* * * * * * * *

    After his disastrous attempt to start a new life with Tommy's family he had retreated to these mountains. He'd spent a few years here, had built a cabin, befriended a wolf and basically lived like a hermit, not caring about much of anything. With his parents, twin sister, and his ninja clan gone he had shut himself away from civilization and emotion. Even the fact that the locals in the nearby logging town thought he was a werewolf failed to amuse him. He had lived that way until the day Stalker had tracked him down.

    " I don't know about this guy Stalker" the man known as Hawk mused to his companion, "It's been a long time since this Snake Eyes has been involved with the military and even you haven't seen him for years!"

    Stalker just smiled at him, "I know he doesn't sound like what you're looking for sir, but Snake Eyes is the best and a few years living like Grizzly Adams ain't gonna change that." Seeing his C.O.'s skeptical look he pressed on, "Just wait and see, you won't be disappointed."

    When Snake Eyes entered his cabin to find an old army buddy and the Colonel who'd informed him of his family's death there he didn't show much surprise. Even when they had laid out the plans for the strike force they were putting together he showed only mild interest. Stalker then put his arm around Snake Eyes shoulder and said he'd forgotten enough for one lifetime. He had decided to humor his old friend and try it out for a while, besides, he needed a change of scenery. As he climbed into the back seat of the army jeep he had no idea what he was heading for.

    "Well that has most of the team put together." Stalker commented as he looked over the roster with Hawk a few days later.

    "A diverse group of men. "Hawk commented.

    Stalker looked at one dossier and smiled, "Not all men."

    Hawk looked at him quizzically and took the file, "Oh right, our only female member of the team, I saw her at that training symposium and was VERY impressed."

    "I'll bet." Stalker quipped, smiling.

    "Well she is a looker, I hope the guys don't hassle her too much" Hawk replied.

    "After what I've seen her do I think the lady can hold her own" Stalker replied with a grin.

    "How is Snake Eyes settling in?" Hawk asked.

    "He pretty much keeps to himself, stays apart from the other guys. But don't worry about him sir, he'll do his job."

    Hawk just nodded and checked his watch, "Well let's go start the hand to hand combat refresher and see how this team shapes up."

* * * * * * * *

    A group of men stood in the gymnasium, talking amongst themselves. A late arrival, known as Clutch, hurried in and said to the rest of the men in an excited whisper, "Hey guys, I just caught a glimpse of our 'instructor' and all I can say is WOW!"

    " What are you talking about?" Steeler asked, confused.

    "Our instructor is a woman and she is a FOX!"

    Snake Eyes stood apart from the others, his excellent hearing picked up what Clutch was saying but he listened half-heartedly. Just then the doors opened and in walked the only female member of the new G.I.Joe team. She moved with grace that was almost feline. Every man in the room was transfixed by the sight, even Snake Eyes showed a flicker of interest.

    She had a perfect 36x24x36 figure with long slender legs. She was blessed with a peaches and cream complexion, high cheekbones, a pert little nose, perfectly shaped lips and intense, brilliant blue eyes. Topping off her looks was a long, thick mane of fiery red hair. Hawk entered the room and made the introductions. Scarlett always made eye contact with each person when she was introduced as she felt it gave her some excellent first impressions. She pegged Steeler and Clutch as macho chauvinists because they couldn't stop smirking at her. Hawk got to Snake Eyes and she started a bit.

    "He's a mystery " that was her first impression. He looked almost bored, rather like a Harvard graduate being forced to attend a Kindergarten class. She shook off her thoughts and went to work, "Start with the chauvinists" she thought to herself. After she knocked Steeler to the ground easily she found herself heading for the one called Snake Eyes.

    She told him to throw a punch at her and he slapped her in a phony, almost condescending way. Scarlett grabbed his arm and began to throw him when she realized it. "He's letting me throw him!" she thought to herself, "he hasn't lost control, this guy could best me easily, he's just letting me win to save my pride!"

    Snake Eyes landed on his backside and sat there for a moment, pretending to be dazed. As he got up he saw the woman Scarlett looking at him with one eyebrow quirked and a suspicious look on her face. For the first time in years he was surprised. Did she know he'd allowed her to win? No, she couldn't know that. It had taken Snake Eyes a long time to perfect his skills, even his sword brother Tommy hadn't always known when Snake Eyes had allowed himself to be defeated.

    She turned away and set the group to sparring in pairs with each other. Snake Eyes went through the motions with his various sparring partners and every now and then he could feel HER watching him. "I haven't felt this unnerved by someone watching me since my early days around the Hard Master." he said silently to himself.

    After the lesson was over, the Joe recruits left for a tour of HQ while Scarlett joined Hawk and Stalker to give them a report. She told them of her impressions on the strengths and weaknesses of each person in hand to hand combat. When she was finished Hawk left the room and Scarlett stayed behind to help Stalker with some files. After some idle conversation she asked what had been on her mind since the training session, "So what's the story on this Snake Eyes."

    Stalker started a bit, that was the last thing he'd expected her to ask. "Well, I was in 'Nam with him but we've been out of contact for a few years, all I can tell you is that the man is good, VERY good at what he does."

    "Yeah, I gathered that." she said in a distracted tone as she looked at the clock, "I'm gonna go grab some lunch, see you later."

    As she left, Stalker smiled at her obvious fascination with Snake Eyes, "This could get interesting!" he said to the empty room.

* * * * * * *

    Scarlett was nearly finished her lunch when the other Joes entered the canteen and got their meals. She noted that Snake Eyes sat off by himself and her interest grew another notch. She caught herself staring at him and focused her attention on her plate.

    Snake Eyes had felt her presence as soon as he'd entered the room and as he sat down he could feel her eyes on him again. He couldn't understand why she was making him feel so anxious, "What the Hell is wrong with me?" he thought silently. He sensed her get up from her seat and head for the door.

    As she walked past the group of other Joes, Clutch held an empty glass in front of her and said, "Hey honey, get me some water will ya'?" The group snickered at Clutch's attempt to get the gorgeous red head riled.

    She smiled sweetly and took a nearby pitcher full of ice water and then poured it slowly and deliberately and top of Clutch's head. Clutch sat there, stunned as she set the pitcher down the she leaned over and told him "Enjoy!" before she left the room.

    Snake Eyes saw all this and as Scarlett left He did something he hadn't done in years, he smiled.

* * * * * * * *

    Scarlett had changer into her 'civvies' and was heading off base for some dinner when she saw HIM leaving for the evening as well. She decided to take a chance and talk to him.

    Snake Eyes felt her presence long before she reached him, he turned as she called to him. "She is beautiful." he thought as he took in her outfit. The white turtleneck and green jumper created an effect that was simple, yet pretty. She didn't need anything else, she was a work of art all on her own. "God, where did THAT come from," he mumbled to himself , not liking the direction his thoughts were taking.

    She caught up to him and said ," I just wanted to tell you I was impressed with some of your moves today. I saw evidence of lots of martial arts training, some pretty advanced stuff too." She was digging and they both knew it.

    "Well, I did study a bit in Japan a bit, but that was years ago." He said this in a friendly way but with a finality that said that was all he was saying on that subject.

    To his mild surprise and relief she didn't pry. "So, are you heading off base for the evening?" she asked while mentally kicking herself "Way to point out the obvious dummy". She then asked if he would mind having company.

    "No, I wouldn't mind, if you're not busy." he replied while thinking "Smooth, real smooth!"

    Scarlett took his arm and they started off.

    The next couple of hours flew by as he told this woman things he'd never told anyone, not even his best friend, Tommy. He just felt comfortable with her. They boarded the ferry and stood at the back watching the sun set, and Snake Eyes felt like he'd known Scarlett for years, talking to her was as easy as talking to Terry. At the thought of his late twin a wave of sadness washed over him. Scarlett saw the change and asked if she'd done or said something to upset him.

    "No," he reassured her, "I like you Scarlett, really, you remind me of my twin sister, Terry."

    "Oh", she said, sounding disappointed.

    Snake Eyes continued, "She was killed in a car crash with my parents the day I got home from 'Nam." his eyes were welling up with tears now.

    "Oh God, I'm so sorry!" Scarlett said, feeling like an idiot over her reaction.

    He told her about his sister's photo and she reached out to the man she recognized as being very lonely and thought to herself, "For someone that 's been through so much he doesn't have a lot of meanness in him."

    She took his hand and he turned to look in her eyes. Then they smiled at each other as they noticed the ferry had docked. They went for dinner and then returned to base.

    Most evenings the intercom played some music for a while before 'lights out'. As Snake Eyes escorted Scarlett to her room the song "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel" was playing and Scarlett smiled, "This is one of my favorite songs!"

    Snake Eyes gave her a wan smile, it had been one of Terry's favorites too.

    Scarlett noticed him sadden again and she reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze, " I want you to know that if you ever need to talk about anything I'm here to listen."

    They were now at her door and he smiled at her and thanked her and he started to leave when her voice stopped him.

    "By the way," he turned to see her giving him that same quirked eyebrow from earlier that day, "If you EVER let me win again, I'll kick your ass for real! Goodnight." She said as she closed the door on his stunned face.

* * * * * * * *