THE TIES THAT BIND
BY: THE BARD

Chapter Two
Betrayal

  "Would you please tell me what the hell is going on? Mainframe tells me someone was accessing classified data yesterday, and then you and Shipwreck go traipsing of after Lady Jaye, who, I might add, snuck off late last night without leave."

  Duke sat behind his desk as he addressed Flint. Beachhead, Shipwreck and Snake Eyes stood off the to side. Flint looked completely worn out.

  "Then this morning, Beachhead informs me that Jaye's young friend William is not all that he seems." He looked up to better gage Flint's reaction to the next sentence "In fact, he is Mi-6". To anyone who didn't know him well, Flint could be said to have kept the perfect poker face. Duke, however, had served with him for ages and noticed the slight narrowing of his eyes. He didn't know.

  "Holy 007, Batman" Shipwreck mumbled.

  "This is no time for jokes, Sailor. Our security has been compromised" Beachhead moved towards Flint "What do you know about this, lover-boy."

  "Get out of my face, Beachhead!"

  "Stand down, both of you!", Duke turned to the warrant officer, "Do you have anything to add, Flint?"

  "Sir," Flint paused, as if searching for the words "I had noticed of late that Lady Jaye was not herself. She was on edge. I became concerned and decided to keep a closer eye on her."

  "I'm sure you did", Beachhead sneered.

  "Shut up, Beachhead" Shipwreck had had it up to here with his arrogance.

  "Early last night, I noticed that Lady Jaye was particularly uneasy. I decided to pay her a visit to ask what was wrong. I spotted her leaving the base in one of our Jeeps. She hadn't asked for a pass. I made the decision to follow her. Shipwreck accompanied me."

  "We followed at a safe distance as she drove out of city limits and into the country. About 3 hours into the drive, she pulled into a wooded area and shut down the engines. It was dark, but the moon was full so there was enough light to see who then approached the Vehicle."

  Flint lowered his head, "It was Destro."

  "I knew it! She's a traitor. Duke, permission to call in the MPs. I suggest we have her arrested ASAP and brought in for questioning."

  That did it. Flint snapped. He turned, swung around and in one fluid motion, threw a wicked right cuff, knocking Beachhead flat on his back. Shipwreck and Snake Eyes were on him in a split second, holding him back before he could finish the job.

  "FLINT, STAND DOWN! NOW!!!!! THAT'S AN ORDER!" Duke was up off his seat and quickly positioned himself between the soldiers.

  "For all we know, Flint is an accomplice to this whole thing." Beachhead said, getting up holding his jaw "He and Jaye are close. He knew what was going on this whole time. Why didn't he let us know right away when he began to 'suspect' something was up?"

  "Shut up Beachhead", Duke turned his attention back to Flint. He knew Flint was not involved, he knew by the way he was acting, by the look on his face. He was trying to protect her. That said, he wasn't making a case for himself right now.

  "Flint, get a hold of yourself. You are not helping her this way. Shipwreck, could you tell us what happened next."

  "Well, sir, nothing much at first. It was very strange. Lady Jaye was sitting on the hood of the jeep and Destro stood in front of her. They were just talking. We couldn't make out what being said, but Jaye looked agitated, upset. At one point, Destro walked up next to her and put a hand on her shoulder, all companionable. It seemed to calm her a bit. He dropped something in her hand, and she passed him an envelope. We couldn't make out either in any detail."

  "Then, all hell broke loose."

  Shipwreck continued "About 15 Cobra soldiers came out of the woods, surrounding both of them. Destro looked as surprised as LJ was. Neither was prepared. Flint and I decided to engage"

  "Engage? The two of you against fifteen of the enemy, with a fellow soldier trapped at gunpoint? Not a smart move." Duke frowned at the sailor.

  Flint sighed.

  "It was my decision, Duke. My...reaction. I wasn't thinking. Once I fired the first shot, Shipwreck was forced to follow me in."

  "You're lucky you got out of that alive." The CO was not amused. Flint was trained better than this.

  "It wasn't luck. Shipwreck had Wild Bill on stand-by. He showed up in the chopper, and the cowards scattered. We picked up Jaye, but Destro had disappeared into the woods. We had just arrived back when you found us on the tarmac and called us in here."

  "I'm glad someone was on the ball. Good work Shipwreck."

  "As interesting as this little tale is," Beachhead interrupted " might I suggest we at least secure the suspect for questioning before she has a chance to do any more damage. She knows she has been caught red handed. Chances are she is going to try and..."

  Before he could finish, they heard a car engine roar and whistles from outside. They all rushed to the window in time to see Lady Jaye sitting in the driver's seat of a beautiful black Porsche. The top was down and they could see she was dressed in Civilian clothes, her sunglasses on, her hand on the wood and chrome stick. For a minute Duke didn't recognize her.

  She was revving the engine as she waited for the gates to open up, and was drawing quite a crowd. Duke and the others were equally mesmerized. She looked fabulous. Needless to say it was Beachhead who broke the reverie.

  "Hello, you guys...she is getting away!"

  With that the gate opened, and with tires squealing LJ made her exit. On the way out, they noticed that the car had British plates.

  Duke turned to Snake Eyes.

  "Follow her. Don't let her out of your sight. I will be in contact." Snakes silently left the room.

  "No Flint," Duke caught him before he could even form the sentence, "You are staying here. You are too close to this."

  "Beachhead, get Hawk on the line. I think its time the General was informed."

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  After she watched him go, Lady Jaye sat down on the bed and stared at the floor. She was trying desperately not to cry. Flint had looked so hurt when he left. It was more than she could take.

  "Pull yourself together, girl", she said to herself, out loud, "you are a professional. Act like one!"

  Attempting to put Flint at the back of her mind, she got up and picked up the phone. She dialed a number she thought she would never have to use. The answering machine picked up immediately.

  "Good Day, you have reached the British Consulate. If you know the extension you wish to reach, please dial it now..."

  She dialed it and a familiar voice picked up...William.

  "Hi Will, up for a coffee?" this, of course, told her friend that the line was not secure and they needed to meet ASAP.

  "Sure, babe...you want to meet at the Club or that little cafe in town."

  "The club." Will paused. That meant Jaye was in trouble. He knew this little escapade was going to blow her cover. No one ever listens.

  "Ok, I will see you there in two hours...drive carefully." Read 'watch your back'.

  "I always do."

  She hung up the phone and sat back down on the bed, the events of last night replaying itself over and over. It was the first time she had seen him since Scotland. The first time they had talked alone for years....

  'Hello, Beag Aon", Destro called, emerging from the woods. "I did not think you would come."

  Her heart skipped a beat when she heard his old name for her, Beag Aon, Little One. "That was long ago", she thought to herself, recovering control "Much has changed since then."

  "I have my orders. I follow them. Otherwise I would not be here."

  "Tsk, Alison. Do you really hold me in such contempt?" he came closer, "Have you forgotten our days together in Scotland? Have you forgotten all the good times?"

  She remained silent, refusing to look at him.

  "You are so like your mother little one," he laughed softly, "stubborn, willful...full of spirit. And very, very beautiful."

  Still she remained silent.

  "Are you going to ignore me for the rest of your life?", he sighed..

  "I was trying, but it seems I can never totally be rid of you." She looked up at him for the first time, "Why do you insist on bringing me back in? Why do you continue to torment me?"

  "Is that what I am to you? A torment? I assure you that is not my intent. Your mother asked me to look after you. I take that responsibility very seriously despite our differences in opinion. I mean you no harm."

  "And yet, here I am, sneaking out into the woods to meet you, putting my entire career at risk for you."

  "Your career is not with the Joes, Beag Aon, as much as you might like to think you are one of them. In any case, if I remember correctly, this was something you never wanted. Damn your father and his sense of duty."

  "You are one to talk, Destro. Clan honor is all I ever heard out of your mouth."

  "Yes...and you would do well to remember that. You are blood, you are 'clan'...you cannot deny your birthright. When the head of the clan calls you must come."

  "Of course...how could I forget? It has been drilled into me since I was old enough to understand the words."

  "Was I that terrible, Ali? Do you have no fond memories?"

  She would be lying if she said she didn't, and he knew it. She had worshiped him growing up, and he in turn had spent a lot of time with her, practically raising her while her father was away on one of his frequent 'business trips'. He had supported her, encouraged her, and even loved her 'like his own daughter', as he once said after she graduated from Bryn Maur with honors.

  But that was before she learned about COBRA, before she learned what his company was up to on the side. I mean, she knew MARS' history, the history of the Clan, but this was beyond evil in her mind. She begged him to drop COBRA, but he laughed and told her she wouldn't understand the intricacies of his business. Or his love life, for that matter, for it was also about this time that the Baroness came into the picture. God, she hated that woman.

  She dropped all contact with him even before she came over to the US. She never talked to him, and only saw him in the field of battle. And yet she never betrayed him. Never revealed anything of what she knew (and that knowledge was extensive) to the Joes. And she never would.

  LJ put her head in her hands. "I could never kill him either," she thought, "In that way I am more a traitor to my fellow Joes than this act could ever make me"

  She felt a hand on her shoulder.

  "Alison. No matter what comes of this, no matter what path you have chosen to tread, know that I have always been proud of you. Your mother would be as well, if she were still alive. You have shone in your new career and served with honor. I am sorry it had to come to this, but I had no choice."

  He pulled something out of his pocket and dropped it in her hand. It was a beautiful gold ring. A simple band with a Celtic design engraved around it.

  "This was your mother's, I had meant to give it to you a long time ago, but things got...complicated. She wanted you to give it to you before she died, but we both agreed you were to young to understand its significance. It has been passed down to the firstborn daughter in our clan for centuries. It is yours now. Wear it with honor and pride, Beag Aon."

  She closed her hand around the ring. She didn't know what to say, she finally had something of her mother's, he had given it to her despite their conflict, despite everything that had gone down between them over the past 5 years.

  "Thank you..." she whispered.

  "And now, to business. Do you have the disk?" The moment had passed and LJ snapped out of her revery.

  "Yes. It has whatever information you told them you needed. What I was ordered to retrieve. Nothing more. There is nothing here that compromises the Joe team in any way."

  He took the disk and pocketed it quickly, " I never expected such..."

  At that point their little rendez-vous was surrounded by COBRA troops. Neither of them was prepared. Destro looked as surprised as she did.

  "What is the meaning of this?" He demanded.

  "We are under orders from Major Bludd to pick you up and bring you in to the Commander for questioning...traitor."

  Before she could even react, she heard a familiar voice screaming a battle cry and saw Flint rushing headlong into the fray. The battle itself became a blur, and the next thing she knew. Flint was dragging her into a chopper.

  "What's done is done." LJ shook her head and brought herself back to the present.

  She got up and opened her closet. In the far corner, partially hidden behind all the jeans, plaids and army gear was a substantial collection of big ticket designer clothes. Calvin Klein, Armani, Channel, Ralph Lauren as well as a box full of shoes.

  "Hello, old friends", she smiled. I never had a chance to wear any of since she became a Joe. She felt it might give people the wrong impression, or worse yet bring up some questions she was unable to answer...but hell, as soon as Flint finishes up with his report that life will be over. Sadness threatened to overwhelm her, but she quickly held it in check "No, stop thinking about that now. If I have to go out, I'm going out with a bang."

  She selected a feminine beige linen Calvin Klein number and her favorite pair of Kenneth Cole sandals. Turning to her right, she found the little safe she had almost forgotten she had. What was that combination?

  Out of that came a lovely Cartier watch (a gift from her father after her solo with the symphony) and diamond stud earings. She placed her mother's ring on a simple gold chain and hung it around her neck. It was surprisingly warm on her chest.

  After brushing out her short brown hair and applying a little make-up, she looked at herself in the mirror.

  "Well, my Lady. Looks like your back. For better or for worse."

  "Holy Cow, Jaye!!!" Scarlet had returned, and stood open-mouthed as she stared at her friend and roommate "I didn't recognize you. What? Where? Wow...I never knew you had this kind of wardrobe. If I did I would have borrowed more often. You look like a million bucks."

  "Thanks" she smiled, shyly. She turned and grabbed one last thing out of the little safe before closing it again, a set of keys.

  "Where are you off too? Flint is still in a meeting with Duke and a bunch of others. I just know something is going down up there..."

  "Sorry, Red...no time. I have a lunch meeting..." She continued on out the door when she stopped. Turning she gave a surprised Scarlet a hug.

  "Thank you...for always being there."

  "Uh, well, your welcome...but what..."

  To late, LJ had already left the room and was heading towards the garage.

  As usual, Clutch was in there fixing his Pickup. That thing never worked...he was constantly trying to revive it despite everyone's insistence that he bite the bullet and buy a new one. He refused to consider giving up the 'old girl', as he called it...for sentimental reasons. The other Joes never failed to tease him about it.

  He looked up from under the hood and just stared.

  "Jaye?" he stammered, "Is that you?"

  "Hey Clutch..." she turned and walked towards the corner of the room where her car lay under a tarp.

  "You look, well...really good." Clutch couldn't remember seeing his fellow Joe in anything other than her combat uniform or jeans and a tee shirt. "You have some sort of hot date or someth...Hot Damn!!!!"

  Clutch ran over to the car that LJ had just uncovered. It was a shiny, new black Porsche 911 turbo. Black leather interior with wood and chrome finish on the dash. Jaye opened the door, sat down and prayed. It's been so long, I hope it starts!

  She turned the key and the engine roared to life.

  "Wow, Jaye. You are full of surprises today. So this is what was under the tarp this whole time? Lucky it was hidden, or I would be taking it out for a joyride every chance I could get! Is it yours?"

  "Yes." She put the top down, put on her sunglasses, and shifted it into gear.

  "Ummm...maybe you should change the plates before you head out onto the open road..." She didn't let him finish.

  "See you later, Clutch."

  With that she peeled out of the garage. It felt good to be in her car again. It handled so well, responding smoothly to her every move. She couldn't help thinking to herself how Flint would love to get his hands on the wheel. He was such a sports car fanatic.

  "No, stop thinking about him, it will only make this harder. Be strong"

  She came to the front gate and paused while the guard on duty did a double take at the sight of her. In fact, now that she considered it, a whole bunch of Joes were staring. She revved the engine impatiently. "Come on, Come on!"

  As the gate opened, out of the corner of her eye, she caught Duke, Shipwreck, Beachhead and Flint in the office window looking down. Flint looked dumbfounded. She caught his eye for a split second.

  "Good bye, my love..." she whispered.

  With that she flipped into gear and flew out the gate, tires squealing.

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Continued in Chapter Three!
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