Chapter 1
(takes place after 5x6)
Jason was at the bar ordering his first drink of the night, but the next round for everyone else, most of them had been there for a while. He'd been tied up finishing paperwork and had squeezed in a run and a quick shower before coming out. He looked around happy to see everyone together. After they returned from West Africa the usual post-op celebration had been missing a few faces as Sonny had to take-off to Texas to get time with Leanne and Clay & Stella were taking a few days to visit her parents, presumably to deliver the baby news in person. This was the first time since they returned that they had all got together.
All but one, Jason noted as he glanced at the screen before putting his phone back in his pocket. But that wasn't unusual nowadays. He thought he'd got used to running ops without Mandy but something about seeing her again, fighting for her again like one of the team meant he kept expecting her to walk through the Bulkhead doors like so many times before complete with her signature black jeans and converse that she somehow made look so good. After all, she was a big part of this celebration, sure they'd delivered and beyond on their op but to everyone here the real mission was always getting Mandy home safe. Even when the team weren't totally trusting of how Mandy ended up there, they'd come through for her, at least they'd got her to safety, he wasn't sure that they'd really got her "home" yet though, or where she even called home now.
She'd promised back in West Africa that she'd call when she was back stateside, and he believed her, but that was two weeks ago and he was starting to worry about how many hoops exactly the CIA were making her jump through before she could get home. More worryingly he wasn't sure exactly what the penalty was for a ex CIA going rogue using an old identity on an unsanctioned mission, all to save a friend. He couldn't judge her, I mean, look what lengths he was willing to go to, to save her, what lengths wouldn't he have gone to? If that was what had been needed to find her.
He felt cold at the thought of how things could have ended. The truth his team didn't know, the thing only he knew, was that he would rather have died out there trying to get to her than come back without her and the weight of that realisation was heavy on his heart. That was a truth that stuck in his throat, that was the truth that had kept him so quiet after they saved Mandy.
He'd said no texts, only a call would do it was the least she could do after he was stabbed saving her he'd joked, but he regretted asking that of her now, as he hoped just for one text to let him know what was going on, that she was OK. If there was anyone who could look after herself it was Mandy but behind all that strength there was a woman who must have had some dark thoughts about whether anyone would ever come for her. He worried about how she was doing now, free but without the people who cared for her checking in on her so soon after captivity.
He became aware of Ray saying his name the second time he tried, complete with a pat on his shoulder "Hey, Jace, Earth to Jace you OK man?"
"Yeah all good" Jason snapped back into the here and now
"Good 'cos Sonny's running low on shots" Ray laughed at pointed across the room to where Lisa was clearly winning some kind of drinking game.
"That man will never learn never to bet Davis at anything" Jason and Ray laughed together as they carried the drinks between them over to the few tables that their group was occupying.
"Good to hear you laugh like that" Ray looked over his shoulder at his friend and smiled his knowing look that Jason hated so much, as he deposited a tray of shots in front of Sonny and took up a spot next to Jason leaning against the pool table out of hearing of the others.
"I was starting to wonder if I'd hear Jason Hayes laugh like that again"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean, you've been a man with the weight of the world on your shoulders for a while now Jace. I mean, you always had the responsibility but we have all seen how heavy it's weighed of late. Just know that we are all here for you, whatever you need."
Jason wasn't sure what to say, He just looked straight at his friend and then took a swig of his beer.
Since Jason hadn't bitten his head off yet for making his observations he continued "I know you're worried about Mandy. But she'll call"
"How did you know she hadn't called?"
Ray laughed "Let's just say if you'd had a call from Mandy we would all have noticed"
Jason looked genuinely puzzled "what's that supposed to mean?"
Ray continued to laugh but didn't get a chance to reply as Sonny started shouting something about Davis and Clay cheating and Ray walked off to find out what was going on.
Jason wanted to be annoyed with what Ray had said but as he watched Sonny feigning outrage to his onlookers he couldn't help but laugh. Maybe Ray was right, he was feeling a bit lighter of late, ever since Mandy was safe, something felt right in the world. He was worried about her, he was like a teenager waiting for a girl to call, but he felt lighter.
