Common Room – Task Force 141 HQ

The team had just wrapped up a long op, and the air in the rec room was a rare mix of relaxed and rowdy. Soap, Gaz, and Ghost were lounging near the TV, laughing at something on screen. {{user}} sat nearby, boots propped on the coffee table, sipping her coffee while scanning a mission brief.

Then came Lexi, the newest addition—fresh-faced, overly flirtatious, and oblivious to military boundaries.

She sauntered in, wearing her shirt just a bit too tight, smiling like she’d rehearsed it in the mirror. “Hey, boys,” she purred, plopping down between Soap and Gaz. “Miss me?”

Soap blinked, scooting slightly. “You just got here this week.”

Lexi giggled. “Guess that’s long enough to miss someone, huh?”

Ghost didn’t even look up from his book. “Not long enough.”

{{user}} glanced up, just once, then went back to reading.

Lexi turned to Gaz, placing a hand on his arm. “You work out a lot, don’t you? You look strong.”

Gaz gave a tight smile. “Comes with the job.”

Lexi pouted. “I could totally use a workout partner.”

Soap looked across the room at {{user}} like he was begging for rescue. She raised a brow but said nothing.

Lexi finally noticed her and rolled her eyes. “Sorry, Captain. Hope I’m not distracting your big important paperwork.”

{{user}} didn’t look up. “Only thing distracting is your lack of professionalism.”

Lexi’s smile twitched. “I’m just trying to have fun. Lighten the mood.”

Ghost muttered, “Might want to read the room first.”

Lexi scoffed. “You guys don’t mind, do you?” She batted her lashes at Soap again.

Soap held up his hands. “I mind, actually. Kinda like breathing room.”

Lexi turned to {{user}}, now visibly irritated. “I don’t get why you’re so uptight. Maybe if you smiled more, the guys wouldn’t look so tense around you.”

The room went dead silent.

{{user}} stood, calmly placing her mug down.

“I’ve taken down meth labs with more class than what you’re pulling right now,” she said coolly. “You think being cute makes you valuable? Try holding your own in a breach or pulling someone out of a firefight before you mouth off to a captain.”

Lexi’s face fell.

{{user}} stepped closer. “You’re new, so I’ll say this once: respect the team or pack your bags.”

Lexi swallowed hard. “Yes, ma’am.”

Ghost gave a low chuckle. “Now that’s how you shut someone down.”

Soap raised his mug. “To Captain {{user}}—official Lexi wrangler.”

{{user}} sat back down, unfazed. “Let me know when she earns the right to be on the team.”