Chapter 47
The season 4 finale was beautiful and emotional. I have many thoughts about it lol. Maybe I'll disclose them later. I have started a campaign to get Mandy back on Twitter ( jaszy21). I'm also planning to get back to my re-watch of the series. Looking forward to summer and getting some writing going. I am trying to move my stories along but sometimes I just get so carried away in whatever I'm writing lol. Thank you as usual for all the support and encouragement. Hope you enjoy this new chapter!
It was 3:30 in the morning and Mandy was awakened by her cell phone going off. Jason and she had fallen asleep just over an hour ago. Mandy was reaching out towards the nightstand on her side of the bed while Jason's arm around her waist tightened. There were naked in a tangle of sheets.
"Hello," Mandy mumbled half-awake once she finally grabbed her phone.
"Mandy, get on a secure line," Troy said. "We got something," he added before hanging up.
Mandy sat up in bed a little and looked at her phone. It sounded urgent and Mandy ran a hand through her hair as she carefully untangled herself from Jason.
"Where are you going?" Jason mumbled half asleep.
"Go back to sleep. I'll be right back," Mandy said leaning over and kissing him as she grabbed one of his shirts and some shorts from the floor. She also went to her bag and grabbed her laptop before heading downstairs.
Once she was downstairs, Mandy headed for the couch and powered her laptop up on the coffee table. She made sure to open a secure link and suddenly she had an incoming call.
"Hey, what's going on?" Mandy asked concerned as she looked over Troy.
"We followed up on some leads on Roman. We were raiding a warehouse overseas and found some intel as well as captured a few people trying to run," Troy said. "We think one of the guys we rounded up recently had contact with Roman looking at his burner phone," Troy added as Mandy's Dad came into view.
"You guys question him yet?" Mandy asked suddenly awake and alert at the new information.
"I'm about to go in and question him. I know it's the middle of the night for you, but I figured you'd want to sit in and watch. Let us know if you pick up on anything," Thomson said.
"Yeah, sounds good," Mandy replied as her screen changed to the cameras on the suspect in custody. Mandy studied the man intently to see if she could find any weaknesses.
"Mandy?" Jason called out as he shuffled into the living room. "What's going on?"
"My Dad and Troy have someone in custody with possible information on Roman," Mandy said watching the screen and Jason took a seat next to her. "You should've stayed asleep."
"Bed is lonely without you," Jason said patting her thigh and taking a look at the screen as well. "And I'm not leaving you alone with all this," Jason said looking her.
"Thank you," Mandy said leaning in for a kiss as they heard the door to the interrogation room on the screen open. "Here we go," Mandy said as she squeezed Jason's hand. Jason and Mandy watched as Jack walk into the room with the person of interest.
"So, Jared, I think we both know why we're here today," Jack started casually as he sat down at the table with a folder in front of him.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Jared replied. "I was just running my warehouse business when you all barged in."
"Right, of course you were running your business," Jack said grabbing a picture from the folder.
"Drug dealer," Mandy muttered as Jason looked over at her curiously.
"This your business? Drugs," Jack asked showing him pictures of the seized drugs. "Yeah, we found the false wall that led down to your lab."
"What?" Mandy said as she heard Jason chuckle. "It was pretty obvious."
"Nothing, just daughter like father," Jason replied.
"But the bigger question is, why did we find residue of bomb materials in your lab. Since when did drug dealers start infusing that into their drugs? Or is that a new trend we're not aware of?" Jack asked.
"No idea what you're talking about," Jared replied crossing his arms.
"Listen, I don't really care about the drugs. I mean I do care, but I also don't. I'm more after the person who ordered those bomb materials and what they're up to," Jack said leaning forward.
"You're Dad has an interesting approach," Jason observed as Mandy unmuted their microphone to say something.
"He thinks he's the boss and feels underappreciated," Mandy passed on to them.
"How can you tell?" Jason asked.
"He's crossing his arms and leaning back. He's not quite smirking. He seems kind of relaxed and is trying to act like he's the one in charge in the room." Mandy replied.
"I mean, you're the one in charge, right? You'd know everything going on in your business operations," Jack probed.
"I am the one in charge," Jared replied smugly. "I don't know what you found in that warehouse, but it wasn't any bomb stuff or whatever."
"Right, anyways I guess since you don't know anything we're done here. I'll go get some drug agency in here to charge you on the drugs we found then," Jack said gathering his things like he was ready to leave.
"Wait, wait, I thought you were here for the drugs," Jared panicked.
"Oh no, I'm with CIA. See we're on the hunt for most wanted fugitive on our list that recently appeared on one of bases in J-Bad. The U.S. base there was attacked, and people were hurt," Jack stated as his eyes turned a shade darker thinking of Mandy as one of those who was hurt. "Forgive me but it's a little personal. Anyways, I'm just gonna see what I can trace the residue we found to and then we'll just forget about those drug charges and instead charge you as a terrorist should anything happen."
"Some guy. It was some guy that talked with my boss," Jared caved not wanting to be responsible for future deaths.
"Gotcha," Mandy said smugly.
"I don't know if I should be concerned or not over how much you're enjoying this. Didn't you say you're Dad was a SEAL?" Jason wondered.
"He was a SEAL and got into the CIA cuz he like working the intel angle as well. Kind of reminds me of you sometimes," Mandy replied looking over at Jason softly.
"Well, I see where you got your skills from," Jason said.
"Doesn't seem like this guy knows Roman personally but hopefully he can ID him," Mandy said watching the screen.
"Some guy asked my boss if he could get some of the bomb stuff you found. My boss said he could and would hold it for him in the lab. Guy came by three days ago to pick it up. It was a couple barrels of something," Jared confessed.
"Was this the guy talking to your boss," Jack asked showing him a picture of Roman.
"Yeah, he paid my boss half and said he'd get the rest later. Something about his money was a little tied up right now. My boss got mad, and they argued before that guy pulled a gun on him. Next thing I knew, guys came in and hauled the stuff away," Jared continued. "That's all I know."
"No idea what Roman was driving or where they went?" Jack followed up.
"No, we good now?" Jared answered.
"Yeah, we're good," Jack said getting up.
"So, when can I get out of here," Jared asked.
"Oh, you're not going anywhere," Jack said as he opened the door, and another set of agents came in. "You helped me in my case, but I think these guys would like to talk to you about the drugs," Jack said smugly before leaving the room.
"You're Dad enjoys this too, doesn't he?" Jason said after watching it all. "I'm surprised I didn't get interrogated like that."
"Oh, there's time," Mandy smiled coyly as Jason tried to gauge if she was serious or not.
Before they could say anything else, Troy and Jack were back on their screens and Mandy unmuted the speaker to follow up with them.
"So, three days ago, Roman was there," Mandy jumped right in. "Any idea what you guys found?"
"Lab is running tests on the residue, but it seems like typical bomb materials," Troy answered.
"Any idea where could've headed?" Mandy asked fidgeting next to Jason.
"Mandy, we're running all the normal leads," Jack reassured her. "Anyways, I have a surprise for you."
"Surprise?" Mandy asked confused as suddenly another window popped up with another caller. Just as Mandy was about to ask what was happening, Basheera and Asha appeared.
"Mandy!" Basheera greeted with Asha smiling in her lap.
"Hi," Mandy said taken aback. Both looked good and seemed to be happy. It was rare for her to ever interact with assets after they'd provided what they needed. "How are you?" Mandy asked as Jason put an arm around her to comfort her.
"We're doing well," Basheera smiled as Asha held up a picture to the screen.
"What's that?" Mandy asked.
"Pretty lady Mandy," Asha answered with smile.
"She is a very pretty lady, isn't she," Jason chimed in.
"You guys look good," Mandy smiled.
"So do you," Basheera said with a knowing look. "He looks better outside being a solider."
"Please don't feed his ego," Mandy laughed rolling her eyes.
"Thank you very much," Jason smiled and then leaned in kissing Mandy's cheek. "At least someone appreciates my good looks."
"We just wanted to say hello quickly. Your father says a time will come when we can see each other in person again," Basheera explained.
"Of course, I have something to return for Asha as well," Mandy said thinking of the stuffed toy upstairs in her bag. "It was great seeing you."
"You too. Until later," Basheera said as Asha waved goodbye.
They signed off and the screen now just showed her Dad. Jack looked at his daughter and could see her carefully constructed walls had fallen seeing Basheera and Asha. He knew the internal struggle Mandy had in doing her job and dealing with assets. Mandy often felt like used and tossed people aside when getting intel. Sometimes people died because they helped her, and other's lives were completely changed for the worst in helping to fight the war on terror. He knew her seeing Basheera and Asha, was needed. He also knew that the man sitting beside her, Jason, now helped her shoulder the burden of the job.
"Thought you could use that surprise," Jack smiled.
"Thanks," Mandy said softly as Jason squeezed her hand.
"Now, it's late or early in your case, catch some sleep. We got this covered. See you later, honey," Jack said.
"Bye Dad," Mandy said before signing off.
"You okay," Jason asked softly.
"I just-," Mandy said trying to hold herself together.
Jason pulled her into his lap and rocked her. He murmured sweet nothings into her ear to calm her down. He knew this job was overwhelming and sometimes you just needed a moment.
"I got you," Jason whispered as he laid down on the couch with her on top of him. "Shhh, I got you," he said as both drifted off to sleep.
"Why are Dad and Mandy sleeping on the couch?" Mikey asked while eating breakfast.
"I don't know," Linda said glancing towards the living room. Both seemed to be sound asleep.
"Did Dad have a nightmare?" Mikey asked remembering his father awake sometimes at night when they lived at home. "Mom used to say some nights were rough for him and that the best way to help him was to give him a hug. She said to be there for him."
Linda looked at Mikey sadly for a moment. She knew her son had scars from the war. Alana had done her best in trying to help Jason, but Jason was stubborn. As upset as she had been when the two ended their marriage, she couldn't fault Alana for being tired of sharing Jason. Being with Jason in the beginning when he signed up for the Navy had its difficulties but then he joined the SEALs. He had been Bravo three, which was manageable but then one day something had changed. One day, Jason had decided to commit to the team completely and the next thing they knew he was Bravo one.
She understood Jason's need to separate his worlds but, in the end, it had cost him his kids and marriage. Linda knew her son could face and survive anything but at the same time she knew how he liked to bury his feelings. As much as she had loved Alana, she didn't want her late daughter in law to live in misery.
After Alana passed, Jason seemed to go into a tailspin trying to juggle everything in his life. Then Emma had mentioned he'd met a woman named Natalie who was a physical therapist. Linda was happy to hear her son was trying to move on, but it seemed that relationship had faded quickly as well.
Now she looked at Jason with Mandy and knew Mandy was the one. Mandy knew a side to her son that not many knew. Both of Jason's worlds collided when it came to her. The two shared the same pain and burden of the jobs. They understood each other on a level that most in their line of work never would. Linda could see that Mandy helped Jason try to deal with the things he buried deep down inside himself and Jason did the same for her. They had such a strong friendship foundation in their relationship it seemed and supported each other no matter what.
Just as Linda was about to say something to Mikey, she saw Jason waking up and gently getting off the couch. He sweetly murmured to Mandy to keep sleeping as she burrowed herself into the warmth Jason left behind. Jason ran a hand through her hair and leaned down to kiss her head before walking towards the kitchen.
"Morning," Jason said.
"Everything okay?" Linda asked looking towards Mandy.
"Yeah, she got a call in the middle of the night from her Dad about something on going," Jason replied. "They just wanted to update her."
Mikey got up from his spot at the counter to put his dishes in the sink, while Sarge and Gunner perked up at his movement.
"I love you Dad," Mikey said suddenly hugging Jason who was taken by surprise.
"Love you too," Jason said closing his eyes as he wrapped his son up in a hug.
"Is Mandy okay?" Mikey murmured looking towards the couch.
"Yeah, she's good now. Sometimes we just have rough nights and last night was one of them," Jason answered.
"Well, she's got us now and we'll tell her we love her then," Mikey said as he went to grab some balls to play with the dogs in the back yard.
"Yeah, she's got us now," Jason smiled looking towards the living room as well.
"Happy is a good look on you," Linda said after Mikey left. "She's good for you. Keeps you in line. She's something else."
"Yes, she is. She is a good something else," Jason said proudly. "And what do you mean keeps me in line?"
Linda laughed, "You know exactly what I mean."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jason joked.
"It means you're stubborn," Mandy said suddenly behind him causing Jason to jump. "Good morning looks like someone's off their game," Mandy smirked as Linda chuckled.
"I knew you were there," Jason tried to defend himself.
"Right, sure, Master Chief Hayes," Mandy said with knowing look.
Jason grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in for a kiss, "Morning."
"You can kiss me all you want, but I still snuck up on you," Mandy said kissing his cheek and then going to take a seat at the island.
"She got you, honey. Facts are facts," Linda said putting a cup of coffee down in front of Mandy as she grabbed food for her plate.
"You're taking her side over your own son," Jason asked shocked.
"Well, she's prettier," Linda shrugged as she took a sip of her coffee and Mandy smirked.
"Yeah, she is," Jason said sitting down beside Mandy and pulling her close to him for another morning kiss.
Linda looked on and smiled at the two knowing that whatever it was that the two were facing, they would make it through it together. They had each other, the team, and family all backing them as well. Together, they could face anything.