A/N: Thank you guest(s) for your review! I've been a little busy, so I apologize for keeping you waiting for the next chapter!

Here you go! Enjoy! Reviews make for happy days!


I was right, of course. She sat in the corner holding my fresh clothes for me as I scrubbed the caked on mud from my skin. I could see the red marks on my skin forming as I scrubbed harder. I had to focus on cleaning myself up as I loved the feeling of the hot water on my sore body. That run took a toll on me.

Inwardly, I hated Sobel for forcing us to run that stupid hill in the storm but I knew that I couldn't say anything about it. So I scrubbed harder, taking my frustrations out on my skin.

Darla cleared her throat. She asked, "So...what was that all about?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked, grabbing the soap again, trying to avoid her questioning and teasing.

She giggled. "You know what I'm talking about."

I set the bar of soap down trying to work it into a lather and failing miserably. I stated, "Really, Darla...I have no idea. Can't you just say it before someone else comes in?"

I didn't want any of the other girls hearing whatever it was that she had to say especially if it was what I suspected it to be about.

Darla looked at me with gleaming and mischievous eyes as she explained, "You and a certain Lieutenant...Does that ring a bell now?"

"And here I thought you were going to mention how filthy I was!" I joked, knowing full well it was about the incident with Lieutenant Speirs that she was wanting to talk about.

"How long are you going to play coy?" Darla mused.

I started to rinse the dirty soap off of my body, finally seeing my skin. I sighed before replying, "Darla, it's not appropriate. He's the CO of Dog Company. If anyone heard you talking about this, we could get in trouble."

She cut me off by waving her hand in the air nonchalantly. "Please. I've known for a while that you like him."

"I do not," I protested, but knowing that Darla was indeed like our mother. She knew who we liked and who we didn't. Hiding anything from her was impossible. It was like trying to tell a dog not to fetch after throwing a stick.

"Don't lie to me, Em," she spoke as she set down my clothes on her chair, standing to make her approach to me as she continued, "I have seen the secret glances that you've given in his direction. You're always trying to do the right thing, instead of what's best for you. There's a difference between the right thing, and the right thing for you. Think about it."

I finished in the shower and turned the water off. I started, "Look..."

I took the towel that was extended by Darla as I continued, "I have a commitment to my company. He's a good looking man, I admit...but that doesn't mean anything. I think there are a lot of good looking men in the company."

Darla laughed at me, as though she were happy to hear my confession. Darla nodded as she replied, "You're right there. If you were able-"

I knew where she was going with this. I cut her off by saying, "Darla, we're in the middle of a war. There isn't going to be any opportunity or chance to move forward with anyone. I am not like the rest of the girls. I don't want to start something and find out that they were killed on the front lines, or-"

It was Darla's turn to cut me off. She stated, "I'm not trying to tell you to start some summer romance or have a fling. I'm just saying that maybe you could try and be a little less... how shall I put this..."

I started to get dressed, with her help as I suggested, "Realistic?"

"Reserved. Shy. Withdrawn," she said as she giggled. She turned me to face her after zipping up my dress. She said, "I think that you are trying too hard to blend in. Relax while you can, my dear. You never know what will come to you if you are open to it."

I sighed as I replied, "Sure, that's easy for you to say. Men love you! They love the others too, come to think of it."

"Because we allow ourselves to be social and we have fun while we can. You're going to realize too late, that life is short. You may end up learning that lesson too late, I fear," she stated. Looking at me, she smiled as she added, "Now, let's do something with your hair. We have a party to attend to!"

Before I could protest, she grabbed my left hand and dragged me out of the showers towards our barracks.