Author's Note: Well I am back, I have a few more chapters and I should be able to post each week again until this story is complete. I hope you will all let me know if you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter Eleven: Only The Valiant Survive

Charlie stared at the chaotic array of dresses mixed in with the cadet dress uniforms. She knew that Nate was still waiting for her answer but she couldn't give herself the time to think about him right now. It was the mission or nothing. There would be time for Nate later tonight.

Nate came up beside her, offering a glass of punch. "So what exactly is this plan? It's not going to end with a brawl is it?" Nate smiled waggling his brows. "Because I would love to defend your honor. I've always wanted to slap someone with my gloves, after all, what else are they good for?"

"It's easy. I just have insult his pride and and curb-stomp on his vanity. The guy isn't smart enough to even realize what I'm doing."

"Okay but once this is all done the evening is mine, no more vendettas or crusades. Only you and me."

Linking her fingers with his, she tried to smile and almost succeeded. "Deal."

The way Nate grinned was all Shark. "Good, let's go find Cassie and the rest of your backup and get this show on the road."

Five minutes later the stage was set with military precision. Charlie drew a breath and rubbed her palms down her dress before making her way through the crowd to where Ashgar was holding court. Holding out her hand she said, "I thought the two of us could bury the hatchet and share a dance."

His face momentarily clouded over but in the blink of the eye he was all smiles, after all there were too many people around, not just cadets. He needed to put on a good show, there was no way he could show his true face and Charlie knew it. Taking her hand, Ashgar made an exaggerated bow. "I would be honored and yes, I accept your apology, Kawalsky."

The two of them swept out onto the dance floor as another song began. Ashgar leaned in close so only Charlie could hear. "If you really want to bury the hatchet, go back to Year Three where you belong. Your TI position should have been mine. Instead I get a bunch of chumps and morons. You will never belong in this class, no matter who you bed. By Christmas you will be back where you belong or out."

Charlie could tell Ashgar was waiting to see how she would react to his words. He seemed to be able to hide nothing as he studied her. Not wanting to disappoint, she threw back her head and laughed, in a manner that chilled most listeners to the bone. She couldn't help it, this idiot really had no clue that his head was on the chopping block and Charlie would be his executioner. Most of all he was just giving her more ammo and made it all too easy.

"Your making threats? Really, from what I hear you might be removed as an assistant TI. Your flight is the worst in the Academy. I hear that Cadet Paris and…" Charlie trailed off as if trying to remember Kyla's name.

"Hammond," Ashgar ground out. Charlie could feel him tense under her hand at the mentioning of the two cadets. She was close enough to see the pulse in his neck jump. The trap had been baited, now all that was left was pulling the trigger.

"Yes, that is the one. I've seen her bumbling around the grounds. Her and Paris are the worst Cadets and it's your fault. You must be so ashamed, after all, their conduct reflects on you, or at least that's what I heard the Blue Rope say the other day when I was walking behind them. They said something like 'if Ashgar can't even keep Smacks in line, how is he going to command real soldiers'?" Ashgar grip on her hand was almost crushing and his face was slowly turning bright red, but Charlie continued to speak as though she hadn't noticed.

"To make matters worse you can't even get rid of the girl because he grandfather was a general or something while your father the convict can't help you get anywhere."

Ashgar shoved Charlie away from him, almost knocking Charlie off her feet. "I keep a tight rein on my flight. No one is going to drag me down, back into the muck. I have clawed my way out and there is no way I'm going back there. As for Hammond, she will be up to snuff in a few weeks or she'll be out, one way or another. No one makes me look like a fool without punishment. She will learn to obey orders, even if I have to beat it into her like I did earlier today."

The entire room was frozen as the MPs who had been waiting in the wings advanced through the crowd to take Ashgar into custody.

The silence was more of an accusation than if they had yelled. The now disgraced cadet fought the two large sergeants for a moment before succumbing, realizing that it was all over. Too many people had heard his outburst, there was no taking it back or saying it was a joke, as Charlie had seen him in the past.

As he passed Charlie he spat, "You may think you have won but when you least expect it I will be there and I will get you. Just you wait and see."

Charlie laughed. "We'll see how well you 'get' me from Leavenworth, Ashgar."

It was Ashgar's turn to laugh. "Oh, I will never see the inside of a prison cell. I have powerful friends and they will get me out because I am very useful to them. No, Good Charlotte, we'll meet again."

"I'll be happy to hunt you then, mayfly." Once Ashgar was removed from the ballroom, Charlie was surrounded by other cadets, congratulating her or expressing their appreciation for what she had done. Even a few of the visiting senior officers approached her as well.

Paris and Kyla were among the last of the throng. Paris shook her hand, stumbling over his words before stepping back to allow Kyla to step forward.

Kyla's smile looked like it threatened to split her face, making her beautiful despite the now very black eye and split lip. "Thank you so much. I don't know how ever to repay you. I'm very proud to call you my friend. If you ever need anything, I will do my best to help you." Then she engulfed Charlie in a hug and the senior cadet allowed it for a few heartbeats before stepping back.

"I feel the same way, Kyla. If you like," she considered, "I'll tutor you on hand-to-hand privately."

"I'd love that!" Kyla stepped back to where Paris was standing and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Enjoy the rest of the evening, after all, tonight is your night!"

Nate stepped forward, taking Charlie's hand and nodded politely to Kyla. "Now this is my time. I'm sorry but I need to steal her away. Have an good evening." He led Charlie out onto the floor and began to dance even though there was no music. "I have to admit I wasn't really sure about this plan until the fireworks started. Man you sure know how to show a guy a good time." Then he waved his hands in a final motion. "That's it! No more talk of Ashgar. This is our time after all."

He pulled Charlie close as slow music began to play once more, but no one joined them on the floor. She hated being the center of attention but this time for Nate she would do it. After all in the next few minutes she might break his heart. Thenm as the final notes died awaym Nate took Charlie's hand and led her away. It was bittersweet and she almost wished things could be different. Forgive me for what I am about to do.

"Come with me. It's time we talked." He paused to grab her shawl before stepping out into the now dead garden surrounding the ballroom and Charlie hoped it wasn't a sign of what was to come.

Nate had second guessed this moment a thousand times but he couldn't wait any longer, he had to know Charlie's answer. The two of the stepped out into the chilly night and Nate settled his coat around her shoulders. He knew she would never ask. Charlie was so strong, but his mother had taught him to be a gentleman.

Taking her hand, he led her off the terrace and into the sleeping snow covered garden. After a few minutes Nate stopped at a small gazebo. Sweeping the small collection of flakes off the bench, he motioned for Charlie to sit before settling beside her.

He reached up and touched her cheek and then the kanzashi. "You wore it tonight. Does that mean yes?"

Charlie pulled her head back from his touch. Then, with a tired shake of her head, she reached up to remove the kanzashi, but he stopped her. She dropped her hands into her lap and stared at the white ground between her shoes.

Placing a finger beneath his chin, he made her look at him. "Talk to me Charlie. I need to know what you are feeling. I know you love me even if you have never said the words."

Suddenly she reached out and grabbed his hands squeezing them as though they were some kind of lifeline and Nate felt a surge of hope that he was right. This wasn't the end.

"Nate, there is so much involved in the choice I have made. I think love you, I really do and that is why I'm saying no." She cupped his cheek. "You are more precious to me than I thought anyone could be but I have chosen my path, my life was all mapped out and I was on track to make it all happen and I still am. The problem was I never made considerations for you and the life you are offering me. Children Nate, we could have children and I have no idea if I even want them. That was something I have never considered, you had to have someone in your life for that and I expected to spend mine alone. I am one who walks in the shadows, darkness. I tend to repel others or swallow them whole."

Nate hated when she talked like this, sure Charlie wasn't sunshine and roses but when you got to know the person hiding behind the steel, she was beautiful and carried her own kind of light, like a starlit night sky (or a katana, if you wanted to talk weapons). She was strong and honorable and in a fight he'd wouldn't have anyone else to cover his back. He knew that if he could only get her to believe in their future together, it could be amazing. He really hoped one day he would be able to pass her their child to hold.

"Charlie-"

She cut him off and smiled, a real, unclouded smile and it broke his heart because it might be the last one he ever saw.

"I know you see me so differently than anyone else I have met, other than maybe my grandfather, but there is so much I need to decide, to think about."

Nate was surprised when she leaned in and kissed him. There was fear, longing and desperation in the kiss and she pulled him closer. Then she pulled away, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"These feelings are still so new and foreign for me, and I need time to adjust to the concept of them and the possibilities they offer me now. I don't know what I want yet or when I will know. t means so much to me that you asked me and I hope someday you'll ask me again. So I hope you will give me time and ask me again. If the time is right I will say yes."

Then it was there again, that fleeting smile.

He reached up and touched the kanzashi and then her cheek. "Then this will be the promise between us. If the answer ever is no you can return it. I hope the day will come when you will say yes so the two kanzashi will be united again as we will be."

"I like that idea." Charlie shivered and pulled the coat closer.

Nate took her arm, helping Charlie to her feet. "We should return to the party, lest Cassie will send out a search party for us." The moved back toward the terrace. "So we're okay then?"

"Better than."

There are two more chapters up on my site and if you would like to check them out Google my penname and you will find me. I love to hear from you whether you liked it or loved it. :0P

Also I have published two original pieces of work on Kindle you can find a link to them on my website as well.

if I get enough review I will be pushed to add the chapter early, like Friday, instead of later next week. I have one so far this week but I think I could handle a few more.