FanFic

CHAPTER 3

McQueen slept fitfully; fragments of his conversation with Ross slipped in and out of his dreams, making it all but impossible to do anything but toss and turn. As a result, he was awake long before his alarm went off or reveille sounded. He chose to remain in his bunk, his duties all secondary with the 58th on down time. It was one of the rare luxuries he allowed himself. As he stared up at the darkness, he felt the beginnings of a headache brought on by too much stress and too little sleep. It was a dull ache; one he'd learned long ago to ignore. His life would be so much simpler if it were really true that In Vitros didn't dream.

He closed his eyes with a sigh and let his thoughts drift back over his relationship with Torie. Victoria. Ross hated the diminutive. Ty wondered if Ross had been right about her falling for him at their first meeting. She had been a kid then but he'd still enjoyed her friendship. She was bright and funny and didn't seem to care that he was an In Vitro. He had been so…gun shy about so much that her acceptance had been very important.

It had been nothing but a friendship for years. Ty made it a point to stop by the Ross home whenever he was in the area and both Torie and her mother, Simone, made him feel welcomed, even when Ross wasn't around. Somewhere along the way he and Torie began a friendship unrelated to the one he had with her parents. He continued to stop but his visit would often end with the two of them going for a walk or to a movie on base. She even joined him for his early morning runs on more than one occasion. Ross had never objected. In fact he'd said that he knew she was safe with Ty…

Ty swore softly and sat up. He'd forgotten all about that conversation with Ross. Now, in light of the one they'd had the previous night, Ty found himself re-examining it. He didn't particularly want to, but he couldn't stop it.

They'd stepped outside after dinner one evening. Ross lit a cigar and neither of them had spoken for several minutes. The words came back so easily, so clearly…

"You know, Ty, there are only two things I love more than the Navy - Simone and Victoria. I know I don't need to worry too much about Simone. She's got too much grit to ever be completely dependent on me and I admire that. I do worry about Victoria, however. She spends a lot of time without her father, surrounded by a bunch of half-wild sailors and marines. That's why I'm glad you feel comfortable enough to hang around here. I know I have nothing to worry about when she's with you."

At the time, Ty had taken it as a compliment. Now he suddenly found another possible meaning to the simple statement. Was it because Ross trusted him…or because Ross didn't think he had anything to worry about because Ty was an In Vitro and wouldn't dare try anything?

Ty examined the question from all sides, trying to find an answer. It'd been a very long time since he'd felt this…insecure about anything. It was all so damned frustrating, especially when a large part of him knew he was being stupid. Ross was an excellent commander and an even better friend. To doubt him was foolish. Ty knew that, but he still couldn't quiet all of the doubts.

He final gave up and banished all of it as far from his thoughts as he could. He still had work to do and it all started with the morning briefing. If he didn't get moving, he'd be late.

***


Shane was up well before the others. She dressed quietly and headed for the mess hall, thoroughly enjoying the rare solitude. She went through the line, barely acknowledge the greetings she received, and took her tray to a corner table. She ate without really tasting anything, her thoughts on James. He'd managed to scare her last night and she had no idea what was behind any of it. His comments made little sense. Nothing about him made any sense. He disliked her; he disliked In Vitros, yet he'd voluntarily transferred into the 58th where he'd have to put up with both her and two In Vitros. It just didn't make sense.

Cooper joined her before she finished her meal. He dropped into a chair across from her and she tried to smile at him. It proved impossible to do.

"Shane, you gotta tell McQueen."

"No." She gathered her tray together and started to get up, not wanting to have the discussion Cooper seemed intent on having. She was surprised when he reached over and grabbed her arm, keeping her from leaving.

"Why not? He threatened you, Shane! You can't just ignore…"

"Cooper, I can do anything I want to do. I'm honcho, remember?" She jerked her arm away, the start of a headache suddenly throbbing at her temples.

"Not this time, Shane. Either you tell McQueen or I will." Cooper sat back and folded his arms across his chest. One look at the set of his jaw told Shane that he was completely serious.

She stared at him unable to believe he was being so…so…frustratingly sweet. She folded her arms on the table and leaned toward him, trying to draw him in and reassure him.

"I know you're concerned, Coop, and I really appreciate it, but I can't take this to McQueen. I don't think James would've done anything stupid…"

"He looked pretty serious to me."

"I know. Look, he's concerned about his career, right? I mean, he told you that himself. He won't transfer out because of how it would look. So I don't think he'd really do anything that might put his career on the line. He doesn't like me, Coop. I can live with that. I can live with having to be careful around him. I can't live with going to McQueen and telling him that I can't handle a jerk like James."

"Why not? He's not gonna think anything bad about you if you do. You know he won't. He trusts you, Shane…"

"McQueen trusts all of us, Cooper. I…it's just that I don't want to involve him until I know what the hell this is all about. Give me a couple of days, okay? If I haven't figured it out by then and if James is still bothering me, I'll go to McQueen. Okay?"

Cooper studied her for several very long moments and Shane was afraid he wouldn't believe her.

"Yeah, okay. But if he does anything like last night…"

"I'll report it immediately. Thanks, Cooper."

She stayed to keep him company while he ate; leaving only after the others had joined them. James was no where to be seen and that suited Shane just fine. She really didn't care if she ever saw him again.

***

They were back at it by 0500 the next morning, flying a joint mission with the 43rd. The two squadrons got along well, engaging in a friendly rivalry that rarely got out of hand. Her counter-part was Lt. Lee Parker, an easy-going, seasoned veteran people just seemed to like. He and Shane got along very well and there was rarely friction when they flew together. The 43rd followed her orders as readily as they did his and vice versa for the 58th.

The mission was supposed to be "routine", but as always, McQueen warned them against treating it as such. The Chigs had been way too quiet and he'd told them all to be ready for anything.

Three hours into the mission, Shane found herself wondering if McQueen wasn't psychic when they were jumped by three squadrons of Chigs, the fighting suddenly beyond intense. The 43rd lost two planes in a matter of seconds and both Witt and Grant took hits that disabled their Hammerheads. Shane ordered them to fall back as the fighting continued. She found herself wondering if they would be able to pull this one off.

Seconds later, Parker lost one of his wings and for a moment all Shane could see was John's plane spiraling into the clouds below her. She was unable to react, unable to shake the image for what seemed like eternity. When she finally did, Parker's Hammerhead was gone and the battle was still raging around her. She slowly rejoined the fighting, shaken by what had happened.

Ten minutes later it was all over. The few remaining Chigs bugged out and McQueen ordered them back to base. Shane fought for an explanation for what had happened; she'd never frozen before and she wasn't ready to admit that she had this time. But…Parker was dead and she'd been the only one close enough to save him. No explanation would change that fact, nor would it change the fact that her squadron was returning whole, if somewhat bloodied, while the 43rd was returning without Parker, Leeds, and Farmer.

She remained in her cockpit long after it was raised from the deck below. When West and Hawkes started towards her, McQueen stepped in and sent them to shower before the debriefing. He approached Vansen slowly, wanting to give her whatever time she needed. Her reaction…or her lack of reaction worried him a great deal. Vansen was tougher than that.

"Everything okay, Vansen?" He stood next to her cockpit, immediately noticing the almost confused look in her eyes.

She glanced up at him slowly. "What?"

McQueen frowned and crouched down next to her. This was nothing like what he'd come to expect from her. Vansen always shook things off, at least on the outside.

"I asked if everything was all right." He reached in and took her flight helmet out of her hands.

"I…yes, sir." She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "Everything's fine, sir."

"All right." McQueen watched as she seemed to literally pull herself out of whatever funk she was in. He stood up and helped her out of the cockpit. "Debriefing after you've cleaned up."

"Yes, sir." She took her helmet back before glancing up at him. "Colonel, I…" She stopped, not knowing what she wanted to say. "Never mind, sir."

McQueen nodded and Shane slowly headed for her quarters. She kept replaying the scene in her mind, trying to figure out what had happened and why. The only explanation available was the one Shane couldn't accept - she had frozen.

By the time she reached their quarters, everyone else had showered and was heading out to meet with McQueen for the debriefing. Shane gave them all what she hoped was a reassuring smile and then headed for the shower. She felt like she was moving in slow motion without a clue as to how to change it.

She'd already stowed her gear in her locker before she realized that she wasn't alone. James was seated on his bunk, watching her, a coldness in his eyes that unnerved her further.

"You've been debriefed, James?" She was surprised by how normal she sounded.

"Not yet. I wanted to talk to you, first." He stood up and slowly walked toward her. "Without your pet Tank around to interfere."

"Quit calling him that!" Shane forced herself to stay still. Like she'd told Cooper, James wouldn't really do anything to her. He wouldn't be that stupid. "It's a bad idea to keep Col. McQueen waiting…"

"This will only take a second." He stopped several steps in front of her. "I just wanted to make sure you know that I know what happened out there." His voice was soft; barely more than a whisper and it sent a chill through her.

"I don't know what you're talking about, James."

"You froze, Vansen. You froze and Parker got waxed because of it. That's what I'm talking about."

"That's…"

"The truth, Vansen." He took a step closer and Shane couldn't help taking a step back. "You froze and I saw it. How's your precious McQueen going to react to that little piece of information? How's he going to feel when I tell him that one of his precious little Wild Cards is a coward?"

Shane reacted without thinking and pushed James with both hands, forcing him back several steps. She was trembling with anger and fighting to maintain some semblance of control.

"I'm not a coward, James, and you can tell McQueen whatever the hell you want to. He won't believe you."

"He'll have to follow up on it, Vansen, whether he believes me or not." The venom in his voice was unmistakable. "And there's nothing you can do about it."

"Why are you doing this to me!?"

"Because I can! You think you're so perfect, so…" He stopped as the hatch opened and Vanessa stepped into the room.

"James, the colonel wants to see you. Now." She moved aside, her attention never leaving the pair in front of her. James remained motionless. "It's a very bad idea to keep your commanding officer waiting, don't you think?"

He left without saying a word and 'Phousse shut the hatch after him. When she turned back to Vansen, she was startled to see tears trailing silently down Shane's face.

"Shane, are you all right? What'd he do…"

"Nothing, Vanessa." She angrily brushed the tears away. "It's nothing. Don't worry, okay?"

"Shane, you don't cry over nothing. What the hell is going on?"

"Nothing!" Shane knew she sounded way too shrill. She took a deep breath and tried again. "'Phousse, it's just a delayed reaction, that's all. James caught me crying and was just rubbing it in. Okay?"

'Phousse remained silent as she studied Shane. There was clearly more going on but she couldn't force Shane to level with her. Shane only opened up on her own terms.

"Yeah, okay. Come on. I'll walk back with you."

She linked her arm through Vansen's and was rewarded with the ghost of a smile.

***

She'd finished her debriefing with McQueen and he hadn't mentioned anything about James' accusation. Shane sat back and watched as McQueen finished the report and sent it off. What was he waiting for?

"Was there something else, Lt. Vansen?" McQueen was surprised when Vansen stayed seated across from him.

"I…sir, I…would you tell me if anyone reported anything…wrong with the mission?"

"Wrong, Vansen?" She simply nodded, not quite meeting his penetrating gaze. "Wrong how?"

"I…just wrong, sir."

"I see." His tone indicated that he really didn't see. "Lieutenant, if you feel there was something wrong with the mission, it is your duty to report it."

"I know that, sir, and if I thought something was wrong, I would report it, sir. It…Lt. James made an off-hand comment that led me to believe he thought something was wrong. I'm just curious, sir."

"Lt. James reported nothing out of the ordinary, Vansen."

Shane closed her eyes as relief washed over her. "I must have misunderstood him, sir. Thank you."

"Dismissed."

McQueen watched Shane leave before accessing Lt. James' statement again. He went over it carefully and found nothing out of the ordinary. James had given the same basic report as had all the others. He slowly closed the laptop and sat back in his seat. Whatever was wrong with the Wild Cards was obviously not yet under control, which meant it was something that Vansen couldn't handle on her own. That told McQueen a great deal.

***

Shane stayed away from their quarters. She didn't have the strength to deal with James or the rest of the Cards. She was still searching for answers and was no closer to finding an acceptable one then she had been before.

She finally ended up in the Tun. After getting a beer she absently selected "Never No More" from the playlist before moving over to stand staring out the port. The song only reminded her that it wasn't getting any easier and Shane was beginning to wonder if it ever would. A part of her realized that if she hadn't been able to put her parent's death behind her, she probably didn't stand much of a chance to put John's death behind her. It wasn't a comforting thought.

When the song finished playing, Shane's thoughts moved back to James. Why hadn't he accused her of cowardice? He'd made it perfectly clear that he was looking for a way to hurt her, to damage her career and his accusation would have done that. His silence made no sense and it put her even more on edge. Maybe she should go to McQueen and tell him about it. It wouldn't change the facts but maybe it might help save her career. Would they take into account the fact that she'd reported herself? Or would she simply be destroying her career before James did? The thought of beating James to the punch brought a brief smile to her face. At least she'd be able to keep him from gloating about it.

"Let it go, Shane." Wang's quiet voice from behind her pulled her out of her rather morbid thoughts. She turned to face him.

"Let what go, Paul?" She glanced around the tavern and was slightly surprised to not see the others.

"Whatever you're beating yourself up over. 'Phousse told me you'd been crying…"

"Damphousse needs to learn to keep her mouth shut." She didn't even try to keep her irritation from her voice. "It was just a delayed reaction, Wang."

"To what? All of the death and destruction we've seen or just Parker's? Or maybe it's just Captain Oakes' death…"

"Is there a point to all of this, Paul?" The irritation morphed into a chill. Shane did not want to talk about John with anyone.

"Yes, Shane, there is. You haven't done anything wrong. You didn't cause Parker's death and you couldn't have done anything to stop Oakes from dying. He made his choice and you have to accept that."

"Accept it?? How am I supposed to accept it, Paul? John didn't just die! He wasn't just killed in battle! How am I supposed to accept that?"

"I don't know, Shane. I do know that if you don't, you're going to end up a basket case and you will get someone killed. Probably yourself. I don't want that to happen." Paul studied her carefully, wondering if he wasn't being foolish. "John didn't want that to happen either, Shane. He died saving you. If you throw that away you'll make his sacrifice completely meaningless. Don't do that, not to him and not to yourself."

Shane knew Paul meant well but somehow his words just made the pain that much worse. She pushed by him, unable to trust her voice, and left the tavern, ignoring the others as she went.

Paul watched her departure and reluctantly waited for the others to reach him. He didn't want to explain what he'd been trying to do. It was something that he still felt had needed to be said. Shane was way too good at blaming herself for things that weren't her fault.

"What's up with Shane?" Cooper sat down and almost glared at Paul. "What'd you do to upset her, Wang?"

"Nothing, Coop. Nothing at all. She just needs some time alone."

"She spends too much time alone. That ain't good, is it?"

"That depends, Coop." 'Phousse joined Cooper at the table. "Sometimes being alone lets you sort things out. You go off by yourself to think, don't you?"

"Yeah, but…" Cooper stopped reluctantly. He couldn't say anything about James without pissing Shane off. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm getting a beer."

***

After leaving the Tun Shane began to fume. She knew Paul was right but she was getting tired of everyone telling her what and how she should feel. She was a Marine and had to take orders but that didn't mean she had to listen while everyone else told her how to feel or how to act. Her feelings were her own. Since when was it anyone's business how she felt…

The question brought her to a complete halt in the corridor as the answer came to her. Since James joined the 58th. This had all started when James had come onboard and started in on her. His attitude, along with the dreams she'd been having, had left her so off-kilter that she no longer knew how she felt or how she should act. The realization made her furious. It had to stop. It was going to stop. Now.

She found James in their quarters. He was asleep in his rack, apparently without a care in the world. Shane slammed the hatch shut and moved toward his bunk. James was startled out of a sound sleep. When he saw Shane, he sat up with a curse.

"What the fuck are you doing, Vansen!? I was sleeping…"

"That's too bad, James. I've had it with you and your…pathetic little games. We're going to settle whatever this is and we're going to settle it now…"

"Settle what now? What are you talking about?" James tried to stand up but Shane pushed him back down onto the bunk.

"Why didn't you tell McQueen that I froze out there?" She was amazed by how calm she sounded. She certainly didn't feel that calm.

"What makes you think I didn't?" James again tried to stand only to be pushed back down.

"I asked McQueen. He told me you filed the same report as everyone else. Don't even suggest that he'd lie to me. He wouldn't. Why didn't you tell him?"

James studied the woman who was suddenly able to tower over him. She was clearly furious. John had told him about her temper, about how dangerous it made her. James was finally seeing why.

"Because I didn't want to…"

"Bullshit, James. You've been out to get me ever since you came onboard the 'Toga. If you really believed I froze out there, there's no way you would've just passed up the chance to torpedo my career…"

"Unless I want to wait for a better time." James was ready for her this time and was able to push her back and stand up. "Unless I'd get more pleasure out of watching you squirm then I would from turning you in."

Something inside Shane broke and the anger simply vanished. It was replaced by a calm that she'd been missing since John's death. She had no explanation for it nor did she even want one.

"Well, James, if that's the truth then you're going to be disappointed. You don't know what happened to me out there and I don't give a damned what you think about it or about me. Go to McQueen, don't go to McQueen. I don't care. Go ahead and hate me. Do whatever you want, think whatever you like about me. From this moment on, I don't care. But, you hear this and you hear it loud and clear. You are a member of the Wild Cards. You volunteered to join us. We didn't go looking for you, you came looking for us. I'm done worrying about you and why you don't like me. Your only choice is to get with the program or get the hell out. Is that clear?"

"Who the hell do you think you are?" James was the furious one now. "Why…"

"I'm the honcho of the Wild Cards, James. Get that through your thick skull. I'm second in command. That means I take orders from McQueen and you take orders from me. Forget it again and I'll slap you down harder than I would a Chig. I'm through playing your little game. Get over it or get out. Your choice."

Shane turned on her heel and left the room without giving him a chance to reply. She felt more like herself than she had in a long time and it felt good.

James remained motionless, too stunned to react for several moments after Vansen's departure. John hadn't mentioned this part of her. After a few seconds he also left their quarters, no clear destination in mind.

***

McQueen was in the hanger checking on the repairs to Witt and Grant's planes. Movement in the briefing room caught his eye and he glanced up in time to see James kick over a row of chairs. It was clear he was furious. Ty decided it was time for him to deal with James and started for the briefing room. He stopped when James was joined by another pilot, one McQueen didn't recognize.

"Hey, Ethan! I've been looking for you, man. I…" The man noticed the chairs and hesitated for a moment

"Bobby?" James couldn't believe the sudden appearance of his friend. "What the hell are you doing here? Don't tell me the 128th's been assigned to the Saratoga."

"Wish I could, Ethan. We're only here for a couple of weeks. What's with the tantrum? Don't like being one of the Wild Cards?"

"Oh, man, Bobby! What in the hell was I thinking and why didn't you try to talk me out of it??" James righted one of the chairs and sat down.

"Why didn't I try to talk you out of it??" Bobby copied his actions and sat down facing James. "I talked myself hoarse, damn it. You just weren't listening."

"I know." James sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I wish like hell I had been listening. But when I couldn't get any info on John's death…I guess I quit listening."

"Have you learned anything more since you came here?"

"No and that makes me think they've got to be hiding something. There's no other explanation for it."

"Well, I hope you're being careful about it." Bobby glanced around the briefing room. "What's it like being one of the Wild Cards?"

"You tell me. The CO's a Tank, there's another damned Tank in the squadron and Vansen…Vansen's a coward. She froze our last time out and got a guy killed." James sat back and shook his head. "I must've been completely nuts thinking I could handle this."

"So what are you going to do? Transfer back to the 128?"

"No. Not until I get some answers. I can't let it go, Bobby. I need to know what happened."

"What you need to do, Ethan, is let go of the guilt. It's not like you weren't there for him because you didn't want to be. You were injured. Besides, you don't know it would've come out any different if you'd been with him. You might not have been able to keep him alive even if you'd been with him."

"Yeah, maybe. That's why I need to know what happened."

Both men feel silent. Ty remained where he was for several moments. The conversation had answered some of the questions he'd had about James but it had also raised some disturbing new ones, ones he would have to deal with soon.

***

After reviewing the audio of the battle and going over the reports once more, McQueen called Vansen to his office. Out of all the things needing to be dealt with, the condition of his second in command was the most vital. There was nothing in any of the reports that gave James' accusation credence, but he still needed to know what was behind that accusation. He closed the file and stood up when the rap came on his hatch.

"In." He stepped back and folded his arms across his chest. Shane entered and came to attention.

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, Lieutenant, I did. Ty motioned to the chair next to his desk. "Have a seat." He remained standing, arms still folded across his chest.

"Is something wrong, sir?" Shane sat stiffly on the edge of the chair, her body language telling Ty a great deal.

"My question exactly, Lieutenant. Is something wrong?"

Shane met his steady gaze for a few seconds before dropping her attention to the floor. "I'm not sure what you're…"

"No, Lieutenant." He moved over and sat down opposite her. She glanced up, clearly puzzled.

"No, sir? I don't understand…"

"No more avoiding whatever this is. I've let it go because I believed you could and would deal with it by yourself. That has obviously not happened. What's the problem? Actually, to be more direct; what's your problem?"

"I don't have a…" Shane responded without thinking. The look on McQueen's face silenced her.

"What kind of report did you expect Lt. James to file?" He spoke quietly understanding how difficult this sort of thing was for her.

"I explained that already." Shane spoke softly, once again avoiding his intent gaze.

Ty sat back and studied the young woman. She'd been through so much already and had handled it all damned well. She was an excellent pilot, an excellent Marine, and a damned fine officer. He didn't want to see any of that ruined.

"You came to me once when you had doubts about your abilities to command a mission. Does whatever is happening now have anything to do with that situation?"

"I…no, sir." Shane once again looked down; this time studying her hands as they lay folded in her lap. After a moment she took a deep breath and looked up at him. She could trust this man with her life. She knew that. "May I ask a question before answering yours, sir?" McQueen simply nodded. "Did you notice anything unusual during the battle? About me, my actions?"

"No, Shane, I didn't. None of the reports indicate anything out of the ordinary, either. What is it you think you did wrong?"

"I'm not sure I did anything wrong, sir. Lt. James made a remark…he accused me of something…and I'm trying to figure out if he was right."

"Cowardice." McQueen stated the accusation softly but Shane still flinched.

"Yes, sir." She could barely get the words out and the room suddenly felt way too hot.

"There's nothing to back an accusation of that nature up, Shane. Tell me why you think he's right."

"But I don't…" She stopped, realizing that she did think James was right. "When Parker got hit, he lost part of a wing…and for a few seconds all I could see was John's plane…by the time I pulled myself back together, Parker was gone." She paused and glanced up, trying to figure out how McQueen was reacting to her words. "James said I froze, sir."

"Did you?" It wasn't exactly what he'd been expecting but it was something that could be dealt with.

"I…that's what I'm not sure about, sir. Is that what freezing is?"

"You tell me, Shane. Were you unable to react because you were overwhelmed by fear, or were you momentarily overcome by the similarity between what happened to Captain Oakes and by what was happening to Lt. Parker?"

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"If it is, Shane, there are a whole bunch of people in the Corps who are cowards, including me."

"You, sir?" Ty wanted to laugh at the incredulity in her voice.

"Yes, Shane, me. I was a POW during the AI War and I was tortured. After three days, I broke. It was by far, the hardest, most humiliating moment of my life. The first time I had to confront an AI after that…when I first heard that sound again…for a few seconds I was back in the room where they tortured me. There are times, to this day, when that sound can cause me to break out in a cold sweat."

"What did you do, sir? I mean, how do you handle it?"

"There's no easy way to handle it, Shane. You have to accept that it happened and that it could happen again. Then you have to do whatever it takes to make sure it doesn't happen again. Do you feel your ability to fight will be hampered the next time you go out?"

"I don't know. I don't think so but how do I know for sure?"

"You don't. You won't until you go out there and face the possibility. One moment of…indecision based on a traumatic event from your past is not cowardice, Shane. Cowardice is refusing to face that moment and over-come it."

"What if you're afraid to find out if you can face it?"

"Have you ever gone into battle without being afraid, Shane?" She simply shook her head. "Fear isn't always a bad thing. It's your mind's way of keeping your body from doing something stupid and getting yourself hurt. The pilots who claim not to be afraid are the ones that worry me, Shane, not the ones like you who can acknowledge that they are."

Shane remained silent for several moments, obviously thinking over what McQueen had said.

"Do you think I can do it, sir?"

"Think, Shane? No, I don't 'think' you can do it. I know you can."

"Thank you, sir." Shane couldn't hide the smile his words brought to her face.

"I'm just telling you the truth." McQueen paused for a moment, debating whether or not to continue. "If you feel you need a little…breathing room, I can assign West as honcho for tomorrow's mission…"

"No!" Shane cut him off immediately. Ty managed to hide his smile. "I mean, no, sir, that won't be necessary, sir."

"Very well, Lieutenant. Is there anything else we need to clear up?"

Shane hesitated for a few moments and McQueen thought she was going to say something about James.

"No, sir. Everything else is being handled, sir."

"That's good to hear, Lieutenant. Dismissed."

Shane stood up and moved to the doorway, pausing to look back at him.

"Thanks, Colonel. For everything."

He simply nodded and she disappeared through the doorway.

***

***

ON TO CHAPTER 4