Shady heard the door open and close quietly. She was sitting in one of the straight back chairs; her feet propped up in another. She didn't move. If this was an unfriendly attempting to get to Briana, whomever it was would have to pass in front of Boots.
Barney stopped at the dresser, taking in the row of bottles – one large and a half dozen smaller ones from the mini bar – laid out like dead soldiers. Ross mumbled, "So help me, Shady Powell, if you are passed out drunk, I'm going to kick your ass."
"I am not the one passed out drunk," she responded, sitting up finally in the chairs. "That would be Fuller. Which would also be the reason she's lying on her stomach, head hanging off the bed with the trashcan in easy reach."
Ross turned on Shady, "What are you then?"
"Awake and hung over," was the quick reply.
"And if it had been someone other than me coming in this room?"
Boots uncrossed her arms to reveal the small 9 mil that she always kept at hand, "Then you'd have at least a couple of bullet holes in you by now."
Barney actually smiled. "And you really thought this was the best way to handle the situation last night?" He motioned at the line of empties.
"Yeah, actually, I did." She chuckled, "And, as it turned out, it was the best way. I got her out of the bathroom which is more than I can say for you."
He spoke her name as a warning.
"Barney," Shady sighed, "I got her to talk; ease some of the worries."
His arms crossed over his chest, Ross wasn't sure how he wanted to proceed. Finally, Powell pleaded, "I'm tired. I'm hungry. I need a shower. And, did I mention I was hung over?"
"You gonna puke?" Ross deadpanned.
"No." When he didn't say anything else, she glared, "So am I dismissed or not?"
He nodded, "Yeah, get going." Shady grabbed her bag and headed for the door. He stopped her, "Boots?" Shady looked over her shoulder questioningly. "Nice job."
Powell smiled and went to the other room. As soon as the door closed, Shady ran to the bathroom…to puke.
It was dinner before either Shady or Briana made it back to the dining room. They were sitting at different tables, neither female saying much…or eating much. Fuller looked up at one point and the girls locked bloodshot eyes. A small smile played at Briana's lips. She gave Shady a quick nod and a small salute. Boots returned the smile, acknowledging the salute. Briana finished her meal, chatted with the guys a little longer and then Galgo escorted her back to the room.
Doc joined Shady, taking a seat at the opposite end of the table. The female Expendable sort of fascinated him. So unlike most women he'd known, she didn't shy away from the work. She rolled up her sleeves and didn't hesitate to do whatever was needed. The condition of the room they were sharing was rather frat-like. With five guys coming and going, Powell never said a word. She just kicked stuff aside or picked it up, folded it and put it away; content to find a spot and make it her own. She also didn't hog the bed. In fact, more often than not, Shady used the chaise she had slept on the very first night. Doc liked her.
The conversation drifted through the cracked door. "What are you thinking?" Lee's English brogue could be heard.
"I think the longer we stay here, the better the chance we get made." This was Barney's distinctive Jersey accent.
"And the weather?"
"I'm just about ready to take my chances. Problem will be whether or not the runway is accessible. For that fact, the condition of the hangar. We need to recon it."
"Who do you want to send?"
"As the only pilots, it needs to be either you or me," Barney directed.
"Okay. I'll get ready," Lee volunteered.
"No," Barney answered, "Briana seems more at ease with you. Let me eat and catch a couple hours rack time. I'll go around midnight."
Shady dropped her fork with a clatter; shoved back from the table and then shouldered past the team leader and his second without a word. Interesting, Doc thought. Of all the reactions he expected, that one surprised him. Christmas and Ross watched her go by, exchanging a questioning glare as she passed. However, neither man made an attempt to follow. Doc decided maybe he should.
Shady moved quietly to the pool and sauna area of the resort. The low wall and access to a private road made it the best entrance and exit point to go check the airport. She made a step towards the swimming pool only to be stopped by an armed sentry.
"Galgo," she hissed.
"Shady," he responded reasonably, "What are you doing here?"
She smiled amicably, "Headed out to recon the airport."
"On whose orders?"
"Whom do you think?"
"Barney said nothing to me," the Spaniard countered.
"And Barney tells you everything?"
He shrugged, "You have a point." But years of counterintelligence resulted in a feeling and something in the way Shady responded that still didn't sit right. "Why you?"
"I'm a pilot. I'll know whether or not we can get out. Also," Shady was calm, "everyone else is occupied."
Galgo couldn't fault the logic, "How long do you need?"
"Ninety minutes should be about right," Powell smiled.
He nodded, "Ninety-first minute I go to Barney."
Shady leaned forward and kissed the man's cheek, "Thanks, G." She slipped on gloves, pulled up her hoodie and disappeared into the dark.
Galgo watched her go, a silly smile lighting up his face. He then turned around, returning to his watch. Only he turned into the hulking body of Doc, "Behemoth." The sentry hurled the insult, "What are you doing?"
He smiled, even white teeth against dark skin, "Following her." He nodded towards the spot where Powell had been. "And you should go ahead and tell Barney what she's done."
He cursed in Spanish, "I knew something wasn't right."
Doc nodded, patting Galgo's shoulder before heading off to chase after the female Expendable.
Shady dropped back into the courtyard. She slipped into the sauna and pool house, proud of herself. She'd made the round trip with 20 minutes to spare. Boots removed her gloves, pulled the hoodie down and suddenly froze in place. The warm hand and cold blade against her neck was an immediate warning that she wasn't as alone as she thought. She swallowed convulsively.
"You're in deep shit, Boots."
Shady recognized Toll's voice. She sighed, "Barney knows?"
"What do you think?" He released her so she could turn to face him.
Her shoulders slumped, "Where is he?"
"Dining room," Road answered succinctly. Powell nodded and started to leave. "Shady?" She looked back, "I've never seen him this angry."
"Thanks," was the quiet response. Then, she left to face the firing squad.
When Toll turned around to resume his watch, he came face-to-face with Doc. "Where did you come from?"
Doc smiled, "Same place she did."
"You backed her up?" He nodded as Road added, "Are you going to help her with Barney?"
The knife expert answered, "When the time comes, I will. Right now? She deserves what's coming to her." He gave Road a slight bow and headed upstairs. Toll just shook his head then went back to his watch.
Boots entered the dining room, coming to a halt at Barney's drawn weapon. She signaled her mock surrender. Ross held her at gunpoint a bit longer than what Shady believed was really necessary. But, she didn't move. In frustration, Ross slammed the gun back into his holster, then crossed his arms over his massive chest. Shady stood at attention in front of the team lead.
"What the fuck were you thinking, Powell?" Ross growled at her like a drill sergeant.
There were a number of ways she could handle this situation. However, Boots knew straight forward was going to be the best. "I was thinking I was bored beyond belief and the walls were closing in. I was thinking I was frustrated at not being given tasks equal with the guys. And, I was thinking that you and Christmas are not the only pilots on this damn team."
Ross didn't move as he began to strip Shady verbally, "In case you've forgotten, your role in this assignment is body double for Briana. And until she's returned safely, you must still be available to take her place. It would be damn difficult for you to do your job," he stressed those two words, "if you're injured or dead." Shady shifted uncomfortably as Barney continued, "And I have always given you responsibility equal to the men on this team. But you know damn good and well that you don't just go off half-cocked and do whatever the hell you want. This organization works because we all understand and respect the chain of command." Barney finally moved, stepping into his female Expendable's personal space, "You're on thin ice, Powell. If I can't trust you, I don't need you." He heard her indrawn breath, "But you want a job like the guys?" Ross continued to walk around her, the anger radiating from him. "Fine. You've got the watch, midnight to eight. I don't want to see or hear anything out of you until then."
"Yes, sir."
"And don't go crying to Lee about any of this, either," he warned.
Shady bristled, "I have not now nor have I ever gone crying to Lee," she threw his words back at him. "And, that you think I would speaks volumes as to how you see me." When he didn't respond but continued to stare hard at the woman, Shady turned on her heel.
Ross stopped her, "Powell!"
She turned back, "Sir."
"I didn't get your sit rep."
Shady squared her shoulders, "The runway has some debris but nothing that would impede take off. The hangar is pristine, obviously built to withstand this type of weather. I didn't see a reason to check the plane."
He nodded then looked at his watch, "Don't be late."
"Yes, sir," she answered again and left.