The Great Escape free porn video

The Great Escape ? by: Kahukura Chapter One: Name, Rank, and Serial Number Malone looked at the man with disdain he did not try to hide. "Andrew Malone, Major US Army, 51623479." The General glared at him in annoyance. "Why were you trespassing on our territory, Major Malone? American forces are not welcome here, or did you not know that?" "Andrew Malone, Major US Army, 51623479." "Ignorant fool! What about you, Lieutenant? Are you up to answering any questions, or shall my men be allowed to have some fun?" Collins hesitated a moment. The Major shot him a warning glance. "Um... Christopher Collins, First Lieutenant US Army, 73..." "Enough! I've had enough of you two! Guard!" A man appeared from the shadows, his muscles rippling beneath his uniform. "Take these two back to their cell. We get to decide how to make them talk." A malicious gleam entered the General's black eyes. Collins attempted to hold back a shiver. The men were roughly grabbed and thrown back into the cell from which they had only just been pulled moments before. "Lieutenant, I don't know what you think you're doing..." "I'm sorry, Sir." "Sorry for what, Lieutenant?" "For almost compromising our mission, Sir." "And what else, Lieutenant?" "Interrupting you, Sir." "Good. We are not to discuss anything of confidential matters within these walls. Understood? They no doubt have them bugged." "Yes, Sir," Collins answered meekly. Malone examined his charge. His men had been killed, all but two. Lieutenant Christopher Collins and Private Keegan had been spared bullets to the head, but would no doubt receive much worse in the hours to come. He was responsible for them. It was a sobering thought. He was not prepared for such a task. He was only thirty, too young to be a Major, too young to force his men to undergo torture to protect their mission. But, he had superiors that he had to follow as well. "Sir?" "Yes, Collins." "Sir, what do you think they're going to do? I've heard they pull out fingernails, and cut off limbs, and..." "I'm sure your imagination is worse than theirs, Lieutenant. Besides, they'll want the information from me. You don't know anything worthwhile." "Where's Keegan?" "I'm not sure. But, don't worry, Keegan won't give anything up." Collins nodded, his eyes drifting back to the door. He looked so young, so scared and helpless. Andrew couldn't quite comprehend the loss his forces had undergone. They had been testing new equipment when their unit had been ambushed by a rogue militant faction. Now, here they were, awaiting their fate. The distant sound of footsteps disturbed the two men. Collins' hands began to tremble. He tried to keep them still, but to no avail. Andrew Malone straightened, holding his head much higher than was comfortable. The guards dragged the two men back to the interrogation room. Now, however, there were two large chairs set up in the center of the room. They looked like converted electric chairs. Malone and Collins were thrown roughly into the seats and shackled into place. The General emerged from behind an observation window with one arm concealed behind his back. "Well, since you wouldn't talk before, I thought maybe we could 'persuade' you to speak. I'll give you one more chance, Major. Will you answer my questions?" Malone sat motionless in his seat. "You are a stubborn one, aren't you? Oh well, no worries. You won't be half as stubborn soon. Guard!" One of the burly men stepped forward, a pair of scissors clutched in one massive hand. He carefully cut the officer's clothes from his body until he sat only in a pair of army issue BVDs. Now, the General revealed his concealed hand, clutching a syringe filled with a mercurial liquid. "Don't worry. There will just be a little pinch..." "Don't!" The General was so shocked by the statement that he almost dropped the needle. He spun towards Lt. Collins. "Are you going to tell me what I want to know?" "Don't hurt him. Torture me. I'll take it for him," Chris offered in a much steadier voice than he was accustomed to using. Malone was speechless. This young man, barely old enough to buy beer was offering to accept torture in his stead. It was remarkable. However, the General was not so touched. "Sorry, Lieutenant. But, you don't know anything worthwhile. *That's* all in the Major's head." With that, the General slipped the needle into Malone's arm and depressed the stopper, draining every drop of the liquid into the man's blood stream. "Now, Guard, take them back to their quarters." * * * * * * The two army men were dropped carelessly on the floor of a new cell. It took a moment for Collins to discover a light switch near one wall. The light revealed what appeared to be a drably furnished bedroom. Supporting Malone's muscular frame, Collins escorted his superior to the bed. Already the man was suffering in untold ways. Sheets of sweat poured from his almost naked form. He moaned softly, opening one eye to catch the gaze of his Lieutenant. "Um...Sir. Are you all right?" "Do I look like I'm all right, Collins?" His C.O. asked in a humorless voice. "Um...No, Sir. I was thinking, that stuff they put in your arm. It looked kinda like Mercury, you know, Quicksilver. And..." "No, Collins, I don't believe it was Quicksilver. Mercury is poisonous. They don't want to kill me, not yet," he replied through gritted teeth. "I know what Mercury does, Sir. It was merely a suggestion. But if it's not Quicksilver, than what is it, Sir? What are they up to?" Collins asked haltingly. "I have a sneaking suspicion that we will soon find out, Collins." Malone answered with pain painting his usually steady voice. The men lapsed into silence. Collins was too nervous to speak, Malone in too much pain to attempt conversation. The sweat continued to pour from the burly man's body. Andrew Malone had long been an imposing figure in the US Army. Since high school, he'd been a star athlete. He could bench press most Privates without much trouble on his part. He was the soldier's soldier, a perfect fighting machine if there ever was one. Beyond that, he garnered an unequivocal amount of respect from his underlings. There was no doubt in the Sergeant's mind that those young men laying dead out in that field had been more than happy to die for their Lieutenant. ~Hell,~ he thought absently, ~*I'd* die for him if he needed me. Wouldn't even have to ask.~ Collins began to worry a great deal for his C.O.'s hydration. It just wasn't healthy for anyone to sweat that much without receiving liquids to resupply the body with electrolytes. "There I go again, playing M*A*S*H" He scolded himself. Collins was only in the Army now to get money for medical school. He was lucky they'd given him a rank for the college degree he'd already achieved, otherwise he'd be sweeping latrines with the other Privates. Not that they would envy his present position. Most didn't believe Christopher's maturity. Why should they? He looked much younger than his age. He was still carded when entering 'R' rated movies, for Heaven's sake. He stood just below six feet, thick black hair and dark brown eyes giving him a Latin look. Of course, he was no such thing. His dark complexion came from a Native American mother. It was that heritage that got him as far in his education as he had already come through sympathetic scholarship programs. At last, his nervous energy had to be expended. Collins rose to his feet and began to pace the small cubicle they'd been given. As he did so, he caught an arial view of Maj. Malone. ~He looks so thin.~ He mused. The man's arms and legs had withered down to a mere fraction of their past volume. The officer's broad biceps had dwindled into absolute nothingness. His legs were thin sticks in comparison to the muscular appendages once belonging to the proud soldier. "I don't like this," Collins mumbled to himself as he continued his futile trek. "I don't like this at all." Malone had been drifting in and out of consciousness. He was aware of an intense heat pervading every cell of his body, the pain which encompassed every atom of his existence made movement nigh on impossible. And, there was something else. Something he could not grasp in his throws of agony. His mind was foggy, his thoughts muddled. It reminded him of scrambled radio waves. He knew that together they would make sense, but divided into piles of nonsense they were worthless. Collins stopped his restless movement. "I'm not succeeding in anything but wasting energy. And, to make matters worse, this could be energy I'll need later," he berated himself in irritation. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Collins." The comment startled the Lieutenant so that he squealed like a girl. The voice had undoubtedly been Maj. Malone's. However, it had cracked on the third word, rising an octave or so from a rich baritone to a low tenor. ~Odd.~ He thought again. ~I'd love to get my hands on a sample of that injection.~ Out loud, he merely responded to his superior's kind comment. "I just feel responsible, Sir. If I'd watched the equipment more closely..." "Not your fault, kid. I'm the C.O. Looking out for hostiles is my job, not yours," Maj. Malone's voice had cracked and risen yet again. It took a great deal of self control to keep Collins from wincing at the almost boyish soprano. Was the Major really not aware of the change? "But, Sir, I feel helpless. I mean. I'm gonna be a doctor, and I can't even help you now, when you *need* me." This time the crack was in Collins' voice. However, this crack was caused by emotion. Malone furrowed his brow. ~I can't believe I'm watching one of my own men crying. How'd that pansy get in the army anyway? I wouldn't have recruited him.~ He immediately felt guilt over his harsh thoughts. ~The kid cries because he wants to help me but can't, he offers his life in exchange for mine, and here I am making fun of the squirt. Some Major I am.~ A spasm wracked the man's body and his thoughts disappeared into the recesses of his mind, unnoticed. Collins wiped away his tears, sniffed back the mucus in his nose, and stared guiltily at the form of his C.O. on the bed not more than two feet away. ~I cried in front of my superior. I'm so stupid! If and when we get home Malone will tell the *entire* base. I'm going to have to hibernate in my apartment for a year!~ If it had been possible to die of embarrassment, he probably would have done it. Just then, the spasm took over Maj. Malone's body. "Holy crap!" Collins shouted jumping to his feet. He had to rub both eyes and squint to insure that he was seeing everything correctly. The Major's broad shoulders were slowly but surely shrinking. "Sir, I believe your body may be dissolving the calcium in your bones," he voiced allowed in an attempt to explain the man's physical torment. Maj. Malone did not respond, he'd fainted into oblivion. "Probably better that way," Collins determined. "The pain must be incredible." He stared at the dwindling bone structure for a moment and then stood once again. Now, he paced as he thought. "All right, first, the Major sweats until almost all of his muscles and fat deposits are gone. Then, his bones began to dissolve. Why?" He pounded his fist against his forehead in an agitated manner. "Well, without muscles he'll feel weak; without fatty deposits he won't be able to go long without food or water; and, bone structure would have a great deal to do with how he psychologically deals with threats and his physical ability to take them. Not bad Dr. Collins," he beamed at himself. His delight was short lived. Maj. Malone's shoulders stopped shrinking when they had reached an incredibly slender width. ~Well, the guy isn't very imposing now.~ The Lieutenant mused. No sooner had the shoulders stopped, than the soldier's arms and legs began to twitch. "Woe buddy!" Collins breathed as he bent to examine his 'specimen' more closely. "I'll be! That injection is actually going to make him shorter. Unbelievable! What kind of science have they been doing in this compound?" he breathed in awe. The Major's body continued to diminish in size for nearly forty- five minutes. When at last the twitches stopped, the man had gone from around 6' 3" to just about 5' 2". "Over a foot shorter. If I didn't know better, I'd think I was dreaming. This is impossible!" Collins observed as he collapsed backwards into his chair. "What kind of injection was that anyway?" "One that we must now continue," The General's voice answered the young Lieutenant's rhetorical question. Collins searched the room frantically with his eyes. ~There. On the wall, just before it met the ceiling...a speaker. Or maybe not.~ He thought, as a strange green mist funneled into the room through the 'speaker'. Collins tried to resist, but the gas slowly filled his lungs and forced him into a strange sort of paralysis. He could still see and hear, but he could not move. Two guards entered the cell. One pulled an IV cart, the other carried a gun. They affixed an IV into Maj. Malone's right arm, then exited without a word. "Now, Lt. Collins. If you remove that IV before the bag empties, you will sentence the Major to a fate worse than death. I assure you, he will return to you completely healthy, from one perspective or another. But, if you halt the flow of that liquid, you will be damaging him more than we ever could. It's up to you, Lieutenant. His fate is in your hands." Chapter Two: Getting in Touch with a Feminine Side Collins slowly regained feeling in his body. After fifteen minutes, he was up and checking Maj. Malone's condition. He longed to remove the IV, but the General's words hung firmly in the air around him. The man had sweat off more than fifty percent of his body weight. Perhaps this was just to replenish fluids. He returned to his chair by the bed and watched expectantly. Nothing happened. An hour passed. Still nothing. Two hours. Nothing at all. Collins was beginning to feel the burden of the past thirty-six hours. Sleep beckoned him. It was a call he was loathed to ignore. Finally, he gave in. Just as the first waves of relaxation overcame him, he observed something peculiar. Maj. Malone's briefs were becoming extremely tight around the hips and the elastic barely clung to his waist. But, it was too late to fight it, Sleep had him in its grip. * * * * * * Unbeknownst to either Malone or Collins, General Yahudi watched with absolute satisfaction. "Brilliant! You are utterly brilliant." From his easy chair, he could observe the transformation in complete comfort. Now that Lt. Collins was asleep, the real fun could begin. Yes, the weight loss and shrinkage in height had been fun, but this was going to be great. Maj. Malone's hips continued their expansion. The calcium which had dissolved from his limbs and shoulders began to deposit itself on his pelvis. Soon, the fabric of the BVDs was stretched to its limit, barely able to maintain the 34" bone frame contained therein. His waist however, continued to retreat in upon itself, his organs dwindling to accommodate the loss in volume. The elastic of the underwear strove to keep its hold on the Major's body, but eventually gave up as his waist ceased its shrinking at 22" As a body builder, Maj. Malone had little hair on his chest. What there was, soon found itself the victim of the latest change. The follicles spasmed and let loose the hair they'd once held firm. This continued on the man's face, arms and legs, leaving them smooth and devoid of hair. Calcium deposit and removal continued as the bones of the soldier's hands were refined. His fingers lengthened and gained more dexterity. His wrists became slender, leading from elegant ivory arms. His feet too thinned out, shrinking to a more accommodating size. His thighs fattened out a bit and gave his long legs a more shapely look. His buttocks became the home for many fat cells at the moment roaming his body for a place to reside. They piled onto each other until the soldier's body was lifted slightly by the perfect round firmness of a pert behind. Combined with his hips, it was quite a bit larger and firmer than the BVDs had been designed for. Because of this, the bottom of his butt hung out of the underwear in a terribly unnerving manner. Maj. Malone's face was also undergoing changes. His cheekbones became higher and more pronounced. His sculpted chin became fragile and feminine. His very eyes seemed to expand in their sockets. Malone's eyebrows thinned into a shape most women were forced to pluck to achieve. His nose shrank to a small, little upturned protrusion on an already breathtaking visage. His sandy brownish blonde hair grew out at an incredible rate. It only stopped when it was apparent that it would reach well past his shoulders. General Yahudi rubbed his beefy hands together in delight. "This is too good," he remarked with a wicked smirk. Indeed, now it was time for the truly remarkable changes to take effect. The bulge in the front of Maj. Malone's BVDs had lost size considerably in the past few hours, but the change had been so gradual that only the General seemed to notice it. Now, the bulge changed completely, forming a truly feminine shape below the fabric of the underwear. On his exposed chest, more fatty deposits began to form. His once muscular torso had already flattened and smoothed completely. Now, the impossible began to take place. His nipples were suddenly lifted by the placement of fat cells beneath the skin. They continued to raise and expand, his once manly chest giving way to two globes of white flesh, pert and perfect in shape, size, and detail. The growth stopped just after a C cup, leaving the newly reformed soldier with an impressive figure. Other small changes continued to occur, but they were of less concern to the General. Malone's skin would soften and pale, his voice would continue to rise until it reached a pitch perfect soprano, but the best of all would be the mental changes. Already, neural pathways were being opened and redesigned to accommodate his new body chemistry. The General rocked back in his easy chair. "Marvelous! Exquisite! He'll be of some use to us now, or rather 'she' will." * * * * * * Collins jumped from his chair in a start. "What the Hell?" he yelped in surprise. He was acutely aware of quite a number of things. First, he had slept for a long period of time in an uncomfortable chair and would now suffer for it with muscle aches and bone weariness for the rest of the day. Next, the bed which had once contained Maj. Malone was now empty. A door on the far side of the room was open to reveal the white linoleum of what he assumed was a bathroom. And finally, something from that room had awakened him with a scream. He staggered into the lavatory and was suddenly fully awake. "Miss? Are you all right?" he began as he inspected the young woman. She was by far the most beautiful creature Collins had ever seen. Her shoulder length hair appeared a dark blonde, but under the brighter fluorescent bulbs, he could see strands of chestnut brown shimmer through the long tresses. Her deep blue eyes were almost too much, but what truly struck him was the terror, shock, and anger swimming in those sapphire pools. There was something oddly familiar about those eyes. It was only then that he noticed her clothing, or lack there of. Collins blushed fiercely. He had been raised in a strict household where nudity and the like was not acceptable. If anything, the very fact that he had not noticed her lack of attire until several seconds after seeing her was testament to his modesty. Of course, there was that one article of clothing. Collins squinted at it in shocked confusion. There was no mistaking that cheap piece of undergarment, army issue BVD. His breath left him, his eyes widened to twice their actual size. Now, he could see it. ~Shit, she could be his sister.~ He thought in agitation. "Um...Maj. Malone?....Sir?" The woman glared at him for a moment before responding. "That would be me. Athough, 'Sir' may no longer be fitting." There was no mistaking the sarcasm. That was the Major all right. Even through his attempt at humor, Collins did not miss the quiver of his lower lip as he spoke. "Um...Maj. Malone. I...How...What..." "Always were a man of many words, Collins. I don't see why you want to go into medicine, you'd be such a wonderful writer," he broke in bitterly. "Now, you are the physician. Be of some assistance man!" Collins took a deep breath. He was lucky he hadn't already fainted. That beautiful voice, that breathtaking girl was his commanding officer, the major all men feared like the plague and loved like a brother. *That* was him. "Well, obviously, Sir...er... Major, that was not Mercury." "You don't say! I thought this was just some kinda strange chemical poisoning, some side effect no one noticed until now," Malone chided in a humorless tone. "You sure you didn't join the army because you weren't accepted to medical school? You don't seem to be too bright to me." Chris was fast losing patience. "You know, Maj. Malone, you aren't very attractive when you're rude. I'm doing my best here. It isn't often that my Commanding Officer goes from the Terminator to Tinkerbell in less than twenty-four hours. I happen to think that considering the circumstances, I'm handling this very well. You don't like it, go talk to General Yahoo. Of course, he has something else planned to be sure. Most probably, it involves testing your new physicality." The moment the words left Collins' mouth he regretted them. Sadly, so did Malone. That was all it took. The wall behind which Malone had been hiding his fear and shock crumbled behind a bevy of salty tears. His male pride could no longer keep his new female emotions in check. His knees weakened and with a little squeek, Malone dropped heavily to the floor, cupping his face in his hands and sobbing uncontrollably. "Aw, Shit! Now, Major, I didn't mean to make you cry. Will you stop already? I was out of line. Don't cry!" Collins backpedaled quickly. Malone looked up, his pretty face red and covered in wet tears of terror and frustration. "You're right. You were trying to help me. I knew that. I just...I just...I handle crises by acting tough," he snorted. "Guess that won't work anymore, huh?" Collins' heart melted. How could any self respecting man do this? How could any human being torture another human being in such a crude fashion? Then again, it was ingenious. If he wasn't careful, Malone would be singing like a canary. Malone sighed helplessly and looked up at Collins with submission evident in his gaze. "You have to help me, Lieutenant. Really. I can't do this." He struggled to his feet, wincing at the feeling of his breasts shifting slightly due to gravity and the unimpeded movement. "I was a star quarterback. I was all American. Hell, I was heavyweight champ of the Armed Forces. All of 'em. I can't go home like this! I can't live like this!" He stepped closer and closer to Collins as he spoke, finally ending nose to chest with the Lieutenant. Yet again, Malone broke down, this time sobbing on Lt. Collins' shoulder. With slight discomfort, Lt. Collins wrapped one strong arm reassuringly around his superior's now diminutive waist. He was more than a little disturbed by how easily Malone's new form fit into his arms. "I thought I told you not to cry, Collins remarked softly. "Everything will be all right. This is a form of torture..." "Damn good one if you ask me," Malone interrupted, his lovely soprano voice muffled by his present position, buried in Collins' shirt. Collins swallowed hard. He could feel Malone's new breasts pressing against his chest and the blood was slowly draining from his brain, making thought somewhat more difficult. "I *didn't* ask you. Look on the bright side, at least they didn't cut off a limb!" His attempt at humor backfired. "They didn't, did they?" Malone asked, looking up at his Lieutenant. "Maybe you need to take a look *inside* the underwear. I got a good look. It ain't pretty." Collins blushed, "I just mean, this could be reversible." "Reversible? Yeah, right, if I tell them what they want to know. I can't do that. Only..," his voice drifted off and cracked with emotion once again. "Only?" Collins inquired tenderly, surprised at the soft tone of his own voice. "Only, I could get through the torture because I had physically trained myself to get through it. I was bigger than them, stronger than them. Now look at me, that stupid, ugly General could pick me up with one hand!" This time, Collins was ready for the tears which followed that statement. He sighed, that change did more than alter Maj. Malone's physical being, it damaged his emotional as well. He could only guess at the psychological changes, which would begin to emerge. Without really thinking, Collins slipped his arm under Malone's knees and lifted him bride style. With amazing ease, he carried the 'woman' back into the bedroom, laying him gently on the bed. Malone had stopped crying immediately after lift off. He only stared with wide eyes into the face of his lieutenant. Collins sighed and began to unbutton the shirt of his army fatigues. "Oh, God!" Malone breathed. "Please don't! Chris, please don't do that." Collins paused, frowning at the terror stricken girl. ~What on earth? Oh! Duh! She thinks I'm going to rape her. Figures. You try to help a girl and just end up gettin'...~ His thoughts trailed off as he realized how he had been thinking of the Major. "Relax. I'm not going to rape you. Last thing on my mind, I assure you. You haven't had a good look at this room, but I can tell you that there *are* cameras. That pervert Yahudi is probably watching us right now. Let's not give him a topless show before he buys the drink minimum, huh?" Malone flushed fiercely as he gazed down at his breasts. A shudder coursed the length of his frame. They were *his* breasts. He could feel them. He could sense their presence. Worst of all, he felt the nipples harden as he shivered again. He looked up quickly, trying to see if Collins had noticed. Collins looked away just in time. Instead, he pretended to fiddle with the last button of his shirt and ignore the stirring desire working up from his groin. ~That is so disgusting, Chris. You don't have sexual urges about your C.O. You aren't gay. Although, the very fact that you are having urges proves you aren't gay. I hate myself sometimes.~ "No need to fret, my dear. It isn't clean, and it probably smells like sweat, but at least its cover, huh?" Malone nodded absently while trying to button the shirt over his nude body. "Thank you, Lieutenant. I guess I didn't realize how I looked. I'm new to this you know." "I figured as much," he responded with a smile. Malone's cheeks turned crimson as he struggled with the buttons over his breasts. They just wouldn't hold. Collins could not restrain a laugh as he pulled off his undershirt. "This is all part of your diabolical plan to get me naked and take advantage of me isn't it? Well, you aren't getting in my pants. Sorry, those are mine." He held up his hands in mock apology. Malone actually laughed, or rather giggled, as he removed the button down fatigue and greedily pulled on the undershirt he'd been offered. This proved to be only slightly better. It fit so tightly around the breasts that it caused his nipples to become aroused and made him look like the winner of a wet T-shirt contest. As an after thought, he pulled on the fatigues over it, fastening it as far as possible. Collins sat down in the seat he'd slept in while desperately hoping that Maj. Malone would not notice how blatant his desire for his C.O. was becoming. Malone looked up, satisfied with the result of his attire. "Hey! Collins, nice abs, have you been working out?" It was only after the words were spoken that he realized how it must sound. Still, Malone couldn't get over the washboard abs he'd never noticed his lieutenant having until this very moment. Lt. Collins looked away to hide the color of his cheeks. "Well, I guess. Only in my spare time though..... You know...you can call me Chris. I mean, if you're comfortable with it. We've been working together for over a year, now. I kinda like the familiarity. It may be unorthodox, but this situation isn't exactly normal." Malone watched 'Chris' for a moment. ~God, but he is cute, especially when he tries to hide a blush. Oh boy! I did not just think that. I am not gay. I am not gay. C'mon, think of Miss July, or Cindy Crawford...~ The names elicited no sexual response in him at all. ~Please tell me I am not attracted to Chris Collins! This is so wrong...~ But, there was no denying the hot desire which rose in him at the sight of Chris Collins' bare and glistening upper torso. He feared how Chris might interpret the pause and quickly tried to cover. "Chris, huh? I guess I could live with that, for a while. We aren't really on duty. Although, Andrew doesn't fit me does it? Think I should change my name to Bambi?" A mischievous glint reflected in his sparkling eyes. Collins couldn't help himself, he laughed hysterically for at least five minutes. In between gasps he commented, "You don't look like a Bambi. Too classy for a slutty name." "What's a classy name then, Chris?" He asked, genuinely interested in the answer. "I don't know...Why don't we just go with Andrew? We don't need to settle into anything permanent now, huh?" Chris determined. ~That, and if I start calling you by a woman's name I may just forget who you are.~ "Hmmm...I can live with that I suppose." He hopped off the bed, forgetting for a moment that his breasts would bounce due to the activity. He shrugged, causing another shift in their position. "Gravity works, in case you were wondering," he commented to make light of their rather awkward situation. Andrew smiled and extended his right hand. "I don't know if we've been properly introduced. I'm Andrew Malone. You must be Chris Collins. I've heard *so* much about you." Chris's eyes widened. "You have not." "Have to. Rumors do circulate you know." "Behind my back!" "Best way to talk," he continued with a malicious grin. "What about? I mean like what have you been saying about me?" "Oh, I don't know. Word on the street is that you are *bad* with the ladies," he teased in an innocent tone only enhanced by the sweet soprano he'd developed. "Great! I'm going to crawl in a hole and die right now. Good bye cruel world." He collapsed side ways off his chair, rolling his eyes up in his head, his tongue flopped out to one side, his body rigid. "Chris? Chris?" Andrew scurried around the bed and bent to examine his fallen comrade playfully. He was completely unaware of the wonderful view Chris got of his breasts right through the opening of his shirt. "Chris? C'mon, don't fool around. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I don't believe the rumor." He didn't respond to Andrew's shakes. "C'mon, you're a stud okay. I'd date you in a second." He froze, eyes wide at the mistake he'd made. Chris sat bolt upright. "Um...thanks. But, you don't have to lie to build my self esteem. I can take the truth." Andrew tried to hide his blanched complexion. "Yeah well, 'you can't handle the truth' and neither can I at the moment," he answered meekly. Chris cocked his head questioningly. "You meant that didn't you? The dating thing." "No!" he answered too quickly. "Hmmm...I wondered if they'd take it that far." "That far?" "Change you mentally as well as physically." "They can do that!" he cried in panic. "I don't know. But it's possible. Up until about twenty minutes ago, I would have said that a complete gender reversal was impossible. They did it though, you're living proof." "Do you have to remind me?" he asked. "Sorry, Babe...err...Andrew. Anyway, there are good things about this." "I can't come up with any," Andrew answered bitterly. "Well, for one thing. You still essentially look like 'you'. A female 'you', yes, but 'you' all the same. I believe they just changed the Y chromosome to an X." "So what are you telling me, if I'd been born a girl, I'd look like this." He gestured wildly as his body. "Sort of. They had to get the X chromosome from somewhere. I'm guessing it wasn't your father. So...they gave you a different gene. Changed you ever so slightly." "I am me or I'm not me. C'mon, Man, you make no sense." "Sorry, I'm doing my best." Their conversation was interrupted by the slam of their prison door being opened. General Yahudi stepped through looking with interest at Andrew Malone. "My, my, but you did make a pretty little girl. Who would have known? The big, bad Major from the United States would make such a lovely little, meek girl. So tragic, and yet, so incredibly delicious." Andrew looked to be holding back another sob. All together, this was too much for Lt. Christopher Collins. An anger Chris had never none before boiled over. He simply could not allow the General to harm Andrew further. "You, General, are a monster. You are a sadistic, evil son of bitch. If I could get my hands on just one of those syringes I'd turn you into the most vile whore you could imagine. You're lucky I'm in this cell or by God I'd..." "You'd what, Lieutenant? Kill me? Beat me? Mangle me? Come now, I've done my research. You aren't a violent man. I would have done *that* to you." He pointed at Andrew. "But you were just too simple. You were too much of a girl already. No fun in that at all, but the Major. Now, there was a true bit of excitement. And, to reward the men who captured you, they get to try her out first." He turned towards one of the guards. "What's your pleasure, a hand job, blow job, ask and she will have to obey." Andrew squeaked as he tried to hold back tears of terror. Chris narrowed his eyes. "If any of you lay one hand on her, I *will* kill you. That much I promise." Andrew's eyes widened in surprise, since when was Chris one for making death threats, the Majors and their superiors had always wondered how Chris even made it into the Army. That appeared to be a secret his drill Sergeant would take to the grave. Chris was just too soft. Many didn't even believe he could take a life if his own was in danger. Now, here he was threatening homicide to protect his changed C.O. Andrew Malone could barely maintain a strange sort of glee at the prospect. The soldier General Yahudi had addressed stepped around Chris and walked steadily towards Andrew. "I'm warning you," Chris began again, his eyes narrowed with hatred. The new 'woman' retreated until his back was against the wall. But, the soldier kept advancing. The buff Arab brought one hand forward to grope Andrew's breast. Out of the corner of his eye, Andrew saw a brief flash of movement. Then, much to his surprise, he saw an arm wrap around the dark man's throat. The Arab barely had time to choke something out to Allah before the American snapped his spine. The large body fell in a heap to the floor at Andrew's feet. General Yahudi gasped, "You bastard! You'll pay for that." "I gave you sufficient warning. I never break my promises, General." Chris responded while wiping his hands on his pants. "I could have you killed for this." "Go ahead. I'm not afraid to die, not for a good cause anyway," Chris challenged, straightening to his full height of 5' 10" with great pride. Andrew could barely contain his emotions. Chris had killed a man for him, and was now willing to die to protect the Andrew's honor. Amazing. The General laughed. "I would never dispose of such wonderful entertainment. Who would have guessed? The young Lieutenant gets a lustful crush on our creation, how utterly delicious. Did the lady awaken some sort of chivalry in you? Or, do you just want to be the first one to break her in? I'll let you if that's all you desire." Three guards had to hold Chris back as he lunged at the General. "You sick son of bitch. You get off on this don't you. You're some kind of domination freak or something. Well, I'm not gonna let you talk about her like that." " 'Her'? Listen to yourself, Christopher. Do you really believe this 'thing' to be a woman? Only yesterday 'he' was reprimanding you for your inability to withstand torture. It isn't a real woman. It isn't even a real man. It's a thing, certainly not worth all this trouble." There was no sound from Andrew's position. But, Chris could almost see her grief stricken face. He shrugged out of his captors' grasp and stalked towards the General. "You shut your mouth before I pull out your tongue and shove it up your ass! You don't know what in the hell you're talking about." "Don't waste your chivalry on Frankenstein's monster, Boy," the General warned. Before Yahudi and the guards could react, Chris reared back and punched the General in the nose. The sound of bones shattering met Andrew's ears. Yahudi stormed out of the room, followed by his soldiers now encumbered by the body of a dead comrade. Once again, Chris and Andrew were left alone to deal with their new roles. Chapter Three: Some Enchanted Evening Andrew was shocked into complete silence. What revelations he'd discovered since first entering this hell hole! First, Lt. Christopher Collins had asked to be tortured in his place, essentially trading his life for his commander's. Then, the young soldier had stayed up for practically a full day watching over his well being. Chris had tried so desperately to ease Andrew's fears. Now, he'd just killed a man who had merely begun to grope Andrew's breast, and broken the nose of the General of the very same militant faction who had the power to turn a *Mr.* Universe body building, macho acting, soldier into a *Miss* Universe, teary eyed, emotion filled, basket case of a woman. As a man, Andrew had found Chris Collins to be barely acceptable as a member of the male gender, let alone a soldier. He cried, disliked war or physical confrontation, and refused to even enter the boxing ring for fun. As a woman, Chris seemed to be the most wonderful creature on the planet. He was sensitive, caring, and oh so protective. It felt *good* to know that Chris had actually killed a man to protect her, that he was willing to die for her honor. For a moment, Andrew resisted the urges within him, then he simply surrendered. There was really no fighting it any more. Until General Yahudi decided to change him back, Andrew was going to be a slave to his own emotions. Chris had already said it. In addition to reforming his body, Andrew's mind had been rewired to accommodate his new form. He didn't know what to call his amorous feelings toward Chris, but they were as undeniable as the body he now inhabited. For the time being at least, *he* was a woman. No use fighting it or hiding from the truth. No, she might as well give in. Chris turned slowly to face Andrew. He was expecting tears and shame. Instead, there was a strange, unreadable expression on her beautiful face. It looked almost like joy. ~Or maybe love.~ He thought. His heart clenched. ~No, definitely not that. That's just too weird. She's...he's...not actually a woman. You're beginning to sound like the General, Chris. Stop it.~ "Are you all right? He didn't hurt you did he?" She shook her pretty head, her sandy hair whipping back and forth. "No, he didn't hurt me. But, you sure hurt him." Chris swallowed hard. "Yeah well, I can explain." She made no move to interrupt, so he plunged on. "My mother was Navaho. She worked at a bar just outside the reservation. She was pretty, beautiful even. And, some stupid drunk just *had* to have her. So, one night, when he was plastered, he raped her in the alley behind the bar. There was no chance of justice or retribution. Hell, an Indian isn't going to get justice if a white man is involved with the crime. Nine months later, there I was. A crime, a mistake, a constant reminder of his cruelty and her shame." His eyes teared with the recollection. Andrew's face contorted in what looked like a sympathetic agony. She left her guarded position against the wall and slowly made her way towards him. "I didn't know. After over a year of working with you, I just never knew." "I never told anyone." "But it explains a lot. You're joining the army to protect the innocent, your hatred of violence...it explains a lot," she repeated, now halfway across the room. "I couldn't let them hurt you. Not physically, and not verbally either. Dammit! That just isn't right. I mean not to *you.*" "You'd let them do it to some other girl then," she asked softly. Chris's heart stopped cold. ~Other girl?~ He wondered. ~Where'd that come from?~ His eyes drifted down her form, drinking in the figure he'd lusted after since first seeing her new shape. The dark blonde hair in which he wished to lose his fingers; the deep sapphire eyes in which he wished to lose his heart; the full mauve lips he wished to encompass with his own; the swanlike neck he wished to bury in kisses of passion; the long, smooth arms in which he wished to find himself wrapped; the slender hands he wished to touch him with affection; the beautiful, ivory breasts he wished to caress; the impossibly long, sinewy, white legs he wished to enclose him like a vice; and that most feminine of things within which he wished to lose himself. Her walk was entirely female, her movements exaggerated to bring his desire to the point of positively exploding. He stared at her with the realization that although he didn't want to think it, *this* was his Major. That same cocky self confidence, that same knowledge that whatever Andrew wanted, Andrew was going to get. ~You can have me, Baby.~ He thought in exasperation. "Other girl?" he asked out loud, having lost the meaning of her previous question behind his own thoughts. An irresistible smile curled the corners of her lips. "For once Collins, you got a question right." "Wha..," his inquiry was cut off by the sweet pressure of her soft lips against his own. Andrew would have expected some resistance from her formerly male psyche, but it seemed as eager to get moving as the rest of her did. ~Still the same old, Andrew.~ She thought with an inward smile. ~When you want something, there just ain't no thinking about it. Of course, right now, that's fine with me.~ Gently, she separated Chris's lips with the tip of her tongue. The emotions were almost too much for her to handle. ~So *this* is real lust,~ she wondered, ~I didn't know what I was missing.~ Andrew's strong arms wrapped around her tiny waist, bringing her as close to him as humanly possible, she could feel the slight pressure of his own readiness against the smooth stomach of her abdomen. One large hand snaked down to encompass one cheek of her newly formed ass. The other, found its way into her hair, holding her head steady against his. There would be no letting up with this, not that she really wanted to anyway. She slid her own slender arms tightly around his neck, her elegant fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. Once again, he slipped one hand beneath her knees and lifted her effortlessly into his arms. She snuggled against his bare chest, the warm feeling of his skin sending shivers of expectation up and down her spine. He laid her gently on the middle of the bed. After a brief hesitation, he joined her there, straddling her petite form. Carefully, he undid the lower half of the uniform's buttons, the only ones she could fasten considering her substantial change in body shape. Then, he slipped his hand beneath the fabric of the undershirt. With a maddeningly soft touch, he caressed the soft skin of her breasts, twisting and rubbing her enlarged nipples with such care and affection that she almost lost herself in it. When she was sure she'd go mad from the expectation, he gently lifted her enough to pull the shirt from her body. Tired of waiting, she tugged the BVDs down her slender legs, tossing them beside the bed. "No fair, I strip and you stay fully clothed, I don't think so," she murmured into his ear as she gave his pants a firm tug. "I knew you just wanted to take advantage of me," he whispered in amusement as he helped her remove his army boots, pants, and BVDs. The two of them were so lost in their emotions that neither remembered the video cameras hidden inside the room. They certainly did not consider the voyeur watching their every passionate move. * * * * * * General Yahudi laughed aloud, "Who would have guessed it, Doctor? The young Lt. Collins and 'reformed' Maj. Malone are falling in love. I could actually cry." The doctor rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you will, Sir. But, as you see, my creation will work. It will turn any man, no matter how masculine, into a perfect little woman in no more than forty-eight hours." "Remarkable. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it." "Hence the demonstration," she remarked with little amusement. "But, there is more. You said there was more," he pressed. "Yes, General. There is more. But, you have to give it time. We both have to give it time." The General slumped slightly in his chair. Waiting was not one of his strong suits. But, then again, this was turning out to be more fun than he'd imagined. * * * * * * Andrew lay awake in the bed listening to the rhythmic sound of Chris's breathing. Funny that he could drift into the land of dreams so easily. She, on the other hand, was alive with thoughts and feelings brand new to her. She'd never felt anything like it, never known any emotion to compare to what she'd just done. Not even as 'him'. Not even then. She smiled with pleasure and snuggled in close to Chris's sleeping body. He really was no comparison to her old form. He was shorter, less muscular, and certainly less masculine, yet he was utterly perfect. She fit in his arms like they'd been created for each other. Of course, that was absurd. Soul mates may be a real thing, but not in their case. If they hadn't stumbled into enemy territory neither would have known their connection. There might not have even been one. But, now she was faced with a terrible dilemma ~Do I stay like this or go back?~ She contemplated, her pretty face screwing up with thought. ~Is there really a decision. I mean, look at this. Think about it, Andrew. You can feel it, can't you? That isn't lust. Hell no. You *know* lust. This is something more.~ She let the thought dangle, not wanting to spoil her good humor with complications. Unconsciously, Chris wrapped his arms around her, drawing her in close to his sleeping form. Her body sang with joy. Her last thought before drifting into slumber was ~It's not lust, kiddo, this is love.~ Chapter Four: Decisions, Decisions Pvt. Vanessa Keegan jumped to her feet as the door of her cell swung open. ~The pigs! Keeping me in a stupid three foot box with no light. They think that's going to crack me they've got another thing comin'.~ "Ah, Pvt. Keegan, I trust your stay has been comfortable?" the General asked in a superficially congenial tone. Keegan was trying to untangle herself from the knot she'd been tied in. She was still quite cramped from her twenty-four hour imprisonment. "Listen to me you piece of shit. I want to see the Major and Lieutenant now! I'm not even givin' you my name, rank, and serial number until I see them, y'hear!" The General seemed amused by the statement. "Very well, Dear. You may visit them, but you won't like what you find." Despite herself, Pvt. Keegan shuddered. * * * * * * Andrew was the first to wake up. Without really thinking, she groped at the side of the bed until she found her clothes. The unfamiliar shift of weight on her chest brought the changes of the last twenty-four hours back to her. The realization of last night's events crowded her mind. ~Woe! I got in over my head...or actually he did.~ She smirked, but than caught sight of one of the cameras, zeroed in on the bed. "Great! We gave them a free porn show. There was a time I actually fantasized about doing that. That was Before. Not now." "I'm sorry, Baby," the voice startled her, she turned to see a groggy Chris wiping sleep from his chocolate brown eyes. She could lose herself in those eyes if she wasn't careful. "Not your fault. I'm the one who's supposed to look out for hostiles, remember." "You're right, that's definitely not my fault. You should be more careful," he scolded as he pulled on his own garments. "Well, I would have if *someone* I know hadn't been so damn incredible. Sheesh. I won't be able to think or walk straight for a week. Reminded me of the Fourth of July." Chris smiled. "And you said I wasn't good with the ladies," he admonished jokingly. "Don't worry lover boy, I will dispel that rumor the minute we return to the base. You are Don Juan incarnate. I do not doubt that at all." Andrew added with a twinkle in her eyes. Chris watched her fasten the final button of his shirt. "Why do women look better in men's shirts than men do?" he asked teasingly as she turned to face him. "You don't know? Why, Dear, we look better in positively everything..." "Or nothing," Chris added, dodging a swat from his lover. "What? It's a free country. I can express my opinions." "But...If you do and I don't like it, you won't have much fun tonight." Chris flinched, "Gee whiz, woman. You're female for about one full day and already you're talking like one. It's a conspiracy." "Yep. And just cause you're not paranoid doesn't mean I'm not out to get you." Andrew finished, pushing Chris onto the bed with one hand. "Want me to reveal our insidious plan again for you, Juan?" "Ole'!" "Well, you two seem to be getting along well. Perhaps I should leave you alone." Both sat up on the bed and looked guiltily towards the door. There, in all his hideousness, stood General Yahudi. "I just thought you might want to see a friend of yours. She sure wants to see you." Andrew paled. "Pvt. Keegan," she breathed. "Chris, I can't let her see me like this," she wailed, oblivious for a moment of her captor's broad smile. "You don't have a choice, Babe. It will be all right. I promise." "Don't make promises you can't keep." "I never do," he swore, squeezing her knee for assurance. Pvt. Keegan was shown into the room by two more burly guards. The young soldier immediately saluted without even looking at the two figures seated on the bed. The moment Yahudi and his men left, however, she squinted at them. Even then she did not break her salute. "At ease, soldier," Andrew mumbled softly. Keegan dropped into the 'at ease' stance and stared at the two figures on the bed. "Collins, where in the hell is Maj. Malone?" Andrew cleared her throat. "You're looking at him, Private. Or, actually her." Keegan glared at both of them in turn. "Who are you kidding? Malone is a man. You are definitely not Malone. No way!" "She is, Ness. Believe me. I never lied to you before," Chris tried to reassure her. Andrew shot him a questioning, almost jealous look, but he banished it with another squeeze of her knee. "There's a first time for everything, Chris." "Look at her, Ness. What do you see? Look at the eyes, the hair, the bearing. Is there any doubt? Open your eyes, kiddo. This *is* Andrew Malone and this group is into some serious shit," Chris continued to argue. Vanessa examined the female form more closely. "Damn! It *is* you isn't it, Major? What the hell happened?" Andrew sighed, "It's a very long story, and you aren't gonna like it." Andrew and Chris proceeded to explain the events of the past forty- eight hours, pausing once or twice to decide what to tell and what to keep secret. They both halted before they reached the previous night. Neither was eager to reveal their intimacy to Private Keegan. However, there was no need. "Shit, man! Tell me you did not have sex last night," Keegan interjected. When neither responded, she pressed on. "I can't believe you! I would have never imagined that Chris would take advantage of someone who is emotionally vulnerable. You're a pig just like the rest of 'em!" Chris flinched and turned his eyes away. As much as he hated to admit it, she was right. Andrew hesitated, her blue eyes clouding with shame. ~She's right. Did I really want to do that last night? I'm not in control of my emotions. He should have said no. Wait a minute, what am I saying? No? Like I would have said no two days ago?~ She shook her pretty head. "It was as much my fault as his, Private. I wanted it, and I wouldn't have let him go until he gave it to me. Besides, men feel some serious pain if they stop once they get going. *This* I know." Chris glanced up at her. Andrew's eyes belied her words. There was still shame there. ~What, Chris? Did you actually think she'd fall in love with you and stay as she is? Get real. No one would knowingly choose her present condition over her past one. That's insane.~ Keegan continued to shake her head in disgust. "You didn't use a condom either, did you? Then again, their probably aren't Trojan dispensers around the compound. They don't expect that many people to be screwing each other." Andrew's already pale skin blanched considerably. "But...But we only had sex once. You don't get pregnant from having sex once, do you?" Chris almost laughed. ~Once? Where was she last night? I counted four, and one is really all it takes.~ Keegan almost choked, "God, Malone, how naive are you? What about cameras, I suppose the entire compound was watchin' you two get it on." Andrew looked into her lap. "Um...Well, I don't know..." "There are at least four," Chris interrupted. Keegan's eyes widened in disgust. "Okay, Chris. You two told me essentially, that," she pointed at Andrew, "is still our C.O. But, it doesn't even know where the cameras are. Maj. Malone would *never* have been so careless. Shit! I wouldn't be so careless. Malone would not put himself in a position where he could get pregnant, and possibly reveal sensitive things to the enemy. You were wrong about that, Chris. That thing over there is no more our Major than my shoe is." Chris knew Andrew's vulnerabilities enough now to know that tears would be welling in her beautiful sapphire pools. His anger grew and at last, he slowly stood. "Are you even for real? You tell me I took advantage of Andrew last night. Believe me, I didn't hurt her half as badly as you just did. What? Do you think she can't feel!? Do you think because she looks different from how she did two days ago that she isn't a human being? I broke the General's nose for saying less, Pvt. Keegan, and, I can promise you that one more word out of your mouth and your going to be suffering the same fate, you overgrown, hormonal bitch." The tears in Andrew's eyes were forgotten in complete surprise. ~There he goes again, Lancelot to the rescue. And that dragon's quite a bit bigger than him, not to mention a little more aggressive.~ "Bitch?" Keegan fumed. "You're calling *me* a bitch? Dammit, Chris, you're more of a bitch than I am. People talk. Word on the base is that you're a panty-waisted, nonaggressive, little cock sucker. You know the C.O.'s argued over who would have to take you? The Major accepted you because he got 'perks' from the brass for taking you off their hands. Nobody wanted you, Chris. Not even your mother." Andrew's jaw dropped. ~That was below the belt.~ She thought in a fury as she watched Chris flinch away from the verbal blow. Keegan smiled seeing that she'd at last struck a nerve. "I don't even believe you actually killed that man. You couldn't kill a fly, let alone another human being. I'm surprised you got it up to screw little Miss Slut over there. Heaven knows you couldn't do anything like that when you and I went to that motel. What, does the little she-male turn you on, Chris? I always knew you were into guys. Affirmative action is the only reason the Army took you in the first place. After all, you're better than a high school drop out, but not by much. The only reason you wear those stripes is because you are a redskin bastard..." "That is enough!" Andrew shouted, jumping from the bed. She perched on her toes, drawing back her arm as she did so. Now, with all the strength her frail body could muster, she swung her hand forward. The open handed slap resounded through the room. "You shut that dirty mouth of yours, Keegan. That is an order! I don't want to hear one more word out of you, or I will personally send you packing to St. Peter." Keegan fell back a few paces, caught off guard by the force of the blow. Her green eyes narrowed in hatred as she stared at the new Maj. Malone. "How dare you speak of Lt. Collins like that! He is a better man than I was or ever could have been. I'm not much as I used to be, physically. You may be bigger than me, but I'm not afraid of you. "I may not look much like you remember Maj. Malone, but I assure you Private, I am most definitely your C.O. As such, I deserve your respect. Hell, I put up with you for over a year. *And*, for *your* information, Keegan, nobody wanted *you* either. I was the only Major who would even try to tame the shrew. Guess what? I'm through dealing with your back talk. I am not going to stand for that kind of insubordination. One more word out of your mouth, and I will personally see to your Court Marshall. Don't test me, Keegan. If you thought I was bad before, you ain't seen nothing yet. I won't let you behave like a spoiled child any longer!" Here, Andrew slowed her speech as if she was speaking with an infant. "Do you understand me?" "Yeah, sure," Keegan muttered, looking down on Andrew with an air of superiority. "What did you just say? Am I *not* your *superior*?" Andrew pressed, her voice rising in octave in anger. She met Keegan's gaze with the same amount of hatred and a great deal more confidence. "How do you properly address your superior officer?" "Yes, Sir," Keegan hissed. Andrew paused, eyes narrowed. "Do I look like a 'sir' to you Keegan?" When the woman didn't respond, Andrew turned towards Chris. "What about you, Collins? I look like a 'Sir' to you?" Chris stared dumbstruck at the entire scene. ~Yep, uh huh, that would be Maj. Malone, most feared Major in the Army. Oh God, what's it gonna be like if she gets PMS?~ He flinched. "No, Maj. Malone. You definitely do not look like a sir to me, 'mam." "You see, Keegan. You just must be rude *and* dumb. Apologize and call me by the proper title." Andrew ordered, the old bravado evident even in this new, softer soprano voice. "Yes, 'mam. I'm sorry, 'mam," Keegan declared through clenched teeth. "Well, looka there. You *can* teach a *dog* new tricks. You are dismissed, Keegan. I'm not really eager to look at your ugly mug any longer." Andrew glanced upward. "Did you hear me, General? I would greatly appreciate it if you would remove this petulant child from my sight." "Yes, 'mam." The General's disembodied voice echoed through the chamber, his last word carrying an air of sarcasm. A moment later, two guards shuffled in, grabbed Keegan, and literally dragged her back to the 'hole.' Andrew giggled and flopped backward onto the bed. She lay on her back, eyes closed, a look of supreme pleasure on her face. "That was *sooooo* much fun! You have no idea how long I've wanted to sock it to that little bitch. Of course, I couldn't hit a woman." She grinned wickedly. "But, I can now. God, I do *love* my life." Chris watched her, golden tresses surrounding her head like a Catholic halo. She was just too beautiful. It really wasn't very fair. He sat down on the bed heavily, Keegan's words still ringing through his ears. Andrew sat up slowly, scooting to a position beside him. The look in his eyes made her heart break. "She was just being a bitch, Chris. None of that was true." "Don't lie to me. Do you think I'm stupid? Did you people think I didn't know? I heard every rumor you circulated. I knew none of you liked me, respected me. I heard the nicknames, 'injun josephine', 'redskin bastard,' 'prairie nigger.' I'm not deaf you know," he laughed bitterly. "It's funny. Everyone called me a coward, but it took balls to show up every day, to face the troops knowing what they thought of me. I don't think very many other men could have done it." Andrew brushed a hand gently across Chris's cheek. "The only opinions that really matter are the opinions of those you respect. Everything else is crap." Chris pulled away from her touch. "Yeah, I know. Only, the really comical part of this, is that I did respect *you.* You were strong, confident, a soldier's soldier. If a man of twenty-two can have heroes, you would have been mine. Except, you were no better than the rest. When you got drunk you spouted off like a rabid dog. I heard you with Colonel Braddick. You called me a 'pansy', joked about the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, and even mentioned some nice Indian jokes with teepees and wampum. Sometimes, I actually think you knew I was two tables behind you and heard every word. "It really is difficult to grow up without a father. I grew up knowing the story of my birth and absolutely despising myself my entire gender and most of the human race. You were like the big brother I used to imagine when I was small. I used to dream of someone who would stick up for me because I was too afraid to stick for myself when the bullies got too mean. But, then, you just turned out being one of the bullies. "For you information, Malone, I don't fight because I don't want to end up like my father. I don't want to become an angry, egotistical, ass hole who rapes innocent virgins. Maybe I'm weak like you said, but that's not going to change." Andrew actually felt like she was being ripped in half. "Chris, I didn't know you were there. I didn't, I'm a mean drunk, I know that. But, I just...I never meant to hurt you." "Ha! Yeah right," Chris responded bitterly. "Well, maybe you're right. I probably wouldn't have cared a day or two ago. Except, now, hurting you is the last thing I would ever want to do. Cutting out my heart would be less painful." Chris didn't say a thing, he merely sat stone still beside her. Andrew's eyes widened. "After all I said, after all you knew, you *still* offered your life in exchange for mine the other day," she breathed. Chris glanced at her, for once a smile finding its way to his face. "Yep. I would have died for you then, and I'd die for you now. Although, the reasons are substantially different." Andrew laid her head on Chris's shoulder. "Nope, my men don't die. Take that however you like." An awkward pause, "Keegan said something about a...um...problem you had in a motel room with her. What was that all about?" she asked sweetly. Chris flushed. "It was a bet. I heard them. Keegan and a bunch of the other guys bet that I wouldn't be aroused by a woman, you know, kind of a test of my sexuality. I overheard them. It's difficult to get in the 'mood' when you know the only reason the woman's seducing you is to see if you're gay. At least, it was difficult for me...then." "Oh." Andrew turned her head a little to plant a tender kiss on Chris's neck. "I'll be glad to tell them that you aren't gay when we get home," she whispered. Chris frowned. "