Disclaimer: I don't G. or any of the characters. My imagination simply borrows them from time to time.
This is an Alternate universe story.
Chapter 1 - Every breath you take:
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Scarlett grinned happily as she walked into the front door of her family's colonial home, her brother Brian on her heels.
"Dad, you should have seen it! My little Shay can still throw an awesome curveball!" With his praise her older brother tilted the Atlanta Braves baseball cap down over his sister's eyes and clapped her on the back with a little more force than necessary.
Scarlett managed not to wince as his big hand managed to whack her right on a barely starting to heal, ugly bruise she received last week in a skirmish with some Cobra troops.
But , she supposed, an ugly bruise was preferable to the bullet hole she would have had if Snake eyes hadn't shoved her to the ground, out of the path of a Viper's gun.
She had attempted to thank him later, but the silent commando had only shot her a reprimanding look, she assumed for not getting out of the way herself, and walked away.
She seemed to have a knack for annoying the man, which mystified her as she never went out of her way to prick the man's ire. She shook off her thoughts as her dad grabbed the equipment bag full of bats, balls and gloves from her shoulder.
"All right, you two, dinner is almost ready, so go clean up so we can eat."
Brian started charging up the stairs two at a time, "Dibs on the bathroom!"
Scarlett chased after him, "Bri, if you fart in there, so help me!"
About an hour later, they finished up eating and were visiting in the living room with some coffee and talked as they waited for the evening news to start.
"So Sean and some buddies went on a road trip to California to watch Atlanta State play S.C.U., and Frank is out on a showboating trip with his girlfriend and some other friends?"
"Yup. They left poor, pitiful me behind, alone, unloved,…Hey!!"
Scarlett grinned after the pillow she threw at his head, "Oh give me a break! You just couldn't stand missing my visit, I'll get my hands on those other two later."
"Yeah, sure. Say, any of those army bums hitting on my baby sister yet?"
"Please, I've worked so hard at getting them to respect me I don't think they realize I'm a girl. I am also perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
Totally unbidden, her thoughts took her to a time when she couldn't and she barely stopped from shuddering. No one on the Joe team knew just why she had started her martial arts training so hard at the age of 14, indeed it was a painful memory she'd just as soon put behind her.
They continued chatting until a news report caught their attention.
"According to the preliminary reports, the riot at Atlanta State Prison is involving around 45 - 50 inmates housed in the Maximum Security Wing where many murderers, rapists, gang members and other violent offenders are housed…"
Brian was tense and asked their father, "Dad, isn't that where..?"
"Aye. It is."
"…Details are sketchy at this time, but SWAT is already, regaining some order and pushing back the rioters. More details as they develop."
Scarlett managed to maintain a calm façade even though her heart was pounding wildly. As her father and brother cleared up the coffee and headed into the kitchen, her mother scooted closer to her on the couch.
"Shana, are you okay honey? I know that report dredged up some bad memories."
"I'm fine, Mom. It's been a long time since I thought about that night. It just caught me off guard, that's all."
Her mother gave her a gentle smile, "Wanna talk about it?"
"Thanks,but I should turn in, I've got to head back early tomorrow. Good night, Mom."
"Good night sweetheart."
Maureen O'Hara watched her daughter climb the stairs and knew that none of them would sleep easily that night.
Indeed, the next morning after a night of tossing, turning and nightmares, left dark evidence under Scarlett's eyes as she returned to base. She entered to see Hawk talking to Stalker and Snake Eyes.
Stalker noticed her exhausted appearance and asked jokingly, "Up late partying with hometown buddies, Red?"
"Not hardly. I had a hard time getting to sleep last night. I guess too many years of regulation beds and my body doesn't know how to handle comfort."
Although delivered with a careless shrug, at least one set of eyes in the room took in the tense set of her slender shoulders and the haunted look in her aquamarine eyes. Those eyes continued to watch her out of curiosity. His suspicions were confirmed a few moments later when Scarlet answered a call on her cell.
"Dad? What's up?"
"He's out Shana. He escaped last night."
