The gentle autumn breeze gushed around the scarlet, yellow and brown leaves in the air, while the soft rustling sounds created an eerie atmosphere in the evening's light. A gray building finally turned silent, after a long day of drill instructors barking at new recruits, of higher command barking at the numerous tricksters, and the constant sound of vehicles, planes and tanks roaming around the building, signaling to others to be ready for any unscheduled battle.
Two dark silhouette figures slowly edged near the building, passing the gray structure, and headed towards the sleeping quarters of the base. They stopped short, and jumped into a bush, while a man with a large looking dog neared their position. Their dark eyes followed the man, who wore a green shirt, brown camouflage pants and a funny looking hat. The dog, if you could call it a dog, or rather a horse would be a better-suited word, sniffed the ground, and glanced at the man.
"Will you hurry up, Lady!" the man grumbled, wanting to get it over with, and return the large brown animal to the kennels.
The dog barked happily, then jumped on the man, sending him down to the ground, and lay on his stomach, before starting to lick him continuously on the face.
"Damn dog," the annoyed voice came from under the massive animal.
The two hiding figures chuckled at the man's expense, now watching him try and move the heavyset animal off of his body and try to stand up.
"Off!"
The dog gave off a yawn, but slid off the man, allowing him to stand up and dust himself off.
"I am going to send you to—"
A sneeze came from the bushes, followed by a thump and a groan.
The man instantly went to military alert, his skills turning second nature, taking out his side arm. "Who's there? Show yourself."
The bushes slowly moved and the two figures slowly emerged, walking straight towards the man and the dog.
"Don't shoot, Flint," one of them pleaded, moving in an awkward walking step. "It's only us."
Flint, the second in command of the G. I. Joe team, shook his head and put away his weapon. "Shipwreck, what the hell are you two doing?"
Shipwreck chuckled, glancing toward the other person standing next to him, and then back to the warrant officer. "Punishment."
"Wreck's right, Flint," the second man nodded in agreement, glancing down at their uniform for the night.
Flint stared at the second man, whose blond hair and brown eyes, matched the outfit in perfection. "Anchors, can you please explain what type of punishment would put you and Shipwreck in chicken suits?"
Anchors looked at the older Joe team member. "Duke," he mumbled in a small voice.
"What about Duke?" Flint inquired, glancing from one sailor to the other.
Shipwreck gave off a nervous chuckle. "He ordered us to wear these things for two whole days and walk around the base in them."
Flint shook his head. "What possible thing did the two of you do this time to make our General Hauser tar and feather?"
Anchors took a step backward, ready to retreat. "We buried two cars under the obstacle course."
"Whose cars?"
Shipwreck again nervously chuckled, but also took a step backward. "Umm...yeah… well, one of them belongs to Duke…"
"It was only a trick! Honest!" Anchors tried to explain.
"Who's other car was it?" Flint asked sternly, now starting to fume toward the two irresponsible Joes.
"Umm…yeah…." Shipwreck stuttered. "The other car belongs to…emmm…"
"Out with it!" Flint ordered, taking a step closer.
Both men looked at each other and then gulped before answering, "Lady Jaye."
"WRECK!"
"Run for it!" Shipwreck shouted, about turning, grabbing the younger man's arm and dashing out of there faster then their yellow chicken suits could carry them.
"Wait until I get my hands on both of you!" Flint hollered, shaking his fist in the air.
The St. Bernard barked loudly at the running chickens, wanting to start chasing them, but the leash kept the animal at bay from having four G. I. Joe drumsticks for dinner.
Flint shook his head and mumbled about several severe punishments for the older sailor and his protégé. "And to think one sailor was enough, but no… they had to send us another!" He looked up at the orange sky. "Why me?"
He tugged the leash and the dog started to follow her owner. He glanced down at the panting animal, whose brown eyes never left his face. "You know Lady, they wanted to keep you. But when it comes in taking care of you. I'm the one in the dog house." He patted the animal on the head and headed for the dog kennels.
The kennels stood at the back left corner of the G. I. Joe base, near the river. The numerous sounds of barking came apparent while the warrant officer and Lady neared.
Flint noticed another figure in the kennel area, who at the moment had barely acknowledge his presence from her concentration on training a Doberman.
"Apollo, fuss!" came the command and the dog sat next to the woman, with long brown hair, tied in the back in a pony tail. Her brown eyes meeting her faithful companion's, who remained attentively toward his trainer.
"Evening, Sky Dancer," Flint greeted the young woman.
Sky Dancer's head rose to meet the warrant officer's. "Oh, hello Flint," she returned with a smile. "Hello there, Lady Alison."
The St. Bernard barked happily to the woman, wagging her thick tail and brown eyes never leaving her face.
Sky Dancer giggled, then reached down in her black pouch, which had been tied around her waist and pulled out a small cube of meat. "Here you go, Lady. Catch." She threw the treat toward the dog who caught it in midair.
Flint shook his head. "This dog is a garbage disposal, eats more then a cow and a horse put together." He then glanced back to the young Joe member. "What are you doing out here so late?"
Sky Dancer bent down, picked up a brown leather leash and hooked it on the Doberman's collar, then walked toward the warrant officer. "Training. Duke wants me to train Apollo for recovering explosive devices and narcotics."
"Narcotics?" Flint asked puzzled.
"For the barracks," Sky Dancer answered, opening one of the dog runs and putting her Doberman inside, which already held another identical Doberman. "Blieb, Athena." Commanding the other dog to stay.
"Not good," Flint muttered, opening another dog run and placing Lady Alison inside, then checked in the dog's dishes making sure that she would have plenty of water for the evening.
"A Greenshirt overdosed the other night. Dr. Caveman and First Aid almost lost him," Sky Dancer explained, checking on her dog's water dishes.
Flint shook his head again, closing the dog run's door. "You four have plans tonight?"
Sky Dancer nodded, patting both her dogs on their heads before closing the dog run's door, then started walking with the warrant officer. "Yes, Jeff and Cayden went to rent several horror movies for the evening and we plan to watch them in Cayden's and Colleen's suite."
Flint chuckled. "At least I won't be hearing Colleen's screams from over there," he replied, knowing that his daughter-in-law despised any horror movie ever created, and knowing his son, he would be picking several of the scariest of films.
Sky Dancer smirked. "Well, Jeffrey Hauser and Cayden Faireborn have their own horror movies to watch," she informed him, while they neared the barracks.
"Oh?" Flint inquired intrigued.
"Yes, Colly and I both agreed that the men are going to sit watching six hours of classic musicals. From Meet Me in St. Louie to My Fair Lady," Sky Dancer answered with pride
"I feel sorry for my son, really sorry!" Flint chuckled, while they entered the barracks. "Are you heading over to Duke's?"
Sky Dancer shook her head. "I think I need to go and change first." She glanced down at her green tight-wrapped dancer type shirt, short thin black skirt with black leggings underneath, and black boots. Even though anyone entering the army base would assume she could be a lost ballerina, her true code name came from her flying expertise.
"Alright. I need to change myself."
"Dog hair?" Sky Dancer asked, her brown eyes sparkling.
"No, trick or treating. I'm dressing as Prince Charming for one Snow White, otherwise known as six year old, Eryn Anne Faireborn," Flint answered, while they climbed up the stairs.
"That's very sweet of you, Flint!" Sky Dancer pointed out. "Where are you taking the girls treating?"
Flint chuckled. "Just around the base. Some of the men got really into it! They bought candy and decorated their rooms for the girls." He then snickered. "Duke is getting dressed as a knight in shining armor. Allie even sent for a real authentic armor suit from her manor in Scotland!"
Sky Dancer grinned while they walked in the upstairs hallway. "Rowan is going to be Fair Maiden I presume?"
"You presume correctly," Flint answered, rounding the corner and heading for the Hauser's quarters.
"I can't wait to see you all dressed." Sky Dancer smiled, stopping at a door, leading to her quarters. "Tell Colleen I'll be there after I clean up and change."
"Well…you know that you could just come the way you are right now," Flint suggested, pointing to the dog hair that covered the trainer. "Werewolf costume."
"Funny." Sky Dancer giggled, opening the door. "I'll be right there."
The warrant officer nodded, then headed down the hallway and stopped at a door in the corner, which nameplate said, Hauser. He knocked on the door.
"Coming!" A female's voice called out from inside, and in a few minutes the door opened and a young woman with long strawberry-blond hair, wrapped loosely around her shoulders which ended down to her waist, and with dark blue eyes smiled at him. "Hi, Dad."
Flint kissed the younger version of one redhead counterintelligence agent. "Hi, Colly," he greeted, walking in the suite. "How you feeling?"
Colleen Faireborn smiled and rested her hand on her stomach. "Just a little hungry. I told Cayden to grab a few bags of Gummy Bears before he returns from town."
The warrant officer nodded, glancing around the Hauser suite, which had been transformed into a Halloween décor filled with Jack o lanterns, webs, and even a live tarantula moving around on one of them. He shook his head at Scarlett's pet, while it climbed upwards on a skeleton, which had a sign on it and read, 'Shipwreck after tarred and feathered.' Nutmeg, crawled into the skeleton's mouth and settled there for probably a nice nap.
Several candles were placed on a shelf, which held several pictures of the family. One of Duke and Scarlett on their wedding day, another of a young Colleen winning her black belt, one of Jeffrey by his Sky Striker and his dog, Wolfie. Another of a little redhead girl with blue-green eyes, Rowan Hauser, which the Hausers had adopted six months ago. One of Jeffrey Hauser and Sky Dancer, smiling at one another and the latest picture on the shelf stood in the middle, with Duke, Scarlett, Colleen, Jeffrey, Rowan, the one which also included himself, his wife, his son, Cayden and their six year old daughter, Eryn. The picture taken at Colleen Hauser's and Cayden Faireborn's wedding. He remembered that special day, the day where his oldest son married his best friend's oldest daughter.
"Dad? You all right?" Colleen's soft voice came to his ear, and a gentle had touched his arm, bringing him back to the present.
"I'm fine, Lady Bug," Flint replied, patting the younger woman's hand.
"Mom and my Mom are in the bedroom dressing the girls," Colleen said, pointing to the bedroom door, which was shut and a piece of paper was tapped in the middle. 'No Daddies allowed!'
"Where's your father?" Flint asked, his daughter in law.
"Trying to put the suit of armor on." Colleen answered. "It's taking him forever."
Suddenly, a crash sounded from the other bedroom of a metal hitting against metal, and a "Damn it!" followed. They exchanged similar looks knowing that inside the bedroom held one unhappy G. I. Joe leader. They rushed inside the second room and their jaws dropped, finding one General Hauser on the floor, wiggling around, wearing something of a heavy looking suit of armor.
"Dad? You all right?" Colleen asked to her father on the floor.
"I can't believe I let your mother talk me into this. How in the bloody blue blazes did they put these blasted things on?!" Duke grumbled.
Flint and Colleen looked at each other and held a giggle at the Joe leader's expense.
"Let me help you off the floor, good buddy." Flint walked over and extended his hand for his best friend.
"Tell anyone and you'll both be digging out the cars," Duke threatened playfully.
Flint chuckled while helping him try to stand back up. "Easy Conrad, otherwise we will be both on the floor."
"Should I get back-up?" Colleen asked, grinning down at her father's features.
"Okay, on three...1…2…," Flint said, trying to pull up his friend. "...3!!" He bent his knees and pulled with all his might. "It's so heav—..." His words trailed off, finding himself losing his balance and falling down on his best friend.
Colleen burst out laughing, holding her stomach.
"What's all the noise?" Jeffrey asked, walking near the bedrooms, he had just gotten home. "It sounds like tin cans...Oh this is good," he said when he spotted his father and godfather on the floor. He quickly ran to his room, grabbed the camera and took a picture.
"Jeffrey!!" Duke growled.
Flint shook his head. "Jeffrey, we've fallen and can't get up!"
Colleen continued to giggle. "I ...I have to get Mom!" She left the room, her laughter floating from outside the room.
"No, don't get your Mother!!" Duke ordered but it was too late. "Jeff, come help us."
Jeffrey shook his head and took another picture.
In second bedroom, Jaye sat in one of the chairs, finishing the last minute touches of her little Snow White. She glanced down at her own costume for the evening, which portrayed another fairy tale princess, Cinderella.
"Mommy, hurry!!" Eryn exclaimed excitedly, while her mother tried to tie the red ribbon in the little girl's long brown hair, but her fidgety movements made it impossible to finish the task.
Scarlett giggled at her young goddaughter, who now had begun to stomp on the ground with her Mary Jane shoe. "Eryn, if you sit still, your mom can tie the ribbon," she pointed out, then glanced downward to the red locks of her own daughter's.
Rowan looked up at her mother's dark blue eyes. "How do I look?" she asked politely, before she glanced to check herself in the room's mirror, and smiled at the dark blue medieval gown and crown.
"Like a princess." Scarlett smiled, glancing at her own image of an Irish Medieval Queen. Her emerald green and gold gown traveled down to the floor, and creating a authentic illusion of the redhead traveling back hundreds of years in the past.
The door slightly opened and Colleen peeked inside, giggling. "You all have to see this!" She beckoned them out of the room.
Scarlett and Jaye exchange curious glances and stood up, following the other woman out of the bedroom and toward the master bedroom.
Their eyes widened at the sight of one warrant officer and one general laying on the floor trying to stand up, while one younger version of Duke, continued to take several pictures of the comical moment.
"Jeffrey, can you please help them off the floor?!" Scarlett requested, shaking her head.
"Alright, alright. Geez Mom, ruin my fun," Jeffrey said laughing.
"Mommy are day wrastling?" Eryn asked, pointing at the men on the floor.
Jaye just laughed.
Flint grumbled while slowly trying to gain his balance, and kneeled on the carpeted floor. "Conrad, stop moving for a second!" he commanded, just when a tin arm slammed on his head, shaking the entire room around. "Easy... now I see five of you!"
Scarlett shook her head and walked over next to her son. "Con, give me your hand. Jeff, grab hold of his other one. And if we can't stand him up, I'm getting the can opener!"
"How about the chainsaw?" Colleen suggested from close to the door. Her eyes never leaving the comical moment.
"I'll go get it," Jaye said, turning to leave.
"Allie!" Flint shouted, thinking she was liable to get the chainsaw and try to use it on the man in the iron suit.
Scarlett looked down, watching her husband's face turn crimson. "Conrad! Your blood pressure!" she lightly scolded, arching down to grab hold one of his hands. "Jeff, ready?"
"What?" Jaye asked innocently.
"Mom, don't," Jeffrey said. "Let me do it."
"What's going on in here?" Cayden asked from the entrance to the suite having leaving the night's entertainment in his own quarters, his green eyes spotting the two best friends on the floor.
Colleen went to reply, but hiccuped and held on to her stomach.
Scarlett glanced at her son, then at her son-in-law. "Cayden, can you help a poor tin man from off the floor?"
Rowan and Eryn walked slowly toward Duke and stared down at his face.
"Daddy, do you know Dorothy?" Rowan asked seriously.
"Be careful of Toto, Uncle Con. He pee on you and you rust," Eryn said seriously.
Cayden was laughing really hard. "Sure, Ma."
"I can still go get that chainsaw," Jaye said.
"Just get me off this fucking floor," Duke growled, trying to move his iron legs.
The two little girls dropped jaws. "Get the soap!" they yelled.
"CONRAD!" Scarlett now yelled, letting her son-in-law take her position.
Together, the two young men grabbed hold of each tin arm and slowly and carefully pulled the fallen soldier off the ground and steadied him, making sure he wouldn't lose his balance.
Flint rose to his feet. "Alright, now?" he asked.
"How the hell did they walk in this stupid thing," Duke growled.
"Very carefully," Jaye said laughing.
"Conrad, stop cursing, or I'll take out one of my swords!" Scarlett threatened.
Colleen slowly sat on the bed, holding her stomach. "Okay, now I'm really hurting," she admitted, glancing down at her jeans.
Cayden rushed over to her. "What's the matter, Bunny?"
"Colleen?" Jaye asked in worry.
Scarlett looked over to her daughter. "Are you all right?" With a tone of concern.
Colleen glanced at her husband and then at her mother-in-law and lastly at her mother. "It hurts when I laugh because of the tightness," she said with rosy cheeks.
"Oh!" Scarlett realized, smiling at her daughter. "Allie, looks like we are going shopping tomorrow for some new clothing."
"Yep. Maternity clothes time," Jaye said chuckling. "I can't wait."
"Mommy, can I get madunity cwose too?" Eryn asked innocently.
"They'll be too big on you, Munchkin." Flint smiled at his daughter.
The sound of tin cans moving came apparent from behind and they all turned to notice the Joe leader starting to walk on his own.
"Looks like you got the hang of it, Dad!" Colleen smiled, leaning against her husband.
"Can we go treating now?" Rowan plead. "I've never gone treating before."
"It's wots and wots of fun," Eryn said, taking her best friend's hand and walking out of the room.
"Cayden, why don't you have her wear a pair of your scrub pants tonight. That will help keep her comfortable," Jaye suggested.
"That's a good idea. Would you like that?" Cayden asked his wife.
"This was the stupidest idea..." Duke grumbled, glancing down at his suit.
"I guess I have to wear his snoopy ones." Colleen grinned at her husband.
Scarlett walked up to her husband. "You know... I wouldn't complain in your current position, you know..." She rose one of her fingers in the air, right in front of him. " because one redhead can easily push you back on the floor." She wiggled her finger at him. "And… you can stay there all night long... and not even getting up to go to your royal thrown." She tilted her head toward him with a mask of victory on her face.
"Alright, I get it," Duke said. "But do I have to wear the helmet?"
"Well of course! Otherwise the dragon is going to make your little you know what on the top of your head disappear from its fire breath!" Scarlett mocked, smiling at his expression.
Colleen giggled. "Well, you all have a good time." She rose from the bed. "Cayden, Jeff, Reena and I just plan to relax and watch some nice movies for the night."
Cayden stood up from the bed, and pulled her closer to him. "Yeah, I got some really good ones."
Duke grumbled under his breath and put the helmet on.
Jeffrey started taking pictures again, his crystal blue eyes sparking with mischief.
"Well, at least my costume is not that bad." Flint smiled. "Allie, did you bring it here? Or do I have to go back to the suite?"
"Yeah, it's in the other bedroom. You better hurry." Jaye smiled. "Want some help?"
"MOM!!" Cayden exclaimed.
"Naw... this body can still fit in nice tights!" He made a modeling pose, and wiggled his eyebrows at his wife.
Scarlett shook her head. "Alright, hurry up, Dash."
Flint nodded, kissed his wife and headed for the other room.
"I swear, since you got out of that wheelchair you've been worse than me and Colleen," Cayden said.
"Not even close, Caveman." Jeffrey said, patting him on the shoulder.
"I thought Reena would be here by now?" Colleen asked, now getting worried about her best friend.
Scarlett walked over and helped her husband try to move. "Take it slow. Move one step at a time." She listened to his grumbling, while they walked out of the room.
Jaye followed Scarlett out, her blue dress swaying around her.
"Let's go check on her," Cayden said.
"I'm going with you," Jeff stated.
"I'm coming with you," Colleen added. They all walked out of the bedroom and headed for the door.
"Leaving?" Scarlett asked, her hand holding onto one of the iron arms of the suit, trying to balance her husband, watching them pass by.
"We're going to get Reena," Colleen answered, turning the knob of the suite's door and opening it, only to find one brown haired best friend in surprise.
Sky Dancer and Colleen shrieked at the moment, not expecting the other there, which made Colleen take a step back, bumping into her husband, who bumped into Jeffrey, who took his own step backwards and bumped against his mother, who slightly shifted, losing her balance and caused one Iron Man to fall down on the ground, causing one massive tin can crashing sound effect.
"This is going to be a long night." Scarlett mumbled, glancing down at her husband, who had fallen on his face and listened to the mumbled words, which she knew that they were one hundred percent non child friendly.
