Hanging up the phone, Jason took several deep breaths to center himself before making his way back to the rest of the team. The last thing he wanted was to have to sit one of his kids down and deliver the news that they'd lost another loved one. He could hear the pain in Emma's voice, the way it trembled as she tried to ask questions. But those were questions he couldn't give her answers to due both to confidentiality and the fact that he just didn't know.

He couldn't tell her what happened. He couldn't tell her where Clay was.

He couldn't promise her that Clay would make it home.

But he was the best chance his rookie had. That he knew.

Keeping that in mind, Jason turned sharply and began walking with a purposeful stride. None of them had slept since before the mission was green lit and if the Master Chief had his way, they wouldn't until their rookie was found.

CECECECECECE

The movement above him quieted down as Clay sat alert in a cramped corner in the basement of an abandoned dwelling. He gave a derisive snort at the fact that he was yet again stuck in a hole. It was oddly reminiscent of one of the first missions he'd ever ran as a part of Bravo. Thinking back, it was also one of the first missions where he started to truly understand what it was to have brothers who would always come for him.

Just as he was sure that they were going to come for him now.

A fierce gunfight broke out while trying to evacuate their HVT alive. Mission success was dependent on the information he could give them, making it paramount that they return with more than a body. He and Ray both had gone high to separate positions in order to provide the most coverage for the team on the path to their extraction point. Ray was able to make it back to the others in time but Clay ended up getting pinned, surrounded by tangos with no way out. He'd been forced to race over several rooftops in the opposite direction of where the team was headed until he reached the building he was in to hunker down until the coast was clear.

In the meantime Clay would have to cross his fingers that none of them felt the need to explore the broken down subterranean space. He kept his rifle nearby and his pistol at the ready while quietly munching on a dry ration. He did his best to stay hydrated while making his canteen last however long it took for either his team to get him, the building above him to clear out or finding another source of water. He was in favor of the first option.

A lone set of footsteps creaked over the floorboards above him causing dirt and dust to trickle down over Clay. He covered his face and waved his hand through the air in front of him to keep the particulates from aggravating his sinuses. The last thing he wanted to do was give away his position by sneezing. That's not something he'd ever live down if he managed to make it out of this alive.

Clay's eyes stayed locked on the ceiling as the meandering footsteps, clearly bored of being the designated night watch, wandered ever closer to the hatch that led to his position. He could hear things being picked up and placed down, table legs and chairs being lightly kicked while the person sighed in frustration. Low man on the totem pole Clay surmised.

When they reached the end of the room, he waited for the footsteps to turn around and start back in the other direction as they'd been doing for the past 10 minutes. But not this time. The movement stopped right on top of the basement hatch after hearing the loud creaking noise it made under their weight. Clay's heart rate picked up as they began to bounce up and down over the cover. He closed his eyes and clicked off the safety on his pistol, practicing his box breathing in order to stay calm and focused.

In for four. Hold for four. Out for four. Hold for four.

Repeat.

Nails scratched over the wood as he tried to find the seam of the hatch in order to open it. After successfully wedging his fingers in the cracks, he heaved it open.

Pressing further into the wall, Clay watched as whomever was looking into the pitch black hole grabbed for a lighter that did a poor job of illuminating the space more than a few feet in front of him. His eyes stayed pinned on the skinny arm as it slowly waved the pitiful torch around before pulling back. The floorboards creaked once again as they crouched lower towards the opening and a head popped into sight.

There was no way he could see Clay through the darkness. It would take his eyes time to adjust to see even the silhouette of the person with his weapon at the ready, prepared to drop him with one well placed bullet. By that time it would be too late. But it would also alert everyone else in the building and that was trouble he did not need.

In one swift move the head disappeared only for legs to be swung down into the hole. Clay cursed in his head as he waited for the person to drop down into the space and make the mistake of walking right into their grave. Feet scraped blindly against the wall as he tried to find some kind of foothold to no success.

Undeterred, they continued to slowly scoot further through the opening. Before they could make the final leap down onto the dirt covered floor a voice cut through the room.

"What are you doing?" A heavier tread made its way over, stopping next to the hatch.

"There's another room. I want to know what's down there." Despite not being able to confirm with his own eyes, the voice sounded young to Clay. Military age, but barely.

"Nothing worth getting stuck for. The ladder's probably rotted from being left so long. Leave it be. You'll be in trouble if I have to wake anyone up because you got yourself stuck down there." An unseen man chastised. Clay's eyes slid over to the ladder that he had yanked from the wall earlier and thanked his past self for the forethought of making sure that he could still get back up without anyone being able to easily get down.

"Fine." The younger voice huffed before the legs disappeared and the hatch slammed shut. Their voices became faint as the two made their way out of the room into another section of the building, leaving Clay in silence.

He sagged back against the wall and sighed in relief, flicking the safety back on. That had been way too close for comfort.

A few minutes passed as Clay listened for any sign that they were coming back. When he didn't pick up any movement, he shifted quietly over to the small opening that looked out into a courtyard. Now that it was finally dark enough, he grabbed the infrared flashlight from his tac vest and began shining it out towards the sky in the familiar SOS pattern.

All that was left to do was sit tight and hope that his brothers could answer the call.

CECECECECECE

Only a few hours were left until sun up as Clay lightly dozed between bouts of signaling his position with the beam. It had stayed quiet so far and the way things were going, it would be at least another 12 hours if the team couldn't get to him before first light. It was too risky making a move in broad daylight when enemy forces already knew that they had been there and were likely still nearby.

Rubbing the tiredness from his eyes, he exhaled sharply as he prepared for another round of signalling. The pit in his stomach grew with every unanswered message that he mindlessly sent out. But if he was being honest, it wasn't so much that he was afraid for himself but he dreaded having to go home and explain this to Emma.

Part of him thought maybe it'd be best if he kept it to himself. Missions were confidential so it would be understandable that he couldn't talk to her about it. But he was so used to being able to unwind and confide in her at this point that it felt wrong to hide things from her. Emma had become a focal point for Clay when he was away on missions and she was quickly becoming the place he wanted to rest his head when they were over.

Operating was its own high, sending bolts of excitement through his veins when he and his brothers prepared to come face to face with their enemy to mete out violence with swift efficiency. Coming down from that and having to transition back into some semblance of normalcy when they got home could be rough. They had to find ways to cope.

Ray had his family. Metal, Brock and Trent had their significant others. Sonny had the champagne room. And Jason...well Clay wasn't sure what he had but their team leader made due somehow.

Clay, though, always seemed to struggle with sitting still when they were home. Maybe his eagerness to get back to the job seemed tasteless to some given what that entailed. But he didn't have anything waiting for him. There was no one to keep the light on for when he got home, leaving his choices for a homecoming to be either drinking with Sonny at the Bulkhead or sitting alone in a quiet apartment. As much as they all needed those moments to themselves when they got back after being cramped together for however long the mission or deployment lasted, it sucked when the routine involved figuring out some way to distract yourself after you got done unpacking.

But Emma changed all of that. Even if they didn't get to see each other right away, he always made sure to call or text depending on the time to let her know that he made it home safe and relatively unscathed. She took such care in checking in with him and making sure he was okay. There were even a few times that she insisted on coming over to cook for him or even inviting him over to Jason's to enjoy a meal with the two of them.

Those particular instances had been interesting to explain to Jason. Luckily, the chicken parm was good enough that he could try to ignore his bosses searching gaze as Emma chatted about what all had happened since they'd been gone. None of them had talked about it afterwards to his relief.

But now?

Now Clay would give anything to make it home to talk to Emma about what happened between them before he left. What's been happening between them since he ran into her in that dive bar. If she'd still have him.

History dictated that moments like this were the defining moments for couples when one of them made a living running towards the danger. Past experience hasn't been so kind. But as Clay stared out the window and caught sight of a similar beam answering him back, the adrenaline coursing through him prepared him for getting out of this and making his way home to find out.

CECECECECECE

Sitting back in the cargo plane with his legs sprawled out in front of him, Clay leisurely sipped the beer that they'd all used to toast to a successful mission and the retrieval of their brother. Once Trent was satisfied that Clay was no worse for wear he had retreated a ways away for a break from all the concerned stares. They were all in full mother hen mode, especially sensitive to being separated after Ray getting captured. None were eager to relive that.

While he understood and let them nitpick to a certain extent, it was nice to get a breather now and then. But Clay's seclusion didn't last long when Jason took a seat beside him.

They didn't speak for a moment. Clay was curious about what his team leader was going to say as he had been particularly quiet amongst the merriment.

"Good work with the signalling." He stated shortly, fiddling with the tab on his beer can.

"Thanks." Clay nodded slowly. "Just remembered my training."

Jason gave a thin smile. "Bit of a close call."

"No more than other times." He tried for an unaffected shrug while wondering what Bravo 1 was getting at, but Jason Hayes excelled at being unreadable.

"Makes you think, though. About what you'd be leaving behind when you come so close."

"It does." Clay agreed quietly. Jason nodded along as he watched his expression out of the corner of his eye. Unwilling to let the conversation stall before he could get out what he came over to say, Jason leaned his head back against the mesh behind them before releasing a gusty sigh and pushing forward.

"I talked to Emma."

Clay froze. His face paled immediately at the words and his thoughts raced as he wondered just how much Jason told her. That the mission took longer than planned? That he got separated, stranded in enemy territory under the threat of being captured and tortured? His life snuffed out for all the world to see? Or maybe he'd get lucky and Jason will have made the call as they were boarding and kept the finer details to himself.

"Did you tell her what happened?"

"Some of it." Jason confirmed, tilting his head to look directly at Clay. "I wasn't sure how long it would take to get you back, especially if this ended up being like the last time one of us went missing." Clay silently shook his head in acknowledgement as his knee began rapidly bouncing. "She asked me to keep her updated. Pretty sure she was sitting by the phone waiting for a call to know if you were okay."

Clay couldn't help but curl in on himself a little bit as he wondered what was going to be waiting for him when he got home. If there was still anything at all.

"I-Is she okay?" He stuttered.

"She is now. Cried a little bit when I told her you were fine but I think it was just the relief talking."

Jason watched as Clay's brow scrunched up at the thought of Emma shedding tears because of him. She wasn't much of a crier, Clay had learned. Knowing that him going missing brought on that kind of reaction was humbling. It also served to make him feel incredibly guilty. And careless.

"I didn't mean to make her cry, Jace."

"We never do, kid. But it's part of the job."

"That doesn't make it any easier." Clay countered, frustrated.

"No." He agreed. "It's always the people we love that suffer the most."

Clay's head whipped towards Jason, eyes wide as he finally recognized the knowing look on his boss's face and just where this conversation was going. In the weeks that he and Emma spent by each other's side, Jason had never really questioned or commented on anything. Nothing to Clay when he would come pick her up from Jason's. Not when she insisted on Clay joining them for dinner. Not even when they'd be attached at the hip during family gatherings. And to his knowledge, nothing was ever said to Emma either.

Adding those instances together made it all the more unusual. Not that Jason spent a lot of time inserting himself in their lives, but Clay figured that since it involved his daughter he'd be curious. He was almost starting to wonder if Jason even noticed. But now he could see that those eagle eyes had caught everything going on between Clay and Emma. Possibly before they fully recognized it themselves.

"You're in love with my daughter."

Clay's posture became ramrod straight at the declaration. It was stated casually but with such surety and conviction that there wasn't even an inkling of question in Jason's tone.

If he had a hard time talking before there was no way he was going to be able to string a sentence together now. Clay sat there dumbfounded and a little bit afraid. He tried to gauge whether his boss was ready to toss him from the cargo hold or let him make it back to the states before he roped Metal into helping him get rid of the body.

Weirdly enough, the only thing he could see on Jason's face was a mix of resignation with, dare he say it, understanding.

"I know." Jason confirmed. "I wish I didn't, but I do."

"Jason, I didn't- I wasn't planning-" Clay shook his head, struggling to explain. He was hoping that the first person he got to tell about his feelings for Emma would be, well, Emma. Then again it's understandable that his boss wanted answers about what was going on between the two of them and what his rookie was planning to do about it.

Despite the pressure of Jason's expectant gaze, Clay took a moment to gather his thoughts and breathe before explaining.

"What we do, it's the best job in the world." He started slowly.

"But when it comes to dating I feel like it's all that I am. It might start out as exciting for them, the thrill of a frogman." Clay's lips curled in a derisive smile. "In the end I spend more time having to justify myself and what we do than getting to know any of them. Good enough for a night or two but not anything lasting. Not when they can't see far enough past it."

Jason nodded, understanding. He and Alana had been together well before he became a SEAL so he never had to experience how much more of a rat race dating became when you added in the trident. But that didn't mean he was free of the experience of coming across someone new and having to explain, even in the briefest of ways, what he does. Not everyone was receptive.

When you factored that into the dating pool, it was no surprise that some operators opted for the bachelor lifestyle instead.

"But then Emma came along. Funny and smart and beautiful and…It's so easy, Jase. There's no elephant in the room, no unspoken hurdles to get over. It's just us because she already knows. She knows all of it and she's still here." Clay swallowed heavily, a little overwhelmed in coming face to face with the thoughts and emotions that had been circling in his head. "I know you and the guys might think that this is stupid and messy, and maybe I should've kept my distance. But I didn't and I'm not sorry for it."

Jason could see the muscle in Clay's jaw tensing as he dared to stare back, resolute.

"Emma is everything. And if she'll have me...there's no way I could just walk away, Jase. Not without hurting the both of us. I can't do that to her." His lips pursed in a thin line at the thought. "I won't."

None of what he's saying or doing could be easy when the balance of the team's relationships with each other were tied so closely to their jobs. By admitting his feelings, Clay was risking a lot more than just his heart. For a moment, Jason wondered why, of all the millions of people in the world, Spenser and his daughter had to choose each other. But then again, knowing them both as he did, that question could answer itself.

Jason raised his hand in a calming gesture as Clay seemed to be preparing himself for a fight. "You're both adults. And even if I did think I had a say, this is Emma we're dealing with. If she's set on you then there's no stopping her."

Clay couldn't help the quirk of his lips at the reminder of her stubbornness. He nodded but stayed silent as Jason continued.

"I also know you, and if I thought her judgment was off then I wouldn't have let you within spitting distance of the team, let alone my daughter. But I see how you look at her and I know that you take your relationships and your commitments seriously. If you are what makes her happy then I won't stand in the way."

The knot in Clay's shoulders loosened slightly, leaving behind a new lightness. Though he didn't ask for it, he was relieved to have Jason's approval. As his team leader, his judgments and opinions were always taken to heart by Clay even if they weren't always followed. Knowing that Jason trusted him with one of the most important people in his life was a high compliment.

"But make no mistake, Spenser. If you hurt her, you'll never see it coming." His stony face brokered no argument and promised retribution unlike anything Clay could imagine. And they'd seen a lot.

Clay gulped and nodded. He was torn between being elated at his boss' blessing and terrified knowing damn well that he would make good on his promise. Not that Clay ever intended to give him a reason to follow through. Making Emma happy usually went hand in hand with his own.

"I'll let you know when I decide how you can make it up to me. For now, get your AAR sorted and get some rest." Jason clapped him on the shoulder. He stood up and stretched his arms out wide before dropping them to his side and making for his hammock.

"And Spenser?" He turned back.

"Boss?"

"Get ready to run hills on Monday."

CECECECECECE

His phone felt like it was burning a hole in his pocket the entire way home. From disembarking the plane to sitting in the parking lot of his apartment building and every moment in between, all he could think about was dialing those familiar ten digits. Earlier, Clay had seen Jason in his cage having a quiet conversation on his phone while they were storing their equipment. It didn't take a genius to guess who he was talking to.

Sonny made a valiant attempt at cajoling him into a night at the Bulkhead that would no doubt end with a visit to the Champagne Room. Clay managed to wave him off citing tiredness and wanting to enjoy his own bed after the messy success of their mission. When he locked eyes with Jason as they all slowly filed out it felt as though a timer had started. The longer he took to get in touch with Emma, the more he felt like an ass for making her wait so long.

But every time his finger hovered over that call button the fear of what he'd find on the other side kept him from following through.

As sure as Clay was about his own feelings, there was no guarantee that they were on the same page regardless of the kiss. He tried holding on to that moment when Emma told him how much she'd miss him after she goes back to New York. That she didn't want to leave him. But this mission would serve as a reminder to her of everything she'd gone through growing up with Jason on the teams. Everything she'd be signing up for by being with him.

In the past, it had never been a question that Clay would respect his partner's decision to cut ties when being with a SEAL became too much or simply didn't line up with the life they wanted. He wasn't going to beg them to stay. Not with Stella. Not with Rebecca. No one. But if he and Emma could find some way to get past this, to make it work, he'd happily run hills everyday for the rest of his life without complaint.

Stepping into the elevator, Clay took his phone from his pocket. Finding her contact wasn't hard seeing as she had become a fixture at the top of his most recent call list. Two taps later and his finger was hovering over her number as he stared at her smiling face in the profile picture next to her name.

Running away from this wasn't going to make it easier. If he had any hope of moving forward with Emma then he was going to have to face her first.

His heartbeat sped up when he finally tapped her number and pressed the phone to his ear. The dial tone sounded, almost deafening with each second that she didn't pick up.

Clay's grip tightened around the strap of his duffel when the elevator doors opened on the third ring. He was faintly aware of another phone chiming as he stepped into the hallway. When he turned the corner, he was met not with the sight of one of his neighbors, but a familiar blonde standing next to his door clutching the ringing phone.

They both froze in place, her fingers poised to accept his call while the sound of her voicemail greeting started over his speaker. He ended the call, pocketing his phone before letting his hand dangle at his side.

Emma looked tired standing there in yoga pants and an over-sized t-shirt that he recognized as one of his own hanging down to the middle of her thighs. Her dark blonde hair was piled up out of her face in a messy bun and he could see the skin on the tip of her nose and around her eyes tinged pink from crying.

She dropped her own phone back into her bag as Clay stepped carefully towards her, afraid she would dash away if he moved too fast. Stopping a few feet in front of her, he greeted her quietly.

"Emma."

"Hi." She whispered with a tremulous smile.

Clay watched as Emma nervously twisted her hands while her eyes scanned over his form in search of any injuries, big or small. Despite knowing that Jason had told her that he'd managed to make it out safely, he knew she was wanting to confirm that with her own eyes. Reaching forward, Clay cupped her elbow and gave a gentle squeeze. His touch jolted her out of whatever thoughts were racing through her brain and brought her watery gaze back to his own.

"I'm okay, Em." He promised softly.

She nodded, still having a hard time responding. Clay wanted to kick himself at the way her lips trembled and her hands shook. His mouth opened and closed as he tried to decide whether he should start with attempting to explain or skip automatically to apologizing. Groveling seemed like his best bet when Emma pulled her elbow from his grasp. His stomach dropped thinking she was trying to put some distance between them, but all of that was cut off when she leapt forward, wrapping her arms tight around his shoulders and burying her face in the crook of his neck.

He let the strap of his duffel slide off his shoulder and paid no attention to it hitting the floor as his own arms were quick to return the embrace. He straightened up, pulling her with him in an effort to get her as close as possible, their difference in height lifting her off her toes. One arm held her securely to his frame while his other hand smoothed across her back. Clay was desperate to offer her any comfort he could when he felt the slight hitches in her breathing and the small wet drops against his skin where she kept her face tucked.

He was so grateful to have the opportunity, though, breathing in her sweet scent while pressing his lips to the soft skin above her collar. Clay was overwhelmed by the feel of her in his arms after being so unsure of when, if he'd get to have this again.

When Emma started to shift against him he eased his hold, letting her slide down his front until her feet touched the floor without releasing her from his embrace. Her eyes fluttered at the feel of his lips against her temple while she swiped away her tears with a sniffle. She sagged against him, tired, relieved and finally able to relax after a grueling 24 hours of near overwhelming uncertainty. Wondering if she'd ever see him again. If their single kiss was all they would ever get.

But here he stood in front of her, warm, and tall and strong and she never wanted to let him go.

Winding a thin arm back over his shoulder, Emma cupped the back of his head as she peppered light kisses against his neck and cheek before coming to a stop at the sensitive spot on his jaw just below his ear.

He ducked his head to lean further into her touch as she raked her fingers through the curls at the base of his neck. With her lips pressed to the shell of his ear, Emma whispered the words Clay had long been deprived of. Words that, coming from her, finally felt true.

"Welcome home."

A/N: I told you guys it wouldn't be that bad! I'm not super big on whump so while Clay may get a little banged up at times, it'll never be anything serious during the story. Yet.

Please drop me a review if you've got any feedback, good or bad, or if you just want to say hi. Thanks for reading!