Note: this chap is more of a T/M-rated one... just a head up.

''You're going to hurt yourself'' Kharma sighed, watching Elena climb higher up the tree.

''Instead of complaining, a little support wouldn't hurt'' Elena muttered. Kharma shook her head and watched Elena climb higher.

''How much higher is it really in need of?'' Kharma began to become really concerned.

''He said the top'' Elena answered. Feeling how her arms and legs started to fail her.

''I think that's enough, just place it there and,'' Kharma said but was cut off when Elena stepped on a branch that broke.

''Elena!'' she gasped but her friend was tightly pressing herself against the tree.

''I'm fine'' Elena said, not moving from her spot.

''Okay that's enough; come down'' Kharma arched her eyebrows.

''I said I'm fine'' Elena muttered, still holding on to her spot.

''Is this really about the stupid tracker or is it about a certain soldier?'' Kharma said, holding her gaze on her friend. Elena didn't answer.

''How are you really holding up girl?''

''Fine; that means I don't want to talk about it'' Elena replied and Kharma sighed.

''Come down, please'' she begged and Elena sighed. She pulled the tracker out of her pocket and mounted it as Hunter had instructed her. She pressed the button and the green light lit, just as Hunter said it would do.

''Coming'' she said with a low tone, climbing down. The way down was much harder than the climb up and repeatedly, she gave Kharma mini heart attacks by slipping on branches.

''Watch out!'' Kharma screamed as another branch broke. Elena, like all the other times, gripped the tree and pressed herself against it.

''You okay?'' Kharma stared at her friend, one hand over her heart.

''Just give me a moment'' Elena was tired, she had her forehead against the tree and breathed heavily.

''That's enough, I'll get help'' Kharma had had enough and Elena was only half way down.

''No I…''

''Don't do anything stupid!'' Kharma interupted her and before Elena could continue; she had already ran away.

''Wonderful'' Elena muttered, taking a deep breath before continuing her way down. She would ask how she ended up in this position but she knew the answer. She volunteered when Hunter asked who wanted to place the tracker; mostly to get away from the guys and here she was.

''Stupid mission, stupid war, stupid men, stupid…'' with each stupid, she climbed lower and lower.

Almost down, she placed her left foot on a branch and was about to follow with the right one when she heard a cracking noise and with a gasp, she slipped. This time she wasn't able to grip the tree and she fell down. Her body bounced against the ground and she groaned in pain.

''Elena!'' Kharma's voice echoed and she felt how someone tried to make her sit up. The arms were however not Kharma's.

''Jesus, are you okay?!'' Seth asked concerned, observing her face to identify any dizziness. She only groaned as a response.

''What did I tell you!'' Kharma said both angrily and concerned.

''You know I never listen, besides; it was just three meters'' Elena muttered, trying to stand but in vain.

''Here'' Seth slid one arm under her arms and the other on under her legs before lifting her up into his chest. She was about to object but didn't have the strength.

''Why did you bring him?'' she asked after a while and Kharma noticed the question was aiming her.

''He offer...''

''I can hear you, you know'' Seth commented and Elena sighed, leaning her head against his chest.

''I know'' she said, shutting her eyes.

x x x

''How come the guys that I want…never wants me?'' by those words, Kharma turned to face Caroline that was looking into Seth's open tent where Elena was asleep and Seth sitting by her side, also asleep.

''She doesn't even try, and he just picks her'' Caroline continued and Kharma made a sad face expression. She didn't know what to say, so she stayed quiet.

Elena groaned, waking up.

''You're up'' she turned to face Hunter. A sigh escaped between his lips.

''Stephanie is gonna kill me for that black eye'' he shook his head and she lifted her hands to her face. Pressing it, she felt a pain under her left eye. How did she even get that? Her body was sore and that was understandable but a black eye? She sighed.

''He's very fond of you, you know'' Hunter nodded against her right and Elena turned to see Seth sleeping in a chair next to her. She hadn't noticed him until now.

''Not that I can see why, but'' he shrugged and she chuckled.

''Thanks'' she knew he tried to cheer her up and was grateful over that. Although is seemed a little odd considering their past.

Seth groaned by their voices and awakened.

''Well,'' Hunter said and waved bye before walking out. Seth blinked confused and Elena smiled.

''He just checked on me''

''Even stranger'' Seth stretched and Elena chuckled.

''How y… your eye!'' Seth widened his eyes and placed his thumb and index finger under her chin, observing her face as he moved it around.

''Yeah'' she said, twisting her head out of his grip. He looked at her and sighed.

''You're still mad?''

''I'm not mad''

''But?''

''I just can't figure you out'' she sighed and he frowned.

''You sleep with one of my closest friends, you lie about it, you kiss me, you leave your best friend and then you… I just don't get it'' she confused herself.

''Sometimes I think, sometimes I don't'' he replied and silence followed as she observed him, trying to understand.

''Then we have this cockiness and…''

''What's wrong with being confident?'' he interrupted her.

''Don't flatter yourself'' she snorted, placing a grin on his face.

''Why did you even try to avoid me?'' he asked.

''Easier'' she replied.

''Easier then what?''

''Look, I get it. You don't need to act like you actually care or listen'' she rolled her eyes and he frowned.

''What makes you think I don't listen to you?''

She lifted her eyebrows and looked at him like it was obvious.

''Your favorite color is purple'' he said out of the blue and she stared stunned at him.

''I told ya I listen'' he continued and silence followed. She had no memory of telling him that; it must have slipped out once.

''What do you want?'' she knew she had asked this question before, but she never got a proper answer.

''One night, and if you still feel nothing; I will let you be'' he said and she snorted.

''You mean one fuck'' she corrected him and with a hesitation, he nodded.

''No'' she said.

''Because you're scared of falling for me?'' he grinned and she gave him a glare.

''You wish''

''I do'' he smirked.

''I know you're trying to provoke me'' she said. He stood and walked over to the entrance of the tent. He lowered the blanked that represented the door and walked back again, this time sitting on the side of the bed.

''What are you doing?'' she said a little nervous.

''One night and if you want me to stop, I'll stop.'' he said, locking eyes with her. She didn't move, considering it for a moment. A sigh escaped between her lips before she climbed into his lap and was now straddling him. She leaned closer to his ear.

''One night'' she whispered, wiggling her hips against him and he groaned before pulling her into a kiss. She tangled her fingers into his two toned hair and he plunged his tongue into her mouth, causing her to moan against his lips. His hands went up and down her back and she wrapped her legs tighter around his waist, pressing her body against his.

They pulled away to catch their breath; eyes locked. Within the next seconds, he slid her sweater off and tossed it aside. While he slid his own off, she unbuckled his pants and had just unzipped them when he laid her down on the bed. He then tossed his pants along with his underwear aside before ripping hers off as well.

''What?'' she said smiling as he observed her body. She had still her bra on. He smirked in response and bent down to kiss her neck as one of his hand unbuckled her bra; the other one ran down her stomach.

She moaned and raised her hips, causing him to grin. The bra slid off and he lifted his head to take a look. She could see the lust in his eyes. He bent down and captured her lips in a kiss while kneading one breast and she dragged her nails up and down his muscular back, moaning.

He broke the kiss and parted her legs, prepared the position. Slowly he slid inside her and she dug her fingers into his shoulders, tossing her head backwards in pleasure. He started to thrust and she gasped; arching her back and meeting his thrusts.

He begun thrusting faster and moaned as she wrapped her legs around his waist; causing him to pound her harder. She groaned pleased. She closed her eyes and he felt her tighten, she was close. When she opened her eyes again, they locked with his. He pulled her closer to him and continued to thrust. She gasped and gripped his biceps, after that she came and his body collapsed upon hers.

He tangled her fingers into her hair and buried his face into her neck, breathing heavily. They both could feel each other's heartbeats against their bodies.

After a while, he pulled out; flipping over to the side.

''Well shit'' he breathed out, now remembering how bad Kelly was.

''Mhmm'' she was fading away to her sleep. He pulled her closer, making sure she was covered under the blanket. He peeked over and she was slumbering. With a smile, he fell asleep; arms wrapped protectively around her.