Paring: Emile/Kat, Emile/Jorge, Kat/Carter

Title: Flirt

Emile leaned up against the wall, staring out at the open area. "Have you ever noticed that the Commander puts us together in the field a lot?" Emile turned to look over at Kat. "Maybe he sees the chemistry between us." He let out a chuckle as his eyes roam over her body where she was crouched. The Lieutenant Commander wouldn't be able to see the gaze but from the way she shifted uneasily, it seemed like she could feel it.

"Chemistry? I wouldn't call this chemistry. It would border on the equivalent of a nuclear warhead going off." Kat connected a few wires. "Though you are good backup in the field. Best to have a close combat fighter to watch my back while I work."

"I'd be willing to watch your back all day." Emile smirked behind his helmet.

"Better keep your eyes above the waist. I can get you sent to the brig for harassment." Kat knew that Emile was watching her. She ignored it. Him looking really couldn't do her any harm.

Emile leaned a bit toward her. "Come on? You have to think that we would be a good fit. You—cold, better with tech. Me—a monster, cold, and only really good at killing. Seems like the two of us would fit together."

"Exactly, only good at killing. I need a partner that's good with people. Someone who's nice, like Jorge." Kat tapped her finger against her chin in thought. Emile seemed to stiffen at the mention of Noble Five.

Emile frowned and glared at the woman, though she couldn't see it. "Might not want to do that. Don't think I want Jorge to be court-marshaled because your boyfriend is jealous." The words were bitter and his voice was agitated.

"Maybe you should watch what you do. Carter's not the one you should be afraid of. I wouldn't hesitate to see you knocked down a peg if you get on my bad side." Kat turned her attention back to her work.

Emile tried to smooth out the annoyance that he could feel in the air. He put his hand over his heart as though he had been hurt. "You wound me. I can't believe you'd be so mean."

"Don't underestimate me, Emile. Keep in mind that Carter is the only person on Noble who can order me around. All others have to listen to me." Kat finished patching up the circuit and replaced the cover.

"Not that you listen to Carter all the time. Don't think I've been on a mission with you two where he didn't have to scold you for getting into something you shouldn't have." Emile stood up as the Lieutenant Commander stood to work at the now fixed terminal. Emile moved up behind her, only a few centimeters between them. "I don't see what you see in the Commander anyway. The man's stuffy and so serious."

"Why does it matter to you?" Kat looked back at him. She hesitated, and chose her words carefully. "What would make the Commander a bad choice? What would be wrong with choosing him? What if he made me happy?"

"If he makes you happy, then why are you flirting with me?" Emile tilted his head to the side as he waited for an answer.

"Who said that I was flirting with you? Not to mention, you can't flirt, or you would flirt back with him." Kat tapped the terminal, reading over the data and trying to ignore Emile.

"I haven't flirted with anyone but you."

"No, you haven't." The words were annoyed. "He tries so hard and you just ignore all of his attempts. Would rather have it be a fight then pleasant conversation. Though if this is flirting for you, maybe you are just so naive that you don't realize he's flirting." Kat turned to look back at him, trying to gauge Emile's reaction.

Emile crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't have any idea what you are talking about."

"Yeah, you're just that naïve." Kat sighed and rolled her eyes. "You know who I'm talking about, and I know you know what I'm talking about. You could at least try to return it."

Emile took a step toward her, setting his hands on her waist. "If I'm so naïve, maybe you could teach me a thing or two."

"In your dreams." Kat turned toward him, frowning, as she felt his hand move over her side. Her COM activated and she pushed him forcefully away. Emile let out a groan and muttered something about second place.

"Noble Two, what is your status?" Carter's voice was clear and strong over the radio.

Kat turned away from Noble Four and activated her radio. "We've got the system up and running. We're ready for your arrival."

"Aw, no more alone time." Emile grinned and his hand reached toward Kat.

The Lieutenant Commander jumped as she felt the hands on her rear. "Keep your hands off." She glared at the male Spartan who grinned behind his visor.

"Kat, what's going on?" Carter's voice held a tone that wasn't very familiar. He was annoyed, more that he wasn't there to stop whatever it was, with a hint of what Kat could only identify as jealousy.

"It's nothing, Commander. Just Emile messing around. The area's clear so he's gotten a bit bored." Kat took a step away from Emile, wanting more space between them.

"Well, tell him to keep his hands to himself. You can punish him for insubordination." Carter seemed fully agitated now.

"I assure you I would not hesitate to see him demoted."

Emile looked over at her. "Aw, can't we just go with the punishment thing. Bet you give out great punishment." Emile chuckled and Kat shook her head.

"Go watch the door." Kat motioned to him and then turned away. "What is your ETA?"

"We'll be at your location in two minutes. Try to behave until then." Carter's tone was lighter, and Kat let out a sigh of relief.

"Copy, Noble One. We'll be waiting." Kat turned off the radio and moved over to stand beside Emile. They stood at the doorway, watching for the falcon. "You know you didn't seem at all surprised that I know about you and Noble Five."

Emile glanced over at her. "No one ever called you stupid, Kat. You're smart, really smart. I know that you'd see it. Carter is our leader but he doesn't pay attention to that part of his soldiers. He leaves us to that as we want to be. You, you pay attention. I know you're the one that pushed us together."

Kat shrugged. "You were cold, Jorge was warm. I thought both of you could help balance each other. You do well in the field together, I was right. I didn't see anything other than you two being close coming from it. Carter doesn't see it at all. He often misses things like that."

Emile shifted and looked at Noble Two. "You and the Commander aren't, are you?" Kat shook her head. "Guess that explains a bit." Kat looked at him and he sighed. "It explains why you'll flirt with me. You don't strike me as a disloyal woman. Don't think you'd flirt with me if you and he were…" Emile trailed off. "I think I see them."

Kat nodded as she spotted the dot in the sky. "That would be them."

"Well, it was fun." Emile tapped two fingers against where the mouth of his carved skull would be and then tapped the fingers against the side of Kat's helmet. "Maybe you can punish me later for bugging you."

"In your dreams. It's a much better punishment not to punish you." She struck forward, colliding their helmets together.

Emile flinched back and broke into laughter. "That's my CO." He leaned back against the wall and the two Spartans watched as the falcon approached, carrying the rest of their team.