Chapter 38

Happy New Year to everyone. Hope 2021 brings us something good. Sounds like production will continue to be delayed out in California unfortunately. Here's to hoping we get a couple more great episodes of the show but I will still be around to write! It's always funny how we're in a new year but my job has me working in the prior year lol. I hope I continue to deliver you guys a great story and the support is greatly appreciated. Enjoy the next chapter!

A couple hours later after returning to Mandy's hooch, both were turned on their sides naked under the sheets and awake. They had little talks and laughs about this, that, and the other. Of course, they stole kisses in between it all. They were in their little bubble of happiness enjoying the moment. In light of the op going successful, the team was going home in the next couple days which was a few days earlier than originally planned. Everyone was looking forward to going home. Mandy and Jason were both looking forward to what was to come as well.

"We should do that road trip when we get back," Mandy sighed as she scooted closer to Jason and his hands went to her waist.

"Road trip? Aren't you going to hit the ground running hunting down Roman?" Jason asked pulling back to look at her.

"Well, you have two weeks leave when you get back and I thought maybe I should take some time to decompress," Mandy replied.

Jason took a good look at her and could tell there was something else going on. "Not that I don't want to do that but what's going on?"

"Always reading me," Mandy smiled. Normally people trying to read her bothered her because she was the one that did it for a living. With Jason though, it felt different. It felt like he understood her in ways no one ever did. It was nice having someone notice the little things and care.

"I've got two weeks of leave as well," Mandy replied. "During our briefing, I got suspended with instructions not to work on Roman essentially."

"All for freezing those accounts," Jason questioned. He studied her as she sighed and suddenly it snapped in his mind, "Please tell me you didn't do what I think you did."

"I had to, Jason. They were going to investigate the team. Ray's got warrant officer going for him. Clay's got his new gig. Even Lisa is moving up in the ranks. I couldn't let all that be tarnished over some letter," Mandy pleaded.

Jason went to cup her neck and bring her in for a kiss. "You know people think you're this cold-hearted person, but they don't know how selfless you truly are," he whispered.

"You're the same, you know. People think you're all about the job but you're so much more," Mandy replied looking into his eyes. "Even if you say you're a better solider than you were a husband or father. I think you're wrong because you're a better person than most ever will be."

Jason leaned in to kiss her again until both of them needed to breath. "You know who, don't you?"

"I have my suspicions, but I'm not telling you," Mandy said sternly. "You're not going to lose me. I promise. No one is taking me away from this team or they'll see hell rain down on them."

"Do I want to know what you blackmailed them with?" Jason smirked and Mandy smiled back shaking her head no. "You're damn right no one is taking you away from me," Jason said pulling her as close to him as he could. "So, this road trip?"

"I thought we could drive up to Philadelphia and you could give me tour of your favorite city. We could even get Mikey to come with us. Then we could drive up to New York City and spend some time with Emma. From there we could take a jet out to Nashville for the second week. My parents might be around for a couple days but then we'd have the house all to ourselves. There's so much we could do," Mandy replied.

"Clearly you've thought about this for a while," Jason chuckled. "Did you say take a jet?"

"Yeah, why?" Mandy asked confusedly.

"You mean book a flight," Jason clarified.

"No, we take one of jets from New York. Trust me, it'll be much more comfortable," Mandy assured Jason.

"Okay, I know you said earlier you're loaded but how loaded are we talking?" Jason pried.

"Enough that I don't need to work a day in my life. I told you my Mom came from old money and runs her own company," Mandy said. "Listen we don't have to if you don't want to. If you want to book a flight, we can but-," Mandy started rambling, but Jason cut her off with a kiss.

"I just…. it's fine. It's just going-," Jason started trying to reassure her.

"Get some getting used to? Yeah, it took me a while too once they took me in," Mandy smiled. "God, I was fifteen and had only been in foster care about a year since my mom was arrested," Mandy shuddered. "One year in the system was enough for me."

"What happened?" Jason asked as he let his hand rub up and down her arm.

"Let's just say in one year I went to different homes. I remember more of the bad than good," Mandy sighed. "The last home I was in, we'll say it was abusive and I decided to run away. I didn't even know where I was going and I ran into Susan, my Mom. She took one look at me and the rest they say is history. Next thing I know, I'm in a car driving up to this huge house wondering if I'm Cinderella or something," Mandy chuckled. "I was weary of both my parents and on top of that the wealth was kind of overwhelming. I probably gave them a tough time during that first year but eventually it all worked out. They enjoy the wealth but aren't very over the top about it. The kids are going to love the house out in Nashville though. There's a ranch, pool, and so much to do they aren't going to want to leave," Mandy said as Jason chuckled.

"So, if you're Cinderella, am I Prince Charming?" Jason asked with a smile.

"No," Mandy said immediately. "I prefer Bravo one. It's the scruff and beard," Mandy added rubbing his beard.

"Bravo one and scruff, huh," Jason said flipping Mandy onto her back and nuzzling her neck.

"Oh yeah," Mandy sighed and arched into Jason as his hand ran down her body.

"Good to know," Jason smirked.

A couple days later it was time for the team to head home. Everyone packed their bags and said goodbye to friends. As they walked towards the bus, they all looked around the base. So much had been packed up and shipped away as everyone was saying the war was over here.

"You really think all this is over?" Ray asked as the team walked across base.

"Probably not, if we're honest," Jason admitted.

"Always a bad guy to take out," Sonny commented. "Lucky for us, we'll never be unemployed."

"I can't wait to get home and to the new house," Ray smiled. "I think Naima has a honey do list for me already," he chuckled.

"I for one am ready for some R&R and to hit the town," Sonny laughed.

"What are you doing, boss. Mandy probably going straight to work?" Clay asked.

"Actually, she's off the next couple weeks. We're thinking a road trip to Philly and then up to New York followed by going to Mandy's in Nashville," Jason smiled. He was looking forward to it all. It had been a while since he had plans upon coming home.

"Mandy is taking time off?" Ray asked surprised. "Amanda Ellis?"

"Yep," Jason said pursing his lips.

"What's going on Jay?" Ray asked as the rest of the team stopped as well. "I figured she'd hit the ground running on Roman."

"Two-week suspension," Jason sighed out.

"For what?" Clay asked. "I mean we got the bad guy and intel on a most wanted, that counts for something."

Jason didn't want them to know she took the hit for the Marsden letter. If someone on the team did write it, he didn't want anymore problems either. Should the truth come out not only would the true writer be in trouble but so would Mandy for lying.

"Nothing to worry about guys," Jason said trying to shake it off. "She just made a couple calls that weren't hers to make per say and the higher ups just need to make a statement."

"If you say so," Ray said looking at Jason. "Time off would do both of you some good probably?"

"Mandy said we should have Mikey come down and then make our way to Emma. Kids seemed excited at the idea. Mikey should be home in a couple days. Once he's home we can start the road trip up," Jason said thinking back to his conversation with the kids the other night. They were excited at the prospect of having a vacation, especially with him.

He smiled thinking about Mandy in that conversation that night. He watched her talk with the kids like it was an everyday thing. She fit in naturally with them. He knew she tried not to interfere too much because she didn't want to infringe on Alana's memory. Jason had missed out a lot on his kids' life and with Mandy, he didn't want to miss out on anymore. He loved Alana and he'd never forget her, but Mandy understood a side of him that no one knew. She saw the horrors of the job. They didn't always talk about them but there was always an understanding between them. Sometimes it was each other's presence that was needed just to feel like they weren't alone.

"Where is your better half anyways?" Trent chuckled.

"Probably making her way over," Jason said looking around and then seeing her turn the corner of the building with her Dad following. They were talking and smiling as they walked. As they approached, they all smiled at each other and Mandy's Dad headed for the bus.

"So," Mandy drew out stopping in front of Jason and looking around base.

"Hey," Jason smiled back taking a final look around as well.

"We never have a smooth deployment, do we," Mandy chuckled.

"We're just people who thrive on chaos and challenges," Jason replied shaking his head.

"Maybe," Mandy replied with a smile as she started to head for the bus stairs followed by Jason who looked back one last time before getting on.

The bus reached the air force base where the plane was being loaded. Everyone got off and made their way towards the ramp. Cerberus ran off the bus and around the open tarmac. Once Mandy and Jason were off, he went to circle around them. Jason playing around with Cerberus as they walked towards the plane with Mandy smiling behind them.

As they approached the ramp, Cerberus and Jason both raced up it while Mandy stopped just before it to stand with her Dad. Both had their backs turned to the entrance of the plane and were looking out across the air base and landscape around.

"Twenty years," Mandy's Dad started. "Twenty years, we've been in this war."

"Yeah," Mandy sighed looking out as well. "Though some would say this is a war we've always been fighting. You okay?"

"I should be the one asking you if you're okay," Thomson said with smile glancing at Mandy, who shrugged her shoulders. "Sometimes I wonder if letting you into this line of work was the right thing and I should've sided with your mother. I've seen what it has done to you. What it's cost you."

"I think you and I both know I'm stubborn and would've done this job regardless," Mandy smirked.

"You? Stubborn?" Thomson joked. "Probably wouldn't have met a certain Master Chief," he smirked as both glanced back towards him, catching Jason's concerned glance at the two. "I like him. He's good for you, but don't tell him that."

"I kinda like him too," Mandy chuckled as they both turned to head up the ramp. "So, it's been a while since you've ridden back home in one of these. Think you can handle it, old man," Mandy smiled as they got to the top of the ramp and headed for their seats.

"Watch your tongue," Thomson scolded. "Son, you've got your hands full," he added walking past Jason, who looked between the two.

"Everything okay?" Jason asked as Mandy went to put her stuff away and sit down next to Jason.

"Oh yeah," Mandy replied. "He's was just saying if you hurt me, he'll murder you and get away with it," Mandy smirked as Cerberus came up to her and barked in response. "Seems like he'd have some help too."

"Uh-huh. Right. That's funny," Jason said as he buckled up and looked at her.

"Oh, I'm not joking. I'm sure you understand being a SEAL and him being a former SEAL that there isn't any line he won't cross to protect his one and only daughter. I mean he does work for the CIA now so…," Mandy said seriously.

Jason looked at her with wide eyes and then turned to look over at Director Thomson who looked up to smile at Jason, with a twinkle in his eye. When he turned back to look at Mandy, she was smiling at him as Cerberus sat next to her with his head in her lap. Mandy was absently petting his fur.

Jason leaned in and kissed Mandy for the first time amongst everyone, "You're right. I do completely understand. I also understand that Cerb here isn't giving up the fight in winning you over."

"Not like he has much competition," Mandy smirked and then leaned down to give Cerberus a kiss as well. She could hear the rest of the team chuckling who all tuned in to witness the couple in their rare public display of affection.

"She's got you there, Jay," Ray added, which caused everyone to laugh once again.

The ramp started closing as the plane prepared to take off. Jason reached over to grab Mandy's hand. Both squeezed one another's hand and were ready to go home and face whatever was coming next.