"You can go with him, or stay with me.  Your call."

Emerald eyes narrowed in suspicious annoyance.  Fiery red hair, though pulled back, seemed to almost bristle.

"You mean stay with the unit..."

"You heard what I said..."

Blue eyes returned the stare, though the owner's body didn't posture.  A somewhat knowing grin threatened to turn the corners of his mouth upwards, but he remained composed.  At the same time, he was almost mocking the situation.

He was finding humor in making the woman choose once and for all between himself and one other.

Though his thoughts were clearly suggesting that he was the victor...

Scarlett's eyes widened in some surprise, but her expression returned back to an annoyed and tense glower.

"Just like that?" she questioned, only wanting to confirm for certain that the First Sergeant knew exactly what he was asking.

"Just like that."

Duke didn't have to glance around over his right shoulder.  He could feel the dangerous air emanating from the doorway.  He didn't have to hear a sound to know he was being snarled at, nor did he have to feel anything to know he had a target strapped to his back.

Snake-Eyes had put up with a lot of crap from just about everyone, mostly Duke.  The man seemed to have the outs for him and was always trying to get in the way.  He was a disrespectful showboat when it came to just about everyone but himself.  It drove the Ninja insane with rage that he knew better than to act upon.

What made it worse, they were having this conversation in the presence of a deceased fellow Joe.  Bazooka had been slaughtered by Cobra and several explosives had also killed a few crew members aboard the USS Flagg, and the supposed 'Squad Leader' was pushing for answers to a one sided love triangle that he assumed he could throw himself into.

It was disgusting, crude, disrespectful and downright inappropriate.

Snake-Eyes did not appreciate moves being made on his long-time girlfriend, nor did he find it appealing for the conversation to take place in the morgue.

He knew before Scarlett said anything what her answer would be, and he was grateful and relieved.  However, unlike his superior, he wasn't going to gloat about it.

The redhead unfolded her arms and took several steps to approach the G.I. Joe second-in-command.

The unmasked male straightened up, welcoming her close range and bracing for her favorable response.

Scarlett's fist landed squarely against the left side of his egotistical jaw and threw his head forcefully back and to the right.  His bones cracked under her well placed and heavily trained knuckles.

All sense left him and he staggered back, catching himself on the edge of the examination table where Bazooka lay.

"Go f*** yourself." she hissed venomously.  "Joes are dead or dying and you think you can bring this up?  I already told you I wouldn't even consider a single drink in the mess hall with you, a**hole.  I'm with Snake-Eyes and that's that."

Leaving the First Sergeant to lick his wounds, the woman strode purposefully passed him and made her way to the door.  She paused briefly to turn over her right shoulder and address the dark clothed shadow.

"Let's go, Snakes.  I'm not staying here, and I'm sure as hell not letting you go to Japan alone."

Goggled gaze found her frame and silently seemed to respond.  It was something that no-one else could understand, but the redhead would no doubt know exactly what he was saying.

She growled softly in her chest and whipped her head around to avoid making eye contact.

"Don't give me that look... I'm not running away because I'm angry and want to kill the idiot... I'm leaving because I'm not letting you face Storm Shadow by yourself again.  I'm a big girl and staying here won't protect me if you're not around to do it."