Chapter Seven: New Endeavors
Most of Sidewinder's week was uneventful. She did her punishment with Snake Eyes. She apologized to Lady Jaye about the fight, which she accepted. Yet Jaye avoided talking to her unless it was absolutely necessary. She was either still upset with her, or there was something else. Sidewinder let it go, even though something in the back of her head said that she shouldn't. She also met Ace's band, The Stars and Bars Spectacular. She thought they were a good group of guys. Rock & Roll was a funny guy, Ace was his usual self and Dusty was quiet, but very friendly. She could see why Firewall liked him; he was sweet, caring and considerate. She also met Shockwave, who was in the hospital. He was pretty banged up, but he was full of life. She asked Ace if he was famous or something; He did look familiar. She also met the other girls on her floor. They were a tight knit group and Sidewinder was glad that she had some new friends to get to know. She was also getting along with the other Joes on base and it was starting to feel like a family.
She spent her Friday like the rest of the days that week. She went to PT for three hours, then classes with Lady Jaye and Snake Eyes. Sidewinder was looking forward to joining Snake Eyes' advanced class, which he offered to her with her work with him. She spent the afternoon hanging out with Wild Bill, Airborne, and Lift-Ticket in the hangar working on the new SkyStrikers. They brought her back into the main office to talk. Wild Bill was in the middle of one of his stories.
"I'm tellin' you darlin', I though Ace was havin' a litter of kittens with what we did to him on that prank." Wild Bill laughed. She loved talking to the Texan, for he was full of stories about all of the Joes.
Airborne, Lift-Ticket and Sidewinder were laughing so hard that tears were rolling down their cheeks. Sidewinder wiped them away. She couldn't stop grinning.
"Bill that was a classic." Sidewinder smiled to them. "I hate to kill the mood but can I ask you guys a question? I'm gonna try to be serious for a moment thought."
"Of course you can. We'll answer the best we can." Airborne smiled.
"Is Ace seeing anyone?"
The three other pilots looked at each other. "Tell the truth Cass, I don't think that is a path you should follow." Lift-Ticket said solemnly. Sidewinder looked at them confused.
"Brother Ace is a wonderful pilot, a hell of a friend." Airborne tried to smile. "When it comes to matters of the heart, well that's different."
"Look, would you guys just be straightforward with me?" Sidewinder asked. "While I appreciate that you three are looking out for my well-being, what happened?"
"Look Cassie, Ace's heart belonged to someone else." Bill started. "Nice girl named Marie. She wasn't as pretty as you or my Sally, but Ace really liked her."
"Liked her? Bill, he wanted to marry the girl." Lift-Ticket chimed in.
"Yeah, but the spirits of luck weren't on his side." Airborne said.
"She died?" Sidewinder asked.
"Nope, she ended up with another Joe." Bill stated. "'nother pilot by the name of Ghostrider. Nice guy, but real quiet. He was kind of a homebody, which this girl was looking for. They got hitched and he works for the government now. Ace never forgave Ghostrider for it. Since that incident, Ace never trusted any of the new pilots."
"Yeah, outside of the four of us and Slipstream, he never got to know the others." Lift-Ticket said. "In his opinion, he really didn't care. He made friends all over base, including us and his bandmates. The rest of the pilots were beneath him. That's why he started this little challenge game."
"The one I challenged him to? I won thought, although I think that he let me win." Sidewinder replied. "I was reckless, so I thought that's why he conceded."
"She is wise for her years." Airborne smiled to Wild Bill and Lift-Ticket. "He did let you win, but what you believe is only part true. He knew that you could fly him in circles. You are talented. Ace was outgunned; you did what no one other than us was able to do: beat him."
"I beat him legit?"
"Legit, darlin'." Bill said. "You humbled him. He was glad for that. 'Course we'll deny it if it's repeated."
"Understood, Bill." Sidewinder smiled. "I'm gonna split for the night. See you guys at the game tomorrow night?" Wild Bill and Lift-Ticket nodded.
"Stuck on duty, but have fun." Airborne smiled. With that, Sidewinder walked out of the office and headed back to the dorms. She lit up a cigarette and walked the path back to the dorms. She was surprised to what she found out on Ace. She decided that as much as she liked Ace, she would give him some time. She stood in front of the dorm and finished her smoke. She walked in and took the elevator up to the fifth floor. She walked past the lounge waving to the others and walked into her room. She walked to her door and opened it. She saw Firewall watching a movie.
"Hey whatcha watching?"
"I just finished "Shaun of the Dead." Firewall said with a sigh. "I need to get out of her. I've been stuck on base all week."
"I hear ya." Sidewinder smiled. "Let me call my dad and we'll see who wants to go out on a girls' night out."
"You are so whipped. I need to call daddy and tell him that I've been a good girl. Daddy's girl." Firewall joked. "Wappshht! Wappshht!" Sidewinder stuck her tongue out to her. Firewall just smiled.
"Well, find out who's in, keyboard jockey. That'll keep you out of my hair for five minutes." Sidewinder smiled.
"Crap! Thanks for reminding me!" Firewall exclaimed, running to her computer. "I need to get a report to Flint before he leaves the office."
"Sure thing, Shelly. Can I use the phone?" Firewall waved her hand dismissively, as to say go ahead. "Thanks Shell." She dialed the number and there was an answer right away. "Hi, daddy, it's your little girl…"
Lady Jaye walked out of the elevator, fuming. Flint was stuck as C.O. this evening and they were supposed to go out for dinner again. She was not having a good week. She had paperwork to get caught up on, plus she had to help Snake Eyes with his classes. To make it worse, she had to work with Sidewinder. She was glad to be out of her punishment, but at the same time; felt bad for what she did. She was stressed out and had enough. She needed a girls' night out. She walked over to Scarlett's door and knocked on it. She heard a muffled noise and Scarlett's voice coming through the door.
"Just ignore it, they'll go away."
"Shana, open this door this instant. It's Allie." Lady Jaye said.
There was a commotion followed by Scarlett's voice again.
"If you open that door, you're dodging an arrow first."
There was something happening, followed by the door opening a hair. There was a loud thunk and Jaye noticed an arrow point going through the door. The door opened and Snake Eyes was there in jeans and a t-shirt.
Hey Allie, what's up? Snake Eyes signed with one hand.
"Are you okay, Snakes?" Jaye asked.
Peachy. Shana's inside. Snake Eyes smiled, still signing with one hand.
Jaye walked in and looked at Scarlett. Scarlett was in her bra and a pair of jeans and had her crossbow out aimed down a bit with a shocked look on her face. She turned to Snake Eyes, who was still at the door with a smile on his face. Jaye looked over to the arrow and it was through Snake Eyes' hand.
"Are you all right? Do you need help with that?" Jaye asked.
No, I can get this. I didn't think that Scarlett would shoot. Guess I lost that bet. Snake Eyes finished signing and turned his attention back to his hand. He broke the shaft of the bolt and slid the bolt out of his hand. He smiled, took the broken arrow and handed it back to Scarlett. She kissed him on the cheek as to say that she was sorry. He smiled and kissed her back, accepting the apology. He walked into the bathroom to patch himself up.
"Now what were you going on about before I shot my man?" Scarlett asked.
"Sorry Shana, but Flint got stuck on duty tonight and I need to get out of here. I'm thinking that we need a night out, girls' only." Jaye complained.
Oh I see, girls' only. I'll manage. Snake Eyes pouted.
"See Allie, I had something going here until you showed up." Scarlett frowned.
Shana, I was kidding. You two should go out and have a nice night. I'll find something to do here. Snake Eyes smiled.
"Actually, if Snakes would rub my shoulders; I say he could go with us." Jaye pleaded. Snake Eyes shrugged and had Jaye sit down. He went and sat behind her and started to massage her shoulders. Jaye let out a sigh.
"Oh sure, thanks Snakes. Not just two minutes ago, you were giving me a massage." Scarlett pouted. "Now you're taking care of Allie."
"Shana, you shot an arrow into my hand." Snakes Eyes spoke in his raspy voice, smiling. "I'm surprised that I can do this right now."
Jaye looked over to Snakes in surprise. "You can talk?"
"Snakes' can talk, barely." Scarlett smiled. "Actually before the incident, he was a regular chatterbox. He doesn't talk much because it hurts a lot."
"That's right, besides my hands are a bit busy." Snake Eyes said. "Allie, you have a bad knot right here. I'll have it in a moment." He placed his right hand on the knot and worked on it. Jaye about fell over, but she sat upright and smiled.
"If you keep this up, I'm divorcing Dash and marrying you, Snakes."
"Please Allie, you're a close friend. Call me Charlie." Snake Eyes whispered.
"I like Snake Eyes better." Scarlett smiled. Snake Eyes stuck out his tongue to her. Scarlett laughed at his joke. Lady Jaye just shook her head.
"Actually Allie, it sounds like a good idea. I could some time outside this base." Scarlett thought about it. "I'll see whose available tonight and we'll head out."
Jaye looked at her with a certain look. "Whatever you do, don't invite Sidewinder. I don't think I can put up with her tonight." This brought a look of surprise to both Scarlett and Snake Eyes' faces. Jaye caught their look at her.
"That's not fair, Allie." Scarlett chided her. "So I'm supposed to go to Firewall's room and not invite her for a girls' night? That's pretty low."
I have to agree. Snake Eyes returned to signing. You haven't really given her a chance. Hell, she did apologize to you about it. You didn't return the favor.
"Jaye! What's the matter with you?" Scarlett shouted. "You threw a knife at her! You could have court-marshalled. Why didn't you apologize?"
Lady Jaye looked at the ground. She really couldn't come up with an answer. She was upset that day due to what happened to Shockwave. She had been short with everyone this week. She yelled at her team-mates, even assaulted one of them. She even yelled at her husband for no good reason; he was trying to be helpful. She broke down in tears. Scarlett walked over to her side, with an arm of comfort.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you Allie but, I was only telling the truth." Scarlett whispered.
"No, you're right Red." Jaye said, wiping the tears away. "I'll go invite them; you go see who else would like to go." Jaye stood up and walked to the door. "Snakes, you can come if you want to. You'd be the only guy that we'd invite."
Snake Eyes smiled and started to sign. No, you gals go out and have a great time. We'll have some time together tomorrow night after Ace's game, Shana. You need some time away from me. I'll find something to do.
Scarlett looked at Snake Eyes sadly. "I don't want to leave your side, ever."
Lady Jaye didn't stick around. She walked out the door and headed to Firewall and Sidewinder's door. She got to it and knocked on it. Sidewinder opened the door, phone still in her hand. She gestured for Jaye to come in. Jaye walked in and saw Firewall on the computer, finishing an e-mail. Sidewinder closed the door and offered her a seat. Jaye sat down on the couch, waiting for the two of them to finish.
"I gotta go, dad. I'll talk to you soon. Love you too, dad." Sidewinder said, hanging up the phone. She looked over to Firewall. "No need to page Allie, she's here."
Firewall spun around in her chair. She smiled and waved to her. "Hey, we were just wondering what you were up to tonight?"
Jaye looked at both of them with surprise. Jaye looked at both of them and they were all smiles. "I was actually wondering what you two were planning. That's why I'm here."
"Cool, we're thinking girls' night." Firewall exclaimed. She practically shot out of her chair and ran for the door. "I'll see who else is in for tonight." With that, she opened the door and ran into the hallway then out of sight. Jaye and Sidewinder stared at the doorway for a couple of moments. Jaye shook her head and laughed. Sidewinder did the same thing. Jaye looked over to Sidewinder and smiled.
"Is she always like that?"
"You'd run too if you finished a liter of Mountain Dew in fifteen minutes." Sidewinder smiled back at Jaye. They looked at each other for a minute or two. It was Lady Jaye that finally spoke her mind.
"Look, Sidewinder about the other day…"
"Cassie."
"I'm sorry?" Jaye asked.
"Please call me Cassie, Jaye." Sidewinder said. "We're off duty and I only answer to Sidewinder when I'm on."
Lady Jaye smiled to her. "I'm surprised that you're pretty relaxed around me."
"There's no reason for me to hold a grudge. What happened on Monday was in the past."
"No, I owe you an apology. I wasn't in a right mindset. I was under a lot of stress." Jaye explained. "I've been snapping at people all week."
Sidewinder smiled and stuck her hand out. "We all get stressed. You would be surprised the stress that I went through at Patterson." Jaye looked down at the hand. She looked back at Sidewinder and she was still smiling. Jaye smiled back and shook her hand.
"Well all right." Sidewinder said. "What do you say to some drinks? First round is on you, of course."
Lady Jaye smiled at her. "I'll tell you what, get dolled up and meet me at my place. I'll buy the first round. After that, I don't think that we'll have to worry about buying drinks." Sidewinder looked at her confused. "I know of a place that we'll be popular." Jaye said. Jaye then walked out the door and down the hall. Firewall came running in after Lady Jaye left. Firewall opened her closet and started looking for something to wear. Sidewinder did the same, although she knew that didn't have much in the fashion department. Maybe she could find something that was flattering. She started digging through her clothes to find something.
"What do you think?" Firewall asked. Sidewinder took a look at her and smiled. Firewall didn't get out much, Sidewinder thought. Firewall had her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was wearing a white tank-top with a butterfly print on the side and a pair of jeans with the left knee torn. Sidewinder smiled at her.
"You have better fashion taste than I do." Sidewinder smiled to her. She continued to rummage through her closet for something. "By the way, who's all going tonight?"
"Not too many of us." Firewall lost a bit of her smile. "Shana and Allie are going, as well as the two of us. I was able to convince Kimi to leave Shockwave's side for a night. Courtney said that she'd meet us there later tonight. That's pretty much it."
"Hey that's most of us." Sidewinder replied, grabbing a black skirt. "It'll be fun." Firewall nodded.
"I'll wait for you and the others by the elevator." Firewall said, heading for the door. She walked out and waited for them. Sidewinder started digging again and couldn't find too much. She ended up grabbing her father's army jacket, her black skirt, a light green tank-top, her combat boots and a pair of fishnets that she had from a Halloween party a few years back. She looked in Firewall's full length mirror and admired how she looked. She grabbed her purse, cigarettes and keys. She walked out the door and locked up. She walked towards the elevator and saw the others.Scarlett had her hair down and was wearing blue jeans and a peasant top. Jinx had her hair down as well and was wearing a denim skirt and a men's dress shirt. They looked over to Sidewinder and were surprised.
"Wow." Jinx replied.
"I'm impressed." Scarlett smiled. "You do have some fashion sense."
"Actually, this is my standard going out uniform." Sidewinder blushed. "I'm surprised that Snakes let you out, Shana." Scarlett made a face at her.
"Can we go now?" Firewall asked. "I need a drink." Everyone laughed and walked into the elevator. They took it down to the main floor. They walked out of the lobby and towards the garage. They received a lot of whistles and cat-calls from the guys. The four of them would just wave. While on the way to the garage, Sidewinder noticed Ace outside one of the hangars. She smiled to him and gave him a slight wave. Ace was surprised at her appearance. He looked like he was about to lose his jaw. She turned her attention away and continued on her way. They got to the garage and walked over to Scarlett's SUV and got in. They headed over to Jaye's house to pick her up.