Alright, I'd like to thank everyone yet again for the visits and reviews :) I'd like to take a moment to explain this chapter briefly. Do NOT be put off by it. It is indeed a chapter that causes a lot of shifting in the tides, in addition to launching the plotline into an entirely different direction. In this chapter, we get to a bit more...sexual content. Yeah. But it's near the very end. With that being said, this story is NOT about love and sex and passion. It's about adventure, character development, relationships (of all kinds), high levels of stress, and a lot of focusing on what Soap and Price are now like after all of the MW events. So, yeah, this chapter may seem to be like, Oh my God...she lied to us...there IS sexual content in this story. But it's like...this is going to be the most intense scene of it. And it isn't even that bad. After this chapter, we really won't get a lot of ERMERDGEWD, SEXY SHIT thrown into your faces. Unless of course, people like it, haha. But anyways, sorry for the rambling. Also, sorry for the longer wait for an update. School and work are making me busy. Enjoy!

Chapter 15 - Turning of Event

Shorty blinked through a lowered brow, arms crossed, as she glared at a photo on the wall. Her tongue rolled around in her mouth as her eyes ran over the image of her fuzzy, purple dice "posing". The dice were set before a beach scene with the caption "We're happier now." Next to the picture on the bulletin board was a dry-erase board which read, "Number of Days Shorty has Gone Without Dice: 4." She could appreciate the creativity but she had been searching for her missing purple dice for the past several days, but to no avail. And now it was clear someone had them in captivity.

She peered over her shoulder with annoyance, trying to run through her mind who would possibly do such a thing. At this point in time, it could be Reggie, Shawn, Trevor on a good day, or even the one she calls 'Chin'.

Rico suddenly spotted her scowling at the pictures and the scenery around her. She approached her with an apple in hand. Taking a bite, she gestured the fruit in Shorty's direction. "What's up? You look pretty pissed."

Shorty pointed to the wall. "One of these jokesters here took my fuzzy dice out of my chopper, now they're taking pictures with them posed around different props. Yesterday was a picture of them in a boxing ring with like...severed Barbie arms attached to them."

Rico had to snicker and look at the picture. "Now it looks like they're enjoying themselves a vacation."

"I want my dice back. I don't mess with anyone's things. I tolerated the joke for the past four days, now I just want them back."

"Hmm," Rico began. "Well, do you know who did it?"

"I have a few hunches…"

Rico nodded slowly. "Well...we can start narrowing in on someone. Process of elimination."

"Why? So I know who to go punch in the groin?"

"Or! So you know who to ask politely for your belonging to be returned." She took another bite of the apple. "Can you think of anyone who'd want to take something from you? Like...maybe someone who wants to make you pay for a previous action?"

"Reggie is always doing stuff like this-wait." Shorty trailed off as she became immersed in thought. "You're talking like you already know."

Rico shrugged.

Shorty's eyes widened with a mixture of excitement and annoyance. "It was that sheep shagger, wasn't it?"

"It's a possibility." Rico replied with content eyes. "If I recall correctly, he hinted that he was going to take one of your things as ransom for the return of his pen. You do still have that, right?"

"Of course I do. No one just tosses out a pen worth $15." She crossed her arms and sighed. "He's kinda weird...who pays that much for a pen?"

"Someone who writes and draws a lot?"

Shorty shrugged. "He's still weird."

"I kind of think he's rubbing off on you...and you're just too stubborn to admit it. So now you're just looking for reasons to not like him."

"I would never do such a thing."

Rico had to laugh. "Right!"

"Whatever, googly-eyes."

"You're one to talk. Always staring at Trevor and conversing with him...say...are you two-"

"Nope."

Rico raised a brow. "Oh? That was a quick response."

"Who wouldn't respond quickly to being accused of fucking someone they're not."

"Wait," Rico put her hands on her hips. "I wasn't even going in that direction. So...are you?"

"No!" Shorty took a step back. "Geez…"

Before Rico could respond, a familiar voice broke into the room. "Hey, ladies. Brief coming up pertaining to our trip to Mexico. Meet in the hangar in five minutes." Samson's voice came out calmly.

"Alright, thanks, Samson." Rico replied.

Once Samson was out of the room, Rico looked back to her friend with raised eyebrows and a playful smile.

"Right. So let's get to that brief. I heard we're stuck in Mexico for quite awhile once we get there." Shorty commented, refusing to look at Rico's big, wondering eyes.

The two women removed themselves from the mess hall and made their way for the hangar, where they met up with a majority of the Darkhorse bunch; a few others were still missing. Price's eyes ran over the faces that continued to converge onto the location. Tobias chewed quietly on a piece of gum, Tatiana giggled with Ivan and Reggie, and Lydia was back to talking Soap's ear off.

Shorty smiled and gestured her head towards Lydia while they were still some distance away. "Speaking of people fucking each other. I wonder if Lydia has gotten into that ugly Chin's pants yet. God knows she loves doing that."

Rico's brow furrowed at that as she shook her head. "There's no way. Look at his face, he looks bored as hell."

"Doesn't mean he isn't fucking her."

Rico peered over at her friend with sudden concern. "I wouldn't believe it even if I saw it."

Shorty grimaced. "Ew...can you imagine THAT voice grunting like a...deep voiced feral bear."

Rico had to let a smile pull at her face. "Probably sounds like a werewolf."

Shorty shook her head with amusement, but an equal amount of disgust.

They finally joined with the pack, where they immediately began to patiently await for Shawn and Delroy which were still not yet present.

Lydia was gradually finding a way to get closer to Soap who stared ahead with disinterest. She was trying to make small talk, and Soap was simply being polite by mildly entertaining her. Price's eyes eventually found Soap's grey-eyed stare.

"...I grew up around a lot of dogs. I've been seeing how much Ricochet's dog finds you interesting. I didn't have any German shepherds. We just had a labrador and some mixed breeds."

"I don't like dogs." Soap replied.

"Oh...that's odd, because you seem to like Ricochet's dog."

Soap shrugged. "Rico's dog doesn't try to eat my throat out."

"Oh, my dogs wouldn't even consider that."

Soap eventually looked down at her, where he found her eyes and a faint smile. He simply blinked at her as he lost interest in coming up with a response.

Reggie chuckled with Ivan from some distance away. "She wants in his pants so bad."

"Hehehehe," Ivan uttered his signature snicker. "Hey, she just likes dick."

Lydia caught glimpse of Rico and Shorty joining up with the group; Soap found the two as well. Her brow went flat with annoyance. "Those two try so hard to be perfect."

Moving his eyes away from Rico, he found Lydia and furrowed his brow. "I'm sorry?"

Lydia looked away and sighed. "Always acting like they're just the perfect example of what every woman should be like. Shorty pretends to be this confident, assertive woman, and Rico is always strutting around like she always has somewhere important to be."

Soap stared at her with a confused expression. There was a minor hint of bitterness in her voice. "Sounds like you don't know them very well."

"And you do? Just wait, you'll see they're nothing special. They just put off that front to give guys this impression that they're too perfect to touch. Like anyone here would want to tap uptight bitches."

Soap shifted his weight. "You're maybe jumping to conclusions, lass."

Before Lydia could answer, Shorty released a gasp of irritation. "Ah ha! Culprit!"

Everyone turned to look at her as she pointed an accusatory finger in Soap's direction. He followed her finger and met up with the purple fuzzy dice he had tied to his belt loop. His eyes flashed up at her as he shot her a teasing smile.

She shook her head and stormed towards him. She then gestured for the dice. "Give them here."

Soap quickly untied them from his pants and gripped them firmly. "No can do."

"Yes you can, now give them here." She swiped for them but he was quick to move them behind his back.

He smiled a wide, playful grin at her. "You need to work on those reflexes and your reaction time. You move like a sloth on ecstasy."

"What the fuck does that even mean?" She grumbled as she reached for the dice that were behind his lower back.

His hand brought the dice up high above her head, causing her to jump for them. Everyone had to snicker.

"So close. You got about another 55 cm." He commented.

"Give them back! You've had them long enough."

"Not happening."

"Why?" She pleaded.

"Give me my pen back and I'll give you back your dice." Soap responded.

She crossed her arms. "No, I told you. It's mine now."

"Oh, then I guess that means these now belong to me. Glad we cleared that up."

She scowled at him. "You have no use for those."

"Actually. I do now. They enjoy me taking them on vacations, as well as getting away from you." Soap's eyes were now shimmering with bliss.

Shorty huffed and began to open her mouth to yell, but Shawn came jogging in hurriedly with Delroy.

"Sorry, sorry...inventory issues." Shawn stated as he joined Trevor's side. "Start the brief."

Price scratched his nose. "Right. Glad to see you were three minutes away from being prompt." Shawn had to swallow hard. "Hm. Anyways, let's get this brief on the road. Before we start, I'd like to make note that this is a major tipping point for us." Price's hoarse, unique voice came out in a rough motion. "We're moving to Mexico."

Some people sighed, while others got vocal. "We're actually staying there?" Shawn questioned.

"Talon is setting up a temporary base for us to stay at. It'll be near the eastern coast, about 5 km from the outskirts of Merida. Talon will be stationed in the Gulf on standby at all times should we need them. Once we're in Mexico, we're going to start to get our hands dirty, and eventually find a way into Cuba." Samson stated.

Everyone stared with watchful, pondering eyes.

"The informant we came by is the brother to the first informant we had. The one that gave us the information on the Italian shipment. Pedro Gomez. We got wind he was murdered; most likely Arsenio or Fernando found out they had a mole. Well now, Pedro's brother, Ricardo, wants his brother's death to be redeemed. He's willing to tell us everything he knows." Samson continued after clearing his throat. "And we're doing the honors of meeting him there instead of bringing him here."

"What's the plan for Mexico?" Trevor inquired.

"Shut them all down." Price replied, causing everyone to shift with anticipation. "Gomez knows of a shipping location. He's going to give us the coordinates when we get there. From there, it should link us to other locations and names, and hopefully land us in Cuba."

"So this is it then, right? Like, no coming back now? We're going all in?" Shawn inquired while pulling up a stool. His rear found the metal surface comfortably.

Price's eyes found him as he entered a world of thought. He began to slowly nod. "As long as there's a path laid out before us, then we'll follow it. We venture on until we hit a cold trail, or we're ordered otherwise. Anymore questions?" His sky-blue eyes scanned the faces before them. No one appeared to be lost in translation. "Good. We leave in 68 hours."

Everyone nodded and began to turn to go their separate ways, but Samson was quick to grab all of their's attention once again. "Hold on one second."

The group paused to return their stares onto the down-to-earth man. Samson scratched his nose and put his hands into his pockets. "Since these next set of operations will require us to have all hands on deck, you all are given permission to head on down to Gracac today to find yourself all some leisure time. If you catch my drift."

"Like...get drunk?" Shorty asked with a tone of interest.

"If that's what you all want to do. Sure." He replied. "But no taking any of the vehicles if you all plan on doing that. You'd have to jog on back to base tomorrow morning. So just enjoy yourselves and take it easy."

Everyone's faces either lightened up or lost some of the tension.

Reggie pointed at Samson. "You better be coming down to town with us. You need to get drunk again."

Samson let a warming smile grow across his face as he shook his head. "Some of us here need to set a good example."

Trevor snickered. "Laaame."

He rolled his eyes. "Right. Here, I'll head on down there but I won't stay the night. I can drive whoever wants to go down."

Shawn gave a quick cheer.

"And no one go causing any trouble or get yourselves injured," Price stated sternly and then looked to Soap. "Soap."

Soap's eyebrows rose with displeasure. "What's that supposed to mean?" His tone was rather light-hearted.

Price kept a firm stare onto Soap. He sat in silence briefly before opening his mouth to speak. "You get to climbing all sorts of obstacles in your immediate proximity. I don't need you breaking anything again with your...falling mass."

Soap shook his head with an amused smile. "That was once and it was about five years ago."

Price emitted a quick chuckle. "Right…"

Before Soap could respond, Reggie rose his arm out to point at Soap. "Soap is my drinking buddy. You're the one I'm going to get shit-faced tonight. You will be our entertainment."

Soap continued to smile. "I refuse to let you be my drinking buddy. You'd leave me plastered in an alleyway somewhere."

"Now is leaving you in an alleyway pre-falling or post-falling?" Trevor questioned with curious eyes.

Samson rose his hands out with a smirk. "You all just have fun. Appropriate fun. I don't need anyone returning with a five inch gash going across their forehead. Alright? I offered to drive anyone down who's interested. I'll gladly have one beer but then I'll head back to base. Just get back here by 0730. Sound good?"

Darkhorse nodded with mildly excited expressions before dispersing. Lydia, of course, still remained at Soap's side, that is, until Reggie got in between the two bearing his signature smile.

"What the hell-" Lydia scoffed.

"Shh, Lydia. You don't get to rob Soap's time away from all of us." Reggie cut her off and stared her down, causing her to huff. No longer feeling even slightly welcomed, she paced off in an opposite direction. Reggie then peered over at Soap who simply nodded at him.

"Thanks…" Soap said lowly.

Reggie shrugged cooly. "She's being persistent with you. I guess it's all of the commentary about your giant cock."

Soap immediately sent a disapproving glare in Reggie's direction. "What the fuck is up with you?"

Reggie laughed lightly. "Maybe if you're damn facial expression wasn't such a side-splitter every time, I wouldn't have a reason for doing it."

"Glad my look of disgust is fueling your obnoxious fire."

"So, can I make you my personal minion once you get your drink on?"

Soap shook his head without hesitation. "Fuck no."

"But you could pick up so many of the local chicks with me."

"I was under the impression you were an arse bandit, the way you keep referring to my appearance as a representation of Adonis."

Reggie chuckled with enjoyment. "Right...so you going to help me pick up a Gracac lady, or what? Your accent will make them melt."

"I am not helping you get your dick wet. You can sort that out yourself." Soap replied. His hand found the door handle to the sleep corridors. He began to swing open the door, keeping his eye on Reggie. "And we're in Croatia. The lasses have no fucking clue what my accent it is."

"You say that now. But once you got that voice rumbling through the streets and bar, they'll be all like 'what a beautiful Northern European white man'!"

Soap pointed at him. "I am going to request that we keep at least two people between us tonight."

Reggie yet again released an entertained laugh. He returned the point. "See you later! I'm going to go shower."

"Get that swag on." Soap joked.

The two went separate ways with smiles on their faces. By the time the late afternoon and early evening hours crept up on them, the people who were up for a night of some light-hearted fun were all gathered up. Taking two Jeeps down, the distant Gracac town horizon became visible after breaking out of a valley.

In the six-seater Wrangler, with Price driving, was Shorty pleasantly munching on a muffin, Soap directly behind the driver's seat, Rico behind Shorty, with Ivan and Reggie in the back. Reggie made a point to stay seated behind Soap, with his default smile of course.

Ivan pointed a disappointed finger at Shorty. "Where'd you get that muffin? I didn't know we had muffins. What's this shit?"

Shorty took another content bite and refused to answer.

"Yeah, what the hell. You could have at least shared." Reggie commented.

Shorty shook her head. "No mine."

"Is there more?" Ivan asked. His throaty, accented voice came out roughly.

"Nope."

Rico leaned forward and placed her hands on Shorty's seat. "You sure?"

"Positive." Shorty answered, taking her final bites.

Without warning, Rico began to smash Shorty's pockets immediately causing her to shriek out. "Rico! No! Stop!"

The tiny muffins inside her pant pockets began to cave in and crumble; remnants of a blueberry muffin drizzled out of her pockets. Shorty looked up with discontent and frowned.

"Should have shared." Rico stated with raised shoulders and lively eyes.

"Asshole." Shorty moved her shirt to the side to stare at the damage. She sighed and picked the broken pieces up to place in her mouth. "Might as well eat what I can."

Price shook his head. "You're all a cheeky bunch. Hope you enjoy yourselves when you're cleaning out the interior."

"Wait, how did I get into the mix?" Soap inquired with mild annoyance.

"You chose to drive with muppets. So you get the muppet treatment." Price replied firmly.

Rico looked around at the faces with a quizzical look. "So...if you're driving the muppet mobile...what's that make you?"

"Captain McMuppet." Soap was quick to respond.

If one looked closely, they could see a faint smirk appearing on the old man's face.

"Captain Egg McMuffin." Reggie chimed in.

Ivan and Reggie chuckled in the rear seats, while Shorty and Rico smiled with amusement and Soap shook his head as the Jeep bumped along the terrain.

In Gracac, the team members that had headed down all met up in the center of town. Happiness glowed within everyone's eyes.

Samson pointed down the westward street. "New hotel just opened up several blocks down. Well...it's been open for a little over a year now, but those of you drinking heavily tonight will need a place to stay."

"Thanks, dad." Shawn stated facetiously.

Samson had to roll his eyes and accompany it with a shake of the head. "I appreciate your asshole remarks. Want me to have you return back to base with me later? I'm sure we would have a grand time running courses together."

Shawn waved his hands out in front of him. "I'll have to pass!"

"Samson's got venom in his voice today." Reggie smiled.

"Probably because he has to deal with all of you garglefucks on a regular basis." Price commented cooly.

Samson's hands were quick to find his pockets. "It's quite the task, unfortunately."

A few people chuckled at the commentary.

Ivan's eyes scanned the scenery. "So where's the vodka?"

"Leave it to Ivan here to live up to the Russian stereotype." Trevor jutted a thumb in Ivan's direction. The Russian grinned widely.

"So does that mean Soap is only allowed to drink whiskey?" Shawn questioned.

"And play a jolly tune for us on some bagpipes?" Reggie added-in with a shit-eating grin.

Soap leaned forward to look at them. "No, it just means I'll have to out-drink you two light-weights."

"Drink-a-thon!" Shorty cheered as she raised a fist of victory into the air before moving away from the group. "Well, come on! The nightlife is calling my name!"

Somehow, the gesturing of her arm and her eager movements were enough to persuade everyone to follow her. This night was going to be uniquely different from the rest. It was going to be the night for the soldiers to get to see everyone outside of a life of chaos, and instead, enjoying what a normal social life would resemble.

The group had made an executive decision to keep the night uncomplicated and cheaper by simply picking up a styrofoam cooler, purchasing alcohol at a liquor store, and finding the hotel sitting area to plant their rears in. Samson and Price enjoyed a beer or two with the group, as they both listened in on the bustle and conversation that was gradually increasing in volume while the merriment elevated and the blood-alcohol content heightened steadily.

Eventually, Price and Samson stood to head back for the Jeeps. All eyes fell on them as they rose.

"Aww...leaving so soon? It's only 1900." Shawn asked the two men before raising a glass beer-bottle to his lips.

Price pointed an assertive finger in the remaining group's direction. "You all need to sleep two per room. Shorty. Rico. You two will be together. Tatiana. Lydia. You two will also be in a room together. Everyone else, figure it out."

"Wait, but Tatiana is a lesbian. It's obvious you're trying to make it so that guys don't partner up with chicks. But Tatiana is clearly into the clit." Reggie remarked.

Tatiana shrugged with a smile. "It's true. I am."

"Well, unless Lydia last minute decides she's a clam licker, then I think you two will be fine. Just manage it." Price's reply caused several to snicker with amusement.

Reggie yet again opened his mouth to make a teasing comment. "Wouldn't be too surprising!"

"Hey…" Lydia glared at him.

"Oh my God, who cares," Shorty stood up and pointed at Reggie who was perched comfortably in a cushioned chair near the cooler. "Beer me."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Samson smiled at them faintly. "Alright, we're heading off. Remember. Get back to base by 0730. And I mean it. I don't care if you're throwing up your guts or your head is spinning-"

"Or a homeless man bit your dick off." Ivan interrupted.

Samson paused to blink at him silently. "...Right. Or that. Just make it back in time. We got a lot of preparing to do before we leave. You all copy that?"

In unison, everyone said 'copy that'.

"Good." Price nodded at them and looked to Soap. "That means you're in charge now."

"I am honored." Soap's voice came out deeply and foolhardy as his strong hand found his chest.

Price shook his head. "Don't let anyone get killed."

"Or impregnated!" Reggie rose his beer in the air.

With that, it cued Price and Samson to speed up their pace and make their way for the exit. Instantly, the group returned to their storytelling and joyful laughter amongst themselves.

Another hour had passed, and the group had remained intact but had broken off into smaller groups of conversation. Shawn, Reggie, Tatiana and Ivan laughed hysterically at dirty jokes while Lydia listened in with a smirk, Trevor and Shorty exchanged words with wide smiles, and Soap and Rico worked at becoming even more acquainted. Lydia spotted them staring and talking amongst themselves, and couldn't resist the urge to narrow her eyes in annoyance.

After hitting an average of five to six drinks per person over a three hour course of time, people's heads buzzed with excitement and euphoria.

Soap peered over at Rico. She was looking uniquely beautiful in the warm light of the surrounding light fixtures. Especially when she would giggle or smile at comments made around the table. He kept glancing over at her once he would hear her emit a cute chuckle. The way she would look at him from time to time kept making his heart melt. Soap wasn't sure if it was the alcohol getting to him, or something else. Either way, he couldn't resist admiring her.

Being unable to ignore him, she would on occasion turn her attention towards him and exchange meaningful words. The chemistry was becoming apparent, and at one point, both had to take a moment to just stare at the other one before growing embarrassed and having to laugh it off.

"So, having fun yet?" She asked him.

He nodded at her. "Of course."

"Does that mean you no longer completely hate us now?" She spoke teasingly.

He took a moment to smile and nod. "Almost getting there. I might need an extra shove or two."

She cocked her head at him. "And how might one do that?"

He shrugged. "You're going to have to try and find out, lass."

She took a drink from her bottle before replying facetiously. "You're just so mysterious."

"Am I intriguing?"

Not once did the charming smile leave her face. "Well, you're definitely something special, that's for sure."

"Oh?" He straightened up. "I can get by with being special. It'll do."

She chuckled. "You're so sure of yourself right now."

He finished his beer and lowered the empty bottle against the tabletop. "Beer has a tendency to do that to people."

Reggie suddenly popped up leaned in between them and smiled. "Soap, you're Scottish, so it's just infused into your blood."

Soap was quick to turn around in his chair and raised a hand to snag Reggie's shirt, but the man was slick and slipped away before getting grabbed. Reggie snicked as he reappeared by Shawn's side with more drinks in hand.

"Be nice to me, Soap. I'm the bearer of beer right now." Reggie commented with a grin.

As the night carried on, more drinks were consumed as visions became hazy. The distance between people strunk as the indulgence continued and the hunger to have a good, sincere laugh only increased.

Eventually, they found themselves trying to guess what Reggie was 'supposed to be'. A fun game of charades.

Reggie stood before every and raised two fingers out.

"Two words." Shawn stated as everyone watched closely.

Reggie nodded and followed through by raising three fingers.

"...'nd tree syllables." Shorty pointed out in a drunken stupor, words slurring.

Reggie smiled and nodded as he began to act something out. He lowered his neck and raised his shoulders, giving everyone the impression that he possessed no neck. Slowly raising up, people had to raise an eyebrow in mild confusion.

"A woman in labor?" Shawn asked, causing Reggie to shake his head.

Immediately, a few of them had to laugh, especially as Reggie continued to act out his object. He raised his arms up into a circle above his head as he slowly raised into the gap his arms created.

"Da fook mate, ye suppoose' ta be a birfing canal?" Soap asked; his Scottish accent thickening as the night went on and the more drinks he took in.

"...What?" Shorty asked quizzically.

Rico laughed with amusement at the whole scenario.

Reggie sighed and tucked his head into his shirt as he slowly rose out of it.

Rico pointed with excitement. "Turtle!"

Reggie smiled and nodded with confirmation.

"Good one, Rico! You're the charades queen!" Shawn said from afar.

She waved him off. "We still have the other word to guess."

Reggie snapped to get their attention as he began to point towards his neck.

"Neck! It's a turtle-neck!" Rico shouted, causing Reggie to clap.

"You got it!"

She cheered briefly, but was interrupted by a burst of laughter, including her own as Reggie stumbled on a table and went crashing down to the floor with an ungraceful 'thud'.

"Smooth one, ex-lax." Shawn laughed at his brother before gulping down some beer.

As everyone chuckled and giggled drunkenly at Reggie, Rico's head found Soap's broad shoulder during her laughing process. Her dainty hand was near her smiling laugh and her eyes were pinched shut with happy amusement. He looked down at her as she finally caught her breath, enough to manage opening up her eyes. Not wanting to cause her to move, he simply remained still.

Realizing where she was, she sat up and looked at him. "Oh gosh, so sorry. I'm so fucking tired right now."

He nodded at her. "All good, lass."

She smiled before yawning.

"Mahbee it's tume fer ye to git to bed."

She had to snicker with bliss. "Man, that's cute."

He fell quiet and looked at her. Growing quickly light-hearted from the comment, he leaned in slightly closer to her. "Ye 'hink I'm coot?"

Unable to fight it off, she blushed lightly as she laughed. Wanting to change the topic, she shook her head. "One more beer, then I'll head off to my room."

He sat back and rested against the back of his chair. "Changin' tupics, eh see."

She popped open another bottle and smiled. Looking up, she met with his eyes which were still locked onto her. Blushing again, she turned her beaming face away from his. Her mannerisms were exceptionally charming tonight.

The night eventually crept into the early hours of the morning, and even though the drunken bliss and charm was still lingering around, eyes were starting to get droopy. Rico was the first to finally give-in to the weariness and allowed herself to lower down and rest her head and forearms onto the table before them.

Trevor pointed her out. "Rico's cashing-out."

A few eyes found her. She remained stationary, even when Soap's hand found her shoulder and shook it lightly.

"Awright, lass?"

She didn't reply. Soap sat up and set his beer down as he began to rise out of his chair.

Shorty yawned and stretched. "Girl's just sleepy, yo."

"Surprised your Native American blood didn't check you out early." Reggie stated.

She began to mock Reggie, only causing him to smile.

Eventually, Rico rose her head up and found Soap's face. He noticed the movement and looked back down at her.

"Ah, lass. Ready fer bed?"

She blinked at him and sat up before standing out of her chair while nodding. Her head spun and caused her to stumble lightly. Despite being tipsy, his reflexes were still fast as he seized her arm to help her keep her balance.

"Hey, will she be alright walking back to her room?" Shawn asked. "I can go if-"

"I'll help 'er." Soap responded before Shawn could finish his sentence.

"Alright…"

Soap helped her regain her footing as he gestured for her to follow. Growing more aware, she waved goodnight to everyone and followed Soap's steps. The two of them disappeared around the corner; both hearing their friends' distant voices lowering in volume as they continued to walk side-by-side.

Suddenly, Soap felt her arm wrap around his. He lowered his head to peer at her. She had a placid look on her face. Not wanting to disturb the moment, he remained quiet until they were able to finally reach her and Shorty's room on the second floor. The hallway was long and narrow, and remained lit up by warm-tinted bulbs.

She released his arm and sighed at the door. Her eyes remained locked onto the knob; it was apparent she was lost in thought.

He exhaled through his nose and put his hands in his pockets while he waited for her to speak. She was fair and pretty, even with her rosy cheeks and relaxed stare. Finally, she turned to face him with her mouth slightly open. But then her lips closed and she could only stare up at him with wide eyes.

He lowered his brow. "Ye doin' fine?"

She nodded at him.

Again, he waited for her to respond as her eyes slowly drifted off down towards the hallway.

"I-I guess I'll git goin'."

Before he could completely turn away and wish her a goodnight, her hand grabbed his wrist and kept him in place. "Wait."

Soap turned her body back to face her. She bit her lip and gazed up at him with mesmerizing eyes. "Thanks for walking me back."

He nodded. "No problum."

She looked down and shifted her weight as she continued to think. Eventually she brought her attention back up towards him. "I-I enjoyed you tonight. Thanks for showing me some more of your colors."

"Likewise," he continued to observe her face, trying ever so hard to read what she was thinking. "Ye goin' to be good?"

Again, she returned to biting her lip, but her hand remained grasped around his wrist. "Want to come in?" Her voice finally spoke out.

Not sure if he heard her correctly, he froze and paused briefly to run over the words. "I-I'm surry?"

Her cheeks began to grow more red as she gestured to the door. "Want to come in. That's what I asked."

He turned his head slightly to the side but kept his eyes on her. His stomach began to flutter with butterflies as he swallowed hard and thought deeply over it. He knew they were drunk, and he knew he handled the alcohol better than she did. He wanted to decline over just that thought alone, but her eyes were suddenly glowing with hunger and interest.

"Please join me."

His mouth was beginning to feel dry as his heart began to thump harshly against his chest, especially as certain thoughts began to pour into his mind. "I-are ye sure?"

She nodded at him. "Yes." She ran her tongue over her pink lips before opening her mouth up to speak. "I-I think I need this." Her eyes locked onto his and stared into his soul. "Don't deny it. I'm not stupid. I have been noticing how you stare."

He stepped closer to her, their auras encompassing each other. He was feeling at a loss of words, especially as he could sense the heat beginning to rise. "Couldn't help-"

He was cut off as she rose herself up and brought her lips against his. She brushed her lips along his lower one and tempted him to loosen-up. His body was tense, but his hands still found her upper arms and gripped on. Pulling back and staring up at him, she suddenly had to come to terms with the position they were both now in. And even as she stared into his eyes, she knew they were both about to walk a path they could not return from.

Noticing how sensual and enjoyable that touch was, he lowered back down and found her lips and returned the kiss; this time, she parted her lips allowing his tongue to caress her tongue and mouth. Both breathed heavily through their nostrils as her hand fumbled for the doorknob. She had to pull herself away from the hot kiss as she reached for the keys in her pocket. She thought 'fuck it, we're doing this'. Unable to resist, he planted hungry kisses against her neck, sending more sensations through her spine and stomach.

The door finally unlatched, she pursed her lips and pulled him inside. Her hands snagged his shirt and dragged him along until she managed to push him against one of the full-sized beds. His rear found the end of the bed as he sat up to wait for her to come at him. Closing the door and locking it up, she turned to him and through a few fallen locks, she stared passionately into his eyes.

She brought herself forward and found herself pushing against his front side after having dove at him. His strong hands squeezed at her waist, helping to keep her in place against his body. Both became immersed in wistful kissing and touching of their bodies. Her fingertips dug into his solid chest, and squeezed at his firm biceps, while one of his hands gripped her tight rear and his other hand climbed its way up her smooth back.

Suddenly, she released herself from the passionate moment and brought herself up, where she was now standing before him. Wanting to pull her back in, he had to resist and instead wait as her hands found the tail-end of her shirt and began to raise it up over her head. He watched in anticipation as the shirt inched its way up, revealing a flat, well-trimmed stomach, fair, lovely skin, and nice breasts still hidden behind a light-blue bra; his eyes found the few scars her body displayed, and for some reason, he actually liked it. His pants were tightening even more.

Tossing the shirt off to the side, she stared at him momentarily before lunging back into him. He welcomed it openly and ardently as his hands returned to feeling her up. His strength kept them in place as she straddled his lap and pressed her pelvic bone against his growing erection. She moaned softly as her hands began to tug at his shirt, signalling she wanted it removed. Not wanting to disobey orders, his shirt came off revealing two prominent and deep scars; one on his chest and one on his stomach. He allowed their weight to slowly lower against the bed, neither one refusing to let the other's lips go.

Still straddling his waist, she continued to grind against him and only increased his need for sexual release. He couldn't resist the urge to want to let his hands climb up her body, and eventually they came up to her bra strap. His eyes pinched shut with mild irritation as he struggled to unlatch the goods.

She started smiling and pulled back to stare down at him. "Having trouble?"

Somewhat embarrassed, he cleared his throat. "Aye."

She giggled and popped her bra off. He took a moment to stare her up and down as she slowly moved into his body and against his fervently pounding heart. Her bare breasts pressed against the hair and muscles on his chest, causing his breathing to increase and more blood to flow. Finally, wanting to take full-control, he flipped her over onto her back and got himself on top where he immediately planted his face into her breasts to lace them in hungry kisses.

Her fingers scratched gently against the curves in his back while the stubble on his face brushed and tickled her fair skin. He pulled himself up, stared deeply into her eyes, and opened her legs up to snuggle in between her thighs. She gasped lightly once he pushed his hips against her pelvic bone. His eager hands found their way against her back as he lifted her up to place her further up the bed and near the headboard. She grinned with excitement at his sudden burst of lust, and when he saw that playful smile pull at her pink lips he only grew more famished, especially once her hand got curious and began to feel around his south.

His strong hands tugged at her pants; it was forceful enough to lift her hips off of the bed. She snickered with enjoyment as her arms clung around his neck. Eventually, they were both completely bare and tightening against each other; she could feel his erection pressing into her stomach and upper thigh as he kept himself in place in between her legs. The muscles in his arms flexed as he held his upper-body hovering over her while they continued to suck face and enjoy the sensation.

She suddenly pulled away and fluttered her eyes open to meet up with his light-eyed gaze.

"Do it." She ordered as she raised her hips up with eagerness and hunger. Her head was spinning with a buzzed feeling and, of course, bliss. "Fucking do it."

Not wanting to go against her wishes, he pulled himself up slightly to get situated before he finally clamped onto her rear and hips and began to go in for a penetration. She bit her lip and furrowed her brow in mild discomfort as he attempted to gain access. Once the minor pain subsided, and he lowered completely against her, as much as their bodies allowed, she moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist. As the amount of pleasure increased, along with the rhythmic movement, the rest of the night became history.