I did say this would be slowly updated. Also lately I've been feeling… down… so I lack motivation to write. In fact, I kinda regret starting this fic. But since I did I will finish so I hope you'll stick with me… (I make my characters work for their relationship.)

cheryl: You'll have to wait and see.

Bugsymutt: Thanks for faithfully reviewing. I write knowing that at least one person is reading.

I do not own.

Cover Girl wiped the grease from her hands. It was difficult but she finally managed to get the track back on the tank… by herself. She glanced around. Where was everybody anyway? Checking the clock on the wall, she realized it was past dinner. It was typical of Clutch to go to the mess hall without informing her. Fuming, she tossed the rag aside and quickly ran for the cafeteria hoping there was something left. She wasn't surprised to see that it was empty. She was, after all, late. A few stragglers dotted the tables chewing the fat. To her dismay the kitchen was just closing. She rushed over to Roadblock who was behind the counter.

"I don't suppose there's anything left?" She asked ruefully.

"Not today." Roadblock replied mournfully. Pausing a second before a big grin spread across his face. "Do you think I'd let my favorite tank jockey starve? No way!" He pulled a covered tray from under the counter.

"Roadblock, you're a saint." She declared as she pulled off the cover. The smell of Roadblock's homemade stew greeted her. Cover Girl closed her eyes as she sniffed the treat.

"Eh, thank Beach Head. He pointed out that you were late, and to make sure to save you a plate." Roadblock shrugged. He waved as he walked off.

Cover Girl stared at his back. Did he really say Beach Head noticed she wasn't there and had Roadblock save her some food?

She sat down with her tray. Beach Head had been avoiding her ever since the Valentine's Day mission. The only interaction she had with him was when he was screaming at her for being too slow on the ropes course. She scowled. What was he yelling about anyway? She had already shaved three minutes off her time. Better than anyone on the base, save Snake Eyes.

She was so deep in thought that she did not realize that she had finished her food. Looking at the last piece of her roll, she soaked the last of the sauce before finishing it off. Darn, Beach Head! Even though he wasn't present, he still managed to distract her from enjoying her meal.

She deposited her empty try at the counter before exiting the cafeteria. As she walked through the door, there stood Beach Head with his usual glare.

"Well, Barbie? Took you long enough." He snapped.

Reminding herself that he was responsible for her meal, she gave him a radiant smile and batted her eyes at him.

"And good evening to you too. I hear you're to thank that I got something to eat." She said cheerfully.

Beach Head was taken aback by the response. But the look of surprise was quickly replaced with a frown. "Yeah, well, you should keep better track of time." He grumbled as he stalked off.

Cover Girl followed him.

"So you missed me?" She asked sweetly.

"No." He answered too quickly. His pace quickened.

"The lady doth protest too much." Cover Girl said slyly.

Beach Head didn't answer.

"Someone missed me, someone missed me." Cover Girl said in a sing song voice.

Beach Head suddenly swirled around. "If you're trying to annoy me, Barbie, it's working. But remember tomorrow you'll be on the obstacle course…"

"Yeah, yeah, you'll yell obscenities at me while I crawl through a mud pit… Been there, done that." Cover Girl said dismissively. "So you've been avoiding me."

She could see that he wasn't expecting the direct approach when his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

His face turned red and he sputtered for an answer. After several false starts, he found his voice. "You're right. I've been avoiding you." He said as his accent grew thick.

Cover Girl was shocked that he admitted it so readily. Or maybe she shouldn't be. Beach Head was always straightforward.

"Do you want to talk about it? It's hard to work together when your partner runs from you."

"I ain't running from you!" Beach Head snapped. Then in a less gruff tone he added, "I'm just trying to find the right words… Can we talk somewhere less public?"

"Sure." Cover Girl hadn't seen anyone in the hallways since they started their conversation but if he wanted to go somewhere private she could oblige.

Beach Head started walking briskly toward the exit.

"I have to inspect the course for tomorrow's PT."

Cover Girl wordlessly followed him through the base to the training courses. When they arrived Beach Head started examining the first obstacle course.

Cover Girl waited impatiently for a few minutes before she interrupted him. "Well? Are we talking or did you just invite me out here to stare at your backside?"

Beach Head glared at her but his face turned a distinct shade of red. "I still got a job to do." He turned to stare at some barb wires. Cover Girl glowered at his back. She was about to turn and leave.

"I don't know what to do." It was so soft that Cover Girl barely heard it.

"What?" She asked.

"I said, I don't know what to do." He finally turned to face her, scowl on her face. "I usually decide one way or another and don't look back. But with you…" He suddenly turned and punched the post holding the barb wire.

Cover Girl jumped a little but held her ground.

"You make me feel all sorts of things that I thought I had buried. And if you weren't part of this unit…" He stopped staring at his bloodied knuckle. "I can't. I just can't." He finished.

Cover Girl could see how much he was struggling with this.

"Hey, Beach Head… Wayne," She said his real name softly. "I'm not here to… make your life miserable. Whatever you decide, I'll be okay with. We'll still be friends. But just make a decision because I need to know either way."

Beach Head slowly turned his head to her. She could see the confusion in his eyes and emotions warring within.

"Cover Girl… Courtney," He said hesitantly. "I… I care about you… a lot… but if I… we do… I'd be a hypocrite, what with going on about Flint and Lady Jaye and the others…" He paused looking down.

Cover Girl had her answer. "Then it's just friends then Beach Head."

Beach Head finally looked up. "I wish it could be different."

"So do I." Cover Girl said ruefully. "But I'll take a friend over nothing."

They both looked at each other.

"So what do we do about…" They both said simultaneously. Stopping, they both burst out laughing.

"Jinx." Cover Girl said between her laughter.

"I don't play those games." Beach Head answered when he sobered up. "But we do need to find that mole."

"I can't believe it would be someone we know." Cover Girl shook her head. "I trust everyone here with my life."

"I know… Well, almost everyone…" Beach Head amended.

"Shipwreck doesn't count. He's a clown but he's good at what he does." Cover Girl protested.

"I wasn't thinking about him." Beach Head scowled at the mention of his name. "But he is a lazy, incompetent jackanape."

"No, he's not. It's just an act to get him out of work… hmm… then… I guess he is lazy." Cover Girl said thoughtfully.

"So you… like him." Beach Head tried to make it sound like he didn't care.

Cover Girl raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I like him. He's funny, charming, witty…"

"Hmph." Beach Head grunted.

"Hey, you can't be jealous since you and I are just friends." Cover Girl reminded him.

"I wasn't jealous." Cover Girl noticed his accent became more pronounced as he grew agitated. She decided to let it drop.

"Well, I'll let you finish inspecting this death trap. See you in the morning." She waved and left, feeling emotionally and physically drained. All that work on the tank was also finally catching up to her. As she walked back toward the women's barracks, Beach Head's eyes followed her until she disappeared in the horizon. When she was no longer in view, he shook his head and vigorously rubbed his face. Intellectually, he knew it was for the best but it still felt like someone ripped his heart out of his chest.

Cover Girl reached the main base. She was about to make the turn to head towards her room when from the corner of her eye something moved. She turned her head but there was nothing there. She was about to chalk it up to tiredness when she saw another flicker. Before going to investigate, she checked to see if anyone was on patrol in the area. She jogged around the building. An unfamiliar scent stopped her in her tracks. It was… perfume? Putting her hand on her firearm she called out, "Hey! Who's there?"

To her surprise, Flint walked out from the shadows.

"Easy there, Cover Girl. It's just me." He said amicably.

Cover Girl relaxed, "Geez, Flint. You scared me."

"What are you doing out here?" He asked.

"I can ask you the same thing." She countered. The scent of the perfume was still in her mind.

"Nothing, just taking a walk. And you?" Flint answered without hesitation.

"Same. Just stretching the muscles after fighting with the tank tracks." Cover Girl lied smoothly.

"Well, it's getting late. So see you later." Flint walked away.

Cover Girl narrowed her eyes. Quickly, she made her way back to where the female Joes were housed. She went into her house and went to her roommates door.

After two knocks, Lady Jaye came to the door. She had green face cream and her hair was in curlers. "What's up?" She yawned.

"Oh, I, uh, was wondering if I could… borrow some of your perfume?" Cover Girl stammered.

Lady Jaye looked at her oddly. "Sure, but can't this wait till morning?"

"It'll just be a second." Cover Girl walked into Jaye's room. Lady Jaye pointed her to the top drawer of her dresser. Cover Girl quickly sniffed all the little bottles. None of them was the same scent.

"Find what you're looking for?" Jaye asked from her bed.

"Uh, yeah. I did. I'll just take this for me room. I think something must have died. Need something to mask the smell." Cover Girl was getting good at fibbing.

"Ugh, tell maintenance. They're always slacking off." Jaye grumbled. "Can you get the light on your way out?"

"Sure. So, did I wake you?" Cover Girl asked nonchalantly.

"Yeah, but it's okay. I was only half asleep." She said as she snuggled deeper under the covers.

"Sorry. Good night."

"Good night."

Hmm, something odd is going on. But what? Mwahahah. Sorry, I mean stay tuned...