Confusion—A Modified Drabble

Disclaimer—Don't own the characters, just playing again.

A/N: This will be based on Elanquest's challenge in Chap. 8 of her story Tidbits. Tried to do a drabble, but couldn't keep it under one hundred words. The line, 'Now, if I could only find a way to locate my balls and tell her exactly how I feel about her,' is borrowed from rainbow severus, from her and av981638's excellent fic Ultimate Betrayal, and 'Ready-to-Rumble' Romie is Staff Sergeant Romanski, from my Class Reunion storyline, among others. Enjoy!-Robert

"String?"

"Yeah?"

"You still think she's a kid?"

"Who?"

"Ha! 'Who?', you say. You know perfectly well who, ya dumb donkey!"

Yeah, I do know, I thought, realizing Dom was asking me about Caitlin, again.

"So?"

"I think I'll plead the 5th, if it's okay with you, Dom," I said, almost knowing his answer before I heard it.

"No, it's not okay with me, String!" I suddenly felt very glad that Caitlin had walked into the office and closed the door behind her. "When are you gonna admit how you feel about Caitlin, for God's sake?"

"I dunno, Dom. I honestly don't know." I admitted. I mean, she's most definitely the only woman since Kelly who really gets my sense of humor; or who gets me. Now, if I could only find a way to locate my balls and tell her exactly how I feel about her, I thought.

"You know what old 'Ready-To-Rumble' would say in a case like this, don'cha, String?" Dom demanded.

"Yeah," I said, even as I recalled 'Ready-To-Rumble' Romie, who'd been my senior drill instructor at Fort Jackson; "He'd probably look me dead in my face and yell, 'C'mon, 'Chicken Hawke!' Sound off like you've got a pair, and tell her the truth!' Or something like that." Just then, I heard the door open and saw Cait walking toward us.

"Here's your chance, kid," Dom said, smiling as he walked away. As I watched Cait come toward me, I was more confused about how to respond to her than I could ever recall feeling; and that's a feeling I definitely do not like. Oh, well, I thought, I'll figure something out. I hope.

The End?