FORGET ME NOT
BY: COVER GIRL

Chapter Two

    Beach Head and Lifeline found the hospital two days later and began their search of the wards with a picture in hand. Guided by the head nurse who spoke a broken form of English, they walked through rooms overcrowded with patients many of whom were left to fend for themselves. Beach Head pulled Lifeline to the side after a couple of hours had passed, “Look at this place, we’re gonna be here all day. None of these yahoos has a clue where this woman is or if it’s even her.” He lifted the picture in hand as they passed through another ward. “This is getting worse,” he gasped at the stench coming from a room.

    Lifeline peered into the window, “Oh my God!” His hand flew to his mouth at the sight of the patients. “I should see if I can help,” he started into the room.

    Beach Head clamped his hand down on Lifeline’s shoulder stopping him. “First we find Lady Jaye, then we get her the hell out of here. If she’s here, she’s gonna need you at your best not wasted from doing their jobs.” He was ready to chew out a group of orderlies sitting around talking when he spotted a young intern rushing through the ward shouting orders. “Now that’s the guy, let’s see if he’s seen her.” Beach Head grabbed Lifeline by the shoulder, dragging him after the doctor.

    “Hey, Doc!” Beach Head growled stopping the man in his tracks.

    The young intern turned on his heel casting a sharp eye towards the pair, when Lifeline stepped forward. “Let me handle this,” he snatched the picture from Beach Head’s hand. “We’re looking for an American woman. Could you tell us if you’ve seen her?” He slowly questioned unsure if the Doctor understood him.

    “Ah…Jane Doe,” the doctor smiled sadly at the picture.

    “You speak English?” Beach Head’s sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging slightly with relief. <Finally…we’re getting somewhere. 

    “Yes, Dr. Chen,” he extended his hand to Lifeline then Beach Head. “She was brought in a few weeks ago by a farmer from one of the northern villages. A tragedy really…” he frowned taking in their sulking expressions. He handed the photo to Beach Head. “She’s alive but…”

    “But what?” Lifeline pressed.

    “Come, I placed her in another ward by herself,” he motioned for them to follow. “I treated the burns with the last of our supplies. The burns will heal, but the blow she took to her head,” he pinched the bridge of his nose opening her chart. “She suffered some major head trauma. Initially, I thought she’d be able to recall her name. When she couldn’t, I contacted the American Embassy. It’s not uncommon for head trauma such as she has sustained to have some form of amnesia for a while,” the doctor explained stopping at the door to the ward. “She’s inside. If you’ll excuse me, I have other patients to see.”

    “May I?” Lifeline reached for her chart. “I’m a medic assigned to her unit.”

    “But of course, I’ll see to her discharge papers. There’s nothing more we can do for her. I’m sorry.” He handed the chart to Lifeline.

    Beach Head carefully opened the door. “Lady...”

    “Shh…she’s asleep,” Lifeline stood behind him peering over his shoulder to the sleeping woman. They noticed her uniform, dirty and tattered, smoke residue still covered it. Her hands were wrapped in gauze. Her face and arms had light bruising on them. She stirred at the sound of them approaching and sat up slowly to face them.

    “Who are you?” Zarana imitated Lady Jaye’s voice perfectly right down to the lilt.

    “Friends,” Lifeline smiled moving ahead of Beach Head. “We’re here to take you home.”

    “I’m going to call the base,” Beach Head frowned beneath his mask. He walked back towards the director’s main office.

************

    "Hawk, this is Beachhead. We've found her alive but she's hurt pretty bad. We're preparing her for transport back to the base. She needs immediate attention this place is…” he gulped looking towards a neglected patient laying in the hall on a gurney.

    "I'll call Flint and let him know, good work, men…"

    "Hawk, don't call Flint…” Beach Head quickly added.

    "Why not?" Hawk demanded.

    "The doctor's was telling us that she doesn't know who she is…. She has amnesia, sir."

    "Get her to the nearest military hospital ASAP. I'll inform the others. Hawk, out.” He dropped the phone to the cradle.

**************

    "Flint, Hawk just sent this message." Shipwreck came running.

    Return to base ASAP. Cease all search and rescue we have found Lady

    Jaye alive.

    "Let's get out of here guys!" A sense of relief washed over him as he hurried to get everyone together.

    Flint’s team arrived at the base ahead of Beach Head and Lifeline.

    "Where is she?" Flint searched the sickbay.

    "I ordered Beachhead and Lifeline to get her to the nearest military hospital. The doctor that treated her said she couldn’t remember anything. It's been a few weeks since her plane crashed so I want her checked out. They'll call shortly to let us know what's going on. Get some sleep, Flint, she's safe" Hawk said reassuringly.

    "Which hospital did they take her to, sir?" <I have to see her. >

    "Flint, get some sleep, that's an order. If you can't, I'll have you tossed in the brig,” Hawk glared at him.

    "Yes, sir. Sir?" His eyes pleaded for any information.

    "I'll wake you as soon as I know something," Hawk shoved him out the door.

******

    It was the middle of the night at Castle Destro when her screams woke everyone. Mindbender was the first to reach her followed by Destro, Zartan, and two of Destro's most trusted iron grenadiers.

    "What's going on?" Destro pushed his way through to her bedside motioning the grenadiers to stand down.

    "She removed her necklace…. she’s reliving part of the crash," he scowled preparing a syringe. "I'm going to sedate her to stop it. I suspected parts of her memory were returning when she was bantering with Zartan and playing the piano this evening. This is the time I need to get control of her mind. I need to control what she thinks she's remembering. Assign a guard to her and let's keep an eye on her to see what she's recalling. The mask and the necklace will suppress her memories. Even if she should regain them, they will prevent her from acting on it." Mindbender showed them a small device in his hand. "This device here will shock her unconscious if she should step out of line. She will have no idea what transpired to cause her to lose consciousness."

    "So, she will not recall anything…. will she act against the Joes?" Zartan questioned softly, studying her peaceful form.

    "Her subconscious may still prevent her from doing things she was trained not to do like fight for COBRA but the necklace and mask will override that will. She will fight when ordered to, and kill if necessary. Let's get out of here and let her sleep.” He herded the men from the room.

    "Ian, you and Liam keep an eye on her tonight. See to it that no one disturbs her!" Destro ordered.

***********

    "Hawk, the doctors told us to bring her back to the base," Beachhead radioed. "We should be back in a few hours."

    "Did the doctors say anything?" He leaned back in his chair drumming his fingers on the desk.

    "They said that she should be surrounded by friends and family to help jog her memory.”

    "I'll let the others know. Keep a close eye on her, Hawk out."

    "All Joes report to the control room." Hawk listened to the PA waiting for his team to assemble. He waited for the murmuring to die down before he spoke. Pounding his hand on the podium, he called the crowd to order.

    "Beachhead and Lifeline are bringing Lady Jaye back. I need everyone to tone down your welcome. Lady Jaye suffered a severe head injury and…" Hawk began.

    "How severe?" Flint rushed forward to know.

    "She has no idea who she is…. or who any of us are." The room fell silent. "No one is to push her to remember anything. It could cause her more harm. Additionally, she must be accompanied around here at all times. Scarlett, stay close to her, and Flint don't hover. She'll remember on her own. That being said let's get to work,” he dismissed them.

    As they were leaving the meeting, Beachhead and Lifeline entered with Lady Jaye. Several Joes ran to welcome her before Flint approached her. She fainted into his arms.

    “I’ve got her,” Flint gently lifted her. The others scattered to clear a path for him watching him cradle her to him. He raced with her to the sickbay where Doc was waiting.

    Doc placed smelling salts under her nose to wake her. <What the bloody hell? > He was patching her to a brain scanner when Hawk entered.

    “Flint…out!” Hawk nodded to the door.

    “But....”

    “OUT!” He barked at the warrant officer. The look on Doc’s face told him it wasn’t good. Mindbender's device was working as planned.

    "Can you tell me your name?" Hawk cautiously approached her.

    "The guy in the green mask kept calling me Lady J, what does the J stand for? Can someone please tell me what's going on? My head is killing me and by the looks of the guy over there," pointing to Flint, "something is seriously wrong." She winced touching her fingertips to her temples.

    "My name is Hawk. Lady Jaye is your code name. You're real name is Alison Hart-Burnett; you're a member of the G.I. Joe task force. You were injured in a plane that crashed. That's Flint over there. He like everyone else here has been worried about you. Can you tell me anything that happened before or after the crash?"

    "I remember waking up and seeing a fire…. then the hospital" shaking her head.

    "I want you to take it easy. Someone will be assigned to you while you recover, if you need anything ask. I expect you to follow Doc's orders to the letter understood?” he stated firmly.

    "Yes, sir,” she laid back.

    "Good, now get some rest soldier, and someone will escort you to your quarters when Doc releases you. Flint, follow me."

    "But…"

    "But nothing, let's go now," Hawk pushed him ahead of him out of the sickbay before turning to him and Scarlett.

    "Something just doesn't seem right. I want each of you to keep a close eye on Lady Jaye. I'm seeing too many inconsistencies here. Flint, you know her best, stay close to her but don't push.

    Scarlett, stay with her at all times when Flint's not around and I expect all of you to follow Doc's orders especially you Flint. Is that understood?" <Something’s not right…she’s off some how>

********

    Early the next morning at Castle Destro…

    "Ian, how did Ailíse sleep after the sedative?" Destro looked up from his paper in the breakfast room.

    "Like a babe," he lied. <She had a fitful night. >

    "Ian, please tell Ailíse that I need to see her in my study."

    "Aye," he saluted his laird and left.

    He found her walking in the private gardens inside the castle walls, picking flowers "Lady Ailíse, your uncle wishes to see you in the study."

    "Thank you, Ian, I'll be in shortly,” she frowned taking in her appearance. “I just have to get cleaned up a bit," brushing some dust from her skirt.

    "You look as lovely as ever. I don't believe your uncle will mind a little dust, here let me take that for you." She rewarded him with a genuine smile. "I'll set these in the kitchen for you," taking her workbasket from her.

    He watched them as they entered his study. Heads together laughing about something when Ian handed some of her flowers over to her before leaving, Destro gave Ian an appraising glare. <They’re an excellent match. >

    "You sent for me, uncle,” breaking his train of thought. <What is it about that smile of hers? > He felt himself soften under it. She had her mother’s smile.

    "Yes, my dear, we need to talk. I realize that there are still a few gaps in your memory and Dr. McNair wanted you to get it back on your own but I feel that for your own safety I need to let you know a few details," his paternal tone alarmed her as she looked up from the flowers she was arranging.

    "The night of your accident you weren't racing. Our enemies, or rather enemies of one of my largest clients were pursuing you. I assume they were trying to capture you to force me to abandon my business dealings with…"

    "Who did this to me?" she growled, crushing a stem in her hand.

    "G.I. Joe operatives believed they were pursuing me since you were driving my car. It slid out of control as you were driving along the cliffs to escape them. I have told you many times about venturing out for the evening against my orders and the Joes took advantage of a breach in our security. You are not to leave the grounds without an escort or unmasked. The Joes still do not know what you look like so you're safe. One day you will be able to travel without the mask, I promise. "

    "I can handle myself. I work with the guards each day,” straightening her spine. She stood up to him with a defying glare in her eyes before slowly looking towards his desk.

    "I do not doubt your abilities, my dear, but until the doctor says your clear, you are not to disobey my orders.” He placed his hand under her chin lifting her face to his. “Is that understood?"

    "Yes, but I'm not going to be kept as a prisoner because of them," releasing an exasperated sigh.

    "No, in fact I'm arranging a trip for us soon, and if you feel you must go out---you will take guards with you at all times.

    "Yes, uncle. Uncle?" <But>

    "Yes?"

    "About the Joes…"

    "You are not to worry about them. The time for revenge will be ours. Now, why don't you get yourself cleaned up and have your maid pack for you. We're leaving this afternoon for a holiday. Ian and Liam have been told to assemble a security team for you so there's nothing to worry about" calming her anger.

    "Where are we going?" Her voice filled with anticipation.

    "I have an important client to meet with. Liam and Ian will see to it that you can safely enjoy your holiday. That's all I'm saying for now."

    The group arrived at a small island in the Mediterranean. Ian and his squadron carefully inspected the villa they were staying in for security breaches including bugging devices. They had been ordered to ensure complete privacy for Destro and Ailíse since Cobra Commander still did not know the real truth about her—no one did.

    The Baroness assumed that Destro was trying to hide one of his latest mistresses under her nose and ready for a fight until Mindbender and Destro showed her the files on Ailíse.

    "Do you have any idea how the Joe's will react if they figure out who she is?" she warned.

    "My dear, Baroness, the Joes have no clue. Zarana is impersonating Lady Jaye as we speak. Dr. Mindbender has Lady Jaye under his control and as long as we continue this plan she will be programmed to serve COBRA." Destro was confident, looking to the pool area.

    "Who else knows her true identity?"

    "Zartan, and Major Bludd".

    "What about the drednocks, or the vipers?"

    "They saw her at the lab," Mindbender added.

    "Make sure you tie up loose ends or the Joes will know. Flint will make it personal to rip you to shreds," she called back walking over to greet Ailíse by the pool.

**********

    Zarana was having great difficulty gaining secrets from the Joes. <I can’t bloody well get anything with them constantly hovering. > She scowled at Flint from the corner of her eye. <I can’t go any where without bumping into him or Scarlett. > Mindbender advised her to start remembering a few names. She still had to keep Flint at a distance, but how? <Make him jealous. Make him believe Lady Jaye prefers someone else but who? >

    She had been there for a little over a week when Scarlett suggested that they go out with the other girls for some fun at a local nightclub.

    "Look, here comes trouble ladies," Jinx groaned at the sight of the drednocks entering the club.

    "We better radio the base," Cover Girl reached for her phone.

    "Why, we can handle them," Zarana stood up.

    "Jaye, are you out of your mind? Hawk said you weren't to do anything until you're cleared" Scarlett grabbed her arm to stop her.

    "Well, I'm tired of sitting around doing nothing, are you with me Jinx…. Cover Girl?" jerking her arm free of Scarlett.

    "Scarlett, call the base, we'll get her" Jinx headed after Lady Jaye.

    Scarlett was calling the base to alert them as to what was going on when she saw Lady Jaye go up to Buzzer. The next thing she knew a fight had started and Lady Jaye went out the back with Buzzer and Torch. She couldn't follow. She couldn't get through the crowd.

    "Buzzer, what in the ‘ell do you think you're doin’ ‘ere?" she scowled, jerking him up against the wall.

    "Zarana! Fer a minute there I thought you were Lady Jaye. Hey, I ‘ad ta wonder ‘ow she got away from Mindbender.” He struggled to get free of her grasp.

    "She's locked up tight. Now shut the ‘ell up and get outta ‘ere. Those bloody Joes are on their way. You'll blow me cover," she snarled at him as the Joes were pulling up. She saw Flint spring from an AWE striker yelling orders to his men. He turned towards the alley.

    "Don't say a word…’tend you're trying ta take me prisoner" she hissed at them.

    Scarlett had just managed to push the door open, when Flint and his men blocked the alley’s entrance to the main street.

    "Let her go!" He raised his gun.

    The drednocks pushed her at him and took off running down the alley with several Joes chasing them.

    "Any one want to tell me what happened?" Flint growled lifting her up to her feet. He holstered his sidearm.

    Zarana yelled, "What does it look like? I was going after the drednocks until you interfered."

    "I interfered! It looked like they were taking you when I came up. I warned you this wasn't a good idea." He was furious. His face reddened. His fists clenched tightly at his sides.

    "Hey, I didn't ask for your help!”

    "Well, if you weren't so damned stubborn," he hit back.

    "Look, if I want your help I'll ask for it. Now leave me the hell alone. I'm sick of you following me," she stormed off.

    Flint went to follow her when Scarlett stopped him. "Flint, she's not herself. Leave her be. You know she didn't mean it."

    "She doesn't mean a lot of things these days, Scarlett.” He turned to leave.

    At the base….

    "Hawk, if I didn't know better I'd say she took the drednocks outside. They looked surprised to see her but I couldn't tell what was said. She's been acting strange, and has been a bitch to Flint at every chance," Scarlett frowned, crossing her arms over her chest.

    "Something's definitely not right here. Hang back a little and see what happens, Scarlett." Hawk looked to Doc, "Any ideas?"

    "She may be experiencing some post traumatic stress, and she's still recovering from the head injury," he speculated.

    "Flint, I'm sending you to check out reports of COBRA activity in Europe. Rumor has it that Destro is up to something and I think you need some distance between you and Lady Jaye until she can sort through some of this. You'll leave the end of the week."

    ”Yeah, sure Hawk…sounds like a good idea. Maybe she’ll be feeling better when I get back” Flint looked dejected. <I’ve got a few things I need to sort through myself. >

    Flint arrived at Scotland Yard a few days later…

    "Agent Tom O'Rourke? Hawk sent me to assist you with your investigation," Flint extended his hand.

    "It's about time. We've been monitoring Castle Destro for awhile, and have come across a new face to add to the list of associates,” tossing a picture of a masked woman across to Flint.

    "Any idea who she is?" Flint picked up the picture, carefully studying every detail.

    "My sources have said she is Ailíse McCullen, Destro's niece. Only up until a few months ago we didn't know she existed. We only found this *passing him a birth certificate* “ it was filed by the late Lord Destro. We can't trace her to anything illegal but COBRA agents have been spotted on the grounds," handing Flint more pictures.

    "Mindbender, Major Bludd, and Zartan, what could they be up to now? I didn't think Destro would be entertaining them, unless…they’re planning a coup?"

    "That's highly probable given Cobra Commander's inability to keep order. But, the woman?"

    "Any idea who's at the castle now?" Flint looked to a picture of it.

    "No, Destro, and a number of iron grenadiers were spotted leaving a few days ago."

    "Can you get anyone inside?"

    "It's possible, let me see what I can do," Agent O'Rourke replied reaching for the phone.

    Early the next day, Agent O'Rourke's people had arranged for an art delivery to be returned to the castle from a museum it was on loan to. Flint was disguised as a deliveryman with orders to leave the pictures in the upstairs gallery. His team did not have much time. Many of the iron grenadiers were out on exercises so they quickly made their way through the halls to the gallery. One of the men distracted the guard by pretending to have problems navigating a turn up the staircase enabling Flint to slip inside Ailíse's chambers.

    He found her room to be beautifully decorated room with pink damask wall coverings. A large canopy bed dominated the center of the room with its ornate bedding carefully selected to accent the room. The drapes tied to the posts, he saw the bed covered with pillows, before moving to the dressing area. The closets were full of the latest fashions. <The girls would have a field day here. > He carefully closed the doors, and turned to her vanity to search for a hairbrush or something he could lift her fingerprints from. <Nothing! > He turned to scanning the rest of the room; eyeing a door he opened it. Her own bathroom? He opened the closets taking in the vast array of scented soaps, and absentmindedly lifted one to his nose. <Hmmm? Allie loves this stuff; maybe I should stop and get her some after I get back. > He carefully set things back in their places before slipping back to the main area. The scent of the soap still playing in his mind, he heard the murmurings of his men outside the suite. He shook the thoughts playing in his mind as he scanned the room. <Now’s not the time to be caught daydreaming, Dash. Time is running out. Sensors on the windows? Why is security in this area of the castle extremely tight? > He was walking towards the window to peer to layout of the courtyard below when he noticed a small volume of Byron lying on a window seat and picked it up. Opening it he smiled, one of his favorite passages of She Walks in Beauty had been marked. <Allie loves this. Back to work Dash, *he shrugged eyeing the small book in his hand * may be Breaker or one of the guys can figure out who you are. > He slipped the book into a pocket within his overalls before heading back to the men. <This room is playing tricks with me. > He shook the thoughts and images of Lady Jaye plaguing him as he stepped back into the hall and out of the sight of the grenadiers guarding the castle.

********

    Zarana wasted no time with Flint gone. She began trying to get access to the control area but had to win over Mainframe to get access whenever Scarlett was on duty.

    "Hey, Mainframe mind if I sit with you guys," she smiled approaching him with her lunch tray.

    "Sure, Lady Jaye, move over Dial Tone." <Wow...she’s talking to me>

    "Lady Jaye, what's going on with MainFrame and you?" Scarlett scowled.

    "Nothing why?"

    "I just noticed that you two seem to be getting a little close.”

    "Well, it's not like I'm tied down or anything" Zarana snapped.

    "I just thought you and Flint," Scarlett began.

    "Flint and me what about Flint and me? He's demanding, overbearing, and acts like he owns me. Now Mainframe," she sighed.

    "Mainframe's a nice guy but don't you think you're rushing things," Scarlett continued.

    "As far as I'm concerned, I'm a free agent…" seeing Flint in the doorway.

    "I guess you are," he turned to walk away; his shoulders slumped forward as he looked down.

    Scarlett was furious. "I hope you're happy now, did you see his face?"

    "Yes, I did" Zarana smirked "now maybe he'll take a hint and leave me the hell alone. I'll catch you later, Scarlett. I got a date."

    Scarlett left soon after her roommate to find Flint with Hawk.

    "Flint, are you all right?" She approached him. His back was turned to watch out the office window to the training field.

    "I guess I pushed too hard. She's angry; she'll cool down,” he reasoned.

    "She said she had a date, I'm sorry.”

    Hawk caught Flint’s dejected look, "None of this makes any sense. Scarlett, find Snake Eyes and have him follow her? I want to know what the hell is going on with her? Flint, what did you find in Scotland?"

    Flint began to give him a briefing on what he turned up, including a description of the suite and its security before presenting the book he found. "I know it's an odd request but can we have the guys run a thorough scan of this. I've got a gut feeling it's a clue to the woman's identity."

    "Have Breaker work on it, and tell him he's not to discuss it with anyone other than you and myself," Hawk studied the warrant officer carefully. "Why don't you take a few days and get some rest?"

    "I can't, I wish I could but I’d really like to see what Breaker gets out of that book."

    "Why don't you head back to Europe and see what COBRAs up to there?” Rumor has it Destro’s in the Mediterranean passing him a copy an Intel report. I’ll have Breaker call you as soon as he knows something.”

    "Sure, I'll leave in the morning,” Flint walked off wondering why things kept going from bad to worse between him and Lady Jaye.

______________________________________________________

Continued In Part Three!
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