August 29, 2011

Meghan peered through the plexiglass window of the door to the small classroom. A uniformed man inside looked up from his papers, checking his watch before waving her in. She pushed the door open and slid the doorstop under it. A chief petty officer insignia rested on the man's sleeve, proudly displayed as he smiled and stood to greet her.

Meghan saluted. "Chief Petty Officer Peters, Petty Officer First Class Castellano reporting." She failed to hide her sarcastic smile.

The older African American man laughed, his deep voice resonating around the room. "At ease, Castellano, you're a civvy for the time being. And besides, I know damn well that you're not for formalities when it isn't needed."

A glint shone in his eye. "Samson gave me an idea what to expect."

She shifted, cocking her head. "You- you know Samson, sir?"

His chest rumbled again. "Oh yes, we've known each other for a lot of years. He's been a friend of mine since we got deployed to Stuttgart together, and he's mentioned you more than once."

Meghan exhaled shakily. "I won't lie to you, sir, I'm a little surprised at that."

"You shouldn't be. From everything I've seen in your record and heard from others, you will most certainly be a top candidate for an enlisted officer position, probably sooner rather than later. Your work in Orange Sky, especially, was some high grade stuff, believe me. It's a big reason I was eager accept your request to visit with us today."

She regained her composure, taking a seat on the table at the front of the room. "I'm flattered, sir."

He offered a hand, which she readily accepted. "Please, call me Andrew."

She nodded, and Andrew continued. "Samson also told me that you have quite a lofty goal, but he wouldn't say what it was, wanted you to be the one to tell me."

Meghan crossed her arms. "He did, huh? Well, he wasn't exaggerating. I'm determined to become the first female admitted into the SEALs."

She waited, expecting a disapproving look or snide remark. Instead, Andrew nodded and pondered the idea.

"Lofty indeed."

Again, Meghan found herself off-balance. "So…do you have anything to say about that, sir?"

He smacked his lips. "I won't lie to you, that will be one hell of an undertaking. I know a few guys who tried to get in the SEALs, some of the best men I'd ever seen in the uniform. The training program is no joke, and it'll run you into the ground if you're not prepared. You'll be required to go through the most intense mental and physical tests of your life. It can break you, if you let it."

The teeth on her mental gears ground together, friction wearing on them once again. For the sake of who was saying that it would be difficult now, Meghan held her posture.

Andrew raised a single finger. "But! But… your service record thus far speaks to an exceptional mental fortitude, and you're in outstanding shape. So, if any female has a real shot at doing it, you'd have my vote."

There it was. The much-needed coolant left the valve, flooding onto every hot spot in her mind's machine. Meghan heaved a measured sigh, a number of responses cycling through her head.

"I appreciate the vote of confidence, sir- ah, Andrew."

He put on a lopsided smile. "I look forward to you proving me right."

A third and fourth person entered the room, with several other voices becoming louder from around the corner. Andrew raised a hand in a wave to the cadets before turning back to Meghan. Quiet conversation continued among the newcomers in their assigned Navy Working Uniforms.

"So, do you plan to become a regular for us, here? I could think of a few lessons that you'd be a good aide for."

Meghan hummed. "Well, it'll depend on my schedule as time goes on, but I'd be more than willing to-"

A sharp wolf whistle ripped everyone's attention to the newest person, standing in the doorway. A shorter, dark haired male swaggered to an open seat, uncaringly tossing his gear toward the wall. Meghan's eyes narrowed as her lips tightened. CPO Peters visibly ground his teeth, harsh stare heating the air around him.

"Well, well, well! Now who do we have here! No one mentioned there would be an absolute babe gracing us today. You must be new, how's it goin' chica?"

Now this will be fun.

Andrew's lower jaw shifted in a barely controlled anger, opening his mouth to level some choice words. Meghan touched his arm, raising her other hand to placate him before striding forward. She stopped on the other side of the long table from her newest prey. In an instant, her demeanor changed completely – she raised her voice and added a distinct lilt, arms placed delicately behind her back, hips lightly swaying. A cursory glance at his name patch gave the target identity.

"You're right, Adams, I am new here. I don't know many people yet, and I was just introducing myself to Chief Petty Officer Peters over there. Let me introduce myself to you all, too." She looked to the floor, fingers tapping together in an apparent nervous tick. Cadet Adams leaned forward in his seat, cocky grin on his face.

Meghan dropped the façade faster than a hot iron, snapping her legs together and assuming a crisp stance.

"My name is Petty Officer First Class Meghan Castellano. I'm an active duty veteran on leave to get my degree before transitioning into a future role as a Naval intelligence officer. I've seen deployment overseas, and taken part in several high profile missions involving international politics and stability."

She caught several of the cadets looking around; from Peters, to each other, to Adams. The target in question shifted in his seat, eyes becoming wider with every word as his brows knitted inwards.

Good, you need to learn early.

"As such, I've seen and will see more than most of you will in your entire service careers. I have very little patience for those who project attitudes detrimental to the situation, including both combat and intra-unit communication settings. I am here with you today to provide insight into my experiences, as well as to be a resource for you all to come to, aside from CPO Peters. In addition, I will be joining the Chief Petty Officer in future lessons to give my input as needed."

She paused, scanning the room like a patrolling sentry. Settling on Adams, she placed her hands on the table. "Any further questions, Cadet?"

He scrambled to attention, knocking the chair to the floor, and saluted. "N-no ma'am!"

Meghan flashed a smirk, easing off the gas pedal. "Good. Now, I believe Andrew has a wonderful class prepared for you all, and I would hate for any further interruptions to delay that. Chief?"

She stepped back toward the corner, sweeping her arm toward the man. He snickered and shook his head, eyes closed.

"I hope you enjoyed that little preface from our guest. Adams, we will discuss your liberal interpretation of proper etiquette later. Now, to the lot of you, welcome to your first Navy ROTC lecture…"

A weary sigh left Meghan's lungs as she shut the door of her apartment. The scent of searing seasoned meat caressed her face, wrapping her senses in a soft blanket of bliss. She inhaled, savoring every smell as they mingled and danced around her.

She projected her voice around the corner. "Sup babe!"

Meghan tossed her bag vaguely in the direction of her desk and gave a relieved sigh, stepping into the kitchen. David stood at the range, crafting a perfect meal.

He turned to her and smiled. "Evening, beautiful. How was your day?"

She leaned against the counter. "Pretty sweet. Got to know my capstone professor and the Chief running the ROTC class. Even got the chance to yell at someone in the class today."

David chuckled and shook his head. "-and talked to the Chief about the SEALs." Meghan finished.

His expression faltered, hands stopping briefly before resuming their task. "And what did he think about that?"

Meghan shrugged. "That he thinks I've got a shot. Couldn't let me go without mentioning how next to impossible it is, but he gave me the vote of confidence, so that was good enough."

"You believe him?" David spoke without looking at her.

She glared at him through narrowed eyes, annoyance swimming in them like angry sharks. "And what do you have to say about that, David?"

"Well, you know what I think, hon. I'm worried that you'll end up killing yourself over this, with nothing to show for it." He still wouldn't meet her eyes.

She had to respect his willingness to stand on the table and voice his true opinion, rather than stammer out some half-baked answer while beating around the bush.

Which is why it just broke her heart that the table he chose to root himself on was rapidly approaching those same sharks.

Meghan screwed her eyes shut, grinding her teeth and pushing hot air from her nose. "I would really rather not have this conversation again. I don't think either of us would like where it would go."

She grabbed his shoulder and forced him to turn toward her. "Is this going to be a problem, David? You've known from the very start how things would be with me. You chose to stay. You chose to support me, or so I thought."

Doubt flickered on David's face like a broken reel. "I do, it's just-"

"I've heard the doubts and questions for a long time. Every time, I've proven them wrong. I don't want this from you, too, but don't think I won't move on if you're going to try to hold me back."

At some point the venom dissolved, and the sincerity in her voice that shocked David; he'd never seen this from her before.

He took her hand, brushing his lips against her knuckles. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay. I'm willing to put my hesitations aside, because you're worth it."

Meghan smiled softly at her boyfriend, and drew him in for a kiss.

"But, Meg, you'll have to make the baked corn."

She pulled back, bringing the back of her hand to her forehead. "Why must you burden me so?"

They laughed together, worries dissipating into the night like the steam in the kitchen.

Note: So we've seen a glimpse into Meghan's time in college between tours. I elected not to show some of the more mundane events in the first three years. After all, she does deserve a couple unremarkable times too. Next up is her return to the Navy, let me know what you thought!