Diana watched in amusement as Hoot drove the tiny car.

With the seat put all the way back, his legs still overshot the pedals. She could not help but smirk at the irony of it. She would have been a perfect fit in the seat. But he was taller then her, she spoke even with her smile, "Thank you for driving me."

Hoot shrugged, keeping his eyes on the frozen road, "You warm enough? If you can figure out those knobbers you can turn the heater on." He had noticed the lack of warm clothing she wore outside. "You work at the Army hospital?"

Diana nodded, "Yeah, on base. But I was volunteering down the mountain."

The wipers seemed to be working harder then usual, making horrible scraping noises trying to clear all the snow.

"Then you specialize?"

Diana shook her head, "No, I'm just a nurse, but their E.R. was short staffed tonight." Her eyes stayed on the road and the kilometer gauge. She had not yet figured out how fast they were going, but was pretty sure it was too fast. Though she had grown used to her father's manic driving, she had just met this man.

"Are you married?"

Diana shook her head, "No. Are you Mr. Hoot?"

It pleased her to no end when he smiled. "Not yet, in a few months I'm headin home for a visit. Momma always takes me to church to try and set me up."

Her laugh filled the car and even warmed him in some way he'd not felt before. He took his gaze off the road for a moment to look at her, she was beautiful in his eyes. Never had he seen a woman that had those eyes, such perfect lips. From the way she continuously tucked her hair behind her ears. There was just something about her that fascinated him.

Diana met his rich eyes and smirked, "Keep your eyes on the road, Hoot."

Even the way she spoke his name drove him nuts. He knew in that moment he would marry the woman who sat beside him. "Yes Ma'am."

Diana looked out the window at the snowy landscape. For the first time in days she was able to apreciate it. "So what do you do in the Army?"

"All sorts of thangs."

She looked back to him and asked, "Your not allowed to tell me?"

Had it been anyone else, or perhaps it was the gentle way she spoke. Hoot answered her simply, "Delta stuff."

For a moment she was quiet then asked, "Is the base safe?" She knew the Delta's only went where there was a problem. Like the Seals and Marines. Hoot knew she was no fool, but there was no problem at the moment, "Winter Trainin."

"Oh. All the way out here? Wouldn't Alaska work?"

"Alaska ain't got saurbroton."

Diana laughed again and shook her head, knowing she'd not get a better answer then that. "I didn't interupt your training, did I?"

"Naw. Don't start for a few days."

Hoot turned onto a road that lead up to the Base. The lights could be seen before the base was, Diana felt at ease when she saw them. "Well have you gone to Oktoberfest?"

Hoot looked over at her again, "Oktoberfest?"

"Eyes on the road."

Hoot looked back and sighed, "Damn woman, your as bad as Sanderson." Though he spoke chiddingly, which only made her smile grow. In the past hour she'd smiled more then she had in months.

"Is Sanderson still alive?"

Hoot glanced back at her, "Yes he's still alive!"

Diana smacked his arm and threatened, "If you don't watch the road!"

"You gonna hop on my lap and drive?"

"On I'm sure the guards would love to see that."

Hoot grinned at the thought of it, and then thought about the guards, "I think ya should, come on climb on over."

Diana looked to the heavens for help. "Next time I'm driving."

Hoot forced a disappointed face, "So your not gonna hop in my lap?" Diana looked back to him her green eyes blazing. "If I hop in your lap I'm getting paid for it."

"I got some ones in my wallet. So long as you don't mind the euro-dollar."

She was forced to bite the insides of her cheeks to stop the smile. "Will you just watch it, before you drive though the gates?"

"They won't mind I know'em."

"Do all men of the south drive like maniacs?"

"I ain't drivin like a maniac yet."

"I ain't?"

Hoot smirked at her, again he looked over, "Yeah. I ain't."

"That isn't a word."

"It's a word used throughout tha south darlin. You eva go and you'll find it spoken fluently."

"In Germany?"

"I don't know. I ain't been sight seein yet."

It was the hardest thing she found not to smile at his drawl. As the base came into view Diana took her purse from the floor, dug through it till she found her I.D.. Hoot pulled his wallet from his back pocket and dug through for his own I.D. card.

A few moments later...........

Hoot came to a stop infront of the house Diana pointed out.

It was a small modest house. Military housing.

Diana took her purse from the floor and turned to him, "Thank you again."

Hoot met her gaze and found he didn't want her to go. So he asked, "Can I take you out to dinner sometime?" Diana smiled and shook her head, she kissed his cheek and said, "Sometime isn't a good time. I see you around." At that she unhooked her belt and got out of the tiny car.

It took Hoot just a moment to realize what had happened. Then he quickly undid his belt and hopped out of the car. Diana had made it up the walk to the front door.

"Wait!" Hoot shouted, running up the slick walk.

Diana glanced around the neighborhood that was sleeping. Praying he hadn't woken anyone. A smile came across her face as he made his way up the icy walk. She prayed he wouldn't slip and crack his head.

Hoot came to the front door and asked, "Can I take you to dinner tomorrow night?"

Diana shook her head, "I work the nightshift."

Hoot pondered when he would be free, then asked, "Can I make you breakfast?"

She laughed, "Your not spending the night."

"I know....but I can pick the lock in the mornin. I'll make you breakfast. What do you like for breakfast?"

In truth Diana hated breakfast unless it was leftovers. "Greek food."

"Ok I'll make you Greek food."

She smiled and unlocked the front door, then gave Hoot the keys, "Not before eight."

At that she closed the door and locked it behind her. Leaving the light on for Hoot, who stood there for a moment, finally realizing he didn't know how to make Greek food. "Aw shit," he swore, then realized he'd have to suck up to Lambross for help. Luckily he and Lambross were somewhat friendly and Lambross owed him one.