Chapter 1 received a good sized new chunk. I added in Isaac's speech to the class. Check it out if you're bored and send me a pm with you think. Trying to fill out the chapters to make them healthier sizes like this one. Thanks for the great reviews!

Chapter 8

Isaac locked the door behind him and pulled out the small control pad to reactivate the alarm. It had cooled off and there was a nice breeze blowing. It had cooled off and there was a nice breeze blowing. Isaac inhaled the cool night air, stretched his arms, yawned, and then giving Cassandra a sleepy smile, finished inputting the alarm code.

"Afraid someone's going to steal your couch?" She asked with a soft laugh.

Isaac smiled and rubbed his face. "Actually Thor's the best security system I could have. He takes good care of all that important classified stuff." He gave her a mischievous smile. It was kind've fun teasing her with his mystery he had to admit. He pressed the buttons on the control pad. "But no need to make him do all the work."

She rolled her eyes and huffed. "Fine you keep your secrets, and I'll keep mine." She turned and walked towards the bike.

He followed after her and came up behind her as she slid on the helmet. He resisted the urge to take her arm and help her onto the bike. "Like you said, we did just meet. Friendships, especially a unique such as ours, take time."

She nodded without looking at him. "Yeah, that's true. Ok, come on, it's late and I need to get back."

Isaac yawned again and stretched his arms high above his head, arching his back, a content look passing over his face as he tensed and relaxed the almost every muscle in his upper body. Damn, I'm getting tired. It was that ridiculous dream that had kept him up the night before and consequently made him late for class. Cassandra watched him with amusement.

"Are you sure you're ok to drive?" She asked gently.

Isaac grinned reassuringly. "The wind'll wake up. It's a nice cool breeze."

Isaac climbed onto the bike, and she took her space behind him. She wrapped her arms around him as he started up the bike. She suddenly pulled back from him. He glanced over his shoulder.

"What's wrong?" He asked curiously. "Don't trust my driving?"

She pulled off the helmet and tossed it in the grass. She gave a delightful smile. "Apparently I trust it a lot." She slid back into position against him and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Let's go."

"Yes, Madam," he chuckled.

She patted him on the back. "It's nice out here. Take the long way, Colonel."

They had a pleasant and relaxing ride back, or as at least as relaxed as Isaac could get given the circumstances. The cool wind on his face had done well in keeping him awake, not to mention Cassandra's arms wrapped warmly around his midsection, her red curls at times tickling the back of his neck. He attempted to focus his thoughts on what had happened and how to handle this, but the closeness of her did not harmonize with logical thought. The sensation had lost some of its former awkwardness, only to awaken a different kind. Cassandra seemed content and at ease, her chin resting on his shoulder so she could feel the breeze herself. It took nearly an hour and was almost midnight by the time they made it back to the academy.

Isaac offered, rather anxiously, to walk her back to her room, and she acquiesced without much argument. He silently cursed himself for the offer, but nonetheless was glad she accepted. They walked mostly in silence, keeping a respectable distance between them. He couldn't believe he was acting like a teenage idiot. This is Cassandra! But you're not Jack. The argument played back and forth on his face and in his eyes as he glanced at her from time to time. She seemed oblivious, or was at least trying to spare him embarrassment by not drawing attention to it.

They both jumped when the quick and airy allegro of Mozart's "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" began to emanate from the cell phone in Isaac's back pocket. They shared an amused glance, each taking comfort in the other's awkwardness

He held up one finger to Cassandra and silently mouthed "one minute" as he pulled the phone from his pocket and flipped it open, noticing that the caller id was unable to display the number. "O'Neill," he said and vaguely wondered who would be calling at this time of night, though he had a fairly good idea.

"Verfiy foxtrot, alpha, beta, charlie, foxtrot," the man on the other end said.

Isaac let out a loud groan and gave Cassandra an apologetic smile, indicating this would take longer than a minute. He walked over and leaned against a nearby lightpost. Cassandra took a seat on the grass by the sidewalk and pulled her knees up under her chin. She sat watching him intently, biting the tip of her tongue, as he was beginning to notice was her habit.

"Verify Colonel Isaac O'Neill, charlie, charlie, beta, sierra, alpha."

"Verified, one moment please, Colonel," the man said and then put him on hold.

Cassandra yawned and gave him a questioning smile.

"Damn red tape," he muttered with a shrug. "You can go on without me if you don't want to wait."

One corner of her mouth raised in a slight smirk, and she shook her head bemusedly.

"O'Neill?" Colonel Davis asked from the other end.

"Yeah, Davis, you have any idea what time it is? I was asleep, and you woke up my dog."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Cassandra whispered and wagged her finger at him.

Davis chuckled. "Yeah, Colonel, I bet you were asleep. I'm going to need you to head back down here first thing tomorrow."

Isaac grimaced and ran his fingers absentmindedly through his hair. "What for? You said I was clear for at least three weeks. You know I'm taking a class at USAFA right?"

"What are you thinking? You've got way too much to worry about."

Isaac snorted. "You know me, gotta stay busy."

"Well, in any case I think you'll find this more interesting than sitting in a classroom with cadets, O'Neill."

Isaac glanced at Cassandra and sighed uneasily. "Depends, Davis."

"Well, believe it or not, the project has been delivered ahead of schedule. We want to go ahead and get some final tests knocked out so that we can continue to stay ahead of schedule. That'll give us a little room to breathe in case any issues pop up. General Carter's given the go ahead for us to start tomorrow."

Isaac's face brightened, though he tried to ignore the mention of Carter, and he pumped his fist in the air, earning a raised eyebrow from Cassandra. "By final tests, I assume you mean…"

"Yes, Colonel," Davis cut him off, "we're going to need you to push it to its limits."

"Alright, I'll catch a flight in the morning," Isaac said.

"We've already got you a flight set up at Peterson leaving at 0900. See you tomorrow, Colonel."

"Got it," Isaac said and flipped the phone shut. He glanced at Cassandra, who still sat with arms wrapped around her knees, regarding him with increasing curiosity mingled with a slight bit of impatience that he was still keeping her in the dark.

"Going out of town?" She asked expectantly.

Isaac nodded. "Yeah. I'll probably be gone for a few days."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I see. Dr. Bower won't be happy if you miss class after what happened today. You'll get in trouble."

He smiled and lazily wandered over to stand in front of her. "He'll get over it," he said, offering her his hands.

"You've got a rather high opinion of yourself," she teased, as she grasped his hands.

He easily pulled her to her feet. He quickly released her hands motioned for her to continue. She started on down the sidewalk, and he fell into step beside her.

"But, if you don't mind, it would be helpful if you could help me get caught up when I get back," he said tentatively, trying to make it sound like a friend helping a friend and nothing more. He wasn't ready for more and realized he might not ever be.

She turned a devious smile on him. "Maybe if you tell me what you're up to… I'll think about it."

He gave a snort and shook his head. "You're too curious for your own good."

"That's one of my more charming qualities," she replied innocently.

They continued on till they reached her dorm. They stood there nervously, uncertain what to say to one another that would be a fitting end to this unusual day. Isaac rested his hands in his pockets, glancing indistinctly at the stars. Cassandra's hands were clasped firmly behind her back as she rocked slightly on her heels, clicking her tongue anxiously against the rough of her mouth.

"So," she said finally, dragging out the word and drawing his attention, "this was an unusual day… but fun. It was good to get away from here. Usually the only time I'm off base is to visit mom and dad or go killing time with my roommate. It was nice to just relax and talk, and," she gave an alluring grin, "I love your bike."

Isaac grinned and shrugged nonchalantly. His mind shouted at him to offer a vapid response at best. He'd enjoyed the evening too much he thought and didn't feel he should encourage a friendship. At least he tried to convince himself that he didn't feel he should do that. "It was a lot of fun… despite the flashes of discomfort."

She tilted her head slightly and studied his face. She gave a short disappointed sigh. "I know. We'll have to work on that." She reached over a laid her hand on his forearm, giving him a welcoming stare. "Isaac O'Neill has no reason to feel uncomfortable. You got me?"

He nodded. He wasn't sure he believed her, but he wanted to. "I better get going Cassandra. I've got an early flight."

"Ok," she replied. "Did you want my number?"

Isaac blushed.

Her own face flushed to match his, and she glanced away timidly. "You know, so you can call me when you get back… about catching up on the class."

"Oh, yeah, of course," he said and pulled out his phone. He entered the number as she told it to him.

"Goodnight, Isaac," she said and offered him her hand.

He clasped her hand, and they shared a friendly handshake. Isaac found himself both reluctant to and rushing to let go. "Nite, Cassandra."