{Day 12 Late Evening in the dining hall}

Galen was already seated at a table when Breezy arrived at the dining
hall.  His back was to her thankfully.  Unfortunately Amy and Link had
left at the same time so she was unable to change back into her regular
clothes and they were tucked in a small bundle she carried.

Under normal circumstances Breezy would have just walked up to the table
and been her normal witty self but she felt so awkward in the dress that
she was at a loss as to what to say.  *I don't know how women function
like this* Breezy thought but she knew many woman did and quite well.
She just didn't happen to be one of them.

Taking a deep breath and feeling extremely uncomfortable Breezy made
herself known, "Hope I'm not too late."

Galen's attention was elsewhere so it was obvious he was unprepared when
he turned towards the little redhead. His face registered shock and
dismay as he looked at Breezy his eyes traveling up and down taking in
the new appearance.

"Galen, close your mouth you look foolish gaping at me like that!"

After the initial shock wore off Breezy's new look the little redhead
nibbled on a biscuit as Galen ate his meal. The couple talked amicably
and discussed Galen's idea.

Finally Breezy asked, "Galen, I've heard things about you and Zera.....I
didn't realize there was someone in your........."  She saw a mask drop
over his face and instantly regretted her question. "I kind of
understand, doing the kind of job I do it's very hard on a relationship
never knowing where I'm going to be one day to the next.  Plus men some
to have a hard time dealing with a woman that is always a million miles
away mentally as she plans strategy and such for the warren." A wistful
look flitted across Breezy's eyes and she sighed, "I just wanted you to
know if you ever need someone to talk to I'm a good listener."

"Maybe we can swap *war* stories and you can tell me why you raced out
of here the other day and came back wounded." Galen said softly
countering the look he saw in Breezy's eyes.

It was the Wingleader's turn to have the stony expression and Galen
added with a sly grin. "I thought not!'

The two stared at each other and both busted out laughing.

[..] a short while later outside Galen's apartment

<snip>
Galen stood in his uniform.  It was going to be the uniform of the Home
Guard ... something that he and Kalena had come up with.  He had the
first one, kind of as a test.
<end snip>

Breezy whistled appreciatively when Galen appeared.  "Boy don't you look
the gallant soldier. I do like the uniforms," she said wiping a bit of
lint that had clung to the arm. Grinning she added, "I do wish I could
be a fly on the wall for this but it's better you go it alone."  Galen
nodded and taking a deep breath headed for T'rell's room.

Breezy had stopped by and picked up a couple of glasses and a flask of
wine on her way to T'rell's. Galen hadn't said anything but she she was
sure he could use some support at the moment. She arrived just as Galen
was on the wind down and giggled to herself as she heard the last bit of
his speech his voice echoing loudly.

<snip>
"Don't even bother to explain Sergeant.  You have two days to turn
yourself  into the type of man that should be in this army.  If I come
back in two day and find you like this ... well, just pray that I
don't.  Do you understand  me, T'rell?"
<end snip>

Galen had an extremely deep voice as it was and it didn't sound any too
friendly at the moment and Breezy almost felt sorry for T'rell. It would
definitely be interesting to see how the man acted in the morning.

Breezy leaned on the wall in the shadows waiting for Galen to appear.
Her thoughts turned to the dress she was still wearing.  She hated the
way it made her feel and the way several of the men looked at her. Even
Galen's manner had changed towards her when he saw her in the dress and
this bugged her. Breezy had worked hard all her life to overcome *just
being a woman* to be able to stand up and be counted, to be taken
seriously and not shoved aside because of her sex.  Fortunately she had
been endowed with incredible strength for a woman and had learned the
skills necessary to use it to her advantage.  She was a soldier no
different than S'ron and Galen and could hold her own against the best
of them.  But the fact that she physically didn't have the same
equipment it set her apart and she'd driven herself hard all her life to
overcome that.

Galen's appearance broke into her thoughts, she had to admit he looked
very striking in the uniform and was sure he had probably left a trail
of broken hearts when he had gone off to war.  Stepping out of the
shadows Breezy held up the glasses and flask her eyes sparkled with
amusement, "Thought you might be up for a drink after that!"

An odd expression crossed his face in the lamplight then it broke into a
grin.  Taking the flask from Breezy he offered his arm.  "That sounds
like a wonderful idea!"

The small woman returned the grin and taking his arm the couple looking
very much the picture of a soldier and his lady wandered off into the
darkness.

<NRPG: Ben: You can jump in here if you feel like it>

Respectfully submitted,
Breezy and Coo
aka
Tree Deutscher treedr@yelmtel.com

* Learn from the mistakes of others.  You can't live long enough to make
them all yourself.*










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