A New and Unexpected Job.

The day wore on and lights out came around.

I approached Bison's door nervously. I was shaking, but I had to hide it. I looked down at my hand and, noticing it shaking like a leaf on a tree, I clenched my fists.

I knocked on the door and awaited a response. "Enter." I shivered and slowly turned the door knob.

I walked up to his chair where he was sat and put my hands behind my back.

"Y-you wanted to see me, sir..?"

"Ah yes… Private Prince", he replied glaring at me with those heartless eyes, "It seemed earlier that you had a problem with my authority. I will make an exception with you being new… but I am NOT always tolerant."

I looked at the floor, shuffling uncomfortably.

"I know sir… I'm sorry, sir." My voice trembled as I apologised. It matched my whole body. I don't think one single part of me was still.

He rested his chin on his hand and stared at me with those piercing eyes.

"There was a specific reason I chose not to send you to Yulin. I want you to be part of my 'Personal Service."

"Like a servant or lackey person? Someone who gets things for you etc?" I just HAD to open my big mouth again didn't I?

He stared at me, a sarcastic expression of dislike.

"…Prince.", his voice was icy cold, "A word of advice… Don't talk, just listen."

"OK, sorry Sir."

His face suddenly changed, it was really strange. It changed from an emotionless state to a worried, even almost sad expression.

"I… have a question for you." His eyes gazed down at his thumbs that were busy orbiting each other.

"Yes Sir! Anything Sir!"

The question that followed actually caught me by surprise. It was one of the last things I'd ever expect to hear him ask. I thought it was going to be something about me and my attitude… But it wasn't…

"How…. How do you view me? As a person?"

My mind fumbled around trying to think about how to answer the question he had just asked. It is very hard to think of an answer just like that, especially when the question at hand shocks you.

"Gosh Sir!", I exclaimed in disbelief, "I-I I don't really know. I…. I don't really know you."

He raised his eyes from their fascination with the floor and stared into my eyes.

I had to say something. So I looked at him… I actually LOOKED. I saw before me a handsome warrior, a man of courage, yet one to be feared.

"B-but from the outside… y-you seem like a…. a harsh, cold…" Before I finished my sentence, I looked to see what effect my words were having on him. Sure, they sounded harsh, but he wanted the truth right? His eyebrows raised and he rubbed his chin with his hand. "But-but… handsome man. That's just my opinion, sir…"

He was. I couldn't deny it. His appearance was pleasing to the eye and I don't think I would have to try very hard to actually be attracted to him.

His lips curled upwards to form a sly, evil grin. I blinked and awaited a response.

"Aha.."

Aha? AHA? Is that all he was going to say?

He stood up and approached me.

"Why are you wearing such a nervous look on your face, Private?"

I blushed, I couldn't say anything.

He had changed so much since I had entered the room. It was like he felt at peace with me. But I thought to myself, 'I shouldn't read to much into it.'

"One more thing…"

I whirled my head around to face him, as he had walked around me to the other side of the room.

"Stop calling me sir."

My eyes widened. I couldn't believe this… What had happened, what had I done to make him change so much? Or maybe it wasn't me, maybe this was him, him in a more personal setting.

Silence struck with a terrifying ferocity.

My heart was racing ten miles at a time. What the hell was going on?

Blushing, I nodded in agreement.

"Y-y-yes, uhm, Si…. Er, I mean, Bison."

He smiled, but this time it wasn't the kind of smile that made you shiver. It was the type of smile a person would give to a friend.

"Such a pretty face. Now go and get my nightwear, I wish to retire."

I turned round and reached inside the cupboard in front of me. I took his nightwear and handed it to him.

He smiled again. "Thank you, Private."

"O-ok!", I stuttered, blushing as red as a tomato.

"Will you pass me that small stack of paper work over there? I must sort that before I go to sleep." He pointed at the shelf by the door. On it was a plastic tray, the kind used for filing.

"Of course", I said walking over to it and reaching upwards.

Just to be sure, I asked if the paperwork I was holding was the right file.

"Right, uhm…. This one?" He didn't answer, so I turned my head to see what he was doing… only to find out he was changing.

"EEK! SIR!" I covered my eyes in embarrassment .

"Huh? Oh for cack's sake, get used to it Woman!", he said noticing I was hiding my eyes from his undressed state.

"I peered at him through a small gap in my fingers, blushed and grunted nervously.

Blushing, I passed the small stack of paper work to him. He sat on his bed and set about sorting through them.

I stood there, not knowing what to do or say.

The room was silent. The sound of him leafing through the pages was almost deafening.

While he was busy, I decided to look around his room. It was quite a small room, but it was a lot bigger than your regular crew rooms.

As you entered the room, you approached a large desk with a big comfy looking chair. Beyond that was a small work surface with a sink built in it and in front of it on the wall was a large mirror. The work surface looked as if it was made of marble, but it was just a clever plastic coating which gave it that effect. To the right on the work top was a small table lamp. It was turned on at this point and the whole room was lit in a warm peachy coloured glow. Next to that was his bed.

I was surprised actually. It wasn't the elaborate for poster emperor sized bed I was expecting. It was a single bed with an ordinary pillow, in an ordinary white cotton pillow-slip. There was a white cotton sheet, which was topped by an olive green throw… Horrible things they were too! Made you itch like hell! I had one just the same, only in cream. Most nights, as I always remove it from my bed, I have to use towels as throws, otherwise I would freeze.

I unknowingly frowned as I thought about those blasted itchy throws and Bison must have noticed.

"Something the matter, Private?"

"Hm?", I said being distracted, "Oh! No…"

He raised an eyebrow and resumed his filing.

About a quarter of an hour later, he stopped filing and put the papers on the side board.

"Right… Well… You are now dismissed Private. You can go."

"Thank you, Bison", I smiled and walked towards the door.

Opening it, I turned to face him.

"Night!"

"Night", he said shuffling under the covers.

I closed the door behind me and stepped forwards waiting for the lights to come on in the dark corridor I was in.

They eventually switched on and I was no longer in darkness.

I headed for my door, trying to mull over in my mind to see if I had forgotten to ask him something. I could tell there was something I had forgotten, but what it was, was a mystery.

Entering my room, I grabbed my night dress and put it on. What WAS it? Man, I just couldn't remember.

I slipped under my sheets and remembered the bed spread…. Stupid thing. GET LOST! I threw it off my bed and it landed in a heap on the floor.

Yawning I turned off my light…. Then turned it back on again.

"THAT WAS IT!" I had remembered what it was I needed to ask him.

I hastily grabbed my dressing gown and raced down the corridor. I didn't even wait for the lights to come on… which WAS a tad on the silly side.

"YEOUCH!", I shouted as I stubbed my toe on the skirting board.

The lights came on and I got up from off the floor where I had fallen.

I knocked softly on his door. "Bison? I forgot to ask you something.."

There was no answer, so I opened the door slowly. Boy, would it be fun if I walked in while he was undressed again…Ha ha.

I peered into the room, only to see him flat out in a star shape on his bed.

He looked so sweet when he was sleeping. It may sound really strange, but it was true. He looked like an angel.

I gasped and mouthed an 'Oh my gosh' as quietly as I could.

The covers weren't over him properly and that night it was pretty chilly. So, I walked over and pulled the covers over his shoulders.

I don't know why, but I had the sudden urge to kiss his cheek. You know, like a mother kisses her children at night times. But I found myself actually doing it.

I placed a kiss on his cheek and walked out the room.

Walking to my room, I suddenly came over all faint. "What IS going on", I muttered clasping my hands to my chest. My heart was going ten to the dozen. I was sure that it could be heard echoing through the corridors.

I raced to my room and clambered under my sheet. Smiling, I closed my eyes and fell into a sweet sleep.