The team had been stateside for over a week now. As soon as they had landed, Lee and Barney had taken Bri, returning her to her headquarters. The rest of the group had gone their separate ways; Shady returning to her apartment in the bar.
She hadn't seen her former undercover husband since they touched down. So when the knock came at the door, she almost ripped it off the hinges. Problem was it was not Lee Christmas - it was Barney Ross. He was dressed in a dark suit with a charcoal grey shirt. He shoved two ties in her disappointed face.
"Which one?" Ross asked, entering without waiting to be invited.
She cocked an eyebrow, grabbed the one that was black with a pattern and closed the door behind him. He sat down at the small table while she put the tie around his neck. The hint of a smile tipped her lips.
"Something funny?" He wanted to know.
Shady shook her head, "No. I just forget sometimes what a devastatingly handsome man you are in your own right." Ross ducked his head, slightly abashed at her statement. Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. "Why didn't you go with me to the jungle?"
Barney stood up, walking across to the mirror that hung on the bathroom door. He thought seriously about not responding but he needed to see where this line of questioning was headed. He replied, "We knew how we had profiled Moreno. That he would expect someone who could immediately assume a role in his group. Lee's one of the younger men in the group. Much as I hate to admit it," Ross turned around to look at Shady, "he's also one of the most physically fit in a group of rock solid, physically fit men." She smiled at that thought and then laughed outright when the Boss tacked on, "And if I want him to know that, I'll tell him myself."
"No problem," Boots acknowledged.
"Why did you ask? You telling me if I had gone with you, it might be us in the relationship instead of you and Christmas?"
Shady's response was cryptic, "Guess we'll never know." Then she sighed and dropped down on the bed, "But it doesn't matter anyway. Me and Lee? We're done."
"Why the hell would you think that?" But before she could explain, Barney changed tactics, "Get dressed."
She looked up, "What?"
"You've got 45 minutes to get ready. You see what I'm wearing. Dress accordingly. Oh, and make it something that shows you've got legs," Barney added.
"Are you crazy?" Shady asked incredulously.
"Nope," he crossed his arms over his chest, "and you're wasting time."
"Fine, fine," she groused but started getting ready.
Lee looked at his watch. Barney was late; unlike him to be so but definitely five minutes late. He finally saw the restored antique pickup truck pull into valet parking and the Boss get out. Christmas was surprised, however, when the passenger door opened too. He saw delicate heels, shapely legs and a smoking hot body in a midnight blue jersey knit dress. The couple approached the former SAS officer and, with an evil smile, Ross said, "Close your mouth, Christmas."
He was staring at the drop dead gorgeous woman he had been having an affair with during the last almost two years. Shady gave her own cocky grin but was stopped from saying anything else when Briana Fuller joined the threesome.
"Good, you're here. Oh, and Shady," she hugged the other woman, "I'm so glad you could make it. Barney thought you might have a conflict."
She returned the hug, covering the team lead by responding, "My schedule cleared at the last minute."
"Well, come on in. There are some people I want you to meet," and the nuclear scientist turned and led the way into the restaurant and to a small private room in the back. Briana turned around, saying, "So, this is…"
"Major Drummer," Shady interrupted crossing to the senior officer.
"Shady Powell, what are you doing slumming with this group?" Drummer quizzed back, smiling and shaking her hand.
At Fuller's questioning look, Ross responded, "Her father is a full bird Air Force colonel." She made an "oh" with her mouth then chuckled.
"How's your dad?" Drummer continued their conversation.
"Good, sir, thank you."
"And he knows about your activities with uh…" he motioned towards Barney and Lee.
She looked in the direction he pointed then turned back with a huge smile, "Knows and approves." The two then rejoined the rest of the group.
Fuller took over the meeting again, "And this," she reached behind her, motioning another woman forward, "as you've already guessed is the real Briana Fuller."
The scientist extended her hand, "Thank you so much for bringing Wren home."
"I'm sure you think we should have told your team," Drummer spoke, "but knowing the lengths that Wren had gone to in order to protect Bri's identity? Well, you understand."
Ross responded, "Yeah, we do. It's no problem."
"Except for how you knew I wasn't Briana," Wren interjected. "What gave me away?"
"When I told you I didn't want to be able to tell you apart from Shady and damned if I couldn't. You don't copy that kind of behavior that quickly," Ross smiled, "you have to be trained that way."
Lee added, "When we took rounds at the pool house, you didn't duck and cover. You took a defensive posture. All that was missing was a weapon to return fire."
"When you were telling the guys what happened during your capture, you gave the details like reciting an after-action report, not recalling what should have been a most traumatic experience," Shady finished.
She shook her head in disbelief, "Well, I'll be damned."
"So what really happened," Barney wanted to know.
Wren Anthony explained, "When the rebels broke in they did open fire. I took a hit immediately; Bri right after me. I pulled her under a table and grabbed her lab coat, exchanging it with my own. It made her appear as if she'd been more seriously wounded than she really was."
"And," Briana Fuller interrupted, "Wren decked me."
The former Secret Service agent shrugged, "I needed to make sure she didn't try to be a hero. Anyway, I identified myself as Bri and they stopped shooting. Next thing I know, I've got a black bag over my head and transported to the brig where you guys got me."
"Alright, enough talk. Let's eat," Drummer smiled, sitting at the table. The others joined for the meal and small talk that devolved into war stories and humorous tales. The entire time, Christmas couldn't keep his eyes from drifting to Shady. His hand also wandered occasionally, rubbing up and down her leg suggestively. Shady only smiled.
As the evening came to an end, Bri lamented, "I only wish I could meet the rest of your team. Thank them personally for all they did."
"You can," Barney responded, "the guys hang out at a bar just a few minutes from here. They should all be together shortly. Want to come?"
"Hell, yes," Wren interjected, with Bri seconding the motion.
"How about you, Major?" Barney challenged. "Care to join us?"
He shrugged, "Why not?"
The group made the way outside, Barney offering to drive Wren and Bri. Drummer would take his own vehicle. Christmas grabbed Shady before she could speak, "Boots and I will catch up with you later." Then, he dragged her away.
The couple were waiting for Lee's transportation so Shady teased, "I'm not riding the motorcycle dressed like this." She waved her hand up and down to indicate her dress.
When the valet pulled up in a cherry red Audi, it was Powell's turn to stare with her mouth open. He chuckled, "What? You think all I own is a motorcycle?" He waited for Shady to sit down and buckle in then took off, smiling the entire time.