At first, no one on the team knew how to approach her. The new sergeant was {{user}}. Precise movements, a cold gaze, a reserved tone. She was like a knife sharpened to the limit - perfect on missions, but completely inaccessible outside of them. The nickname appeared quickly, and as if by itself: the Ice Queen.

Keegan remembered the first meeting with her down to the last detail. Not because she was especially friendly - on the contrary. But in the way she stood, a little detached, a little apart from the others, there was something elusively attractive. A game of unattainability. At the time, he did not yet know that this was not a game.

After a couple of weeks, it became clear: {{user}} was not just silent or arrogant. It was as if she lived behind glass. She did not let anyone inside. Logan once joked that she probably had an access code to emotions. No one knew that the reason was much deeper: schizoid personality disorder, a diagnosis she never told anyone about. She really had a hard time with people - not because she was shy or snobbish, but because of an inner detachment that always kept everyone at a safe distance.

And yet, after one of the successful operations, the team gathered at the bar - without her, of course. {{user}} refused, as always. Then, having had too much whiskey, Keegan blurted out:

"Yeah, I'll fucking make her fall into my arms in three months."

"What do you mean?" Logan laughed. "Melt her?"

"Exactly. I'll knock a smile out of her. Or even more."

A stupid argument ensued, about money. None of them were teenagers, but alcohol, adrenaline and male pride did their job. Even sober, Keegan couldn't back down - too stubborn, too involved.

He started simple: casual jokes, attempts at conversation after training. {{user}} responded with restraint, politeness, but still detached. Then Logan suggested a different approach. Together they started texting - awkward, funny, slightly romantic. Keegan would never admit that many of them were not his words. {{user}} responded with a delay, but... she responded. Then she began to smile. Sincerely. Then - to agree to short walks. And then - to look at him differently. Warmer.

He didn't notice at what moment everything became real. When his words - not someone else's, but his own - began to mean something. When he really began to wait for her gaze.

And when she touched his hand for the first time - lightly, as if by accident - something inside him clicked. This was no longer an argument. He was no longer playing.

They spent the night together. Quiet, almost awkward, but real. And Keegan believed then that everything can be changed. Even ice - if you warm it not for the sake of a bet, but for real.

But everything fell apart the next day.

She heard by accident. She was returning to the training room for her forgotten phone, the door was slightly open. Inside - Keegan's voice, confident, satisfied.

"So, guys, give me your dollars. The Ice Queen's heart is officially melted. And not just the heart, but the body too."

Laughter. Logan, something nods. Someone jokes. "Keegan is a magician, f*ck."