Chapter 9

Jokers are Wild

Duke looked over at Scarlett, he still couldn't believe she was his wife, Well, maybe. That all depended on the next few stops. First, they needed to visit the chapel there were supposed to have been married in.

She looked like he felt, confused, worried and pensive. She was deep in thought and he assumed her mind was likely in the same place as hers. How he felt about being married. Sure, he'd had his eyes on the beautiful and gutsy redhead for years. But, she'd
/been with Snakeeyes for so long, he'd all but given up. He finally took his chance a couple of weeks after those two had broken up. They'd only been dating for two months. Too early to decide if they were destined to spend the rest of their days in
/each other's arms. Though Duke was sure he couldn't live life without the redhead in his life in some form or another. He reached over, squeezed her hand and smiled a brilliant smile.

"We'll figure this out." He whispered , eliciting a smile from her, albeit a weak smile.

"I know." Her smile worried him, he'd never seen such a weak smile from the normally exuberant redhead. The woman was on of the strongest women he knew and right now, he didn't see it. He wondered silently if it was because she wasn't ready for marriage
/or wasn't sure if she wanted to be married to him.

"This chapel? Do you remember exactly where it was?" Flint's voice interrupted not only the moment, but their collective thoughts. They both stared up at the warrant officer with, what Flint could only describe as "deer in the headlights" eyes.

Flint looked over at the couple in the back seat. He tried to tamp the smile he felt creeping up. They made a nice couple and despite their mutual arguments to the contrary, were in love with each other. He hoped one day, they would admit it to each other.

"It was just off the strip, somewhere near the Tropicana, I think." Duke replied.

"Is that where you had dinner?" Flint asked.

"No, we ate at a small Italian place just off the strip." Scarlett spoke up for the first time. "It was very intimate, very romantic."

"Obviously." Lady Jaye said with a knowing smirk. Flint elbowed her as he cleared his throat. She glared back at him.

"Duke, do you remember the name of the place?" Flint asked.

"Luigi's" He shot out.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." Duke replied.

"Well, that's where we start." Flint stated firmly. "Then, we'll walk the same way you did until we find that chapel." Silence then descended over the car like a cool blanket.

Back at Nellis AFB

Second lieutenant Kerry Abernathy stepped into the operations office of the 414th Combat training squadron's operations office, glanced around clearly looking for something or someone. Within seconds, she spied her quarry. An Air Force officer was leaning
/against the map table. She assumed he was listening to the female weather officer, giving him a weather briefing. At least, that's what she assumed until she saw to pretty brunette with doll blue eyes smile almost seductively, bat the doll eyes, smile
/and laugh saying "I'll see you at eight, Jimmy."

Kerry's blood boiled even higher as she watched the man she thought was her boyfriend stroke doll eye's cheek.

"You betcha, sweet thing." He replied with a promise of hot sex tinging his voice.

"Can I help you, Lieutenant?" Doll eyes finally noticed Kerry standing there, her mouth agape and lightning shooting from her eyes.

"No, Ma'am. It looks like you have your hands full with the Captain. By the way, Captain Wheeldon, We're done. And I'll see you as you go down in flames after I shoot your cheating ass down." Kerry spun on her heels leaving Wheeldon standing there, mouth
/dragging on the floor. "Oh and ma'am, if I were you, I'd consider getting a full physical after sleeping with him, even if you are using condoms. Clearly, he likes to put his stick wherever he wants. I know I will be." She tossed over her shoulder
/not caring what the brunette was thinking.

The cute brunette glared at the pilot in front of her, just before she slapped him. Kerry heard the stinging slap and smiled as she stalked away haughtily almost crashing into Ace as he came in.

"Hey, kiddo." Ace grabbed Kerry by her arms before she fell on her rear. "Hey, Kerry? What's wrong?" He could see the anger and hurt reflected in her eyes.

"That, that…." She spat out pointing directly at Wheeldon. Ace watched her lower lip tremble in a mix of pain and anger.

"Kerry, baby." Wheeldon ran after her pleading.

"I don't know what's going on with you two, but, Weasel, I suggest you get your ass away from her. Now" Ace turned putting himself between Kerry and the other pilot. "Megan, take her outside, you, Captain." He turned to the brunette Wheeldon had been
/flirting with. "You, go get General Abernathy, Now." Ace barked sending the girl running.

"Ace, you can't call my dad." Kerry pleaded.

"Kerry, go with Megan."

"Aye, Ace. Come now, Leftenant." Megan wrapped one arm around the young officer.

"Well, the only reason I went out with you was your connectionto the joe team." Wheeldon sneered causing Kerry to pull herself out of Megan's grip and launched herself at the Captain managing to land a very strategically place kick to his groin,

before Ace grabbed a hold of her and hauled her up against him.

"What the hell is going here?" Hawk's coice boomed through the hallway.

Ace dropped Kerry, Wheeldon attempted to stand, thr brunette snapped to attention, as did Kerry.

"Lieutenant Abernathy, did I just see you strike a superior officer?" Hawk strode up to Kerry, eyes glaring.

"Sir, yes, sir." Kerry responded.

"My office, now." He pointed down the hallway and she made her way down the hallway.

"Like the princess is going to get in trouble." Wheeldon said under his breath.

"Excuse me, Captain. What was that?" Hawk turned to the Captain.

"With all due respect, sir. But, we all know Lieutenant Abernathy is your daughter. So, what are the chances she'll be reprimanded." Wheeldon responded.

"Captain, did you just question my ability to be impartial with respect to my daughter, sir." Hawk responded.

"Weasel, if I were you, I'd shut up now." The pretty brunette suggested, placing her hand on his arm.

"Captain, I suggest you listen to the lady." Hawk ground out.

"With all due respect, General, I want the lieutenant courts-martialled for striking a superior officer." Wheeldon just wouldn't give up.

"Captain, how I handle my personnel is up to me and at present, if I were you. I'd remember that the Lieutenant was a student when you met her as her instructor."

Wheeldon just stared at Hawk knowing the General could have him reprimanded for that.

"Now, you report to Colonel Bradley's office."

"Yes, sir."

"Hey, Weasel, would you like me to let your wife know you'll be late tonight?" Ace called out and then watched the brunette let him have it as he walked away, smiling wryly.