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

WARNING: OOC, LANGUAGE, SUGGESTIVE THEMES

Chapter 8: Epiphany

She walked within the Strategy Room with her head cast downwards. It had been a new day. But for her, the night was still plaguing her mind.

More precisely, his kiss.

His kiss…that forbidden kiss that she and Gale had shared happened only the previous night…and it refused to leave her mind.

She furrowed her eyebrows in deep concentration, biting her bent finger in thought. Why had he done it…? Did he…like her?

'No of course not!' she snarled within, 'It's to just damn prove a point!' she internally seethed.

Yes. He did that to shut her up, didn't he? It was all for that purpose. It was just to tell her that she had been mistaken about him; that she had been too presumptuous about him.

'Yea. That's probably it.'

"What's the matter with you woman?" a gruff and irritated voice asked from beside her.

At that, she immediately stiffened. Heat. She had almost forgotten about him. She bit her finger tighter; he shouldn't find out. Ever.

She turned to him, "No. Nothing's wrong. Just…"

Here, the redhead stopped and grabbed her arm, forcing her to halt her steps. Pink met red and she immediately shrunk where she stood. He was gazing at her intently…deeply, seeking to unlock the hidden secrets that he knew she was hiding.

"What's up?" he asked, "And I mean it."

She shook her head; using those few precious seconds to stall him and rack her brains for an alibi. Anything would do!

'Just don't let him…speculate…!'

"Just nervous I guess." she said, turning away from him.

Heat wasn't stupid. There was something amiss in her but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. "About what?" he asked with his eyes slightly narrowing.

"Today's briefing." she responded.

He raised an eyebrow, "Why? What's today's briefing about?"

She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, "Erm, I don't know. But, last time's briefing gave me the creeps. I don't want a repeat of that."

Aa…Nice save Ace!

Heat looked at her skeptically for but a moment before turning away and shrugging his shoulders and continued his walk, her hand in his, "I guess so. But hey, it was fun. It wasn't some bitch-assed lame mission." he commented lazily, his eyes on what lay ahead.

At that point, she was thankful that her boyfriend wasn't that smart. If he had been Serph, he would've known.

If he were like Gale then he'd-

No. That was a mistake.

'Stop thinking about Gale woman!' she shouted at herself.

She shook her head and continued to walk with Heat.

A moment later, they had arrived.

She looked to see Gale and immediately turned away. His eyes conveyed nothing and likewise, betrayed nothing. He was still the same old stoic man that she had known him for. Was it possible, then, that he had forgotten what it was that transpired between them that night?

'Maybe. I mean, he did have…a drink or two.' she thought to herself, 'Yea! And knowing him, his system wouldn't be able to take it! I mean, come on, he isn't used to stuff like that. In fact, that's probably the reason why he kissed you! He's drunk!'

"Argilla."

She blinked in confusion, "Eh?"

Heat rolled his eyes, "Maybe you should just stay here. You'd just be deadweight anyway."

"Yea mon." concurred Cielo, "And I thought dat I was de slow one, ja?"

Deadweight…? Slow one…? Just what the hell were they talking about!?

She shook her head, "Wait a second! Just what the hell are you talking about!?"

Gale touched his forehead, "If you weren't so self-absorbed perhaps you would've been able to comprehend the briefing." he spoke nonchalantly, his voice laced with sarcasm.

She blushed at that but suppressed it, gritting her teeth, "Then, can I please have a once over?"

xxxxx

"Hey! Aren't you going to help us out here!?" a strong and loud male voice bellowed as the rain continued to pour. There they were doing maintenance work on a bunker, in the downpour. She knew that she shouldn't have asked Gale for that once over nonsense!

If she didn't and continued to play dumb, maybe she would've been let off the hook, considering that her teammates had called her "deadweight" and "slow". But nooo…She had to ask Gale. And now, she was there, stuck in the middle of nowhere, enduring a storm.

Luckily, there had been a rock formation nearby that resembled a cave. And the fact that it was fit only for one person just sweetened the deal.

She turned to Heat, "No!" she shouted just as loudly, "I don't think I want to! Did you see how much it's raining out there?!" she yelled.

"Dat aint fair mon!" Cielo complained, whining childishly.

Heat rolled his eyes, "Useless woman…"

Argilla smirked at the two of them, chuckling every now and then as she looked at their pitiful forms. Her pink eyes widened in amazement and delight as she heard and saw lightning strike. She chuckled darkly, "Ooh…Just a little bit more to the left and…" she trailed off, wondering what it would be like to have her boyfriend and teammate roasted.

She chuckled at that again.

"I thought you said dat you'd take care of Gale ja!?" yelled Cielo from the downpour, turning his pitiable face in her direction, "You said no more bum missions ja!?"

At that, she snorted, "I didn't promise that!" she yelled back, "Besides, he's doing better you know?!"

"Oh yea!?" yelled Heat, "How!?"

"Yea mon! How is dis Gale any different from de old one ja!?" yelled Cielo, pouting, no longer caring about the rain on his hair and face.

Argilla glared at them and pouted; what-they didn't think that she was doing anything in the plan!? That she was shirking off!? Well, they were wrong!

Hmph!

"Hey! I have progress you know!?" she bellowed angrily.

The two males snorted and Cielo spoke, "Oh yea?! Like wat!?"

Her face was red with anger, "The new Gale has happens to know how to dance!!" she yelled.

At that. The world froze.

Heat's eyes were widened and so were Cielo's.

What…?

Gale what?

He knew…how to dance…?

Argilla's chest heaved up and down; there! Now would they leave her alone!?

She blinked though as she heard laughter.

"Bwahahahha!! Wat!?!?!" laughed Cielo uncontrollably, as he fell on the mud about him, clutching his stomach as he rolled to his sides, laughing.

Heat laughed too although his resembled more like a roar. And he wasn't as dramatic as Cielo.

She frowned, "It's not funny!"

At that, Cielo slowly pulled himself up and crawled closer to her, looking at her as he remained to be on all fours, just at her eye level, "Not funny!? Now I know you crazy!!! Hahahahah!! Gale…dancing!?! Wat's his dance called?!"

She opened her mouth to respond and yell at him but he cut her off, "No wait! Don't tell me ja!? It's probably called…de robot ja!?" he asked, laughing hysterically.

Again, he dropped on the ground rolled on its muddy surface.

She made a sour face.

Men.

"Ack!" yelled Cielo.

Argilla grinned. That lightning strike was too close to him…

'Hehehe…But it wasn't close enough…' she thought malevolently.

"Hey you freak!" yelled Heat, grabbing the young man by the collar, "Enough of the old man! We gotta have this bunker operational ASAP damn it!"

Cielo straightened himself and shrugged his shoulders as he saw his mud-puppy self. Oh well, he'd get cleaned up later.

Heat was right. So, now, controlling his laughter and focusing on his task once more, he spoke, "Okay, okay!"

Argilla was pleased as she watched the two of them at work once more, while she sat there, comfy.

As the seconds ticked by, she thought of Gale…and the feelings that she had for him. What were they exactly? Did she like him…?

Sure, she admired him…

But…

She thought long and hard, remembering their times together…their sweet dance…their kiss…

She felt something alright…

Her heart felt warm…but that was all.

She blinked; there was no passion in it…

She then looked at Heat and smiled as she saw his frustrated facial expression. He turned to see her face and glared at her before grinning. She read his expression. It read, "You owe me for this."

She nodded and he turned away, getting back to work.

Yes…

One look from him, her lover…her Heat and it had resolved her emotional conundrum. There was nothing else that she felt for Gale save for a strong sense of camaraderie and…brotherhood.

There was nothing else…

But Heat…

'I lurve you…you stupid boar.' she thought as she looked at him.

"Ack!!"

That was Cielo again. She blinked and turned away from Heat. She then saw that he had jumped backwards.

She sneered, 'Probably electrocuted himself.' she thought with a laugh.

And he said that she was slow.

'Payback is a bitch.' she thought darkly. No; not payback…per se. Karma.

"Dis is dangerous mon!" he spoke, whining.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Heat bellowed.

She turned to see her upset lover, looking at Cielo; scolding him.

"Damn it! What did you do!?"

That was Heat. Again. She blinked; what was going on? What were they doing?

"Erm, which wires went where again mon? De red one…and de red one…? Together?"

At that point, a punch was thrown. Argilla leaned back, laughing. She had to admit, this was a good pastime. It was a good diversion from her conundrums. Yes, she had settled one of her troubles…namely her feelings for Gale. But his feelings about her, well, that still remains to be solved.

But for now, she'd put that in hiatus. Seeing Heat punch Cielo was something that she deemed as fun.

"You idiot!" Heat yelled.

She chuckled again. Maybe she should lend them a hand.

xxxxx

Gale ran a hand through his hair. Yes. He had taken off that blasted hood. Although silence had reigned supreme and solitude pervaded him, Argilla's words still plagued his mind.

"Life…is passing you by! Can't you see that?!"

Had it really…? Had life really passed him by…?

Had life really left him behind?

He frowned and asked himself, 'How…old am I?'

'Tch. You're no spring chicken; that's for sure.' a voice within him commented snidely. He frowned.

No he wasn't. He wasn't by far anywhere near her age. His frown deepened, 'I'm almost twice her age.' he thought with a sensation that he could not properly decipher.

Was it akin to…spite?

"You've lived your life…without ever having lived."

Was that true? Had he lived his life…incorrectly? He frowned at that and stood. He walked over to the walls and looked at the silver carvings on the wall. Undoubtedly, he had caught a glimpse of his reflection.

He blinked.

He looked exactly like them; his comrades.

He looked as if he were their own age.

Was that youthful appearance the result of his procrastination on life…?

"The military isn't everything that life has to offer. There is…so much more Gale."

Was that another one of her so-called truths?

The military was all that he had ever come to know of. It was what he had been trained and groomed for. Nothing else.

It was his whole world.

"There is so much more for you out there Gale…"

What else was there?

He saw flashes then; flashes of…

His heart stopped.

He saw flashes of colors and hues. He saw the fleeting renditions of the dance of rays…He saw the clockwise whirlpool of eternal darkness…

He blinked.

'Our sunset…' he thought meaningfully.

Yes. Their sunset.

He then stiffened as his mind began to recall more of his ephemeral yet memorable times with his pink-haired comrade.

He remembered their dance…their drinks together…

"I just…I just don't want you to waste your life."

She didn't…?

Really?

Did she care for him so?

"Gale…Why are you always disciplined!? Why are you so god-damned straight-laced?! Can't you ever do anything out of…irrational thought!?"

Things done out of irrational thought? Could any good come out of it…?

What was she saying to him?

Was she saying that he should take the plunge and take the risk…?

Take the risk and find out.

"Why can't you understand that there are things that people do without reason?!"

Without reason.

He frowned.

Things done without reason.

He remembered alright. He had done something without reason or justifiable thought.

He touched his lips as he continued to stare at his reflection.

He had remembered their kiss. He looked at himself lamely. Was that his first kiss? He wasn't so sure anymore.

Although he wouldn't be surprised if it were.

He suddenly saw a flash of her visage beside his reflection that his breathing momentarily stopped. He blinked once, twice.

No; he was imagining things again.

Groaning, he tore his gaze away from there and walked back to his chair. He sat down and thought once more. Undeniably, his thoughts rested on her once again. He sighed, now complying with what it was his mind and heart desired.

They both wished to think of her.

And so, he obliged them both. His thoughts freely meandered to her. He then asked himself, why did he think of her? What was she to him? A mere comrade? No. It couldn't be it. Cielo and Heat were comrades and yet they did not plague his mind the way she did.

So…what was it then?

But then again, that wasn't the real question. The real question was, why did he allow himself to be dragged around by her? When she had asked for his company, why had he allowed it? When she had asked for his presence to be with her as she bore witness to the dying sun, why did he comply? Why?

When she had asked for him to be with her…in that tavern that night…And when she had insisted that they dance…When she had pressed her body against his…why had he allowed it?

Why did he kiss her…?

Why…did he enjoy it?

Why…did he want to feel it again…?

He blinked and stared at the wall in front of him blankly, "I want her."

xxxxx

Argilla dried herself off with a towel. She was glad that their little dumb mission had come to an end. She had been glad that she was within, once more, Muladhara. She was glad that she was clean.

A few minutes later, she was clean and dry…and clothed. She sighed guiltily; Heat had wanted to spend time with her that afternoon but she had refused.

She didn't want to.

But she had to.

She needed time to clear her head.

And she wasn't going to seek Gale out either. Oh no; that was the last thing on her mind. Right now, she needed a Heat and Gale-free evening.

She groaned as she sat on her bed, massaging her temples. 'Those guys…What a handful.' she thought.

She stared at the wall before her and let her mind leave her body. She suddenly saw herself with a certain green-haired man that she literally flew off her bed, "Whoa! Not cool! Not at all!" she said to herself, ridding herself of the unwanted images of their cold tactician.

Her skin crawled. It wasn't that she wanted to be with Gale…It was the thought of him coming onto her that disturbed her.

"Eww…"

Wanting to ward off the bewitching spell that she had undoubtedly found herself, she stood upright and headed for the door.

She opened it and gasped in surprise, "Heat!"

He grinned, "Hey, feel like…" he insinuated naughtily as he entered her room, grasping her waist, and backing her within the aforesaid room.

She snorted but then again, welcomed his touch and embraced him instead, "Hm…" she sighed as she closed her eyes, just leaning on him.

He raised ah eyebrow, "Hey…what's the matter?" he asked with a low tone, as much as possible attempting to conceal his state of being concerned.

Argilla smiled; he may hide it, but she knew.

He frowned; she wasn't this clingy. What was wrong? She didn't even shove him or hit him.

"Nothing Heat…"

"Bullshit." he deadpanned.

She giggled at that, "Really. It's nothing." she said as she pulled away, letting their eyes meet, "Just…just stay here with me…"

With those words, she embraced him once more, her head pressed against his chest. She heard the calm beating of his heart…and she was content.

Heat frowned again. He had come to her room to "collect" on her due payments; more specifically, to collect on what she owed him from the last mission…

He had been hoping to…spend "quality time" with her…And it wasn't the first time either. He had distinctly remember telling her that he would hold her personally responsible if Gale still remained to be an asshole and sent them on dumb missions…

But he was displeased to see her the way she was now.

At that, at seeing her, his objective of collecting dues didn't seem relevant at all, 'Nah…I don't need that shit anyway…' he thought as he continued to hold her.

He frowned further. There was something wrong…and he could feel it. But nonetheless, he held the woman against him tightly…with the affections that he knew he could only feel for her.

xxxxx

Today was a bittersweet day in Argilla's eyes. Today was the day that Serph had returned to Muladhara and had taken back control.

She was glad that he was back. Now, again, she felt all the more safe. With him, she could never feel threatened or uneasy.

But that aside, the day was not at its best. Gale had filed for a week's leave. And she could only wonder as to why…

Cielo, Heat and Serph didn't question it and had deemed it only as necessary for Gale as he had worked tirelessly to keep Muladhara up and running during Serph's absence.

The act seemed so flawless. Gale seemed so deserving of this leave that no one questioned him. And he played along. He showed them that he really "needed" the leave. And so, it was granted.

But she knew it to be a farce.

He wasn't leaving because he was tired.

'It's…because of me isn't it?' she thought sadly.

She furrowed her eyebrows in anger. It had been her fault to begin with. Hell, everything had been her fault. It had been her plan that had Gale's life take that initial turn for the worst. If it weren't for her, Cielo and Heat wouldn't have had acted on that prank of theirs.

And then…when she had tried to make it all better…to make all of his troubles go away…she seemed to have only made it worse. And now, her attempts to alleviate his troubles had only exacerbated them…and that…ultimately, directly contributed to him isolating himself…thus leaving her in the dark.

Her heart felt a painful prick then.

It was her fault.

She shouldn't have pushed him too far.

But now what…?

Now, she herself knew not what to do. When he had kissed her, he had sent her within a whirlpool of her own; a whirlpool of utter perplexity to which she knew not whether to recover from or not.

She groaned, "Gale…What have I done…?"

No.

That wasn't it.

"What have you done…?"

No. That was wrong too.

"What have we done…?"

Now what? Would she avoid him? No. That was not an option. She had told herself that long ago; she would not abandon a comrade in need.

'Never!'

And so, again, the ever vigilant flame of determination flickered…only for it to burn in sheer animosity as she felt her resolve be reinforced.

No.

She wouldn't abandon him. Even if he would push her away, she would work out everything between them. She was his friend; his comrade. She won't let him forget that.

xxxxx

Serph had finally returned. And now, he had time for himself. He blinked; he didn't think that he'd need it before. Before this, he had never really needed "time for himself". No. For him, when he had taken that oath to the tribe, he had sworn his time…his body…his soul for it. He would do everything for the tribe.

And that was how he had lived his life.

But now, as he appraised himself and realized that he was indeed exhausted, he saw that he was indeed in need of time for himself. And now that he had it, he felt…content.

'Strange…' he thought blankly, 'It never used to feel this way.'

He had never been idle in his life. He always had to do something. Anything to keep his mind and body occupied. But now, there was nothing. Nothing stimulated his senses…

He frowned and he knew why.

He knew why he was like this.

It was her.

She had been right…hadn't she?

The things that she had made him feel were nothing short of extraordinary. Those sensations that she had allowed him to perceive were fascinating. Those quaint little moments when they would "fool around", so to speak, were moments that he found himself to be contemplating over more often than not.

Those moments…brought a smile upon his otherwise grim-lined lips.

Life with her…was completely different from the way he had lived his life. With her, it was as if everything was new. It was as if he was looking at everything for the very first time; the way an infant would behold the skies…

She…had opened a door filled with possibilities for him; possibilities that he never once thought existed.

And now, as he walked through that door and had seen a possibility in which he had found mirth and…reluctant delight, he had come to a conclusion.

"I had…wasted my youth."

xxxxx

It had been a week now, since Serph's return.

She walked briskly, towards his room. She had time and time again attempted to contact him and see him…but he always did manage to elude her altogether.

It would always be that he wasn't in his room…or that he was awfully busy to entertain her. She would find him huddled over tons of paperwork which annoyed her. He was supposed to be on leave and yet he still worked!

She didn't mind all that and would've marched towards him in order to speak with him…

But…

She didn't.

He hadn't been alone at that time.

'Or in any other time I found him in either.' she thought with blazing eyes. She was having that gnawing gut feeling at the back of her mind at that point. Was it possible that he had ensured himself to never be alone…? Was it a countermeasure that was made solely to keep her from his life…?

She frowned at that.

But no matter, she would find him and she would right all the wrongs.

She nodded as she found herself in front of his room. With a solemn face, she knocked.

xxxxx

Gale rolled his eyes. That infernal knocking had yet to cease its ever vexing exploits. The knocking had been going on for half a minute now.

Didn't the person on the other side of the door understand that he wasn't interested? Didn't the person outside understand that there might be no one within the room?

As his thoughts and rhetorical queries had expired themselves, his conscious mind once more found itself plagued by the incessant knocking. And so, he stood from the comfortable chair that he had seated himself upon and walked over to the metallic door of his room. With a stoic and sour face, he opened the door, ready to pierce the unfortunate soul on the other side with his deadly gaze.

xxxxx

"A-Argilla…" he trailed off.

She smiled tightly at him as she noticed the surprised look within his facial features. So, he had not expected her to be there, had he?

"Gale."

As she said his name, his surprised expression vanished, replaced now with a blank demeanor, "Yes Argilla. What can I do for you?"

He hadn't expected her to be there. He had assumed that with his behavior the previous week, that it was enough for her to see that he wasn't interested in resuming his contact with her…

But then again, seeing her there defeated his earlier assumption.

Argilla repressed the urge to wince at the way he regarded her. He was closing himself up once more, wasn't he? Well, she wouldn't let it happen.

"Hey Gale. The last week had been really hectic, huh?"

He continued to appraise her aesthetically-pleasing appearance…clearly being enticed. But remembering who he was, he held his ground, "Yes it has." he responded bluntly, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Argilla could feel the weight and the intensity that his eyes seemed to pour on her…She could feel herself beginning to shrink…The feeling of awkwardness was overwhelming. But be that as it may, she would not allow it to rule her.

"Oh Gale!" she said as she threw a playful slap on his arm, "Don't be so stiff. Come on! The night is young! What do you say to a drink eh?" she asked with all cheerfulness that she could muster.

The man looked at her blankly.

Gale touched his forehead, "I am sorry Argilla. I cannot accompany you."

Here, she pouted, "Aw…Why not? Come on Gale, there's no duty right? You're still on leave. In fact, this is the last night before you resume your duties right? So, there! So, come on please…?"

Gale narrowed his eyes at her. She was behaving as if nothing had transpired between them that transgressed all forms of friendship. She acted as if he hadn't kissed her.

He didn't know whether to be insulted at that…or be gladdened.

"Argilla, I do not wish to leave. I want to remain here." he told her frankly, his green emerald orbs sharpening themselves only to pierce her mellow pink eyes.

She blinked; she could see it in his eyes…

He was closing himself off…

Here, she had let all the charades drop, "Gale, what's the matter with you?" she asked with an irked tone.

The nerve of her to present to him such a demanding query! He frowned, his lips set on a disapproving line, "I do not need a reason to prefer to remain in my quarters. After all, it was you who had said that there are things that people did without reason, correct?"

Argilla couldn't believe him! He was twisting what she had said! It was completely taken out of context!

"This is just one of those." he told her in a flat tone, his eyes refusing to leave hers.

She parted her lips to refute him but found herself mute.

Gale watched her state of silence and there nodded, "Then, I bid you goodnight."

Before Argilla could say anything, the door was closed on her face.

At that, she gritted her teeth. If that was the way he wanted it, then fine!

'See if I care!'

She knew that that was a fallacy…

But as anger and embarrassment reigned her system, she cared not.

xxxxx

A/N:

The Robot Dance: It was a style of a dance that was made by the Jackson Five in 1974. It's a dance wherein the dancer imitates the movements of a robot that is characterized by a stiff posture, with his or her joints bent in an abnormal way. The dance is made with quick jerky movements that are made to give the impression of starting motors and gears in a machine.