Summary: (AU) Master Sergeant Emma Swan and her team are commissioned to escort and protect Ms. Regina Mills, a feisty civilian, in the warzone of Freylache. Pairings:Emma/Regina (eventually) Disclaimers:I do not own OUaT or any of it's characters. I do, however, like to take them out of their boxes and play with them. A/N: This story is not meant to reflect any real life countries, wars or militaries. I have never served in the military, so I hope my research and personal life experiences are sufficient to create a realistic story. Any and all feedback is welcome. Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Chapter Two
I broke the bad news to Henry the next morning. I have joint custody of my ten year old son; he lives with my ex when I am on the frontline and with me when I am back on the mainland.
"But Mom…." He started in, "….it's only been five months. That's not fair." I hugged him and tussled his hair. He was right, it wasn't fair. "I know kiddo, but it's only for two months then I'll be back." I could feel him trying to hold back from crying and it was then that the tears ran down my own face. I may have made some bad decisions in my life, okay…really bad ones, but Henry was the best decision I ever made. And he was the one reason I fought so hard each time to make it home alive. "Go grab your school bag, Kelly will be here soon. I'll come by tomorrow night to say goodbye, okay?"
I knew my ex would show up exactly at 08:00 hours to pick our son us. Kelly wasn't a great spouse but is a really good parent and I knew that Henry was in good hands. We all live on the base, so Henry would get to stay at the same school and be in the same soccer group this summer. Life would go on without me here. Still, it really did suck.
I barely had time to brush my teeth and pin back my hair when I heard the doorbell ring. I heard Henry open the door and invite Kelly in. I rushed down stairs to give our son a hug and kiss goodbye. I held him long enough that he started to squirm. "Kid…" I smiled even though my heart was breaking. "…I'll see you tomorrow." Kelly gave me a quick hug, too. "Come back from the Frey safely." One more hug for my son and they grabbed his book-bag and were gone.
I poured myself a cup of coffee and added cream and sugar. Then I went back to prepping. Taking my dress green uniform out of the dry cleaner bag, I inspected it for any creases. At least it didn't need ironing which would save me time. I found all my commendation pins and medals and slowly, methodically attached each one in its place on the jacket. I put the dress uniform jacket back into the garment bag and hung it in my truck so I could change for the dinner that evening. The drive across base took fifteen minutes and when I pulled up the rest of my team was already there.
"Looking sharp, Sergeant Blanchard." I greeted the newly promoted female on my team. Her short brown hair peeked out from her beret. She blushed and nodded her head once. Blanchard was a damned fine soldier but out of combat or drilling she let self doubt get the best of her. I could see it in her brown eyes when she thought nobody was looking. But then again, I've seen ferocity in those eyes, too. Like the last tour we were in the Frey together. Let's just say I am glad I'm not the one she is aiming her rifle at. In the middle of hell, she never second guesses herself. So, once we are back there, I know she has my back a thousand percent.
"Nolan, Graham." I nodded to the other two soldiers, too. "Looks like we're set for the super big meet and greet." Ok, maybe sarcasm did slip out when I said that, but really can you blame me? I pinned my beret on, hiding my blond hair. Sergeant Blanchard pinned the few stray wisps that had strayed from my braids.
We went through security into the building and walked down the north hallway to room 208. Captain Forrest was at the podium in the front of the room, so my team and I approached and saluted him. "Good, you're all here." He pushed another button on his computer and a power point presentation entitled Freylache: Surviving On the Frontline.
"Have a seat; I'm sure Ms. Mills will be here shortly." He pushed another couple of buttons then turned the projector to off. We all waited about ten minutes for our guest to turn up. The door opened we stood as Corporal Riddle announced her arrival.
Regina Mills walked assertively into the room, pressing the keypad on her cell phone. She turned to the man who accompanied her and sharply ordered him. "Sydney, find out why I have no reception in this room. That was a very important and expensive call that just got dropped." I swear this Sydney guy nearly bowed his head in response. "Ms. Mills…." Captain Forrest began but was cut off by her hand raised at him to be silent. "Hello? Hello?" She demanded into her phone. She huffed and slapped the phone cover closed.
Sydney had barely returned from the hallway when she pinned him with a look. "Well…?"She demanded and her eyes narrowed. Sydney paled and seemed to brace himself. "Ms. Mills, I've been informed that for security reasons there is no reception in this building." She thrust the phone into his hand. "Then go back outside, call Zubai and reschedule my call with the Prince. Then call Ashley and tell her to move my one o'clock tomorrow to noon and to pick up my dry cleaning." Again Sydney did a strange little bow and backed out of the room.
Okay, all of this might have been amusing if it wasn't so damned rude. I mean, hello, she is here to meet with us, who all managed to arrive on time and in full dress uniform. Plus, she seriously did that hand thing to the Captain? Oh shit. I closed my eyes and put on my best poker face because I just realized that my next two months were about to become a living, breathing hell thanks to Ms. Talk-to-the-hand.
My captain tried again, this time successfully. "Ms. Mills, hello, I am Captain Forrest. General King sends his regards and looks forward to meeting with you tomorrow night at the banquet." She coolly assessed the Captain. Damn this woman has balls. I mean not literally, I hope, but to be able to stare down an officer and not even blink….
"Attention!" My Captain ordered us to full attention. "Ms. Mills, may I introduce the soldiers of Company D, 23rd Battalion of the 12th Brigade." Ms. Mills stood next to the Captain and waited. "This is Master Sergeant Emma Swan, team leader." I stepped forward and stood at full attention. "This is Staff Sergeant David Noble, Sergeant Mary Margaret Blanchard and Sergeant McIntyre Graham."
" Aren't they supposed to salute me or something?" Ms. Mills questioned the Captain. "No ma'am, you're a civilian, so just say hello." She turned her attention back to the four of us and inspected each one of us from our berets to our combat boots. I was proud of my team for standing their ground against her. While she may have seen as us merely standing at attention, I know my team well and their expressions, though subtle, were definitely telling her to step off.
The Captain invited all of us to sit, so we did; my team and I on one side of the aisle, Ms. Mills and Mr. Glass on the other. The lights dimmed and Captain Forrest began his power point presentation. Slides of statistics, survival tactics and photos from the Frey clipped by on the screen. The presentation lasted a bit over 30 minutes. My team and I watched it and I was pleased to see that Ms. Mills at least was taking notes. She scribbled furiously between glancing at the slides.
"Any questions?" The Captain turned the lights back to full power and waited. "One moment, Captain…" the woman stood and handed the notes to Mr. Glass. "Sydney go fax these to Ashley, make sure she knows that I need to wrap this up before I leave tomorrow night." She then turned back to my C.O. "Thank you, Captain. That was…" she hesitated. "….informative, if not a bit graphic for my tastes. I'm sure I'll be just fine with my team helping me the next two months." My eyebrows shot up. Her team? Oh hell to the no.
"Ms. Mills." My Captain's tight smile told me that he was unhappy about her phrasing too. "May I remind you that these four soldiers are here specifically to escort and protect you. They are in fact Master Sergeant Swan's team and I would appreciate if you would refer to them as such." Go Captain! I silently cheered. She raised her chin defiantly before responding. "Captain Forrest, may I remind you that Sergeant Swan's team…." The woman's voice had deepened a bit and she bit off each word. "….is responsible for ensuring that I am able to accomplish my agenda for the next eight weeks. Don't waste your breath and my time telling me that they are just there to keep me safe."
My Captain stepped forward towards the arrogant woman. "Perhaps…" His eyes locked with hers in a battle of wills. "…you will find your priorities will change. Ms. Mills never, ever take these four soldiers for granted. If you come back alive and unharmed it will only be because Sergeant Swan's team went above and beyond the call of duty."
Ms. Mills picked up her briefcase and made to leave. "Be that as it may, Captain, I have no doubt these fine soldiers are capable of more than just a babysitting job." Damn, how did she just manage to sound like she insulted us? She smoothly turned heel and left the room, tossing her words over her shoulder. "I look forward to seeing you all tonight."
When she had definitely left the room I launched in, planning a full tirade. "Permission to speak freely, sir?" Captain Forrest brought a chair over and sat across from us. "Let me say this first, Sergeant then you can say your piece. Alright, first off, I'm sorry. I had no idea that she would be such a challenging person." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm ordering to do your jobs professionally and represent the Army with the utmost honor. Watch your backs. Keep her alive best you can, but more importantly make sure the four of you stay safe. I hope once you are all at Camp Azor she will realize the gravity of the Frey." My whole team looked to me as the Captain said "Alright Swan, you may speak freely."
I was furious! A thousand thoughts ran across my mind, but only one made it to my tongue. "Sir, who did I piss off to get this assignment?" He looked me straight in the eye and answered seriously. "Sergeant I assure you that neither you nor anybody on your team had done anything. Off the record, I know that Ms. Mills' company is very concerned about something; enough that they are sending her to fix a problem. I'm not at liberty to tell you anything more, but I'm sure you're resourceful enough to figure it out on your own."
My team had the good sense to hold their tongue until we were back outside and walking back towards the empty lot. Sgt. Graham pulled the soccer ball out of his car on our way. Once we were certain that we were out of earshot from anyone else, we kicked the ball around and had a bitch session. I let them speak freely, knowing that it was better to let them get their frustrations out now before things escalated.
These three people and I together have stared death in the face untold times. And we have kicked soccer balls around for countless hours both here on base and in the Frey; it's the one routine we all count on to keep us sane. Thirty minutes later and we had all vented and said our piece. Now was time to get back to work and prepare for battle; both for the Frey and for the dinner that night.
Our whole day was filled with completing paperwork and requisitions, kitting out our gear, and drilling P&E protocols Only one member of my Fireteam, Staff Sgt. Nolan, had ever been assigned protect and escort duty before, and he got to babysit a Colonel with eighteen years of combat experience. A civilian was a whole different can of worms.
What I thought would be a basic meal was actually a fairly large banquet. Captain Forrest and Corporal Riddle were up front when we arrived in our dress blue uniforms. The Corporal walked over to us. "Sergeant Swan, your team will sit with Captain Forrest, his wife, Ms. Mills and her guest Mr. Glass at table four." Our Captain came over and joined us.
"Anything we can do to help, sir?" I hoped there was since I hate just sitting around waiting for something to start. I do alright in combat; I can sit still and alert for hours if needed. But in social situations, yeah, not so much. "Sergeants…." He addressed my entire team. "…you have no idea how important tonight is for our unit and the base. Just try and be pleasant to all our guests, first impressions do count."
I don't know why he was worried it's not like we were raised in a barn or anything. Though looking at the table setting there were way too many forks and spoons at each plate for my liking. "Start on the outside and work your way in." I whispered to my team as I saw Graham's eyes become as big as saucers when he noticed the silverware, too.
More and more people flowed into the room. Most were military, a few were civilians. At least in a military uniform you know you look sharp. But I felt under dressed looking at the cocktail dresses and tuxedos that many of the guests were wearing. I had no idea that tonight was going to be such a big deal. I had no idea how big of a deal until I heard the announcement that General King was in the room. I nearly spilled the water in my glass as I hastily stood and saluted.
I've lived on base for four years now, off and on for combat of course, and I have only seen General George King in person two times. Once was for a big Independence Day Parade and Inspection. Over seven thousand visitors came for the festivities, the parade and the fireworks. Talk about a security detail nightmare. Anyways, that time I glimpsed the General as we marched by the grandstand where he was standing.
The other time I saw him was when our plane touched down three tours ago. For every one of us who walked down the stairs to the tarmac, there were two coffins unloaded from the cargo hold. That had been a bad flight home. I lost five of my own squad that tour and two others were permanently disabled. Staff Sergeant Gold had lost his leg above the knee and now uses a prosthetic and a cane. Corporal Leroy caught shrapnel to his lower back and was permanently disabled. I try to keep in touch with them through email and the occasional video call. Everyone says it wasn't my fault, but when you're charged with the lives of eleven other soldiers and seven of them go down…well as far as I'm concerned, the blame lies with me.
I got two commendation ribbons for that tour in the Frey. I packed them away in a box and didn't touch them for two years. Now I only wear them on occasions like tonight, when we are expected to be spit-polished and shined. People like to see war heroes decorated. I'm no hero, but I wear the ribbons in honor of all my comrades who have fallen.
So those were my two experiences with General King. Well, now my third since we were both currently at the banquet. Once we were all seated again, I was fascinated at how the General smoothly made the rounds meeting people. He shook hands, slapped men's backs and kissed ladies' hands. In full uniform any General is a very impressive site. He and another older civilian approached our table. "Hank, may I introduce Captain Forrest and his team. Captain and Sergeants, this is Mr. Henry Mills, owner and founder of Mills Combat Vestments." He smiled and chuckled at the gentleman. "The only vest for white knights in Camo armor; isn't that right, Hank?" Mr. Mills nodded eagerly. "Why, George, I had no idea you knew our company line so well." I was almost up to my knees in their bullshit when I heard the soft timbre of the woman's voice from behind. "Hello Daddy."
And then the strangest thing happened. I saw the transformation from a hell cat to a kitten. In the blink of an eye, Ms. Mill's whole expression had altered. Her demeanor softened, her stance was less aggressive and her eyes changed from steel to almost friendly. Red flags went up all over the place and I realized that this was a woman I would have to watch very closely. I have one super power; well super power is what my son Henry calls it. But I do have one damn fine skill and that's the ability to tell if someone is lying. And right then everything about Regina Mills screamed deception.
