It was 0630. Sam knew he was early but he had a hard time sleeping as he hadn't grown used to the time difference yet. So he sat and waited for Jet to show up so he could start learning from these men.
Sam thought back to the day before and his first impressions of his new unit. These guys were a family, they were brothers. Most seemed to have the protective older brother thing down pat but Red, something about the guy reminded him of… no he couldn't think of him. If he looked back now it would only make his time here harder. Sam pushed thoughts of Team one and Spike from his mind before he had the time to really think about them.
Sam heard movement behind him and guessed Jet was testing him. He smiled slightly as he waited for Jet to try something. He raised his watch and angled it slightly to catch the reflection of the person behind him. His smile widened when he saw it was Jet. Suddenly a hand was on his shoulder and with a well-practiced maneuver he grabbed the hand and flipped the other man.
Then, Sam wasn't sure quite how but it ended up being him on the ground. Jet smiled and extended his hand. Sam took it and stood, dusting himself off. "Nice reflexes Braddock, but you could use some work on your technique." Jet commented.
"Show me how to fix it and next time it won't be me on the ground." Sam smiled. Jet laughed then went over a few things he could have done better.
Sam spent the next several hours training with Jet. By the end both were bruised and sore. Jet complemented him on how quickly he picked things up and Sam laughed saying, "No I'm just too stubborn to get it wrong more than once." Jet laughed with him as they joined the rest of the guys for an afternoon briefing.
x.X. Flashpoint .X.x
Sam wouldn't admit it but he was slightly nervous to be going on his first mission with these guys. The earlier briefing had been to outline the plan for the night mission they had just been cleared for. Sam was to scout the area and provide cover fire for the rest of the guys. It was a simple mission but he hadn't done much night shooting since he left JTF-2.
Sam heard the call to move out and grabbed his rifle before jumping in his assigned Humvee. Shift, Lefty and Red where in the Humvee with him. Red smiled at him from the navigator's chair. "First op with the new guy!" he called out cheerfully.
Lefty patted his shoulder and shot him a sympathetic look. Sam knew this was a part of joining a new team, he also knew the ribbing was harmless and would stop as soon as these guys got to know him. That's just how it was on a team, heck even Team one had sent him on coffee runs until he proved he was willing to try negotiation and not be just a point and shoot guy anymore. Sam blinked the thoughts away and mentally berated himself for think of that. He couldn't afford that kind of distraction on an op, especially not his first with this unit. They were counting on him to watch their backs after having known him for a day and a half and he couldn't let them down.
The Humvee stopped as they approached Sam's vantage point and he climbed out and quickly set up his gear. He watched as the Humvee drove off towards the target then quickly checked the wind speed and other variables.
After some quick mental math, Sam was lined up and listening to the coms for the go sign. As soon as it came Sam sent to shots into the compound both shattering windows at opposite sides of the building.
In the ensuing chaos the rest of the unit went to work. Sam watched quietly and waited. He took out one man as he was coming up behind Rocky and saw Rocky nod in his direction in a quick thanks. Sam spent the rest of the mission doing the same for several other members of the unit.
Pretty soon the mission had been completed and Sam waited for the Humvee to return for him. As he saw it approach he almost missed the enemy vehicle that was trailing behind it. Sam turned his rifle on the moving target and sent a single shot into the engine block. Sam lowered his gun and watched as the jeep burst into flames, lighting up the small patch of desert around it.
The Humvee rolled by and Sam jumped in, not waiting for it to stop. Lefty grabbed his shoulder and helped him right himself before patting him on the back and saying, "Nice shooting, seems we got ourselves a crack shot boys." Sam listened as everyone joked and laughed over the coms about his shooting prowess.
x.X. Flashpoint .X.x
They finally arrived back at their base of operations, ready to turn in before it got to hot and bright to fall asleep. As they headed back to their tents, Rocky approached Sam.
"Listen kid, you had my back out there tonight and I want you to know that from now on I have yours. No matter what and no matter where. Your shooting saved my life tonight and I plan on returning the favor." Rocky said his face dead serious.
Sam looked the older man in the eye. "You don't owe me a thing Rock. Having your back is not just my job, and it's not because I want you to owe me anything. I have your back because even though I hardly know you guys, we are a unit and we need to stick together no matter what. I have your backs and I know when it comes down to it, you guys will have mine because a unit is like family and no one wants to lose someone."
Rocky smiled, "Kid, anyone ever tell you that you're smarter than you look?"
Sam made a face and gave a sarcastic, "Gee, thanks for the compliment." Rocky laughed and wished Sam a good night before heading to his cot. Sam smiled knowing that these guys were already his family.
x.X. Flashpoint .X.x
A/N- Sorry if I don't give too much detail on missions. But it's top secret stuff so I got to keep it on the down low. You know hush hush and all that. Don't need any sketch government agencies confiscating my computer for leaking national secrets cause then I wouldn't have anything to use to post my stories. Gasp! The horror!
