Fire, change direction, and fire at the other side of the rock.

You fired, changed direction, and moved quickly to your left. You fired directly ahead just as a second enemy stepped out from the other side of the rock into your shot. You ducked behind cover and Deshawn slid down next to you.

"You are a killing machine. We need to end this battle soon because I am so horny right now."

Over comms, you and Deshawn learned that a pair of enemy combatants had taken out nearly all your remaining teammates. Three people were left guarding your flag, and you estimated eight people active on the other team. Deshawn turned off his comms.

"I don't have a lot of confidence in those three at the base. If we are going to pull off a victory, it is going to be up to us. If I were on the other team, I'd keep 3 or 4 people guarding the flag and send the rest out to capture our flag. We are both excellent shots, and you are fast as hell. I think we can take out their defenders and grab their flag."

The drums were so loud you barely heard Deshawn.

Dangerous mission, low probability of success; sign me up!

Deshawn scouted the base and reported shooters at three locations. Two behind a barricade in front of the flag and one behind a tree behind the flag.

Deshawn would approach the right side, take out one of the shooters, and pin down the other. You would come from the back and take out the shooter behind the flag. Together you should be able to clear the base and get the flag.

You crept into position, and on Deshawn's signal, you advanced. At first, everything went according to plan. Deshawn took out the first guard with an incredible headshot. When the guard in the rear broke cover to engage Deshawn, you shot him in the back. You dove over the barricade and collided with the last remaining guard. He tried to raise his gun, but he moved impossibly slow, and you shot him twice in the chest before he raised his gun. Deshawn cheered just as several paintballs hit the tree to his right. He dove for cover.

"Crap, there are two more in tree stands just past the clearing's edge. They have a birds-eye view of the base. It is going to be almost impossible to grab the flag and get out."

I can do this.

"I can do it. Just draw their fire and be ready to run."

You broke from cover and ran toward the flag stand. The drums were deafening.

Cut to the left, duck, raise your shield.

Paintballs hit all around you, some burst on your shield, but none hit you. You leaped over the flag stand, grabbed the flag, and ran at top speed toward Deshawn and the tree line's cover. You and Deshawn sprinted back toward your base.

"I have never seen anyone move like that. Are you part squirrel."

"I got lucky and managed to block a bunch with my shield."

"What shield?"

You just kept running and didn't answer.

Wait, what shield?

The enemy team's remaining members got off a few shots as you and Deshawn raced back to base, but they never came close to stopping you. When you reached your base, the horn sounded to signal your victory.

Deshawn pounded your chest with both fists.

"You are one crazy badass. You can fight..."

He never had a chance to finish. You pushed him back against a tree, knocking the breath from his lungs, and kissed him. To Deshawn credit, he paused only briefly before taking control of the kiss. He spun you around and held you against the tree. His kiss took your breath away.

When you broke off the kiss, you were both breathing heavily.

"I am ready to collect on that rain check."

Deshawn pulled a key from his pocket.

"I got us a nearby place."

"What place?"

"Alejandro owed me a favor. He is letting us use his place for a couple of hours. Follow me."

You collected all the gear and climbed into Deshawn's Jeep.