Upon seeing Jake, and who she imagined was Olivia, arrive on the beach, Natasha waved them over.
Natasha first noticed that they were holding hands and seemed happy. Then she took a good look at Olivia with the eyes of a woman, then at both as an ensemble, and she had to admit that they made a cute couple.
Jake said hi to each of them when they reached their log seats around the bonfire and then introduced each one of them to Olivia.
Jake watched as Olivia and Natasha exchanged a few words and then sat down next to each other as Jake sat next to Javy.
Both women were in conversation about the Navy and Olivia's job when Jake felt Javy' stare on him. It wasn't a pleasant stare, like the one Olivia had when she looked at him.
"Why don't Jake and I go get drinks?" said Javy as he stood. "I hear there are cocktails and beer."
"Yeah, sounds great," replied Bradley who shifted his attention to them as he too had joined in on Natasha and Olivia's conversation.
Jake stood. "What do you want?" he asked Olivia.
"I'll have a strawberry daiquiri," she answered, "I can come help."
Before Jake could say anything, Javy jumped in. "No, won't be necessary. Stay put, we'll be right back."
Jake frowned. What the hell was up with him?
Both men walked away and headed toward the bar. Once Javy knew they were out of sight, he turned and glared at Jake.
"It's official. You've completely lost your mind."
"What the hell is your problem?!"
"There are plenty of Navy people here. Did it ever cross your mind that one of them might know her, that she is with Cyclone, and tell him?"
Jake looked scanned the area and it was indeed full of Navy.
"So what?"
"You seriously are willing to mess up your career over her?"
"Even if Cyclone were to find out, this is personal it has nothing to do with the Navy."
"You are so goddamn naïve when you want to be. You honestly think that Cyclone will separate the two? You've got to put an end to this relationship."
Jake narrowed his eyes. "My personal life is none of your concern or business. If it is going to be a problem, then I suggest you head back to base, cause she and I aren't going anywhere."
He walked away and headed for the bar to place the order. He felt Javy settle next to him, but luckily for him he said nothing.
Once the bartender had placed the drinks on the two platters, they headed back to the group. Bradley, Natasha, and Olivia were still chatting and laughing. He was happy that they got along, it was important to him. They handed over the drinks and wanting to send a clear message to Javy, he sat next to Olivia and put his arm around her.
A cellphone beeped. They all took out their cellphone to check whether it was theirs.
"It's mine," said Bradley as he put his hand up.
The others resumed their conversation as he read his message.
"Payback says hi to everyone. He's on the USS George Washington."
"How is he doing?" asked Natasha.
"Good, they are a couple of days out and should port here soon too."
"And so, the team reunites," said Javy.
Bradley's phone beeped again and without saying anything he showed his screen to Natasha sitting next to him.
"Why am I not surprised? But then again, some will do anything for advancement."
"What are we talking about?" asked Javy out of pure curiosity.
"Halo."
"What about Halo?"
"Let's just say that Payback and Fanboy saw her in a very compromising situation with a superior officer."
"That can't be good," said Jake.
Olivia said nothing, she knew about the fraternization code in the military and everything it entailed.
"And who is the superior officer, stupid enough to take a risk like that on an aircraft carrier?" asked Javy, almost wanting to send a subliminal message to Jake.
Natasha took Bradley's phone and grimaced. "None other than our favorite Vice Admiral Beau Simpson," she said as she turned the screen for all of them to see.
This inevitably led to a chain of reactions. Javy looked at Jake, who tightened his hold on Olivia and in turn looked at her. He was surprised that she remained passive, and no emotions surfaced.
Natasha turned to Olivia. "I'm sorry, this must be so boring to you, all this Navy discussion."
Olivia smiled and gently put her hand on Natasha's. "Don't worry about it, I'm used to it."
"You are?" asked Natasha surprised.
"Her father was a three-star army general," replied Jake.
"Wow, that's heavy-duty stuff. Is he still stationed here?" asked Bradley.
"No, he's retired now," simply answered Olivia, not wanting to go more in detail.
"Interesting to know about Olivia, is that she was born here and has lived here her entire life."
"Well, even if army life is not ideal, there are worse places to live," said Natasha.
Olivia raised her glass. "I'll drink to that."
Natasha mimicked her. "To paradise, to the Navy, friends and love!"
They all toasted and after having finished their drinks they headed to the where the grill master was and served themselves burgers, hot dogs, fries, and salad.
As the party kept on, they continued talking, drinking, and singing. When Whitney Houston's "I will always love you", came on, multiple couples started to slow dance.
Jake took Olivia's hand in his and led her toward the temporary dance floor. He twirled her and then stopped her in front of him and took her in his arms.
Bradley looked at them then at Natasha. "Dance with me."
She smiled and stood.
They reached the dance floor and placed themselves not too far from Jake and Olivia.
"I like her," said Natasha.
"Me too," replied Bradley.
"When I see them together, I can't help but be envious."
"You know, you can have that too."
She eyed him. "By that you mean us."
His eyes locked on hers. "Yes."
"Well, considering I never thought him capable of being this way with a woman, I guess there is hope for us too."
Bradley nodded and they continued to dance.
