Chapter 2

The day went along like any other training day this week. They seemed to have a hidden goal behind each session Blackburn ran them through with various changes related to different altitudes and building setups within a compound on the base. The team was waiting for the target package to be brought forward and some light to be shed on the need to run the same drills all week with no goal for getting an HVT from point A to the helo waiting for exfil. They were in the dark and just waiting to be spun up any day, but nothing came all week. By Friday, they were exhausted from the training and constantly feeling on edge, just waiting for the call. The team decided to check out the new bar, The Dome, up the road from Liz's place, which had karaoke, a dance floor and the much-needed darts and pool tables the team craved. There was no way they would gather in a club, but Davis and Liz loved to dance, so this mixture of a pub with a little extra was a new change of venue they were all willing to try out.

Davis and Liz became pretty close over the year, and Davis was like the older sister Liz never had. She was her confidant and friend, and during their downtime between spin-ups, they hung out a lot off-base. Davis was planning on coming out with the team to The Dome and insisted on a little extra reinforcement for her and Liz as she overheard Clay talking with Rebecca on the phone about her being in VA Beach and planning to attend the outing; Davis was not sure the night would be bearable. Davis was unsure about Rebecca as she shared the same thoughts as the team about her using Clay and his career and drive for advancement for her gain, but she also felt off by how she treated Liz. Call it woman's intuition as the rest of the team seemed not to notice, or was it more so not caring to be involved with drama with someone they were not fond of in the first place and tried to warn Clay and ended up getting the cold shoulder for a month from their one conversation. But Davis did not care about Rebecca's attitude and comments towards Liz; she didn't care if she was overly open with her dislike or demanded respect. So, her reinforcements plan for tonight would consist of lots of pre-drinks and some sexy outfits for her and Liz to show the boys what they are missing, provoke male attention for a good time, and raise jealousy from Clay and Sonny. Sonny is dancing with the line of flirting and ending their relationship once she gets promoted to being an officer. She knew it was a little petty, but she did not care as she watched Liz's heart break a few too many times around Clay and could not take seeing it one more time tonight; she wanted to work her magic and give them both a little push.

"Hey Liz, wait up," Davis yelled as she raced down the hall just as Liz walked out of the cage room and headed home to clean up and meet the boys.

"Hey! Are you still getting ready at my place, and then we can walk over? I'd rather walk in together than be stuck at a table with Rebecca and Clay waiting for others to relieve me from one miserable, awkward interaction." Liz asked Davis as she approached her and linked her arms, dragging her towards her car.

"For sure! And I stepped out earlier today and got us some reinforcements." Davis grinned.

"Oh boy, and what does that entail?" Liz asked

"Oh, just a little pre-party with Sailor Jerry and his friend Jack." Davis chuckled. "And before you object, I brought a few tops for you to try on and see how they fit; I am not letting you go to the bar tonight in your usual jeans and tank top or T-shirt. We have one goal tonight, and I need a wing woman to get over a certain bruting Texan that I just can't let go." She was not going to mention the little jealousy plan and to help her prove her suspicions with Clay's possible reactions hoping it may open his eyes up to what he wants as he seems to be distancing himself from Rebecca lately. She shook her head at the thoughts that came into her mind of how these two "kids" were oblivious towards each other and refused to look further into their feelings. Davis knew how they both felt but could not admit it or see it in each other. Or did they just refuse to see it?

Liz just shook her head and laughed as they headed back to her place to get ready.

…

Brock, Sonny, Trent, Clay, Rebecca and Jason were all already sitting at a table with a round of beers as Davis and Liz entered. As they walked over, Davis noticed the particular eyes of the Texan do a double take in her direction, and Clay glancing over a few times and his eyes lingering longer than usual on Liz. Rebecca must have noticed as she latched onto his arm a little harder trying to get his attention, but he could not divert his gaze towards her longer than a few seconds as he kept glancing back towards Liz at the bar getting her drink. It was almost like a magnet pull was keeping him locked on her, and he needed more and to be close.

"I'll go grab us another few rounds," Clay mentioned as he was already half off his seat heading towards the bar, towards Liz.

"But we still have half the pitcher..." Rebecca called out after him.

"Good thing the kid is already on his way to get us a few more rounds; I would hate to have Jason go much longer without a full beer in his hand since I took the rest," Sonny replied as he filled his glass to the rim and looked over at Jason as he reached for the pitcher to top off. Sonny took a couple of sips to make sure he fit the last of the pitcher into his glass.

At that, Rebecca just huffed in her seat and sat and watched Clay interact with Liz at the bar as they waited for their drinks. She was not impressed and did not like the idea of the team supporting these childish antics as she was Clay's girlfriend, not Liz. Davis also left Liz alone at the bar with Clay on purpose to bring back the pitchers together and slid into the seat beside Sonny and Jason.

"I know what your scheming, Miss Davis," Sonny whispered.

Davis cocked up her brow and just smiled.

"And I approve of this plan." Sonny snickered.

"Just be careful, you too, I agree that he needs a major wake-up call, but I can't risk having any relationship dynamics change for the worse for the team's sake." Jason pipped in. "We need everyone to mesh as a unit and do not need broken hearts or broken trust."

Niama and Ray walked into the bar and pulled up some chairs. As Clay and Liz walked back to the table with three pitchers and four extra glasses, a man along the bar came up behind Liz and tried to wrap his arm around her waist to direct her to his table instead. Clay let out a low growl and shot the stranger a glare that instantly made him freeze up and back off without making a sound. Liz took that moment to look up at Clay and noticed something different in his eyes: jealousy, a hint of protection and maybe even… lust as he looked back down at her. All Liz could muster up was a small smile of thanks as she peeked up through her lashes as they made it back to their table. They all could feel the tension coming off Rebecca and Liz, unsure what they missed as everyone settled into their seats. Niama nudged Liz's arm to check in and got a small tight smile with a nod in return. Niama knew about the tension between these two and wished things could get sorted out as she was not willing to lose Liz from the teams if Rebecca became a more permanent item within Clay's life. Niama has grown protective of Liz as she respects her fight and drive not to let anything stand in her way to be the first successful female SEAL, and she soon became a little sister to Niama, who had a mother-hen approach to anyone within her family.

Davis and Liz eventually made their way to the dance floor, and Rebecca was outside on a work call that seemed to take up most of her attention throughout the night. Clay could not help himself as he kept openly watching Liz dance. She was in a trance with the music, and Clay could not stop watching, she was his drug, and he needed more. This feeling was not new to Clay, he had felt strong feelings for Liz since she started, but he kept pushing them down as he was scared as they felt so real and was he ready for that? They were stronger than he had ever felt for anyone he dated, and he was unsure if he would open up and let someone important to him into his life as his partner in every aspect, as his job was so dangerous. Could he put someone through the thought of losing him? Rebecca understood his career and the risks, but she seemed to push it aside and kept trying to push him towards the officer route and made comments about them being the next power couple. He felt she would not miss him the same if he were gone. So, Clay knew this was not an all-in relationship, and he did not feel overly attached to her as he should have been dating for a few months now. He was slowly distancing himself towards the verge of breaking it off with Rebecca, but being alone and having to deal and cope with what he sees on missions and getting lost in his thoughts scared him, and she was someone he could escape those thoughts with.

"You know you can not have them both in your life, right? You will have to choose one day. Otherwise, those two will end up ripping each other's throats out, and you will lose one." Sonny nudged his arm and motioned his eyes towards the dance floor once he got Clay's attention.

"I know." Was all Clay murmured as he bowed his head and grimaced in realization. He could not have them both in his life with their current relationships. He knows the tension between them and has tried to get them to get along, but every time he gets involved, he seems to be on Liz's side and feels guilty, as he should be supporting his girlfriend as he loved her, right? She's meant to be the best thing in his life, but lately, he feels something different towards her. Maybe he has some resentment and feelings of indifference as he would rather be with the team than drive up to meet her in DC or attend her many social gatherings and parties and wear those damn uncomfortable shoes to gain her approval.

"We are not saying break up with Rebecca, but we have noticed you have not been the same with her the past month and that there may be other priorities in your sights. This needs to be addressed as you will slowly pull yourself apart trying to please the two women in your life." Jason mentioned as he watched Clay's gaze venture back to Liz slowly. "It does seem like you may have already made that choice of who you choose; you just need to let the other go now."

"Yeah, I do need to figure things out. I tried to keep their feelings down towards each other and hoped they would slowly get along. I am in denial that Liz is my best friend and will always support me, but I can't help but think if something could happen if that support disappears and she loses her one day. And am I willing to risk both their feelings if things go south with each other?" Clay whispered like he was not ready to admit to himself or the others that he had already made his choice by distancing Rebecca and slowly pushing her away. She did not fit in with him, he was water, and she was oil. That Is not how a relationship should be. He and Liz are both like water and get lost in each other when combined and mix to be cohesive and easy. He should not have to work to try and mix with his partner, only to separate right after the mixing ends.

Clay got up and made his way to the door as Brock called out, asking where he was heading off to.

"Going to tie up loose ends and fix my mess." Was all Clay replied as he walked out the door.