Tristan's voice was raised " You need to justify your actions, Private Rosario. Why did you answer a question when you weren't the one being addressed?"

Vienna took a step backwards but Tristan took a step closer to her not allowing her to retreat from him. Her closeness to him made him feel content. Those pair of beautiful eyes were now slowly getting used to looking at him. He was not fond of seeing the look of fear in her eyes but she had displeased him. She should have understood he wasn't approving of her actions. He was enjoying her closeness and staring into those gorgeous pair of eyes but he was doing his duty too. He couldnt ask for a better opportunity.

Tristan was glad in many ways she had gotten herself into trouble. if anyone else defied him, he would have taken it as a personal insult and would have shown wrath to them with a vendetta but in her case, it was the opposite. He didn't mind her breaking the rules. He wanted her to be protected so he had to warn her of dangers of her actions for herself but it didn't mean he didn't cherish the idea of confronting her. Any encounter was better than none. If this was the only way he could get her to look up into his eyes and speak to him, he didn't mind. He enjoyed his encounters more than he was meant to. But he was a Sergeant. He made the rules and damn right he was the only one dealing with his girl.

Vienna whispered " I am sorry... It won't happen again." She then took a few more steps backwards as Tristan closed the distance between them. She found her back hitting a giant tree behind her. The forest was quite ancient. Most trees were more than four hundred years old. She backed up against the tree bracing herself to hear his verdict that she knew was coming. She had saved Edward from possibility of getting a third strike and being sent to the third strike cabin to keep the snakes company. She had also helped Letizia from feeling Tristan's full force wrath. Tristan was really harsh when anyone was not listening to his instructions. It was a big offence. She had witnessed before what he did to those who were not listening. They never did it again after he dealt with them.

Tristan was standing less than an arm length away from her. He wished she didn't keep trying to run away from him retreating. As she had tried to back away, he had become displeased with his girl who seemed to not trust him enough to stay close to him.

His hard tone made her close her eyes " I did not ask you to apologise and promise anything. Repeat what was my question Private Rosario and look at me."

Vienna let out a shaky breath and complied. She had no other choice but to obey his orders even though at that moment she wished she could be anywhere else but there. She had a feeling Tristan himself didn't know how intimidating he was.... She opened her eyes slowly and whispered " You asked ...You asked...." She was just too nervous and her mind had gone blank... "I am sorry...." She couldn't remember.

Tristan's expression made her try to step away from him. She tried to take a step away from the tree but he knew what she was trying to do so he put both his hands on either sides of her on the tree making her lose her breath. He stated " May I remind you that you are not allowed to leave my presence unless I have dismissed you Private Rosario. Now answer my question. I don't repeat what I ask. When I ask a question I need an immediate answer."

Vienna looked away trying to search her mind for answers. What did he ask?

Tristan demanded " Look at me."

Vienna quickly complied and looked up. The moment that she had looked away she had managed to remember. She breathed " You asked me ... Why I answered a question that wasn't meant for me and I wasn't the one addressed."

Tristan nodded "That's a relief for you. At least you won't be charged with the same offence I was going to charge private Marciano with. You won't like that... Would you private Rosario?"

Vienna nodded " No Sergeant O'Neil."

Tristan's eyes sparkled. When she said his family name it also sounded good to him but not as good as when she said his first name. He really loved hearing his first name from her lips. Of course he wished he could call her Mrs O'Neil one day. It sounded good to hear. Vienna O'Neil. He couldn't wait for that day to come.

Vienna found his smile confusing. His features had softened slightly. She didn't know why he changed his expression but she was relieved he seemed calmer. He removed his hand from either side of her as he slightly relaxed. Vienna had no idea what he was imagining in his mind. The anticipation of his verdict was agonising but she didn't want to ask anything. You didn't question your superior. They were the ones asking the questions.

Tristan put his hands on his hips and demanded " Now.... Answer my question carefully... Why did you help Private Marciano. I looked forward to teaching her a good lesson in discipline and you prevented that from happening. Why did you help her?"

Vienna spoke honestly " I don't know... It just happened.... I am sorry..." She then bit her lip at Tristan's expense who found it hard to control the exciting sensation inside him. He felt warm inside when he watched those lips that he was so badly hoping to taste one day be presented to him in the manner she did. It was cruel of her teasing him that way. How could she bite her lip and make him watch what he couldn't touch being presented. Those pink lips were so tempting when she bit her lip. He wanted nothing more thank kissing her. How could she tease him like this?

Vienna watched his expression hardened and she thought it was because of her response. She whispered " I am really sorry Sergeant O'Neil...."

Tristan wished she made the mistake of calling his first name again. It sounded so appealing coming from her lips as she was wearing her green and black T-shirt and shorts. This uniform really suited her. She just couldn't get enough of staring at her and staying close to her. He had the good excuse too. But it was business time. He had to address her misconduct.

Tristan stated " Now, Private Rosario, recall one of my lessons to you today.., I told you forgiveness is not an option. Don't apologise to someone who doesn't forgive. I don't forgive and I don't forget that simply. Many that I know don't forgive either ... But there are ways of redemption through sanctions .... Every action have a consequence... I need you to explain why you helped Private Marciano. Not knowing why you did what you did is not a convincing answer Private Rosario. If you say to me you don't know why you carried out a wrong doing then that is an automatic guilty verdict in my mind. Tell me what were you thinking answering her question for her?"

Vienna automatically responded " I honestly don't know.... I just saw her struggling with the answer and I wanted to help my team mate... I am sorry."

Tristan shook his head " You just got yourself a guilty verdict Private Rosario. Showing sympathy is not allowed. We are in survival camp here. You either survive or you don't. I don't take kindly to showing compassion. It's totally unnecessary in this setting. I want you to learn your lesson and don't repeat the same mistake twice... It was a big error to help another who didn't even seem to need your help. Private Marciano did not look like she was not going to survive without your help. She had to face the consequences and she was able to do so. But because of your interference now she won't...."

Vienna suddenly felt the need to defend herself "But she is my team mate. She would do the same for me. I am meant to help my team mate."

Tristan chuckled "Speaking out of turn Private Rosario is not well received by me. When I give you a chance to explain you say you don't know. Then when its not your turn and you are not addressed you speak... Remember Private Rosario. You don't get second chances in our world most of the time. If you blow your first chance, you are not likely to get another.... Let me clarify your misconception... Private Marciano is not like you. She doesn't follow the same rules as you do in case you haven't noticed. She needs to learn the hard way because she is defiant but you are not.... You are just ... innocent."

Vienna saw the weak smile on his lips. He stated "She might repay you. I don't dispute that but I don't think you would ever need saving." He thought to himself " As long as I am alive you have me." He then he stated in a demanding tone " Even though you are not defiant. Even though you are not at fault, if you associate yourself with those who do wrong you get a guilty verdict too. When you mix yourself in the wrong company, sometimes the guilty and the innocent burn together.... You broke the rules ... So, I would have to give you a punishment. Do you understand?"

Vienna responded quickly "Yes, Sergeant O'Neil. You are clear."

Tristan then raised his voice " You should have tried to convince me with your defence when I asked you why you did what you did. Now you must pay for your crime... I need to think of a fitting sanction for you so you remember not to ever show sympathy. I need you to learn your lesson that you must try diplomacy to get yourself out of trouble to justify your actions. Tell me, what do you think I should do with you? Defend yourself or pick a punishment... I think in future sessions I will keep an eye on you and will make sure you do get used to using negotiations and will not be repeating your mistakes... We will get there.... But first things first... Answer my question."

Vienna breathed " I can't... sergeant you decide..."

Tristan raised an eyebrow " Are you sure about that? I told you if I give you a chance, then you must take it. Now when you don't take the chances I give you, I won't consider going easy on you. You should use every opportunity to convince me that what you did was justified in your point of view and you must try to demonstrate to me that you will not make the same mistake twice. Now answer my question... What sanction would you like to have? Or do you have any last words on this matter?"

Vienna gulped. She became nervous suddenly. "Any sanction you decide Tristan." She then covered her mouth. It was a nervous reaction.

Tristan took a quick breath and his eyes widened taking a step closer instinctively. She had no idea how that name sounded so heavenly to him. Was it because of how she also looked into his eyes when she said his name or was it her well fitting uniform that really suited her, green and black shorts alongside her tank top? He was melting to pieces.

Vienna took down her hand " I am sorry Sergeant O'Neil. It slipped out."

Vienna gasped as she noticed  his expression hardened as he was staring her down in silence. She thought to herself that he must have been really furious to not respond to her and was probably thinking of how many ways he could make her pay.

She felt like apologising didn't matter but she had to try. She breathed " I apologise for this.... I am truly Sorry Tristan." She looked at him with horror in her eyes and covered her mouth once more. She couldn't believe she had made the same mistake twice. She was just too nervous and Tristan was too intimidating. She was never so nervous in this lesson before but again she never remembered being this close to him in survival camp. He always put her in Vincenzo's group and in her brothers group she never broke the rules and all Rosarios watched out for her.

Tristan shuddered. She was killing him with how she teased him. Obviously she was nervous. He hoped she kept making the mistake of calling him by his name. He didn't let his feelings known to her. He breathed " You are forgiven Private Rosario. I think everyone makes mistakes and there are more important lessons you need to learn compared to learning to address me in an appropriate manner. It's my pleasure to forgive you for addressing me incorrectly. I already sanctioned you for that crime.... But for your other crime, I am not sure you should get away lightly...... ." He then put his hands on either side of her again. It was as though he didn't want that moment to end. He wanted her abit closer for a bit longer even though now it was time to get back to business.

Vienna was looking up at him with worry and anticipation. She anticipated him to give her three strikes at once. She swallowed hard as the though of snakes but she had to face the consequences. She started trembling as she found him remaining silent staring her down.

She watched him with anticipation as he continued to speak with finality in his voice " I give you a warning at this instance ... If you commit this offence you committed in relations with Private Marciano  again I will punish you and the guilty party that you saved severely.... Am I clear?" But of course he didn't mention her punishment wasn't going to be the same as the one she saved. For her, the rules didn't apply exactly.

Vienna now had her hands on her heart and she took a breath of relief " Yes Sergeant O'Neil,"

As Tristan was about to respond he froze as he felt like an electric shock went through his body. Her hand had brushed past his hand when she was slowly bringing down her hand from her chest. She was teasing him again. She was allowed to touch him but he wasn't of course and he didn't dream of ever making a first move. Even the tip of her fingers touching him made him feel pure pleasure that he couldn't compare to anything he had in his life. Now he missed her touch. That made him frustrated slightly. But he had years of practice in waiting. But still it hurt to wait longer for her to truly want him.