The briefing the next morning went about as well as expected. Hawk called the team together just after PT had let out; The Joes and assorted other relevant staff packed themselves into the motor pool, which was the largest open space the Pit had. Judging from some of the slightly grumpy faces, the team was not happy that their breakfast was being delayed, however briefly.

An army marches on its stomach, after all. Some of the most spectacular debacles in military history had occurred over interruption or unexpected and unpopular changes in rations. Still, no one dared say anything; the Wrath of Hawk was a legendary force, to be avoided at all costs. They fell into ranks and shut their mouths, waiting semi-patently.

Hawk eyed them and sighed. He had a private bet going with Duke over just how many pieces would be pulled when the Joes caught sight of Storm Shadow.

Might as well get this over with; he crossed his arms and eyed his team. "Right. You're all wondering why you aren't in the mess hall destroying some breakfast. Well, as of last night, we have a new transfer to the team."

He saw BeachHead's eyebrows furrow in the front rank. New recruits usually went through the Sergeant Major; it was rare for Hawk to get personally involved. Hawk eyed the big Ranger; Beach was probably carrying at least two handguns, and he'd eat his general's stars if the man didn't manage to pull both in about another twenty seconds. "This particular addition to the team is a rather unique case; he's a defector from Cobra, and will be working most closely with those of you in intelligence and covert ops. You've probably all run into him before, likely not under very peaceful circumstances."

Scarlett was frowning, and Hawk saw the redhead's eyes dart towards the impassive visored figure in black standing next to her. Snake Eyes didn't flinch, which was impressive, since the glare Scarlett was leveling at him could probably have melted lead.

"I understand that you are not going to welcome our recent enemy with open arms. That's perfectly fine. But you will be polite, and you will respect him. Anyone who fails to comply with this order will be dealt with by me personally. Is this clear?"

There was a chorus of "Yes, Sirs!"

"Good." Hawk turned and gestured at the doorway; a white-clad figure sauntered out. "Joes, this is Storm Shadow, your new teammate."

There was a flurry of motion; no less than eighteen sidearms were leveled at the ninja in about half a second, including two by BeachHead. Hawk scowled and bellowed. "STAND DOWN! What part of 'TEAM MEMBER' didn't you understand! STAND DOWN, DAMMIT!"

His voice echoed off the walls of the motor pool; Hawk didn't yell often, but he was just as good as BeachHead at it when he wanted to be. The guns dropped, rather reluctantly. Scarlett and BeachHead actually looked like they were snarling. Storm Shadow hadn't flinched. He stood at ease, perfectly calm. Of course, he was probably used to the Joes pointing firearms at him.

"I take it you do remember him." Hawk was still glaring at his team. "I'll chalk that reaction up to 'instinct.' Anyway, as I said, he has left Cobra. He has reasons, and if you want to know them I suggest you ask him, because I don't have the time to play storyteller. Suffice to say that I believe him and am willing to trust him, and so does Snake Eyes. He will be assigned a private bunkroom, so quit looking so worried. He will attend PT with the rest of the team, starting tomorrow. I strongly recommend that no one decide to take a bit of revenge into their own hands, for your own good. I don't want any of my soldiers being harassed, but more importantly you all know very well that he'll wipe the floor with you. I've told him to leave you mostly intact, but I'm sure he'll figure out some sort of suitable humiliation for anyone stupid or rash enough to try anything. Any questions?"

There was a long stretch of sullen silence.

"Good. Any questions or concerns, please see me, Duke, or Flint. Dismissed."

He watched them filter out. Eighteen…damn. He'd guessed at least twenty five. Duke would be looking for his twenty as soon as breakfast was over. Probably while smirking.

Oh, well. Considering the migraines Hawk was sure his Top Sergeant would be nursing soon enough, he wouldn't begrudge him a fairly won smirk at his CO.

There was a great deal of muttering at breakfast; Storm Shadow was given a good fifteen feet of elbow room by most of the team. This didn't seem to bother the ninja.

Snake Eyes was the one exception. He strode right up to the white-clad ninja, who was examining the proffered food on the steam tables. Storm turned to eye the commando.

*I knew Hawk would give you a chance.* Snake Eyes smiled. *It's good to see you not trying to kill me. It's been too long.*

"Yeah. Sorry about the throwing spike to the back last month." Storm looked slightly sheepish. "But, well, you were throttling Bludd…and if anyone is going to strangle him to death, I want to be the one who gets to."

Snake Eyes shrugged. *I carry the antidote to the Arashikage poison whenever I might run into you, so no harm done. How's the shoulder?*

"The one you shot me in last month or the one your woman stabbed me in?"

*Both.*

"Your bullet went right through, so no big deal. Knife wound is healing; Red's pretty good, isn't she? Not many people can get a knife in me. Even when I'm not expecting it."

Snake Eyes smiled. *She ought to be. She trains with me.*

"I thought she must…oh, gods." The ninja's eyes lit up. "Are those eggs? Actual, didn't-come-out-of-a-box-as-powder eggs? And is that fruit?"

Snake Eyes raised an eyebrow.

"Trust me. If you'd seen what they serve in the Cobra mess halls, you'd be crying with joy. How's the coffee here?"

*You can stab it and not dent the surface.*

Storm Shadow sighed happily. "I should have left Cobra years ago."

Scarlett was already sitting at her and Snake Eyes' usual private corner table. When she saw Storm Shadow, she glared, scowling. "Snake…"

*Please.* Snake Eyes gave her a pained look. *I know you don't like him, but he is my friend, and I haven't seen him…well, without him trying to kill me…for a long time.*

"Have you completely forgotten about the fact that he poisoned you last month?"

Storm Shadow raised a hand. "To be fair, I knew he'd have the antidote on him, and he shot me, so we're more or less even there."

"Too bad it wasn't lower and more terminal. I should have stabbed you through the heart, not the shoulder."

"Sweet lady you've got, brother."

*She really is if you get to know her.*

"Shut up, Snake." Scarlett was still glowering at Storm Shadow. "Oh, if Hawk hadn't ordered me not to kill you…"

"Sweetheart, lucky shot to my shoulder notwithstanding, you wouldn't have a chance." Storm Shadow applied himself to his breakfast. "Oh, god…real food. I think I'm in love."

"Call me sweetheart again and I will neuter you." Scarlett growled.

"Hint; don't make threats you can't carry through on."

"Oh, I'll carry through on it."

"You might try"

"Crossbow bolt right to the…"

"You'd never hit me."

Snake Eyes sighed in resignation as his girlfriend snarled at his sword brother and his sword brother snarked back. He'd more or less expected this, after all.