AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is a part of a series that follows a group of Delta Force soldiers through several years of various fire fights, ops, etc. Yes, one of the characters is indeed female and if anyone wishes to challenge me on females being a part of Delta Force, I'd gladly appreciate an email because I have spent lots of time researching some particular facts. Yes, Delta Force is no longer the title used for this group of Special Forces, however I wish to keep the mystique surrounding this elite force so it'll remain Delta Force in my stories.

1322 hours

16 June 2004

Rammerstein AFB, Germany

"Who's that?" Keller inquired curiously to Captain Guiry, poking the captain in the arm.

"Who?" the Captain asked. He snapped, jabbing a finger into Keller's arm, "And don't poke me you baboon."

"Him!" Keller exclaimed, pointing at a tall, robust Air Force Master Sergeant wearing a maroon beret walking alongside, Rayne.

"That would be Master Sergeant Jason Walker," Guiry replied, finally seeing the person Keller was asking about.

"What's he doing here?" Keller inquired. There was a touch of disapproval in his voice as he continued, "What's he doing talking to Rayne like she's some R.E.M.F.? He seems to know her quite well."

"I would imagine that he would," Guiry replied. "The two were friends back in the day. They were in the CAP together and for a short time, were in the same squadron."

"CAP? What is that?" Keller curiously asked, not taking his eyes off the handsome Air Force NCO.

"Je-sus do you ever listen to Rayne's old stories about CAP?" Guiry laughed, gently smacking his friend on the shoulder.

"Well of course I uh, yeah…" Keller responded, trying to quickly fish through his memory to what the CAP meant.

"The Civil Air Patrol is part of the Air Force; all civilian," Captain Guiry began. "It helps kids between the ages of twelve and eighteen develop their leadership and followership skills. They also can learn how to fly, the dynamics of aircraft and space. Another part of the program is Emergency Services where they help locate downed aircraft; help sandbag flooding cities, and help out the Red Cross."

Guiry gave a chuckle, "It's quite the program if you ask me. And the best part is, adults can be in the program as well and they get to do a lot of stuff that normal civilians wouldn't be able to do. Hell those kids get to do things we don't even get to do."

"Like…?"

"Fly C-17 simulators, get to actually go up into the cockpit of a C-17 while cruising at nine thousand feet alongside a dormant volcano," Guiry smiled. He shook his head in amusement, "You should listen to Rayne's stories better. You might learn a thing or two."

Giving a disgruntled sigh, Keller remarked quietly, "I always thought it was the Girl Scouts she was talking about."

"Well, don't tell her that," Guiry smirked. "She'd kick your ass all the way from Germany to Somalia if you even compared the CAP to the Girl Scouts." He looked away, giving a small smile in remembrance, "Believe me, I know."

Keller quickly looked at the captain; amusement now wore heavily on his face. Keller inquired through a laugh, "What, she actually kicked you?"

"That child knows no fear, I'll tell you," Captain Guiry replied, still smiling.

Turning back to Walker and Rayne, Keller continued, "Well, my question still stands: what is this yokel doing with my Rayne?"

"Your Rayne?" Guiry questioned, his smile increasing. "Did you just say, your Rayne?"

"Doesn't he know that she's Delta Force?" Keller demanded crossly. "I mean, someone of Rayne's stature shouldn't be hanging around the likes of a,"

"PJ?" Guiry offered pleasantly, brushing his hand against his chin.

"He is?"

Guiry nodded. "He has been in PJ for as long as Rayne has been a member of Delta Force. He's quite experienced and is highly skilled."

"Well, wow, he sure has come up the ranks fast," Keller remarked, breathing in deeply. He hadn't expected Rayne to have a Pararescue man as a friend. Keller began to wonder how he could possibly compare to a man who jumped out of aircraft behind enemy lines (and most of the time while under-fire) to rescue wounded soldiers.

"It was their contest, to see who could get to Master Sergeant first," Guiry told him. "Childs play actually. She won at any rate." He cast his knowing eyes over at his friend. Patting Keller on the shoulder, Guiry told him, "Don't worry, Paula likes you, you know? She's just friends with him."

"Wha?"

"Girls are allowed to have more than one guy friend."

"I'm not jealous," Keller sniffed angrily. Though he wouldn't admit it, Keller was indeed worried about Walker. This PJ seemed to be trouble; Keller just knew.

"Just get to know him," Guiry stated with a pleasant smile. "He's quite the talker but really nice."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Keller muttered under his breath. He watched Walker and Rayne's approach. Despite himself, Keller felt himself glaring at the young man. He didn't want to think kindly of the man who appeared to be stealing Rayne away from him. The nerve of that guy!

"Good afternoon Sir!" Sergeant Walker greeted, giving a sharp salute to Captain Guiry.

"Ah hell Walker," Guiry smiled. "I'm in civvies for crepes sake; you don't have to salute me."

"Sir, I insist," the young PJ insisted, trying to hide a playful smile.

"Have it your way Sergeant," Guiry smiled, returning the salute.

"I always do," Walker replied, continuing to smile.

Rayne just shook her head in amusement, silently laughing at the scene.

But Keller wasn't amused. He continued to stare at the young sergeant, unsure of whether or not to glare at him. But the thought of Rayne being mad at him for being jealous made Keller want to keep his temper under control.

Walker extended his hand to Keller, greeting, "Hello, I'm Master Sergeant Jason Walker."

Keller forced his glare aside. He couldn't help but feel distrustful. His eyes caught Rayne's. She was smiling sweetly at him. Keller's heart melted. He loved her smile. Rayne could make any bad situation better just by smiling. There was nothing that could take him away from her.

Reluctantly, Keller shook hands with the young sergeant.

Keller felt his glare returning. After all, Keller suspected that this attractive NCO was trying to steal his girl away; no one could blame Keller for being suspicious. Without Rayne's love and affection, Keller knew that life would be forever difficult. Without Rayne, his world would end.

Walker's voice broke over the uneasy silence, "Wow, you have a strong grip there Sergeant."

Keller looked down and saw that he was squeezing Walker's hand so hard that white had appeared. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Keller withdrew his hand, covering up his harshness by quickly saying, "Forgive my lack of manners. I am Master Sergeant Vince Keller."

"I've heard many things about you from the sergeant here," Walker smiled, looking over at Rayne (who just blushed bashfully at him). "Good things; don't worry."

"I'm not," Keller hissed.

Walker continued to smile at Keller. This made Keller uncomfortable. Did the young PJ know something that he didn't? And if not, then why did he continue to smile like that? It was creepy!

"So are you two a thing or what?" Walker curiously asked, looking at Rayne, who looked shocked at the question.

Rayne shot Keller a nervous look. She saw that he too had the same surprised expression. Rayne gave Keller a soft smile. She knew that Walker was a bit outspoken and had hoped that Walker's curiosity wouldn't offend Keller. But apparently, being offended was the least concern on Keller's mind.

Captain Guiry looked at the trio. He was still amused by all this and seeing how neither Keller nor Rayne were going to reply, Guiry decided to reply for them.

"Yes, they are going out," Guiry stated, looking from Keller to Walker.

"Sweet deal," Walker nodded. A thought crossed his mind. He spoke to Keller, "Don't worry man, I'm not trying to steal her away."

"Well that's nice of you," Keller responded. He received a jab from Captain Guiry. Apparently the captain disapproved of Keller's people skills.

"I was never interested in dating her anyways so why would I be now?" Walker said, hoping that his words would somehow put Keller's mind at ease. But this apparently seemed to only make things worse.

"What, are you saying that she's not good enough for you?" Keller questioned narrowly.

Walker realized his mistake at once. His smile disappeared briefly as he responded, "Well no, I'm just saying that she's not my type. I mean hell, I like pretty girls."

"So now she's not pretty?" Keller asked, raising an eyebrow. Somehow, he had managed to keep his voice to a low grumble, as if challenging Walker to a battle of words.

They heard Captain Guiry mutter, "Oh Lord.," as he quit the group.

Giggling, Rayne stepped past Walker and next to Keller. Turning back to Walker, Rayne giggled, "I told you that one day you'd regret having a big mouth."

"Oh c'mon, I was only trying to let him know not to be jealous," Walker said, extremely put-out by the rapid disintegration of the peace time chat.

"I'm not jealous," Keller insisted, hissing as he said it.

Walker gave Keller a "yeah…sure…" look.

"Alright, both you girlies knock it off," Rayne snapped, giving a light glare to Walker. She looked into Keller's eyes and smiled kindly at him. Again Keller felt his heart melt. Why did she have to smile at him like that?

Clearing his throat, Walker said, "Look, I'm going to go find my buddies so I'll see you guys later tonight at the club. It was nice meeting you Sergeant Keller."

Keller gave Walker a narrow glare, "Likewise."

"I'll see you there, right Rayne?"

Rayne smiled at Walker, "Yes, I'll see you there." She looked to Keller and caught his glance. She smiled lovingly into his eyes as she breathed, "Maybe I'll see him tonight."

AUTHOR'S NOTE (CONTINUED) - I wish to thank everyone who got this far in the story and hope you enjoyed it. There are few comedies in this series. You managed to find one of them.