Chapter 22

Thanks as usual for all the support. I hope I continue to do a good job writing. I'm trying my best to figure out how to write a relationship while keeping the mission going lol. I also am trying to focus on bringing other characters in as I think everyone should be involved. Enjoy!

Jason walked across base to his quarters to grab his lap top. He knew he needed to check in with the kids and assure them he was okay. The media was reporting an attack on base and he could only imagine what his kids were thinking watching the news. He was going to grab his computer and go back to Mandy. He figured Mandy could use a distraction and talk with the kids as well.

Once Jason got to his quarters he walked in and leaned against the closed door. He walked over to his bed and sat down taking a deep breath. He needed a moment to collect himself. In a short time period, so much had happened. The base was attacked, Mandy and Lisa were attacked, new intel was learned and he just needed a moment to process.

Back in the interrogation room he wanted nothing more than to punch Reiss as hard as he could for all the hurt he caused. Jason knew he couldn't though. He needed to control himself. They had a couple weeks left on deployment and they needed to catch Al-Hazred again.

As he sat there gathering his thoughts, someone knocked on his door.

"Come in," Jason said taking a deep breath and then getting up to grab the computer he had come for.

Director Thomson came into Jason's quarters and observed him. He saw the tiredness and determination in Jason. It reminded him a lot of Mandy. These two were similar in so many ways. He saw the way they communicated without words being said. Everything they needed to say done though little touches and through their eyes. He knew the two had danced around each other for quite some time. He could tell from the way Mandy talked about Jason. He knew that their relationship had officially changed recently if the signs they were giving were anything to go by.

"Director, what can I do for you?" Jason asked.

"Just checking in," Thomson said. "I think you can call me Jack since you're seeing my daughter and all," Thomson smirked.

Jason chuckled a little nervously, "I'm good. Just grabbing my computer to check in with my kids."

"Emma and Mikey, right? Mandy says great things about them," Thomson replied.

"Yeah," Jason said smiling. "Pretty sure Mandy and Emma came up with a plan to get me to let Emma go to New York for college. Ever since Alana died, Mandy's been…. a lifesaver."

"That's Mandy for you. Always trying to help and save everyone," Thomson chuckled. "Sometimes it gets her into trouble," he said with a knowing look.

"True, but I'll never forget what she did," Jason said earnestly.

Thomson looked at Jason before replying, "I know. You're a good man. My daughter doesn't let a lot of people in but somehow you broke through her walls."

"I know it's all new but I care about her deeply," Jason said standing in front of Thomson.

"She cares about you too," Thomson said. "The battle coming is going to be a tough one. Take care of her. Be there for her like you always have been and don't let her try to convince you that she should fight this battle alone. After what happened with Roman, she changed. She thinks the weight of the world is on her shoulders and I get the feeling you know what that feels like. Protect her from Roman."

"Always, she's got me and the team behind her. We'll find him," Jason said seriously.

"Good because if you don't, I'll make your life hell," Thomson said with a warm yet cold smile.

"Understood," Jason said looking Thomson in the eye before he left.

After Jason's talk with Jack, he grabbed his computer and started to make his way back to Mandy. Going across base he saw the team out and about helping in cleaning up base after the attack. A part of him felt a little guilty in not helping with the recovery efforts but another part of him didn't as he wanted to spend time with Mandy.

"Who knew deployment was going to be this crazy?" Thirty said as Jason approached.

"You guys cursed us," Sonny said seriously.

"Wait, what?" Clay asked confused.

"I just arrived on base and nearly blow up and we're attacked on base. You all wanted ops and now you got one," Sonny reasoned.

"Or you're the cursed one," Ray replied. "We were doing just fine until you came along."

The team chuckled at Sonny and his reasoning.

"Well we Texans know how to have a fun time anywhere," Sonny laughed.

Ray turned to Jason, "You call back home yet?"

"About to," Jason sighed holding up the computer in his hand. "Headed back to Mandy to make sure she follows doctor's orders," Jason said shaking his head with a smile.

"You're making sure she follows medical advice?" Ray asked with a smirk.

"What? You and Mandy ganging up on me or something?" Jason replied.

"Just karma for all the times we've had to deal with you," Ray laughed. "How is she?" Ray asked in all seriousness.

Jason took a deep breath, "She's putting up a good front. I know she's ready to hunt down Roman and finish it once and for all."

"Pretty intense call between those two," Clay said. "I mean, they did threaten to kill one another. It's one thing to be betrayed by someone you trusted with your life but then to turn around and hunt them down, that's gotta be rough."

"Yeah, and if things work out it'll be Roman who ends up six feet under. He's not coming around Mandy if I have anything to say about it," Jason said seriously.

"Damn straight," Sonny replied. "He's not getting to her or anyone. Not even over our dead bodies."

"Mandy says we focus on getting Al-Hazred again. She figures Roman is long gone from here and who knows where. He'll mess up and Mandy will find him. When she does, we'll be ready," Jason said.

The team all shook their heads and acknowledged what Jason had said. They weren't just a team but family. They'd be there for each other no matter what.

"I'm going to call home and check in with the kids," Jason said walking away.

When Jason returned to Mandy's medical room, he slipped in and watched her from the doorway. Of course, she had files on the side table as well as on the bed with her. She must have persuaded someone while he was gone to get work for her. He admired her as she looked at all the intel with such intense focus. He thought about how lucky he was that he was finally with her now and he'd do anything to keep it that way. Was he in love with her? Probably, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to admit that yet. They had just started this relationship between them. One thing they both thought about was that it was intense and they didn't want to walk away from it this time.

"You going to stand there the rest of the day or actually come over here," Mandy said with a smirk as she organized her files.

"Now is that a way to treat someone who has a surprise treat for you," Jason said chuckling as he walked to her waving strawberry yogurt in front of her.

Seeing the yogurt her eyes lit up as she wasn't too much of a fan of what they'd given her to eat earlier.

"Have I told you that you're my favorite SEAL?" Mandy said with a smile lighting up her eyes.

"Actually, no you haven't. I just assumed I already was your favorite and that you fawned all over me like all the other ladies around here thinking I'm a rock star," Jason replied thinking about the lasts time they were walking around base last deployment and Mandy mocking the female recruits fawning.

"Well you know Sonny has that cowboy persona that's irresistible," she laughed as Jason sat down on her bed leaning into her, their lips so close they could feel each other's breath.

"Thought I was a cowboy too," Jason flirted right back before leaning in to finally kiss her. "I was gonna check in with Emma and Mikey. Emma's already worried since she hasn't heard anything from either of us."

"Either of us?" Mandy asked.

"She's tried reaching you and haven't heard back. Figure we might as well check in a let them know we're okay," Jason said as he set up the lap top.

"You sure you don't want some time alone with them. I really don't want to intrude," Mandy said unsure.

"Listen, they care about you and so do I. You're not intruding," Jason assured her. "I never said thank you for helping out when Alana died. You stepped in both for the team and me. Even in Guam and Mexico you had my back through it all making sure I made it home."

"I'm always gonna have your back," Mandy said grabbing his hand.

"Works both ways," Jason said looking into her eyes.

Jason got the computer set up and started calling Emma. It was late afternoon/early evening at base which meant it would be early back home but he needed to call back home. Thankfully Emma picked up.

"Dad!" Emma exclaimed relieved.

Jason was sitting in a chair with the computer and figured he'd talk to her first. Mandy sat on the bed continuing through her files until it was her turn.

"Hey Emma," Jason said taking a second to look at his daughter. It'd been a crazy few days and he needed a second with his kids. "Breathe Emma, I'm okay."

"I was so worried," Emma said with tears in her eyes. She really wanted to hug her Dad right now. "Hold on, let me get Mikey."

It was Spring Break for both of them and they were both at Jason's apartment since hearing about the attack on base. It was as close as to their father they could get for the moment being surrounded by his belongings.

Mikey came into view, "Dad! Are you okay? The news said something happened."

"We're all okay," Jason said trying to reassure them. "I miss you guys."

"We miss you too," Mikey said leaning his head on Emma's shoulder. They talked for a few minutes about this and that.

"Hey Dad, is Mandy okay? I haven't heard back from her," Emma asked.

Just as Jason was about to reply a nurse came in to check on Mandy. Emma could hear someone asking questions about how they were feeling and if they needed anything. She started to really look at her Dad and saw some medical equipment in the background.

"Dad? Are you okay? Why are you in medical?" Emma said while her heart started to race.

"Everything is okay now. I'm fine. Listen, its Mandy," Jason began.

"Mandy?" Mikey asked.

"She got hurt but she's okay now, do you hear me? She's okay," Jason replied. He then got up to place the laptop on Mandy's food tray.

"Hey guys," Mandy said with a soft smile trying to put them at ease as Jason settled down next to her so the kids could see them together.

"Oh my god Mandy! What happened? Are you okay?" Emma started throwing questions out there without breathing.

"Hey, hey, Emma. Breathe okay. Breath with me," Mandy said taking deep breaths to help Emma catch her breath. "It looks worse than it is. Don't worry. I'm okay. Sorry I couldn't get back to you. I haven't gotten to my computer yet."

Mandy tried to answer as many questions as she could and didn't give too many details. Eventually Mandy and Jason steered the conversation to safer topics like what the kids were up to on their spring break. All the while Jason casually put his arm around Mandy and couldn't help but smile at the way Mandy and the kids were laughing at something one of them said. He was glad he and the kids could give Mandy a moment of relaxation where they forgot all about what was about to come. Even Emma and Mikey could see that there was something bigger going on but couldn't be told about it. They were just glad to see two people they loved and cared about okay. All of them couldn't ask for anything more.