A/N: This is a reely short chapter. And the one after this. I apologize if it isn't enough. D;

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

I scowled angrily at Jax. "Kitana has the right to know, sir."

He crossed his arms and sighed. "It's just not a top priority right now."

We'd been arguing about this for days and I was starting to get a migraine.

Big Bad Queen Sindel still lay comatose somewhere in our HQ's laboratories. She posed a potential threat, but she was also Kitana's mother. And I didn't want to keep this big a secret from my friend.

Jax began to walk over to where his tech guys were working on making a portal we could control to traverse the realms. I stalked his footsteps, still trying to convince the Major.

"Sir, if Sindel is a threat, then we should tell the others in Edenia, in case we need their help. And considering how she kicked our asses the last time—we're going to need it."

"I know that," Jax snapped. He gestured toward the large metal ring set up against the wall. "We're not even close to getting this thing operational yet. There's nothing we can do."

"I just wish they would have checked up on us by now," I muttered in frustration. "I wish Liu and Kung Lao were here."

Jax smirked. "And Johnny Cage?"

I turned my head to hide the flush that spread across my face.

The Major chuckled and headed off to oversee the technicians on the surveillance monitors. "Be patient, Lieutenant."

"Yes, sir."

A week went by without any global catastrophes. And without any progress on our manmade portal.

I tapped my fingers restlessly against my keyboard as I stared at another boring report.

The President made my Special Forces team a separate division to specifically defend the Earth against any more "invaders". But nothing like that was happening now.

I guess I should sound more relieved. But I missed the action.

I smiled to myself as I thought about my conversation with Johnny earlier that day. He called to complain about his guests' behavior on a recent shopping excursion. Apparently Scorpion didn't want to go at all, and Sub-Zero was very picky about choosing his wardrobe.

That's what Johnny gets for volunteering to take care of the two ninjas. Actually I would bet that Sub-Zero was easier to live with. I couldn't imagine how either of them could stand Scorpion's company. The jerk.

That thought made me frown. Somehow, Johnny had gotten me to promise that I would go to California to visit him. In a few days. I wasn't looking forward to seeing the former-dead guy anytime soon. But maybe he'd be in a better mood since I shipped all their ninja gear to them, finally.

"How's it goin', Sonya?"

I swiveled my chair around to find Stryker standing behind me. He was carrying a large pile of papers.

"That's Lieutenant Blade, officer. Anything interesting you got there?"

"Aw, c'mon Sonya. We been workin' together for weeks now. Aren't we at a first name basis, yet?"

Officer Stryker was one of the few who were allowed to join our Special Forces team—along with his partner Kabal. Now that guy gave me the creeps. But I could hardly blame him for moping around the departments.

I pretended to look busy and typed a few nonsensical lines on my computer. "The files, officer. Anything for me?"

His shoulders drooped. "Nah… I just wanted to see if you wanted to get some lunch. With me."

I sucked in a breath, trying to keep calm. "I already ate."

"Well, that's okay." He came closer and leaned against the edge of my desk. "I got some time to kill."

"Listen, Stryker—"

"Hey, did you hear Major Briggs is working on some new communicators? It'd be nice not havin' a phone bill."

I smiled. That sounded like Jax. Our old ones were broken during all those battles, anyway.

"Yeah, that'll be great." I could talk to Johnny all I wanted.

"Sonya—"

"Wait! Stryker…" This was so uncomfortable. "I'm kind of… I mean, I'm not…exactly single."

He jerked in surprise. "Oh. I didn't know…"

"I know it's hard to tell. I don't like talking about my personal life."

"Who? It's not Major Briggs, is it?"

I almost laughed. "What? Jax? No, no. No. We've just been friends a long time."

"Then who?"

"Listen, officer, that's really none of your business."

"Well, I ain't seen no man coming here to see you."

Hmph. "Well, it's difficult for Johnny to come here all the time but we're working on—"

"Oh," he sneered. "That guy."

Men. I rolled my eyes. "Yes, that guy. You got a problem with that?"

Stryker's face was red, but he didn't explode like I thought he would.

"No," he said. "Not at all."

"Then get back to work."

Stryker clenched the papers in his hand tightly, but stomped away without another word.

I sighed and rested my forehead against my hand. This was why I liked to stay away from personal relationships with anyone.

But I would be counting the days until I saw Johnny.

A/N: I ship too many couples...