Chapter Six: Morning Constitution
Snake Eyes walked over to Sidewinder's cot. She was still sitting there, like a statue. He sat down in front of her, smiling. She looked at him and returned the smile. She was still sad, but somehow found comfort from him. It was strange that this silent warrior hid a gentle soul. He held out his hand, which she put hers into. He patted her hand as to say that he understood.
I want to work on that shoulder. I've learned a couple of things that would help fix it. You'll be your normal self in no time. Snake Eyes signed with one hand. The smile slid a bit from Sidewinder's face. She was embarrassed on what her body showed to him, but again felt that he would understand.
"What happened to you?" It was Firewall's voice. She ran over and sat down next to Sidewinder and took her other hand. "Honey, what happened? I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you. Are you okay?"
Snake Eyes stood up and walked over to Scarlett. She stood in the doorway horrified. He pulled her close to him; comforting her with her own scars as well. He let go and wiped a tear from her eyes.
Shana, could you find Tommy and have him and Sean teach my classes today? I think we're going to be needed here instead of class. Could you help me with this when you find them and let them know what's going on? Also, get Ace, but don't have him come in. I think he likes Sidewinder, but I need to see his reaction.
"I'll do it for you, Charlie. I'll be back shortly." Scarlett whispered to him, kissing his cheek. He smiled back to her.
You're the best, did you know that? I love you.
Scarlett looked at Snake Eyes with some surprise. "You still surprise me after all of these years together. I'll be right back." With this she took off to look for Storm Shadow and Kamakura. Snake Eyes watched Scarlett move down the hallway for a minute. He smiled to himself and turned back to Sidewinder and Firewall. Sidewinder was explaining everything that happened after Firewall received the coffee to the face.
"So then, Ace was trying to restrain me and Snakes was trying to restrain Jaye, right?" Sidewinder said. "Well, she gets a knife off of Snakes' belt and chucks it into my left shoulder. It goes right through."
"I've never heard of Jaye that mad to actually throw a weapon." Firewall replied. Her face was fine, Snake Eyes noticed. It looked like Doc applied some cream to keep the face from burning and swelling. She seemed like she was back to normal. He sat down behind her and lightly touched her shoulder. Sidewinder relaxed from the first touch. Firewall looked over to Sidewinder's back.
"What are you doing, Snakes?" Firewall asked.
"Whatever he's doing, he can continue doing it." Sidewinder said with a slight moan. "Too bad you have Scarlett; otherwise I'd show you one hell of a time."
"I'm flattered, but Red would kick my ass eight ways to Sunday." Snake Eyes said in a raspy whisper. "Besides, I'm a one woman guy anyway."
Firewall looked at him surprised. "I didn't think that you could talk." Sidewinder nodded.
"My hands are busy trying to mend her shoulder; I can't sign with busy hands." Snake Eyes shook his head. "Forgive the pun, Cassie."
Sidewinder laughed. "That's a good one, Snakes. Didn't think you had a sense of humor. You are something else." Firewall looked at them both. She shook her head.
"If this is a private thing, I'm heading back to the room."
"Actually, we need both of you here." Spoke Scarlett from the doorway. "Snakes, are you charming our new Joe?"
"Never Shana, do I look like the type that would do that?" Snake Eyes asked. "I'm insulted that you would say that. What kind of guy would I be?" Snake Eyes flashed his million dollar smile to Scarlett. She smiled and gave him a wink. She sat down across from Firewall and Sidewinder, watching them with interest.
"Scarlett, I wasn't trying anything with your man, honestly." Sidewinder scrambled to cover up what just happened.
It was Scarlett's turn to laugh. "I know that. Snakes isn't the type to cheat. I trust him with my life and he trusts me with his. We've been together for so long… Anyway, you almost done, Snakes?"
He stood up, walking over to Scarlett. Yep, we're all set. He sat down next to Scarlett and held her hand. Scarlett smiled from his affection. This could be a new Snake Eyes, she though. She shook her thoughts free and came back to talk about them.
"What happened, Cassie?"
"I'm not sure. Jaye just irked me. She was insulting my room-mate…"
"Sorry, I meant with the scars. What happened?" Scarlett asked.
"What is this? Twenty questions?" Sidewinder stammered out. "I barely know either of you, let alone my room-mate. This is something that I will share in time."
"I know, but it's hard to go through alone. I mean, the physical scars heal, but the mental ones take a lot longer." It was Firewall that spoke, tears from her eyes. "My dad said that I would amount to nothing. I was his only child and he told me for years that I would be a nothing."
"Shelly, you're not a nothing." Sidewinder turned to her, tears in her eyes. "I barely know you, but you've been more of a friend to me than anyone else in my life. I have someone to be a geek with, I have someone to be a girl with. Shit, look what you've accomplished. You're a freaking Joe, for crying out loud. Shelly, I want someone that will be a friend when I need one."
"I want that too." Firewall said. "I know that you've been through a lot. I want you to open up to me. I want you to talk to me when you need to and vice versa. I need someone to be there for me when I need them."
I think that you two are going to be fine. You have each other as well as us if you need us. It may not seem like it, but I can help. The four of us could write a book on physical and mental scars that could scare Psyche-out. Snake Eyes signed. Cassie, you're off the hook for today, but make sure that you are at my classes for the rest of the week.
"Michelle, could you show Cassie around the premises?" Scarlett asked. "Take the day to get to know each other, become friends. We'll get Ace and the five of us will have dinner tonight."
"Ace!" Sidewinder exclaimed. "Is Ace okay? I treated him like shit. I feel so bad; I mean he was trying to help and… Oh God, I feel horrible." Firewall put an arm around Sidewinder.
"I'm sure that he's fine." Firewall said. "He's pretty cool. I'm sure that the two of you will find time to talk. He'll understand."
It seems that little sister understands.
"Don't tease her, Snakes." Scarlett smiled. "We'll find him and explain. He's a stand-up guy. He'll have you introduced to the crew in no time." She stood up and Snake Eyes joined her. "Michelle, why don't you take Cassie and show her the rest of the infirmary, then the base? We'll see you two later." They left the room, walking towards Ace. Sidewinder and Firewall exited the other side of the infirmary.
"Is she okay?" Ace asked. "I was worried about her."
She's fine, Brad. Snake Eyes signed. I wanted you to see her body. She's been through a lot, but I'm sure she'll open up in time.
"But the scars, Snakes. What happened…?"
I'm not too sure either. I know that Firewall's was more mental. Sidewinder's case could be both. Give her time.
"It's just that…" Ace stumbled on his words, which was a first for him.
"You speechless, Brad? Where's a camera when I need one?" Scarlett joked.
"She beat me; I don't know what came over me, Shana." Ace smiled. "She was toying with me and… wow. She was reckless and I never felt so alive when I challenged her. She's special and I don't know how I'll tell her that."
Love at first sight? Snake Eyes signed.
"Yeah, buddy. It was and I don't know what to do. I never had this problem before and now…" Ace blushed at his nervousness. "I want her to talk to me."
"Let her bond with her room-mate. Ask her to join the game Saturday. I'm sure she'll come. We'll have some fun that night." Scarlett replied. Ace smiled and nodded. The three of them walked out of the infirmary.
Sidewinder and Firewall spent the day walking the premises, talking and being themselves. By the end of the day, they were close as two friends, let alone two girlfriends could be. They laughed, cried and spoke of the demons that haunted their lives. They knew that they would be there for each other as long as each other would have breath. They met with the others for dinner. Scarlett, Snake Eyes and Ace already had a table waiting for them. They joined them after getting food from the mess.
"Sorry we're late, guys." Firewall sat down next to Scarlett. "We got lost talking."
"Yeah, sorry about that." Sidewinder smiled, sitting next to Ace. She tapped him on the shoulder. He looked over to her and smiled. Sidewinder leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"What was that for?" Ace whispered to Sidewinder.
"For being my hero at breakfast." She whispered. "I know that you tried to help, but you took care of me. That's more than any man has done for me ever. Well, any single man has done. Snakes is spoken for." With that, she sat down and started into her meal.
"Well, I've got some open seats for the game on Saturday, anyone in?" Ace asked nonchalantly. Snake Eyes, Scarlett and Sidewinder raised their hands. Firewall smiled to them.
"Sorry guys, I've got a date with Dusty. He asked me at the end of the last game. Like I'm going to say no to him." Everyone finished dinner and went back to the dormitory. The five of them took the elevator up; Ace got off at the fourth floor. The rest of them got up to the fifth floor. They walked over to Scarlett and Snake Eyes' door and wished them goodnight. Once the door closed, the two of them raced down the hallway to their room. Firewall got to the door first and unlocked it. The two room-mates got in the room and shut the door. They were laughing like two schoolgirls.
"What was that with Ace, Cassie?" Firewall asked. "You two seemed that you were in a moment? Do you like him?"
"What are you talking about, Shelly?" Sidewinder asked embarrassed.
"You kissed him. I saw it." Firewall said. "Actually everyone at the table saw it."
"Oh that." Sidewinder smiled. "I was thanking him for helping me earlier today. He was trying to be a gentleman. It was sweet."
"Brad's all right." Firewall replied. "He's got an ego, but he is friendly. I've been to a couple of Ace's card games and I've had a good time. Ron on the other hand…"
"Is that this Dusty guy you mentioned?" Sidewinder asked.
"Yeah, he's a sweetheart." Firewall blushed. "I met him a couple times when I joined the team. He was one of my teachers. He really helped me get through a few things that happened. We just started talking and before I knew it, he asked me out. We've been on a couple of dates, but nothing serious."
"Do you think he could be the one?" Sidewinder asked.
"You plan on letting me know about Brad?" Firewall smiled.
"In time, Shelly. I want to see what Ace has in store for me." Sidewinder wondered what Ace did have in store for her. She had all of the time in the world to figure this out later. She wanted to watch a movie.
"Are you in the mood to watch some John Hughes?" Sidewinder asked.
Firewall smiled. "I thought you'd never ask." She went over to the library and grabbed "The Breakfast Club." Firewall put it in the DVD player and they watched the movie until they called in a night and went to sleep.