Disclaimer: I do not own Madonna or anything affiliated with them.

Chapter 2:

"I don't wanna hear, I don't wanna know
Please don't say 'forgive me'
I've seen it all before
And I can't take it anymore," Victoria Tanner, a.k.a. Tink by the guys belted out the lyrics to an ancient Madonna song that Duke had recorded for her from some ancient websites he dug up. She shuffled across the kitchen floor in socks and tank top and boxers to the back beat.

It had been seven months since Sarge had brought her on the team. A challenge hadn't been what she had found, she had found a family in Sarge, Destroyer, Duke, Goat, even Portman had taken on a sort of big brother complex after her calmed down when he found out she was on the team. Then there was Reaper.

He was cold and stiff towards her but he wasn't mean…just indifferent. He certainly had saved her ass on a few missions but never seemed relieved when he actually did save her…or even pissed that she made it out okay. Even some emotion would have been better than nothing.

Sarge had instantly zoomed in on her…feelings towards Reaper. Thankfully no one else had. She had assured Sarge they wouldn't be a problem, she wasn't going to mess this up, not after the risk Sarge had taken on putting her on the team.

Tink knew that snipers weren't a real commodity in the military and didn't really understand why the Sarge had taken her on but she wasn't about to throw this away…she had thrown so many things away….she didn't want to make the list any longer.

Her feelings towards Reaper were simple…clear cut…she was head over heels, walk off a cliff in love with him. Not a good thing to feel when you live with someone, or go into combat with them. It wasn't hard to keep her feelings from Reaper and the rest of the team but Sarge had seen through her cold exterior.

Tink had spent most of her life stifling and hiding her feelings yet Sarge read her like an open book. It was unsettling and yet comforting at the same time.

She twisted her hair into a bun and tied it back. Everybody had left to go spend their leave with their families for Thanksgiving. Tink had no where to go so Sarge let her stay in the barracks. Or at least Tink thought everyone had left.

"You're not half the man you think you are," Tink shoved a third teaspoon into a big black mug, then one teaspoon of instant coffee. The kettle was boiling. She had just spent her entire paycheck securing a copy of the digitally re-mastered DVD/Hologram of Black Adder and was intending to use her vacation to watch it in peace. Tink spun on her toes at an upbeat but stopped dead mid spin and stumbled out of her ornamental dance position when she saw Reaper staring at her from the top of the stairway that lead down to the men's sleeping quarters.

Tink's mouth fell open. Reaper gave a half smile and raised his eyebrows. Tink threw her self across the kitchen and turned down the blasting boom box. "I am sorry, I thought everyone had left." She gave Reaper a guilty smile.

And to her shock he smiled back. "Don't worry about it." Tink took in his appearance with a quick glance as he walked into the kitchen. Her heart was pounding so loudly she felt certain Reaper was going to hear it. He was wearing sweat pants and a tank top.

"Do you want a cup of coffee?" Tink said opening the cupboard and getting down Reapers favorite mug.

"Yeah, thanks." Reaper sat at the island in the middle of the kitchen which was littered with food wrappers, a couple of silencers and a clip of ammo.

Tink put in the sugar and coffee before pouring the boiling water in each cup. She glanced over her shoulder at Reaper who seemed to be looking at everything in the plain kitchen but her.

"I was almost sure you would be gone at Thanksgiving," She handed him his mug. "You don't like milk?" It was more of a statement than a question really.

"No, thanks," He took the cup and glanced back at Tink who couldn't help but watch him. He took a deep breath and said before gulping the hot coffee, "Nope, staying here."

Tink nodded at the brisk answer and didn't push for more info. Tink sipped the coffee.

"You aren't going anywhere? No family or anything?" Tink looked at Reaper when he asked and shook her head. She thought it was funny he was willing to ask a question she felt certain he wouldn't answer.

"Uh, no,"

"No boyfriend?" Tink raised an eyebrow. She knew he wasn't inquiring to see if the position was open to fill but out of curiosity.

"How many guys do you know willing to date a marine sniper who isn't available most of the year?" She leaned on the counter in front of Reaper. He nodded.

"So that's a no?" She laughed.

"Yeah, that's a no." She took another sip and looked around the kitchen. There was an uncomfortable silence settling in between them.

"You gotta have someone," She looked up at him surprised that he was so…well…surprised that she didn't have any family.

"Nope, dad left, mum died." She took another sip annoyed at having to share the slightest detail of her past…even to Reaper.

"How?" She looked up at him, he held her gaze. She was going to tell him to drop it but instead for some reason said, "Dunno, ran away, saw it in the obits." She took another sip.

Reaper nodded, no 'I am so sorry' or 'that's awful' or even a 'why did you run away?' just a nod. Tink was glad; she didn't want to get into her past with Reaper any more then she wanted to get into it with her self.

"I am going to have a shower then go to the shooting range, wanna come?" Tink looked up at the brisk invitation. He was staring at her waiting for the answer half way across the kitchen heading towards the guy's bathroom. It didn't seem like he cared all that much if she stayed or went but something inside her made her answer, "Sure,"

A/N: Okay so second chapter down and out, please, tell me what you think, constructive criticism is welcome but don't flame, thanks and hope you review!