Disclaimer: The last part is finally done. My beta reader has kept me from publishing this chapter which is the result of having a super long delay. But still, I'm happy how this mini-chapter FINALLY ended! HUZZAH!

Oh, and I don't owned SNK characters.

-Note- The title chapter pays the homage to the first TarmaXEri I made. I find it rather plesant with it ^.^

Metal Slug; Operation First Date

Chapter 3 –When Bikers Ride With his Angel Together-

Another fine morning, and another peaceful time, no trumpets are sound today due to the General of the Army just blast the man who is in charge of the horn to the nearest hospital, leaving the entire base virtually without an alarm to sound off. The General of the Army didn't mind about missing the alarm blaring through his ears though that changes when he sees his own personal clock that it is 10am in the morning. Rushing off from his office is an unusual sight to behold, especially when the General of the Army is wearing only his pajamas to the meeting room without knowing. Not all personal in varies barracks rely on the guardhouse to wake everyone up; drill instructor and staff sergeant is an alarm clock itself, bursting through the room and screaming their lungs off seeing the lazy soldier still in bed. The fame SPARROW Agent operatives however were not one of them; though Fio and her partner Eri woke up some time ago, our Japanese agent Eri Kasamoto however couldn't get close eye at all. Her mind still messes about the experience that happen yesterday regarding about her date. Her messy hair is immediately hidden back with her bandana, her used uniform discarded by the smell of alcohol and could not recall her supposingly duty today as her mind is so heavily emphasize about her date with Tarma Roving the Third.

No matter how hard she tries, she cannot remember what happen to her yesterday when she was drunk and high except for blurred image; was she behaving childishly and pampered? Has she performed an unholy act onto herself that would ruin her reputation as a soldier? Could she have harm the other pedestrian with the weapon she could have brought? Did she, as a soldier kissed Tarma Roving? She really can't remember. As honest as Tarma may looked, she knows that appearance can be deceiving; he may claim that he will never lay a finger on her even if she is intoxicated, but that doesn't mean he is not allowed too. All she knows is her action may bring shame to her own self without her knowing firsthand, even though she is there. She curl herself like a ball on her bed feeling the need of warm comfort from an uncertain someone she can't bring herself to express.

"Morning sweet Eri," her partner, Fiolina Germi greets her with her usual puppy smile, all dress up and ready for duty.

" …ditto." Eri greet back, she sigh soon after.

"Oh dear," Fio sigh seeing Eri in this state, "did something happen to your date?"

"Nothing usual." Eri Kasamoto replies harshly, showing her usual tantrum face.

"Really? I bet it's your sweetest moment." Fio pointed out, referring to the hotdog stand where she gives off a genuine laugh.

"Yeah, except that I was drunk and I have no collective memory what just happen."

"But your face said otherwise," Fio again pointed out, "You look rather red than usual"

Eri Kasamoto gapes blankly at her female partner, quite dumbfounded by her speech. She resists the idea of assuming to have been blushing throughout the night eventually gets the better of her. She rushed into their shared bathroom to have a good look at her reflection. Lo and behold, her entire cheek is flashing with reddish skin color. No matter how much she tries to rub the red color off, it only makes it even worst. In her horror Eri let out a 5-year old scream that could make any grown-ups jump from their seats.

The Cutest SCREAM. EVAR

"Eri has a thing for Tarma," Fio playfully chant happily while slicing a random ingredient for breakfast. Eri, bolted by her playful chant exit out of the bathroom, storm right next to Fio and begin to comically strangle the Italian female commando in order to shut her partner up, "Shut up Fio! This is not funny! I'm still in big trouble!"

"Why? Having a red face could be anything; it can even be anger, so it doesn't mean anything." Fio happily reply, knowing that Eri's sudden behavior really entertain her greatly.

"It means I still have a thing for Tarma!" Eri suddenly spoke out too soon; she shut her mouth up the moment Eri reveal the big thing and the next thing she does is to comically bang her head again on the wall.

"Oh, is that why you were having these wet dreams?"

Eri stop banging and turn her attention to Fio, puzzled and disbelieved, "Wha…?"

"Your pants," Fio giggle nervously, "It looks rather wet"

The Japanese commando face blush to a higher height, rushing off to the bathroom to have a look. Several minutes later, Eri let out another scream that echoes all the way to the neighboring room.

"You should be going now Mr. Narrator; it will look terrible if you are mar by Eri Kasamoto's vehemence."

"MEGAAUTHOR!"

Right you are Fio, I'm off!

Meanwhile…

Far from the Sparrows quarters, Tarma Roving also woke up rather early by the sound of his own alarm, rival that of Marco's absurd alarm of immanent attack from his self-made alarm clock. Looking down at his own reflection by the bathroom mirror, he could still see the red painted mark left by Eri Kasamoto which she smacks right into his cheeks still present there. He isn't the type of person who would say 'that's gotta leave a mark', since slaps from ladies usual mean a good thing to Tarma; either he made them madly dim with his silly acts or piss the girl so much they would slap him out of embarrassment. So far any gal lucky enough to hang out with the Japanese commando knows that Tarma's down to Earth honesty and honorable feature allows the to come back as friendly again. This slap from Eri Kasamoto however is strange, and his heart aches just by looking at it.

This slaps actually BURNS.

The Japanese commando's partner, Marco Rossi had earlier depart to attend a meeting with the rest of the officers, leaving Tarma to do whatever he is on duty for. The problem is, Tarma's next shift is the next day, so he has plenty of time to made things up with Eri Kasamoto. Marco has no interest in Tarma's story about his misadventure with Eri Kasamoto which unlike the ladies who would attempt to tells their problem to another girl just so they would butt into their problems. Man however would prefer to keep their secrets and attempt to solve it by themselves, even if the odds are against him.

Buried his head onto his less comfortable bed (he has tons of useless stuff on his bed from books, Metal Slug figurine to hidden weapon under his pillow, even porn books hidden underneath his ragtag bed) as he recall yesterdays event. It could be called disaster, but Tarma Roving saw with his own eyes as a full blossom Eri Kasamoto; giggling, almost hyperactive and adorable girl, though she is kinda pushy, except that to truly exploit that inner core, she has to completely drunk, not by Vodka, but by Japanese Rice Wine. What's the different anyway? Both are the same thing; both are alcoholic favorite in their respected country, and both are fairly expensive. Thinking the different detail however makes Tarma's head hurt.

Curling on the other side of the bed he noticed the teddy bear which Eri 'won' from the shooting gallery. He remembers how much she cuddles this plush toy so hard it makes Fio's teddy bear Peppino look shameful. When reality really sinks in, she throws it away. It's an unexpected scene to behold when that happens, even for Tarma Roving. Never had he seen a girl who cuddles the plush toy filled with love before would toss it away like that. It's rather hurtful action that would move even those who neglect love. It is unbearable to anyone who witnesses it firsthand. Tarma understand this clearly when Eri did so in front of him. The blue teddy bear with pink ribbon looks kinda sad today, thought Tarma.

Screw that, it looks like its on a verge of crying.

"What am I going to do?" he pound himself, lying on his bed, "I promise to open her heart, but till now I'm on a loop hole. Maybe I should return this teddy bear to its rightful owner and see what happens."

And say what? I'm here to give back the teddy bear?

"Look, this is my show; you don't have to pick on me!"

At least tell her how you feel!

"And getting hot lead on my guts? No thanks, I already had some Iron yesterday!"

Tell her you love her!

"Are you MAD? I can't say that outright; she'll freak out, and another slap!"

Give it a try at least, you may never know the results right?

"No, I'm saving my skin from another potential hazardous explosion. Last thing I need is her nuking my place like it's a freaking Fourth of July or something."

I'm just trying to help, so at least stop arguing me!

"You're the one who started!"

After a heated argument to himself (I am not!), bringing the teddy bear to its owner still isn't strong enough to convince her to be peace upon him. He remembers that one word that is loudest the most, as if she is dying to express her feelings except that her inner core appropriate constrict by her own desire. Perhaps that very core she's been trying to hide lately has been fragile to the state that it reveals itself in another manifest form of Eri Kasamoto. In fact, that word still rings in Tarma's mind, even in his sleep.

I wanna hug you like a teddy bear

Sensing Eri's dire needs, Tarma quickly shook his stupid theory about all this crap; he can get the answer he wants right from her mouth instead of making up brainless theories as if he is Albert Einstein. Getting out of his crappy bed for a change of clothes, the Japanese commando widens his eyes when he opens up his wardrobe; there is nothing for him to wear neatly today! All he had in there are Regular Army uniform back in the old days, not even his standard PF uniform were spared!

And today is laundry day too!

"Why is this keeps happening to me?" Tarma

Tarma Roving decided to use the Regular Army uniform as an overcoat while he search for his other casual clothes he can wear. After tossing out more junks from his wardrobe from penguin-like costume from the fame game Disgaea to the ultra special edition Ultraman uniform (he had more junks in there too, though he is too embarrass to throw it out in the open), he found an odd shirt that matches with his Regular Army uniform. Surprisingly comfy when he wears them on, he wondered where he got this shirt from in the first place.

"I'll figure it out once this is over," remind himself, grab his chosen gear and grab the teddy bear Eri 'won' at the shooting gallery. Tilt his shades further in to his face and a couple of quick breath, Tarma open the door.

Moving out of his cabin with his Regular Army uniform with a teddy bear is a sore eye to most people who is station here; few people would take this for granted and laugh Tarma whom is carrying this large teddy bear, but when a high ranking commando unit worn such uniform (especially those who came from the Elite Corp Division), it is an insult to the entire battalion. Naturally, Tarma first reaction and instinct is to get away from the incoming mad crowd of Regular soldiers with whatever useable weapon they might grab on. It's an entire mob armed with wooden planks and pipe against a lone commando who carries nothing but his dignity. How fair can this be?

Well, some might call it obviously fair since Elite Corp Division is trained to fight 100 worth of soldiers unarmed, but what about an entire division of several thousands of battalion worth of men? Tarma can only gulp his saliva facing such odds.

Of course, today however is his lucky day; the Regular soldiers aren't chasing him, nor did they shoot glance at him with their terrifying eyes. All of them are too busy to do training under this new drill instructor guidance which conveniently currently on the field. She wave merrily at the troops she is training to push harder on their upcoming training session before she stumble upon Tarma Roving. Though not quite familiar with this new drill instructor, she is however has a slight resembles to the one which Tarma could identified as. Her appearance is close to the past drill instructor Sophia, but she appears younger, more teen-like facial than an actual adult. Tarma couldn't recognize Sophia's younger sister, Cynthia until she introduce herself openly at Tarma.

"Oh my gosh, are you Tarma, THE Tarmicle Roving the Third?" she exclaim, "My sister told me about you; the sassy Japanese dude who blazes the street of Japan with the coolest customize bike of all!"

"…And you are?"

"I'm Major of the Regular Army Specialized Combat Academy Cynthia Greenville." She announce, playfully salute Tarma despite her rank is higher than him. Tarma is a rank Captain after all.

"Cynthia… Greenville?" Tarma pause, "Are you by any chance, Sophia's younger sister?"

She makes no reply other than giving Tarma a sweet smile and a nod.

Tarma had known Cynthia through Sophia's constant bragging how her young sister always find man that quickly catches her heart through unbelievable feat, be that the man she fall in love is a sweaty Russian wrestle or an ex-military con man from Vietnam. Though initially believe she aims high for someone with higher status and wealthy family and a good manner man, her true colors shine when her heart felt captive on a certain General of the Army within the Regular Army, rumored to have trained under her and eventually succeed in becoming the GA in an unbelievable amount of time in a short few years. It is unknown if her statement upon marrying the certain GA is true or not, but it is best not to asked her that. Sophia always mentions that her younger sister often spoken out of line especially when she is always showing rather cold to newcomers until one manage to catch her warm heart. Sophia also mention that her younger sister is hard to express whatever feelings she has cluster in her heart whenever she is having the moment, which Tarma having trouble not to do so.

After all, she's practically training new patch of Regular Elite Corps Division commandos, and certain number of commando actually reach to her ear thus making her almost unreliable for asking her anything but help.

Okay, anything but cooking however.

"I heard you from a friend of a friend," Cynthia begins, "that you were Sophia's little thingy, that you're her typical favorite!"

That word hit squarely at Tarma's forehead, Boom! HEADSHOT! "NO! Sophia isn't my little thingy! She helps me a lot in training I give her that, but not that level of approach!"

Cynthia smirks at Tarma's reply, "Oh-ho? Then why are you in Regular Army uniform? Surely only a maggot-level soldier would pride himself to wear such pitiful outfit carrying such a cute plush toy."

Those words spear through Tarma's chest, did she just said only maggot-level soldier wear this? "Look Cynthia, whatever is in your mind, this teddy bear is not for Sophia; she retired YEARS ago, remember?"

"Hehe, but I can read your face through Tarma; the bear belongs to someone special right?"

This is when Tarma's face expression grows hard, "Yes, it really does."

Tarma's face hardens when mentioning the bear bring Cynthia a halt for toying Tarma. Though Cynthia are not authorize to know what happen regarding yesterday event as she is not been inform by either commando unit such as Fio or Marco (or generally anyone who knows about Tarma and Eri relationship), it is no longer a funny issue when one of the top commandos who are known to be goofy showing a sign of significance in whatever work he is up too. A wild guess from Cynthia hit the spot, "Is it Eri Kasamoto, Captain Tarma?"

Tarma's shades hide his reaction, as few people knew about their relationship (safe for Ralf and Clark, who often poke fun against the Japanese commando through E-mails), Tarma pull a small smile, "Correct, and I would really like to get this over with before things goes out of hand."

"Oh, is poor little Eri going to burn your garage?" Cynthia joke.

"She already burn my garage WEEKS ago."

"Oh."

"Well, pardon me," Tarma exclaim, "But I have to go meet up with Eri now. Don't want that girl to start dropping some A-bomb down my cabin anytime soon"

"Before you go, have you seen Walter and Tyra?" Cynthia asked, since this is the actual reason why she stop Tarma in the first place, "I've been looking for them, but none of the recruit knows where they are."

"Beats me; I just came out from the cabin." Tarma explain, "If I found them, I'll have them send straight to you okay?"

A couple of goodbyes and both member part ways. While Tarma knew little why Cynthia is looking for those two, it is perhaps the best those recruit could learn a thing or two from her; if Sophia can train future generation of Elite Corp Division before retirement, than Cynthia is no less different, if only she isn't so harsh to those who is left behind in her training.

I bet both of them ran away despite the good nature from such a good drill instructor, thought Tarma.

-Meanwhile, somewhere across the world-

Unknown to Tarma and Cynthia (or any other military officers), Walter and Tyra as well as other well season soldiers is shipped to an unknown destination to tackle and combat the native somewhere across the world. The native is savage, blood thirsty and cannibalism half of the unexpected team. These native appeared to be evolved dinosaurs that is rumored to have extinct many years ago and has almost human-like figure except for the dino head. Our heroes find themselves being hunted down by these savage meat-eaters who appear constantly hungry. Currently they are being held down the LZ and wait for extraction. Until then, they have a lot of time killing the natives which has outnumbered them 10 to 1. To makes matters worse, they are the only group of humans on the island.

And the loudest as well.

"HOW IN BLOODY KOOLA DID WE GET SHIPPED ACROSS THE WORLD?" Walter cried, reloading his AR-10 with another HV-01 munition

"JUST SHUT UP AND SHOOT!" Tyra cried, grabbing two Regular Issue AR-10 with HV-01 munitions and begin to fire at fractionally at random direction.

"GOOD GOD WHY DID THE GENERAL SEND ME HERE?" one of the US soldier cried as well, firing his M60 at the vicious creature.

"I AM SO GOING TO KILL WHOEVER THAT SENDS US TO THIS GODFORSAKEN PLACE!" Another US soldier reply in anger.

"ROAAAAARRRRRRR!"

"WHAT WAS THAT SHIT?" one of the US army cried in fear.

His answer came on top of them, an evolved Tyrannosaurus Rex in front of them standing way taller than the trees, wielding two giant axe

"We are so dead." Walter utter his last word

-Back to the Regular Army base-

Tarma Roving. Inside the Sparrow's Cafeteria Courtyard. AGAIN.

One of the best coffee serve here apart from their own Elite Corp Division Cafeteria. Tarma doesn't like to go into the Sparrow's division unless it is really necessary. Apart from the diner serve the best dinning area of all, it is also the cleanest, which Tarma seemed to favor than to eat at the Elite Corp Division Cafeteria where food stains on the table never been scrub off and some crazy fanboy would occasional stir trouble resulting the fame food fight to happen. Many senior officers here are girls while few are men who also enlist into the Sparrows stare upon Tarma and his endeavor effort to get the best coffee ever within the base. Everyone in the diner is waiting for Tarma's perilous next move whom is armed with a teddy bear while the opposing Sparrow officers armed themselves with fork and table knife as their weapon of choice. The moment Tarma turn around and walk away from the Sparrow Cafeteria generate numerous questions upon the diners inside the Cafeteria. Either Tarma sensed imminent danger from the hungry diners here or not puzzled them all.

The truth is rather simple; he is looking for Eri Kasamoto, not coffee.

"Damn, not there either." Tarma utter before he sigh aloud, "Eri… where the heck are you?"

-Later-

While Fiolina Germi had already gone with her duty rooster, Eri Kasamoto holds up on her own room and already got an approval letter for being sick. She barricades herself in her room not wanting anyone to see her in this state. Her morning discover already freak her out so much so that she is embarrass to get out of the room. She cuddled herself, hugging her folded legs near herself as she tries to blanket herself on her own bed. No matter how much she tries, she is unable to get this heat, this needy body heat she desire. Her heart pound fast as her desire to hug someone is far greater than anything she had experience. She had known by experience the needs to kill, and the glory of the explosive power blown from afar and felt the shockwave in her face makes her happy, but this new feeling she has felt different, she is unsure why, but whenever she tries to hug herself, the satisfaction is not there; she need someone close to be satisfied. Eri Kasamoto had already tried on Fio, but the feeling hugging her partner did not lessen the burden on her shoulder. She needs someone else, someone special in her life.

She needs Tarma.

Eri Kasamoto shook her head in disgust when she thinks about that Japanese Commando jerk. Surely he did something that makes her feel this bad, something that would make the Queen of Destruction feels this bad. She narrow her eyes whenever she tries to recall yesterdays event but it is all blur safe for the warm touch Tarma lay on. She tries to recall something else that would be the same needy effect, anyone in her memory that would have hugged her, anyone besides Tarma Roving.

She fails miserable as Tarma Roving, the man who would ride to hell and back, came into her mind.

And his silly grin that never seemed to stop messing with her head.

Despite her mental image of a goofy, doesn't take serious case Tarma Roving, the man himself has proven his own worth of salt fighting side by side with Marco Rossi in the theater of war. Whenever in the battlefield, he shows no remorse or mercy to the enemy he is train to kill, and establish no emotion to waver the objective that has been given to him should the orders to exterminate is been given, even if it has something to do with the rest of the teammate as far as concern. He value pride and honor like some damn modern day samurai and yet he often goof around when such dire situation calls for his immediate attention. Tarma sees his partner as a battle brother of sort, the closes things to a family. Whenever Eri thinks about it, it disgusts her greatly. What so great about him that would be inferior to herself? Eri pride herself for being the only member to be matured enough to actually would hold conversation to a more serious Marco Rossi regarding about battle situation. Fiolina Germi is far too naïve, even though she has yet to mature after been taken the battlefield equally as the rest of the team. Marco is always out for blood, and accept suicide mission regarding about Morden's Army like a damn lollipop. His leadership would get the entire team killed one day, but until now, none has died under Marco's crack command. Tarma in the other hand would find ways to cheer all of us up no matter the situation, and always bring himself to danger should one of us about to get killed by throwing himself acting like a shield.

In fact, almost in every situation, Tarma has been saving everyone's' life more than once, and Eri Kasamoto is the highest who still owe Tarma a run for HER money.

She never felt anything before other than giving Tarma a cold 'thank you' praise, but this time she actually had feelings for the man who she love to hate.

Every time she thinks of the word love or hate, Tarma's ridiculous silly grin will shine in front of her mind as if it's a key word in her mental dictionary. Mentioning the name makes it worse for a girl who barely knew how to love back had her heart pumping faster and faster. She can't breathe easy knowing that it only allows her heart to kept pumping nonstop and makes her face go red hot.

She rubs her face a few times before marching into the cabin bathroom to have a good look at herself. Staring herself at the mirror with that red hot face of hers really reflect her wounded pride. Looking back then when she join the Regular Army, people who she work with always afraid of her due to her reputation to assassinate you in your sleep, even if you have a gun under your pillow. She used to look angry even when she's not, she appear frustrate whenever a single intelligence resources slip past her and possible appear pale due to her past life being harder than the rest of the team thus producing her natural cold, no-bull manifestation. If it wasn't because of Tarma and Marco as well as Fiolina, who appearance in the Second Coup to help defeat General Morden, she wouldn't have been calmer than before. She develops a need to protect the team from danger and also appear more radiant with nature skin color, in addition of having a rozy cheeks. She has grown the liking of this group without even knowing.

She already sworn herself not to have any relationship with anyone other than herself, so when did that change? What makes her change in such dramatic way? Is Tarma really behind this after all?

"Why is this keeps happening to me?" Eri question herself, rubbing her cheek before she turn away from her reflection.

Because you let your guard down! A voice screams out, out of nowhere.

Eri jumped when she heard that, she turn look around the bathroom frantically. She is alone and yet she could hear voices out of nowhere. She is all alone after all, other than her reflection…

…Who is crossing her arms looking mad at her?

Give it up Eri Kasamoto; give up that stupid feeling you have for that stupid jerk Tarma. His just a soldier with a big paycheck! Her reflection cried, obviously appear to be Eri's 'Evil' side.

"What do you… no! I wasn't letting my guard down at all! I am always on guard all the time!"

Then what do you make about yesterday's event? The stunt Tarma pull is unacceptable! You call that letting your guard up when that jackass Tarma had his way with you?

This time Eri is struck with a question which happens to be her ultimate weakness, as if the question were a bullet and hit squarely between her eyes, "I… I…"

Face it girl, you make an oath, isn't it? Live alone, die alone. That was your promise when you were young, than any who other than yourself is a burden. You have no parental love and has no need for love at all! You are born as an orphan thus has no right for someone like that to affect your life! The reflection harshly spoken out 'her' mind, pulling an evil smirk on her face as if she is looking down at Eri Kasamoto. Eri's reflection still crosses her arms to show that 'she' is in control, You are a SPARROW AGENT; the most FEARED being in this world!

"But I don't want to be feared!" Eri suddenly spoken up against her reflection, "I finally realize now how normal people should overcome such obstacles and they can't do it alone! I am not some puppet who is blinded by such ideology that would only come from Morden's foul mouth!"

Her reflection seemed astonish, but her smirk return on her face with great confident, and immediately call her names base on what the reflection believe in.

WEAK

"Wha… what did you said?"

You heard me; you're weak, pathetic, utter trash. You used to be cold, emotionless assassins who boast yourself with amass pride and respect. Now you're just a big joke who tries to be someone else. You've grown too soft, attach too much on trash-like people and amuse yourself with laidback maggot who dare call himself a soldier, let alone a commando!

Hearing an insult related to Tarma, Eri Kasamoto bust in anger, and yet she has absolutely no idea why, "No, you're a joke, not me! I am willing to look past my own motto and live a life I chose as I pleased, and I will not allow an alter ego such as yourself to hinder my progress or talk foul words on Tarma Roving the freaking Third!"

The reflection narrows her eyes, followed by an evil grin, What are you going to do? Break me apart? I am you, and you are me. We are the same, and yet you strive to be different. No matter what you do, you'll never escape your inevitable fate.

A knock on the cabin door make Eri jumped the second time, popping her head outside of the bathroom just to look outside of the cabin returns to the bathroom again to check on that evil self by the mirror again and only gaze at her reflection. She shook her head as she is talking to her damn self like someone who is losing their mind. Placing her hand on the cold surface of the mirror, she notices that if one thinks logically about it, holding such an odd conversation did raise some question of doubt. Perhaps that mirror-image is right at some degree, but that answer is simple one sided. As an intelligent agent, she strives on BOTH side of the answer, good and bad. Before she move out to get the door, a quick splash on her face with the tap water will suffice her to wake up from whatever nightmare she is currently in.

"Who is it?" she said, about to unlock her doors

"It's me, Tarma."

The moment Tarma announce his presences, immediately she lock all 7 different locks, place wooden planks on the door and nail it down frantically and comically with her hand only before placing the entire furniture in her room to further blocking the door away from Tarma Roving, all in less than 15 seconds (O.o).

"What do you want?" Eri cried while catching her breath, her face is now redder than blood, "Go away!"

"Eri… please, I wanted to talk to you about yesterday's date…"

Eri immediately jam her ear with chewed bubblegum, "It never happen, that date never happen!" she cried out loud before going, ""

Sweat drop appear on Tarma's head, "Of course it did Eri, we were having a great time until… well, you got yourself drunk and all…"

No matter how much she tries to cover her ears, Tarma's words seemed to bypass it all, "No more, please Tarma, I don't want to hear it, just go home or something!"

Tarma Roving stood at the other side of the door pause for a moment. He placed his ears near the door, trying to listen what is on the other side of the door. Though barely, he could hear Eri Kasamoto sobbing, perhaps out of grief, or humiliation. How can that she be crying when it isn't her fault? The Japanese commando shut his eye while dive deeper into his mind recalling not yesterday's event, but her past. She is the most unfortunate member of the entire crack commando who never receives parental love and as a result she has been living as an orphan, the hardest life that is a trial on its own, especially for Eri. He only knew she was raise in an orphanage church during the war with several hundred homeless children like her, and that she ran away from the safety of the church when she is tough enough to venture out without anyone's support. She mature faster than the rest of the team due to all the hardship she had to endure, but Tarma knew that buried inside her frozen core is a child she had abandon within, perhaps part of her had to find a way to escape from the painful reality and replace it with a strong willed personality. All she needs now is someone to melt that frozen core she's been buried deep within her.

And Tarma knows he can do what others claim to be impossible. Eri Kasamoto has been waiting for someone special in her life, and throughout the mission and off duty, the Japanese female agent happens to side with him no matter how crazy or stupid he did. Her previous stunt confirms this; burning his garage is the first step, if not a painful remark in Tarma's account.

Placing his back on the wall beside the door, Tarma begin to talk about the event to Eri Kasamoto, the one that almost got him to earn that kiss.

"Back in the Ferris wheel, you were the happiest girl a guy would want. You look innocent with those eyes as you were awe inspired by the lights dazzling down on Earth."

"Shut up, it never happen."

"You chuckle a lot, smiling up at me like a little angel, cuddle on my sleeve, never letting me go even for a second."

"I…I said stop it." Eri's voice reply, but her voice isn't an angry tone. Bashful perhaps?

Tarma continue nonetheless, "You commented how warm I am, hugging me further more, drooling on my favorite shirt snuggle on top of me."

Tarma could hear a banging sound; properly her face grew so red the blood rush to her brain is far too much. She cried in protest, "Stop it, I don't want to hear it!"

"You tried to kiss me with that wet lips of yours, while still on top of me, unable to move or do anything at that time…"

Alright, that's enough out of him! Eri's mind screamed out of embarrassment. She proceed to clear the blockage she did earlier by pulling out an AR-10 Regular Issue Rifle out of thin air, load a SPG-07 'Super Grenade' into the weapon. She open fire the blockage resulting a massive explosion which destroy EVERYTHING she once owned (including her bed, table and wardrobe which filled with those god awful clothes she has) regardless if the entire base will sound the alarm. With the smoke clears and the Regular Army base had its alarm blazing aloud, Tarma Roving, lying on the ground bleeding with shrapnel all over his body. Eri Kasamoto approaches the man he thought were her loving partner with the weapon aim at his head. Tarma open his eyes despite all the pain he had to endure to have a good look at Eri.

The moment he saw her, he smile; Eri Kasamoto, aiming the AR-10 weapon at his head, crying her eyes out.

SHE. IS. CRYING.

"One more word, one more word and I swear to god I will kill you myself!" She cried, tears flowing down her cheek uncontrolled. "I have a pride, and my dignity Tarma Roving! If you expose my ultimate humiliation than I dare you to say those words!"

Eri Kasamoto really means it, her weapon safety is off and wielding the 'Boss Killer' munitions isn't funny anymore. Even though she isn't kidding around with that tone in her voice, her hands tremble greatly, and she can't stop sobbing. To Tarma, it meant a lot, especially when this is what he wanted to see.

Eri Kasamoto, displaying her childish core in full.

Tarma has the last trump card to play before Eri really did pull the trigger.

"… but I stop you from doing so."

Eri stood there dumbfounded, "Huh?"

"I stop you from kissing me. I safe your pride, your dignity, your reputation, I did it because I had too."

Eri Kasamoto drops her weapon to the ground, kneeling before the wounded commando; her tears still would not stop shedding off her beautiful eyes. "Why? I… I don't understand…"

"I'm a soldier; a proud commando of the Regular Army. I place my duty and honor first and emotion second. I would never, EVER, would had dream to tarnish your pride as an Intelligent Agent. If I did, I would have commit suicide as I feel guilty over such hasty action."

"I… I…" Eri couldn't said a word, her heart never felt touched before. For someone who is willing to go such length, Tarma is most possible the dumbest commando to catch Eri's heart.

"It is good that you finally understand." Tarma sigh, "Now, can you please call the medic here? I'm bleeding to death here."

And Eri's fury return, "That kind of bleeding wouldn't even kill me! Take a hike!" She scream before she uppercut Tarma so hard the poor injured Japanese commando flew to the sky and twinkle away at the horizon, leaving the teddy bear which Tarma happen to brought along.

To Eri, she could easily obliterate the stupid plush toy but instead, she picks it up, dust if off and hugged it tight. Eri Kasamoto feel much better after rubbing her watery eyes from her face followed by a smile, "Watashi wa baka o aisuru" she said childishly at her plush toy.

DAYS LATER…

Eri Kasamoto sat next to her partner Fiolina Germi along with Rumi and Madoka Aikawa on their break in the cafeteria. All of them are having a great quiet meal until…

"Hello, are you Miss Kasamoto?" two Regular officer make present to the rogue Sparrow Agent

"Give and take, what do you want?"

"I have a letter for you-"

"Sorry," Eri said, pulling a smirk on her face, "but I already have a future partner."

Fio and the Aikawa girls giggle since she is obviously talking about Tarma, but that didn't bother Eri Kasamoto anymore.

Unfortunately, that wasn't a case, "No, we're not interest in you, it's a letter from high command."

"You know what, make this letter business short, I'm eating here, and I'm hungry for some lovely grub Fio make today." Eri said rudely, sipping a glass of peach juice.

"Eri Kasamoto, I'm afraid your monthly paycheck will not arrive to you today or next month." One of the officer of the Regular Army read aloud from the letter it announce, causing Eri Kasamoto to spit her drinks out, completely caught by surprise

"WHAT? What do you mean I can't have my monthly paycheck or the month after? What the heck did I do?"

"Oh, let see, Regular base cabin site damage, property of bed, table and wardrobe destroyed and mortally wounded a single commando. I would say more, but then you'll be in a lot of trouble."

Eri sat there speechless, pale for a moment before her face grew red. She grew so FURIOUS she wanted to exact revenge, and she knows who her victim is, "TAAAAAAAARMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Final chapter END

I finally finish this chapter, yay! And as a bonus, here is what happen next XD

Bonus: Eri Kasamoto runs with DUEL MACHINE GUN, gun blazing against the sprinting mummified Tarma, further injure Tarma further and ruin Eri's good reputation even further. Walter and Tyra return safe and sound, and got a whopping promotion to Major and Captain respectively.