HAPPY HOLIDAYS DEAR SHANA
BY: DINO MONZON

Chapter Four

G.I.Joe Command Center-The Pit, Staten Island, New York
December 24 2335 Hours

    General Hawk absently took a sip of non-alcoholic eggnog as he surveyed the scene before his eyes as he walked around the Pit's 3rd level Staging Area which had been converted to be the venue of the G.I.Joe Team's annual Christmas Party.

    Hawk approved the scene before him. The Staging Area was certainly decked out for the holidays: red, green & silver trim was set along the high ceiling, as well as mistletoes that were set 'strategically' at certain points. A suitably tall Christmas Pine stood at the center of the room bedecked with mini-lanterns, colored balls, tinsel and angels, as the multi-colored lights shone. Tables lined the walls with food & drink, and the overhead speakers filtered holiday tunes with one of his favorites-the Carpenters' version on 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- currently playing to add to the Yuletide mood.

    All in all, Hawk was satisfied with the arrangements. He made a mental note to commend Roadblock, Airtight, Barbeque, Lady Jaye, Stalker, Duke & Footloose-this year's Christmas Party Committee- on doing a slam-bang job.

    More importantly, Hawk was pleased that the G.I.Joe Team had gone through another year more or less intact. Although tonight the Pit wasn't as fully staffed as usual; most of the Joes opted to take Holiday Leave. Not that Hawk worried about the G.I.Joe Team being undermanned. If necessary he could deploy several small highly specialized teams to cope with any sudden terrorist threats. Not that he expected trouble to come calling on Christmas Eve, of course, but one never knew.

    Hawk made his way to the set-up bar to deposit his half empty glass. Taking a seat, he looked around taking note of the Joes in attendance. As the Field Commander in Chief of the G.I.Joe Team-America's elite Anti-Terrorist Strike Force-Hawk liked to think of himself as a combination father-figure/big brother to his men. So it was with interest that he checked up on his colleagues who were milling around the room or seated in small groups. Lt. Falcon, Low-Light, Shipwreck & Gung-Ho were talking shop; Airtight was with Dusty, and Airborne. Clutch was certainly trying his best to get Cover Girl to position her lovely self under one of the mistletoes Some things never change Hawk thought). Flint was up on the pre-fab stage area playing MC. And alone, standing at the far side of the room was Scarlett...

    Something's wrong Hawk thought. He knew Scarlett very well enough to know that something was bothering his S2(Intelligence)Officer. It wasn't like Scarlett to look so lonely-especially not on Christmas Eve...

    "Merry Christmas, Sir."

    Hawk turned at the soft, melodious voice. "Why, hello, Jinx. And same to you", he said as he noticed the G.I.Joe Team's Ninja/Intelligence Specialist come up to him.

    "Thank you, Sir." Jinx was attired in her usual bright red Ninja gi with its embroidered black dragon set over her heart. The outfit form-fitted her whip-slender body and a royal-blue sash encircled her slim waist. Only her usual red face mask was missing, hanging loosely from the back of her collar, revealing her strikingly lovely face graced with sleek jet-black shoulder-length hair and warm hazel-brown eyes.

    "I hope you're enjoying the party, Jinx." Hawk said with a smile." And ,please, young lady, DON'T call me 'Sir'. I'm not THAT old yet. Besides it is Christmas Eve, you know."

    "Sure thing, Hawk." Jinx smiled as she joined her CO. Glancing around she noted the festive atmosphere. "Looks like the party's a success. I hope Snake-Eyes drops by to join in."

    "Snake-Eyes still insists upon taking CQ Duty tonight, Jinx? "Hawk asked, referring to Command of Quarters, the U.S. Army's version of night watchman. Jinx nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, Hawk. I dropped by Ops to look up on him and invite him up here. He told me to go ahead. " she sighed. "The holiday season's always hits him hard, Hawk."

    "I know," Hawk agreed. "Can't really blame him wanting to be alone tonight. Snake-Eyes's had a rough life. He deserves better."

    "He certainly does, Hawk. "Jinx concurred. Snake-Eyes, the G.I.Joe Team's Commando, was after all a close friend of hers. She had first met him while she was a kid when Snake-Eyes studied the Ninja arts in Japan, living with her family. They had since then ran into one another especially when her parents asked him to complete her Ninja training and had later asked Snake-Eyes to be Jinx's guardian. Jinx, for her part, was thankful Snake-Eyes had been her sensei. He always looked out for her while she was a student at Byrn Mawr. And when she later enlisted in the Army, it was Snake-Eyes who eventually recruited her for the G.I.Joe Team. She took pride in knowing he trusted her to qualify for such an elite unit, and always tried to prove herself to him.

    "Hmmm...Maybe that's why Scarlett seems lonely tonight. "Hawk said thoughtfully.

    It was then that Jinx noticed Scarlett. "Poor dear. She must be wondering why Snake-Eyes hasn't shown up all evening."

    "Care to talk to her about it, Jinx?" Hawk suggested." After all, you are her best friend ..."

    That was true enough, Jinx knew. She and Scarlett were really close pals. They shared a tight sisterly bond. Jinx oft regarded Scarlett as her' elder sister' and she often helped her out whenever she needed help or advice when she felt troubled. Also they went on several missions together and were A very effective team. And, of course, there were the ties they shared with Snake-Eyes..

    Jinx needed no further prompting. "Of course, Hawk. I'll take care of it. If you'll excuse me?"

    Hawk nodded. "By all means, carry on, Jinx."

* * * * * * * * *

    Scarlett hardly noticed the party going on about her. Taking a minute sip from the small cup of punch she had, she walked over to a corner booth for two and sat down, tuning out the merriment going on around her. She sighed. She didn't plan on attending the party tonight. Still, she was a Staff Officer and tradition called for Staff Officers to be in attendance during parties. even if she really wasn't in the mood for one.

    If Only Snake-Eyes were here to keep me company tonight. Scarlett thought sadly. Looking around she saw her friends having a good time. Yet in her heart of hearts she felt alone...

    "Hi, Scarlett. Mind if I join you?"

    Scarlett started. She was so lost in her loneliness that she failed to notice Jinx. She managed a smile as she looked up to her friend. "Hello, Jinx. I hadn't noticed you." She motioned to the chair opposite her. "Please, have a seat."

    "Thanks." The young lady Ninja gracefully sat down. "By the way, Happy Holidays."

    Scarlett smiled sadly. "Yeah, right." She dismissed the loneliness she felt. No sense, she reasoned to get Jinx depressed along with her. Changing tacks, she said lightly. "I didn't expect you to come to the party tonight, Jinx. I didn't bring your present with me. I'll give it to you tomorrow after Christmas Mass over at the Fort Wadsworth Chapel, O.K.?"

    "Oh, that's not necessary, Scarlett." Jinx assured her. "You didn't have to get me anything."

    "Well, you ARE my best friend, remember?" Scarlett said, her sweet, clear voice sisterly. "So, what can I do for you, kid?"

    "Well," Jinx kept her voice careful," Hawk noticed you seem lonely tonight and thought you could use some company."

    "Am I that obvious, Jinx?" Scarlett asked sadly.

    "Maybe not to the others, but well, you know Hawk..."

    "Yeah." Scarlett agreed. The young, very beautiful Counter Intelligence Specialist sighed wistfully. "Guess I'm just poor company tonight, Jinx. Sorry."

    "And I think I know why," Jinx said gently, not wanting to wound Scarlett's heart. "You're wondering why Snake-Eyes hasn't showed up yet here tonight, aren't you?"

    Scarlett nodded. "It's not because of anything I've done, is it, Jinx?"

    "Of course not." Jinx quickly reassured her. "You know Snake-Eyes thinks the world of you, Scarlett. It's just that Snake-Eyes feels he ought to pull guard duty tonight."

    "On Christmas Eve?"

    "Yeah." Jinx said carefully. "Besides, Scarlett, Snake-Eyes always feels lonely come the holidays. He misses his family-especially his twin sister- a great deal."

    "Poor dear." Scarlett understood now why her lover was absent at the party. "He hasn't anyone to come home to on Christmas, no family..." Except me, she realized. She wondered she could have felt so selfish, wanting Snake-Eyes to be with her when he felt so alone. Scarlett knew she could take leave at any time to visit her widowed father and her 3 brothers over at Atlanta, Georgia. But Snake-Eyes had no family left. Except her. Scarlett realized what she ought to do. "Thanks for letting me know the score, Jinx. I know what I have to do now. Thanks." She got up.

    Jinx did likewise, understanding in her hazel-brown eyes. "Yes, I think you do, Scarlett."

    "Thanks, kid." Scarlett said softly. Then she left the table and proceeded towards the party.

    Jinx watched her best friend go, thankful that she managed to help. "Good Luck, Shana." she thought.

    "Hiya, Miss Scarlett! Merry Christmas.' greeted Wild Bill. The G.I.Joe Team's Dragonfly XH1 Assault Helicopter Pilot was presently supervising the buffet table and wore a chef's white toque hat in lieu of his cowboy hat, while a spotless white apron went over his usual fatigue battle shirt and field vest. His eyes behind his mirrored sunglasses lit up at seeing Scarlett coming. He always liked her.

    "Thanks, Bill" Scarlett looked over the set feast." Looks like you and Roadblock setup quite a spread." The buffet offered Stuffed turkey w/ all the trimmings, baked Virginia ham, roast chicken, lasagna, a variety of salads , even chocolate cake and apple & peach pie. "Mind if I have some'?

    "Not at all, Beautiful. Help yourself. I hope you enjoy your Christmas dinner."

    "Well, it won't be all for me." Scarlett said as she made her selections and placed them on tray along with cutlery and drinks.

    Wild Bill understood. "Gotcha ,kid. Enjoy."

    "Thanks, Bill. I'll certainly try." Scarlett took the tray and made her way to the elevator.

    As the car ascended to the 2nd level of the Pit, Scarlett studied her reflection in the small mirror. She was satisfied that she looked presentable.

* * * * * * * * *

    In the Pit's Operations Center, seated at the main communications console, Snake-Eyes satisfied himself that everything was in order. So far, everything was copasetic. Hopefully, it would remain that way. The overhead speakers were filtering the classic song 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' by Bing Crosby. The Commando mentally tuned out the music, wondering why he let the speakers on to filter music from the party. Then he remembered- he did it so he wouldn't feel lonely. There's some irony there, he thought grimly. Not that it really mattered. He sighed. ANOTHER Christmas alone. He ought to be used to THAT by now.

    Snake-Eyes fought off a wave of loneliness as he remembered the last Christmas he shared with his family at their home at East Virginia. Terri-his twin sister- had been pleased since he had invited her fiancé, George Strawhacker, over for Christmas Dinner with them. They were to have married that coming Spring. But it wasn't to be...

    Snake-Eyes shook off the melancholy he felt. Thinking of his sister deeply always hit him hard. He turned his attention elsewhere.

    He wondered how Scarlett was doing this evening at the party at the Staging Area. He wished he could join her, but he already volunteered for CQ Duty tonight and that was that. And besides, he reasoned, she deserved to have time to herself and to be in the company of others...

    Snake-Eyes became aware of approaching footsteps heading his way. Quickly, he got up and straightened out his black combat jumpsuit. He had to look sharp and alert, after all. Lastly he reached for his black face mask & its completing silver framed red lenses goggles, placing it over his badly disfigured face. No sense giving anybody a sick stomach, he thought. Just in time he finished as the doors to Ops slid open and Scarlett stood in the doorway. A covered tray in her gloved hands. "G.I.Joe Headquarters Room Service", she announced, her sweet voice accented with a Southern accent. Snake-Eyes smiled despite himself. "Good evening, Scarlett." he motioned in sign language. What can I do for you?"

    Scarlett smiled. Tall and gracefully slender, attired in her field outfit-a yellow orange & violet leotard-jumpsuit that revealed her perfect 36x24x36 hourglass figure, & graced with long silken red hair neatly pinned and tied in a ponytail, her intense blue eyes reflecting intelligence, warmth and humor and accenting her very beautiful face, she was so alluring and beauteous that Snake Eyes reflected how lucky he was to have her for his friend, mission partner and fiancée.

    Scarlett said gently: "Hi, Snake-Eyes. Jinx told me you were pulling guard duty tonight and I thought I'd bring you Christmas dinner." She let herself in & placed the tray on an empty workstation.

    "you didn't have to go through all this trouble, Shana." Snake-Eyee told her. "I thought you'd be at the party. You deserve to have a good time."

    Scarlett smiled at noting that Snake-Eyes referred to her in her real name. "It's no trouble, Snake-Eyes. I wanted to be with you. They can do without me at the party." She added softly. "And I know that you feel lonely tonight. I didn't want you to spend Christmas alone..."

    Snake-Eyes was touched by Scarlett's words. In his heart he felt his loneliness lift. "Thank you, Sis. Happy Holidays, dear Shana..."

    "Think nothing of it, Snake-Eyes. "Scarlett said sweetly." I'm glad I was able to help."

~END~

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