Disclaimer: No names mentioned, but they're still not mine.

A/N: I was hoping to have some new chapters up for Christmas but things were nuts, my computer's hard drive died, and time got away from me. This is VERY short but I hope to have some more new stuff for you all soon. :)

-oOo-

Contrasts: (idle observation by someone at the retirement dinner upcoming in Divine Madness)

She was a study in contrasts.

Eyes just seemed to be drawn to her. It didn't matter if they were young or old, male or female - eyes lingered. Some looked envious. Some looked hungry. Some looked jealous. Some just…looked.

It wasn't like she was really beautiful, not like a supermodel or starlet. Perhaps it was the contrasts themselves that caught the eyes. Deep brown hair, pale cream skin. Cool blue eyes and a warm smile. Unconscious elegance and open friendliness juxtaposed with the choice of a traditionally male lone-wolf career. Delicate feminine jewelry sliding over old scars.

She'd arrived with the Special Ops team that was retiring tonight, and it was immediately clear that she was with the Colonel. Most of the evening she stayed within his reach, and the few times they were further apart their eyes tracked each other. Even the dress she wore was obviously chosen to compliment his uniform, the dark chocolate color nearly the same color as his eyes, the golden shimmer of the fabric bringing to attention the gold braid, buttons, and numerous medals he wore against his Army dress greens.

Here there were more contrasts. Her dress was simple, almost plain, as she stood proudly next to the much-decorated military man. His Latino skin was dark against her paleness.

I knew his history… And she seemed so innocent.

Yin and yang, light and dark, good and evil… Maybe there was something to that saying about opposites attracting. Because watching them together it was obvious; in each other they'd found their balance.

~End~