It's Like Having Been Born Again.  Pt 18

Author chick's notes:  This has been fun ride.  Alas like all things, this must end too.  I've got a few side projects with this in mind lined up so I don't think you've seen the last of them.  blah Arabic, (blah) Russian.  Disclaimers are in Pt 1.

It's Like Having Been Born Again. Pt 18

Slowly there was light and then a shadow appeared.  Imani tried blinking again to focus her vision.  Love?    Lifeline looked down at her and turned over to the chair placed next to the cot. 

"Dusty? She's waking up." He said softly, as he gently woke the desert warrior.

Imani tried to understand what the words were, she knew them but couldn't figure them out until she felt a familiar hand take hers.  It's going to be all right, Love.  Imani smiled and sighed as she went back to sleep.  Dusty gently caressed her hand, occasionally brushing her hair back from her face as she slept. 

In another room adjacent to the two, another of the wounded began waking up.  Tripwire heard the deep breath that signaled his own love was rousing from sleep and looked over as Sci-Fi struggled to open his eyes.  "How do you feel, Koi?"  Tripwire watched as Sci-Fi used his right hand to run it through his hair.  He smiled when he heard his response.

"Like shit.  What did I get hammered on?" Sci-Fi groaned as he began opening his eyes and looking around.

"COBRA gunfire and whatever Doc used as a sedative when he operated on your shoulder."  Tripwire said softly.  Sci-Fi frowned for a moment trying to remember what had happened then looked to his left shoulder. 

"Those bastards nailed me again didn't they?" He asked when he saw his left side wrapped in bandages.  Tripwire explained what had happened then told Sci-Fi that he had been 'officially' discharged from the army.  "We're free of COBRA for a day and they decide to push that one on us now?" Sci-Fi asked, anger creeping into his voice as he spoke.

Tripwire grinned before answering. "No they didn't.  Your shoulder took to bad a hit for you to be considered 'battle ready' anymore.  The shot took out some nerves and tendons this time." He replied.

Sci-Fi looked down at his left hand and tried to move his fingers, the digits moved but he had no sense of touch in some of them.  "That explains why I can't feel them then." He wondered aloud as he touched his thumb to each of his fingers. 

Tripwire looked on fondly before a small sound caught his attention. "Oh! And I swear this little guy is psychic!" He said as he moved over to get Diz from his cage.  "He's been moping ever since we got back, it's like he knew you were hurt." Tripwire added as he handed the squirrel over to Sci-Fi. 

They both smiled when the little creature suddenly perked up and began actively moving as he was placed on Sci-Fi's chest.  "Hey little Dizzy dude." Sci-Fi smiled when the critter tentatively sniffed at his chin.  Satisfied that his human was alright, Diz moved down to Sci-Fi's stomach and curled up to take a nap.  "Ok that is just pathetic." Sci-Fi laughed.  He looked over at Tripwire and noticed the wistful look on his face.  "What's wrong?" He asked, concern creeping into his voice.  He noticed then that the man's eyes were red and puffy from crying.

Tripwire heaved a sigh before explaining that not all of them had made it out so safely.  "Deep Six was killed in action.  And…" Tripwire choked up with emotion before continuing.  "And Flash died on the operating table." He got out before succumbing to another round of tears.  Sci-Fi's jaw hung open as he took in the information.  He then learned that Scrap Iron had fatally wounded Deep Six and that Flash hadn't survived the shots to the abdomen that he'd received. 

What hurt more was that they had learned later that Flash, with a belly full of lead, had moved Frostbite out of harm's way.  It was figured that in his effort to save his teammate that Flash lost too much blood and couldn't survive the efforts to save him.  Frostbite had taken a hit to the hip and got most of his pelvis shattered.  It would be months before he would be able to stand on it, let alone walk again.  "Oh God." Sci-Fi whispered as tears began stinging his eyes.  Tripwire leaned over the bed and rested his head on Sci-Fi's good shoulder, both of them taking comfort in the fact that their friends were now in a more peaceful place.

Frostbite meanwhile had woken up earlier to find a very exhausted looking Diana at his bedside.  "Jenshina?"  Diana jolted awake and blinked a few times before turning her gaze over to Frostbite.

(Snowman? You're awake?) She asked, not believing that she had heard him at first.

Frostbite chuckled at the nickname she had given him when they became a couple before answering her. (Yeah, I'm awake.  Where's Flash?)  Diana had already heard of how the laser trooper had saved her beloved and she felt the tears spring forth as she told Frostbite what had happened.  (Mother of God.) He murmured when he learned of his savior's fate.  Diana also told him of who else had died in the battle and Frostbite began to shed his own tears.

(Then there's Horror Show.) She began.  Frostbite looked at her and waited to hear how he came into the picture.  (He betrayed us and joined with COBRA.)  She explained.  She told him of the encounter her and Brekhov had with their former teammate and its bloody end.  Frostbite said nothing as he held out his hand to her.  She took it and gingerly slid into the bed next to him, mindful of his damaged hip and curled up against him. 

All over the bunker, the various Joes and October Guard mourned their losses in their own way.  Doc had wanted to see how Torpedo was doing and went to the room the SEAL had shared with Deep Six.  He opened the door and saw the SEAL sitting cross-legged on the floor with his back to Doc. He was naked to his waist as he wove an intricate lei of Black-Eyed Susan's and other wild flowers in a core of sea grasses.  Doc watched fascinated as Torpedo would occasionally add an oak leaf or two to the creation between bunches of flowers as he made his tribute to his fallen friend.

Doc remembered the one trip he had taken to the SEAL's home state and knew that what Torpedo was doing now, was a most sacred of ancient traditions passed down through the ages.  Feeling like an intruder, Doc turned to leave.  He stopped when Torpedo spoke up.  "No need for go."  Doc turned to see that Torpedo had stopped what he was doing and was looking at him with his piercing black eyes.

"I didn't mean to barge in like this…I just wanted to make sure you're okay." Doc explained as he moved over and sat down across from the SEAL.

Torpedo smiled and went back to his lei making.  "Nah its cool, I don't mind da company."

Doc watched for a while as Torpedo would add to his lei.  "I know this sounds dumb, but is there a meaning behind what you chose?" Doc asked as he gestured to the beautiful creation blooming in Torpedo's hands. 

Torpedo smiled wryly and explained what each plant meant.  "Da Susan's is for his Aina…err homeland." Doc nodded that he knew the word and Torpedo continued.  "Da sea grass is for da sea obviously, but also his personality.  Its rough and not showy, an it thrives in harsh areas.  Da oak is also for strength.  And dese…" He gestured to the various other wildflowers he had arranged on the floor in front of him. "Dese is all the different moods he wen get, from calm like da sea on a warm summer day, to passionate about what he wen believe in.  Da colours at any rate."   Doc looked at the myriad of colours, from pale blues to vibrant reds and oranges.  It was then that Doc realized just how little he had known the diver.  True Deep Six never made it easy to begin with, seeing as he preferred to be alone, but it became apparent to Doc that the diver had let Torpedo in willingly.

Doc picked up a wild poppy and twirled it in his fingers as he thought of how much he had missed.  "I honestly had no idea." He said aloud.  Torpedo knew what he meant and understood.

"If it helps any, I don't know much more den you cuz." He offered.

"No.  You do.  Look at the care you've taken to choose all of this?" Doc said as he waved a hand over the greenery.  "Yeah you're more sociable then he was, but you obviously took time to get to know him better then he let the rest of us."

Torpedo looked down at the lei and chewed on his lip.  Doc's words made sense as he thought more about them and it began to hit him hard.  Doc watched as Torpedo let the feelings wash over him and laid a comforting hand on his bare shoulder when he saw the glint of tears.  Torpedo sniffled and wiped a tear away from his cheek as he picked up another reed to weave into the core.  "I guess so, huh?" He said after a while.

The two talked for a while, Torpedo explaining how Deep Six was as a person and all the different things that no one but Torpedo knew.  Doc listened and watched as Torpedo would add things to his lei and noticed a pattern emerging.  Amid the different colours and textures, it was if Torpedo was telling a story with his creation.  The blue flowers were the only ones that were randomly placed, to show that the man they represented, tended to remain calm.

A few days later, the remaining members of both teams found themselves at the site they had chosen for their burial ground.  Flash was laid to rest along with the three already buried there.  Torpedo had also made a lei that represented the laser trooper and placed it on the coffin containing his body.  As per his will, Ace's remains were cremated and his ashes scattered to the wind so he could fly one last time.  Deep Six had also asked to be cremated and Torpedo would later honor him by scattering his ashes in Chesapeake Bay, along with the lie he had woven for his friend.

As hard as the actual funerals themselves were, listening to the eulogies given for each man was worse.  Wild Bill had been asked to give Ace's and with some trepidation he did.  "Y'all already know what a good man Ace was, I don't need to go on about that, but it was what he did…" Wild Bill paused to collect himself.  "He risked his life in order to stop our world from becoming a dark place.  Lord knows how many jets he crashed or tower controller's he scared shitless when he'd buzz em but as flashy as he was, he was a good man.  I'm honored to have called him friend." Wild Bill paused again and a small smile tugged at his lips.  "And I know that smarmy bastard is laughing down from where ever he is now at us being all sad.  He was to much the life of the party to want to be remembered like this." He added.  A few of them chuckled as they agreed.

"I was gonna prepare something for this…" Short Fuze started as he began the eulogy for Flash.  "But seeing as how he always believed that there was a reason for everything, and stuff happened no matter what you did, I figured I'd do this from the heart."   Short Fuze looked skyward for a moment before continuing.  "The first time I met the guy I thought, 'Oh great some California dude type'.  But that turned out to be Rock-n-Roll." Thunder snorted a laugh at the comment as Short Fuze continued.  "I learned quickly however, that Flash was anything but that.  He had brains Einstein would have been proud of and a heart worthy of any saint.  I never met anyone who could be so easy going in such a fast paced environment, and I admired the guy for that.  I really did."  Emotion began to get the better of him as he thought of what else he wanted to say for his friend.  "I just hope…that whatever answers to life he was searching for…" Short Fuze bit back his tears in an effort to keep going.  "I just hope he's found them now."

They had all agreed to say a few words for the friends they lost but couldn't bury and each one was given the respect and dignity he deserved.  Footloose spoke of Spirit's wise old soul and his innate ability to sense the troubles of others and talk with them in an effort to help them.  Then on to Leatherneck's fierce pride and determination to get the job done no matter what and how he was what a Marine was supposed to be.  Duke spoke with a smile as he remembered the good-natured heart of Barbeque and his love of his friends.  The pride Duke spoke of having served under General Hawk was shared by all the Joes and the father figure he came to be for so many of them.  Brekhov too spoke with pride of Lt. Gorky and his love of his homeland and of the sea which he had devoted his career to.

"Hele me kakou aloha ho'i e ka manoa mi hi'ipoi ma ola." Torpedo said in his native tongue.  "It means 'go with our love back to the sea you cherished in life.'" He translated before continuing.  "If dere was one thing both Deep Six and Shipwreck did love, it was da sea.  I know Mal was aloof and hard for know, but I feel privileged to have been given da chance for get to know him.  Yeah he'd tease me plenty times, but I know now it was his way of showing he cared.  My people believe that after someone passes away they change and become 'amakua' or family spirits.  Dese spirits are usually represented by something from da ocean.  In Deep Six's case I think he's part of a strong current now, calmly flowing along in the part of the ocean he loved da most, the deep abyss." 

Torpedo smiled as he considered his words for the other sailor he had offered to speak for.  "Wit Shipwreck, he was a pirate's pirate.  And he was proud of dat too.  Hector may have been laid back and all, but he knew what he needed for do for his country and his beliefs.  And I'll be damned if anyone tells me otherwise, but he wen do it in some of da craziest, most outrageous, yet effective ways. I admit, I am gonna miss the both of dem for as long as I live.  But I know in my heart they're doing what they need to for watch out over all dey loved.  As for amakua, let's jus say I gonna smile whenever I see a sea bird doing something that is jus a bit out of da ordinary…like deliberately heckle some poor sailor." Torpedo smiled as he finished, comforted by his own words and wishing his friends, all of them eternal peace.

It was a few days later when the teams began going their separate ways.  Imani was up and about now and Dusty had decided it was high time she met her mother in law.  Cover Girl and Imani were hugging in the hanger, as they were getting ready to leave.  Imani saw in the older woman a friend and sister she could trust and promised to keep in contact with her.  For Cover Girl, Imani was the little sister she never had.  Clutch and Dusty both looked on warily at the two as they said their good-byes.  Scarlet and Snake Eyes were also leaving and Timber decided he was going to give his newest friend a final farewell.  Imani giggled as he ran his tongue from her chin to her hairline in a sloppy lupine kiss.

Cover Girl leaned into Clutch as Dusty pulled away and set out for Vegas.  He had timed it so that when they got back out west, they'd be driving at night through his desert.  He'd told Imani how beautiful his home was at night and he wanted to show it to her in all of its glory.  Cover Girl and Clutch were going to stay behind at the bunker for a while, before joining in on the recovery efforts now going on all over the world.

Sci-Fi was well enough to travel and promised to look up the doctor Doc had told him to when he and Tripwire returned to the City by the Bay.  Diz didn't seem to mind being shuffled around in his cage as he was placed in the car taking them to an awaiting plane.  Frostbite would be immobile for some time and he couldn't be moved to another location for a few more days.  He didn't mind seeing as he now had time to be with Diana who doted on him lovingly.

Footloose had agreed to stay behind and help with the rebuilding efforts now in full swing.  He just shrugged and said he'd have a roof over his head and he wasn't doing anything else at the time so why not?  Steeler had taken over for Leila as the Baroness' right hand and the two began working diligently to remove any trace of COBRA that remained.  Leila, like Diana doted lovingly on her beloved who insisted she take it easy, especially seeing as her pregnancy was becoming evident.  Grunt would begin to tell her she needed to sit down for a moment and Leila would just raise an eyebrow to him.  It was all she needed to do to get him to see things her way.

The sun was setting over the Kentucky horizon.  In a small house in the middle of a sea of grass a woman called out to her son.  "Liam? Come on lad, time for bed." A small boy popped out of some bushes next to his mother and clamped onto her leg. 

"Mamma? Do I have ta?" He grinned up at her. 

She bit her lip to keep from smiling at the boy who resembled his father so much. "Aye you do, now come on.  Hop it." She said placing a gentle swat on his rear as he bolted past her into the house.  She went inside and closed the door behind her.  She was about to tuck her son in when another child's voice demanded her attention. 

Jane Breckenridge rolled her eyes and told her son she'd be with him in a moment.  "You're just as loud as your Da, Keara." She teased as she picked the wailing infant girl up.  She placed her small finger against the baby's lips and smiled.  "And just as hungry." She laughed as she unbuttoned her blouse to feed her daughter.  As the baby fed, her mother sang to her in her native Gaelic.   Soon the little girl yawned sleepily and closed her eyes again content to just be held by her mother.

"Mamma? I want a story?" She heard Liam call out from his room.  Jane went to her son and wove a fantastical tale about a free spirited princess who could fly and how she met a wonderful if slightly rough around the edges warrior.  Liam fell asleep to the fairy tale version of how his parents met and Jane tucked him in and turned off the light.  She was just settling down into her favorite chair with Keara when she saw lights coming up the road leading to the house.

Thinking it was a neighbor who checked up on the lone mother occasionally she stepped out to the porch to greet them.  The car had barely come to a full stop when the passenger door swung open and a longhaired man rushed over to her.  "Matthew?" Jane whispered when she saw who it was.  He answered her by kissing her soundly and hugging her and their daughter close to him.  Jane looked over at the car and recognized the driver as he stepped out to join them.  She laughed and said that the neighbors would be real thrilled with them now that the noise level had just officially multiplied. 

"Hey Janey, see I brought him home all safe and sound for you." Rock-n-Roll grinned as he hugged her.

"Aye and I'm grateful for it too, Craig." She smiled. 

Thunder was about to take his daughter in his arms when he heard a familiar screech.  He turned and caught Liam who had leaped up into his father's arms and hugged him tightly.  He nuzzled the hair so much like his own as he bathed in the warmth that was his family. Keara was startled by her brother's ecstatic greeting of her father and let everyone know it too.  "That's my baby girl!" Thunder cheered as he shifted Liam to his hip and took Keara from Jane.  The baby looked up at the sound she knew and quieted down. 

"He's the only thing that gets her to hush." Jane said shaking her head as she watched the trio.  Rock-n-Roll just laughed.

Liam was holding his father's ponytail and asked if he had to go away again with Uncle Craig.  "Nope.  It's all over.  The bad people are gone now."  He answered.  Liam lay his head on his father's shoulder after muttering 'ok' and soon dozed off.  Jane led them back into the house and closed the door after them.  The sound of crickets was the only noise anyone heard that night as they slept for the first time in a long while, peacefully.

It was overcast and cold on the shores of Chesapeake Bay near Baltimore.  Torpedo didn't seem to mind the wind buffeting at him as he got out of the car.  Carrying the lei and a small urn he went to the edge of a small cliff and gazed out at the rugged beauty of the sea Deep Six had called home.  Uttering a small prayer in Hawai'ian Torpedo poured the ashes of his friend into the roiling sea below.  He tossed the lei in after them and watched as they dispersed on the waves. 

A screeching gull flew overhead, fighting the wind and dove over towards the car.  Torpedo watched as it dived at the car startling Flint and Lady Jaye, who had driven him to the cliff.  The gull pestered the car for a moment before flying off out towards the ocean.  Torpedo smiled as he watched it go.  "Take care huh, Hector."  He said to the wind as he turned to leave.

The End.