"And she said yes?" Karyn asked.
"Yeah, rather surprising though," Winston responded. "He was really nervous when he asked if he should."
Karyn could tell something was up.
Winston was not the best at masking his emotions.
"Winston, what happened?" Karyn demanded.
"Listen, it's classified." Winston said.
Karyn sighed. "Fine, don't tell me."
Winston hung up.
"Gia, honey, come down for a snack."
Gia ran down the stairs, her hair was done up into a bun, she waved around a stick. "I'm the black scarlet!" she said in a quiet voice. "Ha!"
Karyn laughed. "Put the stick down and have a snack."
"Mommy, can I go and play with Kya?" Gia asked.
"We're going to her house for dinner tonight." Karyn responded.
"Will Daddy be there?" she urged.
"No, but Auntie Aria will be there with Uncle Jax."
Gia smiled and ran back upstairs screaming "Charge!"
Karyn laughed and put Gia's dishes away. She heard a knock on the door. She went up to open it but felt a hand on her shoulder.
"I wouldn't open that if I were you."
Karyn jumped back.
Aria sat on the dinner table.
"How… what… where." Karyn stuttered.
"I just climbed through your living room window, rolled behind that counter and sat on the table."
"where's Jax?" Karyn asked.
Jax came tumbling down the stairs. "Aria, we're taking the back door next time."
Karyn heard the knock again.
"Stop, I'll open it." Aria said, pushing Karyn aside. Aria opened the door.
Karyn peeked out the door.
Outside was Kya. She stared at Aria in awe.
Jax poked his head out. "Hey kid, we don't give autographs, so you can leave now."
Karyn raised an eyebrow. "This is Gia's best friend, let her in."
Aria moved aside and Kya came in still staring at her. "This is kind of creepy."
"Gia, Kya's here."
Gia came running down the stairs.
"You didn't tell me you knew the Black Scarlet." Kya said happily.
Aria looked at Karyn, "What is going on here?"
"Well, Gia told Kya that you live next door." Karyn said.
"Great, just great." Jax groaned.
"Gia, you and Kya play upstairs." Karyn said.
"ok." Gia smiled.
"Can I be Black Scarlet this time?" Kya asked.
"You can be Nightingale." Gia replied.
Aria collapsed onto the table. "Did she have to say Kathalene's codename?"
"What, she always says it."
"Did Winston not tell you?" Jax asked.
"That you guys are engaged, of course he did."
Aria whispered something to Jax.
"Hayden Zi, the sergeant," Jax said. "He shot Kathalene."
Aria pounded the table, "that son of a…"
"Don't say it." Karyn said.
"I was going to say gun." Aria said.
Jax nudged Aria, "Can I tell her?"
Aria nodded.
"So, we're leaving the army." Jax said. "Surprise!"
Karyn's jaw dropped. "What, but the army is your life."
"It is, but Aria has a score to settle, once she settles it, we're on the run." Jax said.
"No, you're going after Hitler." Karyn groaned. "Aria, you can't do that."
"I'm an assassin, I can take care of myself." Aria responded "And besides, I still keep in touch with some of my old friends who are officers for the government.
"This is a bad idea," Karyn said, "At least bring some help."
"I will, Winston's coming." Aria said.
Karyn fell to the floor. The last thing she heard was Jax's voice.
"Too much?" He asked.