Troy rolled his eyes as the young man pouted at him. "I'm just saying I wouldn't use the word adorable to describe you."

"Well?" Levi smirked fiddling with his rifle as Omar shook his head next to him. "What would you say about me?"

"Well, you're young," The older man said, pathetically trying to spare the kid some shame that would surely come from this little experiment of his.

"Immature," Omar added.

"Lanky."

"Loud."

"A bit obnoxious-"

"Okay!" The boy barked, holding his gun to his chest, "I get it! And I'm not lanky!"
"Yes, you are." His brown eyes snapped to Anna's greens as she joined them. "Don't give me that look."

He continued to glare as Donny crossed over to Aldo behind them.

"Where the hell ya been?" The older man asked. But, noting Donny's smirk, he shook his head, "never mind."

Dark brown eyes darted around the forest. "Been kinda quiet 'round here lately, huh, lieutenant?"

"You can say that again." The Apache tiredly rubbed his eyes, "shit, I hate that. Makes the men all antsy." He smirked at the man across from him, "'Sides I was lookin' forward ta seein' yer little sweetheart in action."

Donny snickered, "why?"

"You're not even a little curious 'bout it?" Aldo blinked as he pulled out his snuff. "I mean, it takes a hell'va a woman ta scare Kruats int'a talkin'."

"I do it all the time," The younger man gave a weak shrug, "what's the big deal?"

His superior rolled his eyes, "never mind."

"So, what?" The Bear Jew scoffed, a suddenly defensive wave crashing over him, "I fuck 'er so I'm suddenly suppose ta give a shit what she does?"

"I di'n't say that. 'Sides if what Troy says is true, we ain't never gonna see 'er…workin'."

"Why not?"

"Christ Donny," Aldo snapped, "she's yer woman! You ask 'er!"

"She ain't my woman!"

The group next to them turned their attention to the pair, the youngest male almost giggling as he nudged the lone woman. "Aw, Anna, I think someone's getting talked about."

"Hm." Her lips pursed as the men around her continued to laugh at her expanse. Levi elbowed her again, earning a rough shove. "Don't touch me, Cohen."

"Anna." Troy kept his tone authoritative, but breezy as he jerked his head to the truck. "Can I talk to you?" His brown eyes flickered between Omar and Levi, "privately?"

The Canadian boy blew a raspberry before flopping back onto the ground, "I'm never involved."

Omar chuckled at him, watching as the two stood and departed. He blinked at the two a moment, ignoring the on going argument a few paces away. He asked, "What do you think they're talking about?"

"Me."

"What'd ya mean I gotta take him with me from now on?!"

Levi smirked, "see? Told ya."

Troy set his heavy hands on her shoulders as she glared up at him. She was a tall woman, but he still had a good five inches on her. He met her gaze with knowing ease as he spoke. "Now, you don't want to tell me what's going on, that's fine. But I know you told Levi. And you know how…" His gentle voice trailed off for a moment, "reckless he can be when it comes to you."

This was true. Levi had made it a habit to try and protect Anna at any cost. They weren't quite sure why though; as most of the time it led to more trouble than necessary. She nodded, allowing him to continue on without interruption.

"If you keep him involved," the man shrugged, "maybe he'll calm down a little. Besides, I feel better when you look out for him."

A fine, blonde brow was cocked at him, "why?"

""Cause he's stupid." Anna giggled, nodding in agreement. Troy dismissed this as he went on, "Starting tomorrow." He went to turn, "oh, and do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"When you come back…don't get washed up."

She blinked in surprise, "why not?"

"Eh, some of the boys want a show." Broad shoulders shrugged, "since I figured you wouldn't be to willing to give one, I thought you could give them an idea as to why."

Anna smirked at his dark face, mischief stretching over both their features. "I like the way you think, Captain."

He rolled his eyes at the jab, knowing that if he had stuck to the army he could've made the rank easily.

-

Levi shook his head at the news. "No."

"Levi." Troy said, a warning hint in his tone.

"No," the boy repeated, "no, no, no, you can't make me!"

"Yes we can." The two chorused, looming over him as he sat, pouting and cross legged on the ground.

"But last time I couldn't sleep for a week because I watch her remove…" His face paled further, gaining the interests of the Basterds around them. "Things. From men. Things that should never be removed, Troy, ever."

The man nodded in understanding as Donny and Stiglitz shared a look of horrified panic. Both closed their legs as he went on. "I know, but you're the one who said it'd be safest if someone went with her."

"I meant Donny!" Levi shrieked, pointing at the Bear Jew. "Or you know, any one but me!"

"That's cold, Cohen."

Brown eyes locked on Omar, "shut up, Ulmer! You have no idea what I'm going through!"

Chuckling Anna dropped down next to him. "If you don't like your ideas, Lev," she tossed an arm around his shoulders, "stop having them!" Her hand bounced off the back of his head, and she smirked as he shoved her.

The two pecked at each other a moment, much to the amusement of Donny. He watched her fingers dig into the boy's rib, electing a yelp that brought a broad grin to her usually down cast features. And for a moment he was jealous. The Boston man grit his teeth. It was a stupid thing to be envying. Childish even. He knew it, and from the way his superior was smirking, Aldo knew it too.

The only time Anna smiled at him it was seductively. To be fair, the only time he could account for returning the gesture was when he was manhandling her. Except that first night. When her ribs hurt and his hands stung.

God, I sound like such a little bitch, he thought absent mindedly. He didn't like that.

The weakness that came along with sex. Along with Anna in general.

And he sure as hell didn't like the curiosity that the Southern Luientant had stirred in him.