Chapter 44

Wow, so a lot has happened during this recent break. It sounds like SEAL Team is fighting for a season 5! Dave has even taken to Twitter asking for it. I think they're going to be renewed. There is a lot of controversy about shows with less viewers being renewed and SEAL Team not. I really hope we get a season 5 because if anything that would be the final season and I think they need time to properly close storylines. I know I've criticized the inconsistency of the writing but I'm still a loyal watcher and do like other aspects of the show. I also love Dave and his amazing acting skills. He liked and shared some of my Twitter stuff which was awesome. Anyways, here's to hoping we're told soon season 5 is coming and enjoy a new chapter.

After spending the afternoon out on the beach, everyone joined together back at the house for dinner. It was nice out and Susan set everything up on the patio so they could continue to enjoy nice atmosphere. The dinner table was filled with conversation and laughter. Mandy's parents enjoyed sharing embarrassing moments of Mandy to Jason and Mikey. Before they knew it, the sun was setting, and everyone was going up to bed. Mandy, Jason, and Mikey were leaving in the morning to head to Philadelphia.

Susan had suggested they take the dogs with them as they'd missed Mandy and become attached to Mikey. Mikey had turned to Mandy with pleading eyes and then turned to Jason who seemed to be doing the same. She shook her head and agreed. Susan being Susan, had said she'd already rented them an SUV for their trip and told Jason to leave his truck at the beach house.

Mandy and Jason were the only one downstairs still. Jason was out on the patio on one of the chairs looking up to the stars and listening to the ocean. The fairy lights around the patio were on and gave everything a nice cozy feeling. Mandy came out with a bottle scotch and a couple tumblers.

"Night cap?" Mandy asked as she walked up to him and put it down on the table.

Jason pulled her down to his lap and then grabbed the bottle of scotch, "Oh, the good stuff."

"Don't tell my Dad I stole it from his stash," Mandy smirked as she took the bottle and poured them each some in a glass.

"Your secret is safe with me," Jason replied taking the drink and the two clinked glasses before taking a sip.

Mandy curled up on Jason's lap to get comfortable and closed her eyes listening to the ocean. Both just taking in the rare moment of peace in their lives.

"You know," Jason began. "I like this. Right here, right now."

"Mmm, me too but," Mandy said knowing there was more.

"But another part of me tells me the only place I know is the battlefield," Jason continued.

"Yeah, I feel that too," Mandy agreed. "A part of me loves the peace but another part of me is ready to sit across from the enemy in an interrogation room."

"Yeah, what does that say about us?" Jason chuckled. "Is all we know the war?"

"No," Mandy said pulling herself up to look him in the eyes. "Do we crave the action? Yeah, but there's a part of us that wants these moments too. Plus, since when did we ever run from a challenge. I'm sure we could find plenty of other things to keep the adrenaline going."

"Never out of the fight," Jason smiled as he leaned in to kiss her.

"Never out of the fight," Mandy whispered. "Together, we're stronger. We're not alone now. We have each other."

They finished their drinks and headed back into the house. As they turned off the lights downstairs and headed upstairs, Jason pushed her up against the wall for a smoldering kiss.

"So, think you can be quiet?" Jason murmured against her neck.

"Is that a challenge?" Mandy replied as she started pulling him up the stairs with a flirty smile. "Guess we'll find out."

It was five in the morning when Mandy's phone alarm went off. Mandy slowly awoke while reaching out hit snooze. Jason's arm was draped over her mid-section and he too woke up while trying to pull her closer. Once Mandy turned off the alarm she turned around in Jason's arm and cuddled up close to him trying to enjoy a moment in the morning.

"We should get up," Mandy said breaking the silence finally.

"Yeah, we should," Jason replied moving his hand towards her face and bringing her head up to kiss her.

"Mmm," Mandy moaned as they kissed. "As much as I would love to continue this," Mandy said in between kisses. "We have to get a move on here if we want to get to Philly in the afternoon."

Jason continued to kiss her until she was on her back and he was on top. He started trailing kisses down the side of her neck and Mandy arched into him.

"You guys up!" Mandy's dad called through the door making Jason freeze.

"Yeah," Mandy called back trying to hold back her laugh and Jason's terrified face. "We are definitely up," Mandy smirked.

"I feel like a teenager who just got caught," Jason murmured as he fell back to his side of the bed onto his back. "This is not funny," Jason said looking at Mandy who was trying to hold back her laughter.

"I'm sorry, but seeing Bravo one afraid of his girlfriend's dad is pretty funny. I wonder what the guys would think," Mandy chuckled.

"The guys won't think anything of it cuz you won't tell them," Jason said throwing off the covers and getting out of bed finally.

Mandy sat up in bed holding the covers to herself, "And what incentive do I have to not tell the guys about this?"

"You get me," Jason said as he walked over to her side of the bed and kissed her softly again. Suddenly he pulled the covers and grabbed Mandy in his arms and took her with him to the bathroom. Mandy laughed as Jason carried her and the two got ready together.

Mandy headed downstairs where she could hear her Mom and Dad getting breakfast ready. Jason went to Mikey's room to wake him up.

"Morning," Mandy smiled as she entered the kitchen and sat at the breakfast bar. "You didn't have to do all this," Mandy said looking at the breakfast spread in front of her.

"Nonsense, you guys need a good breakfast before leaving," Susan replied.

"No use in arguing with her. You know that," Jack said kissing Mandy's hair as he came to sit next to her.

"Where is Jason?" Susan asked.

"Getting Mikey up," Mandy replied as Gunner and Sarge came down the stairs. Mandy jumped off her stool to greet the two dogs and went to let them out back.

"So far we still don't have any solid leads on Roman," Jack said as Mandy came back to sit down next to him.

"Nothing?" Mandy asked as Susan put a cup of coffee in front of her.

"Well, anything solid we do get he's a ghost by the time we get anyone there."

"Want me to take a look at anything?" Mandy asked as she started to put food on her plate. "Maybe I can find a link of some sorts. Fresh pair of eyes."

"No, I want you to enjoy most of your vacation," Jack replied.

"Yeah, but maybe I can-," Mandy started before being cut off.

"There isn't anything you can do right now Mandy. And don't you go down the road of he could do something that would mean it was your fault. You deserve to have happiness in this world. You've given far too much of yourself to the world and it's time you put yourself first for once."

"I second that," Susan said with a stern look. "Plus, you have a very good looking Master Chief that could use some relaxation and lovin'," Susan said with a little twang and smirk.

"Mom!" Mandy blushed.

"I did not need to know that," Jack said shaking his head as he got up to let the dogs back in.

"He is a very handsome man. If I was you I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off him," Susan sighed while looking over at Jack lovingly.

"Well I'm the lucky one your beautiful daughter chose," Jason said coming up behind Mandy.

"Oh, he's a sweet one too," Susan said excitedly. "I love him."

"Apparently more than me," Mandy rolled her eyes with a smile as she turned to Jason and gave him a quick kiss. "Mikey up?"

"Grudgingly," Jason said as he sat down next to her. "This looks good. You didn't have to do all this."

"As I told Mandy, no problem."

After breakfast, everyone said their good byes. Jason, Mandy, Mikey, and the dogs loaded up in the rental SUV and started their journey for Philly. It was just past seven in the morning once they left. Mikey fell back asleep with the dogs in the back seat. All three were out like a light with all the recent excitement and activity. Mandy grabbed her phone and turned around to take a picture.

"Talked with my Dad this morning about Roman," Mandy said as she turned back around and Jason grabbed her hand.

"Anything new?" Jason said squeezing her hand as he drove.

"No, said so far the leads aren't there. By the time they do chase a lead he disappears," Mandy replied with a sigh.

"You gonna take a look?" Jason asked. He knew deep down that a part of her was chomping at the bit to hunt him down.

"I asked my Dad to," Mandy chuckled. "He said no and that I am to enjoy my time off. You know me too well."

"I do, just like you know me too well," Jason said with a smile.

"Plus, my Mom said I had a very good looking Master Chief that's hard to resist," Mandy said leaning in towards Jason's ear.

"First, I'm driving and you are entering dangerous territory. Second, Mikey is in the back seat," Jason said concentrating on the road. "Third, I am hard to resist."

"So cocky," Mandy said leaning back into her seat.

"You'd know," Jason smirked as Mandy chuckled.

As they continued to drive, they talked about various topics and sometimes they just enjoyed the silence as music played. At their first rest stop, Mikey finally woke up and helped take the dogs out so everyone could stretch their legs. Once back in the car, Mandy asked Mikey what music he wanted to listen to. Mikey and Mandy were singing and rapping along to Mikey's playlist. Jason laughed as he watched Mandy get into whatever song they were dancing to and loved the care free look she had. He didn't keep up with too much in the entertainment world but apparently Mandy did. They played twenty questions as well and everyone learned about each other. It was like the rest of the world didn't exist.

Once they were in the Philadelphia area, Jason decided they'd do a late lunch at one of his favorite haunts. He told Mandy she had to have the best Philly cheesesteak sandwich ever since they were in town. The restaurant was a little whole in the wall place but with great food. They had some tables outside to sit and eat.

As they walked in, Jason's name was called out, "Well if it isn't Jason Michael Hayes."

"Phil! How you doing man," Jason said as he gave a hug and pat on the bag to the man.

"Good. Glad to see your home safe and sound," Phil said looking Jason over and noticing the new scar above his eye. "Now who do we have here? She can't possibly be with your ugly mug," Phil said looking at Mandy.

"This is Mandy and my son Mikey," Jason said.

"My oh my, little Mikey is all grown up," Phil said.

"Nice to meet you," Mandy said putting her hand out to shake.

Phil took her hand in his and gave it a kiss, "When you're tired of him, you call me up."

Mandy leaned in with a smile, "I might take you up on that offer sooner rather than later."

"Oh, burn Dad!" Mikey chimed in laughing.

"Oh, I like her son," Phil said looking at the two. "Now what can I get you?"

"Three of the usual," Jason ordered as Mandy said she'd go get the dogs and grab a table outside.

"So, how'd you two meet?" Phil asked as he made their food and Mandy went outside with Mikey.

"We work together," Jason answered. "Have for a while. She's been there for me and my team a lot over the years."

"Good influence too. Got you to come home for a visit it seems," Phil said with a look.

"Yeah," Jason chuckled. "Mandatory time off. She suggested we drive out here then go see Emma in New York. Afterwards, we're headed to her family's place in Nashville."

"She's a fiery country girl? Better not let this one go," Phil said finishing up the food.

"Don't plan on it. Thanks Phil," Jason said grabbing the food and heading outside. "Alright, here you go best Philly cheesesteak in town."

Mandy took a bite and then moaned at how good it was, "This is good."

Jason laughed as he watched her devour her sandwich, "I really do wonder where you put it all."

"Great metabolism," Mandy shrugged her shoulders. "So, Phil from Philadelphia makes the best Philly cheesesteak?"

"Yeah, and no he did not change his name for business sakes. He really is named Phil. Loved coming here growing up. Even brought Alana along, though she wasn't much of a Philly cheesesteak girl," Jason said shaking his head at the fond memories.

"You brought Mom here?" Mikey asked.

"Yeah, brought her here for a third date," Jason said.

"I see your dating game hasn't changed much then," Mandy smiled. "All I got was base food in J-Bad."

"You loved it though. Especially when I got you strawberry yogurt," Jason replied.

"True, got your brownie points there," Mandy chuckled giving him a flirty look. Both of them remembering some fun nights in her hooch.

"C'mon Dad! Gotta up your game," Mikey exclaimed like it was so obvious.

"And what do you know about having game?" Jason said with an arched eyebrow.

"Dad, I'm fifteen and chicks dig me," Mikey answered.

"Wow, he is most definitely your son," Mandy laughed.

"Sounds like you and I need to have a talk," Jason said.

"No, no, we're good Dad! Don't embarrass me in front of Mandy," Mikey quickly said as Mandy laughed and pulled Mikey in for a side hug.

Jason's phone was on the table and he grabbed it to take a picture of the moment. As he took the picture, Mandy said something to Mikey that caused them both to laugh. Both of them looking at each other mid-laugh. Jason looked at them and the picture and felt for the first time in a while he was moving forward in life and not just stuck on the derailing train. He was happy and beginning to heal all thanks to woman sitting across from him. Mandy looked up and caught his eyes silently asking if he was okay. He shook his head and smiled back while grabbing her hand. Yeah, everything was better than okay.