Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean…Approximate time 2200.
Sgt. Kurz Weber crouched below the numerous stacked punching bags that had been taken off their chains for the day
He shoved his ever intrusive bangs out of the way of his vision. At times his mane was a great source of pride for the rangy young man, at others it was simply high maintenance. .
Sorta reminds me of Melissa, He thought to himself.
But Melissa was the reason he had awoken 2 hours before midnight, so he could watch this little ritual of hers that was conducted on the Tuatha De Danaan. Ever since he had tried to peep on her at this time, and subsequently discovered her whereabouts after searching for a good 30 minutes for her. He had found her in the training room. What she was doing was of not a sexual nature, but it gave Kurz time to observe and think about the strong woman.
She was beating the living hll out a punching bag with his caricature on it. It was a rather classic look of Kurz's: eyes looking downward with his tongue sticking out. Currently she had broken his nose 5 times, and given him around 15 black eyes. The punishment that she was dealing to this bag was incredible. It was worse than what she actually did to him.
He always had wondered why the woman hated his guts so much. Sure he was perverted, a little direct in his advances, and stole her beer. But the number of times that he got injured because of these follies, did not match up to the severity of those offenses.
She was his CO and quite frankly in Kurz's mind, the ideal woman. Strong, Beautiful, Caring, Intelligent, and she liked beer. That was a rather shallow description of Melissa Mao, but oftentimes when he was pondering her, she thought he was having sexual fantasies and kicked him in the groin. Half the time it was sexual fantasies, but still!
Her behavior towards him was overly violent. In fact it reminded him of that hot blue haired chick Kaname's behavior towards Sousuke. Almost everyone could see that Chidori Kaname liked the naïve dolt, and usually inflicted grevious injury upon Sousuke, as a result of his actions to protect her, or his actions with other women, because she was jealous. But that parallel, although enticing and nice to believe, was BS for his situation with Melissa. Melissa Mao? Liking Him? He blew a raspberry at the thought, and it also alerted Melissa to a presence.
"Alright who's there? If it's a commanding officer then allow yourself to be seen, other wise…You dmn perverted maggots better get your asses outta here, before I can see you and thrash you to within an inch of your life!"
Kurz gulped, his cover was blown, and as long as he didn't give himself away…He'd survive this incident.
"Weber! That better not be you spying on me you gddamn pervert you! I'll use your head to break beer bottles and your teeth to open my cans of crab!"
Kurz was rather confused about Mao calling him a pervert…after all she was in usual dress, and was not doing anything that exposed her body. He could understand these threats if she was changing or in the onsen. But PT?
Wait…Didn't she shower and change after this? He never stayed till the end of her training, so he was unaware. This could be the opportunity he was waiting for…To get his hands on her favorite camo underwear. Oh Yeh! Kurz had struck it big and had not even realized it.
He reconsidered that line of thought, likely Sousuke had taught her some of the finer points of booby-trapping clothing and other items. Kurz had asked Sousuke to teach him arming and disarming, and his response was typical of the young man: "I do not feel comfortable teaching you these methods, Sgt for I believe that you will use these tactics outside their intended element for your own personal gain, and to satisfy your personal desires."
Translation in Kurz's mind: No way, you'll use them to get underwear, and peep on Mao or Tessa. Sousuke was right, but there was no harm in asking. Except with Melissa.
Satisfied that no one was there or had fainted, Mao went on with her punching of the dummy Kurz.
Watching her hit the dummy Kurz, gave him a feeling he couldn't describe…since it had been awhile since he had felt it. Hurt…yes that was it. Her using his image as a focus for her anger, hurt his feelings. His relationship with NCO was: questionable… At times he got along with her, on other occasions, his neurons screamed out in agony. In addition his methods usually conflicted with her methods. He had seen the tender side of Mao once or twice, and never was it directed at him, sure that was one time she was drunk, but she was just talking about Tessa. She did open up to him on that occasion, and seemed to not mind telling him this, but she was drunk.
After that mission where Gaul trashed his AS, and he was left with Sousuke and Miss Chidori, he had felt betrayed. Mao had not gone back to get either of her comrades, and seemed to be the only one qualified to do the maneuvers that saved them all. It was nothing personal of course, Mao only cared about her neck and her rank, which is why she had to save all of them, Kurz included. It seemed he was merely a tool to further her career rather than a comrade or fellow soldier.
When he was debriefed privately by Lt. Cmdr Kalinin, his NCO was not present. Wouldn't she like to know about that new AS? Or at least get a full report on the issue? It seemed she didn't, because it was back to business, talking to Tessa about the events that transpired during the rescue . Kurtz crashed the bar and saved her a seat, and had a beer ready so they could talk after mission like they usually did. She never came, So he had hers and talked to the Barkeeper about dames.
Sousuke and Kurz seemed to be left out of the loop often. Sousuke just did a better job of coping with it, it seemed. That kid had been through so much in his 16 years…
He had a brotherly relationship with the young man, and they each helped in their behaviors and idiosyncrasies. He was elated to hear that Tessa liked Sousuke, but he could see very clearly that Sousuke had a very professional relationship in mind only. She was the Captain for chrissake. Maybe she was horny or something, he pondered. If so Kurz could show her a thing or two! Oh yeh!
But Kaname Chidori…she was violent, of course he again was succumbing to his instincts, after she ripped her shirt. She was a good match for Sousuke, if she could get Sousuke to disobey orders, and put others at risk to save her, he cared for her indeed. Kurtz had nothing but respect for the young woman, and she must be precious indeed for Sousuke to act the way he did around her. He ought to bring that up to both Kaname and Melissa, Kaname would benefit or at least learn a little more about Sousuke, and Melissa would think Kurz less shallow.
Of course when her AS was crushed by the behemoth, he was worried. He was pretty sure she was dead after being trapped in the cockpit and falling into the waters of Tokyo bay. So he let the pain surface momentarily, and then shoved it aside, reverting to his typical behavior.
He was glad to see she was alive, she pretty much ignored the great Kurz Weber, and instead focused on Tessa. She then talked to Kaname and Sousuke about the ordeal offering comfort; but when she talked to him he was admonished for not taking better measures to protect Tessa and Kaname. Kurz was beside himself during that incident; she had the nerve to tell him (who was sitting in the bed of truck that was going 120 mph and swerving in and out of lanes while he was sniping at the behemoth with his rifle) that he screwed up. That was extremely dangerous in the first place, such a ploy was grounds for a reprimand, but she skimmed over that. The fact that he had stolen a truck for their rescue never was reported either. He hadn't considered why…
Kurz wondered why around Mao he always was reduced to a school boy crush state. He did the most ridiculous things to get her attention, and it often backfired on him. It seemed he couldn't act like the Ladykiller he was around other women. He liked her, that much was obvious, and he knew why. But why did she so violently reject his advances? Was she like that with other men? Did she really want to kill him? Why did she recruit him into Mithril anyway…because of his sniping talent.
He remembered the time he had tried to kiss her, and she had given him a broken nose. The broken nose was more for groping her, which was entirely inappropriate. That incident was entirely his that his fault, and rather dumb, he had not made a good first impression.. They had been through all kinds of hell together, and usually she had no more for him than a few nasty jibes and a insult/compliment.
Ah well…the German thought to himself. He could at least enjoy how the things she was doing to the punching bag highlighted her body. His nose began to bleed, as if a faucet was turned on there. She was in excellent physical shape, and she was gorgeous. But he remembered the time at the hot springs, where she had mentioned she learned Japanese through sex. This also hurt him a little, because it seemed he was in love with a fantasy Mao, and the crude, rude, outer shell of Mao realized this, and dealt out punishment.
As his thoughts continued to wander and he started to realize he was characterizing Mao a little selfishly, and that she was a good person, just he could never get on her good side.
He was content, but longed for a relationship. Unlike him in all respects, but he wanted one.
He had to bring this parade of emotions to an end, as he shook his head vigorously, hair flying everywhere, as he tried to clear his thoughts.
What did he want from Melissa? Sex or Love? Why did he continue to pursue her? What her feelings? Did she have any feelings for him besides a NCO to her men?
He got deep into thought, until the answer hit him…Literally. A wayward beer bottle came flying across his field of vision, and smashed into his face. Beer? Melissa liked beer.
He decided to iron out his feelings, by asking Melissa on some sort of trip. This way he could it claim it wasn't a date, and she would not trash him for lying, and he could figure out his confused feelings.
Oktoberfest was coming up soon…Around a month. Maybe he could convince Melissa to go with him, if she decided to humor him. She'd certainly enjoy the booze if not his company. If she rejected him this final time, he'd quit his arduous pursuit of the Sgt Major.
Kurz began to think of ways he could ask her without giving away his all too obvious intentions.
"I'd better do this like Sousuke would…He'd have the same chance of suceeding, so no harm done" He said rather quietly to himself.
Objectives, Obstacles, Time Frame, Allies, Terrain, Mindset, Risks. That was Sousuke style approach to a date.
Primary Objective: Get Melissa accompany him to Oktoberfest.
Secondary Objective: Investigate intimate relationship possibilities between them
Tertiary Objective: Get Melissa into bed with the great Kurz Weber Oh Yeh!
Obstacles: Tessa, Missions, Leave time, Melissa, Mithril Regulations, Himself, Melissa's philanthropy.
Time Frame: 29 days till it started
Allies: Sousuke (to a degree), and perhaps Kaname.
Terrain: Not a problem for Kurz. He checked that off.
Mindset: He would go in expecting to achieve only his primary, and possibly his secondary his tertiary was extremely wishful thinking.
Risks: Bodily Injury, heart-break, Imprisonment, Demotion. There were plenty of those…
Upon making this mental checklist Kurz realized he'd have to get out without Melissa noticing him.
"Damnit…What the heck am I supposed to do now?" he murmured to himself.
His subconscious realized three things. First Melissa had stopped punching the bag, and was therefore showering. He had the perfect opportunity to ask her, and he would not look suspicious, and he had a bottle of opened beer in his hands.
He got up and made of show of doing some wall stretches, and waited for Mao to come out of the locker room…Which her clothes were on outside of .
He had to act fast…Where was her duffel bag? There! He stuffed all of her clothes into the bag, hating himself for wasting this opportunity. He wrenched the door to the Women's locker room open, and slid the bag to the shower area, and slammed the door shut.
He waited nervously…Melissa could get pissed for that gesture. He heard a few curses from the women's locker room, and an explanation of surprise. Apparently Melissa found her clothes.
She certainly took her time getting ready though, he thought as he waited.
The door opened, and Melissa exited. Hair still wet from her shower, she spitted Kurz with a glare asking nothing.
Ignoring this Kurz mentioned in rather casual manner, "Hey sis, want a beer? I think this one is your favorite, so I managed to get one before the bar ran out of stock for the week."
Kurz noticed the look of gratitude that flashed over Melissa's face, as he mentioned his act of kindness.
"Weber"
"Yesma'am!" It came out quickly.
"You have offered an NCO her favorite beer, and thus have followed proper USMC etiquette for a personal request off the record."
Kurtz relaxed visibly, he had lucked out!
His hands at the back of his head he haltingly began…
"Well y'see I wanted to know, if you could, I mean would, if you wanted too of course--"
"Get a grip Weber, you aren't asking me on a date"
He chuckled nervously at that remark and composed himself.
"Basically Oktoberfest is in 29 days, and I was wondering if you go with me. I know Munich well enough, and there will be beer, and I'll get separate rooms of course" He sounded like a little kid who was desperately asking for something and was unsure if he would get it.
Melissa pondered this for a moment…What were his motives, and why the formality and nervousness? He was basically asking her to use her leave to go on an extended date with him. But this wasn't Kurz's style at all to get sex…maybe he wanted more…Hmm…
"Soldier! Tenshun!"
Kurz snapped to attention "Yes'm!"
"You are making a very serious request of me. Asking me to use my leave time, to go with you of all people, on what might be construed as a date."
"I assure you Sgt. Major, I will behave approp--"
"SHUTUP! As I was saying, this is a very serious request. I must think for a minute." She pondered for about 30 seconds before she came to a split decision.
Kurz was still rigid, being at attention and from nervousness, when she began to speak
"Mr. Weber, I accept this offer of a trip" She licked her lips at thought of that much beer, and maybe some other side benefits.
"And another thing Kurzie?"
"Yes'm?"
"Make unapproved advances and I wear your balls as earrings"
"Yes'm!"
She strode out of the gym with a pleased look on her face, as Kurz looked like he had just seen hell freeze over.
Kurz scratched his head, as he was pondering the last words of Melissa. Unapproved Advances? She didn't say advances period. He began to hope for his chances.