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

WARNING: OOC, MODERATE LANGUAGE, LEMON.

Chapter 13: A Circle in a Circle; a Wheel within a Wheel

He was in utter disbelief. What did she say? She…didn't like him that way…?

What did that mean?

His chest tightened and his eyes felt heavy. His breathing became ragged and shallow, taking in quick short breaths, "What does that mean?" he asked, his eyes begging at hers to make clarity of it all.

Argilla saw the look on his face.

It was her fault wasn't it, for making him feel this way…?

"Gale…"

For the first time, since they had formed their friendship, she was tongue-tied. She knew not what to say.

Gale was confused. They had had a wonderful time together, didn't they…?

His eyes pleaded with hers and there, his stoic, calm and collected face crumbled. Pain was etched onto his youthful appearance, "We…I thought you and I had a great time together…"

She bit her lip, "We did Gale…We really did. Those times that I spent with you are those that I'd always remember."

He then shook his head as he closed his eyes, "But I don't understand…If that was so, then why do you…" he paused as he opened his eyes once more in order for them to meet her pink orbs, "Why do you say that we cannot be together…?"

She sighed, "I…I just don't feel that way about you." she whispered sadly, yet truthfully.

At hearing those damning words, he could feel his world beginning to crumble. Then, were all of those words that she told him, merely lies…? The times that she spent with him, those were out of…pity?

Had she deceived him?

"But…But those things that we talked about…" he insisted, once more searching her eyes, her heart for that flicker of hope that might save him…

Argilla wanted to gut herself right there. It was her fault. She didn't mean to make him feel this way…It wasn't her intention. She merely wanted to be his friend.

But he had misconstrued her motives…

And now, her plan had backfired on her.

"Don't tell me…that they were all lies…?" he asked painfully, his calm voice beginning to crack, finally revealing to the woman before him the vulnerable human being that he kept thus far hidden.

A painful feeling eroded her senses; Gale was her friend. And right now, she was crushing him. But then again, she had no choice.

"No Gale." she said slowly, her hand touching his cheek tenderly, "They weren't lies. None of them were. You are a special person Gale. You are. And yes, there is so much more in this life for you other than your career. There is happiness Gale. Happiness."

At that, he crumbled, "I am happiest with you." he told her honestly, without hesitation, his voice though, still as nonchalant and stoic as ever; a total contradiction to his jade orbs, swimming with raw emotion.

Her breath got caught up in her throat, "Gale…" she trailed off, her hand falling from his cheek.

"I…" he paused, "I love you." he said after a moment's breath. It had taken him almost an infinity within that moment's breath to utter such words that he before considered inconceivable…

But there he was, helpless and totally defenseless against the wicked force that was love and affection. That moment felt like an eternity for him; there he was wondering if his next words would save him…or damn him.

Argilla forced her heart to harden. Again, she had been the fool. How stupid could she have been in order to not expect such a thing as this to happen between herself and Gale? How could she have not noticed his feelings evolve?

She noticed none of it. Or did she?

Perhaps she did but she rejected the notion of it ever happening and so hid behind the shadow of denial…

Yes; denying and pretending that it didn't exist was the easiest thing to do, wasn't it?

'Heat was right…About everything…' she thought.

"Argilla, you and I are a perfect match." he told her sincerely. "You and I have a bond…an understanding that goes deeper and beyond the physical call of eroticism. You…you understand me the way I understand you."

"We are…kindred." he finished, holding the female's petite and soft hand in his.

Argilla bit her lip, "Gale, it's…It's not right."

Gale's countenance was calm but it was his eyes that betrayed everything. With a low tone and in an almost spiteful manner, he asked, "Is it because I am twice your age?"

Argilla's pink eyes widened; she hadn't even considered age to be factor. Not in the least bit. She immediately shook her head, "No! It's not that-"

He frowned, not believing her, "You are being dishonest." he told her flatly.

She sighed, "I'm not. It's not about age…It's not about…"

He cut her off, pulling her hand within his tightly, "Is it because you deem me to be too old for you?"

She couldn't believe what she was hearing! Gale just didn't understand!

With her annoyance coupled with his apparent ignorance of the situation, she growled, her pink eyes narrowing, "Gale, it doesn't matter to me if you're eighteen years old or if you're eighty!" she half-yelled, taking the man before her by surprise.

She frowned and continued, "It doesn't matter." she repeated, whispering this time, her eyes never leaving his, "I would love you the same…regardless of how old you are."

He smiled ruefully, "Then why can't we-"

She groaned; there was that question again.

Gale's emerald pools hardened, "Is it because of Heat…?" He frowned, "But…He does not care for you or understand you the way I do. His mental acumen is severely lacking comparatively to yours…I…"

He found himself silenced as he listened to her sigh.

What was the matter?

She closed her eyes, curling her hands and fingers, closing them slowly, before looking at the man in front of her with sad eyes, "Gale…Don't you see that the answer is simple…?"

He was perplexed. He didn't comprehend.

What was she talking about?

"I am with Heat not because of…of the words that he uses…or the brains that he has…or the lack thereof. I am with Heat simply because I love him." she said, stressing her word 'love'.

"But, how can you love a person who does not communicate with you effectively…? Who is beneath you intellectually…? Someone who is completely different in terms of behavior, social upbringing and so forth…?" he asked confusedly.

She bit her lip again, "Gale…Have you forgotten all that I told you?"

He blinked in confusion.

"I told you…People do things without rational thought." she said, squeezing his hand in hers, "Love…is like that Gale. Love doesn't take into consideration rational thought. It doesn't measure the person you love based on…criteria like physical appearance or, or mental capacity…! Love isn't like that…" she whispered.

He shook his head, "I…I do not comprehend." he told her honestly.

"I love Heat for simply being him. I love him…because he's him; he's Heat." she explained to him, "I love him because there is something in him that makes me love him."

At that, Gale's emerald eyes flew to hers, "Don't I have that too?" he asked.

Again, a painful prick was perceived in her heart, "No."

Gale cast his head down. No. A simple answer.

He then narrowed his eyes and looked at her again, "Would you love me if I acted like Heat?"

Her eyes widened. What was he talking about…!? Didn't he understand anything that she had thus far stated?! Her eyes widened and dilated at extreme proportions as she pondered over his absurd query.

"W-what…? Gale…!" she whined as she found herself being pulled by his strong hands, towards his direction. She pressed her palms on his chest and leaned back as he leaned in, now beaming with outmost confidence in his actions.

She blinked numerous of times in total disbelief, "G-Gale…This has nothing to do with Heat."

He leaned again and again, she put the distance in between them, "Then what do I have to do in order for you to love me?" he asked calmly, his green eyes boring into her pink jewels.

She bit her lip, "Nothing!"

He leaned back and raised a curious eyebrow, "You mean, I don't have to do anything in order for you to love me?"

She wanted to scream at him. Where had the intelligent Gale gone!? This one in front of her seemed so detached from the world of common sense that it was beginning to be overly vexing.

He was taking everything out of context!

"No!" she exclaimed, "That's not what I-"

"If not, then you do require for me to do something then?" he prodded, cutting her off, his arms snaking around her petite waist.

She blushed as she felt herself being embraced by him. A second later, she found herself being kissed by his hungry lips.

Her heart beat wildly, as his tongue and lips explored her lips expertly. She moaned. She wanted to curse herself; this was betraying Heat damn it! She hated her damn body for responding…! For kissing him back!

Gale knew it. He knew that she was lying. There was something that she felt for him, wasn't there?

His hand, which was on her waist, traveled downwards, traveling down beneath her jacket and over to her corset…He slowly unzipped the garment and felt her black Embryon brassiere. Her skin felt hot against his heated fingertips…

He couldn't get enough of her…Her mouth tasted so sweet…so addictive…Like the forbidden liquor that he swore he'd never taste…the sweet, sweet wine that the gods had deprived man of, he now tasted. A low groan was born from within his deep abdomen, only to erupt ever so slowly, so sensuously upon his throat and there traveling over to his lips where he passed it onto his reluctant partner.

He leaned in further and laid her down on the floor once more, there forcing the woman against him to be on her back, with him nestled comfortably in between her parted legs…

Argilla suddenly opened her eyes and shouted into his mouth. She growled; why the hell did she always find herself in these sorts of situations!?

She tightened her muscles, preparing to retaliate against his tight grip but he felt her do so and so, caged her body effectively, not giving her any space to maneuver, thus nullifying her efforts.

Her mind reeled and there she thought.

She then figured it out…

She relaxed in his arms…

A moment later, she felt him become lax against her…

A split-second later, she pushed him off of her and glared at him, "What the fuck was that Gale!?" she screeched.

He blinked, surprised even at his own behavior, "Argilla. I merely wish to point out that-"

She grabbed her corset and put it on hastily, "Point out what!?" she hissed angrily, waiting for the next idiotic and nonsensical words to pass from his perfectly intelligent and articulate lips.

But…none ever did.

He was as silent as a graveyard.

As she clothed herself, she felt his eyes on her. She stole a glance at him as she rearranged herself and saw that he stared at her curiously; not lustfully, like she expected him to.

There was just a gentle glow in his eyes…that made her heart soften again.

She felt all anger and insult be washed away…

It wasn't his fault that he acted the way he did and did what he did…He was a man looking for something; something that she herself made him feel deprived of. And that something was love.

The poor thing just…fell in love with her. That was a mistake. His and hers both.

That was why the burden, this responsibility, was on her shoulders. She had created a person in his cold and hollow shell. She had ignited the fires of emotions and the flames of passion within him.

And because of that, she could not merely leave him…

That was the worst thing that she could ever do to him.

It was as if she had created a child, only to abandon it at the first doorstep that she could find…

No. She wouldn't abandon him.

Even if things got crazy, she wouldn't.

She sighed as she finished dressing herself and looked at him again, "Gale…I…Acting like Heat won't change anything…"

He looked at her the way a six year-old would to a calculus teacher and tilted his head to the side, "But…I don't understand…"

She sighed and cut him off, "You're not Heat. And Heat's not you." She then came close to him and touched his cheek, "Gale…I love you." she whispered with outmost sincerity.

His heart skipped a beat at that and his jade orbs shone in happiness.

She saw this and felt all the more guilty. It was the emotion of happiness that she herself would destroy. She would destroy him; she would save him.

"I love you…like my brother."

The look of serene calm within Gale had suddenly been shattered as his brain, moreover, his heart, had comprehended the words that she had said.

The smile that he had worn in his heart slowly vanished and the weak flame of hope within his soul slowly dissipated…and died.

Argilla drank in his still calm and stoic countenance. And there, she scooted ever closer to him, and embraced him. He did nothing in her arms. Neither did he return her embrace nor did he move away…

He merely…hovered.

He didn't know what to make of that moment. He could feel that hot yet cold feeling within him. He blinked as he appraised the aforesaid curious sensation and remained perfectly still. His chest tightened to such a degree that his breathing had become severely constricted…His fingers tingled in anxiety as the urge to destroy something haunted his hands…

His eyes felt heavy that he yearned to close them…But he just didn't want to. He was afraid that when he did, he would be snatched from that reality and brought onto another one…A reality where none of this had happened.

A reality without her in it.

And even though she had dealt him an almost fatal blow, he did not mind it. The blow came from her…

That was all that mattered.

"I'll see you at 0500 hours Gale. Goodnight." whispered his comrade, before letting go of him and leaving the room altogether.

He sighed. Now that she was gone, the room that seemed alive and felt warm had now reverted back to the ice palace that it had always been before she entered his life. He looked around at the seemingly perked up cheerful room…but no matter how much he willed it, it simply…did not feel warm or cheerful.

It was transfigured back to its mundane, drab and dull self.

She had taken the light and the warmth with her…? Hadn't she?

He sighed. He closed his eyes momentarily and opened them a moment later. He felt a wet sensation at the back of his hand. He raised an eyebrow.

There was a drop of liquid on it.

He frowned and touched his face.

A tear.

'Hm…Tears…' he blinked and looked at it calmly. He never thought that would happen to him. Ever.

xxxxx

"Heat…!" she breathlessly exclaimed as she ran to him. It had been a few hours since her incident with Gale and she had been informed that the team had returned that very same night.

Heat felt nothing but apprehension ever since he had left for Muladhara…

But then, he felt it dissipate and altogether disappear as his lover and mate ran to him, a smile on her face.

He grinned and welcomed her with open arms as she embraced him, almost tackling him to the ground of the garage.

Heat wasn't blind though, as he continued to hold the woman in his arms that he saw another pair of eyes on them.

Aa…

The old goat.

He blinked; something happened. He just knew it. But somehow, he didn't feel…angry. No. His instincts were telling him that nothing undesirable had happened.

Well, whatever it was, Argilla could tell him. He'd ask about it later. Right now, he wanted to savor the feel of her against him; savor the smell of her…

It had been too long…

Too long…

xxxxx

Heat smirked as he looked at his lover. There she was, seated on a simple chair, reading a book. His smirk widened as he watched her facial expression change as she continued to read. He saw, amused, as her eyes widened and how her lips were pursed together, almost as if she were irritated.

Her hair was still in their buns and yet, stray locks of pink dangled from her Chinese buns, hanging by her shoulders and some making their way on her collarbone.

He licked his dry lips as he continued to watch her.

It had been…

'It's been…nineteen days…five hours…and…' He paused momentarily to steal a glance at the clock. It was 2300 hours.

'…And forty-five minutes…'

With a seductive grin that the world knew could only originate from him, Heat slinked over so slowly towards her. His footsteps were as light as a feather and an impish grin graced his full lips. His red eyes were glowing in that all-too-familiar predatory gaze…His hands clenched and unclenched in severe anxious anticipation as he prepared to take the final descent upon his unsuspecting prey…

His heart raced as his eyes widened still, his mouth beginning to hang agape as a feeling of sheer primordial longing coupled with insanity began to overwhelm his senses…

He lightly and noiselessly sniffed the air and once he did, did a jolt of energy pulse surged throughout his body and nerves.

It was her fragrance…

'Jasmine…'

His blood coursed and boiled at the amorous scent and at that moment, only the thought of consummation crossed his mind…

He was going to make her scream…

He took the final step and there grabbed the book that his lover had been reading and tossed it far away.

The woman on the chair was displeased and she immediately yelled, "Heat! What the hell-"

He was deaf to whatever mindless babble that was to come forth from her luscious full lips…Without warning, grabbed her by the arms and hoisted her up, pulling her roughly to her feet, to stand right in front of him, ensnaring her in for a bruising kiss.

She moaned and groaned in displeasure at the contact. He was kissing her roughly, his tongue like a poisonous snake, striking her innocent tongue furiously and without consideration…He kissed her with reckless abandon.

She gripped the fabric of his uniform tightly in her hands as she pulled herself away only to have herself be pulled back.

Heat leaned in and slanted his face to hers, his tongue diving even deeper still within her sacred grotto, almost suffocating her. Argilla growled and snarled against his persevering mouth, unrelenting tongue and unyielding lips but her efforts were futile as he kissed her even deeper still.

Her salvation finally arrived as she found him now on her neck, suckling hungrily…She closed her eyes, resistance long gone from her mind…She shot her eyes open once more in a breath of fright as she felt his sharp shark-like teeth sink into her flesh. His pearly white teeth sunk into the lump of sensuous skin and drew blood.

Heat felt the oozing of her hot and sweet blood…He couldn't resist…He just had to get a taste.

He flicked his tongue over the wound and slowly licked away the crimson nectar…He swallowed it happily and suddenly…something fiercer…something more elusive and more malicious stirred awake within him…

Feeling himself be warped and altogether be transformed into that beast that slumbered within, he grabbed his woman tighter and tore her apparel from her, ignoring her yells of indignation, her groans of annoyance…and her yelps of displeasure.

He had waited too long…

'Nineteen days…' he thought knowingly…

Not long after that, did he have her bare.

He pulled away from her and let their eyes meet. She quivered with fear as she saw the lust and malice in her lover's eyes…

His eyes…They were so intense…so malevolently fixed on her that she was stupefied.

And now, as they neither spoke, she knew this to be the calm before the storm…

And like the unexpected hurricane, his chilling voice uprooted her from her spot, and she once more trembled at hearing his commanding words and his deadly menacing voice, "Take it all off."

She blinked and she immediately knew what he meant.

Like a frightened small child, afraid of disobeying her parent, she did as she was told without question and without hesitation. She acquiesced to his command and let her fingers glaze over his uniform before taking it off of him, piece by piece.

"Hurry up."

She stopped and stole a peek at him only to see his irritated and displeased face. She blinked and set to work quickly…

She let out a breath of relief as his uniform abandoned his chiseled muscular body and ornamented the floor about them…

She stiffened as she felt him cup her womanhood in his hand, with him leaning close to her, his head at the crook of her neck, "Did you miss me…?" he whispered darkly, yet dreamily.

She almost choked as she left his digits push within her unexpectedly. She gasped in surprise, "Heat…!"

He pulled her to him with his other hand as he continued his ministrations, chuckling darkly as he felt her womanhood tense and clench around his three fingers…He thrust them within her at a fast rate, beckoning to her in a come-hither fashion, making her be on her tiptoes, trying to reach his full height, trying to heighten her own pleasure. He chuckled darkly as he sped up his strokes, making lean even closer against him…

She moaned, groaned, gasped and wheezed against him, her fingernails digging onto the skin of his back as she stood limply against him, holding onto him for dear life…

"Heat…Heat…! I…I want you…you…" she moaned over and over as his fingers moved to and fro her sacred passage…

"What about Gale?" he asked, frowning at his own question.

"G-Gale…?" she asked, having lost half of her mind and sanity, knowing only of his touches…

"No…No Gale…Heat…Heat…" she babbled incoherently as she was lost from this world.

He laughed as he heard her. Perhaps he should have a recording of this…? He wondered what she would make of it should she hear herself…

"Heat…!!!!"

She screamed and there, her knees buckled. He was ready for her and there let his fingers exit her womanhood, in order to catch her leaning form. He caught her only to push her away. She landed uncouthly on the bed.

She remained there for a moment, trying to catch her breath when once more, her hair stood upon one end as she heard his voice.

"Come here."

She forced herself to sit up and gaze at him. She blinked, uncertain, as she saw him seated on the very chair that she once sat on.

She bolted up and walked over to him as she saw that his face was beginning to contort into that of utter distaste. She didn't really want to displease him…

Heat was a good person; a reliable comrade, strong and proud. He was loyal to those he loved…But he had a flaw.

He lost himself in the throes of passion. Passion had him by the throat…

She wouldn't dare cross that line…

No.

Never.

She walked over to him, "Heat…?"

He looked at her with veiled eyes; veiled thickly with lust…lust for the flesh or for the blood, she didn't know.

He gestured for her to move forward, in between his parted legs. She did as she was told and there stole a glance at his manhood. It was awake…and throbbing. She blinked and then gasped as she found herself pulled against him.

"Ride me." he instructed, his voice husky and low.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and blindly did as he asked…

She now sat on him, her legs on either side of him, her hands on his shoulders. She slowly pulled herself up and slowly…ever so slowly eased herself upon his stiff and engorged manhood.

Both let out a throaty moan at the contact.

Heat quivered in sweet delight as he found himself deeply buried within her…He looked at her and saw that she had had her head thrown backwards, her eyes closed and her mouth parted, chanting his name over and over.

"Ride me…!" he growled angrily as he grabbed her buttocks, squeezing her tightly.

She shot her eyes open at that and slowly moved her hips, as their dance began.

Heat grabbed her torso and pulled her even closer, meshing their bodies together as she rocked against him, thrusting vehemently…

"Faster…" he commanded.

She complied.

"Harder…!"

She obeyed.

The chair's legs began to thump wildly as their dance got ever fervid. Heat gritted his teeth as he fought with rational and irrational thought. He had to balance both he reckoned. For if he didn't, her hard thrusts would send them flying and land down on the floor.

And so, he kept the chair in perfect balance; balancing both her and himself on the chair…

He groaned loudly as he felt himself being squeezed within. Her womanhood gripped his manhood tightly…without any leverage for movement…

And then…

At a wild and violent rush of emotions and passion, euphoria had reigned supreme. They had met their ends…

"Heat…!!!!" she screamed.

He merely grunted as he spilled his essence within her.

She soon fell limp against him and again, he caught her with open arms. She had her face buried at the crook of his neck and there just…rested. He stroked the smooth and now sweaty skin on her spotless back, soothing her.

He grinned.

It had been too long…

'Nineteen days…'

xxxxx

"So…He sent you away so that he may come near me…?" she asked, as she laid splayed on Heat's bare chest.

"Hn…" was his grunted response.

"What-did he propose to you or something?" Heat scowled condescendingly.

Argilla, thankful that the darkness as well as her position on him had hidden her, bit her lip in apprehension and anxiety.

"No."

She didn't mean to lie to him…

But Gale was a problem that she could handle by herself. She didn't need Heat to further complicate things.

'That's all he'll do.' she mentally drawled, making a sour face. She loved him, yes and she chuckled in delight at that knowledge, but the fact still remained that her mate had the strongest tendency to overreact.

And she knew that should he learn of what all had transpired between herself and Gale, well, another apocalyptic era would begin.

"No?" he asked, repeating her word.

She bit her lip tighter, "Nothing happened while you were away…"

Heat found that terribly hard to believe. Who did this woman think she was fooling? He wasn't green; he wasn't a cadet and he wasn't a rookie. He tightened his hold on her, exerting more pressure than she would've liked. He knew this because she gasped against him.

"Don't lie." he warned.

"I'm not lying." she responded.

"Nothing happened." she said, holding her ground and remaining true to her earlier statement.

"He and I had gotten closer…He's…changed."

At that, Heat quirked an eyebrow, "Oh? How so?" he asked, his suspicion heightening.

Argilla felt her throat suddenly become very dry.

"He's not the same old man that we used to make fun of." she said, "I think, he finally took our advice."

"What advice?" he asked, growing irritated at her mind-games.

"To really live."

xxxxx

Breakfast came and the table was in silence. Argilla could feel the subversive oozing of tension amongst them but tried to ignore it. She stole a glance at Heat, who ate his food calmly and then peeked at Gale was concentrating on his rations.

She was getting annoyed.

She looked at Serph, who sat right across from her and smiled lively, "So Serph, anything interesting happened out there?"

The silver-haired man smiled tightly, "Not much."

Well, she tried. She tried to make conversation. But no one seemed to be interested. And if that was the case, then they could just kiss her shiny hiney!

She grumbled and pouted, "Boring old man…"

At that though, she felt Gale shift uncomfortably in his seat. She wondered for a moment as to why, but then blushed as she realized it. He probably thought that she was speaking of him.

She then heard a low chuckle. She turned to her side and saw a hint of a grin on her lover's face.

She rolled her eyes, 'I'm surrounded by men…But all of them are boys. Ten-year-old boys trapped in twenty year-old bodies. Eww…' she thought in annoyance and disdain.

She was roused from her reverie as she felt a friendly nudge at her left side. She turned to the blue-haired young man with a questioning gaze, "What's up?" she asked, whispering.

The young man cleared his throat and chuckled, "Erm, I thought dat he'd be cooler ja?" he said. "Where's de cool Gale? Isn't he done yet?"

Her stomach churned at that.

The talk that she, Heat and Cielo had had about Gale seemed to have happened too long ago…that it seemed more like an ephemeral dream more than a valid memory. Yes; she remembered. She had volunteered to make Gale "cool".

"Sorry Cielo." she responded in a light whisper, scratching the back of her head as they huddled together, "Gale's a hard nut to crack." she said in with an apologetic smile.

Cielo frowned, "You're telling me mon! We're de ones he sent out dere." he commented pitifully.

"But don't worry…!" she whispered, smiling weakly as she reassured him, "He's on his way to being cool! Heheh…We have progress!"

He returned her smile and nodded, "Okay sista!"

"Why the fuck are you both whispering there like a bunch of damn nuns?"

At the sound of the irritated male voice, Argilla and Cielo broke apart and both sweat-dropped, "Eheheh…We didn't think that you guys would be interested…" commented Argilla casually.

"No." commented Gale, who straightened himself and crossed his arms, looking at Argilla coolly, "Please, Argilla, tell us what you were discussing with Cielo."

Argilla cleared her throat, "Erm…erm…" she stammered, looking at Cielo for help. His worried face told her that he had nothing.

'Crap…!'

"Well, Argilla?" asked Serph.

She suddenly beamed, "We were talking about having a bash for you guys!"

"Eh?" asked Cielo.

"A what?" prodded Gale.

"…" Serph said nothing.

Heat grinned, "A bash? Why not?"

She was glad for Heat at that point. While the rest had become brain-dead, Heat's party-animal instincts had been revived.

And the best part was, they bought it.

"I guess it's time to get rid of de flabs eh?" Cielo commented as he took a look at his waist disapprovingly.

Argilla shuddered at that. And she thought she had a problem with her weight.

'Now I know how Cielo is going to die.' she thought sourly, 'Anorexia.'

Cielo shuddered as he imagined the pounds of flab and fat protruding and peeking from his uniform on his waist and hips, 'Eww mon. Dat's jus not right.' And then, as he thought of the "bash" they were to have, he suddenly beamed excitedly, "It's time for some Latin dance rhythms ja!?" he exclaimed exuberantly, eliciting worried glances from each of his teammates.

Argilla draped a warm hand on his shoulder, "Are you okay…Cielo…?" she asked slowly.

Cielo blushed and opened his mouth to speak when Serph beat him to the punch, "You haven't been having sugar again, have you?" he asked lazily, as he leaned back on his chair, his silver eyes half-lidded.

Cielo pouted at that and sucked in a breath to talk when once more, someone else had cut it, "No. He's just damned retarded."

Cielo saw red.

He hastily stood and pointed an angry and accusing finger at the redhead, "You shut up you dumb lug!"

Heat stood up as well, "What the fuck did you just say!?" he shouted, his red eyes ablaze.

Argilla grumbled and stood up as well, putting each palm on both Heat's and Cielo's chests, pushing them backwards, "That's enough you guys!"

At that, Serph grinned. She always was the mediator of the group. Well, there were just some things that would forever remain the same…

"He started it!" grumbled Heat.

"No I didn't!" retorted Cielo, pointing at Heat once more, "You did! You just started saying crap about me!"

Argilla groaned and turned to Heat, "That's enough." she said with hopeful eyes.

Serph merely chuckled, "That's enough; the both of you. Sit down." he commanded.

"But-" Cielo began when he was suddenly cut off.

"Serph said to sit the fuck down…" hissed a now enraged pink-haired woman.

Cielo's sapphire eyes dilated and he tugged at his collar as he suddenly found it impeding his breathing. He gulped, "Eeh…eh…ja…You're right…"

Serph chuckled again and Heat grinned.

Once they sat back down, the redhead wrapped an arm around Argilla's waist and pulled her closer to him. To his surprise, she swatted his arm away and glared at him, "And you too! Shut up and eat!"

He sweat-dropped. Oh well.

Gale had said nothing but just allowed the events to unfold before his eyes…He blinked then and he blinked now.

'Their behavior…' he trailed off, 'They are all…spontaneous…All impromptu…Without conscious thought or preparation…Without justification or precedence of input…' he mentally trailed off, enthralled.

He frowned internally.

Was this…what Argilla had been trying to teach him all those times…?

Was that what it meant to 'let loose'?

He looked at Heat and noticed how he pouted and how he wanted to get closer to her. Unfortunately, she'd only shove her palm against his face and push him away…Gale blinked. Was that the way she wanted him to be?

To act like Heat…?

'Does that mean that she does want me to…be like Heat?' he asked himself as he found himself detached from the rest of his teammates, treating them as if they were mere lab specimens being observed from outside the glass. He watched how they bickered and joked with one another…

And he wondered why he had never paid much attention before. He wondered why he never gave their behavior any importance…and deemed them only as trivial…and composed of only mindless babble and idle banter.

'Like Heat…' he repeated in his head.

'Didn't she tell you that she didn't want you to act like Heat?' another voice joined in.

He frowned at that. Yes. She did say that.

'But then again, I suppose she merely said that so that she wouldn't be posed with a harder question; whom to choose between Heat and I.' he thought calmly, almost arrogantly.

Yes. That was probably it. She probably didn't want him to act like Heat because then, if he did, then she'd be confused on whom she really wanted. Gale blinked again, his face still as stoic and expressionless as it had always been.

It was decided.

He tore his gaze from Heat and turned to Argilla. He saw how she pouted playfully, her luscious lips protruding seductively. What he wouldn't give to just…walk over there and taste her once more…

His breathing was calm.

He had decided.

She may have rejected him…but he wouldn't give up without a fight. No. That was what she herself had taught him, hadn't it? She had said, so many times, how there had been many things that life had to offer. So many things to do, so many places to go to and so many people to meet.

So many things to experience.

His calmly beating heart suddenly leapt as he remembered their passionate kisses in his room. At that, his body suddenly began to rise in temperature.

No. He wouldn't give her up without a fight.

What she had made him experience…was beyond words. They were sensations that were not of this earth. And he would do anything to feel them once more.

She wanted him to let loose.

He would let loose.

He knew that this behavior went against everything that he had ever known in his whole life. He was going to be what he swore he wouldn't ever be.

He was going to be a child. Just like them.

Argilla listened. There was only silence. She was glad that her little boys had settled back down. She smiled once more as she felt herself calm down.

Argilla's pupils dilated and she grinned, "Then it's settled! We're going to have a night out!"

Gale said nothing but somehow, he felt thrilled at that notion.

'So we shall.'

xxxxx