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// Chapter 5 
// Story: One Soldier's Twilight 
// by Dr.Shisno 
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Opening my eyes, I questioned where I was. My solider mode kicked in. Today is Friday? Saturday? Yeah, Saturday. I check the clock, nearly 0900. A little voice in the back of my head screamed "NEW EPISODE!" The other part of my head said to wait a bit. Remember where you're at. I’m still in my apartment, in my bedroom. Yet, the room was cleaner, more organized.  Sitting up, my head began to pound. “Jeez, Toby,” I thought, rubbing my temples. “You sure did a number on yourself. And I don’t remember drinking.” Feeling my dog tags dangle against my bare skin. I rub my chest, tracing the multiple scars running along my body. Strange, my shirts off, I vaguely remember it being a cold night. At least I still have my boxers on. Wait, what’s that smell? Is that bacon? Huh, interesting, last time I checked I ran out of bacon some time last week. Finally gathering enough strength to pull myself off the bed, I stumbled out of the bedroom.

Walking into the living room, I noticed it was a lot cleaner than I left it. The coffee table wasn’t covered in empty beer bottles, but strangely clean. My desk wasn’t cluttered with sketches. Surprisingly, most were now adorned on the walls. There was hardly an inch of wall space not covered. Looking at the works, some I don’t even remember drawing. Well, you forget a lot of things in the sandbox, while other memories remain. I drew closer to the kitchen, other the sound of the bacon cooking, the smell of brewed coffee, I distinctly heard a humming. Then the humming turned into a song, and god what a voice. I stood there for a few moments at the entrance of the kitchen, just listening to the beautiful melody.
I guess she had found one of my old shirts and decided to wear it. A gray workout shirt, Army emblazoned in black on the front. It was a bit small for me, not a huge issue. With Twi though, it was just big enough to cover everything. Even still, a bit of her underwear was sticking out from the bottom of the shirt.  Her curves were clearly visible and gorgeous. Her hair was down, like always. She looked laid back, but amazingly attractive at the same time. I was very content with what I had in front of me and I almost hated myself for ruining the moment.

“Good morning, Twi,” I had keep myself from laughing as she jumped, clearly startled.  “I like what you’ve done with the place. I thought I would never see this place clean again.”

“Well, good morning, Toby,” turning to face me and regaining her composure, and handing me a cup of coffee. “Surely you know not to sneak up on a lady as she’s cooking. Things usually end badly.” The smile on her face clearly said differently.

“I’ve been off my game, I usually don’t have other people cook for me, and certainly not a fine lady as yourself,” Taking a sip of coffee, I realized it was how I like it, no better. It was damn near perfect. “Quite an amazing cup of coffee, if I do say so myself.”

“Thank you,” she beamed with accomplishment. “I’m glad that it receives your approval.”

“Well, a lot of things you’ve been doing have been receiving my approval, quite an achievement in itself.”

“OH, now what would that be now?”

“Just for starters? Well, you do have a knack for knowing many things, you have a thing for my sketches, and most importantly you are quite stunning to look at, even now.”

She blushed, “I loved getting compliments, but I think you’re just trying to make up for what happened last night.”

“Last night? I don’t remember anything.” Rubbing my head, trying to recall everything.

“Nothing? You don’t remember a thing?”

I shook my head, “No, not really. Just a few things up till we got back to my apartment, but after that. Nothing, just blackness. Now, I have to ask, as embarrassing as this sounds. What happened last night?”

Now it was Twi who had to stop herself from laughing. “Oh, well, you see,” she giggled a bit. “You kinda, passed out.”

I had to restrain myself from spitting out my coffee. “What? You’ve got to be kidding me, but I don’t think that would’ve happened. At least that explains why I’m sore.” A short pause, “wait, how did you carry back into the bedroom?”

A sly smile crossed her face. “You doubt so much, don’t you, Toby? You think a girl like me can’t handle herself, huh?” Pointing her spatula at me. “You’re about to proven wrong.”

“Ok, Ms. Great and Amazing Twi, just one thing,” I had to fight off the laughter.

“Yes, Toby, what would that one thing just have to be?” Her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Your bacon is burning.”