Roughneck squadleader—yep I call that a chapter. I'll try to update more often. And say hello to Marius and Kory again for me.

Ellina HOPE—yeah, I'm sorry it takes me so long to update, I try though, really I do. And I love getting ideas from my reviewers. Thank you so much! I truly adore you! And thank you for helping me get this chapter written, and for all the help and inspiration you've given me.

Justanotherlotrfan—yeah, I will update. And so far I'm thinking it'll be a slight vi/Dex but mostly dex/joe

Luchia13-- Yep, more wonderfulness. And yep, what's not to love about giant bugs. You have partly inspired me!

Disclaimer: I own the plot, and maybe some of the made up names. That's really about it.

----To all the reviewers, especially Ellina HOPE, I am truly sorry that it's taken me so long to update. I find that once I start writing, then things flow. But it takes me a while to work out the beginning. That and, on occasion I need a swift kick to the butt to get me to actually sit down and write. So I'd really like to thank Ellina HOPE for that swift kick. I promise I'll try to make it so that I don't need anymore.----

The next morning, Violet was up almost before Joe was. She was excited to go to his base, see what was there, and she was really excited to meet his friend Dex, and it showed in the speedy way that she got ready in the morning.

But when she walked into the living room, she stopped and stared at her cousin.

Joe was sipping a cup of coffee and flipping through the newspaper; it was an almost completely normal set-up. He saw her movement out of the corner of his eye, and looked up. He smiled when he saw Violet. "Morning. Sleep well?"

Violet didn't respond; she just continued to stare at him.

"Yes…?" Joe asked hesitantly. He was starting to feel a bit self-conscious under her gaze.

Suddenly Violet seemed to come back to herself. She smiled in a teasing way at her cousin. "I can see why all the girls here like you."

"Hunh?" Joe looked and felt completely baffled by that comment.

Violet watched him, then looked away with a slight smile. "No shirt today?" She asked, biting her lip to keep from laughing. But she couldn't stop herself and dissolved into giggles when Joe made a hasty exit.

He mock glared at her as he returned from his room, buttoning his shirt.

Violet ignored him, and continued making breakfast. "So I get to meet Dex, and see the base today?"

Joe grinned despite himself. Her excitement was contagious, not that he could stay mad at her for long anyway. Violet's teasing was very different from that of other females he had encountered like, say, a Miss Polly Perkins. "Sounds like a plan."

Normally, Joe felt that the drive to the base was rather boring, and uneventful, but as he watched his cousin stare at the scenery flying past, and answered her occasional questions, he decided that the drive was rather nice if one took the time to really pay attention. Or maybe, he thought as he glanced at the mesmerized Violet, it was just the company. Either way, Joe decided that this was the most enjoyable drive to the base that he'd ever experienced.

As Joe drove up to the main hangar, he smiled discretely as he watched Violets eyes widen even further. "Have you never been to an army base, or even an airport?" He asked in amusement as he opened her door.

Violet didn't even bother to look at him. "This is different." She said as she got out of the car.

Joe chuckled, and led the way. He only had to stop twice to remind his inquisitive cousin to not wonder off and please don't bother the mechanics quite yet.

As they entered the hanger, Joe nodded to a plane on the left. "That's her." He said, trying to keep his pride out of his voice.

Violet gasped. "That's your plane!" She looked the machine over. "Can I… can I take a closer look?" She asked hesitantly.

"Of course." Joe led her over to the plane, and began telling her about it. While he would deny it to the end, he was acting much like a proud father boasting about his prodigy child.

Joe did his best to answer all Violet's questions, but eventually he laughed and threw his hands up. "I think it's time to find Dex. He'd be able to answer everything much better then I can."

Violet smiled as she faced her cousin before turning around in a slow circle, searching the vast space. "Okay… so where is he?"

Joe glanced back towards where Dex's desk was, near the back of the hangar. "You know, I'm not sure. He should have been out by now. Unless…" He trailed off and smiled at Violet. "Unless he's working on something new."

Violet's eyes lit up. "Really? You think so?"

But before Joe could respond, three laughing people walked in through the massive door. Joe and Violet turned to look at them. "Well there's Dex…" Joe didn't look happy. His "not happy" look turned to sheer annoyance and displeasure when he saw Dex laugh again.

"Who are the others?" Asked Violet. Just as the words left her mouth, the three people came into a more lit area and all three of them could be clearly seen. Violet abruptly drew back behind Joe, hiding behind him and feeling very small.

Joe's hands tightened into fists. He knew all three people. One Dex, one thorn in his side, and one who should have been shot on sight years ago.

"Joe!" Dex called with a smile as he saluted. He walked up to his boss and friend, slightly surprised to see Joe's body tense and rigid. "You all right, Cap?"

"Joe," greeted Polly with barely concealed annoyance, as she followed Dex. "I hope you don't mind, but General Grigorsen has such a keen interest in planes, I thought I could show him around the base." She didn't sound like she particularly cared whether Joe minded or not.

Joe barely heard her or Dex's words. His attention was focused on the third member of the group: the so-called General Grigorsen. "Get out!" He growled.

"Joe!" Polly sounded, and looked shocked.

Even Dex looked surprised. But not at the order, he was surprised at the venom behind it. He couldn't remember ever hearing Joe sound that angry. He studied his long-time friend and noticed the girl huddled behind him, hiding from something. Dex titled his head to one side, catching her attention. He waved hesitantly and she smiled a little before clinging closer to Joe.

"Don't worry my dear boy." Said the 'General' after removing a pipe from his mouth. "I promise not to steal any of your state secrets," he turned a smile on Polly, "but perhaps your charming women."

The comment caused Polly to laugh a little and blush.

"I may not like Miss. Perkins," Joe snapped, "but I wouldn't even wish you on her."

Polly looked ready to slap Joe, and Dex had put his hand on Joe's arm, trying to calm the man down. It worked, but only slightly as Joe's stare lost a fraction of its murderous intensity. When the 'General' didn't move, his temper flared again and Dex lost all hope of keeping the peace.

"I said GET OUT! Olaf!" Joe snarled.

"I don't know what you're talking about dear boy." Said the 'General'. "Who is this handsome debonair Olaf you speak of?"

But before anyone else could say anything, the imposter found himself looking down the muzzle of Joe's gun.

"Either get out, or I'm going to shoot you." Joe's voice was low, so low it was hard to hear. However the 'General' got the message, not that it was hard to comprehend.

"Perhaps I should try ba..."

"Come back and you'll wish I had shot you." Joe hissed, "now get out!"

The man turned to Polly took her hand and kissed it. "Maybe some other time Miss. Perkins?" He walked out of the hangar, tossing one glance back. One that Joe could read clear as words on paper. "You won this round, but I'll be back."

Joe was brought back to his surroundings by a sharp slap. He stared at Polly who had her hands on her hips, glaring at him furiously. "No need to get jealous Joe." She turned and hurried after the 'General'.

Joe briefly considered going after her, but felt someone squeeze his arm.

"Let her go." Said Dex gently when Joe turned to face him.

Joe glanced at Dex's hand, and to his disappointment, it was quickly removed. Joe pushed his thoughts aside and turned to find Violet. He saw that she had pressed herself back against the plane in the shadows. He figured she had bolted when he pulled out his gun. Sighing, he returned the weapon to its rightful place in his pocket.

"Dex, this is my cousin Violet." He extended his hand to Violet, and slowly coaxed her out of the shadows. She approached him slowly and only relaxed when she had determined, for herself, that Olaf was indeed gone. "Violet, this is my friend, resident genius, and inventor Dex."