All too soon it became mid-February, love was in the air, along with Shipwreck's cupid return, but this time, the sailor had an assistant! Anchors! And both arrow throwing, diaper wearing miscreants caused enough havoc on the base for Duke to see valentine red! Beach Head threaded to transfer the sailors to Cobra via Sky Striker express! And when the sailors tried to steal a few kisses from the women, then more chaos erupted, and the two sailors found themselves in the arms of Dr. Caveman, who vowed to give them one of his Valentine specials!
Snow Job had taken over a small building at the back end of the kennel area and created a Penguin Habitat corner for Penny the penguin! Both Rowan and Eryn loved to go visit the penguin, who had become now a member of the Joe team! Snow Job and Iceberg built a snowy utopia for the penguin, complete with a pool for the bird to enjoy a swim!
Lady Jaye was also seeing red, but not from her typical emotion. Her husband had organized one of the most romantic gestures in the G. history! He decorated their entire suite with hearts and roses, filled every bowl with chocolate hearts and had placed around hundreds of little notes of devotion to her! Everyone agreed on the romantic gesture until someone joked that Flint was trying to score some points for losing the infamous bear! Javelins flew through the air, at any Joe who even mentioned it, as everyone knew, Flint had not lost the bear! Or so he had claimed…
Flint however, on the other hand, not only wanted to show his wife his devotion but also his daughter! Eryn and Rowan no longer spoke to one another! But also avoided the other at all costs! And the pair were rarely seen together! So, he did what any good father would do! He bought her a pony! But not just any pony but the Falabella that she adored! Star! That hit some points to his heart with his daughter. However, the base was not an ideal place for a pony, so Flint sent the pony to Faireborn Farms and promised his daughter that they would visit Star whenever they could! He also wanted to send Lady Alison and Gem along to keep Star company, but once again, a javelin was thrown his way and he retreated to his office.
Duke and Scarlett had become more concerned about their youngest daughter's behavior and thought for the moment, until another plan would be more suitable for the situation to have Rowan spend time with the younger Faireborn and the younger Hauser couples. And both Duke and Scarlett were seen going back and forth to each family member's quarters to help with children, babysit, or resolve another argument!
Duke also had requested a child psychologist for the base and the specialist would not be only for Rowan and Eryn but also many of the team members that acted like children! In addition to the new member, a new medical team member had finally volunteered! And every Joe male wanted to become a patient at the Infirmary! Dr. Heart had arrived on the base with her long black hair in a bun, dark blue eyes and a smile that made all the Joe men get hearts in their eyes! But also Dr. Heart used to work at the children's ward at a top ranked hospital! She was perfect for the job! Especially when she dealt with a pretending to be sick Shipwreck and when informed him that she would have to remove his liver, the sailor ran out of the Infirmary faster than anyone could say band-aid!
Kastor continued to be seen traveling from one end of the base to the other. Along with his missions, the training, the Sky Strikers, the dog training and care, plus his wife and new baby, the young man was on the verge of exhaustion! In addition, he would see red each time his lovely wife would sneak some sleeping pills in his hot chocolate and Duke had to intervene a few times!
Colleen was once again spotted around the base with her famous laptop and the twins in tow! Most times she would be often found in the couple's quarters or at her best friend's. The Judi situation had become slightly worse and she hid it from her parents. Both Cayden and herself claimed they could handle the problem, but she still felt uneasy. And each time she visited the Infirmary, Judi had stationed close to her husband's side, pretending to be the perfect assistant.
Sky Dancer had now emerged from isolation and Joes blinked in surprise. Baby Hauser had become the gem of the base and all the team members adored him which made little Eryn more jealous of the baby and refused to even enter Sky Dancer's suite. Even Flint and Jaye tried to encourage Eryn to visit the baby but she refused, stomped her little feet in anger and then hid in her parent's closet.
So once again, it was left to the counterintelligence redhead of the family to patch up the broken pieces!
The day before Valentine's Day, Scarlett hosted a small get together with the entire clan! She cooked roasted chicken with potatoes, veggie soup, and made cupcakes. Colleen brought one of her famous casseroles, Sky Dancer brought greek cheese and spinach pies, homemade bread and a greek dessert. And Lady Jaye supplied a large bowl of salad and something that looked burned and unidentifiable. After a good hearty uneventful meal, Scarlett suggest for Flint and Duke to take the girls to the kennels to see the dogs and penguin! Kastor and Cayden also went with the older Joes, Kastor to check on Wolfie and Sky Dancer's pack and Cayden to keep Kastor company because there was no way he would remain the only man in the suite with all the Joe women! So the intelligent doctor retreated!
Scarlett had noted during the meal, that both her daughter and her daughter-in-law seemed distracted and sent a signal to Lady Jaye, who instantly agreed and knew an interrogation would be in order. So after the men had left the suite, the twins and the baby were taking a nap, Scarlett and Lady Jaye cleared the table and began cleaning up the kitchen, placing left over food in tupperware for each family to take home a treat. They both noticed that the other two women in the room were deep in their own thoughts and shared a similar look.
With a bag of marshmallows in hand, Colleen walked over to Sky Dancer, who sat in a chair next to the bassinet with the sleeping baby. She placed the open bag of sugar delight right under the pilot's nose and said, "Marshmallow?"
Sky Dancer's eyes focused right under her nose, smelling the aroma of the offered treat. "No thank you, I am still stuffed after that meal!", she declined politely, placing a hand on her stomach.
Colleen shrugged, grabbed a handful of marshmallows and devoured them with one bite! "Suit yourself!", she said, munching on the white puffs.
"You still hungry?!" Sky Dancer asked in amazement. Colleen had eaten double the amount than what had been on her own plate!
Colleen only nodded as she continued to munch. She took another handful of marshmallows and devoured them in seconds. "Are you sure?", she asked a second time, moving the bag back and forth in front of the pilot's nose.
Sky Dancer leaned back in the chair. "I'm positive!"
"Want something else then?" Colleen persisted. And once again grabbed another handful of the treat and munched on ten marshmallows at once!
"No! My stomach is full!" Sky Dancer remarked. "No thanks to a great group of cooks!" She quickly glanced over to the kitchen area before turning her attention to her best friend. "Your cooking is really improving!"
"Tha..in…kk…s", Colleen said in-between chewing with gratitude. After she swallowed, she added, "At least I got the recipe right this time!"
"Reena is right, Colly!" The two women turned toward the kitchen, watching Scarlett and Jaye emerge with a tray of mugs filled with hot chocolate and a plate of chocolate chip semi-burnt cookies.
Scarlett placed the tray on the dinning room table, and handed out the mugs to each woman. "At least Colleen has us all covered on marshmallows for our hot chocolate!"
Sky Dancer and Lady Jaye laughed at the young woman's expense.
"Hey!" Colleen defended herself. "I am expecting a baby! Not my fault my stomach is the black hole of sugary snacks!"
"She is only teasing you, Colly," Jaye said.
"At least she is not eating bags of jelly beans!" Sky Dancer remarked. She glanced down to the sleeping baby and stroked his brown soft hair.
Colleen glanced down to the sleeping baby. "He is going to be fine, you don't need to be constantly over his head."
Sky Dancer looked up startled at what the other woman had said. "I know, " she murmured, before her gaze shifted to her son. "Maybe I am still a little nervous about being a mom."
"You are doing great, Reena!" Scarlett praised her daughter-in-law. "You should had seen me with the twins!"
Jaye laughed. "Yeah, you should had been Shana back in the day. She would chase any Joe with her crossbow who dared to come near Colleen or Jeffrey!"
"Allie!"
"That's my name!," Jaye said with a half-smile.
"Want a crossbow chase now?" Scarlett teased. Her attention turned to the young women, once again seeing their complexions in deep thought. She cleaned her throat, a signal to Lady Jaye and sent her a quick nod. It was time to find out!
Jaye leaned over and causally asked, "So, Reena, Colleen, enlighten us, what is going on?"
Both women's heads snapped up and stared at the older women. "Nothing!" was the quick response.
"Nothing is usually something," Jaye stated, "What is bothering you both?"
Both Colleen and Sky Dancer exchanged similar facades before they simultaneously responded, "Nothing! Really!"
Scarlett crossed her arms across her chest and gave them a skeptical look. Of course she and Lady Jaye did not believe the younger women! But something was bothering both and both were not giving out information. "Maybe if you tell us what is going on, we can help."
"Red's right!" Jaye agreed. "If there is something bothering you, or someone, we are here to support and help!"
"Reena and I are both fine!" Colleen claimed, not allowing the older Joes to catch her eyes. She knew they would decipher them, as the women were true intelligence and could read anyone!
Sky Dancer nodded. She once again gave her attention to the sleeping baby, "I think C.J. needs changing." As she tried to escape the third degree.
"Oh! I am out of marshmallows," Colleen added, catching on to her friend's idea.
"Hold it!" Scarlett glanced from one to the other. "You just changed C.J. only ten minutes ago!" She informed the pilot, then turned to her daughter. "And we have three other bags of marshmallows in the kitchen!"
Sky Dancer and Colleen exchanged a similar expression toward the other.
"Does this have anything to do with Judi?" Scarlett bravely asked. She noticed her daughter stiffen at the mention of the assistant's name. "Don't think I didn't notice that interaction between all three of you back at the horse ranch."
Colleen swallowed before answering her mother, "Uh.."
"Is that harlot still making moves on my son?" Jaye growled. She went to stand up, her features menacing. "I'll kill her!"
Before the covert operative had a chance to stand up and leave the suite in a rage to cause some bodily harm, Colleen stopped her. "Cayden and I are handling it!"
"Why didn't you come to me or your father?" Scarlett requested, her eyes turning soft. "We would had helped with the situation,"
"We didn't want to cause an issue and it is not that serious," Colleen explained, avoiding her mother's intense stare toward her eyes.
"But you caught them together!" Sky Dancer blurted out.
"Reena!" Colleen exclaimed, her head snapped toward the pilot. Leave it to her best friend to spill the information!
"What?!", came from Scarlett and Lady Jaye, their eyes wide.
Colleen turned to them quickly, after sending her sister-in-law a warning. "Nothing happened! She was only touching his shoulder!"
"His shoulder!?" Jaye stood up abruptly. "She is going to need Cayden when I am done with her!"
Sky Dancer felt guilty on the mistake. "Don't please! It may get worse!"
Jaye turned to the pilot. "What else you know, Reena?" She sent her one of her most haughty stares anyone had seen.
"Nothing! Honest!" Sky Dancer informed her, waving her hands back and forth in front of her profusely.
"Allie, let's uncover what is really going on before you create a scene," Scarlett requested. She did not want to have more drama but also did not want to falsely accuse anyone without evidence, so the attention went to the pilot. She strolled over to her daughter-in-law, placed a supportive hand on the pilot's shoulders and said, "And what is bothering you?"
Sky Dancer looked up, her eyes wide and gulped, praying that the women would not do the third degree on her! She had not received another call and prayed she wouldn't. But they could not find out! None of them could. It wasn't Joe business. It was personal.
"Well?" Scarlett gently probed.
"Nothing!" Sky Dancer quickly answered.
"Nothing my marshmallows!" Colleen muttered, "Reena, everyone can see something is wrong! You are not yourself for a while! Jeffrey has even come to me three times and asked if I know anything and I keep telling him that I don't! You don't even go see your dogs anymore!"
Sky Dancer turned to her friend. "Jeffrey and I are both fine!," she assured them, thinking that there could be a rocky marriage.
"Then what is bothering you then?" Jaye asked, looking straight at the young woman.
The pilot glanced around the room, then she shifted her gaze to the sleeping twins in the playpen, to her own son, before she heaved a sigh. Maybe she should tell them.
"And you need to talk to Jeffrey!" Colleen urged her sister-in-law. "I know he is worried!"
Sky Dancer opened her mouth to speak, "All rig—," when she was interrupted by the suite's door that suddenly barged open.
"Hey! Have you seen—" Flint rushed into the room, glancing about, as if searching something or someone.
"Dash! You lost Eryn again!?" Jaye shouted at her husband, as she began to stride menacing toward him in intent to leave the suite and search for her beloved child.
Flint quickly stepped in front of his wife, blocking her path and grabbed her arm. "Allie, Eryn is fine! We lost Ro—"
"You lost Rowan!?" Scarlett cried out. "What happened?"
"I don't know! Rowan said something again, and Eryn started to cry, Conrad scolded Rosey and then she ran off and now we can't find her!"
Now, it was Scarlett turn to storm out of the suite. "We need to find her! It's getting dark!"
"Mom! I'll stay with the kids!" Colleen took action. "And wait here just in case she returns to the suite!"
Sky Dancer also stood up, after giving one last stroke through her son's hair. "I'll get Apollo and Athena." She headed for the door, ready to retrieve the trained dogs and find the little red-haired girl.
"Let's go!" Flint commanded. "Duke is about to lose it!"
"Oh he is going to lose something all right!" Scarlett decreed, already leaving the suite. "Spread out, see if anyone can find her!" It was freezing temperatures outside, anything could happen! And panic set in her heart.
Flint, Lady Jaye and Sky Dancer followed suit, the pilot already heading for the kennels and to her beloved dogs, who happily greeted her arrival and jumped and down from anticipation and excitement, and knowing that they were going to work!
Sky Dancer smiled down at her dogs. "Apollo! Athena! Fuss!" The command came, like an old army horn. Duke gave her Rowan's fallen hair ribbon to which the dogs sniffed. "Such Voran!"
For an entire hour the entire base, already on Red Alert searched high and low for the youngster and nobody could locate her! Even Apollo and Athena had failed the mission! The team members grew worried, it was getting colder outside and still no sign of the Hauser's youngest daughter!
Sky Dancer began to head toward the barracks for a second time. "I'm going to search the barracks!", she called out toward Duke and Kastor who were heading the other way.
"If you find her, call me!" Jeffrey called out to her as his dog Wolfie was searching.
She sent him a nod and turned toward Scarlett who held on to Athena's leash. Lady Jaye had already returned to the barracks with Eryn, as it was too cold for the little girl to be outside in blistering weather! She spotted Flint, who was currently searching with Mutt and Trasher and sent him a sign, insinuating that she will be going to the barracks.
Entering the building, she headed toward the Hauser quarters, finding Colleen with Lady Jaye and the rest of the children but no little red-haired girl. She entered the suite, went straight to Rowan's room and picked up her stuffed dog Coco, allowing Apollo to sniff and renew the scent. He gave a bark and started pulling her out of the Hauser's suite. They headed toward her own quarters first, just in case Rowan had ventured off there, since lately the nine year old enjoyed spending time with the pilot.
"Rowan?" Sky Dancer called out into her own suite, praying that the child had hidden there. But no answer came, none!
She turned to leave when a sound caused her to halt and all the blood in her body turned cold! She slowly pivoted toward the sound, knowing where it was coming from.
"Beep!"
"No! Not now!" Sky Dancer prayed, not wanting to answer it. "Why, now!"
"Beep!"
With a long exhale, she walked to the bookcase, her hand slowly reaching for the brown tome, taking it off the shelf and opened it, revealing the hidden compartment once again. Her hand shakily took out the small device and answered it before another "beep!" echoed.
"Nai?" she answered in Greek, a yes.
"I was awaiting your call a week ago!" A voice hissed on the other side.
"I.. I'm sorry, I have been busy," she tried to excuse herself.
"Busy! You know we need those documents and your excuse is that you have been busy?" The voice growled annoyed
Sky Dancer gulped, her hand slightly shaking, holding the communication device.
"Reena! You are the only one who can get those documents!", the voice claimed angrily.
"We need you over here right now!"
"Now?", she managed to say.
"I will be expecting you by the morning!", the voice commanded.
"But Dimitri.." Sky Dancer plead through the device.
Dimitri immediately interrupted her. "I suggest you leave now!"
"I can't leave!" She urged him.
"You have no choice!" Dimitri informed her but his next words almost made her dizzy. "You don't want anything to happen to your son."
Sky Dancer closed her eyes. How did he know about Baby Hauser? But of course he knew! They all knew! Before she even responded, Dimitri instructed her once again.
"I will be waiting in the morning! And don't tell anyone!"
Her voice slightly shook and she nodded. "All right. I will be there."
"You better this time, Ourania," Dimitri said, using her full given name before the line went dead.
Sky Dancer's mouth had gone dry. How would she leave the base? It was highly secured! She glanced about the room, like a caged animal trapped and wishing to escape. She knew if she even left the base, rules would be broken, people would be angry and she might as well lose everything and everyone!
"Imzadi?!" She heard Jeffrey's voice call out from the hallway. Her heart in her throat, she immediately hid the device quickly and placed the book back in its place on the bookcase seconds before the door opened and her husband entered.
Sky Dancer turned to face him "Agape!"
He strode toward her, placed both hands on her shoulders with a grin. "Wolfie found Rowan!"
"Where was she?", she asked, relief flowing out of her, now knowing the girl was safe.
"We found her with Penny!" His eyes glistened. "She was hiding in the Penguin House! You should had seen mom and dad! They were both relieved and furious at the same time!"
"I'm glad Rowan is safe!" She melted in his chest, closing her eyes for a mere moment.
His finger tilted her chin to meet his eyes, searching them like always. "Mom sent me to find you."
"Well, you found me!" Sky Dancer grinned. "Now what will yo—"
Her words were cut off by his lips pressing down on her own, sending her into a world she only knew. His kiss was strong, passionate and filled with love. Her heart raced, returning the affection, and a soft moan escaped. But all too soon, the lips she knew by heart, released her own and she met his crystal blue eyes, dead on.
"At least we don't have an audience this time, " she murmured, her accelerated breathing matching his own.
He looked at her face and slowly his fingers traced down its side, down to her neck, and pulled away the stray lock of hair that had covered some of her features, by placing it behind her ear. He stared at her once more, his eyes locked on to her own, once again searching as seeking an answer to an unknown question.
Her heart froze, watching his expression, worried, tired and lost.
"Ree, we need to talk."
Sky Dancer swallowed hard. Had he heard any of the conversation? She prayed that he hadn't. "Talk?"
Jeffrey lowered his hands to the sides of her arms, and once again looked directly in her eyes. "Yes," he drawled, "Talk."
She slowly nodded. "All right. Let me take Apollo back to the kennels, pick up C.J. and I will be right back!" At the mentioning of his name, the doberman released a bark. She sent the dog a signal to follow and began to head toward the door, hoping that this would be her escape route but was suddenly cut off by his arm that twisted her back toward him and to his grim expression.
"No, Ree. Now." Kastor seriously said, his lips in a tight thin line, and his hand not allowing her to leave the room. "Apollo can wait, and my mom is taking care of the baby."
Realization set in. Scarlett had sent him to discuss with her about what was bothering her! She mentally kicked herself for making it so obvious! Maybe she should tell him! She was keeping a secret and keeping it from him. She slowly nodded, her gaze shifting down to the floor.
He raked his hand through his hair in frustration. "Reena, what is bothering you, tell me!"
She looked down to the ground, trying to avoid those eyes she knew so well.
"I feel you are hiding something!" Jeffrey continued, "and it hurts me that you won't talk to me about it! Why?"
His question startled her for a second and she looked at him. She could see the pain that she was causing him and it hurt her heart even more! She could feel the longing in his voice.
Sky Dancer touched his chest, leaning against it for a moment. "Okay," she murmured in defeat. She once again glanced up toward those eyes that melted her with each blink. "I'll make us some hot chocolate and also bring some of those cheese pies you like." She went to pull away from him but he once again held tight.
Jeffrey studied her closer. "Promise?"
"I promise! I pinkie swear and spit on Shipwreck's hair!"
He sighed in frustration, knowing that she was trying to distract him. "Make mine with ten marshmallows!" He sent her a dashing smile, hoping this would allow her to open up to him.
"Sorry, we are all out of marshmallows, your sister devoured them all!" Sky Dancer giggled at his face, kissed him on the cheek and then entered the kitchenette. She looked over her shoulder, spotting him sitting down on the sofa, near her blanket and book.
Her heart almost left her chest! The manila envelope was under that blanket! She closed her eyes, praying that he would not move the blanket, find it and discover its contents inside. She then took out two mugs from the cupboard, set them down, before getting a tea kettle and filling it with milk. All too soon the milk was warm and she mixed the hot chocolate mix. Glancing again toward his way, she noticed that he was flipping through her book, then looked toward her, as if knowing she was watching him.
"One second, almost done!" Sky Dancer called out to him. She took a deep breath, while she set down the mugs, took out two triangular shaped cheese pies she had baked earlier that day for the get together, and placed everything on a tray. Her hand rose to touch her silver locket, trying to absorb its strength.
Maybe she should tell him everything. He would understand. He always did and always will but Dimitri's threat came to her thoughts. And a cold shiver went down her spine. She did not want to risk his life and lose him forever!
From the corner of her eye, she glanced one last time, and noticed his attention was now on Apollo demanding some well deserved pats. Her hand slowly opened a drawer, reached deep inside, and pulled out a small bottle. Two pills fell on her palm, and she dropped them in his mug.
"Please forgive me Jeffrey, for what I am about to do!", she whispered to herself, picking up the tray.