Once she was cleared, they were in the air and heading home. Knowing the debriefing was going to be long, Jaye decided to get some sleep before facing Duke and Hawk. She curled up in one of the chairs and drifted off.

"What the hell is that stuff all over her face?" Flint asked Scarlett, watching the sleeping Jaye. "And who the hell is she supposed to be in that getup? She'll need to shower and change once we get back to base. Do you think you could get her back to your apartment…"

"Flint," Scarlett put a hand on his shoulder. "Enough. We don't know what she's been through. She survived, though, and got back to us alive. Be grateful for that."

Flint was silent, not sure what to say. Scarlett was right. So some of the guys will see her in this getup, he winced. She was sexy as hell, in a dark-looking way, but it didn't mean he wanted the others to see her that way!

Soon they were back on base. Flint was grateful they arrived in the middle of the night and few saw Jaye dressed as she was.

The nap had done her good, and she was anxious to take a shower and get back to her own self.

"Flint, I don't need a personal escort," she commented as she saw he meant to follow her to her door.

"Just want to make sure you're okay," he confessed. "Do you want me to wait around…"

"I'm fine," she said, squeezing his arm. She leaned up and gave him a soft kiss. "I need to get back to myself before meeting with Duke later. I promise that you and I will have time to talk, just not now."

He was disappointed, but understood. Scarlett followed her in and shut the door firmly behind them.

Once she showered, Jaye felt much better. She used her special shampoo to wash out color and watched the water run black at the base of the shower. She flinched when the warm water hit her upper arm where she had been shot, and told herself she had to go see Lifeline before seeing Duke to have it properly taken care of.

"Now you're looking more like you," Scarlett commented when Jaye came into their common living area. "I thought Flint was going to have a stroke when he realized it was you!" she smiled.

Jaye went up and hugged Scarlett. "Thanks," she whispered, "for everything. For getting the message, understanding it, and being there. I may not have made it without you."

Scarlett looked embarrassed. "Just doing my job. Interesting message. Who was that?"

Jaye laughed. "Franco. Don't ask! You'll hear about it soon enough."

"Ready to go?" asked Scarlett.

Jaye sighed. "I need to go see Lifeline first about something, but then I'll be there. Let Duke know, ok? You know he'd have a coronary if I didn'thave Lifeline check me out first."

"Sure," Scarlett said, puzzled. She knew how much Jaye hated the infirmary and wondered why she wasn't waiting until Duke ordered it. Had she gotten hurt? She studied her friend, but didn't see any noticeable injuries. She shrugged. "Okay, I'll let him know. See you there."

Scarlett left first and Jaye, after checking her appearance one more time, making sure all the makeup and tattoos were gone, went in the direction of the infirmary. Needless to say, Lifeline was speechless when he looked up from the article he was reading and saw Lady Jaye standing there.

She sighed, noting his look. Was she really that bad? She thought about it. Yeah, she was. "I have something I need you to look at."

She pulled up her sleeve and unwrapped the bandage. Lifeline sucked in some air. "Gunshot. Who got it out?"

"I did. Had to break into a clinic and borrow some things." She reached into her pocket and pulled out the bottle of antibiotics, now empty. "Also had to borrow these. Didn't want it infected since I wasn't sure where I'd be."

He nodded. "A good choice, considering. Unfortunately, I think it wasn't as effective as you thought. I'm going to need to give you a shot of stronger antibiotics, then it shouldn't be bothering you anymore and will heal up nicely. Is it giving you any trouble?"

"Not really," she replied, "but then again, I've had other things to dwell on." She let him give her the shot and then made her way to Duke's office.

Duke looked up as she entered. It was around 6am and he was already at work. Probably worked most of the night, she figured, studying his face. "We're meeting with Hawk in the conference room," Duke stated. "Flint, Scarlett, Gung Ho, and Roadblock will also be there to give their part. You ready?"

She nodded. He stood up and walked around his desk. "Glad you're back safe," he said softly and surprised her by giving her a hug.

"Thanks," she murmured, embarrassed, following him to the conference room. Flint smiled at her as she entered, relieved she looked more like his Alison than whoever she had been before.

They started with Roadblock, and then Gung Ho's account of what had gone down. Jaye was relieved they had found Gung Ho in Greece where she had left him and that no harm had come to him. She gave her story, starting at the time she met up with Zartan, omitting her gunshot wound, touched on her new Italian friends, and ended at the Square.

She was a little embarrassed by their scrutiny. Hawk was the first to speak. "Lady Jaye," he said softly, "I can honestly say that I am proud that you are a member of our team. I don't know how you do it.." he trailed off.

Jaye shrugged. "Just doing my job," she said simply.

Duke cleared his throat and stood. "Still on the board, though, Lady Jaye, is the Sheik's offer. While he said to tell you that he sends his deepest apologies for the attack, he wants to let you know that his offer still stands." Lady Jaye couldn't meet Flint's eyes. Who knows what he was thinking at this point!

She smiled at Duke. "Tell the Sheik thank you, that I am most honored and humbled by his offer, but that I have decided to remain where I am now." Duke nodded, a look of relief passing across his face.

After the meeting, Scarlett went over to Duke. "What was that about?" she asked.

Duke shrugged. "She was offered head of security at his compound."

Scarlett looked at Duke like there was more to the story, but he remained silent. She knew she'd get it out of him sooner or later, if she wanted to.

Flint walked Lady Jaye back to her quarters.

"You didn't tell me…" he began, but she interrupted him.

"It's nothing. He wanted me to be his head of security, that's all." She shrugged. "I wasn't quite cut out for desert life," she quipped.

He smiled at her. "What are you cut out for, then?"

She glanced coyly at him. "Don't you already know?"

She had missed him. They still needed to have that talk about their relationship, but for now, they had the matter of her welcome home party…for two. The talk could wait, for now.