Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Zane turned, to see an inspection taking place. He could see Jo, about age sixteen, in military dress uniform, shouldering a rifle.

"What the hell-"

"Inspection. They have them twice a year at The Point. All the military schools get together and hold a twice-yearly inspection. It's... kind of like... public school's football games. I was... a cadet captain by then."

He nodded, lost in the sight of a young Jo in full military dress. Her long dark hair- hair that she now wore in a tight ponytail- was pulled back in a tight bun. The white dress pants clung to her legs, as did the dark jacket, accenting her curves, even at that young age.

"I was in the drill team." She said, watching herself.

When the inspection ended later, Jo pulled Kyle apart from the group. "What is it, Cadet Captain Lupo?" He asked. She took a deep breath, glancing over her shoulder before taking his shoulders and walking him back behind the bleachers. Their lips brushed once they were hidden, and after several minutes, he pushed her away. "What are you doing?"

"What I've wanted to do all day." She looked at him, biting her lip. He shook his head, pulling away from her. He moved past her, and she turned. "Did I do something wrong, Kyle?" He stopped, turning back to her.

"No. You didn't do anything wrong, Joey." He went to her, cupping her cheek. "I just... I just found out that... we're going to be in seperate countries."

"What are you talking about?" Her brow furrowed as she looked up at him.

"I talked to the General today. He said that, after graduation, you were moving to Europe. Berlin, to be exact. He was going to be stationed there. He said that... a relationship between us would only hurt you, and he didn't want to see you get hurt. Said it would be best if we broke it off."

She stared at him, her mouth open in shock. "And you're just... going to listen to him! You're going to... to take his advice..." She took a deep breath, ripping her cap off and throwing it at him. "How could you let him dictate our relationship like that?" The others in the team looked up, and after a moment, he led her back behind the bleachers.

"Look, Joey, I'm sorry. But your dad's right. You would only get hurt, it's better if we end it now. Spare us both the heartache."

She shook her head, tears in her eyes, tears she refused to let fall. Instead, she ripped her hat from his hands and stormed past him, going towards her father. The General looked up, a warm smile appearing on his face as his daughter approached.

"You did wonderfully, Peanut." She glared at him, backing up when he reached out to hug her. Her brothers sat on the bleachers, chatting softly, watching out of the corners of their eyes.

"Permission to speak, Sir." Jo said, straightening her posture and putting her hands behind her back.

Zane was surprised. So that was why she was always standing or walking with her hands folded behind her back. It had been drilled into her since high school, maybe even before. Why she always stood rail straight and never slumped, why, even when they were sitting at the kitchen table or sitting on the couch, or even laying in bed after sex, she always sat up straight, why she refused to relax, even going so far as to physically push him away when he tried to get her to meld to him.

Especially during sex.

The first few times, her posture had been odd, but eventually, he'd managed to get her to relax enough to where she'd melt, her rigid posture falling away. No longer would she be the drill Sergeant or the military soldier, she was a woman, her body taking control and breaking free of the constraints forced on her by her military upbringing.

Her father started, but nodded. "Permission granted, Cadet Captain Lupo."

She took a deep breath, licking her lips. She looked away for a moment, mustering her courage, before,

"Why was I not told that we would be moving to Germany after my graduation?"

He stared at her, confused for a moment. "I was going to-"

"And why was I not told that you did not approve of my relationship with Cadet Major Marks? Why was I to learn that you had demanded it be broken off today? Why did you not tell me any of this, Sir?"

Her father sighed. "You must understand, I'm doing this for your own good. It's best if you don't get attached-"

"So because I am friends with Gwendolyn Rowley and Caitlan Hertz and Tamsen Blythe, I am to break off my relationships with them too because I am attached? They are my best friends, Sir! And Kyle is my boyfriend! I can't break off every relationship I have because you don't want me to get hurt."

"Josefina-"

"I won't! I don't care where we go or for how long! I love Kyle, and I love Gwen and Tam and Lan, and I won't lose them! Any of them!"

"You're not understanding, Cadet-"

"I'm not one of your gunneys! I'm your daughter!" Her scream echoed throughout the gym, drawing everyone's attention. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she looked around. When she turned back, her father was coming towards her. He took her roughly by the arm, walking her away from everyone's prying eyes.

"How dare you speak to me with such disrespect!" She looked up at him, fresh tears sliding down her cheeks. He was angry, she could see it. "Do you know what it's like to have your daughter publically humiliate you? Do you know what you're doing to this family's legacy? Your legacy? Do you?"

"I'm not just another soldier, Dad! I'm not Ricco or Davie or Luca! I'm your daughter." She struggled to keep from sobbing. "Can't you love me like you loved Mom?" He watched as she broke down.

"You're too much like Cassandra. Exactly like Cassandra. I loved her; I wasn't prepared when she died-"

"And you're taking it out on me!" She screamed, pushing past him. Everyone watched as Jo rushed from the gym. Several moments passed, before Luca went after her.

When the memory faded, he turned to Jo, who was sobbing softly into her hands. He gathered her to his chest and let her cry.

"We moved to Germany that summer, after I graduated- yes, I graduated a year early. Lived in Berlin for a year, before moving to Paris. When I hit eighteen, I moved back to the States. Made a name for myself in the Army. Became a Sargeant... went to war. Returned. Haven't spoken to my dad since I was eighteen." She said against his chest. He swallowed, feeling tears begin to prick his eyes.