Important AN: If you are reading "Unexpected Alliance" don't worry, I'm still writing it, I just got done with important paper work and will resume working on the next update. I just posted this story to tie you over until the next update is completed. I hope you understand and will enjoy this small story.
I do not own the book "The Cole Protocol" nor any of the characters.
Halo: Unknown Feelings
"It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our live that matters"-Unknown
"Easy there slick," Jai cautions as he rests his hand on the pilot's seat as he leans forward to watch the screen.
Ignatio smirks, "am I making you nervous Spartan?" he questions as he expertly pulls back on the throttle, barely dodging a spiraling asteroid.
"Human sacrifice makes him uncomfortable for some reason," Mike comments as he flicks on a few switches from his station next to Ignatio's seat. He turns to Jai, "Petya is all set for the jump."
The Grey team leader nods before looking down at Ignatio, "On your leave Master Sergeant."
Ignatio looks up at Jai this time, "Now you admit we are on the same side Petty Officer Jai?"
"Just acknowledging your rank is all Mr. Delgado," is the Spartan team leader reply.
Ignatio rolls his eyes as he takes the control sticks into his hands, "Alright then." He switches on the comm, "attention ladies and gentlemen…or rather attention Adriana since you are not here at the moment." Mike snorts at this, "we are about to depart for the outer colonies, so sit back, brace, and pray you don't smash your head against the wall, captain Delgado over and out."
In the corner of his eye he can see Jai shaking his head, but he braces nevertheless for the coming jump, as is Mike.
"Alright here we go," announces Ignatio as he buckles himself into the seat, "in three, two one, zero," with that he activates the hyperdrive and the ship starts to hum. There is a sensation of vertigo and the feeling that a two hundred pound Spartan has just slammed into him before the view screen becomes black and his head snap forward as everything returns to normal. When he looks up, he sees that the Spartans hardly looks affected by the experience while Ignatio feels a bit nauseous.
He has to admit, working with the Spartans wasn't always a picnic. Sure he gets to play around with all the neat and advance gadgets that is provided by ONI, not to mention the chance to hone his flying abilities with the advance Prowler he is now piloting, the Petya. But the Spartans always make him feel like a third wheel or something, almost all the times. He is unsure if they do this on purpose or not, but the fact that nothing ever seem to faze them, hurt them, or spark kind of emotions out of any of them. They mostly keep to themselves, almost always preferring to speak over their comms and he is sure they have more lively talks whenever he leaves the room.
That is the one thing he always finds frustrating; the fact that they hardly ever speak to him. The one thing he always enjoyed whenever he flew was holding a conversation with his best friend and faithful co-pilot, Melko Hollister. They had the craziest of stories to tell, especially when in deep space where they tease and joke about people who aren't with them, always having a good time together.
The thought of his friend made his heart ache and a old guilt washes over him. He and Melko were entrusted with the safeguard of the guidance chip, a small data case that housed the location of Earth and all her former colonies. Many didn't really care about that sort of information, but the Covenant did. It wasn't the Covenant troopers who got Melko, but Kig-Yar, Jackal, mercenaries. Ignatio barely survived the attack; if it wasn't for the Spartans of Grey Team he wouldn't be alive; Melko though was on his own and bled to death from his wounds.
The thought of his dead friend didn't make him feel better at all, in fact he feels worse. He glances down at his lap for a moment in silent tribute to his long gone buddy.
A strong hand clamps onto his shoulder and he looks up, expecting to meet the stern eyes of Jai.
Instead he is starring into the bright blue eyes that belong to Adriana.
She offers him a gentle smile before saying in her exotic Slavic accented voice, "would you mind turning on the artificial gravity? It's kind of hard to look imitating while we are floating."
Ignatio flushes as he remembers that he hasn't activated the gravity and quickly types in the command. A moment later, the hovering Spartans slowly descend until their feet are back on the floor.
"Thanks," Adriana says with a teasing grin.
Ignatio smiles at her before looking down again. He knows he shouldn't feel embarrassed, but when you are on a spacecraft with people who never ever makes a mistake it's a little humiliating.
He feels someone brush his hair as Adriana asks, "Are you ok?"
He thought he heard the edge of concern in her voice, but before he could respond, Jai cuts in.
"Take the first watch Delgado," the Petty Officer orders as his huge feet thunders away, "Grey Team, on me; we need to go over some details before we get into deep space."
"Got it," answers Mike voice and soon his own footsteps echoes as he follows his leader.
Ignatio waited in anticipation for Adriana to take her leave next, but it never came.
Curious, he glances up to find the tall Spartan woman still standing there, looking at him. Her eyes are still locked on him, but what throws him off is the worry in her eyes.
"Are you sure you are alright?" she asks gently.
Ignatio forces a smile as he bows his head in acknowledgement, "Course I am, why wouldn't I be?"
She studies him for a while before saying, "You just seem…upset about something."
"Please," Ignatio says, "I've got a cool new job, advance toys, free food, and a boat load of Spartans to protect me," he grins at her, "what more could a guy want?"
Adriana still looks unconvinced, but before she could press some more, she tilts her head to the side as she listens to something being said on her comms device attach to her ear. She looks back to him and says, "I'll be back," she gives him a hard look, "and I expect you to tell me the truth when I get back," the playfulness in her eyes though shows that she is joking…to a point.
Ignatio scoffs at this as he turns back to the meters and data displayed before him. After a second, he listens as Adriana lumbers off and the doors hiss as they open and close as she left. Leaving Ignatio alone in the small compartment.
Ignatio shakes his head again, trying to ward off sleep as he keeps an eye on the dials before him. He has been awake for eighteen hours straight and has been on watch for five hours. The Spartans may be used to working for a whole week straight without napping; but not the former smuggler.
That's the thing that scares him, what if the Spartans set him up on a impossible mission, forgetting that he is only human? What if they leave him out of important debriefs like this and it'll cost his life? What if-
He is interrupted when he hears the pressure doors part and the heavy steps of a Spartan is sounded. Looking over his shoulder, he sees that it's Adriana, carrying two flasks in her hands.
She must have seen the glint in his eyes and said, "Its water."
Ignatio moans as he looks away and mummers, "you Spartans really know how to crush a person's spirit don't you?"
"Only if you get on our nerves," answers Adriana as she offers him one of the containers. Ignatio takes it and takes a sip, grateful that its natural water, not the recycled ones that has a metallic taste to them. He hears a small creak and turn to see Adriana now sitting in the co-pilot's seat right next to his. For some reason, his heart nearly skips a beat when he notices his knee is almost touching hers.
It is then that he fully takes in Adriana's figure. She is only wearing the single piece body suit that is hugging her body tightly. Not for the first time, his eyes begin to roam over her body as he takes in the details; her curvy legs, audible muscle tone, and the beautiful eyes that almost glow in the shine of the machinery. She looks very relaxed and comfortable as she leans back and watches over the switches and casually glances out the window along with the Petya's pilot. He doesn't want to complain about her presence, but Mike is suppose to be the one to relieve Ignatio, so what is she doing here?
His mind slowly loses focus and it isn't long before he is thinking of her and only her. She seems almost as alien as the Covenant, wearing advance armor, has a powerful mind and is stronger than the average body builder while being just as tall. Her coolness is almost chilling to acknowledge and the way she moves with grace that is almost unbelievable. He had long doubted the existence of the Spartan's, the boogie man of the Insurrectionists, yet here she is as living proof.
It isn't just her appearance that throws him off, it's her very nature. She has a playful and almost cocky sense to her, the closest thing he has seen as an open emotion compared to the other super soldiers. Mike does kid a couple of times, but Ignatio feels as if the male Spartan is holding himself back sometimes, as reserve as ever. Jai doesn't joke or fool around, at least not in Ignatio's presence, a real soldier's soldier if Ignatio has ever seen one. Grey Team is definitely different from the average Spartans, and now he is beginning to wonder if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
As he muses over the fact, he remembers when he first met Adriana. She has just saved him from the Kig-Yar, she bandaged his wounds and made him swear to not inform the other smugglers that the Spartans are there.
He frowns slightly when a questions pops into his head.
"What's wrong?"
He turns to look at Adriana who is now peering at him again. She must have been observing him just as he has been observing her.
"I just thought of something," Ignatio said.
"Care to share?" she asks.
He hesitates so she questions, "Is it bad?"
"I don't know…" he trails off and looks to the floor. It is then that he notices that her feet are bear; the suit she is wearing is only able to go down to her ankles. For some reason, the exposed skin made him a little nervous so he glances back up into the Spartan woman's eyes.
"Come on rookie," she says in her playful voice, "spill it."
He huffs a bit before asking, "Why?"
She sighs as if agitated, "If you aren't focus when we need you the most, than you are a liability."
"Aren't I already a liability?" he suddenly asks before he could think about it.
Adriana tilts her head a little and asks, "What do you mean?"
He doesn't know what happens next, whether the lack of sleep was getting to him or if it has been boiling beneath his skin for a while, but he suddenly exclaims, "What do you mean what do I mean!?"
She arches her eyebrow, the only sign she gives that she is surprised, "that is what I am asking," she answers in her leveled voice.
He sighs in aggravation before saying, "Look, from the first time we met, I've been riding on your back."
He can see the confusion in her eyes, so he elaborates, "You're Spartans, you can, you can lift a car with one hand, you are as smart as an AI, you, you can get in a wrestling match with a Brute and win." He sighs and looks away, almost in shame, both from his circumstances and from the outburst. "You guys can do and accomplish so much, you're better than anything I can do, and I just can't help but wonder why am I here? On this ship, with you guys."
She is silent as she says, "we needed a pilot."
"Yeah right," he says as he folds his arms and shifts around in his seat as he looks at his feet, "Mike is a better pilot than me and you know it, why did command put me here? So that you can tell me to push some papers for you or to be your pet insurgent so I can fetch you a cup of coffee when you order me to…"
His voice dies in his throat as he realizes what he has just said. He doesn't want to, but he forces himself to glance at Adriana. Her expression is the same as ever, but what got him are her eyes. He couldn't believe it, they look a little wet and hurt is obviously residing within them.
"Adriana, I-I," he tries to speak, but he honestly has no idea what to say.
It doesn't matter though; Adriana looks away from him and makes to stand. In a moment of sudden daring or stupidity, Ignatio reaches out and grabs her hand.
It suddenly feels like he has just touch a live cable wire as an electric shock streams through him. Her skin is a little cold, but still warm. It is smooth and incredibly soft despite living the tough life of a Spartan. His fingers curl around her hand almost on instinct as he locks his eyes with her.
She looks just as shock as he is and even a little distorted, this is probably the one and only time a Spartan is caught off guard.
Ignatio than stands from his seat so he can see her better, but she is still a little over a head taller than him so he tilts his head back until he can see deep within her beautiful azure eyes.
"Adriana, I'm sorry," he finally says, "I didn't really mean to say that and…I enjoy being with you guys, or you to be precise."
Her brows perked at that.
Ignatio blushes deeply as he tries to recover himself, "I-what I meant was that you have been a great friend and caring for me, almost like Melko, please believe that."
He is surprised when she grin at him, "Forget about it…I suppose it's only natural for you to feel this way, considering the circumstances and all…" she trails off as if in deep thought before looking at him, "who is Melko."
A tired and sad air of breath escapes his lips and he says, "Melko was my best buddy, he's the guy the Jackals killed when we first met."
He suddenly realizes this is the first time he is talking to one of the Grey Team members about something that is personal to him. Is this a sign that he is growing on them, or more specifically Adriana?
She is silent before saying, "I'm sorry."
Ignatio shrugs it off, "It's alright, besides," he smiles to himself, "that old Diablo probably would have preferred it that way, he always told me he wasn't built to be a prisoner."
"Covenant doesn't take prisoners," she points out.
"I know," Ignatio says, "it was more like an inside joke."
She grins broadly at him, "Does this mean I am part of your inner circle of friends now Mr. Delgado?"
He grins back, "Well yeah, why not?"
"Is that why you are holding my hand?" she asks, flickering her gaze down at their still interlocked fingers.
"Oh," Ignatio couldn't believe a man could blush so much in one day, "umm…sorry?" he says, but doesn't make a move to let go of her hand for some reason. Stranger still, she doesn't let go either.
Adriana is still grinning at him as she sits back down on the co-pilot seat and he follows suit. They remain sitting in silence, with their hands clasp within one another's.
He just couldn't wrap his mind around it. How could Adriana's hand be so soft, one would have thought it would be rough like sandpaper and tough as leather. He never would have imagined it felt like silk.
He was content at the moment just to hold on, but Adriana interrupts the peace.
"You know," she starts off slowly, as if she is carefully handling explosives, "it wasn't Jai who ask for you to be assigned to Grey Team…"
He glances at her and is surprised to see her starring at the ground, almost like she is…afraid? Is she shy? He couldn't believe it, one of the strongest being's to have ever existed is afraid of talking to others.
He has done this with nearly a dozen high school sweet hearts, but this different, more important in a way. Back then he did this to pleasure girls. Now though, he does it for a friend in need, to offer comfort.
Slowly, his thumb pulls out of the entangled fingers of their linked fingers, and slowly starts stroking her hand with it. Her eyes widen by a fraction at the action, but she doesn't stop it, in fact, it looks as if she almost leans towards him.
Finally she takes a deep breath and looks up at him, "it was me who requested that you get transferred here."
Surprise doesn't do him justice, he was beyond surprise, he was shocked. She requested that he became apart of Grey Team? Why?
"W-why?" he finally forces out.
She glances away again and for some reason he finds the side of her head looking nice. Her short hair barely touches her shoulders while a lock of it is tucked behind her ear. Her ear, for some reason, reminds him of the pink sea shells he used to see on his old home world Madrigal.
He is almost disappointed when she returns her head to its original position, removing his sight on the delicate ear. But that is made up when he sees her eyes.
"Remember when we first met?" she suddenly asks, "when the Jackals had you and you nearly died?"
"Yeah," Ignatio replies, curious to know where this is leading.
She is silent as if trying to decide what to say before speaking, "Well…I was ordered not to engage, not to interfere."
Ignatio frowns, "but what about the navigation data I had, or rather Melko had?"
"If you were killed and the Jackals got it, then I was to engage the Jackals and retrieve the data," she looks almost anxious when she finishes, "in other words, I was ordered to stand by and watch you die."
Ignatio gulps before saying, "Yet you saved me…why?"
She shifts around in her seat; she is revealing more emotions than he has ever seen her expressed. Something is defiantly up here.
"I found you…interesting," she finally reveals.
"Just interesting?" he says in a dubious tone, "you, a Spartan, defied orders, just because you were interested?"
She smiles, "Well this is Grey Team, we are all odd in our own ways."
"And knowing Jai I guess he didn't get after you," speculates Ignatio.
She gives a small chuckle, "his bark is worse than his bite."
He smiles at the words, knowing how true they are, but frowns before asking.
"When you said interested…" he tries to approach the subject cautiously, "what do you mean by that?"
Her playfulness suddenly disappears and a look of caution finally appears on her stoic face.
"It was probably nothing," she says, turning to the screen, "perhaps just wanting to be a Good Samaritan was all that it was."
He grips her hand a little tightly, "But what did you think?"
"If I knew I would tell you," Adriana says in a gentle voice.
Ignatio has no idea why, but he leans towards her and asks, "Would you?"
Her quite demeanor almost causes him to pull back before she began speaking, "I was raised in a military lifestyle Ignatio."
He isn't sure what surprised him more; the fact that she is revealing some of her Spartan's shady past or that a shiver went down his spine when she said his name.
"Most of the things that you are taught as a child was lost to us," she continues, still starring ahead, away from him, "things you consider simple, we don't know. Music, media, movies, slang, even emotions, we weren't told what our emotions meant…and I think that's where my problems lies."
"You don't know what you are feeling?" Ignatio muses over the statement, how could that be? What types of emotions didn't she understand?
"Exactly," she smiles, "Doctor Halsey said I was more emotional aware than most other Spartans, probably why I was assigned to Grey Team in the first place."
Who is Doctor Halsey? Before he could ask though, she continues, "I tried to keep my feelings contained," she finally turns back to him, "but for some reason I just can't, not anymore."
She has moved towards him a little, normally he would have scooted back, but something props him to get even closer to her. Their faces are now a few inches away from each other, he can just taste the fragments of her breath. It smells rather nice, almost like mint, toothpaste maybe?
"Do you know what you are feeling?" he asks.
"I think so," for some reason she just barely whispers the words, "but I'm afraid of how you will react."
He smirks in amusement, "unless you absolutely hate me, there's really nothing that you will do that-"
He is cut off when she moved forward with the speed of a serpent. He would have gasped, but her mouth is over his, lips locked onto his in a kiss. It feels so warm, so nice, yet it feels different from the other girls he had been with. Before they just felt empty, but this kiss was filled with emotion, she actually held true feelings for him and somehow she was transferring that knowledge to him through their lips. Her eyes are close so he couldn't see what she is thinking, while he stares with wide orbs. The kiss lasts for about three seconds though before she pulls back and opens her eyes to watch him to gauge his reaction.
He sits there, unable to move, unable to process what has just occurred. Did she just kiss him? The woman who can easily crush him into a pulp while being silent throughout the whole process has just kissed him?
Finally his numb brain returns to normal and he commands his lungs to release the air they were holding. He then breathes again, trying to get his wits back in order and finally asks, "So…you…you are…you have those…feelings…for me?"
She is still observing him with worry in her eyes as she nods.
He gulps some more before running a hand through his hair and questions, "why?"
Her eyebrow arches in a familiar fashion as the troubled expression disappears and she asks in turn, "why not?"
He gapes at her, "Why not? Adriana, you are a great person and a strong woman, a good friend to be around. You're a Spartan, a savior of humanity, you can literally have your pick on any guy in the known universe," he then gestures towards him, "why would you want a former space rat as your…boyfriend," he chokes out.
The thought of being with Adriana has been played through his mind often times, but that was because he was attractive to her curvy body, now though, knowing that she actually loved him, he experiences a whole new kind of attraction towards the woman. After what has just occurred, there is no doubt she has feelings for him, strong unconventional feelings. But she is light years out of his league and besides, in her superior's eyes, he is no better than a terrorist.
She studies him for a bit before saying, "You are strong, both in will and mental ability, you are caring and despite what you think, you are a faithful trooper," she finishes with a smile.
"B-but what about Jai?" he asks, "Or Mike? Or someone else? Another Spartan?"
"I see them more as brothers and sisters, nothing else," she falls silent before asking, "are you saying…you don't…you don't like…"
"No! no," he quickly reassures her as he squeezes her hand, "I…I actually thought about this a couple of times," he admits through a heavy blush, "I just can't help but wonder aren't there people out there far better than me?"
"In body, probably," she admits.
"Well thanks," mumbles Ignatio as he looks away. He trembles though when he feels some warm and inviting fingers lace around his chin and turns him until he is facing a smiling Adriana again.
"But in spirit," she leans forward some more, "there is no one better that I can think of," she finishes in a small breath.
He feels himself breathing deeply now, feeling overwhelmed by the many sensations that are taking over his body by storm.
"Do you want to try this?" she whispers in an odd voice.
He couldn't help but grin widely at her, "you have no idea how to do this do you?"
Her eyes bats down in an open show of embarrassment and awkwardness.
He chuckles to himself before bringing up his hand and gently cups Adriana's cheek with his hand. Now it is he who leads her until their faces are level again.
"We'll take this slow," he says in a reassuring tone, "aright?"
She grins back, "Spartans never do anything slow."
He chuckles at this, "well we'll see," and before he could think further he moves forward, closes his eyes, she does too and together they meet in the middle and kiss.
They stay that way for a while, his lips on hers as they slowly began to open and reaffirm their mouths, trying to remain together the best that they could. Wanting to make this a little more special, Ignatio moves his hands and starts going to work.
First they glide over Adriana's cheek, caressing it with a gentle touch. She releases a soft sigh of appreciation, but he isn't done yet. He moves his other hand down to her leg and slowly rubs it. Tremors erupt all over her body and she silently moans into his mouth. He moves his hand over her legs, rubbing her thighs and stretching down to touch her hamstrings. Her own hands find their ways to his body and slowly moves them through his hair, probably unsure what else to do with them. He would have laugh if he could, but instead he moves his hand from her cheek to her hair and run his fingers through the soft strands.
Despite her inexperience, this is one of the best kisses he has ever received, probably because it isn't a experimental kiss or its being done by a woman who would be with him for a week before taking off. No, this is a Spartan, and if what she says is true, then she isn't going to let go of him for a long-
Suddenly her hands leave his hair, grab his shoulders and shove him back into the pilot seat, leaving him in a tangled heap. She then sits back quickly, looking straight ahead with a near panic look in her eyes as she does her best to flatten her ruffled hair.
He is shock and a little depressed by the sudden action. Did she change her mind?
That is when he hears a hiss and the door behind them open and someone walks in. This must be it, Adriana must have heard the person coming long before he did due to her advance hearing. Now he is thankful that she has such genetic enhancements.
"Alright Delgado, I'm here," Mike says as he walks up beside the pilot seat, "go get yourself some beauty sleep and-" he breaks off when he sees Adriana who is trying her best to keep her eyes staring straight ahead and nowhere else.
"Hey Adriana," mike says in greeting. She looks at him briefly and gives a small smile in acknowledgment. Her mind must be even more jumbled than his considering she has no idea how to handle this situation.
"Anyway," Mike says as he looks down at Ignatio, "time to go space rat."
"Whatever you say superman," Ignatio says as he stands and stretches.
Mike moves into the seat and in that small time span, Ignatio and Adriana looks at each other. She must have seen the look of confusion in his eyes for she smiles at him. Good, so that wasn't a one night kind of deal, looks like she really is…wait…she really is committed to this new and sudden relationship. She's really his girlfriend now...a strange, but new title for a Spartan.
He barely got the fact into his brain when he realizes Mike is looking at him funny. He needs to get out before the male Spartan gets suspicious.
"Well, g'night amigos," he says and smiles before turning and nearly running out the door. It opens on his approach and he passes through the threshold, but before the door closes, he looks over his shoulder. He just catches the shimmer of Adriana's blue eyes before the door sealed shut and blocks her from his view.
Ignatio twists and turns in his cot until he is facing the wall, but he still couldn't sleep.
All that was going through his mind is Adriana. Everything he has thought of her has practically been turned upside down by this new arrangement. He no longer sees her as a good combat leader and deadly fighting machine, but now as his girlfriend.
A forbidden romance, he muses to himself, between a space rat and a super soldier, could fate get any crueler?
He wonders what will happen to her if Jai or Mike find out. Do Spartans get court martial from the service for this? He knows relationships among the ranks are illegal, but technically speaking, he isn't really a part of the UNSC yet, he hasn't even been through training, his Sergeant stripes are more like an honorary thing if nothing else. There is really no way this will end well for them, but he hopes what Adriana says about Jai is true and that he'll let this slide, maybe even turn a blind eye. Is that too much to hope for when a Spartan is involved.
He hears a small hiss and a rectangle of light is thrown across the wall. He is temporarily blinded and turns to see who has just entered his room, but the door already closes and he hears someone approaching through the darkness.
He was about to reach for his sidearm, Senora Sies, when the intruder did something unexpected. The person slides into bed next to him. He feels the spandex fragment brushing against his exposed chest as the person leans on top of him and he feels the warm breath of someone positioned right over him.
It doesn't really take a genius to know who entered, but still, probably cautious about the whole situation he asks, "Adriana?"
"No Mr. Delgado," a deep voice says, "it's me Jai."
Ignatio nearly jumped out of bed, but the person kept him pinned down.
"What?!"
Then the shape erupts into silent laughter and he recognizes the voice now.
"Adriana," he exasperates, "don't do that again."
She chuckles before lying down partially on top of him, "I got you though didn't I."
"You sure did," Ignatio says as he finally cracks a smile, "you nearly gave me a freaking heart attack."
"A seizure more like," she says before placing her face next to his and nuzzles into his neck.
"I like the attention," he tells her, "but what about the others?"
"Jai clocked out some time ago and Mike is still on the bridge," he can hear the grin in her voice as she lies next to him, "I hope you don't mind."
He smiles as he faces her and takes her into his arms while she wraps her own around him. They hold each other for a moment, their legs slowly entangling one another before they move closer and they kiss. They latch onto one another for a long slow minute before they break apart and sigh in content and happiness.
Adriana than whispers into his ear, "Remember Mr. Delgado, I was not here," she repeats the words she said to him during their first meeting, "and there are no Spartans going bump in the night, understood."
He laughs quietly before kissing her neck and whispering back, "Of course not ma'am."
Romans: 13-10, Ending song: "My Heart Will Go On"
I do not own the verse or song.