Alison shivered as the wind picked up on the beach, and she zipped up her newly purchased fleece. Even though it was December the drastically cooler temperatures she woke up to had come as somewhat of a shock. The cold had apparently chased away the other tourists, as she had the beach all to herself. It reflected perfectly on her current mindset, since she felt like she was totally alone in the world.

She once again tried to read the book that she also recently purchased. But as much as she wanted the fictional escape, she couldn't force herself to concentrate. It had been two days since she had spoken to Flint, and she still hadn't been able to get back to that level of peace she had felt before their conversation. Alison's cell phone rang and she frowned at the unknown number that was on the display. She briefly wondered if Flint was trying to trick her into answering by using a different phone to call her. She almost didn't answer it, but her curiosity got the better of her.

At first no one spoke, so she figured her initial assumption was correct. But then, through a haze of static she heard a voice that belonged to a person she had been desperate to talk to. "Shana! Finally! I've been calling you for a couple of weeks."

"I know. I'm sorry, I'm on a retreat, so I hadn't checked my messages in days. What happened? You sounded so upset. Are you okay? Is it the baby?"

"No, the baby is fine. And I'm physically fine." Alison had to pause a moment as her emotions threatened to get the better of her. "But I'm a mess. General Bradshaw found out about Flint and I and the baby, and he threw me out of the army."

Scarlett gasped. "Oh, honey. I'm so sorry."

Alison then spent the next few minutes recapping the ordeal. Once she was done she ended with, "I have no idea what I'm going to do now. I've spent the last few days in La Jolla, trying to avoid any contact with Dash."

"He must be worried sick."

"I'm sure he is. And frankly, I don't give a shit."

"I don't blame you. But what are you going to do? You can't stay in hotels forever."

"To be honest, I don't know. I wake up each day with a new plan. One minute I'm planning on touring Europe for a couple of months, the next I'm debating the pros and cons of moving back to the Vineyard."

"But you haven't considered staying in Arizona?"

"No. Not even once. That's the one plan I've ruled out."

Scarlett exhaled sharply. "I wouldn't be so hasty on that."

"Really? I assumed you, of all people, would understand why I need to get out of Arizona and never look back."

"Al, I do understand why. And believe me, if it was just you we were talking about, I would tell you to buy a plane ticket to Tokyo and I would find you a spare room to move into. But your baby is also going to be affected by your decision. A baby that is still half Dash's. So as much as you would like to sever all ties, you can't."

"So what are you saying? I just suck it up and move back? I can't do that. I can't watch him go off to the Joe team every morning, while I sit at home taking care of the baby that he helped create but didn't get punished for. That scenario might mean the baby gets to live with both of its parents, but I guarantee you that the hostility that develops is not going to be good for anyone."

"No, it won't. But why does it have to be such a hostile environment? Al, I know how much you love him. How could General Bradshaw's decision turn your feelings around that drastically?"

For at least the second time during their conversation, Alison wondered what had gotten into Scarlett to turn her into a mellower version of her previous self. "Because if anyone should have taken the fall, it should have been him."

"Come on. I know you're mad about it, but you can't blame Flint for how the general doled out the punishment."

"I know that. I'm annoyed because I've said that Bradshaw is a misogynist, while Dash has done nothing but defend him. But that's not what really pisses me off. We spent days together at his parents' house where he tried to convince me that we could be happy with a life outside the Joe team. He told me how all he needed was the baby and me. But when push came to shove, he decided that the Joes were actually his first love."

"So what are you saying? You want him to quit the Joes?"

"Honestly? I think that's the least he could do at this point."

Scarlett went quiet. She then asked. "Do you still love him?"

This time Alison paused. She thought back to the middle of the previous night when she had woken up and in her half-asleep state, had reached out for Flint, but came up with nothing but air. She had felt such a pang of longing for him that still hadn't dissipated. "Yes. And I do miss him so very much. But you should know that sometimes love just isn't enough."

"True. But you were fired because of that love. And now you're going to throw away the relationship because you lost your job. Doesn't that seem like a double whammy?"

"It does. And believe me, I would love nothing more than to rub into Bradshaw's face how strong our love is. That despite it all, we're going to live happily ever after. And maybe one day my anger at Dash will fade enough that I can do that. But I'm not there yet. So right now I'm looking for my happily ever after with just the baby and myself."

"How is your pregnancy going?"

For the first time in the conversation, Alison smiled. She rubbed at her abdomen. "Really well. I've felt great the last few weeks. And I have a cute little baby bump." Alison chuckled to herself. Apparently Flint's family had rubbed off on her, as she just used a euphemism she used to hate.

"Do you know what it is yet?"

"No. I have a pretty good feeling that it's a girl, and hopefully next week I'll get a confirmation on that."

Scarlett went quiet for a moment. "Alison, I don't want to act like I have all the answers, but coming out here gave me a chance to do a lot of reflection on my life. I was finally able to overlook the small details to see the big picture. I realized that Duke really was trying to do the right thing. And once I did, so much of my anger finally dissipated. Because of that I'm now in a place where I can find satisfaction in my life again."

Alison began to tear up. She was happy for her friend, but she couldn't foresee that moment of Zen coming into her life any time soon. Scarlett continued, "One thing that I never told you was that I've always been jealous of the amount of affection Flint has shown you. It's obvious he's a man that loves with such passion. His country, his job, his family, but especially you and now the baby. I don't know exactly what happened in the general's office and what is going through Flint's head right now. But I do know he would never intentionally hurt you.

"Right now you are mired in the pain of a few actions. Believe me, I know it's hard but you have to try to see past those hurts. Take a step back to see that you have a man that desperately loves you. I'm sure the only thing he wants now is to figure out how to make this work with you."

Her tears began to flow freely. Alison wanted to believe that Scarlett was right, but whenever she tried to focus on Flint's love for her, she kept flashing on the image of him sitting silently in General Bradshaw's office. And then her anger overtook any good feelings she tried to call up. So she knew she still had a lot of soul searching to do. "Scarlett, thank you for this. You have given me a lot to think about."

"I hope it helps. Our retreat is wrapping up tonight, so I'll be back home tomorrow. If you need to talk again feel free to call, any time of day or night. I'll check back with you in a week or two and you can tell me about your ultrasound. And, Alison, I know you have other things on your mind, but at some point give Duke my letter. I'm ready for him to read it."

"Sure. I'll need to eventually head back to HQ to pack my things, so I will the next time I see him."

Scarlett thanked her, told her to take care and then she hung up. Alison leaned back into her beach chair and looked out onto the ocean. The wind picked up again, and rain drops began to fall. With a sigh Alison stood to collect her things. Any more thoughts to Scarlett's words of wisdom would have to come from the shelter of her hotel room.

Flint sat at the corner table in the commissary. Between having his back to the cafeteria and giving the impression of reading the book in front of him, Flint hoped he conveyed the back off message. He knew if he really wanted to be left alone he should stay in his room, but he decided about an hour ago that he needed a new wall to stare at.

He again tried to read the words on the page he had been staring at the last few minutes, but a conversation taking place behind him caught his attention.

"I just don't get what else she can take from me. What bothers me the most is that what I make is public record. She can look at any Army pay chart and see that I am actually giving her a little more than the court mandated percentage. But she's still not satisfied."

Flint subtly turned around, and as he guessed it was Mainframe that was ranting and raving. Flint sighed, as he assumed he was watching what was most likely going to be his similar future.

Mainframe continued his tirade, but Flint only half listened as he focused more on his own pity party. However, once Mainframe mentioned his lawyer that caught Flint's attention.

Mainframe stood to leave and Flint followed him out. "Blaine, can I talk to you a minute? I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

"Sorry about that. My lawyer called this morning, which always sets me off."

"That's actually why I want to talk to you. Your lawyer, is he a good one?"

Mainframe stared at him a moment. "Uh, yeah. I use a whole law firm that specializes in domestic cases. There are a couple of really good guys on staff. Why, do you need one?"

Flint sighed. He had debated lying and using the tried and true 'no, it's for a friend'. But he had a feeling Mainframe would see right through it. And Flint knew Mainframe wouldn't judge him. "I don't know. I hope not, but in case I do I figure it's probably better to be prepared."

"Come with me to my office, I'll get you their card."

Once there, after Mainframe handed him the business card, he said, "Flint, knowing Lady Jaye and how she feels about you, I can't believe she'd do anything to hurt you. But I once thought the same thing about my ex. So give these guys a call, just for the free consultation. I hope you never need to use them, but it doesn't hurt getting a head start on protecting your rights. Congratulations on the baby, by the way."

"Thanks. I just hope I get a chance to help raise it."

"I hope so too. Despite everything that Ron and I have gone through, I forget all about it when I'm with my kids. They really mean the world to me, and I try not to let the problems I have with their mother interfere with the little time I get with them."

Flint nodded. He was saved from continuing the awkward conversation by an appearance from Breaker. "Flint, Scarlett is on the phone. But when you're done, don't hang up. I still have a line of guys looking to talk to her."

Flint ran to his office to take the call in private. "Red, nice to hear from you. How is life on the other side of the world?"

"It's been good," Scarlett answered. "I don't mean to be abrupt, but chatting with Breaker and Dial-Tone cut into my phone time here, so I'm going to cut right to the heart of the matter. I talked to Alison earlier."

"Oh yeah? Is she still happy in La Jolla?"

"Well, she's still in La Jolla, but I don't think she's happy. I know this is none of my business, but I've had the time the last few weeks to really sit and think about mistakes I've made in life. Mistakes I don't want to see the two of you make."

"Thanks in advance for the advice, but I don't know how much it's really going to help. Alison has made it pretty clear the last few days that she wants nothing to do with me."

"That's not true. I talked to her for a long time, and the one thing she admitted is that she still loves you. She's just so hurt by how things played out."

"I understand that. That's why I want to do whatever I can to help her through this. But if I even suggest getting together to talk, she shuts me down."

Scarlett sighed. "Flint, you have to understand what she's going through. She feels betrayed by General Bradshaw and, quite frankly, you."

Scarlett's statement came as no shock to Flint, as he suspected as much. But still, having it confirmed pained him. "So what do I do to fix this?"

"Make a grand romantic gesture and quit the Joe team as a show of solidarity with her."

"Okay, fine."

Scarlett began to sputter. "Dash, no. You can't do that."

Flint slapped his forehead. "Didn't you just get done telling me that is what I need to do to get her back?"

"I didn't mean it that way. I wanted to show you how she's being selfish and unreasonable right now. Yes, she got burned by this, but that still doesn't mean you need to throw away your career to make her happy. I think if you're patient and let her sort through this, she'll come to the same conclusion herself."

"I don't think I have that kind of time. In less than five months she's going to give birth to our baby. I kind of want to be on speaking terms with her at that point. And besides, I think I've already waited too long. I don't think she's being unreasonable or selfish, I promised her that whatever happened that we would get through it together. Once the general made his announcement, I should have turned in my resignation. We started our affair together, we made a baby together, so we should have been fired together."

"That's very noble of you. And if that's what you have your mind set on, I hope it works. I'm just afraid that she will be only temporarily appeased. Because in the end, she's still going to need to figure out what to do with her life post-Joe."

Flint mulled what Scarlett said. He had thought a lot about what Alison could do, especially after the conversation with his parents. He would never admit it to Scarlett, because he knew it would make him sound sexist and old-fashioned, but a part of him hoped that she would decide to settle down and focus on raising the baby. "And I want to help her do that. Which I can't if she's blinded by resentment. And if it doesn't work at least I satisfied myself that I tried everything to keep my family together."

"And hopefully that will trump the regrets you feel."

"There won't be any regrets. These last couple of days proved to me that I don't want the Joe team if I can't have her. And regardless of how it works out with Alison, the one thing that's certain is that I'm going to be a father. I can provide a much more stable environment for my son or daughter in the civilian world."

Scarlett sighed. "I think that's debatable. But it sounds like your mind is made up. Just take a little more time to think it over. It's only been a few days."

"I will, but I really think this is the right call. Did she tell you I finally proposed?"

"No! Congrat," Scarlett began but then she abruptly cut off her well-wishes.

For Flint that was further proof that his relationship with Lady Jaye was in dire shape. If Alison didn't even tell her closest friend about her engagement, it potentially meant she had no intention of following through with it. "Scarlett, that's why I have to do this. I asked her to marry me last week in the midst of a great time together spent with my family. It proved to me that we can have a good life together away from the Joe team. Which is something you should know about. Unless life isn't so rosy in Japan?"

"No, it is. And I think it was the best decision I made to come out here. You're right that HQ, for a variety of reasons, had developed a toxic environment the last few months. And maybe you too need to get away. I just want to make sure you're doing it because you really want to, and not because you feel like she's giving you an ultimatum."

"No, it's what I want to do." Which wasn't totally true. He truly was okay with the decision, but if he was being honest, he did feel like he had a proverbial gun to his head. One where he had to decide if he wanted Alison or the Joes. And the choice was a no-brainer.

"Okay." Scarlett went quiet, and Flint braced himself for another round of questions. Instead she changed subjects. "So how is the intelligence department? They must be short-handed now."

"They are, but Chuckles and Falcon are handling it."

"Can you transfer me to one of them? I want to see if they have any questions. And Flint, keep me posted. I'm rooting for you guys."

"Thanks," Flint said. He transferred the call, and then he let Breaker know that Scarlett was talking to the remnants of the Intelligence Department. He then sat down to compose his letter of resignation.

The words came easy. He had to take a couple of breaks to research dates on his service history, to solidify his case. He then read it over a couple of times, and placed the letter on his desk. He debated listening to Scarlett, and to wait before presenting it to General Bradshaw. He knew at the very least he should probably sleep on it, and approach the general in the morning. But now that the decision was made, he didn't want to wait any longer. So, grabbing the letter, he went to General Bradshaw's office.

The general was in and told Flint to take a seat at the front of his desk. "No, sir, I prefer to stand. I'm turning in my resignation, which I hope you will make effective immediately. As you can see in my file, I never officially reenlisted when my time was up last year, as I was granted an extension thanks to the War with Cobra."

General Bradshaw deeply frowned. "Warrant Officer Faireborn, you do understand that regardless of that I still need to approve this to make it official?"

"Yes, sir." Flint handed him his paperwork. "I drafted a letter which details my request and the supporting arguments."

The general skimmed through the letter before he spoke. "Unfortunately for you, I disagree. I realize that you have issues that you need to sort through, but if the Army granted discharges to everyone with personal problems, we would have very few men in our ranks."

"But, sir, I also pointed out that I have fulfilled my commitment to the Joe team, and then some. I've paid my debt to Uncle Sam."

"I appreciate that. And yes, technically, your time is up. But I hope when you agreed to join the G.I. Joe team it was made clear to you that you were signing up to a forward deployed unit. Which means basically, we are a unit at war. As you've seen over your last few years here, that a battle with Cobra and other terrorist groups can happen at any time and any place. And therefore, we can't just allow the men assigned here to just up and quit on any given day."

Flint felt his anger bubbling to the surface. "Sir, can I have permission to speak freely?"

"Of course," the general responded with a wave of his hand.

"Everything you have said is valid. I'm just wondering if this is just another way that you're punishing me for my affair with Lady Jaye."

General Bradshaw chuckled and shook his head. "First of all, based on what I've seen and heard the last few days, you've been punished enough for your actions. Secondly, it's awfully egotistical of you to think that I'm basing all of my decisions on how I can hurt you, as opposed to what's best for the Joe team. Do you want to know why I made the decision that I did?"

Flint took a seat. "Yes, I would."

"When I first learned of your affair, my initial instinct was a dishonorable discharge for both of you. But then I talked to several of your colleagues as well as General Abernathy and learned there was more at play. Ms. Hart-Burnett was discharged not because of the affair you two were involved in, but because of the choices she made once she learned of her pregnancy. By keeping quiet of her condition, she put her and her unborn child at risk."

Flint nodded. "But, sir, I too engaged in the deception."

"Yes, I'm aware of that. But ultimately we are talking about her health and body, so she had the final say. And I assumed you did not know or want her to go on the mission to Scotland?"

Flint sighed. "That is correct."

General Bradshaw nodded. "It was not an easy decision for me. I may not know her that well, but I had received nothing but glowing reports about her past performance. Unfortunately, that was not enough to excuse her most recent actions." The general then paused. "As for your fate, how well do you know Sergeant Hauser?"

Flint was taken aback from the question. "Pretty well, sir."

"Then are you aware of the extent of his continuing injuries he sustained in his battle with Serpentor?"

Flint had to admit that he wasn't. For the first couple of months after Duke had been released from the hospital, he had asked Duke how he had been doing. But in typical male machismo, after Duke had said several times that he was fine, Flint stopped asking. "No, sir. I was under the impression that he had returned to normal."

General Bradshaw shook his head. "He hasn't. I admit that I don't know what is normal for him. I also don't want to overplay it, as you can see that in his day to day operations that he can function just fine. But from what I've heard from the medical staff and Duke himself is that he is nowhere near where he used to be, and is not cleared for field work."

Once again Flint startled. He had noticed that Duke had pushed the latest missions off. Flint had assumed that was Duke voluntarily taking the extra time, and not because he had to.

"Which means with Beachhead going to DC and Falcon having his hands full with the intelligence department, that without you, the Joes are left without a Field Commander."

"I'm sure it can be arranged to have Beachhead stay here," Flint said lamely.

General Bradshaw glared at him. "I'm sure it could. But may I also remind you that thanks to your illicit affair, General Abernathy has already lost one of his potential Joe recruits, so I'm loathe to ask him to give up another. And I also could transfer Falcon and put him on the fast track to training for more field work. But again, I'm finding it hard to come up with compelling arguments why I should disrupt this team any further to make sure you get what you want."

Flint opened his mouth for a rebuttal, but the general waved him off. "No, now it's my time to speak freely. As you know, I have a wife and two sons so I know what it's like to be an expectant father. I remember how much love I felt for my wife when she was pregnant, and how all I wanted to do was protect her and the baby she was carrying. And as much as I wanted to be there for them every minute of the day, I knew I had a job to do. My first son was born during month three of an overseas deployment. The first time I held him, he was nearly six months old. It was hard on me, but it was a lot harder on my wife. However, we had made a commitment to the US Army, where family separations are a fact of life."

Flint dropped his head. General Bradshaw was echoing the conversation he had had with his father the previous week. He suddenly became embarrassed by his actions, and wanted nothing more than to leave the general's office. But General Bradshaw continued his tirade. "Apparently, you and Ms. Hart-Burnett seem to think you are exempt from Army law. Which is another reason why she lost her job. I made the decision to let you keep yours because I was under the impression that despite a few lapses in judgment you were still an upstanding Army officer. I'm beginning to have second thoughts. There's a part of me that wants to grant your request, because I don't have the tolerance for the kind of insubordination you've shown me."

General Bradshaw took a deep breath. "However, I'm hoping that your personal situation has temporarily clouded your ability to make rational decisions. So I'm leaving this in your hands. If after everything I just said you feel that you can not perform your duties without distraction, than I want you the hell off of my team and out of the army. But before you make your decision I want to leave you with one more piece of information. When I talked to Sergeant Hauser about you, he reiterated to me how he is not at one hundred percent. But the reason why he hasn't turned in his own resignation due to medical reasons is that he knows he can count on you to help pick up his slack. So if you decide your personal issues are more important than your commitment to this team, I want you to know that there is more at stake than just your job. Duke's career, and quite possibly the fate of the Joe team rest in your hands."

Flint hesitated only a few moments before he spoke. "Sir, I apologize for my actions. Please disregard my request as you and the Joe team have my complete support."

General Bradshaw handed him his paperwork. "Good. Now get out of my office."