Army regulations strictly forbid sexual relations between officers of different rank. So when our new arrival saluted and announced, "Lieutenant Bounty, reporting for duty, Sir!" I gave thanks to God that our branch of the service is... special.
Looking up from my desk, I gave her a long, appraising look. Her nervous tension was palpable as she stood there rigidly at attention, while her new commander slowly ran his eyes over every inch of her. Sixty-three perfectly proportioned inches, to be exact. The file on my desk confirmed the bare essentials: this was her first assignment; she had passed out second in a class of fifty; she had volunteered for this posting; and she was barely twenty years old.
So much for the file. In person I saw that her hair was tied up tight beneath her uniform hat and I sensed that her heart was beating fast beneath the tight-fitting jacket. For sure, no military tailoring could suppress the rise and fall of such pendulous breasts.
"At ease, Lieutenant."
The smile as she obeyed was entirely natural, the instinctive reaction of a vivacious young woman. Her file said she was popular, gregarious... and deeply in awe of authority.
"Take off your hat, Lucy and throw it down over there."
I indicated the chair beside my desk as she blinked in surprise: but to her credit she didn't hesitate, tossing the cap with its brand-new insignia so that it landed neatly on the middle of the chair. Before she could return to her at-ease position, I followed up with, "And let down your hair."
This time she did pause. "Sir?"
"Let down your hair, Lieutenant and don't make me repeat myself again."
"Yes, Sir. I mean, no, Sir."
She couldn't conceal the fluster in her voice, or the flush that started to break out on her face. It started at her neck and spread upwards, a very attractive pinkness that heightened the contrast between her pale skin and the strawberry blonde hair that tumbled to her shoulders as she released it.
"That's better. Outside of this establishment you will wear it up: but whenever you are here, with either our patients or your fellow officers, you are to wear your hair down. Do you understand why?"
"No, Sir. Excuse me, Sir."
I fixed her with a stern look, then sighed and decided to cut her some slack.
"Why did you volunteer for this posting, Lieutenant?"
She hesitated before giving what I knew was a prepared answer. "I want to gain experience of therapeutic work with trauma patients and you have the reputation of being the most brilliantly innovative therapist in the army, Sir."
"You want to help people and you think that I can help your career."
"Yes, Sir. Well, I mean, partly. I... I want to learn from the best."
I nodded acknowledgement. "You know, Lucy, few things are quite so satisfying as a willing pupil. You will have to work hard and undertake some activities that you may find challenging - but if you give it your all, then I can guarantee that we will fulfil your potential."
"I hope I can live up to your expectations, Sir."
"I'm sure you will. And I think you understand that your duties here are not just those normally expected of a junior staff officer?"
She looked uncertain, so I relieved her from the need to reply. "You are here as my special assistant and your duties include liaison with all the department heads who report to me, as well as interaction with particular patients."
"Yes, Sir."
"As such I require your unquestioning obedience and complete discretion. Take off your jacket."
"Yes, Sir."
She did as bid with no fuss, folding it neatly over the back of the chair. As she straightened, I stood up myself and came around the desk to stand beside her.
"Kick off your shoes."
For the first time she didn't reply, except to do as she was told, lowering her head slightly as she did so. Barefoot, she barely came up to my shoulders.
"Look up at me."
Her eyes were pale blue and she couldn't help but wet her lips under my stare. She really was quite exquisite: the softest of features on a broad, open face, lending her a child-like quality that just begged to be despoiled.
I smiled at her almost sadly and reached to undo her tie. She gave a little start at the unexpected contact but I ignored it and slipped the thin black ribbon from around her neck, dropping it onto my desk. "We only wear these on parade, Lieutenant. This is an operational station, where we deliver special forms of therapy in a very informal manner. That is fundamental to our success, so while you are going about your normal duties, you should dress practically."
"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir."
"We follow the three button rule."
She looked at me blankly for a moment and I rolled my eyes and indicated the top buttons of her uniform blouse.
"Oh, I see..."
Quickly she reached up and undid the top button, craning her neck to release it but finding the next two easier.
"It's much too hot here to keep buttoned up all the time."
"Yes, Sir."
I studied her for a couple of seconds and then frowned. "Is that a uniform brassiere, Lieutenant?"
"Yes, Sir."
I let the silence hang heavy, the frown still clear on my face - and she faltered as I knew she would.
"It's regulation, Sir..."
"I can see we're going to have to teach you some of the basics before we can begin your real training, Lucy. "
"Sir, I'm sorry, Sir..."