It's Like Being Born Again. Pt 2
Author chick's notes: Just continuing from the last chapter. I was brainstorming this monster earlier, and I'll be dammed if I didn't scare the shite out of myself. Enjoy the mush while it lasts, it's going to get uglier as the story progresses. =) Disclaimers are in chapter 1, I own nadda.
Clutch and Grunt both shared a look as they left Steeler alone with the Baroness. Either she would kill him in his sleep, or she'd prove that she was genuine in her intentions. Clutch signaled to Grunt he'd check in on them later and make sure that the blonde tanker was still alive. Grunt nodded then looked forward. The Baroness' assistant, Leila was leading them past another set of rooms on their way to get a tour of the facility. The tour would wait Clutch thought as he suddenly yawned loudly.
"Excuse me, Ms?" I'd love to see this and all, but we've got two days to familiarize ourselves and I'm dead tired." Clutch spoke up. Leila just smiled and stopped at the next door they came to.
"I understand." She said as she opened the door to a similar suite of rooms they'd left Steeler in. "You'll find a full kitchen in case you are hungry." She began as she showed the men around the suite. "And fresh clothing to change with." She added as she flipped on the light switch in the bedroom. Both Joes gaped at the room and back at Leila. Before either one could say anything, she motioned to a consol next to the expansive bed and showed how Clutch could get a hold of anyone he chose from it. "These will be your chambers, you on the other hand will be next door." She said before taking Grunt by the arm and leading him away. Clutch saw the pair off and wished them a good night before Grunt was led to his own suite.
Grabbing a soda out of the refrigerator, he made his way back to the bedroom and set about cleaning himself up. Showered and dressed in sweats, Clutch set the alarm on his watch for three hours. He'd check in on his lieutenant at that time and if he was satisfied, he'd began relaxing a little. Everything was so strange here. It was the same on the surface but that's where it ended. Clutch shook his head to get rid of the thoughts as he crawled into bed. It wasn't long before he too was soon fast asleep, safe, and comfortable.
Next door, Grunt was nowhere near as sleepy as his friends. The events of the past few days and the huge mystery of their present situation had him thinking. And whenever he was thinking, he wouldn't stop for anything, sleep included. "Hey Leila? Is it?" At her yes, he continued. "I'm not tired right now but I'd really like to get a jump on a few things." Grunt said as she looked up at him. "And I could use your help if you're not busy?" He added.
"I have a small errand to run first, then I am at your disposal." Leila said. "I'll meet you back here in one half hour?" She inquired, figuring that he'd probably want to shower and get comfortable himself.
"Sure, see ya then." Grunt said as she left. Grunt leaned against the door as it closed behind Leila. "Damn if that outfit doesn't love her." He said aloud as he remembered her form being hugged in the tight uniform. Tapping his knuckles to his head he muttered again. "Brain out of pants and back into the skull Robbie." He said as he set off towards the bedroom to change. In one of the drawers, he found sweatpants and shirts. Picking a grey pair and settling for a t-shirt, he then took a quick, cold shower. He was still having problems getting the image of Leila out of his mind.
"Nice." Grunt said aloud as he saw a small gash above his right eye. "Add to the scar while yer at it." He said, referring to a continually growing scar over his eye. He always seemed to get nicked in the same area. He looked over at a tray next to the sink and thought for a moment before deciding that he'd shave later. Dressed, Grunt made his way into the kitchen area and began getting some coffee going. He was about to check the time when he heard a knock on the door. Glancing at the clock on the microwave he marveled that Leila was right on time.
She had changed as well in the time she was gone. Instead of the form-fitting COBRA uniform, she now wore a large black sweater over a pair of matching leggings. Grunt stammered out a small 'hi' and stepped aside to allow her in. "I brought a few data discs on history for you to go over." Leila said as she set down the small case she carried with her.
"That's perfect." Grunt smiled. "Would you like some coffee? It should be ready by now." He added, pointing in the general direction of the kitchen.
"Allow me to help you." Leila offered as she followed him into the kitchen. After a few minutes the two had gotten their coffee as well as put some sandwiches together. Making their way back to the living room area, they sat down and began going over the information Leila had brought with her.
As Grunt read the information on the discs, he answered Leila's questions about his world and himself. He quickly noticed that a lot of what he was reading, he already knew, so he scanned the pages until the information wasn't what he took for history. "Well, everything's kosher up to Vietnam, at least as I know it." Grunt said as he narrowed in on the formation of both GI Joe and COBRA.
"How long has COBRA been in charge around here?" Grunt asked Leila in an effort to narrow his search a little more.
"Roughly four years now." Leila answered as she reached over to the keyboard on the laptop and punched up a few keywords. "Here is when it started, at least as everyone knows it." She added, pointing to a highlighted section on the screen. Grunt skimmed over it, not satisfied entirely but it was a start.
"This is just basics though." He said reading the information.
Leila jolted as she remembered something that may help him. "My errand a while ago was to check that a message had gotten through." She began. "The Baroness had requested the presence of a key member of the Resistance. She has also become quite the historian of the events of the last four years, she'll be able to assist you more I believe." Leila added.
"Would I know this person?" Grunt asked, hoping it might be one of his fellow Joes from this timeline.
"I'm afraid I've never met her. All I know is that she is very highly respected for her espionage skills as well as the detailed information she has gathered since the take over." Leila offered.
Grunt ran a hand through his hair as he scanned the screen again. "Hmm…" He murmured, shutting off the computer and turning to Leila. "I guess that'll have to do for now." He added. Looking up at Leila he decided to get to know her a little better. What were her motivations? Why was she so helpful? "Uh, mind if I ask why you're with COBRA?" Grunt asked, figuring it to be the best place to start.
Leila answered all of his questions honestly and gladly offered other details as well. Asking a few of her own, the two spent the better part of the night learning what made the other tick. Grunt felt that he could trust this woman, who said she owed her life to the Baroness, hence her devout service to the woman. Grunt told her of the Baroness he knew and she was appalled that the two were essentially the same woman.
Leila felt the need to change the subject. "What made you decide to stay here Grunt?" She asked, wondering why he'd stay in hell compaired to his own reality.
"Rob." He said. "Call me Rob." He shrugged. "As for why I stayed…I guess I figured that I could be of some help here. Not to mention I owe both you and the Baroness pretty much everything." He added with a lopsided smirk.
"And your friends, Rob?" Leila asked.
"Probably the same thing. I mean I saw my own corpse this evening. It's a pretty weird feeling knowing I'm dead to some extent here." Grunt answered.
The two spoke some more before Leila began nodding off. Grunt got up and went to turn down the bed. He came back and found Leila fast asleep in the chair she had spent most of the night in. Picking her up gently, her took her into the room and lay her down. Covering her with the blankets, she mumbled something he didn't catch in her sleep. He watched her sleep for a few minutes before heading back out to the living room area. After turning out the lights he fumbled his way towards the couch and pulled the afghan draped over the back onto himself. After musing his sense of chivalry he was soon snoring softly.
Clutch awoke to the sound of his watch beeping. After trying to remember why he'd set the alarm in the first place, he rose out of bed and quietly made his way back to the suite where Steeler was spending the night. It didn't take him long to pick the lock on the door. Very quietly he crept towards the master bedroom. There he found Steeler deep asleep and not alone. Curled up next to him, resting her head on his bare chest was the Baroness. In the dim light he could barely see the tracks her tears had left on her fair skin. Feeling as though he was intruding on something private, he made his way back to his own quarters and back into bed.
This Baroness was what she claimed to be Clutch decided. He would use the remaining day or so to rest up. Knowing Grunt, he'd already narrowed down their task of relearning things as they had happened in this world. Clutch yawned deeply, his mind drifting on all the things that could go wrong with his decision to stay in a war zone instead having gone back to where he knew the world. Frowning in the dark, Clutch ground the morbid thoughts out with a hard fact. He was a Joe it was his sworn duty to keep the world safe from evil and horror, the likes of which COBRA represented. The large mechanic fell asleep, holding his final thoughts in the forefront of his consciousness.
To Be Continued…
