A/N: Thanks so much to everybody who reviewed!
Tool was waiting for them in the hangar. He scooped Molly into a rough bear hug.
"Christ, Molls, it's good to see you!" he enthused, setting her back on her feet. Molly only grinned as she helped Billy ease out of the plane. Gunnar heaved Chinook out and set him on the ground.
"Thanks," Molly flashed a smile back at him, "Come on, Kid, I'll give you a ride home," she said, letting the sniper lean heavily on her. He was pale and gaunt, but he hadn't complained at all.
"Now, those stitches can probably come out in a few days, but no heavy lifting or exercise. Unless you have to get up to use the bathroom or get food, I want your ass parked on that couch," Molly said sternly.
Billy nodded once at her and she cracked a smile.
"Out of all the guys, Billy, you're probably the easiest patient," she informed him. He smiled back at her. "I'll call to check in, so keep your phone on you."
Once Molly showered and put clean clothes on, she went to the grocery store. The Louisiana sun beat down on the back of her neck.
After spending months in the cold mountains of Albania, it sure was nice to be back under the sun.
Molly was investigating a few apples when a wolf whistle made her head whip around.
Hale and Toll were filling their carts with frozen suppers.
She set the apples back down on the rack and ambled over to them.
"Hey, strangers," she smirked.
"You get the Kid all tucked in?" Hale leered at her Molly rolled her eyes at him.
"Yes. Now, what kind of evil is this? You're get back from an entire mission of K-rations and now you're eating frozen food and canned ravioli?" she shook her head in disgust.
"Well, none of us grew up with a grandmother who taught us how to cook," Toll said sarcastically.
"Poor, unfortunate souls," Molly's eyes twinkled, "I'll tell ya what, tomorrow night, everybody can come over and I'll cook something."
"I think you're my favorite person right now," Toll said simply.
Much to her surprise, Hale was the first one to show up the next day, in the middle of the afternoon. She had been cleaning up her garden, planting new vegetables and pulling the weeds out when he pulled up on his bike.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Not too much. You're early," Molly rose and wiped her hands on her dirt smeared jeans.
"Well, I want to watch how you do it," he said plainly.
Hale Caesar, Mr. Macho himself, wants to learn how I cook?
"Alright, let me go get cleaned up. There's beer in the fridge."
Molly took a fast shower and put on clean jeans and a baggy Johnny Cash t-shirt. Hale was sipping a beer at her breakfast bar and looking through her box of recipes.
"You ready?" she asked, tying on a flowery apron. Hale grinned toothily.
"You bet your ass."
By the time that everybody began to arrive, Molly's kitchen had filled with the smell of garlic and oregano.
"Molly! Omigosh! I missed you so much!" Lacey flung her arms around the young woman in a tight hug. Molly patted her back awkwardly.
"Uh, you, too, Lacey."
"So, where did you go? Was it a nice, warm beach, filled with buff guys with sexy accents?" Lacey asked eagerly. Molly's cheeks burned as Hale sniggered by the stove.
"Hey!" Christmas called, affronted.
"I was just wondering!" Lacey pouted. Molly was saved from answering by the knock on her door. She sprinted out of her kitchen to answer it.
Barney and Billy stood there. Both held cases of beer.
"Billy Timmons, I thought I told you no heavy lifting!" Molly scolded, taking the beer from him.
"Hello, Molly, you look wonderful. I'm fine, thanks for asking. It's nice to see you, too," he said sarcastically. "And it's just beer," he pointed out, stepping past her.
"Kid's got a point, Booker. It smells good in here," Barney said, closing the door behind him.
"Thanks," she rolled her eyes and followed him into the kitchen. "Anybody know if Tool's showing up?" she called over the chatter.
"He's on his way," Barney confirmed as she went to check on the garlic bread in the oven.
It had been a long time since Molly felt so lighthearted. Having her kitchen filled with her laughing, teasing teammates was wonderful for her to see.
"It's good to have you back, Molly," Tool told her quietly as a few people roared with laughter at a story Hale had recounted.
"It's good to be back," she said sincerely.
And it was. Molly Booker was glad to finally be home.
