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

WARNING: OOC, LANGUAGE, SUGGESTIVE NARRATIVE

Chapter 9: Liberation

The four long days had finally passed. They had successfully done their duty and had finished the preparation of the landmines. They were glad; it was a tedious task…Most especially because they were severely lacking manpower…

Three long and painful nights had passed. Yes. It was painful…for the both of them. When the sun was up, there were no problems. They had their duties to attend to; they had roles that they must act upon. They had responsibilities.

But when the sun would set, that was when the confusion, the bewilderment and the doubts would start to sink in…

They no longer had any excuse…There were no masks to hide behind…When the sun would set, when they would find themselves only in the company of each other with nothing to do and nowhere to go, they would find it the most awkward of places to be.

Argilla had been quiet throughout dinner; she had been like this for the last few days…He sighed; he wanted to talk to her.

He himself was beginning to feel disturbed by her behavior.

There was a time that he would feel lively and just crack a lame joke to which she wouldn't even respond.

He froze.

He suddenly realized something.

'It's just like that time I found her at the park…'

Yes. It was definitely like that. When they were on the minefields during the morning, she was alert and serious; her face hardened and her eyes sharp and steely.

But now…he would see her…vulnerable, weak…and absentminded.

He gritted his teeth; he couldn't take it anymore. He looked for her and saw that she was just emerging from the kitchen. He glared at her direction. She met his glare coolly and then just shrugged her shoulders and turned away, "I'm turning in." she said impassively.

He frowned; she wouldn't get away from him that easily. He marched towards her and there, grabbed her arm tightly, "What the hell is wrong with you?!" he half-yelled.

She glared at him and snatched her arm back, "Let go you bastard!" she spat.

He grabbed her again, this time with both hands and slammed her on the wall, making her listen to him, "No! You've been acting stupid for the last four days! I want to know what has gotten in to you!"

She met his gaze steadily, "Why? What's it to you?" she asked, sneering.

"What's it to-" he laughed, "What the hell do you mean?!" he growled; his mirthless laugh long gone.

"I meant just what I said. Now, I don't really hear you answering my question, so, if you know what's better for you, you'd let go…soldier."

He stiffened; she had never done that to him before…

It shocked him. It shocked him…and offended him. She had never, ever, used her rank of seniority to tell him something, whether it be an order or a friendly favor…But now…

She was putting distance in between them…

His heart stopped.

Argilla sneered; typical. Seeing his frozen countenance, she immediately slipped away from him and retired for her room.

A moment later, Heat noticed that she was gone. Feeling his anger rise, he followed her and banged loudly on her door, "Let me in!" he hollered.

Argilla rolled her eyes from within, "Negative!" she yelled back, "Monitor the scanners. That's an order!"

No sooner than she said those words did he break into her room, his face as red as his hair, "No ma'am. Tonight, I'll be speaking as freely as I fucking want to."

Argilla gulped at seeing him; she had never seen him so angry…But nonetheless, she wasn't a helpless civilian that he could control with fear via his attitude. He seemed to be forgetting that she outranked him.

His eyes suddenly softened, "What's wrong with you…? I've…" he paused and sighed, casting his head on the floor, "Why are you acting this way Argilla? What did I do now?" he asked, his voice casual, taking the blame.

Argilla turned away; still not sure what to make of his shady shifting of moods.

Heat snarled and stomped over to where she stood and grabbed her arm while his other one grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. He leaned in, his eyes softening again at seeing her drooping face, "Tell me…Please…" he whispered.

Argilla searched his eyes and there parted her lips slowly, "You said…that you were a friend…a comrade…"

Heat was confused. What did she mean? Of course he was her friend! And comrade! Was there ever a time that he had neglected his obligations to her?

"I am still those things to you Argilla…" he whispered, his red orbs piercing her pink ones, "Nothing's changed…"

Here, she glared, "You promised you wouldn't hurt me…"

Heat was surprised; hurt her? Did he hurt her? If so, when? How?

"I…When had I hurt you…?" he asked, confused.

She suddenly pushed him away from her, snatching her arm back, "It's not important."

Heat was getting angry again, "It is to me!"

Argilla didn't care though; if he was really that thick, that stupid, then she was better off not telling him anything. She needed to deal with her problems by herself in her own way. It was none of his business anyway.

She began to walk away when his low voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Don't you walk away from me! You're not going anywhere until we discuss this." he said, his voice steady, calm and dangerous.

He opened his mouth to speak when suddenly the alarm sirens had gone off. The two froze and looked at each other. A second later, both dashed out of the room.

"Damn!" Heat cursed, "What the hell is going on?"

Argilla looked at the screens and paled. She looked at Heat, "Heat! Look at this! The probes had picked up activity ten miles south of here!"

Heat marched beside her and saw that she was right. He frowned; estimating the numbers…It would be…

Argilla and Heat paled at what they saw.

"Notify HQ." Heat told her.

She nodded and sent a transmission to Serph, "HQ. Do you read me? Come in HQ. This is Omega One. Do you copy?"

"This is HQ. Go ahead Omega One."

Argilla's heart skipped a beat as she heard Serph's voice respond.

Heat wasn't blind to her antics though…It was as if he could really feel what it was she was feeling. She was excited…He frowned; it was Serph who she was talking to. Why wouldn't she be excited?

At that moment, he felt his worth drop.

'She really doesn't care…'

"HQ. We have picked up multiple targets. Ten miles south of these coordinates."

"What is the status of the targets?"

"It appears to be both artillery and infantry sir."

"ETA."

"They would be here within an hour."

"Omega One. Evacuate your current position. ASAP. Return to Muladhara. What is the status of the landmines?"

"Lock and loaded sir."

"Detonate and evacuate! The supply depot; release the bio toxins."

"Roger that. Out."

The transmission was cut. Heat looked at her, waiting for her to make a decision. She looked at him and nodded, "Let's go!"

The two didn't have much time. They headed for the food and supply storage and there, released the lock for the release of the nerve gas that Gale had invented.

"What the hell is that shit?" Heat asked, flabbergasted as he saw the green fumes floating within the storage facility.

Argilla busied herself for the self-destruction sequence of the weapons storage. It wouldn't be a big explosion. It would only be for that room.

"It's a biological weapon that Gale developed a year ago. It's a special type of nerve gas. You really shouldn't get involved with those things…They have really nasty effects…He had these installed in every depot especially for the food and water supply. It'll momentarily dissipate into the air and attach itself onto the food. It can penetrate even the most sanitary wrapping, so, the food in there is…"

"Deadly poisonous."

It wasn't just the food either. It was the entire installation; most of all, the water supply. It had been contaminated by the toxins as well.

"Yes. Let's go!"

Heat smirked; his team was smart.

The two made haste for their jeep. Heat hopped on the driver's seat while Argilla hopped on the frontal passenger seat. Heat immediately drove off, "You saw that Argilla. It's not an ordinary scouting party…"

Argilla shook her head, "It's not a scouting party. That was a part of an invasion; the head of an invasion army."

Heat gritted his teeth; so it had begun at last.

They, the Embryon, had won many victories the previous years. They had become one of the most powerful tribes in their continent. But alongside them, another tribe had also emerged victorious; the Brutes.

Heat narrowed his eyes; the Brutes were as large and as powerful as them. It had always been a stalemate between their tribes…

And now…

Perhaps it was time to put an end to it.

Argilla crossed her arms, "Serph put us there for a reason…" she said, her mind racing.

Heat followed her train of thought, "He knew the Brutes would penetrate our defenses from that depot…"

Argilla nodded, "The Brutes probably knew that that place wasn't guarded…And used that to their advantage…They had probably watched that depot for months…"

Heat narrowed his eyes, "Yeah…But how did Serph know that it was this time that the Brutes would attack?"

Argilla frowned; the answer to that question…

She didn't know.

"I can't say…We just have to get back to the base…"

That was their main concern right now. It didn't matter if they blew up the Brutes' tanks, trucks or jeeps…The siege itself wasn't the main concern. They needed to get to Serph. He was the one the Brutes were after.

Argilla gritted her teeth.

"Hurry Heat!"

"I know damn it!" he growled.

Her heart raced as the seconds ticked by…

'I need to get home…!!' she mentally screamed, 'Serph…! Without us there…he would be unprotected!' she choked.

Serph needed her…She needed to be with him! Now, more than ever! He had protected her all her life…But now, it was time that she did the same for him. His life was the prize within this war…As long as Serph was alive, this war would progress…

She gulped at that thought.

The Brutes only had one goal; to defeat Serph and Serph alone. The army and its staff mattered not. It was the leader's life or its lack thereof that determined whether the tribe would succumb to the other tribes or not…

Argilla wanted to cry right there. She knew that she was being sappy; but she didn't care. Her heart felt ever as heavy as the seconds ticked by. Her soul burned with the spirit of agony as she continued to be far from him…

It didn't matter to her whether he loved her or not; all that mattered was that she be there for him the way he was there for her.

She gripped the door of the jeep tightly as her eyebrows furrowed. Her heart raced nervously, "Serph…I'll be there soon…I'll protect you…" she whispered, too wrapped in her own thoughts and emotions to know that her partner had been keenly observing her for the past five minutes.

If only she looked…If only she had taken a split second from her life and stole a glance at the man beside her, she would've seen the look of sheer frustration of desperation that was etched onto his features…

But she didn't…

Heat didn't know how to explain what he was feeling at that moment…He felt so…insignificant. Yes. That was the word. Whenever he and Argilla were together, he felt at ease because with her, he could be himself. There wasn't anything that he needed to hide.

She had already seen him at his worst…

Whenever they would make love, he was confident since he knew that she looked only at him…

That was why he would smile at different times of the day in such a way that other people would find as disturbing or macabre.

But only now did he realize that it was just so because they were alone.

He was her whole world when they were together because he was the only one there.

However, should he be compared to Serph…he would visibly shrink. He didn't matter to her anymore.

Like now.

Serph was the only person that she thought of; he was the only one that she worried for. He could see it in her eyes. He sighed; he had been foolish…

Pain suddenly gripped his heart; he had wanted so much to believe in salvation. When Sera had broken his heart, he didn't believe in the fullness or richness of life…Back then, there was only darkness and uncertainty ahead of him…

But then, he met her…his Argilla…

They had become friends…comrades…and more…

Yes…

And along the way…

Heat gritted his teeth as the pain continued to eat away at his gut.

And along the way…he fell in love with her. And at that time, he believed in salvation. He believed that it was she who would deliver him from the damnation that he himself had sentenced upon him.

But now…She had hurt him even more as he heard her whisper. Yes; he wasn't deaf…He heard it all too clearly…

He knew it.

He knew that it had been utter and total foolishness to have hoped and believed in it in the first place.

xxxxx

They arrived at Muladhara within an hour. Argilla immediately hopped out of the jeep and ran for the HQ building without a word or as much of a glance towards Heat. Heat could only look on after her running form, numb.

How could he feel anything when she possessed his heart?

Sighing, he ran after her.

Argilla blurred through the streets where she saw that the army had already assembled. Platoons after platoons were being assembled while the civilians were being taken away at shelters.

She couldn't believe that it was really happening. She cursed herself; hoping for long-term peace was an impossibility.

Finally, she reached the HQ building. She dashed through its hallways and burst through the Strategy Room, "Serph!!" she yelled immediately as soon as she entered, her eyes, as wide as saucers, scanning from left to right for her silver-haired hero.

She found him at the center of the room. She felt a wave of relief and without further words, ignoring the looks of surprise from both Cielo and Gale, she ran to Serph and threw her arms around him neck, kissing him chastely on the lips before burying her face on his chest, "Are you okay…?" she whispered.

He chuckled, "I'm fine…"

Heat's heart stopped and the rest of the world blurred and became obscured as he saw Argilla run to Serph, embrace him and kiss him. She was so full of life…She was back to her old self.

Heat wanted to stab himself at that moment…

It was because of him that she had lost herself…That she had become…diminished over the past few days…In all of their days and nights within the bunker, he had rarely, practically never, seen Argilla the way she was now…

There was nothing he could do anyway…

Once more…all he could do was watch the woman he loved from afar. He could do nothing as another man held her…A sad sigh threatened to escape from him. But no; he wouldn't let it get the better of him. He still had some amount of pride.

A moment later, Serph and Argilla broke apart and Heat met Serph's silver eyes, only to have them redirected at Argilla, "Welcome back Heat, Argilla. But I'm afraid the pleasantries would have to end there. As you all know the Brutes had finally launched their offensive against us."

Argilla stiffened as her face hardened, 'So it was an invasion after all…'

"This time though, they had launched a full-scale attack. They hope to penetrate our tight defenses by pushing through our only weak point. The south depot."

Argilla's eyes narrowed, "That's why you sent us there…"

Heat said nothing; he wanted to know what went on within Serph's head. He wanted to know the justification for him being there in that bunker.

Serph nodded, "Yes. I sent you two there to plant the mines. That was all."

"Why just two?" Argilla asked, crossing her arms.

Serph smiled at her, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Argilla blushed; what the hell did that mean? Before she could read Serph's eyes, Gale spoke, "He decided to send the two of you so that the Brutes wouldn't suspect that we have suddenly decided to fortify the place."

Cielo nodded, "We couldn't afford to be noisy ja?"

Heat looked at them lazily, "You guys figured that even if the Brutes saw us, they wouldn't think that we'd be too much of a threat since there were only the two of us. But they wouldn't have killed us either since if they did, the HQ would be missing us."

Serph nodded, "Yes."

Argilla raised an eyebrow, "You sent us there to make a landmine…It seems to me that you knew about this invasion all along. What were you planning to do?"

Serph turned to her and smiled, "Ah…Well…it's simple really. The Brutes draw their strength from their momentum. They are more of soldiers than we are really…" Serph grinned sheepishly, scratching his head.

"For them, morale is everything." Gale completed for Serph. He paused and then continued, "If we could break their formation and slow them down, breaking their momentum, the men would lose their morale. It's a long way from Ajna. They had probably been en route to Muladhara for at least a few hours. It would make their men weary. This is when they'll take over that depot, use its facilities and kill you two." Gale finished impassively, his face expressionless.

Heat spat, "Tch…"

Serph grinned, "Yes…but when they enter the five-mile radius…the AT mines would detonate. But if they try to remove the AT mines, the AP mines would detonate."

Argilla scratched her head, "You had us install those mines on our fourth day there! Why?"

Gale grinned; it kind of freaked Heat out at seeing it though. He never figured Gale to be the type who grinned.

"Don't underestimate our Intelligence Department Argilla. We knew that they spied on the depot from your first day to the third day. It's a long way to Ajna and our jamming dishes would disable their transmitters. Even if they leave our dishes' ranges, they still wouldn't be able to report back; you need more sophisticated communications equipment if you were to do that…But it would be near impossible to bring. After all, they still had to evade our patrolling squads. They wouldn't be able to report anything…"

He paused, touching his forehead and then continued, "The fourth day though, they would not be present. It would be the perfect time for you two to make the minefield. That's because if they continued to watch the depot, there would be a lapse of at least twelve hours in their communications chain; the information is practically useless most especially at the event of an impending attack. They would think that any other information gathered was a waste of time and manpower. Think from their perspective; what can those two soldiers within that pathetic bunker do that would threaten their offensive? Absolutely nothing."

Argilla narrowed her pink eyes at that; yes…The Brutes had the tendency to boast their power…They were all about strength. They had probably underestimated her and Heat's capabilities from day one. Well, that was their mistake.

"Also," Gale continued, "their army would be too preoccupied in preparation. In order to maneuver such a large combination of artillery and infantry they needed time; a few days, to be exact, to place their troops correctly."

Heat had had enough, "Forget that crap. Now, what do we do?"

Serph turned to him and looked at him steadily, "You're right. We haven't much time. By the time their army gets here, it'll be in shambles."

Gale nodded, "Yes. They would've probably lost fifty percent of their mobility…providing that no catastrophe kills had been dealt with by the AT mines. But that is unlikely. The chances of AT mines delivering a catastrophe kill are more or less eighty percent probability. In that case, we needn't worry. Only the elite team from the Brutes would survive along with a small percentage of their infantry and heavy artillery. That is the most probable."

"That is why we plan to lead the army itself. Varin is not the sneaky type." Gale concluded, shaking his head, "That is why he would most probably attack head on. It's such a waste. His inflexible mind is what limited his strategic options."

"So wat now mon?" Cielo asked, seemingly all the more confused, "We just wait here?"

Argilla chuckled and wrapped a hand on his arm playfully, "Well…pretty much…Right Gale?"

Gale nodded, "Yes. There isn't a need for us to draw our army out into the sun and sand. That is what he would be wanting us to do. Under the sun, without support and supplies, the army would perish. No. We would wait here. When they are within the three-mile mark, that is when we finish them off."

"How do you know Varin wouldn't just turn back and withdraw?" came Heat's skeptic question.

Serph shook his head, "Varin is a man of valor; he wouldn't be able to look his tribesmen in the eye should he do that. No. He wouldn't." His silver eyes suddenly hardened and became cold, "This would be it. This is the last fight."

"How long had you and Gale been planning this?" Argilla asked.

Serph and Gale grinned and said in unison, "About a year."

Argilla saw stars; they'd been planning this for a year?

Serph nodded, "We had to make it convincing. We had to let them see that the southern part was the weak point. We had to convince them too. That was the tricky part…That's why it took so long…"

Argilla wanted to bash Serph's head in at that moment.

"When will they get here?" Heat asked, bored.

"Assemble here at sunrise." Serph said, "Dismissed."

xxxxx

Sunrise huh? Argilla sighed; she couldn't really care for sunrise. Serph had told her to get some rest…She frowned. It was 0100 hours. She had been asleep for almost four hours since her and Heat's arrival at 2100 hours.

Knowing that the impending battle drew ever nearer and came ever closer, it was all the more reason for her not to sleep.

She took a deep breath. She was still in bed; back in her room. She smiled a bit, 'I never thought that I'd miss this dump…' she chuckled to herself.

She wondered for a moment…

She wondered about Heat; where was he…? What was he doing now? She frowned as she remembered the fight that they had. It wasn't even a fight; not really. She had instigated the entire thing anyway…

She pouted, "I just can't stay with him…I just…"

'Can't accept things the way they are.'

Yes. That was the problem. She hated being too close to him yet not close enough for her to love him and for him to love her. She hated being a lover to him and yet not being a loved one to him. And she hated that he dreamed of Sera and whispered her name while it was she that he had lain down with.

She hated it all.

Being that way, how did he expect her to be happy? She sighed sadly, 'Stupid, stupid! I shouldn't have done it!'

"Shouldn't have done what?" a voice said.

Argilla immediately sat up and grabbed her blanket, bringing it close to her chest, "Serph! What are you doing here?!" blood rushed to her face; he shouldn't be there! She wasn't even properly dressed!

But with all things being equal, there was a curious feeling within her heart. So, if she…

'I love Heat…'

If she loved Heat, what did that entail for Serph? She blinked and stared within his silver eyes as he sat down by her bedside, smiling at her. She was lost within them once more…But this time…it was different. When she fell within his eyes, she felt…warm and protected…

She was glad. But still, the feeling was different…There was no fire; there wasn't the searing flame of passion; not anymore…

'Unlike Heat's eyes…'

Yes. She had finally come to terms with it. This was the end game; the last battle. There was no longer the need to pretend. In the upcoming battle, they could die…This was her last chance…

She had finally accepted it.

She had fallen in love with Heat…and Serph…He was right. She smiled within her mind; Serph was a big part of her life and he still is…but…it was only as a friend…

'A brother…' she thought with a chuckle. Before, she used to damn his words. His words that told her that he loved her as a friend…and now, she was repeating them, only reversing the positions.

It was ironic really.

Serph was happy; he had achieved both of his ambitions. As he looked within her eyes, he knew that she wasn't even there. She was somewhere far away; thinking of someone else.

He already knew who it was.

She was in a trance and so, in order to break her off it, he spoke, "Did you tell him?"

He gave himself a mental pat in the back as she blinked and looked at him, "Tell who what?"

Serph chuckled as he grabbed her hand and squeezed it firmly, "Heat. You should tell him how you feel."

She frowned; he knew?

Suddenly, he drew her closer to him in a tight embrace, and whispered, "Take a chance."

She stiffened as she heard his words; it had been the same thing that he told her so many moons ago…And even after breaking her heart at that time, he wanted her to take a chance again?

Serph slid his hand up and down her spine, "You or he might die today…I pray that it will never happen…because I will lay down my life first…in order to save yours…But be that as it may, all I'm saying is that this may be your last chance to tell him…"

He then pulled away from her and saw that she had a warmly smiling face. She nodded. Good. She understood. No words were further required for this…

He nodded back and there, he stood, "I'll see you for the debriefing in 0500 hours." Leaning down, he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead and left her with her thoughts.

Seconds after Serph had been gone, Argilla immediately got to her feet, the blanket still around her petite body and ran after him. She turned right and there she saw him, "Serph!"

He turned around and looked at her, "What is it?"

She ran to him and embraced him, "Thanks for the advice…my cute silver fox…"

That was what she used to call him when they were little; her cute silver fox…

He chuckled and returned her embrace, closing his eyes, "You're welcome pink bunny rabbit."

They pulled apart and looked within each others' eyes and smiled. He gave her a final squeeze before letting go…

Argilla smiled as she watched him go. She was free at last; she was free of her feelings for Serph and had finally accepted her feelings for Heat.

"Heat…" she whispered to no one.

xxxxx

Heat still couldn't get that thought out of his mind. Argilla had insinuated that he had hurt her…He frowned; he had done nothing.

Their relationship was perfect.

They needed each other and so engaged in a sexual relationship; but they were still friends. Nothing had changed.

Well, this was the only time that he had. He needed to talk to her. Making up his mind, he left his room and departed for hers.

'You should tell her now.'

'Shut up.'

'You should. After all, you might get yourself blown to smithereens dumbass. Then where would you be?'

Finally he conceded, '…Maybe…'

He hated to admit it, but his inner self had a point. This was war; he really shouldn't leave any loose ends in his life. He needed to tell her…

'Regardless of what she'll say…'

Yes. He would tell her about what he felt even if he knew that she would refuse him. He didn't care anymore whether she would accept him or not…All he knew was that he needed to tell her.

She needed to know. He would give her his heart…without asking for anything in return; without asking for reciprocity of his deed.

What she did with his heart then, that was completely up to her.

He laughed bitterly; again, he would be putting his fate in a woman's hands…

He reached the familiar halls in which her room was situated within a few minutes and there, he felt his heart beginning to rush…His blood was beginning to stir…

He found himself…smiling.

He turned a corner; her room was just a few rooms down…He suddenly stopped. His eyes focused on what lay ahead of him. There, a several feet away from him was the woman of his affections…and his apparent rival…in a tight embrace.

Heat narrowed his eyes as his chest tightened, constricting him. He appraised her form from top to bottom, from head to toe. Her hair was slightly disheveled and loose and she wore nothing but a blanket around her body.

His breathing stopped as his eyes widened, now comprehending fully what had just transpired. She had had her wish granted…Serph had loved her back…didn't he? That was why…

'He's just leaving her room after they had sex.' he told himself bitterly, his eyes burning with anger, 'She slept with him…'

Clenching his hands into fists, he immediately turned around and walked away, seething. He sighed; he really planned on telling her…but it would prove to be a bit more difficult…It felt absolutely wrong and totally awkward to tell Argilla that he loved her right after she had just slept with Serph!

Heat was already imagining it.

It was the most idiotic thing he could do at the moment in his opinion.

He opened his eyes and found himself outside the barrack. He blinked; he didn't even notice that he had already gone that many steps…

It was raining again but he didn't care. He sat himself on the stairs just outside and there, let his thoughts wander…

He didn't get very far in his contemplation though as a female voice roused him from them, bringing him back to the painful reality, "Heat…?"

He immediately looked up and saw that it was Sera. He was surprised; he didn't think that she would speak to him again. He turned away from her warmly smiling face and cast his face on the floor, "I thought you didn't want to see me again."

Sera sighed and sat down beside him, "Oh Heat…don't be so overly dramatic."

Heat rolled his eyes, "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

They reigned in silence once more.

Heat raised an eyebrow as he felt a hand on his own and looked at their hands, "Sera?"

She chuckled, "Where's your partner?"

"Argilla…?" Suddenly he saw a flash of her and Serph and his imagination ran wild, giving him false images of them being intimate. Immediately his eyes widened and he shook them off.

Sera chuckled, "She affects you that much huh?"

Heat growled, "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

She sighed, "I know…but I don't think I can…I can say the same for the rest of the army as well…There's tension everywhere…But still Heat…"

"What?" he growled; irritated. She was irritating him. Can't she just say what it was she wanted to say to him instead of beating around the bush like this?

"Someone's in love…" Sera cooed, annoying Heat.

Heat looked at her and made a face, "If anybody's in love it's you."

Sera blushed; he still knew how to read her. Much to Heat's surprise, he was actually happy that his little Sera found someone…

Wait.

His little Sera…?

He smiled; his feelings had finally been confirmed…This time it was for sure. Now, there wasn't a shred of doubt.

'I don't love her that way…'

"I'm not the only one in love…" she trailed off. She laid her head down on his shoulder; finally, it could be like the old times again…There was no malice no aloofness either. There was just she and him…like they were before.

"Does she know?"

"No." he told her gruffly.

"Why not?"

"She doesn't see me that way." he said gruffly and paused before continuing, "Besides, she's too wrapped up in someone else…" he finished, bitterness lacing his voice.

"…Oh…" she said knowingly. She paused and then spoke once more, "You should talk to her about it Heat…"

"…"

He suddenly stood and she did as well, "Sera, thanks for the advice. But right now, I want to cherish this little time we have together. When the sun rises, you'll be with your squad, and I'll be with mine. I'd see her there anyway…But you, I won't see you again until after the battle."

She smiled sadly at him, "Yeah…"

Suddenly, she lunged herself at him and embraced him tightly, "I missed you a lot…" He returned her embrace and smiled, "I missed you too…"

xxxxx

Argilla grabbed her jacket and hastily put it on. She needed to find Heat. She needed to tell him how she felt.

"Serph's right; if I don't, it'll drive me crazy."

She hastily left the barrack in search for him. A few minutes later, she reached his room. She knocked and knocked but there was no answer. She blinked; maybe he was by the park…by the bench.

She quickly turned around and left the barrack. She stopped in her tracks as she saw Heat…and Sera…in a tight embrace. Argilla cursed under her breath and immediately turned back within the corner and pressed her back against the wall.

From there, she stealthily peeked at them.

She sighed; she was too late.

Heat had finally won Sera's love.

She smiled sadly, "Oh well…It's for the best. It's great though that they finally are together. He had been loving her for God knows how long anyway…"

She had to stop herself from crying at that moment. She had lost not one but two men in her life. She let out a strangled breath as she began to walk away from the scene; she didn't know how much more she could take, looking at them…

She forced herself to straighten up, "The attack's at sunrise. I should focus on that…"

She forced a smile to grace her lips, "Besides, I should be happy for Heat."

That was right; she should happy for him. Wasn't that the real definition of love anyway? To be able to let go and sacrifice for the sake of the person she loved?

She sighed, 'Yeah…'

She should be happy for him…

'I am happy for him…Oh Heat…'

xxxxx

A/N:

Catastrophe Kill: Destroys the weapon system of the heavy artillery and disables its crew.