Disclaimer- I don't own Halo, or the characters used.

Slip space

Year- 2534

It's strange how that fine line between familial affection and heart-wrenching love becomes blurred. Especially when it's someone I've been raised with. I'm watching John, other wise known as Petty Officer Master Chief-117 train, and trying, (without much success) to not notice how his muscles ripple with each movement. It's strange, thinking about John like that. My efforts to keep myself from thinking like that are pretty much futile. No matter what I do, John is on my mind.

I'm running on the treadmill, and not really paying attention to my surroundings when a hand reaches over and turns the machine off. "You'll hurt yourself, Kelly."

I blink, then grin. "Hey. What's up?" John grins back. "Nothing much. I have to say though, 'a penny for your thoughts?'" I roll my eyes. "If that were the case, I'd be rich."

He frowns. Here's the thing. His frowns aren't when his mouth pulls down at the corners. His forehead creases. His facial expression won't change, but a little crease will appear between his eyebrows.

"Is everything all right?" He asks, looking me in the eye. I nod. "Yeah, everything is fine. I just have a lot on my mind I need to think about." He nods and a teasing gleam comes into his eyes. "I never thought of you as an intellectual. I had you pegged as someone who goes around flicking training robots off." I laugh and step off the machine.

Even with our augmentation, he's still a good foot taller than I am. He hands me a towel and a water bottle. "Drink." he commands. I roll my eyes, but comply. He watches and makes sure I drink until the bottle is empty. I set the bottle down and gesture towards the door.

He turns and opens it, waiting for me to go through. We step out and start down the hall. As we pass, marines snap to attention. I glance at John, who is looking at the marines with amusement. Not that they can tell. I can though, because his eyes are crinkling in the corners.

I turn to face him, snap to attention, and salute. "Officer on deck!" He turns and salutes me. "At ease, all of you." He resumes his walk, and I fall into step beside him. It's strange, not seeing Sam on the other side of John. Ever since we were little, Sam and I had flanked John, and backed him up. I miss Sam, and it's hard, knowing that he won't ever be by our side again. I drag myself to the present, and stare hard at the wall in front of me.

John grabs my arm. "Kelly, what's wrong? You're really beginning to worry me." I shrug. "I'm just thinking about Sam."

His eyes widen a little. "Why?" I shrug. "I'm still getting used to him not being on your other side." He nods. "That's not all, Kelly. What else?"

I sigh. "Just wrestling with my emotions. That's all." John bends down, so he can look me in the eye. "What ones?" I shrug, and look at the floor. "Sadness, but mostly, affection."

I glance up, and watch as he processes my response. "Why are you wrestling with them?" I shake my head. "I don't know. I wish I did, if just to get some peace of mind." He tilts his head to the side.

"Anything I can do to help?" He asks. I shake my head. "This is something I need to work out on my own." He nods once, and turns to walk away. "Hey, John?" He stops, and looks back. "Yes?" I walk up to him and hug him. He wraps his arms around me and hugs back. "Thanks."

He nods again and lets me go. I let go of him, and he walks down the hall, nodding to saluting marines. He disappears behind the door, and is lost from sight. I sigh, and head to my own quarters. It truly is amazing, how that line becomes so easily blurred, but even more easily erased. I'm hoping that in time, he'll maybe start to feel the same way. But for now, I'll settle for the relationship we always had.

A/N- I know, Kelly is a little out of character. I tried to keep her as in character as I could, but not with a lot of success. So please, read, review, tell me what you think. Should this be just a one-shot, or have a few more chapters added?