He felt like the biggest asshole in the world. He had lied to the one woman he had loved most in the world. When she had shown him the photograph, when he had heard she had named their daughter Katie…it had weakened his resolve.
Thank god Allie was still the same and when backed into a corner, would come out spitting and fighting! Otherwise, he couldn't have gone through with it.
God, she had looked amazing! Her hair was longer and he liked the way she had it pulled back. He had wanted to grab her and just hold her to him…letting the four years of separation just melt away.
But they couldn't, could they.
No, after he had heard the extent of his injuries, as well as the massive rehabilitation…..it wasn't fair to her to be with him. She was a vibrant woman who needed the same in a man, in a lover. He flinched at that last word. As much as he didn't want to see her with anyone else, it was for the best.
Plus, if Duke was right, GI Joe wanted him, even if it was behind a desk until he was fully healed. What other prospect did he have? He was a broken man. He didn't need her to try to pick up all the pieces and put them back together.
No, a woman like that didn't go four years without companionship, he thought, letting the bitterness rise up. She looked damn good for someone who was supposed to have searched for him all these years. At least she had, according to Duke. She had resigned her position because Hawk wouldn't let her search for the missing team, for him. How long had that lasted? Once it cut into her trust fund? While Allie had never flaunted her money, he was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to work for a living, going from paycheck to paycheck. She hadn't been raised that way, and he was pretty sure she couldn't survive that way, either!
Duke entered the room, looking confused.
"You okay?" he asked, not sure what he was going to find. Allie had looked too stiff leaving the room….knowing those two, he thought he'd have some time on his hands as they "reunited." Instead, after a few minutes, Allie had left, looking upset and angry.
"Sure, fine, never better," Flint replied sarcastically, then smiled to soften the tone. "Had better days, actually. So, tell me more about what's happened since I've been gone."
Duke looked uncomfortable. "Look, Dash, it's none of my business what goes on between you and Allie, but…"
"You're right," Flint interrupted, "it's not your business."
He sighed. "Look, we thought there was something there, but really, it was never more than a physical relationship. I'm sorry she had a kid – that wasn't something we planned and I thought we had done better to prevent that from happening. It's not like she doesn't have the family or the money to take care of it," he blew off.
Duke regarded him silently for a minute, then decided to let it go. He had hoped to see Allie under happier circumstances. Their last meeting hadn't been, and he was hoping this would be a way to mend bridges with her. No, he had his orders and knowing this current commander, he'd better follow them.
"So, it sounds like you have surgery scheduled in the next couple days, then after you recover, we can transfer you back home," Duke said, deciding to change the subject. For whatever reason Dash wanted to delude himself about his relationship with Allie, then let him. "Our base is in more of a Midwest location, so we were thinking the Kansas City VA Hospital would be your best bet."
"Sounds good," Flint replied, sitting back and closing his eyes. Suddenly, he felt very tired. As if on cue, a nurse came bustling in to check his vital signs.
"Look, we can talk about this later," Duke said, correctly reading the reproachful look the nurse gave him. "I'll be here for a couple days. You get some rest and I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Fine," mumbled Flint, starting to feel the effects of the medicine the nurse had put in his IV.
Shaking his head sadly, Duke left the room without another word.