Side note: I am a horrible, horrible delinquent. I just didn't feel like writing, ahaha :shrugs sheepishly:. Anyway, I've decided to take a hiatus from this, despite one reviewer's deliriously good idea of a pillow fight, and outline some sketches for this story.

Mission Seven

"What are you doing?" Seras asked, her voice annoyed.

Pip turned his head to look over at her. He shot her an innocent smile.

"Nothing- entertaining ourselves is all."

Seras made a face at his French accent. Was it even authentic?

The soldiers weren't on call for once tonight and they were taking advantage of it. Seras had been restless and couldn't sleep at night anymore, so she'd decided to take a walk. On her way around the property, she'd passed the barracks when her red eyes caught a suspicious figure, dressed in black entering a side door carrying a strange looking packing.

The 'suspicious person' was actually just a soldier, dressed entirely in black, and trying very hard not to get caught. Seras wished she hadn't asked him why.

She had of course approached stealthily from behind, but when she recognized the man as one of the Geese she relaxed; however, he nearly jumped out of his skin at her soft tap on his shoulder.

Apparently, the Geese were planning to take advantage of their rare night off with a small gathering. To Seras, it was more like a full range company party whose attendance merely lacked Alucard, Integra, and Walter.

Seras quirked a brow confused at the jubilant captain. This was obviously all his idea.

He was grinning too widely. Seras frowned. She wasn't going to like this.

She really shouldn't have asked. She should have just minded her own business. As if anyone sneaking into the barracks could get one over on the geese and she'd already known it wasn't a freak. Seras wanted to kick herself.

They were all out of their bloody minds.

There was a flurry of activity throughout the room. There were pool tables, several tv's flickering showing different channels, and many other empty tables set up for whatever the men would want to engage in.

One specific table was set up for poker whereas right now an intense, nearly volatile game was underway. However, that wasn't what the problem was. It was strip poker and they all wanted her to play, avidly. She scowled.

Music was playing softly in the background of the somewhat spacious barrack common room. However, it was only added to the din of noise currently making her ears ring. Of course, it wasn't so loud or noticeable to anyone, but her.

She soon found herself pushed into a chair with a rather large blush staining her cheeks. The faces of the other four players and those watching were much too happy for her taste. Seras would've just gotten up and left had it not been for that single remark that slipped from the captain.

"Oh Seras, too girly for cards?" He nearly cooed at her.

His eyes were shining and his smile slightly condescending. However, she wouldn't know he'd orchestrated such an expression specifically in order to rile her pride enough that she would stay until later.

She was such a sucker.

Seras grinned with determination as a secret sparkled there in those blood red depths. Quite literally.

She'd show them all.

Seras laughed and laughed. Shown them she had.

Sullen faces surrounded her; however, those gathering around the table were bright red and barely containing their laughter. It was hilarious to watch to see the veterans beaten so ridiculously well by such a girl. Said girl was blinking innocently at them and totally enjoying herself. They thought they would destroy her? Seras chuckled.

She'd discovered she was quite the card shark when her D-11 members had taught her to play. At first they were convinced it was beginner's luck, but it never ended. Seras was quickly one of the richest in the group solely based on her extracurricular earnings.

"Well boys, I think you've had enough," Seras stood placing the cowboy hat on her head,
"And I'll be taking these," She continued pointing at their clothes.

Sure she hadn't won all the games. The captain was completely unreadable and managed to snake her top jacket and over-shirt underneath, but never finagled the undershirt from her. So really, no skin besides her upper arms and collar bone, other than what was always visible, was revealed.

Her companions weren't so lucky. The captain was left in his skivvies, giving up the hat instead to save his dignity. Even his eye patch went before his boxers.

A few had given up after a time and many others had been eager to join the game. Judging by their faces now, those who had passed up on that chance were relieved they had. The sheer embarrassment was quite clear in their faces. They had expected to strip the girl within the first five hands.

The plan had veered most precariously in the wrong direction. Seras was much nicer than they would have been to her. She spared those on the verge of losing their underwear, allowing them to keep it as long as they quit the game. However, she had kept all the clothes she'd won and used them in future hands.

Seras carried the heap with her, intending to take it nowhere, but the laundry room where it would be washed and returned to them later in the week.

Suddenly she turned and with a wolfish grin replied, "I suppose you know better than to challenge me."

The small group of men shared a look and gulped. Her eyes were fierce and glowing, but filled with humor. The surrounding men merely laughed, though silently glad they hadn't strayed to the table. As she left, many returned to their games of pool, arm wrestling, or flicking through the sports and news channels on TV. Some taunted the losers left at the table leading to an up roaring of laughter and small scuffles.

No more comments were thrown her way.

Seras smiled softly as she stepped outside. Maybe it hadn't been that bad. At least her respect was won over once again within the mercenary group who didn't hold any real ranks. The captain would always tease her, but she didn't mind that so much as long as his hands remained politely to himself.

Seras dropped off her bundle and headed back to the basement of the manor. Where was her master anyway on such a dead night?

The more I am fed, the faster I will return. Reviews are amazing motivation.