"Scarlett, are you okay?"

Scarlett heard Ace's voice over the comm channel and tapped her helmet with her fingers, feeling profoundly disoriented. She shook her head, as if her mind was stuck in a cloud and she desperately wanted to escape from it. Wasn't there some kind of electromagnetic disturbance that she had just flown through?

"I'm fine," Scarlett said numbly.

Then: "Where are we, Ace?"

"Where are we? Jesus Christ! Are you sure you're okay?"

"There was some kind of electromagnetic disturbance. I flew through it. Didn't you see it?"

"Uh, we're just on a routine patrol. We had some unconfirmed reports of Cobra weapons being transported through this region. I have no idea what is this electromagnetic disturbance you're talking about."

"Oh." Scarlett looked at the digital clock that was displayed by the Sky Striker's computer.

"Today's the 26th of December, right Ace?"

"Yeah, I should hope so."

Duke's face appeared on Scarlett's monitor. He looked different somehow. He looked more hard-edged, not the same transparent, dreamy eyed wonder boy who dreamed of her night and day. Scarlett tried to read Duke's facial expression, but her scrutiny yielded nothing.

"Return home, Scarlett and Ace. Duke over and out."

"Roger, Duke," Ace said.

"Roger," Scarlett said.

Back at the Pit, Ace ran up to Scarlett as they departed from their Sky Strikers and headed for their quarters.

"Scarlett!"

He caught up with her and grabbed her by the shoulder.

"Scarlett, wait."

Scarlett turned around to face Ace, who was out of breath from chasing after her. The landing strip was a flurry of activity as mechanics and hanger bay crewmen ran out to the planes to taxi them to their resting area.

"You acted really strange out there. What's going on?"

"I don't know," Scarlett said, looking down for a moment. Her fiery hair fluttered in the wind as the setting sun transformed the sky into streaks of violet and orange. The sun lent a weak orange hue to their figures while sweeping the ground beneath their feet with shadow.

"Things were going just fine today until you forgot where you were and what day it was. You never forget things like this. You're one of the steadiest, most reliable soldiers I know, Scarlett. You never lose track of anything."

"Well, I guess there's a first time for everything," Scarlett said with a sardonic smile.

Ace looked toward the elevator that would take them into the depths of their base where their quarters lay. He grinned and waved.

"Let's not keep Snake Eyes waiting, shall we?"

"Snake Eyes?" Scarlett said.

She turned and followed Ace's gaze to the elevator, where Snake Eyes stood waiting patiently, his hands behind his back, his head bowed in deference.

What the hell did Snake Eyes have to do with any of this?

The three of them took the elevator down into the Pit, none of them saying a word. Scarlett found herself periodically glancing at Snake Eyes, whose eyes remained staring straight ahead.

"See you two later," Ace said as he walked off in a different direction once the lift had made its stop.

Snake Eyes looked into Scarlett's eyes. Scarlett's breath caught in her throat as Snake Eyes reached with his ungloved hand and took her gloved hand in his. He did it with such an air of familiarity and affection, all the while his probing gaze never leaving her face, that Scarlett felt herself at a loss.

Ace's attitude toward her and Snake Eyes, the way he treated them like a couple, the way Snake Eyes now held her hand, it all added up to one unmistakable fact.

She and Snake Eyes were together.

Still holding her by the hand, Snake Eyes said something to her in sign language. Scarlett had no idea what he was talking about.

"Listen, Snake Eyes, I hate to be rude, but would you please excuse me? I promise I'll stop by your place later tonight to see you. Is that okay?"

Snake Eyes nodded. Scarlett smiled at him as she walked away from Snake Eyes and headed down a long corridor. When she was out of Snake Eyes' line of sight, she began running.

There was only one person Scarlett could think of who could help her sort out this horrible mess she found herself in. Someone she could count on to be at her side always, someone who would never let her down or disappoint her. Someone she could trust.

Scarlett knocked on the office door that belonged to Duke.

"Come in," Duke said from inside his office.

"Hello Duke," Scarlett said as she hesitantly walked in.

"Oh, hi Scarlett. What can I do for you?"

Duke held a report in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. He nonchalantly took a sip.

"Duke, are we still on for tonight?"

Duke's eyes went wide and looked as if they would bug out of his head. He spewed coffee out of his mouth.

"Fuck!" Duke cursed under his breath as he gazed with dismay at the brown stains on the report and on his desk.

"What did you say?" Duke said, his voice one of utter astonishment.

"Uh, we were going to go out for dinner and a movie, weren't we? Remember, I asked you while I was flying on patrol."

"Funny, I don't recall that. I think I would if you had."

"Come on Duke. Don't do this to me. What kind of joke are you guys all pulling on me?"

"It's no joke, Scarlett. Does Snake Eyes know about this?"

"There it is again. Snake Eyes. I'm hearing his name constantly now. Suddenly Snake Eyes and I are an 'item.' What kind of shit is this?! Since when are Snake Eyes and I together?"

"Well, since before I came to the Joes, Scarlett. Since the day you and Snake Eyes first met."

"What?"

"Are you sure you're all right? I can call Doc over to examine you. Take it easy."

"Like hell!" Scarlett exclaimed. "Are you serious? You really don't care for me?"

"Listen, Scarlett, let's get one thing straight. You're a beautiful, sexy woman. You're a loyal and courageous friend, and I like you. More than that, I respect you. But there is no 'you and me,' there never has been. I'm sure it would be nice, but I'm sorry to disappoint you. We rarely do anything together off duty. I don't think we ever stopped to share a cup of coffee. As a matter of fact, I think this must be our first private off duty conversation in two months."

"You once told me you would fight for me, lie for me, walk the wire for me, and die for me."

"I said that?" Duke gave her a puzzled look, before breaking out in laughter.

"No offense to you, Scarlett, you're a very attractive woman, but I'm incapable of saying something so incredibly corny."

"Yeah," Scarlett said sheepishly, her face turning a bright red to match the color of her hair. "I guess it is pretty lame, isn't it?"

Clearly, Scarlett was getting no where. Duke was acting the same way Ace and Snake Eyes were acting toward her: out of the ordinary. What was going on? Either this was some kind of massive conspiracy, some kind of cruel joke, or it was she who was out of the ordinary.

I flew through a giant blob of color, a distortion in the earth's electromagnetic field, Scarlett pondered to herself as she walked away from Duke's office and toward Snake Eyes' quarters. What happened after that?

It's like I'm in the Twilight Zone or something.

What kind of strange world do I find myself in?

* * *

As Scarlett walked toward the barracks, she spotted an old friend whom she had not seen in many months, leaning on a Mauler tank, enjoying a beer. He was greasy and dirty from the grime of the motor vehicle engines he had been working on with his pal Clutch, here in the motor pool.

"Steeler?"

The tall, blond haired young man looked up immediately upon hearing Scarlett's voice.

"Is that you, Steeler?"

"Well, if it isn't lovely Miss Scarlett," Steeler said, getting up and bowing to her chivalrously.

Scarlett walked closer to him and looked at him closely. Steeler's amused pleasure at seeing Scarlett under these circumstances soon turned to disturbed curiosity.

"Why are you looking at me so funny? It's just me, your chauvinist pig, remember?"

"How did you get back?"

"How did I get back? Scarlett, what in the hell are you talking about?"

"You and Grunt stayed behind in that parallel universe to help the Baroness fight Cobra. You stayed behind to be with the Baroness, remember? At least that's what Flint said in his report."

Scarlett was confused. She never thought she would see Steeler again. Was Flint somehow mistaken when he submitted his report of that legendary mission?

Steeler downed his can of beer shotgun style, went over to the water faucet, wet his hands, and wiped the grease off with a rag.

"What the fuck are you smoking, Scarlett?"

"Excuse me?"

"Whatever it is, can I have some?"

"You mean to say you were never in that parallel world in which Cobra defeated G.I. Joe and conquered the world? I always thought it was such an incredible story."

"Listen, honey, I never been to no parallel world. Last I heard, Grunt left G.I. Joe to go to college and become an engineer. And finally, I have never 'been with' the Baroness, although I gotta admit, she is a babe. There's no doubt about it. She's got that hot body, those luscious lips, that long black hair, those glasses. What I wouldn't give to strip off that tight fitting outfit of hers and suck on her—"

Steeler stopped himself. He didn't want to offend Scarlett with his prurient language, but he had to admit the thought of fucking the Baroness was really turning him on. He began breathing more rapidly, and his pulse quickened.

"Oooh," Steeler moaned as he continued his erotic daydream, his eyes half closed.

"Uh, thanks Steeler, if you'll excuse me—"

"No problem, Scarlett. Hey thanks for stopping by. You've given me a lot to think about. I'll have to try to figure out how to seduce the Baroness now. Do you know how I can get her to leave that fucker Destro and come to papa?"

Steeler punctuated that last statement with a suggestive thrust of his hips.

"Sorry, Steeler, I have no clue. Maybe she's naturally attracted to jerks."

Steeler smiled ironically.

"Ah, that's more like the Scarlett I know and love. I'll take that under advisement. You be a good girl now and go home to Snake Eyes."

* * *

When Scarlett reached Snake Eyes' quarters, the door opened and Snake Eyes stood there in the doorway, watching her expectantly. He said something to her in sign language.

"I'm sorry, Snake Eyes, I don't understand your sign language."

Snake Eyes stepped back, completely taken aback by Scarlett's words. He signed something else, before catching himself. Holding up a finger, signaling Scarlett to wait, Snake Eyes walked back into his room. He turned and motioned for Scarlett to follow. It was the first time Scarlett had seen Snake Eyes' room. Snake Eyes' accommodations were quite simple and austere. The furnishings consisted of a bed and a couch, the walls were bare, and there was no decoration in sight other than an old, framed, color photo of Snake Eyes and Scarlett together.

Scarlett narrowed her eyes in curiosity and drew closer to inspect the picture. She did not recognize it. In it, a smiling, blond young man had his arm draped around Scarlett's shoulder. Scarlett realized that this must be Snake Eyes.

So this is what Snake Eyes looks like without his mask, Scarlett pondered to herself. He was actually quite good looking. They both looked so young and happy, so very much in love.

Snake Eyes lightly tapped Scarlett on the shoulder. Scarlett turned and saw him holding up a pad and pencil. He was going to communicate with her through writing.

On the writing pad, Snake Eyes had written the words, "How come?"

"I know a little but I never became fluent. I guess I've been lazy."

Snake Eyes rapidly wrote his responses to Scarlett's words.

"But I speak to you in sign language all the time."

"You do?"

"Yes," Snake Eyes wrote. "Shana. What's wrong?"

Shana. It was very odd for Snake Eyes to be addressing her by her real name. Apparently the two of them really were on intimate terms, Scarlett reflected.

"You won't believe me if I told you," Scarlett said.

"Try me."

"Something happened to me while I was out on patrol. I flew into a strange electromagnetic field. I think it must have been some weird gateway to a parallel world. Where I come from, Steeler is gone. Duke is my boyfriend. And I can't understand sign language well. But now my whole world seems to have turned upside down."

Scarlett put her hand on Snake Eyes' hand.

"Help me, Snake Eyes. I don't know who to turn to. No one understands what's happened to me."

Snake Eyes gazed into her eyes. Slowly, he reached out with his hands and gingerly placed them on the sides of her face. Drawing closer, Snake Eyes looked closely at Scarlett's head, examining it. Scarlett, utterly confused, had no idea what he was doing.

"Snake Eyes, what are you looking for?"

"You have the scar," Snake Eyes wrote.

"The scar? What scar?" Scarlett said. She felt a chill running through her body.

"The scar from the time when the Baroness shot you in the head."

"Funny, I don't remember that ever happening. I think I would remember getting shot in the head, don't you think? In fact, where I come from, no one gets seriously hurt or killed, ever. Pretty amazing, when you think about it."

"It IS you," Snake Eyes wrote. "You are Shana in body but not in soul."

Scarlett stopped to ponder that thought. That was a very abstract thing for Snake Eyes to say to her. She never knew Snake Eyes was such a deep thinking, soulful person. Could what he be saying be true? Was she really a lost soul, trapped in another Shana O'Hara's body?

* * *

Stalker, Scarlett, and Snake Eyes sat together at a table in the mess hall.

"Snake Eyes here has been telling me about you," Stalker said to Scarlett with a friendly smile. It was two weeks since Scarlett had arrived in her own private twilight zone.

"What did he say?"

"He said you haven't been acting yourself. He said that something has happened to your personality, to your soul. You are very much like the Scarlett we know, yet different."

"Hey, what is going on, Scarlett?" Steeler's voice interrupted Stalker.

Steeler came around to Scarlett and stood near her, holding a root beer.

"I gotta say, Scarlett, that Baroness is looking hotter all the time. Why, just last week, when we were all fighting that massive battle in the fields of Borovia, I spotted her from afar. As she viciously emptied out a full clip of ammo of her Uzi submachine gun at my position while shrieking profanities, I think there was definitely something between her and me. A connection, a spark. Something told me that even though she was spraying bullets in my direction, she was secretly sending me a message saying that she wanted me."

Snake Eyes and Stalker both stared at Steeler as if he were insane. Scarlett blushed, embarrassed.

Clutch, Ace, and Breaker gathered around to listen to Steeler's romantic tale.

"Wow, that's some story, Steeler. The Baroness fired several rounds of an AK-47 at me, but I think in my case, she was actually trying to kill me," Breaker said sarcastically.

"When you succeed in bedding the Baroness, make sure to tell the rest of us so we can get in on the action," Clutch added.

"No way man. The Baroness isn't some cheap whore, she's an absolute dream. Why would I share her with a punk like you?"

Everyone enjoyed a good laugh as Steeler bid Scarlett good-bye and walked off to join Ace, Clutch, and Breaker at another table.

Later that day, Scarlett and Stalker were alone in the library. Scarlett had asked to speak with Stalker alone, and they had managed to find a place where they could speak in private for a while.

"Stalker, how did Snake Eyes and I fall in love?"

Stalker fidgeted with his beret as he looked for the right place to begin.

"I know it sounds like a weird thing to ask, but please believe me when I tell you I'm not suffering from amnesia, and I'm not on drugs. Please trust me. I really want to know what happened to me in this alternate reality I've found myself in."

"Scarlett, what you've told Snake Eyes and me sounds like pure fantasy. I want to believe you, but I'm taking an enormous leap of faith here. What happened to the Scarlett from this reality, if what you say is true?"

"I don't know."

Stalker looked at her inquisitively before taking a deep breath and diving in.

"You and Snake Eyes first met when the Joe team was first formed," Stalker began.

Stalker told her everything. He told of first meeting Snake Eyes as a commando in Vietnam, how Snake Eyes' sister and parents were killed in a car crash the day he returned, how he trained in the ninja arts and withdrew to a cabin in the mountains. Then came the formation of the Joe team, the introduction of Scarlett as a martial arts instructor, and the first meeting of Scarlett and Snake Eyes. Scarlett arched an eyebrow in amusement as she listened to things that she had never done, but which her alternate self had. She gave a laugh when Stalker related her humiliation of Steeler and Clutch, followed by Snake Eyes allowing Scarlett to throw him.

"Something drew you to him from that day on," Stalker said. "You watched Snake Eyes from afar, noticed what a loner he was. You noticed the way he sat by himself during meals. You noticed the way he never joined the other Joes in any social outings. You were intrigued; you wanted to reach out to him and find out more about him. More than that, you were touched by his loneliness and wanted him to be happy.

"Almost immediately, the two of you connected with each other. You told each other things neither of you shared with anyone else. You liked and respected each other, you enjoyed each other's company. Through your kindness, Scarlett, Snake Eyes began emerging from his shell. Then came the accident."

"The accident?"

Scarlett sat, transfixed, as Stalker told of the day they had been caught in a burning helicopter. She felt a lump forming in her throat as she listened to the way Snake Eyes had risked his life to save her. An explosion of glass ruined his face and vocal cords. Tears formed in Scarlett's eyes as Stalker described the devotion between Scarlett and Snake Eyes, and the way they risked everything for each other, time and again.

No one had ever given and sacrificed so much for her well being, not even Duke. Here was a man who gave his face and his voice, and would gladly do it for her again and again. And why?

Because he loved her with all his soul.

"I never knew anyone could love me so much," Scarlett said, wiping a tear from her eye, her voice filled with wonder.

It was late at night when Scarlett knocked on Snake Eyes' door.

"Snake Eyes," Scarlett said, looking into his eyes, "Stalker told me the story of how we came together."

Snake Eyes said nothing. He shifted his weight a little and continued looking at her.

"It's some story," Scarlett smiled. She tried to ease the tension in her stomach with a laugh, but the butterflies persisted all the same.

"Snake Eyes," Scarlett cried as she threw herself into his arms. The tears flowed freely now, she knew not from where. All she knew was the intense gratitude that she now felt for him, even though she had never personally experienced these things herself. The idea that anyone could love her, or someone like her, so deeply, truly touched something in her heart. This relationship between her and Snake Eyes in this world was a mystery that she was finally beginning to unravel. Surely, there must be something that she could learn and bring back with her, because one day she felt she would go back to where she had come from. She knew not when or where or how, but something in her gut told her this. Scarlett now felt a tremendous desire to treasure up the love Snake Eyes showered upon her so unconditionally; this love was a rare thing that could not easily be found once lost. This love was something she must treasure within her heart, just as a child holds onto the sweet memories of a distant day filled with wonder and magic. Like that child, Scarlett would spend the rest of her life hoping to recapture the essence of that original, pure feeling, again and again, because in these moments, she would believe that she had found true happiness.

Snake Eyes held her tightly in his arms and gently rubbed her back with his hands. Gradually, Scarlett's outburst of feeling and emotion subsided, and they stood there in the shadow of the doorway listening to the beating of each other's hearts.

"I have something I would like to ask of you," Scarlett said, gently peeling away Snake Eyes' mask. For the first time, her eyes met the scars of that long ago accident. Every line and curve on his face and throat was a testament of his love for her. Scarlett, feeling a sense of awe, tenderly ran her fingers over the scars, memorizing the contours of this man's face.

"Something very important," Scarlett continued as she cupped Snake Eyes' face in her hands and kissed him lightly on the forehead. Snake Eyes closed his eyes and smiled, enjoying the touch of Scarlett, even if it wasn't really the Scarlett he knew and loved.

He knew this much, though: he knew he could grow to love the Scarlett now standing before him.

"Will you teach me sign language?"

"Of course," Snake Eyes mouthed silently.

They smiled affectionately at each other for a moment, before Snake Eyes gently took her hand and led her into his quarters to begin the lesson.

To be continued…