The Strength of Ten

Perfect Ten

By the time John reached the others, they were back from their stretching. Although John wore a straight face, Six and Sam knew him well enough to understand the situation by looking into his eyes. “Broke it off?” Sam asked. Four nodded. Impulsively, Four turned and grabbed Six, pulling her close. He smashed his lips to hers. Six’s body went rigid, her lips stiff on his. However, a few seconds later, she got over her shock and melted into Four’s arms, kissing him back fiercely. Both the Lorics had amazing lung capacity, so they didn’t have to pull away for air for ages. When they did, however, both only took a deep breath before lip-locking again. Finally, Sam got over his shock, and, tired of all the making out, he half-yelled, “Seriously, guys? Either break it up or freaking get a room!” Four and Six broke away from each other, Six looking dazed and star struck, both blushing furiously with Four grinning sheepishly. “Sorry, man. Got a little carried away. Oh, and, how are we supposed to get a room in a moving Humvee?” Sam rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “I dunno. I just said that ‘cos it sounded right...” John groaned exasperatedly before waving his hand in front of Six’s face. “Six? Six..?” “God, John... Your kissing is amazing...” Six mumbled softly. But in the echo-y interior of the Humvee, everyone heard it. Marina and Ella looked at Six like she was going mentally unstable, while Sam, Nine and Eight broke out into raucous laughter. 

“Oh God. I said that out loud, didn’t I?” Six asked, burying her face in her hands, cheeks colouring. John grinned. “Yep.” Six groaned. “So... Six, be my girlfriend?” Four asked, taking her mind off the current embarrassment. “Yes! Of course! You needed to ask?” Six screamed delightedly, causing Nine to press his hands over his ears. “Oww... Super hearing, remember?” 

Seven glanced at John. “You are a freaking miracle, John Smith. I have never seen Six express any emotion at all before. Zilch. Nada. Nothing. She’s always cold and aloof.” Marina proclaimed. “I am not!” Six protested. Seven and Ella stared at her. “Fine, fine. I am.” Six grumbled. She turned and snuggled into Four and buried her face in his muscular chest, effectively cutting off the conversation. John smiled and wrapped his arms protectively around her, kissing her wavy black hair. Six looked up at the touch of his lips and Four smiled down at her, his smile inverting itself into a frown when he noticed the eye bags encircling her beautiful greyish-hazel eyes. “How long have you not slept, Six? Staying up to guard again and not bothering to wake the other person supposedly on next shift?” Six grinned sheepishly, her eyes reading: You know me so well. Four groaned in exasperation and told –well, actually commanded- her to sleep. Six once again snuggled into him and closed her eyes, falling asleep almost immediately.