I spent the next few days flittering from doorway to doorway, room to room and bolting for cover every time I caught sight of Speirs or heard his voice or very distinct stomping coming my way.
George found this to be ridiculously hilarious.
"Shut up." I hissed as I smacked him over the head before peering out of the cracked door to see said Lieutenant standing just outside my current hiding spot, turning his head to and fro. I knew he had spotted me, our eyes locked over the crowded road just before a truck drove past, blocking his view of me and giving me the opportunity to grab George's arm and bolt to the nearest hiding spot. I gently closed the door and leant my forehead against it as I let out a groan. I smacked my head against the frame once, twice for good measure.
"Hey!" A voice yelled, startling me. I jumped and whirled around, nearly colliding with George in the process. "Stop dat, you're gonna give yourself a concussion."
"Jesus Christ, Gene." I growled as I tried to calm the rush of adrenalin that was coursing through my body. "You scared the hell outta me!" Gene raised an eyebrow and looked between me and George, who had fallen to the floor clutching his stomach and wiping at his eyes.
"It's not that funny." I growled and nudged him with my toe.
"The fuck it isn't." He managed to wheeze out before collapsing into a heap of uselessness. I contemplated what the repercussions of giving him a good hard kick would be before settling on just giving him a death glare that was sure to leave scorch marks on his head.
"Do I even wanna know wat you two are up ta?" Gene asked. I sent one more scathing look in the direction of my best friend before turning to the medic.
"It's nothin'." I grumbled as I moved over to take a seat on his makeshift exam table.
"Bullshit." George laughed. "She's been playing cat and mouse with Speirs for days now."
"Why?" Gene raised a questioning brow.
"Because he's stalking me," I rolled my eyes. "And I'm not comfortable being around him right now."
"Now you know how everyone else feels around him." George grinned.
"Why? Are the rest of you all hiding breast underneath your uniforms as well?" I glared. Gene muttered something in French and looked away, but not before I could see a slight pink color spread across his cheeks.
"You mean you don't know?" A mock surprise look fell over George's face. "Underneath this shirt is a pair of tits so big it's a wonder I don't knock myself out when I run."
"That's it." Gene growled as George and I laughed. "OUT. Both out you. OUT!" He shooed me off the table and towards the door.
"But what if Speirs is still out there?" I asked, trying my best pathetic look, which he was apparently immune to.
"Well, you're jus' gonna have ta deal wit' it." He said with a suppressed grin slowly snaking itself onto his face.
"You're so cruel." I faked a sob as he shoved us both out of the door.
"Sgt. Benally." A hard voice greeted me. I made a move to dive back into the room, but Gene firmly planted himself in front of the door, his arms crossed. He wasn't even trying to suppress the grin anymore. The bastard. I glared at him before slowly turning towards the officer and dropped my face to a neutral expression.
"Cpt. Speirs." I greeted.
"Cpt. Speirs." George greeted with too much glee for my liking. I stepped closer to him and discreetly grabbed the back of his shirt, effectively keeping him from bolting and leaving me to face the lion alone.
"Luz, Doc." Speirs nodded a greeting to each of the men before turning his piercing stare back to me.
"Was there something you needed, sir?" I asked slowly. Luz made a noise in his throat and I looked over to see a minute shake of his head.
"I think you know why I'm here, Sgt. Benally." Speirs said. I paused for a moment and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm just a lowly Sergeant, sir. I couldn't begin to understand what would be going on in the head of such a well respected Captain like yourself." I replied.
"Kiss ass." George mumbled just loud enough for me to hear.
"I'm not one of prissy ass officers at Regimental, Benally, flattery won't distract me." The corner of Speirs' lip twitched.
"What will distract you sir. Gunfire? Because if it is gunfire, then I'll happily shoot Luz here." I motioned to said person with a tilt of my head.
"Hey!" Luz cried.
"Oh, quit being such a baby, Gene's right there." I motioned to the Cajun man who stood silently with a look of amusement on his face.
"Oh no, don' be draggin' me inta this." Gene shook his head.
"You would really shoot your best friend just to save your own ass?" George asked.
"Fuck yeah." I answered as he scoffed. "You know you'd do the same."
"Well, yeah, but I would never tell you that to your face."
"You just did."
"Only because you made me."
"I didn't make you a fucking thing." A throat cleared, breaking us out of our argument. We both turned to a slightly bemused, slightly agitated Speirs.
"I'm still not distracted." He deadpanned.
"It was worth a try." I sighed.
"How long are you going to play this game?" Speirs said, a hint of exasperation coloring his voice.
"What game, sir?" I asked.
"This mind game." He answered.
"I'm playing a mind game, sir?" I raised an eyebrow.
"You are and you know you are. And you are damn good at it, Benally." He stepped closer and Luz reflexively stepped back. I stood rooted to the spot, determined not to let him see how much he was affecting me. "I could just order you to tell me what you're hiding."
"You could, sir." I answered staring right into his piercing brown eyes. "But I don't think you will."
"You don't, do you? And why is that?" He stared right back into my own dark eyes, almost as if her were trying to look into my very soul.
"Because you haven't yet, sir." I said in almost a whisper. He stared me down for a long moment before leaning back slightly.
"I will find out what you are hiding, Benally." He whispered.
"I don't doubt that, sir." He nodded to me once, then spun on his heel and stomped away. I turned around to find both George and Gene staring at me in shock.
"What?" I raised an eyebrow.
"You must have a death wish." George shook his head.
"I agree." Gene mumbled as we all looked after Speirs retreating form.
"So do I." I mumbled as I breathed a sigh of relief that I had eluded certain death for one more day.
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I know this was a short one and not the one I promised, but I just wanted to get something out to let you guys know that I have not given up on this story. I will finish it, but it will just be longer between updates.
Thank you all for sticking with me through this long hiatus. Thank you everyone who has read and favorited, and added alerts. And as always, a very special thanks goes out to all of my reviewers, EmmyMK , britt, The Fox Familiar , Azrael's Darkest Secrets , Lift the Wings , cHoCoLaTe-RuM , CP2girls, Ashlynn, Harlequin Sequins, ally leigh, THE DEADLY ANGEL, and to those reading and reviewing my story for the first time, nerobella10, Schlamperine, Queen Amy, Scousernic, Kelly Belle, and ActiveIngredient! Thank you all so much! These reviews mean the world to me!
britt- Yeah, Speirs is one smart cookie, Jo couldn't have hidden everything from him for long. Fix you is an amazing song, and I think it fits both Jo and Roe so well. I'm not sure how long I am going to make this story. Originally, it was only going to be about 14 or 15 chapters long, but then it just grew into this huge thing. Sorry again that it took so long to update.
nerobella10 – I'm glad you have joined us! Welcome! I'm very happy to hear you like this story. Sorry it took so long to update. I think I've told everyone that there is really no wrong answer as to how Jo looks. I intentionally leave the description vague so that the readers can but whoever they want into her place.
Ashlynn – Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Sorry it took so long to update.
As for everyone else who has read the story and not reviewed, thank you for reading and please let me know what you think of this story! Good, bad, not so bad, just let me know what you like or don't and any suggestions for improvement you may have!
Again, I am so sorry it took so long to update. I won't give you guys a date as to when to expect the next chapter, but I'll get it out as soon as I possibly can.
Please take the time to leave me a review, it is always greatly appreciated!
Amanda
Edited 8/6/17