Spring had ended and summer had begun. And with the nice warm weather, came the sounds of wedding bells. Not to mention Shipwreck's cowbell concert, which dominated the base with gong sounds, echoing in everyone's ears, making them want to rip the sailor in tiny pieces, wheelchair and all.

It had been three weeks since the announcement of Cayden Daniel Faireborn's name and all of the Joes had grown to love the little newborn, who had begun to grow rapidly through their eyes. Flint felt exhausted from the last mission, staying up with the crying baby, and working endlessly. And several Joes teased the warrant officer of smelling of diapers and baby powder.

Jaye had also been busy, helping her best friend with the wedding preparations. She enjoyed the time off from work, and spent every moment with Cayden Daniel. Flint had just started calling him Daniel, and after a few weeks of listening only to that name, she found herself calling him by that name, and wanted to murder her husband, leaving the child fatherless!

Duke and Scarlett were extremely happy, at which several Joes wanted to puke, especially when the couple stole a kiss or two around the base. Though they weren't officially married, the couple knew that in their hearts, they were. Decisions were made, and everything was set.

It was decided that the roles of best man and matron of honor went to Jaye and Flint. A surprising idea from the new mother was to have the bachelor and bachelorette parties a week prior to the wedding, to ease the pressure of a very nervous looking first sergeant. The betting pool became dominated on how many times the groom would pass out during the ceremony. The highest bet belonged to the general, who had predicted the amount of twenty times, and Doc had the smelling salts ready, just in case.

The parties were truly memorable, the girls had surprised the counterintelligence agent a lavishing party at a fancy restaurant, with several MPs dancing around them for most of the night. The first sergeant's party was also memorable, being held at the base, but once the bus load of strippers came rolling in, everyone knew that it Falcon's idea, and once the women returned from their party, finding the bus of half naked army nurses, all hell broke loose.

The entire wedding party and members of the elite team were to have a small get together at the Mess, with a full five course meal, provided by the best chef on the base, Roadblock, along with several surprises for the soon to be wed couple.

In Scarlett's suite, the whole living room had turned into a spa. Creams, masks, portable massagers, hair care products, etc. had dominated the place. Cover Girl, Jinx and Jaye wanted to make sure that the redhead would be the shinning light of the wedding, and also cause the groom to faint several times, money was at stake.

The women had just finished their faces with an herbal mask and were ready to start with the most important part, the hair.

"Alright, Shana," Cover Girl said, walking over to the redhead, who was wearing a white robe. "Your turn."

Scarlett looked at the ex-model. "Courtney, you know I love you, but dye my hair, and I will probably drive you over with the Wolverine!"

"We're not going to dye your hair, Red," Cover Girl explained. "I had to touch up mine, and Allie wanted highlights."

"Good, for a moment there I was worried," Scarlett admitted.

"Shana, don't worry. I bet it won't be that bad," Jinx said from the couch, soaking her hands in a small white bowl and feet in two white bowls.

"Won't be what bad?" Scarlett asked, becoming worried.

"Relax, all we are going to do is wash, dry and cut," Cover Girl explained.

"Cut!" Scarlett's voice squeaked.

"Shana, it needs to be cut. You have gobs of split ends," Jaye told her.

Jinx nodded. "I agree with Allie, Shana. You need a trim."

"You know, you're going to go bald if you don't trim it a little," Cover Girl joked. "Then you won't have any hair."

"What!" Scarlett almost screamed, touching her ponytail.

Jaye walked up towards her. "Come on, Shana. You know you can trust me."

"Stay back, Lady Jaye," Scarlett said, taking a few steps back. "Don't make me pull rank."

"She's scared!" Jinx said with wide eyes.

"Scared? She's petrified! Shana, this is nothing, relax," Cover Girl comforted.

"Oh, you can't pull rank with me right now, Red. We're both off duty for medical reasons, remember?" Jaye said, nearing closer towards her.

"Then, you leave me with no other choice, Jaye," Scarlett said, taking a few more steps back, then turned towards the door.

"She's trying to make a break for it! Stop her!" Cover Girl called out loudly.

Jinx tried to stand up from the couch, but slipped from her wet feet in the bowl and landed back down.

Scarlett quickly bolted out of the door, and headed down the hall at top speed.

Jaye took off chasing after her. She a very fast runner.

Cover Girl followed Jaye close behind, watching her friend dive bomb the redhead but missed due to Scarlett's quick flip. She watched the redhead turn the corner with a screaming cursing new mother shaking her fist in the air on the floor.

"Allie, you all right?" Cover Girl asked, rushing up to the covert operatives agent and helped her up.

"That's it!!! I'm going to hog tie her and shave her BALD!!!!" Jaye vowed and then took off again.

"Allie! Duke's going to kill you if do that!" Cover Girl called after her, following the woman who resembled a hurricane.

In the meantime, Scarlett had dashed down the hall, when she heard a row of Greek curses behind her. "Mori! Vlameni!"

She gulped, continuing down the corridor when a door to her right opened and Duke came out, holding a small rectangular box.

"Conrad, look—" Scarlett tried to warn, but found herself colliding with him, and sending them both on the floor.

"What on earth..." Duke exclaimed, glancing at the redhead.

Scarlett crawled behind him, watching Jaye near the couple, with a menacing look, that could even make Destro have an accident on himself. "Help me," she whispered in his ear.

"Help you with what?" Duke asked.

"With her," Scarlett answered, now towards the features of one very angry looking matron of honor.

"What's she so mad about?" Duke asked, quickly standing up, grabbing her arm and ushered her into his quarters.

Scarlett closed the door, just as Lady Jaye's fuming face came near. She leaned against it and breathed a sigh of relief, while ignoring the pounding that vibrated most of the door.

"Open the door Shana or I swear I'll shave you with the razor Shipwreck used to shave his bikini line!!!" Jaye vowed.

"Never, Jaye!!" Scarlett yelled, barricading the door with her body.

"Duke, you're going to have a bald bride!!!" Jaye yelled from behind the door..

"What's she talking about?" Duke asked.

"They want to cut my hair! MY hair!!" Scarlett said in shock to the first sergeant. "I'm not letting them touch it! Can't you threaten them or something?"

The door started to vibrate more and every known curse in every known language echoed through the wood.

"They just want to trim off the split ends. Geez," Duke commented.

"I don't care! I'm not letting them touch it," Scarlett insisted. The door had stopped vibrating, it seemed calm and quiet from the outside.

"Here let me make sure the coast is clear, then you and I will go get a drink," Duke stated as he walked towards her.

"Alright. I need something to drink. I'm thirsty from all that running," Scarlett said, walking over to his couch and sitting down, watching him open the door.

Duke opened the door, letting in Lady Jaye, who went over and sat on Scarlett.

"Get off of me you whale!" Scarlett hissed at her best friend. "And if you think you are going to cut my hair, think again! I swear I will chase you with my Sky Striker and not miss!"

Jaye got up and looked at Scarlett with a look of shock and hurt. "Fine, if you really think of me that way," she started to walk away. "Your hair can look like crap tomorrow for all I care." She stormed out.

"Why the hell did you call her that?" Duke asked slightly angry.

Scarlett glanced from the ajar door to the first sergeant. "I...I... don't know." She lowered her head, looking downwards on her lap. What was wrong with her? Her mind felt like a million people yelling at the same moment, and she slightly became frightened that it might be an aftermath of the injury.

"You know how she feels about her weight! She still thinks she's fat even though she's not! My God Shana, you know she has that depression thing that happens to women after they have babies!" Duke lectured her.

Scarlett stayed quiet, absorbing everything her fiancé was telling her. Jaye had post partum depression, and had hidden it from her, probably from everyone.

"Actually Conrad, I didn't know," she finally said in a whisper, covering her face with her hands.

Duke quickly bowed his head. "Dash, is so going to kill me."

She dropped her hands slowly, then looked at him. "Is that why he's been taking care of Daniel today?" she asked.

"He thought Allie could use some girl time," Duke answered.

"And I ruined it," Scarlett admitted sadly. "Maybe she should just shave all my hair, I deserve it."

Cover Girl knocked on the door.

"Come in," Duke called, turning around and spotting the tank jockey entering the suite.

"What's the matter with Allie?" Cover Girl asked. "She is upset and won't tell me what's wrong."

"Courtney, do me a favor, just get the Wolverine and run me over, literally," Scarlett said, looking up.

"Shana!!!" Duke shouted.

"I deserve it, Conrad! I should be her friend! And not knock her down, when she already is!" Scarlett shouted back, standing up.

Cover Girl stared at the couple in shock, wondering if she really wandered into a parallel universe where all the Joe members had gone insane!

"Forget it! I'll do it myself!" Scarlett rushed out Duke's quarters.

"Damn it!!! Shana!!!" Duke ran after her.

Scarlett ignored him, walking briskly down the hall, ignoring all the stares and confused faces. Her heart pounded, her head whirled and her face pale. Her face felt hot, red and filled with sadness. She hated hurting someone, especially someone who was dear and close, and loved like a family member.

"Shana...baby...stop!" Duke yelled, trying to catch up with her.

She could hear the concern in his voice, and she did not want to hurt him anymore than she already had. She stopped, not turning around, not facing him, her eyes glued to the ground.

He caught up with her and turned her around. "Don't scare me like that again."

Scarlett leaned against him, staying quiet.'I'm the one who is scared,' she thought to herself, closing her eyes, and smelling the strong odor of the familiar aftershave which indicated he had recently used.

He wrapped his arms around her. "I know the waiting is getting nerve-racking," he whispered. "But tomorrow will be here before you know it."

"I'm so sorry, Conrad," Scarlett said softy. "I don't want to keep scaring or hurting you, or anyone else I love."

"Shana, it's alright. I love you so much," Duke stated.

Her head rose to meet his eyes, seeing the love and affection inside burning. "I love you so much," her voice slightly trembled.

"Shh..." he pulled her tightly against him. "I know."

"Conrad I..." she tried to say, but was cut off by a louder, screaming voice that shook the walls of the hallway. It wasn't an angry general, or a screaming Joe being chased by a bear hunting maniac, or a sailor being run over by a insane nurse, but it was the loud wail of a baby's cry.

They looked at one another and then watched the warrant officer round the corner, walking very quickly, holding the newborn in his hands, and trying to calm the child.

Flint stopped short in front of them. "Have you seen Allie? I can't stop Daniel from crying! He's been doing this for hours! Doc's not on base and Lifeline fainted when I walked in! I think he's sick, he must have Chola, or is it Chloka? Damn it! Where's Allie!"

Scarlett's eyes widened at the red features of the crying child. "You think he is colic?"

"Yeah, that too," Flint said scared.

Baby Daniel suddenly screeched more loudly, making several Joes cover their ears.

"That's it! I'm transferring to a Baby Free Zone base!" Alpine stated, running down the hall.

"Shh, Daniel, please," Flint said, rocking the baby, only to make the cries worse. "Where's Allie?

"She's in my suite," Scarlett said, taking Duke by the hand and leading both of them towards her quarters. They rushed in, breathing heavily, and found Jaye on the sofa with Jinx and Cover Girl.

"Allie!" Flint said in exasperation, holding the crying child. "Something's wrong, he won't stop crying!"

Jaye went over, took the baby from Flint's arms and cuddled him not looking or saying anything to Scarlett.

The baby stopped immediately crying, while Jaye spoke in a soft tone to the six week old.

"Well, I'll be damned," Flint said, shaking his head. "How did you do that?"

Jaye just looked up at him and shrugged. "He just wanted his mommy I guess."

"Yes, and wants his mommy to change his diappy," Cover Girl said, waving her hand in front of her face.

Flint shook his head. "I should have known." He put his arm around Jaye's shoulder. "Come on, let's take our son for a nice bath and change." He led her out of the door. "We'll see you all later," he called into the suite.

"Come on Keiko. We still have time to watch that new soap!" Cover Girl said.

"What new so—" Jinx went to say, but was grabbed by the tank driver's hand and pulled out the door, her feet still wet.

"Bye you two!" Cover Girl waved over her shoulder.

Scarlett turned to the first sergeant. "Forget the Wolverine, can you run me over with a Cobra Hiss tank?"

"Hey, don't worry about it," Duke said and pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her softly on the lips. "I've got to go change for the party. I'll be back in about an hour to pick you up okay?"

"I hope so," Scarlett said softly. "I'll be ready."

Duke kissed her again before leaving and headed towards his quarters. He walked in and realized the little box he held from before had fallen to the ground from Scarlett's bowling strike. He picked the box and a smile spread across his face. Opening it slowly, his smile grew wider, glancing down at the silver Celtic pendant. The pendant itself had been custom made for him, with the triple goddess design. In the middle of the pendant an amethyst jewel sparkled and inside a picture of them. But this pendant would be more special, it was identical to the one her mother wore, on her wedding day. Closing the emerald green velvet box, he rested it on his table, and walked into his room to finish getting ready for the party.

An hour later, he knocked on the redhead's door, only to receive no answer. Getting worried once again, he took out his master key pass and opened the door. Walking inside, he found the tarantula running loose on the floor, heading to greet him. He bent down and picked the animal in his hands, and gently put her back into the cage. He looked around the suite, but couldn't find the redhead. Panic began to consume him. He checked the bedroom, and the bathroom, but no trace of the woman he loved. He prayed that she didn't have a relapse. He was about to head out of the suite and rush to the training area when a small sound came from close to the bedroom.

Duke noticed that the door to Lady Jaye's old bedroom was slightly open. Walking over and peeking inside, his eyes widened, finding his missing fiancée on the bed, still in her robe, her hair mostly damp, holding the stuff skunk tightly, and with closed eyes. In two strides, he was by her side, and leaned down to touch her cheek.

Her features had a familiar look, which made his heart skip a beat, and he knew that the aftermath of the injury had still not healed. He alone knew how long it would take for that wound to heal itself, and he closed his eyes. Standing straight, he rushed into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water, and two aspirins, then immediately went back to her side, to awaken his love.

"Shana...baby, come on, wake up," he said as he sat down on the bed next to her.

Scarlett's eyes slowly opened, squinting, and seeing finding him there, already dressed. "I'm must have fallen asleep."

"Are you all right?" he asked worriedly.

She nodded. "Just a headache," she said, slowly rising from the bed. "I called Allie, to apologize and she hung up on me."

"Just give her some time," Duke said and held out the aspirins to her. "Here take these."

"Alright," Scarlett replied, taking the pills and swallowing them. She quickly got out of the bed. "I'll be ready in ten minutes." She bent down and kissed him on the cheek.

Quickly, she walked into her room, dried her hair, and put on the new black ankle length dress. She wore the first sergeant's bracelet, given last Christmas with a silver necklace and small pearl earrings completed the outfit. She stepped out of the room, and found him staring at her with an open mouth. A giggle rose to her throat.

"Let's go, we're late."

He extended his arm to link with hers and together they headed out of the suite, and towards the Mess Hall, which was decorated for the evening. The room itself had been transformed from an everyday Mess hall to an elegant restaurant space. Several Joes had already arrived, and had taken their seats at the tables, while others had already started attacking the hors d'oeuvres table.

Scarlett stared awestruck at the room, which had dark pink table clothes underneath smaller rose printed tablecloths for each table. Crystal glasses sat elegantly next to Lenox style plate sets and on each plate a small heart shape cookie held a special message. 'Duke and Red Get Hitched Tomorrow. Eat Me'

Duke spotted his family at the second table, sitting next to Scarlett's family, and waved at them. The table next to them occupied only Cover Girl, Falcon, Jinx and Beach Head, and wondered if the married Joe residents were late too.

"I wonder where Dash and Allie are at?" Duke asked taking Scarlett over to their table.

"I don't know," Scarlett answered, while he pulled the chair for her. She slightly frowned and bit her lip, hoping that they would come soon.

"Gang way!!!!!" Deep Six yelled as he came running through the mess carrying the adventurous bear.

"Deep Six, I'm going to kick you in your six if you don't give me back my bear!!!" Jaye yelled rushing in while pushing the baby carriage.

"Alison Faireborn! Get back here!" Flint came in rushing after his wife, wearing only boxers, and the entire room burst out laughing.

Everyone watched the scuba diver run madly around, being chased by the new mother, who was being chased by a mostly naked angry looking husband.

Scarlett's mouth hung open, and she whispered to Duke, "I'm not going through that phase either." Now watching her best friend push the carriage while throwing several milk bottles and hopefully clean diapers at the petrified Joe.

"Oh yes, you are," Duke teased.

"You're dead meat!!!" Jaye yelled.

"Mad Mother! Mad Mother!" Deep Six screamed at the tops of his lungs, now heading for the food table.

Scarlett covered her eyes, afraid to even look what was about to happen. "No, I'm not."

Flint growled, running a few feet from his wife, but slipped and fell on the floor, causing more fits of laughter. "Alison! I'm going to give you KP for decades!" he threatened.

"You can't cause I'm still on medical leave for two more weeks!!!" Jaye yelled back at him.

"Well, I will, once you get back on active duty! " Flint growled standing back up and rushing after her.

"Heads up!" Deep Six screamed, getting hit constantly with the wheels of the carriage. He threw the stuffed animal up in the air, and it landed in Snow Job's hands.

The arctic member sat in shock, now watching the covert ops agent do a U-turn, throwing Flint back to the ground and start chasing him!

Most everyone in the room, stared at the scene.

"Conrad! Do something! She might hurt the baby!" Scarlett stated, now watching her best friend curse in several languages.

Snow Job ventured to the left being missed by a incoming milk bottle.

"Just give me my bear and no one gets hurt," Jaye stated in false calmness.

"Snow Job give me the bear," Duke ordered, standing up. Once Duke had the bear he turned to Jaye. "You can have the bear back after the party."

Scarlett breathed a sigh of relief then her took in a sharp breath watching Junkyard jump on Duke, knocking him to the ground and grab Brutus, shaking him like a rag doll.

Mutt rushed in before Jaye could even go after the dog, who just thought this was a game and grabbed the bear from Junkyard's mouth, but Junk thought it was a game of tug and began pulling.

"Junk! Let go!" Mutt ordered his dog, who instantly obeyed but from the dog handler's pull, Brutus left his grasp and flew over several Joes heads and landed in the punch bowl.

"Well, the punch is now spiked!" Shipwreck said, causing laughter in the room

"BRUTUS!!!" Jaye cried out.

"Got you!" Flint said, grabbing Jaye with around the waist. "Now, stay still. I mean it."

"Hey, Jaye! Does that bear know how to swim?" cried out Barbecue.

"I don't think he can! Quick! Someone save the bear and do CPR! STAT!" Wetsuit said loudly, causing a few laughs.

"Let him drown!" Leatherneck growled

Scarlett jumped out of the chair, rushing to the first sergeant side. "You all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Someone grab that bear and get it cleaned up," Duke ordered.

Jaye actually had tears in her eyes, she pushed away from Flint leaving the room moments after Wild Bill had rescued the bear and left to clean it up. She took the baby with her.

Flint went to follow Jaye, but Scarlett stopped him. "Dash, let me go talk to her," she said to the warrant officer. "Please."

"Alright, I need to change," Flint answered, defeated. "Actually need to dress."

Scarlett nodded. "Conrad, please have everyone eat something. We'll be back shortly. I hope."

"Are you sure?" Duke asked worried. He had never seen Jaye burst into tears in front of everyone before, yell yes, but never cry. There were very few people she would cry in front of.

"Positive," Scarlett replied, though her stomach told her otherwise, feeling upside down.

"Alright, but if you aren't back in twenty minutes I'm going to come looking for you," Duke said.

"You got a deal, Hauser," Scarlett said, hugging him, and reaching up to meet with his lips.

"NO KISSING TILL AFTER THE WEDDING!" the entire room screamed at once.

"And no hoochie coochie either!" Shipwreck added, making everyone laugh at the couple.

"You guys want extra PT?" Duke asked loudly.

"Hey Duke! Bet you can't keep those hands off Red for not more than twenty four hours!" Flint chuckled, heading out of the Mess, before the first sergeant could reply.

Duke shook his head, mumbling about some serious punishments.

Scarlett held a giggle, walking out of the Mess, watching the warrant officer head for the barracks, and she went to follow, when she heard a sniffling sound coming from the other side. Turning towards the offices, she took several steps, and heard a small cry of a baby coming from the door to her right. Opening the door slowly, she peeked inside, and found Jaye, changing Daniel in the carriage.

"Can I come in? I promise I won't yell," she said softly.

"Go away," Jaye snapped as she softly cried.

Scarlett didn't, she walked inside the bathroom, and leaned against the wall, staring at her friend, waiting for her to relax from the tears. It was several minutes later that she tried once again. "Want to talk about it?"

"Nothing to talk about," Jaye said as she sat down and began to nurse the baby.

"Yes, there is," Scarlett said, not giving up. "You've been upset all day. And I'm part of the reason. I'm sorry, Allie."

"Yeah, well, don't worry about it," Jaye said. "You can go now."

"Can I ask you a question?" Scarlett asked, gently.

"It's a free country."

Scarlett took a deep breath and closed her eyes before asking her what possibly every Joe member was petrified to do, for several years. "Why is Brutus so important to you?"

"Duke never told you why he chose that bear for me?" Jaye asked surprised.

Scarlett shook her head. "He's never mentioned it. I know he got Brutus when you were injured, but that's all I know."

"I always packed my old bear and took it with me on missions. It looked just like Brutus. It was one my mother gave me. We had stopped for the night and Duke happened to see the bear and asked why I packed it. I told him it was the last gift my mother gave me before she died when I was really small, and it was like always having a piece of her with me. Well, the next day while our gear was in the jeep and we went into town to check up on some Intel, someone put a bomb in the jeep. I went out to get something out of the jeep, when it exploded. That's how I got injured. All our gear was destroyed in the explosion. He went and bought a duplicate bear and gave it to me in the hospital," Jaye answered in a very quiet voice never taking her eyes off her suckling child.

The redhead was speechless, absorbing every bit information that Jaye had just opened up to her. No one had known about why the bear was so important to the covert ops agent, and her thoughts went to the doll in the green dress, sitting in her room, back in Atlanta, the last gift from her own mother, when she was born. "Allie, I understand now how important Brutus is to you. I would feel the same way if something that important to me became lost."

"It doesn't matter now. It's ruined. Everyone thought it was funny to do that to me. Well I didn't," she started to cry again.

"No, he's not. Wild Bill went to clean him all up. You'll see, he will be good as new." Scarlett tried to soothe her. "And I don't think the Joes meant to keep him from you. Every time someone went to return him, you chased him or her before they had a chance to give him back. You even did that to me."

"Well it doesn't matter anymore," Jaye said, burping the baby, still highly upset.

"Why?" Scarlett asked, stepping a little close to the other woman.

Suddenly the door burst open and Bazooka with Alpine walked in.

"What the—" Alpine said in shock, seeing the women in the bathroom.

"Alpine are we in the girl's room?" Bazooka asked confused, looking at around, and scratching his head.

"No, this is the right room!" Alpine stated. "Scarlett, what are—"

"OUT! That's an order!" Scarlett said to them, watching them drop jaws, and run out of there, faster then a Beach Head telling them to do one thousand push ups.

"Duke!!! Duke!!!" the women heard Alpine and Bazooka scream down the hall.

"I'm going to kill them." Scarlett mumbled under her breath. Then looked at Jaye, who looked more upset. She had to make her feel better. "Can I hold Daniel?"

"He needs to burp," Jaye said softly as she handed the baby over. She was shaking slightly.

"Hi Daniel," Scarlett said softly to the baby. "Can you burp for Aunt Shana?" She gently rested the baby towards her right shoulder, and gently patted the little child, to burp. In a few seconds the burp sounded but also the redhead felt something like a liquid trail down her back. Scarlett's face turned into total shock from the newborn getting sick all over her. "I'm never having kids," she stated, still holding the baby in her arms, swaying gently, to relax the newborn.

"You'd make a good mother," Jaye said flatly. "Let me take him back so you can get cleaned up and back out there."

"Gee thanks," Scarlett replied. "And I'm not leaving without you."

"I'm not going back out there," Jaye said.

"Why?"

"Because I'm leaving," she answered softly.

"Alison Faireborn, what the bloody blue blazes are you talking about?" Scarlett asked in shock.

Suddenly the door opened and the first sergeant's head poked inside."GET OUT!" Scarlett snapped loudly, not even bothering to look towards the doorway. "Unless you want an arrow somewhere you don't!"

Duke's jaw hung, but slowly closed the door behind him.

"Allie, tell me why you are leaving?" Scarlett asked.

"Because I don't belong here anymore. I'm going home," she answered softly reaching for the baby.

"Why do you mean not belong here? You are one of the few who does belong here!" Scarlett replied, not letting her take the baby just yet. "Allie, you can't run from your problems. It doesn't work, trust me."

"I'm not running! I don't have a problem except you won't give me my child so I can leave!"

"Why?" Scarlett said sternly, her eyes narrowing.

"So I can go back to my suite."

"Don't you want to come to the party? You're part of my family Allie, I want you there." Scarlett said in sad tone. "I can't image something so special without sharing it with you, my best friend."

Jaye started crying again.

"Oh, Allie," Scarlett said, sniffling herself, walking up to her best friend, and hugging her tightly, carefully holding the newborn with the other arm. "I can't do this without you."

Jaye nodded while leaning against her as she cried.

The door swung open and a familiar beret peeked inside.

"GET OUT!" They both screamed at the same moment, causing the door to close immediately.

Scarlett sniffled. "You know, I'm going to need someone to help me open all those presents, and collect the bows. Know of a good matron of honor, near by, close, maybe standing in the men's room by any chance?"

This actually caused Jaye to chuckle. "Do I have to sit by the best man?"

"You can sit on him if you want, and if he calls you anything you don't like, I can really make my threat come true with that arrow part." Scarlett giggled.

"I think he should sit on the obstacle course tonight," Jaye grumbled.

Scarlett shook her head. "Now, why would someone who loves you very much sit somewhere where he hates? I think Dash is just scared. He doesn't know how to help you through this, and its hurting him inside, tearing him apart." Her eyes widened. "Just like—" she stopped speaking. '—Conrad did,' finishing her words in her head.

"It's not the same. All he does is yell at me."

Scarlett hugged her one more time. "I think he yells because he is so frustrated, seeing you suffer and he can't help. It's all bottled up and he loves you so much, that he can't see any other way. It's their own way of showing that they hate seeing the person they love go through a tough period."

"Yeah, well, that's his problem," Jaye grumbled. "Come on, you need to get back out there."

Scarlett nodded. "Daniel fell asleep," she indicated to the sleeping baby.

"Gently put him down in the carriage and we'll go out there," Jaye said softly.

The counterintelligence agent carefully put the newborn in the carriage and covered him with the blue frog design covered blanket. She kissed him on the forehead. "Sweet dreams, Daniel." She stood straight, and then looked at Jaye. "What?"

"You've really taken to him."

"Hey, I'm his godmother, I have to protect him." Scarlett smiled, then felt her whole stomach do a flip flop.

Jaye stood up and put her hand on Scarlett's shoulder. "Shana, are you all right? You're white as a ghost."

"I'm just a nervous wreck about tomorrow," Scarlett answered, "My stomach feels like a bunch of Strikers launching missiles." Walking over to the sink, and quickly taking a few towels, she cleaned herself from the baby's accident. "Come on. Let's go."

Scarlett took Jaye's arm and led her out of the bathroom's door, finding two very worried looking commanders.

Jaye refused to look at Flint as she pushed the carriage towards the table she was supposed to sit at with him and the wedding couple.

"Everything all right?" Duke asked Scarlett as he watched Jaye.

"She's mad at Flint, for yelling at her," Scarlett explained.

Flint looked up to the ceiling. "Calgon! Take me away!" Then felt a sharp pain on his shoulder. "Shana!"

"Just go apologize to her," Scarlett said, weakly.

"Alright, alright," Flint said, "Conrad, do you really want to fall into the pits of despair?"

Scarlett took a step forward with a menacing look.

"I'm going. I'm going!" he said, with his hands in the air, and the couple watched the warrant officer walk up to his wife, and son, speaking in soft tones to them both.

"What's that all about?" Duke asked in confusion.

"About Brutus, she told me everything," Scarlett said softly, wrapping her arms around his waist, and leaning her head against his chest. "I loved what you did for her, Conrad."

"She told you that?" Duke asked as he wrapped his arms around her. "I was just being her friend. She seemed so lost and like she was going to give up after that happened. I couldn't allow that."

"And I couldn't allow her to give up now," Scarlett said, glancing towards the other couple who was mimicking them, and seeing Wild Bill bring the special stuffed bear to her best friend, who indeed look good as new. "Looks like Brutus found his way home."

Jaye took the bear from Wild Bill and thanked him, there were tears in her eyes.

"Yeah, he has and now he better stay there or there will be hell to pay," Duke said. "Shall we go join them?"

"How about threatening the next person who touches Brutus cleaning Beach Head's bathroom for a decade?" Scarlett replied softer.

"Mmmm...that might work." He lowered his lips down to meet hers.

Scarlett circled her arms around his neck, deepening in the kiss and felt lightheaded.

Suddenly, a voice broke them apart.

"HEY! No kissing until after the wedding!" came Shipwreck's voice close to them.They turned to see the sailor in his wheelchair being pushed by the marine towards the bathroom's door.

Scarlett's stomach now felt more like Rattlers shooting missiles instead of Strikers, and her whole entire body began shaking, her face turned green and without knowing it, became sick all over Shipwreck and his chariot.

"Oh yuck! Not again!" the Sailor cried out.

Gung Ho looked left and right. "Clean up, Aisle One!" he yelled out.

"SHANA!" Duke exclaimed. "Are you all right?" His hand rubbed up and down her back.

"I... I... think so," Scarlett said shakily, being led away from the mess and the complaining sailor. She felt herself being seated on a chair, and looked up to the worried blue eyes. "It must be the nerves, again."

He smiled at her. "You're probably right." He dampened a paper towel and handed it to her.

"Thanks. Some party, we're the ones missing it, but then again I'm not complaining," she answered, wiping her face.

He knelt down in front of her. "I have something for you," he said softly and pulled the box out of his pocket and handed it to her.

"What's this?" Scarlett asked intrigued, opening slowly the green velvet box and her eyes widened with surprise. Her hand flew to her mouth, covering it totally, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "Oh.. Conrad... how... it's beautiful... how.." she tried to say.

"Your father showed me his wedding picture," he answered with a happy with a proud smile on his face, and wiped the tear away.

Scarlett started trembling from his love, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him tightly. Another tear fell down her cheek, and she closed her eyes, whispering. "I love you."

"I love you too and I can't wait until tomorrow," he said and kissed her cheek. "I just can't wait."

"Me either," Scarlett said, kissing him softly on his cheek.

"Come on," he said as he stood up and taking her hands in his. "Let's head back to our party."

"Yes, sir!" Scarlett saluted playfully, standing up, and leaning against him, feeling his arm wrap over her shoulder and leading her back to the party, and their family.