Family Affairs

xxx

J. McGuire x OC

Rating: T to M

Genre: Drama, Action, Romance

Lt. Elaina "Ellie" Dalton, US Navy Medical Corps, Adam's sister

xxx

It was hot and dry for late October in Turkey. Adam and Preach had just finished his run around US military base Incirlik, doing the last few of their twenty pushups outside their home away from home, when the familiar chime of the secured laptop wavered through the warm morning air.

Adam paused, taking a moment to catch his breath as well as readying himself for what was to come. It was always the same feeling that shot through him when the director of the DIA called – a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

Finally, he got to his feet, brushing of the dust from his hands and walked inside, Preach just behind him. Inside, Jaz, McG and Amir were already waiting.

Adam pressed a few keys and the face of deputy director Patricia Campbell appeared.

"Deputy Director Campbell." Dalton greeted her while taking a seat in front of the laptop.

The blonde woman at the other end of the call looked tense. The crisp smile she usually greeted him with did not show.

"Everything alright?" he asked.

"Unfortunately not. I have a mission for you and for your team, more specifically for Sergeant McGuire."

Behind him, he could hear his team mates shuffle curiously.

"What can I do for you, ma'am?" McG asked, stepping forward as to get a better look at the laptop's screen.

"We have gathered Intel about Boko Haram attacking at least five camps run by doctors without borders, in the Borno province. At least 40 children, mostly orphans, were abducted. Our Intel suggests that they are planning another attack on a camp north of Maiduguri."

"I thought the Nigerian armed forces had the region under control." Amir said, his voice tight with suppressed rage. It was always worst when children were involved and the CIA agent took it particularly to heart.

"They are making some progress but these recent events are forcing us to take action."

"So you want to send McG in as a doctor while we are providing overwatch and intercept the next attack?" Dalton guessed.

Patricia Campbell inclined her head.

"Yes, but he will not go in solo."

Dalton blinked, startled. Although his fellow operator was no actual physician, he had extensive knowledge in combat medicine and proven his abilities countless times. It was surely enough to pass as a member of doctors without borders and working there.

"It is crucial that we gather as much Intel about what is happening there while not drawing attention. We have reason to believe that they are planning something with those children. More than "just" turning them into child-soldiers or drug mules. You know that as by their religious beliefs, they separate the boys and girls and treat them in different areas of the camps. This is why we have decided to send in a second person. A female to keep an eye out there."

Adam didn't need to visually confirm that Jaz and McG were exchanging puzzled looks. Although their sniper had basic medical knowledge, there was no way she could pass as a physician.

"I am not talking about Sergeant Khan."

A sense of foreboding began creeping up on Dalton. He directed his gaze back at the screen. His suspicion was proven right.

"You can't be serious." Adam muttered, staring at the Deputy Director. But the older woman gave him a significant look.

"No!" he exclaimed.

He could almost feel the team flinch, obviously perturbed by their team leader's outburst. But none of them had the chance to ask any questions, because the deputy director continued.

"Think about it, Adam. She went through the farm, she is a Navy medical officer with two tours under her belt, she has a major in emergency medicine and epidemiology which comes in handy because you will be heading into Ebola territory…"

"I know her CV, thanks." Dalton said through gritted teeth. "Still I will not take her on his mission. I can't anyway, she's on deployment."

The deputy director's look became a trace more steely and there was a finality in her tone none of the team had ever heard her use when speaking with their captain.

"I am afraid this is not your call to make. I have already cleared with Lt. Dalton's CO. You will take McG and pick her up. Your plane leaves in two hours. Noah will brief you on the flight."

There was a pregnant pause, in which Dalton glared at the woman on the screen. Finally, he gave a curt nod.

"Would that be all, ma'am?" he asked stiffly.

"Yes, for now. We will have a more detailed briefing tomorrow at 0900 your time when she is with you and your team."

And without any parting wishes, the screen went black.

xxx

There as a solid ten seconds silence, before Jaz spoke up.

"Lieutenant Dalton?" she asked, eying her CO curiously. She was not afraid of his reaction, in fact fully expecting him to snap back at her. She had never seen him that troubled whenever accepting a mission.

Finally, her CO stood and turned around.

"Yes, Jaz. Lieutenant Elaina Dalton. My sister."

There was a collective intake of breath from all, expect Preach. Jaz turned to him, having noticed his different reaction instantly. But before she could ask him what this was all about, Adam spoke up again.

"Come on, McG." he said, ruffling through his hair somewhat agitated. "We have a plane to catch."

xxx

When the C-17 Globemaster touched down some six hours later, McG couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He was glad to escape the confinement of the aircraft. Six hours of sitting opposite his silent brooding CO had been wearing. Contrary to Patricia Campbell's announcement, Noah hadn't been able to brief them. It turned out that the two operators hadn't been the only passengers on the cargo-flight from Incirlik to Afghanistan, so discussing classified intel wasn't an option.

McG had, however, tried to coax some information about Top's sister out of the man.

"You want to talk about it?" he had asked his CO, keeping his voice deliberately casual.

"No." Adam had responded, lapsing back into silence.

The cargo hatch opened and a wall of hot dusty air hit the two men. McG squinted against the bright light, taking in the familiar surroundings. He had spent his second deployment at FOB Kunduz. It had been his bloodiest so far. He thought about the men and women that had lost their lives, the ones he couldn't save. Despite the heat, he suddenly felt cold.

Dalton's voice roused him from his dark thoughts.

"You've been here."

It wasn't a question. Of course his CO knew. They had run into each other a few times back then. It was not until a year later that Dalton had recruited the combat medic into SOG 7.

McG nodded, shadows of the memories still creeping up on him.

"How many?"

McG turned, hearing the changed tone in the voice of his team mate. It was calm and empathic. This sounded much more like the man he worked beside.

"Fifteen. Seven in one go."

Adam shook his head in frustration, taking a moment to compose himself.

"Come on, let's find her." the blond man said, taking his shouldering his backpack and taking rifle.

Although they were within a protected military base, it was always wise to be armed and ready. Both men had brought their side arms, vests and rifles with them.

While they walked side by side towards the barracks, McG couldn't help but wonder what to expect next. He had used the flight to do some research about the situation in Nigeria as well as reading the file of Lieutenant Elaina Dalton. There was not much apart from what the DIA had already offered them. Top 3 graduate from the farm, medical degree from UCSF, enlistment and currently on her third deployment. She seemed ambitious, but the medic could not help wonder what had made her walk away from her first career choice with the CIA.

They had reached the barracks, McG now leading the way to the medical facilities. Staff members as well as doctors bustled through the narrow corridors. Adam scanned the crowd for a moment, before stopping a tall olive-skinned man wearing the insignia of a Lieutenant beside his name patch.

"Lieutenant Devens, we are looking for Lt. Dalton."

The man gave an apologetic smile.

"I am sorry, sir. But she is not here. Give me a sec." he offered his help, gesturing them to follow him. He led them down the hall towards a small room which seemed to be used as some sort of lunch room by the other physicians.

"Hey Chris, do you know where Ellie is?" he asked.

A man in his thirties with short brown hair looked up when he was addressed.

"Sure. She's on MOUT drill. Shall I take you to her?"

"No, thank you. We know the way." Adam replied quickly, exchanging a look with McG.

The two men thanked the fellow servicemen again and left, McG taking the lead again. It was not until they had exited the building when the medic spoke up.

"I thought she was just a medic, Top?"

"That's what I thought, too. Trust me."

The way he spoke the words made it clear that a big brother wasn't pleased about his baby sister's career choice. That and the almost dumbstruck look on Adam's face made McG chuckle.

Having realized how he had reacted, Dalton looked at the medic, grinning in spite of himself. Well, his sister had always been good for a surprise.

xxx

They reached the MOUT (military operation on urban terrain) training facility ten minutes later. A small village had been built in a remote corner of the base for training purposes. At the edge of the village a small tent had been set up. A few men were standing in the shade, watching the drill on various screens.

"We are looking for Elaina Dalton." Adam said to a broad shouldered man about 45 years old, wearing sunglasses and ear protection. Judging by his insignia he was an Army Captain, too.

At the mention of the name, the soldier took of his ear protection and sunglasses, his formerly grim face splitting into a good-natured smile.

"You must be Adam, her brother." he said, extending his hand. "Raymond Martin."

Adam nodded, making introductions.

"How come she's training with you, Captain Martin?" Dalton asked.

The older man sighed.

"We are short on combat medics. Attacks – especially IEDs – are increasing and we cannot let our boys and girls go out without any medical backup. It might sound a little extreme to put a fully qualified physician on a patrol set, but we have no other options."

"So she stays with the convoy?" McG asked, already guessing the answer.

"Oh no, she's a full-fledged member of the team – goes into the villages and everything. I have to say," he turned to Adam now, "She is a valuable addition to the patrol set. The villagers react differently to a female. It eases the tension a lot. And it helps a great deal that she speaks some Arabic as well."

McG exchanged a look with Adam. It was still rare that a male soldier spoke so highly about his female comrades. He thought about Jaz and how a tough-as-nails solider she was. She was still a rare breed but rare didn't mean solitary.

"It's a shame you are going to steal her away."

"Not my decision, trust me." Dalton grimaced.

Martin laughed, giving him a consoling pat on the back.

"I hear you, son."

A whistle sounded, signaling the end of the drill.

"Here they come." the Captain said, pointing in the direction of the mock houses.

Adam extended his hand.

"Thanks, Cap. I'll bring her back in one piece." he said and McG could hear the gratitude for his sister's CO's appreciation for her in his voice.

"I'll hold you to that."

With a final parting nod, McG followed Dalton towards the group of soldiers. All of them were dressed in full combat gear, carrying their equipment as well as rifles.

The combat medic had spotted Adam's sister before his CO had. She walked at the rear of the group, talking to a team mate, obviously not having noticed the two men approaching the group. Then her team mate pointed towards Dalton and him. A few of the soldiers had already passed Dalton and him, giving them friendly nods but not taking much notice of them. When Adam's sister recognized her brother however, she stopped dead in her tracks, staring at them for a second, before shoving her rifle, helmet and backpack towards her teammate.

Next to him, McG saw his CO smile mischievously, his steps quickening. Elaina had pressed a hand to her mouth as if suppressing a scream. She then jogged the last few meters towards her brother, flinging her arms around his neck.

"Hey Ellie."

McG heard Dalton chuckle, still embracing his sister. As the medic watched the sibling's reunion, he couldn't help but think about Jaz. To him, she was the little sister he never had. And although he knew that their sniper had a big heart, she would rather have bitten of her tongue than show such joy and affection in front of a crowd fellow soldiers.

"What are you doing here?" Elaina asked, still amazed about the sudden appearance of her brother.

"I'll tell you in a sec." Adam promised, then turned around to McG.

"Ellie, I'd like you to meet Sergeant Joseph McGuire. McG, this is my sister."

"Ellie." she introduced herself with a smile, extending her hand.

"Joseph. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

McG shook it with a reciprocating smile, not missing the fact that although she was higher rank than him, she didn't intend to play on it. Like her brother she had an aura of natural leadership and easiness around her. She was about the same height as her brother, but contrary to the Army Captain, she had dark grayish-green eyes. Her blond hair was pulled back in a military bun, tendrils escaping here and there due to the heat and humidity. Although she was wearing desert BDUs and full protective gear – expect for the helmet – McG noticed that for a physician she moved like she was well trained. She probably was, he mused, as he reflected on the thought that she was currently not performing her usual job as stationary physician but had a much more demanding task.

She indicated them to walk with her back to her team members who were standing in the shadows of the nearest building. It was evident that she wanted to get out of the heat after the drill.

"I take this is not a social visit?" she asked, turning to her brother.

"Unfortunately not. Did Captain Martin talk to you already?"

"No." she shook her head.

Adam grinned. "Then you better get packing. You are coming with us."