"So? Want to watch some cartoons later?" asked the sailor taking a bite of his meatloaf.
Duke nodded, "Sure."
Scarlett walked out from the kitchen with a pitcher of Lemonade and a Styrofoam cup. "Here you go, one nice fresh squeezed Lemonade." pouring the yellow liquid in the white cup and handing it to Duke.
Duke took a sip and made a face.
"What's wrong?" she asked concerned.
"Phaaa. Too sour." came the answer. He heard Shipwreck snicker next to him.
"I'll go make it more sweeter." Scarlett said taking the lemonade pitcher and darted back to the kitchen.
"You got them putty in your hands there, Conrad." stated Shipwreck gesturing towards the Joe women in the kitchen. Seeing Lady Jaye return with the second sandwich and retreat back before Duke could object or find anything wrong with his second lunch.
Duke looked at Shipwrecks' plate, he noticed that the sailor left his fork on the plate. Swiftly, he picked up the fork with a load full of mashed potatoes and flicked it at the back of Gung Ho's pearly white head.
Taking a big chunk out of his sandwich he chewed slowly, waiting for the explotion. He did not have to wait long.
"What in sam hill!" cried out Gung Ho twisting around in his chair and giving a menacing look towards the sailor. "I am going to kill you! Shipwreck!"
Shipwreck stared open mouthed, "But it wasn't me!" he protested.
"And who else could had been!" Gung Ho growled. "I do not see anyone else near you with mashed potatoes!"
"He did it!" pointing to Duke.
"Sure, blame the person who is nicely sitting next to you and eating a sandwich!" Gung Ho grabbed his own fork and swung a largely mass of mashed potatoes at the sailor, who ducked just in time, but the soft substance hit Mainframe on the chest.
"What the.." Mainframe grabbed his own fork and retaliated the attack. Which both Shipwreck and Gung Ho diverted but Bazooka had no luck.
"FOOD Fight!"
Chaos exploded as the quiet atmosphere became a ragging battlefield of flying food. The Mess Hall was quickly transformed into a potato disaster with flying white substance in most every corner.
Duke retreated under the table holding his lemonade and Foofoo. He was not going to intervine into this battle.
"What's going on here?" came the voice of Scarletts' coming from the kitchen. Seeing the battle zone in the mess, she quickly grabbed Duke by the hand and esorted him out of the room without getting a single hit. Lady Jaye was not so lucky, when Ace targeted her with the meatloaf. Scarlett watched Lady Jaye counterattack to the airborn pilot. "Oh, this is not good."
Flint ran towards the Mess, "What the devil is going on in there?"
"Food fight!" grinned Duke.
Flint shook his head, "Let me guess, the guy in blue and a white hat right?" Duke gave him no answer. "I'll handle this." entering the now disastrous Mess Hall. "EVERYONE FREEZE!" came his thunderous yell from inside the cafeteria. Silence followed that order.
Duke saw Lady Jaye exit the Mess covered with a mass of white mashed potatoes.
"You look like Frosty!" he said with a grin beginning to sway slowly.
"Ehh.. Thanks. I always try to look a bit chilled." came the reply causing both Duke and Scarlett to laugh.
Scarlett noticed Duke swaying posture. "What is wrong, Conrad?"
"Umm.." Duke said while constantly changing he weight from one leg to the other. "I think I need to go."
"Go? Go where?" asked Lady Jaye, then instantly realized what he meant. Changing similar glances with Scarlett they both yelled out,
"FLINT!"
Flint burst out of the Mess Hall from the womens' beckoning call. "What? Is something wrong? Did Duke remember?"
Shaking her head, Scarlett answered, "Umm.. That is not it. Conrad here has to use the little boys' room." gesturing now to a more accelerated swaying first sergeant.
"Oh!" realized Flint. "Emm..ok, I'll take him." seeing the relief passing from both the female soldeirs faces. "But if I need to unbuckle anything, I am going to need several years of therapy!" making the women snicker. "Sure, laugh. Can you two take over the mess inside?" They nodded and walked back into the Mess Hall.
"Shipwreck! Put that chair down this instant!" Flint heard Scarlett yell. He shook his head. "We got two six year olds." he thought.
Turning towards Duke he said, "Ok, follow me."
Duke nodded, none of them noticed that he still held on to the lemonade, which was hidden behind his back. He followed Flint down the hall.
"Need any help?" Flint gulped when he asked the question.
Duke shook his head, "No, I can do it."
Nodding, Flint opened the door to the men's bathroom for his C.O. "Call me if you need anything. Don't forget to wash your hands!" He did not just say that, he thought.
Duke entered the men's room glancing around, he made several noises indicating to Flint that he was occupied. Taking the lemonade filled paper cup, he spilled the liquid on the floor. Nodding in approval, Duke turned and washed his hands. Throwing the evidence away, he knew that there was no way Flint would know the truth. With a sly grin in the mirror, he left the bathroom.
He found Flint leaning against the wall, "Everything alright, Conrad?"
Duke gave him a small pout, "I.. I had a small accident." gesturing in the bathroom. Hawk would had given a million dollars for Flints' expression just then.
"Accident?" Flint said perplexed, He slowly opened the door and looked inside, "Oh.. I see." seeing the yellow liquid on the floor. "No worries, I'll have Shipwreck clean that up."
Duke nodded.
"Umm, let's take you to the rec room for the rest of the afternoon. I know Bazooka and Alpine will have a lot of shows for you to watch." stated Flint.
They both began to walk together down the hall, when a booming voice, followed by a large thump echoed from the bathroom.
"MOTHER OF PEARL!" came the voice of Beach Heads'.
Flint leaned over to Duke and whispered, "Run!" as they dashed out of there faster than a snake could slither.
----------------------
"96..97..98...99...100.. Ready or not here I come!" Alpine shouted in the empty rec. room. Alpine shook his head, taking care of a child was harder that it looked, for the past four hours both he and Bazooka had watched several series of cartoons with Duke on the 13 inch black and white screen television. The one that usually occupied the rec. room was now in the graveyard of televisions down in the storage room. Alpine hoped that the team would receive a new 52 inch soon. Duke had then become uninterested in the evening news, so they decided to play every child's favorite game, hide and seek.
Alpine heard a snicker to his left, coming from the couch near the wall, there he noticed a rump sticking out from the back with two legs, Bazooka! Glancing around he did not see Duke anywhere. "Hmm, bet Duke is a better player in this game, then bubble brains over there."
Sneaking slowly behind Bazooka he grabbed him by the leg, "Found you!"
Bazooka gave a small utter of sadness, "Oh man, already pop?" chewing on his gum.
"Come on, let's find Duke." stated Alpine.
Bazooka nodded, "Duke! Here Duke!" he called out.
Alpine smacked him on the head with his hat, "What are you doing? You sound like calling a dog! And if you remember, he is not going to answer to Duke!"
Both Bazooka and Alpine searched the entire room and found it empty. "Oh oh, I hope he did not wander off from this room." Alpine said in concern. "Red is going to kill us for sure!"
Several Joes walked in finding both Alpine and Bazooka searching every inch of the room.
Ace looked at them puzzled, "What are you both looking for?"
"A six foot two blond six year old." came the answer. Alpine stood up "Can you please help us search?"
"What were you doing?" asked a bewildered Roadblock looking at Bazooka who was now searching under the rug.
"Duke, Here Duke! pop Come out, come out where ever you are." Bazooka said while chewing.
Alpine shook his head, "We were playing a nice game of Hide and Seek." he answered at the Heavy gunner, "Bazooka! Do you really think Duke is under that rug!"
"Come on, Let's help them look boys." said Gung Ho. "Conrad! Hey Conrad! Come out! Game is over!" silence was his only answer. "Guess he is not in here."
"Oh great!" said Alpine. "Scarlett is going to have me as her next target practice!"
Ace patted Alpine on the shoulder, "We are going to miss you, buddy."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Anytime."
All of them began the search for the missing first sergeant. Searching the hallways and several rooms, they still could not locate their apparently well-hidden field commander.
"Conrad! You in here?" whispered Alpine as he opened the door to the computer room. Glancing left and then right, he only spotted Breaker and Mainframe at the computers. "Did you notice a six foot two child on those screens by any chance?"
"Nope." came the answer from Breaker, "Let me guess, you lost him."
Alpine nodded without saying a word.
"Does Scarlett or Flint know?"
Alpine shook his head, "And I pray they do not find out. From this mornings' Wolverine incident, they are not going to be too pleased. If you see anything in the screens, let me know." with that, he left the room in haste still continuing the search.
He found Ace and Roadblock near the obstacle course, "We searched the Motor Pool and the Striker bunkers, but nothing." said Ace. "We are now heading for the Mess. Bazooka and Gung Ho went to check at the barracks and Clutch and Cover Girl are searching in Beach Heads' course, which leaves…"
"Me to search at the gym area." Alpine finished. He prayed that the red headed karate instructor had finished the afternoon sessions. He steadily walked towards the training rooms, opening the door slightly, he glanced inside the darkened room. "Good, no sign of Red." he thought.
"Conrad, you in here?" he whispered. "Please be here." Alpine entered the room walking towards the locker room. "That is a good place to hide." he thought.
"Alpine! What are you doing here?" came the voice of Scarletts' from behind him.
Alpine twisted to find an not amused counter intelligence officer, with a gulp he stumbled, "I..I…".
"You what?"
"I..I was looking for something." he cringed.
"Looking for what? she said with narrowed eyes.
"I lost something.."
"Lost what? " Scarletts' voice trended into a serious tone. "I want an answer..1...2.…"
Alpine took cover behind one of the kick boxing bags, "An..a.. six foot two.."
"You lost Duke!" came the reply.
Nodding with closed eyes, he prayed that she would not send throwing stars his way. Blast, she could see right through him.
Grabbing him by the ear, Scarlett pulled Alpine out from the gym, "Move, we got to search for him."
"We are, got some of the boys searching too." Alpine gulped. "Yes, going to be target practice tomorrow morning." he thought.
"What were you doing?"
"Playing Hide and Seek, didn't know Conrad could hide so well." he smirked.
Scarlett was not amused. She noticed some of the others searching near the obstacle course and the barracks, and some returning from the main building. Signaling them over, the answer was clear that none had found him.
"Alright, new plan." she said, "Looks that you all like to play games, so.. The first person to find Duke gets a weekend pass."
"Now this is a game I like!" came the reply from Ace. "Weekend pass here I come!"
"Not if I find him first!" came from Clutch.
Shaking her head, Scarlett simply commanded, "Move it!" No one had to be told twice, they scrambled off in various directions calling out Dukes' name. Looking up at the dark sky, a mass of thunderclouds quickly soared above the Pit. With a flash of lightning, the rain started to pound on the ground. She felt a hand on her shoulder and saw it was Roadblocks', "No need to worry, we will find Duke in a hurry."
Scarlett silently nodded. "I hope so." she said concerned.
"You missed your calling, you would had been an excellent teacher."
Watching Bazooka jump into a puddle, and dance around, she answered, "Hmm, with some of the men on this team, I think I already am one." making Roadblock chuckle. Turning, she headed for the main building.
------------------------------
Scarlett walked through the mostly empty hallways of the Pit. Most of the Joes were probably at Mess Hall as it was dinnertime. Stopping there first to see if Duke had gone there, her search was fruitless. No Conrad and no Foofoo around. Spotting Flint and Lady Jaye at a corner table, she walked towards them.
"Flint, we got a situation."
Concerned, Flint asked, "What happened now?"
"Alpine and Bazooka were playing Hide and Seek with Duke this afternoon. Now, we cannot seem to locate him."
"WHAT!" came the reply from both Lady Jaye and Flint.
"I got some of the men searching outside. But still no sign of him."
Standing from her chair, Lady Jaye suggested, "Let's look in the offices."
Flint nodded, "Remind me later to duck tape both Bazooka and Alpine on the Wolverine and have Duke with his pet stuffed Lion drive them all over the base. We should split up and cover more ground that way "
Nodding Scarlett added, "Oh, for motivation on the search, I added a free weekend pass to the person who finds Duke first."
"Weekend pass here I come!" said Lady Jaye bolting out of the room like a flash of lightning.
"Not on your Broadway life!" retorted Flint following Lady Jaye.
Glancing about her, Scarlett noticed that several of the Joes had listened in on the conversation. "That goes for anyone here too."
Squeaking sounds came apparent as a dozen or so Joes pushed their chairs back and dashed out of the room to hunt for the fearless leader.
"Maybe I should use this motivation thing more often during training sessions." said Scarlett smiling to herself.
Coming out of the Mess, she could clearly here numerous voices calling out Dukes' name and even Foofoos'. Shaking her head, Scarlett headed for Dukes' office. Opening the door, her eyes roamed over the darkened space. Nothing. Scarlett checked, Flints', Beach Heads' and Lady Jayes' offices, still her search had found no trace of field commander. A clanging sound caught her attention. It was coming from her own office. Turning the knob at the door, it clicked easily.
"Hmm..I know I left the door locked." taking out her small pistol from her boot.
Walking slowly in the room, only darkness embraced her. Her eyes skimmed slowly around the space. Looking down on the floor, she noted that the phone and the receiver had fallen from her desk. "Someone is in here." she thought. Her military second nature took over.
"Conrad? Is that you?" she called out. Only silence greeted her question. "Alright, then whoever you are, identify yourself!" nothing.
Strolling around the desk, Scarlett closed in towards the only place someone would possibly hide in the room, the closet. With her pistol on fire, she readied herself at what she would find in there. Suddenly, a hand reached from under the desk, grabbing her foot and causing her to fall with an "Ommphh."
Glancing from the hand then to under the table, the silhouette of Duke clutching his stuffed friend greeted her.
"There you are!" reaching her hand and gently brought Duke out from his hiding spot.
"Hi Scarlett!" he said with a grin. But his grin instantly vanished from seeing Scarletts' I am not pleased look. "Oh oh.."
"Oh oh, is righto. You been here all this time? We have been searching all over for you." Scarlett scolded.
Duke looked down at Foofoo. "Emm..well..I went back to look for Foofoo, I forgot him under the table during Lunch. Then I went back to find Alpine and Bazooka and they were not there.. So walked around..and hid in here..guess you found me, so you won."
"Not to mention winning my own weakened pass." Scarlett mumbled.
"Huh?"
"Never mind. Let's go to dinner. Most of the Joes are probably back there already."
Duke nodded happily, he was glad Scarlett was not upset with him. But he was also pleased as his plan was making most of them go insane. "Want to hold Foofoo?"
"Certainly." Scarlett obliged taking the stuff Lion. Together, they headed towards the Mess Hall. Once again, Duke took Scarletts' hand while walking. Scarlett gave a side-glance at him, "He is enjoying this, enjoying this a little too much." she thought.
Entering the cafeteria, sounds of, "Ahh, she found him" and "There goes my chance for the weekend pass." surrounded them.
Shipwreck winked at the them from one of the corners of the room. Holding several towels in his hands, he continued to wash off the remaining evidence of the mashed potato disaster. He opened his mouth to say something, but was immediate stopped from Scarlett's icy stare.
"One word Sailor and I will personally add four more weeks of KP."
Finding Flint, Lady Jaye, Cover Girl, Beach Head at one table, they sat down.
"Where was he?" asked Flint looking straight at his C.O.
"In my office, under the desk.." came the answer. "Didn't notice him, til he had grabbed onto my leg causing me to loose my balance."
Flint gave off a guffaw.
Scarlett gave him a sly smile, "Sure laugh Mr. Roman God, tonight you are sleeping in Conrads' room with him." that made Flints' jaw drop faster than the lightning that struck outside the window and causing more fits of laughter from the table.
-------------------------
The ringing sound echoed in Scarletts' ears. Turning over with a moan and flipping on the lamp next to her bed, she picked up the receiver.
"Scarlett." her voice was barely audible in the receiver.
"Sorry, did I wake you?" came the whisper from the other end.
Glancing at the clock next to her, she gave off another annoyed sound, "No Flint, I was doing some 1 A.M. exercises."
"oh, Good…then.. Umm…." Flint stuttered. "Glad I did not wake you then."
Rolling her eyes Scarlett asked, "Ok, spill it. I know this is not a social call or you would had been calling the Lady next door."
"It's.. umm.. Duke." came the shaky answer.
Scarlett bolted straight up in bed, "Is he alright? Did something happen?"
Flint stayed silent.
"Flint! Out with it!" she demanded.
She heard Flint give a long sigh before he finally admitted. "Scarlett, I need help! Conrad cannot sleep. I tried everything, watching a movie, given him a drink, relax it was milk not the hard stuff. He scared of something.." a bumping sound was then heard from the background. "Conrad!"
"Flint! Is he alright?" Scarlett shouted into the receiver. "I'm on my way." hanging up the phone, she quickly got up from the soft bed and dressed in a sporty black pants with a blue top. Scarlett glanced outside the blustery weather that had surrounded the base, she was glad that the broken window from that morning had been repaired from maintenance.
Heading towards the door, she stopped from the grumbling sound coming from Lady Jayes' room. "Who was that on the phone?" came the groggily question.
Peaking inside, she answered a still sleeping Lady Jaye, "Your Roman God cannot handle the babysitting, he is requesting backup."
"Hmmph.. What time is it? Feels like it is the middle of the night."
Scarlett grinned, "One A.M., go back to sleep. Remind me not have kids when I get married."
A waving hand came out from underneath the comforter, "Only, if you remind me as well. Have fun…" Lady Jayes' voice slurred as a snore came from under the blankets.
Shaking her head, Scarlett closed the door behind her and headed straight to Dukes' quarters. A panicky Flint beckoned her inside.
"What took you so long!" he asked.
"Sorry, I had to finish writing my novel."
Flint grunted, "Funny!"
"Where is Duke?" she asked calmly.
Flint pointed into the bedroom, "In there.. But he.." his sentence went unfinished as the redhead headed in that direction.
Scarlett walked in the bedroom to find a large lump sitting up on the bed. There, under the blankets was a shivering field commander.
She turned to Flint who leaned against the doorway. "Any change?"
Flint shook his head, "Doc was here earlier to check on him, nothing. Duke still thinks that he is six years old."
Scarlett gently pulled off the comforter from Dukes' head. "Hello." she said softly. She discovered that Foofoo was being held tightly in Dukes' embrace.
Duke stared at her for a split moment before he answered back with a slow, "Hi."
Noticing that his eyes shook with fear, Scarlett gently asked, "Something bothering you?"
A slow nod was her reply followed by Duke pointing towards the closet. "Monster." he whispered softly.
"Monster?" came the repeated word from the doorway.
Scarlett turned to Flint, "He thinks that there is a monster in the closet. Typical six year old petrified reaction of the dark."
"Thank you Dr. Ruth."
Scarlett gave him an ice cold glance, "Go on Flint, check the closet for any monsters."
Flint growled, but walked towards the closet and checked, "No monsters here, only a few skeletons."
"FLINT!" Scarlett scolded.
"What? Don't tell me you do not have a few skeletons in your closet." Flint said with a smirk on his face.
Dukes' shivering became more accelerated. "Bed?" he asked pointing now under the bed.
Flint rolled his eyes, "Alright, I'll check under there too. Hey, Oscar The Grouch! I am coming in! make room!"
"You're impossible!"
Flint gave her a grin while sliding down on his belly and his hands felt under the bed. "Yeaaaaaaaoooow!"
Both Scarlett and Duke jumped from Flints' scream.
"The monster got him!" Duke yelled, now holding tightly onto Scarlett for dear life.
Flint slowly stood up from the floor, his features showed great pain. "No, not the monster. This bloody mouse trap got me." On his left hand was a wooden mousetrap crushing his four fingers. "Can someone please take this thing off of me." he pleaded.
"Sure Flint I'll be glad too, if only Conrad here releases me first." Scarlett requested.
Dukes' features turned bright pink letting go of Scarlett. "Glad it was no monster."
Taking off the wooden mousetrap from Flints' now red swollen fingers and throwing it into the garbage can, Scarlett suggested that they go into the other room.
"We already watched a movie, Red. It did not help." stated Flint. "The warm milk did not help either."
"Did you sing him a lullaby too?" Scarlett teased.
Flint made a face at her. Stiffing a yawn, "No, I rather have another mouse trap on me then sing a lullaby."
Suddenly a roar of thunder echoed from outside, sensing this was the perfect opportunity, Duke let out a blood chilling scream. Causing both of them to unleash their own sounds.
"Why you did that for?" asked a bewildered Flint towards a now scared out of his wits Duke.
Duke shyly answered, "Thunder. It's scary."
Scarlett walked up towards Duke, putting a hand over his shoulder, "That is alright Conrad, a lot of people are afraid of thunder. There is nothing to be scared of, just think of Giants playing a bowling game in the sky."
A thunderous pounding sound came from the doorway. "Open UP!" came a yell from the other side.
Flint went and opened the door, there standing in his unmentionables, was one very sleepy-eyed not amused Beach Head.
"Are we under a Cobra attack? I heard screams."
"No Beach Head, we are fine. No snakes. Just go back to bed. We only had a thunder scare, that is all."
A very agitated Beach Head nodded, shook his head and closed the door behind him.
"Ok, I am now going to have dreams of Beach in his underwear all week!" came the shock statement from Scarlett.
"Well, be glad Beach Head was wearing his underwear tonight." remarked Flint causing the red head to shudder.
Sitting on the couch, Duke glanced from the counterintelligence officer to the Warrant Officer, they both looked exhausted. His features slowly turned into a grin. "This is the best punishment I ever came up with." he thought. His eyes began to dance while thinking of another tortuous task. "How about a story?"
"Uhh..uh.." came from Flint. "I do not know many children tales, how about Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood?" he suggested.
Duke gave him a face, "Girl stuff!" holding tighter to his Lion, "Foofoo wants a adventure story."
"Peter Pan?"
Duke shook his head. "How about G.I. Joe and Cobra stories." he requested.
Scarlett gave him a curious glance. "Well.. That maybe a good idea." looking at Flint she added, "It could help him with his memory."
Flint gave in, "Anything to get this place back to normal!" sitting in the recliner next to the couch.
Duke gave out a happy yelp, as he jumped off the couch and on top of Flints' lap. "Tell me story!"
"Ommphh…" came from an air deprived Flint, "Glad too.. But could you go back on the couch? I tell better stories with my hands free." He did not want the six foot two almost two hundred pound field commander on his lap.
Scarlett stiffed a giggle at the sight in front of her. "You should see yourself now Flint. I cannot wait to tell.."
"You do and I will put you on KP duty for a month." came the answer.
Scarlett grinned, "True, but it will be worth it." Scarlett then patted the couch, "Come on Conrad, off from Uncle Flint.. His legs are not what they used to be."
Duke nodded and jumped on the couch holding Foofoo.
For the next few hours both Flint and Scarlett took turns telling various missions and adventures from Dukes' past. Duke kept an intriguing face on as he never heard or lived any of the tales. But inside, his entire body shook with laughter.
"..and that is how the Joes won the battle and saved the worlds' oil." Flint finished giving off a yawn. Checking his watch, it now read 4 A.M. And Duke still had not slept. Glancing towards the red head, Flint noticed that her eyes were closed.
"Psst.. Conrad." he whispered, "Look at Scarlett." pointing to the counterintelligence officer who was sound asleep on the couch.
Duke turned to see Scarletts' head resting peacefully on the corner of the couch. Turning towards Flint and gave an evil grin at the Warrant Officer. He then twisted back towards the sleeping woman, with a silent move, he pinched close Scarletts' nose.
Scarletts' eyes shot open, "Nat fahhnee."
Duke burst into laughter along with Flint.
"Ok, Conrad.. It emm.. Way past your bedtime. Time to hit the hay."
"You hit hay?" asked Duke.
"No, it is just a saying. Now scoot off to bed!"
"Yes, Uncle Flint." But Duke stayed unmoved.
"Is something the matter, Conrad?" asked Scarlett.
Duke turned from Flint towards her, "I'm still scared. Can.. One of you sleep with me?" Duke wished he had a camera with his at that moment, the look on both of their faces was priceless!
Flint threw his hands in the air, "Oh NO! Not me! I can only imagine what people will start saying. No thanks. Red?"
Duke turned towards Scarlett with puppy dog eyes and Foofoo in his arms. "Please?"
Scarlett stood mystified for a mere moment, then stood up from the couch. "Oh, fine. Let the sleeping with the C.O. rumors start flying."
Going back into the bedroom, Scarlett tucked in Duke and Foofoo. Sliding herself next to both of them, she heard Flint choke down a snicker from the doorway. "Keep that door open Mister!" she scolded, "And if this gets out, I will personally give you six weeks of PT. With Beach Head in his unmentionables!"
Flint grinned, "You are so evil." closing the door behind him.
Giving off a sigh, Scarlett glanced at Duke, who was now asleep on her shoulder.
-----------------------
Flint staggered into the Mess Hall a few hours later in the morning. "Coffee.. I need Coffee." his mind screamed. He bumped into something solid, "Excuse me." he uttered, only to find out that the solid object was the wall and not a person. Shaking his head in frustration, he went to the counter and grabbed two mugs of the caffeine coffee.
"Hey, Flint!" he heard someone holler. Turning, he noticed Lady Jaye waving at him.
Taking a seat next to her, he took a long sip of coffee. "Mmm.. This coffee tastes good this morning."
"Umm… Flint?" said Cover Girl who was sitting across from Lady Jaye. "That is not coffee."
"Hmm? What?"
"She's right Flint, that is not coffee you are drinking, it is tea." Lady Jaye confirmed. "Boy, you look like you did not sleep a wink last night. How was the babysitting?"
Flint gave a low sounding grunt, "Eghh.. Do not remind me. We were up all night. Between the Monsters, mousetraps, Beach Head mostly naked, the screams and the endless stories. I am surprised I am still here. I think I am here."
Cover Girl shook her head, "You must have had a rough night, since you are still wearing your pajamas."
Flint choked on the tea, "Wha..a..t!" glancing down at his clothing.
"Relax Flint, I was only pulling your leg."
"How is this for a joke, two weeks KP." he replied, causing the women to laugh. "Fine, make that three, for both of you."
"Flint!" Lady Jaye said in shock. Not wanting to aggravate him any more, she changed the subject. "So where is Scarlett?" sipping her coffee.
"When I left, they were both sleeping on the bed." he answered with a yawn.
Lady Jaye spit out her coffee with a choke, while Cover Girls' mouth could not open any wider and the bagel that was in her hand fell back on the plate.
"I did not just say that." Flint shook his head. "Scarlett is going to use me as target practice now for sure!"
"Spill the details, soldier boy!" demanded Lady Jaye.
"What details?" came from Flint, "Duke was a little scared last night and we both kept him company. He could not sleep unless one of us slept with him, and I for a fact was not going to be the one." causing both the women at the table to burst out laughing.
"So, Scarlett volunteered to sleep with him?"
He slowly nodded, "Last I saw them, Duke slept on Scarletts' shoulder with Foofoo in between them." as more fits of glee spread around the table.
A hand touched Flints' shoulder, turning around he gulped at the look on Scarletts' face. "I cannot believe my ears! Flint!"
"Sorry, she made me talk." pointing to an ear-to-ear smiling Lady Jaye.
"Unlikely story. By the way, how is Duke this morning." she asked.
Flint stared agape, "What! I thought he was still with you. Last time I saw both of you was in the bedroom." a snicker escaped from his left.
Scarletts' face turned pale, "I..he..we.." as another snicker became unleashed from the table. "I woke up this morning by Foofoos' mane up my nose. But no sign of Conrad. I thought you brought him to the Mess."
Flint stood up, "No, I haven't seem him all morning." Now he was concerned, how could they possibly loose a six foot two C.O.
"Ha! He escaped from you too! Now you know how we felt!" stated Cover Girl. "That Conrad is tricky!"
"Guess another round of seeking." said Lady Jaye standing up to help with the search.
Breaker darted in the mess, finding Flint with the ladies he ran towards them. "Flint! General Hawk arrived a few minutes ago and he is demanding to see Duke!"
Flint shook his head, "Can this get any worse!"
He spoke too soon as Gung Ho dashed in looking for Flint. "Hurry! We got trouble!"
"What is it, G.H.?"
"It's Duke. I think he went off the deep end, he is balancing on the cannon in the front."
"WHAT!" they all shouted at once.
"We got to get him down from there before he become gravely hurt." spoke up a shaky Scarlett.
"That or if Hawk finds out. I see all of us on KP for life!" added Flint.
Most of the Joes listening on the new developments, followed the others outside near the cannon. There, balancing on its' edge was their Field Commander.
"Duke! I mean Conrad! Do not move, stay where you are. We are going to get you down from there."
Duke looked at the crowd below and gave Flint a wave. "Hello down there! Look at me Uncle Flint, I am going to fly like in the movie!"
Flint stared at him with an open mouth. "No!"
Scarlett turned towards the Warrant Officer, "Which movie did you exactly watch last night with him?"
Flint coughed as the words, "The Boy who could Fly." escaped his now tied tongue.
"Flint! You made him watch that! You know he would get ideas, and when we get him safely down remind me to.."
"I know..I know..target practice, right?"
Scarlett nodded, "We better get Doc here STAT before General.." but her sentence was interrupted by Hawks' familiar voice.
"What the devil is going on here?" Glancing up towards the massive cannon, he watched Duke sway his arms up and down. "Duke! What are you doing there! Get down here right now! That is a direct order!"
Duke looked down at the General, before sticking out his tongue. "Make me!"
General Hawk gave a growl, turning to Flint and Scarlett he asked, "Did he just mock me?"
Flint gulped, it was time to tell the truth to Hawk. Dukes' life depended on it now. "Hawk, I have to confess something, sir."
"I'm listening." Hawk said with narrowed eyes.
"Well..I..this.."
Suddenly Shipwreck cried out stepping next to Hawk. "This is all mostly my fault! I shouldn't have played that mop hockey game!"
Another voice stepped forward, "No, I am to blame arguing with Wetsuit all the time." came from Leatherneck.
"No, it is partially your fault. I will take half blame if it not for my big mouth.." came from Wetsuit.
"You are all wrong! It was my fault for annoying Duke with the mishap of the Wolverine." came from Cover Girl.
Clutch started to nod his head, but then abruptly stopped, "No, CC.. I will take the fall. I took it out without permission."
"My fault! My fault!" cried out Bazooka. "I need to learn left from right."
Alpine patted his buddy on the shoulder, "No good buddy, I am to blame, for those crazy ideas in my hollow head."
"Oh..who cares! I'll take the fall! If I did not pestered Duke all the time with some of the lame brains.." came from Beach Head.
"It's our fault," came from both Flint and Lady Jaye, "Our constant arguing sent him over the edge."
Scarlett closed her eyes, "No, you are all wrong, it is all my fault. With all those reports and constant trouble makers I have sent to his office.."
Suddenly Ace shouted, "Oh no! He is going to jump!"
They all glanced up to watch Duke ready himself to jump. "Ready or Not here I come!" he called out towards the crowd.
"Duke! No!" cried out Scarlett.
"I can't bare to watch." said Lady Jaye closing her eyes and leaning against Flints' chest.
"Tell us when it is over." Alpine said covering his eyes with one hand as he closed Bazookas' with his other.
"Take one more step Conrad and you are grounded for life!" Flint threatened. He had to try and stop him somehow.
From somewhere near by a small chuckle surrounded the silence that had overcome the Joes. The chuckle accelerated to a laugh and then into a thunderous out of control guffaw.
Turning, Flint stared open mouthed at the General, who know was laughing so hard, his features were bright red. "Sir?"
General Hawk Abernathy, stared at Flint before giving another verse of laughter. "Alright, Duke!" he called up at his second in command. "I think they learned their lessons. Don't you agree?"
Glancing up, Scarlett saw Duke give Hawk a thumbs up and started to climb down a rope. Did she then noticed that he was wearing a harness! "What the.. You mean this was all planned?" she asked mystified.
Duke glided down the rope, and walked to the crowd. Saluting Hawk, he gave a large grin. "Thank you for your participation with the punishment, sir."
"Puu..uu..nishment!" stuttered Flint towards Hawk.
Hawk only gave him a smile. "I thought something was not right when Duke talked to me the other day on the phone. So, I waited til he could call me back during a safe time and explain the details. I think you all deserved it."
They all stood horrified at the First Sergeant.
"You mean to tell us, that you did not have partial amnesia and play a six year old Conrad Hauser. All this was some sort of lesson?" resulted Flint.
Duke nodded, "Correct."
Scarlett stepped forwards towards the field commander, "So, basically you had all think that you were a typical six year old and played us along. Not to mention had us worried. All this, to teach us all a good deserving lesson."
"Yes."
"All this time.. And last night! You had both Flint and myself in the verge of total torture! Not to mention the Foofoo.." her voice accelerated with a tint of anger.
Duke grinned, "Now Scarlett.." as he backed up a few steps. "What would Foofoo think?"
Scarlett grabbed Duke by the arm, "Oh, I do not know what Foofoo would think at this point. But I may do know what Foofoos' owner may do." turning to General Hawk she asked, "General?"
"By all means, Ma'am. He is all yours."
"Sir?" came the shock from Dukes' vocal chords.
Scarlett began to pull Duke away from the crowd, "Congratulations Conrad Scott Hauser, you just became this mornings training sessions' target practice." turning over her shoulder she called back, "And Flint, do not forget you have six weeks of PT with a underwear only Beach Head."
A roar of laughter surrounded the now petrified G.I. Joe Field Commander and the openmouthed Warrant Officer and Ranger.
Hawk, giving off another loud guffaw, called out towards him, "Hey Duke! You know what they say! What goes around, comes around!"
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