Is Something Burning?

DEVGRU Hallway

Clay had grimaced and hissed when he bumped his arm while getting out of Trent's car after Sonny unbuckled his seatbelt. Not having the use of at least one arm totally sucked. And although he complained about wearing two slings, the one for his casted arm actually took the strain caused by the weight of it off his right shoulder and neck muscles.

Spotting a group of sweaty, dusty operators laughing and jostling one another as they approached from the opposite direction, Clay slowed his already snail's pace, worried someone might bump into him and cause more pain. With a bit of embarrassment and a lot of gratitude, Clay continued when both Trent and Sonny stepped in front of him, creating a protective barrier.

Alpha Team parted, lining the walls as Derek caught sight of Clay and ordered his men to make a hole.

Clay nodded thanks to Derek as he passed through them. Almost to the end of the group, Clay halted when he found an unexpected familiar face. "Yoder?"

"Spense, man, good to see you up and around. Heard you took a hard hit in Serbia," Yoder said as he remained stationary, so there was no possibility of knocking into his injured friend. It had to suck having two broken wings. Being hard-hitting doorkickers, none of them liked being on the injured reserve.

"Yeah." Clay noticed the 6A9 patch on his old teammate's sleeve, and confusion lit his features. "You got drafted to Alpha? When did that happen?"

Yoder blinked. Derek told them Clay got his bell rung but didn't realize it had been so hard that Clay didn't recall things. He decided to use humor and a little deflection because he knew Clay, and not remembering something would eat at him. He chuckled, "Man, if you don't recall, we must've gotten a little too hammered on sake bombs the night we celebrated Alpha drafting me."

Clay smiled, not because he recalled that particular party, but remembering the times he and Yoder hit the bars with Brian while in Team Three. "You like working with Derek?"

"Hell yeah, a great guy. I'm happy on Alpha but would've enjoyed being on your team. C'est la vie'. Anyway, we'll get to work together again since Alpha and Bravo team up often." When his team headed off, Yoder said, "Gotta be running, if the door closes, I'll owe them another case of beer. I'm going broke as it is with all the firsts. Take care, bro. If you need anything, just give me a holler."

Yoder trotted off to catch up. He still couldn't believe Hayes drafted Lopez, or hell, Lopez even got past Big Chief and graduated. None of his Green Team cohorts liked the guy—something about his manner seemed fake and untrustworthy. He wondered if Clay's injury, like Brock's, had anything to do with Lopez. Unfortunately, the details of how Clay got injured had been withheld from them. Yoder ran, just barely making it into their equipment room without the door closing—saving his bank account a few dollars.

As they continued down a hall, Clay wondered what made Lopez a better fit for Bravo than Yoder. He would've thought Jason would pick Yoder—his buddy from his previous team checked all the boxes. It would've been fun working with him again—they made an incredible team. Clay pushed those thoughts aside, recognizing Jason must've seen something in Lopez that the team needed and made the selection according to Bravo's needs.

Bravo Team Room

Clay entered as Sonny held the door for him. He noted Jason, Brock, and Metal all at the table and Lisa standing with Mandy in the kitchenette area. Ray, the new guy, and Blackburn were not here yet, so he breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't caused him, Sonny, and Trent to be late when he had to use the restroom before leaving Trent's place. No way in hell did he want to be peeing in the bathroom here, especially needing help to lower his pants.

He took his customary seat but noticed Trent held it, so it didn't roll as he sat. "Thanks."

"Brought your meds. You need relief or a break, you tell me. Wish you'd taken them before we left." Trent shifted into a seat beside Clay as Sonny took the one on the opposite side.

"Wanted a clear head. Those make me a bit muddled." Clay glanced up to his right as a water bottle with an extra-long straw appeared in front of him.

"Thought this would be better if you get thirsty. No need to ask anyone to hold the bottle for you." Lisa smiled.

"Thanks."

Lisa nodded and returned to the back of the room, surprised she could maintain a placid demeanor. Inside, she was raging and wanted this meeting to start. Hell, she wanted it three days ago but reluctantly agreed with Blackburn they should wait the week the doctor wanted to see if Clay recalled anything.

Ray entered and grinned at Clay. "Five minutes early … as usual."

Clay chuckled. "On time in my book."

The guys chuckled, recalling Clay's very first mission briefing where the kid quoted Adam's on-time mantra.

Cerb wandered over to Clay and gently nudged his knee. "Sorry, can't pet you, boy. Would if I could."

"Cerberus understands. He's just sayin' hi." Brock kept his sore arm still, resting his hand in his lap. Cerb did comprehend Clay was injured, just like him. Since being shot by Vic, Cerb had been quite attentive to him and even fetched his shoes this morning as he prepared to come to the base. Cerberus certainly earned the treats everyone fed him a few nights ago when they grilled burgers at Trent's home.

"At ease, stay seated," Lindell said as he entered before Blackburn. "Everyone here?"

"Not quite," Eric said, noting Lopez's seat empty.

Everyone, except for Eric, Lisa, Mandy, and Metal, all wondered why Lindell joined them for a mostly standard debrief. Though they chalked it up to the scrutiny they were under by the captain. The guys aware of the shoot house incident believed this might be another opportunity to ding the entire team, but they remained quiet since making any statements wouldn't help them one damned bit.

Lindell leaned his hip against one of the desks near the front and took a moment to assess Spenser visually. He was impressed with the SEAL and pleased he survived. He wondered if the TBI would be a factor in Spenser's decision to go STA-21. Though an excellent operator, Spenser could make more waves, positive changes, if he went the seaman to admiral route.

Though, for now, he wouldn't press Spenser for an answer since he needed time to heal and be cleared by the doctors for active duty. And quite frankly, Spenser might not recall his offer to recommend him for STA-21. If Spenser didn't receive the green light to return to operating with Bravo due to the head trauma, Lindell didn't want to add to what would be a momentous knock to the young man.

Bravo Cages

Many thoughts went through Vic's mind as he stared at the stupid toy in Spenser's cage. Part of him wanted to pick the lock, grab the seal, dump it into the trash and set it on fire. With a smile on his face, Vic stood there daydreaming about the fluff going up in flames and the reaction Spenser might have to it missing.

Rationality returned, realizing setting it on fire here would set off the smoke alarms, and people would seek out whatever was burning. He wondered if he had time to at least snatch it for now and burn it later. He glanced at his watch and his gut seized when he noted ten minutes had passed since Ray left.

"Shit, I'm gonna be late, and it's all Spenser's fault."

Bravo Team Room

Five minutes after arriving, Lindell turned to Blackburn. "Send someone to get Lopez. I don't have all day."

Ripping open the door, Vic rushed in but came to a halt when he spotted Lindell and Blackburn. "Um, sorry for being late … had to finish my task." He moved to sit in the only open seat at the rear of the table, wishing he was not flanked by Metal and Brock.

Vic avoided Metal as much as possible, not comfortable with his angry scowl. Plus, being near Brock meant the damned dog would be close. He breathed a sigh of relief when he spied Cerb resting his head on Clay's knee—although a spike of jealousy ran through him, wondering why the dog hated him but cozied up to Spenser.

Metal sniffed the air several times and leaned closer to Lopez as he did so. "Is something burning? I smell something charred."

Vic unconsciously moved his chair back a couple of inches due to the intense hatred flashing in Metal's eyes. Disconcerted, and worried the man could read minds, Vic mumbled, "Might be the cleaner I used on the boots."

When Blackburn Eric cleared his throat, a signal not to get ahead of their plan, Full Metal returned his gaze to the front, but it didn't stop his thoughts. Yeah, something's definitely burning today. I'm gonna let Vic build his own funeral pyre with his lies. Then I'm gonna set him ablaze with the light of truth. The asshole will roast alive as he should. Though, I wish it was a couple of hundred years ago, so we could tar and feather him, hang him from the yardarm by his balls, and make a bonfire below him.

Blackburn eyed Metal a moment. The guy can be scary when he wants, and I believe at least half the stories about him and hidden bodies might actually be true. Damned glad he's one of the good guys. Having gained Metal's attention, Eric said, "Ensign Davis, Ms. Ellis, if you will join us, we're ready to begin."

Mandy moved to the front and picked up the clicker for the presentation while Lisa stood off to the side, prepared to provide her details once Mandy finished.

Eric peered at Clay. "We are going to redo the mission brief in the hopes it will spark your memory. Jason will then give us an accounting of the mission. If at any time you have questions or believe you might recall something, please interrupt, and we can verify if it meets with known facts."

Nodding, Clay gave his full attention to the monitor, which displayed overhead photos of a complex and an image of a man named Vuk Ristovski. He listened as Mandy ran down the mission objectives for the snatch and grab of the Serbian arms dealer.

His attention shifted to Lisa when she took over. He was glad Blackburn recommended her to be their primary intelligence officer—Lisa and Mandy made quite a team.

Lisa finished her portion but added, "Although we had ISR overhead, the heavy storm clouds prevented HAVOC from being your eyes in the sky shortly after you began your patrol to the target."

Eric turned to Clay. "Feel free to ask any questions you would've in a normal briefing, it might help jog something."

Clay nodded, his mind chewing on several details. "Mandy, you said Ristovski recently relocated his operation to an abandoned mining town."

"Yes."

"Did he store his weapons cache onsite?"

"No, although the activity in the days leading up to confirming his presence indicated he was prepping the site. The building he chose is the only one with electricity, likely provided by generators, and he only kept a small contingent of his guards with him, which is why the op was rushed to green light. Fewer men meant less risk.

"Though a backup force stayed only a few miles away in a small village, which also played a role in the decision for your infil location that required you to take a long hike over the mountain."

Clay asked a few more questions, proving to his superiors and teammates he still possessed a sharp mind. Jason again kicked himself for the harsh words he hurled at Clay in the cage. If he hadn't been blind, these questions would've come out in the first briefing session and might've changed the outcome.

When Spenser remained quiet for a few moments, Eric asked, "Any memories?"

"Nothing. Were we successful?"

Mandy smiled. "Yes. And Ristovski's network is coming down. Several follow-on missions have netted more people in his command structure, and we demolished one of his stash houses."

Eric got them back on track as he said, "Jason, walk us through the mission up to the point you sent Clay and Vic to overwatch."

Pleased Jason had chosen him to protect the team Clay glanced at the new guy before focusing on Jason. Clay wondered if he encountered tangos while doing so. When he initially posed the questioned Mandy, he hoped she had said yes to the weapons because it would explain his concussion and broken arm if something exploded.

Listening to Jason state the facts, things sounded pretty routine to Clay for a patrolling infil. That is until Jason said, "As we trekked along the narrow path, Vic stepped into a hole, twisted his ankle and if not for Clay's fast reaction grabbing Vic's vest, and Metal grabbing Clay's vest, both Clay and Vic would've fallen two-hundred feet."

Clay whipped his eyes to Metal. "Thanks."

Metal shook his head. "Not necessary, and you already thanked me."

Turning his gaze to Trent, Clay asked, "Is that when my rotator cuff tore?"

Trent's remorse kicked up. "I don't think so, but it was probably a contributing factor. I didn't check you because you told Metal you were fine."

"Then I was fine. I wouldn't lie about something that could affect the mission. Learned my lesson long ago about hiding even minor injuries."

"But you did. You didn't tell them about your bruised shoulder," Vic blurted out before he realized he put his foot in his mouth. Now they would tell Spenser about the doorjamb.

"What bruised shoulder?"

Trent sighed before he said, "You sparred with Vic, and when Lindell, who was watching made a comment, we all looked up, but Vic didn't halt, and your left shoulder slammed into the door's frame. I didn't check you then either. I'm sorry."

"Must not have been bad, or I would've told you."

Jason's pensive gaze centered on Clay. Or maybe you didn't because you thought we wouldn't believe you. Leaving his rumination hanging, he continued, "After we arrived at the outskirts of the town, I decided to call an audible and changed up teams. With Vic's bum ankle, I sent him with you so he could rest it before we exfil'd. Once you attained your sniper location and provided me the all-clear, we executed.

"We cleared the target building and rousted Ristovski out of his bed right before you communicated incoming tangos from the south in technical vehicles. Sonny and Metal shwacked some tangos inside as you opened fire on those approaching. You said you and Vic would head for the secondary exfil after providing us cover to reach the trees to the north. That's the last we heard from either of you until we came across Vic on the way back to find you when you didn't show up."

Pausing to allow Clay to process the details, Jason studied the kid's face hoping to denote a spark of recognition. Sadly, he found none. "Any questions so far?"

"Wasn't I with Vic?"

"No," Sonny said, barely containing his anger.

"So, something happened to me between the time I radioed, and you found Vic?"

Jason nodded. "Yes. But I'll let Vic tell you what occurred."

Vic swallowed hard. He thought Jason would provide all the details. He interlaced his fingers to quell the slight shake that would broadcast his nervousness with Lindell and Blackburn in the room. Focusing on Spenser, he let his hatred of the blond, who, based on recent comments from his teammates, was still held in high regard even after he painted Clay in a cowardly light.

Using his bravado, Vic spoke in a clear, level tone, "After you reported to Bravo One, we alternated taking shots to keep the tangos focused on us. When you ducked down to change mag, I spotted one tango starting to aim an RPG towards our pos.

"I yelled RPG as I grabbed your vest and yanked you to your feet, pushing you in front of me. With my sprained ankle, I didn't know if I could run fast enough, and I didn't want to be the reason you didn't reach the protection of the stairwell. We scarcely made it inside, when the concussive blast knocked me into you and sent us down the steps."

Affecting a disheartened expression, Vic sighed and turned to Jason. "Do I have to be the one to tell him what occurred next?"

Before anyone could step in and stop Vic's recounting, since the words must be heard by all, especially Lindell, Metal said, "You were the one there, best if it comes from you."

Ignoring Metal, a man he also couldn't stand, Vic waited until Jason gave him a slight nod. Refocusing on Clay, ready to secretly enjoy disparaging Spenser's character, he continued, "When we came to a stop on the fourth-floor landing, I stood and offered you a hand up. You reached your right hand up and I grasped it. You screamed in pain, and I released your hand, wondering what the hell happened. You got to your feet and started yelling at me for breaking your arm.

"Then the stairs started to screech and I back peddled to the door and urged you to come with me. I told you earlier the rusted stairs were unstable. My feet just hit solid ground when the structure gave way. I managed to grab your left hand as you started to fall. I think that's when your rotator tendons tore because you again scream in pain and shouted for me to pull you up because you couldn't hold on."

Vic lowered his eyes a moment for effect and sighed. "Thankfully, I do pull-ups every morning and with brute strength, I pulled you up. You were still pissed and laid into me as you backed up. It was dark and my night vision had been knocked askew, so I didn't see the hole in the floor. You were right in front of me one moment, then gone the next.

"I had to find something to get down to you without breaking my ankle because I discovered my radio was missing and couldn't call for help. Took me a while, but eventually, I jerry-rigged something that made the drop feasible. You were unconscious and I didn't dare move you. I tried your comms, but it appeared to be missing too. Found your antenna with busted wires.

"Wanted to go for help right away, but the tangos were milling about and gathering their dead. Though I hated leaving you alone, you were secure on the third floor because the stairs had fully collapsed and apparently they thought the RPG killed us since we stopped firing. Once the last tango drove off, I found a length of rope, and scaled the building's exterior, dropping fifteen feet when the line snapped."

Brock scrunched his eyes as he noticed the distance of Vic's drop increased with each telling. First six, then twelve, and now fifteen. He was certain Lopez was lying, but Brock would let him continue, for now, so he would hang himself. However, once Lopez finished, Brock intended to call out a few things that just didn't track with Clay's modus operandi during missions or his personality in general.

"I landed hard on my ankle, but still managed a good clip. As Jason indicated, they met me while I was trying to make it to the secondary exfil, knowing they would return when we didn't communicate with them and didn't show." Vic halted, assuming Jason would tell Clay about the rescue portion.

Clay rolled over what Vic said in his mind, and he didn't have any memory he could use to dispute him, but it didn't jibe with him that he would accuse Vic of breaking his arm if the guy saved him from an RPG. He'd be thanking him, and understood a fall could cause injuries—it wouldn't be Vic's fault. Nor would he rant at Vic after saving him a second time from certain death. But with no proof, Clay remained silent.

Metal pinned his gaze on Lopez. "So, you were behind Clay when the RPG blew?"

"Yeah, that's what I said."

"Yep, that's what you said. I just have one question." Metal stood and moved to a desk with a box on it.

"Okay."

"Why are you lying?"

"I'm not!" Vic bit out.

"You are."

"Why would I lie?"

"Don't know, why would you?"

"I'm telling you the truth. I have no reason to lie."

Lifting two tactical vests, displaying the backs of both to the room before moving to Vic and laying both down on the table in front of him, Metal said, "You are a fucking liar, and this proves it. This one is Clay's. The one filled with shrapnel, and this one is yours … pristine." He reached into his pocket and held up the triangular piece. "And this is what Trent dug out of Clay's back. It is the same material as the stuff embedded in his vest. How do you explain that?"

Vic scrambled for an explanation, never realizing something so simple might be his downfall. His mind picked a reason out of thin air. "Simple. That must've been on the floor and been embedded when Clay fell twelve feet. There was a lot of miscellaneous debris. Remember Trent picking some out of his knees after treating Clay?"

Metal shook his head. "Nice try, asswipe, but if you knew as much as you think you know, you'd be aware these particles would need to be moving at high velocity to be embedded so deeply."

Sonny pulled Clay's vest closer to him, his eyes widening at the smoking gun. His brows lowered and the toothpick in his mouth snapped in his clenched teeth, as rage surged through him. Sonny pinned Vic with glowering eyes, and after spitting out the thin pieces of mangled wood, Sonny ground out, "If you lied about the RPG, what else are you lying about? Cause, I'm here to tell you, I know Bamm Bamm better than anyone on this team, and what you described is as far from the truth of depicting his behavior as we are from Pluto."

Clay noted everyone except Vic nodded at Sonny's statement. The fact Metal discovered the truth and Sonny defended him, further strengthened Clay's trust in his brothers. But it also confused him. Why would Lopez lie about something like that? It doesn't make any sense.

"I didn't lie. I have no reason to lie. You could've switched the vests to make me look bad for some unknown reason. Did you jump on the Spenser hate Lopez bandwagon and are now trying to blame shit on me too?" Vic proclaimed with vigor.

Clay scrunched his brows. Spenser bandwagon? Yeah, I get a general bad vibe off Lopez, but I don't pass judgment on people without evidence. What did I see or call him out on? Well, lying might be something I spotted—learned how to spot a two-faced, selfish liar from Ash.

Trent reached for Clay's vest and declared, "This belongs to the kid … no switching."

"How can you tell? They're all the same," Vic bit out.

"Nope." Trent stabbed a finger at the rusty brown coloring. "You weren't bleeding, Clay was … quite a lot from the shrapnel in his back."

"Then I don't know, maybe, I wasn't right behind him, and some of the shrapnel hit him and not me," Vic stammered out.

"Possible but not probable," Jason stated. He now wished there was some way to prove or disprove the rest of Vic's story. Metal's discovery cast an ugly light on Vic. Although he now believed things went down quite different than Vic said, without definitive proof, they couldn't burn the guy.

Vic surged to his feet. "Captain, are you going to allow this witch hunt? I'm the new guy, so right, I'm the one lying. Their precious blond kid couldn't possibly behave like an ass?"

Lindell arched a brow but remained quiet. He was unsure what to expect when Blackburn requested his presence in recreating the briefing and after-action review for Spenser today—but it certainly was not this.

Finding no help from the captain, Vic narrowed his gaze on Jason. "Remember all the crap Spenser spewed about me and the way you told him to quit acting like a spoiled child because you picked me instead of Yoder? You gave him one last warning before the mission that if he didn't stop, he'd be the one looking for a new team, not me. If Spenser didn't have amnesia, I'm sure he'd be twisting what happened so he could burn me at the stake."

Jason blanched and his eyes shifted to Clay. He didn't want that to come out like this. He would have to work hard to repair the damage, and hope Clay forgave him for being an utter ass.

Clay blinked and turned to peer at Jason, but before he could form a question, Mandy spoke.

"Excuse me, but I have something everyone needs to see." Gaining their attention, Mandy focused on Lindell. "Sir, after Full Metal brought the vest to Lieutenant Commander Blackburn, Ensign Davis, and myself a week ago, it jogged a memory. Something Sonny said to me when he handed over the phones and laptop, they gathered from the target building.

"He wondered how the tangos arrived so soon after they entered the building. I flew to Gitmo for a conversation with Ristovski. My hunch he was prepping the site to become a storage location for his weapons panned out. And well, after a little friendly persuasion, ensuring his wife and children remain safe, he admitted he planned to use the four-story building to store them. As such, he had already installed hidden cameras there and in the main building he occupied, and ensured someone monitored them twenty-four seven.

"When Clay and Vic entered the stairwell, the sensors alerted his men in the small village and that is how they arrived so soon. Fortunately, Ristovski is a control freak, and he had software on his phone that captured video from each camera when the motion detectors activated. Lisa, would you please play the footage?"

Having helped Mandy view hours upon hours of video to find something to corroborate Metal's theory on the RPG, Lisa stumbled across the true smoking gun. She clicked play, and a grainy black and white video began to play on the monitor. Though the figures were indistinguishable, the movement painted an entirely different chain of events and would surely be the torch to light the tinder Vic gathered and stood on to make him seem greater than he was. As far as Lisa was concerned, Lopez built his own pyre and would burn.

When the clip of the stairwell ended, the men of Bravo sat in shocked silence for a moment before Sonny lunged out of his seat for Lopez as he shouted, "Fucking coward!"

Metal, Brock, and Ray pulled Sonny back as Jason rose, his expression full of fury and directed at Lopez. "You left him. You didn't bother to help him up. You ran like a coward to save your ass after Clay risked his life three times to save yours." Jason raked both hands through his hair and squeeze the back of his neck to prevent himself from wrapping them around Lopez's throat.

Lindell stood and took control before this turned into a blood bath. "This is ugly. In all my time in the Navy, I've never … this is … well, ugly." He turned to Blackburn aware the SEALs had an internal code and he preferred to allow them to work through the issue. "I leave this in your hands and will approve whatever path you and your team deem appropriate. You may handle this internally, request a Captain's Mast, or turn the material over to JAG for a formal investigation and possible court-martial."

Turning to Ellis, he added, "Excellent work, Ms. Ellis."

"Team effort, Sir. Couldn't have found this without the help of Blackburn, Davis, and Full Metal."

Pivoting to Clay, Lindell said, "I hope the betrayal of one doesn't color your perception of the others. From what I've heard and witnessed today, the Navy needs more men of your caliber." Before he strode out of the room, his gaze raked over Lopez, disgusted by the sailor's dishonesty and cowardly actions.

Once the door closed, Brock turned flaming eyes on Lopez. "Did you push Clay through the hole?"

"What?" Vic's hands shook and he clasped them as his eyes rounded. "No."

"How can we believe a word out of your mouth?" Trent asked, barely banking his rage, though he wanted to repeatedly slam his fist into Lopez's repulsive face. Clay's screams as he dug the shrapnel out of his back still played in his nightly dreams.

"I didn't. He didn't see it and fell, honest." Dread increased as Vic worried he might be facing charges for attempted murder.

Lisa said, "Sorry, no video in either the third or fourth-floor rooms to prove what truly transpired in them."

"I'm telling you … I didn't push him. Yeah, I panicked on the stairs, but I'm not a murderer."

"OUT. GET OUT!" Jason ordered, needing Lopez gone from his sight before he lost his shit. Not only enraged at Vic but himself for not listening to Clay in the first place.

"Standby outside," Blackburn added. He waited until Lopez exited before he addressed Jason. "As with Lindell, I'll leave this to the team to sort out. Davis, Ellis, please come with me."

Once Bravo was alone in the room all eyes turned to Clay who had not moved or spoken, each one concerned what the revelations would do to the kid.

"Clay," Jason began, but Clay cut him off.

"Don't. Give me a minute. Please."

"Sure. Whatever you need." Jason paced, giving Clay time to process everything and the others also remained quiet, honoring his request.

Clay's head spun as he grappled with the information, trying to validate any of it with a scrap of memory. But viewing the video felt like watching a movie—he still had no recollection. If something so shocking didn't jump-start his memories, he didn't think anything would.

His mind shifted to the things Vic said about Jason telling him he would keep Vic instead of him. The new guy was exposed as a liar and a coward, so how much weight could he give those words? Peering directly at Jason, Clay asked, "Did you actually tell me I would be looking for a new team?"

Jason sighed and sank into his chair. "Yes, but … hell no buts. Yes, I did. I was dead wrong and blind. Your instincts about Lopez have been proved out, and I should've listened to you. I'm sorry I didn't. You wouldn't have been injured, and Vic wouldn't have shot Brock if—"

"What?! When?" Clay's eyes whipped to Brock.

"Easy, brother. Only a flesh wound. I'm okay, and I'm also sorry for being unobservant. Cerb didn't like Vic and that should've alerted me." Brock leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table, and gave Clay a brief accounting of the live-fire demo and how Vic insisted it wasn't his fault. He concluded with, "Remember all the hamburger Cerb got a couple of nights ago?"

Clay nodded.

"Treats for biting Vic," Sonny supplied. "Think new guys will need to pass the hair missile test in the future. But back to the issue. Lindell and Blackburn gave us carte blanche to deal with Lopez, so what are we gonna do?"

"I believe it should be Clay's decision. He is the one harmed by Vic's lies," Ray softly said, rocked to the core and ashamed he was the one who talked Jason into inviting a true viper into their family, and that nearly killed Clay and Brock.

Clay shook his head. "No. Ray, it could've easily been you up there with Vic as me, or any of you in his line of fire as it was Brock."

Taking another moment to organize his thoughts, Clay peered at each of his brothers as several figments of his weird dreams came back to him. "I went on a journey with three true friends. In the end, each one left me with a few words of wisdom. I'm going to act on those now."

Focusing on Jason, Clay said, "I've been with you guys for several years, and you've always had my back. We bicker, argue, fight, disagree, say things we don't mean, but when we're up against it, when it matters most, I trust each of you with my life, and I know you trust me with yours. We might not share blood, but I think our bond is stronger than blood."

Jason only nodded, not wanting to interrupt Clay's train of thought. But he accepted the kid's words as truth. Yes, Bravo was a damned fine team before Clay came along, but he unified them in a way no one ever had.

Shifting to Ray, Clay asked, "Your faith teaches forgiveness, right?"

"Yes."

Clay continued, "Forgiving one's self for things that are out of our control is as important as forgiving our transgressors. It frees our hearts."

"I ain't forgiving, the Vicked Vitch of the Vest. That's for damned sure," Sonny interjected as his eyes landed on Clay's vest again and finding the name apropos.

"Not my point. What I'm trying to say, is whatever our differences before the last mission, whatever drove them, whatever heated words were exchanged, I don't want that weighing us down moving forward. This past week, each one of you has shown me you are a true brother in many ways. So, if any part of what Vic said about you not believing me is true, I forgive you."

Trent interrupted, "Forgiving doesn't mean the one who erred is free from accountability."

Clay nodded. "Agree, but it must be a team decision, not mine alone. Lopez stabbed at the core of our values. He betrayed the brotherhood with his cowardice and lies and that … comes with a steep price."

"Never in all my years have I ever taken a Trident," Jason met Clay's eyes, "but that is what I believe should happen here. I don't trust him outside the wire with any of you."

"I'm the one who brought him in, this is my fault," Ray said.

"No. My team, my decision, I own this," Jason countered.

"Don't agree," Metal spoke up. "We all own a part in not seeing who Lopez is. Though I do have to say, he's a consummate liar … kinda like my ex-wife number two."

"Why did he lie?" Brock asked.

"Doesn't matter. All in favor of striping his trident?" Trent said as he raised a hand.

Sonny's and Metal's arms shot straight up. Cerb put a paw on the table, and Brock patted Cerb as he lifted his uninjured one. Ray hesitated a moment as he thought about Vic's hard upbringing and wondered if it played a role in his need to make himself look better at the expense of someone else, but his hand rose too.

Jason peered at Clay, waiting for him to vote before he did, wanting to support him in his choice. "Well, kid, are you going to vote?"

"Um, would if I could lift either hand." Despite the grim, life-altering nature of the vote, Clay cracked a smile as he said, "You all need to work on your observation skills, they're kinda lacking lately."

The guys groaned as they all realized with both arms in slings, Clay couldn't.

Clay took a deep breath and exhaled, wishing he'd listened to Trent about taking the meds. Once this foul business was done, he'd ask for them. Meeting Jason's gaze, Clay said, "I vote yes."

"Unanimous. Metal, bring Lopez in."

Vic entered, his stomach in knots, but he had gloomed onto a possible way to salvage things. He stood at attention at the rear of the table and waited so someone to speak. He couldn't tell what they thought, their expressions all stoic.

Jason maintained a hard glare on Lopez for several minutes. Like Brock, he too would like to know why Vic lied. He figured he probably wouldn't get the truth, but whatever Vic responded would provide him food for thought when he spoke with Blackburn to determine if Vic could be charged with any crimes. "Why did you lie?"

The question fed right into Vic's hastily cobbled strategy. He allowed his hang-dog expression to show as he shifted his gaze from Jason to Ray before answering. "You know my backstory."

"We all do, you yammered on and on about your sob-story on the plane," Sonny interrupted, derision dripping with each syllable.

Vic suppressed his anger. "Yeah, I guess I did. It's just I never felt like I was accepted for who I am until I joined Bravo. You became my brothers, the family I always wanted. When I panicked and left Clay on the landing," he turned his eyes to Spenser, "I'm very sorry about that."

He refocused on Ray not happy he apologized, even if it was fake. "I'm not proud of my action, but I figured if anyone found out, you would kick me off the team. But I didn't push him, he fell. I did what I could to bring help to him as fast as possible given my injured ankle. If I wanted him to die, I had ample opportunity to make that happen."

The last statement caused Ray's stomach to clench. Clay had been incapacitated and Vic could've killed him by simply throwing him down the stairwell or out the window and claimed the kid fell to his death. If it had been the window, they might never have known because Lisa said no video existed of the rooms. Although a true statement, one amongst many lies, Ray let the thought Vic could've murdered Clay move to the back burner.

Ray stood and walked towards Vic. "So instead of owning up to your actions, you decided to tell your brothers, your family, a pack of lies that painted a brother in a bad light. You disparaged the man who risked his life three times to save yours. You thought it would be a good idea to steal Spenser's valor and claim it as your own."

"N-no, it's not like that?"

"Well, from where I sit, that's exactly what it is," Sonny interjected.

Ray continued, "You are not the only man to join a team with a troubled past, but you're the first one I ever met who betrayed the brotherhood in this manner."

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me." Vic's lip trembled as he fought to maintain his composure as his plans started crumbing.

"We forgive you," Ray added.

Shocked and relieved, Vic smiled. "It won't happen again. I promise."

Jason approached from the opposite side as he said, "You're right, it won't happen again."

Vic blinked as Ray handed Jason a pocket knife and said, "Although we've forgiven you, we don't trust you. By unanimous decision, you are off Bravo and out of DEVGRU."

Opening the knife, Jason stepped in front of Vic and met his eyes. "What you did is irredeemable and you don't deserve to wear this honor." Jason's gaze shifted to the SEAL insignia, slipped the tip between the fabric and patch, cutting the threads.

Lopez's eyes teared up as his fists clenched. He couldn't believe this outcome. All because Spenser wanted Yoder instead of him.

When finished, Jason stepped back, closed the knife, and handed it back to Ray.

Ray reached to Lopez's arm and pulled off the Velcro backed Bravo Seven designator patch as a tear trickled down Vic's cheek.

Turning to Metal, Jason said, "Escort him to security, and stay with him while I inform Blackburn of our decision."

Scott stood, and peered at the weak man in front of him, not moved one bit by the poor-me tears. "Let's go."

Once the six were alone, Clay softly said, "Trent."

Trent turned to Clay. "Yeah?"

"You were right, should've taken the meds earlier. Could really use those pills you brought." Clay let the stoic façade he'd been holding drop, allowing his pain to show through.

"You got it, Kid." Trent reached for his pocket to retrieve the painkillers.

Sonny stood and said, "We're taking you home. And you're riding in style."

Clay took a sip of water to wash down the pills Trent popped into his mouth as he pondered what Sonny meant. Trent's car was better for getting in and out of than Sonny's truck.

Gripping the back of Clay's rolling chair, Sonny grinned. "Buckle up, Buckaroo, it's gonna be a bumpy ride."

"Sonny, you know, that doesn't make Clay feel any better," Brock rose. "He needs a smooth ride."

"Hush up, Dog-boy, I like you better when you don't talk."

Clay met Trent's eyes and they both rolled them as Sonny prattled on about something, both recognizing it to be a way Sonny coped when he was unsettled. Today's revelations that a brother truly and thoroughly broke their trust would mean a long night.

Launching himself into the banter, Clay said, "You know you got the quote wrong. It is … fasten your seatbelts; it's going to be a bumpy night."

When only Jason and Ray stood in the room as Sonny pushed Clay's chair, and made some inane comment, Jason placed a hand on Ray's shoulder. "Don't second guess yourself. Vic presented a false version of himself to the world for years. One he couldn't maintain at this level."

Ray nodded. "Hard to forgive myself for bringing in the man who almost cost Clay and Brock their lives, but I will try."

"We all make errors. Let's go speak with Blackburn then grab a case of beer before heading over to Trent's. Think we all could use a little time together … and be there for Clay if he has more questions." Jason laid the Trident on the table and pivoted.

Ray nodded and set the Bravo Seven patch next to the other and followed Jason. "We should also grab some pizza on our way over."

"Sounds like a plan."

EPILOGUE: Eight Weeks Later – Shoot House

Clay grinned and high fived Sonny with both hands, as they concluded the live fire and hostage rescue drill. Bravo executed everything smooth as silk, impressing the senators who came back for the rescheduled tour and demonstration.

Scanning his team, Jason happily sighed. It had been a bumpy two months working through Vic's betrayal, helping Clay rehab, and rebuilding bent-not-broken trust with Clay, but they got through it—and came out the outside a stronger team. Clay still had not regained all his memories or at least claimed he didn't recall them treating him badly.

But the kid was on fire physically—he rebounded fast working with the new physiotherapist Lindell brought in. Thankfully, beyond a few missing memories, Clay had no issues with his cognition and was cleared to rejoin them last week.

Vic got what he deserved, dishonorably discharged, and stricken from the SEALs brotherhood. Vic was PNG and his name became synonymous with someone acting cowardly and playing the victim card, as in don't be a Vic. However, Clay decided to speak with Lindell and asked that Vic not to face criminal charges since Lopez had to wear his dishonor and cowardice for the rest of his life and that would be enough.

Jason smiled and bumped fists with Ray as he declared, "We're back!"

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So concludes my playtime. I had fun and appreciate all the energizing comments. I hope you enjoyed the story.

It's time to put my full focus on writing WOUNDED HONOR, the 3rd book in the Strike Force Zulu series, and TREASURES: Vows, Vengeance, Valor the 12th in the Beauty of Life series. If you like my writing, check out my website that lists all my published novels and sneak peeks of upcoming ones. lauraactonauthor. com (remove the space between . and com).