This is Prompt No. 27-Laughter

Mitchie woke the next morning only to find Shane's head in her lap, softly snoring. He was facing her and she could see his eyelashes fluttering as he dreamed. She smiled slightly, and even though she was feeling slightly disoriented from the drug, she felt her heart swell slightly with love. She brought one hand up so that she could gently stroke Shane's hair, finding it as soft and as black as a crow's wing.

Her movements woke him up and he opened his eyes to find her smiling at him. He grinned back and said, "You're not allowed out of the base again…ever."

Mitchie laughed as he sat up, running a hand through his hair. "It wasn't that bad," she told him. "I didn't get hurt."

"But you could have," Shane stressed. "That mission was over your head. We never should've sent you on it."

Mitchie shrugged, still feeling sleepy from the drug. "Maybe not, but it was done, and I accomplished what I set out to find."

Shane shrugged. "I suppose that's a good thing. The mission wasn't for nothing then." He stood, leaning over to kiss her forehead, and said, "Everyone wanted to see you when you were awake. Are you feeling well enough to get up?"

Mitchie took inventory of herself, testing each main muscle and bone and making sure that everything worked. "I think so," she told him. "Just give me a moment to get dressed, and then I'll be out."

"Alright," he said and started toward the door. "I'll be right outside."

When the door had closed behind him, Mitchie pushed back the covers and rolled over, shakily standing. The room started to spin for a moment and Mitchie feared that the drug Nigel had used might not have worn off, but soon, the dizziness stopped, and Mitchie surmised that it was only a result of having moved suddenly. She walked carefully to her wardrobe and found a plain day dress that would work well and then began the task of putting it on.

"Boys' clothes are so much easier to wear," she grumbled as she began lacing her corset by herself, an almost impossible task, and pulling on her stockings. Finally, after much manual labor, and some unsteady moments, Mitchie succeeded in lacing up the back of her dress. Next came her hair, which was a simple task after having had to dress herself.

Mitchie slipped on her shoes and then hurried to the door leading out to the base. "I'm ready," she told Shane.

He was standing right where he had said he was going to be and he turned and smiled at her cheerfully. "Took you long enough," he teased.

Mitchie sniffed disdainfully. "You try getting into one of these horrid contraptions by yourself," she said, motioning to the dress. "I bet it would take you longer!"

Shane grinned, glad to see that some of the fire was back in her countenance. "You're probably right," he conceded, putting his arm lightly around her shoulders, a bold move, and leading her down the hall.

Mitchie smiled, feeling the weight of his arm around her shoulders and liking it. Together, they made their way down the many halls, stopping every now and then so that Mitchie could catch her breath. The drug seemed to have worn down some of her endurance and she leaned against Shane quite a few times as she caught her breath. "Sorry," she said each time she had to stop.

And every time she said it, Shane would brush her off and say, "There's nothing to be sorry about."

They finally came to the conference room where their division of the UUS met, and Shane held open the door for her. When she stepped inside, Mitchie heard a loud squeal. "Mitchie!" Her head whipped to the side and she found Caitlyn struggling to get out of her seat, and Nate holding her by the waist to keep her there. "Let go of me, Nate!" she called.

Nate shook his head and grinned at Mitchie. "I wouldn't want Mitchie to get hurt again right after she's recovered."

"Nate!" Caitlyn's tone demanded that he let go.

"No," he said determinedly.

"Nathaniel!" Caitlyn's tone became sharp and hard as she used Nate's full name.

Jason, who was sitting with the general on the other side of the room watching the exchange, chuckled. "Better let her go, Nathaniel," he teased. "She used your full name."

Nate rolled his eyes. "That failed to scare me two years ago." But in the end, he let Caitlyn go, and she bounded up to Mitchie, hugging her tightly.

"I was so worried about you," she told Mitchie as she hugged her. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Mitchie nodded. "I'm a little tired, and slightly disoriented, but no more than usual."

Everyone laughed and Caitlyn hugged her again. "I so wanted to go with you," she said. "I worried about you all night until Nate came to get me and told me that you were alright."

Mitchie nodded and turned to glance at the general. "I'm so sorry," she said, "that the mission turned out the way it did."

He shrugged in return and smiled at her. "You did the best you could," he assured Mitchie. "The situation got out of control and there was nothing we could do about it. You did a very good job under circumstances we didn't train you for."

Mitchie nodded her head, silently thanking the general for the compliment. Her face twisted into a smile and she said, "At least I know how to play poker now!"

Shane rolled his eyes. "Just what I always wanted you to learn," he said dryly.

Caitlyn looked from one to the other, her eyes flickering quickly from face to face. "Did you tell him?" she asked.

"Tell who what?" Mitchie asked, confused.

An impish grin crept over Caitlyn's face as she said, "You know, about your sweetheart."

Shane turned to Mitchie, a slight frown on his face. "What sweetheart?"

Horror crept over Mitchie as she realized what Caitlyn was talking about. She must have heard Nigel's comment about "Shania" being so upset. Her cheeks stained crimson as she studied the floor. "Not now, Caitlyn," she hissed.

Nate sat back in his chair, grinning, "Oh definitely now," he said.

"Yes, tell us, Mitchie!" Jason added. "Who is this man who's managed to capture your heart after only an evening?"

"Not a man," Caitlyn chuckled and Mitchie glared at her fiercely, but she was undeterred. "Lieutenant Perry has a sweetheart back home named Shania." The last word came out garbled because Caitlyn was laughing so hard.

"What?" Shane asked, leaning forward unconsciously.

This time, Caitlyn managed to get the name out, complete with appropriate syllables. "Shania!"

The room was quiet for a moment, and Mitchie squirmed under their gazes. Then, Nate and Jason began giggling, and the general let out a laugh. Soon, even Shane joined in, and the laughter rang out throughout the room.

A/N: Did you guys really think that I would leave you all hanging for a month while I'm gone? You thought wrong! :D Let me know if you liked it! And over 200 reviews? You guys rock! Thank you!