CHAPTER 29

Sonny looks expectantly at Jason, who just nods towards to road. "Let's walk, we need to talk."

Walking down the road, Sonny was growing more pissed off by the step. They had walked to the end of the street and taken a left, and Jason was still silent.

Finally breaking the silence, Jason says, "Sonny, I did what I thought was best. I didn't think you were taking this thing seriously."

Hearing the same garbage explanation he had heard four times over, Sonny abruptly turns around. And starts walking back to the house.

"Woah, we're not done." Jason says, grabbing Sonny by the collar to stop him.

"The hell we aren't. I've heard this before. You thought it was best. I died. I'm not taking recovery seriously. I need to get my head on straight. Sound familiar?" Sonny barks, stalking off down the street, to continue their walk.

"Sonny…" Jason starts, before getting cut off.

"I'm done listening, man. I'm good. If you don't believe that, then screw you. Cut me loose. I'll join Alpha." Sonny says heatedly staring at Jason, willing him to argue.

"Sonny. Damnit, man. Come on."

"Come on? I've been straight with you since I got out of the damn tube. I put in the work. I followed the doctor's orders. I rested. I got cleared by neuro. I got cleared by Burke. I got cleared by Chen. I've talked to Ray. I've talked to Trent, and Clay, and Davis. Do any of them have any concerns about me in the field?"

"Sonny…" Jason says, before getting cut off again.

"I'll answer that for you. No. They don't. You know why? Because they've been there for the last two months. Everyday. Where the hell have you been?"

"Sonny…" Jason says, before getting cut off by Sonny once again.

"You're still stuck on that sub. Not me. You. You blame yourself. I died. I get that. But, man. You've got to wake up and look around. I'm walking, and talking, and breathing. I'm still here. And, I don't blame you. Or anyone else. I know what I signed up for. I know the risks involved. It happened. It was the worst day of my life. But I'm still here. You have got to accept that. Or cut me loose. I'm not going to sit on the bench and go to therapy for the rest of my life because YOU feel bad that I died on your watch." Sonny says, finishing his rant with a heavy sigh, he turns to stalk down the street once more.

"Sonny…" Jason starts with a pause. Rubbing his hand over his face, trying to regain his composure. "You're right. I've been avoiding you. I couldn't face you. I made you go on that Op, and you got hurt. You died. Looking at you. Dead. I couldn't handle it. One more thing that I messed up. I put you on the bench because I knew you'd be safe. I didn't want to risk you getting injured, or worse, on my watch again."

"Jason. You can't protect everyone. You have got to stop blaming yourself for Nate. And Alana. And Adam. It's not your fault. You can't put everyone you care about in a bubble. You're going to drive yourself crazy."

"I'm Bravo 1. It's my job to make sure everyone gets home."

Sonny slowly steers Jason back towards the house.

"You can't protect everyone, all the time, Jason. Even Superman has an off day." Sonny says as the reach the driveway.

Picking up his now warm beer, Sonny walks into the house, leaving Jason in the driveway with his thoughts.

Most of the team is in the house, watching football or in the kitchen talking. There are a few outside, sitting around the firepit. Sonny smiles, seeing Davis outside with Naima and Ray. Sonny pours out his warm beer and tosses the empty bottle in the recycling bin. He turns around to see Clay staring at him, quickly followed by Ray.

"Well? Did you talk to Jason?" Ray and Clay ask at the same time.

"Yeah. We talked." Sonny says, clearly done talking about his feelings for the day.

"And? What did he say? Are you back on the team?" Clay asks impatiently.

"Don't know. He didn't say. And I didn't ask." Sonny says, tiredly rubbing his face.

"What do you mean?" Ray asks.

"We talked. I talked. He talked. We didn't exactly come to a complete resolution." Sonny says, looking around for Davis, or anyone else that would get him out of this conversation.

"But…" Clay starts, before stopping and realizing he has no rebuttal.

"Listen. We talked. I think we've come to an understanding. Okay? But, no. He didn't welcome me back to the team with open arms. That's all I've got. Do with it what you will." Sonny says, walking outside.

Sonny was surprised to find Davis outside alone, staring at the fire. Walking up behind her, he wraps his arms around her in a bear hug. Turning slightly to return the hug, Davis looks up at Sonny. "You talked to Jason?"

"Yep."

"Good."

Happy that at least one person isn't going to grill him, Sonny tightens his hold on Davis, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"I love you," Sonny mumbles.

Sonny immediately takes a half step back, loosening his hold on Davis.

"I.. um… I mean…" Sonny stammers.

Davis takes a step back and looks Sonny in the eyes. "Anything you want to take back, Cowboy?"

Sonny looks in Davis' eyes, and smiles. "Nope. I'll stand by my previous statement."

Davis laughs, and pulls Sonny back into a hug

"Good. I love you, too." Davis says, burying her face in Sonny's chest.

Ray and Naima stare at the two out the kitchen window. Watching their embrace, Naima turns to Ray. "I told you they were good for each other."

"You don't think they are really together, do you?" Ray whispers.

Looking at her husband, Naima shrugs her shoulders. "Does it really matter?"

Monday morning, Sonny is working out with the team when everyone's phones go off with a notification.

"Looks like Mandy has something for us." Jason says.

Sonny leans back on the bench, ready to do a few more reps, as the rest of the team gathers their stuff.

"Let's go, cowboy. Meeting room three. Ten minutes. Don't be late!" Jason yells from the door.

Ray looks at Sonny expectantly. Sonny just shrugs. "Don't ask me. I thought Bravo was grounded."

"I guess Jason talked to Blackburn. Welcome back, brother." Ray says.

"Thanks, man. Good to be back."

Bounding over to the two, Clay claps Sonny on the back.

"Calm down, One Direction. We've still got to figure out where Mandy is sending us this time. And there better not be water involved." Sonny says, only half kidding.

Entering the meeting room, Sonny finds his spot next to Davis.

"Welcome back, gentleman." Blackburn greets the room. "Sonny, good to have you back on the team."

"Good to be back, sir." Sonny says with a sincere smile.

Turning towards Davis, Sonny smirks and says, "If this mission involves water, you can have my spot."

"Sorry, cowboy. No water this time, just a lot of sand." Davis says, smiling at her best friend.

"Good. Sand I can deal with." Sonny says with a laugh, turning his attention to the front of the room.