Chapter 4
"My mom makes the best pancakes." A voice from behind her spoke. She jumped a little and turned to face Duke.
"You scared me." Scarlett smiled.
"I'm sorry. I was just coming up to tell you that breakfast is in 5 minutes." Duke apologized.
"Oh, I'm coming now." Scarlett spoke and came out of the bedroom. She followed Duke down the steps.
"I hope you like pancakes. They're my favorite." Duke grinned like he was nine years old. Scarlett's heart skipped a beat and a smile formed on her face.
"Why are you smiling?" Duke asked.
"I like pancakes too." Scarlett beamed. They came downstairs to see Drew already at the table.
"It's about time you woke up." Drew teased Scarlett.
"Hey, cut me some slack. I'm not exactly a morning person." Scarlett laughed as Mrs. Falcone poured her a cup of coffee. Duke sat down and piled his plate high with pancakes before passing Scarlett the plate.
"So do you two have any plans today?" Mrs. Falcone asked politely. They both shook their heads.
"Maybe later we can look at some more photo albums." Mrs. Falcone suggested. Duke nodded in agreement as he stuffed his face.
"Hungry?" Scarlett asked with a giggle. Drew giggled too.
"Just a little." Duke answered after swallowing. The four chatted and ate until almost all the food Mrs. Falcone prepared was gone.
"I don't think I have eaten so much for breakfast since…well, never," Scarlett sighed leaning back in her seat.
"I hated giving up Mom's cooking for the slop they served in the army." Duke sighed also finished.
"It was delicious, Mrs. Falcone. I don't think I can move." Scarlett sighed.
"Well, I'll clean up and you two can figure out something to do." Mrs. Falcone smiled.
"Mom, I'll get it." Duke offered and took some plates over to the sink.
"If you are sure." Mrs. Falcone smiled.
"Go ahead and start whatever else you need to do." Duke ushered his mother out of the kitchen. Duke began to wash the plates as Scarlett finished her last bits of bacon.
"Now I'm really finished." Scarlett declared. She stood up and took her plate over to Duke who was staring out the window in his own little world.
"Conrad, is something wrong?" Scarlett asked worried.
"No, sorry. I was just…the lake…I felt something." Conrad shrugged it off.
"You think you are starting to remember something?" Scarlett asked.
"Maybe…I don't know." Conrad grimaced.
"Well, if you want I'll take a walk with you out there. Maybe a closer look will help you?" Scarlett offered.
"You want to?" Duke asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, I'll grab some coats while you finish the dishes." Scarlett smiled and walked off. She returned a few minutes later just as Duke was drying his hands off. She handed him a coat.
"I don't remember having a coat like this." Duke frowned.
"Trust me, it's yours." Scarlett nodded. He put it on and it fit nicely.
"Are you sure? I've never worn it before." Duke questioned looking down at himself.
"I gave you this coat a few years ago for Christmas." Scarlett explained to him. It was tearing her heart to pieces every time Duke didn't remember things that had happened, especially special times that she shared with him.
"Oh.." Duke replied softly. He looked at her apologetically.
"Let's go." Scarlett bravely smiled and tugged on his hand. They briskly walked to the lake. It was chilly for a morning at the end of May. They began to circle the lake and watch the fish swim under the water. Scarlett took a deep breath. She loved being out here with the birds singing and the beautiful scenery.
"In all the months I've been here I haven't come up here." Duke sighed taking in the scenery as well.
"It's nice. I always love coming up to the lake." Scarlett smiled.
"You've been up here before?" Duke asked curiously. Scarlett nodded.
"I shouldn't say any more." Scarlett sighed. It would be better for Duke to remember on his own then for her to tell him stories. Duke stopped walking and grabbed Scarlett's arms to stop her too.
"No, please tell me." Duke begged.
"I…don't you think it would be better if you remembered on your own?" Scarlett asked.
"That is what the doctors say, but please just tell me this. I like hearing about my life. The doctors think it will frustrate me…you know hearing about my life from someone else. And it did at first…but not now. It really helps me remember sometimes." Duke sighed looking out into the lake.
"We've been out here a few times. We usually have a picnic right where that clearing is across the way." Scarlett told Duke and pointed to a clearing in the distance.
"We as in 'you and me"?" Duke asked. Scarlett nodded slowly.
"We were really close friends." Duke mused.
"Yes, we were." Scarlett sighed.
"How close?" Duke asked. She could feel his eyes burning on her.
"There is a lake on base. You and I used to walk around it after duty sometimes. To talk and unwind." Scarlett avoided the question.
"You're not going to answer my question…" Duke frowned.
"I want to help you as much as possible, but I just can't answer that. Not yet." Scarlett shook her head. She started walking ahead. Duke came up beside her and linked his arm through hers.
"Scarlett, I'm sorry. I just wish I could remember things. I don't want to be missing out on anything." Duke apologized.
"I know this must be so hard for you. I hope me being here will help you remember things." Scarlett sighed.
"Yeah me too." Duke sighed. He took Scarlett's hand and lead her down closer to the edge of the water.
"Bet you I can skip a stone further than you." Conrad challenged.
"Bet accepted." Scarlett grinned and reached down for a stone. She tossed it over the surface of the water. Duke picked up a rock and followed her lead. His rock skipped way past hers.
"I win." Duke cheered.
"Congratulations." Scarlett smiled. They continued to walk around the lake with Duke occasionally kicking a stone out into the water.
"You say there was a lake on the base?" Duke asked.
"Yes, it's very pretty out there, especially this time of the year." Scarlett nodded.
"I wish I could remember. It sounds like we had some nice times." Duke sighed. He went to kick another rock out into the water, but his foot missed and his balance was shifted.
"Conrad!" Scarlett cried and grabbed his arm to keep him from falling into the lake. Unfortunately her attempt turned to naught. Duke grabbed onto Scarlett for support, but he sent them both tumbling into the lake. Duke popped up first.
"Scarlett?" he called searching for the red head. Moments later she popped up next to him.
"You could have let go and kept me dry." Scarlett remarked.
"Sorry. I don't remember having such poor balance." Conrad apologized.
"Uh-huh. Cute, Hauser. You have pulled this trick so many times I think it's engrained in that thick head of yours." Scarlett laughed as she waded back towards the bank.
"You mean I've done this before?" Duke asked surprised.
"A few times. And every single time you manage to pull me in too. Does that sound like an accident to you?" Scarlett raised her eyebrow as she ringed out her long red hair of excess water. "It's kind of a running gag between us."
"So I do this for fun? Falling into lakes with you? Don't I run out of dry clothes?" Duke asked.
"Well your solution is always to get the wet clothes off as soon as possible." Scarlett answered and then pursed her lips. She didn't like how that came out.
"I see. So this is my best way of getting a date." Duke blushed.
"I'll fill you in more when you start remembering some things on your own." Scarlett answered as they started walking back towards the house.
"Can you tell me what happened the first time I pulled you in?" Duke asked.
"No, I won't tell you what happened, but I will tell you that I was wearing a white shirt and blue sweats. If you want to know any more you are going to have to remember it on your own." Scarlett smirked.
"Damn, I wish I could remember that!" Duke exclaimed.
"How about after we get back and get into some dry clothes we look at some pictures. Most of the team gave me pictures for you to look through." Scarlett suggested.
"I think that's a great idea." Duke agreed. The two walked back to the house to get started on helping Duke's memory.
After getting dried off, Scarlett and Duke plopped down on the comfortable couch that adorned the Falcone's living room. Scarlett started shuffling through the box of photos that she had on her lap.
"The guys put together some pictures for you to see. Hopefully some will jog your memory." Scarlett hoped.
"Yeah, maybe something will come loose up there." Duke pointed to his head. Scarlett pulled out a picture of General Hawk.
"You remember him?" Scarlett asked.
"That's Clay Abernathy. He was my commanding officer at Special Forces training." Duke replied studying the picture.
"He's called Hawk now. He's our commander." Scarlett informed him.
"You don't say…" Duke shook his head while gazing at the picture. Scarlett took that one away and handed Duke another picture.
"How about this guy?" Scarlett asked.
"He seems familiar." Duke spoke studying the photograph as much as the first one.
"He's Flint. He's one of your best friends." Scarlett filled in.
"Flint" Duke repeated and nodded at the photograph. Scarlett pulled out another photograph.
"Flint again. Who's the lady?" Duke asked curiously.
"That's Lady Jaye. She and Flint are engaged." Scarlett smiled.
"Engaged, huh? They look happy. And I knew them both well?" Duke asked.
"Yes, very well. Flint's your next in command." Scarlett added.
"So the ranking system is Hawk, me, then Flint?" Duke asked wide eyed.
"You got it. Then there's Beach Head but we won't talk about him." Scarlett grumbled.
"I take it you don't get along with him?" Duke asked sensing her change of mood.
"No one gets along with him." Scarlett glared at the wall.
"Next?" Duke asked and dropped the photo back into the box.
"Here…" Scarlett said and handed the box over to Duke, "How about you take a look?"
"Okay." He agreed. He reached in and began to look at various pictures. He stopped at one and turned to Scarlett for the person's name.
"That's Blowtorch. He's our flame thrower." Scarlett narrated. He nodded and fished for another photo.
"This is my half brother. He's a joe too?" Duke asked as he studied the picture of the man with the beret.
"Yup, we call him Falcon. He's kind of been filling in for you." Scarlett explained.
"Who's the girl in red?" Duke asked.
"That's Jinx, his girlfriend."
"Does everyone on the team have a girlfriend?" Duke asked. He turned to see Scarlett bite her lower lip.
"Well, no. Shipwreck keeps trying, but falling short." Scarlett answered with a giggle. Duke pulled out another picture and his eyes buldged wide.
"Wow. Who's this?" Duke breathed. Scarlett leaned over to see a picture of Cover Girl from her blonde years. Scarlett snatched the photo away from Duke.
"That's Cover Girl. We, uh, have had our share of squabbles." Scarlett fumed over the way Duke was gawking at the picture.
"She's cute. Does she have a boyfriend?" Duke asked. He turned to see Scarlett's face turn crimson.
"No, she's more of a free spirit." Scarlett calmly spoke her voice laced with jealousy. Duke turned back to the picture. "You can quit salivating now".
"Oh, sorry." Duke apologized realizing he has hit another nerve. He put the picture down.
"That's ok." Scarlett forgave him as he picked up a new picture.
"There are a lot of people in this one." Duke mulled over the faces.
"Do you recognize any of them?" Scarlett asked.
"It looks like a night on the town. There's Flint, Lady Jaye, my brother, Jinx,you……and me?" Duke stated everyone in the picture, but was generally surprised they were all together.
"Wha…?" Scarlett cried and snatched the picture from him to see it for herself.
"Hey, I was looking at that." Duke protested.
"You shouldn't. Let's look at another one." Scarlett suggested, but Duke wasn't falling for the subject change.
"What is it a picture of?" Duke asked.
"I don't know. I guess we all went out to see a movie or something." Scarlett muttered indifferently.
"In tuxedos and evening gowns?" Duke asked
"I guess it was a good movie." Scarlett sighed. Duke looked at her in disbelief.
"Everyone in the picture is a couple except for us. Unless…" Duke trailed off. He looked at Scarlett who had an alarmed look on her face.
"Let's not talk about it. This is all very complicated. I'm sorry." Scarlett answered and looked down into her lap.
"Everything seems to be anymore. I'm sorry if I jumped to conclusions or upset you in any way." Duke apologized sincerely.
"I don't want to influence your memory one way or another. The doctors said it would be better for you to remember on your own." Scarlett signed.
"I'd just like to be me again. Whoever I was." Duke sighed sadly understanding Scarlett's hesitations.
"Let's keep going with the pictures. There are a ton left to go through. Let's see if anything rings a bell." Scarlett smiled trying to cheer them both up.
"Sounds like a plan. I'm sure this box will keep us busy for awhile. These guys sure like to take a lot of pictures!" Duke exclaimed as he began searching through the photos again.
As the two had predicted, hours had passed by quickly as they sorted through all the photos. Soon it was dinner time and Scarlett once again smelled a glorious fragrance coming from the kitchen.
"My mom makes the best pancakes." A voice from behind her spoke. She jumped a little and turned to face Duke.
"You scared me." Scarlett smiled.
"I'm sorry. I was just coming up to tell you that breakfast is in 5 minutes." Duke apologized.
"Oh, I'm coming now." Scarlett spoke and came out of the bedroom. She followed Duke down the steps.
"I hope you like pancakes. They're my favorite." Duke grinned like he was nine years old. Scarlett's heart skipped a beat and a smile formed on her face.
"Why are you smiling?" Duke asked.
"I like pancakes too." Scarlett beamed. They came downstairs to see Drew already at the table.
"It's about time you woke up." Drew teased Scarlett.
"Hey, cut me some slack. I'm not exactly a morning person." Scarlett laughed as Mrs. Falcone poured her a cup of coffee. Duke sat down and piled his plate high with pancakes before passing Scarlett the plate.
"So do you two have any plans today?" Mrs. Falcone asked politely. They both shook their heads.
"Maybe later we can look at some more photo albums." Mrs. Falcone suggested. Duke nodded in agreement as he stuffed his face.
"Hungry?" Scarlett asked with a giggle. Drew giggled too.
"Just a little." Duke answered after swallowing. The four chatted and ate until almost all the food Mrs. Falcone prepared was gone.
"I don't think I have eaten so much for breakfast since…well, never," Scarlett sighed leaning back in her seat.
"I hated giving up Mom's cooking for the slop they served in the army." Duke sighed also finished.
"It was delicious, Mrs. Falcone. I don't think I can move." Scarlett sighed.
"Well, I'll clean up and you two can figure out something to do." Mrs. Falcone smiled.
"Mom, I'll get it." Duke offered and took some plates over to the sink.
"If you are sure." Mrs. Falcone smiled.
"Go ahead and start whatever else you need to do." Duke ushered his mother out of the kitchen. Duke began to wash the plates as Scarlett finished her last bits of bacon.
"Now I'm really finished." Scarlett declared. She stood up and took her plate over to Duke who was staring out the window in his own little world.
"Conrad, is something wrong?" Scarlett asked worried.
"No, sorry. I was just…the lake…I felt something." Conrad shrugged it off.
"You think you are starting to remember something?" Scarlett asked.
"Maybe…I don't know." Conrad grimaced.
"Well, if you want I'll take a walk with you out there. Maybe a closer look will help you?" Scarlett offered.
"You want to?" Duke asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, I'll grab some coats while you finish the dishes." Scarlett smiled and walked off. She returned a few minutes later just as Duke was drying his hands off. She handed him a coat.
"I don't remember having a coat like this." Duke frowned.
"Trust me, it's yours." Scarlett nodded. He put it on and it fit nicely.
"Are you sure? I've never worn it before." Duke questioned looking down at himself.
"I gave you this coat a few years ago for Christmas." Scarlett explained to him. It was tearing her heart to pieces every time Duke didn't remember things that had happened, especially special times that she shared with him.
"Oh.." Duke replied softly. He looked at her apologetically.
"Let's go." Scarlett bravely smiled and tugged on his hand. They briskly walked to the lake. It was chilly for a morning at the end of May. They began to circle the lake and watch the fish swim under the water. Scarlett took a deep breath. She loved being out here with the birds singing and the beautiful scenery.
"In all the months I've been here I haven't come up here." Duke sighed taking in the scenery as well.
"It's nice. I always love coming up to the lake." Scarlett smiled.
"You've been up here before?" Duke asked curiously. Scarlett nodded.
"I shouldn't say any more." Scarlett sighed. It would be better for Duke to remember on his own then for her to tell him stories. Duke stopped walking and grabbed Scarlett's arms to stop her too.
"No, please tell me." Duke begged.
"I…don't you think it would be better if you remembered on your own?" Scarlett asked.
"That is what the doctors say, but please just tell me this. I like hearing about my life. The doctors think it will frustrate me…you know hearing about my life from someone else. And it did at first…but not now. It really helps me remember sometimes." Duke sighed looking out into the lake.
"We've been out here a few times. We usually have a picnic right where that clearing is across the way." Scarlett told Duke and pointed to a clearing in the distance.
"We as in 'you and me"?" Duke asked. Scarlett nodded slowly.
"We were really close friends." Duke mused.
"Yes, we were." Scarlett sighed.
"How close?" Duke asked. She could feel his eyes burning on her.
"There is a lake on base. You and I used to walk around it after duty sometimes. To talk and unwind." Scarlett avoided the question.
"You're not going to answer my question…" Duke frowned.
"I want to help you as much as possible, but I just can't answer that. Not yet." Scarlett shook her head. She started walking ahead. Duke came up beside her and linked his arm through hers.
"Scarlett, I'm sorry. I just wish I could remember things. I don't want to be missing out on anything." Duke apologized.
"I know this must be so hard for you. I hope me being here will help you remember things." Scarlett sighed.
"Yeah me too." Duke sighed. He took Scarlett's hand and lead her down closer to the edge of the water.
"Bet you I can skip a stone further than you." Conrad challenged.
"Bet accepted." Scarlett grinned and reached down for a stone. She tossed it over the surface of the water. Duke picked up a rock and followed her lead. His rock skipped way past hers.
"I win." Duke cheered.
"Congratulations." Scarlett smiled. They continued to walk around the lake with Duke occasionally kicking a stone out into the water.
"You say there was a lake on the base?" Duke asked.
"Yes, it's very pretty out there, especially this time of the year." Scarlett nodded.
"I wish I could remember. It sounds like we had some nice times." Duke sighed. He went to kick another rock out into the water, but his foot missed and his balance was shifted.
"Conrad!" Scarlett cried and grabbed his arm to keep him from falling into the lake. Unfortunately her attempt turned to naught. Duke grabbed onto Scarlett for support, but he sent them both tumbling into the lake. Duke popped up first.
"Scarlett?" he called searching for the red head. Moments later she popped up next to him.
"You could have let go and kept me dry." Scarlett remarked.
"Sorry. I don't remember having such poor balance." Conrad apologized.
"Uh-huh. Cute, Hauser. You have pulled this trick so many times I think it's engrained in that thick head of yours." Scarlett laughed as she waded back towards the bank.
"You mean I've done this before?" Duke asked surprised.
"A few times. And every single time you manage to pull me in too. Does that sound like an accident to you?" Scarlett raised her eyebrow as she ringed out her long red hair of excess water. "It's kind of a running gag between us."
"So I do this for fun? Falling into lakes with you? Don't I run out of dry clothes?" Duke asked.
"Well your solution is always to get the wet clothes off as soon as possible." Scarlett answered and then pursed her lips. She didn't like how that came out.
"I see. So this is my best way of getting a date." Duke blushed.
"I'll fill you in more when you start remembering some things on your own." Scarlett answered as they started walking back towards the house.
"Can you tell me what happened the first time I pulled you in?" Duke asked.
"No, I won't tell you what happened, but I will tell you that I was wearing a white shirt and blue sweats. If you want to know any more you are going to have to remember it on your own." Scarlett smirked.
"Damn, I wish I could remember that!" Duke exclaimed.
"How about after we get back and get into some dry clothes we look at some pictures. Most of the team gave me pictures for you to look through." Scarlett suggested.
"I think that's a great idea." Duke agreed. The two walked back to the house to get started on helping Duke's memory.
After getting dried off, Scarlett and Duke plopped down on the comfortable couch that adorned the Falcone's living room. Scarlett started shuffling through the box of photos that she had on her lap.
"The guys put together some pictures for you to see. Hopefully some will jog your memory." Scarlett hoped.
"Yeah, maybe something will come loose up there." Duke pointed to his head. Scarlett pulled out a picture of General Hawk.
"You remember him?" Scarlett asked.
"That's Clay Abernathy. He was my commanding officer at Special Forces training." Duke replied studying the picture.
"He's called Hawk now. He's our commander." Scarlett informed him.
"You don't say…" Duke shook his head while gazing at the picture. Scarlett took that one away and handed Duke another picture.
"How about this guy?" Scarlett asked.
"He seems familiar." Duke spoke studying the photograph as much as the first one.
"He's Flint. He's one of your best friends." Scarlett filled in.
"Flint" Duke repeated and nodded at the photograph. Scarlett pulled out another photograph.
"Flint again. Who's the lady?" Duke asked curiously.
"That's Lady Jaye. She and Flint are engaged." Scarlett smiled.
"Engaged, huh? They look happy. And I knew them both well?" Duke asked.
"Yes, very well. Flint's your next in command." Scarlett added.
"So the ranking system is Hawk, me, then Flint?" Duke asked wide eyed.
"You got it. Then there's Beach Head but we won't talk about him." Scarlett grumbled.
"I take it you don't get along with him?" Duke asked sensing her change of mood.
"No one gets along with him." Scarlett glared at the wall.
"Next?" Duke asked and dropped the photo back into the box.
"Here…" Scarlett said and handed the box over to Duke, "How about you take a look?"
"Okay." He agreed. He reached in and began to look at various pictures. He stopped at one and turned to Scarlett for the person's name.
"That's Blowtorch. He's our flame thrower." Scarlett narrated. He nodded and fished for another photo.
"This is my half brother. He's a joe too?" Duke asked as he studied the picture of the man with the beret.
"Yup, we call him Falcon. He's kind of been filling in for you." Scarlett explained.
"Who's the girl in red?" Duke asked.
"That's Jinx, his girlfriend."
"Does everyone on the team have a girlfriend?" Duke asked. He turned to see Scarlett bite her lower lip.
"Well, no. Shipwreck keeps trying, but falling short." Scarlett answered with a giggle. Duke pulled out another picture and his eyes buldged wide.
"Wow. Who's this?" Duke breathed. Scarlett leaned over to see a picture of Cover Girl from her blonde years. Scarlett snatched the photo away from Duke.
"That's Cover Girl. We, uh, have had our share of squabbles." Scarlett fumed over the way Duke was gawking at the picture.
"She's cute. Does she have a boyfriend?" Duke asked. He turned to see Scarlett's face turn crimson.
"No, she's more of a free spirit." Scarlett calmly spoke her voice laced with jealousy. Duke turned back to the picture. "You can quit salivating now".
"Oh, sorry." Duke apologized realizing he has hit another nerve. He put the picture down.
"That's ok." Scarlett forgave him as he picked up a new picture.
"There are a lot of people in this one." Duke mulled over the faces.
"Do you recognize any of them?" Scarlett asked.
"It looks like a night on the town. There's Flint, Lady Jaye, my brother, Jinx,you……and me?" Duke stated everyone in the picture, but was generally surprised they were all together.
"Wha…?" Scarlett cried and snatched the picture from him to see it for herself.
"Hey, I was looking at that." Duke protested.
"You shouldn't. Let's look at another one." Scarlett suggested, but Duke wasn't falling for the subject change.
"What is it a picture of?" Duke asked.
"I don't know. I guess we all went out to see a movie or something." Scarlett muttered indifferently.
"In tuxedos and evening gowns?" Duke asked
"I guess it was a good movie." Scarlett sighed. Duke looked at her in disbelief.
"Everyone in the picture is a couple except for us. Unless…" Duke trailed off. He looked at Scarlett who had an alarmed look on her face.
"Let's not talk about it. This is all very complicated. I'm sorry." Scarlett answered and looked down into her lap.
"Everything seems to be anymore. I'm sorry if I jumped to conclusions or upset you in any way." Duke apologized sincerely.
"I don't want to influence your memory one way or another. The doctors said it would be better for you to remember on your own." Scarlett signed.
"I'd just like to be me again. Whoever I was." Duke sighed sadly understanding Scarlett's hesitations.
"Let's keep going with the pictures. There are a ton left to go through. Let's see if anything rings a bell." Scarlett smiled trying to cheer them both up.
"Sounds like a plan. I'm sure this box will keep us busy for awhile. These guys sure like to take a lot of pictures!" Duke exclaimed as he began searching through the photos again.
As the two had predicted, hours had passed by quickly as they sorted through all the photos. Soon it was dinner time and Scarlett once again smelled a glorious fragrance coming from the kitchen.