The final sin.

Greed is the inordinate desire to possess objects of abstract value with the intention to keep it for one's self.

Also known as Avarice, Greed is a sin of excess.

They agreed it was better to keep what they had a secret. No one ever said the words or put a name to what they had. They still had sex and went out to the bar. They still argued and worked together. But there was a sweeter tone to it, Melissa would roll her eyes and laugh instead of yelling, while Kurz smiled and turned down many women. He would let his hand brush against hers in public and she would linger a little longer when she leaned in to whisper something.

Some days Melissa would admit that she wished they could be more open.

"Not me," Kurz would always say. "Call me selfish, but I want you to myself."

Months passed, though neither of the bothered to keep track of how many. Kurz felt jumpy when Tessa called the two of them to her office, he was sure she had found out and was going to order them to break it off.

To his relief it was simply a mission, Mao would be going undercover to lure their mark within range to capture.

With a kiss for luck Mel set off wearing a dress that would have any man on their knees and a long black wig. He was stuck posing as a waiter.

The mission was going smoothly, Mel had convinced her 'date' to find an empty room with her, far from the party.

Kurz was heading towards them when he heard gunfire. Immediately he dropped his tray and took off down the hall.

The man stood over Melissa, gun in hand. With a quick glance Kurz could see three bullet wounds and it didn't appear that she was breathing. In a rage Kurz shot the man in the shoulder and legs.

"What the fuck is your problem?," he growled through the pain. Kurz shrugged, looking down at the target with a cold glare.

"I'm just an incredibly greedy person. You see, you aren't just killing my girlfriend; you're stealing from me. And I don't tolerate people stealing what's mine." Kurz readied the gun to shoot him one last time, point blank. "For your sake, you'd better pray she'll make it."

"I should be reprimanding you for your actions Sergeant Major Weber," Tessa said trying to make her voice sound stern. "As it happens, I'm glad you saved her." Kurz nodded, watching the machine register Meissa's heartbeat.

"What are you going to do about us?" he asked fearing the worst. He didn't want to be forced to leave Mithril, but Mao was his direct CO, it would be seen as favouritism and a conflict of interests for them to stay together. It was different when Tessa was interested in Sousuke; while being of a much higher rank she was not his immediate commander. Tessa sighed.

"I don't think you'll have to worry. With the damage Melissa sustained she can't be on the field, she'll be given a desk assignment." The captain turned to leave, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Just be discreet."

"Yes, Ma'am," he said softly. It was a bitter sweet answer, but it was better than he had hoped.

A few hours had passed before Melissa woke and the first thing Kurz did was lean in for a kiss.

"My, my aren't we greedy?" Melissa teased. Kurz smiled and kissed her a few more times for good measure. The outing of their relationship, the talk about what she meant to him and the news about her new job assignment could wait. Mel was alive and he wanted to take as many kisses from her as he could.

"Always."

Thanks so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Reviews = Karma