Chapter 25

Wow, I'm writing chapter 25 already? I hope I'm not dragging the story along. I appreciate all the support and it helps me keep writing. According to David's Instagram it looks like SEAL Team is back on set so I'm excited that maybe before year end we may get some new episodes. I'm also nervous because with all the pandemic precautions we probably won't be getting much love interest scenes! I hope they figure out how to do all this creatively. I also hope the writers don't let us down on the Mandy/Jason front. Anyways, let's continue the story and apologies for not posting as quickly as I said I would.

"Mom! Mom, I'm fine, I promise," Mandy said pacing her office as Jason entered her office to check on her. "Yes, we're telling the truth. I'm okay," Mandy repeated as she gave a soft smile to Jason. "We're scheduled to leave just over a week and half from now. Listen, I have to go….. yes, love you too."

"Mom?" Jason asked.

"Yes, I think she's about ready to get on a plane and see me for herself. Scary part is, if she wanted to do that she could probably pull it off," Mandy chuckled.

"Reminds me of someone else I know," Jason smirked.

"Yourself, you mean," Mandy countered.

"Haha, very funny," Jason replied. "Everything good?"

Mandy took a deep breath before answering, "Honestly, I don't know. My Dad wanted to talk about the Ambassador Marsden situation. You probably heard that D.C. is looking into the letter and who spilled the details. CIA isn't exactly in the cleared yet. I'm sure you heard they're looking at the team as well?"

"Yeah, Blackburn gave me a heads up. What did your Dad have to say about it all?" Jason asked with concern.

"Between Yemen, Caracas, and the attack here, he thinks there is one common factor," she said.

Jason thought about it before answering, "You. He thinks Roman is involved in it all."

"Yeah, he thinks Roman's end goal is coming together. I mean it makes sense I'm the connection. I'm the one he's going to war with," Mandy shrugged. "We're not sure though. As far as the letter is concerned, we're going to do whatever we need to bury that investigation."

"What do you mean do whatever you need to bury the investigation?" Jason asked steeping closer to Mandy.

"Protect the team Jason. I'm not going to let this investigation get any further than it needs to. Like I told my Dad, as far as I'm concerned the truth came out and Marsden's name was cleared. She deserved to die with honor," Mandy answered. "No one is coming after Bravo if I have anything to do with it."

"Mandy," Jason said. "As much as I love your passion for defending the team just…. be careful. I know I can't convince you not to do whatever is you're going to do. I don't want to lose you again. We, I, just got you back on the team."

"I know. My Dad basically told me not to run solo on this and lean on those around me," Mandy replied.

"Good advice," Jason said with a smile.

They both looked at each other knowing they both were falling for the other. From the outside, some would say it was happening too fast. However, from the first moment these two met there was a connection. Maybe the connection wasn't necessarily romantic at the beginning seeing as Jason was married but they always seemed to be there and support each other. When things with Alana started going downhill for Jason, Mandy was there as his rock. They both knew they could openly talk to each other without any harsh judgement. When things were truly over with Alana and with her passing, the line that had been drawn between Mandy and Jason had become blurry. Sure they saw other people but they always drifted back to each other.

"You guys ready for tonight?" Mandy asked.

"Yeah, went over everything while you were talking with your Dad. Got another feeling?" Jason replied.

"No, but just a little on edge after everything," Mandy said crossing her arms in front of her.

Jason pulled at her arms and brought her in to a hug, "We got this. We'll get his family and we'll bring Al-Hazred back in again and you'll work your magic as usual."

Mandy sighed and wrapped her arms around Jason taking a moment to gather herself. "I know, but just be careful. With Roman involved….." Mandy trailed off as Jason gave her a squeeze as well. "I expect breakfast when you get back," Mandy said.

Jason chuckled as he pulled back from her to cup her face and lean in for a kiss, "So demanding."

"Gotta keep you in line somehow," Mandy replied. "I'm going to go over the intel again."

"Mmm, see you before I leave?" Jason asked stealing a couple more kisses.

"Yeah," Mandy replied with a sigh.

Lisa was in the command center going over the intel for what felt like the millionth time.

"How many times have you gone over that?" Mandy asked putting a cup of coffee down on the table for Lisa and taking a seat next to her.

"Can't be too careful. Just want to be thorough," Lisa said looking over to Mandy.

"Yeah," Mandy sighed as she looked at the files on the table. "I get it," she too picked up a file and started going through it.

"How you are doing?" Lisa asked regarding Mandy.

"Physically? I feel fine. Seems like I'm healing okay," Mandy answered. "Otherwise, I'm everywhere mentally. One second, I'm stuck in the past the next I'm in the present. How about you?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Lisa said. "I can't imagine what you're going through. I mean thought I did after the whole thing with Vic, but this is a whole new level."

"Betrayal is betrayal. It hurts no matter what," Mandy replied.

"Roman tried to kill you," Lisa said looking at Mandy intensely. "Hell, he still is and has even threatened to kill you. How can you be so calm about it?"

"One, it's not the first time someone has threatened my life. In my line of work, I'm pretty sure there are bad guys out there that want me dead. Two, who says I'm calm about it all?" Mandy replied.

"It's just it seems like you're so collected," Lisa said.

"Sometimes I think I've become my mother. My mother was a con artist. She lied about anything and everything. Pretty sure whoever my father is was one of her marks. Cut to me now and I lie for a living more than half the time. Telling people, I can keep them safe when in fact I probably can't. Don't get me wrong, the work we do is good, and we have to take down these bad guys but sometimes it all comes with a price," Mandy rambled.

"Like Dr. Craig and Sameen," Lisa replied softly. "For what it's worth, I didn't know your mother but you're nothing like her. You told me never to stop feeling my emotions and it seems like you haven't either. You care about everyone. Some more than others these days," Lisa added with a smirk.

Mandy chuckled knowing she was talking about Jason. "I assure you we're professional when we need to be. Can't afford our personal to interfere with the mission."

"You guys seem to have that part down," Lisa said. "But you guys always have this non-verbal way of communicating even when you're at each other's throats," Lisa chuckled. "How long has it been going on?"

"Jason and me? It's complicated. We've known each other for a while. When things got rough between him and Alana things changed some. We kept playing this on and off game. Saw other people in between. Now…" Mandy trailed off. "Now, we finally got ourselves somewhat together and are giving it a shot," Mandy explained.

"Well, I think you guys work. You both got this connection that everyone looks for. You guys balance each other out and seem to keep the other in line. God knows Jason needs that sometimes," Lisa said as they both chuckled.

"And what about you and Sonny? You kept him in line," Mandy asked looking over at Lisa.

Lisa paused and looked at Mandy, "I think that ship sailed. On top of that, the Navy has rules regarding in house relationships."

"Technically speaking Jason and I are an 'in house' relationship," Mandy replied.

"Well you're the exception. You two have this way of being professional without exactly letting on there is something more going on. The only people who know are the ones closest to you and even then, you still hold back on your affections. It's your eyes that give you away. There's always been a twinkle going in both your eyes," Lisa chuckled. "You're both good for each other. God knows what the two of you have gone through during your careers and that you support one another during the tough times."

"If only we'd both face our problems," Mandy replied shaking her head. "I feel like between the two of us we keep our pasts buried and before we know it, they come back to haunt us. Feels like the past is coming back more and more each day. We're both at this point of our careers wondering what's next. Jason with the teams and me dealing with the loss of assets and doing what needs to be done to get the job done. Feels like we're the old timers and everyone is telling us to move out of the way for the new blood."

"You mean for people like me," Lisa stated. "I never intended to make you feel like you're being pushed out."

"Trust me, it's not you. I think I always knew at some point this job just kind of gets the best of you. I've devoted so much of myself to this job that I never quite thought about the future. Now I think about the possibility of settling down and maybe having a family. Wanting something to come home to instead of a cold empty place," Mandy poured out. "Also, I wouldn't count you and Sonny out. I'm sure if you both really committed to it you could make it work."

"Maybe," Lisa acknowledged. "I think we all have pasts and feelings we need to deal with first though."

"Ain't that the truth," Mandy agreed.

"We're going to get him Mandy. You're not in this fight alone," Lisa said looking straight at Mandy. "He threatened you and you're one of us whether you like it or not. This family is going to back you up no matter what."

Mandy's eyes misted over, "Thank you."

"Plus, I need some more women in this joint to put up the team," Lisa said and the two chuckled. "By the way, what do you have on Full Metal?"

"Well," Mandy smirked as she leaned in to give Lisa all the juicy details.

Before everyone knew it, the sun had set, and it was time for the guys to depart for the mission.

It wasn't the first time Mandy had watched the guys go off onto an op, but it was different this time. She always worried but crossing the line with Jason, she'd be lying if she didn't say she wasn't a little more nervous than usual. Throw in the fact that her ex-partner was involved made her nervous for everyone.

As Jason left the weapons bunk and walked down the stairs, he looked up to see Mandy making her way over. He too had that little nervous feeling but, in his mind, he had an even bigger reason to fight to make it back alive.

The two met and looked at each other and just through their eyes had an intense conversation. They both started following behind the other guys towards where the chopper was coming in to land and take them.

"I'm treating you to breakfast," Jason started thinking of the last time Bravo went out on an op and they were trying to take down Echo team's killer.

"I'll be here," Mandy said with smile remembering the same conversation.

Jason looked at her a little longer and started to walk backwards and turn towards the chopper. Mandy watched as at the last second, he turned back around and strode towards her. Jason grabbed her by the waist and kissed her.

"Kiss for good luck," Jason smirked as Mandy slapped his arm and told him to go.

Mandy stood and watched until the chopper took off. She then headed to HAVOC to watch the mission go down.