Changes

Melissa said. "I think I heard the dryer stop."

Kurz got up and checked. His clothes were dry so he went to the bathroom to get dressed. Melissa knew they had stepped over a line last night and it was going to affect how the two of them can interact around each other and on missions. As Sergeant Major, she had seen how things like this had messed up team morale and effectiveness. She would have to watch and see if changes would be necessary. Kurz came back out and stood by her, looking unsure of what to do or say.

Finally, he said. "I hope we can still be friends and team-mates. I still will accept any charges or discipline that you feel are appropriate. You have my word that nothing that occurred last night will be heard about by anyone from me."

Melissa didn't say a word but nodded her head. He hesitated for a few more seconds, looked like he was going say something, turned and left her room.

Kurz felt the next few days were awkward being around Melissa, expecting her to say something. She paid him no more attention than any other Mithril member but the camaraderie they had shared was not there. Training exercises and regular missions didn't go as smoothly as they had in the past. It felt like the team was losing it's edge, no matter how hard the Lieutenant had them train with the AS units.

The Lieutenant finally broke it down after watching after action scans of the AS units and listening to the communications without the "fuzz of battle" distorting what he was hearing and seeing. He called Melissa and Kurz into his office. He watched them enter and remembered how Kurz would normally practically drape himself over Melissa until she slugged him to make him behave. Now, they were standing far apart and it was obvious there was some sort of tension between them.

"Sergeant Major Mao," the Lieutenant said. "I called you and Sergeant Kurz here to discuss the team effectiveness. Over the last two months, I have seen a downturn in morale and, subsequently, how well we act as a team. I have analyzed our team actions and noticed a trend. During training or missions, you two seem to be keeping an eye out for each other to the detriment of other team members. Now, as you both know, teams need to know they can depend on each other, watch each other's back. The other team members feel they are not getting the support from you two that they deserve."

He watched them for some reaction to his words but there were none.

He sighed and said. "Rumor Central isn't saying anything so I have to be blunt. Are you two lovers? Are you seeing each other on a regular basis?"

Both Kurz and Melissa said. "No, Sir."

The Lieutenant looked at them both and said. "Is there personal issue that is affecting both of you? If there is, you need to clear it up or one of you will be placed in another assignment for the good of the team. Dismissed."

Kurz tried to speak with Melissa to see what was wrong but she wouldn't allow him anytime for conversation. If he saw her in the hanger, she would walk the other way. He tried to sit with her in the dining hall but she got up and left. He was working with some mechanics on his M9 when he heard someone say something. He went over to that person and asked them to repeat it. Sergeant Major Mao had put in for a transfer to something called Special Detail, Training. The guy thought she might be going to train recruits in AS at the training base. Kurz felt like he had been punched in the stomach. He left the hanger and went to Melissa's room. He heard her inside and knocked on the door. When she heard Kurz speak his name, she refused to allow him in. He had to ask her through the door why she felt it necessary to leave and if there wasn't someway he could make amends.

She said. "I'm leaving immediately and, right now, I don't know if you are mature enough to make amends."

He said. "It's been hard enough to try to talk with you face to face here. Will you, at least, let me call you or send e-mails?" She replied. "I'll think about it but don't hound me. I'll get in touch with you when I'm ready."

That was the last Kurz heard or saw of Sergeant Major Mao.