Chapter 30: Just go!

"Oh heck! What the hell's he doin here" Sonny's sigh is long, regretful and padded with a tone of annoyance. He frowns, his head furrowed with deep set lines. Watching as Alex enters the bar, arm in arm, laughing and joking with Mandy.

"Who?" Ray turns around to see what's causing his sidekick to huff and puff so much"Oh Alex, yeah I told him to come, have a beer with us. Why, there a problem with that?"

"Yeah ... yeah you could say there's a problem with that!" Sonny sips rapidly at his bottle of beer. His face contorts, the lines deepen, and he stares much more sternly at Alex. Watching intently as Jason waves them over to their table where he and Trent are sat relaxing.

Shit! "That's all we need!" he makes another drawn out sigh through his teeth. Taking his hat off he rubs at his head, wondering what he should do now.

"Hey, what's going on?" Ray cocks his eyebrow as he checks the concern on Sonny's face "You got a problem with Alex? You know you need to give him a chance, cos he's really nice guy. Intelligent and a smart sense of humor that you of all people should get"

"Yeah that as maybe but...well I'm not the problem" he sighs again. Raising a hand to the barman he orders another beer "You want one?"

"Um...yeah sure" Ray's trying to get a read on Sonny's reaction "So, what's the problem with him then?"

"Clay... Clay's the problem and, the fact I asked him to come meet us for a beer " His sigh is loud as he picks at the corner of the paper label on the bottle in his hand "Figured it might do him some good, get out for a bit, back to reality with the team. You know all those sleepless nights; he's starting to get a little rattled around the edges"

"How so?" Ray leans back in his chair, his gaze switching between Sonny's face and watching the others chatting across the room "Sonny c'mon man, why's Clay got a problem with Alex? I mean, I thought he and Kelsey were friends"

"Yeah and that's the problem" Sonny wipes his hand over his beard scratching his chin "Clay thinks he's too much of a friend. Something was said between them last night and now he's got one hellva problem with him." He bites his lip anxiously " Look um... I kinda shouldn't be saying this, but what the hell. Clay thinks Alex is trying to take Kelsey back to the UK, with him. He um... he thinks he wants to keep her there, that he's got feelin's for her. I told the kid it's all in his head, but you know Goldilocks, once he starts stewin' on somethin he won't let it go."

"What?" Ray's face seems stuck in a constant loop of questioning looks "Alex wants to get with Kelsey. No man, I mean if that was true he'd have done it when they were over there, right? She'd have never come back here. Would she? Not if they wanted to be together. No Clay's reading too much into nothin'. Brother you gotta talk to him"

"I dunno man, but what I do know is Clay's got himself in one hellva state over it" he coughs, hushing his voice "He um... he went and saw a lawyer today. No, no cool ya jets, just ta find out his rights, with the baby. See if she's allowed to take him overseas without his consent"

"What? Oh man, a lawyer... Sonny, you serious. And so, can she, I mean, take him or he can he stop her? Is that even a real thing, I mean she is his mom after all"

"Well yeah actually, according to the lawyer he can. She can't just take him. Casey's a US citizen and without Clay's permission she can't .The um ... lawyers gonna draft him sum kinda permission letter"

"Wait what? How the hell do you know this?"

Sonny takes a long breath then sips from his beer, he daren't even look at Ray "Cos I went with him. To the lawyer's office...today!"

"Sonny, you did what!? Are you crazy? You went with him, you didn't you try stoppin him instead. Oh brother, this is madness" it's now Rays turn to take a breath, he looks around the bar. Moving in closer he wants no one to hear this conversation "Sonny if she finds out, he went behind her back to a lawyer well..."

"Yeah, yeah. I know and don't think I didn't already try warn him. But like I said you know Clay, he's like a damn dog with a bone. I did however persuade him to hold off on the letter, for now... I told him to just let it play out, hopefully numb nuts over there will be gone back soon and there'll be no need for him to do nothin'. Trouble is now, Miss Mandy's on the scene and him and her seem to have bonded, I can't see him goin anytime too soon."

"Well Alex said he was taking Mandy for dinner." Ray sighs rubbing his face "So, let's hope they won't stay long. Never know Clay may change his mind a won't come."

"Yeah well looks like there's no hope on that" he nudges Rays arm; they both look towards the entrance as Clay walks in.

He has a huge grin on his face as he pulls up a stool next to them. "Hey, so what's happening?"

"Oh, you know... nothin' much" Sonny frowns, he and Ray exchanging concerned looks "So, you wanna beer man or I mean we could go to another bar if you fancy it. Sick of this place already."

"No um.. .I'm fine here. I... I told Kelsey I wouldn't be long. I'm hoping we've got plans for later" he smiles, winking at Sonny.

Ray gulps his beer down way too fast, choking as it hits the back of his throat "Sorry plans? Like plan plans!?" he frowns "Jeez, you know I went months before I could get near Naima again after she gave birth, and you got plans already" he laughs clinking his beer bottle against Clay's

"Yeah well, not exactly those plans but...well I don't wanna be late" he laughs and then takes a long sip from the cold beer. His eyes take a quick scan around what now, is a busy bar and he twists around on his stool "So where are the rest of the guys?"

"Um... somewhere over there." Sonny points vaguely to towards the dart board "Only Jason and Trent here yet, Full Metal and Brock said they might join us laters"

Sonny looks up as Clay slams his bottle against the countertop "What the hell! What's that asshole doin here? How'd he know to come?"

Ray's shoots a furtive glance to Sonny, neither mention it was at his invitation

"Clay, Clay, Clay! You need to calm down, man. Look he's going soon, taking Mandy for dinner so just cool your burners ,drink some beer and forget about him. Last thing we need is a scene. So, let him do his thing and then he'll go."

Sonny and Ray can both see the annoyance in Clay's face, the way his teeth are biting hard on his lip. He takes a long drink from the bottle of beer before holding his hand up, flagging the barman to bring him another.

"Hey, steady there Golden Boy. Last thing you need is to be spoiling for a fight, you understand me. Just sit your ass down, and stay there"

"HEY!"

They all swivel around in their seats, straining their necks as Jason calls, gesturing them over to the table.

"Oh, hell! Man, he wants us to go over" Ray sighs, hesitantly putting his hand up to acknowledge he's seen him. They all take a deep breath, Ray and Sonny exchange, furtive concerned glances

Shit! Sonny sighs "Alright poster boy, keep it together. Smile and play nice".

"What you're serious!? You want me to sit with him? No...no never gonna happen. Not on my watch"

"Alight quick bitchin" Sonny grabs him by the shirt collar pulling him up from the seat "What are you man or mouse. The way I see it you got three choices, you act like an asshole, stay here at the bar and ignore him so he gets what he wants, making you look an idiot or we leave and go elsewhere or...or choice number three you suck it up, smile and listen to his bullshit. Your choice man, I'm happy whatever"

"No .. no, I'm not leaving. Why should I? This my place to drink, my turf I'm not letting him get the better of me"

"Good boy! Now we talkin... just keep thinking like that and everything gonna be alright" Sonny smiles patting him on the back.

Ray's not so sure but he orders some more beer "I'll bring these over!"

"Here ... Clay, Sonny listen to this " Jason turns around looking at them, he's laughing so hard "Alex's got this funny story about when he was on deployment in Iraq, go on tell em. It's funny as hell!"

"I bet he has!" Clay sighs. Placing the beer against his lips to drink he turns his back on them. He won't sit down, the only chair available, is the one nearest Alex.

"Clay!" Alex calls out acknowledging him first as they exchange glances "So, how you doing? How's Casey today?"

"Yeah..." Clay grinds his teeth, his lips pout and he just about manages to spit the words out "..he's fine!"

"And Kelsey? She's doing okay."

"Yeah..." Clay furrows his forehead, he's struggling to make any kind of civil reply "Yeah she's fine too"

Jason notices the tone and immediately jumps on it "Something eating you Blondie?"

"No...no nothing. I'm fine. You know..." he sighs draining the last of the beer from the bottle "I need another beer"

"Yeah I think we could all do with one too " Alex smiles, he checks with Mandy then holds out a fifty-dollar bill "How about you get one for everyone, on me. I mean you've all been so welcoming since I got here, least I can do."

Clay hesitates, snubbing the gesture, unable to bring himself to take the money. Alex continues to hold it there until that it gets to the point where it becomes awkwardly obvious that Clay's blanking him.

Eventually, Sonny's the one who ends the deadlock by snatching the note from his hand "You know what, I'll come with you Blondie, give you hand." And though it sticks in his craw he does manage to nod in appreciation " Cheers Alex!"

"Yeah sure why not " Clay sniffs loudly. He notices the smirking look Alex is giving him.

Ray sits back in his seat, quietly watching the pair of them and their interaction with each other. The atmosphere is most certainly tense between the two and Jason leans forward over the table towards him "Alright, what the hell's his problem, tonight? "

" I dunno" Ray shrugs "Too many sleepless nights I guess. You know how it is with a new baby" he smiles. Looking at the others, Trent's eyes drop to the floor, he's trying not to involve himself and Mandy frowns.

She's not sure whats going on, but she can definitely feel the atmosphere but then her attention is distracted as he cell rings with a call. She checks it "Oh sorry, I have to take this." she kisses Alex full on the lips as she gets up from her seat, he runs his hand gently up her outer thigh making her smile "I'll be back in a minute "

"Hey..." Sonny sighs as they order at the bar. " Clay, what the hell's wrong with you. I told ya don't give him no ammo to fire at ya! You shoulda just took the damn money".

"Don't you see, he's doing it to wind me up Sonny. Mess with my head."

"Yeah well doing a damn good job if you ask me. I told ya don't let him get to ya"

"But did you see him, that smug smirk on his face, trying to be everyone's friend. Telling his funny war stories, like some god damn hero"

"Clay c'mon man..." Sonny laughs " like him or not, he is a damn hero. He's done two tours Iraq so at least give him some credit for that."

"I just want him gone Sonny!" Clay bites his lip and sighs "So what, I gotta play nice with him now for the rest of the night cos everyone thinks he's their goddamn buddy, with his sarcastic humor and his amazing British accent! Well I know exactly what he's here for and it's not to be anyone's friend. You know Mandy's not going to feel so good when she finds out he's using her. That she's some bit of fun until he can get to Kelsey"

"Hey..." Sonny shoves him back against the bar "Clay, seriously, you gotta get that out your head. How the hell' d think Kesley'd feel is she heard you talking like this. Tell ya what, if you gonna be like this all night, why don't you put that beer down and go home. Go home Clay, be with that baby of yours"

"What and let him think he's chased me away. I don't think so." He picks up the beers from the bar and glares at Sonny "I'm staying right here, until he leaves"

"Oh man!" Sonny frowns, his hand rubbing against his beard in worried frustration. Picking the beers up he sighs There's only one-way tonight is going now, and that's in a downward spiral Shit!

"Hey brother" Ray pushes Sonny to one side, separating him away from the others so they can speak "So, what's going on, he alright? I saw the look he just gave. C'mon Sonny do we have a problem brewing, with Clay and Alex"

"He's fine, alright, just leave it. I got this Ray! Trust me, Clay's gonna be fine , just let him work it outta his system"

"Well, you better have Sonny, cos last thing we need is him starting any trouble. Cos that's not gonna end well, for any of us, you get me. When all's said and done, Alex is still an officer and Clay can't be affording to get into that. He's already got Lindell on his case".

"What you worried about your promotion again Ray? Hmmm! This not about how Clay's feelin while you cozying up to your new best buddy, thinking he might be able to help you in some way. Grease the wheels at some officer club, maybe?"

"Sonny what the hell are you talking about. You know it's Clay's interests I got at heart. If I thought Alex was any threat to him or Kelsey and that baby, then just know , I'd be the first one to send him packing. But honestly Sonny I think this all in Clay's head and I'm tellin ya you need to keep a lid on him"

They both look around; they can see Clay leaning against the wall. He's keeping himself away from the group, drinking his beer, too much beer. His face is filled with a tormented expression of jealousy and rage as he stares, watching as Alex and Jason continue laughing and joking with each other.

Mandy returns from her call. Jason smiles at her and stands up to stretch his legs. She picks her purse up from the chair "Look Alex, I'm really sorry I'm gonna have to rain check dinner. Something just came in and I need to go."

"Awww! No really? You want me to take you somewhere, drop you off?"

"No, its fine I've ordered an uber, I have to go back to the base"

"That something for us?" Jason frowns

"Um .. maybe. I don't know yet" she smiles "Alex you stay here; I'm sure Jason will keep you company and he seems to be enjoying your stories" She smiles leaning forward and kisses him.

"Yeah sure Alex stay "Jason nods " you don't need to go, I'll get some more beers in. Play some pool, throw some arrows"

"Well if you're sure" Alex nods in Clay's direction " I mean I don't wanna tread on anyone's toes and out stay my welcome, if you know what I mean."

"What Clay? No Clay's fine. Too many sleepless nights, that's all. Don't worry about it"

Clay can hear them talking about him, it's as if he wasn't there and it's really, really annoying him " You know what?!" he sneers, slamming his empty bottle on the table in front of them "I think you already did that. I mean outstayed your welcome"

"I'm sorry do you have a problem here Clay" Alex stands up, moving himself closer, making the height difference between them obvious " Cos if you do, then just say and I'll leave."

"Do I have a problem?" Clay sighs, laughing in his face "No...no I don't have a problem, but you know I um... I thought Kelsey already told you to leave"

"You know that's not actually what I remember, see I remember she said, in not so many words was that you told her to tell me to leave, and as I told you, yesterday, I'll leave when she tells me. Not, you."

Clay positions himself closer to Alex showing he's not afraid of his posturing " Well I did say you need to go. We don't want you here. She doesn't want you here... so why the hell don't you just go"

"Hey, hey, hey! Break this up! Clay..." Jason steps between their bodies, separating them with his. Staring at Clay he can sense the tension. "..what the hell's going on here? You need to calm it down, right now!"

"Hey Goldilocks..."Sonny makes a grab at his arm "let's go throw some arrows at the board, relieve some of your pent-up frustration. C'mon, come with me" He takes a deep breath and turns to look at Alex "And if you staying..." he smiles patting him patronizingly on the chest, handing him a ten dollar note "Why don't you get yourself another drink, on me!"

"Alex!" Mandy sighs "What the hell was that all about? Is everything okay between you two."

"Oh, ignore him. He'd be better off going home. I mean to be with his girlfriend and new-born baby instead of hanging out in bars like some single stag"

"Alex, just leave it!" Mandy frowns. She can see Jason's getting agitated now and knows that isn't going to be a good thing. Wondering if she should leave Alex here with them now.

"No, I won't leave it." Alex turns calling to Clay as he walks away with Sonny "I see guys like you every day, in recruitment. Young, full of themselves, throwing their weight around. You don't impress me" he sighs, stepping forward, his chest puffed out. He folds his arms giving himself more of a physical presence "Why are you here Clay? I mean, you have got everything a man could want at home and you're hanging out with single team guys. What the hell is wrong with you? Kelsey not enough for you"

Clay smiles, he's tried so hard to ignore him all evening, but now he can't. His anger's been bubbling under the surface ever since he saw Alex when he arrived and it's now at bursting level. Everyone can feel the tension simmering between them.

Sonny can feel something's coming but when it does he can't keep his hold on him and Clay slips from his grip. Brushing him away Clay lashes out using both hands and with full force he shoves Alex hard in the chest.

Alex knew he was getting to him, but he didn't anticipate such a sudden response and unprepared the push takes him off guard. He staggers backwards, knocking the chair behind him over.

"And what the hell's it gotta do with you? Hm-mm! Why are you so bothered about what I'm doing?" Clay glares, inches from Alex, his face contorted a reddish color.

The bar suddenly goes quiet as the two large guys square up to each other and everyone stops what they're doing, something about a bar fight makes everyone want to watch. Sonny quickly trying to break them apart before it gets as far as an actual fight. Placing his body physically between them, hoping Alex won't react back to Clay's sudden attack.

Jason's fuming, he almost leaps the chairs as he heads back to them from where he was at the bar. He shoves Clay away and looks around at the crowd gathered staring at his team

"Alright shows over!" he frowns. Everyone knows better than to go against what Jason says. Some of the other team leaders, smile to themselves, raising their bottles, glad for a change it's not their team they're having to control. "What the hell's going on Clay?"

"Nothin' !" Clay bites his lip, untangling himself from the grip Sonny has on his shirt.

"Don't look like nothin to me. So, you care to explain?"

"Oh, don't worry Jason, he doesn't bother me" Alex smirks, removing Sonny's hand from his chest "I'm not interested in what you're doing Clay, but I am worried about Kelsey. She needs someone to be there for her right now and I don't see you stepping up to the plate. But I will tell you this, you leave a woman like her home alone too long, she'll get bored. Her eye will wander, and one day, she won't be there. Trust me I know"

"She'll get bored." Clay laughs at him his fist clenching tight against his leg "Oh, and what you gonna be waitin', right, just like you told me. I know what you want. You think you can take her and my son away from me. Well I'm here to stop you"

He takes at breath, again his temper is ratcheting up a notch from the simmer just below the surface. He turns around, now looking at Mandy "He tell you that, that he's just here for Kelsey. That he's using you until he can get her on a plane back to the UK. That he just wants to bed you, cos he's got nothing better to do right now."

"Clay!" Mandy frowns, shocked as she looks up at Alex. The statement hurts and she's hoping it's just Clay's anger, not truth "What the hell's he talking about?"

"Oh, who the hell knows. He's drunk. Look at him! " Alex smirks "You shouldn't be here Clay, go home"

"You can shut the hell up, I'm not drunk but I am sick of you. You're the one who needs to go!" He takes a breath, the contempt he has for Alex fills his thought "Where the hell do you get off... you're so fuckin arrogant. You're using Mandy, because she reminds you of Kelsey and you know she won't sleep with you, that you're just friends. But you want more than that don't you ."

"Kelsey won't sleep with me?" Alex laughs. Folding his arms, he bites his lip as he stares mockingly at Clay "Oh god you really don't know the half of it do you!"

"What?" Clay frowns, he suddenly stops talking. He feels a pang of insecurity like he's not understood something. He again steps forward, only this time to walks into the solid wall that is Jason's chest. Jason's hand forced against his own rib cage, holding him back. He sighs knowing he's going nowhere near Alex unless he goes through Jason and, for now, he backs off " So what? What, you're saying you're sleeping with her?"

"No ..no, that's not what I'm saying... but we have!"

"You' have what? You have slept with her... yeah right, in your dreams" Clay takes a breath as he questioningly stares at him. "Okay tell me when then? I mean, she said you were just friends, yes you kissed once but that was it. So, what, you're sayin she's lying"

"I'm not saying anything. You need to take it up with her. You'll need to ask her about it"

Despite Jason between them Clay somehow finds a way to slip the net and lunges shoving Alex backwards. This time he's expecting it and holds his ground, though he has to admit, Clay's not messing around and the thud slammed against his chest hurts "I'm asking you! Tell me what went on?"

Alex bites his lip. He stays silent, taking a deep, apprehensive breath. He's annoyed with himself, letting Clay get to him like that because it's made him say something that he knows very well Kelsey won't be happy with.

"I said ... tell me!" Clay screams as again he attempts to push him, but this time he fails as Sonny and Jason have a handle on it, and step in. They separate them. Jason and Sonny push Clay away from the scene.

Ray takes hold of Alex, guiding him backwards to keep them apart. "Alex, c'mon brother, don't do this. Not here. Not now. Don't put it all out there "

Alex takes a breath and nods; he knows Ray's right. He knows that advice is what makes them officers over the likes of Clay. That when provoked they shouldn't, they don't, react.

"Hey Clay..." Jason frowns "You need to calm the hell down, right now! Whatever this beef is, it needs to stop. You got me?"

"No! I'm not leaving it. I wanna know what he means"

Alex takes a sip of his beer as he and Clay stare at each other "You know what, I'm not doing this with you, not here now" He has more of the beer and then as he drains the bottle he stands it down on the table. "I'm gonna go." He sighs, patting Ray on the arm "I was nice seeing you again. Mandy I'll walk you out"

Mandy nervously nods her gaze moving quickly between Clay and Alex. She's concerned about what Clay's saying but she doesn't question it further. Ray follows them to the exit as they say their goodbyes, Ray looks around watching as Jason and Sonny speak with Clay, trying to calm him down "Alex, wait" Ray stares him in the eye " Man to man. I wanna know what you said to him. Did you? You and her, did you sleep together?"

"Ray just leave it alright, don't do this tonight. I shouldn't have let him get to me. I was wrong to say anything"

"When ... when man? Just tell me. Not since you've been here right? Tell me that you haven't touched her since you got here"

Alex takes a deep breath and closes his eyes "I need to go! Nice seeing you Ray"

Alex and Mandy head to the parking lot. They stop by his hire car and she now wants to talk. "Where you using me? Was Clay right"

"No .. no not using you, this, us it was fun, right? Us having fun, I mean it was never anything exclusive, like a holiday romance. C'mon Mandy we're both adults so we needed a bit of company nothing wrong with that right"

"Jesus.." She sneers at him ".. I liked you, I thought you liked me. I thought maybe we ... never mind"

"Oh, c'mon I'm going back in a week, it was never gonna be serious I thought you knew that"

"No!" She sighs, "You know what I have to go"

Fuck! Alex sighs, taking a cigarette from a pack, he has in the glove box he only smokes occasionally but now is one of those times.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Ray sighs, he re-joins the group. Sonny frowns "I'll get some more drinks in"

"What the hell was that about, Clay?" Jason's pacing in front of him "You do know he's an officer, right?"

"Different Navy."

"Different Navy?!" Jason stands in front of him glaring "Still an officer, in the Navy! You hit him and that mean you could face a disciplinary, you know that? You get it. You wanna lose your whole career over him?"

"Be worth it, to see the smug look wiped off his arrogant face" Clay takes a breath, looking around everyone still giving them side glances. He rubs his hand over his chin "No, no you're right. I gave him what he wanted, I let him get to me. I shouldn't have" He sighs again "You know I'm gonna go home, he's right I don't know why I came. I should have stayed with Kelsey. I have a different life now. I need to go take care of it"

Jason smiles patting him on the shoulder "That's right you have. Clay, go sort your family out man. I'll catch you tomorrow. Looks like we're gonna get spun up soon, so go make peace with your girl"

Sonny's back from the bar "Hey, you leavin'?"

"Yeah man. I need ta.. well you know...go home. Thanks for today Sonny"

"Hey, you're welcome man. I'll catch you tomorrow"

Clay smiles nodding his goodbyes to the others and leaves.

"You think he's gonna be okay now?" Jason frowns.

Sonny shrugs as he sips his beer. Turning around he notices Clay's left his jacket on the chair "Oh hell that boy' d lose his head if it weren't fixed on" He picks it up "I'll see if I can catch numb nuts give him his jacket. He got his keys in the pocket! Back in a minute watch my beer."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

As Clay stops in the doorway to the bar, he takes a deep breath filling his lungs with the cool night air. Slow and deep, he calms himself. He looks up smiling at the large moon, then around the parking lot. He can hear someone talking, he looks across the open space and he can see them pacing as they speak on the phone. They're having a cigarette over by the parked cars. "Alex!" he sighs

He looks to where his truck is parked and then back again in front of him where he can see Alex still pacing back and forward. His head tells him to go home but as he looks back at the noise of the bar behind, his heart still has questions. Questions that need answers. The more he stands and stares at Alex the more the simmering tension starts to bubble and foam inside him. Fuck it! He strides over "Hey asshole!"

Oh Jesus! "Clay!" Alex cuts off his call, putting his phone into his pocket "Just leave it alright you really don't wanna do this. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. Wasn't my place"

"No but you did, and you can't unsay it. so, I wanna know what you meant. What were you tryin to get at? That you and Kelsey have slept together, that there was something more between you" He frowns trying to read his expression, his body language

"Have you been with her since you got here?" he takes a breath wondering if he really wants to hear the answer to that question, because the thought that he has, terrifies him, and saying it out loud makes his stomach churn "No, you haven't been with her, this is all bullshit! You're a liar. She hasn't slept with you!"

"That's not what I said, but we did have a relationship, in the past, that is true and if you really wanna know," he smirks "we did kiss, while you were away"

"What the hell" Clay can feel the shock, as the air leave his lungs, his throat goes dry "You what? You kissed?"

"It was me, alright. I should have stopped it. She was a mess, upset and I.. I took advantage. I wanted her. She didn't do anything. You have to understand, it's on me that kiss. My mistake"

"What the fuck! No...no she wouldn't. She told me there was nothing between you, not like that. You were friends and she valued that friendship. You took advantage? I should fuckin kill you" He grips his fingers into a fist his eyes glaze over, as he stares, looking at the well-built man in front of him. Now he can only see anger and hatred.

"Clay there hasn't been anything between us, not for a long time. Certainly not while she was pregnant anyway"

"Why the hell don't you just go. No one wants you here" The seething rage inside Clay is building and the more Alex speaks the more the whirring churn in his stomach bubbles. Even the thought of him touching her sends him to the edge. What she could possibly see in this arrogant asshole. "Well if it's true and you did have something, it's over now. She came here for me. She left you. Now do the right thing and leave her alone. Get on a plane and go the hell back"

"Clay you don't understand. I can't. I love her"

"Love her? I don't care. Because you are never going near her again. I swear to god you go anywhere near her; I'll kill you. Do you understand and as long as I breath you will not get my son. He's goign nowhere. I've made sure of that!"

"What? It's up to Kelsey, it's for her to decide not you. You so sure she won't leave. Is that why you don't want me to see her again. Because you're not sure she won't leave you. If she comes back with me, she'll bring Casey, but know I'd never stop you seeing him"

"What the hell! Have you heard yourself, making plans? Oh, you son of a bitch you had this all worked out didn't you. What you gonna wait until I get spun up again, then make your move?"

"Maybe.." Alex smiles " I don't know. All I know is since she left, I can't be without her. I will do everything I can to get her back. I'm sorry. I wish it didn't have to be like that. If I'd have known she was getting on that plane, I could have stopped it"

Clay grips his fist, clenching it open and shut. As the red mist descends he can't stop himself. There's a sudden thudding muffled crack, as Clay's knuckle makes contact with Alex's jaw.
"You son of bitch"

Clay throws another punch and still dazed from the first Alex can't absorb the impact of the second. He falls back with a heavy thud against the car behind him. Fuck! He wipes the blood the dribbles from the split that appeared in his lip.

Looking at the red liquid on his hand Clay can't stop. Not now, he's unleashed his anger. He releases a lower blow, thudding against Alex's ribs. Following up with his other fist, a crunching bruising punch to his stomach.

Winded Alex drops to his knees and closes his eyes. He's not sure why he didn't fight back. Maybe he feels like he deserves some of it . He knows it would have hurt what he said because he knows what if feels like to have her taken away. But this punch in his gut, that's where his guilt ends and as he gathers his breath he staggers to his feet. Then when Clay's not expecting it he swings a punch. Hitting Clay hard in the ribs and follows through with his left hand catching Clay square on the jaw.

Clay smiles, his hand rubbing the side of his face "That it? That all you got!" he continues staring his eyes focus intently. Sure, he knows Alex is bigger in build than him but with that punch Clay realizes he's the stronger. If that's the best Alex can do then he can take him.

The two men just stare at each other. The corners of Clay's mouth curl an then he lashes out. First hitting his fist square into the front of Alex's face. There's a popping sound as blood spills everywhere, down Alex's nose which is blown open, not broken but bleeding heavily all down the front of his shirt. The metallic smell and taste filling his mouth as he spits the mouthful of bloodied saliva onto the ground. Splatters decorate the front of Clay's tee shirt.

Now blind to what he's doing, lost in a beer fuelled anger he doesn't stop. Punch after punch until Alex drops to the ground, his arms up over his head trying to protect himself.

"Get up!...! Get up!... C'mon, I said get up!" Clay pulls at his shirt collar, trying to drag him to a standing position but Alex concedes trying to fend off the blows. Clay won't relent, as the red anger consumes him.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Hey um...Jason"

"Hey Charlie, how are you?" Jason frowns looking one of Charlie teams previous C1s

"Yeah I'm good look sorry to interrupt but I thought you might wanna know, I think it's a couple your guys they um... they're throwing fists in the parking lot. Just thought you might wanna put an end to it. Looks like it's getting pretty heated out there!"

"Throwing fists?" Jason frowns looking at Ray "Who is...oh hell... Clay!" Having realized what's going on, he and Ray jump the chairs and rush to get outside.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"HEY! Hey hey!"

Clay looks around the voice shouting at him from the bar doorway "Clay!...STOP! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Sonny comes running over, pulling Clay off, throwing him back to the floor "What the fuck do you think you're doing Clay? You trying to kill him, man! Back the hell off!"

Clay wipes his face, clearing it of the sweat, his hands covered in blood. His knuckle bruised and split open across the bone "He deserves it!" he takes a breath, staggering to his feet "Go on tell him! Tell him, tell him what you said about wanting to take Kelsey." He gets his breath the fog that he lost himself in is clearing and starts to see what he's done "Sonny he said it, he wants her"

He can feel the adrenaline surge start to subside and his body starts to shake. Suddenly a large hand grabs at his shoulder as Jason pushes him back "What the hell did I tell you? Get the fuck away!"

Clay seethes again, his cheeks pursed he stares at Jason, but he ignores him slapping his hand away from his chest pushing him back

"Walk it off Clay!" he continues to stare holding him back "Clay! I said ... walk it off! Step away this is not gonna happen, not now!"

Sonny grabs Clay pushing his body back, "Clay c'mon buddy do what Jason says, let it go!"

The atmosphere is electric a high surge of testosterone, blood, sweat. As two raging men face off. Ray trying to work out what's going on. He helps Alex to his feet first "You okay? What the hell went on here?" Alex spits the blood from mouth, wiping his nose on the hem of his shirt. He smiles.

Clay keeps pushing against Sonny, he's desperate to get back and finish what he started "You stay away from her. You don't come near her again" he points his fingers jabbing it in Alex's direction " Nothing's going to happen between you, you understand me!"

"Oh really" Alex smiles he's hurt but also very angry now " Too late, you want the truth.. . truth is I've fucked her that many times, I've lost count!" he laughs, watching as Clay struggles, forcing against both Sonny and Jason. it taking all their energy to hold him back

"What the hell.. you're lying man! She told me there was nothing. You meant nothing!" Clay paces away from him is hand gripping and releasing in frustration. If just one chance Jason and Sonny let him go he swears he'll kill him.

"Clay, let it go man. He's trying to get in your head. He's hurting. He's just trying to hurt you back. Don't fall for it!" Sonny turns leaving Clay with Jason. He's now the one grabbing Alex shirt and shoving him back against the car door "You know you need to shut your mouth before I shut you up permanently you comprende"

"Sonny leave it!" Ray frowns his eyebrow hitched in concern as he now tries to pull Sonny's weight from Alex

"I'm warnin' ya. Best thing you do now, get on that plane and disappear for good, cos trust me you don't need to worry about him.." he points at Clay "It's me comin for ya now!"

"Stay there!" Jason warns Clay "You don't move. I mean it Clay; you take one step forward I'll put you down myself!"

He sighs, rubbing his lip which is bleeding from where Alex's punch managed to catch him "Fine! I'm not moving" He grimaces, grinding his teeth. It's going to take all his powers of control to stay where he is.

"What the hell is going on?" Jason and Alex are the same build, same height and Jason stares him directly in the eye "You wanna explain why he's throwing fists? What you say to him?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Your boy just getting his knickers in a twist. I was leaving and ... guess truth hurts as they say"

"Truth? What truth would that be?" Jason bites his lip taking a breath "You wanna explain some of that truth, to me?" Hmm!

"He says he slept with Kelsey" Clay interrupts even saying the words makes his blood pump faster " He's lying. Wishful thinking!"

"Clay shut your mouth!" Jason sighs, he's trying to defuse the situation, calm it down and get to the bottom of what's gone on "I wanna here from you. I mean you have a lot to say for yourself. So, this the truth or a lie to wind him up."

"No! " Alex smiles the blood still dripping down his face

"Have you slept with her or not, straight answer to straight question "

"Yeah .. yeah we use to have a thing going on. We had an affair, when I was married" He sighs. "I left my wife for her" he laughs "and then Kelsey left me. It was complicated then. I figured when she got pregnant and she moved into the flat I rented out that ... things would just happen again. But she wouldn't commit. Torn about her feelings for that prick! I stupidly told her to get in contact, settle the thing about the baby . I never imagined she'd up on a plane and come here" he sighs rolling his eyes "her all over."

He takes a deep breath, his body aches, his face sore and now the regrets set in . The regret about his words. He knows how angry Kelsey will be with him when she finds out that he's washed their dirty laundry in public. That he's told Clay what she asked him not to. That is ego couldn't help it. His need to get one up on Clay. That his desire to break them apart overruling all logic and clear thinking.

He pulls his hand through the sweaty, bloodied mess of his floppy brown hair. Then he slumps sitting himself on the ground, his head dropping between his knees. "Look I um... I shouldn't have said what I did. I can't take it back but I'm sorry. When he hit me, I lashed out with words! You're boys got a fucking punch on him for sure!" he laughs trying to ease his hurt pride.

"You fucking asshole!" Clay can't stay still now, and Alex hurriedly gets to his feet as Clay lurches forward towards him.

Luckily Sonny manages to catch Clay's arm pulling him back. He shoves him against one of the cars in the parking lot. Holding him there "Clay, calm the fuck down! " Sonny growls as he forces him back. Jason turns around watching

"Sonny get him the hell outta here! I mean it... now!"

"C'mon Clay.." Sonny turns him around from the situation, pushing his hand against his back "Lets walk it off some, before I take you home"

"And you ..."Jason shoves his hand against Alex's chest holding him against the side of the hire car behind him "You get the hell out of here. Best advice. You go to your hotel, pack your bags and get on the next plane out." He frowns they're inches from each other's faces, nose to nose "Don't come here again because I'm warning you, officer or not... you and me will be having words next time. Ray escort this sorry excuse off the premises"

Ray takes a breath. He's caught in dilemma because he really liked Alex but what he's done, what he's said, Ray can' excuse it "C'mon! Alex just go. Like Jason said. Don't come back here. Don't go near Clay and ... stay away from Kelsey if I was you. If you really love her, do it for her and that baby, man!"

As Sonny leads Clay back to the bar. They take a minute. Clay closing his eyes, he rests. Well aware that he needs to calm down. He wipes his face with his hand "I'm fine ...really I'm fine. Let go of me Sonny. I said let go." Sonny does but stays alert, ready in case he bolts "I need to get my jacket, I left it. It's got my keys"

"Yeah it's um... over there. I dropped it when I had to come sort your dumb ass out." Sonny sighs "You know Clay, you really pushed it too far this time. But... he laughs "you did mess his face up proper good there." There's a sly grin from Sonny before he frowns at the seriousness "You better just hope he don't take this further and that Jason calms it down"

"I know" Clay sighs "Sonny what am I gonna do?"

"I'm sure Jace will sort it, now try not to worry"

"No, I don't mean about hitting him. I mean about Kelsey. What if he's right, what if she wants him. Wants to be with him."

"Clay... she doesn't, she loves you. She damn well loves that baby. She'd still be with him if she wanted that. Look, let's get you cleaned up. Then I'll take you home. You're gonna have to talk to her"

"And say what? Choose, me or him. Here or the UK"

"Maybe"

"What if she made a mistake, coming here and what if given the choice she choose him, chooses to go back"

"Then maybe...maybe you have to let her go!"

Clay takes a breath leaning his head back "She's not taking my boy. Sonny I can't let her take him. I ...I can't lose him, not now. I love him too much"

"Look Clay it's late. We'll sort it. We'll make sure that doesn't happen." Sonny sighs, he' fatigued, its late " C'mon let's get inside, wipe that lip before we take you home. I need another beer, before we face Kelsey" He laughs patting the regretful Clay on the shoulder

As Jason and Ray watch Alex drive off "You know he could get Clay disciplined over this, hitting a senior officer. It's not gonna look good. Hell, command already know Clay has a problem with discipline around officers. Lindell already on his case"

"Yeah I know" Jason sighs, rubbing his hand over his head "I should have stepped in and stopped this earlier. I could see it brewing" Shit! "let's just hope he listens and gets on that plane"

"You think he will, go just like that, I mean?"

"I sure hope so." He sighs as he looks around behind him, watching Clay and Sonny head back inside the bar " For Clay's sake"

o-o-o-o-o

Kelsey sits down with a long sigh. She's tired but enjoying the peace of the apartment Casey's fed and bathed and now asleep in his crib. She's finished preparing the bottles, putting the bottles in the fridge for the night as she decided to treat herself to a very small glass of white wine.

Standing the glass on the table she picks up the laptop "Right..." she sighs "let's have a look at these flats you've picked out, Clay Spenser. See if they're to my taste" she smiles, looking around the familiarity of the current apartment, her mind trying to imagine a new place, a new home. A place for them as a family.

As she switches it on she frowns looking at the two tabs he's left open for the two options he picked out
"Oh Clay" she frowns "Either you've been looking at porn or your seal paranoia" she laughs the private browsing mode activated and history all cleared. It makes her laugh how careful he is.

Then as she settles into the couch, reading the details her eyes glaze over and she yawns . Sighing loudly, she sets the laptop back on the table, too tired to read it for now. She checks the time on her watch and closes her eyes.

She wakes with a sudden start at the knock on the door Shit! She blinks not realizing she'd fallen asleep.

"Hold on!" she calls out as she checks the time. It's nearly midnight. She pulls her robe around her naked body, tying the belt. Then she smiles as she heads to the door "You know, I can't believe you forget your key" She opens the door "Good job I'm still up or I'd be really anno...yed" She stops talking mid sentence "Oh my god! ..." she gasps, staring as Alex stands leaning on the door frame

"Hey!" he tries to smile but she can't see it focusing instead on his badly beaten and bloodied face

"Alex, what the hell happened to you?"