Chapter 7: The Truth

When Jack walked away to make sure that all the gear was being properly stored away.

Charlie leaned up against the stand with Strode and Top. "What happened in the Yucatan last year to Cassie?"

Strode looked over at Top and the dark skinned man sighed. "Charlie, it was a long time ago and I don't think-"

"That's fine," Charlie interrupted. "I'll just go ask Tyler."

"Okay, okay," Top said, defeated. "Rae had an accident while rock climbing last year. The man who was supposed to be on belay for her but he left her hanging to see what Jack had recovered while diving and something went wrong and she fell."

"She fractured her back in three places and was bed ridden for three months in the hospital," Strode picked up where Top left off. "We weren't sure if she'd ever be able to walk again, let alone climb but she surprised everyone."

Charlie listened and shook her head. "But why is she so mad at Jack?"

Top sighed heavily. "Because despite the major screw up Jack barely reprimanded the person guilty of the crime so to speak and let him stay on the team. Rae was angry and betrayed. She trusted Jack with her life and trusted him to keep her safe but he let her down."

"Just like every other man in her life," Strode muttered, studying the computer screen. "That's when she made the choice to leave rather than deal with Jack."

"And whose the guy that left her hanging up there? It wasn't Tyler was it?" Charlie asked. She knew that Tyler was arrogant at times but surely he wouldn't be reckless with someone else's safety.

Top shook his head. "Hell no, Tyler loves Rae like a sister. He would never to anything to hurt her on purpose or accidentally."

"Then who was it?"

Strode sighed. "Briggs was supposed to be on belay. He was relatively new to the team but he should still have known better he had been rock climbing before but he screwed up. Jack only fueled the fire by not doing anything to Briggs."

Charlie's eyes widen at the realization, that's why Rae hated Briggs so much and Briggs made the comment to her before they came down here about her back and not hurting it again. He knew damn good and well what happened and what he did to her.

"That's why she hates Briggs."

The two men nodded.

"And that's why she goes against Jack's authority."

Top and Strode laughed. "No, she's always challenged Jack's authority, that's nothing new," Top said.

"Before she'd do it to play with him but now it's because the trust is gone," Strode added.

Charlie nodded and looked over to where Rae stood talking to Greer and Tyler. "I just don't get it."

"What?" Top asked.

"She's the best rock climber in the world. She had her pick of crack teams," she looked over at them. "Why did she choose to go a salvage team instead?"

"Because she's the best," Strode said.

Charlie looked confused so Top clarified. "Mac always said that she would only work with the best and second, even a close one, wouldn't due."

"Murphy's her uncle and he nursed her back to health because she refused to let Jack help her. He wanted to help her and put things right but it was after the shit hit the fan. Rae wanted nothing more to do with him," Strode explained.

"She gave him an ultimatum," Charlie stated.

Top shook his head. "No, Rae doesn't do ultimatums. She never has. She made his choice for him. She left because she knew that Jack would never get rid of Briggs."

"He would have never, ever told Rae to leave. Jack loved Rae, he still does love her and misses her a lot," Strode added.

"You're great and he cares about you," Top put in. "But he had a special connection with Mac that I barely understand."

Charlie nodded. "I'm a sister and he loves me as such but I'm not Rae."

TBC…

A/N: Thanks for the lovely reviews. I'll try to up date more often but school sometimes gets in the way. I hope you've enjoyed these new chapters! I'll update again very soon!