Chapter 45

Alright, as I write this we still haven't heard if SEAL Team has been renewed for a season 5. TV Line seems to predict it will and says in the past they've announced for this show during the first week of May. Not sure when this chapter will post but hopefully when it does, we'll know something. Thank you again to everyone for your continued support and know that no matter what I will keep writing. Thank you for all the comments as I love hearing what you all have to say. Heck, if you have a suggestion feel free to tell me. You can leave it in the comments or hit me up on social: Twitter ( jaszy21) or Tumblr (mcgarretts-seal-pack). Hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Before Mandy knew it, lunch was over, and Jason was pulling into the driveway of his Mom's house. Mandy had briefly met Linda Hayes after Alana had passed. It wasn't during the best of times to meet but Mandy had gotten a polite hello back. There was something about Mom's though that when they looked at you, they just knew things.

Mandy had always had some sort of feelings for Jason but knew she couldn't act on them because Jason was with Alana. When things with Alana started to head for the end of the end, the lines between the two got blurry. Jason and Alana had barely finalized the divorce before Alana passed, which sent Jason into another emotional tailspin. Through it all, Mandy was there for him in what form he needed her.

For a living, Mandy hunted some of the worst human beings and would sit across a table from them as if it were nothing waiting for them to crack for her. Looking up at the house, Mandy felt nervous officially meeting Jason's Mom. She'd never really done the whole meeting parents thing. She barely introduced anyone to her own parents that meeting anyone else's was off the board and if someone suggested it, she fled. As Mandy got out of the car, she shut the door and smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles in her jeans. She looked up at the house and could feel her heart starting to beat quicker as she watched Mikey run towards the front door.

"You okay?" Jason asked coming towards her.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good," Mandy breathed out.

"Are you nervous?" Jason asked curiously with a smile.

"Of course, I am. This is your Mom and I'm officially meeting her as your girlfriend. The one time I met her was," Mandy trailed off looking at him.

"When Alana passed," Jason finished stepping close to her and taking her hand. "Listen, you've sat in the room with some pretty evil people who you made confess all their sins. Your parents welcomed me, and my Mom will welcome you."

"And if she doesn't?" Mandy asked.

"It won't matter cuz you're the one I'm all in with," Jason said leaning in to kiss her. "But she will love you anyways, so it won't matter," Jason assured her by squeezing her hand and walking them up the front steps and into the house.

"Mom!" Jason called out as they walked into the house and into the kitchen.

"Jason!" Linda Hayes said leaving Mikey's side to give Jason a bone crushing hug. "Welcome home."

Jason squeezed back as well before pulling away, "Mom, this is Mandy. Mandy, this is my Mom, Linda."

"Hi, it's nice to meet you again," Mandy said extending her hand out.

Linda looked Mandy up and down assessing her. She cautiously put her hand out to shake Mandy's and returned it with a hello and polite smile. Linda wasn't sure what to make of Mandy. She had briefly met her during Alana's wake and funeral. Linda had been surprised to see Mandy in Jason's kitchen the morning of Alana's funeral talking to Emma. She could tell Mandy had feelings for Jason. Linda knew her son had changed over the years thanks to being the leader of Bravo team and it had affected his marriage quite a bit. Linda could tell Jason was close with Mandy before the end of his marriage and afterwards they'd gotten closer. It was odd to see Jason with someone new as Alana had been with him since they were kids.

"Mandy, you gotta have some of this," Mikey said coming over and dragging her into the kitchen towards the pie he was eating.

"So, when did this start?" Linda asked Jason as she looked over to see Mandy laugh at something Mikey said.

"Officially? Few weeks," Jason replied watching Mandy as well.

"Weren't you seeing a physical therapist before? Emma had mentioned it," Linda probed.

"Natalie? We broke up before I deployed out," Jason said.

"You mean you broke it off," Linda challenged. "So, you and Mandy got together while deployed?"

"Mom, stop," Jason sighed. "Listen, we've known each other for years and in the last few she's been there for me and the team during some tough times. She's a great person and she isn't going anywhere. She knows a side to me Alana never did. Mandy knows the toll this job takes. Just give her a chance," Jason pleaded. "Listen, after Alana died you asked me about what was next for me and the kids. Truth is I've never thought about anything in the future and right here right now, I am, and it includes her. The kids love her and we're both in a place in our lives that we're seeing what is next."

"Okay, okay, I'm just being your Mom," Linda said backing off while leading Jason into the kitchen to join Mikey and Mandy. "Now, I hope you've saved some room for dinner," Linda said arching an eyebrow at Mikey.

"Yes, Grandma. Mandy said no more too," Mikey replied.

"Why don't you go get settled in your room," Linda suggested, and Mikey took off for the stairs. "So, Mandy, what do you do?"

Mandy paused and regarded Linda. She knew she was about to be interrogated by Jason's Mom. Mandy understood where Linda was coming from. She was only trying to protect her son. Mandy was the first serious woman to come around since Alana.

"She-," Jason began before being cut off by Mandy.

"I work for the CIA," Mandy said looking directly at Linda. Mandy had decided being honest would probably be her best bet.

"CIA?" Linda asked surprised at the intense look and honesty coming from Mandy.

"I'm the team's liaison. I do the intel work and put together the ops. Sometimes I go undercover to get information other times I interrogate people," Mandy continued. "My Dad is one of the directors at the agency and was a SEAL, while my Mom is a lawyer. Thomson, Dolan, and Associates is her law firm."

"Thomson & Dolan? They're pretty big," Linda replied recognizing the name. "They have offices in downtown Philly. Done a lot of great work for a lot of communities around here."

"Yeah, Mom is very big on making sure we give back," Mandy smiled thinking of all the charities she'd helped with over the years.

"You must be gone a lot with your job," Linda said.

"Sometimes. I travel with the team for the most part when they get an op," Mandy replied glancing over at Jason who was watching the whole exchange.

"How about I show you upstairs to our room," Jason said thinking the questioning had gone long enough and Mandy could use a break. It was kind of fun to see Mandy being interrogated too. She hadn't backed down from his Mom either. He put his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the stairs to go up.

As they headed up, the staircase had pictures just like her house of family. Mandy paused at one of what looked like Jason and his Dad. "Aww, you look just like your Dad."

"How do you know that's my Dad?" Jason asked coming to look at the picture.

"Jaw line for one but the eyes are a dead giveaway," Mandy answered. "Definitely the eyes," Mandy said looking into Jason's and then leaning in for a quick kiss.

Jason smiled and then took her hand and continued to lead her upstairs. They came to a door and Jason opened it. Mandy walked in and looked around. She could tell Linda had done most of the decorating. The bed sheets were Flyers themed and Mandy turned around with an arched eyebrow as she sat down on the bed.

"What? So, I like the Flyers," Jason laughed.

"Oh, I know. I've seen your boxers," Mandy smirked as Jason came closer. "Your Mom is not a fan of me."

"That's impossible. Just give it a little time. You're like the second woman I've ever brought home to her," Jason said as he came closer making Mandy lay down on the bed with him hovering. "Gotta say, it's kind of fun watching you on the other side of being questioned but you held your own."

"That was nerve wrecking," Mandy said. "You got lucky with my parents. They love you more than me now," Mandy laughed.

"Can't say I blame them," Jason smirked as Mandy pushed him off.

"Keep tomorrow afternoon open for us. I've got a surprise for you and Mikey," Mandy said getting up and going through her bag. She figured she'd freshen up after the long drive.

"What are we doing?" Jason said coming up behind her.

"It's a surprise," Mandy sighed as Jason laid kisses on her neck.

"How about a hint?" Jason pushed as his hands found her hips and pulled her closer.

"Nope," Mandy said turning around in his arms and kissing him. "I'm gonna freshen up."

"Seriously?" Jason said wide eyed as Mandy walked out of the room laughing.

After freshening up, everyone got together on the back porch to enjoy some afternoon sun. Jason and Mikey were playing catch with a football. Mandy sat in a chair across from the Linda watching them. The silence was a little awkward as neither knew what to really say.

"You know I remember the day of Alana's funeral, coming down and seeing you in the kitchen with Emma. Just how long have you two been together? I also know he was seeing Natalie," Linda broke the silence.

"Jason and I are, complicated to say the least," Mandy said with a sigh. "We were friends up until he and Alana's divorce was finalized."

"So, you two have been on and off. What makes this time different?" Linda asked.

"We're not running this time. We're being all in. Not just with the job but with each other," Mandy answered. "Listen, I'm not Alana and I don't want to be. Jason will always love her, and I accept that. You want the honest truth? He never truly dealt with the grief of losing Alana. It's funny," Mandy smiled. "When we got called out to Mexico, I asked around to everyone if Jason was truly okay. I knew he wasn't. When he found out that I was asking around, he got mad at me. Gave me the third degree, but I gave it right back to him."

"Sounds like my son," Linda said looking out at the boys. "His eyes light up when you're around. I haven't seen that natural spark in his eyes in a while. I know he loves Alana but somewhere along the way, he lost himself to the job."

"This job costs us a lot," Mandy said. "We've both paid some pretty high prices for doing what we do."

"I remember when he told us he was enlisting," Linda began. "I was in shock but supported him. His father, Dave, however had a different opinion. The two but heads over it for a while. You know Jason though, once he decides something he digs his heels in it."

"Oh yes, I know all about that side of Jason Hayes," Mandy laughed. "We're both similar in that way. We know when to challenge and when to back down. We've definitely pushed each other's buttons."

Linda looked over towards Mandy and saw that Mandy's eyes lit up watching Jason as well. Both seemed to have dark shadows near by but with each other they found some peace. Linda realized Mandy had been with Jason on many occasions and known what he'd gone through. Mandy knew the emotional toll of the job because she felt the same. Both had sacrificed so much to protect the world and now they were finally enjoying some time for themselves.

"You're good for him," Linda said nodding her approval. "I'm going to go start getting dinner ready."

"Oh, do you need some help?" Mandy asked.

"No, you sit and enjoy the view," Linda winked as she walked away.

Dinner had been a similar event to the previous night with Mandy's parents. Conversation flowed and Linda decided to tell many stories of Jason. Mandy enjoyed the tables being turned. After dinner, Linda had even brought the photo albums out to show Mandy.

"I don't know if I like how close my mom and you have gotten all of a sudden," Jason said walking into the room as they got ready for bed.

"You were a cute kid," Mandy smirked. "I loved the little cowboy outfits too. Always said I loved cowboys," Mandy said putting her hands around his neck.

"So, I'm a cowboy," Jason said pulling her closer.

"Oh yeah, I remember when I got assigned to Bravo everyone warned me about you and your cowboy ways," Mandy smiled. "My Dad actually suggested your team when I got the DEVGRU assignment. He knew I could handle you and that we'd challenge each other."

"Your Dad suggested Bravo team?" Jason asked surprised.

"Only the best for his little girl," Mandy laughed. "I'm pretty sure he did a deep dive into all your lives to make sure there wasn't anything concerning."

"No wonder your Dad always had this knowing look whenever we see him," Jason said shaking his head. "Can't say I blame him though. Being the father to a daughter is tough, then again I haven't been around as much as I should."

"Hey, stop that," Mandy said making Jason look into her eyes. "You're her hero. I see it when I look at Emma. You think all you are is Bravo one but to her you're just her Dad."

"How can you be so sure?" Jason asked.

"Cuz that's how I look at my Dad," Mandy said leaning in to kiss him soundly. "Emma and Mikey look at you like you hung the moon. Maybe you weren't around a lot before but you're trying now and that's all that matters. Those kids love you. You're the only parent they got left."

"Without you here right now, I'm not sure I'd be able to do this," Jason said pulling her in for a tight hug.

"You would, I know you'd be able to," Mandy said confidently. "We should get some sleep. We've got a busy day tomorrow."

"You still aren't gonna tell me what we're doing tomorrow evening?" Jason said as he backed her up towards the bed.

"Nope," Mandy said smugly.

"Maybe I can convince you," Jason said waggling his eyebrows causing Mandy to laugh.

"You can go ahead and try," Mandy replied.

"Mission failure isn't an option," Jason said as they fell into bed laughing.