Chapter 16
Work is busy these days and I'm going to try and stick with my goal of updating once a week. Thank you for all the support again. I've always been open to all kinds of music but I've been really getting into country and every freaking song reminds me of all my favorite couples including Mandy and Jason lol. On top of writing this I hope to get some random one-shots out but we'll see. I hope this chapter is good cuz it kind of felt like a filler to me. Also little nod to Burn Notice and yogurt lol. Enjoy!
Lisa was in the command center looking around at everyone working diligently trying to figure out what happened and talking with all the different higher ups giving them updates on the situation. She looked at the TV screens and could see that news media outlets had started reporting about the attack on base. Seemed liked things were running at a fast pace. Lisa could only imagine what the reaction back home would be especially for all the loved ones back home waiting to hear if their loved one survived the attack.
"Davis, with me," Blackburn said coming up behind her.
They walked out of command down to another room. Blackburn let Lisa walk in first and then shut the door so it was just the two of them.
"I want you on the call to Director Thomson," Blackburn said to Lisa.
"Why just us?" Lisa asked anxiously.
"Reiss was compromised and Mandy made it clear to you that she didn't trust anyone other than us at the moment," Blackburn replied as Lisa nodded back in acknowledgment.
Blackburn had already set up a computer for a teleconference with the director. Before she knew it Director Thomson's face was on the screen looking at the two of him.
"What the hell happened?" the director fired off.
"We're working on that," Blackburn responded calmly.
"Where's Agent Ellis?" the director asked as he continued to search for her face. "Where is my daughter Eric?"
Lisa froze. Daughter? This was Mandy's father? Jason had said he wasn't in the picture. There had to be some kind of explanation.
Blackburn took a deep breath before responding, "She suffered a stab wound and has a concussion. She also has some cuts and bruises but she's awake and recovering well, Jack."
Lisa could see the director process the information and then re-collect himself back to a professional setting.
"Tell me everything," the director said.
"Ensign Davis was with Mandy after everything went down. She passed on some intel to her. I'll let Ensign Davis speak," Blackburn said nodding to Lisa.
"Sir, I was with Mandy when-" Lisa started but then stopped. What was she supposed to say? Was she supposed to say she was with Mandy as she nearly bled to death?
"Davis, Mandy says nothing but good things about you. Knowing my daughter she gave you a message," Thomson encouraged her.
"She told me to only trust Bravo and you. She said to tell you Roman and you'd know what that meant," Lisa responded.
Blackburn and Lisa watched a wave of emotions run across the director's face. What in the world was Roman code for?
"You're sure she said Roman?" the director asked.
"Yes, sir," Lisa confirmed. "Maybe you could expand on what this all means and what we need to do next. Also, it has come to our attention that Agent Reiss is a traitor."
"Oh my god," the director said. "I'm on the next plane out there. I'll be there by morning and we'll hold a briefing. Under no circumstances are you to talk to anyone but your team and Mandy about anything."
"Sir, if you could just-," Blackburn tried to get an explanation as well.
"Eric, if Reiss is a traitor and Mandy says she doesn't trust anyone then I need to be there in person. Its better we tell you in person than over a call to make sure we're secure. I'll see you in the morning," the director said before going off line.
Blackburn and Lisa looked at each other not knowing what else to do. Directors didn't just get up and come to active war zones for the hell of it. Whatever Mandy knew was big and they wondered what they were in store for.
It was now 24 hours since the base was attacked. Everyone had rested up and checked in on Mandy throughout the day. Jason had stayed by her side for it all as well not wanting her out of his site. He was also trying to keep Mandy from leaving medical and jumping right into work. He knew she was eager to get to work on everything.
"So who did win the bet," Mandy asked Jason in regards to them getting together.
"I'm pretty sure Trent," Jason laughed. "Apparently he changed his opinion after accompanying us to Samin's. Something about you calling me out on my BS changed his mind."
"Well I try to keep it real with you," Mandy said with a smile. "Someone's got to try and keep you in line otherwise who knows what will happen."
"You're always real with me," Jason said seriously while giving her hand a squeeze. "You going to eat that pudding?"
Mandy waved her hand at the dinner tray, "Have at it."
"You need to eat something," Jason said as he opened the pudding. "And don't tell me you're not hungry. You're recovering and need all the strength you can get."
"Fine," Mandy relented as she readjusted to sit up better so she could eat. She could feel a slight tug on her left side where the wound was and let out a small groan. Once she was situated Jason pulled the food tray closer to her so she could eat. Just as she took a bite someone walked in.
"How are we doing in here," Blackburn asked walking over to the open side of Mandy's bed.
"Good. Just enjoying this wonderful five star meal," Mandy said looking at the food with disdain.
"Well I hope you have room for dessert seeing as this animal here seems to have taken yours," Blackburn said with a smile as he set a strawberry yogurt on her tray.
"Eric, you're a godsend," Mandy sighed reaching for the yogurt.
Jason grabbed the yogurt before Mandy could and said, "Nope, gotta eat your meal first and then you get your dessert. And godsend, really?"
"What can I say, Eric here is like my knight in shining armor delivering me strawberry yogurt, which by the way is very nutritious. As a friend once said, its light, filing and full of vitamins," Mandy said smiling.
"And just who is this friend?" Jason asked watching Mandy reminisce.
"If I told you, I'd have to kill you," Mandy smirked as Jason and Blackburn chuckled. "Anyways, what's going on?" Mandy said to Blackburn. "I know you didn't come here just to give me dessert."
Blackburn scoffed, "I'm hurt you think so little of me."
Mandy gave him look that spoke for itself.
"Tomorrow morning we're having briefing on everything that's occurred," Blackburn said giving Mandy a lingering look.
"You called him. Good. What time is the call? I'm going to be there," Mandy said.
"Don't you think you should rest up? You should wait to hear what the doctors say. You just fought a hell of fight and you're ready to get back to work," Jason said shaking his head.
"Must be like looking in a mirror," Mandy said with a sweet and somewhat mocking smile looking at Jason.
"Very funny," Jason said with his own smile.
"You guys are way too alike," Blackburn said shaking his head. "Also, it's not a call. Director Thomson is coming here himself."
"What!" Mandy exclaimed. "You told him I'm fine, right?"
"Yes, told him you were awake too. He said it would be safer to come in person and discuss everything," Blackburn said amusedly. "You know how he is."
Jason looked between the two confused, "Okay, what's going on here?"
"My dad is coming," Mandy said.
"Dad?" Jason asked confused. "I thought your dad wasn't in the picture."
"My father isn't but Director Thomson's family adopted me a year after my mom went to prison. We don't publicize our connection because I didn't and don't want any favoritism," Mandy answered.
Jason wasn't surprised about the adoption. Mandy never out right said she was adopted but once in a while she'd make reference to her parents. He knew about her mother and figured when she talked about parents she had some sort of parental figures in her life.
Blackburn looked at Jason and even though Jason came off as tough he could see a little nervousness from Bravo 1. He mentally chuckled that of all things to make Bravo 1 nervous it'd be meeting the dad of his new girlfriend.
"I'll leave you two to be and check in later," Blackburn said leaving and bidding them good night.
"Nervous?" Mandy chuckled.
"Nope. Dads love me," Jason said holding her hand and leaning down for a kiss.
Mandy laughed and groaned at the same time at Jason's reaction. Mandy knew her dad was a total softy underneath it all and knew in the end both he and Jason would be fine. It didn't mean that Mandy wasn't going to have fun watching Jason squirm though.
In the meantime, the rest of the team was going around base helping out where ever they could with the cleanup from the attack.
"Listen up," Blackburn said approaching the guys. "Tomorrow morning at nine we're having a briefing. Director Thomson from the CIA is on his way over here and should be here by then."
"A director of the CIA is coming to base? What's the deal?" Ray asked. "Directors don't typically go out of their way to make such a trip."
"Not sure but when Davis and I talked to him he made the decision to come," Blackburn said.
"CIA coming in for blood since one of their own was attacked?" Clay asked.
"The director says he and Mandy will fill us in on everything tomorrow," Blackburn continued. "Also, I want you guys to run security on Reiss. Director Thomson wants him secured and doesn't want him talking to anyone until he arrives."
"Got it," Ray said. "Trent and Brock can start first while the rest of us get some rest and continue to help out with the cleanup."
"Any word on Al-Hazred?" Trent asked.
"No trail yet," Blackburn replied. "Once we have something solid I'll make sure you guys are the first to know."
"Mandy running point yet," Brock asked chuckling.
"Ms. Ellis doesn't seem like the type to sit back and rest," Sonny said.
"Surprisingly, Jason has kept her at bay," Blackburn said smiling.
"Now that is something I have to see. Jason telling Mandy to rest and recover," Ray chuckled.
"You know Mandy is giving it back to him," Full Metal pitched in.
The team all laughed thinking about how alike the two are and that Jason was probably getting a taste of what the rest of them dealt with when it was Jason in the same situation. Despite all the craziness going on it was nice to laugh and hopefully soon they'd serve justice on the people who came and attacked them.