And In This Corner, part four {Chapter 16}

[dd]

The contest continues. Keep your shirt on! ...not if you're Kaname or Tessa. Return of the bullies.

We have a winner !!!
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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?

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"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.

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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.

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Melissa sat by herself, tapping her cane against her good leg. The other leg still throbbed painfully now and then...but, the doctors thought it would stop serving as a good weather prognosticator in about a month or so. Yes, before too long she ought to start feeling pretty good. Realistic as always, she realized that there were worse alternatives.

Memories of her time in Pakistan fooded her unannounced and uninvited. She thought back to the kaleidoscope of battle, recalling small bits of action, flashes of excitement, and intermittent pins and needles of fear and pain. She remembered the darker, slower times of captivity, and the seemingly endless boredom of her recuperation and rehabilitation.

Conrad would have enjoyed being here today. Melissa mourned his loss.

Switching her thoughs from the then to the now---and settling on a more pleasant target for her attention---she watched the antics of her young companions. What an intersesting medley! That was putting it mildly!

Two young Whispered. An Armslave pilot who was also a world class marksman...still shy of his twentieth birthday. A young ace pilot...who had been a soldier at an age that she had spent experimenting with make-up and playing with dolls.

And, today, they were watched over by a hard-boiled ex-marine with an impressive collection of scars inside and out....and they were the guests of a grizzled veteran of a messy war, a man with more tales to tell than the rest of them combined.

This most certainly was NOT a group to mess around with. And, they were a fine group of friends in the making....

Her thoughts switching lanes without signaling, Melissa smiled when she reminisced about the time she had spent with orphaned children. It had been rewarding work. It made a difference in peoples' lives...just as Mithril and its members had made a difference in her life. Watching Sousuke, Kaname, Tessa, and Kurz, she smiled, realizing the parallel. Sousuke was an orphan, and had been one for most of his life. Kaname had lost her mother, and her father was far overseas and out of sight. Kurz had left his family to strike out on his own, not wanting to be shackled by long-standing traditions and over-bearing restrictions. Tessa was estranged from her parents, who had seemed more concerned about her and her brother's duality of abnormality and freakish potential than they were about the hearts and minds of their children.

They were all lost sheep in their own way. Melissa considred herself to be a good shepherd.

The hands continued their never-ending race around the dial. It was approaching the point where a fine and enjoyable day would transform into a less pleasant drudge of imposition and unfinished business. Everyone was wearing down some, starting to reach their fill.

Tessa was rubbing weary eyes. Kaname's focus faded in and out. Kurz had gone without saying "Oh Yeh" for a few minutes. Sousuke was letting his guard down and came close to smiling.

"One more round to go, boys and girls...unless of course we end in an overall draw. We will be playing a game of TIMED LONG SHOT. Rifles will be the weapon of choice. There will be one target per shooter, and each target with have ten areas to hit. The winners will be the team requiring the least time to hit all of their marks." Joe nodded to Tessa.

Tessa took out her targets and passed them around for everyone to see. They each consisted of a large airbrushing of Tessa and Sousuke locked in tender embrace, leaning towards an expectant kiss. Orbitting around them---and each possessing a facial expression indicating extreme shock, distaste, or unhappiness---were ten replicas of Kaname's face.

"OH YEH, even against 10:1 odds, Tessa wins the day!" Kurz obviously had SOME energy left.

"Deja vu?" Tessa asked innocently.

"It hasn't happened YET!" Kaname said, with more heat than she intended. She shook her head when she realized she was taking things a little too seriously.

"Oh...I see..." Tessa said with a twinkle in her eye, "Let's just call it a premonition, then..."

"Go Tessa...go Tessa...go Tessa...go Tessa." Definitely...Kurz had too much energy left.

Kaname squeezed out a smile. She leaned back against Sousuke, and rested a moment, her eyes half closed. She then stood up, ready to play the last card she had hidden up her sleeve.

Kaname whistled, and looked towards Kurz, stopping him in mid dance. "Kurz...you long-haired handsome devil..." she started.

"Kaname?" She certainly had his attention.

"I will give you one kiss for every shot you miss this round!" Kaname sounded serious.

Kurz eyed her warily. "No jokes....?"

"None."

His hope grew. "No tricks....?"

"Not a one."

Kurz started shaking ever so slightly. He turned to Tessa with a growing flame in his eye. "Captain?"

Tessa just sniffed, and turned her head away from him.

Tessa?!" Kurz was down on his knees.

Tessa "hmmpf'd" and that was all. She fought hard not to smile.

"Tessa...PLEASE!!!" Kurz was down on all fours.

"Sergeant Weber" Tessa started with a very business like voice. "Let me make this perfectly clear to you. You may have as many kisses as you want...."

Kurz jumped and punched the air. "O-o-o-h Y-e-h-h-h."

"...However," Tessa continued, "For every shot that you miss, I will instruct the barber to remove three inches of your own hair. After we get down to scalp, every miss will keep you completely shorn for an additional month. It you annoy me sufficiently, I may make the crew cut the official haircut of Arm Slave pilots. Melissa excluded."

Melissa applauded. Kaname laughed. Sousuke walked over to Kurz and put a hand on his shoulder. Kurz had to know what was coming when he asked "Uh...you are my friend, aren't you Sousuke?"

Sousuke said nothing. Kurz waited.

Sousuke remained quiet. Kurk started to fidget.

Sousuke examined his finger nails...one at a time. Kurz couldn't take it any more....

Say it!!!" Kurz said, barely refraining from shouting.

"Bar-ber...." Sousuke complied. That was the final blow.

Kurz was caught between Scylla and Charybdis...a rock and a hard place...his mane and his libido. He bowed his head and said "Never mind, Kaname."

"Go Sousuke...go Sousuke...go Sousuke...go Sousuke..." Kaname had some energy left too, it seemed. She was dancing around the way Kurz had, wearing a long blond wig similar to his.

"Kaname...a wig?" Sousuke had not been informed of this preparation.

"Oh...yeh...I had gotten it to pester Kurz in the early rounds...but I forgot all about it."

"I see."

"Sousuke?" Kaname aksed.

"Yes, Kaname?"

"Do you think I look good as a blonde, Sousuke?"

"Uh--"

"Sousuke."

"Uh--"

"SOUSUKE!!!"

"You look perfect the way you normally are, Kaname."

"Ahh...how very sweet...I think I might just keep you after all!" Kaname tossed away the wig and tossed her own hair.

"Women!!!" Kurz exclaimed, half in anger and half in jest.

"Not a problem" Sousuke said, following Kaname.

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

"Kaname, you're up...."

As Kaname took her place on the firing line, Tessa thought of the questions she had dreamed up to rattle her nerves:

*..."Kaname, have you given any thought to who you might like as your next guardian..."
*..."Kaname, would it please you if it were a girl...you could paint your nails together..."
*..."Kaname, how about a gentleman from a fine family..."
*..."Kaname, might you prefer a handsome young man with a sparkling personality and a dislike for explosions..."

As Kaname began her shooting, Tessa was content to remain silent. She smiled, feeling better about herself.

***Kaname's time: 55 seconds***

"Tessa, you're up..."

***Her time: 53 seconds***

"Sousuke, you're up..."

***His time: 10 seconds***

"Kurz, you're up..."

***The time: 4 seconds***

"Victory to 'Team Tessa.' " Joe mouthed. "A draw for the contest. Folks, why did we DO all that stuff earlier?!!"

"It gave them something to do while we were enjoying the beer!!!" Melissa answered happily.

"Very good point!" Joe conceded.

"And it kept us off the street!!!" Kurz added.

"An excellent point!" Joe laughed. "Well, let's head on over to the final arena...what do you say ladies?" He smiled at Tessa and Kaname. "We'll let each pretty little filly see what it's like to be a warhorse."

Joe walked over to a circuit breaker, and flipped a number of switches. He walked over to an opposing wall, threw a couple more, and dialed up a rheostat. He unbarred a door, opened it, and signalled everyone to follow him down a short and narrow hallway.

"We're headed into the basement of an the old abandoned warehouse next door. I bought the place and turned it into a combat arena. It's a popular place, keeps me out of trouble, and helps keep my business out of the red. Today it will help decide young Sousuke's fate." Joe sounded purposefully melodramatic. Sousuke showed no appreciation for the building drama.

"Be certain that you bring all of your stuff with you...we don't want to leave any of THAT unattended!" They were not certain weather he meant weapons and ammunition...or the props from the day's shenanigans.

They made thire way into a small waiting area with chairs, a magazine rack, a coffee machine and a small color TV. Wartime memorabilia was framed and on the walls, along with photos of veterans and a bunch of old John Wayne movie posters.

Joe opened a door, and allowed everyone to look in. "We spent a lot of time, money, junk, and elbow grease putting together replicas of a number of battle environments. You ladies will make your way through them all, and back out that door." He pointed to a different doorway. "Miss Tessa...Miss Kaname...if you'll come with me a moment, please.'

Tessa and Kaname followed Joe a short distance through the entry door. They saw an unfolding mazeway of plywood walls, styrofoam blocks, and assorted refugees from a lumber yard. Everything was painted like buildings, streets, and things one would expect to see in a nameless city.
"I want you to pay attention to these openings" Joe said, pointing to large slots in the floor, walls, and ceiling. "Some of these will be occupied. I'll tell you more about that when we get back with your friends." They rejoined the others.

"You will enter the door, and make your way through a series of encouters. Consider yourself the last able-bodied soldier from your squad. I will follow behind you---unarmed---as a severely wounded comrade. Scattered throughout the various areas will be a total of ten hostiles. They may be soldiers...they may be terrorists...banditos...even street scum. They will each of them be painted carrying a weapon. And they all mean you no good."

"That part is easy enough, right?" Both girls nodded their heads. "Well, it gets more complicated. We also have people you do NOT want to shoot. Women. Children. You might see a preacher. Maybe a blind beggar. None of them will have a weapon. We will ALL consider it a VERY bad thing if you hit one of them." Tessa and Kaname signalled that they understood.

"I'll pause a moment and say this: if I were the first shooter, I would keep very quiet about what I see inside there. The set-up today will be the same for both of you." Kaname and Tessa looked at each other. They each knew what the other was thinking.

"You will gain one point for every hostile sent to his coffin within three seconds. After three seconds, a kill brings no points. If you have not killed an enemy within five seconds, you will be considered dead or disabled. Today, that also means you are disqualified. And, for every innocent you bring even the slightest discomfort to, you will have two points deducted from your score. We will play today until we have a winner. Or until its my bed time. Whatever comes first." Joe didn't have the look of a man who got much sleep.

"Sir" Sousuke asked "What weapons are they allowed to use and how much ammunition may they carry?"

"You're way ahead of me, boy" Joe chuckled "I was getting to that. They can carry anything and everything. As long as I have seen it, consider it OK. You don't have any grenades on you, do you Sousuke?" Joe was only joking.

"Uh--" Sousuke showed Joe a fragmentation grenade he had been carrying. "I did not intend it for the competition, Joe."

"Damn if that don't beat all! Kids these days?" Joe was feigning surprise. "I guess I'm very fortunate you didn't use that on those toughs earlier today!"

"Joe...at great risk to my personal safety...I would be glad to make certain that Tessa and Kaname are not concealing any grenades." That, of course, was Kurz.

Joe, smiling, turned to Sousuke. "You know lad, we DO have a room in the back that would probably withstand a grenade blast. If you would like to take Mr. Kurz there and play---while you wait for the ladies---I'll glady give you the key...."

"I..uh...withdraw the offer!" Kurz spat out quickly.

Joe just smiled. "Miss Tessa, as a new guest today, you will be given the choice to go first or to wait."

"I will go first, if I may"

"Good girl! I'll give you ten minutes to get yourself ready. When you hear the alram, head into the arena and I will follow you. Defend freedom, and show the world you deserve to live."

"Tessa," Kaname said, thinking of something just then. "If you see a boy...if you see Takuma...don't forget to take him out this time. It will save the rest of us a LOT of trouble!" She laughed, Kaname level two.

"Tessa's eyes opened wide momentarily, then narrowed to slits. She frowned. "I thank you for your timely analysis. I might add, that YOU would be better off not struggling with him when it's time to escape."

Kurz and Tessa put their heads together to discuss strategy and weapons management. Tessa wisely chose to carry only her submachine gun. She put in a fresh clip, and put on a belt Kurz provided. She added four additional clips to the belt. "If you drop a clip, Tessa, just let it lay. Don't bother fumbling after it...you have plenty on the belt."

Tessa took off her confining dress shirt and put on a spare olive green T-shirt that Kurz had brought along. She thought a moment, then wiped off all of her make-up.

"Good luck, babe." Kurz offered. "I'll be rooting for you big time!"

"Thank you." Tessa walked to stand by the door.

The alarm sounded, strident but short. It was now or never. Her destiny was in her hands. Tessa headed into the arena, Joe on her six.

The first zone was a city street. Lights kicked on, triggered by motion sensors. Steam streamed upward from vents in the fake road surface. Neon signs glowed, some flickering eerily. Shingles, window frames, doors. gutterwork, and downspouts gave an air of autheticity to the environment. There was a bench with two manikins...frightened looking women, huddled together. There was another manikin, and old man, frozen in his rush across the street.

**A soldier popped out from Tessa's left.**

Briefly shocked, Tessa maintained her composure, and gunned it down. She continued.

**From the right, another soldier**

Her heart pounding, Tessa made quick work of that one too. She walked and looked around corners, scanning the road ahead of her.

**A door opened, and the wooden painted shape of a young woman rushed out**

Caught off guard, Tessa jerked around, finger spasming on the trigger. She was just able to direct the spray of fire away from the friendly figure. She gasped. That was TOO close. And she had only faced two opponents! She would pay more attention to doorways, windows, and the like. Joe had said nothing about a time limit...she had no reason to rush into trouble.

She stepped past an old city mailbox, and under a low hanging plastic tree branch. The pathway lead down a narrow branch of the avenue.

**An old man leaned through an open window, a painted bottle in his wooden hand**

Tessa, hyper-alert, took in everything quickly, holding her fire.

**Another figure leaned out the same window. This one had a gun!!!**

Tessa carefully shot the soldier, placing her shots as far away from the elderly gentleman as possible.

"Very good squad leader, very good" Tessa heard Joe say. She didn't pay any attention. No time to get over-confident!

She walked around a corner.

**A man popped out slowly around a corner, continuing to move...he was wrapped in rope! Behind him, his captor...another soldier!**

Smiling ever so slightly, Tessa took out the soldier, sparing the captive. "Well, you might show SOME gratitude" she said to the captive quietly. She had figured out that one quickly. For a moment, she marveled at the power of the gun in her hand, felt like the master of all she surveyed. Was this what real combat felt like?

The lights in the ersatz city area went completely black. Another set of lights went on, displaying a dirt path leading between closely spaced trees. Jungle noises played from hidden speakers. An occasional mechanical arm made a rustling sound up in the tree branches.

The path led to a more open area...she could see what looked to be two ramshackle huts up ahead. A stuffed burro grazed on plastic grass. An actual old rusted car chasis sat in the middle of the path.

Tessa surveyed the car from behind a tree. She then made her way from tree to tree, making certain there were no hidden recesses along the way.
She was ready for what came next.

**The trunk of the car opened, giving Tessa a partially hidden view of a man with a gun.**

A short burst of fire took out the target, but also sent ricochets whizzing about the room. "You'll want to take that kind of thing into consideration, little lady." Joe put in helpfully.

Tessa continued on carefully, seeing if she could go around a part of the huts that showed no windows. The arena did not allow that choice. She ran quickly to the opposite side of the road.

**Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of movement on the top of the second hut**

Braced against the side of a plaster and wood tree trunk, Tessa emptied the remainder of her clip into the painted bandito. She reloaded quickly and successfully. She continued carefully along the side of the trail.

**A door in the first hut opened. A padre leaned out to see what was happening. He did not carry a gun**

Tessa held her fire. It must be a tough job being a padre in these parts. Far be it for her to make it any tougher. The lights went out again. To her right, another set of lights lit up, but lit up dimly.

She looked down a dirty and decrepid alley way. Garbage cans had fallen over, spilling forth an assortment of non-perishable trash. Rubber rats sat near the feast. The fruit of someone's sense of humor, a chalk body outline was present, reminiscent of something from a detective movie.

**An old woman popped into the alley. There was a recording of a cat screaming**

Tessa brought her gun up quickly, but didn't fire. "You shouldn't be out here all alone at night, mam!"

But, she was NOT alone. **The sound of a woman's scream. Two assailants popped out, flanking the old woman, turning towards Tessa**

Both targets fell. The old woman remained standing, whole. The lights went off again. And stayed off. "Not afraid of the dark, are you Missy?" Joe asked behind her. Tessa jumped...she hadn't heard him approach. "Not every battle takes place out in the sun or under street lights. But today, we don't need to worry about that."

Lights came on, showing a replica of the inside of a pair of connected subway cars. Grafitti filled the walls, inside and out. A couple of abandoned newspapers sat on empty seats. Trash was on the floor. The car was deserted. There was a button to push to open the door to the next car. The window was too dirty to see through.

Tessa pushed the button, and stepped away from the opening. She thought a moment...it probably wasn't necessary, but why not try it. She took her small mirror out of her skirt pocket and used it to look around the opening. She saw a manikin of a woman sitting on a far bench. She heard the sound of crying. She saw another door at the end of the next car.

**The door opened. A woman's cry of "Nooooo..." rang out. The figure of a tall mugger made its way through the door...

Tessa fired quickly, before she had taken everything in.

...The figure of a small child was being pushed in by the wooden attacker.**

Both the assailant and the boy were caught by Tessa's burst. Shocked, Tessa stood still, as if glued to that spot on the floor. She put a hand to her mouth. Her eyes grew very wide. She started to shake ever so little.

"We don't have time to check on him or offer medical assistance." Joe said opening a door painted to look like part of the subway car. "This way, Miss Tessa. There will be time to mourn later."

The door lead into a well lit hallway. The hallway lead to a small room, only partially visible from where Tessa stood. She could see some chairs sitting in front of a fake instrument panel with glowing lights. Christmas tree lights taking the place of warning lights. The closer she walked, the more she could make out. There were schematics on the wall. Drawings of cooling towers and other areas she recognized as parts of a nuclear power plant. Looking carefully around the door frame, she saw a manikin in a chair, and a wooden gun at his head. She did a quick count. She knew this wouldn't necessarily hold true in a real encounter, but there could only be one hostile left. She stepped into the room.

**There was a terroristist holding the hostage at gunpoint. But, there was also another similarly dressed man with a gun**

Tessa gunned down both men. It was an instictual reaction. And the correct one. "Very good. Very good indeed. There were eleven hostiles. I must have forgotten about one." Joe said. "You did very well for a beginner, Tessa. Don't let an understandable mistake bring you down too much, now." He patted her shoulder, and showed her the way out.

Everyone looked up when she entered the room. They focused their attention on her, their looks curious. Kurz walked up, holding a cold drink for her. "Well, how'd it go Tessa? Smoke some terrorist ass?" He began to grin very widely...he stopped altogether when he saw Tessa's face.

Tessa didn't say anything. She did not acknowledge anybody. She walked over to a chair, hung her head, and sighed deeply. They could all hear what she said to herself. "I hit a boy. A little boy..." She fought back tears.

She was angry at herself. She had felt excited and animated earlier. She felt numb and depressed now. This was only a game, and it still made her feel this way. War wasn't a game. She sent people into this kind of situation. And there were more people at risk than the ones she sent in. But that was immaterial, now.

She may have slaughtered her chance here today.

She had hit a little boy.



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

Kaname watched Tessa. She was very depressed, almost in tears. That had to be very good news for the next contestant, right? Somehow, however, Kaname did not feel very happy.

She heard Tessa say something about hitting a little boy. For a moment, she felt a quick stab of guilt, remembering what she had said about Takuma. She shook that thought away...it was unlikely that anything she had said or that she had done was responsible for Tessa's predicament. She should prepare herself mentally...no doubt she had a good chance to win if she played things smart and careful.

Kaname looked back at Tessa. She wouldn't have thought earlier that she would feel sorry for her---but she did. She considered what Tessa must have been hoping for today, and what she had been faced with throughout her time in Mithril. It didn't take too much imagination or an over-developed sense of empathy to get an idea of just what she must be feeling now. Kaname had suffered through a number of hard times in her life when things she had hoped for---or had taken for granted---came crashing down around her. She was very much grateful that her world was a much better place these days. She was very grateful for Sousuke.

She felt regret for some of the things she had done to Tessa recently, whether or not she felt they were justified. At that moment, it did not matter that many of those things had been done in good fun.

Sousuke tapped Kaname on the shoulder, seeing that she was lost in thought. "Kaname...is there anything wrong?"

Kaname fought back tears when she looked up at Sousuke. She took his hand. "No, Sousuke...something is very right." She smiled when Sousuke kissed her on her forehead.

"Are you ready, Kaname?"

"Yes."

"I have faith in you. I know you will do well." Somewhat illogically, he added "Please come back alive." He blushed slightly, remembereing this was just a game.

"You bet. Who else could keep you in line?" She leaned against him for a moment, drawing strength. She then stood up and took her place by the door.

The alarm sounded.

The contest would be decided by what happened next.

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

Kaname looked like a natural, Joe thought. She moved well. She planned well. She used the environment to her advantage like a seasoned veteran. Watching her with a mix of pride and astonishment, he thought that Sousuke must be rubbing off on her.

Every threat was properly evaluated, and handled with the level of punishment fitting the crime. The subway scene had been tight, and she almost followed in Tessa's footsteps. She pulled her shots high enough to miss the child, and said a quick prayer...she now knew what had happened to Tessa. She also knew that Tessa could have no more than eight points...she herself had nine.

She put in a new clip.

Kaname was determined. Very determined. She had a plan...and she was sticking to it. One more bad guy to go. She was almost finished. This long contest would soon come to an end.

When she reached the door to the nuclear plant control room, she stepped boldly into the center of the room boldly. She raised her gun and pretended to pull the trigger. "Shit!" she yelled, taking out a clip and throwing it on the floor. She fumbled her replacement clip. Joe called "time!" before she got the next clip in.

Joe went to retrieve the thrown clip. He tossed it in his hand judging the weight. He compared Kaname's actions in this final room to her spotless performance up to this point. She had not been shocked to see an extra man. He remembered her loading a full clip in the subway car.

"I guess you must be very disappointed in me, Joe" Kaname said, making it a point to hang her head low and speak quietly.

"No girl...in a way, I am very proud of you. I have to admit I am very angry, though."

"Angry?" Kaname asked, the sparkle mysteriously back in her voice.

"Yes, young lady. Old Joe is not THAT old. And I'm not senile. You could have simply told me that you wanted to throw the contest for Tessa's sake. I would have understood....I probably wouldn't have recommended it, but I would have understood."

"Oh...I see. I apologize." Kaname sounded truly sorry.

"It's OK, gal. It's OK. It certainly was a pleasure to see you in action. And it did my heart good to see what kind of heart you have inside you. I can tell why that young fellow likes you so much, even if he doesn't always show it!" Joe squeezed Kaname's shoulder tenderly.

"But, I have some good news and some bad news for you...which would you like to hear first?"

"The good, I suppose" Kaname said, curious and concerned at the same time.

"Between you and me...I consider YOU to be the winner of this contest, no matter what the rules say. And for that reason, I still plan to give you something towards college." Joe handed Kaname a check. Kaname held back tears and gave Joe a long hug, not knowing just what to feel.

"Thank you. Thank you very much."

"You might not be as thankful after I tell you the next thing. I won't lie to anyone about what happened here. As a favor to you, I won't tell them something they don't ask. And I can't promise that my reactions won't give me away. But I won't go out of my way to spoil a very generous gesture."

Kaname thanked Joe again and followed him into the waiting area.

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

Melissa was watching when Kaname walked out. Her step was measured, and her face was set...but she did not look saddened or disappointed. She watched Joe as well. He was very guarded...he did not make an effort to speak...and that was surprising given his behavior all throughout the day.

Even though no one had said a word, Melissa was certain that something was not on the up and up.

Sousuke also watched Kaname intently. He was no less observant than Melissa. His assessment of Joe also followed along similar lines.

"Sooo...Kannnaaame...how'd it go babe? Will you be bowing down before Tessa, begging her not to steal away Sousuke's innocent little heart...or, will you be ripping Tessa's heart from her chest like an Aztec priestess, sharing a bite with all of us before you throw it at her feet...c'mon babe. we GOTTA know!!!" Kurz looked like he was ready to jump out of his skin.

Kaname, beginning to wonder if she would regret her decision, slowly said "I froze at the end. I did not get a shot off in time. Tessa wins." She hung her head, and walked over to congratulate Tessa.

"Joe," Sousuke asked "Is this true?"

"Yes, lad, it is" was all that Joe answered.

Sousuke thought a moment. "Joe, is there something you could tell us that is making you uncomfortable?"

Joe's eyes and mouth answered long before he did. "I'd rather not, lad. If I may." Joe's eyes asked Sousuke to stop. He did. He could find out what he needed later on.

Kurz was too oblivious to catch the significance of that exchange. He was dancing along happily, singing at the top of his lungs. It may not have been top 40, but it was a familiar tune: "Oh...Tessa and Sousuke...sitting in a tree...K-I-S-S-I-N-Geeeeeeee..."

Melissa decided at that moment. Absolutely NO MORE caffeine for Kurz.

Melissa, as one would expect, was NOT oblivious. Neither was Tessa. They both started to speak at the same time, stopping when they heard the other. Melissa nodded to Tessa, yielding the floor. "Joe...did I truly win the contest?"

"Yes" Joe answered truthfully. His body gave clues to a truth his mouth did not wish to speak.

"I see" was all that Tessa said in return. She looked at Melissa, and shook her head briefly, seeing Melissa nod in return. She looked at Sousuke, and immediately knew that Sousuke was tracking the same thought she was. She could tell that Joe realized that the cat was out of the bag, but was not going to dirty the moment any further by saying anything.

Tessa had won, but it didn't feel the slightest bit like a victory.