"Hey, yeah it's me again, you had any luck finding him yet?...No me neither"
Clay sighs frustrated checking the time on his watch as continues searching around the bar. He's talking with Trent on the phone, both of them out searching the local area for Sonny, who's missing since last night.
"Okay we'll if you got nothin then do you wanna head back to his apartment, wait there, see if he turns up. I'm just gonna go check that club Emile's. I know he used to hang out there sometimes" Clay scratches his head, desperately trying to think about where else Sonny might be. "If he's not there then I don't know where else to try. So, I guess, if we can't find him, then we'll have to call Ray or worst case.. Jason!"
There's a moments silence from the other end of the call but he can hear Trent groan " Alright, well then I'll head back to Sonny's now and Clay, try not to worry too much, he's bound to turn up. You know Sonny, probably just passed out in a bar somewhere."
"Yeah, I guess. I'll keep looking for now. Let you know if I find anything" Clay sighs then leaving the place he's in he goes back to his truck and drives off. I knew I should have stayed over last night. I shouldn't have left him!
o-o-o-o-o-o
"Sonny! Sonny for god sake man, stand up!" Clay sighs trying to hold his, very, drunk body against the wall. Keeping him upright is difficult as he tries to find the key for the door and with injury to his side it's turning into a bit of a struggle. "Sonny give me your key" he sighs again " For god sake... Sonny, where the hell are your keys?" Aww! Jesus, this is impossible. He frowns, rolling his eyes as he turns to looks at Trent, both of them now searching for the key to the apartment door.
"Clayyyyy! Clay, I .. I love you man!" Sonny smiles swinging his arm around Clay's neck, pulling at his neck.
"Yeah, yeah that's great man. I love you too, but I'd love you more if you told me where the hell your key was!"
"Oh keys...yeah...yeah my keys. Wait what? Keys for ...which keys, for my truck?"
"No, no not for your truck, for the door. Sonny for the apartment door, where is the key?" Clay checks his watch, again. He sighs noticing how late it's getting. They're running out of time fast and his frustration is starting to make him annoyed.
Holding one hand against Sonny's chest he firmly pins him to the corridor wall and shoves his other hand into the outer, front, pocket of his jeans searching for the key.
"Woah man!" Sonny cries out. He smiles trying to pull on Clay's hand as he searches him "What the hell are you doin ?"
Trent laughs watching them struggle and decides that he'd better try to help and so using both of his hands pushing them against Sonny's shoulders, he holds him straight while Clay feels each of this pockets in turn. Then finally Phew! he smiles "A key!"
"Clay, I love you man!"
Clay rolls his eyes and Trent lets 's arms collapse around Clay's neck Shit! Clay groans as his body takes the full drunken weight "Yeah, yeah that good Brother. I love you too!"
"Trent..." he smiles waving his finger in Trent's face "I ... love you too man!"
"Jesus Christ Clay, you think we're ever gonna be able to sober him up in time?"
Clay frowns as he puts the small silver key in the lock and opens the door. " Well were gonna have to try. There's no way he's passing any disciplinary, not in this condition that's for sure. If Jason even gets a whiff of the state he's in, if he wasn't already, then he'll definitely be out now!" He frowns turning around to open the door "C'mon Sonny, let's get you inside "
"I need a drink!" Sonny frowns searching the first cabinet in the kitchen hoping the bottle of Jack Daniel's he thought he hid is still in there.
As he surfaces with it Trent takes it from him and Clay grabs at him."No! No you need to sober up, that's what you need to do!" Clay turns guiding him away from the cupboard and as he manages to wrestle himself away from Clay and Trent's grasp there's a loud thudding sound as he falls flat on his face, hitting the floor.
"Oh shit!" Clay sighs, rolling his eyes. He takes another deep breath watching him lying there "C'mon man you need to get up!"
"Oh my god" Trent laughs out loud "Where the hell's he been to get in this state? Cos this is seriously drunk, even by Sonny standards"
"Would you believe it was pure luck that I found him." Clay frowns looking at the huge mound, of virtually unconscious Sonny, still lying on the floor. "I'd just been to that Emille's and they said they'd asked him to leave about thirty minutes before. Anyway, I was about to drive off when I saw a guy at the liquor store chucking him out the door into the street. Thank god I did, otherwise who knows where he'd have ended up!"
"Right, let's get him up then!" Trent frowns. He squats down beside him, double checking he does indeed have a pulse "Ready? On three!" They both put their hands under his arms and brace themselves to lift. Clay's a little unsteady, his injury sapping some of this strength
"You okay?" Trent frowns "Let me take most of his weight. Don't overdo it. Ready...three, two one...lift! I got him... I got him. Clay let go. I'm alright."
They groan, struggling between them, to lift his dead weight into an upright position. It's obvious he's not going to be able to hold himself up and so they both keep hold of him, supporting him Trent balancing most of the weight on his shoulder while they work out the best thing to do with him.
"Alright, let's get him in the shower first. That should sober him up quick and .." Clay sniffs "make him smell something better than he does "
"Yeah he does not smell good...that's for sure!" Trent frowns, the reek of body odor and stale booze filling his nostrils.
Clay checks his watch again, still conscious of the time. It's not long now until the disciplinary "Alright we got two hours to get to him sober and functioning. So, shower it is, followed by a gallon of coffee!"
They pull him, dragging his feet across the floor into the small bathroom "You got him ?" Clay sighs as he opens the glass sliding door on the shower. Trent nods as he takes Sonny's entire weight in his arms while Clay turns the shower on. Checking the water, he leaves it at lot cooler then would be comfortable.
He turns around and smiles, Trent looks like he's holding a large Sonny Quinn shaped rag doll "Alright Brother, let's do this!"
Trent holds him while Clay unbuttons his shirt. He grimaces at the sight of the stains down the front of it. What the hell? he wonders, hoping it's not vomit. Then he manages to drag the tee shirt he's wearing underneath, up and over his head. Throwing both in a heap on the floor. He's now standing there wearing only his jeans and Clay looks at him. Shit! he sighs at the effort required just to undress him this far.
He and Trent start to laugh out loud as Sonny struggles by himself, to try and undo the buttons on the fly of his pants but eventually Clay gives in, deciding he's going to have to help him if they're ever going to get him into the shower.
"Sonny...Sonny leave it man. Let me do it" Taking a deep breath he takes hold of the top button and one by one he pops them open. Then as he nearly gets them undone Sonny's weight suddenly falls forward over him the top of him. He wraps his arms around Clay's body as starts to squeeze him in a bear hug Aww!
Luckily Trent manages to grab him. Pulling him back before he can do any serious damage "You okay?" He frowns
"Yeah..." He sighs " yeah, I'm good. Okay, c'mon Sonny lets go. Get your pants off and get in the shower. Now!"
They manage between them to pull his pants down to his knees and holding him, he manages a weird foot pushing way to struggle out of them and step out of the legs. His balance unsteady he nearly knocks them all over in the process. Clay and Trent both smile as they look at state of him standing there, nearly naked, wearing only his grey pattern boxer shorts. He can't stand still and is swaying from side to side and Clay now awkwardly looks at Trent
"Alright Sonny, time to take off your shorts!"
"What!?" Sonny looks at him staring, trying hard to focus on Clay's face. "You want me to what?"
"I want you to take your shorts off. This is as far as I go. You're gonna have to manage those by yourself cos I'm not touching them."
"Okay... okay!" He smiles "Clay, I got this buddy. I can do it!"
Trent's still holding him up, his arms under his armpits linking and around this chest as Sonny with some effort, pulls and tugs at the grey cotton material to pull them down but he only manages to get them over his butt.
Oh shit! Clay sighs.
Checking the time Clay realizes the quickest way is going to be for him to give him a helping hand and so grabbing hold of the material either side he gives one quick swift tugging motion and pulls them down his legs.
"Step!" He pulls them off, over his feet adding them to the pile of dirty clothing in the corner of the bathroom "Right get in !" He points inside the open glass door to the shower. Phew! He sighs sweating at how hard it's been just to get him into the water.
Fuck! Sonny gasps out loud as the cool water hits his body. It's much colder than he realised Fuck! "What the hell! Let me out, Clay it's cold!"
"Shut the hell up and wash!" Clay frowns, blocking the gap between the shower door and the bathroom as Sonny tries to get out. Realizing he can't he tries to adjust the temperature Clay shouting at him telling him to leave the water temperature alone. He sighs and does as he's told.
"Sonny" Trent frowns "Put your head under, wash your hair as well!"
Clay looks at Trent. They both start to laugh as they listen to Sonny continues to moan about the water, about them and about what he's going to do to them when he eventually gets out "You two better run cos your ass's are mine when I get outta here!"
"I'll go put a pot of coffee on. " Trent laughs "I think we're gonna need it"
"Yeah. Yeah we sure are!" Clay turns back to keep an eye, watching as Sonny now leaning against the wall closes his eyes with the water running over his head "Sonny, you alright man ? "
"Yeah !" Sonny sighs as the water starts to take effect and he starts to sober up. He opens his eyes and look out through the glass "Clay...thanks brother!"
"You're welcome. Now c'mon get washed, you need to get dressed and get some coffee into you!"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Clay sits on the bed waiting. He can hear Sonny still moving around in the bathroom. Listening since the shower water stopped to him swearing and cursing, a lot. He's also heard him at least twice retching and vomiting into the toilet.
"You okay in there?" he calls out checking on him
"Yeah...yeah I'm good!" Sonny comes to the door. He's wrapped only in a small white towel around his waist "How do I look?"
"Honest answer?" Clay smiles "Like shit!"
"Yeah thanks for that. You coulda lied ya know!" he smiles as he staggers into the room, crashing down backwards onto the bed beside Clay "I need to sleep!"
"No! No, you got no time for sleepin'. We need to make a move, and soon"
"Oh, what's the point, Clay. I know was gonna happen. Nothin' I do now will save my ass. Jason's got it in for me, I mean he wasn't even answering my texts last night. Believe me I sent a few"
"You sent texts?" He sighs concerned "Sonny, what they hell did you do that for?"
"I just wanted him to listen, tell him I didn't mean it, that I didn't wanna hurt no one. I just.. I don't know Clay. Man, I'm sorry, okay! I never meant for you to get hurt and if I could take it back I would, in a heartbeat. I just wish to god I'd never meet her. She got in my head man, I just.. I just felt sorry for her. "
"Sonny, it's okay. Look I 'll try an' talk, to Jason, before the hearing. Plead your case. Cos maybe he's going a little far with this. I mean it did all come right in the end"
"Yeah but we still don't know if you're gonna be able to operate again, and that's my fault. Jason's right there. If I hadn't took my eye off the ball none of this would have happened."
"Hey.. they said I'm on the mend. Nothing that a bit of rest and rehab won't fix. Sonny, it's gonna be okay. But you need to turn up to that hearing today" He looks down at Sonny laid on the bed beside him. His eyes closed; the towel undone around his legs, exposing himself "But hey... first priority.." Clay laughs "You need to put some pants on!"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Now dressed and to some degree functioning again, if only on a basic level. Sonny heads into the living room where Clay and Trent anxiously wait. "Hey how're you feeling now?"
"Yeah I'm alive. That's about as much as I can say. I got a jack hammer going off in my head but .. I've been worse" He looks at Clay as Clay frowns at him " No actually that's a lie. Take that back, Ive never been this drunk in my entire life. Oh man... do I feel like shit!"
"Right get this down you!" Trent hands him two small white pills and a large mug of black coffee. He smiles as Sonny's sad eyes look up at him from where he's sat on the takes a mouthful of coffee and swallows the pills. Waiting for a moment as they slide down his throat then he can feel himself want to retch again.
"Keep drinking!" Clay frowns watching him "We need to go soon."
"I can't go. I'm sorry man. I can't do this."
"Sonny you have to go. Hey c'mon man, you can't just give in like this. You have to go put your case, take your punishment whatever, but you have to go "
"Clay what's the point? What, ta listen as Jason tells me I'm finished. I can't do that. I can't listen to him tell me everythin I ever wanted is over"
"C'mon Sonny, this is not you. I always respected you but if you don't go to this and stand up for yourself, then were never gonna speak again!"
"He's right man" Trent sighs "You need to go do this. You can't just give in."
Sonny rubs his head, taking another mouthful of coffee "I can't drink that. If I do I'm gonna heave"
"Quit whining and get it down you!" Clay frowns at him annoyed as he checks his watch "We need to make a move. Last thing we need is to be late. Sonny, just drink the damn coffee!"
"Fine!" Sonny frowns "But what I wanna know is who the hell made you god today?!" he sighs rubbing his head. His brain feels like a huge heavy rock and he hardly dares to move "I'm tellin ya now it's not gonna do any good. My nine lives are up and I'm gonna need a miracle to get out of this"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
As they arrive at the base. Sonny's still moaning that he feels sick, but it's not from the drink this time. It's the churning anxiety of nerves in his stomach. "God I need a drink!"
"Yeah well that's not gonna happen. So shut the hell up. C'mon Sonny get it together man!" Clay sighs "And keep walking"
He shoves him in the back pushing him forward into the locker room. Then sitting him down on a stool he finds him some clean uniform for him to put on. "Sonny you need to smarten up. Don't give them any excuse here. And then just state your case. Be honest. You fucked up and it won't happen again. You're sorry!"
Clay sighs and he looks up at the sound of the door opening. He takes a breath as Jason enters the room.
Jason's taken by surprise, he didn't expect them to be there and glares at the pair of them. Sonny's eyes drop to the floor, he can't even look but Clay takes the opportunity to speak
"Jace, can I have a word?"
"This something to do with Petty officer Quinn? Cos I'm not interested if it is, Clay!"
"Jason it's important, I need to say somethin"
"Oh, you know Clay, I think Sonny's managed to say enough for himself already. At the least in the numerous texts he sent me or... is he gonna tell me someone else sent them? Guess it was the booze talkin, hey Sonny? You managed to get sober there yet?"
Sonny gulps embarrassed he's not sure what to say "Okay yeah, I admit I was drunk man and I apologize. I shouldn't have... said what I said. This wasn't your fault, it was mine. I know that. I just wanna make it right Jason. Get back to how things were"
"How things were?" Jason laughs "Yeah that's not gonna happen. I got Ray in the hospital, still not sure if he's gonna recover and an operator down with Clay and that was your fault! You're an unprofessional mess. I mean look at ya even now! When you are here, you're hardly ever sober. So what? You expect me to do forgive and forget?"
"Oh, c'mon Jace man, that's not fair. This is not all Sonny's fault" Clay intercedes between them "I know you're worried about Ray, we all are, but Sonny wasn't responsible for that. How many times has he gotta apologize? The doctors said I'm gonna make a full recovery. I can forgive him why can't you?" He sighs staring at Jason "You know I wonder if this is even about Sonny or ... is this some way of you punishing yourself. A way to play out your anger. Are you just lashing out at Sonny? C'mon Jace give him some hell week or somethin then let this be an end to all!"
Jason takes a deep breath and looks at them both "Sorry Clay, it don't work like that. Besides I can't change anything now. I already submitted my report and made my recommendations. It's in Blackburn's hands now. So, it doesn't matter what I think anymore"
"Yeah but you could speak up for him. Tell Blackburn you over reacted. Jace please...you could cost him his career here!"
Jason stares at Clay then looks at Sonny sat with this head in his hands "You got ten minutes to be outside Blackburn's office. Maybe clean up first. I mean I can still smell the booze on you from here!"
"Jace..." Sonny begs to no response. Closing his eyes as the door slams shut Shit! "That's it! See I told ya, I'm done for Clay!"
"C'mon just cos Jason wrote a report doesn't mean Eric's gonna can your ass. Blackburn's a fair man, he'll work out what's best. Oh, c'mon Sonny they're never just gonna get rid of an operator of your skills just like that" He frowns helping him stand up "Let's get you ready to go!"
Clay tidies his collar, brushes his uniform down and then rummages in his own kit handing him some breath spray as he combs his hair over with his hand. "There! Well... that's as good at its gonna get. Just nod and salute in the right places and apologize, lots, and you'll be fine!"
"Clay.." Sonny nods " Thanks man. And I'll .. I'll see ya around. I mean if this goes belly up then we can still be friends, right?"
"Sonny... there's no question about that. But hey, it's not gonna come to that. Brothers always. Never have it any other way. Jason will see that too. Now... go be the man I know you are. Give em hell!"
Sonny nods scratching his head he takes a deep breath as he heads out of the door.
"You think he's gonna be okay?" Trent sighs
" I don't know Trent" Clay frowns, biting his lip worried. "I'm guessing those texts didn't help. Jason still seemed hellishly mad. Which is never a good thing, for anyone!"
o-o-o-o-o-o
Sonny leans nervously by the wall outside Blackburn's office. He's all alone. It's quiet except for the sounds of his deep breaths as he tries to quell his queasy stomach hoping he doesn't actually throw up. He closes his eyes trying to think through what he's actually going to say. Then he hears it, the sound of heavy footsteps pacing towards him and he looks up. Jason!
He takes a deep breath and stands straight as Jason looks him over, neither of them say a word and before either of them can, Blackburn throws the door open. He stares out of the doorway at them both.
They straighten up tall as they look at him.
"Sir!"
"Sir!"
"Master Chief Hayes..." he frowns at Jason "..I'll deal with you first"
Jason frowns at Blackburn's tone but he steps forward and follows him into the office.
Shit! Sonny sighs. Relaxing again, taking up his leaning position against the wall. He was hoping to get this over with but looks like he still has to wait.
Oh hell man! he sighs, pulling his fingers through his hair as he accepting he's just gonna have to be patient.
o-o-o-o-o-o
"Sir!" Jason nods pulling out the chair in front of the desk.
But just as he's about to take a seat Blackburn halts him "Don't sit. This is official, Jason!"
"Sir?" He frowns, staring at Blackburn. He stands to attention, something in his gut concerns him about the tone Eric's using to speak to him "What's this about? "
"Stand at ease" Blackburn rubs his head and sighs turning to look at Jason. He flicks open some of the files, filled with reports, that are lying on his desk " Oh ... what a mess this is! Jason, firstly I want to point out ... a lot of this stuff is not of my choosing. "
"Sir.." Jason frowns "did you um... read my official report, into what happened?"
Eric turns around, still shuffling the papers on his desk "Yeah I read your official report, for all the good it'll do." There's a silence, for a moment, while Blackburn decides how to handle this.
"Sir...look I tried to explain the circumstances, make clear what the intention..."
"Stop!" Eric puts his hand up silencing him "I don't need to hear your explanation. It really doesn't matter what you did or didn't put in this...this official report because officially... this incident never even occurred!"
" What?" Jason frowns, confused "But Sir...what'd ya mean it didn't occur, how so? I mean not being funny if it didn't occur, then what about Commander Jackson? I mean the man was killed. They can't just write off the death of a commander like that. There were witnesses, the fleet, the Russians It's not something they can hide easily. I don't understand"
"Pirates!..." Blackburn ironically laughs. "Pirates, the fleet answered a distress call from, hijacked a fishing trawler that was using a Russian call sign. Once they boarded the ship... blah, blah, blah...you know how the story goes" Eric smiles "Luckily for them there was a Special forces unit operating in the area. They were dispatched and neutralized the threat!"
"What?! Is this a joke?" Jason laughs "That's how they're writing it off? No mention of biological weapons or even Russians?"
"No, no weapons. Not according to the report I've seen. No Russian involvement. I'm told from on high, that...that's the way it has to be! We keep our mouths shut, don't question and get back to work"
"And what about our mad scientist. What happened to her? If this doesn't exist... then I take it, neither does she?"
"Officially, I know nothing about her or her whereabouts. However, I spoke to Mandy... off the record. She's still here in the state. They have her helping them... to some degree"
"To some degree?! What the hell does that mean?"
"I don't know exactly, but then again she's the CIAs problem now. Mandy says she has some shit hot lawyers working her case. Which is why you're standing where you are right now " he sighs "because somewhere in those negotiations, that are not taking place. Bravo has come to their attention and seems that Agent Ellis needs some things straightened out, as part of the negotiations "
"So, Mandy's cut a deal with her, and what these issues, they involve Sonny? Jeez wept, now what the hell's he got us in to?"
"Look Jason ..." Blackburn sighs with a heavy heart "remember, this is just me passing the message along but .. look it would seem her lawyers are all over this, and if this incident had still existed then things might be very different right now, for both of us! So just count your lucky stars they canned this operation. Cos there's a world full of people out there just waiting to hang a tier one operator out to dry . The media are all over the tales of SEALS bad behavior right now, and they wanna see the Navy acting to stamp it out!"
"So what? Sonny was to be the scapegoat?"
"No, Master Chief..., I'm not talking about Sonny. It's your actions that have been called into question, not Petty officer Quinn!"
"What? My actions! My actions, what? What the hell did I do wrong?" Jason frowns, confused "It was Sonny can't keep his dick in his pants.. that got us into this"
"Not according to the statement, she gave her lawyers." Blackburn shuffles the papers flicking another file open " Her lawyer, to quote. Master Chief Hayes conduct was on many occassions not appropriate. And even though I fail to see, a mention of the incident they cite, on your official report. They are alledging that you... to quote, following an altercation with herself. Master Chief Hayes, locked Dr Renkov in a cold store facility. With no means of escape he had every intention of leaving her there to die! The lawyers ..." Blackburn continues to read " deemed this an illegal action. Citing rules of engagement laws, and therefore, considered unbecoming for someone of his position." Blackburn sighs as he closes the file "Jason is this true or just something they're using to bargain with?"
Huh! Jason sighs rubbing his head. He and Blackburn stare at each other neither saying a word for a moment
"Jason did you do it? Did you lock her in a cold store for real?"
"What the hell? Why is this suddenly on me? " He takes a breath, pacing the room his hands-on hips Fuck!
He stops and stares Blackburn in the eye "Yeah, yeah okay maybe .. maybe I did do that. But Eric... it was the only option I could see, on the ground, in the situation we were in, that would flush Vladim out."
Her rubs his head " I needed to get him to give up his position. It was the only way we were going to get Ray back, alive!" he sighs again the two men just looking at each other "But no... no I didn't do it with the intention to kill her, I just... I just needed to shake things up a bit. I guess I pushed it to far, but that was the situation and ... well, we got her out in time" He sighs
"What? So now I'm the bad guy all of a sudden. What about Sonny, what about what he did. The way he let her get hold of that knife, it allowed her to nearly kill Clay. What's Mandy doin about that?"
"Oh god Jason" Shit! Blackburn sighs loudly, rubbing his head "What a mess. And as for Petty officer Quinn... well there are comments noted in the lawyer's responses regarding his behavior."
He opens another file up quickly reading the page "Firstly, the allegation in your report, that something went on between Quinn and Dr Renkov. Well... it's one she vehemently denies. In fact, she refutes there was anything at all between her and Quinn. The lawyers report even commends his swift actions saying; Had he not acted under his own authority. Disobeying the order from Master Chief Hayes to leave her there! Dr Renkov believes had it not been for him returning to her that she would not have survived the ordeal. They also want it noted, on a personal level Dr Renkov would like to pass on her personal gratitude for those actions and for saving her life during the helicopter crash, where Petty officer Quinn showed unreserved bravery."
"Jesus Christ!" Jason gasps, astonished "Don't you see... there... that proves right there, that there was something between them. She's protecting him. Eric, can't you see what she's doing she's making me into the bad guy to save Sonny's ass, and you still think there was nothing between them. You can't seriously believe that bullshit? Even Sonny will tell you...did get him in here right now, make him tell you. This is bullshit Eric and you know it! She's playing them"
"Jason calm down. Like I said, luckily for you this is going nowhere, except some deep dark storage facility" he closes all the files on his desk and sits down " Mandy informs me they've done a deal. They won't press further action against you, in exchange for whatever it is that she's gonna give the CIA. Also on the understanding...that no formal action is taken against Petty Officer Quinn. Seems to me like she's trying to make amends there Jason."
"What so Sonny's just gonna get away with this?" Jason frowns staring across the desk as Eric just stares at him "Oh no! No... what the fuck! Eric you can't be serious? Christ, he nearly got Clay killed, he put my team in jeopardy and you want me to just ignore that?"
"Look Jason I'm not saying you can't deal with him. Just... that you need to keep it in house, below the radar. Look, whatever it is you're gonna do... I don't wanna know about it!"
"This is madness! Get Mandy down here.. right now! I mean how the hell is a terrorist getting access to lawyers anyway and why are we even listening to this bullshit! Surely Mandy's not just gonna roll over and give in. For god sake she built a bomb to kill hundreds of people!"
"She didn't, build a bomb, or at least from what I can ascertain they're saying in this report. According to this, it was down to Vinchenkov, she had nothing to do with it. Without Vinchenkov... her story holds up. She is according to the lawyers merely an innocent victim. An American citizen who has thankfully been freed. But as for a weapon, again... didn't happen!"
"I don't believe this!" Jason gasps laughing at the ludicrous situation " so she's not even being punished? " he frowns "No, no way! No way... whatever the hell she's giving Mandy it's gotta be good for this. I mean I spoke to Mandy, she knew the situation. No, I'm not buyin' that Mandy's handing her all this on plate. You're gonna be telling me next she's just going free?"
"Jason, I don't know what the hell is going on. Only the information contained in these reports. But .. she's not our problem now. CIA are dealing with her. As far as BRAVO's concerned, this whole thing never happened, and we move on. Do our jobs!"
"We move on... yeah well, tell that to Ray! Don't forget he's the one still lying in a hospital bed. Tell his family, his kids that this didn't happen! This is bullshit and I'm gonna find out what's gone on"
"No, no you're not, and that's a direct order. I've been told to put this to bed and that's what's gonna happen. Jason, c'mon, you know how this works. Ours is not to question, merely to serve!"
"So, what you're warning me now, to back off? That official?"
"Yeah that's official." Blackburn stands up and stares hard at him "Jason they got enough in this file to hang you, and bravo, out to dry. Don't give them that satisfaction. What I told you here, it's off the record. Now I'm gonna be recommending BRAVO stand down for a while. Give you time to get your heads together, get you team fit and then we'll move forward."
"I don't believe this!" Jason laughs, shaking his head exasperated " So, what about Sonny. What're you gonna say to him?"
"You want me to speak to him? I can leave it with you if you'd rather"
"What you want me to commend his actions, thank him for saving her life. Not a chance in hell! No Eric, he can go fuck himself for all I care!"
"Jason ... c'mon. You're just gonna have to let it go now. Stop beating yourself up over this. There were some bad calls all round on this op, but you're right, probably best if I speak to Quinn." He takes a deep breath, watching Jason rubbing his head " Is there anything else Master Chief?"
Jason laughs "You kidding, right! " he sighs staring Eric in the face "No! No, nothing else ... SIR!"
"Then you're dismissed" Blackburn opens the door "Jason got get a drink, and let it go!"
Sonny stands up straight as the door opens wide. He takes a deep breath as he sees the look on Jason's face as he comes out of the room.
Shit! He swallows nervously, closing his eyes for a second. Gathering himself together he wonders just how bad it's about to be. He takes a deep breath. Confused by the fact that Jason doesn't even look at him and just walks away.
"Petty officer Quinn!"
"Sir!"
"I ll speak with you now"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Clay waits at the bar. "Oh and I'll have another beer to go with that one" He says as he looks up seeing Sonny heading towards him "Hey!" He smiles "So... " he takes a breath looking at Sonny's face trying to read his expression "how'd it go?"
"Well... " a broad grin breaking out across his face "looks like you're still gonna have to put up with my sweaty sock's there, Goldilocks " He picks up the beer from the bar and swigs some back, "I must have an angel up there, that's all I can say... I'm still here, with bravo to tell the tale" he beams madly, drinking the beer down.
"Hey man..." Clay sighs "oh brother that's great news. So, Blackburn bought your apology?"
"Um .. not exactly, no! And off the record, Eric weren't none too pleased and in fact he reamed my ass pretty bad there. I also gotta probably endure some hellish beasting that Jason's yet to dish out but... the most important thing is, officially ... I'm in the clear!".
"Oh man..." Clay looks at him somewhat confused " that's... well um... No, that's great brother! You know, I seriously thought you were a goner there, for sure!"
"Yeah me-too Clay ... me too! I sure as hell never wanna feel like that again. So, from now on, I'm by the book. No missteps, no nothing. Hey, let's get some beers in and celebrate. Sonny Quinn lives another day!"
Sonny turns to the bar to order and Clay pats him across the shoulders showing how pleased he is to have him back. "So, did they say what happened to you know... to Renkov, or anything else"
"No nothin' Blackburn just said that the CIA are handling that side of things. I don't have a clue and I guess I don't need to know. Probably better all round, right?"
"Right. And you're okay with that. I know she meant a lot to you so... you gonna be able to let it go?"
"Yeah... yeah sure. I ll be fine. Look it was dumb move by me and um... lesson learned. I'm off women now, for good" he laughs "Hey .. " he puts his hand up to the barman "get me some tequila. I'm in the mood to celebrate!"
As he turns to face Clay he finds instead it's Jason he's facing "Oh hey man! You wanna drink? You know let's put this behind us"
"Celebrating are we Sonny? Yeah well don't get too comfortable." Jason smiles "You just bought yourself six weeks with green team. Oh and um... I hear Captain Arnold is training CO these days. I also heard that you and he get on real well" he grins as Sonny's face drops "I'd recommend that you lay off the booze, cos you know he runs a dry ship right?" Jason laughs hitting him hard on the shoulder "You can report there in the morning"
Sonny takes a breath; rolling his eyes as he looks at Clay who's smiling at him. "Jason..." he takes a breath "... thanks for that!"
"Don't thank me Sonny this isn't done, not by a mile "
"No.. but its start, right!"
"I gotta go see Ray. They said he's awake. Catch you later Spenser! Oh, and Sonny... Arnold said to tell you, he wants your scraggy ass there, by 0400!"
Shit! Sonny closes his eyes to the thought of six weeks with Captain Arnold, no drink and four am starts. Oh welcome to hell!
"Never mind Sonny" Clay smiles "We all know how much you love those early starts! And Captain Arnold hey?...Can't say I envy you that!" Clay laughs as he takes the tequila from Sonny's grasp " I think I better drink that for you!"
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Sassi sighs a loud, tired sigh as she opens the door to the musty smelling apartment. There's barely anything inside. An old chair, a bed, table, stove and microwave. No carpet on the floor and some old packing boxes.
She slumps down in a chair, dropping the bag and the files from her hand onto the floor. She combs her hands through her hair.
"Guess this his home sweet home now!" she sighs closing her eyes for a few minutes. The peace is suddenly interrupted as her cell phone rings. She looks at the screen and answers it.
"Dah!... Ya v poryadke! Skoro pogovorim... " she frowns listening " Yes, I know...did you not hear me, I said... I will speak to you soon!"
**THE END**