It was 'the calm before the storm; Flint had trained her to know that when
you think its over; it never is. Like a bad horror film, you think Jason
is dead but he pops up killing the unsuspecting idiot. Standing in the
middle of the lobby, she began to wonder; had they really taken Cobra down
or was there another surprise up their sleeve? She felt the adrenaline
rush slowly leaving her body; muscles began to ache and joints began to
scream; quickly shoving her pain aside, she scanned through the blackness
created by smoke and debris. Like always, he was right.
It took her no time to react; the instant the laser site zeroed in on her chest, she pulled her self up in a back hand flip she began using acrobatics to stay one step ahead of the shooter. She felt a bullet skim close to her body. From one wall she bounded off doing handsprings, cartwheels anything to get her body mass as small as possible and quickly as possible to a cover point. Pulling out of a back flip pain traveled up her shin in a consuming fire that started at her ankle. She watched the shooter eyes wide realizing the laser pointer was right between her eyes..
** . To an outsider, Gambler looked almost bored with the situation, in reality, he was keeping one eye on the asinine conversation between brother and sister and the other eye on the lobby floor. He was about to put a stop to the argument with a reality check when he spotted the red bead of a laser sight on Dashiell Faireborn's chest.
"Mischief Incoming." He screamed out. In that instant, he looked down and saw Jaye dodging bullets. In a flash, he was over the railing and falling to the lobby floor. Like a cat, he landed taking in the situation; Jaye was on the other side of the lobby down. He could see he eyes wide as the viper had the gun on her. Forgetting all his martial art training, he fell back to good old Varsity football and bum rushed Jaye's attacker.
His ears rang with gunshots, in not time the fight was over. He was the victor holding the viper's weapon. Gambling that there was still some rounds left he took aim and fired at the sniper. He felt satisfaction when the Viper fell over the railing landing on the floor of the lobby. If his shot had not been fatal, the broken neck he received from the drop was.
In an instant, he was at Lady Jaye's side. He could tell she was in considerable pain with her ankle. Shipwreck rushed from taking care of some troopers on the mezzanine, Gambler pushed back a lock of hair as Shipwreck began to make quick work of her sandal.
He turned to see a back up team running through the doors of the lobby. "Man is Kip going to be pissed." A familiar voice echoed through the smoke.
"Aw nothing a little Joe insurance wont cover" Gambler shrugged at Mac. ** Hard training sent Ashley Faireborn's body into autopilot. In a desperate move, she pulled her bother, wheel chair and all, unceremoniously to the floor. She felt pain shoot through her arm as she threw herself on top of her brother when a second shoot rang in her ears. Time crept by, as she lay on top of him, afraid to find where that second bullet went. Finally, the shouts of Keoni and Macs caused her to stir.
She began taking stock of the situation jumping when Justin's hand touched her arm. "You've been shoot." He said still a little shaken after what happened, Ashley found herself about to tell him that it was just a flesh wound, when she looked down at her brother. He laid still his ashen face contrasted boldly with his black hair and brown eyes; His body was shaking as she realized he was slipping into shock. Looking at his leg she gasped at the sight of blood pooling from a bullet wound.
"Justin!" She panicked for a second. "Dash has been hit."
"Don't worry Ash I have been shoot before." He gritted out. Without a thought to her injury, she spurred into action. Carefully, she took in each wound. . Her hand began a gentle examination of the wound for an exit hole when his scream filled her ears as more blood began to pour out. "For Chris sake Ash..." Wonder began to fill his eyes " that hurts like a mother fucker."
**
Conrade Hauser with his blonde hair and blue eyes, athletic build and dazzling white smile was often mistaken for an actor or athlete; never the one thing he truly was; second in command of an elite military organization. He sighed one would never know these men and women were not only the best and brightest in there fields; but also the best and brightest of the Joe team.
Jinx's hair was sticking out in all directions and the tips looked singed; Falcon, who was practically sitting on top of her sported a black eye. Cover Girl was covered in sand was leaning up against a wall she too also had a black eye. Mayhem ,who seemed to not have a scratch on him; daughter had nuzzled in so close to him and the pretty blonde Marine Mischief who seemed to be one big bruise. Gambler had a massive cut on one eye brow; from where his eye brow ring had been pulled out; Lady Jaye was next to him leg propped up ice on her ankle her own face was covered in grime. Quick Kick was leaned up against the wall; his chin resting on Amber's head, both of them were covered in blood, but he had a strong notion that it was Cobra blood. Shipwreck was the last one for Duke to take in; the sailor had his full-length stretched out between two chairs, snoring his fool head off.
"Good work Cover Girl and Falcon. We have the box in our possession and the scientist have agreed to move all testing on the metal to HQ." Duke then took in the crowd. "Mainland has heard of the attack and for some of you parents and family members are already descending back home. I hate to say it you guys need to go back. However, some of you will be leaving here right away to go find some answers. We need to know how much information Cobra got from the base; though they might not have gotten a sample of the metal, the formula might be in their position." He watched as they groaned and his gave them a smile "You know the drill; sorry guys, but some of you are going back to work."
Duke was meet with a minimum of growls and watched as the Joes gathered themselves up. Casting a direction at Shipwreck sleeping form, he shook his head. Placing his foot on the chair that propped the sailor's feet up he kicked it free. Amazingly, the sailor still slept.
**
Justin Freebanks entered the lobby area of the hospital with coffee in hand; he was so immersed in his own thoughts that he did not see the red head literally back into him. "Watch it buddy." She growled as he felt the hot scalding coffee on her skin and her already ruined shirt.
"Um Cover Girl, I think you ran into him." The Asian woman next to her said. Who seemed amused at the glare Cover Girl gave gear she just crossed her arms akimbo and stared back watching as Cover Girl turned to fully face him. She was a sight red hair that if styled correctly was all the rage as were her cloths if they were ruined. She had blue eyes that he assumed would sparkle when happy and flash when angry; a mouth that he quickly decided screamed to be kissed. In short, he was smitten.
"Hi." It came out breathless as if she had forgotten to talk.
"Hi." He repeated trying to not sound to amused.
"Cover Girl come on lets go!" the blonde Adonis yelled, though Justin noticed he seemed amused at her expression also.
"Cover Girl, What are you in some rock band?" He asked taken aback by her name.
"Once." She laughed when he gave her a strange look. "All apart in a days work of the insane." He could not help but look at her strangely; she threw him a brilliant smile. "Lets just say I don't have an ordinary job."
He heard the dark haired man yell move it to the stragglers that also included the tattooed man and a woman who was sitting with her ankle propped up. "I have to go." He could tell she was sorry to walk away. "Its nice to meet you." He watched as she walked out the door, thinking that she was the one that got away.
**
Keoni stretched his body out his eyebrow hurt like hell from his scuffle with the viper. Evidently, in a last, ditch effort he had pulled out the small silver hoop . (Point taken to the no piercing rule) He could see it now Hawks amused face once he got a good look at the mangled eyebrow. Though the doctor had sewn it up he wonder how long, it would take it to heal.
"I know that look." He heard her say. With a smile, he watched as Lady Jaye struggled to get out of her chair. "Woa," He said helping her to her feet. "Easy you know what the doctor said."
"He's a quack." She smiled. "A little tape on the ankle and I'll be jumping out with you and the boys."
He looked at her his expression wide eyed. "I think not. Duke handed me this mission like hell I'm going to take a lame intelligence officer with me."
"A little.."
"A little tape and you'll be fine?" It seemed almost like a battle of wills between them. "No, I can't risk it. If you would land wrong Jaye." He held up his hand to cut her off, lowering his voice slightly. "Jaye you scared the hell out of me. If anything could happen I." He looked down at the floor a chewing on the silver ball of his tongue ring. "Jaye I need you to stay safe. This LZ is going to be tough and the only rest you would get would be on the flight to the meeting area. I know it's just a mild sprain." God he was actually wrestling with this. He was actually thinking if they taped her ankle up enough she could make the jump she had done it in worse condition.
"I understand." She finally said. He could tell she was somewhat chaffed and hurt under his decision. To smooth things over he pulled her into his embrace kissing her with all he was worth. Trying in desperation to sear himself on her soul, cause he had a feeling that when he got back she would no longer be his.
**
As Dashiell watched the scene rage began to bubble up inside of him. She was his, that tattooed freak punk deserved to his size elevens grinded in his face. It seem that the minute she walked into his life that a decision had been slowly being made for him. She shook his head a pipe dream one that would only show him landing on his face. All he needed to do was get on the next flight to LA go to his offices and get his next job.
"You know for someone who was doing the leaving, it seems you regret it." Flint jumped at the sound of his friend's voice.
"Let's don't kid our self's Duke; look at me I'm in a wheelchair what could she want with me?" Venom laced his voice and even to him it sounded bitter.
Flint watched Duke scan him taking in chair and all. "Seems to me if I was in your shoes I'd fight even harder for the woman then letting her go" "What do you know about relationships?" Flint gritted out.
"A hell of a lot more then you. I got married this spring to another friend of yours long red hair, southern accent. You would know about all that if you had answered the phone or read the wedding invitation. But guess you just didn't want to take the time." Dash was about to retort when he saw two military police come behind Duke. Duke noticed his look and smiled. "Now we need your help on this something isn't right here and I can't put my finger on it; neither can Hawk."
"Love to help but my days with Joe are over" He cast a look in the direction of the tattooed punk with Lady Jaye trying to rouse Shipwreck. He could walk he could."I'm trying my damnedest to put it behind me Duke."
"Sorry Flint." He watched as Dukes arms went akimbo. "See we got you on a technicality you ran out of Dodge so fast you never were released by Doc. You my friend are only on Medical Release, and are very much a member of the Joe team.
It took her no time to react; the instant the laser site zeroed in on her chest, she pulled her self up in a back hand flip she began using acrobatics to stay one step ahead of the shooter. She felt a bullet skim close to her body. From one wall she bounded off doing handsprings, cartwheels anything to get her body mass as small as possible and quickly as possible to a cover point. Pulling out of a back flip pain traveled up her shin in a consuming fire that started at her ankle. She watched the shooter eyes wide realizing the laser pointer was right between her eyes..
** . To an outsider, Gambler looked almost bored with the situation, in reality, he was keeping one eye on the asinine conversation between brother and sister and the other eye on the lobby floor. He was about to put a stop to the argument with a reality check when he spotted the red bead of a laser sight on Dashiell Faireborn's chest.
"Mischief Incoming." He screamed out. In that instant, he looked down and saw Jaye dodging bullets. In a flash, he was over the railing and falling to the lobby floor. Like a cat, he landed taking in the situation; Jaye was on the other side of the lobby down. He could see he eyes wide as the viper had the gun on her. Forgetting all his martial art training, he fell back to good old Varsity football and bum rushed Jaye's attacker.
His ears rang with gunshots, in not time the fight was over. He was the victor holding the viper's weapon. Gambling that there was still some rounds left he took aim and fired at the sniper. He felt satisfaction when the Viper fell over the railing landing on the floor of the lobby. If his shot had not been fatal, the broken neck he received from the drop was.
In an instant, he was at Lady Jaye's side. He could tell she was in considerable pain with her ankle. Shipwreck rushed from taking care of some troopers on the mezzanine, Gambler pushed back a lock of hair as Shipwreck began to make quick work of her sandal.
He turned to see a back up team running through the doors of the lobby. "Man is Kip going to be pissed." A familiar voice echoed through the smoke.
"Aw nothing a little Joe insurance wont cover" Gambler shrugged at Mac. ** Hard training sent Ashley Faireborn's body into autopilot. In a desperate move, she pulled her bother, wheel chair and all, unceremoniously to the floor. She felt pain shoot through her arm as she threw herself on top of her brother when a second shoot rang in her ears. Time crept by, as she lay on top of him, afraid to find where that second bullet went. Finally, the shouts of Keoni and Macs caused her to stir.
She began taking stock of the situation jumping when Justin's hand touched her arm. "You've been shoot." He said still a little shaken after what happened, Ashley found herself about to tell him that it was just a flesh wound, when she looked down at her brother. He laid still his ashen face contrasted boldly with his black hair and brown eyes; His body was shaking as she realized he was slipping into shock. Looking at his leg she gasped at the sight of blood pooling from a bullet wound.
"Justin!" She panicked for a second. "Dash has been hit."
"Don't worry Ash I have been shoot before." He gritted out. Without a thought to her injury, she spurred into action. Carefully, she took in each wound. . Her hand began a gentle examination of the wound for an exit hole when his scream filled her ears as more blood began to pour out. "For Chris sake Ash..." Wonder began to fill his eyes " that hurts like a mother fucker."
**
Conrade Hauser with his blonde hair and blue eyes, athletic build and dazzling white smile was often mistaken for an actor or athlete; never the one thing he truly was; second in command of an elite military organization. He sighed one would never know these men and women were not only the best and brightest in there fields; but also the best and brightest of the Joe team.
Jinx's hair was sticking out in all directions and the tips looked singed; Falcon, who was practically sitting on top of her sported a black eye. Cover Girl was covered in sand was leaning up against a wall she too also had a black eye. Mayhem ,who seemed to not have a scratch on him; daughter had nuzzled in so close to him and the pretty blonde Marine Mischief who seemed to be one big bruise. Gambler had a massive cut on one eye brow; from where his eye brow ring had been pulled out; Lady Jaye was next to him leg propped up ice on her ankle her own face was covered in grime. Quick Kick was leaned up against the wall; his chin resting on Amber's head, both of them were covered in blood, but he had a strong notion that it was Cobra blood. Shipwreck was the last one for Duke to take in; the sailor had his full-length stretched out between two chairs, snoring his fool head off.
"Good work Cover Girl and Falcon. We have the box in our possession and the scientist have agreed to move all testing on the metal to HQ." Duke then took in the crowd. "Mainland has heard of the attack and for some of you parents and family members are already descending back home. I hate to say it you guys need to go back. However, some of you will be leaving here right away to go find some answers. We need to know how much information Cobra got from the base; though they might not have gotten a sample of the metal, the formula might be in their position." He watched as they groaned and his gave them a smile "You know the drill; sorry guys, but some of you are going back to work."
Duke was meet with a minimum of growls and watched as the Joes gathered themselves up. Casting a direction at Shipwreck sleeping form, he shook his head. Placing his foot on the chair that propped the sailor's feet up he kicked it free. Amazingly, the sailor still slept.
**
Justin Freebanks entered the lobby area of the hospital with coffee in hand; he was so immersed in his own thoughts that he did not see the red head literally back into him. "Watch it buddy." She growled as he felt the hot scalding coffee on her skin and her already ruined shirt.
"Um Cover Girl, I think you ran into him." The Asian woman next to her said. Who seemed amused at the glare Cover Girl gave gear she just crossed her arms akimbo and stared back watching as Cover Girl turned to fully face him. She was a sight red hair that if styled correctly was all the rage as were her cloths if they were ruined. She had blue eyes that he assumed would sparkle when happy and flash when angry; a mouth that he quickly decided screamed to be kissed. In short, he was smitten.
"Hi." It came out breathless as if she had forgotten to talk.
"Hi." He repeated trying to not sound to amused.
"Cover Girl come on lets go!" the blonde Adonis yelled, though Justin noticed he seemed amused at her expression also.
"Cover Girl, What are you in some rock band?" He asked taken aback by her name.
"Once." She laughed when he gave her a strange look. "All apart in a days work of the insane." He could not help but look at her strangely; she threw him a brilliant smile. "Lets just say I don't have an ordinary job."
He heard the dark haired man yell move it to the stragglers that also included the tattooed man and a woman who was sitting with her ankle propped up. "I have to go." He could tell she was sorry to walk away. "Its nice to meet you." He watched as she walked out the door, thinking that she was the one that got away.
**
Keoni stretched his body out his eyebrow hurt like hell from his scuffle with the viper. Evidently, in a last, ditch effort he had pulled out the small silver hoop . (Point taken to the no piercing rule) He could see it now Hawks amused face once he got a good look at the mangled eyebrow. Though the doctor had sewn it up he wonder how long, it would take it to heal.
"I know that look." He heard her say. With a smile, he watched as Lady Jaye struggled to get out of her chair. "Woa," He said helping her to her feet. "Easy you know what the doctor said."
"He's a quack." She smiled. "A little tape on the ankle and I'll be jumping out with you and the boys."
He looked at her his expression wide eyed. "I think not. Duke handed me this mission like hell I'm going to take a lame intelligence officer with me."
"A little.."
"A little tape and you'll be fine?" It seemed almost like a battle of wills between them. "No, I can't risk it. If you would land wrong Jaye." He held up his hand to cut her off, lowering his voice slightly. "Jaye you scared the hell out of me. If anything could happen I." He looked down at the floor a chewing on the silver ball of his tongue ring. "Jaye I need you to stay safe. This LZ is going to be tough and the only rest you would get would be on the flight to the meeting area. I know it's just a mild sprain." God he was actually wrestling with this. He was actually thinking if they taped her ankle up enough she could make the jump she had done it in worse condition.
"I understand." She finally said. He could tell she was somewhat chaffed and hurt under his decision. To smooth things over he pulled her into his embrace kissing her with all he was worth. Trying in desperation to sear himself on her soul, cause he had a feeling that when he got back she would no longer be his.
**
As Dashiell watched the scene rage began to bubble up inside of him. She was his, that tattooed freak punk deserved to his size elevens grinded in his face. It seem that the minute she walked into his life that a decision had been slowly being made for him. She shook his head a pipe dream one that would only show him landing on his face. All he needed to do was get on the next flight to LA go to his offices and get his next job.
"You know for someone who was doing the leaving, it seems you regret it." Flint jumped at the sound of his friend's voice.
"Let's don't kid our self's Duke; look at me I'm in a wheelchair what could she want with me?" Venom laced his voice and even to him it sounded bitter.
Flint watched Duke scan him taking in chair and all. "Seems to me if I was in your shoes I'd fight even harder for the woman then letting her go" "What do you know about relationships?" Flint gritted out.
"A hell of a lot more then you. I got married this spring to another friend of yours long red hair, southern accent. You would know about all that if you had answered the phone or read the wedding invitation. But guess you just didn't want to take the time." Dash was about to retort when he saw two military police come behind Duke. Duke noticed his look and smiled. "Now we need your help on this something isn't right here and I can't put my finger on it; neither can Hawk."
"Love to help but my days with Joe are over" He cast a look in the direction of the tattooed punk with Lady Jaye trying to rouse Shipwreck. He could walk he could."I'm trying my damnedest to put it behind me Duke."
"Sorry Flint." He watched as Dukes arms went akimbo. "See we got you on a technicality you ran out of Dodge so fast you never were released by Doc. You my friend are only on Medical Release, and are very much a member of the Joe team.
