And In This Corner, part five {Chapter 17}

[dd]

In this chapter: Conversations after the contest. Tessa earned her prize. So did Kaname.
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Tessa walked sedately up to Kaname, wanting to take say what was on her mind and what was in her heart.

"Congratulations again, Tessa" Kaname said, trying to maintain a smile. "Please take good care of Sousuke on your date...you know how he is...he requires a lot of supervision...a lot of w-work." Her smile cracked a tiny bit, despite her effort.

"I'll bring him back in one piece...I promise!" That part was simple enough. "Kaname, thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, Tessa. That was all part of the bet. You won, and you get to enjoy a well earned prize. Just remember this. This is a loan. I expect him back again!" Kaname was getting a bit of her natural spunk back.

"I understand, Kaname. I understand very well. But that was not what I was talking about..."

"What, then...?"

"Kaname...I think you know what I am talking about..." Tessa was kind, but firm.

"You must be mistaken. There is nothing here to talk about." Kaname tried to sound very insistant.

"Oh...I see...let me put it this way..." Tessa spoke in a very convivial manner, smiling. "Let's just say a certain young lady were to purposely lose a contest...letting another young lady win something that meant a great deal to her...it would only be natural that the second lady would feel very thankful towards the first." Tessa winked. She winked a second time, just in case Kaname missed the first one. "Hypothetically speaking...of course."

"Oh...yes...VERY hypothetical." Her secret discovered, Kaname found her self blushing and smiling inappropriately like a schoolgirl caught in the middle of a lie.

"I did NOT see that smile, Kaname!" Tessa said evenly, trying to fight back a smile of her own.


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Sousuke walked up to Kaname, his eyes intent upon her face. He was curious, suspicious, and concerned.

"Kaname..." Sousuke started.

Kaname put a finger over Sousuke's mouth and said "Shhhh...I know what you are worried about Sousuke, and I'm pretty certain I know what you are going to ask. We'll talk about it later, after all of the others have left. You should go and talk to Tessa, now. She is, after all, the winner today." Sousuke was wise enough now to understand she was not talking entirely about THIS contest when she said 'winner.' And he did not miss the emphasis on the word 'today.'

"As you wish, Kaname. I will just say that I am very proud of you. Every time I look, I see more reasons why I l--...like you so very much." Kaname was clever too...she caught his hesitation, and had a good idea what he almost said.

"Thank you."

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Joe walked up to Tessa holding a box. A small, old, frayed jewelry box. When he got up to her, he spoke quickly. "Miss Tessa, I would like very much for you to have this." He opened the box. A small gold pin was inside. The pin was in the form of a seabird in flight.

"Joe...I can't...I didn't..." Tessa couldn't get her words out in time.

"Please, missy. Stop. Don't say anything more." Joe looked very determined, and looked like he was not going to be denied. "Don't say anything that we both know doesn't need to be said." He looked very intently at Tessa who blushed and nodded her head in assent.

"This is not about winning or losing, gal. This is about feeling. I am very proud of Miss Kaname, that much is true. There is a lot in that young lady to be proud of. But I am proud of you too!"

"Me...but..." Tessa was honestly perplexed.

"Yes...you" Joe pointed at Tessa, leaving no room for futher doubt, "Like I said, it's not all about winning. It's like the old cliche...it's how you play the game. I was impressed with the way you played the game. You walked in here a little girl...no offense...but I think you walk out of here a lady."

"Joe..."

"Just listen!!! I'll put it simple. You came in a shy little horse. You leave a little less shy. You ran a race with a mighty tough bunch today, and you did yourself proud."

He paused, rubbing his head. "Do me one favor in return for that pin...never forget that!"

"OK, I won't forget. Thank you."

"Oh...and another favor...I'm feeling greedy today."

"Yes?"

"I'd like you to wear that pin when you go out walking with that young man. It will look good on you. And you will look good with him. But, take proper care of him. And don't forget the young lady who made this happen for you. Deal?"

Tessa held out her hand. "Deal!!!"

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Sousuke walked up to Tessa. This was the moment that she had been waiting for. This was also the moment she most dreaded. What could she say? He KNEW!!!

"You did very well today, Tessa. You should be very proud. You should be very happy." Sousuke sounded very open, very kind. There was no hint of anger...no hint of disappointment.

"Thank you Sousuke, but I do not deserve your congratulations. You and I both have suspicions regarding the victory, don't we?"

Sousuke stopped and regarded Tessa. He chose his words carefully. "You know how I feel about Kaname. And both you and she know what I must think through. I cannot make you any promise that you might want to hear...but that does not mean I cannot see how hard you tried today." He paused, trying to corral some fast moving thoughts.

Tessa waited patiently. Sousuke continued "You cannot win if you do not try, Tessa. I have learned that much myself. A team cannot win if the members don't contribute. You tried today. And you contributed."

"I understand that Sousuke, but it doesn't stop the victory from looking like Fool's gold....from feeling like...like..."

"Tessa, I will honor our wager. But I will not honor it because of the bet. In fact, suspecting what I do, I would be personally forced to view the results as invalid..." Sousuke was very serious.

"Then, why....?"

"I will honor our wager Tessa, and I will join you on a date. Not because of winning or losing. You tried hard. You contributed well. You let people see you for who you are. You let me see you for who you are" Sousuke was struggling with his feelings, caught on the horns of a dilemma.

"I see...does this mean...?"

"I am not sure what it means beyond my being proud of you. I have always been proud to have you as my Captain. I now think that I might be proud to have you as a friend."

" I care very much about Kaname, and that will probably not change. That does not alter the fact that I may be able to care very much for you too. It just may not be in the same way." Sousuke looked like he had committed a crime by saying that. He somehow felt that he was letting Kaname down.

Tessa correctly interpreted his expression. "Sousuke, thank you. Thank you very much...it's hard to keep from crying now..." she made her point by wiping away a few tears. "You've said more than I hoped to hear, and probably more than I truly deserve. But I want you to know something..."

"Tessa?"

"I don't think you have done anything to hurt Kaname today. I think *she* will be proud of *you* when she thinks about your actions today. She might not be happy, but I'm certain she would be proud. Remember, we are having this conversation because of something SHE chose to do." tessa paused before continuing. "Maybe I'm weak, but I don't want to let go of this opportunity."

"I see."

"And," Tessa continued, "I intend to play fair. I think Kaname expects that. I owe her that. I owe you a lot too, Sousuke, for the things you have done for me in the past. We can talk about things more, another day. I think you should go back to Kaname now."


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Melissa walked up to Kaname with a very purposeful stride. "Kaname," she said very firmly. "That was a fine thing that you did! Stupid...but fine."

"Melissa, I..."

"Enough, Kaname...I'm tired...my leg is sore...Kurz' ass needs to be kicked...and I am NOT in the mood for any games right now."

"Oh"

"Exactly!!!" Melissa had her hands on both hips, her cane under one arm. Her look was rather frightening for someone paying a heartfelt compliment. "Let's just say I am very proud of you"

"Thank you..."

"And! You have a favor coming. Whatever you need...ask!"

"I will."

"Good!" Melissa smiled then and squeezed Kaname's arm. "I know what Sousuke means to you."

She said in a more subdued voice. "And I also know how Sousuke feels about you, even though he may not show it to your satisfaction. I cannot guarantee that you have no reason to be concerned...but I would be surprised if things turn out bad for you in the end."

"Yes. I hope so."

"Don't just place all you bets on hope. That's something Kurz would do. This is still a race, no matter how far you are ahead. You better not trip. You better run your best!" Melissa's look was very intense.

"I will!"

"Be sure you do..." Melissa said with a laugh, tossing her cane in the air and catching it. "If the race looks like it can be won...you can never tell when ANOTHER horse might enter the race!"

Kaname was almost certain Melissa was not referring to herself. If she was, Kaname knew what she would do with that favor.

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Kurz stopped bouncing around long enough for Joe to find him without the need of a radar screen. Carrying a grocery bag, Joe trapped Kurz in a corner, looking to say what was on his mind. Kurz looked a little uneasy.

"Son, you are trouble waiting to happen!" Joe started. Kurz braced himself for the worst until he saw Joe smile. "Yes, you are a lightning rod for trouble, but you handle it very well!" He held up the bag to Kurz.

"What's this...a bag full of trouble...I think I have enough of THAT!" Kurz laughed, taking hold of the bag.

"It's those books I promised you..." Joe laughed. Kurz remembered. His look soured a bit.

"Look..." He started.

"You like the ladies, right?" Kurz was forced to agree. "But maybe the ladies don't like you as much as you might like." Kurz shook his head 'no.'

"Boy!!!" Joe said loudly. Kurz nodded his head 'yes.' "That's better. It's not good to try fooling people too long. Especially yourself...I know I know..." Joe laughed when Kurz held a hand up. "Just listen. Take the books. Give it some thought. Tone the act down a bit. And who knows..."

Kurz smiled. "It's better advice than Melissa gives me! Her advice usually ends with a kick to the groin or a slam into the wall."

"That's good advice too, son!" Joe did not seem like he was joking.

"Don't stop being yourself, lad. You're a character, and the world can use as many of those as it can get. I'm just saying that some day you might think that being with somebody is better than just having fun. Know what I mean...long hair?" Joe was still smiling.

Kurz took off his wig. "Do you feel more comfortable talking to me like this, Joe?"

Joe shook his head violently. "Hell no...you look too much like my son that way! Keep it on...keep it on." He then adopted a very serious looking face and tone of voice. "Let me give you one more piece of advice that has always served me well."

"And that is...?"

"Don't ever judge a book by it's cover, boy...there's more to a man than appearence!!!" They both laughed, remembering the way Joe reacted when he first saw Kurz. "Seriously, son...you're welcome back here any time you like."


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Kurz walked back into the room whistling happily, tossing a box up into the air and catching it, repeatedly. "Aha...there you are Tessa!" He ran up to speak with his team mate.

He neglected to notice that Melissa was nearby. Melissa had recognized what kind of box he carried. It was the box of left-over condoms that had survived the shooting match.

"Don't even BOTHER, sergeant Weber!" Melissa called out, brandishing her cane.

"This is none of YOUR business, Sis." Kurz made the risky move of turning his back on Melissa while he cornered Tessa. "Tessa, babe, with your date coming up, I though you might have a need for these. Right? Right!!!"

Tessa did not blush. She did not say a thing. She knew she didn't NEED to.

Melissa grabbed the box of condoms from Kurz' hand. "Tessa doesn't need these!" she said out loud. "We need these" she whispered in Kurz' ear.

"Sis? You're not tricking me again, are you?" Kurz looked eager...but even more worried.

"Of course not. I mean exactly what I say now. We NEED them." Melissa was smiling.

"Oh Yeh!!!...but... WHY do we need them, babe?"

"How smart of you to ask...when I'm done with you, Kurz...I can ship you back home in these!!!" Melissa started walking towards Kurz.

"Melissa...Sis...babe...you wouldn't!!! It's been a LONG day." Kurz started backpeddling quickly.

"It's OK, I still have some energy left and you won't need to worry about anything for much longer. Want to use that card you won?"

Tessa laughed.

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Kaname and Sousuke had said their goodbyes to Tessa, Kurz, and Melissa. They had also said thank you to Joe. Kaname waited apprehensively. She did not know what Sousuke might want to say. She was not certain how he would react to what she had to say.

"Kaname, " Sousuke walked up silently, not allowing Kaname any time to check his face for clues. "You said we would talk later. It is later." Sousuke looked relaxed, expectant.

There was only one course of action. Kaname would not play dumb: each day that passed, she grew more and more aware how sharp Sousuke's mind could be, despite the fact that he often appeared clueless over the simplest things. Even more important, this was not the time for games.

"I threw the contest Sousuke...I held off firing at an easy target so that Tessa would win." She chose the direct approach. Sousuke would respect that.

"I see. Would you explain, please."

"I hadn't planned it before today...quite the opposite, actually. Near the end...seeing Tessa...it just felt like something that needed to be done.

"I see."

"Sousuke...I was the only one who could do it...." Kaname tried not to sound anxious or concerned.

"I understand that point, Kaname." Sousuke walked over to Kaname and briefly touched her cheek, a feathery caress. "I would like to understand why. Are you having doubts about me?" Sousuke's voice and facial expression were neutral. He eyes looked vulnerable.

"No Sousuke...not really. I know what I want...that part is easy." Another transient caress, this time Kaname's fingers over Sousuke's hand. "You're that part."

"I'm glad of that." Sousuke's eyes were neutral now.

"Some of the things Tessa said today---and some of the ways she acted---it made me wonder how I would feel if our roles were reversed." Kaname looked compassionate, and sounded caring.

"Yes. You have a kind heart, Kaname." Sousuke rubbed the back of his head in recollection. "Except when you have the halisen...."

"Sousuke!" Kaname's pitch went up. The caring and compassionate side of her was placed into suspended animation.

"It's not a problem."

"IT had better NOT be!!!" Kaname's eyes then went from incipient rage to blessed calm. "In any case, I also thought about things that Tessa had said during our...uh...misunderstanding on the submarine. Things she said about me. And especially things she said about you."

"Kaname?"

"Let me make something perefectly clear up front, sergeant! Are you paying attention? You have a way of missing the obvious sometimes."

"Do I, Kaname?"

"Yes, you do! Are you questioning me?!" Magma, pushing up against a seam in the crust.

"Of course not, Kaname!"

"Very good. I want to say that I am NOT giving you away. I have NOT grown even the least bit dissatisfied with you. I will NOT give up on you, even if the impossible happens!" Kaname sounded very intense.

"The impossible?"

"If by some miracle you were to become...interested...in Tessa..." Kaname sounded dyspeptic.

"Uh---me?"

"Even very interested..." Yes, very dyspeptic.

"Uh---how?"

"Possibly even very very interested..." Extremely dyspeptic.

"Uh---why?"

"SOUSUKE! Are you just going to stand there making THAT noise?!!" Irritation trumped dyspepsia.

"Is there a better noise, Kaname?"

"SOUSUKE!!!" Anger outbid irritation.

"Please continue, Kaname."

"Sometimes, Sousuke...SOMETIMES!!!" Exasperation won the hand.

"Yes, Kaname."

"As I was trying to say before you interupted me: even if it looked like Tessa would take you away from me, I wouldn't give up on you. There cannot be very many moody AND young military maniacs running around Tokyo!" Her determination was so strong, it threatened to shake the fillings from her teeth.

"There are not, Kaname."

"Sousuke...you told me the insight about the big fish, right?" Sousuke had talked about Bobbo's pearls of wisdom with Kaname.

"Yes."

"Well...I have a hook in you, and I do not intend to let you go. And, I do not feel like throwing you back...at least not today!" She smiled.

"I see." Sousuke nodded his head. "I find no reason to try and throw the hook, Kaname. But what should I do on my date with Tessa? Fish with hooks in their mouths do not usually go looking for more bait to bite."

"Be open with her, Sousuke. And with yourself. Try to understand Tessa and make her as happy as you feel able to. And as much as you want to."

"Kaname?"

"Sousuke...I won't place any limits. That will be up to you and Tessa. I want you to be happy, Sousuke. I want to know what's in your heart. I want you to find out what's in your heart when you have other choices available." Kaname was completely sincere.

"Kaname...are you saying..."

"Tessa wants badly to see if there can ever be something between the two of you. You owe it to yourself to answer that question too. You owe it to me as well, because I need to know." There was almost a pleading quality to Kaname's voice.

"You trust me? You are not afraid?" Sousuke was staring directly into Kaname's gaze, holding her captive with that look.

"I trust you completely, Sousuke. But, I am still afraid. You know I hate uncertainty. You understand how I feel about losing people close to me."

"Do you think I might choose Tessa over you?"

"I will admit the possibility, Sousuke." Kaname's heart felt like it was in her throat.

"I do not think that will happen...."

"I'm very happy to hear that! But, I cannot afford to take anything for granted. There is something I heard that makes a lot of sense." Kaname's smile returned.

"What was that, Kaname?"

"If you let something go...and it returns to you...it's yours!" Kaname made it a point to grap both of Sousuke's hands very tightly, then let go of them.

"I am very impressed, Kaname. You are certainly someone worth coming back to."

"Thank you Sousuke. I hope so. I really hope so." Kaname took Sousuke's hand again, much softer this time.

"Are you ready to go home now, Kaname?"

"Yes...but not alone, Sousuke." The look she gave him was very direct.

"Kaname?"

"I was the real winner today, wasn't I?" She smiled.

"Yes..." Sousuke was wondering where this was headed.

"And the winner deserves the prize, doesn't she?" The smile grew.

"Yes."

"What was the prize, Sousuke?"

"Me?"

"You're uncertain?" The smile wavered ever so slightly.

"It was me, Kaname!"

"Yes...it certainly was!!!" Kaname was thinking about Sousuke's first awkward kiss with her. Sousuke definitely needed some work there.

"There are things we need to practice, Sousuke" It didn't sound as if she was allowing any alternative choice.

"Uh---Kaname?"

"Nothing wierd, Souske. Nothing dangerous...unless you don't get it right!!!" The sound of a cell door locking. The sound of a key being dropped down a endless flight of stairs.

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Joe was feeling his age. The noise...the shooting...the countless surprises...it almost felt like being in battle again. The contest had taken a lot out of him. But it had certainly been fun!!!

"That was quite the bunch of kids!" he said to himself, chuckling and rubbing his brow. To him, someone Melissa's age still graded out as a kid.

He certainly was not going to forget this day anytime soon. Unless he missed his guess, none of the others would either. Of course, no one else would believe a thing that he said if he told them ANYTHING that happened today, much less everything. His friends at the Veteran's Association wouldn't pull any punches: they would call him a bald-faced liar!

Joe thought about ways he could prove his claims. He remembered the security cameras...they covered each shooting area from various angles. He usually just erased those tapes and used them again.

He thought a bit more. He gave up worrying about proof. Remembrance became his new objective. He would like some photographs for the big board out in the office area. And those crazy kids might get a kick out of a photo book.

Joe decided to take the tapes into a photo shop and see what lind of stills they could make from them. As he turned off the last of the lights, he found himself hoping those kids would all come back some day.

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Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin shut off the radio after he had completed his converstaion with the away team. It appeared that the mission had been completed with no casualties. He hadn't expected any wounded...but one could never predict what might happen in that type of encounter.

He had been somewhat uncomfortable having the Captain off of the ship along with two of the best Arm Slave pilots. Doubly so, given the fact that Sgt. Major Mao had not been cleared to resume active duty yet.

Not every mission followed a standard blueprint! And, he was a firm believer in getting things done that needed to be done.

He was looking forward to that report.