Lady Jaye sat on the couch in the suite, a bunch of Intel reports on her lap; several were scattered around on the couch and some rested on the floor. An empty glass lay on the coffee table, next to a plate with leftover crumbs. It had been several months since their Scottish Clan wedding and everything was getting back to normal. Most everyone injured from the Cobra attack in the chapel, had now completely or nearly healed. Her leg was almost completely healed, but she still remained on in-active duty, which caused her to be inpatient.

She put the file down, aggravated, and took a deep breath. She glanced around the suite she shared with Scarlett. It finally dawned at her that this was going to be the last night she would have to live there. After tomorrow's ceremony and upon their return from Hawk's Honeymoon present, everything would change. She would live in new quarters, with her husband. Though Flint had stayed every night with her since the first wedding, it wasn't the same living together, alone, just them.

A smile spread on her face, her eyes stopped at a familiar looking picture of a sleeping warrant officer, surrounded with dolls and miniature alcohol bottles. He's family was supposed to arrive by this afternoon, for tomorrow's base wedding. She remembered how much fun they all had together at Faireborn Farms and hoped that they will soon return there.

Her eyes passed Scarlett's bedroom, the room, empty, with no fiery redhead. Scarlett and a squadron of Sky Strikers had been sent on a mission in Southern Africa, two weeks earlier. Cobra had raided several villages, capturing innocent men, women and children for slavery. She missed her roommate, but she knew that the Unit was to arrive this morning back at the base. According to the last contact with them, the mission was almost complete and the Cobra slave trade was almost out of business.

Since the Scottish Clan wedding, both Scarlett and Duke were finally in what everyone now called, BTN, also known as back to normal. But both the field commander, and the redhead counterintelligence agent, rarely spent time together because of the ever so busy schedule of keeping the world safe, from Cobra's bite. Jaye wondered what had happened in that room where she had locked them before the first wedding. She sensed that both Duke and Scarlett were keeping something from everyone, but what? But after tomorrow, Scarlett would have the suite to herself, and would 'entertain' a certain blondie by herself.

The door opening caught her attention, and another smile spread across her face, as Flint entered the suite. He walked over to her, picked up a few files from the couch, and lay them on the table. Sitting next to her, he took her hands in his and bent over to kiss her tenderly.

"Hi." His voice was soft, almost quiet and she deciphered his face immediately, worried. She looked at him, concerned. Was he nervous for tomorrow? That could be it. Or was it something else? Did Brenna go into labor early? She knew that it was almost her time. He looked down, away, avoiding her unspoken questions.

She touched his check, and gently pushed his face to meet hers. Her green eyes met his brown ones. He had that serious look on his face, the same look she had known all these years fighting by his side.

"Tell me," Jaye said softly urging him to unleash his burden and share it with her. "What's the matter? Is it Brenna?"

He shook his head, "No, Brenna is fine. They will be here later then expected. Seems Breaker gave Nancy the wrong directions, so right now they are somewhere in New Jersey." He didn't look at her again.

Jaye felt her heart sink. "Doc found something in your physical." Tears filled her eyes. They were just starting their life out together she her thoughts were on how unfair it was that something should go wrong now.

Flint's eyes went wide, "No! I'm fine Allie, that's not it. Trust me. I passed my physical with flying G.I. JOE colors."

She let out a very audible sigh of relief, then looked at him. "Then what is it? Is Shana going to be late for the wedding tomorrow?" She asked, relieved that everyone was alright.

He flinched, squeezing her hands harder. "Allie, There was a situation with the Botswana Mission."

She looked at him, not saying anything, waiting.

"The unit was attacked by Cobra rattlers." He stopped and looked at her surprised eyes, but the team had gone through a lot of rattler attacks before. He continued, "A Cobra missile hit Ace's Striker. The striker went down but not before Ace ejected. The team spotted his parachute going down. Wild Bill heard Scarlett on the link, she was going after Ace. He watched her Striker head towards Ace's direction." He took a deep breath, "During the last contact with Red's Striker, Wild Bill heard her say something about smoke and then lost all contact."

"Oh no." Jaye said, her face paled and tears glistened her eyes. "Does Duke know?"

Flint slowly nodded. "The squadron started landing an hour ago. He is at the control room. Thought I would tell you before the announcements. I wanted to see first whether you wanted to come with me before I head there myself."

Jaye nodded, unable to speak.

He helped her off the couch, out of the suite and guided her towards the Control room where they found Breaker, Duke and Hawk.

"Any word?" Flint asked his best friend.

"Nothing," Duke replied in a flat tone not looking away from the control panel as if staring at it would bring some news.

Jaye walked over to the first sergeant and put a hand on his shoulder. "She'll be alright. She and Ace will be back before you know it." She tried to sound optimistic.

Duke nodded. "I'm sure she's fine. Both of them." He glanced at the control board hoping a message would come in, something, anything. He couldn't bear to think he would lose her now, just after everything was finally falling back into place. "Breaker, keep that channel open," he ordered.

"Yes, Sir," Breaker said, giving a salute.

"She's a fighter son. She and Ace will keep each other safe," Hawk added.

Jaye moved around in front of Duke. This was no longer between CO and subordinate. This was between friends and he was in love with her best friend, so that made him family. She hugged him.

"Thanks, Jaye," Duke said with still a worried voice. "She's been in tougher situations before. I'm sure she is going to survive this too."

Flint patted his friend in the back. "I know she will." But the possibility sounded slim. Both pilots had disappeared from all scanners. He became extremely worried that they had become Cobra's prisoners or worse. He felt Jaye next to him, leaning against him, just as if she was sharing his thoughts. He put an arm around her and pulled her close.

Her emotions had been on a roller coaster since they got back from Scotland. Now her father being here for their official US wedding and her Aunt Brody and Uncle Shawn and the fact that Destro was supposed to be showing up as well, was taking a toll on her. She buried her head into Flint's chest and started to softly sob.

Hawk looked at her with concern. This display wasn't like her, usually she wasn't around those not considered family when she cried.

"It's okay, Allie." Flint tried to sooth her. "I'll bet you, Shana is going to call any moment on the radio, just you wait." He stared at the control panel, hoping, wishing that the two Joes would report in. But nothing came. He closed his eyes, and leaned his head on hers.

Duke hung his head over the control panel. After all that they had gone though, all those months of arguments, and now that they finally were on speaking terms, this happened. He couldn't imagine the base without her. He kept staring at the radio, wishing more than anything to hear her voice once again. He glanced at Hawk, seeing that he had the same facade on. They both knew Scarlett was being transferred after tomorrow, but she didn't deserve this!

"Why don't you three go get something to eat and get some rest. I'll notify you the minute I find out anything," Hawk suggested

"I'm not to hungry, Sir," Duke replied, his face full of worry. He wouldn't leave until they knew the truth.

"Allie? Do you want to go and rest a little bit?" Flint asked her concerned, "You look like--" But his words were cut off when static from the radio sounded from the speaker.

All heads turned towards it. Breaker started flipping switches, turning knobs and clicking buttons. Then the static ended, just like it had started. They all took a deep breath and lowered their heads.

Jaye's soft cries were the only sounds in the room.

Flint held her tight in his embrace, "Maybe we should go and rest?"

Jaye nodded. "Come on, Duke. You can come back to my suite and we can all wait there together."

"Alright." Duke finally gave in, sounding like someone had just run over his puppy. The three of them headed towards the door.

Suddenly, the radio frequency started once more, and a faint voice sounded, "This is Big Red to Joe Headquarters. Come in." More static came from the other end.

"Scarlett? This is Breaker."

They all rushed near the control panel, anxiously waiting. Duke held Breaker's chair in a tight grip, his eyes only staring at the radio. It was her! She's alive! He felt his heart jump.

The static continued for a few seconds, then once again her voice sounded, clear as a bell, "Breaker. Good to hear you. This is Scarlett."

The whole room burst into cheers.

Scarlett's voice came back on, "Are you guys having a party without us?" Then more static sounded. "Permission to land."

Breaker looked to Hawk, who nodded. "Scarlett, this is Hawk, permission to land."

"Going to try my best, Sir." Her voice sounded a little nervous.

Duke held his breath and exchanged looks with Flint and Jaye—something was wrong with the Striker.

"Scarlett. What's your status?" Hawk's voices sounded serious, ready to take action.

The static sounded worse on her end, and all they heard was, "…dinged up."

Jaye picked up one of the phones in the command center and told Doc to meet them out at the tarmac.

Duke felt like his stomach was all in a knot and said a silent prayer for her to make it down safely.

"Be careful, Scarlett." Hawk advised.

"Yes, Sir. It's only a few little holes." She sounded optimistic. Then they heard the second voice.

"Little holes! Red, the whole tail has smoke coming out of it." Ace's voice explained.

"Ace, want me to just drop you in the infirmary from here?" Scarlett hissed at him, she didn't want the others to know the amount of damage to the airplane.

"No thanks."

"Then relax and buckle up, we're landing. See you all on the ground." were Scarlett's last words before the radio went dead.

Jaye burst out the door at a full run and didn't care she was going to be yelled at by someone for disobeying medical orders not to strain her injured leg.

Duke was right behind her, followed by Flint. They rushed out on the airstrip, looking out across the horizon for the aircraft.

"Where is she?" Flint asked, looking at all directions. No one answered his question.

Then, a small white dot appeared from the south of the airstrip, quickly nearing the base. The dot became a baseball and the baseball became a plane. A Joe Sky Striker!

They saw the wheels come down, and their eyes widened as the aircraft tilted towards the left, one of its wings was also damaged. Staying silent, they watched the craft slowly descend on the runway.

"She's coming in too fast," Flint heard himself say out loud, watching the Striker descend faster than usual towards the airstrip. He held his breath watching the plane's wheels land on the pavement, smoke coming out from behind them.

Duke kept staring at the plane, just as it landed, but it wasn't stopping.

Jaye kept chanting over and over again, "Slow down, slow down."

The wheels screeched, the plane swirling left and right, trying to stop. They saw the smoke rising from the tail, and they knew Scarlett had lied about the little holes. And then, just as they thought the plane would crash into one of the hangers, it stopped only inches from it.

Duke started running at full speed, calling for Doc's team to follow him.

Jaye began to run, but Flint stopped her. He gently picked her up and started to follow the first sergeant.

The Striker's hatch opened, just as Duke arrived at the craft.

Scarlett steadily stood up from her seat, a smile on her face, her red hair flying with the breeze. Her blue eyes caught his, "Duke, where's your spirit of adventure? Give a teammate a hand." She extended her hand down towards him.

Duke stepped closer, took her hand and gently let her climb down. He held her by her two arms. Not letting go. Not saying anything.

Her eyes looked at him. He didn't look pleased. Was he angry? would he blow? Her heart began to beat faster, his expression scared her. She had never seen him like this.

"Duke?" Scarlett asked gently, soft. But he kept staring at her, his eyes looking straight down to hers. "Duke, you're scaring me." Hoping he would respond. "Please, say something."

Still holding onto her two arms, silent, his face illusive and then he bent down, closer to her face and his lips finally met hers. The kiss was long, deep, full of love and gratefulness. He held her tightly in his arms as they kissed.

Jaye gasped while Flint was holding her. "Oh my..."

And for one instant time seemed like it had frozen. Their lips finally parted and Scarlett felt light headed. Did he actually just kiss her? She looked straight in his crystal blue eyes. She could imagine the worry that he had felt for her, as she had the same worried face back at the Hospital.

"Well, I guess I should make more of those types of landings," Scarlett said, finding her voice once again.

A voice came from the Striker, "11:53, who had 11:53 on Saturday?" Ace sounded excited.

They glanced at the air pilot who was now being helped out from the craft, and they all laughed. Figured Ace would think about nothing but the betting pool.

"I won!!!" Jaye called out. "How much Ace?"

Duke was oblivious to everything around him. Right now his whole world was the woman in his arms.

"I'll check out the pot, Lady Jaye, when I'm out of infirmary," Ace called back to her, as Doc and Lifeline lay him on the stretcher. "Oww...easy Doc, I need that leg to pilot the Strikers."

Doc rolled his eyes. "Well, the way you pilot, I'm lucky I don't see you every time you fly one of those birds."

Flint shook his head. "Wasn't it you who rolled her eyes on betting on Duke and Scarlett in the first place?"

Jaye grinned at Flint. "Well I kind of got caught up in it once they got back together." She laughed, hugging him tightly and then kissing him.

Duke shook his head and looked over at his best friend and the woman in his arms. "You two get a room," he teased.

Flint grinned, "We will! Tonight, and the night after that, and then the night after that and the- Oww, Allie!" He cried out from Jaye's punch on his arm, "Don't make me drop you." he teased.

"If you drop me, I will be of no use to you in bed tonight, and won't be able to walk down the aisle tomorrow," Jaye said, sticking her tongue out at the warrant officer.

Duke chuckled and looked back at Scarlett with a slight blush to his pale cheeks. "Well...um...maybe we should go let Doc look you over."

She glanced at him. "I'm fine." Then she noticed his worried expression on his features. "Really. I'm alright. Besides, I've a lot of things to do before tomo--" She closed her mouth, not wanting to finish the words. Damn! Too late, she wished she didn't have to remind him about what would happen tomorrow. Her last day with the team, her last day as a Joe, and her last day with him. "Hawk is expecting me. I'll see you all later." Her voice had a sad note to it. He nodded, his eyes becoming cheerless once more.

Scarlett glanced once towards the striker, then at Jaye, who was still in the arms of Flint, and lastly towards Duke. Silently, she walked away, still in a daze.

Flint looked towards the counterintelligence agent. He then turned to his best friend. "Duke, I thought you were supposed to be the poster boy and have women glued to you," he teased. Then he felt another sharp pain behind his neck—Jaye!

"Be nice," Jaye warned.

"Do either of you know where she's being transferred too?" Duke asked sadly.

Jaye refused to look at him. She and Hawk had been discussing that very issue the past few days.

"Transferred?" Flint asked confused. "Who's getting transferred?"

Suddenly, a whistle sounded from their right, and they all turned to watch Sgt. Slaughter walk towards the training rooms, carrying a very familiar looking stuffed bear.

Jaye moved so quickly out of her fiancé's arms, that Flint lost his balance and landed on the ground with an, "Oof."

"Hey Sarge, that's my bear!!!" Jaye yelled and started running towards him.

Sgt. Slaughter turned around at Jaye's loud voice, dropped his jaw, and quickly scattered towards Beach Head's obstacle course.

Flint shook his head. "I better go catch her before she breaks anything else, namely Sgt. Slaughter." He stood up and started running after Jaye at full speed, leaving Duke shaking his head.

Loud Gaelic curses could be heard as Flint rounded the corner and all he could think of was how long this day was going to be.