Jaye descended from the private jet that belonged to her father with Flint right behind her. She spotted her very large father waiting for them on the tarmac by the limo. "DADDY!!!" Jaye screeched and ran towards her father.
Robert Burnett picked up his only child and hugged her tightly as he spun her around. "How be me little ray of sunshine?" He asked his most favorite person in the world as he kissed the top of her head.
"I'm great Daddy." Jaye said. "I want you to meet my Fiancé." She pointed towards Flint who was standing at the bottom of the steps leading from the jet.
Robert seemed to look him upside down as if sizing Flint up.
Flint extended his hand, "Please to make your acquaintance, Sir." in his most polite voice. He didn't want to start with the wrong side of Lord Burnett.
"So ye be the one that wants to get into me daughter's pants?" Robert said evenly not taking the younger man's hand. He towered over Flint and what Hawk said about his size was an understatement.
"DADDY!!!"
Flint gulped. 'This is going to be a long week.' he wished he had taken Hawk's joke seriously about bringing Duke and Scarlett with them: he would had loved the back up. "Umm… Sir, that's not how it looks." he looked at Jaye for help.
Jaye walked over to her father. "Daddy, shame on you." She said hotly. "That's not the reason we are getting married."
"Oh it's not is it?" Robert asked looking at his daughter then back at the man she had brought home. "Then why do ye seek me blessing to take me wee one's hand in blessed union?"
The warrant officer stood his ground. "Because Sir, it is the right thing to do. Because I love your daughter more than life itself and would protect her forever. And because Sir, I would love for Allie to become part of my family as I want to become part of hers."
"We shall see if ye are worthy for her hand commoner." Robert said and grabbed his daughters arm and pulled her towards the limo. They spoke hotly at each other in Gaelic
The warrant officer watched in silence at the two rapidly talking Scots. He wished he could had taken out his, Gaelic For Dummies, book, but thought it was best not too. He looked outside the window, staring at the rolling hills and green country side. For a short moment, he felt homesick.
He turned back towards Allie, watching her face, which told him she was upset. He knew what they were talking about and he did not need a translator to decipher what the conversation was about-- him.
Jaye did something that really got her father angry. She moved from her father's side and sat down right next to Flint. "You okay?" She asked ignoring her fathers upset look.
"Okay, sure I'm okay. Why do I feel I'm going into battle." He closed his eyes and felt her head leaning against him. "How about you? You look like Scarlett did last night."
"I'm alright. I knew this was going to happen just didn't think it would be this bad." She said completely ignoring her father. "We're entering Clan property."
He took her hand and squeezed, "Don't worry. I know your father will like the dashing, daring, lovable, humble, handsome man that you will marry." He then glanced out of window once more, "Wow! Allie this place is beautiful.
The rolling hills continued on for what it seemed an eternity. He watched a herd of horses run at full speed down one hill and going towards a beautiful lake. Beyond the lake, he glimpsed the gray looking stone structure of the Manor. Flint had never seen such a large castle-- ten Disneyland castles could fit in the one that was only a mile away from him. "Allie, is that it?" his eyes still glued at the Manor, as a shiver went through him thinking of what Hawk's had informed him yesterday. He gulped.
"Yep. We're home." Jaye said with a contentment that coming home always gave her.
Flint stared at the enormous building, which had the impression of being centuries old. "Umm, you're not related to Dracula by any chance? are you?" he joked. the ivy vines dominated most of the stone, giving it an eerie effect. He swallowed hard, if the outside was like this, he only prayed what the inside looked liked.
"Why-- you want me to drink your blood?" Jaye teased with a very low sexy voice.
"Alison!" Robert chastised.
Flint flinched. This was going to be one of the longest weeks of his life. He wondered if he could call Duke and ask him to place an emergency call, like the base was on fire or something, so that they could leave early.
"My apologies, Sir. That was my fault. I'm an avid reader of classics and other Historical books."
"Ah find that hard to believe boy." Robert said.
Jaye rolled her eyes.
"No, Sir, it is. I graduated at top of my class." Flint looked at the older man. The way he was glaring at him, the warrant officer discovered a slight resemblance to Jaye. The same heated face, when they argued.
"What college did you go to boy?" Robert asked. The resemblance was uncanny. But when you look at the portrait of her mother that was painted right before Jaye was born she looked a lot of her mother as well. The best and the worst of both parents.
"Oxford, Sir." he said proudly, hoping he maybe tad impressed.
The car had halted, and the car door was opened by one of the butlers,
"Welcome Home Lady Alison." came an elderly man's voice, as Flint and Lady Jaye exited the Limo.
Jaye hugged the butler. "James, it's so good to see you again." She said.
Robert got out. "James see to it that me daughters guest is set up in the west wing guest suite."
"Daddy that's clear on the other side of the manor away from every one." Jaye protested.
"It's fine Allie-- anywhere your father puts me is fine." Flint replied. 'and as far as possible from the Lord'. was alright in his book.
Jaye growled and was about to retort something but the look that Flint sent her, she understood. 'Don't push it.' She nodded and took his hand, and they entered the massive house.
Flint stood awestruck from the main foyers décor: crystal chandeliers were hung from the fourteen-foot ceilings; a wall of paintings stood to the left, many of portraits of the valley and horses. His head turned to the right, two suit of armor stood shining like new; in between them was a massive sixteenth century chair. The floor was mostly back and white marble, with a red carpet trailing towards the two grand staircases. Cinderella's castle was nothing compared to this one. A large long table stood towards the staircase, as a beautiful large vase, decorated it.
A bark sounded, coming from his right, his eyes widened, as two massive Great Danes came running towards him, one white as a pearl, the other black as coal. The black animal leaped upon Flint, sending him falling to the ground., its mass covering his entire body. 'Even the dogs are bigger than Roadblock!' he thought to himself. The dog gave another loud bark, before he began to lick Flint's face. "Alright fella, cut it out." he cried out.
Jaye laughed. "Alright Orion get off him." Jaye said and managed to get the dog off of him as the white one came running at her. "Hello Ingrid." Jaye said and petted the two dogs.
"James take the boy to his room. Me daughter and Ah will have a little chat in the library." Robert said.
"As ye wish, Laird." James stood in front of Flint. "This way, young lad." and he turned towards the left staircase.
Flint nodded, "I'll see you later, Allie." he gave her a sweet smile, too scared to kiss her in front of her father. He followed James, as Orion followed him.
Jaye and her father entered the massive library. The older man said nothing; he strode towards the large fireplace, placed his hand on the marble, and looked above it. A large painting, stood above the fireplace, the portrait of a woman. Her long chestnut curls, swirled around her features, her violet eyes, shined like the morning sky. Jaye had been aware of this painting as long as she could remember. The woman resembled her, wearing an emerald dress, a gold amulet hung from the neck; the woman stood proud, full of spirit, the woman was her mother.
She looked at her father, he gazed at the painting, like it would come to life and start talking to them.
"Are ye sure ye know what yer doing lass." he did not look at her, he kept looking at the painting. He was worried, worried for her. Jaye felt a tear try to trickle down her cheek, but with a finger, quickly wiped it away. She felt a wet nose, nudge her hand, she looked down and smiled at the beloved dog.
"Yes Daddy." Jaye said as she pet the dog she had since she was fifteen. The dog was ten years old now and getting old but she still had the spirit of a puppy. "I love him very much and he loves me. He's good to me most of the time."
He whirled around, "Most of the time! MOST OF THE TIME! Has he hurt you Lass? Did he hurt me girl? Ah'll kill him! KILL Him! Leave him in te dungeon Ah will! " He stepped forwards, trying to pass Jaye and go after his daughter's fiancé.
"Daddy he has never hurt me. What I meant is that he doesn't give in when we fight. At least not at first."
"Ye fight! YE FIGHT! What kinda man is he to fight with a woman! He is gonna get a whopping from me, he will! Stand back lass, This is going to be between me and yer man."
"Not physical fighting unless we are sparring. Daddy he would never hurt me."
He looked at her, watched her face, her eyes. He saw it- the light, the flame that burned inside. The same flame that a young woman had years ago. His wife. There was something about this man; that her eyes told him that he would always be there for her, to protect her, and love her.
"Sparring? Yer man like fighting? Ah may spar with yer man then. Show him true Scot fight!" he chuckled.
Jaye chuckled too. "That I've got to see." She pet Ingrid. "What's wrong with her Daddy. She's not as bouncy."
"She's getting on, Lass. Great Danes dona live long. Tis their breed." he patted the dog on the head, "She has been good to us lass, that she has. just like yer old man, she'd miss ya."
His eyes had tears for a moment, "Yer old man miss ya too."
"Oh Daddy I've missed you so much too." Jaye said and hugged her daddy and let the tears fall a little. It was just her and him her entire life. He tried to raise her to be girly for that is what her mother would have wanted but she was to much like him and was a regular tom boy. They did everything together growing up. It was really hard for them. She was an extremely hyper child and extremely smart, gifted is what the experts said. She didn't attend regular school because she got bored to easily. Instead he hired the best tutors he could find and as a result she had several Master's degrees by the time she was nineteen.
Lord Robert Burnett's eyes sparkled, "Lass, tis a bit surprising that ye've been here and have yet to ask on Galopprennbahn. She been waiting for ya."
Jaye's eyes widened. "I totally forgot." She started to get all bouncy like she did when she was a kid. "I want to see her. Daddy take me out there."
"All ye had to do was ask, Lass." he extended his arm to her, which she took immediately. They strolled out of the Library, down one of the large halls, and out in the court yard.
They walked peacefully, Jaye enjoying every moment, every scent, every sound around her. How she missed running down the paths, collecting flowers and chasing butterflies. She missed her home, dearly.
It took them ten minutes for them to arrive to the stables. The horses neighed, smelling a familiar scent. Burnett. One of the stable hands bade them good evening. "She's right here, Lady Alison." he guided them through the numerous stales, until the came to the very last one. Jaye held her breath, watching, the little dark foal sleeping soundly next to the mare. A white blaze mark came down of the foal's head.
"Oh she's beautiful daddy." Jaye said with tears in her eyes. "Who's the Sire?"
"Aye, she is. But Lass, don't ye see the likeness? The sire is yer Uncle's horse Cobrathon."
"Cobrathon?"
"Aye, Cobrathon. Don't ye remember lass? The black stallion, the one yer Uncle James raised." Robert Burnett explained. "He wanted a foal from Galopprennbahn."
"But I don't want to get rid of the foal." Jaye said. This was a very old argument between father and daughter.
Her father looked at her, "Ye can't have the foal. Lass. But ye might talk to yer Uncle." Winking at her, he added. "He may bargain with ye."
One of the butlers rushed up to them, "Laird, Lady. Cook says that yer supper will be set in an hours time."
"Thank ya, Patrick." Robert Burnett said, "Shall we go Lass? Ah think yer young man must be making a long hole in my floor by now."
"Yes Daddy, let's go." She took his offered arm. "Is Uncle James going to be coming to see me before I go in two days?" They walked towards the house.
He walked with her, her arm embraced in his, "Aye Lass, he is. Wanted to see ye. Says he has a surprise for ye."
"Oh? I love Uncle James's surprises. I've missed him." They walked into the house. "Is he coming for dinner?"
He nodded, "Tomorrow for supper." They had walked most of the path, nearing the Manor and within a few minutes they had entered the grand foyer of the house.
"Ye better get yer man. He must be scared to death by now." he smiled, as he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "See ye at dinner, Lass."
Jaye ran up the stairs and over to Flint's room to insure him everything was alright. Pushing the latch downwards, she gently pushed the door open. She watched him pace in front of the large fireplace.
He looked up, spotting her silhouette near the door, "Allie!" he rushed to her, embracing her in his arms. "I've been here waiting. Is everything alright?"
She hugged him back. "Yes. Everything is good. But you need to get ready for dinner. It will be served shortly." She kissed him on the lips softly. "I need to go get ready myself. Wear the tux."
He nodded, "Alright I'll dress like a penguin, this time." he teased.
She giggled, as she left the room, and walked to her chambers in the east wing. She put on her royal strapless full skirt gown. "This will make a few heads spin!" she giggled.
A knock at the door, told her that Flint had come to pick her up. She saw his head entered the room, "Wow! This is your room?" She nodded, "The whole base can fit in here!" he exclaimed, making her to laugh.
"Come on," she tugged on his arm, "we're late for dinner."
"Can we skip dinner?"
"No." pulling him down the hallway, and down the grand staircase, and into the large dinning hall.
After the meal, Flint escorted Jaye back to her rooms, she plopped down on her king sized canapé bed and picked up her phone and dialed her best friends number and listened to it ring.
"I swear, if it's you again! I'm going to throw several stars at you! " came the angry female voice on the other end.
"Whoa is that any way to talk to the person that helped you hide the bodies?" Jaye asked. There was a smirk on her face.
"Allie!" Scarlett voice rang through the line, "As for the bodies, there maybe a new one by the time you get back here! make it several!"
"Why, what's going on?" Jaye asked ready for some juicy gossip.
She heard a groan come from the redhead, "Well, for one, Shipwreck has been calling me ever half hour! doing a Darth Vader impression and saying 'I know what you did last month!' I'm about to get over there and strangle him!"
"At least it's not a Kermit the Frog impression this time." Jaye commented. She began to twist her hair with her fingers.
"Oh please! not that! Ever since the Muppet Movie, that 's all he does!"
"I know. Do you know that the day before yesterday he asked if I would be his Miss Piggy?"
She could see Scarlett rolling her eyes before answering, "Yes, the Pig PT has gone down in history!"
"Don't worry we will get Beach Head back." Jaye said. "When he least expects it. So tell me what happened with Hawk?"
"Let's say what didn't happen with Hawk. I've never been so embarrassed in my life! He really laid it on thick to both Duke and me. Right now I'm about to tear that blond man's head off! The lecture was bad enough! But the punishment… " her voice trailed off.
Jaye was giddy with anticipation. "Why are you going to kill Duke? What was your punishment?"
She heard a small growl over the other end, "Because all of this mess is his fault! He started the argument in the first place! As for the punishment, or lets say punishments…well, one, I have extra paperwork for three weeks, and so does he. That's not the bad part though. Oh God." she could picture Scarlett covering her face.
"Come on honey." Jaye coddled her. "It will make you feel better to talk about it."
Scarlett let out a sigh, then, "Allie, this is torture! pure torture! Hawk has both myself and that field commander of ours act nice to each other! We have an entire dialogue too! Hawk's idea of punishment is if we meet each other in the halls, rooms, or even in the training areas, we have a whole speech to go through. And knowing you, you are going to make me tell you? huh?"
"Spill it Red." Jaye ordered
"Fine. Let me get my paper, wait." she heard some papers ruffling over the other end, then Scarlett's voice came back on. "Alright, I can't believe this! Anyway this is how it goes, Him: Hello Scarlett, Me: Hello Duke, Him: Nice weather we are having. Me: Yes, Duke the weather is nice. Him: Would you like some help, Scarlett? Me: Either Yes I would love for you to help me, Duke or No, thank you, but thank you for the offer, Duke." Scarlett's voice got louder." JAYE!!! Stop laughing! Him: Would you like me to escort you anywhere, Scarlett? Me: Why, Thank you Duke, it will be nice to have company. Him: You look very nice today Scarlett, Me: You look very nice today too, Duke. Him: Have a nice day, Scarlett, Me: Have a nice day, Duke. And that is how we finish it. Just shoot me now! And then there was that other thing, wait, forget I mentioned that!"
Jaye was laughing so hard her sides were hurting. "What...other...thing?"
"Well, at first, we tried to avoid each other as much as possible to avoid the embarrassment. So, if I see him down the hall, I go the other way. If he sees me, he bolts the other way. But those men! Clutch decided to make us both meet! And well, we had to do our punishment! Hawk has Breaker on surveillance duty on us. Anyway, we met after lunch, and had to do our act in front of most of the men. Well, we argued… and you know what that meant… right?"
"Back in Hawk's office."
"Yes, back at Hawk's! Allie, I've never seen him so angry! Even when Falcon and Shipwreck flooded the Pit with that idea of theirs! I can't believe it, but this punishment surpassed even what he did to them! He's making us sing! Jaye! Hawk is making us sing, Bette Midler's My One True Friend!!! JAYE!! stop laughing! It's not funny!"
"Yes..it…is." Jaye was laughing hysterically. "Oh man…I've..got…tears..in..my…eyes."
"You're no help. Well, I'm avoiding him, as much as possible. I'm not singing in front of the entire base! But tell your fiancé over there that he may have to find a replacement best man, and I already know about the betting pool! And speaking of which, how is everything? Did your Dad blow his top yet? Or are you bringing Flint back here in a body bag?"
"It was a rough start but I think daddy is warming up to him very, very, very slowly." Jaye sighed. "Poor Dash."
"I hope everything will turn out well Allie, Don't worry, it always does."
"I know. But my father is extremely over-protective of me and no one has ever been good enough for me in his eyes."
"Allie, I think every parent feels about that for their child. The man I will bring home will have to face one Irish Catholic father and three brothers, who are all black belts in martial arts. At least, Dash all has to face is one Scot who knows how to sword fight."
"And has an entire army at his disposal not to mention a fully functional dungeon."
She heard a giggle on the other end, "Oh yes, forgot about the dungeon! You need to give Flint the nickel tour!" a sound of banging came apparent from the background." One moment Allie." she heard the receiver being put down on the table as Scarlett answered the door. She heard the redhead talk to someone, then the door closed, "Allie, I have to go, that was Alpine. You're not going to believe what they did now! I'm going to kill them! I'll talk to you soon, have fun on the trip."
"Alright, you have fun too." Jaye teased. "I'll call you soon with the update." They hung up.