Page 41 of Metal & Mud

"Someone has already asked, First Sergeant," Logan said. "But I'm happy being an enlisted man. Good life... could use a bigger paycheck though."

The room filled with laughter, and Logan relaxed slightly. Another OCS joke. He was starting to hate that question. But then again, maybe being an officer would get him closer to Sabby... No. Stick to the plan.

"Alright, Goodman, you're officially on your own now," Major Kirk said, a glint in his eye. "Expect to be putting that training to use soon. Listen to your NCOs—they know their stuff. Anyone else want to add something?" Seeing nobody speak up, he nodded. "Dismissed. Top, let's grab lunch. We need to discuss next month's training schedule."

As they filed out of the company offices, Logan caught up to Sergeant Adams. "Hey, Sarge? Can I ask you something?"

Adams, who was chatting with Sergeant Nichols, looked over. "Me or Sergeant Nichols, Hollywood?"

"You, Sergeant Adams," Logan said, rubbing at his neck. "Privately?"

Nichols and Adams exchanged a glance, and Sergeant Nichols shrugged. "I need to check on Jake and his fire team anyway. And make sure your psychos aren't burning down the barracks. Don't take too long to get back though."

"This'll be short, Nate," Adams assured him. She pointed toward a picnic table beside the company offices and headed that way.

"Bet I can guess what you're going to ask about," she said as they sat down.

"You know me pretty well at this point," Logan admitted. "Come on, Sarge. I'm busting my ass as hard as you've asked for, and I'm getting better. But you sounded like you weren't happy with my performance in there."

Adams sighed, and pointed across the table. "Have a seat, Logan. And take off the hat."

Logan did, and Adams took off her own hat.

"What's up, Sarge?" When she didn't answer, he queried, "Or am I talking to Sarge here?"

"Logan, you have to have a guess as to the position I'm in," Adams said. "Look, everyone in the chain of command knows you're dating my sister. Sergeant Manheim told me he suspected after he heard the story from Sabby. I didn't say anything then because I didn't know how you two were going to go. But when Sabby confirmed it, and I could see that this was going to be something more than a one night stand between you two, I went straight to Sergeant Lincoln and the El Tee. They checked the regs, and the word came back. There's nothing in them that says you can't date Sabby."

"I sense a but coming."

Adams hummed. "But it is something that has a magnifying glass over my job as your fire team leader. We're walking a tightrope on fraternization, and in most units they'd have separated us already. This unit's a little different. But Logan, I cannot show you any favoritism. So I'm tougher on you than anyone else."

"Good, I want you to be tougher on me," Logan said.

Adams gave him a surprised look.

"What? Sarge, I respect the hell out of you. And you've already taught me a lot. Besides, if I fuck around and slack off, they might take that as me fucking up. Then I'd get transferred off the fire team, and maybe even out of the company. Fuck that, I'd prefer to stay with the team if possible. If that means you've got to be tough on me, then bring it on."

"No complaining to Sabby?" Adams asked. "She's already said she hates not being able to bring you home."

"No complaining to Sabby," Logan assured her. "By the way, you scared the shit out of me that first night. You two have a deep devious streak to yourselves, you know."

"It's an Adams thing," she said, and Logan grinned. "I know Sabby's shown you some of her deviousness. Maybe even told you a little bit about the why."

"She's told me about what she got up to. But not the specifics on the why. I just gather that you two are an island unto yourselves. Okay, I'm cool with that. But when the time's right, maybe you can tell me your story," Logan offered. "I mean, if Sabby and I ever get that far, and therefore you and I get that far. But in the meantime, be as tough as you can. The tougher you are, the better I'm going to be. That's a good thing for two reasons."

"And what are those?" Adams asked.

Logan smirked.

"One, when you get promoted to Staff Sergeant, I'm going to be ready for Sergeant or Corporal myself," Logan said. "I wasn't totally joking, I would love to have a fucking pay raise."

Adams laughed. "Not that big of a pay raise, but I feel you. And the other reason you want me to be hard on your ass?"

"Because Major Kirk's right. I know sooner rather than later, I'm going to be tossed into the shit. Now, my odds of coming out are good, because our fireteam is good. But the better I am, the better a chance we've got of both of us coming back to Sabby without a scratch on us. That's sort of important to her... and to me."

Adams looked like she was about to get emotional for a moment, and cleared her throat before putting her hat on.

"Good. Then one more thing... totally not duty related."

---