Right Side Up

By MusketeerAdventure

Summary: Clay makes a momentous decision with the help of some reluctant advice and death defying circumstances. These are just some missing moments I would like to have seen in episode twelve of 'The Upside Down'.

Below Ground:

Stale air, dust and rocky debris pressed down all around him, and slithered down his nose – tickling his throat. It took almost every ounce of strength he had not to cough or sneeze and give away his position. Sweat trickled down his back; the sides of his face from beneath his helmet and merged in the hollow of his neck. Fear permeated through his uniform; and he hoped that no one above could sniff him out.

His knee was on fire as blood pooled down from the open wound down into his boot. With every step he took, redness squelched between the stitching and collected in the dirt – leaving an obvious tell that someone was down here, if you looked hard enough.

He could feel his knee swelling up like a balloon within minutes after freeing himself from beneath the fallen block of rock cement. It was tough to bend his knee as he hobbled around gathering his weapon and silencing his com.

Clay cursed silently, but knew that he was damn lucky to be alive. He looked up at the crumbling ceiling in awe. His neck should have been broken in that fall. Ray would call it karma. He only hoped he had more of it still left.

Crouching in the dark, Clay could hear the insurgents just above him – milling about setting up their anti-air-craft gun readying for what, he didn't know. Soon it would be light out, and his hiding place more than likely would be discovered. He hoped Ray could see his warning signal; and wearily sat down to wait for help, or to die.

Inspecting his knee, he cringed and knew that dying down here in this hole was not an option. Boss would only kill him again, and Stella would never forgive him.

Shifting to sit more comfortably, he hissed with pain as his knee jostled. In agony, he bit down hard on his gloved hand to keep from screaming. It wouldn't do to be found out now, to be dead when Boss came to collect him – cause without a doubt, Boss was coming.

It was one of his set rules, and he believed everything Boss told him. Hiding further into the shadows, he could practically hear Sonny's glib comments about his rescue; and pledged to steel himself in order to be ready for the ribbing to come. Sonny could be relentless.

Back against the wall, he held his weapon close to the vest and breathed deep to calm his nerves. An image of Stella seeped in and he could feel her at his side; smiling up at him in his favorite t-shirt; teasing him about his mocha shake with cream on top addiction.

Squeezing his eyes shut to blot out her appearance, he whispered, "I'm coming home babe", and regretted that he hadn't been more honest with her, that he wasn't good at communicating and hadn't spelled out his feelings; that he hadn't had the courage to say, "I love you."

She deserved more from him, or someone better. If he got out of here….no, when he got out of here, he would…..

Gun fire erupted above him, and Clay stood painfully to his feet ready to stand his ground. Smoke plumed around him, making it hard to see and Stella's presence dissipated and swirled away up toward the opening in the ceiling, now bathed in sunlight.

He wanted to shoot whatever, whoever came down that hole – but instead his training kicked in and he yelled out, "Eagle, Eagle, Eagle" in a parched and cracking voice- hoping against hope that this was his rescue and he wouldn't have to shoot his way through a surging regiment of the enemy.

Then a hand appeared attached to Boss' urgent voice, calling for him to "Come on, let's go home." Overwhelmed with relief, he shuffled over toward the opening, grabbed hold and was hauled up into the light.

Out on the street, the quiet was unnerving. Sonny took hold of him and guiding him about the shoulders murmured with assurance, "We're going home son….just hold on." Nodding, he gave it all of his effort, and limped out – letting Sonny do most of the work and take on his weight.

But he was so spent; his leg just not cooperating; and the pain was sapping what little energy he had left. Half way down the street Boss moved to his other side to grab ahold and help, but without his permission – his body gave up and slid boneless toward the ground.

"Sorry Boss", he muttered and realized he had no control over his own body. Suddenly he felt himself being picked up and slung over a shoulder. And as he let go and succumbed to oblivion – could hear Boss rumble through his back, "Almost there."

In the distance Clay could hear the whir of hammering blades as Stella uttered, "I'm here."

Above the Fray:

Once he realized that he was conscious, the thump of the blades overhead seemed to match his steady heartbeat. Cerberus lay close to his side, and Boss was watching him with an unreadable expression. Looking away from the intensity of that gaze, he took in his surroundings on the helo and could see the whole team seated around him.

Everyone looked worn out and weary; but they were alive. He breathed out a solemn "thank you", relieved that no one was lost because they had to come back for him.

Cerberus pressed close and moved to sit across his legs. He reached out and rubbed her back; accepting her welcomed comfort. He knew he wasn't supposed to pet her like this. Sonny had made it clear that she wasn't a pet…. That she was a soldier, like the rest of them – but he couldn't help it; and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Thank you girl", and scratched behind her ears. He could feel the pleased growl deep in her chest and playfully pounded her belly.

Clearing his throat he locked eyes with Hayes once again, and frowned – curious to the floaty sensation he was feeling. "Morphine", Boss answered and pointed down to his knee, now immobilized and stretched out in front of him.

"Ahhh", Clay giggled, and smiled uneasily as he stroked Cerberus about the neck; who then yawned widely and peered sleepily out the helo doors, the air rushing in to ruffle her fur. Next to him, Ray tapped his shoulder with his fist; Sonny his helmet and he nodded his thanks.

These men had come back for him, and saved his life.

Down below Al-Qa'im disappeared from view and he hoped his psyche. There was little down there he wanted to remember. But what stuck with him was that Stella had come for him too. Not only had these men come to his rescue, but she had come to sit with him, and stayed close until Boss had come to get him to safety.

Boss had been right. If he couldn't live without her, then he had to let her go.

But which was it? Should he hold on to her because she gave him strength? Should he ask her to put her life on hold for him, wait for him, because he needed her? Did she need him, the way he needed her? What if one day he didn't make it back? Was that fair? Was hoping that she loved him too being selfish?

He had lived that life growing up… a life of fear; of the not knowing; the day to day uncertainty that could weigh heavy on relationships. But he was going to make a decision; he was going to…..

Ray pushed him back against the protruding seat, and he could feel his eye lids grow heavy; his body beginning to ease down into rest, and so let his worrisome thoughts drift away. Cerberus licked his face, and he could hear Boss shout over the noise of rushing wind and blaring blades, "Just relax kid – we've got your back", and let exhaustion claim him.

Baptism by Fire:

The team's hospital visit was great – almost celebratory. The drone's processor was recovered, everyone was okay, and he was not seriously injured. Beer was snuck in; cracked open; and bottle necks clinked to salute a mission accomplished.

Sonny had bulldozed his way in pass the nurse's station with Cerberus; who hopped on the bed with him, and happily nuzzled his neck as her tail wagged frantically. He kissed her back, and everyone got a good laugh out of it; as Boss sat nearby his arms crossed; with that serious, unreadable expression on his face, that both concerned and warmed him.

Sonny then went on to regale them with paranormal tales of his grand ninny that had him thinking of his own supernatural encounters with Brian and now Stella. Strange, but wonderful encounters he could not explain.

In this moment though, he felt a part of these men; almost like a family, and the feeling was good.

After a while though, his mind began to wander and nervous energy fluttered in his belly. He loved these guys, but Stella was on the way and he wanted to see her alone. Reading his mind, Jason stood and shooed everyone out toward the door. "Our boy needs his rest", he countered over their protests and farewells.

Clutching the leather loop in his pocket, Clay called out, "See you guys later", and then to Jason, "Thanks Boss for kicking everybody out."

The room now emptied and silent, Jason stood over the kid in his hospital bed; and scrutinized him closely. "The Professor should be here soon", he said. "When I called, she seemed pretty anxious. I told her you were okay; but I don't think she believed me."

With no preamble, Clay sputtered out, "I'm gonna ask her to marry me.", and gripped even tighter the leather loop from his shoe strings in his pocket. Along with his carefully worded speech, he had put it together the night before; knew it would fit her engagement finger perfectly; prayed that he would not sound like an idiot and that she would say yes.

Jason folded his arms across his chest; and nodded for Clay to continue.

"I can't imagine my life without her", he breathed out softly.

Jason swiped at his face; then rubbed the stubble alongside his chin – listening hard to this young man, thinking of him and Alana. The twists and turns in their own rocky relationship; and wondered worriedly about his advice. Clay seemed to take everything he said to heart. Was his advice really any good?

His mind whirling with infinite possibilities, Clay's stream of consciousness flowed out rapidly. "I want her to say yes. I hope that she says yes. Do you think she'll say yes? Do I sound like an idiot?"

"I think", Jason decided emphatically, "I'm going to get out of your hair, and let you have some privacy."

A little disappointed, Clay leaned heavily back into his pillow and stared worriedly up at the glaring lights. When he reached the door, Jason turned back and with genuine care added, "Good luck kid", and closed the door softly behind him.

Buoyed by the man's overture, Clay sat up a little straighter to gather his courage. Pumping himself up, he knew that if he could stare down death, he could definitely do this. And a few minutes later, when Stella rushed into the room – nervous, scared and happy to see him, he was ready to bare his soul.

Thank you for reading. Please leave a review to let me know what you think. I enjoyed this episode, and just needed a little bit more comfort. Thank you.