"Hey gorgeous, you got a name?"
Dressed in his field uniform and characteristically unshaven, with oily slick hair, the motor vehicle operator known as Clutch grinned cheerfully at Scarlett.
Ten other G.I. JOE candidates stood with Clutch, forming a half circle around Scarlett. All of the original thirteen JOE team members were present except for Colonel Hawk.
"Call me Scarlett," Scarlett said, not liking the openly disrespectful tone of Clutch's voice and attitude. Clutch eyed Scarlett up and down, nodding appreciatively at her attractive figure. Scarlett ignored him and turned her attention to the other JOE candidates. She noted Clutch and Steeler standing together and decided they were both chauvinistic pigs. Flash, Grunt, Short Fuze, Zap, and Rock 'N Roll stood in place, silently admiring her appearance but clearly not taking her seriously as a fighter. At least not yet, Scarlett reassured herself. Breaker popped a wad of bubblegum into his mouth and began chewing and popping bubbles with aloof indifference. Stalker and Snake Eyes gazed at Scarlett with respectful silence, although both of them betrayed on their faces a bit of amusement at the situation. As a whole, the JOE candidates' attitude toward Scarlett was no surprise to this woman who had experienced similar situations in the past. Men were so quick to take one look at her pretty outward appearance and underestimate her true ability. In an earlier day, their disrespect would have pissed her off. But now she was confident in her skills and was certain that she could take on every last one of them.
"Oh, how could I possibly forget this day," the Scarlett from the future said as she observed the scene with the angel, Clara. "My first day in G.I. JOE…"
"I'm a counter-intelligence officer, and I happen to know a little martial arts," the younger Scarlett said, addressing the gathered team.
"Hah! Check it out, Steeler, this chick is going to teach us men how to fight!" Clutch said, laughing.
"What are you going to do, honey," Steeler said disdainfully, "teach us how to bitch slap the bad guys?"
"My job is to run you boys through a refresher course in hand to hand combat," Scarlett said.
She pointed to Steeler. With a playful voice, she taunted him: "Hey there, Steeler. Come over here so I can bitch slap you."
Moments later, Steeler was on the floor, having been thrown by Scarlett with relative ease. Steeler groaned and said, "Oh Jesus… Someone answer that phone…"
"Whoa, baby!" Clutch hooted. "Very impressive, but could you do that again on someone more difficult? We all know Steeler is a pussy. My mom could beat him with her hands tied behind her back."
Holding his head in his hand, Steeler glared at Clutch but was too disoriented and humiliated to say anything in retort.
"Fine," Scarlett said confidently. She pointed to Snake Eyes. "Okay, you're next. Throw me a punch as hard as you can."
"Swat her one for Steeler, pal!" Clutch yelled. "Ha, ha!"
Snake Eyes approached her calmly.
How come he's so quiet, Scarlett thought to herself as they looked into each other's eyes for the first time.
Snake Eyes threw an awkward, phony punch that weakly struck her face, and Scarlett immediately grabbed his arm, flipped him over, and hurled him several yards to land on the mat.
As Snake Eyes lay on the ground, blinking dumbly and with no outward display of emotion, Scarlett turned to look at him. They eyed each other as Snake Eyes walked back to rejoin the rest of the JOE candidates. From the moment she had sent him hurtling through the air, she knew he had allowed her to throw him. Snake Eyes was a far better fighter than he had let on, and he could have beaten her easily. Why had he allowed her to win?
He did it to save her pride, Scarlett realized. He was so good that he had nothing left to prove.
* * *
Later that day, Scarlett caught up to Snake Eyes as he was leaving the base.
"Snake Eyes," Scarlett called. Snake Eyes turned around to face her. They were both dressed in their civvies.
"Where are you going?"
"Oh, I don't know," Snake Eyes said, "I guess I was just going for a walk. Maybe get some food."
He was so quiet and reserved. His outward demeanor was cold and introverted, but his eyes were gentle. Snake Eyes was a mystery to Scarlett, and Scarlett was intrigued. Who was this man who was so skilled in the martial arts, yet so unassuming and unpretentious? What kind of a person was he really? What kind of a life had he led until now?
They stood there looking at each other for a moment in silence. Snake Eyes fidgeted a little and grew visibly uncomfortable.
After a full minute, Snake Eyes shrugged and turned to go on his way.
Scarlett frowned. What's the matter with this guy? Doesn't he like people?
Before Snake Eyes could take a step, Scarlett reached out and gently took hold of his wrist, causing him to freeze in his tracks. This Snake Eyes character was so withdrawn, she thought to herself. She had not seen him socializing or hanging out with the other JOE teammates, with the possible exception of Stalker. He seemed very lonely. Maybe, Scarlett considered, he would not be so lonely if he could find someone to share his thoughts and feelings with.
Perhaps she could be that someone. Scarlett had always been one to reach out to those who needed her. She felt she had so little in common with the other JOE team members thus far, but she knew right off the bat that she and Snake Eyes had at least one thing in common… their skill as martial artists. It was a connection she could latch onto and see where it would lead. She truly wanted the two of them to be friends.
A red flush appeared on Snake Eyes' cheeks.
"Wait," Scarlett said. "You didn't fool me today, Snake Eyes. I know you could have beaten me during that training session, but you let me win."
Snake Eyes arched an eyebrow in surprise, as if to ask, "Really?"
"Why?" Scarlett said.
"I wanted to help you."
"Help me?" Now it was Scarlett's turn to be surprised.
"Help you win the respect of the others."
"Why would you want to help me? We never even met before."
Snake Eyes said nothing, only offering a sheepish smile.
"Well," he said finally, "you seem to be a very nice lady. That's all."
Scarlett smiled and took his arm. She was touched by his simple and genuine manner, and she sensed a kind and gentle soul within him.
"Wanna go into town for dinner? I'm starved," Scarlett said invitingly.
"Sure," Snake Eyes said as they walked together toward the train station that would take them to the ferry.
"I'd like that," Snake Eyes said.
* * *
Scarlett fired a second arrow straight into the cardboard target's heart. She was alone in the target practice room, polishing her crossbow marksmanship.
Hearing a whistling sound, Scarlett turned and saw Clutch saunter into her target practice space. Clutch leaned on the wall next to Scarlett.
"How do you do, Scarlett?"
Scarlett paused as she aimed her crossbow, keeping her eyes on the target.
"Can I help you?" she asked sweetly.
"Nah, just wanted to pay a visit to my favorite southern babe," Clutch said with a grin.
"Can't you go bother someone else?"
"I could, but it's so more fun to bother you, honey," Clutch said.
Scarlett fired an arrow straight into the target's crotch. Clutch winced as he watched on the side.
"Ooh, would you actually do that in a real combat situation? Say we're in a battle and a bad guy comes gunning for you. You would seriously shoot him in the nuts?"
"Only if that bad guy happened to be you," Scarlett said with a smile, drawing another nervous grimace from Clutch.
"Oh, I see how it is now," Clutch said. He looked around and noticed the room was empty except for the two of them. "Say, where is Snake Eyes?"
Scarlett put down her crossbow and turned to face him.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, you spend all your down time with him. I figured you two had been surgically joined at the hip."
"What's the matter, Clutchy boy? Do I detect a note of jealousy? Hmmm?"
Clutch gave a good-natured shrug.
"I just want to know what do you see in that guy. He's good at his job, but he's cold as ice. He gives me the willies. I just don't understand what a sweetie like you is doing with a cold-hearted guy like him. I mean, come on. What has he got that I ain't got? Level with me, here. What do you think—don't I have pretty good 'chick magnet' potential?"
"I don't think you want to know the answer to that."
"Sure I do. I can take whatever you dish out. Lay it on me, baby."
"First of all, I'm not your baby. Nor am I your sweetie, your honey bunny, or your chicky dee. I'm a woman, and my code name is Scarlett. For your information, Snake Eyes happens to be a very kind and sensitive human being. He's not a complete prick like you are. You don't respect me and you treat me like crap. If we weren't forced to work with each other every day, I'd have kicked your sorry, chauvinist ass a long time ago."
Scarlett smiled and walked off. Clutch stared at Scarlett in shock.
"Aw, come on, Scarlett," he called after her. "Don't hold back. Tell me what you REALLY think!"
* * *
Several months later, the fateful mission across the desert sands took place. Everything had gone straight to hell, and the chopper, which carried Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Rock 'N Roll, and Grunt was now caught in a spin. Rock 'N Roll and Grunt managed to jump clear to safety once the chopper had sunk to a low enough altitude, but Snake Eyes refused to leave until he had saved Scarlett.
Scarlett was trapped by the opposite door, which had slammed shut on her web gear.
"Leave me, that's an order!"
But Snake Eyes would not listen. He scrambled to the other side. He held his M16 with one hand and fumbled for his combat knife with the other. Snake Eyes lost his balance for a moment and was forced to grab hold of the door as the chopper continued its nightmarish spin.
Snake Eyes was seeing his sister again, and somehow, Scarlett could tell what was going through his mind. She had not forgotten the story Snake Eyes had told her while on the ferry, the story of the car crash, which killed his entire family on the day he had come home from the war. In Scarlett's place, there now stood Snake Eyes' twin sister Terry, who had been killed in the car crash that changed everything. Terry was so young and beautiful. Her whole life lay ahead of her—she was getting married. A single thought penetrated his mind again and again.
I failed to protect you.
Not this time, a voice within Snake Eyes screamed against the madness of the moment. I won't fail you this time, my sweet sister.
"Snake Eyes, the other chopper!"
The two of them looked out the plexiglass window and saw the other chopper drawing dangerously near; collision was imminent.
I won't leave you to die.
I won't leave you until you are safe…
…even if it means sacrificing my own life.
My life is nothing without you.
For a split second, Scarlett watched in horror as the jet of flame tore through the plexiglass window and lit up Snake Eyes' head "like a boxcar of Roman candles…"
The pain was enormous, but Snake Eyes shut it out. He disconnected it. The voice within him continued to speak, driving him on with an automatic rhythm.
I can't open my eyes, but I can still hear and feel you. You haven't left me, and I have not left you. I will be whatever you need me to be for you… your shelter and your guardian.
I won't lose you this time. I will be the brother I always should have been.
Snake Eyes finally managed to gather his concentration and, in a last effort, cut through the straps that bound Scarlett to the door. As the chopper hit the desert floor and Snake Eyes pulled Scarlett to the ground, trying to keep her from being knocked around by the force of the crash, he heard Terry's voice within his mind…
Surely, my brother, with you to keep me safe, I can live forever…
Scarlett and the angel watched the scene in the desert. Out of the burning wreckage of the chopper, Snake Eyes emerged, bearing an unconscious Scarlett in his arms. Scarlett was otherwise unscathed, but Snake Eyes' head was still on fire. Rock 'N Roll and Grunt ran to Snake Eyes and dropped their weapons and gear. Their jaws dropped in shock and horror. Snake Eyes was trying to speak, but no sound came out. His neck and face were seared by third degree burns.
Scarlett was seeing this for the first time. She had known what had happened after she had gone unconscious, thanks to Rock 'N Roll and Grunt. But now she was able to witness for the first time what had actually transpired. Scarlett walked across the desert sands, stopping in front of Snake Eyes, who of course did not see her. She felt a stab of infinite pain, seeing Snake Eyes in this condition. What more proof did she need?
"Look at that," Scarlett said to the angel. "If I hadn't been there, none of this would have happened. Snake Eyes would have turned out fine. He would not be mute and disfigured if not for me. I ruined his life!"
"Do you really believe that?" Clara asked.
Meanwhile, Grunt frantically yelled into a radio transmitter.
"We've got two wounded, and we need a med evac for both of them ASAP!"
Snake Eyes shook his head furiously.
One, his lips mouthed. Evac one.
Snake Eyes looked down to the unconscious Scarlett, and the others understood.
The scene now shifted back to the U.S. It was six months later, and Snake Eyes was nearly through with his hospital stay. His head was wrapped in bandages, which covered a face the plastic surgeons could not repair. Scarlett sat at his bedside and took his hand.
"I'm sorry," she said, with tears in her eyes. "You're here because of me. I feel I must ask your forgiveness, even while I'm thanking you for saving my life."
Snake Eyes shook his head. He had not yet mastered sign language, and neither had Scarlett, but that would change very soon. Snake Eyes scribbled some notes on a pad of paper. When he was through, he handed it to Scarlett to read.
It doesn't hurt half as much as it would to see you die.
Scarlett clenched her fist on the paper and fell out of the chair and onto her knees. She leaned over the bed and onto Snake Eyes' chest. Snake Eyes put his arms around her.
"Snake Eyes…" Scarlett said with great tenderness in her shaking voice.
The older Scarlett watched along with Clara.
"Are you sure you ruined his life?" Clara asked.
"That's very nice of you to show me such things… but all of that… is all… all bullshit…" Scarlett said bitterly.
Clara nodded at Scarlett knowingly as they journeyed to the next point in time…
Dressed in his field uniform and characteristically unshaven, with oily slick hair, the motor vehicle operator known as Clutch grinned cheerfully at Scarlett.
Ten other G.I. JOE candidates stood with Clutch, forming a half circle around Scarlett. All of the original thirteen JOE team members were present except for Colonel Hawk.
"Call me Scarlett," Scarlett said, not liking the openly disrespectful tone of Clutch's voice and attitude. Clutch eyed Scarlett up and down, nodding appreciatively at her attractive figure. Scarlett ignored him and turned her attention to the other JOE candidates. She noted Clutch and Steeler standing together and decided they were both chauvinistic pigs. Flash, Grunt, Short Fuze, Zap, and Rock 'N Roll stood in place, silently admiring her appearance but clearly not taking her seriously as a fighter. At least not yet, Scarlett reassured herself. Breaker popped a wad of bubblegum into his mouth and began chewing and popping bubbles with aloof indifference. Stalker and Snake Eyes gazed at Scarlett with respectful silence, although both of them betrayed on their faces a bit of amusement at the situation. As a whole, the JOE candidates' attitude toward Scarlett was no surprise to this woman who had experienced similar situations in the past. Men were so quick to take one look at her pretty outward appearance and underestimate her true ability. In an earlier day, their disrespect would have pissed her off. But now she was confident in her skills and was certain that she could take on every last one of them.
"Oh, how could I possibly forget this day," the Scarlett from the future said as she observed the scene with the angel, Clara. "My first day in G.I. JOE…"
"I'm a counter-intelligence officer, and I happen to know a little martial arts," the younger Scarlett said, addressing the gathered team.
"Hah! Check it out, Steeler, this chick is going to teach us men how to fight!" Clutch said, laughing.
"What are you going to do, honey," Steeler said disdainfully, "teach us how to bitch slap the bad guys?"
"My job is to run you boys through a refresher course in hand to hand combat," Scarlett said.
She pointed to Steeler. With a playful voice, she taunted him: "Hey there, Steeler. Come over here so I can bitch slap you."
Moments later, Steeler was on the floor, having been thrown by Scarlett with relative ease. Steeler groaned and said, "Oh Jesus… Someone answer that phone…"
"Whoa, baby!" Clutch hooted. "Very impressive, but could you do that again on someone more difficult? We all know Steeler is a pussy. My mom could beat him with her hands tied behind her back."
Holding his head in his hand, Steeler glared at Clutch but was too disoriented and humiliated to say anything in retort.
"Fine," Scarlett said confidently. She pointed to Snake Eyes. "Okay, you're next. Throw me a punch as hard as you can."
"Swat her one for Steeler, pal!" Clutch yelled. "Ha, ha!"
Snake Eyes approached her calmly.
How come he's so quiet, Scarlett thought to herself as they looked into each other's eyes for the first time.
Snake Eyes threw an awkward, phony punch that weakly struck her face, and Scarlett immediately grabbed his arm, flipped him over, and hurled him several yards to land on the mat.
As Snake Eyes lay on the ground, blinking dumbly and with no outward display of emotion, Scarlett turned to look at him. They eyed each other as Snake Eyes walked back to rejoin the rest of the JOE candidates. From the moment she had sent him hurtling through the air, she knew he had allowed her to throw him. Snake Eyes was a far better fighter than he had let on, and he could have beaten her easily. Why had he allowed her to win?
He did it to save her pride, Scarlett realized. He was so good that he had nothing left to prove.
* * *
Later that day, Scarlett caught up to Snake Eyes as he was leaving the base.
"Snake Eyes," Scarlett called. Snake Eyes turned around to face her. They were both dressed in their civvies.
"Where are you going?"
"Oh, I don't know," Snake Eyes said, "I guess I was just going for a walk. Maybe get some food."
He was so quiet and reserved. His outward demeanor was cold and introverted, but his eyes were gentle. Snake Eyes was a mystery to Scarlett, and Scarlett was intrigued. Who was this man who was so skilled in the martial arts, yet so unassuming and unpretentious? What kind of a person was he really? What kind of a life had he led until now?
They stood there looking at each other for a moment in silence. Snake Eyes fidgeted a little and grew visibly uncomfortable.
After a full minute, Snake Eyes shrugged and turned to go on his way.
Scarlett frowned. What's the matter with this guy? Doesn't he like people?
Before Snake Eyes could take a step, Scarlett reached out and gently took hold of his wrist, causing him to freeze in his tracks. This Snake Eyes character was so withdrawn, she thought to herself. She had not seen him socializing or hanging out with the other JOE teammates, with the possible exception of Stalker. He seemed very lonely. Maybe, Scarlett considered, he would not be so lonely if he could find someone to share his thoughts and feelings with.
Perhaps she could be that someone. Scarlett had always been one to reach out to those who needed her. She felt she had so little in common with the other JOE team members thus far, but she knew right off the bat that she and Snake Eyes had at least one thing in common… their skill as martial artists. It was a connection she could latch onto and see where it would lead. She truly wanted the two of them to be friends.
A red flush appeared on Snake Eyes' cheeks.
"Wait," Scarlett said. "You didn't fool me today, Snake Eyes. I know you could have beaten me during that training session, but you let me win."
Snake Eyes arched an eyebrow in surprise, as if to ask, "Really?"
"Why?" Scarlett said.
"I wanted to help you."
"Help me?" Now it was Scarlett's turn to be surprised.
"Help you win the respect of the others."
"Why would you want to help me? We never even met before."
Snake Eyes said nothing, only offering a sheepish smile.
"Well," he said finally, "you seem to be a very nice lady. That's all."
Scarlett smiled and took his arm. She was touched by his simple and genuine manner, and she sensed a kind and gentle soul within him.
"Wanna go into town for dinner? I'm starved," Scarlett said invitingly.
"Sure," Snake Eyes said as they walked together toward the train station that would take them to the ferry.
"I'd like that," Snake Eyes said.
* * *
Scarlett fired a second arrow straight into the cardboard target's heart. She was alone in the target practice room, polishing her crossbow marksmanship.
Hearing a whistling sound, Scarlett turned and saw Clutch saunter into her target practice space. Clutch leaned on the wall next to Scarlett.
"How do you do, Scarlett?"
Scarlett paused as she aimed her crossbow, keeping her eyes on the target.
"Can I help you?" she asked sweetly.
"Nah, just wanted to pay a visit to my favorite southern babe," Clutch said with a grin.
"Can't you go bother someone else?"
"I could, but it's so more fun to bother you, honey," Clutch said.
Scarlett fired an arrow straight into the target's crotch. Clutch winced as he watched on the side.
"Ooh, would you actually do that in a real combat situation? Say we're in a battle and a bad guy comes gunning for you. You would seriously shoot him in the nuts?"
"Only if that bad guy happened to be you," Scarlett said with a smile, drawing another nervous grimace from Clutch.
"Oh, I see how it is now," Clutch said. He looked around and noticed the room was empty except for the two of them. "Say, where is Snake Eyes?"
Scarlett put down her crossbow and turned to face him.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, you spend all your down time with him. I figured you two had been surgically joined at the hip."
"What's the matter, Clutchy boy? Do I detect a note of jealousy? Hmmm?"
Clutch gave a good-natured shrug.
"I just want to know what do you see in that guy. He's good at his job, but he's cold as ice. He gives me the willies. I just don't understand what a sweetie like you is doing with a cold-hearted guy like him. I mean, come on. What has he got that I ain't got? Level with me, here. What do you think—don't I have pretty good 'chick magnet' potential?"
"I don't think you want to know the answer to that."
"Sure I do. I can take whatever you dish out. Lay it on me, baby."
"First of all, I'm not your baby. Nor am I your sweetie, your honey bunny, or your chicky dee. I'm a woman, and my code name is Scarlett. For your information, Snake Eyes happens to be a very kind and sensitive human being. He's not a complete prick like you are. You don't respect me and you treat me like crap. If we weren't forced to work with each other every day, I'd have kicked your sorry, chauvinist ass a long time ago."
Scarlett smiled and walked off. Clutch stared at Scarlett in shock.
"Aw, come on, Scarlett," he called after her. "Don't hold back. Tell me what you REALLY think!"
* * *
Several months later, the fateful mission across the desert sands took place. Everything had gone straight to hell, and the chopper, which carried Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Rock 'N Roll, and Grunt was now caught in a spin. Rock 'N Roll and Grunt managed to jump clear to safety once the chopper had sunk to a low enough altitude, but Snake Eyes refused to leave until he had saved Scarlett.
Scarlett was trapped by the opposite door, which had slammed shut on her web gear.
"Leave me, that's an order!"
But Snake Eyes would not listen. He scrambled to the other side. He held his M16 with one hand and fumbled for his combat knife with the other. Snake Eyes lost his balance for a moment and was forced to grab hold of the door as the chopper continued its nightmarish spin.
Snake Eyes was seeing his sister again, and somehow, Scarlett could tell what was going through his mind. She had not forgotten the story Snake Eyes had told her while on the ferry, the story of the car crash, which killed his entire family on the day he had come home from the war. In Scarlett's place, there now stood Snake Eyes' twin sister Terry, who had been killed in the car crash that changed everything. Terry was so young and beautiful. Her whole life lay ahead of her—she was getting married. A single thought penetrated his mind again and again.
I failed to protect you.
Not this time, a voice within Snake Eyes screamed against the madness of the moment. I won't fail you this time, my sweet sister.
"Snake Eyes, the other chopper!"
The two of them looked out the plexiglass window and saw the other chopper drawing dangerously near; collision was imminent.
I won't leave you to die.
I won't leave you until you are safe…
…even if it means sacrificing my own life.
My life is nothing without you.
For a split second, Scarlett watched in horror as the jet of flame tore through the plexiglass window and lit up Snake Eyes' head "like a boxcar of Roman candles…"
The pain was enormous, but Snake Eyes shut it out. He disconnected it. The voice within him continued to speak, driving him on with an automatic rhythm.
I can't open my eyes, but I can still hear and feel you. You haven't left me, and I have not left you. I will be whatever you need me to be for you… your shelter and your guardian.
I won't lose you this time. I will be the brother I always should have been.
Snake Eyes finally managed to gather his concentration and, in a last effort, cut through the straps that bound Scarlett to the door. As the chopper hit the desert floor and Snake Eyes pulled Scarlett to the ground, trying to keep her from being knocked around by the force of the crash, he heard Terry's voice within his mind…
Surely, my brother, with you to keep me safe, I can live forever…
Scarlett and the angel watched the scene in the desert. Out of the burning wreckage of the chopper, Snake Eyes emerged, bearing an unconscious Scarlett in his arms. Scarlett was otherwise unscathed, but Snake Eyes' head was still on fire. Rock 'N Roll and Grunt ran to Snake Eyes and dropped their weapons and gear. Their jaws dropped in shock and horror. Snake Eyes was trying to speak, but no sound came out. His neck and face were seared by third degree burns.
Scarlett was seeing this for the first time. She had known what had happened after she had gone unconscious, thanks to Rock 'N Roll and Grunt. But now she was able to witness for the first time what had actually transpired. Scarlett walked across the desert sands, stopping in front of Snake Eyes, who of course did not see her. She felt a stab of infinite pain, seeing Snake Eyes in this condition. What more proof did she need?
"Look at that," Scarlett said to the angel. "If I hadn't been there, none of this would have happened. Snake Eyes would have turned out fine. He would not be mute and disfigured if not for me. I ruined his life!"
"Do you really believe that?" Clara asked.
Meanwhile, Grunt frantically yelled into a radio transmitter.
"We've got two wounded, and we need a med evac for both of them ASAP!"
Snake Eyes shook his head furiously.
One, his lips mouthed. Evac one.
Snake Eyes looked down to the unconscious Scarlett, and the others understood.
The scene now shifted back to the U.S. It was six months later, and Snake Eyes was nearly through with his hospital stay. His head was wrapped in bandages, which covered a face the plastic surgeons could not repair. Scarlett sat at his bedside and took his hand.
"I'm sorry," she said, with tears in her eyes. "You're here because of me. I feel I must ask your forgiveness, even while I'm thanking you for saving my life."
Snake Eyes shook his head. He had not yet mastered sign language, and neither had Scarlett, but that would change very soon. Snake Eyes scribbled some notes on a pad of paper. When he was through, he handed it to Scarlett to read.
It doesn't hurt half as much as it would to see you die.
Scarlett clenched her fist on the paper and fell out of the chair and onto her knees. She leaned over the bed and onto Snake Eyes' chest. Snake Eyes put his arms around her.
"Snake Eyes…" Scarlett said with great tenderness in her shaking voice.
The older Scarlett watched along with Clara.
"Are you sure you ruined his life?" Clara asked.
"That's very nice of you to show me such things… but all of that… is all… all bullshit…" Scarlett said bitterly.
Clara nodded at Scarlett knowingly as they journeyed to the next point in time…