Hawk's Holiday.
Chapter 5: Reunion.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the GI Joe characters.
"So, soldier boy, you're still with the army? Or have you gone into the private sector like me?" Catherine asked.
They had sat down together at Hawk's table and split the bottle of wine when it arrived. She ordered the baked salmon, in a white wine sauce, along with vegetables, potatoes, and salad. He ordered the roast beef, with a baked potato, vegetables, and a salad as well.
"Yeah I'm still with the army. I'm a three star General now."
"Really? Congratulations!" they touched their water glasses together as a toast. "So you're just here on holiday huh? And the two couples you were observing aren't Joes like I thought they were when I saw you walk in and look them over?" She added with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"Damn! You've still got it!" Hawk said laughing. And she still looked beautiful after all these years. A little grey in her hair, and a few wrinkles, but she was still incredible to look at. And she was wearing an Armani suit, which meant that she was doing quite well for herself, thank you very much.
"To answer your questions: yes I am here on holiday. Yes, I am still the commander of GI Joe, and yes the four people you saw are part of my team. My overprotective second in command sent them to keep me safe." Hawk said. "What's your story?"
"Well, I said I was going into the private security business. I did the usual boring bodyguard stuff, and some private investigation work. A friend of mine told me that the Fairmont Hotel people needed a competent head of security to watch over their assets and VIP's here, so here I am. As you can see I'm not doing too shabbily." Catherine smiled.
"It looks like you're really doing great, Cathy. I'm happy for you." Hawk replied.
"Yeah it's a great job. I don't go around being shot at like you're used to being, but it has its moments." Catherine said.
"Oh yeah? Like what?" Hawk inquired.
"Well, we had a few members of the Royal Family of Belgium here two years ago and…"
Unbeknownst to the happy couple, three men observed them from the other side of the room. These men, who we shall refer to as Larry, Curly, and Moe respectively, were low ranking members of Cobra. They looked like a busboy, a waiter, and a dishwasher respectively.
Well, in fact they were considered a bit of an embarrassment to Cobra.
They tended to screw up almost anything they did, even the simplest assignments that even a Dreadnok could do.
How they were still a part of Cobra, much less still alive, was anyone's guess. The fact that Larry's Father and Moe's Brother were high-ranking members of the elite Crimson Guard may have had something to do with it.
They were stuck here in Banff in order to report on the comings and goings of any important VIP that may show up.
Moe, the brains of the outfit, almost dropped the tray full of dishes he was carrying when the tall main with platinum blonde hair walked in.
"Holy Shit! Do you see who that is?" He whispered to the other two.
"Is he an actor? Kind of looks like one." Curly said.
Larry slapped him in the back of the head. "That's General Hawk you idiot!" He whispered harshly.
"Oh. Oh! Yeah! General Hawk! I knew that!" Curly said.
Slap. "I'll call my brother! He'll know what to do!" Moe said and called his older brother.
"What part of 'don't call me again' didn't you understand?" Moe's brother snarled by way of greeting.
"Listen! It's important! General Hawk himself just walked into the hotel restaurant!" Moe said excitedly.
"Bullshit!" his Brother snarled. "Prove it!"
"Ok, transmitting image now!" Moe had one of the new style cell phones that had a digital camera built in. He managed to get close enough to get a few pictures of Hawk, and now he transmitted them to his brother. He waited for a few minutes for his reply.
"Oh, my God! I don't fucking believe it! It is him! Keep him under observation, while I report this to the high command! I'll be there tomorrow night with some back up."
"Does this mean I didn't screw up?" Moe asked his heart swelling with pride.
"I guess not, for once! I'll be there tomorrow night. We're going to capture us a Hawk! Hail Cobra!"
"You mean to tell me that the Crown Prince of Belgium was streaking across the front lawn in broad daylight, in full view of everyone in the hotel?" Hawk was laughing so hard at Cathy's story that he was in tears.
"Yep took eight of us to restrain him, and cover him up. We had to haul his majesty's ass through the front lobby in front of the other guests! He went kicking and screaming all the way!" Cathy was laughing so hard her sides hurt.
It took them several moments for them to calm down. It didn't seem like a decade had passed since they last saw each other at all.
"God, I've missed you Clay." Cathy said, dabbing her eyes with a napkin.
"And I've missed you Cathy. Where did we go wrong?" Hawk said.
"I don't know. We both had our jobs to do in our own countries. All that stuff about honour, duty and responsibility to our country's security. Or maybe we're just afraid of commitment." Cathy said.
It was an unpleasant thought, but an accurate one.
"Enough of this maudlin bullshit! Eat your dinner. I want to show you around the place." Cathy said.
"Yes sir! Colonel, sir! " Hawk laughed. Cathy laughed and bounced a dinner roll off his head.
After dinner, the happily reunited couple went for a walk around the hotel grounds. It was a crisp, clear night for early November, and it was a little chilly. Hawk and Cathy didn't seem to notice. They walked along talking about their lives over the last decade, Hawk going on about the disbanding and reforming of GI Joe, and all the "fun" he had dealing with the Pentagon brass. Cathy talked about all of the more interesting people that she met in her line of work.
"Speaking of interesting people. What say we surprise the two that are following us?" Hawk whispered, indicating Kamakura and Paige Adams who were shadowing them while keeping up their newlywed act.
Cathy giggled. "Let's!"
Kamakura and Paige Adams lost sight of their charges in a cluster of pine tees.
"Aw, man." Adams groaned. "Duke's going to kill us if we lose Hawk now!"
"Tell me about it! Not to mention the fact that my master, Snake Eyes, will be angry with me for blowing our cover." Kamakura grumbled miserably.
"Aw come on! Did you honestly think we could have fooled Hawk for very long? And who is that woman he's with?" Adams asked.
"I don't know but they seemed like old…" A snowball hit Kamakura directly in the face. "Hey!" He sputtered. Several more snowballs hit him and Paige. Hawk and Cathy stepped out from behind their hiding spot. "Gotcha!" they both crowed.
Kamakura and Paige both glowered at the happy couple.
"Aw, don't worry kids. It happens to the best of us." Cathy smiled at them.
"Cathy LaCroix, meet Kamakura and Sgt. Paige Adams, two new members of GI Joe. This is Cathy. She's head of security here."
Kamakura bowed and Paige shook Cathy's hand. "I am pleased to meet you."
"We'll meet you along with Daina and Chuckles for breakfast in the morning at 0900. Now scoot. We adults need to talk." Hawk chuckled as the two young people walked away, muttering.
"So, General." Cathy asked suggestively. "Want to see my room?"
"I thought you would never ask." Hawk replied, before he kissed her passionately.
The happy couple went upstairs to Cathy's spacious suite. It was even bigger than the one he had.
"Damn! This room is almost bigger than the USS Flagg!" Hawk exclaimed.
"Oh, I'm sure that you'll be a lot more comfortable than on an aircraft carrier." Cathy said, slipping out of her jacket and boots and walking towards the bedroom.
"I'm sure I will." Hawk said taking his jacket and boots off and following her. She left several articles of clothing to mark her trail to the bedroom.
By the time Hawk got there, she was wearing a smile and nothing else. "Come on in soldier boy. And close the door behind you." She said, while lying back on the bed.
"My pleasure." Hawk replied. Oh yeah, she's still got it! He thought as he closed the door.