"Commander Mirch, excuse my disrespect, how old are you?" Lal's ears were ringing when her superior called her to his office, just to ask this simple question. Why? Why did it matter? Was she doing a less than satisfactory job? What was she talking about? She was the best there is? But then, why...

"Twenty three this year sir." Lal replied quietly, looking down at the velvety carpet that covered the floor to the office, stroking the soft leather of the chair she was sitting on. The man sitting across from her frowned, laying his hands on the polished oak desk.

"Do you have a husband, or a lover?" He continued to probe. Lal tensed. She wasn't expecting questions of this type.

"No sir." She replied quietly, wondering why in hell anyone would need to ask to know the answer. Everyone assumed that whoever she met, she would either scare them off or push them away, which is exactly what she did. Most of the time.

"Excuse me for saying this Commander Mirch, but you are a woman. You would need to marry eventually." The man sitting across from the flustered navy-haired woman reasoned.

"With all due respect sir, but that is none of your business." Lal looked down again, hand balled in fists, so tight her knuckles turned white. Not after that. Not after that time...

It was a warm summer evening, party music pumping out of monstrous speakers. A young Lal, in her teens, milled about in the crowed of party-goers, regarding everything with interest. Her eyes were still filled with innocence of an adolescent, the excitement of attending an event where she was invited to despite her reputation. She didn't know that there were predators. Looking for the perfect bunny rabbit prey.

"I'm not talking to you about this as a superior Lal Mirch, but as an acquaintance. You are a woman." The man stated firmly, as Lal rose from the chair, turning her back.

"Thank you for your concern sir, but I can take care of my personal life. Please excuse me." She strolled briskly to the door, hand resting briefly on the doorknob.

"Just so you know, I never intend to marry." She opened the door, and stepped into the hall. She wasn't surprised when a certain headband wearing blonde was waiting for her, leaning against the wall, arms crossed across his chest.

"I heard everything kora." Colonello followed after her as she proceeded down the hall, towards the stairs out of the office building. He knew her destination was the training rooms. It's where she goes when she felt stressed. He was damn sure that she was stressed out now. He just knew her that well. Like the back of his scarred and calloused hand.

"Do you really never intend to marry?" He jogged after her, trying to keep up with her brisk pace.

"Do you think I would joke about something like that?" Lal kept her face emotionless as she crossed the main square, nodding to the other officer and cadets' salutes.

"No, it's just... well, surprising, even for you kora." Colonello scrunched up his eyebrows, while Lal's face remained blank.

"Why would you care anyway?" Lal snapped in a harsh tone, but failing to make Colonello flinch. He was used to her hard and cold facade.

"Come on Lal. You know why." He replied seriously, as they rounded the corner of the training center.

"Don't start on that Colonello, lest you want to end up in the infirmary again." Lal massaged her temples as she threw opened the doors. The few trainees that were there scampered out; smart enough to know they didn't want to be there when Commander Mirch raged. "And it's 'Ma'am' to you."

"Come on Lal. You would never do that kora." Colonello reasoned, as he blocked a punch that Lal fired at him.

"Want to bet?" Lal hissed as she ducked under a kick, and launched one herself.

"Well, maybe not. But, why don't you want to marry? I mean, there's nothing wrong with it." Colonello twisted out of the way in the nick of time, nearly missing her foot. At that question, Lal froze up. Letting her leg drop, she turned away.

"That's none of your business." She answered icily, walking away.

"Wait, Lal!" Colonello grabbed her wrist. Lal tried to shake him away, but he held on.

"Let me go! Stop following me." She stared angrily into Colonello's calm, baby blue eyes. Pulling her close, Colonello rested his hand on her back, hugging her.

"Why Lal? Why do you always try to push me away kora? I love you damn it!" He spoke feverishly. Lal tensed up, frozen completely. It's like that-oh my god, what I do, stop it stop it stop it!

"No! Let. Me. Go!" Lal burst, twisting his hand on his back and pushing him to the ground. Eyes wild and panicked, she ran out of the room, leaving a sore and bruised Colonello to pick himself up.

Colonello has never seen her so panicked. Ever since he met her, she was always in charge of herself, her emotions, everyone around her. She barked orders, stayed calm during the worst situations, and never even flinched in the many wars she participated in. Standing up and brushing the dirt off of his pants, he thought to himself. Pulling himself together, he proceeded out to go find Lal.

I'm definitely getting an explanation from her. He though as he walked out into the sun.

Carolily: So, how was that? Good? Bad? Please review! This story was inspired after I re-read the book speak. I actually have a decent plot for this.

Colonello: Good. I don't seem like a pervert anymore kora.

Lal: and I'm not molested anymore. *relieved sight*

Carolily: Well, there might be more fluff on the way...

Colonello: Yes!

Lal: WHAT? *Cocks gun*

Carolily: anyway, please review! It would make me really happy!