Warnings: violence, disturbing themes, profanity. Other chapters may be rated M for adult content.
Author's Note: I wanted to do a story with Nico having some form of PTSD. SEALs go on dangerous missions, not sure exactly what. So that being said, this is fiction, and any resemblance between any "mission" of Nico's and a real one is purely accidental. I own nothing, except my car, and if I did, I'd have the writers of NR on freakin' speed dial. Also, this is my first chaptered fic. I write one-shots usually because I have difficulty laying out plot. That being said, I hope that you enjoy this.
Much love to our military, and my heart goes out to the SEAL team that was killed in Afghanistan not long ago.
The sound of rapid gunfire echoes throughout the abandoned streets. Children are screaming, falling, dying. The air is so hot, so heavy, so dry... The SEAL captain limps as quickly as he can, popping off his own shots, over to where his comrade lies, his fatigues covered in blood. The captain is bleeding himself, having taken a bullet in the thigh. He kneels, grabs his comrade. Staunching the flow of blood with his bare hands, he shouts, but he doesn't answer. The young soldier's eyes glaze over...
"NOOOOOOOO!"
Nico's own scream awoke him with a start. He sat bolt upright, breathing heavily. As he looked around, he caught his reflection in the large mahogany-frame mirror. His eyes were wide and wild as a wolf's. His face and bare chest were covered in sweat. Wrapping his arms around his legs, he buried his face in his knees and cried...
Later that day…
Dani set the two large grocery bags on the island and dipped into her jacket pocket to retrieve her buzzing phone.
Incoming call from: Nico
"Oh, Jesus, what now?" she huffed, and clicked the 'answer' button. "Well, hel-lo, Nico. How are you today?"
"I'm well, thank you, Dani." His tone was flat and formal, as usual. "I hope you are as well?"
"Just peachy." She found herself almost hoping he'd come by today. Almost.
"I'll be there shortly - I need to discuss some things with you."
At least he had begun to call before just showing up - even though he still wasn't asking for permission to stop by. "Great, I'll see you in a bit then."
When Dani greeted Nico at the door, she noticed he looked tired. That's strange, she thought. Nico doesn't ever look tired. "You alright, Nico? You look like you didn't sleep a wink last night." She snickered. "But do you really sleep?"
A dark eyebrow arched slightly. "TK has decided he'd like to hit the clubs again. Has he said anything to you, anything that would indicate why?"
As usual, he was ignoring her. "No, he hasn't." Nico had also stopped asking her exactly what TK told her. She was much more amenable to that.
"Hmm. Well, he and a couple of the other team members are heading out to Phoenix tomorrow night. I will be watching, unbeknownst to them. I hope that this bit of information will stay between us?" He smiled, but it was his 'smartass' smile.
Dani huffed. She had no plans on tattling to TK. "Nico. Look who ya talkin' to."
"Excellent." He stood up and pocketed his beloved Blackberry.
As he turned, Dani caught his arm and rubbed it softly. "Nico, really. You alright? I've never seen you look tired before."
"Just fine. Had Indian last night, and it was a little too spicy. A bit of heartburn, but nothing serious." He gave her half of a smile. "Thanks for asking."
"Okay, well, you get some good sleep tonight." She walked him out. As he got in the car, she yelled, "No spicy stuff!"
Nico just smiled and drove off.
Dani leaned against the door, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. Something wasn't right with Nico.
And she'd find out what...