Okay, first off, thank you all SO much for the continued support of this fanfic! Although and with that said, DO NOT panic if you see I haven't uploaded in a bit. I have not forgotten about any of my fics, but a lot has changed in my life recently. On top of the busy holiday season coming up, I got a promotion at work and also started going back to school for my advanced degree in radiography. So, as you can all imagine, I am going to be a VERY busy lady. Haha. Don't get me wrong, I'll still write! But, I just may not be as consistent as I have been with it due to my time constraints in my life currently. But, enough blabbering from me! Lol. Let's jump back in where the last chapter left off, but we're switching to Jo's perspective this time. ;) Hope you all enjoy it!

(Jo's POV)

Okay, just… UGH, what the hell is going on anymore?!

Look, I may have been on reality TV, but this morning has probably been the biggest crap circus of my entire life.

I spent the past couple weeks being internally 'guilt tripped', drove ALL the way up here, almost got arrested twice today, and then completely lost my mind and ended up making out with Brick again.

My face started to feel like it was burning again as I immediately grit my teeth and started to stomp it down as I kept thinking about kissing him again.

Ugh… What's happening to me? Just 'me' getting totally lame over some guy… and it's Brick of all friggin' people?!

Yeah, I seriously must be out of my damn mind.

So then... why can't I stop?

After we kissed again just now and awkwardly stared at each other for a few minutes, we both just ended up sitting next to each other in the alley in silence again.

Because for once I have no damn idea what to even say right now.

I've already shown how weak and pathetic I am after I exploded earlier.

So how much lower can I possibly go at this point?!

I was trying to alleviate 'whatever the hell' I was feeling and also feeling like I was close to ripping out my hair until I whipped my head over as I heard him start, "Uhh… if it means anything since I don't think I told you this, but… you were technically my first kiss too."

I whipped my head over and quirked up an eyebrow in complete confusion.

Well, one because he just said that completely out of nowhere after the most painfully awkward silence of my life, and two… what does he mean 'technically'?

What? Was he putting me in the same category of 'kissing a girl' that's not his mom?

He rubbed the back of his neck before continuing, "Before you ask, I did kinda get kissed by a girl once before you. But, I don't count it since I was still a kid… that and the girl who kissed me did it as kind of a 'prank-dare' kind of thing at a Halloween party our commanding officers threw for us when we were 12 at the academy. And honestly… I kinda wish it didn't even happen. Because, I think I feel worse about the fact that I was kissed by a girl that really didn't even want to actually kiss me is somehow more embarrassing than never kissing anyone at all. At least to me anyway."

Um… did he just admit that my 'first kiss' situation was somehow not nearly as pathetic as his despite mine also being REALLY pathetic?

Heh… why does none of that surprise me?

Also, what G.I. Jane wannabe kissed him?

I mean… not that I care or anything? I just want to know!

I didn't have a chance to say anything as I looked down and saw Brick grabbing my hand to hold it as he started, my throat swelling up and all my muscles simultaneously felt like they locked up, "Look Jo, I'll be honest… I like you, a lot. And whether you believe me or not, I-I meant what I said. I mean, if you want to 'wear dresses and put on makeup' you can, but… with me you don't need to do any of that to remind me or just anyone about 'who you are'. Because I think you always look great, honestly."

My jaw felt like it was practically locked shut as I looked down and saw him weaving his fingers with mine on my hand while my brain kept 'processing' everything he just said.

Seriously, what the hell is even happening?

But he just kept going as I looked up and saw him smiling at me and rubbed the back of his neck again, "I mean, I know this is all kinda new for both of us since I haven't been on a date before I went to prom with you or had a girlfriend, but… maybe, if you want, I'd like to go out with you and see where things go. I know you're training for the Olympics and I'm usually only free on weekends since I'm not allowed off campus during the week, but… I'd like to give it a try. If you'd want to go out sometime… for real?"

But, I was kind of surprised when he let go of my hand and sprang up off the ground before holding his hand out to me, that stupidly cute smile on his face.

Wait, did I just call about him 'cute'?

Ugh… dammit.

As much as I want to keep lying to myself to the point of losing my damn mind, I can't anymore if I want to be myself again and get my times, distances, and my stupid head back on track.

Because, I… ugh, dammit, I do like him.

Then it was like he was unintentionally throwing it all in my face with how I was feeling as he kept having that stupidly cute grin on his face as he held his hand out to me and said, "So, what do you say? Want to try another date?"

I froze up for a moment, trying to figure out something. Well, until I felt like I almost 'gave in' as I smirked and just got up off the ground myself. He looked at me with a

very confused look on his face, making me smirk. Yeah… I can't help it. I kept smirking as I challenged, "You want a date, Romeo? Sure, but the winner decides what we do on the date. Bet you can't beat me back to the truck?"

Hey, I may like him… but I also like messing with him just as much.

And it'll be a cold day in hell before I start making everything easy on him. But, after a few seconds of 'confusion', he smiled back at me and saluted before responding at full attention, "You're on, ma'am!"

Heh… ma'am.

I forgot how much I missed that 'sappy chivalry' from back on the Island. Neither of us took another second as we both took off back toward the military academy.

15 minutes later

After I won (obviously), Brick gave me his number before going back toward the academy gate.

I mean, I guess I could've stuck around, but I want to head back out to the toe boards back at school to test if I finally have my head back on straight with my shot put throwing distances.

I was about to get back in my dad's truck until I heard behind me, "Hey Pansy! Did you just get back from your run with an extra change of shorts?"

I heard a bunch of other guys letting out a bunch of immature laughs as I turned around and saw Brick stopped just outside the front gate by a guy with light brown hair shaved into a buzz cut with a couple guys with either buzz or crew cuts on either side of him all laughing at Brick.

My eyes kept going to the guy with light brown hair as he grinned and waggled his brows before shoving Brick back.

Who the heck is this yutz?

Brick just scowled and didn't say anything as he tried to walk past them until the guy with light brown hair shoved him back again and got an amused, cocky smirk on his face as he jabbed, "Hey! What's the hurry, Piss-Stain? Need to get to the latrine before you wet your pants?"

All of them started laughing again as I just kept… watching.

Brick's face was beet red as he continued to scowl a little and tensed up, looking embarrassed.

Wait a second… Pansy? Piss-Stain?

Who does this 'tool bag' think he is taking jabs at him?

Only I can do that!

I immediately started making my way over as all those morons kept laughing as I called out, "Hey! Buzz Cut!"

All the guys stopped whipped their heads over in my direction, even Brick turned around and went wide eyed when he saw me coming closer.

But, I wasn't paying attention, as I walked right up and saw Bozo Buzz Cut over here giving me a look.

And I just gave him a 'look' right back as I crossed my arms and retorted, "What? Is this a weird-ass staring contest I don't know about?"

They all just kept staring at me until Buzz Cut just smirked before saying, "Hey guys! Looks like Bricky Boy's 'girlfriend' came up to visit!"

Then like a pack of 'ten hut hyenas', they started breaking out in immature 'ohs' and laughs.

Ugh… morons.

They all almost reminded me of those juiced up 'Lightning-esque' posers on the football team at my school that only have enough functioning brain cells to date those 'plastic preeners' like Ericka on the cheer squad and wrote me off since junior high co-ed PE.

WHAT?! It's my fault they don't have the nads to take it when a girl beats them at flag football?!

Get over it!

I was about to say something when I was surprised to see Brick cut in as he said, actually for once looking and sounding 'like he means it' which I am not used to… even if the 'military jargon' shtick from Brick was used to, "Stand down, Wade."

Wade?

That's this tool bag's name?

But all of them immediately broke out in immature 'ohs' again as I saw Brick's face turn red as he furrowed his brows, making me stop and just… think.

Ya know, I was gonna go back home and do some training… but now?

Hmm…

Maybe I will 'stick around' after all?

Before Brick could say anything else, I put my hand on his shoulder and pulled him back slightly as I started, "Actually, come to think of it, part of the other reason I came up was because Brick over here said I could drop by to show you guys a thing or two. I mean, if you're up for it?"

I smirked until it faltered as I watched Wade (or whoever this doofus is) scoff before crossing his arms and smirking before saying, "You show me something? What the hell can you show me other than only wearing sweat suits, getting butch women's haircuts, and being the only chick that'll hook up with 'Pansey' over here? So yeah, little miss sweatpants… I'll pass."

Even though I felt my hands clench for a moment, I 'smoothed myself out' as I crossed my arms before smirking, quirking up an eyebrow, and straight up challenging, "Why? What's the matter, Lieutenant Lame-us? Afraid you'll get your 'ass' handed to you by a girl?"

Immediately I felt a twinge of satisfaction ignite in me when I saw Wade's eyes go wide and his body slowly become more and more taut, knowing I was getting in his head and making him 'squirm' from making him look like an idiot in front of his stupid little 'cadet crew'.

Oh yeah, 'this' is gonna be fun.

30 minutes later

(Brick's POV)

"Eight… Nine… Ten…"

I was standing there watching Jo doing pull ups with the rest of my platoon and even other platoons that didn't used to be there just… watching.

For the past half hour after Jo just kept working her way under Wade's skin and getting in his head, he's been challenging her to any sort of 'skill' or 'feat of strength' exercise he could think of.

Rope climb, obstacle course, sprints, and he even challenged her to throwing shot put (which I knew he would lose since I know she's an Olympic level thrower)... and she has been beating him at everything (even throwing a men's shot put she still beat him by a couple feet).

Even now, Wade looked like he was losing his mind and his face was so red and tensed up from anger and embarrassment that I thought he was going to have an aneurysm... Especially now.

Just like I hold the flex arm hang record, Wade holds the current pull up record here at the academy at 23 pull ups.

And Jo was already looking like she was on pace with him… and she even added some ankle weights to herself before she started doing her pull ups!

I mean, I know she challenged me to do that at her Prom, but I just thought that was her trying to playfully 'one up me' and get in my head.

But… I should know her by now that she meant doing that.

And Jo just kept going as I heard her count out, with some struggle but even still sounding almost 'effortless' compared to Wade, "Twenty One… Twenty Two… Twenty Three… Twenty Four!"

After that she leaped down from the bar and turned around, Wade practically shaking at this point with his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were turning white.

Although Jo was just smirking in complete satisfaction as she jabbed, definitely enjoying herself, "Well, what next, Gomer Trash-Pile? I haven't had a good 'warm-up' in a while. Got anything else good?"

Wade looked like he was going to erupt at this point and as much as I was ashamed to let it slip… I smirked too.

Look, my entire life, I have always tried lived up to the manners and expectations my parents and grandpa set up for me on how to conduct myself as a man and as a soldier.

No matter what, I always try to be the bigger person and do what's right… even if it's hard.

But after all the years of pushing me around, scaring me into peeing myself twice in the same year as kids, putting ice down the back my pants to embarrass me during morning inspection on the General's visit 2 years ago, and urinating on my clothes in dryer I was using so everything I was drying smelled like pee by the time I came back… I was sickly kind of enjoying this in a very weird way.

And finally Wade lost it as he pushed over a basketball wrack in the rec center before looking back at Jo before pretty much exploding, "AGH! SHUT THE HELL UP! This isn't over, you!…"

"BRANSON!" All of us immediately looked over and collectively straightened up at who we saw standing in the doorway.

Sergeant Milner.

And you may all throw virtual tomatoes at me for the unfair cliffhanger again. It's deserved. Lol. XD But, for real and by the looks of things with Brick and Wade's commanding officer walking into the room after noticing the 'display'... something's about to go down. As to what? I'll leave you all to find out next time. ;) Anyway, and on the real substance of this chapter, I hope you enjoyed seeing Jo's thought process over allowing herself to break down her walls (even if just a little) to give dating Brick a chance now that she knows she likes him. But, even with her feelings, it doesn't mean Jo isn't still 'Jo' and won't just flip a switch and be a 'lovey dovey' kinda gal toward Brick. I mean sure, she likes Brick and finds him attractive… but that doesn't mean she isn't still going to tease him with 'nicknames' and continue to treat things like a competition in her own way. And this also carried over into her seeing Brick's plight with being bullied and ragged on by Wade and the other guys in his unit. But, judging by her giving Wade a 'run for his money' after seeing him pick on Brick, both Jo and Brick seem like they are both enjoying Wade's frustration and embarrassment in their own ways and for different reasons. What will happen next? All in due time! Again, thank you all for reading and ESPECIALLY for your patience in waiting for this chapter and I really hope you enjoyed it. :) Constructive feedback is appreciated as always and I will see you all in the next installment!

Stay classy and kind all!

Dexter1995