Author's Note: I DO NOT OWN ZOIDS, THE CHARACTERS, OR RED RIVER BASE! That being said, this newest fanfic of mine will be broken up into three parts, a Before Christmas, a During Christmas, and a New Years. All parts will contain yaoi (boy/boy pairings) and straight couples. This is a romance fic, so if you're not into that I suggest you don't read. Pairings include Van/Fiona, Irvine/Moonbay, past Irvine/Carol, one-sided Thomas/Fiona, Rob/O'Connell, and Stinger/Karl. That's all I'm going to say about pairings without giving too much away, so without further ado, enjoy "Tis The Season To Be Ambushed" and don't forget to review! Rated T for mild swearing and kissing *teehee*.

Prologue

Irvine hated the holidays. He had never really had a reason to get all excited like Van or Fiona over such a silly notion such as Christmas. The only good thing about Christmas that brought a smirk to his face was getting to see old man Dr. Dee dress up as Santa. Other than that, there really was no reason for it in his opinion. Whatever he wanted he bought (or stole) on the spot, and whatever desires he had such as money, new parts for his zoid, or more money, he obtained by thievery or cunning skill. Irvine had no need for the "Christmas Spirit"….at least, that's what he thought.

You see, there was to be an annual Christmas Masquerade Ball at the Red River Base to celebrate the Christmas season and the New Year through gift openings, partying, lots of dancing, and plenty of laughter and merriment to go around. Usually Irvine would just go for the good food and wine, but this year he had another goal on his mind. For even though he preferred to have no interest in any aspect of Christmas, this year there would be one exception to his yearly Scrooginess, as Van called it. For this year, Irvine had taken it upon himself to do something special for his closest companion…Moonbay. She had always been more than a sister to him, yet he knew that whenever the going got tough, she would always be the first person to back him up, support him, or in some instances, save him. And this would be the year Irvine proved to her how much she meant to him.

"I'm not one for the sappy crap, I just want a simple, elegant way to show her how I feel that she will enjoy and be happy for," Irvine explained from where he leaned across the couch, his right ankle casually crossing over his left knee as he swooshed his hair out of his eyes. "I thought about getting her flowers or chocolates or some usual kind of close friendship thing, but that's too overdone, too corny. I want something original, yet not romantic. I don't like her romantically or anything, it's just...after recent events I feel a need to let her know how much she means to me before I lose her. I want to give Moonbay something that won't give her the wrong idea. I want her to know how I feel about her but not think too much of it…ya know?"

"Irvine…I've been in the romance business a long time, and I know exactly what you're looking for!"

"…you do?"

"Of course! You're looking for something that will raise her awareness of you, something that will show just how much you value her companionship and friendship without causing her to think you are 'coming onto her'! Am I right?"

Irvine looked into Thomas's eyes from across the coffee table and let out a small sigh.

"Thomas…sometimes I don't know whether to shoot you and take you out of your misery or award you with a medal."

"Thank you, Irvine! You can count on Lieutenant Thomas Richard Schubaltz of the Guardian Force to help you out!"

Chapter One

Red River Base, December 21st, 5:30 A.M.

And all through the base, not a creature was stirring, except for a cheerful Captain O'Connell.

"Gooooooood morning Major Herman! Time for your morning cup of coffee! Guess what sir? Christmas is only four days away! Major, isn't that exciting?"

Rob Herman groaned as he turned over in his bed to open an eye and peer out at the handsome Captain O'Connell, who was practically jumping with joy next to his bed.

"O'Connell….it's 5:30 in the morning, and you're waking me up to ask me if I'm excited about Christmas almost being here?"

"Yes, sir!"

"…don't you have more important duties to do, Captain?" Herman groaned out as he let his head fall back into the pillow.

"But sir, it's almost Christmas, and I thought…"

"You thought what, Captain?"

O'Connell rubbed the back of his neck as he muttered sheepishly, "I just thought maybe you would want to help me oversee preparations for the Masquerade Ball this coming weekend."

Herman felt the heat rise to his face as he blinked and turned his head slowly to look up at his captain with a quizzical look.

"I-I mean, I understand that you're busy sir, and well, I just thought, oh forget it, I'll do it by myself, I'm sorry to have disturbed you with such childish wishes, I just get so excited during the Christmas season, and I just thought that maybe you could share in my Christmas joy with me or –"

During O'Connell's speech, Herman sighed, slowly rose from the bed, crossed over to his first mate, and looked into his eyes before wrapping his arms around the smaller man.

O'Connell squeaked as he was embraced, but quickly relaxed, and melted into his commanding officer's embrace.

"O'Connell?"

"Y-yes, Major Herman?"

Herman pulled away long enough to look into his subordinate's eyes. "For you, I will get into the Christmas spirit….but only for you."

O'Connell's face split into a huge smile as he wrapped his arms around Herman and held him tightly.

"Oh thank you Major! I promise you, this will be the best Christmas yet! I won't let you down, sir! I promise!"

As O'Connell turned and raced out of the room, his boyish energy lifted Herman's grin into a full-fledged smile as the man turned and looked at himself in the mirror.

'I really should put some clothes on before I hug him next time.'

Red River Base, December 21st, 9:00 AM.

"I am a transporter of the wasteland; I never know just where the unknown road will take me."

Moonbay sang her song as she sat in the cockpit of her Gustav, feet gently tapping against the air from where they rested on the controls system, as she bobbed her head to her own fabulous song. In just a few days it would be time for the Masquerade Ball, and she had promised Fiona she would take the girl shopping for an outfit to wear. Moonbay usually wasn't much of a morning person, but she figured going shopping early to avoid the crowds would be her seasonal good deed of the year. Plus Fiona was like a little sister to her, and Moonbay figured she would have some fun dressing her little girl up.

Fiona wasn't much of a little girl anymore though…and for the record, Van wasn't little anymore either. Moonbay had first met them when they were kids, but now Van was aspiring to become a Lieutenant, and Fiona was in the middle of her high peak in Ancient Zoidian Research. Both of them had matured so much, and yet their childishness still could be seen during the holidays. Van could sometimes be as serious as Irvine and it worried Moonbay to see him so grown up; but with the holiday season around the corner, Van was decorating the Christmas tree that stood in the middle of the hanger for the top notch zoids with a boyish smile on his face. It warmed Moonbay's heart to see her little brotherly figure smiling at something so simple and pure.

"Moonbay!"

Moonbay looked away from Van and the monstrous tree and waved to Fiona, who was running over to greet her.

"Hey Fi, ready to do some shopping?"

"You bet! I'm so excited! Do you think we'll find any pretty masks?"

"Oh, I bet we'll find something," Moonbay laughed as Fiona hopped into the Gustav. As Moonbay pulled the controls to lower the top of the cockpit, she looked out one last time at the hanger and managed to catch the form of a single mercenary leaning against the top railing of the hanger. As Moonbay looked up into his eyes, he turned away from her, and disappeared into the shadows.

"He's getting to be more and more shadowy like Raven."

"Hm? Is there something wrong, Moonbay?"

"No, not at all. Come on, let's get this adventure started."

Red River Base, December 21st, 2:00 PM.

"Colonel Krueger, do you mean to tell me that you have no missions for me and Zeke to go on? Come on old timer, we're getting bored here! We've already set up the tree in the hanger, and put the first couple strands of garland around it; can't we please go out and hunt down some mercenaries or something?"

"Van, I know you like to let your immaturity show around the holidays – you're so much like your father – but can you try to contain your excitement for a few hours? I can't help if there's not much criminal activity going on in the real world for you to put an end to. Why don't you, Zeke, Thomas, and Irvine take the zoids out for a run if you're that bored? At least make sure the Liger, Dibison, and Saix aren't getting rusty."

"Colonel Krueger?"

"Yes, Van?"

"Is it alright if my sister Maria spends the holiday here with us? Now that we're all together here, I don't feel right leaving her alone in the Wind Colony when she can spend it here with us."

"Of course, Van."

"Thank you sir!"

Same time.

"Okay Moonbay, how do I look?" Fiona asked as she stepped out from behind the curtain. She wore a bright pink ball gown with a gold half-mask that covered her nose and around her eyes.

"Girl, you look beautiful! You're going to have Van and Thomas drooling at the sight of you," Moonbay winked.

Fiona giggled to herself as she looked in a mirror.

"You don't think it's too…poofy?"

"For a masquerade ball? Not at all! The theme of this kind of event is all about the element of suspense and mystery! Although if we leave your hair like that there won't be much point in guessing of your identity. I know! I'll give you a completely different hairdo that will make you irresistible! Whaddya say?"

Fiona smiled as she nodded happily and went back behind the curtain to change clothes. As the girl changed, Moonbay looked into the mirror that hung on the right wall of the store at her reflection. She always let her self-confidence show when she was around her friends, but in reality Moonbay felt that there was little to be proud of in her appearance. Her hair was so much darker than that of any of the other girls, and she was well-known as the motherly type among her friends. There were times when Moonbay felt more like an old hag than a young, beautiful bachelorette. She had had her moments of self-beauty, like when McMann first proposed to her, or when she had first obtained her Gustav; she had felt such a beautiful mental connection with her zoid. But lately Moonbay hadn't felt anything even remotely similar to self-beauty. She knew Irvine, her best friend in the whole world who she viewed as more than a brother, was keeping a secret from her, and it bothered her that she didn't know what it was. Moonbay was set on finding out though. She knew Irvine would tell her eventually, but he just needed time. The question was, how much time did he need?

"Moonbay? You okay?"

Moonbay looked behind her and saw that Fiona was dressed back into her normal pink outfit, holding a bag with the dress and mask wrapped up neatly in paper inside it.

"Oh, yeah, I'm okay Fiona. Just thinking is all. Well now that we both have our outfits, shall we head back? By the time we get back it will be time for O'Connell to feed us some grub."

Fiona cheered and bounded out of the door of the store, leaving Moonbay to look back into the mirror one last time.

'Does Irvine find me beautiful?'

Red River Base, December 21st, 4:00 PM.

Lieutenant Thomas Richard Shubaltz of the Guardian Force did well to stay out of his brother's business. However, when walking past his brother's office he heard a soft moaning sound, Thomas was naturally intrigued to squat down and try to listen in through the crack in the door.

"Oh Stinger, you're Stealth Viper is so long, can I help you manage it?"

Thomas giggled to himself. It was a rare occurrence to hear his brother speaking dirty talk in his sleep about his secret love-interest, the infamous Stinger. Thomas tried to lean on the door to hear better, when a tap at his shoulder sent him jumping into the air in fright.

"Ancient papaya Van, you almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Yeah, yeah, listen: Krueger gave me the OK to go let my sister know it's cool for her to spend the holiday here with us. Are you in for some adventure time to the Wind Colony with me?"

Thomas motioned to the door as he whispered, "Sure, but let me finish getting the dirt on Karl. He's talking in his sleep again – here, have a listen."

As Thomas kneeled down next to the door, Van leaned over him and the two pressed their ears to the door.

"Mmm, Stinger, not in Rob's office! What if we get caught?"

"Eww, he wants to make out in Major Herman's office? That's gross!"

"Shh, it's not even that good yet!"

Irvine was walking down the hall towards the lunchroom to prepare for dinner, when he noticed Thomas and Van practically on top of each other, leaning against the door to Karl Shubaltz's office, obviously listening in on a private matter.

Sighing to himself, Irvine walked up to them and asked rather loudly, "Just what the hell are you two up to?"

"SHHH!" Thomas and Van hissed at him as they lost their balance and fell back away from the door. Just as they hit the ground, the door was roughly yanked open, and a rather irritated-looking Shubaltz the Elder looked down at them.

Van and Thomas looked up at him and gave them their best puppy dog smiles as Karl asked roughly, "What were you two doing?"

"Um, just checking for any signs of intrusion, big brother! It seems there has been some kind of thief raiding the personnel offices and stealing things! We just wanted to make sure it was truly you in there and not an imposter! Right Van?"

"Huh? Oh yeah – right, right!"

Karl looked from the two guilty intruders to Irvine, who just shrugged in response.

"Don't look at me, I just walked down the hall and found these two peeping on you."

Karl let out a sigh as he asked, "Well, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Not at all Karl! Van, Irvine, and I were just about to go out for a run to the Wind Colony to pay Van's sister Maria a visit," Thomas smiled. "We're going to bring her back here so she can truly enjoy the holiday season among friends and family!"

"That sounds nice," Karl remarked as he leaned against the doorframe. "Be safe out there, and make sure you report any suspicious activity you see on your way. I'll see you at dinner in a few hours."

With that, Karl shut the door in their faces, leaving the three men to look at each other and shrug.

"Alright men, let's get going!" Thomas cheered as he led the way down the hall, pulling a disgruntled Irvine behind him.

"Remind me again why I have to go along with you idiots?"

Red River Base, December 21st, 4:30 PM.

Karl, having been woken up from his nap by the younglings of the base, decided to go down and help with the tree decorations. On his way down, he nearly bumped into an energetic O'Connell.

"O'Connell, where are you going, and may I be of assistance?"

"Sure Colonel! I'm on my way downstairs to finish up the tree. Major Herman was helping before, but he looked so exhausted, I told him to go to bed and get some rest so he doesn't get sick. I told him I could manage the plans for the masquerade ball myself."

"Well, I'll help you out since I have nothing else to do. Don't count on Irvine, Van, Thomas, Moonbay, or Fiona helping though, since they've all gone out to do their own things. It's almost hard to believe it's almost Christmastime."

"Yeah…Colonel, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it, O'Connell?"

"Well…Van's bringing his sister to the base for Christmas, and everyone else here has a 'special someone'…are you planning on bringing anyone special to the base for Christmas? Like another relative or a…special someone?"

Karl found it difficult to swallow as he avoided the innocent captain's eyes.

"A special someone?"

"Well yeah! I mean, you know…like how Van has Fiona or I have Major Herman or how Irvine has Moonbay – isn't there someone you've taken a liking to?"

Karl cleared his throat as he said, "There is someone, yes. But I can't ask him/her to come to the base because he/she would not….fit in. If you wish to know more on the subject, I would say ask Rob, because I'm not saying anything more."

As Karl walked just a little bit faster to reach the hanger, O'Connell slowed down and watched him go with his head slightly tilted to the side.

Outside of Red River Base, on the way to the Wind Colony, December 21st, 5:26 PM.

"Hey Van, are we almost there? My joints are cramping up with boredom."

"Hold your horses Thomas; we'll be there in about ten minutes."

"Hey Van, do you think your sister will be happy to come back with us?" Irvine asked from where he was piloting his Saix.

"I don't see why not. Maria is always energetic about meeting my friends – just ask Zeke."

The organoid made a laughing sound from where he was curled up around the Blade Liger's core.

"What's your sister like, Van? I've never had the privilege of meeting her. Is she a troublemaker like you?"

"Hardly. My sister was always the mature, responsible one. She's got a huge heart, and adores Zeke and Fiona. Although sometimes she acts more like my mom than my sister. But watch yourself Thomas, she may be single, but you're not getting your womanizing hands on her!"

"Please Van; the only woman in this world for me is the fair and beautiful Fiona!"

Van struggled to contain his laughter as Irvine smirked over the com system.

"Van, I was wondering," Irvine voiced aloud after a little while. "What are you getting Fiona for Christmas? Like is it overly romantic or is it sweet and simple?"

"Well to be honest, I haven't really thought about it," Van admitted as he rubbed his neck.

"WHAT? YOU MEAN TO TELL ME FIONA HAS HER HEART SET ON A TOTAL BUM? HOW COULD YOU NOT THINK OF WHAT TO GET HER? SHE SHOULD BE YOUR FIRST PRIORITY AT ALL TIMES –"

"Thank you, Thomas," Irvine said loudly as he blocked Thomas out of the conversation. Irvine looked at Van's face on his screen with a look of seriousness. "I was just asking because I'm trying to figure out what to get Moonbay, but I don't want it to be romantic or anything. I just…want it to be sentimental but not lovey dovey…you know?"

Van smiled as he nodded. "Yeah, I can understand that. But why don't you want it to be romantic? I mean, come on man, wake up and smell Dr. Dee's coffee. You and Moonbay are made for each other just as much as Fiona and I are. And you know she totally digs you. I mean she left McMann to be with you!"

"Yeah I understand that, but it's...difficult. And she didn't leave McMann to be with me, she left him to travel around with all of us."

"Difficult? What's there to misunderstand? She digs you, you dig her -"

"Dig her? Since when did you start talking like some street thug of the Fire Colony?"

"Irvine, come on. You really like her, don't you?"

"Well yeah, but again, it's...complicated. Let's just say after recent events I realize I need to make a bigger effort to tell the important people in my life who mean a lot to me how much they mean to me before it's too late."

Van pouted on the screen as he asked, "Sooo when are you going to tell me how much I mean to you?"

Irvine laughed as he shut off the com system. "You mean a lot to me too, kid."

Wind Colony, December 21st, same time.

Maria Flyheight was tired of living alone. She wanted to find that special someone like her little brother had found. Van was younger than her by a few years, and even he had found someone to settle down with before she had. That's why she anxiously stood at her door waiting for her brother to come pick her up. She had received his call that she could spend Christmas at the base, and needless to say, Maria was ecstatic. Hoping to find the man of her dreams in that of a handsome, intelligent soldier, Maria stood, bags in hand, scanning the horizon just beyond the village for any sign of her brother.

"Home," Van breathed as the Blade Liger approached the outskirts of the Wind Colony. The peaceful village stood unchanged from the effects of the long-standing war that had waged on for the decade. The windmills still spun, the grass waved in the gentle breeze, and a small, petite figure could be seen running out of the village, waving at the zoids as she approached.

"Maria!" Van called out as he brought the Liger to a halt, opened up the cockpit, and jumped down to run into his sister's arms.

"Oh Van, you've gotten so tall! It's wonderful to see you," a tearful Maria smiled as she held her brother tightly. "You're looking more and more like dad with each passing day."

Van beamed as he gestured to the zoids behind them.

"We'll throw your bags into the back of the Dibson, and you can ride in the back of the Liger. Zeke! Come on out and say hello to Maria!"

"Oh Van, that's quite alright, Zeke doesn't have to -"

Maria was cut off as Zeke flew from the Liger down to the ground where he pulled Maria tightly into his short arms and started making all kinds of happy organoid noises. Maria squeaked a little, but passed it off as laughter when Thomas and Irvine both stood up in their zoids to wave to her.

"Hey Maria, looking fine as always!" Irvine called down with a wave and a wink.

Maria laughed as she waved back. "Hey Irvine! The Saix looks really good!"

"Thanks! The doc had it custom-built for me!"

Maria turned her eyes to the blonde man in the Dibison and felt her smile grow as she met his startled gaze.

"Hello! You must be Thomas, I presume? Van's told me a lot about you."

Thomas felt his heartbeat quicken at being addressed by such a beautiful young woman., even though she wasn't as beautiful as Fiona. Maria definitely had Van's dark hair and gentle eyes, but she looked so much more aged than Van. Sure she was older than him by a few years, but Thomas saw the heart of not a young woman, but an experienced woman ready for marriage in those sweet eyes.

"W-why yes, my name is Lieutenant Thomas Richard Schubaltz of the Guardian Force! This is my Dibison!"

Maria smiled at Thomas's innocence and cuteness as she responded, "I can see that. She is very nice."

"She? Nobody ever called my Dibison a she before," Thomas whispered as he looked at Van. "Should we get going now?"

Van nodded and gestured to Maria's bags. "I'll pack these in for you, why don't you load on up into the Liger? Zeke, help her out."

Zeke nodded and motioned for Maria to climb up onto his back. As she did - somewhat awkwardly - Zeke flew them up into the Liger's cockpit. Van turned to Thomas and called out, "Thomas, stop gawking and come help me with these bags!"

"R-right away, Van!" Thomas stuttered as he jumped down eagerly to help.

Red River Base, December 21st, 7:00 PM.

"Wow, am I beat from all that shopping! I can't wait to see Van's face when he sees how beautiful you're going to look in that dress," Moonbay chirped as she flopped down on her bed.

Fiona smiled at her, but looked out the window into the sandy desert.

"Do you think Van will do anything special for us this Christmas?"

"I'm sure that boy has something up his sleeve. He may not be the most romantic of all the guys I've met, but I'm sure he will do something special to show his love for you this year."

"How can you be so sure? Knowing Van, he probably forgot to get anyone anything," Fiona sighed as she flopped down on the window seat. "He's the hero of Zi, yet he's the biggest procrastinator I know of when it comes to anything personal or romantic."

"Haha that's true, but I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure he's got something up his sleeve," Moonbay smiled as she sat up to regard Fiona. "Hey, why don't we go see how the boys did decorating the tree? It didn't look half bad this morning, and I'm sure you're dying to see Van again. We'll stop off at the tree and then head on to dinner."

"Okay," Fiona smiled as she left her seat and her worries behind.

Same time.

O'Connell wiped his forehead as he called down to Karl, "Colonel Schubaltz, the star won't fit on the tree!"

"What do you mean it won't fit? Isn't that the tree you use every year?"

"No sir! The star we used last year was destroyed when the base was attacked. I sent some of the officers out to find a new one, but this one here has too small of a hole to fit the branches into! What should we do, sir?"

"Officers," Karl sighed, "they can't be counted on for anything useful these days. Alright O'Connell, take down the star, we'll find something else to decorate the top of the tree with!"

As O'Connell nodded and maneuvered his Pteras to fly back down to the ground, Karl turned his head as he heard two people approaching.

"Heya Colonel, anything us lovely ladies can help with?" Moonbay asked, giving Karl a wink.

"Thanks Moonbay, but we were just wrapping things up here before we go to dinner."

"Well may we join you on your journey to the dining room?" Fiona asked politely as she poked out from behind Moonbay.

Karl smiled at her. "And to think for a while there I forgot that you were an Ancient Zoidian, otherwise known as one who still uses manners. Sure, come along - I'm just waiting for O'Connell to come down here."

As O'Connell jumped down from his zoid's cockpit and exchanged greetings with the girls, the four made their way to the dining hall with Moonbay remarking, "The tree doesn't look half bad this year. It looks like all you need to do now is string the lights on it and pack the presents underneath it."

"And find a star for the top. Turns out the old one was destroyed in an assault on the base a few years back. You two wouldn't happen to know where we could find one, would you?"

Moonbay put a finger to her chin as she thought about it.

"I'm sure Dr. Dee would have some idea of where to find one. That crackjob is always the first man to ask about finding weird stuff. Will he be at dinner?"

"Mhmm," Fiona smiled with a little skip in her step. "He was supposed to land at the base an hour ago, but I haven't had time to go searching for him. Knowing him though, if there is food around, he's sure to be there to enjoy it."

As they shared a laugh, O'Connell piped up, "I'm going to go see if I can find Major Herman and let him know about dinner. I'll see you all there!"

When he was out of sight, Karl heaved a sigh. "That boy is quite adorable at times, but he's also pretty clueless. No wonder Herman has a thing for him. Granted, he has the potential to be a great commanding officer, but he still has so much to learn about everything."

"I think O'Connell has a good heart," Fiona smiled as she opened the door of the dining room. "He works hard, and he cares very much for Major Herman."

"Yeah but one day Rob won't be there for him...then what will O'Connell do? I don't think he has it in him to take over Red River yet." Karl's face twisted into a grimace as he shrugged and said, "Oh well, how about we wait for the others to meet up with us? I'm sure they shouldn't be long. Van and the others should be returning soon."

"Returning soon? Where did they go?" Moonbay asked as she sat down opposite Karl and next to Fiona.

"They went to go pick up Van's sister Maria and bring her back to the base for the holiday season. Van figures it would be good for her to spend Christmas here with friends and family than in the Wind Colony alone."

"That makes sense," Moonbay said as she took a drink from her water glass. "Hey, do you know if Rosso and Viola are coming?"

"I know Rob talked to Rosso last week, and he said that he, Viola, and Viola's sister would be arriving later on in the week in time for the Ball. Basically all of you and Van's friends will be here for this."

"Will Raven?" Fiona asked as her eyebrows knitted together. "I know Major Herman invited him as a peace settlement. Do you think he will come?"

"Raven is a fickle kind of guy. You never really know where or when he will show up to something. For the longest time we all thought he was dead until he appeared out of the blue like that," Moonbay said with a snap. "If he comes and doesn't cause any problems it will be a miracle."

"Raven is indeed a troubled soul, but perhaps the spirit of Christmas will turn him around," Karl noted as the doors opened up to display Van, Thomas, Irvine, and Maria. "Ah, our guests have arrived."

Red River Base, December 21st, 7:15 PM.

O'Connell sprinted down the stairway and down the long, solid color hallways, searching for Major Herman's office. When he finally found it on the fourth floor, O'Connell took a breath and gently knocked on the door calling out, "Major Herman! It's time for dinner, sir!"

When there was no answer, O'Connell knocked on the door again.

"Major Herman?"

O'Connell tried pressing his ear to the door to listen for any kind of snores, but knowing that the office was sound-proof, he decided to risk it. Taking out his spare key to the office that Rob had given him "in case of emergencies", O'Connell unlocked the door and peeked inside.

"Major Herman, are you there?"

When O'Connell had unlocked the door he had expected to find Rob sleeping at his desk or going through files, or even not in his office at all.

What O'Connell did not expect to find was Major Herman locked in a passionate kiss with one of the most renowned criminals, Stinger.