A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: OOC, LANGUAGE, SUGGESTIVE NARRATIVE

Chapter 6: Mixed Feelings

Argilla narrowed her eyes, replacing the once bewildered look on her face as she stared him in the face, "Heat. What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at your room, you know, preparing tomorrow's mission, maybe?" she asked sarcastically.

Heat leaned in and gave her a goofy grin, "I'm all done…ma'am…" he said.

Argilla immediately leaned back as his breath tickled her face, "Ew…! You reek! Are you drunk?!"

His goofy grin widened, "Maybe…"

Argilla growled; this was the reason why they were punished in the first place! If Serph or the MP finds out about this little fiasco, they'd be in deeper trouble. Wanting to avert such a crisis, Argilla poked her head out of her room and looked from left to right in the hallway.

No.

It was clear.

That was good. Looking back at Heat, who, by now had decided to lean on the threshold of the doorframe, she gave him her most disapproving expression, "You jerk! Come on! If anyone sees you, it's more crap for us!" she hissed.

She yanked him firmly and he let her. He stumbled onwards, towards her as his legs refused to cooperate.

He collided with her and clung onto her for dear life. Argilla growled as she staggered to regain her balance, now supporting not just her own body, but his as well.

She dragged him across her room and over her bed where she dropped him like a rock. She then backed away and crossed her arms, "Well?"

Heat, who was lying on his back, looked up at her curiously, "Well what?"

Argilla rolled her eyes, "Care to explain why you had yourself drunk?"

Argilla clutched her heart as she found herself startled as she saw Heat sit up, as fast as lightning. It was definitely the last thing she had expected from a drunken man…

"Well…uh…I dunno…I just felt like it maybe?" he slurred, his eyes not focusing.

Argilla sighed, no longer angry but just curious. Heat did this because of something…She knew it. He wouldn't do something like this without a heavy reason…

And if she could guess, she would say that it was about Sera. She walked over to where he sat and there, took his hand in hers, looking gently within his eyes, "Is this about…Sera, Heat?" she asked gently.

At hearing her mention the name Sera, Heat's goofy grin disappeared and he looked at her with dead eyes. He said nothing. But Argilla knew that she was right; his dead and dull red eyes lied not.

"Tell me what happened…" she coaxed him.

Heat suddenly sneered, taking her by complete surprise, "Why? So you could tell your precious Serph?!" he drawled.

Argilla frowned, "No. I would never…I told you; whatever you and I talk about won't reach Serph. Ever."

He said nothing and turned away, his eyebrows knitted together.

"Heat…please…let me help you…" she said gently, touching his face.

Immediately Heat looked at her as if she were the Second Coming of Jesus and spoke hastily, "Really? You would…?" His red eyes suddenly narrowed into slits, "Why?" he asked, suspicious.

Argilla sighed and nodded, "Because you are my comrade…I would do anything to help you."

"Anything…?" he asked, unconvinced.

She nodded without hesitation, "Yes. Anything. That's because I know that you would do the same for me…"

Heat looked at her for but a moment when he suddenly lunged himself at her, taking her off guard, tackling her on her own bed, kissing her hungrily. Argilla's eyes widened and she immediately struggled beneath him, shouting within his mouth.

But seeing as his mouth plundered hers without hesitation or consideration, she was unable to speak any word.

Her hands flew to his chest and pushed him away…but he held onto her tightly, trapping her in between his body and her bed.

Argilla felt as if she wanted to vomit as she tasted the bitterness of alcohol within her own mouth as he continued to kiss her roughly. Growling, she screamed within his mouth and then proceeded to bite his tongue as hard as she could.

He immediately withdrew and sat on her, giving her an innocent look, "Why did you do that? It hurt…" he whined like a child.

Argilla was shocked; she had never seen or heard Heat speak this way…Heat was usually gruff and tough…But the person that straddled her was like a completely different person. This Heat sounded like a child and acted like one.

"Because you're being such an asshole!" she hissed, "Now get off me!"

Suddenly, the innocence within Heat's eyes evaporated and there the look of total displeasure was born, "What? Are you saying that you lied to me? Is that it?"

Argilla was even more confused, "Lied? I didn't lie!" she yelled, just as angry.

Heat gritted his teeth as he loomed over her, "You told me…that you would help me…"

"And I would!" she replied, hissing, her eyes piercing his.

His hands suddenly grabbed her wrists and pinned them on either side of her face, "Then why did you stop me…?"

"What?"

Heat growled, "I want you Argilla…" he whispered seductively.

Argilla's mind spun; did he just say what she thought he said?

"Heat…you're drunk. You don't want me…!" she said, laughing nervously.

Of course he didn't; he was drunk! That was the sole reason why drunken people weren't allowed to serve at duty; they weren't allowed to drive or pilot helicopters or jets! Because they weren't in the correct and stable state of mind!

Heat shook his head, "You don't understand…"

Argilla raised an eyebrow; it was she who didn't understand? Heat really had issues, didn't he?

"What don't I understand?!" she said in anger underneath her breath.

"I do want you…Argilla…" he said, pleadingly, "I've wanted you for months…Please…" he said, his eyes begging her to reconsider.

The word 'shocked' was an understatement for the emotion that Argilla felt at that moment as he uttered his words. Heat wanted her…? For that long a time? She gulped; she thought that it was just a game!

No…He was just drunk; he was just saying that to get her to jump into bed with him.

'You already are in bed with him stupid!' a voice within her mind popped in unceremoniously.

'You're not helping…!'

"I want you…I want you…" he repeated over and over again, as he closed his eyes, shaking his head.

At that moment, all the feelings of anger once again retreated from her mind and heart. Was he really serious? Well, it mattered not. What mattered to Argilla was that because Heat was carrying too big a burden that even he had not been able to control or to handle, he had come to her, seeking aid…

He had come to her and was prepared to take the step that would forever change their friendship for the sake of momentary bliss…All for the promise of a temporary relief that her arms could provide…

At one end, she should be angry that Heat would use her to make himself feel better for but a few hours. But that wasn't the way in which she saw the entire thing…

She felt no anger towards him…

Just plain pity.

She pitied him that he had to sink so low as to propose to her to comfort him that night in such a vulgar fashion…How far had he fallen…?

But the most important question…was why.

Why? Why did he do this?

Seeing that his concentration was lacking, she stole one of her hands from his grip and there, with all of her might, struck him on the face. He fell on her, knocked out.

Argilla sighed as she held him to her, "I'm here Heat…"

Half an hour later, Argilla sat on the floor of her room, at the corner, eyeing the sleeping man on her bed. She had taken it upon herself to change him and had gotten him to take a comfortable position so that he may not fall off her mattress.

She wanted to take him back to his room but that would be folly…The MP would find out…or worse. Serph could find out! She paled as she imagined it.

But…who was to say that Serph didn't already know…? After all, he had seen Heat and she kiss, hadn't he? She didn't even have the slightest clue that he had been there…

Maybe he was watching now.

'Nonsense. Serph isn't that creepy…Ew…That would be…stalker-creepy!' she told herself, shivering a bit.

Her thoughts refocused on Heat as she heard him lightly moan. She blinked and blushed. Did he really mean what he said back there? Was that the reason why he kissed her…?

Suddenly, she yawned. It was still early, but she had an early mission the next day. She needed all the rest she could get.

She looked from left to right. She sweat-dropped; right. Where was she going to sleep? She grumbled; the chair would be too uncomfortable…The floor would be inhospitable and would give her back bruises.

'I bruise easily.' she mentally defended as she previously thought of how soldiers were supposed to brave harsh living conditions.

But still, she really didn't have much of a choice…Although there was plenty of room beside Heat, she would never even think of joining him within the bed. That would be inappropriate.

No. For him, she'd brave the floor.

'It looks like I'll have to be comfortable with just a futon.'

xxxxx

Heat awoke groggily; his mind slightly spinning, "Where…where am I?" he asked; disoriented.

He forced his eyes to focus as he surveyed the area, "This…this isn't my room…"

"Nope. It's mine." a female voice said.

Heat turned to the direction of the voice and there he saw Argilla, already ready, "Hey…you okay? Here, I brought you these…"

Heat suddenly realized that there was a painful sensation on the left side of his face. He touched it and he hissed; there was a bruise on it most likely. Argilla sweat-dropped as she saw him wince in pain but nonetheless, kept quiet.

She wasn't going to tell him anything that had transpired the previous night. Nope. Not if she could help it. Chances were, he had already forgotten all about it. And probably, her punch had helped too.

Heat looked at her with a puzzled expression, "Why the hell does my face hurt?" he asked, annoyed.

"You don't remember?" Argilla asked, feigning astonishment.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head.

She grinned evilly within, "You slipped and hit your face on my vanity table." she told him nonchalantly.

"Oh…" was all that he managed to say. He then eyed the package that Argilla had given him.

"What're these?" Heat asked; not really caring for the moment about why he was there and how he came to be there. All that he cared about was the throbbing headache that he had and the pain on his face.

"Ration and painkillers. Hurry up and get ready; we leave in an hour." she told him firmly.

Heat held the small package within his hands and stared at it numbly; what were these things again? Argilla, who seemed to have read his mind repeated what she had said and spoke still, "You look like a wreck. The shower's in the back. I'll get you your uniform from your room. Don't even think of leaving. If the others saw you walking around looking like some sort of a zombie from some cheesy cheap movie, we'd be in deeper shit. Kapish?"

Okay.

That, he understood. So, he nodded. He wanted to talk but just trying to do so, hurt his head.

"Come on, I'll guide you to the bathroom." she said, offering her hand.

He took her hand and there, felt himself be pulled up and be dragged into the bathroom. A moment later, he was alone. He sighed as he splashed warm water on his face. He then groaned; what happened last night?

He couldn't really remember…

All that he could remember was going to see Sera…

And then…

A blank.

He suddenly stiffened as he gargled her mouthwash. He had awakened in her room…almost totally naked…without recollection of the night's events…

"Oh my fucking God…" he said, as he spat out the mouthwash.

He didn't…

Did he?

No…Of course not. He hadn't slept with her…had he?

xxxxx

Argilla returned to her room and there, knocked at the bathroom, "Heat! I brought you your uniform! Hurry up!"

"Just leave it there by the door! Thanks man!" he yelled back from within the lavatory.

'Thanks man?' she repeated mentally. She then shrugged her shoulders; well it was good. He still remembered nothing from the previous night. She blushed at that thought. For if he did, she was sure that he would act all awkward on her today.

Unless he was an extremely good actor. She laughed at that; that was very unlikely. People like Heat…they were frank and not pretentious. He was the sort that when he would want something, he'd take it and if he didn't want something, he'd say it.

No.

She was confident that Heat didn't remember. Well, all the better for her.

"Okay!" she called back, "I'll be outside!"

She left the room promptly and stepped outside when she was met with Serph's face, "Serph! Er…what are you doing here?" she asked shakily.

Serph arched an eyebrow, noting the change in her demeanor, "Nothing…I just thought that I'd take you to get breakfast with the group."

"What group?" Argilla asked nervously.

Serph made a face, "Our group. You know- the group that you, me, Gale, Cielo and Heat comprised of?"

"Heat…?" she asked, her voice becoming a squeak.

Serph nodded slowly, "Uh…yes. Heat."

"Why?"

Serph blinked, "What do you mean 'why'? We always have breakfast; every day."

Argilla's mind raced as she recalled; right. They always did have breakfast together. Damn. How could she have actually forgotten that?!

"But…but…Heat and I are to leave in less than an hour!" she told him. Yes! It was a nice excuse! That way, he won't be looking for Heat. That was, if he hadn't already. She gulped at that thought.

Serph laughed, "I know that. But seeing that today would be the last time you would see the team for the entire week, I reckon that you'd like to spend the remaining time with them…Come on, I'll take you to the mess hall." he said cheerfully; his arm open for her to take.

She felt lousy but she had no choice; besides, Heat would be fine.

"Is your shower still running?" Serph's voice suddenly interrupted her.

"Eh?" Argilla asked; disoriented.

Serph lightly scratched his head; was she alright? She had been acting kind of funny for the last few minutes. He raised an eyebrow as his ears perked up, hearing the distant trickling of water nearby.

"The shower. It's still running. I can hear the water." he told her with serious eyes.

'Heat! You jerk!' she mentally spat.

She laughed, "Oh! I forgot about that…hehehehehhe…Well…I'll just turn it off and…"

Suddenly, it stopped.

Serph crossed his arms and looked at her with piercing eyes, "It stopped."

She blinked, "I…I uh…guess so. So I think we should just go…" she told him quickly, grabbing his arm.

Serph didn't move from his spot, "Is there someone else in your room?" he asked her, his silver eyes steely and calm…Too calm.

Like the calm before the storm.

"What?! Of course not!" she yelled; indignant at him for even suggesting such a thing.

Or, at least, it was what she wanted to portray. He made a face, "Then…?"

Argilla mirrored his face and drawled, "Bad pipes. I told you I've been having bad pipes lately but you always seem to forget!"

He sweat-dropped; well, now that she mentioned it, she had spoken to him once or twice that she had been having bad pipes…And now, she was giving him the earful…

"…so don't you dare tell me that I'm hiding someone here because you and I both know that I would never, ever do such a vulgar and suggestive thing!" she finished with a yell. She breathed in and out heavily, her face beet red.

Who wouldn't be? She had been talking for the last three minutes straight and not to mention that she was 'mad'…

"Okay. I'm sorry." he said sheepishly.

"Good." she chirped cheerfully, "Come on. Let's go. Heat and I have only three quarters of an hour left."

"Wait…I ought to check it. It might burst altogether and well…it'll flood your room…" he said, shaking her off him and walking towards the door.

Argilla panicked; she proceeded to zip right in front of him and blocked his path, her hands on the opposite sides of the doorframe.

"What are you doing?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

Argilla blinked, "Ah…really…There's no need to bother. I'll be late…!" she whined. Serph looked at her suspiciously, unconvinced. Seeing the doubt play within his eyes, she threw on her wounded puppy routine, "I'll be hungry on the way to the bunker…"

Okay; there, she had a point. He wouldn't want her to be tired and hungry during the ride. Feeling abnormally soft towards her again, he yielded his claim on entering and inspecting her room.

He nodded, "Alright."

Argilla gave herself a mental pat in the back; 'That was a close one.'

"But, I'll send someone to check your pipes alright?" he told her.

She nodded; what he did with her room during her absence, she didn't care. As long as Heat wasn't there, and he wouldn't be by that time, she didn't care.

Suddenly, a thought popped within her head, "Oh wait! I forgot something. Wait here."

Before he could respond, she had already disappeared within her room with her doors sliding shut.

Argilla looked at the bathroom door and found his clothes gone. Good; he had changed then. A moment later, he emerged from the bathroom, totally clean and fresh.

'Yummy…' she told herself.

'Ack! I did not just think that!'

"Hey…you alright?" Heat's voice asked.

Argilla immediately put an index finger vertically on her lips, signaling for him to be quiet. He mouthed the word 'why' and she mouthed the name 'Serph' and pointed to the door. He nodded. She walked up to him and whispered, "Meet us at the mess hall. But eat a portion of the ration first and then take the pain killers. Got it?!"

He took a step back and nodded.

She then walked out of the room, "Okay, let's go."

Serph quirked an eyebrow, "I thought you forgot something."

Argilla smiled, "Nah. I just thought that maybe one of my buns was loose."

Serph chuckled, "You're an oddball."

xxxxx

Argilla shifted nervously at her chair; where was Heat? She told him didn't she? What was taking him so long?

"Are you okay Argilla?" Cielo asked.

Argilla sipped her coffee with feigned calmness, "Yeah. I'm fine."

Gale crossed his arms, "So, you and Heat had been assigned at the bunker eh?"

Cielo blinked, "Why? Dat's like…harsh…"

She stole a glance at Serph who was looking at her; she needed a distraction. She looked up and there was Heat. She immediately stood and waved at him, "Hey you! Over here!"

Well, at least he looked fine. He didn't look like some zombie…

A moment later, the group was complete, "Sorry guys. There was something I had to do." Heat muttered.

"Dat's okay mon. You haven't missed anything anyway." Cielo said cheerfully.

Gale smiled, "Yes. Argilla was just going to tell us why you two had been assigned there in the first place."

Argilla almost choked on her coffee when she was met with Gale's green eyes, "Don't think that you had eluded me that easily…"

Serph chuckled and Argilla glared at him, "Wanna know why?" she asked Gale, while still having her sights set on Serph, "Ask Serph."

Heat just laughed under his breath as he drank his coffee. He sighed though; there was nothing like black coffee early in the morning to sober him up. Well, at least the painkillers worked and there wasn't even a slight throbbing within his head and it eased the stinging pain on his face. He had been right though; he looked at his face in Argilla's bathroom, and there, on his jaw lay a fresh pink mark; a bruise.

He had really been a klutz the previous night, hadn't he? Oh well, but still, it didn't hurt that much now.

He focused again on the group's idle banter and there, he looked at Argilla. Her face was blushing like crazy…her pink lips were moving, speaking…No…knowing her, she'd be yelling…But he didn't seem to hear…or he didn't seem to care. All that he noticed was her…

Her pink eyes were ablaze as she confronted Gale and Cielo's provocative questions. A small smile suddenly tugged up on Heat's lips.

'Beautiful…'

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as Argilla yanked him to his feet, "Come on Heat. We gotta go."

Already?

"Whatever." he replied coldly.

Argilla blew kisses on the three seated men as she grabbed Heat by the arm, "See you ladies in a week."

"Don't you two be getting all naughty ja?" Cielo waved; wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Heat turned to look at them dryly and opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Argilla who drawled, "Right back at you two when you guys go for your covert ops…" she grinned evilly, earning her shocked expressions from both Gale and Cielo.

Serph suddenly stood, "Argilla."

"Eh? What?" she asked; entranced.

"Be careful." he told her honestly.

Feeling her face beginning to burn, she turned and waved, "Yeah, yeah."

Heat rolled his eyes as she resumed her grab on him and dragged him away. That was a pathetic display of affection if he ever did see it. Serph was being protective of her again! And it wasn't even a life and death sort of kamikaze mission either!

And then, there was Argilla's reaction.

She was blushing. Apparently, their leader's simple but kind words tickled her heart. He frowned at that, 'What's so special about that guy?' he asked himself.

He really was wondering; Serph wasn't that good looking…He wasn't even that tall! Come to think of it, Serph did look girly anyway!

"Hmph." he huffed, annoyed.

They were walking across the streets when suddenly, his eyes caught sight of Sera. His heart stopped as he saw her. She was walking towards their direction; probably headed for the mess hall.

Their eyes met and immediately, his eyes left hers. He couldn't bear to look at her at the moment.

Looking at her…hurt him. And now that he had seen her again, his mind was suddenly flooded of what had transpired between them the night before. And again, he had the urge to forget about it…even if just for a little while. His mouth suddenly felt very dry and now longed for the sweet taste of alcohol.

He sighed; he and Argilla still had a mission to do. He should focus on that; it would be good for him though.

No Sera for a week.

xxxxx

Sera looked on as Heat walked further and further away; a prick of pain within her chest. Last night had been a painful memory for the both of them. But…it was for the best.

So…

'So, that was his partner.' she thought knowingly.

She suddenly smiled; that woman was practically dragging Heat away…

'He actually let her…' she chuckled.

But still, she really shouldn't be surprised…

Argilla was a member of their most elite team; she just didn't know that it was that Argilla that Heat had been paired with…Sera sighed; long had she admired the pink-haired woman, 'I'll be like her one day…' she thought to herself.

She chuckled though as she remembered Heat being dragged away.

Suddenly, a thought came to her mind; Heat and that woman looked good together. She smiled at that; she wanted to spend time with him again…but first, he needed move on…And he won't be able to do that if they kept seeing each other.

She knew that she was pushing him away…Pushing someone away often did not work…But now, Sera was confident it would. She wouldn't be merely pushing him…he himself would let go. Because he would find someone else…

Sera had a pretty good idea of who it might be…

And then, all of them would look back at this and laugh.

'I'm sorry Heat…'

xxxxx

The two drove on through the muddy terrain and again, Argilla wrinkled her nose in disgust. Seeing her though, did a good thing for Heat. It provided him a momentary distraction from what he was thinking of.

"How much farther is it?" she asked, whining.

Heat rolled his eyes, "Another twenty miles."

Argilla looked at him with her eyes the size of baseballs, "That long still?"

Heat remained quiet then suddenly she spoke once more, "Ooohh! Look at that Heat! It's a rainbow!"

Heat rolled his eyes; a rainbow? That was what was so interesting?

Argilla's eyes twinkled as she saw the rainbow from a distance…atop the mountains, that she shook Heat, "Look! Look Heat! You're missing it!"

Heat growled as he fought with the steering wheel to keep the jeep steady, "Shut up woman! Do you want us to crash?!"

Argilla slumped back at her seat, "Meanie!" she said, sticking her tongue out.

Heat growled as he saw her from the corner of his eyes, "Do that one more time and I'll bite your damn tongue off!"

Argilla stiffened; she had no doubt whatsoever that he would. So, she kept herself quiet and again, endured the long and boring ride.

"Such a grouch…" she complained under her breath, "I was just making conversation…" she pouted, turning to her side, looking at the vast wasteland instead.

Heat rolled his eyes but still, he was glad. She had heeded his word and shut herself up.

'Good. Otherwise I'd shut her up personally…'

'How? By using your tongue…? Or perhaps your 'weapon'?' a voice chuckled evilly within is head.

Heat shook his head, laughing. He was practically used to the voice now. So he was attracted to her. He felt it to be all too real when he kissed her…He really didn't mean to. It just…happened.

At that moment, it just felt right…

And it didn't end there either. Since then, like children who were totally untainted by age and knowledge, they began their games. Neither she nor he saw any harm in it…That was why she kissed him during their training session and why he felt her up during their patrol duty.

They were merely gauging one another…feeling within the darkness in hopes of finding their way out. Or in their case, trying to understand what it was they were feeling.

But Heat already knew.

Yup; he did. It was simple. He was attracted to her physically…sexually.

So what?

That did not mean that he would just hump her.

'Besides, she wouldn't do that anyway.' he told himself knowingly and a bit…regretfully?

'But what about last night?' the voice prodded.

Heat's heart skipped a beat.

That was right; there was the issue about last night. Well, he'd ask her about it some other time. Not now. 'Enough about that…'

He stole a glance at her and again, he saw her looking at the horizon with a dreamy expression on her face.

'I wonder what she's thinking about…' he thought curiously.

Seeing her face turned serious from being convivial struck a note within Heat's mind. There was something that had been bugging Heat for a long time but had never really asked her about it. Not really…

But seeing as they were both out in the open right now, alone, he supposed that he would ask her.

"How long did you say you were in the tribe?" he asked.

Argilla turned her face to look at him, "For as long as I could remember. Why?"

Heat shook his head, "No reason." he said flatly.

Argilla frowned at him and hit him on his arm, making him grit his teeth, "Hey! Watch it woman!" he half-yelled.

"Hmph!" she huffed, crossing her arms, "Well, that's what you get for being such a prat."

Heat wanted to tear his hair off at that moment. What was wrong with this woman?! When he first saw her at the park, she seemed so deep…so serious. When they first met one another at the Strategy Room, she was very professional in her approach; her eyes were hard and steely, being the soldier that she was.

When they would go on their missions, she would be hard and tough…and deadly accurate with her rifle…

But now…

The woman who sat beside him was none of the things that he mentioned earlier. She possessed none of the qualities that he had just thought of.

He was confused.

Sure, when they would get free time or break from their duties, they would have a drink or two, have decent conversations…But he never saw her act in such a…childish manner.

He had known from the very start that she was a sensitive woman with regards to the conditions of the weather and the terrain. But…the way she pranced around the group that morning…

Well…

It just had him confused.

He blinked, "Prat…?"

What the hell was that?! What did that even mean?

"What the hell are you talking about woman?!" he growled, "What the hell is your problem…? You're acting more and more like a woman every god-damn day!"

That was what had been bugging him about her; her pseudo "dissociative identity disorder".

Argilla rolled her eyes, "Heat. I am a woman."

Heat sneered, "That's not what I meant. What I meant is that you're acting like a prissy bitch more than usual. What the hell is wrong with you?"

Here, it was Argilla's turn to blush; he noticed eh?

Well…it was not something that she could help…Whenever people got through her defenses and exposed them the way Gale and Cielo did that morning, she tended to be very moody, splattering nonsense and blabbering gibberish in an attempt to remove the memory of the embarrassing moment from her mind…

Or to divert attention from herself.

And what was that embarrassing moment?

Cielo's sexual innuendo in front of the whole group…In front of Serph! That was what got her the most…She had to defend her chastity in front of Serph! And the fact that Serph saw her and Heat kiss didn't help her case either…

And that was just the tip of the ice berg.

How did Serph expect her to spend an entire week alone with Heat?

Sure, she trusted Heat. Of course; he was her partner after all. She had no doubt that they would be just fine…

But what got her was that…

'Heat kissed me…more than once…This is gonna get so weird for both him and me.' she thought knowingly.

That, and then, he had also confessed to wanting her…She held back a sigh that was threatening to escape her lips. That all happened just the previous night…And although she had been relatively calm about it, it did not mean that she had already forgotten about it.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

She had thought about it constantly. What did Heat mean? Was he being truthful?

But those were just superficial questions…The real questions were reserved only for herself. If he was telling the truth, what would it entail for her? Would she return his feelings? What feelings? What did she exactly feel for Heat anyway?

And what about Serph? What would it mean for her and Serph?

"Hey! You're doing it again!" he yelled, "Presence of mind soldier!"

Argilla smiled weakly…Yes. That was what they used to yell at a new cadet…Presence of mind…It was a rudimentary skill for each and every soldier.

"Nothing's wrong with me Heat." she said, gritting her teeth tighter as she blushed, "Nothing at all."

There.

That was the Argilla he knew! Well, the Argilla that he was comfortable with, anyway. She looked so serious. But still, he knew that she was thinking about Serph again. Her eyes and her pink-tinged cheeks betrayed her.

So…

He wouldn't ask further.

xxxxx

A/N:

Dissociative Identity Disorder: Multiple personality disorder.