The idea for this story was about 50% inspired by one of my favorite NCIS:LA stories and 50% inspired by that happy little Sam-centric bunny trail my thoughts take me on sometimes. I hope you enjoy!
If you read the most recent SAMTASTIC update (chapter 4), then you are already familiar with this chapter.
Chapter One: Unseen Pictures
"What the hell was that Braddock?!" Ed raged as he glared at the blonde rookie. The suspects hadn't even been handed over to the unis before Ed started yelling. "You deliberately went against orders AND you broke cover!"
Sam zoned out as Ed continued his rampage. He had heard it all before. Several times. He'd been on Team One for over a month now and things were just as rocky as they were day one.
The SRU was completely different than JTF2; the shoot-first, ask questions later mentality he'd had for so long wasn't going to cut it anymore. He knew that and he was trying his hardest to change, but none of his "teammates" even seemed willing to help him; all they did was berate him.
Not one member of Team One bothered to correct him when he made a mistake or help him when they saw him struggling; they just yelled at him.
Not one member of Team One bothered to get to know him; they just judged him based on preconceived notions regarding his military background and the comments of others.
This day was no different, though Sam thought it should have been. Ed assigned him Sierra one and ordered him to specific position. Sam went without argument, like the good soldier he'd been raised to be, even though he knew it wasn't the best position from a tactical standpoint.
When things started going south with the gunmen, Sam made the decision to break cover and move from his Sierra spot to a position that was more exposed, but tactically better to watch his teammates' backs.
If looks could kill, Sam would've been dead fifty times over from the menacing look he saw on Ed's face through his scope. It was a look that would've installed fear in anyone else but for Sam, it just foreshadowed the explosive dressing down he was sure to get; the same dressing down he got every time he did something "wrong".
Greg was able to talk both gunmen down and get everyone out safely. The hostages were safe, no one was harmed and no lives had to be taken. Everyone saw the call as a success, except for Ed. The only thing Ed saw was Sam disobeying his orders, just like he always did.
"Well?! Are you going to say anything Sam or are you just going to stand there?" Ed roared, staring at the silent ex-Special Forces soldier in front of him. He watched as the faraway look in Sam's eyes was replaced with a look of anger.
Sam sighed. He was tired of being treated like an outsider with no skills. "Things started going south and the subjects moved. I didn't have a clear enough visual on them, the hostages or any of you guys in the position you put me in, so I moved."
Ed exhaled loudly. "Next time you want to go against orders, you better clear it with me or the boss first."
Ed turned to walk away and Sam rolled his eyes. "Like asking permission would make a difference," Sam mumbled.
Ed stopped dead in his tracks and turned around to face Sam, a terrifying look on his face. "What was that Braddock?"
By this time, Greg, Wordy, Spike, Lou and Jules had made it back to the SUVs where Sam and Ed were having their talk. The five of them looked at Sam, waiting to see if cocky rookie answered.
"I said 'like asking permission would make a difference'." Sam answered, staring back at Ed with a glare that was just as fierce. He crossed his arms tightly across his chest and continued talking. "I go against orders; I get yelled at. I put my opinion out there or speak my mind about something, I get yelled at. Whatever it is, no matter how big or small, I get yelled at for my 'shoot first, ask questions later soldier mentality' and yet NO ONE here has even bothered to try and help me or show me the ropes. You throw me into the scene and wait for me to fail. You want my respect? It's a two-way street."
No one had ever heard Sam blow up like that with anyone, especially Ed. They were all so shocked by his outburst that no one said anything; they just stared at him, mouths ajar.
Sam didn't know what came over him, but he had had enough of Ed's crap. All of the anger and emotions he had been bottling up since joining SRU suddenly burst out of him and, for once, he didn't bother to try and push them back down.
"I'll follow your lead and obey your orders," Sam continued, "but if you think for one second that I'm going to stand by and let someone hurt the members on my team while I wait for permission, you are sadly mistaken."
Before either Sam or Ed could say anything else, Greg and Wordy both stepped in to separate the two hotheads before their verbal sparring turned into physical sparring.
Sending his TL and rookie to two different SUVs, Greg shook his head at the current state of his team. Once Team One's job was done, and the unis had the scene under control, everyone got back in the SUVs to head back to the Barn for debrief—a debrief none of them were looking forward too.
...
Debrief went the same as all the rest. No one saw the reason behind Sam breaking cover—all they saw was him disobeying orders. No one tried to see his side of things, or even hear him out. No one even tried to stick up for him and stop the multitude of yelling aimed at him.
Sam figured he'd be used to being yelled at by now. After all, growing up with General Badass as a father and spending years in the military had him well-versed in all types of yelling. However, Sam joined the SRU expecting it to be different, but he was learning first hand that it was not different at all.
...
Sam was the last one to enter the locker room after the debrief ended, a phone call delaying his arrival. By the time he made it in and was changing back into his civilian clothes the other members of Team One were dressed and ready to head out to grab an after-shift drink.
As Sam sat on the bench in front of his locker to put his shoes on, he found himself staring at the many, many pictures on his locker door—pictures he was sure his team hadn't even noticed.
The exhaustion that came with being hated by your entire team was really start to wear on Sam. He reached up to rub his forehead, trying to suppress the headache that threatened to start, and immediately heard scoffs from his teammates. He heard murmurs about how he was "sulking" after being chewed out but he paid them no mind and finished getting dressed.
As Sam stood up ready to go, Ed, Greg, Wordy, Spike and Lou all passed behind him on their way out of the locker room. They walked right past him, not bothering to invite him out with them, not bothering to tell him goodbye; they didn't even bother a simple look his way.
Had they looked back at him, they would've seen straight into his locker and the pictures that covered the back of his locker door—pictures of one thing in particular; an adorable little girl, no older than 2, with blonde hair and bright blue eyes.
Just like her daddy.