Disclaimer: I own nothing but a weird obsession with GI Joe and in particular, Lady Jaye. Read, enjoy, and review, please! :)


For once, returning after a successful mission was not the high it usually was. Maybe because it had basically been a clean-up. Most likely, the fact that everyone was so quiet on the way back to the base was because this was truly the last mission of GI Joe. While it was great that Cobra, the nemesis and reason the team was created, was finally brought down, it was hard because those that had worked together for so long would now be separated. Already, offers were flying in to the different Joes and most had their pick of some really great assignments. Lady Jaye sighed and looked at her best friend, Shana O'Hara, code named Scarlett.

"So, have you decided what you're going to do next?" she asked the red head sitting next to her.

Scarlett shrugged. "I'm not sure yet. I was actually thinking of heading home, to Atlanta, and giving myself some time to think it over without feeling the pressure I'm feeling now. Plus, I need to talk it over with Snake Eyes as well. I'd like to know where he sees himself, or even us, in the future." She echoed her friend's sigh, but managed to smile at her friend. "I suppose you and Flint have everything worked out."

Lady Jaye frowned. "Not exactly. We've both gotten offers, some from the same agencies, others from different ones….but since we've been on this clean up detail, it's been several weeks since we've last talked. I guess that'll be one of the first things we need to decide."

Scarlett smiled and patted her friend's hand. "I think you have the most predictable future of all of us. You and Dash will get married and live happily ever after, no matter what you two decide to do! The perfect fairy tale," she teased.

She rolled her eyes. "Well, he hasn't asked me yet, but we've barely had time to talk since we brought Cobra down and the Jugglers decided to disband the Joes."

The women disembarked the plane and looked around the base. Already, equipment had begun to be shipped to other locations, other bases, other assignments. They knew some of their teammates were already gone as well, but at least they had the chance to say goodbye before they had to leave for the last mission.

Scarlett sighed. "It's depressing all right," she said, reading Lady Jaye's mind, "but I guess it's time we're moving on." She shrugged.

Allie looked around the tarmac for Flint, but didn't see him. She frowned. She was used to him being there when she returned from a mission, unless he was off on one of his own. That would be impossible today.

Scarlett raised her eyebrows, seeing Allie's frown. "Let's get back to the apartment. I don't see your shadow, either."

She shook her head, a smile sneaking out of her. "I tell you, we've worked together too long when you can read my thoughts!"

The women headed back to their quarters. Along the way, they were stopped several times, given several hugs goodbye and well wishes, and had to make plans to meet in the Mess for dinner.

Maybe he's waiting at my quarters, she thought, an uneasy feeling creeping over her. This just wasn't like him. Then again, things had changed, so maybe he was holed up somewhere with paperwork.

When the women reached their quarters, the only person they found was Courtney, packing her things, tears in her eyes. When she saw her roommates, she ran to them, hugging them both tightly.

"I was hoping you'd be back soon! I already got reassigned!" she announced breathlessly. "It's a good position, but they didn't tell me they wanted me, like, yesterday!"

Scarlett squeezed her hand. "We'll celebrate tonight, giving you a good send off. Remember, we're giving each other contact information so we can keep in touch! We made some promises about meeting in the Mess tonight but…"

Courtney smiled, wiping tears from her face. "We'll all go tonight, then have our own private celebration." She produced a bottle of champagne from one of the boxes. "I've been saving this. I say, why not? What are they going to do? Fire us from GI Joe?" she giggled.

"Um, have you seen Flint?" Allie asked nonchalantly, knowing she was changing the subject, but feeing a tension in her stomach, knowing something wasn't right.

Courtney couldn't meet her eyes. "Hmm, no, not lately. Someone told me he might have left, maybe for an interview, but I'm sure he's coming back to see you. Everyone knew your team was coming back today."

Shana and Allie exchanged looks, but didn't say anything. Courtney's face was red and she wouldn't meet either one of her friend's eyes.

Shana finally broke the silence. "Well, you got any extra boxes around here? Guess we could all use a few hours to pack before dinner."