Authors Note: Since, I already have it written up I'll go ahead and post the next chapter even though I haven't gotten many reactions yet Like it? Dislike it? Why? Are they staying in character? Are they getting too OOC? How so? Let me know! Thank you! :)

Okay I'm done now. Enjoy!

Before Kurz could process what was happening, Tessa shoved herself away and smoothed out her uniform that had gotten disheveled. He heard the footsteps in the hall and looked at her with alarm.

Tessa moved around him and walked toward the door. Kurz was not stupid enough to follow. He had an idea of what she was doing. He quickly moved to the wall as quietly as possible and waited. When he heard Tessa speak it was completely composed.

"Good evening Commander Mardukas."

Shit! Kurz cursed to himself, Of all the people who could have been-

"Good evening Captain. I was making my late night rounds and heard a disturbance, I thought I would come investigate."

Kurz held his breathe.

Tessa didn't miss a beat. "Oh, I apologize. I'm so scatterbrained today. I thought I forgot something in the briefing room."

"What did you think you forgot ma'am?" He asked with genuine interest.

She looked down at her uniform and tried to come up with something quickly. What could I have forgotten? My pen? Yes! "My PEN! Yes, My pen. I thought I had lost it but it's right here." She smiled, holding up the writing utensil.

His beady eyes looked over her suspiciously. "I see. With all due respect ma'am, that could have waited until tomorrow."

"Yes, I realize that. I'm terribly sorry. I just couldn't shake the thought of it. I had to know...you know?" Tessa glanced toward the room awkwardly and brushed a loose lock of hair behind her ear.

"No need to apologize Captain. I will close up here if you are finished." He was already moving toward the door.

She stepped in front of him as gracefully and calmly as she could. "I wouldn't want to disturb your rounds any further Commander. I will take care of it." She smiled sweetly at him in hopes he would take the hint that she was fine and he should go.

"Very well." He replied. "Have a pleasant evening." He saluted her.

"Thank you. You as well." She nodded at him and watched as he continued his way down the hall. She waited until he had turned the corner before she walked back into the room. It was extremely dark now that her eyes were unfocused. "Mr. Web-" she corrected herself, "Kurz?….Where are you?"

She jumped when she felt him hug her from behind. His breath was warm in her ear as he whispered, "Nice cover. I thought I was dead for a second."

Her breathe caught and a tingling sensation ran down her spine. The after feeling of him was still lingering on her lips and she was amazed the Commander hadn't noticed. It had felt so obvious to her what she had just been doing.

"That was too close."

"Come on babe! You're the captain! What could they possibly do?" He asked, knowing very well what they could do.

She was the leader of this ship but there were government men in higher positions that would not approve of fraternization. It could ruin her reputation and possibly cost Kurz his job. She had never gotten to the point with Sousuke that she had to think about that. The farthest she had went with him was in her dreams. Tessa realized she couldn't risk it. It would be better to have him around but not be intimate. Yes, she could live with that. She would have to if she wanted to keep him in her life. In all honesty, it was hard imagining a life without him now. She knew what she had to say.

"We should act like this never happened."

After the words came out...it hurt her more than she had expected. She closed her eyes and waited for him to let go of her.

His forehead creased slightly and his eyes narrowed. "Is that Tessa talking or "Captain of Mithril" Testarossa?" A bitter tone crept into his voice and he released her. She couldn't help the tears that started welling up in her eyes.

"That's not fair!" She turned to face him. Trying to keep her voice down, she whispered, "What am I supposed to do? I am in charge of the well being of soldiers under my command!"

Kurz looked at her in a way that made her fidget and avoid his gaze. "What are you really afraid of Tessa?" He hadn't noticed his voice was rising. "Well?... Say something!"

His anger startled her. She knew he had a temper at times but he had never raised his voice to her before. Looking over,she noticed everyone could probably hear them. No! She quickly walked over, flipped on the light and shut the door. This was not going to be resolved quietly. "Do you want to wake the entire submarine!" she snapped. "Don't you understand what could happen to you if they knew what we just did!"

"I don't care!"

"Well I do!" She cried. "You're a good soldier and I will not let you suffer for my mistakes! Please! Just let me explai-"

"I'm a mistake now?"

"No!…Yes! I mean-…That's not the point!" Tessa fumbled. She couldn't think clearly. It was odd, she was so used to thinking under pressure but she kept drawing blanks for how to explain to him how she felt.

"Then what is the point Teletha!"

Her frustration reached a new limit when she heard him say her full first name. "Don't you dare call me that! I am your Captain!" She was face to face with him at this point, seething with anger.

She had expected him to scream at her, to tell her he would call her that if he wanted to and that she wasn't just a Captain to him anymore. She realized that was secretly what she had wanted him to say all along.

However, instead of that, she watched Kurz's eyes stare intently at her and all he said in reply was, "And I guess that's all you want to be." Then he stormed past her into the empty hallway, slamming the door behind him.

She stood helpless and alone in the briefing room. The sound of the door was still echoing off the walls. Her chest felt heavy and she couldn't help the tears that poured from her eyes. She hadn't felt this way since the day Sousuke left. She waited until she was sure he was gone and made her way to the door. She quickly exited, locked it and headed for her living quarters.

Melissa Mao was sprawled out on the beige couch with cigarette in hand when Tessa arrived. Beer cans were stacked on the small coffee table and she was laughing at something on the television. Tessa entered as quietly as she could but Melissa still noticed her.

"Hey kiddo. What's up? You look like you just got hit by a truck."

"It's nothing." she mumbled. She then looked at the Sergeant Major more closely, "I told you not to smoke in here Melissa! Why can't you follow that one rule?"

"Relax. I turned the vents on." Mel stated, as if that fixed how the scent still would cling to the furniture for days after she was gone.

"Gee, Thanks." Tessa muttered bitterly. She stripped off her uniform down to her underwear. "I'm taking a shower."

"'Kay." Mel waved. Once she heard the water running she sighed. "Poor girl. Still bummed about Sousuke…" she curled up onto the couch and took a swig of beer. "Hahaha! God I love this show."

Tessa let the steaming hot water run over her. Despite the argument, she was still trying to burn the image of Kurz kissing her out of her mind. Even the memory of his touch had her blushing. The way his hands snaked down her waist to find her hips and pull her into him. The sensation of his lips moving with hers with such hunger. The feeling of barely being able stand from the intensity of what he was doing to her. It was so unfathomable that this had actually taken place between them. She should have noticed the signs. Then again, maybe she had and just hadn't wanted to admit it. As she tried to erase the vivid images, more memories started to flood her mind. One in particular came floating to the surface…

They had pulled up at a port that afternoon to re-supply. It had been weeks since Tessa could say she had stepped on a dock. As she walked off of the sub into the night air she felt a sense of freedom. It felt wonderful. Then, as her thoughts often traveled in those days, she thought of Sousuke on dry land in Japan. Her heart instantly sank and she began to walk down the dock with less enthusiasm. She reached the end and took a seat on the edge to admire the night sky. It was so daunting and immense. She felt so small in comparison.

"Hey, mind if I join ya?" said a voice.

"Oh! Sergeant Weber…no not at all." She plastered on a fake smile and patted the place next to her, "have a seat."

"Don't mind if I do." He smiled and sat next to her. "So, why are you sitting out here all by herself?"

"Just getting some fresh air and thinking I guess…" She shrugged.

"About Sousuke." He said. It was not a question. He already knew she was.

Tessa sighed and shook her head in regret. "I never should have told you all that last week."

"Hey, it's fine! Don't waste your time worrying about it. I haven't said a word." He crossed his finger over his heart. "I swear. Your secrets about Kaname's big ass are safe with me."

She gasped. " Mr. Weber! I didn't say that!" Did she? She couldn't remember all she had blabbered on about that night.

Kurz laughed. "Well, something to that effect anyway." Oddly enough, his casual and light demeanor had Tessa not only smiling but laughing a little as well. She hadn't done that in a while. Melissa never mentioned how funny he is.

"You want some?" Kurz asked, holding out the beer he was drinking.

"Umm…I.." she hesitated. She wasn't technically on duty at the moment. Besides, she was really her own boss in many rights but… "I shouldn't."

"Oh come on! Live a little!" he smiled, waving the can in front of her.

She took it from him and said "Melissa was right. You are a bad influence." before taking a drink. It was followed by her spitting it out into the ocean below, coughing and wiping at her mouth fervently. "UGH! You drink that for fun?"

"Nah, I drink it to take the edge off." he laughed. "It's not so bad once you get used to it." He finished off the can and crushed it between his palm and the wooden dock.

"I would rather not get used to it."

"Not gonna lie to ya, that's probably a good idea." He told her, "You have enough on your mind without alcohol getting involved."

They sat in silence for a moment before Tessa had a thought, "Why did you come out here?"

"Same reason as you babe. I needed some air." He stood up and stretched.

She glared up at him. "Don't call me babe."

"Okay, Tessa."

She let out an exasperated sigh, "Captain Tessa."

"Okay, okay. I get it. "Captain of Mithril" Testarossa." He turned to leave. "Have it your way."

As he walked away she called out, "You know, this could count as insubordination!" All she heard in response was laughter. Ugh. He sure knows how to ruffle my feathers. She thought in a huff. She turned around and looked up at the night sky once more. For some reason….it didn't seem as daunting as before….

The hot water of the shower was still running over her body and it was beginning to make her sleepy. Shutting the water off and grabbing a towel, she exited the bathroom. She smiled at the memory of that night but then felt even more torn than before. She just needed a good nights sleep. Things would be better in the morning. She hoped.

I know what you are thinking: Drama already? Really? REALLY?

Yes. What's a fanfiction without drama? NOTHING I TELL YOU. NOTHING. :)