Chapter 14:

The Queen of Hearts Cuts Deep

Commodore Margaret Mary Flynn, Royal Navy, sat in the officer's club of Nellis Air Force Base in a deeply plush chair, a tumbler of 18 year old McCallen scotch, neat in her hand, watching the myriad of officer's in uniforms of many nations linger in the club, mingling with each other. Pilots, she guessed most of them were. It only made sense, she thought. This was supposed to be the premier fighter tactics training school in the world. Not for the first time, she wondered exactly what her role would be in this school. She was no pilot, not really. She was a sailor, through and through. Sure, she was trained to fly the tornado, everyone in her unit was. But not everyone was specifically trained for fighter operations. Margaret was definitely not one of them. She was one of the few women in the Royal Navy trained for combat operations. She had been part of an experiment to see how women would fare in surface warfare and even had some training with the Royal Marines. But her aerial combat training wasn't even bloody close to these pilots. She was a paper shuffler through and through.

She sipped her scotch turning her thoughts to watching how carefree these pilots were. She often wished she could be as carefree as these young men and women. She never really could be, not if she wanted to keep her position. It really was a pain in the proverbial arse. Dating was an absolute nightmare. Obviously she couldn't date subordinates not without being accused of fraternization. She couldn't date superiors lest everyone think she got her position through questionable means. Civilians didn't understand. She really thought she had something with the American General. Then she found out he was married. Bloody hell, why didn't some men wear rings to signify their availability, she cursed silently.

Her eyes were drawn to the distinguished man walking through the door with a devastatingly beautiful young second lieutenant. A young second lieutenant who was definitely not the man's wife. Maggie had met Colonel Bradley's wife and this young lady was not her. Her eyes narrowed as she watched him wrap his arm around the young lady's shoulder and pressed a kiss to the top of her blonde head. She smiled up at him as he said something to her. Maggie wondered just what was being passed between the two officers. Bradley walked up to the bar and ordered two drinks, handing one off to the young lieutenant. He said something else and the young lady laughed. This place was a den of iniquity, wasn't it? Maggie thought. Apparently, the moniker "Sin City" extended even to the military bases.

For a few minutes, Maggie watched the couple and it seemed like they were a little too close for a Colonel and Second Lieutenant. She watched as a Brigadier General walked over to the couple and exchanged simple pleasantries, conversed and laughed with one another. This interaction seemed odd to Maggie. In the Royal Navy, such a display would be frowned upon by a superior officer.

At the bar

Brigadier General Christian MacAullife strode into the Officer's club, stood at the door to the bar area for a microsecond before honing in on his prey standing next to a cute blonde second lieutenant. He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Colonel, a man he'd never known to stray from his wife. The man had possessive hand on the young lieutenant's lower back and MacAullife narrowed his eyes even more. The man had just sent a Captain to the stockade for fraternization with a subordinate officer and here he was flaunting a relationship with a second lieutenant. Composing himself, MacAullife walked over to Bradley and the little tart.

"Colonel Bradley, good to see you this evening." MacAullife said simply acknowledging the other officer.

"Ah, General MacAullife, good to see you, sir. I'd like to introduce you to my niece, Second Lieutenant Kerry Abernathy. Her father is General Clayton Abernathy." MacAullife suddenly felt like an ass. Bradley's niece. Now that he looked at the young woman and the resemblance was clear. They both had similar eyes and nose structure and the same cornhusk blonde hair.

"Pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant."

"Thank you, sir. And it's a pleasure to meet you as well, sir." Kerry responded. "Would you care to join my Aunt, Uncle and myself for dinner, sir?" Pete's eyes widened. He almost wondered where the young lady had developed her political savvy. It sure as hell wasn't from her father. The man wasn't exactly known to be the most politically correct man he knew. His sister, her mother, on the other hand, definitely able to be political when she needs to. In fact, usually, Kerry wasn't known to be very political. She was known to be brutally honest and forthright.

"I would be honored, Lieutenant. Thank you." MacAullife replied.

"We're just waiting on my aunt and, Uncle Pete, I see Commodore Flynn over there, she seems lonely, permission to ask her as well?" Kerry asked looking at General MacAuliffe's hand and then to the English Commodore seated in a plush bar chair across the room.

"I think that is a splendid idea, Kerry." Kerry's eyes lit up and suddenly Pete wondered what was going on in that girl's mind. Somehow, he thought he had a clue and he wasn't sure if he liked it. MacAuliffe was well known throughout the Air Force first as a tough commanding officer, but most recently for having lost his wife to cancer. He was about to take his niece aside and tell her not to even consider it, but the determined young lady was already halfway across the room.

"Commodore Flynn? We've not actually met, I'm Lieutenant Kerry Abernathy, General Hawk's daughter, and I noticed you were sitting here alone and thought you'd like to join my aunt, uncle and General MacAullife for dinner." Kerry spoke to the regal looking British naval officer.

"I'm not sure that is wise, Leftenant." Maggie answered. Though she did look at the distinguished General, admiring the view.

"Ma'am, I realize that you are a Commodore, but, I think it would be wonderful to learn more about our Allies in the United Kingdom." Kerry implored. "And what better way, than to have dinner with us?"

"Well, as you put it that way, Leftenant, I do believe it would be rather rude of me to decline such an offer." With that, Maggie put her whiskey down and stood, smoothing out her uniform and replacing her chestnut brown hair to its impeccable coif. "Lead on Leftenant."

"Of course, Ma'am. I'm so glad you chose to join us. General MacAuliffe seems to be a nice fellow, and I'm sure you'll love my aunt and uncle."

"We've met, they're lovely people, your aunt and uncle."

By the time they returned to their group, the table for five had been secured and a bottle of wine ordered. It took mere seconds for the Commodore and General to be introduced and Kerry was pleased with herself. It was clear the two had hit it off. Both officers were smiling and laughing by the time the night ended.