Thanks everyone for your reviews and help.

I do not own.

"How is he doing?" Hawk asked

"He's resting." Lifeline said.

"Good." Hawk nodded. Then he got serious. "You all are in a heap of trouble."

"We know." Lifeline sighed. "But with all due respect if we hadn't gone after him…"

"You wouldn't have to go after him if he hadn't left without telling everyone…" Hawk growled. His expression softened. "But I understand why he did it." He paused a moment. "You know I still have to discipline you all for this."

"Yes, sir." Lifeline answered.

"Let me know when he's awake. We need to know if he found out anything about Flint." Hawk patted Lifeline's shoulder before leaving.

Lifeline watched him as he disappeared out the doorway.

"You can come out now. He's gone." Lifeline called out. Cover Girl appeared from behind the curtain of the next bed.

"Thanks for not ratting me out." She said meekly.

Lifeline sighed. "I'm going to get an ulcer from all of you." The half smile on his face softened the words. "I think it's good for you to be here."

"Really? Why?" Cover Girl asked.

"I don't know. Why don't you ask him when he wakes up?" Lifeline said rather cantankerously. "Ack, I've been hanging out with Beach too long."

Cover Girl covered a giggle as the medic stomped out of the room.

Beach Head had lost consciousness again before they reached base. Lifeline had to immediately tend to Beach Head so Hawk couldn't talk to him. The little impromptu rescue group was debriefed… or more accurately lectured on proper procedure before being dismissed. They were confined to their rooms, except for Lifeline whose medical knowledge was needed, until Hawk could think of an appropriate punishment. Cover Girl was in her room until concern for Beach Head caused her to sneak out. She felt guilty, however, because Lady Jaye was quite distraught. She didn't show because she was a consummate professional but Cover Girl knew that she was worried about Flint. They never caught the synthoid. But everyone was on alert.

0o0

After getting enough distance between them and the Cobra base, Beach Head had pushed Flint away, refusing his help. He insisted on getting around on his own two feet. So Flint and Beach Head with Polly flying overhead slogged through the swamp. Flint was no doctor but he was pretty sure that Beach Head had a concussion. He was not steady on his feet. But Beach Head being Beach Head forged on without complaint. Flint hated to admit it but there was much to admire about this irascible but well-trained soldier.

"They're going to be coming after us. They can't afford to have us alive while the fakes are with the Joes." Flint commented.

"If that clone touches a hair on her head…" Beach Head mumbled under his breath. Flint glanced at him for a second.

"Cover Girl can take care of herself." Flint took a guess.

"What are you yapping about?" Beach Head snapped not looking at Flint. But Flint could see color rise to his cheeks. It was strange but beneficial seeing him without his balaclava.

Beach Head looked up. "Cobra's going to have an advantage on us. We might not make it. But we've got to warn them."

"Polly?" Flint guessed.

Beach Head gave a slight nod. "How about it bird? Think you can find your way back and warn them?"

"Awk, leave it to, Polly." Polly turned and veered off. The two men watched as the parrot disappeared into the horizon.

"Let's go. We ain't got all day." Beach Head growled as he trudged off.

Flint followed silently for a bit before speaking. "You're worried about her aren't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Beach Head grumbled.

"You know, it's okay to care about people." Flint retorted.

"You would know about caring, don't you?" Beach snarled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Flint asked with an edge in his voice.

"If you really cared about Jaye, you wouldn't put her in such a precarious situation." Beach told him.

"Throwing out 50 cents words now, are you?" Flint said disdainfully. "Well, for your information, it's a mutual decision. We know the risks and we accept them. What's your excuse?"

"Maybe I have more self-control." Beach Head threw back.

"Or you're scared." Flint scoffed.

Beach Head whirled around so quickly that Flint had to take a step back. "The rules clearly state… no fraternization. And you've seen the problems it causes, the conflict of interest…"

"And none of that has affected us has it? We've never failed a mission. We've never let our relationship get in the way, have we?" Flint countered.

"You could be more discrete." Beach Head turned back. He teetered a little. Flint reached out to steady him but Beach Head jerked his arm away, stumbling a little.

"Look, I'd say our relationship is more of a problem than mine and Jaye's." Flint said frankly.

"I'm better suited to lead than you." Beach said bitterly.

Flint knew that the concussion must be worse than he thought. Beach Head would never admit to anything so personal otherwise.

"Hawk doesn't seem to think so." Flint noted that Beach's countenance grew dark. "But I know he has the utmost confidence in you. I'm sure if anything happens to me, you'll be right there to replace me."

"You think, that's all I want? Well, I do, but not at the expense of your life. You are a good tactician even if you are an insufferable, know-it-all, braggart." Beach concluded. "Don't know how Jaye can stands ya."

Despite the harshness, Flint knew that it was as close to a compliment as he would ever get. "And you're probably the best drill sergeant in the US army, even if you are a petty, sadistic, blowhard."

"Then we have an understanding." Beach Head muttered.

"I guess we do." Flint agreed.

"I still don't like you." Beach Head added.

"The feeling's mutual." Flint replied.

The sound of rumbling could be heard from the distance. Flint and Beach Head looked at each other in alarm. They quickly headed for some cover. Just as they dove behind some reeds, several Cobra Ferrets pulled into the clearing.

"Okay boys, the trail seems to end here. Scatter and look around. They couldn't have gotten far." The leader ordered as Cobra troops got off their vehicles. One approached the spot where the Joes were hiding. Beach gave Flint a look. Flint nodded slightly.

It looks like they were going to get caught but they weren't going to go out without a fight. Both got ready…

I know. Terrible place to end this. But it's been so long since I updated I felt like I needed to put something up. I am going somewhere with this. I just need the time to write it. BTW Flint and Lady Jaye are my all time favorites. I don't like the fact that he and Beach are portrayed as at odds with each other all the time. I mean yeah, they don't have to like each other but I think they do have some respect for each other… a small, small grain of respect. I will try to update soon.