Spartan Quality Time-FLASHBACK (Beta and I)

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

GOLD Base, 0631 Hours, July 9, 2536.

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Jethro whistled an aimless tune as he twirled the massive bowie knife in his hand, the black blade whirling through the air. His footsteps were all but silent, though the slight whirring of the crimson mechanical eye that took the place of his right eye could be heard.

"And there was much rejoicing..." The tall Spartan muttered, remembering the late 20th century comedic classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. His ears twitched slightly at the slight sounds of someone else approaching from the hallway that intersected his up ahead.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047
Gold Base, 0631 Hours, July 9th, 2536

It was one of the few time Dani could actually walk around without her armor on, so she took it. This base was new, given to Gold Team on reach after the battle of Artiface, and what a battle it was. Humanity had captured the android known as C3. She had only spoken to the forerunner android for a few moments, but she wondered how much she could help change the war effort.

Today though, was one of the slow days she had to struggle through when not on a mission. Sure there were things to do around Gold Base, like read books, target practice, friendly competitions. She just wasn't sure what to do. It didn't help that she had hardly seen any of the other Spartans at all today. So like every other time she had nothing else to do, she found herself wandering the halls of Gold Base. She had been doing that for a while now until she heard heavier foot steps coming up from a hall that intersected her own. Maybe it was someone from Gold Team.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

Jethro moved to the left so that when the other person entered his hallway, they would not collide. That would prove unfortunate for either party, seeing as he was still twirling his knife. He looked right as he walked into the intersection, and gave a crooked grin as his mismatched eyes met Dani's.

"Heya, Dani." He greeted the female Spartan, the scars running down the right side of his face creating odd shadows from the grin.

He was always intrigued by Dani. He hadn't known her that well during training, considering, but she had an...aura about her that made almost everyone instantly like her. Plus, she was usually friendly--that was something a lot of the Spartans weren't.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty officer Dani-047

As Dani turned the corner, she heard a person move out of her way, to avoid collision. Smart choice, she didn't even really think about doing that. When she finaly made it around to corner to see who was going to cross her, she saw Jethro. One of her very own team mates.

"Heya, Dani." He greated with that smile of his.

"Hello Jethro." She responded, smiling back towards him. Finally something to curb her boredom. "What are you up to around here? I have no idea what to do today." She stated, looking the male spartan up and down with her own vibrant swampy violet eyes. "What ever it is you planned on doing, would you mind if I joined you?" She asked.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

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"Stole the words right out of my mouth." Jethro chuckled, motioning with his head to the left. As the two Spartans fell into step beside one another, he continued to speak. "I was thinking of stopping over by the shooting range, maybe try out my luck with the sniper rifle. And now that you're here, I can have a buddy to compete and possibly spar later with." The bowie knife went over his head, to be caught by his opposite hand.

"Interested?"

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

"Sure, that sounds like something to do. Though, don't expect me to beat you during sparring Jeth, your just simply too tough." She stated, getting a little sarcastic and teasing around the end. "Though I do plan to eat as well today so after we are done at the range why don't we go back to the mess or something." She offered, hoping that she wouldn't miss lunch just for something to do.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

"You and your food..." Jethro mocked, nudging Dani's arm slightly with his elbow. "Fine, I'll probably be hungry around that time as well. But, I've still gotta beat you at the shooting range first." He sheathed his bowie knife, then leaned forward, arms and legs pumping as he raced towards the range. "Last one there's a xenophobic split-jaw!"

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

"What do you mean me and my foo-" Dani began, before Jethro sprinted off towards the firing range. "God Dammit Jethro!!" Dani called after him before she burst into a full fledged sprint herself. She hoped since that she was lighter she could gain some distance and actually get to him before he made it there. "There is no way you are going to be calling me a split jaw!!" She called after him, gaining distance.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

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Jethro sniggered under his breath as he ran faster. Dani would be hard pressed to keep up, seeing as he had a split-second head start, plus the fact that he was second in speed only to SPARTAN-087. He turned a sharp corner, then nimbly dived over one of the few non-Spartan's at the base.

"Sorry!" He called as he rolled to his feet, the acrobatic maneuver having not taken much out of his momentum.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty officer Dani-047

"Dammit.." Dani swore out loud as Jethro got farther and farther ahead of her. She was now completely focused on her objective, beating him, which would be close to impossible. She barely heard Jethro call out a Sorry as he continued to run and she saw the non-spartan in the base just in time. She managed to half hazardly side step the around the person and crash into the wall to her right.

From that point she knew she wouldn't win so she slowed to a simply walk and continued on her way to the firing range. She decided that if she couldn't beat him there, he would at least have to wait on her.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

Jethro looked back when he sprinted out of the building and into the shooting range, but didn't see Dani. Figured. Couldn't keep up, so she forced him to wait for her. He shut the door, then slowly grinned quasi-evilly when he looked at the armory shed situated next to the range.

***

As Dani exited the base, her eyes moved back and forth as she looked over the shooting range. Jethro wasn't there...

A small flare of pain registered in her brain as a dark crimson splatter blossomed on her upper chest, which was accompanied by the smoke trail and gunfire report typical of a sniper rifle. Three more splotches of red appeared on her body, one on her abdomen, one on the middle of her right thigh, and another almost directly where the first was.

"Center of mass, hoorah!" Jethro called out from the overarching branches of a tree that stretched slightly over the shooting range. He dropped out of his hiding place, knees bending to absorb the shock. He held a sniper rifle who's barrel smoked slightly in one hand. "Damn, I love paintball."

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

The four stinging surprises and crimson paint splattering out over her, brought her back into a time when Spartans still mainly fought Innies, and not Covies. Her eyes went wide at the reports of sniper fire, and she was pissed. She already knew who it was by the time she ducked down toward a decent sized rock, and did not give a damn when she saw him moving from his hiding spot. She hurled it towards him, hoping he would get a pretty good welt himself.

"Bastard!" She cried toward him, with the smallest smile before she took off over to the shed that most likely held the paint ball guns he had grabbed. "Your dead!" She added, when she stopped in front of the shed, peeling into the entrance and checking around at the guns. There was a marksmen rifle with paint rounds and a pistol, both near ammo as well. She grabbed both and made her way out of the shed, staying close to a wall, she looked around for any signs of the spartan.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

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"I'm pretty sure I'm alive!" Jethro retorted, sidestepping the rock easily.

Jethro reloaded his sniper rifle with the one extra clip he had brought--it was extended, and so had eight rounds in it instead of the standard four--then slid into cover behind the perimeter of the firing range. When he heard Dani exit the shed, he came up out of cover, aimed at her fleeting figure, then pulled the trigger twice.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

After exiting the shed and sticking to the wall, Dani knew it would be a matter of time before she was shot again. If Jethro meant for this to turn into a fight, he would of brought extra ammo. Then what she expected to happen happened, as she took a small step toward toward a corner of the shed, a part of the wall, centimeters from her leg exploded with a burst of deep crimson. Miliseconds later a pain sprouted up from the side of her left shin, a pellet had hit her there and now most of that leg was red.

At least now she had a direction. So she turned 90 degrees to her left and let loose three paint pellets n the general direction of the shots before she pounded off toward that direction, keeping alert for any movement.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

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The shots from Dani were unfocused and so missed Jethro, save one. It skimmed the right side of his chin, then half-exploded on his right shoulder. It stung, but the pain was bearable. The shot distracted him for a split-second, during which Dani had started making a run for his position. Fair enough...

Jethro fired thrice rapidly as Dani charged, but he hardly expected to hit her with his slightly sub-par sniper skills and her speed; he really only meant to slow her down, anyway. As she approached within around ten meters of his location, he threw down the sniper rifle, drew the magnum holstered in the back of his pants as he rose and brought to to bear in one fluid movement. He fired as fast as he could, mechanical eye providing a limited HUD with which to improve his aim.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

An explosion of red that wasn't soon covered by dust and dirt is what led her gaze to Jethro. "There you are..." She mumbled as she charged forward.

He knew by now that she was charging toward him and he shot what seemed to be the remaining rounds in his sniper toward her, but all of the shots hit the dirt besides one that explodes on her boot.

As she got closer though, she began to slow, ready to bring her rifle up to fire. This would of been accomplished with ease if Jethro hadn't raised up from his spot with a magnum. "Shit!" Dani, cried as she used the momentum she had left to dive off to her right. More than several stings registered on her legs and upper thighs, but her upper body escaped most of the paint. When she finally did hit the dust, she rolled to her back and fired her rifle at at point blank range toward Jethro.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

The magnum clacked empty just as Dani returned fire with her DMR. Two splotches impacted his stomach and upper chest right below the collarbone, respectively. He tossed the empty magnum aside, then dives forward at Dani, hoping to knock the DMR out of her grasp.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

"Oh no you don't." Dani stated as Jethro dived towards her. Like she would let him get her gun.

As the spartan continued towards her Dani brought up both of her feet in a sort of crouched position while she was on her back, waiting for the right moment for her boots to connect to his chest so she could fling him backwards. As he got close enough she sent both of her feet forward towards the chest of Jethro in an attempt to knock him back.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

Jethro was in the air when Dani kicked. Usually, this meant one was screwed. However, most people didn't have the training Jethro did. He brought his arms over, moving the legs downward, preventing them from impacting against his body.

He continued hurtling towards Dani's face; usually in this type of situation, he would have stiffened his neck in preparation for a headbutt. However, he didn't want to injure Dani, and so twisted slightly to prevent that. He would still collide with Dani, but there wouldn't be as much damage on either side.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

"Ooof" Came the sound of Dani getting the wind knocked out of her lungs. Jethro, in mid air, had brought her legs down to the grown and he crashed fully onto her body. Pinning her hands and DMR to her chest, his full weight pressing on her fingers.

With her arms pinned and Jethro on top of her, she could do nothing but stare up towards him with a look of defiance. She would refuse to admit she had lost, so she remained silent.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

Jethro's bright white grin widened when Dani's signature death stare seemed to burn into him. He knew she would never really admit defeat--typical of any Spartan. As he stared back into her strange, bright violet-green eyes, he felt...odd. Not really a good nor bad sort of odd, but...

Without any conscious thought, he had leaned forward and kissed Dani. When it ended, he blinked rapidly, his mouth slightly agape when he looked into his fellow Spartan's eyes.

"Uh..."

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

Dani, watching the Spartans stupid grin with all the defiance she could muster was not really prepared for the thing that would happen next.

It seemed that only moments into her stare, he moved his head forward. Dani, thinking it would be a head but or something obnoxious, closed her eyes and prepared for the worst. Though, something that totally caught her off guard happened. His lips pressed against hers, they were warm and soft, but still firm. The kiss itself only lasted for a few moments, but it felt more like a few minutes, when the male spartan finally pulled away Dani was left staring up at him in complete disbelief. He most of not truly been aware of what he was doing either because of his response, a simple 'uh..'.

Dani's face felt warm when she looked around the area, then back to Jethro. "Why did you do that?" She asked in a hushed voice, hoping no one else had seen. She was not sure what she was feeling.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

Jethro pushed himself up and away from Dani, his mind seeming to have become blank. He glanced around as well, and felt slightly better when he saw they were the only ones at the shooting range. His insides seemed to swoop over and over, the sensation similar to free falling.

"I don't...I shouldn't have..." Jethro muttered, taking a few steps back to allow Dani room to stand. His eyes seemed looked her up and down of their own accord. "You just...I have no idea." He wrenched his gaze away from her suddenly...attractive?...form. He compulsively looked around again, his fingers twitching in agitation.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

Dani let out a small cough as Jethro finally got off of her, allowing her to take a few deep breaths. Her head was swimming with different emotions and she had to look around a few times herself just to make sure no one was around and now just hiding. Then she looked back up to Jethro, he seemed more confused than her and even a bit agitated.

Deciding to take control of the situation before it got any worse, Dani pushed herself up from the ground and closed the few feet between her and Jethro. "Don't worry about it, Jeth..." She began, her face feeling warm again. "We don't tell anyone, agreed?" She asked, trying to meet his confused gaze.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer jethro-097

Jethro shifted uncomfortably when Dani closed the gap between them, her eyes shining brightly. He looked everywhere but at her for a second, then finally met her gaze.

"Yeah...yeah, don't have to tell me twice." Jethro agreed. He opened his mouth to say something more, but he couldn't find the words. Instead, he put a hand on her shoulder in a reassuring gesture that he wasn't sure was more for her or himself. He backed up a step, then turned to walk out of the firing range. Maybe he would go to the Ring and work on the punching bags. That usually helped...

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

Dani felt Jethro's hand on her shoulder and she tried to give him her best reassuring smile, then he turned and started walked back to the base. "Well, I am going to the Mess then." Dani called after him. Not really caring if he heard her or not, she was still confused about everything, but right now she would go get breakfast.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097
GOLD Base, 1826 Hours, August 13, 2536

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Jethro swallowed the last of his water, then set it down on his tray. He rose to his feet, one hand picking up the steel serving dish before he turned to walk towards the exit. He set the tray down on top of the small pedestal next to the door.

The Spartan exited the mess hall, hands in his pockets instead of his typical twirling of the bowie knife sheathed on his waist. His gaze was drawn down to the floor as he walked around aimlessly, not knowing nor caring where he was going.

So absorbed was Jethro in his thoughts that he didn't hear someone walking up from the left side of a hallway intersection, like almost a month ago...

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty Officer Dani-047

Dani had eaten outside of the mess hall today, in Dr. Harper's office. The two did a few check ups, played a few games of chess, and talked, talked and talked and talked. About certain things that she would probably not tell much other people. It was a rare event, but they usually did this during her check ups.

After their meeting was over, Dani left Dr. Harper to go off and do other things.

After walking down a hallway she turned at an intersection, running into a person, that person being Jethro. The two had hardly talked since their last encounter, mainly because of missions both had been sent off to do, but other times they both simply avoided each other.

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer Jethro-097

Jethro's arms went out as he lost his balance. He stepped back, finally regaining his equilibrium. He frowned as he looked at who he had run into, then blinked twice when he saw it was Dani.

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention..." He muttered, suddenly feeling hot in the face as a chill ran down his spine.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Petty officer Dani-047

"Oh, no problem, it is fine. I wasn't looking either." She said quickly, her cheeks feeling warm.

"So, how have you been Jethro?" She asked, biting her lower lip. "You know.. you haven't talked to me much since we played paintball." She mentioned, looking around.