Rex stared at the bright whiteness that surrounded him. There was nothing to do in this small space but relive the events of his life. And it wasn't something he enjoyed doing. Especially since he knew it was somewhere around the new year. He attempted to let numbness overtake him. It was so much better than the excruciating pain of not knowing. Of wondering, of dreaming, and of living. It was no use. His mind began to flood with yet another image of his life.

Rain...

She smiled in pure joy. He watched in awe. She was so beautiful. So radiant. Such utter bliss. "What?" She laughed at his expression. He could feel the lopsided grin on his face widen even more. "It's nothing." She gave him a playful nudge and he laughed. "Come on. You have that look." He laughed at her persistence. "And what look might that be?" He asked her mischievously. She rolled her eyes teasingly. "That 'I'm thinking of asking you something but I am too shy to actually ask' look" she gently edged him on with her shoulder. He smiled and laughed back at her. "Uh, nah. I was just thinking, of you. And me. And how much I hate the rain." He scrunched up his nose. She laughed at his adorable expression. Then she bit her lip and looked out of the small shelter. "I love the rain, its" she paused seeming to be lost in pure fascination of the tiny water droplets pouring down on the beautiful landscape. "Go on" he urged, captivated by her voice. She smiled, but did not take her attention off the scene. "So incredibly soothing. And refreshing. Like it can wash away all my troubles. And wake up every one of my senses. It smells so wonderful. Like rebirth of nature. What I imagine the world was like when it was created." Her grin began to widen and she began to swing her dangling feet. "I use to lay out on the grass, and just watch it fall to the ground. Or run through it until I couldn't breathe. It's such an awaken feeling. I loved it." She turned to smile at him. "The way it feels when its falling on your bare skin. The slight tingle you get. It's-invigorating. The sensation makes everything feel." She paused as if to find the word but trailed off in thought. He was now completely captivated. The way she had described it, he had never heard anything like it. It was so different. She was different. So amazing. So beautiful. "Feel like what?" He couldn't help but ask. She turned towards him and smiled. "Free. I feel free. Of life, of worries. Of the world. It's so, simple." She smiled at him. "What?" She turned her head to the side. He chuckled. "You. Your just so...different. Good different." She smiled at him. "Well, different is always good." He grinned at her. "I guess it is." And in that moment. In that moment. He knew. He just knew.

The door opened again. This time, Ariel did not get up. Instead she just kept her attention on the wall as she contemplated the weird feeling that continued to overtake her. She sighed. Duke moved to sit in the chair across from the sofa she was currently sprawled over. "How are you?" He asked in genuine caring. She didn't move. He sighed. "The general" duke paused, trying to find the right words in order to express it rightly. She finally spoke in a monotone voice. "Go on." He watched her carefully to discern her reaction. "He wants to assign you, to get information from a prisoner." He chocked out. She simply gave her head a careless nod. "That's nice." She seemed very distant to Duke. He sighed. "What's wrong?" He asked concerned. She shook her head. "Nothing...its...nothing." Her voice trailed off in an almost troubled tone. He gave her a wary look. Something was wrong, but she was an incredibly stubborn girl, and duke knew she was resolved to fix it on her own. He sighed, finally giving up the useless conversation. He moved to leave, but turned back. "Well, me and the rest of the team have an op to get to. We shouldn't be gone more than a few days. You can stay here while were gone. The general would like to debrief you as soon as possible." Ariel turned towards him, for the first time since he has arrived. He was taken aback at the look in her eyes. The seemed so empty. Devoid of any and all emotion. So lifeless. "Ok, have a nice trip." She stated in a flat voice and then returned her attention on the amaryllis colored wall.

The door closed. I felt nothing. That was an odd sensation for me. Not being in touch with my surroundings. I was normally very aware of every tiny detail an object, or a room held. It unnerved me. I hated feeling this way, perhaps it was due to thinking of him to often. Still, I couldn't shake the ominous voice warning me of something. I stared blankly at the wall. What is happening? I wondered, for the millionth time that day.

"How is she?" Scarlett, impatiently jumped up the second I had boarded the plane. "Not good. It's like she's a shell." I responded. She gave Ripcord a worried look. "Does she remember anything?" I shook my head. "No. It's as if her mind passed out. I think she's aware that something isn't right. She's much to intelligent to not." Ripcord gave me a worried look. "You think she knows?" I pursed my lips and thought. "No. She would've beat the crap outta me, if she even remotely thought. But I think Anna might be right. Not that he'll tell her, of course. But I think its only a matter of time before she puts 2 and 2 together." Everyone exchanged worried glances. "And what then?" Scarlett voiced the concern we all had been thinking. "I honestly don't know."

I was staring at the general in disbelief and partial disgust. Never, in my entire career, as a C.I.A. operative, or as a Joe, had I EVER been asked to do something as dirty and low as the task now presented to me. "You want me to do what?" I was pretty sure my voice squeaked in incredulity. He shifted in the chair uneasily. "Given the circumstances, nothing else has seemed to be of any use. If there is anything that can make a man talk its," he paused looking for an appropriate word to use. "trust in a figure particularly a woman." I blinked still in utter shock. "You want me to seduce him?" I was positive I had squeaked in a high pitch voice that time. He winced. Whether at the realization of how bad it sounded or my high pitched shrill I didn't know or entirely care at the moment. What I did care about, was why I had to play skank for some evil villain. I crossed my arms in defiance. "And what exactly makes me the most qualified?" I barked. He looked at me uneasily. "You are one of the only females on the team, and the most" he gestured towards me. I raised an eyebrow. He cleared his throat in discomfort and embarrassment. "attractive." My eyes widened. "What about Scarlett? She's just as pretty, if not prettier!" I insisted. He was trying his best to not blush at the awkwardness of the conversation. "Scarlett doesn't exactly process a feminine aura and she lacks the talent to connect on a deep level with people. Specifically the opposing sex, where you do not." I groaned in frustration. "Fine." I mumbled. He gave me an awkward smile. "Great. I'll have the files sent to your room. You can start tomorrow." I bobbed my head in acknowledgement. "Uhhuh."

I read through the somewhat sketchy documents dived over the table. I sighed and took a sip of coffee. I looked at my wrist. It was 3:00 am and I was still not ready to meet this, thing. I shuddered in disgust. After reading its file for the millionth time I finally gave up in aggravation. They knew very little of the commander, and what they did know, was far to poorly constructed to be of any real use to me. I grumbled and took another sip of my mocha. I guess I would have to start from the bottom up. I stood up and decided to pay Anna a visit.

I laughed. I think it was the first I had actually laughed since before I had gone on my Korea mission. It felt good. To be with Anna, talking like everything was the way it had been. It felt normal. And I loved it. She could always cheer me up. I sighed. She looked out the window. The smile suddenly fell from my face. "What's wrong?" I asked concerned. She turned towards me and smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. That worried me. "Its nothing. I was just thinking of when Rex came and told me he was going to ask you to marry him." Her smile turned into a heavy one. I couldn't help the automatic flinch at the mentioned of it, or the pictures that found there way into my mind. I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat. "He was so happy when you said yes." She was going to cry. I was to. I hugged her tight. "It's ok." I shushed her. "No its not." She mumbled into my shoulder. I nodded. "No, but it will be."

Ugg...I hated the morning. I pulled the comforter over my head. I didn't want to move. I officially had the worst job in the world. It was degrading to be a seductress, no matter the cause. Not to mention utterly humiliating. I groaned and finally gave in to getting up.

I sighed. I couldn't believe I was wearing a sundress in a military facility. It felt odd. And it didn't help that every male Joe had checked me out interrupted way down here. I sighed. I suddenly remembered how horrible my teen years had been. I shuddered at the memory. I braced myself as a pod with a large number 9 came in front of the pad. It opened and breathe in took. I starred at the figure in curiosity. I turned towards the guard. "Uhh...I don't get how the huge potato sack thing is going to do anything?" He cracked a tiny smile and half chuckle. "Precautions. He hasn't had a visitor since he has been here. We want to ensure he wont strike out or that you won't be at risk for what you look like or in the unlikely event he would happen to escape he could hunt you down. We want to take it slowly with this one." He scowled. I nodded. "I understand." I really did. Especially the disgust. He motioned for me to enter the cell. I gulped. I can honestly say this was more intimating and downright scary than having to blast a person to bits or work undercover. I carefully entered the cell. "We can hear and see everything. If you need us at any time." He handed me a tiny device. I stuck into my dress and nodded my response. The cell walls shut loudly. My heart began to pound wildly. All I could hear was a breathing device. "Who are you?" I asked in part fascination, but mostly out of curiosity. "I should be asking that." The mechanical voice remarked sarcastically. I paused as I studied the large brown cloth over the mysterious persons face. "I guess that's a fair question. After all, you can't see me. I'm Stealth." I replied. "Cobra Commander." I waved my hand in a dismissive gesture, despite the fact that he couldn't see it. "I meant, who are you really? I know who you are now. I was more interested in who you were then." Silence filled the air in a thick way. "I have no past." He replied coldly. "Everyone, has a past." I remarked.

Flowers...

Sweet honeydew...

Picnic...

It was so beautiful by the lake. Rex had never met a person as interesting as Ariel. Anna had introduced him to her just days before, now they sat her having lunch as Duke and Anna attempted to water skii on the opposite end of the vast body of water. "So, what do you do?" Ariel popped another grape into her mouth. He smiled. "I'm a scientist." She raised an eyebrow. "Science? Oo nifty! What kind?" She asked curious. He laughed. Honestly, he had never met a person so fascinated with who he actually was. Most people heard science and scrunched their noses in disgust or boredom. But here she was, wanting to know more. He doubted she cared about the field one bit, she was just interested in him, what he did, who he was. And that was an entirely new concept to Rex. One he thought he could learn to like. "I work in the Military" he gestured towards Duke. "That's how I met Duke, we worked together. But I work more on weapons development, things like that." He shrugged. She smiled at him. "I'm glad." He looked at her confused. "That I study weapons?" She laughed. "No, no. I meant that you and Duke met!" He laughed. "Oh, ya! Me too." Rex turned to face her. "So, now it's my turn, what do you do?" She grinned at him. "That's classified." He gave her dumbfounded expression. She giggled. "Joking, mostly. I work at CIA." She shrugged. He wrinkled his nose. "What? Not a fan of it." She teased. He rolled his eyes. "Not exactly. I don't care for all the secrets they keep. Even from their own country. They do more harm than good, in my opinion." She smiled at him. "You'd be surprised at how much they do for good." He shrugged. She just smiled back. "So...what's your story?" She asked still curious about the young man in front of her. "Story?" He raised an eyebrow questioning her. "Yeah, you know, your background. Where you came from. Why you're you." She elaborated. He laughed. "I don't have one." She gave him a sweet smile. "Everyone has a past."

It took a moment to process the words she just said. "What." He paused. "Did you just say?" His world felt like it was spinning. "I said 'everyone has a past'." She replied in irritation. He blinked. Pausing for a moment, he tried to weigh how many people could possibly use that phrase on a daily basis. But it began to itch at him. "Do you mind?" He attempted to gesture towards the sack. She took a step forward but halted mid stride. "Only if you promise to not kill me." He sighed in impatience. "Very well." She began to slowly pull the sack off when she had finished, he opened his eyes. His world began to spiral down as the realization dawned on him. It couldn't be. Then, everything went black.