So in class we are encouraged to write whatever is on our mind and a person I've been in contact with, nudgebeast, has encouraged me to post this as well. It may be seen as far-fetched and cheesy to some extent, but I hope you enjoy, this is my first attempt at a humorous story.

Also if you are wondering, I'm also working on Unexpected Alliance. Again, I'm working late on these so forgive me if there are any mistakes.

Halo: Date Night

"Falling in love consists merely in uncorking the imagination and bottling the common-sense"-Helen Rowland

"Oh man," Derek Heath moans as he rubs his eyes, "I swear, that's the last time I mix drinks again."

"You just can't handle being a Marine can you boot?" came Jacob Knott's reply.

"You're not looking so hot yourself Corporal," Derek shoots back which is true since Knott is sprawled out on his cot as well, holding the side of his head.

Knott was a good guy, but him being Derek's squad leader doesn't help much, it was more like its Nott's duty to make sure Derek isn't a complete outcast since he is still new on base so Derek isn't sure if he could be considered a friend or not. On an upside though, if Derek ever needs help with anything or had any questions, then Knott is sure to have at least some helpful advice.

Derek then checks his watch and groans again, this time for another reason.

"Great," he swings his legs out of his bunk and hoists himself up, grunting with the effort despite him being only nineteen years old, "Friday," he says scornfully, "I have guard duty."

"If it's anybody's fault for getting hung over it's your own," Knott mutters as he buries his face deeper into his pillow as if he is trying to smother his post-intoxicated state.

"Whatever you say mother," Derek says as he grabs a towel and wipes down his body, "how did glitter get on me? Scratch that, where did the glitter come from?"

"Koklas was probably stashing it in her bag," Knott offers, "she probably uses it for makeup but must have decided it would make you look prettier."

"Fat chance," Derek says as he looks himself in the mirror that was posted on the barrack's wall. His blond hair has been cut short per military protocol and his ice blue eyes look tired. His skin is pale with a good physique going on, but the sparkling particles on his bare chest is ruining that. He rests his head against the cool surface of the mirror and groans once more, his head is killing him but he has to get out and do his job otherwise it will be First Sergeant Corelli who will be doing the killing.

"Do you think Corelli has any idea what we did last night?" Derek asks in slight fear, wondering if he has to be weary of the head Non-commission officer's wrath.

"Dude, if he did know what we were doing last night, he probably would have joined us," came Knott's somewhat reassuring response, "anything would sound better than just doing your job."

Derek grunts at that as he pulls on a t-shirt and pants, "What about the ball that is coming up this weekend?"

"Well aside from that, life on this base is dead," Knott explains, "You just got in three weeks ago, right?"

"Yeah," Derek answers as he starts pulling on his green armor, already feeling sweat building as he shrugs it on.

"Well just you wait," Knott cautions, "when the ball is over then the midnight card games and grav-ball tournaments will lose their color and it won't be long before you hitting your head against the side of a wall out of boredom."

"I'll bear that in mind," Derek slides a clip into his assault rifle and slings it onto his shoulder. He walks to the door, but pauses as he glances back at Knott with a small grin.

"Have you asked Mel out for the ball yet?" Derek asks teasingly.

Knott only moans in response, "With the way I'm feeling I just might sleep through it," here he opens one eye so he is looking squarely at Derek, "so it'll be ten times better than whoever it is you're bringing."

Derek merely rolls his eyes before exiting through the door and shutting it behind him. Once he is alone he sighs to himself. What Knott says is pretty much true, Derek had yet to find a date for himself. Upon hearing that there is going to be a ball at the end of the month, Marines started looking for partners long before Derek had arrived and when he did get wind of it, almost everybody was taken. He is sure he asked everyone on base if they would go out with him, but they already had a date, even the receptionist had one. This left only the officers to question, but Derek will eat his own rifle before gaining the gall to approach a high ranked officer and asking them out.

With these thoughts in mind, he slowly trudges to his post underneath the three blazing suns of Sanghelios. Camp Rojas, situated in the fiefdom of the Sangheili Keep Lord Quas, is considered one of the safest installment of Marine presence on the planet. The ambassador on this side of the world doesn't even look like she needs the UNSC protection since the fief is located deep within a mountain range that only the local Sangheili inhabitants knew how to travel through. Should the Covenant or Sangheili rebels try to storm the fief they would quickly lose steam just by trying to negotiate the rough region's mountains, then there will be the Sangheili warriors and Marines to deal with. As far as Derek can see, the only way this place can be invaded is via air assault which is unlikely since the rebels doesn't have much of an air force and they surely wouldn't dare try and use what little ships they had in trying to invade considering the anti-air weapons on the base has more than enough power to knock anything from the sky.

Camp Rojas is situated on a little hill that is looking down on a small Sangheili village where the oddly dome shaped buildings are clustered together around an impressive looking castle. The Keep Lord wasn't pleased with the elevated advantaged that the human base had over his Keep, but it only seemed logical to put the Maries somewhere up high where they can station their anti-air guns. The village and the base are surrounded by mountains though and on some of the peaks the Sangheili have established guard towers that watches over the village while also keeping an eye on the "alien" occupiers.

A good show of faith in friends from Derek's point of view.

After walking the short distance away from the Marines living quarters, Derek has positioned himself by the main gate. There are three other entrances into the camp, but this one is the largest and is where the vehicles drives in through. There isn't much traffic though considering the only people who enters or leaves are the diplomats from the camp or from the Keep. This would have been seen as a light job, but not for Derek since he has to stand in the unbearable heat, in full gear and had to wait till he is relieved which will be in six hours. The fact that his head is still throbbing from last night "social" gathering wasn't helping either.

The engineers had promised to erect a guardhouse to provide some shade for whatever Marine is on duty at this post. However they have yet to get to started since they are more concerned about getting the ambassador's home set up first. It seemed a little surreal that among the military barracks, armory and mess hall a mansion like structure is being built. The ambassador has insisted that they must give their Sangheili counterparts some proper accommodation, that they cannot conduct their business in a tent. There has been a bet going around that the posh woman is doing this mainly for her own benefit since she doesn't look like the type to "rough" it a little.

Derek might fall under that category, he was born and raised on a small plantation farm on Mars, one of the few families who were able to buy a plot of modified soil where they could plant and grow vegetables. Derek had done his part for the war effort by helping to grow food both for the UNSC military and the refugees that are always streaming in. The war may have ended a year ago, but Derek was drafted since their military might is all but a shadow of its former self. He comforted his mother the best he could by stating that he will be on a peace mission; that nothing bad will happen.

Now though he wishes he could be sent somewhere where there is some action. True he did have some fun on the recently built grav-court and he won some cash in a poker game, but what's the point of having money if you can't spend it? There is a small black market trade going on within the base, spray paint, money, candy and even perfume is being traded as goods for one thing or another. Derek had bought himself a century year old book, gotten a pack of gum, some credits and a finger nail clipper through the illegal trade, but nothing that could provide him with much fun.

He was bored, it was as simple as that, even the morning calisthenics seems to slack off a little. Back home, even with the threat of being annihilated over his head, he still had some good times by going into town, hanging out with some buddies and having a good conversation with his family. Out here he has only a few friends, there is no town to travel to and the only time he could call his family is on a set date and only for a few minutes. The up-coming Marine ball is their only means of escaping boredom before falling into depression.

From what he hear it isn't going to be much of a grand affair. Just a simple dinner in the mess hall, a couple of streamers, "un-authorized" music being played and free time for every grunt not on duty to either dance or just hang out. It's not much, but to a bunch of Marines who are close to being bored to tears this might be a prominent opportunity to get a little lively.

A rumble catches Derek's attention and he looks up from the ground just in time to see a UNSC standard issue Spade coming towards him. In the back were crates, probably more technological gifts for the Sangheilis, the UNSC is hoping the species will learn how to make their own digital devices on their own, but until then they are willing to give the aliens some samples of their own tech. Which, of course, are the oldest models that could be scrapped up and passed along as being brand new.

The truck rolls up to the gate before stopping, this is Derek's cue to step forward.

In the driver seat is a fellow Marine and on the passenger side is a man in a business suit.

"Hey," Derek greets with a raised hand, "What's up?"

"More gifts from the ever helpful United Nations Space Command," responds the driver with a sarcastic voice as he holds up an identification card.

Derek takes it and briefly looks it over. He doesn't go over every little detail, just the authorization code. After all, why should he be concerned with what's being brought out, shouldn't he be more worried about what is coming in?

A snicker catches his attention and he looks up just in time to see the occupants of the vehicle look away from him. The driver immediately loses the smile and is staring dead ahead, but the suit still has a wide grin on his face.

Derek feels his eyes narrow as a sinking suspicion fills him.

"Something funny?" he asks them.

The suit succumbs to a giggling fit and the driver cracks the barest of smiles.

"Maybe," the fellow Marine answers, laughter plain in his voice.

"Care to elaborate?" Derek asks as he folds his arms. He controls the gates, so these two are unable to leave without his say so.

However his tough guy act just causes the man in the suit to bust out laughing while the Marine finally allows himself to chuckle before looking at Derek.

"You're him aren't you?" he asks, "Private First Class Derek Heath, right?"

Derek frowns a little. What is this all about? As far as he knows he hasn't done anything in particular to make him stand out within the camp.

"Depends on whose asking," he answers instead.

"Has she replied yet?" the suit finally asks as he looks at the young Marine.

Derek tries to hide his confusion, but the Marine driver releases a booming laugh upon seeing the look the younger Marine must have been wearing.

"Ha, I told you he was drunk," he says as he looks to the suit and this caused them both to fall into a laughing fit.

Derek now feels dread formulating within him. Did he do something last night? It was a blur, but he is sure, completely positive that he had stayed inside the barracks, he hadn't adventured outside as far as he knew. The fact that a Marine and a diplomat, two completely different social characters are laughing about the same thing is another sign that this is probably something bad.

Finally wiping the tears away from his eyes, the suit looks to the Marine and asks, "Should we tell him?"

The Marine in turn shrugs his shoulders, "I don't see why not, it'll be terrible if she comes out of nowhere he doesn't know what's going on." This causes the suit to start snickering again as he brings out a data pad and handed it to the Marine who in turn gave it to Derek.

"Have a look for yourself lover boy," The Marine says with a wicked grin.

Derek doesn't grace him with an answer as he looks at the hand held device he is holding and sees that it appears to be a video. He stiffen upon seeing that the person it's centered on is himself in a battered and miserable state. His shirt has a tear in it, there is a large pile of glitter on his shoulders and he definitely has a tipsy look in his eyes. Judging from the background, it appears to be taking place within the barracks, did he do this himself or one of his squad mates? With painful slowness, Derek brings up his finger and presses the 'play' button.

"Good evening ladies," oh crap, his voice in the recording is high sprung and everything; how much did he really drink last night?

"It is currently 0105 in the morning and I've never felt more alive," if it was possible, Derek would strangle himself, if Sergeant Corelli knew he was up that late, drunk no less, he probably be facing punishments worse than death.

"Quit stalling," a voice off screen calls out, sounding like that of his squad mate Sue, "get to the point before you chicken out."

"Fine," video Derek says as he throws his hands up in an exasperated way and he looks back towards the screen with a stupid grin that instantly caused the sober Derek to hate himself for.

"The whole reason why I'm doing this is because I can't think of a better way to ask this question," Derek truly wonders if it's possible to die of mortification, "as you all know the Marine dance is coming up and I have yet to find a date," no, no, no, please! Please tell him he didn't!

"So what I'm getting at here is this," here he pauses for drama and Derek is about ready to murder himself. He might actually do it too if he asks the ambassador out since he did have a sort of a crush on her. Or worse, Colonel Sandra Hackworth who he admitted to being pretty once.

"Daughter of the Keep Lord Quasi," no, "would you like to go out with me?" No, no, no, no, no, no!

The truck drivers are now laughing again into hysteria, but Derek doesn't care as he continues to watch, too horrified and scared to miss what happens next.

"In case you're wondering, no, I don't know your name but you must be something special if you're the Keep Lord's daughter." Seriously? He may be intoxicated but surely he could talk smoother than that.

"I'm also a warrior, a farmer, and I'm young," oh for the love of…"please consider this since you are the only girl available and I promise you it will be worth your while," he comes to an end with another cocky smile, "I await your reply, night," and with that small amount of mercy the video ends, but not before leaving a very red face Derek alone with his thoughts.

Please let this be a dream, there is no way this can be happening, did it really happen? Yes it must have, the evidence is right there in his hands. Wait, the evidence is in his hands!

Without really thinking, the young Marine throws the pad to the floor, causing a muffled thud. However that wasn't enough for Derek, he needed to make sure no one else sees his mistake. He started stomping on it, repeatedly slamming his right booted foot down on the device multiple times, smashing the screen into a million pieces and causes sparks to fly.

"Hey!" Shouts the man in the suit while the driver started giggling again at the display before him, "What are you doing!? That's government property!"

Derek didn't stop until there was nothing but a mess of wires and shattered glass. Satisfied that the device is beyond repair he looked back up at the suit, "Alright, who else did you show that to?"

"That cost over five thousand credits," the suited man whines, "it was custom made and everything."

"Bill me!" shouts Derek as he throws his hands in the air, "now how did you get that video and who else did you send it to?"

The suited man just scowls at him, but it's the Marine who finally started speaking after calming down.

"Kid," he chuckles, "you did."

"What?" Derek asks quietly as the truth slowly dawns on him.

The Marine slowly shakes his head, "that video was posted on the military net, every Marine on base," he suddenly chuckles again, "or for all I know, every Marine in the galaxy," he puts emphasis on the word, "may have seen it," he ends with another great laugh.

Derek's arms drops to his side as he stares off into space. Every Marine? The whole galaxy? There's even rumors that the media has been able to hack into the military network to get information, so if they were to break onto the mainstream…hear about this…possibly publish the video as a story…then his parents might actually…see him saying…saying…

Suddenly he feels a whole new kind of shame and humiliation taking over.

The driver held out his hands and snaps his fingers, "might I have my card back now?"

Dumbly Derek hands it back, barely aware of his actions.

"Now open the gate," instructs the driver.

Wordlessly Derek did as he was told.

"Thanks boy," the marine grins while he drives off with the man in the suit next to him, arms cross with a scowl on his face. Derek lowers the gate back down as soon as they rolled through. He stood there for a moment before falling backwards and hitting the ground hard, but he hardly felt it.

Instead he gazes up at the sky, with his mouth hanging open in silent horror. Finally after a minute, another Marine who was walking by pauses in her route and walks up to Derek who is still lying on the floor spread eagle.

"Hey buddy," the Marine says as she got closer, "Are you alright? You don't have heat stroke do…" she trails off as she looks down on Derek. Suddenly she bursts into giggles and says, "Oh wow, you're Derek Heater aren't you?"

Derek is quite for a moment before bringing his hands up to his face and covering it, softly murmuring to himself, "I'm never going to drink again."

The suns have barely moved, but according to Derek's watch his shift is almost over. This would have made the Marine happy, but not this time.

Derek is propped up against the gate, eyes cast down as he tries to avoid eye contact with whoever passes by. So far it hasn't worked. Everyone within the camp, military personnel and diplomats alike would take one look at him and started snickering. Even his squad mates came by with wide smiles, but they didn't tease as much since they could tell he is already receiving more grief than an average young male could handle.

At one point First Sergeant Corelli walked by and Derek immediately stood up while praying he doesn't say anything. However the Sergeant stops and looks at Derek with his ever stoic look.

"PFC Heath?" he asks.

"Yes sir?" Questions Derek.

"Have you learned your lesson?"

Derek doesn't even try to hide it as he his shoulder lowers a little, "Yes sir."

The sergeant nodded before walking away, probably convinced that Heath is in deep trouble already.

That was the last interesting thing to have happen today. Derek had planned on taking a shower before going out on another search for a dancing partner, but instead decides it might be for his own good to return to the barracks and hide under his blankets and miss the ball entirely. Besides, after seeing that video, what woman in her right mind would want to-

His chain of thought is interrupted as he looks up when he hears a surprising sound. It's the hum of an anti-gravitational engine that is being emitted from a Sangheili Specter vehicle that is coming up the hill towards his gate. Derek frowns at this before pressing his comm's piece in his ear.

"Command," Derek says carefully, "this is Post Number One, do you read."

"We read you loud and clear lover hawk," came an obnoxious voice that made Derek cringle a little before he continues on.

"Command I have a Specter vehicle coming up towards the gate, are we expecting any visitors today?"

There is a pause before a response is given this time more serious, "Negative love hawk, this isn't on schedule, ask for their reason on coming here and try to remain respectful. But remember, remain on guard, for all we know this is a Sangheili version of a Trojan horse."

It never really occurred to Derek before that this could be a trap or that he is in any danger until then.

'Wonderful, getting invaded and shot dead is the perfect way to end the worst day of my life,' Derek thought ruefully to himself before he hops over the barrier and holds up one hand in the air. His other hand grabs his rifle and carefully unslings it until he is holding it by the grip. He is no Spartan so he can't shoot with one hand, but he can let off a few wild shots if worse comes to worse.

The violet vehicle comes to a halt just a foot away from him, it takes all of Derek's restrain not to point his gun at the occupants. There are two Sangheilis within the compartment, one is wearing the blue colors of the lowest rank in the Sangheili military, but the other…the other is dressed in gold. Is that a freaking general or something?

Derek gulps nervously before saying, "Hello."

The only response he receives is a growl from the driver, prompting the Marine is scoot a little farther away. He then turns to the passenger of the other vehicle and asks, "Is there is anything you need?"

He couldn't really see, but he could have sworn he saw a glint of malice in the Sangheili's eyes. Honestly what did he do?

The Golden plated alien then swung itself out of the Specter and stands up tall. It's standing at a good six foot five height, just a few inches taller than Derek is. It then proceeds forward as it takes in Derek and as it does so, that's when the human notices something odd about this Sangheili. Yes it's tall but there is something about its body that seems…out of place. Slowly his eyes gravitate downwards and that's when he notices something as well, the alien has some very curvy sides, a large contrast compared to the other Sangheilis that he had encountered.

A snarl causes him to break off from his close observation and looks up into the alien's eyes. They are bright with annoyance as they squint at him, yet what he notices though is that the eyes are a bright orange. Despite himself he is lost within them, they are quite a nice shade…it sort of reminds him of a soft sunset right before nighttime.

"Are you done staring?" Derek jumps upon hearing the Sangheili speak for multiple reasons. This is the first time that an alien has ever spoken directly towards him. He nearly passed out when he first saw a alien that had looked him dead in the eye and snarled, but now with one actually addressing him it just seems...unreal.

There is also something else, something just seems…off. All of the Sangheilis that he had ever heard had gruff voices. Yet this one, sure it snapped at him for his gazing, but that voice, it was actually smooth and even possess a subdued melodic tone. Who is this that he is speaking to?

However all thoughts of the musical voice is wiped clear from his mind when the Sangheili growls again, more directly at him.

"Sorry," Derek says as he raises his hand again as he backs away a little more, "I'm sorry, I just…" he pauses for a moment unsure on what to say or do next. He just what? Had a rough day? Was completely perplexed? Scared out of his mind?

The Sangheili however remains silent as it continues to observe him, maybe it's waiting for him to finish his sentence.

He can't, for the life of him, bring himself to finish saying what was on his mind earlier so he might as well try a different approach.

He re-slings his rifle, no longer observant to danger as he holds out a hand to the Sangheili.

"I'm Private First Class Derek Heat," there is a moment of stillness as the alien looks down at the hand he is offering to it before looking back up at him.

"I do not understand this gesture," it finally says.

Derek bites his lips a little before saying, "Uh, it's a welcoming gesture and it also represents a show of trust."

The Sangheili then meets his eyes, "a show of trust? Yet you do no not know who I am."

Derek shrugs and gives his best smile as he looks past the razor sharp talons and teeth, "Well then why don't we start with giving our names? I gave you mine, what about yours?" He extends his hand a little further towards the alien, "take my hand and tell me your name."

The Sangheili regards the hand strangely, almost as if it is weary of the limb before it slowly reaches up and gently takes his hand. It easily enfolds over Derek's and it takes all of his will power to keep himself from shaking when he feels the sharp talons lightly pressing against his flesh. He tries to focus on the skin of the alien instead, feeling its odd and sleekness. He almost half expected it to be cold and clammy, yet it's warm and had a toughness to it that vaguely reminds him of leather.

"You humans have soft skin," The Sangheili says as it looks down upon their clasped hands.

"Uh, yeah," Derek agrees, "and your Sangheili skin is strong."

The Sangheili then looks up with him, the annoyance is gone, now it is replaced with a bit of curiosity. Derek has no idea what is going on here, but before he could ask, the alien speaks again.

"I am Alasha Quas," it says, "daughter of the Keep Lord."

"Alasha," Derek says to himself so he would better remember, "Wow, that's a pretty name, I-" however it wasn't until now did the Sangheili, or rather Alasha's sentence fully take effect on him.

Did…did she just say…

"Human?" it, or she now, asks "are you well? You look much paler than before."

"I…I…I…" Derek isn't sure if it's possible for people as young as him to have a panic attack, but right now he is having trouble breathing.

'What is she doing here!? Of all days!'

"Do you need medical assistance?" Alasha asks with the slightest of concerns in her voice.

"Fine!" he suddenly yelps before lowering his voice when he realized that he had shouted, "uh, I mean, fine, I'm fine, I-I'm just a bit nervous cause, um, well you see, um…" finally an idea struck him and he looks back into the Sangheili's eyes "the thing is, I need to report to my Commander what your business here is."

The Sangheili eyes him oddly, "My business?"

"Your…um…reason for coming here," Derek speculates. He is surprised when he feels her give his hand a rather gentle squeeze as she peers deeply into his eye.

"My purpose?" She asks in a deadpan voice, "my purpose is to accept your invitation of courtship."