First things first, this is NOT political. I'm not trying to make a statement and I stay as neutral as I can on a heavy topic. But I wanted to explore how Cordell and some of the other Rangers may have reacted to the news after having served. All this to say, keep your political opinions to yourself please. Thank you :)
Anyway, this has been in my head for awhile and I finally bit the bullet and wrote it. It's not perfect and it's super short but... I feel like it encapsulates what I wanted.
Also, I know this is more than likely inaccurate for police procedure. I just... don't care.
I hope you enjoy!
~TH~
This was not good. Not only was it not good because it was… not good. But it was also not good because he knew several of his officers, one in particular was not going to take this news well. At all. Terror Watch always brought… unpleasant feelings to the forefront of everyone's it was the reason they were supposed to be on watch that was really going to cause an uproar. Captain James let out a breath, placing his head in his hands before pushing himself up from his desk.
The cubicles were alive with action and talking and normal life. James wondered vaguely if he should just wait to let them find out the news on their own. They had phones. They'd figure it out eventually. He'd received the news straight from Washington - a quick word of warning before it would be announced to the nation. But it would be reported to the public soon if it hadn't already. He could wait. His eyes flicked over to where Cordell was leaning over Micki's shoulder, pointing at something on her computer screen earning a playful smack, and causing Walker to smirk.
James sighed, clearing his throat and clapped his hands together once. "I have just received-" he jumped right in, not trusting himself to draw this out. Not wanting to bring it up at all. "I've just received word that-" Everyone was looking at him. He cleared his throat again. Cordell was watching him, concern clear on his face. They made a moment of eye contact, a question in his friend's eyes, before James glanced away. "The entire country is under terror watch." A low murmuring passed through the room. The captain took a deep breath before dropping the real bombshell. "This is because," shushing as all attention was focused back on him. "Afghanistan has fallen to the Taliban."
It seemed like all sound was sucked out of the room along with any life. The utter silence was unnerving. His eyes flicked over his rangers, most of them seemed shellshocked. Connie had placed her hand over her mouth, looking horrified, tears starting in her eyes. Most if not all of the rangers had served in some aspect and many of them had been in Afghanistan. His eyes flicked again to Cordell, he had joined right after 9-11, had been over there when it was bad. He had… trauma from his time there that James had seen on a personal level. Cordell was standing where he had been behind Micki's desk. His jaw was clenched tightly and James could see the light tremors running through his body.
Everyone was staring at their captain, as if hoping he'd give a positive aspect to this. He couldn't see one at the moment.
Unsurprisingly, Cordell was the first to react, he turned violently from where he was standing and walked quickly towards the door, pushing it far harder than necessary. With that, the tension in the room started to dissipate, the silence giving way to quiet murmurs and some not so quiet outrage. A few walked out, though none followed Cordell's path to the parking lot.
James's eyes followed Cordell out the door but he didn't move from his spot. He was no longer the center of attention but a few were still staring at him with a numbness that he couldn't deal with right now. He had his own demons to deal with and he had a feeling he'd be fighting off some of his former partner's as well. Micki caught his eyes, glancing toward the door, asking if she should go after him. She was the most recent returnee, and Trey had been home less than a year, they probably knew some of the people trapped there. He shook his head slightly, trying to hold in his sigh as he turned to follow his friend.
Cordell was in the parking lot, one hand pressed up against a light pole, the other clenching and unclenching, trying to fight off the tremors. His head was hung, breaths coming slow and deliberate.
The captain stood watching another moment, trying to decide if this was Walker working himself up or down. It appeared down but it was often hard to tell with Cordell.
"Walker?" He finally ventured.
The ranger didn't react and James wasn't sure if Cordell even heard him. If he was even… here right now.
"Walker?" He tried again, taking a step forward. The other man's back was still to him and James didn't know if he actually wanted to look his friend in the eyes right now.
"I'm fine." Came the gruff reply.
He forces a laugh, "You sure sound it."
"I just… need a minute."
"Do you need to leave?"
"No."
"Okay."
Another moment and Cordell straightened, his hand still balled tightly in a fist. He turned stiffly, his breathing had evened out but the look in his eyes was still disconcerting.
"Cordell," James started, the sigh finally escaping, "I know-"
"No."
"Come on man, I just-"
"I don't want to talk about this, James."
"Which probably means you should."
"I'm fine."
He wasn't but he was trying awfully hard to be. James shook his head. "You don't have to be fine, man. This- no one was expecting this, okay? It's a shock to everyone and it's normal for it to bother you."
"It doesn't."
James had to laugh at that. "It doesn't bother you? That's why you're out here breathing through a panic attack."
"I'm fine."
"Cordell-"
A harsh smile curved Walker's lips, "If I plan to fall apart, you'll be the first to know." He took purposeful and long strides towards the building before James could answer.
Walker disappeared inside headquarters, James still stood in place, looking up at the sky and taking a deep breath. There was a pretty good chance Cordell was still going to break, but he had been getting better in general, so maybe- they'd just have to wait and see. Until then, James would stand ready to pick up the pieces.
~TH~
So that's that! I'll probably write more, so give the series a follow if you are interested in some more. I'm thinking of a story where Cordell is really struggling with the whole thing but who knows if it will happen lol.
What did you think? Please drop a comment if you enjoyed it and give me your thoughts (without politics please).
Much love and God bless,
Jamie