CREDIT BELONGS TO DAVID TAI


Leona Heidern was never one to be truly expressive. For as long as she could remember, she'd been taught to keep her emotions under strict monitor, and frankly, she was quite good at it.

So when Seirah had excitedly dragged her out from the shooting range, Leona let none of her apprehension or curiosity show.

Leona had no idea what she expected to see when she finally arrived at the airfield. But it certainly wasn't Iori Yagami making out with a terrified Rock Howard.

"..."

Nope, she had to keep a tight rein on her thoughts and emotions, because there was -just- the beginning of a sense that she ought to be rioting right about now. And rioting in a BIG way.

Her fingers twitched, going to her hip where the knife was.

No, no, control...

But just as she tilted her head to look at Whip for a looong stare, the other Ikari Warrior was already stepping up.

"YOU HAD ONE JOB, HOWARD! ONE JOB!"


Rock Howard was already panicked by the fact his boss had seized his head and was trying to tie their tongues into a knot. It was possibly the most violent show of affection Rock had ever been subject to, and he wasn't quite sure if he was being attacked or not. He flailed and tried to pull away, but the moment he caught sight of Seirah's irate expression, he resorted to punching his boss in the stomach. Iori was actually laughing when he let the teenager go.

At least someone's having fun... bleah...

Rock stumbled away from his boss and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. He paid no attention to Iori's snickering, instead fixing a stare at Seirah.

No, wait, Whip.

"Job?! I got him" He jabbed a finger at the red-haired man, "-here-!" he pointed at the mistletoe.

"And the rest of the mission wasn't -your- responsibility?! You weren't supposed to kiss him Howard!"

Whip huffed and planted gloved hands on her hips. Leona stood behind her and seemed to be trembling ever so slightly. Normally, Rock would've been reminded that these two were highly dangerous, and highly crazy. But he was too annoyed to be sensible.

"Hey!" Rock snarled. "I told you it wasn't going to go as planned, okay? Nothing ever goes as planned with -this guy- around..."

Whip held a hand up. Something in her expression snapped Rock right back into place. He fell silent. She was in full command mode now. All business, Whip re-assessed the situation.

"Well, we can still fix this. What do you think, Voodoo? Think we can still salvage this...? Yes, yes we can. Leona, get under the mistletoe."

"..."

Leona turned to look incredulously at the younger girl.

"What's going on here, Howard?" Iori asked, looking back and forth between Rock and Leona. He had, perhaps wisely, decided it might be better to avoid getting answers from the -not- whip-crazy lady. He still seemed to think this was all some sort of prank and walked up to stand next to him. "You planning an orgy? Brave of you."

Rock almost choked on his spit.

"Oh God, No. Definitely not. Look, uh, This is...Can you jus-"

Whip interrupted him and pointed Voodoo at Iori. She addressed him with an authoritative bark. "You!"

There was a moment of silence.

The easy mirth fled from Iori's expression in a heartbeat. His countenance became shadowed and his posture became threatening. In that moment, Rock was keenly aware of just how fickle and dangerous his boss could be, and how much he let him get away with.

"What?" he growled, his fingers curling into claws.


Ralf groaned. "Oh shit... didn't you teach -your- subordinate anything about Yagami?"

Clark palmed his face. "I did, but you know, youth, they think they're invincible."

"Better call the Commander."


NanoNotes:

* whip is friggin scary. haha.

* So is Leona, actually. She was about to go slasher on Rock.

* and Yag is yag... Rock is surrounded on all sides by crazy :0

* Ay, what's wrong duckling? you don't wanna snog with Iori?

Rock would make for a crackin ladyboy.

haha.

killme