A Scarlet Christmas Carol
Chapter 3
By Teala373
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Breaker took a sidelong look at Scarlet. Though she was quiet, a small smile crept across her face as she relived her first Christmas on the Joe Base. The team had just come together in the Spring, so they hadn't even known each other a full year. A battered Christmas tree with a hodgepodge of handmade decorations slumped in the corner of the main rec room while tinsel garlands hung from the ceiling. Roadblock placed another plate of cookies that he had whipped up the table as the Joes were gathering around to watch 'It's a Wonderful Life'.
Scarlet watched as her former self happily munched on popcorn while watching the movie. She was surprised, though to discover that Duke was staring at her through the whole movie. "I didn't know he was doing that..." she murmured to herself as she watched his intense blue eyes never moving off its target.
"If there wasn't a Christmas theme going here, I could show you plenty of other times he did things like that."
Scarlet felt her cheeks burn pink as she turned to throw a questioning look Breaker's way.
"Oh, c'mon on, Scarlet," he rolled his eyes for emphasis, "Don't even try to deny it!"
"Well... there was a little... thing between Duke and I.... but, it was just a light, casual... I wouldn't even call it a relationship! I was only natural since I was one of very few girls and he was my commanding officer. Really, it was nothing. I'm surprised by this," she gestured towards Duke's long, intense looks.
"You really are a piece of work, Red! Lady Jaye's got her work cut out for her! Your relationship with Duke was much more than that and you know it, but it's not my job to convince you of that. I have one more Christmas to show you..."
In a small flash of colors, the first Christmas on Joe base disappeared. They were now standing out on the air field. The image showed Scarlet running towards a helicopter while a light dusting of snow fell all around the base. Wild Bill waved from the cockpit as she approached. She waved back as she lightly jogged towards the open side door.
"What is this?" the current Scarlet asked Breaker, not quite remembering the scene.
"How heavy is the dosage of those sleeping pills you take? This was your last Christmas on Joe base. Remember? You were called away in the middle of Christmas dinner for an assignment switch. It was one of the last times we all saw you before Jaye's death."
"Oh..." her voice had become small at the mention of her friend's tragedy. She remained silent as she watched the scene unfold. She was beginning to remember how it went...
"SCARLET!" a voice called out over the noise of the helicopter. Scarlet was almost to the door, but whirled around to see Duke running very fast towards her. She flashed a bright smile and waved back at him.
When he reached her, he scooped her up in a tight, breath taking hug and buried his face in her fiery locks. He then pulled back enough to give her a long kiss. Her hair flew about them from the wind of the copter as the small snow flakes sparkled in the setting sun as they flittered downward.
"I - I forgot to tell you something..." Duke huskily whispered as he pulled back to gaze into her eyes. His hand cupped her face, his thumb gently caressing her cheek.
"I think you've said enough," Scarlet breathlessly replied, taken aback by the powerful kiss.
Unwrapping one arm from around her waist, Duke reached into his pocket and pulled out a glittering object. Before Scarlet could say another word, he took a step back and clasped a beautiful diamond pendant on a gold chain around her neck.
"This isn't the end," he breathed into her ear, "I want to see this on you again. Promise me you'll come back."
She practically chocked on her words as she tried to form them and release the air from her throat. "Of course. I'm not losing you, either, whether you like it or not!"
He chuckled lightly as he admired the necklace that he toiled over for months as a perfect present for her. "Merry Christmas, Scarlet... I love you..."
"I love you, too..."
They then reached for each other in another soul searing kiss.
Breaker turned towards his charge and found several emotions he couldn't quite decipher hardened on her face. "Penny for your thoughts?"
Scarlet shook her head as she snapped out of her reverie. "It... it was a long time ago. Duke and I... are no longer 'Duke and I'. Take me home."
"You never saw him again after this, did you?"
"I said take me home."
"You promised him it wasn't the end."
"Take me home!"
Breaker put up his hands defensively. "Fine, fine... but after your next two visits, you're going to wish you'd stayed with me."
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Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, Scarlet waited for the images to stop blurring before she realized that she was back in her hotel room. She was laying in a most uncomfortable position between the couch and the coffee table. Grumbling as she pulled herself up, she situated herself on the couch and rubbed her throbbing forehead.
"What a crazy dream! No more sweets before bed..."
Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud, bellowing tones of the grandfather clock. She angrily glared at it and was surprised to find it was two in the morning.
"Ugh! I really need some sleep!" She slowly staggered towards her bedroom and was utterly annoyed to find it locked. "What the hell..."
"Sorry Scarlet, but you're not going to bed yet!"
Whirling around at the sound of a familiar voice behind her, Scarlet was surprised to see Barbeque, in full gear, sitting on the armrest of the couch she had just vacated. She tried to scream, but it died in her throat.
"Now don't start with that whole dream nonsense again! We're on a tight schedule! Breaker took way too much time!"
Shaking her head, Scarlet tried to say 'no', but soon found herself lost in a sea of bright colors. When her eyes readjusted, she and Barbeque were standing in a small, sparsely decorated apartment that she didn't recognize.
"W-Where are we?" she asked, too tired to argue.
"You'll see - just watch."
She turned to look at the friendly face. "If you're here, then you're dead, too... like Breaker and Lady Jaye."
"Yep. Dead as a doornail! Out of control fire."
"I hope it wasn't another one of those wild parties that you know how to throw," she smiled despite herself, remembering events of long ago.
Barbeque smiled. "Nah... some crazy things happed at my parties, but homicide wasn't one of them. I volunteered with my dad's team back home and we got caught in a nasty arson incident on the docks back home."
"I'm sorry... I didn't even know..."
"Well, if you answered your phone calls you might have. It was a nice funeral, too. I was honored and all that."
"I'm sure you were. You were always a great firefighter!"
A figure entered the room, ending their conversation. He was unkept and haggard. Bags had formed under what were once handsome eyes and every ounce of his body seemed to droop. Yanking a bottle of whisky off a shelf. The man sat down on his sofa and began to drink.
"What's going on?" Scarlet asked Barbeque.
He sighed in response. "While Breaker showed you Christmas' past, I am here to show you the Christmas present. This is how one person you were once close to spends his Christmas."
"Who is this? I don't recognize this man."
"Go take a closer look."
Walking around the sofa to get a better look, Scarlet stood before the depressed figure. He pulled a picture out of his back pocket and began to shed tears as he gazed at it. The picture was of Lady Jaye.
"Oh my God! It can't be! Flint?"