Jaye moaned and rolled over in the bed and snuggled up against Flint's bare chest, as the sun from the window on her side of the bed shown in her face. "It can't be morning yet."
Flint slowly opened his eyes, "Actually, it is, 0500hrs too!" He yawned and stretched his arms, before settling one behind Jaye's neck. "How you feeling, this morning?"
She smiled at him. "Pretty good actually." She kissed him softly on the lips and wrapped one of her legs over his, under the mountain of blankets on top of them.
"Glad to hear that," Flint whispered in her ear, "Do you feel up to a morning surprise? Or do you want to sleep a little while longer?"
"Oh! I love surprises." She pulled him closer, obviously feeling much better that morning. "Especially nice surprises from the man I love the most."
He bolted up from the pillow. "What? Shipwreck's here! I'll kill him!" he teased her.
"HEY!!!" Jaye laughed, and hit him in the chest with a throw pillow.
"Oww! I'm wounded now!" Flint grabbed his chest and pretended to fall back on the pillow, acting as if he had a large gash on his chest. He closed his eyes, then opened one. "Guess I can't take you to that surprise now..."
"Oh no, you don't!" Jaye cried out with a laugh, as she straddled his chest.
"Going to squish me now too?" he teased.
She playfully pouted. "Guess no body loves me anymore." She started to climb off him.
Flint clapped quietly. "Bravo! Bravo! Guess you win the Emmy for that little performance!" Then he put his hands over his face as another pillow crashed into them. "Warrant officer abuse!" he cried out, and a second pillow attack came on him, harder than the first.
Jaye was laughing really hard as she pummeled him. "Are you going to give me my surprise?"
He grabbed the pillow from her and tossed it aside, and with a swift move, tackled her down on bed. "If you behave." He ordered, leaning down for their lips to meet.
Once their lips parted, she grinned at him. "Me? Behave?"
He smacked his forehead, "What was I thinking! You behaving is like Cobra going out of business."
"Exactly," Jaye said, with a huge smirk on her face. "Besides, you would be bored if I behaved."
Flint's head fell on her chest and he began to snore, loud.
"Hey!!!" She poked his sides with her fingers as she laughed.
He began to snore louder, each time she poked him on his side. Jaye started laughing hard, and he snored even louder.
Suddenly, some pounding came from the wall, "Dashie! Some real people are trying to sleep here! You two are making enough noise to wake the dead!" came Nancy's muffled voice from the other side.
They stopped and stared at the wall, then at each other and burst out laughing.
"Sorry Nan! We'll try to tone it down!" Flint called back to the wall. Then he turned to Jaye. "Come on, get dressed and I'll meet you outside at the front steps." He gave her a quick kiss and got out of the bed. Dressing quickly in a thick green sweater and jeans, he dashed out the door.
Jaye watched him leave with a shocked look. Then quickly got dressed in jeans, a sweater and a pair of ankle boots with fuzz around the top. She grabbed her coat, put it on and walked out the door.
The snow had stopped falling, and now a magical winter wonderland stood before her. Crystals dangled from all round the porch, creating another world. Snow hills were created and could be seen from miles away, enchanting the fields with their beauty. For a split moment, Jaye felt as she was not In Kansas anymore.
Jingle bells sounded from the distance and made her head turn towards their ringing. Her eyes sparkled with delight when she noticed two majestic chestnut horses pulling an nineteenth century sleigh. The sleigh itself was decorated with holiday ivy. She gasped watching the horses heading her way, with Flint driving the team. He halted the team inches from the porch with a, "Woah, Boys!"
Jaye watched him stepped off the sleigh, with a grin on his face, "Your carriage awaits, my lady." he said, taking a deep bow and offering his hand.
She laughed happily and put her hand in his offered one. "You are amazing."
He grinned. "You keep telling me that." He guided her to the other side of the carriage, helped her climb it, and covered her with a green and red plaid blanket for warmth. He then took off his knitted cap, and put it on Jaye's head. "There."
Flint patted the horses and climbed back on the driver's side. "Let's go." Taking the reins in his hands, he guided the team towards the south of the farm and away from everything else.
The ride was smooth and speedy. Flint maneuvered the team with great skill and softly talked to them when the sound of a wolf howled from near by. After an hour's drive, he halted the horses on the top of a large hill.
Jaye gasped at the beauty that she saw in front of her. A great valley stood just below them, filled with deep snow, and several types of woodland trees. It appeared to be never-ending.
Flint turned to her. "Allie, this is Frost Valley." he said, watching her continue to look at the enchanted place, that could be only be described in only fairy books.
"Dash, this is beautiful," she said in wonderment. "All the snow, the trees, and look there's the house." She smiled brightly and her cheeks were nice and rosy.
He nodded, scooting over to her and pulling her closer to him. "Yes, that little house belonged to my great grandfather. This valley belonged to him, then to my grandfather's and now, it belongs to me. Someday, I want to retire, build another house, right there." He pointed to the space where two hills met, creating another enchanted area. "And live the rest of my life here, with my beautiful wife."
She cuddled into him. "We'll have to have two houses then. One here and one in Scotland on the land my mother left me."
He smiled. "Thank goodness, we can be sometimes far away from Nancy." Making Jaye laugh at the comment. Then, he held her closer, leading the team back to the farm.
Jaye cuddled against his chest, enjoying the time alone with him and enjoying the magical world around them.
When they finally returned to the farm house, Flint halted the team just outside of the porch in front of the house. He climbed down and walked around the horses to Jaye's side, so he could help her down from the carriage. She extended her hand, and he gently helped her climb down.
Suddenly, something small, round and white flew in the air and smashed on Jaye's jacket. A battle cry of "YO JOE" sounded in the air.
Both of them turned to see an ear to ear smiling, rose colored cheeks Nancy, wearing Flint's beret and with another snowball aimed at her target,
"What the--" Flint started to say, but something cold and solid smashed on the back of his head. He whirled around to find Brenna smiling at him, with another snowball for her target.
Nancy turned to Brenna. "Don't hit Allie in the head, she was sick, but Dashie is another story."
"Got it!!!" Brenna cried and threw a snow ball at Jaye and hit her in the chest.
"Oh that's it. It's on." Jaye said with a smirk. She bent down, made a snow ball and threw it back at Brenna hitting her in the side, then she dashed across the snow covered ground. "Come on, Dash. We need some cover."
Flint turned to reply to his wife but something very cold smashed on his face from Nancy's snowball. He whipped the cold substance from off with his hand. "That's IT!" He yelled towards his now laughing sister. He bent down and grabbed a handful of snow, pounded it together to create a large snowball, and bellowed at the top of his lungs, "COBRA!!" He cried out, throwing the snowball and hitting his sister on her leg.
He then looked at Jaye, "What? They took Yo Joe! What other battle cries are there?"
More snowballs came their way, he grabbed Jaye's hand and headed her towards the barn. "We can take over from the haystacks outside the barn. Hurry!" Just as two more snowballs hit them on their backs.
Jaye stumbled forward, still not back to one hundred percent, fell down into the snow, and just laid there.
"Allie!" Flint panicky shouted and the snowballs immediately stopped their attacks. He knelt down, turned her over and took her in his arms. Concern flooded his feature, his eyes turning sadder. "Allie."
She gave her husband a quick wink and he could see the two snowballs in her hand and acting as if he were taking her hand, he took one. When Brenna and Nancy came over to check on her, they were rewarded with two snowballs in their faces. Jaye jumped up and quickly ran away laughing.
Flint laughed along, following Jaye towards the barn.
Nancy and Brenna gasped, and looked at each other in shock.
Nancy started waving her fist in the air. "You're going down!!!" she threatened them, then turned to her sister. "Let's get them cornered by the barn. Remember? We always cornered Dashie there, every year." They gave each other an evil look. Making several more snowballs, they began trailing the two soldiers.
The warrant officer and covert operatives agent raced towards the barn. The old red structure toward over them.
"You go hide behind the hay bails and I'll go climb up to the loft and well get them that way." Jaye said with a laugh, as they ran around the back of the barn.
Flint nodded. "Alright Allie. But I warn you, these two are good! Too good!" He dashed towards the hay bails, hid behind them, ignoring the odd looks from the two horses in the pen next to him, and immediately began to make enough snowballs for several armies.
From above him, he felt several pieces of hay floating on his head. Looking up, he noticed that Jaye was in position. He nodded to his wife and thossed her several of the snowballs.
"Ready?" Flint whispered. "I hear them coming. I can hear Nancy's boots a mile away, the way she walks." He heard the snicker from above.
"Let's show them what professionals can do," Jaye said, with a wicked gleam in her eyes. She watched the two sisters sneaking up, heading their way, and she turned on her wrist com. on her watch and whispered into it to Flint. "They're at two o'clock, right behind the old tractor."
"So, that's their little sneak attack." She heard him growl.
Behind the tractor, Nancy's head slowly poked out from behind it. She then whispered to her sister, "Brenna, I see Allie up on the loft. My guess our dear brother is hiding at his usual spot, behind the hay bails." Then her mouth dropped at the sight of a figure walking towards Flint and Jaye, a Windex bottle in one hand. "Oh boy! Something tells me this is going to be good." Watching the figure near the two G.I. JOEs.
Jaye launched her attack without noticing Mr. Faireborn. The snowball was heading right towards Nancy just as Logan got in the way and the snowball hit Logan right in the back of the head, sending him flying forward into the snow, the Windex bottle flew and hit the hay bails. "Oh Crap! Dash! I just hit your dad in the head."
Flint dashed out from the hay bails, rushing to his father. "Pa! You Okay?" He asked in concern, but stopped dead in his tracks when his father turned, a snowball in his hand and threw it on Flint's chest.
"Yo JOE!" came a cry from the behind the tractor with both Brenna and Nancy emerging, throwing snowballs towards their brother.
"Allie! Help! I'm out numbered!" Flint threw his hands over his face as snowballs kept hitting him from all sides, one sending him flying on his back. "Warrant officer down! Warrant officer down!" He cried into the wrist com.
Jaye came rushing out and nailed all three of them in the backs of their heads. "Dash! Run!!" she yelled, as she ran past him and giving him some cover.
"ATTACK!!!" cried out Nancy, throwing more snowballs at Flint's direction. "Get those Joes!" She started going after Jaye, while both Brenna and Logan counterattacked Flint's attempt of a snowball fight.
"Take that!" Flint bellowed at his father and sister, then he spotted Nancy almost close to Jaye, throwing another snowball at Brenna, he spoke in his wrist com. "Jaye! Look out! you got the enemy at your heels!"
Jaye quickly turned around, grabbed Nancy catching her by surprise. This caused both of them to lose their balance and go rolling down the snowy steep hill.
They both landed with a thud, and literally covered with snow.
Nancy rose her head slightly. "Allie? You okay?" She saw her sister-in- law's face changing into a grin.
They heard Flint's cry on the wrist com. "ALLIE!! NANCY!!! Are you both alright? Report! Allie. Report!!!"
Jaye tried to reply to his message but only static sounded from her end.
"Damn, my wrist com is broken. Nancy, act like your hurt." Jaye said with a wink. "We'll get them when they come down."
Nancy nodded. "Okay!" She then put her head down on the snow and closed her eyes, pretending to be unconscious. Jaye smiled and followed the other woman's lead. It seemed only seconds when they heard Flint's cry.
"Oh My God! They're dead!" His voice sounded scared through the wrist com.
From the corner of her eye, she could see Flint talk into the wrist com as he, Brenna and Logan rushed down the angled hill.
"Allie!! Nancy!!!" The women heard them calling but ignored them.
Flint rushed over to the 'unconscious' Jaye. "Allie! please wake up!"
While Logan went to his daughter limp body. Brenna turned white as snow and looked like she was about to faint.
Nancy relaxed her body, her eyes remaining closed and waited for Jaye's signal for attack.
"NOW!!!" Jaye yelled and began to throw handfuls of snow at her husband.
Brenna started laughing at them.
Logan didn't have a chance to react.
Nancy started throwing snow on her father, then turned and attacked Brenna. "Take that!"
Flint was taken aback. "What the hell!!!" he shouted. "Alison Faireborn, you're in trouble now!" He gathered an armful of snow and threw it on her clothes.
In no time, all five were in a full snowball fight, throwing the wet cold substance all over. They were having such a good time, that the hour passed quickly.
Suddenly, Flint's wristband beeped and a serious voice sounded, "Flint, this is Hawk. Sky Strikers on the way for backup. Been trying over an hour to contact. Report, what's your current position?"
Everyone froze solid, like an icicle. Jaye and Flint shared the same facade. The wrist com had been on open channel all the time and probably every Joe heard their messages.
"Ummm...Dash, I'm going shopping," Jaye said, and tried to get up to get the hell out of there.
"Why?" Brenna asked, having not caught what had just happened.
"Dash, was that the nice general I met at your wedding?" Logan asked, as he helped Nancy up off the snow covered ground.
"Flint! Can you hear me?" Hawk's voice sounded once again. "Hawk to Duke. Flint's com must be damaged. No response. How close are you to their location?"
Flint froze, but caught Jaye's arm just as she was about to climb back on the hill. "Stay." He mouthed to her. She gulped. He closed his eyes. Hawk was going to be livid when he discovered that it was a snowball fight and not a full scale Cobra attack.
Jaye brought her wrist com. up to her mouth. "Hawk this is Jaye. Can you hear me, over?"
She could only hear static from her end. She shook her head to Flint.
Nancy, Brenna and Logan stared at them confused. Flint turned to his family and explained the situation. "Yes Pa, that is the nice General from the wedding. But now he probably turn into the Dracula General and kill us all. Allie's and my wrist coms were on open channel, instead on local.. umm...the General thinks that we're being attacked by Cobra, instead of snowballs."
The sounds of Sky Strikers came from above their heads.
"They were supposed to have been upgraded to where if we push the black button, it would be an open channel and if we push the green button it would be local to whoever is around us, and I guess ours haven't been fixed yet," Jaye said. She looked at Flint and smirked. "You are in so much trouble."
"Me?" he exclaimed, "You were the one who started the messages."
The another voice came on the channel. "Hawk, this is Ace. I see them. No sign of snakes. Going to take squadron B with me. Go snake hunting. Let's go, boys."
"Roger, Ace." Hawk replied to the air pilot. "Duke, Scarlett, land and see if Flint, Jaye and everyone else is alright. Report when you have any news. Hawk out."
"Yes, Sir." They heard both Duke and Scarlett reply to the General.
All eyes went up to the sky watching Ace's team fly above them, while two other Sky Strikers landed on top of the hill.
Flint turned to Jaye. "We're dead."
"You are. Remember, I'm the daughter he never had. He wants grandchildren, remember." Jaye smirked. "Don't need you for that."
He dropped his jaw. "Oh sure... play the grandchildren card."
"Duke, they're down there." They heard Scarlett's voice from top of the hill.
They all turned to see the redhead standing next to the first sergeant, who at the moment looked like he would eat screws and spit them out.
Flint felt Jaye step behind him, touching his arm with her hand. He gulped. "Umm... Hi Duke." He looked up at the first sergeant.
"Where are the snakes?" Duke asked.
"Snakes?" Logan repeated.
Brenna stepped over by her father. "Hi, Shana. We didn't know you were coming to visit."
"Do you think I could throw that rock next to you hard enough that it will knock him out and we can brainwash him into thinking that he got knocked out by one of the Dreadnoks?" Jaye asked, her tone serious.
Flint turned and gave her a shocked look. "And what about Scarlett? We can't knock her out too."
Nancy waved at the other Joes. "What brings you this way? Come down here and enjoy the snowball fight. We've been going at it for hours." Glancing down at her wet clothes.
Duke and Scarlett looked at each other and then towards the group down the hill, noticing for the first time their dampened clothes.
Flint was going to kill his sister, then whispered to Jaye, "Get ready for the eruption," he proclaimed, watching Duke's face carefully change to volcano status. "Wish we could signal Shana to distract him somehow, so he can forget to kill us."
Jaye nodded and signed to Scarlett to distract Duke, so he would forget being angry.
The redhead counterintelligence agent nodded, indicating she had gotten the message and Jaye was pleased that the signals Snake Eyes had taught her for once, came useful.
Duke looked about to blow his top, his mouth opened to let out the mother of all yells, when Scarlett next to him swayed slightly, put her hand over her forehead and then fainted.
Flint turned to Jaye grabbing her hand and began climbing up the hill, "Remind me I owe Red something BIG!" The rest of the Faireborns following them.
"Shana?!" Duke cried out as he caught her, and slowly lowered her to the ground, just as the others neared them.
"Duke, what happened?" Jaye asked in feigned concern.
"Is she alright?" Brenna asked, spotting the redhead not moving.
"I'll go get your mother and call 911." Logan said, glancing down at the unconscious woman.
Flint stopped his father. "Dad, it's okay. She'll be fine." He looked down at the redhead. "She'll probably wake up any minute now… any minute."
It sounded like a cue, but Scarlett's eyes remained closed.
Jaye held a snicker, watching her best friend 'play' the part.
"We need to take her inside," said Nancy in concern.
"She must have Allie's flu." Brenna said, and Logan nodded in agreement.
Duke checked her pulse, finding it normal and strong. But she wasn't breathing. He was about to give CPR.
"Is she breathing? I don't see her breathing." cried out Nancy in alarm.
Flint shook his head. "She's breathing! Look, her chest is rising up and down from her coat. It only looks like she's not breathing."
Duke decided to get Scarlett to wake up by grabbing a handful of snow.
But by the time Jaye noticed it, she called out, "Shana!!!" But the warning came too late, just as Duke smashed a large handful of snow on the redhead's face.
Scarlett shot her eyes open, and spit out the snow that had entered her mouth, "Conrad!" She hissed at him, staring up at his mischievous grin.
Jaye started laughing really hard.
Brenna and Logan just looked on shocked.
Flint smacked his forehead and shook his head. He was doomed.
Scarlett shook off the snow from her now rosy face. "That's it! You are all going get it now! I keep taking the fall for you people!" She stood up, grabbed a handful of snow and threw it on Duke's face, then quickly pivoted and attacked Flint on his face, but hit Jaye on the chest.
Nancy almost double over laughing when a snowball hit her right arm. "Evil!" She grinned towards Scarlett.
"MAD RED! RETREAT!!!" Flint called out, trying to leave in haste.
"Hey, I tried to warn you, Shana!!!" Jaye yelled then turned and threw a snowball in Flint's face before taking off running.
Flint shook off the snow from his face and started running after his wife.
The Faireborns ran towards the house, following Jaye and Flint. Scarlett then turned to Duke, snowball in hand, an amused look at her face, causing him to move back slowly. "Going somewhere, Con?" she smirked, throwing the snowball directly at his face.
Duke brushed the snow off his face ,then tackled Scarlett to the ground.
"Get a room!!!!" Jaye yelled, glancing back while running towards the house.
"Any room at the inn?" Scarlett giggled towards Jaye, making her laugh more. Then she turned to Duke's face, which was close to hers. "We keep meeting like this, don't we?"
"Yeah kind of nice, isn't it." Duke said, and gently pressed his lips against hers.
Jaye made gagging noises. "I'm going to be sick, Dash give me your pocket!!!!"
"Sorry, Courtney used all my pockets getting sick at the wedding." Flint grinned, grabbing her by the waist and plucking his own kiss attack.
Nancy looked from one couple to the other, "So when can I sign up for G.I. JOE and get some of that action too?"
Logan looked at his daughter horrified.
"Isn't Brian giving you enough action?" Brenna teased.
Jaye tackled Flint which startled him by throwing snow on his head.
"Brenna, if you want that dumbo, you may have him. The guy is an idiot!" Nancy frowned, crossing her arms.
Scarlett looked towards the others and then Duke, "Are we staying down here all day? I'm starting to identify with frozen icicles."
Suddenly, the door to the house banged open and Jean walked out, "What on EARTH?" She glared at all of them. "Everyone in the house before you all catch a cold!" She crossed her arms and frowned at the entire group.
"Busted," Jaye said, while looking at Flint. She let him get up and they walked hand and hand back towards the house.
The other Faireborns looked at each other, gulped, and walked into the house.
"Take off your shoes! I don't want anyone sliding on my floor!" Jean ordered in a very serious. She meant business. "And you two," She pointed at the couple still laying in the snow. "Nice to see you again. Now get inside!"
Scarlett nodded to the woman, then whispered to Duke, "I think we're going to get tarred and feathered."
"Yeah, we need to send Mrs. Faireborn after Cobra Commander." Duke chuckled, standing up and helping Scarlett off the ground.
Jaye followed Flint up the porch to the house.
"Allie, she's got that look on her face." Flint whispered to her.
"Dashiell! In the house now!" Jean's voice sounded like a whip which Flint gulped, and took his wife inside.
"Mom, I--" Nancy tried to say, but was given a glare that made her gulp and enter quickly the house. Brenna followed her, acting innocent.
Logan, kissed his wife quickly and dashed towards the office, at the other end of the house.
Duke and Scarlett smiled politely, and entered the Faireborn home.
"What does the look mean?" Jaye asked, as she took off her coat and she was still wet from head to toe.
"You'll see, soon enough." Flint answered, taking her coat this his, and placed it on the coat rack to dry. He then lead his wife in the living room.
Brenna made herself scarce into the kitchen where Molly was sleeping in her bouncer.
"She's mean isn't she?" Duke whispered to Scarlett.
Scarlett shook her head, "Not that I've seen," she answered, then looked around. "Hmm, I think we lost a few of the troops."
Flint stood silent next to Jaye. He guided her to the couch, and they silently sat down.
Rowdy came over to Nancy, who had stationed herself in a chair, next to the fireplace, and sat beside her.
They all heard the front door close and all glanced towards a very stern looking Jean Faireborn. Her face looked unhappy, she crossed her arms and tapped her finger on one. They all waited for the worse. It came.
"I don't believe you! What were you all thinking! Playing in the snow like a bunch of children! Even they have sense to come in when they are half frozen! But last time I checked, all of you were adults! Or am I wrong?" Her eyes narrowed, looking at Flint. "Dashiell, you knew better than taking Allie out in this weather when she was sick in the first place! But then to have her get wet is another!"
Then her eyes went to Jaye. "And you, Alison! You should had come inside right away from wherever my irresponsible son took you! You should had known better than going out in this weather and then play in the snow! You are sick and you could had gotten pneumonia!" Jaye shivered and huddled closer to Flint.
Then Jean turned to Nancy. "And you! You're the one who started this whole thing! I know it is! It's writing all over your face! I'll deal with you later." Her voice made Nancy cringe.
Then Jean turned to Duke and Scarlett, who looked dumbfounded. "And you two! You could had both stopped this whole thing, but yet you still allowed it! I should throw you all to the brig, whatever that means! Now, I want everyone to go upstairs and change! Dash, give Conrad some clothes. Allie, if you have something for Shana, please let her change into something warmer then her ballet suit! This is all I needed to have, sick Joes in my home. Do I make myself clear?"
They all nodded, staying quiet.
"Good," Jean turned and headed towards the kitchen, "Young lady I want a word with you!" They heard her lecture Brenna.
"Come on, Dash." Duke said, standing up from the couch.
Jaye leaned over to Scarlett. "Come on, while we have the chance."
Scarlett nodded. "Let's go, I'm all frozen, thanks to some people." Her eyes stared at Duke. Then said, "You need to call Hawk, he maybe worried we all went MIA by now."
Nancy sneezed. "I better change too, before I really get lectured." She took off upstairs, Rowdy in tow.
Flint gulped at the mention of Hawk's name. "I think I'm going to follow Scarlett's lead and pass out."
"Oh no, you don't old buddy." Duke said, and pulled him up the stairs. "You are making the call with me." The two women snickered and followed the second and third in command up the stairs.
Jaye pulled Scarlett into the bedroom. "What do you want to wear?"
"Anything. Something warm will do." Scarlett smiled. "I got your message but was busy at the time. The annual toy drive, if you recall. Feeling better?"
"Ummm, yeah. Come to the bathroom with me, we can change there so the men have this room." Jaye pulled them both out some clothes and then something out of the bottom drawer. "Come on."
Scarlett nodded as Duke and Flint walked in the room, who was talking on the phone to Hawk. "Umm.. Hi Sir... I have to tell you something..,"
They didn't stay to hear the rest of Flint's torture, but passed Nancy's closed door and headed for the bathroom. When they were inside the bathroom, they shut and locked the door.
"I have to show you something, but you've got to promise not to scream." Jaye said to her best friend.
Scarlett's eyes widened. "Nancy doesn't have a tarantula, does she?" Her voice quivering.
"No, no, no." Jaye said. "But I do think Rowdy has a stuffed one. Now do you promise?"
"Allie, you're making me nervous. But I promise."
Jaye held out in her hand what she pulled from the bottom drawer.
Scarlett's eyes became large as saucers identifying the item in Jaye's hand, her mouth opened and a loud long scream came out.
"Shhh..." Jaye said urgently, waving her hands in the air to silence her friend.
Duke went rushing down the hall, and pounded on the bathroom door. "What's going on in there. Are you two alright?"
Scarlett covered her mouth with her hands, and quickly whispered, "Sorry." Then in a louder voice she called out to the hallway, "Sorry Conrad, just a spider. A big, big spider!"
"You need me to kill it?" Duke asked, from the other side of the door.
Jaye was trying really hard not to laugh.
Scarlett panicked for a second, and blurted out. "Umm.. No.., It's a rubber one, belongs to the dog."
"Alright, if you say so." Duke said.
As soon as she heard him walk away, Jaye burst out laughing.
"Sorry about that Allie, got too excited!" Scarlett said, hugging her friend. "What does Dash think?"
"He doesn't know yet."
"Allie! you have to tell him! He'll notice after a while." Scarlett stated in a frown.
"Shhh..." Jaye hushed. "I'm telling him on Christmas Day."
"Oh.." Scarlett's expression changed to understanding. "Make sure you get a good picture of his face."
"Oh believe me, I will." Jaye said with a smirk, as both got dressed. "Want to go shopping with me? I have to get a perfect nightie for tomorrow night."
Scarlett sat on the toilet's cushioned seat. "I still haven't bought anything for Conrad!" She had a panic look in her eyes. "Allie! I haven't a clue what to get him! So let's go shopping."
"Alright," Jaye said. "Come on, I have to get my purse and the car keys from Dash." She opened the bathroom door and they walked back to the guest room. "Dash, I need the car keys."
Flint came out of the room, Duke in tow, dressed in some of Flint's clothes. Jaye swallowed a giggle.
"Why?" He asked her with narrowed eyes. "You're not thinking on going anywhere in this snow? Are you?"
Nancy came out of her room wearing a red snowflake sweater and black pants. "We can use the 4x4." she said to her sister-in-law.
Flint's jaw dropped. "You're not using my 4x4!"
"Hey, buster." Jaye said in mock sternness, poking him in the chest with her finger. "What's yours is mine remember. We are going shopping."
Brenna came out of her room, carrying the tiny little baby. "Shopping? Let's make a day of it."
"The snow is a foot and a half deep out there." Duke commented.
Scarlett sent him a grin. "We could always take the Sky Strikers." The girls shot her a 'You go Red!' look.
Flint grumbled. "Fine, take the 4x4! But call if you need anything," he said, giving her a kiss goodbye.
Jaye just smirked at him.
The Faireborn sisters grinned, and followed the two GIJOE women down the stairs.
The warrant officer shook his head, "Why do I get the feeling that my wallet is going to be a victim." He shook his head again, making the first sergeant laugh. "Now that the women are out the door, and I know Mom and Dad are going to see Aunt Petunia for the afternoon. We got the whole house to ourselves." He looked towards his old room. "Want to see the famous evil plastic things?"
"Yeah, sure." Duke said and followed Flint to the room right next to the one that Flint and Jaye were staying in. Flint opened the door and stood to the side so that Duke could see in there. Duke stood there with his jaw to the floor and his eyes wide. "Oh my...how old is you sister again?"
"Older than Allie." Flint smirked at the shock face of the field commander. "Get her one and they begin their own Synthoid army." He walked inside the room and opened the closet. "I wonder..." He said to himself, searching for a small box that he used to hide in there. He smile widened when he located it under several doll shoe boxes.
Flint then turned to Duke, an mischievous look upon his features. "Come on Conrad, time to have some fun."