Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from GI Joe nor from the mention of
"Rambo".
*Author's note: I hope everyone is intrigued so far. This chapter is set back at the GI Joe base. 'Nuf said, reviews appreciated.
Does Life Go On? - Chapter 8
Hawk was furious. Who the hell did this General Richardson think he was? He just produces some transfer papers and ushers off two of his best soldiers. He wished that he would not have been in the meeting with Duke and the Black Ops General. He could have at least talked to General Richardson and gave Scarlett and Beach Head an extra day to pack their own belongings, say goodbye to the team, and participate in the ceremony. He knew he should not be so upset, after all, the Joes were disbanding and most of the team would be going elsewhere tomorrow after the closing ceremony, but it was just a matter of principles. Scarlett had been with the team since its formation, and Beach Head had been an integral part of the PT program and leadership for the past few years. Damn those politics.
^^^
Lady Jaye came back to her shared quarters after her shift ended at 1600 hours. She had not seen Scarlett around all day and wondered if she had heard from Doc or if she was ill again. "Scarlett? Are you in here? I brought some boxes with me. We are sure going to need them." No answer. "Shana?"
Jaye wondered where she was, and then she caught sight of the note on the table. She opened it up to read Scarlett's final words to her. Her eyes began to tear as she read those words. Who in the world would demand her presence immediately, without time to pack or say goodbye? Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Jaye opened the door to find Flint standing in the doorway. "Hey babe, just wanted to swing by for a sec to see if...what's wrong?"
Jaye handed him the letter. "She's gone," as tears started to slide down Jaye's face.
Flint read and reread the letter Scarlett had penned. He shook his head, "This is not normal military procedure. Everyone knows the Joes are disbanding, but at the very least, normally a 24-hour notice for departure is given*."
He wrapped his arms around Jaye and hugged her tight. "Was she in contact with anyone?"
Jaye shook her head. "She hadn't made any plans. As far as I knew she was going to retire from the military and see what was in store for her and Duke."
Afterthought, "Oh my God, Duke. I wonder if he knows. He'll be heartbroken."
Flint looked at Jaye. "I'm not supposed to say anything, but Duke is going to join the Black Ops. He transfers out after tomorrow's ceremony. I just found out today."
"Black Ops? Why would he do that? They do very dangerous work. Why would he put Scarlett through all of that worry? Did he tell her yet?"
Flint shook his head. "Nah, I don't think he told anyone but me. Hawk knows of course. He told me to keep it under wraps until tomorrow. You don't think she found out about this and ran off, do you?"
Jaye shook her head. "She's not like that, and she wouldn't lie to me."
^^^
In the meantime, Duke was on his way to his quarters. The Black Ops deal was done, and tomorrow at this time, he would be on his way to DC and his new job. He was trying to figure out a way of telling Scarlett. He had asked her to stop by after the ceremony tomorrow to talk. He should tell her tonight, but he knew she might be angry with him, and they each had so much to pack. He had to be ready to catch his flight to DC by 1900 hours tomorrow night. It had been odd though, except for this morning, he had not seen her all day. Even Doc had buzzed him, looking for her.
As Duke opened his door, he saw the folded piece of paper on his rug. He stepped over it for the moment and dumped his load of boxes on his living room floor. He bent down to pick up the note and read it. He was not prepared to read the words written on this note by Scarlett. She had left him. His world crashed down around him. He just sat there stunned, lost in his thoughts. A tap at his door brought him back to reality, and he looked over to see his best friend standing in the doorway. "Hey man, you okay?"
"She's gone. Nothing but this note."
"I know. She left Jaye one too. I don't understand it. No one has that kind of clout, do they?"
"Apparently, General Richardson does." Hawk interrupted the two. "I'm sorry to interrupt but thought I ought to inform you two that effective immediately Scarlett and Beach Head had been transferred to who knows where. Where ever the hell this General Richardson is stationed, I suppose?"
"Beach Head too?" Flint asked surprised. "Is he going with Scarlett?"
"Don't know. The orders were listed separately but from the same General."
Duke had been listening to the two men. "You said General Richardson? Who is he? I have heard that name before but where?"
Flint shrugged his shoulders. "I've never heard of him."
Hawk said, "He is a right-wing, kind of liberal General who is a big supporter of vigilante groups. I don't know much about him. As far as I know, he doesn't even belong to a military branch per say."
"Flint, you didn't tell her about me and the Black Ops did you?"
"No man. I only told Jaye after she read Scarlett's letter."
"Well, she knew something was up, but I guess I should expect that. I haven't really been myself lately, but..."
Hawk interjected, "Guys, I know what you are thinking, and it's not true. Even if she did know, she and Beach Head were transferred. I have the papers in my office. Duke, she didn't run out on you because of Black Ops. You know full well that when you are transferred, you have no say in it, if you value your career that is."
"Well, that's just it," Flint said. "Jaye tells me that she was strongly thinking of retiring from the military. She had not made any calls to the Air Force or Army for transfer. This is just like someone coerced her into coming with them."
Hawk agreed. "She had not asked me to send out any recommendations. I had plenty of inquiries that I forwarded to her, but the last time that I saw them they were stacked in her 'in' box. Duke, do you know what she was thinking? Had she contacted anyone?"
Duke shook his head. "The only person that she may have possibly contacted would be Colonel Sharp. Scarlett thought highly of him and kept in contact with him, even after he stepped away from GI Joe."
"Let me go make some calls. You boys ought to get packing. Duke, you have to be ready to go tomorrow night."
Hawk left the room, and Flint asked Duke if he needed anything. Duke confided to him that he was going to wait until tomorrow after the ceremony to tell her about his transfer to Black Ops. "I didn't want to tell her before. I knew that it might escalate into an argument, and neither one of us would get our stuff packed. I didn't want to ruin the ceremony for her. I wasn't thinking."
"What were you going to do? Tell her that you were joining one of the most dangerous special forces teams in the US, and let her worry about you constantly. You could have at least taken that Lieutenant's position at Fort Meade. Why do you have to act like Rambo all the time?"
Duke wanted to slug his friend for saying that. Yes, it was the truth, but to hear it out loud made him sound so stupid and selfish. "Honestly, I was going to see what she wanted to do. Maybe the two of us wouldn't work outside of the Joes. You never know."
"That's bull crap, and you know it. You and Scarlett were the strongest couple that I have ever seen. Hell, I'm even jealous of your relationship. You two trusted each other completely and seldom argued. Allie and I fight all the time, and if I see her talking to some strange man, I wig out. No, you are a fool if you thought she would buy that excuse."
Duke hung his head in shame. He had lost the only woman that he had ever loved, and his best friend was reaming his ass for his career choice. "Well, it doesn't matter anymore, does it? She left without me having to tell her about Black Ops. She moved on with her life, so I guess I'll do the same."
"And what makes you think that she did this on her own free will? And with Beach Head? You're foolish, and between you, me and these walls, if I were you, I would not repeat anything you just said to me to Allie or try your stupid rationale. She'll kick your ass, and she'd have my approval." Flint stalked out of Duke's quarters.
Duke was alone with his thoughts now. "What was I thinking? Flint's right, I wasn't thinking about us; I was thinking about me." Duke tried to gather his will to start packing his stuff. It was going to be a long, long night. He missed her already. How was he going to get on with his life, when his life had already left him?
^^^
Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, high above the clouds, the two transferred Joes were flying on towards their final destination. Scarlett had fallen asleep and was dreaming of her and Duke. Beach Head had dozed off also, but his dreams were not pleasant. This time he was in the exploding building with his teammates, and it didn't look like anyone was going to make it out alive.
^^^
*Don't know if this 24 hour part is true but it sounded good to me.
**To Be Continued
*Author's note: I hope everyone is intrigued so far. This chapter is set back at the GI Joe base. 'Nuf said, reviews appreciated.
Does Life Go On? - Chapter 8
Hawk was furious. Who the hell did this General Richardson think he was? He just produces some transfer papers and ushers off two of his best soldiers. He wished that he would not have been in the meeting with Duke and the Black Ops General. He could have at least talked to General Richardson and gave Scarlett and Beach Head an extra day to pack their own belongings, say goodbye to the team, and participate in the ceremony. He knew he should not be so upset, after all, the Joes were disbanding and most of the team would be going elsewhere tomorrow after the closing ceremony, but it was just a matter of principles. Scarlett had been with the team since its formation, and Beach Head had been an integral part of the PT program and leadership for the past few years. Damn those politics.
^^^
Lady Jaye came back to her shared quarters after her shift ended at 1600 hours. She had not seen Scarlett around all day and wondered if she had heard from Doc or if she was ill again. "Scarlett? Are you in here? I brought some boxes with me. We are sure going to need them." No answer. "Shana?"
Jaye wondered where she was, and then she caught sight of the note on the table. She opened it up to read Scarlett's final words to her. Her eyes began to tear as she read those words. Who in the world would demand her presence immediately, without time to pack or say goodbye? Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Jaye opened the door to find Flint standing in the doorway. "Hey babe, just wanted to swing by for a sec to see if...what's wrong?"
Jaye handed him the letter. "She's gone," as tears started to slide down Jaye's face.
Flint read and reread the letter Scarlett had penned. He shook his head, "This is not normal military procedure. Everyone knows the Joes are disbanding, but at the very least, normally a 24-hour notice for departure is given*."
He wrapped his arms around Jaye and hugged her tight. "Was she in contact with anyone?"
Jaye shook her head. "She hadn't made any plans. As far as I knew she was going to retire from the military and see what was in store for her and Duke."
Afterthought, "Oh my God, Duke. I wonder if he knows. He'll be heartbroken."
Flint looked at Jaye. "I'm not supposed to say anything, but Duke is going to join the Black Ops. He transfers out after tomorrow's ceremony. I just found out today."
"Black Ops? Why would he do that? They do very dangerous work. Why would he put Scarlett through all of that worry? Did he tell her yet?"
Flint shook his head. "Nah, I don't think he told anyone but me. Hawk knows of course. He told me to keep it under wraps until tomorrow. You don't think she found out about this and ran off, do you?"
Jaye shook her head. "She's not like that, and she wouldn't lie to me."
^^^
In the meantime, Duke was on his way to his quarters. The Black Ops deal was done, and tomorrow at this time, he would be on his way to DC and his new job. He was trying to figure out a way of telling Scarlett. He had asked her to stop by after the ceremony tomorrow to talk. He should tell her tonight, but he knew she might be angry with him, and they each had so much to pack. He had to be ready to catch his flight to DC by 1900 hours tomorrow night. It had been odd though, except for this morning, he had not seen her all day. Even Doc had buzzed him, looking for her.
As Duke opened his door, he saw the folded piece of paper on his rug. He stepped over it for the moment and dumped his load of boxes on his living room floor. He bent down to pick up the note and read it. He was not prepared to read the words written on this note by Scarlett. She had left him. His world crashed down around him. He just sat there stunned, lost in his thoughts. A tap at his door brought him back to reality, and he looked over to see his best friend standing in the doorway. "Hey man, you okay?"
"She's gone. Nothing but this note."
"I know. She left Jaye one too. I don't understand it. No one has that kind of clout, do they?"
"Apparently, General Richardson does." Hawk interrupted the two. "I'm sorry to interrupt but thought I ought to inform you two that effective immediately Scarlett and Beach Head had been transferred to who knows where. Where ever the hell this General Richardson is stationed, I suppose?"
"Beach Head too?" Flint asked surprised. "Is he going with Scarlett?"
"Don't know. The orders were listed separately but from the same General."
Duke had been listening to the two men. "You said General Richardson? Who is he? I have heard that name before but where?"
Flint shrugged his shoulders. "I've never heard of him."
Hawk said, "He is a right-wing, kind of liberal General who is a big supporter of vigilante groups. I don't know much about him. As far as I know, he doesn't even belong to a military branch per say."
"Flint, you didn't tell her about me and the Black Ops did you?"
"No man. I only told Jaye after she read Scarlett's letter."
"Well, she knew something was up, but I guess I should expect that. I haven't really been myself lately, but..."
Hawk interjected, "Guys, I know what you are thinking, and it's not true. Even if she did know, she and Beach Head were transferred. I have the papers in my office. Duke, she didn't run out on you because of Black Ops. You know full well that when you are transferred, you have no say in it, if you value your career that is."
"Well, that's just it," Flint said. "Jaye tells me that she was strongly thinking of retiring from the military. She had not made any calls to the Air Force or Army for transfer. This is just like someone coerced her into coming with them."
Hawk agreed. "She had not asked me to send out any recommendations. I had plenty of inquiries that I forwarded to her, but the last time that I saw them they were stacked in her 'in' box. Duke, do you know what she was thinking? Had she contacted anyone?"
Duke shook his head. "The only person that she may have possibly contacted would be Colonel Sharp. Scarlett thought highly of him and kept in contact with him, even after he stepped away from GI Joe."
"Let me go make some calls. You boys ought to get packing. Duke, you have to be ready to go tomorrow night."
Hawk left the room, and Flint asked Duke if he needed anything. Duke confided to him that he was going to wait until tomorrow after the ceremony to tell her about his transfer to Black Ops. "I didn't want to tell her before. I knew that it might escalate into an argument, and neither one of us would get our stuff packed. I didn't want to ruin the ceremony for her. I wasn't thinking."
"What were you going to do? Tell her that you were joining one of the most dangerous special forces teams in the US, and let her worry about you constantly. You could have at least taken that Lieutenant's position at Fort Meade. Why do you have to act like Rambo all the time?"
Duke wanted to slug his friend for saying that. Yes, it was the truth, but to hear it out loud made him sound so stupid and selfish. "Honestly, I was going to see what she wanted to do. Maybe the two of us wouldn't work outside of the Joes. You never know."
"That's bull crap, and you know it. You and Scarlett were the strongest couple that I have ever seen. Hell, I'm even jealous of your relationship. You two trusted each other completely and seldom argued. Allie and I fight all the time, and if I see her talking to some strange man, I wig out. No, you are a fool if you thought she would buy that excuse."
Duke hung his head in shame. He had lost the only woman that he had ever loved, and his best friend was reaming his ass for his career choice. "Well, it doesn't matter anymore, does it? She left without me having to tell her about Black Ops. She moved on with her life, so I guess I'll do the same."
"And what makes you think that she did this on her own free will? And with Beach Head? You're foolish, and between you, me and these walls, if I were you, I would not repeat anything you just said to me to Allie or try your stupid rationale. She'll kick your ass, and she'd have my approval." Flint stalked out of Duke's quarters.
Duke was alone with his thoughts now. "What was I thinking? Flint's right, I wasn't thinking about us; I was thinking about me." Duke tried to gather his will to start packing his stuff. It was going to be a long, long night. He missed her already. How was he going to get on with his life, when his life had already left him?
^^^
Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, high above the clouds, the two transferred Joes were flying on towards their final destination. Scarlett had fallen asleep and was dreaming of her and Duke. Beach Head had dozed off also, but his dreams were not pleasant. This time he was in the exploding building with his teammates, and it didn't look like anyone was going to make it out alive.
^^^
*Don't know if this 24 hour part is true but it sounded good to me.
**To Be Continued