Scarlet felt around for her tank top, it lay there patiently, next to her jeans, neatly folded.

She pulled it over her head and enjoyed the feeling of normal cotton against her skin, after a busy day in some protective, skin tight polyester…or was it spandex?

Gah! She didn't care anyway, all she knew is that whom ever had designed that think was probably some 40 year old comic geek living with his mother.

She neatly folded her 'working outfit' and put it into her locker. Scarlet enjoyed the rush and thrill of her 'job', its just like being a doctor, you save lives, only in a stranger way, but nothing could compare to how she felt the moment that she could just relax.

Tieing her scarlet (pun intended) hair into a low braid she made her way to her sleeping quarters, or more like, her and Duke's sleeping quarters. It wasn't like it was OFFICAIL that they were together, just that from time to time he'd rest in her room, next her, in her bed.

Upon reflection it kinda did seem as if they were together, but Scarlet preferred to keep her personal life to her self and said man. She didn't want Heavy Duty's constant remarks to be replaced by 'I told y'all!' And not to mention the awkwardness! Scarlet could do with a little bit of attention for the right reason form time to time, but not with the WRONG attention at all. And Duke didn't mind it, as longer s she was happy then he was happy, so it really didn't matter if their relationship was broadcasted to Heavy Duty, Breaker (lord curse that mans tongue!), General Hawk or even-

Scarlette's romantic ranting ceased when she saw him.

Sacrlette cursed her-self, of course HE' be there, his quarters weren't that far from hers, but still she took extra precaution when she needed to go in and out of her room just incase he might be there.

"Snake eyes hey." She finally got the weak words out of her throat. Snake eyes nodded in reply, and then there was that awkward silence.

Not that there always WAS that awkward silence with Snake eyes. There was silence but it had always been comforting in way.

His clothed hands began moving, it took a while for Scarlet to realize that he was using sign language.

"Umm sorry Snakes could u repeat that, I wasn't paying attention." The words sounded cruel, after all Snake eyes had been through, what SHE had put him through, she could at least pay attention when he was actually SPEAKING to her.

She tried to concentrate on his movements, when last had she practiced sign language? Ever since she and Duke were, well 'she and Duke' her focused on all things else had been, faulty.

'Never mind, good night and I will see you on Sunday.'

She smiled, remembering that she was meeting up with an old friend on Saturday, how did he know? Did she tell him? Or didn't she and did he have to find out by someone else, all of a sudden she felt that her smile becoming a frown.

"I guess I will see you on Sunday, don't stay up too late." She smiled at him in her old 'I know u too well so don't push your self with your 'needed' extra exercise.' Way. He always did that, or did he still? She didn't know, god she was feeling the need to smack herself silly right now.

Snake eyes made another movement with his hands, but Scarlet didn't catch it. Instead she just hugged him, that's what he needed a hug.

He didn't really respond but she felt is muscles loosen in trust, that's all that he could give to her and in a way she felt that she didn't even deserve that after what had happened.

"Hey Shanna , I got us something for-" Dukes voice was cut off when he saw Scarlet hugging the black clad ninja.

"Well hey snakes I thought you'd be in the gym or something." Duke chuckled, and Scarlet could see the package in his hand, she knew that Duke was ok with the past, but Snake eyes wasn't, and as she feared would never be.

Snake eyes moved away for Scarlet and directed his thumb towards the gym area.

"Good night to you too man." Duke said, not a hint of awkwardness in his tone, Scarlet felt inferior next him.

When they were in her room Scarlet relaxed a little.

And here you go, I know you don't want me to come with you but," Duke handed her the wrapped parcel, it was normal brown paper but Scarlet didn't mind, he always gave her random gifts, this must the 4th one in two months.

She smiled and when she unwrapped it there a silver chain with a minute little heart in red dangling from it.

She slid it on while Duke stood behind her, his arms securely wrapped around her waist and his head on her shoulders, "I thought it would come in handy, just incase you miss me tomorrow." She could feel his smile on her shoulder, the bracelet was comfortable and light enough to use in say, a padded battle uniform perhaps she smiled in knowing that Cover girl must have helped him ,other wise she'd never be able to wear this what with her occupation and all.

'I love it" she murmured.

As scarlet slept that night, Duke soundly by her side as always, he'd always be by her side, she couldn't help but think as though Snake eyes would never have anyone by his side.

Or maybe he didn't wan to , not after the massive gauge left in his already wounded hart, all thanks to Shanna.

REVIEW PLEEEEEEEEASE!! LATER ON IT WIL BE REAVEALED EXACTLY WHAT SCARLETT DID TO OUR BELOVED NINJA!!! And will this old friend be helpful to him? NEXT CHAPETERHAS SNAKE EYES 4 ALL MY SISTER FANGIRLS!\