"Well, it looks like the future of GI Joe is secure, now that we have evidence of Cobra's operations," Flint spoke later that day, back at the base. "I just talked to my contacts at the CIA and since we've verified the existence of Cobra, they're more than willing to talk budget now."
Hawk frowned. He, Duke, Flint, and Lady Jaye were in his office, going over the success of the mission.
"I thought you would be happy about that," said Duke, noticing his former commander's expression.
"Well, that is good news, but…" he wondered how to say it. He knew, even with the two men being "watchdogs" that he could be frank in front of them with no repercussions.
Lady Jaye spoke up. "What Hawk means to say is we kind of like being on our own, without any outside influence. Now that they have the budget to loom over our heads, they'll want us to jump through their hoops." She shrugged, knowing exactly how Hawk felt.
Flint frowned. "So, what, are you saying you'd rather be what, a rogue group?"
Hawk and Lady Jaye's eyes met. "No, we're not saying that," they lied at the same time.
Hawk cleared his throat. "No, I guess what Allie and I mean is that being beta testers for MARS has had more benefits than I could have imagined. Once Washington steps in, we'd have to forego that contract, I'm sure."
Duke rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I'm not so sure. It's still money that has the loudest voice, even in the military. You might be able to continue your deal, and not having to worry about nickel and pennies they hold over your head….I very well remember the old days of GI Joe when they threatened us with pulling the budget, and the crap they sent us there at the end."
They all sat, lost in thought, remembering. Allie stole a glance at Flint, and saw he was watching her. She blushed, looking away quickly, upset that she had been caught.
He tried not to smile. If she was blushing, that was a good sign. Well, anything not a glare nowadays was a good sign, he thought wryly. It had helped that he had seemed more a team player lately, and his daring plan on their mission had been a success. If he had more time, could he finally win her over? He wasn't sure, but he wasn't opposed to trying.
Duke moved over and slung his arm around Allie. Flint frowned, wondering again why the two seemed so cozy all of a sudden.
"I'm not sure if I want to know what the two of you are thinking, but you have my support. Just keep me in the dark, so I don't get raked over the coals for it," he chuckled.
The two men left, leaving Hawk and Lady Jaye to talk.
"What do you think?" he asked her.
She frowned. "I think we can trust them. I mean, if we couldn't, we'd probably be busted by now. Bringing Duke in on some of the details is fine. I can't see him being too loyal to anyone in DC, considering our past with them. Flint, however….well, he's always been a black or white guy. He has a hard time seeing gray areas and while I can't see him blowing the whistle on us to the CIA, it's best to not be too open in front of him."
He nodded, glad they were on the same mindset.
"What now?" she asked him.
He rubbed his temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache. "Well, now we start to change our focus from simply observing to more engagement. We'll need to recruit others, but I'd still like to stick to specialists. It all depends on what Washington believes is our mission. Are we merely intelligence and covert operations, or are we more engagement? There are enough teams out there today that could handle the engagement, but I would like to keep it all in the same family. I can't see us handing off our information so that it can be manhandled by another division," he said bitterly, knowing it had happened before. "I can see asking Duke to resume his position in charge of troops, Flint as our strategist. Those two work well together."
He leaned forward. "I don't want you to think, in any way, that this replaces what you do. You're still my second, and will remain so. However, since my days of being in the field are pretty much over," he said dryly, "you'll be my eyes and ears out there. I trust you to make the decisions for me, if needed."
"Thanks," she said gratefully. "I'll try not to let you down."
He cleared his throat. "I'd like you to talk to your cousins, see what their take is on us keeping the contract we have. We'll see what we can work around with Washington. I might have to send you there as well," he gruffed, and she nodded, understanding perfectly what he meant. Even in the Pentagon, her family's influence could be felt. She didn't like doing it, but if it would help them out, it was worth it.
He was silent for a moment, looking out the window at several Joes who were on the training field. "I'm going to have to go recruiting. I'd appreciate any advice on that, as well, if you have anyone in mind. I've a mind to send Duke and Flint, but I think we'd rather hand pick our team," he stated, turning back to her. "So, since both of us will be gone, we'll have to leave someone in charge until one of gets back. I've a good mind to say Duke, although I'm tempted to take him with me, wanting to know his opinion as well."
She knew what he was waiting for. She tried not to sigh. "If Flint's in charge, I think things will go okay. He really proved himself to the team on this last mission. They're used to following orders from him from before so…," she shrugged, leaving the rest unsaid.
"Okay, it's settled then," said Hawk, setting down the pencil he had been fiddling with. "I'll call the boys in here and have a talk with them first, then we'll call a meeting to update the group on our latest direction."
"When do you want me to leave?"
He frowned. "I'd like you there at the meeting, but we need to jump on this opportunity." He paused, thinking. "Would you be comfortable leaving right after?"
She smiled, nodding. She had always enjoyed flying at night.
He let a slow breath. "Okay, well, that's settled," he repeated himself. "Let the boys know I need to see them."
She left his office, deciding Breaker probably was the best person to help her find someone on base. Not much escaped his attention.
She didn't have to go that far. She spotted the two, their heads together, discussing something in low voices. She frowned. She couldn't help but feel suspicious that they were hanging out in an empty hallway where they most likely wouldn't be overheard.
She sighed, telling herself to not be so paranoid. The two had worked well with the Joes since they came and she had no reason to think anything otherwise. Yes, they had their own agencies to report to, but she knew that Hawk trusted them, and her gut trusted them as well.
Duke was the first to look up and see her. He smiled, and she found herself smiling back. Flint glanced between the two of them and frowned, but neither noticed.
"Hawk needs to see both of you."
They nodded, and she turned and went back the way she came, having delivered her message. She made her way back to her room so she could get ready to leave. She was more than happy to go home and talk to her cousins. It gave her a chance to spend some time with family and frankly, she was a little ready to give GI Joe a break. Too much had happened in the short time she had been here, and she was starting to get cabin fever.
She picked up the cell phone her cousin had given her the last time she had seen him. Recognizing her thumbprint, it lit up. She left a message for her family that she would soon be on her way home. Grabbing her bag, she realized she felt happy, and that she hadn't felt that way in a long time. She wasn't sure if it was the anticipated trip home, or the fact that the "new normal" wasn't turning out to be so bad…or she could even attribute it to the fact that she still had her position within the organization. Either way, she found herself smiling as she entered the conference room.
"So, what's up?" Courtney said, sliding up next to her. "I haven't seen you look this happy in….well, it's been a long time."
Allie winked at her friend. "I'm going home."
Courtney looked startled, glancing at her bag.
Allie laughed, something she also hadn't done for awhile. "Not forever, silly! Just for awhile, to get some things done for Hawk, but I have to say, it's the kind of mission I really need right now."
Courtney nodded, understanding. "Well, I'm glad for you," she honestly told her friend. "It'll be good for you to get away for awhile."
Flint watched the two from his corner of the room. His heart had tripped when she laughed, realizing how much he missed the sound. She genuinely looks happy, he thought. He wondered what had caused it. He hadn't been sure how she would react to the news that he and Duke would once again assume leadership roles. Then again, she and Hawk had a close relationship, and he was sure the commander had run it by her before he talked to himself and Duke.
Hawk cleared his throat, and everyone took their seat, with Allie joining Hawk up front.
He filled the Joes in with what he and Lady Jaye had discussed. When he announced the new leadership roles, several glanced at Allie to see her reaction, but her expression remained pleasant.
Allie's thoughts kept wandering to her home. She missed part of Hawk's report, but since she already knew what he was going to say, it didn't matter, she thought.
Finally, everyone was dismissed. Hawk discussed a few more details with Allie before she was finally able to leave.
She was making her way to her jet when she felt the sensation of being watched. Turning, she saw Flint walking towards her. She frowned. What now? Glancing down at her cell phone, where she had just texted her cousin, she was just able to read his reply when Flint spoke.
"I just wanted to say thanks," he began, sensing her impatience. Glancing up, he commented, "Seems to be a clear night. I remember how you always like being up there, with the stars," he said with a small smile.
Okay, he's trying, she thought, so I might as well be polite.
"You're welcome. Listen, I don't mean to be rude, but I really…"
He stepped closer, and she almost took a step back, but decided to stand her ground.
"I liked hearing you laugh again," he told her in a soft voice. "You can't imagine how hearing that and seeing you smile, what it does to me."
She froze. Oh no, she was not going there. She opened her mouth to speak, but her words were muffled under his lips. She felt her body begin to respond and tried to pull back. He just held her tighter, in total control of the situation.
Finally, he released her, a smile playing on his lips. "Just something to send you off," he told her, turning and walking away, leaving her staring at him, stunned.