A WINTER'S TALE
BY: THE BARD

Chapter Ten
Consequences

  "Sir?"

  "Yes, DialTone."

  "Sir...they are waiting for you outside."

  "Give me a couple of minutes and then send them in, son..."

  "Yes sir."

  General Clayton Abernathy, the man known as Hawk, leaned back in his chair and sighed.

  What a day.

  He had been back on the base for less than 24 hrs and already his head felt like it was going to explode. A disastrous mission in which a top secret weapon prototype was lost to the enemy, an equally catastrophic trek to Alaska where they managed to retrieve said weapon despite Lady Jaye's personal vendetta and her criminal disregard for orders and military rules....

  ...And while on the topic of military regulations, there was the small matter of his Warrant Officer's secret and from what Duke had told him, long time affair with the woman in question.

  To top it all off, somehow Cobra Commander was sitting in a cell in the brig and no one seemed to know how he had gotten there.

  Correction.

  No one was telling HIM how he had gotten there. Although from the man's incessant babbling about crazy joe women and their boyfriends he had a pretty good idea who was behind it.

  He had managed to keep the press at bay for the moment, but it wouldn't be long before the Commander used this unfortunate incident to flood the news with stories of his mistreatment. The peacenik `anti-military' politicians will have a field day with it...they had been building support for military cutbacks for years now, chipping away at his budget piece by piece.

  No. As tremendous a blow to COBRA and as great an achievement this was, he had to keep this quiet.

  Hawk rubbed his temples in an attempt to soothe his throbbing head.

  There had been other negligible little hiccups while he had been on his political tour of Europe, but nothing on the scale Flint and Lady Jaye had inadvertently caused. Ace was caught gambling again. Low Light, Alpine and Bazooka had gone AWOL to find Jaye without informing their superiors, Two brand new helicopters had way more mileage than they were supposed to, Shipwreck had brought a stripper to the officer's mess...

  He had been away far too long.

  He hated his new position. All the travel, all the politics and paper pushing...the lobbying and ass kissing. He desperately wanted...no needed...to be back here. To be back in the field.

  It wasn't that Duke and Flint weren't capable. They were two of the best men he had ever worked with. The latter's likely planning and involvement in the mysterious kidnapping of Cobra Commander only drilled home what a brilliant commander and tactician Flint was. The men would follow either of them to the grave, and despite this mess he trusted them with his life. But they were young and foolhardy...

  "The problem was the minute you got the experience you ended up behind a desk or playing politics due to age..."

  He had been warned. He remembered his professors at West Point and his mentors among the brass telling him to get it out of his system cause once you hit general and your 50s you were more likely to be doing press conferences than missions.

  God...when had he become old-brass? How had he let himself get pulled in?

  His thoughts were interrupted as two soldiers entered his office and stood at attention in front of his desk.

  He kept his face impassive as he watched them, although his heart nearly leapt clean out of his chest at the sight of Lady Jaye alive and well. Hearing the news that she had gone down in Alaska and was fighting for her life in hospital had damn near given him a stroke. He desperately wanted to get back to be with her but his `sponsors' had other ideas. The trip he was on was too important to cancel. It was too `secret' to trust to anyone else.

  She looked tired, and her arm was in a tight sling, but that was a given since she had just been released from hospital this morning. Whatever physical weakness she might be suffering, it never touched her face. Her eyes were bright and her face set and determined.

  "Andrew...your daughter is going to be the death of me..." he sent a thought out to his old friend, wherever he was. "I never thought anyone could be as stubborn and willful as you...but I guess it's genetic."

  He tore his gaze away from her to study the figure standing a little to the left and just behind her. His face was a mask, as usual. The man was an expert at hiding any emotion or thought that might be going on in his mind. Ace refused to play poker with him, and Hawk could understand why.

  In fact, as Hawk stared out at him from behind his huge desk, his face fixed in his `are you in trouble, boys' look that had left many a seasoned soldier quaking in his combat boots, the only reaction he could see was that the Warrant Officer shifted his weight slightly...taking on what could only be termed as a protective stance behind his partner.

  "Come on Clay...you mean to tell me that all this time you didn't notice a thing?" His wife's voice floated into his head, his mind playing back last night's conversation.

  "Flint is one of my best men, he is a fine soldier and..." Susan smiled and hugged him, interrupting him before he could finish. He watched as she moved into the kitchen to start dinner. She was friendly with his commanders...having them over for dinner and such. She considered Flint and Duke...in fact the whole damn team, as part of her extended family through him. He was always complaining that she mothered them too much...these were grown men...warriors! But in his heart it was one of the qualities he loved about her.

  "Yes...but he is still a man. And he is crazy about her...has been since the day you brought her on to the team I bet. And don't tell me you didn't play on that when you teamed them up."

  "I didn't, Sue...this isn't the bloody dating game..." He had teamed them up because they worked so well together. It was incredible to watch, they were always so in synch. Truth be told, though...he had noticed Flint paying her extra mind, and had in fact encouraged it. He had thought that Flint would be an extra eye watching that the girl stayed out of trouble. The last thing he needed was Andy's ghost haunting him for the rest of his days because he lost his daughter.

  Sue, of course, wasn't listening...she just continued on as if he hadn't said a word.

  "I also bet it happened last year around this time..."

  "Wha? How did you? Did Duke call here and tell you?" The triumphant glint in Sue's eye, the kind she gets when she figures something out that she isn't really supposed to know, or when she knows she is right, set off alarms in his head "Uh, Honey...I don't think..."

  "I KNEW it! Come on, didn't you see them over Christmas dinner at the PIT? He couldn't take his eyes off her."

  "Neither could half the team! In case you haven't noticed she is very well liked and quite attractive..."

  Again, she didn't listen, merely came over and sat down in front of him, her eyes serious.

  "So, what are you going to do?"

  He sighed. "I don't know honey...regardless of Lady Jaye's reckless behavior, the fraternization charges by themselves are pretty serious. I don't know what I can do...its going to ruin two good soldiers' careers..." He brushed his hand through his hair as he usually did when something was upsetting him. "Damn it, I promised Andrew I'd watch over her..."

  She leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips.

  "And you have, Clay. But maybe it's time for someone else to take over that responsibility."

  "I don't understand..." But she merely smiled at him and went back into the kitchen.

  "Sir..?" The sound of Flint's voice brought him back to the present.

  "Don't you `sir' me, Faireborn!" he barked, getting up from his desk and coming to stand mere inches from the man's face. "What the hell were you thinking boy? Or were you using your `other' brain?"

  It was so subtle that Hawk nearly missed it, but at his words Flint flinched. He turned away and went to grab a booklet from his desk before swinging round and waving it in front of Flint's face."

  "Look familiar? It should! It's a military rulebook. Code of Conduct...do you know what it says about fraternization with a subordinate..."

  "Yes sir..."

  "Well you could have fooled me!" He spat..."A year...a whole bloody year...not only were you breaking the rules but you were bloody LYING to me AND taking advantage of one of my best Intel agents."

  He heard Lady Jaye's voice, quiet but forceful. "With all due respect, sir...it was both of us who..."

  He didn't even turn. "Enough, Corporal! In the eyes of the military it's the higher ranked officer that takes most of the heat for this type of things...not that you aren't in shit up to your eyeballs yourself."

  "As for you...was it worth it? Throwing your entire career away for a little action on the side...for a nice little piece of ass..." Hawk saw Flint's eyes narrow and watched as he tensed. The general smiled inwardly. That's it, boy...show me what you've got...show me that famous temper that gave rise to your code name...

  Flint...hard as a rock, but hidden inside a heart of fire...

  "Permission to speak freely sir..." Flint's voice came out in an angry hiss.

  Hawk backed off, leaning on his desk before replying.

  "Permission granted."

  "I don't care if you are my CO or the fucking president of the United States...if you ever, EVER speak about her that way again I will not be responsible for my actions."

  "Flint..."

  "Stay out of this Lady Jaye." He gestured, cutting her off before she could protest, "And to answer your question...yes, it was worth it. And if given a second chance I would do it all again. I love my career sir, but some things are more important than your job..."

  "More important than ridding the world of a major terrorist threat?" Hawk asked mildly, raising his eyebrow in mock curiosity. Jaye was watching him oddly. Smart girl...she knew what he was up too. But then again she had been treated to the `Tomahawk' tactic by him over two years ago.

  "You know damn well I have dedicated my life to the military...to this organization...to defending this country and the world from COBRA. I will continue to do so as long as I am able...and as long as you are willing to have me."

  "And if you can't have both?" He asked quietly...and Flint looked him straight in the eye, not even hesitating...

  "I will not give up the one shot I have at happiness with the woman I love. I will not give her up."

  Hawk sighed and threw his hands up in the air in an exaggerated wave of surrender. Lady Jaye was staring at the man beside him and looked like she was about to fall over from shock at his words. He had pulled what he had wanted out of the man. He didn't want to bait him further...they had been through enough already and it wasn't going to get any easier.

  "I figured as much, Flint..." he sighed, "I just wish you would have come to me earlier with this...it would have saved everyone a lot of grief."

  "Sir?"

  "Yes Lady Jaye..."

  "If it helps matters, I will resign..."

  "No!" Flint and Hawk both turned and yelled at her in unison, before he signaled Flint to stand down.

  "No...Jaye...I need both of you...Yes Flint, you heard right but don't either of you start celebrating just yet. There is still the matter of Lady Jaye's disregard for orders, which I needn't tell you is a pretty serious charge AND I am still pissed off beyond all reason that you two have been sneaking around like something out of a bad Harlequin romance! But losing my third in command and my best intelligence operative...my best team...is not in the cards. I am going to fight to keep you."

  Hawk turned and went to sit down behind his desk and observed the two soldiers standing in front of him. He had no worries about them no being able to maintain professionalism despite their personal ties. They had been doing it since the day they met...long before they had decided to test the waters and take their relationship to a deeper level. In fact, he had no doubt that the stress involved with keeping the whole thing a secret was the more likely cause of this whole disaster than any impropriety on either of their part.

  The thing was he needed to know for sure that they were serious about this thing between them. He was going to pull some major strings and shove this little incident under the carpet due to some vague legal loophole that the eggheads at JAG had missed...he needed to know this wasn't just some short term affair.

  Flint's uncharacteristic reaction was all the evidence he needed. Sue was right. The man was crazy about her.

  "I am going to turn my back on this, and I am going to see to it that no one else can bring you up on charges while you remain a part of this organization." Flint and Jaye both looked at him in surprise and relief before looking back at each other...he raised his voice to regain their attention "BUT I expect you to keep things discreet and tasteful...AND I expect you both to work together at 100%. I want this team unbreakable. I want it professional..."

  He turned to Flint now...the next few words for his ears, and he knew that it was going to be the most difficult. He also knew, though...that the man would do it to the best of his abilities as always...

  "Flint...as a commander on this team I would hope that you will keep your feelings for Lady Jaye out of your command decisions. When at work she is a soldier under your command...whose life is no more or less important than any other man out there with you. Do I make myself clear?"

  "Yes sir!" They said in unison.

  "Ok then, Flint...you are dismissed. Lady Jaye, I need to speak with you on other matters..."

  Flint turned to look at her in concern and she whispered something inaudible to him before he nodded and made for the door.

  "Faireborn!" he barked just before the man was about to leave.

  "Sir?"

  "Good job capturing the Commander. Excellent work as usual." Flint looked over at him, his eyes revealing nothing. He wasn't going to spill the beans...not even now. Hawk smiled. The man was brilliant...if he could play the politicians like he moved his soldiers on the battlefield he would go far indeed...and he knew how to keep a secret. He would to make a great officer...maybe even General if he decides to get his commission and leave the field. Part of him hoped he wouldn't though...remembering his frustration at being tied to his desk and unable to go out with his men.

  "You are going to go far in this organization, Flint."

  "Thank you sir," Flint saluted and left him alone with Lady Jaye. He watched the woman standing at attention in front of him and pictured the little girl who used to come visit him at the pentagon with her dad. This was not going to be easy.

  "Have a seat Alison," he gestured towards the chair, using her real name for the first time since she joined GIJOE.

  "How are you feeling, Sweetheart?"

  "I'm fine...a little tired though. Doc said it would take a while to regain my strength and be able to resume my normal duties." She paused and looked at him seriously, "IF I can resume my duties."

  "I won't lie to you, Al...you are in deep. Unfortunately, there are no loopholes for this one. You are to be court marshaled as soon as you are well enough to begin speaking with your attorney."

  To her credit, she didn't look away...she took the news in with the same calm deliberation that she used in her job.

  "So like your father," he thought to himself...

  "Why, Ali? You promised me..."

  "I never promised you anything, Hawk." The fire of anger burned suddenly in her eyes, "And why are you so surprised. You brought me in to harness this hate I held inside. You wanted to bring him down as much as I did."

  "Alison!" he was stunned...was that what she thought. "You couldn't be more wrong. I brought you in so I could keep an eye on you. Because you were good at what you do. I promised your father..."

  "My father is dead..."

  "Your father would be shocked at your behavior. At what you have let yourself become."

  "You know nothing!"

  "The man was my best friend. I watched you grow up. I know what he wanted for you. I know what he dreamed for you. I know you are so much more than what you have let yourself become."

  "Now you sound like Flint."

  "He is a smart man, Alison. You should listen to him. But you have already, haven't you. Cobra Commander is alive in that cell..."

  For the first time she looked away. Hawk sighed and continued, his voice softer...

  "Was it worth it, nearly throwing your life away for revenge?"

  It was barely a whisper...but he heard it clearly. "I thought it was...I honestly did for the past 6 years...it drove me for 6 years...but now..." she looked back up at him, her eyes clear and serious, "No."

  "You are learning."

  "I guess I'm a slow student..."

  He laughed softly. "Hardly...its not an easy lesson to learn. And some never do. Your family would be very proud of you."

  They paused, sitting in silence for a moment as they both remembered the people that had been lost on that fateful day. Andrew Burnett had been his friend since they were at West Point together. Hawk had been the best man at his wedding to Katherine, had been there for the birth of both his children...as Andrew had been for there for all his special occasions.

  He had gone to him with the information he had found on the new threat simply known as COBRA. It was he that had talked the senator into starting the push for GIJOE. In the end, his death and the death of his wife and son were on his conscience.

  As if sensing his thoughts, Jaye's voice broke his reverie.

  "No one blame's you...my father would have pursued this with or without you. It was the kind of man he was."

  "Hmmm...I know that, doesn't stop it from haunting me though..."

  "The hurt doesn't go away either...no matter what you tell yourself." Her eyes were getting moist, and he reached out and took her hand.

  "No...but it gets easier to handle as time goes on."

  She smiled and nodded and he leaned back in his chair. Time to get back to business.

  "You have two choices here, Alison...You can go back to civilian life...you certainly won't ever want for money...you can resign now and I can make a few phone calls to make these charges disappear..."

  "Then there is only one choice..."

  He looked up at her and smiled, genuinely pleased by the woman she had become. Flint was a lucky man.

  "I thought that was what you were going to say." He threw a business card in her direction. She caught it easily.

  "Commander Rabb?"

  "That's the JAG attorney I chose to represent you. He has already been briefed about your case and is willing to take it on. He's the best...Navy...but the best...And I needn't tell you I will be behind you with all the clout I can muster..." He leaned forward and treated her to one of his patented `menacing general' glares. "But if you ever EVER pull another hair-brained stunt like that again I will personally throw your ass in the brig."

  She merely smiled back at him...

  "Don't worry Uncle Clay...I think you might have to stand in line for that pleasure..."

  He sighed and shook his head in mock exasperation...

  "Get out of my sight Corporal...before I change my mind..." She got up quickly and made her way to the door but he stopped her before she had a chance to leave. He needed to know.

  "Do you love him Alison?"

  She looked back at him and paused, wondering at the direct and personal nature of the question.

  "Do you?" he persisted.

  "With all my heart..."

  He smiled then and waved her out.

  Susan was right. It was time to let go. She was all grown up now... It was time for someone else to take over the responsibility of keeping her safe.

  "Well, Andy," he thought to himself, "I think your little girl is going to be ok."

  He smiled as he saw Flint grab her in a gentle embrace before they both made their way, arm in arm...out onto the base.

  "Yes...I think she's going to be just fine."

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To Be Concluded!
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