Chapter 14:

Cheating the One-Armed Bandit

Duke looked at Scarlett and sighed silently. The normally, vivacious, outgoing, sharp-tongued redhead was unusually quiet. They'd been back at the base for over an hour now with still as many answers as they'd had when they had left early that morning. With the exception of finding out they were, in fact, well and truly married in the eyes of the law, they had more questions now. Why them? What trick was being played on them? If the Baroness and Destro hadn't found themselves in the same predicament, they would've sworn the snakes themselves were behind this. If they'd wanted to create problems within the G.I. Joe team, they'd have chosen a different couple to marry off. But, then who really was left. Flint and Lady Jaye were engaged, had been for close to a year. Although that was questionable, the way they'd been acting lately. Duke was certain Flint was dragging out the engagement. Though, for the life of him, e couldn't figure out why. Beachhead and Cover Girl were about to tie the knot since they had a daughter together, and those would've been the best choice to do this to. At least, a year ago it would've been. But, surprisingly, those two actually got along, outside of the PT course, that is. But, to wreak havoc in the team by marrying off any member, choosing himself and Scarlett was probably the wrong choice.

They'd already been best of friends. All this sudden marriage did was shove them into a state of confusion. Confusion over where their fledgling romantic relationship was going. Confusion over where it was still going. Duke knew he'd been half in love with her since she'd joined the team.

"What do you want to do now?" Duke asked dragging Scarlett from her thoughts with a start. She turned her head to him, confusion and question filling her beautiful blue eyes. He knew just how she felt. He was just as confused. He reached over and squeezed her hand reassuringly. He wasn't sure what he wanted. By all rights, they could petition for an annulment, but they'd already consummated the marriage. It didn't matter that they hadn't known they were married at the time. So, technically that would mean a divorce. Something he really didn't believe in. But then, he didn't expect to get married either. Deep down, he hoped she wouldn't suggest a divorce. If he was going to be married to any woman instead of the US Army, Scarlett would be the one.

"I don't know. I really don't. Is that bad?" She looked up at him with those blue eyes and he melted. Always did when she aimed those beautiful blue orbs his way.

Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her to lay her head on his chest. "No, it's not bad at all." He pressed a chaste kiss to her silken fiery tresses. "I know I'm just as confused. I've wanted you for so long, but, I wanted you on your terms. Not some unknown party's."

She looked up at him, nodded slightly and smiled a weary smile that gave him a small modicum of hope before leaning back onto his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and held her until they woke the next day. Still wrapped up in each other.

Operations

"Lieutenant Abernathy!" Kerry heard her uncle bellow through the halls of the operations building and her heart stopped. Surely, she couldn't be in trouble for her ex-boyfriend's crazy wife? Its not like she knew the bastard was married. Her uncle knew that. Though she was still mad at herself for not knowing that he had been playing her and God knows how many other women. And on top of it, he had his wife convinced he was faithful?

"Yes Sir." She turned on her heels and headed towards the Colonel's office.

"My office." His simple command had her following him into the inner sanctum. He heart sank, how had he heard about the incident on the flight line, so quickly?

"Yes sir." She followed meekly but still ramrod straight.

"Kerry, have a seat." Her uncle said as he on the corner of his desk.

"Yes, sir" She stayed ramrod straight.

"It's Uncle Pete, right now.
Her heart sank even further in her chest. What had happened, was her mother alright, her father, her brother?" Questions filled her mind.

"Mom" He nodded, his face nearly devoid of emotion, which worried her more.

"Your father called." Her face filled with worry. It was too early for her mother to have the baby and she was over 40. Pete had to put up a reassuring hand. "Your mother is fine. And so are your baby sisters."

"Sisters? She had twins?"

"Triplets, actually." Pete informed his niece. "All identical and all doing well and beautiful according to your father."

"Thank God." Kerry sighed, exhaling the breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

"Your father said he will call you tonight later tonight." Kerry nodded at her uncle's simple statement.

"So, you're not mad about what happened on the flightline today?" Kerry ventured timidly.

"Oh, I am mad. But, not at you, Kerry." Pete replied. "The SPs that let a civilian breach the airfield and Mrs. Wheeldon. Them, them, I'm pissed at. And those SPs will definitely answer for their incompetence."

"I'm sorry you have to deal with this, Uncle Pete."

"Sweetheart, it's not your fault a deranged and delusional woman won't accept that her husband cheats on her." Pete smiled at her. "I've done some checking. Seems Wheeldon's had numerous affairs. One was with a Staff Sergeant and he got her pregnant to boot." He shook his head. "That alone gets him a court martial for fraternization."

"Wow" Kerry was suddenly feeling very lucky that she'd learned the truth about her "boyfriend" before it was too late. "I had no idea."

"None of the women did. Even after getting the staff sergeant pregnant, who, by the way thought he was a tech sergeant, no one knew. He just disappeared and not one of the women knew he was married."

"What's going to happen to him?" She asked. Kerry knew what she wanted to happen to him.

"He'll be court-martialled, dishonorably discharged and probably thrown in the stockade."

"He should be stuck in a cell with all of the ladies he's screwed over for an hour." Kerry muttered.

"I believe that cruel and inhuman punishment is against the UCMJ" Pete laughed. "But, off the record. I agree with you, with one change. You ladies should be given cattle prods." Kerry's eyes widened in shock. Did her straight as an arrow uncle really just suggest torture? "Sweetheart. No one messes with my family. I protect my own. Even your father." He leaned over and kissed her head. "Now, go change. Get ready for dinner. Your aunt and I are taking you out for dinner at the officer's club. Wear your dress blues."