"That's exactly what they said," Ash continued, "We will grind you into fine powdery dust. By the time a week had elapsed, all of our legs and arms felt weak. I was a star athlete from high school and maintained excellent shape in the army, but nothing prepared me for stuff like this."

He and May were at her house on the back porch sitting in comfortable chairs and overlooking the pink skyline of Petalburg. The two opted for a quick dinner after the gym and spent it talking much about their personal lives before settling outside in the cooling weather with frothy margaritas that May had declared to be the best in the world. She wasn't kidding. A week before, Ash would have been more reluctant to disclose the stuff, but he had grown so attracted to May, it was almost as if he was talking to Gary or his mother. Since her father and Drew were returning the day after tomorrow from their trip and Max was at his high school's weekend football camp, she had the place to herself and while alone it felt extremely lonely. Ergo, she was more than happy to have Ash over. When he heard about her project in International Relations, he quickly obliged on being the interviewee. It took her over dinner to think of the questions, but she had slapped it together to appear neat and would relay his answers on a fancy slideshow presentation on the computer.

"So what came first?"

"I'm not allowed to say the more intricate things," Ash responded, "But I will tell you the basics and pretty much the first part of our training. In the four month course, there are over two hundred applicants and they are all screened and tested. In my class, that cut had eliminated three quarters of all them total. The process was grueling, repetitive and irritating, so we were all relieved to hear that we had passed minutes after finishing."

May let out a low whistle.

"That's not even half of it. The Commando's commanding officer, a guy named Surge had told us even though we had passed those tests, there were no congratulatory remarks, as it was just the bare minimum that we were being considered for proper training."

"They really meant it that way?"

"Oh yeah," Ash sipped his drink, "They sure did. The majority of the stuff was about the same. Morning warm-ups at five in the morning, followed by Koga beating us up on the mats, to knowledge about warfare in general and then more things with Koga before dinner and then taps at ten. The cycle repeated pretty much every day for months on end."

"Koga sounds like the primary reason people decided to quit, given your earlier story."

"Damn right, he was just as strict as some of our drill instructors. Even worse. A lot of trainees hated him."

"Did you like him?" May asked.

"When we first started? Hell no. I don't think there was ever a guy in our class who did. However over time, I still continued to dislike him, but more of the things he taught began to make sense and much of it even applies to stuff that I do today. Needless to say, he's definitely something you have to go through with in order to succeed."

"Sounds like you had a fun job."

"I wouldn't call it fun," Ash replied, "The duty is a serious one and the regulations are a lot different than other units."

"Such as?"

"Fraternization."

"I've heard that term before,"

"Indeed," Ash said, "Federation's military laws prohibit extensive fraternization in its ranks, although the Commandos report to its Special Warfare Division that is different than the standard branches. We're allowed to bond with one another to increase mission performance. However they are still quite strict and encourage us to fraternize at our own risk."

"Why are the Commando's different?"

"When you're deep into enemy territory in a four man team, you MUST count on the other three to watch your back. Each other one is going to be doing the same. They are your backup and you are theirs. Your brother in arms may be the only thing standing between you and a pistol pointed at your temple."

"I can see why it's not enjoyed by the military," May was jotting things down in a notepad, "From the standpoint of a military leader; it can compromise your operation."

"You're thinking like a general already," Ash joked, causing the brunette to giggle. "But it's true that people you know and fought alongside will do better. Who'd you take into a firefight? Three people under your command that've been with you to hell and back? Or a group of anonymous transfers that you've never seen before? I've had to do both."

"What's your opinion on how the Federation's cooperation with Hoenn?"

Ash cupped his chin before looking back at her, "I think it's great. Hoenn needs to have some allies both economically and militaristically and having a powerful friend like the KJ Federation will give them some reassurance that any affairs they stumble into, they won't be alone. No offense to your country, but Hoenn's military is quite behind on both equipment and training of its forces, so this partnership on a military viewpoint is a good thing. Look at the Jets, a local Petalburg based countrywide crime fighting task force, I've modeled them on how I operated my Commandos and we've graced the cover of Hoenn's most popular magazine before we are even three weeks old. Then again," He patted the Commando logo on his tanktop, "I might be a little biased too."

May's had hurt from writing so much information that she shook it to ease out the soreness once she had finished writing. There was more than enough information from probably the most reliable source available and she hadn't had to use one of the chat rooms that her professor had provided.

"Any more questions?"

"Not that I can think of," May stood up and extended her hand out, "Thank you so much for joining me."

"Anytime Miss Maple," He shook it before clasping his palms together and curtly bowing, "Anytime."

Looking at the clock, Ash realized it was nearly midnight, "Shit, I was not even looking at the time. I better get going."

"No," May yawned, sleepily moaning, "Don't go."

"You forget that I have to work tomorrow. I can't just keep Brendan commanding the team."

"Make him team leader,"

He wasn't sure if she was joking or not, "Than aside from you, I have no further purpose here."

"I didn't mean it like that. Come upstairs, stay with me tonight."

Immediately in Ash's head a red flag suddenly flared. It seemed like it was an invitation to go and sleep with her. His morals clashed with his personal desire and he last thought back when he had last satisfied his needs…no…his lust. He came up empty. There was hardly ever a time where he put himself above anyone else for his own personal desire.

May had fallen asleep in her chair, so Ash gently cradled her in his arms and made his way inside her house. Her bedroom was easy to find and he had to admit that he was jealous of her king sized bed. It was just like a fantasy one where the royal family would doze off. It looked to be nearly one and a half times a standard king one.

He had to remind himself that both had quite a bit to drink and there was no way he was going to take any advantage of that. Seeing her so serene and peaceful gave him a protective feeling, almost as if it was this May that Norman was trying to protect. A sweet and innocent virgin that was unaware of the true nature of how the world was. Any other man would have instantly taken her up on the offer, at least what it would mean to them.

"How about after we finish our work and school," He proposed, "We go for a little fun in the sun? I'll get Brendan to bring us a surprise and we can have dinner in a place you've never been before?"

May sleepily nodded, although he wasn't sure if she had heard him or not.

"Stay with me? Don't leave me." She murmured, barely conscious.

Ash took her delicate hand into his and placed his lips gently on her knuckles, "I won't ever leave you. I'd love to stay. But I'm not going to."

She was aware of what she had said and wondered if hanging around Dawn and Ash had rubbed off on her. It was clear that it wasn't because of her and he had said no because it was not the right time. Once again, both of them were trying to suppress the very active hormones inside their bodies.

"Just stay for a while?"

That he could do. "Of course."

He was uncertain that she would be fussy about his tanktop that he had worn and sweat in at the gym, but decided it wasn't the best thing to ask.

Easing himself into the bed, he gently spooned her, wrapping his arms around her hourglass figure from behind. Both of them stayed perfectly still and he watched as her breathing slowed down to a regular sleeping pace.

"Sweet dreams May." Ash took her hand and planted a kiss on her knuckles before exiting and standing up. Making sure the alarm would be armed once he left, he checked on her one last time.

"Ash."

As he was just out the door his ears barely heard his name. It was barely below a whisper. He glanced over, seeing May clutching the pillow tightly, a faint trace of a smile over her beautiful face.

It was well worthy of him to smile at that.

Aww, aren't they cute together?

Thanks for reading and reviewing, you give my writing purpose.