Author's Note: Several scenes have been cut and/or edited from this chapter. I felt it was necessary for continuity and flow.

My heroes are the ones who survived doing it wrong, who made mistakes, but recovered from them.

-Bono

In a dark corner of the transport on the way home, Jaye leaned back against Flint's shoulder, a faint smile on her lips. "Tell me again what makes a hero," she asked softly, closing her eyes. The pain meds were making her sleepy.

Flint took her good hand and intertwined his fingers with hers, whispering softly into her ear, "All that you are, the good and the bad, the messy and the beautiful…just be you."

She held on to his words and treasured them in her heart.

"Remember, no one's perfect, Lady Jaye, not even a hero."

The Joes arrived back at the Pit the next morning, quiet and thoughtful, each bearing a new kind of resolve in their step, a new determination in their eyes. Duke, Scarlet, Snake Eyes, Lady Jaye and Flint had not shared their experience with anyone else. It was simply too beautiful, too personal, so much so that they hadn't even discussed it with each other. Instead, they just exchanged small private smiles whenever they happened to run across each other. Somehow, for the moment, that was enough.

Hawk had called a late afternoon meeting for the debrief. Duke and Flint sat on opposite sides of the conference table, nearest the General who was seated in his usual place at the head. Their report was honest and forthright without embellishment. Scarlet, Jaye and Snake Eyes, didn't have much more to add.

Hawk simply listened without asking questions. It was obvious that he was not pleased with their report, but neither was he condemning. The old adage remained painfully true, "You can't win them all," and they had certainly not won this round with Cobra.

As the days passed, the five Joes pushed down the self doubts that began to creep in at the edges of their minds. No Joe ever likes to admit defeat, and that goes especially for Joe leaders. Their thoughts drifted back and forth between the heaviness of defeat and the delight of childish play.

Snake Eyes spent extra hours in the gym, dividing his free time between sparring with shadows and meditating calm. Sometimes, as he flawlessly moved through his routines, he would hear the echoing cry of a "Hi Yah," and the sharp crack of wood against a tree. In those moments, a smile would form under his mask, and his steps would suddenly become lighter and more fluid. In those moments, defeat was forgotten.

Lady Jaye had a harder time dealing with the loss than the others, having been witness to the destruction of Cobra firsthand. Memories of the battle would often surface in her mind's eye, visions of homes and schools burning, children crying, the faces of the injured and of the dying. They continued to haunt her, leaving her feeling more than confused, especially when images of a young girl laughing and throwing a stick like a javelin would also make an appearance. She couldn't seem to find herself between the scars of battle and the child calling herself Lady Jaye. How could both be her?

The only way she could reconcile the two, she decided, was to ensure that she was at her very best the next time she met with Cobra. A second defeat would not be acceptable. She was determined to do whatever was necessary, even if it meant waking up earlier, training harder, working faster, and going to bed later.

Her plans were temporarily postponed, however, because of her injury. To her chagrin, Doc had taken her off active duty until her arm was completely healed. She was, to say the least, a terrible patient. But, once the sling was off, she made up for lost time with a vengeance.

Scarlet hit the snooze and stumbled out of bed, bleary eyed. She made her way slowly through their shared living space.

"Jaye," she gave a start, blinking rapidly in the effort to focus, "What are you doing already up?"

Lady Jaye was dressed in loose black shorts and a gray army T-shirt. Rivulets of sweat were dripping into her eyes and down her neck. Scarlet stared in confusion as Jaye grabbed a towel and rubbed her face and neck dry.

She wrinkled her forehead and frowned, "I didn't miss PT, did I?"

"No. Just… running," Jaye gave a shrug. She tossed the damp towel next to an empty water bottle and reached down to begin stretching her legs.

Scarlet's mouth cracked open into a yawn and she groaned. There were times when she was not a morning person and this was definitely one of them. If she had her choice, she would still be in bed, buried under her blankets, asleep. Too bad she had drawn early watch duty.

Jaye stopped in a half stretch and looked up cheekily, "Oh, and by the way, good morning."

Scarlet shot her a sleepy glare. She was still only half awake and Lady Jaye was far too bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for her.

"Says who?," she grumbled.

Lady Jaye smiled impishly, "Says me."

"It's…" Scarlet squinted her eyes to read the clock, "0435? Jaye," she asked in surprise, "Do you realise what time it is?"

"Yes, I just wanted to get an early start…"

"Early is right. I heard you when you went to bed. Did you sleep at all?"

"I got enough."

Scarlet just looked at her as if she didn't quite believe. "Whatever," she shook her head, "I'm gonna make some coffee. Want some?"

"Sure," Jaye responded quickly, "Love some." She slowly pulled out of her last stretch and swept the sweat soaked hair out of her eyes. "I'm just gonna hop in the shower first."

"Go right ahead," Scarlet's face split into another huge yawn, "I need to wake up some more."

The sun rose steadily, the sky changing from dark blue to purple then to rapidly lightening shades of pink. The light breeze promised a cooler day. Everywhere the sun touched the Pit, it began springing to life. The busy activities and sounds of morning soon replaced the quieter stirrings of the night.

After breakfast, Jaye and Scarlet headed directly for the women's locker at the gym. Both had hand to hand that morning, Scarlet and Snake Eyes working with the Green Shirts, Jaye training with Beach Head. Neither spoke as they changed out of their BDU's and into their work out clothes.

"Well," Scarlet said finally, standing up and rolling her shoulders, "I guess I'm ready." She placed her neatly folded uniform in her locker and shut the metal door with a click. Turning to Jaye, she gave her a wicked smile, "Have fun with Beach, today."

"I plan to," Jaye winked, slamming her own locker door shut. They both grabbed bottles of water and towels as Jaye followed Scarlet out of women's locker and into the training room, then they separated to their different areas.

Jaye stepped on to the mat where Beach Head was already waiting. He nodded to her then readied himself, watching carefully as she did the same. Immediately Beach rushed in, driving her back. She ducked and struck out blindly, only to be blocked, causing her to lose her balance. Before she could regain her footing, Beach Head swung hard. Jaye took a direct hit to her cheek. She fell back, hitting the mat hard. Breath coming in pants, glaring at him, she rubbed the rapidly purpling bruise.

"What's wrong with you?" His dark gaze bore down on her, "You should have got yer block up in time."

"Sorry, Beach," she said rising slowly to her feet, mentally chastising herself, "Let's go again." She instantly crouched into her ready stance.

Beach Head grunted in response, lowering for another attack.

They sparred a while longer, Jaye taking a few more hits but getting up more blocks, as well as connecting with a few well placed hits of her own. Finally, Beach stood up and called it quits. He looked her up and down with a practiced eye. She was breathing hard, her face red from exertion except for the bruised cheek, which had already deepened to a darker shade of purple. But, he also recognised the usual defiance glinting in her eyes. He nodded in satisfaction. "Better. Yer still slower than usual, though."

As she was preparing to hit the showers, Scarlet came up beside her and spoke softly into her ear, "Jaye, I saw that hit you took from Beach. That's not like you at all. Are you okay?," she asked in concern.

"Just fine, Scarlet," she said quickly, brushing past her.

Scarlet silently watched her go. She had learned long ago that Jaye could be intensely private. She also knew, without a doubt, that something was bothering her best friend and she had a pretty good idea what it was. She sighed deeply as Lady Jaye disappeared into the women's locker room.

Scarlet had had her own self doubts. But now, whenever she tossed her pony tail over her shoulder, she could smile confidently; it wasn't red hair that she was seeing, but blond.

"Lady Jaye, you in there?" Flint called, knocking softly and then poking his head into the small office she shared with Scarlet. He smiled when he saw her alone, at her desk, poring over the latest Intel reports.

"Jaye?" he called again, louder.

She gave a small jump and looked up, "Flint!," then relaxed into a warm smile, "Sorry, I didn't hear you."

"I know," he grinned, "Haven't seen you since yester…Hey, what happened to your face?," He stepped through the door and quickly rounded her desk.

"Hand to hand with Beach Head this morning," she made a grimace and then winced slightly.

"At least tell me you gave him as good as you got," he said, gently touching her bruise.

"Not this time," she sighed.

He studied her carefully and frowned, "You okay?"

She cringed inwardly. Why did everyone have to keep asking her that? "I'm fine…,"

"Jaye…..," he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well, maybe just a little tired," she admitted quickly. "You ready for supper?"

"You bet, I'm starving," he broke into a wolfish grin.

"That makes two of us," she grinned back. She took hold of his hand and groaned in exaggeration aa he pulled her to her feet, "Oh…, I think I've been sitting too long…,"

Flint smirked, and offered his arm. "Shall we?"

"Thanks," she laughed, leaning into him lightly.

Scarlet and Duke sat side by side, heads bent together, deep in conversation. "You know, Duke, I think we all need to confront Cobra again…"

Duke's blue eyes grew dark, "I know. I personally can't wait to shake off this defeat. I mean, is it me, or do people actually stare at me in sympathy when I walk by?"

"Definitely you, Duke," she laughed gently, placing her hand on his, "Everyone here respects you. One bad battle can't change that."

"I know. And you're right, Scarlet," he sighed, "I guess it's just my imagination working overtime."

"Hey guys," Jaye and Flint placed their food trays down on the table in front of them and slid into the seats on the other side.

"Hi, yourselves," Scarlet looked up and her eyes widened. "How's the cheek, Jaye?," she asked gently. She was impressed by how dark it had become.

"Fine."

"What happened?" Duke turned to Jaye sharply, his voice raised.

"Beach Head happened," she said glumly, picking at her food. She suddenly didn't have much of an appetite.

"Oh….," he went back to his meal.

Flint took a huge bite of his fried chicken. He wasn't kidding when he told Jaye he was hungry. "So, what were you two talking about when we showed up?," he asked after he had swallowed.

Duke sighed wearily, "Just how glad we'll all be when we can fight Cobra again."

"I think that's something we can all agree on," Flint said flatly. "Have you Intel come up with anything?" he directed his question toward the women before taking another bite.

Scarlet glanced at Jaye. "Nothing yet, but we're following up on a few possible leads."

Duke nodded encouragingly as he stabbed his fork into a tomato wedge, "Well, Cobra will show up sooner or later. They always do."

"That they do," Flint said, chewing thoughtfully.