Words of Wisdom
"Dash?" She yawned, gingerly craning her head and shoulders up from his chest. The sound of their radio alarm clock had crept into her dreams, waking her. Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she snuggled back down beside him, nestling herself comfortably into the crook of his arm. "Dash?"
"Hmm? Five minutes," he complained, raking his hand over his eyes and down along his jaw before settling it on her bare shoulder.
"I thought you had off today," she swirled her fingertips through the hair on his chest, lifting the chain from his dog tags in her fingers. Smiling, she allowed the tags to slide back and forth before flipping them over her fingers.. She watched him reach his free arm out to hit the snooze. He missed, fumbling for the clock. "Allow me," she sighed heavily, rising to her elbow from the warmth of their bed. She stretched across him in search of the clock.
"I'm off... after the meeting with Hawk." He reminded her, deftly catching her hand in his as she hit the snooze button. He rolled her over to her back. "I have to fly into DC with him this morning and we should be back in time for dinner.... and, I'm taking you away for the weekend, Mrs. Faireborn," he winked suggestively, tracing his fingers over her jaw, tilting her face up to his.
"Mmm....and where are we going?" She wrapped her arms around his neck, luring him closer.
"That milady is a surprise," he chuckled, kissing the tip of her nose. Their phone ringing interrupted the moment.
"Dash?" She groaned in protest.
He winced, glancing over to the nightstand. "I better see who it is," he pushed himself up from the bed so that his feet were planted on the floor. "Hello," he answered their private line. She kneeled behind him, draping her forearms across his broad shoulders to balance herself.
"Uh...Hawk," Dash straightened up, giving him his undivided attention. Feeling the bed shift behind him, he caught himself, placing his hand behind him. A side-glance over his shoulder brought his eyes to her as she crawled from the bed and stood with her bare back to him. His breath caught in his chest, watching her don her robe before turning back to face him.
"I'll get your breakfast," she whispered, running her hand over his shoulder.
"Flint." Hawk's voice summoned his attention.
"Yes Sir..."
"Meet me on the tarmac in 30, our meeting just got moved up and I want to make sure we're at the Senator's office on time. We can't afford to miss this meeting," Hawk grumbled, dropping the phone into the cradle.
Dash sprang to his feet, switching the phone off as he raced for the shower.
"Dash?" Allie poked her head into the room, checking to see if he was coming to the table. Hers eyes widened in wonder at his sudden rush.
"I'm sorry, honey. I've got to be on the tarmac in 30. Can you grab a pair of my BDUs out for me, please?" He ducked into the bathroom.
"Sure," she shrugged, making her way over to his dresser. She opened the drawers, pulling forth his clothes before stooping down to his footlocker for the rest of his holster and sidearm.
*****
She was setting his uniform down across their bed when he came out of the bathroom. A towel firmly knotted about his waist while another was draped across his shoulders. She slowly shook her head, smirking humorously at the sight of him, vigorously brushing the towel over his hair.
"I'll call you after the meeting.... once we're ready to take off," he tossed the towels aside, quickly slipping into his clothes. "You ok?" He noticed sadness in her eyes as she reached for his beret, handing it to him.
"Yeah, I'm just sorry to see you rushing off again."
"Pack a bag for the weekend," he smirked, holding her hand as he took the beret from her. He walked to the mirror, adjusting his beret into place before straightening the seams of his uniform and buckling his belt. He brought his right leg up, resting his boot on edge of the bed to quickly polish a bit of dirt from it. Standing up to his full height, he palmed his service revolver, examining the gripe and safety before slipping it into its holster.
"Where are we going?" Her face lit up with anticipation, wrapping her arms around his torso from behind. Her hands, sliding along his chest, she felt his hands clasping hers, drawing them out.
"That's a surprise," he grinned mischievously, swinging her around to face him.
"Hmmm? I like surprises," she stood tiptoe to him, feeling his hands pulling her closer.
"I know...why don't you get some sleep and enjoy your day off?" He tried to brush a light kiss over her lips only to feel her nip his lower lip playfully with her teeth. A low growl was his response as he kissed her soundly before stepping back from her.
"Dash?" She pouted, grabbing a hold of his arm.
"We're out of here as soon as I get back...I promise," he caressed her cheek with his hand, tracing his thumb back over her jaw.
She raised a brow, questioning him.
"Get some sleep," he pulled her back to him, running his hands over her back to rest over her bottom. "I'll call you before we leave to make sure you're ready. Clutch said he'd make sure my mustang wasn't blocked in the garage."
"Clutch knows... and you won't tell me where you're taking me?" She glared incredulously back at him.
"He knows he better have that car out and ready for us or else," he winked. "Now, back to bed," he squeezed her bottom as he kissed her one last time before heading out the door.
*****
Flint hurried through the maze of corridors to reach the tarmac. Checking his wrist COM, he noticed the time and double-timed it, running past Beach Head's desk.
"Slow down, YAHOO," the ranger snapped, raising his head from the reports he was documenting. "Oh..." He caught Flint's annoyed expression.
"Where's Hawk?" Flint growled, straightening up to his full height.
"Out on the tarmac..." Beach Head mirrored him, straightening himself up at his desk.
"How long?" Flint approached the security doors, punching up the code to unlock them.
"He just got here. You're still waiting for Mainframe."
"Why?" Flint frowned, pondering why the sudden addition of Mainframe to the crew.
"Dunno...when ya due back?"
"Later...check with Duke if you run into any problems. He's taking my watch," Flint called over his shoulder, walking through the doors. He noticed Hawk pacing the edge of the tarmac.
"About time you got here, Flint," Hawk scowled, checking his watch. "We're waiting for Mainframe."
"Sorry, sir," Flint stood, delivering a crisp salute. He spotted Mainframe approaching out of the corner of his eye. "Why's Mainframe going with us?" He questioned, dropping his hand down to his side.
"He's meeting with the lab tech to go over the next stage of upgrades for the wrist COMs," Hawk clapped Flint over the shoulder. "You know Duke could have handled this, son."
"Yes, but, it's still my responsibility," Flint reasoned, falling into step beside Hawk as they walked towards the Tomahawk. They watched the crew scurrying out from under the rotors. "Wild Bill's flying us into DC. He'll stay with the Tomahawk while we meet with the senator."
"Good call," Hawk yelled, ducking under the rotors as the engines revved up.
The three men climbed aboard with Flint taking the copilots seat beside Wild Bill.
"Howdy partner, its' been a while," Wild Bill tipped his head towards Flint, passing him a set of headphones.
"Yeah, it has Bill," Flint nodded back, accepting the proffered headphones. "Did you radio control with our flight plan?"
"Yep, we jus' gotta git this here bird off the ground," he grinned, reaching to his overhead console. "Fasten yer seatbelts, gentlemen."
"Tomahawk 690 to control, permission to take off," Flint adjusted the radio mic attached to his headphones.
"Roger that, you're clear Tomahawk 690," Daemon responded as Flint turned back towards Mainframe.
"I put him on the console while Firewall runs more tests," Mainframe shifted uncomfortably in his seat, opening up his laptop. He handed a file to Hawk.
"Tests on what?" Flint snarled, yanking his headphones off while narrowing his eyes on the computer specialist. He hated being the last to know. Mainframe hadn't mentioned any problems to him.
"Flint, stand down," Hawk raised a hand as he scanned the top page of the report. "Lifeline found a glitch in one of the wrist COMs." He scowled, closing the file.
"And you didn't tell me," he fixed his stare on Mainframe. "You said this stage of the upgrades were complete."
"It's probably nothing but a software glitch," the computer specialist shrugged, taking the file back from Hawk. He set it down next to him with the cover open. "He found it after doing the girls physicals. One of the girls came up anemic and the COM should have compensated it. I'm running checks now and I have the lab guys waiting for me when we arrive. I'll get it straight." He emphasized, focusing his full attention on his laptop's screen.
"Which of the girls?" Flint growled, biting the inside of his lip. Mainframe glanced up to see the fixed snarl.
"Lady Jaye," Hawk raised his voice, interrupting the warrant officer before he could say another word. "We're going to be late gentleman, now I suggest you get this bird off the ground."
"We're not through with this by a long shot, Mainframe," Flint grumbled, placing his headphones back in place. "Not by a long shot," he fumed, wondering why Allie hadn't mentioned it to him last night or this morning. "Wait, she's always been slightly anemic," he shrugged, suppressing the niggling in the back of his mind. "You're worried over nothing Dash," he told himself pulling back on the yoke to lift the Tomahawk into the air.
"Mainframe, make sure you check in with Firewall and Daemon periodically," Flint grumbled, steadying the Tomahawk. He focused on the controls, following Wild Bill's lead. He'd follow up later with Mainframe and the others to make sure there weren't any more surprises.
*****
"1...1000...2...1000....3....1000....1....1...1000...2...1000...3...1000...2...." She counted, inhaling as she stretched.
"Hey, Jaye!" Scarlett leaned in the door. "I was going to town...want to come along?"
Exhaling a deep cleansing breath, she stood slowly to greet her. "Not today Shana, I've got some packing to do."
"Packing?" Alarm colored Scarlett's face.
"Dash is taking me away for a few days," Lady Jaye smiled, her face beaming with anticipation.
"How did you manage that?" Scarlett stared back with a mixture of wonder and envy. "No one's been getting any time off lately."
"Tell me about it," Lady Jaye groaned, taking a seat at the weight machine. "Shana, can you set it to 150, please?" She nodded to the weighted bars as she place her feet against the pedal to push.
"Yeah," Scarlett set the pin in place. "Go..."
"Thanks...I'm not sure how it went down. Dash said Duke was taking his watch."
"Taking his watch?" Her eyes widened. "He never passes off his watch off to anyone."
"I'm...not...look...ing....a gift horse in the mouth," she pushed her legs through the first rep. "We haven't had leave together in months." She complained, feeling the burn from the weights.
"I'll let you go...have fun," Scarlett smirked humorously, stepping away from the machine. "And Allie..."
"Yeah?"
"If he goes to check a single message, beam him upside that thick skull of his," she winked, walking off.
"Mmm hmm," she stifled a chuckle, releasing the pressure from her legs.
ping...ping...ping
"What the---" Lady Jaye scowled, studying her wrist COM.
"What's the matter?" Scarlett halted in her step, glancing at the puzzled expression on Lady Jaye's face.
"It's my wrist COM...again...Lifeline found a glitch in it and Daemon's playing with it from the control center." She groaned, reaching for her water bottle.
"I thought those things were straightened out."
"Most are...mine appears to be the exception. I guess this will have to wait," she gestured to the workout area, stretching as she stood. "I have to find Daemon and make sure he gets this straightened out before we leave."
"Leave the COM...you're on leave," Scarlett grabbed her arm, pulling her around to face her. "You got the leave. Nothing's going on and Duke...Stalker...and I can handle anything that goes down UNTIL you return." Lady Jaye hesitated, searching for a valid argument. "Allie...take the time and enjoy life for a few days. You're not likely to get another chance for awhile..."
"You're right," she reluctantly agreed. "Look...I've got to find Daemon. I'll catch you later.
"Allie...leave the COM." Scarlett yelled out from the door, watching as she turned down the corridor leading to the control center.
*****
"All things considered...I'd say things went rather well for a change," Hawk rocked back on his heels with his hands tucked in his pockets, surveying the crews on the tarmac. "Did you call her?" He suppressed a chuckle, watching his XO pacing before him. "Flint...Flint?"
"Sorry, Sir, things did go rather well," Flint replied, impatiently clenching his fists tight. "What is taking them so long?"
"I asked if you called her," Hawk repeated, catching Flint's uneasy hesitation. "There's a trick to staying together in the military you know..."
"Ah..sir?" Flint stared back, unsure where this was leading.
"They're going to be awhile," he nodded towards the crew. "You know its not that easy balancing a married life in the military these days...you're both running in opposite directions."
"Sir?" He donned a poker face, unreadable.
"You're doing a fine job don't misunderstand," Hawk grinned, removing two cigars from his inside jacket pocket. He extended his hand, offering one to Flint who hesitated slightly before accepting it. "A habit my wife wishes I'd quit," Hawk mused, cutting the end of his with a small cutter from his key ring. Lighting it, he inhaled, slowly as he watch his warrant officer. "You've got a wonderful wife...a..."
"Sir..."
"Let me finish, son," he settled back, taking a seat while gesturing to the seat across from him for Flint to sit. The observation room was empty. "As I was saying.... married life in general is tough as hell...tougher when you're both in the military and under the amount of pressure we deal with on a daily basis. I'll admit...I wasn't too sure whether turning a blind eye to the two of you was one of my brighter ideas but..." he grinned smugly, "it made sense at the time. You have the perfect wife for you...I said for you," he suppressed an urge to laugh out loud, recalling some of their finer moments. A picture of Flint sprawled out on the ground after she'd decked him upon Scarlett and Snake Eyes return from the dead immediately came to mind. "The two of you balance each other naturally but that still requires effort to maintain."
Flint shifted uncomfortably in his seat, drumming his fingers on the arms of the chair as he leaned forward.
"You're doing a damn fine job for me and I appreciate it but you need to relax a bit...you're too intense, Dash. If you don't find the time now, you'll regret it later. I don't want to see it come down to that."
"With all due respect sir, we're fine." Flint raised his eyes to meet Hawks.
"Are you? I pulled all the mission logs since we reactivated and the two of you haven't taken leave together once. Standing order warrant officer...make time. It's fine to be the bright and shining star but even stars fizzle out eventually and what would you find when you're time is done...a lot of missed opportunities."
Unable to find a valid argument, Flint leaned back in his seat, looking out towards the tarmac.
"It's all a balancing act, son...a well orchestrated balancing act."
"Hawk," he leaned forward to respond. "Thanks," the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them as Flint sat back.
"Mainframe, did you get the COM situation resolved?"
"All squared away...Jaye's COM shouldn't cause any more problems for her. I've just got to upgrade its program. The guys goofed," he shrugged his shoulders.
"Goofed?" Hawk and Flint each raised a brow.
"How DID they goof?" Hawk narrowed his eyes on Mainframe, signaling Flint to remain silent. "Well?"
"Her COM wasn't adjusted for female biochemistry, it was set standard issue. We have the standard issue ones," he held out his wrist, turning it inward. "The female Joes have a different version. Only when we issued them, we didn't anticipate the additional team members. Lady Jaye was out on that reconnaissance mission and..."
"And?" Flint scowled.
"And Daemon handed her the standard version," Mainframe sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We were up against a wall, trying to get everyone outfitted. I should have checked the female wrist COMs myself."
"When we get back, you will go over EACH and every COM to make sure we don't have this problem again. Is that clear?" Flint held his voice level and cool while inwardly he was fuming. Mistakes happened but the COMS were the lifelines to the command center, designed to transmit all biofeedback in case of an emergency. They told the command center the status of each and every Joe. If a Joe was wounded, they were the first to know and could triangulate their COM signal to send a medic out.
"Already there...I called ahead to have the women meet me at the lab. I'm pretty sure Lady Jaye's the only one with the COM problem. Daemon has her COM...it went off."
"Went off?" Flint raised a brow.
"Flint, I'm sure Mainframe will rectify the situation as soon as we return." Hawk interjected. "We're all overworked. Go call Lady Jaye, it looks like we're ready," he nodded to Wild Bill, approaching the observation room.
"I'll be back in a minute. I told her I'd call when we were headed back," he scanned the area for a phone, pausing in his step to look back at Mainframe. "How long will it take to get her COM link repaired?"
"Not long...I'm actually going to reissue this new one," he tapped his bag. "It the latest model...far more attuned to our computer relay system."
"Flint grab Lady Jaye and take your leave when we get back. The COM can wait...neither of you are on for the next 48 hours," Hawk stated, firmly.
"Yes sir," he cast a lopsided grin walking off to the phone.
"What's that all about?" Mainframe caught a matching grin on Hawk's face.
"Just some words of wisdom..."
"Dash?" She yawned, gingerly craning her head and shoulders up from his chest. The sound of their radio alarm clock had crept into her dreams, waking her. Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she snuggled back down beside him, nestling herself comfortably into the crook of his arm. "Dash?"
"Hmm? Five minutes," he complained, raking his hand over his eyes and down along his jaw before settling it on her bare shoulder.
"I thought you had off today," she swirled her fingertips through the hair on his chest, lifting the chain from his dog tags in her fingers. Smiling, she allowed the tags to slide back and forth before flipping them over her fingers.. She watched him reach his free arm out to hit the snooze. He missed, fumbling for the clock. "Allow me," she sighed heavily, rising to her elbow from the warmth of their bed. She stretched across him in search of the clock.
"I'm off... after the meeting with Hawk." He reminded her, deftly catching her hand in his as she hit the snooze button. He rolled her over to her back. "I have to fly into DC with him this morning and we should be back in time for dinner.... and, I'm taking you away for the weekend, Mrs. Faireborn," he winked suggestively, tracing his fingers over her jaw, tilting her face up to his.
"Mmm....and where are we going?" She wrapped her arms around his neck, luring him closer.
"That milady is a surprise," he chuckled, kissing the tip of her nose. Their phone ringing interrupted the moment.
"Dash?" She groaned in protest.
He winced, glancing over to the nightstand. "I better see who it is," he pushed himself up from the bed so that his feet were planted on the floor. "Hello," he answered their private line. She kneeled behind him, draping her forearms across his broad shoulders to balance herself.
"Uh...Hawk," Dash straightened up, giving him his undivided attention. Feeling the bed shift behind him, he caught himself, placing his hand behind him. A side-glance over his shoulder brought his eyes to her as she crawled from the bed and stood with her bare back to him. His breath caught in his chest, watching her don her robe before turning back to face him.
"I'll get your breakfast," she whispered, running her hand over his shoulder.
"Flint." Hawk's voice summoned his attention.
"Yes Sir..."
"Meet me on the tarmac in 30, our meeting just got moved up and I want to make sure we're at the Senator's office on time. We can't afford to miss this meeting," Hawk grumbled, dropping the phone into the cradle.
Dash sprang to his feet, switching the phone off as he raced for the shower.
"Dash?" Allie poked her head into the room, checking to see if he was coming to the table. Hers eyes widened in wonder at his sudden rush.
"I'm sorry, honey. I've got to be on the tarmac in 30. Can you grab a pair of my BDUs out for me, please?" He ducked into the bathroom.
"Sure," she shrugged, making her way over to his dresser. She opened the drawers, pulling forth his clothes before stooping down to his footlocker for the rest of his holster and sidearm.
*****
She was setting his uniform down across their bed when he came out of the bathroom. A towel firmly knotted about his waist while another was draped across his shoulders. She slowly shook her head, smirking humorously at the sight of him, vigorously brushing the towel over his hair.
"I'll call you after the meeting.... once we're ready to take off," he tossed the towels aside, quickly slipping into his clothes. "You ok?" He noticed sadness in her eyes as she reached for his beret, handing it to him.
"Yeah, I'm just sorry to see you rushing off again."
"Pack a bag for the weekend," he smirked, holding her hand as he took the beret from her. He walked to the mirror, adjusting his beret into place before straightening the seams of his uniform and buckling his belt. He brought his right leg up, resting his boot on edge of the bed to quickly polish a bit of dirt from it. Standing up to his full height, he palmed his service revolver, examining the gripe and safety before slipping it into its holster.
"Where are we going?" Her face lit up with anticipation, wrapping her arms around his torso from behind. Her hands, sliding along his chest, she felt his hands clasping hers, drawing them out.
"That's a surprise," he grinned mischievously, swinging her around to face him.
"Hmmm? I like surprises," she stood tiptoe to him, feeling his hands pulling her closer.
"I know...why don't you get some sleep and enjoy your day off?" He tried to brush a light kiss over her lips only to feel her nip his lower lip playfully with her teeth. A low growl was his response as he kissed her soundly before stepping back from her.
"Dash?" She pouted, grabbing a hold of his arm.
"We're out of here as soon as I get back...I promise," he caressed her cheek with his hand, tracing his thumb back over her jaw.
She raised a brow, questioning him.
"Get some sleep," he pulled her back to him, running his hands over her back to rest over her bottom. "I'll call you before we leave to make sure you're ready. Clutch said he'd make sure my mustang wasn't blocked in the garage."
"Clutch knows... and you won't tell me where you're taking me?" She glared incredulously back at him.
"He knows he better have that car out and ready for us or else," he winked. "Now, back to bed," he squeezed her bottom as he kissed her one last time before heading out the door.
*****
Flint hurried through the maze of corridors to reach the tarmac. Checking his wrist COM, he noticed the time and double-timed it, running past Beach Head's desk.
"Slow down, YAHOO," the ranger snapped, raising his head from the reports he was documenting. "Oh..." He caught Flint's annoyed expression.
"Where's Hawk?" Flint growled, straightening up to his full height.
"Out on the tarmac..." Beach Head mirrored him, straightening himself up at his desk.
"How long?" Flint approached the security doors, punching up the code to unlock them.
"He just got here. You're still waiting for Mainframe."
"Why?" Flint frowned, pondering why the sudden addition of Mainframe to the crew.
"Dunno...when ya due back?"
"Later...check with Duke if you run into any problems. He's taking my watch," Flint called over his shoulder, walking through the doors. He noticed Hawk pacing the edge of the tarmac.
"About time you got here, Flint," Hawk scowled, checking his watch. "We're waiting for Mainframe."
"Sorry, sir," Flint stood, delivering a crisp salute. He spotted Mainframe approaching out of the corner of his eye. "Why's Mainframe going with us?" He questioned, dropping his hand down to his side.
"He's meeting with the lab tech to go over the next stage of upgrades for the wrist COMs," Hawk clapped Flint over the shoulder. "You know Duke could have handled this, son."
"Yes, but, it's still my responsibility," Flint reasoned, falling into step beside Hawk as they walked towards the Tomahawk. They watched the crew scurrying out from under the rotors. "Wild Bill's flying us into DC. He'll stay with the Tomahawk while we meet with the senator."
"Good call," Hawk yelled, ducking under the rotors as the engines revved up.
The three men climbed aboard with Flint taking the copilots seat beside Wild Bill.
"Howdy partner, its' been a while," Wild Bill tipped his head towards Flint, passing him a set of headphones.
"Yeah, it has Bill," Flint nodded back, accepting the proffered headphones. "Did you radio control with our flight plan?"
"Yep, we jus' gotta git this here bird off the ground," he grinned, reaching to his overhead console. "Fasten yer seatbelts, gentlemen."
"Tomahawk 690 to control, permission to take off," Flint adjusted the radio mic attached to his headphones.
"Roger that, you're clear Tomahawk 690," Daemon responded as Flint turned back towards Mainframe.
"I put him on the console while Firewall runs more tests," Mainframe shifted uncomfortably in his seat, opening up his laptop. He handed a file to Hawk.
"Tests on what?" Flint snarled, yanking his headphones off while narrowing his eyes on the computer specialist. He hated being the last to know. Mainframe hadn't mentioned any problems to him.
"Flint, stand down," Hawk raised a hand as he scanned the top page of the report. "Lifeline found a glitch in one of the wrist COMs." He scowled, closing the file.
"And you didn't tell me," he fixed his stare on Mainframe. "You said this stage of the upgrades were complete."
"It's probably nothing but a software glitch," the computer specialist shrugged, taking the file back from Hawk. He set it down next to him with the cover open. "He found it after doing the girls physicals. One of the girls came up anemic and the COM should have compensated it. I'm running checks now and I have the lab guys waiting for me when we arrive. I'll get it straight." He emphasized, focusing his full attention on his laptop's screen.
"Which of the girls?" Flint growled, biting the inside of his lip. Mainframe glanced up to see the fixed snarl.
"Lady Jaye," Hawk raised his voice, interrupting the warrant officer before he could say another word. "We're going to be late gentleman, now I suggest you get this bird off the ground."
"We're not through with this by a long shot, Mainframe," Flint grumbled, placing his headphones back in place. "Not by a long shot," he fumed, wondering why Allie hadn't mentioned it to him last night or this morning. "Wait, she's always been slightly anemic," he shrugged, suppressing the niggling in the back of his mind. "You're worried over nothing Dash," he told himself pulling back on the yoke to lift the Tomahawk into the air.
"Mainframe, make sure you check in with Firewall and Daemon periodically," Flint grumbled, steadying the Tomahawk. He focused on the controls, following Wild Bill's lead. He'd follow up later with Mainframe and the others to make sure there weren't any more surprises.
*****
"1...1000...2...1000....3....1000....1....1...1000...2...1000...3...1000...2...." She counted, inhaling as she stretched.
"Hey, Jaye!" Scarlett leaned in the door. "I was going to town...want to come along?"
Exhaling a deep cleansing breath, she stood slowly to greet her. "Not today Shana, I've got some packing to do."
"Packing?" Alarm colored Scarlett's face.
"Dash is taking me away for a few days," Lady Jaye smiled, her face beaming with anticipation.
"How did you manage that?" Scarlett stared back with a mixture of wonder and envy. "No one's been getting any time off lately."
"Tell me about it," Lady Jaye groaned, taking a seat at the weight machine. "Shana, can you set it to 150, please?" She nodded to the weighted bars as she place her feet against the pedal to push.
"Yeah," Scarlett set the pin in place. "Go..."
"Thanks...I'm not sure how it went down. Dash said Duke was taking his watch."
"Taking his watch?" Her eyes widened. "He never passes off his watch off to anyone."
"I'm...not...look...ing....a gift horse in the mouth," she pushed her legs through the first rep. "We haven't had leave together in months." She complained, feeling the burn from the weights.
"I'll let you go...have fun," Scarlett smirked humorously, stepping away from the machine. "And Allie..."
"Yeah?"
"If he goes to check a single message, beam him upside that thick skull of his," she winked, walking off.
"Mmm hmm," she stifled a chuckle, releasing the pressure from her legs.
ping...ping...ping
"What the---" Lady Jaye scowled, studying her wrist COM.
"What's the matter?" Scarlett halted in her step, glancing at the puzzled expression on Lady Jaye's face.
"It's my wrist COM...again...Lifeline found a glitch in it and Daemon's playing with it from the control center." She groaned, reaching for her water bottle.
"I thought those things were straightened out."
"Most are...mine appears to be the exception. I guess this will have to wait," she gestured to the workout area, stretching as she stood. "I have to find Daemon and make sure he gets this straightened out before we leave."
"Leave the COM...you're on leave," Scarlett grabbed her arm, pulling her around to face her. "You got the leave. Nothing's going on and Duke...Stalker...and I can handle anything that goes down UNTIL you return." Lady Jaye hesitated, searching for a valid argument. "Allie...take the time and enjoy life for a few days. You're not likely to get another chance for awhile..."
"You're right," she reluctantly agreed. "Look...I've got to find Daemon. I'll catch you later.
"Allie...leave the COM." Scarlett yelled out from the door, watching as she turned down the corridor leading to the control center.
*****
"All things considered...I'd say things went rather well for a change," Hawk rocked back on his heels with his hands tucked in his pockets, surveying the crews on the tarmac. "Did you call her?" He suppressed a chuckle, watching his XO pacing before him. "Flint...Flint?"
"Sorry, Sir, things did go rather well," Flint replied, impatiently clenching his fists tight. "What is taking them so long?"
"I asked if you called her," Hawk repeated, catching Flint's uneasy hesitation. "There's a trick to staying together in the military you know..."
"Ah..sir?" Flint stared back, unsure where this was leading.
"They're going to be awhile," he nodded towards the crew. "You know its not that easy balancing a married life in the military these days...you're both running in opposite directions."
"Sir?" He donned a poker face, unreadable.
"You're doing a fine job don't misunderstand," Hawk grinned, removing two cigars from his inside jacket pocket. He extended his hand, offering one to Flint who hesitated slightly before accepting it. "A habit my wife wishes I'd quit," Hawk mused, cutting the end of his with a small cutter from his key ring. Lighting it, he inhaled, slowly as he watch his warrant officer. "You've got a wonderful wife...a..."
"Sir..."
"Let me finish, son," he settled back, taking a seat while gesturing to the seat across from him for Flint to sit. The observation room was empty. "As I was saying.... married life in general is tough as hell...tougher when you're both in the military and under the amount of pressure we deal with on a daily basis. I'll admit...I wasn't too sure whether turning a blind eye to the two of you was one of my brighter ideas but..." he grinned smugly, "it made sense at the time. You have the perfect wife for you...I said for you," he suppressed an urge to laugh out loud, recalling some of their finer moments. A picture of Flint sprawled out on the ground after she'd decked him upon Scarlett and Snake Eyes return from the dead immediately came to mind. "The two of you balance each other naturally but that still requires effort to maintain."
Flint shifted uncomfortably in his seat, drumming his fingers on the arms of the chair as he leaned forward.
"You're doing a damn fine job for me and I appreciate it but you need to relax a bit...you're too intense, Dash. If you don't find the time now, you'll regret it later. I don't want to see it come down to that."
"With all due respect sir, we're fine." Flint raised his eyes to meet Hawks.
"Are you? I pulled all the mission logs since we reactivated and the two of you haven't taken leave together once. Standing order warrant officer...make time. It's fine to be the bright and shining star but even stars fizzle out eventually and what would you find when you're time is done...a lot of missed opportunities."
Unable to find a valid argument, Flint leaned back in his seat, looking out towards the tarmac.
"It's all a balancing act, son...a well orchestrated balancing act."
"Hawk," he leaned forward to respond. "Thanks," the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them as Flint sat back.
"Mainframe, did you get the COM situation resolved?"
"All squared away...Jaye's COM shouldn't cause any more problems for her. I've just got to upgrade its program. The guys goofed," he shrugged his shoulders.
"Goofed?" Hawk and Flint each raised a brow.
"How DID they goof?" Hawk narrowed his eyes on Mainframe, signaling Flint to remain silent. "Well?"
"Her COM wasn't adjusted for female biochemistry, it was set standard issue. We have the standard issue ones," he held out his wrist, turning it inward. "The female Joes have a different version. Only when we issued them, we didn't anticipate the additional team members. Lady Jaye was out on that reconnaissance mission and..."
"And?" Flint scowled.
"And Daemon handed her the standard version," Mainframe sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We were up against a wall, trying to get everyone outfitted. I should have checked the female wrist COMs myself."
"When we get back, you will go over EACH and every COM to make sure we don't have this problem again. Is that clear?" Flint held his voice level and cool while inwardly he was fuming. Mistakes happened but the COMS were the lifelines to the command center, designed to transmit all biofeedback in case of an emergency. They told the command center the status of each and every Joe. If a Joe was wounded, they were the first to know and could triangulate their COM signal to send a medic out.
"Already there...I called ahead to have the women meet me at the lab. I'm pretty sure Lady Jaye's the only one with the COM problem. Daemon has her COM...it went off."
"Went off?" Flint raised a brow.
"Flint, I'm sure Mainframe will rectify the situation as soon as we return." Hawk interjected. "We're all overworked. Go call Lady Jaye, it looks like we're ready," he nodded to Wild Bill, approaching the observation room.
"I'll be back in a minute. I told her I'd call when we were headed back," he scanned the area for a phone, pausing in his step to look back at Mainframe. "How long will it take to get her COM link repaired?"
"Not long...I'm actually going to reissue this new one," he tapped his bag. "It the latest model...far more attuned to our computer relay system."
"Flint grab Lady Jaye and take your leave when we get back. The COM can wait...neither of you are on for the next 48 hours," Hawk stated, firmly.
"Yes sir," he cast a lopsided grin walking off to the phone.
"What's that all about?" Mainframe caught a matching grin on Hawk's face.
"Just some words of wisdom..."