no matter what other people might think. He stood so tall, and so strong.

“Kaname… I…” Sousuke was interrupted.

“No talking. Look at the camera. Smile!” Kyouko took more group photos. “OK. Let’s get one with just Sousuke and Kaname. You two spent so much time together.”

“Kyouko! Shhhh.” Kaname was relieved to see that her father was talking with the Principal. Ayame, however, was watching her. But, she was too far away to have heard Kyouko’s remark. Right? Despite the pressure she was feeling, Kaname smiled beautifully. When her hand brushed against Sousuke‘s, a miracle occurred. Sousuke Sagara smiled, and that smile was captured on film, as proof for future generations.

Feeling brave and reckless for a moment, Kaname actually grabbed Sousuke’s hand for one photo. She couldn’t help herself. Her feelings for Sousuke were just too strong. “Stand straight, Sousuke,” she said. “Don’t ruin this picture!”

“Affirmative.” Sousuke did as ordered.

Kaname teared up. It was such a big day. Still holding Sousuke’s hand, she just didn’t know what to think. The future was bearing down on her, a wicked grin on its face. “Sousuke…” She sniffed. “Do you have a handkerchief in your pocket?” She began to pull open his jacket pocket.

“NO!” Sousuke stuck his hand in his pocket first. There would be no room for Kaname’s hand. He began to sweat heavily, much in the same fashion as the time Kaname first met Tessa. The pretty young Captain had been at his apartment, and had gotten out of the shower wrapped only in a towel. “I have no such thing. No tissues. Nothing that would prove effective against tears.”

“Sousuke?” Kaname’s mood normalized some. She felt much the way she had in school, when she and Sousuke were in the middle of on of their usual harangues. “Are you hiding something?” She froze, wondering if he had gotten her a Graduation Day gift. Part of her hoped that he had. But, she truly wished that he had not. She hadn’t gotten him anything.

Things had been so hectic since her father and sister had moved back to Tokyo temporarily. The lease on her apartment had been allowed to expire, and she had been moved in with them in a larger place. That had limited her chances to see Sousuke in the way that she wanted, and it had kept her very busy. Sousuke had offered to help, and she almost gave into her feelings then and there. But, the time hadn’t been right.

Why not now?

Was she afraid to ruin the mood that her father felt? He was so proud of her today. He had gone to a lot of trouble to arrange for a temporary political assignment in this country, attending to a number of U.N. duties that lesser officials could easily have handled.

Yes. That was all true. But, she was in love with Sousuke. And they had shared so much together. If only she could come to terms with her emotions. She still hadn’t figured out why she had been acting so strange around him, after the two of them had returned from their ordeals.

“Negative.” Sousuke won a small victory. His answer was firm and unwavering.

“Oh… good…” Kaname suspected that Sousuke was lying. But, she was not in the mood to push any further. Perhaps Tessa had given him something as a gift, and he thought that she would be jealous or something. Or it might be a weapon, despite the fact that she had told him not to bring any.

“Kaname, there is something that I would like to ask you.” Sousuke was proud. He had managed that well too.

“Sousuke?” Kaname looked up into his eyes. What did he have on his mind?

There was a sudden sound of an automobile horn, blown in rapid succession. “Kaname, over here!” That was Ayame’s voice. “Daddy wants you. Right now!” She sounded very excited.

Sousukes’ question was left unasked as Kaname went to see what was going on. Sousuke followed at a distance, scanning the surroundings. The horn sounding had not sounded like a person in panic, but rather like someone announcing their arrival.

“Kaname, your graduation present is parked right over there.” Shunya pointed to a red car that a dealership had just delivered.

“Daddy, are you kidding? That’s for me? That car?” Kaname couldn’t contain herself. A huge smile split her face. She couldn’t believe it. A new car! For a moment, she froze. She would need to be rather firm with Sousuke, when the moment arose. A new strange car was not a bad thing, not if it was delivered by a reputable dealer. She remembered all too well what he had done to Miss Kagurazaka’s car.

“Yes. I know it’s extravagant. But…” Shunya looked at Kaname, and then the car. “I felt it was something I needed to do. You did so well. Under such difficult circumstances.”

Kaname began to cry. She ran to hug her father. It was a wonderful gift. And he was right. She had been through difficult times. He didn’t know the half of it. “Thank you, Daddy. Thank you so very much.” She quivered for a moment. Sousuke had gone to speak with the man who had brought the car by. She wondered what he was saying.

“You delivered this car?” Sousuke spoke to a middle-aged man with a thin mustache and slicked down hair.

“Yes I did. It’s a beauty, isn’t it? Toyota Mark X, in dark red metallic. You can see yourself in that shine.” The man ran a hand over the slick finish on the car. “Four door. Five seat. This one comes with two wheel drive, not four. One of our best sellers.”

“You have personally checked over the car?” Sousuke looked the man in the eyes, wanting to see if he flinched or had any suspicious eye movements.

“Of course. Of course.” The man waved his hand in an effusive manner. “The manual is in the glove box. I filled up the tank myself. The paperwork was filled out properly and filed with the appropriate people. I even had it washed and waxed.”

“That is not what I mean. You have checked to make certain that the brake lines were not cut once you parked the car?” Sousuke held off on the impulse to make such a check. He should not dirty his suit.

“Huh?” The man’s face looked comical. Just what was the young man talking about? Maybe he watched too man spy movies or something.

“There are no explosive devices situated in the engine compartment, or attached to the undercarriage?” Sousuke wondered why the man looked as if he were asking foolish questions. Customer safety should be his first, second, and third concern. Perhaps he was a clever actor.

“Those don’t come with the standard package,” the man said, laughing. “I’m afraid that those cost extra!” Sousuke narrowed his eyes.

“I am not joking.” He opened his suit jacket. In a harness that came with his gift, the P2000 was clearly visible.

“Hey! What? I….” The man suddenly backed away, stopped by the fender of the car. “Wait a minute. I think I recognize you.” The man stared at the scar on Sousuke’s cheek. “You’re the guy they got on film. The one they think drive that thing in town.”

“Correct.” Sousuke frowned. It had been a bad stroke of luck, having his image captured for all to see. There had been no way for Mithril to suppress the images, trapped as it was in a desperate conflict. While the pictures hadn’t been as good as those that Kyouko had just taken, more people recognized him than he liked.

“Wow! That’s great. I mean, meeting you.” The man’s face suddenly changed. He acted like a star struck fan or groupie. “Hey. But the car is fine. I drove it over here and everything.” Suddenly he stiffened up. He looked at the car. “I wasn’t in any danger, was I? I mean…” He swallowed hard. “Should I check?”

“It never hurts to be safe. It would be best if you did the examination. You are a professional.” Sousuke decided that he had done what he could. He told the man to give his report to Kaname. He went back to join his fellow graduates as the man disappeared under the automobile. He stopped a moment and shrugged, seeing the look that Kaname gave him. Suddenly feeling a bit sheepish, he could imagine what she must be thinking. He too thought back to the incident with their teacher’s new car.

“I can’t wait until I graduate high school!” Ayame said, her voice carrying over to Sousuke. “I wonder what kind of car I will get!”

“Well, don’t go getting your hopes up…” Shunya said.

“Sweet pea,” Kaname said quickly, before her father finished. She grinned at Ayame’s angry look.

“Sweet pea,” Shunya said, giving Kaname a ‘don’t go causing a fuss’ glance. “Your sister was tops in her class. It gives you something to shoot for.”

“Great.” Ayame kicked at a loose piece of concrete on the walkway. “Thanks a lot… pumpkin…”

Kyouko took a picture of Kaname’s face. She mouthed ‘pumpkin’, and then took another shot when Kaname responded.

As Sousuke began walking towards Kaname, taking a series of hesitant steps before evening out his stride, he heard her father say that the crowd was dispersing and people were heading home, It was time for them to leave as well.

Kaname smiled. She would be driving them back to the apartment. Seeing Sousuke, she bit her lip. She wished that he could ride with them.

“OK, let’s go. We can’t keep Mr. Ishimota waiting. He was nice enough to bring the car out.” Shunya looked around. “Where is he?” He scratched his head when he saw the dirt streaked man pull himself out from under the car.

Kaname stood a moment looking at Sousuke. She fought the urge to run to him, knowing that there had been something he had wanted to say. “Sousuke….”

“Kaname…” Sousuke began walking towards her again. The car horn began blowing. It blared in long loud bits.

Looking over at her car, Kaname saw Ayame reaching into the car. That little scamp! “Sousuke… I have to go now…” Kaname hoped that he wouldn’t be too upset with her. She wondered what he might conjecture.

Would he think that she didn’t want to talk to him? For some reason, she was hesitant to hear what he might say. He might make some kind of admission she wanted to hear, but also dreaded hearing. She wasn’t ready to put certain things into words. Words might carry some unspoken promise or obligation. Her world was too mixed up at the moment for that kind of thing.

The horn blew again. And again and again and again… until Shunya pulled Ayame away from the car.

“I’ll see you at the party tomorrow night. You are going, aren’t you?” Kaname squeezed Sousuke’s hand, and then left.

“Yes.” Sousuke watched as Kaname ran off to join her family.

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“Hello?”

Sousuke took the phone that Melissa handed to him. She wouldn’t tell him who had called. It was obviously someone from Mithril, as the connection had been made through the com console.

“Sgt. Sagara, I wanted to take the opportunity to offer my congratulations.” It was Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin. He coughed some as he spoke.

“Thank you, Sir. I hope that you are feeling better.” Sousuke was touched. He rubbed the back of his neck, somewhat amzed by his own feelings. He was becoming more emotional day by day. Andrei Kalinin was the closest thing he had to a father. That was ironic, considering that they had started off as enemies in Afghanistan.

“I apologize. Your big graduation, and I lay here in bed, the nurses hovering over me, like I am some kind of infirm old man.” Kalinin laughed. His voice went deeper after he coughed a few times more. “Truly, I wish I had been there. I am very proud of you. Not just for graduating, but because of the kind of man you have become.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Sousuke shook his head when Kurz walked by, offering him some food. The lanky SRT member carried a plate overflowing with noodles and what appeared to be canned crab. He could guess where the latter came from. He moved to a far corner of the room, out of harm’s way.

“You may not believe it, but Cmdr. Mardukas was also upset about his inability to attend. While he may not admit it personally, he too has come to think rather highly of you. Even though he does think of you as uncivilized at times.”

“I see,” Sousuke said. “He shares the same feeling as Miss Chidori in that regard, I think. Are you OK, Sir. Should we end this transmission?” He was concerned. The Lt. Commander’s coughing had increased. He cringed, hearing Melissa’s shout. He had been correct in his assumption.

“Hey! Wait! Fair’s fair. I bought the noodles. You bought the crab.” Kurz jumped over the cord connecting the phone to the console. “I was bringing it in here to ask of you wanted to share some with me.”

“Shit!” Melissa plowed through the cord, pulling the handset from Sousuke’s grasp. She kicked the phone back to him. “I have something to share with you alright!”

“Sis, not with Sousuke watching!” Kurz ran into the kitchen and closed the door. Melissa took out her combat knife and began working on the hinges.

“Sgt., is there something wrong?” Kalinin had heard the phone bounce across the floor.

“No Sir,” Sousuke answered. “Sgt. Weber is making himself something to eat.” While the situation might escalate, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

“With something that belonged to Lt. Mao, I presume?” Kalinin’s voice suggested that he already knew the answer.

“Affirmative.” Sousuke watched as Melissa threw the door aside. There was soon a loud clatter, as pots and pans hit the floor. “Excuse me, Sir.” Sousuke called out to Kurz. “Third cabinet, bottom counter. I suggest you share.” Sousuke had secretly stashed cases of beer there, at Kurz’ request. “I have attempted a diplomatic solution, Sir.”

“Beer?” Kalin asked.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Very good, Sgt. You grow wiser every day. You mentioned Kaname Chidori before. Have you given thought to what you will do, now that you have left high school? Your scholarship, so to speak, does not have to be used at the same university that she attends.”

“Sir, I…” Sousuke didn’t know what to say. He knew what he wanted, but had no idea what Kaname would think. She thought that he would go where she went, just not as a student. It bothered her some, as she wanted him to further his education, thinking it would be best that he leave Mithril some day.

“The mission is no longer official, you understand.” Kalinin wanted to talk out this subject, realizing that his subordinate might be wrestling with difficult issues. “However, I am certain that the upper echelon will allow you to continue, if you like. If that is the price to keep you in the ranks…” He coughed some more. “The decision rests with you.”

Sousuke watched as Melissa marched back out into the room, a case of imported ale in her arms. Using the hilt of her knife, she broke the top of a bottle off, and then poured it into a glass she had been using earlier. A few moments later, Kurz limped into the room, looking mostly intact. Strings of noodles hung from his mouth as he ate his ill-thought meal.

“Sir, the situation…” Sousuke couldn’t find the words. He had talked on the subject with the others, but somehow things seemed much more serious now that he was speaking with Kalinin.

“Things change, Sousuke.” That shocked Sousuke. The Lt. Cmdr. was rarely informal with him. “Your existence may have been simpler in some ways, while you were still in school. Your life was regimented, and there were things you could predict. The approaching days may be more like those you faced when you left your previous life, joining Mithril.”

“I understand, Sir.” Sousuke ran a hand through his hair. Those days had not been as confusing as these. He had been a fighter looking for someone to fight for, and an enemy to fight. While his terrible thirst for vengeance had been sated to some degree, it had been somewhat difficult to accept prior foes as allies. But he had done so, because of the respect that he came to feel for Kalinin. However, the current situation was different. He had changed. Kaname was responsible for that. His emotions were no longer locked away, ignored and repressed.

Sousuke and the Lt. Cmdr. spoke together for close to an hour. Kalinin helped Sousuke sort out some of his feelings, and discussed possible paths he might take in his future days. “Sergeant, I want you to promise to lighten your mood,” Kalinin sounded serious. “This is a special time. Enjoy it.”

“I… I will try, Sir.” Sousuke promised.

“Try? What kind of thing is that, coming from Arbalest’s pilot?” Kalinin coughed, and then continued. “I know you, Sgt. Sagara. When you put your mind to it, you get things done.” He laughed. “Things often blow up in the process, that much is true. But, it is the end results that count, is it not?”

“I suppose…” Sousuke frowned. He wasn’t certain if the Lt. Cmdr. meant that his enemy’s blew up… things in his civilian surroundings blew up… or both.

“You suppose?” Kalinin’s voice snapped like a whip. “What kind of answer is that, soldier? We both have seen the funerals for men who spent too much time supposing, and too little time acting.”

“Sir, yes Sir!” Sousuke stood at attention, causing Kurz to chuckle. “By your command. I will be certain to lighten up and enjoy myself.” That had Melissa sighing.

“Very good, Sgt. I will not keep you any longer. Do you have a celebration planned for tonight?” Kalinin thought back to his own youth. There had been precious little to celebrate in those days.

“There is a graduation party tomorrow evening. I have told the host that I will attend.” Sousuke asked when he might be expected back at base or onboard the TDD-1. Kalinin told him what to expect. Saying his farewells, Sousuke hung up the phone. “

“Whoo-hoo-hoooooo… party, huh?” Kurz came over to sit next to Sousuke, dragging a folding chair with him as he walked. “Music. Booze. Babes. Ahhhh…” He grinned. “Can you bring a guest?”

“I doubt that Lt. Mao would wish to go.” Sousuke kept a straight face. He nodded when Melissa saluted.

“Hah hah hah. I was talking about Kurz Weber, world renound life of the party. If I’m there, I can keep the others girls off of you, while you get up close and oh so personal with Angel.” Kurz stood and struck his usual pose.

“Kurz!” Melissa correctly judged Sousuke’s mood. Her friend was not in the mood to be teased. Especially not about Kaname.

“Jealous, Babe?” Kurz grinned. Joking around with Melissa came as naturally as breathing to him. “There is always enough Weber to go around.”

“Kurz, there’s going to be a little less Weber to go around if you don’t shut up.” She looked down at the crotch of his pants. “The emphasis is on the word ‘little.”

“That’s harsh, Sis.” Kurz said.

As his two squad mates traded barbs, Sousuke sat thinking. He had meant to ask Kaname to accompany him to the party. As his date. It would be a simple way to start dating, if she actually wished to do so.

He looked over at the phone.