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deathsangel: Thank you sweetie, glad that you love it. More to come. *Hugs & Kisses* Have a great day/night and keep smiling.

Disclaimer, Summary and Warning could be found in 1st chapter.

Beta: Layla Binx

Chapter 4: Wake Up Call

Cougar and Pooch led the sleepy hacker toward the lake, hoping that the cold water would wake him up.

Pooch muttered at his watch, "Damn, we've already lost five minutes, come on Jensen, wakey wakey."

Cougar stared at him with a frown, "Pooch, what do you think are doing?"

"Leaving," Pooch said with a shrug, tossing a wave over one shoulder. "I tried my best. You're turn." And with that, Cougar was left alone with the newest member of their team.

"No wonder you don't have kids yet." Cougar mumbled, knowing that Pooch could still hear him.

"I heard that." Pooch called, walking back into the clearing.

"I know." Cougar grinned.

Jensen couldn't help but laugh at the banter between them, his eyes still semi-closed and his mind still hazy from sleep.

Pooch walked over and slapped him smartly on the cheek.

"There was no need to slap him." Cougar pointed out, looking at him from under the brim of his hat.

Jensen could felt his heart pounding so loud by this point he vaguely wondered if the others could hear it.

"I think he heard you Cougs." Pooch said, looking down at the bleary-eyed hacker.

"And...?" Cougar asked him.

"He's awake." Pooch replied, nodding down to the younger man.

"He's not."

"He is." Pooch told him.

"How can you be so sure? His eyes are closed!"

"The fact that he heard you and smiled, in case you didn't notice." Pooch smirked at him before adding, "You like him, don't you?"

Cougar looked away, hoping his hat would hide the blush that was now burning his cheeks.

Pooch grinned again, absurdly proud of himself for guessing the Sniper's secret. "I'll let the colonel know you guys will be back shortly."

Cougar moved his hand, touching Jensen's chest lightly as he re-adjusted his grip. "You better wake up kid, before Clay gets his hands on you."

Jensen's heart was pounding painfully against his ribs; he'd heard the whole conversation between Pooch and Cougar and felt like he could die from happiness in that moment.

"Cougar… please…"

"I'm here mi amor." Cougar assured him and then he checked his watch. "We've got to go now or Clay will drop you from both the team and the mission."

Jensen nodded and started to stand but a wave of dizziness knocked him right back to the ground. And into Cougar's arms.

The Sniper smirked and breathed in his ear. "I will always catch you."

"I know."

Keeping one arm around the younger man's waist, helping him walk, the two made their way back toward the camp.

"Well, isn't this lovely?" Roque asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Roque, shut up." Pooch glared at him and then smiled toward them.

Clay walked toward the kid, looking him up and down briefly. "You all right kid?"

"I will be when the mission is over, Colonel." Jensen replied honestly, pushing the last bit of fatigue from his voice to answer his Commanding Officer.

Clay nodded sharply. "Good. Come with me, you and I should have a talk before going into the lion's den." He told him, nodding in the direction of his tent. Jensen hesitated, looking between Cougar and Pooch and finally at Roque. "Come on, kid, I don't have all day and neither do you." A determined voice came from the tent and Jensen walked into it unwillingly.

"He'll be all right Cougs," Pooch said, watching the Sniper from the corner of his eye and grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "You'll see."

TBC…