Barney slid into the copilot's seat as the plane lifted off. He waited until they had been in the air for a few minutes before he finally spoke, "Nice work, Boots." She smiled but didn't respond. He continued, "If you've got this, I'm gonna head back and get out of these wet clothes."

"No problem, Boss," Shady answered succinctly. He removed his headgear and stood up next to the pilot. He grabbed her baseball cap and slapped her head with it before he left her alone. Boots chuckled as he stalked off.

Christmas had set up a temporary dressing area for Briana near the rear of the plane. He turned his back while the scientist stripped off her own wet clothes.

"So," Lee stated, "I recognized Shady's handiwork. Am I to guess the other was yours?"

Barney had joined the couple in time to hear Fuller's response, "Yeah, uh, like I told you my handler…"

"...my handler taught me a few things," the Expendables' leader finished for her.

Bri put a hand on Christmas' shoulder where he blocked her in, smiling in response. She cautioned, "Instead of picking on me, you might want to check out Shady."

Lee stepped aside letting Bri out as he quizzed, "Why would we need to do that?"

She knelt to tie her shoes as she said, "She took some shots in the vest. I understand that can be painful."

"Your handler?" Barney asked as he changed his own shirt.

Bri shrugged, "You pick up a few things." She stood and headed towards the area where the rest of the team sat.

"A few hours and you'll be home," Ross told her as she went.

Fuller turned a brilliant smile on the two men, "Sounds outstanding." Then Bri went to join the other men.

Lee asked after she left, "Shady say anything to you?"

"Like she would," Ross scoffed.

Christmas nodded, "Send her to me."

Barney smirked, "Yeah, okay. But just check out her injuries." He warned his second, "Nothing else." He turned on his heel and went back up front.

Shady looked up as the boss entered the cockpit, "What? No beer?"

He dropped down, "Not for you. You're still grounded after that little stunt with Fuller."

"Yes, sir," she frowned playfully.

Ross took a drink from his own bottle then quizzed, "So you enjoy wet clothes?"

"Not particularly."

He gave her a cocky smile and ordered, "Go change. I've got the controls."

Shady didn't have to be told twice. She got rid of her own communications gear and headed to the back of the plane. Slipping inside the makeshift dressing area, Powell eased off her vest and felt the first of the deep pain from the gunshots. She worked out of her shirt, struggling to pull it over her head and then froze. Shady knew she was no longer alone.

Lee saw the dark bruising that ran from shoulder blade to shoulder blade across Shady's back. He could also see the violent red scratch on her underarm where the bullet had grazed her. She didn't move as Christmas put his hands on her, pulling her lightly against him.

"Anything broken," he asked softly.

Shady managed to answer, "No."

"Any trouble breathing?"

"Not from the gunshots."

Boots heard him chuckle as he turned her to face him. Lowering his head, Lee kissed her breastbone, running hands along her hips. He then lifted her bodily onto the nearby crates so he could clean her arm and bandage it. Once Christmas was satisfied, he let her finish dressing.

"You okay to fly," Lee continued his interrogation.

Shady nodded, "Yeah. I'm good."

"Then you should get back up front. I have orders not to detain you any longer than necessary," he finished, giving her another kiss before sending her on her way.

Powell sighed as she left his embrace. Good god, what that man did to her! Shady smiled at the guys, laid out in various positions throughout the plane as she walked back to the cockpit. Bri was curled up in one of the seats, sleeping soundly. As she took back the pilot's chair, Barney released the controls back to his female Expendable.

"Everything good?" He asked.

"All good," was the quick response.

Ross acknowledged, "You should know, Boots, this went a long way in redeeming your performance."

"Thank you, sir," Shady answered with military precision.

Barney leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest and closed his eyes, "I might just have to keep you around a little while longer."

He didn't need to see the megawatt grin; the Boss could hear it in her response, "Good to hear, sir." And, Shady flew the team home.