Author's Notes: Okay, all. For those of you who have read all the different versions, and have oh-so-patiently waited nor the next chapter(s), I thank you, and would like to say one thing: this is the end. I will not be redoing this fic again. It has gotten to the point where I'm utterly resentful of it, but have fiddled with it so much that I've run into a dead end. I've come to realize this will never be my masterpiece, by any stretch of the imagination. I just don't have the muses on my side to make this any better. So; this is the Really, Truly, I Am Not Lying This Time Final Version. Really… Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Action Man and am no way associated with CORUS entertainment or Mainframe productions.

Pairings: Alex/Fidget and a smidgon of Rikki/Grinder.

Warnings: cussing, mild sexual content, mild slash

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Alex has had to fight for many things. Love is one of them.

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CHAPTER 1

ALEX MANN CREPT through the hall; his muscular form half hidden in the shadows. The silence was stifling, enveloping him in the soft pounding of his heart. The echo of his breathing seemed ten times louder then it was in the day, and the coolness of the air around him made goosebumps rise up on the sections of his naked skin. He rubbed his arms, unsuccessfully trying to smooth his flesh, and quietly padded his way past the rest of the bunks, noting the two empty ones. The pair belonged to Grinder and Rikki, who had gone home to their families for Easter, leaving Fidget and himself to fend for themselves for three days.

Alex did a double take, noticing Fidget wasn't in her bunk either. It wasn't usual for the redhead to be up this late. Although she was a light sleeper, Fidget usually slept steadily right until nine. Supposing she was in the bathroom, he passed it off as nothing. Shrugging slightly, he continued his way towards the kitchenette, in hopes of a midnight snack.

Turning the corner, he noticed a faint yellowish light coming from the direction he was headed in. A small figure was already looming over the fridge, it's frame dark, the light being expelled form the icebox casting it's details in a shadow on the carpeted floor. The tell-a-tale clanking of jars and containers, followed by soft cursing confirmed that Fidget had the late-night munchies too.

It was incredible; he mused absent-mindedly, how uncharacteristically ethereal Fidget looked, standing in the pale rays. The soft light made the auburn of her hair glow, shimmering off the edges into a pale gold. Yellow rays smoothed her lithe limbs and played over the slim curve of her hips; flattered her small, high breasts.

He would admit it. He had always found his teammate attractive. She was intelligent, and brave, and was just so... so…her. Alex knew he had always wanted her, sometimes so much it ached. But it never was the time, not even now. Especially not now, as she was far from single.

Making possibly the worst, and least thought out, decision in his life, he lurched, inch by inch, forward, towards the back of his team member. Alex cocked his head, the overwhelming want outweighing the consequences. Just one kiss... How could it hurt? They were all alone... No one would need to know...

Just when he was about two feet from her back, she whirled around.

"Couldn't sleep ea-" Fidget's sentence was cut off as Alex gently pushed his lips onto hers.

It was a million times better then he could have ever imagined. Her lips were soft and tasted like cool peppermint, and he drowned in the moment. Not wanting to break the kiss, he pushed her gently back trapping her between the fridge door and himself.

Suddenly, he was overcome with confusion. Something was wrong.

She wasn't moving.

Feeling as if his stomach had just dropped onto the floor, he jerked back ungracefully. Waves of freezing horror rose to his throat, making him almost choke. He hastily took a step backwards, almost falling, his legs weak. His heart sped up, panic kicking in.

Before he knew what was going on, she grabbed him by the front of his shirt with a fist, yanked him forward and captured his mouth in a frantic kiss.

Alex, froze, stunned for a split second. But all thoughts of hesitation were quickly extinguished by the hot confines of her mouth. Frantic and unthinking, he pulled her closer, grinding their hips together. He could feel her raising her arms and clasping them around his neck, clenching her fingers in his hair.

He ran his tongue along the bottom of her lip, asking permission to enter. She obliged, letting his tongue pass through her lips.

The taste of her mouth wasn't sweet, but spicy; woodsmoke and curry and Fidget. He felt as if he could drown in the moisture and warmth of her mouth. He ran his tongue over her pearly teeth and glided it along the top of her palate, and was rewarded by a small moan and her tongue winding around his own. Caught up in the moment, thoughts running half formed through his mind, he slowly placed his left hand under her shirt and slid his hands up her waist. Startlingly, he felt her flinch, and he jerked away in surprise.

He glanced down at her face. Her lips were slightly swollen and her cheeks dark. Her eyes were half-open, and she was giving him a hot, smoldering look from beneath her lashes.

Her lips curved into a smirk. "Your hands are cold," she purred.

The sound of her voice, however, was horrifyingly startling.

He stumbled back letting go of her waist. "Fidget? Oh Jesus! ... I'm sorry... I didn't... I don't know what..." Panic once again rose in his throat, clenching his stomach, making him feel as if he had just swallowed a bucket full of ice water.

He was at a loss of what to do for a few seconds, before instinct kicked in. He needed to get out of there.

Now.

Forcing his legs to move, he whirled around and frantically scrambled out of the kitchenette.

Vaguely he heard, "Alex?" As he dashed down the hall.

He could feel Fidget staring at his back.

"Alex?"

TBC