AN: Thank you all for the constant support and encouragement! I love reading your reviews!

Disclaimer: Flashpoint is not mine... otherwise it would never have ended LOL!

Sam pulled off his uniform shirt to replace it with a fresh one from his bag. As he pulled the item of clothing out he noticed a manila envelope with his name on it. He was about to reach for it when he heard Williams calling him from outside. He didn't have time right now to find out what was in that envelope. It would have to wait for him to get back. He quickly finished changing his shirt and grabbed his sniper gear from under his bed, replacing it with his overnight bag. As he turned to join the rest of his Unit he finally felt relived. This mission was going to be hard, but he, Williams, and Cole had finally talked about what happened on that day several years ago. They were finally healing old wounds. For the first time since he had fired that shot he felt like he might actually be able to move on, to heal completely!

Sam sat in the back seat of the Humvee and stared at the picture of his family as the Unit drove towards their mission. Soon my sweet family. I'll be home soon!

Chapter 20 - Gut Feeling

SRU HQ (AKA 'The Barn') - Toronto

"Morning Jules!" Winnie greeted enthusiastically as the very pregnant female SRU officer walked down the hall.

"Morning Winnie." Jules smiled as she lowered herself to the chair next to their dispatcher.

Jules had been pulled out of the field due to her pregnancy several weeks ago. She had been sad about the decision, she loved her job, but she also knew it was best for the baby. She now worked with the dispatchers during calls, helped inventory, file, and a whole bunch of other things. It wasn't her favorite thing in the SRU to do, however it kept her at work instead of home worrying about Sam, which in turn was bad for the little one she carried. She also spent two days a week with Sarge in the Academy guest speaking about negotiation techniques with the cadets there. She realized that if she ever had to leave the SRU then the Academy would be the place she would want to go.

"How are you and the kids doing?" Winnie asked as she passed a headset to Jules. She couldn't wait to meet the newest little Braddock!

"Good, Sadie's been crying a lot this week. She misses her Daddy. And this little one won't let mommy sleep at night. Thinks it's playtime." Jules laughed as she rubbed her belly fondly.

"Have you heard from Sam?" Winnie asked cautiously. The whole of SRU did their best not to bombard Jules with questions about Sam as they all knew it was hard for Jules to talk about him, but that didn't mean that they weren't worried.

"I heard from Mrs. Sanders this morning." Jules answered as she logged into the computer system. "She said that the Captain saw Sam and delivered my package to him. He was on his way back out to the field though so I probably won't get to talk to him anytime soon."

"At least you know he's doing okay." Winnie commented as she pulled Jules into a side hug. "He'll be home before you know it!"

"I hope so!" Jules commented.

She didn't tell Winnie but Jules had been uneasy all morning. Mrs. Sanders had messaged her very early this morning to let her know that Captain Sanders had seen Sam and ever since then her gut had been nagging her. Something was going on with Sam, she just didn't know what. She desperately wished that he could be home, with his family. Not in some sniper perch in a remote location in the middle of a war zone. She needed her husband back!

Jules was pulled out of her thoughts as a 911 call came in and she and Winnie proceeded to assist Team Three with their Hot Call. Today was going to be a long day, she just knew it.

Undisclosed Location - Afghanistan

Sam shifted the pack on his back for the third time since they had started their hike. It kept irritating his still sore ribs and he was trying to keep it from making things worse. Normally carrying his pack, sniper rifle, ghillie suite, and sidearm didn't bother him. However, his body was still adjusting the the beating he had received from the General so it made the ten kilometer hike that much more uncomfortable for him. Sam knew he didn't have a choice though so he sucked it up and kept moving. They would reach their destination soon and he, Jackson, and Baird were about to break off from the rest of the Unit to take up their sniper perch. It was just about time to get down to work.

"Hold." Williams ordered as he looked carefully at the area around the Unit. Once he decided this was a safe place he lowered his pack to the ground and took a knee facing the rest of the Unit. They followed suit. "Five minute rest then we'll finish the hike."

Everyone gratefully took out their canteens and a small snack, each keeping a close watch out as they rested.

"How you holding up?" Williams asked softly as he turned to Sam who was on his right.

"Fine." Sam answered simply. He wasn't one to complain and he wasn't about to start now.

"I meant physically." Williams commented, noting the quick answer Sam gave him probably wasn't the whole truth.

Sam looked up and met the eyes of his Commanding Officer and friend. Williams had read the note from Sanders.

"Sore but I'll be fine. It's nothing that will affect my ability to do my job." Sam stated, his eyes never leaving those of Williams.

Williams held Sam's gaze for a moment before simply nodding.

"From here we maintain strict mission protocols." Williams said as he looked to the rest of the Unit. "No names, handles only. Stay vigilant. We have an enemy out there that would be more than happy to kill us all if given the chance. Let's not give him the opportunity. Deadshot, you, Flash, and Atom head to the perch from here. Remember, you guys are providing overwatch for the rest of the Unit. Keep alert at all times and watch Deadshot's back. Understood?" Williams looked directly into the eyes of his rookies. He had to be sure before he would let Braddock go off with them as backup.

Both rookies answered with "Yes Sir" before shouldering their packs and preparing to move out.

"Hawkman, Firestorm, and myself will move in from the east. Keep us up to date of hostiles in the area." Williams pulled his own pack on. "Remember, anyone sees Deathstroke you immediately inform Deadshot of his location so we can take him out once and for all. Deadshot, you have the kill order if you ever find Deathstroke in your sights."

"Yes Sir!" Sam was more than happy to put a bullet between Deathstroke's eyes.

"Move out." Williams ordered and the Unit split into two teams.

Terrorist Stronghold - Undisclosed Location - Afghanistan

"Sir, the JTF2 Unit is moving in just as we hoped." Ali stated as he entered the room.

"Good. Are the men in place?" Akbar asked as he turned towards his informant.

"Yes sir. Just awaiting the order."

"Tell them to hold their position. Wait until the Unit clears the compound and begins the return trip to join the rest of the Unit." Akbar smiled. "They will think their mission is over and will not be as vigilant. That is when we strike!"

"As you wish." Ali bowed low before turning to do as he was told.

Akbar smiled as Ali left the room. Things were going according to plan. He knew he had made the right choice those many years ago. Ali had served him well, as a son, a second in command, and as the Oracle.

Sniper Perch, Undisclosed Location - Afghanistan

"How far to our perch?" Jackson asked quietly as he hiked just behind Braddock.

"Just over the ridge." Sam answered with a hint of a smile. Private Jackson reminded him of himself when he first joined JTF2. Sam just hoped that the young man wouldn't have to endure as much in his lifetime as Sam had in the few years he had been in the Army's elite special forces Unit. He wouldn't wish that on anyone.

As the three soldiers topped the ridge Sam did a quick check to ensure that it really was a secure location before taking a knee and pulling his gear out. He'd want to make sure he had everything he needed on hand since he wouldn't move from his spot once he settled in.

Baird watched as Braddock took his rifle out of it's case and prepped it. He had seen the man with his rifle several times, however, this is the first time they would be in a perch together. As much as he disliked Braddock he was anxious to see just what a sniper did on a mission.

Jackson smiled as Braddock donned his ghillie suit. He knew from the experience of trying to find their sniper in a perch that once the suit was on Braddock will be essentially invisible. It always made him smile knowing that Sam was watching his back no matter what. The fact that the other man was incredibly, deadly, accurate with his weapon helped too.

Once Sam had his ghillie suit on he moved into position so he could see the majority of the compound. It was a long distance away, but he knew from experience that he could make a shot from here and hit his target. He had managed to hit Matt right between the eyes after all. Stop thinking like that Braddock. It wasn't your fault. You were cleared to fire. Sam scolded himself as he took a deep breath, adjusted his rifle slightly, and settled in behind the scope. He could hear the two rookies settling in around him but he ignored them, focusing instead on the rest of the Unit as they moved in.

"No sign of hostiles." Sam commented over the comms. He had carefully scanned the compound, and the ground the men would have to cover to get there. There was no one in sight, at least as of yet.

"I see no sign of movement in the buildings." Jackson commented. He thought it strange that they were supposed to find the head of a terrorist group here, and yet there was not one single person in sight.

"Maybe they just haven't arrived yet?" Baird asked as he too scanned the compound.

"Possible. You guys keep your eyes peeled." Williams ordered. He was thankful that things were going well so far, however, he had a gut feeling that something bad was going to happen on this mission. He hoped his gut was wrong this time!

Terrorist Compound, Undisclosed Location - Afghanistan

As Batman, Hawkman, and Firestorm cleared the buildings Atom, Flash, and Deadshot kept watch. There was no movement in the compound or the area surrounding it the entire time the Unit was on scene.

"Looks like Oracle gave us some bad intel." Adams commented as he rejoined the other two men.

"I don't like this, something isn't right." Williams stated as he anxiously looked around him.

"What's wrong Batman? Your gut telling you something?" Cole asked as he looked to his friend and CO.

"Let's get out of here. Deadshot, status?" Williams called as the three soldiers began their two kilometer hike back to the rest of the men.

Sniper Perch, Undisclosed Location - Afghanistan

Sam watched through his scope as Williams, Adams, and Cole met up outside the final building of the compound. They had done a thorough search of the buildings and had found no sign of life. He had a feeling they had been set up, again.

"I'm really getting tired of bad intel." Jackson commented as he scanned the area around the compound once again. They had, once again, recieved a bad piece of intelligence and therefore had spend hours out on a mission that had gotten them nowhere. He was sick of this!

"Private."

Jackson looked up at the sound of Baird's voice. The other man had just gone to relieve himself, which Braddock was clearly irritated about, and had just returned. What confused Jackson though was the fact that Baird has used his rank. Not his name, or his call sign. When he looked up to where the other man stood his heart stopped beating and his breath caught in his throat.

Sam recognized the change in Jackson and was about to turn around to see what was going on when he heard Williams call out for a status. A split second later he felt the barrell of a gun pushed against the back of his head.

"If you so much as think about doing anything we will blow both of their brains out onto these rocks. Do you understand me?" A voice, thick with an accent said menacingly behind him.

Sam simply nodded his head to indicate that he understood.

"Good, now slowly put your hands behind your head." The voice ordered.

Sam slowly took his hands off his rifle and swung them out to his sides, bringing them around to rest against the back of his head. As he did so he heard Williams call out a status once again, the concern extremely evident in the Captain's voice.

Someone roughly grabbed Sam's hands and bound them behind his back before yanking him to his feet. When they turned him around he could see that Jackson and Baird had already been bound and all their gear had been removed.

"Take his suit off."

Sam met the eyes of the man that had been speaking to him and wanted to put a bullet between his eyes right then and there. Standing before him was the Oracle. Sam had known that trusting him had been a huge gamble. Apparently they had lost this one.

As Sam glared at the man before him he heard yet a third call from Williams demanding a status. From the sounds of it the rest of the Unit was already heading his way. He just had to buy them time. Unfortunately he wasn't sure he could buy enough time for the three men to hike the two kilometers to their location.

"Oracle, nice to see you again." Sam said to the man as his ghillie suit was cut off of him. It took a bit longer to do since his hands were bound behind him. He figured he had less than a minute.

"You as well Deadshot." Oracle grinned at his captive as he stepped closer. "It has been a long time. How have you been my friend?"

"Great!" Sam answered simply. "I was actually headed to see Superman once we were done here."

"Well you will have to apologize. You won't make it to see him today."

At that someone hit Sam in the back of the head and he fell unconscious to the ground. His last thought being I'm sorry Jules!

En Route to Sniper Perch, Undisclosed Location - Afghanistan

"Great! I was actually headed to see Superman once we were done here."

Williams heard Braddock's answer and he poured on the speed.

"Deadshot's in trouble!" Williams called as he and the other two men moved as quickly as they could. He was afraid that they weren't going to make it to the men in time.

"How do you know?" Adams asked as he ran behind Cole and Williams.

"Deadshot just said he was planning on going to see Superman soon." Cole answered.

"So?"

"So, Superman has been dead for years. He died in the compound below." Williams answered simply.

"Superman was Deadshot's best friend, Matt." Cole added, just as they heard a grunt from Sam.

They weren't going to make it. They were already too late!

AN: You know what I'm going to ask :) Please leave me a review to let me know what you think!