Emma pushed her dinner around on her plate as she chewed slowly. She knew it wasn't as good as when mom used to make it but tonight? It tasted like cardboard and every mouthful was hard to swallow.
Glancing up she looked at her dad who was mindlessly shoveling his portion into his mouth as he read something in a manila folder. How could he be so calm? He was he just eating like nothing was wrong when not 10 minutes ago he was talking about her having to possibly take over custody of Mikey?
The thought of having to do that, and the reason for it, made Emma feel like her dinner might make its way back up so she quickly swallowed and took a sip of water in hope of keeping everything down. She then pushed her chair back and got up from her seat.
"Something wrong, Em?" Jason asked as he looked up from the paperwork in front of him.
Emma stared at her dad. Something wrong? How about everything?
"No, I'm just not hungry anymore." She said and grabbed her plate, discarded what was left of her dinner into the trash and then put the dirty dishes down in the sink. Her hands were shaking so she gripped the edge of the sink and took a few calming breathes.
"Emma. Are you ok?"
Emma shook her head and closed her eyes as she continued to breath. Long even breaths. She wasn't going to fall apart. Not here. Not now.
Squaring her shoulders she opened her eyes again and turned around to face her dad who was now looking at her with more concern than she had seen since mom had died.
"Sweetheart?" Jason asked again, knowing that something wasn't right here but he didn't know how to make things right and really, he wasn't sure anything would be until they knew the outcome.
Emma smiled weakly at him but didn't look him in the eyes. She couldn't.
"Is it ok if I go over to Clay's for the night?"
Jason watched his daughter for a moment before nodding.
"Of course. And really Em, it's not like I could stop you if I wanted to – you are legally an adult."
He gave her a half smile that she answered with one of her own and then she headed over to the couch where her bag, phone and car keys were. She gathered it all up and then made her way over to the door
"Hey, Emma?" Jason said suddenly as she grabbed the doorknob.
"Yeah, dad?" she answered and turned her head in his direction.
"Are you still coming to hear the verdict being announced?" he asked softly in an attempt to soften the words he had to utter.
Emma bit back the tears that once again threatened to make an appearance and nodded her head.
"Of course. I'll see you outside with the boys, ok?"
It was Jason's turn to nod his head and then he turned his head back to the file as he didn't feel like watching her walk out. He knew she wasn't leaving him but still…
Seeing the look on his face, Emma moved her hand away from the doorknob and took the few steps from the door to her dad's side. She pressed her lips to his temple and hugged him around his shoulders.
"It's going to be ok, dad. I promise."
Jason nodded once again and as Emma walked back over to the door and left, closing it softly behind her, she also grabbed her phone from her back pocket. She knew exactly who's voice her dad needed to hear right now.
Clay was restless. He felt like the walls of his apartment was closing in on him and he didn't know what to do to make the time go by faster. He'd tried to watch a movie but he couldn't find one that could keep his attention. He had thought about going down to the Bulkhead but he didn't want to hang out with random people. He then thought about going out for a run or head down to the gym but after his workout earlier in the day that seemed like a bad idea.
So, here he was, sitting on his couch, not watching the TV, and jiggling his knee like his life depended on it.
The sound of a key turning in his front door lock made him sit up straight and his knee finally stopped jiggling. As the door opened and Emma stepped in a smile made its way onto his face. He suddenly had many thoughts on how to make the time go by. When he saw the look on her face though, his smile instantly turned into a frown.
"Emma? What's wrong, Sweets?" he asked gently as he got to his feet and closed the distance between them in a few short strides.
Her wide blue eyes met his and he could see the tears forming in them as he wrapped her up in his arms and pulled her close. Her head instantly buried into his chest, her shoulders started to shake and he could feel the wetness of her tears seeping through the thin cotton of his tee.
They stood like that for a few minutes, until her tears seemed to dry up, and then he gently moved them over to the couch.
"Can you tell me what happened, babe?" Clay asked as they got situated with her still cuddled up in his arms.
Emma took a deep breath and rested her head against his shoulder.
"Dad started talking about me having to take over custody of Mikey and…" A sob interrupted her and Clay ran a hand over her back in comfort.
"Oh, Em. I'm sure it won't come to that. If there is any fairness in this world your dad will be found not guilty."
Emma squeezed her eyes closed and buried her head in his neck.
"But what if he isn't?" She mumbled.
Clay let out a shaky breath because if Jason was found guilty nothing would ever be the same again – not at work and certainly not at home.
"Then we'll deal with that too and you know that we will all help you with anything and everything. You are not alone in this, Emma, not matter what happens. But please, let's not borrow trouble. We'll know the outcome soon enough."
He could feel her nod against his neck and then he let his own head rest against hers, his eyes closing too. This wasn't how he would've preferred to spend his night with his Birdie but at least they were together and, if shit really did hit the fan the next day, nothing would stop him from being there for her then either.
When Clay opened his eyes again the room was dark and for a moment he wasn't sure where he was and what (who) was on top of him. It only took him a few seconds to orientate himself though and he let out a sigh as he realized that he was in his apartment, on the couch, with Emma in his arms.
A quick look at his wrist told him that it was a little after midnight and that the two of them had been sleeping sitting up for the past 5 hours or so.
His movements disturbed the girl in his lap and suddenly her head flew up from its resting place on his shoulder.
"What…Where…Clay?" she mumbled as she turned her head restlessly.
Clay shushed her gently and ran a hand up and down her back in a comforting move.
"It's ok, Birdie. We just fell asleep on the couch."
Emma blinked a few times and then she relaxed back into Clay's hold. If there was one place she always felt safe, it was in his arms.
"Want to move this party to the bed?"
Clay's question had a smile tugging at her lips and she nodded in acquiescent.
Before she should detangle herself from his arms, Clay moved his arms so that they were under her knees and behind her back and suddenly he was standing up, carrying her in a bridal carry.
A laugh escaped from her and she buried her head back in his neck.
"I could've walked on my own two feet you know?"
"Yeah, but what's the point when I can simply do this?"
Emma didn't have a good answer so she snorted out another laugh and then let him do his thing. What was the point of even having an extremely fit SEAL for a boyfriend if he didn't carry you around when you were tired?
Jason shook Lt. Commander Williams hand once more and then he turned on his heel and made his way outside of the courthouse. The closing statements were done and all they had to wait for the verdict announcement.
As he stepped outside he took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air, and then he closed his eyes, taking in everything he could feel, smell and sense at that exact moment. He really hoped that this wasn't some of his last moments as a free man.
"Dad!"
The sound of Emma's voice dragged him back to reality and when he opened his eyes he found Bravo 3 through 6, his daughter, Davis and Full Metal making their way over to him.
As they reached him, Emma wrapped her arms around him and he hugged her tight as he leaned his chin against the top of her head. He really hoped he could still hug his baby girl this close later today.
"So, what's the word?" Davis asked as Emma and Jason pulled back from their hug and the rest of them said hello.
"Just waiting on the verdict."
Jason looked around at the people gathered around him and felt a twinge in his gut. These were his brothers. And his sister. His family. What would happen if the verdict didn't go his, their, way?
His teammates would at least have each other and Davis would look after them and they would look after her. But what about his daughter? And Mikey?
His eyes locked on Emma who was now firmly planted next to his rookie. Jason knew Clay really couldn't be considered a rookie at this point but he was still the last one to join so until that change he would be their, his, rookie.
Clay had his arm wrapped around Emma's shoulders and her hand was locked in his that was draped over her. Jason guessed he should take comfort in that. If he couldn't be there for Emma Clay surely would be and that would ensure that the team kept a close eye on both of his kids.
"Master Chief Hayes?"
The whole team turned towards Lt. Commander Williams who was now standing in the doorway to the building.
"They're ready for us." She said and then she held the door open for them all to walk past her, into the building that housed the room that could end Jason's career and his life as he knew it.
They walked in silence and in formation towards the courtroom. Jason and Lt. Commander Williams walked in front, followed by Emma and Clay, Sonny and Davis, Brock and Trent and then Full Metal at the rear.
As Williams once more held the door open for the group Jason glanced over his shoulder. Well, if he was going down at least he had his brothers, his team and his daughter at his back.
Clay could feel Emma's hand shake in his as they followed Jason into the courtroom. As they reached the front row he squeezed it once before he had to let go so that they could take their seats and then he followed her down the row so that they sat just behind Jason and his JAG representative.
"It's gonna be ok, Birdie." He whispered in her ear as they settled in and then he took her hand in his again, interlocking their fingers and settling them on his right knee.
"You don't know that." She muttered under her breath but Clay could clearly hear that she wasn't far away from tearing up.
He squeezed her hand again and ran his thumb over hers. "No matter what, I've got you, ok? And you will be ok."
Emma nodded her head and then she sat up straight as other people started to file in to the room. They all rose as the judge entered and then the all sat down again as asked and waited for what was about to come.
The judge scanned to room for a minute before his eyes turned toward the panel.
"Has the panel reached a verdict?"
"Yes we have, your honor."
At those words, Emma's hold on Clay's hand tightened so much that both of their knuckles started to turn white.
They watched as Jason and the Lt. Commander stood up and as the leader of the panel opened his mouth Emma stopped breathing.
"We find the defendant, Master Chief Jason M. Hayes, not guilty."
The room was silent for a nanosecond and then it was if everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
Clay looked up at the ceiling, thanking who ever had been looking out for them once again, and then he turned towards Emma who was simply staring at nothing, frozen in place.
"Em, baby?" he said gently as he pressed a kiss to her knuckles that were still intertwined with his.
Emma turned to look at him and he could practically see when her brain caught up with reality as her eyes flooded with tears.
"Oh, Birdie." Clay mumbled and then got to his feet, taking her along with him and then into his arms for a celebratory hug.
"He did it." She muttered into his ear arms squeezing him to her for all that she was worth.
"He did." Clay answered and then they pulled back from each other and turned toward the front just as Jason turned towards them.
"Daddy!" Emma said as her arms wrapped around her father's neck and tears started to fall down her cheeks.
Jason held her close and did his best to keep his own tears at bay. "I know Emmi-star."
Father and daughter stood locked in their hug for several minutes before they stepped back and as Jason moved on to shake hand with first Clay and then the rest of the team, Emma used her sleeves to wipe away the wetness on her face.
When Jason had thanked everyone for being there, they all quickly made their way out of the building because this really wasn't a place they wanted to spend any unnecessary time in.
As they stepped out into the sunshine they all let out another sigh of relief. Jason most of all. He opened his mouth to ask if they all wanted to head to the Bulkhead but before he could utter a word their cell phones all went off.
They all looked surprised at each other because surely they weren't being called in to work right now but then Emma's phone had also chimed and she was the first one to check the message.
"Aunt Naima and Uncle Ray say's that we're all to meet at their house and attendance is mandatory." She told the group with a grin when she had scanned the text. As everyone nodded Emma's smile widen at the thought of spending the evening at Naima and Ray's house because that would mean that for the first time in a very long time everyone would be in one place at the same time and for once there was something to actually celebrate.