As soon as Beach Head walked away, Ace rounded on her and said, "What the Hell? I thought you were just pressing Beach's buttons making everyone think you're an item, but that was quite a little show." The other Joes simply continued on their way, looking shocked and amused at the same time.

"He's trying to turn the tables," she gowled. "Too bad he's up against me. I'll make him regret the day he thought he could out-act me."

"Uh huh. So you're going to escalate this? And how will Flint feel about that?"

Lady Jaye turned to the pilot. "Oh, crap. Good point. I can't take this farther without him getting royally pissed off." She walked slowly, thinking, Ace matching her pace.

After a while Ace asked, "So, you really are with Flint?" A note of regret tinged his voice.

"Yes," she replied, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. "Does that bother you?"

He looked over at her. "I thought you said a long time ago you'd never get involved with anyone on the team."

So that was it. Was he jealous? "Ace, I didn't exactly plan for this to happen. One day Flint and I were good friends who worked well together and then…" she shrugged. "It just hit me out of the blue. We were on a mission, and Flint disappeared for a while… I didn't know where he was, and I realized I was worrying about him more than I would for just a friend." She blushed as she continued. "When he came back to camp, I, ah, overreacted a bit and—I kissed him." She admitted.

Ace laughed. "Man, he must have been floored."

"He was a bit taken aback," she replied with a chuckle. "But Flint is nothing if not suave. I was hoping for the ground to open up and swallow me whole, and he just gave me a big grin and told me he had missed me too. He spent the entire evening teasing me and making suggestive remarks, parading around practically in his underwear. Thankfully the mission was over and we were alone…If anyone else had seen that, I would have asked for a transfer to Alaska."

"But obviously he was interested." Ace commented dryly.

"I think he was giving me time to sort things out, actually," she said slowly. "He told me later it was all he could do not to throw me down on the ground right then and there and show me what that kiss did to him. Can you believe he waited a week to come by my room?"

Ace grunted a noncommittal reply.

"What?" she asked. He didn't reply. "I don't suppose I could get your help with Beach Head?" she said to change the subject.

Ace smiled over at her. "What did you have in mind?" he asked.

Lady Jaye managed to avoid speaking to anyone until after lunch, though heads turned in the hallways to follow her. She showed up in the garage for that day's extra punishment, hoping that Ace had spread the word. He had. Anyone who owned a car or regularly drove a vehicle was there, carrying buckets, sponges, and other car washing equipment. They were all decked out in swimwear, too. Someone had set up a stereo, and a few others had brought along refreshments to share.

Shipwreck swallowed an entire carrot stick when he saw her walk in, but no one made a move to help as he choked and sputtered. Everyone was staring at her. She was wearing her most revealing bikini—white and glossy, it shone against her tanned skin. Lady Jaye gave them all a dazzling smile and walked over to fill the bucket they would use on the first tank.

Clutch whistled when she walked by and Steeler dropped a wrench on his foot. The outfit was definitely the right choice—now if everything else went according to plan, she'd be back on top.

Alpine, Shipwreck and Lady Jaye worked on the first tank, but there was a lot of area to cover. As the other Joes finished up their own vehicles, most of them made their way over and offered to help. That wasn't part of the plan, but certainly welcome. Lady Jaye was a little embarrassed at the attention, but she was determined to get the advantage over Beach Head no matter what it took.

Ace sauntered in after a while and gave her a thumbs up, which meant Beach Head was on the way. The pilot joined them at the second tank, whispering to her, "Nice outfit. If that doesn't throw him for a loop, nothing will." She smiled back at him and continued to scrub at the tank's treads as Ace walked over and picked up a hose. He waited until Shipwreck had sidled up to Lady Jaye and was making another comment about her bikini, then pointed the hose at the sailor, yelling, "I think you could use a cold shower!" The spray took Shipwreck full in the chest, and he let out a yelp of surprise. He picked up a soapy sponge and threw it in Ace's direction.

That was all it took. Soon the water and suds were flying, and a full water war had started. There weren't enough hoses to go around, but others made do with buckets, cups of ice, and anything else to hand.

Beach Head entered the garage, taking in the scene—the food, the music, and the twenty Joes in bathing suits happily drenching each other. Looking out of place in his BDUs, he approached Lady Jaye just as she was squeezing a soapy sponge over Ace's head. In retaliation, Ace picked up his bucket and threw it at her. She ducked, and the entire contents hit Beach Head full in the face. Ace dropped the bucket and ran.

Lady Jaye stifled her laughter at the sight of the drill instructor standing there dripping in his uniform. Some brave soul called out, "Hey! It's a week early for his monthly bath!" She bit her lips. Now was not the time to laugh in his face. Beach Head glared around the room and settled his gaze on her.

His eyes widened as he took in her appearance: the now slightly translucent bikini, the wet hair, the soap running down her arms and legs. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. She gave him a smile and said seductively, "Hey, Beachie Poo."

Alpine let out an abrupt whoop and clapped his hand over his mouth. Shipwreck chortled and nudged Clutch, who was snickering. Beach Head simply stared and swallowed. Lady Jaye took a step closer and raised an eyebrow at him.

He stepped back, but took a deep breath and managed to regain his composure. He finally replied, "Hey, sugarboobs."

Shipwreck guffawed loudly and asked, "Can I call you that, too?"

Beach Head glared at him and replied, "Hands off my girl."

Lady Jaye had completely missed Flint's entrance through the side door, and whipped around when she heard him speak up. "Excuse me? Did you just call Lady Jaye 'sugarboobs?'"

Beach Head looked over at the Warrant Officer, contemplating his options. Finally he shrugged and replied, "Just a little nickname. She likes it."

Flint turned to Lady Jaye, opening his mouth to comment. He took in the sight of her, and although his jaw remained hanging, he said nothing. His eyes traveled over her bare skin from toes to forehead. Then his eyes narrowed and he glanced at Beach Head. "Let's keep our language out of the sexual harassment danger zone from now on."

"What's wrong, Flint? Jealous?" Ace asked, watching from behind the tread of the tank. Lady Jaye threw him an evil look, but he ignored it. "Come on, Beach. Take off the mask so we can see the hickeys."

It was too much. Beach Head turned to Ace and said threateningly, "I've got four more days of PT with you. I'd watch your mouth if you want to survive." Ace gulped and ducked behind the tread again.

Flint continued to glare at the drill instructor, clenching his fists at his sides. "I would have thought you were a little more professional than I've seen today."

Beach Head was surprised at the vehemence in Flint's voice. He looked from Flint to Lady Jaye and back again. Then it clicked. He'd noticed them together a lot lately. He smiled inwardly and realized he held a trump card. "Well, you know I get a little mushy around Lady Jaye. Especially when she dresses up for me like this." He gestured at her lack of clothing and waggled his eyebrows.

Flint clenched his teeth and shot a look of pure hatred at the other man. Lady Jaye stepped between them and stared down first Flint, then Beach Head. "Stop acting like children," she said.

Beach Head met her stare, saying, "If you give in now, I win."

The other Joes had no idea what was going on, but it was obviously a contest of wills. Lady Jaye smiled sweetly and said, "I think you'd better let us get back to work, little lovebunny. You did tell us to wash the tanks today."

Flint openly goggled at Lady Jaye. "Little lovebunny?" he sputtered.

She winked at him and replied, "Just a nickname. He likes it."

She was happy to see a dawning realization come over his features, and she knew he would trust her for now. He turned to Beach Head and said, "Oh, that's so cute. I've gotta tell that to Duke." Looking over at Lady Jaye, he said, "I need to see you in my office when you're finished here."

Flint walked out, followed shortly after by Beach Head. There was a palpable sigh of relief as the others started to clean up the mess they'd made. They drifted off, the mood of the party broken. The tanks were nearly done, though, and the three miscreants were happy to finally be able to finish and put their own things away.

Alpine and Shipwreck teased her mercilessly the whole time, although she told them that if either one of them called her 'sugarboobs' they wouldn't live to see the next sunrise.

Lady Jaye was the last to leave, and as she turned out the lights, she saw Beach Head approaching. She eyed him warily and waited for him to speak.

"This is getting ridiculous," he began. "I've got a deal for you."

"Go on," she said.

"If Duke legitimately lets you out of the extra PT with me by the third sparring match, I'll admit to everyone that this whole thing was a joke."

"And if I don't?"

"I get to tell everyone I dumped you."

She considered his offer. "That's almost a month away. What happens in the meantime?"

"I promise not to call you sugarboobs if you promise not to call me little lovebunny."

"And you don't ever kiss me again," she added.

He smirked. "Not unless you want me to."

She nodded. "Deal."