Chapter 58

Okay, I'm back onto writing my regular stories. Sorry I diverted onto my short side stories, but I just had to write it. Boy, 5x12 was beautiful. I hope this means Jason really is on the path to healing. I give the show props for tackling the issues our real vets go through. Dave knocked it out of the park as usual. We only have two episodes left as I write this! Anyways, enjoy this new chapter. The vacation is almost over, and we'll be jumping into the story of hunting down Roman. I will be including some of the events of the actual season 4 as well where I think it fits.

The barn party was happening on another part of the property. As they pulled in, people were being dropped off and hanging out around at the bars set up outside. The barn doors were open, and music could be heard through the open doors and side walls. The sun hadn't set just yet and the weather forecast was for clear skies that night thankfully. There was a buzz in the air of the night being a fun one.

"Wow," Sonny said in wonder. "You guys sure know how to throw a party."

"We don't do anything halfway around here," Mandy laughed. "Just relax and have fun."

"Is that Eric Church over there?" Sonny asked excitedly.

"Yes," Mandy smiled as she watched him fangirl. "Want me to introduce you to him?"

"Are you serious right now? Bravo one better watch out cuz I'm in love your girl," Sonny joked as Mandy led him over.

As they walked over, various other people stopped Mandy to say their hellos as Sonny looked to be trying to keep himself together meeting some of his favorites.

"I don't think Sonny was joking," Ray laughed standing next to Jason.

"Well, she is pretty incredible. Can't blame him for falling for her," Jason smiled as she watched her across the way.

"Falling for her?" Ray said raising an eyebrow. "You love her."

"Yeah, I do," Jason sighed as they walked over to a bar.

"You tell her?" Ray asked as Jason shook his head. "I'm happy for you man. You two deserve it. You should tell her."

"What if-," Jason began.

"Don't even start that. She's just as crazy about you as you are about her. Everyone sees it," Ray interrupted as Jason smiled back.

After Mandy introduced Sonny to some of the famous people there, she made her way towards where she spotted Jason standing at the bar with some of the other guys. She smiled as she watched him laugh at something and loved how carefree he looked. He just fit right in with everything. Mandy knew she was in love with Jason Hayes. He made her heart flutter, and one smile or joke made a dark day brighter.

"You guys causing trouble?" Mandy said sliding up to Jason's side and he immediately put his arm around her waist.

"We would never cause trouble," Jason replied with mischief dancing in his eyes. "Now Sonny on the other hand," he joked looking over towards him.

"Of course, you wouldn't," Mandy rolled her eyes. "Feel free to mingle around. Come on, let's go check out the barn," Mandy said pulling Jason along.

They walked into the barn and Jason was in awe of everything. A stage was built on one side for some live music while the rest of the barn was decorated with twinkle lights everywhere. They had an open middle for crowd to watch or dance along to the music. Smaller stands and tables were along the walls for people to gather as well.

"Wow, you guys go all out," Jason said turning Mandy to face him and putting his hands on her waist.

"Gotta party in style. Plus, our vacation is almost over," Mandy sighed as Jason leaned down to kiss her causing her hands to go around his neck. "Are you distracting me?" Mandy smiled against his lips.

"Is it working?" Jason said in between kisses.

"Jesus, do you guys ever stop?" Jessica interrupted them.

"I mean, have you looked at him?" Mandy smirked running a hand down his chest.

"Point taken, but you guys will have time for playing handsy later. Right now, let's party," Jessica said pulling Mandy to the bar. "Shot of tequila for her."

"What about you?" Mandy raised an eyebrow.

"Well," Jessica said biting her lip.

"No way!" Mandy exclaimed. "Oh my god! Congratulations," she said giving Jessica a hug.

"Shh, it's still early and I couldn't not tell you," Jessica said squeezing Mandy back.

"Oh, this is so exciting," Mandy said pulling back. "I'm gonna be an aunt again! Did you tell Haley yet?"

"No, not yet. We will once we're back in Virginia Beach," Jessica replied.

"You're moving to Vah Beach?" Mandy asked.

"Well, I want my best friend around and Troy can help you from base," Jessica smiled back. "Plus, Hales misses her god mother very much."

"I've missed her too," Mandy said looking over to Haley who was playing with the other kids. "She's gonna be an amazing big sister."

A few hours later, the music was booming, and everyone was having a fun time. Jason and the guys were on the side of the dance floor watching as girls all lined dance to Luke Bryan's song Country Girl. Mandy, Jessica, and Susan all moving easily to the chorus and helping the others figure out the steps along the way. The ladies were all laughing and having a fun time. Once the song ended, Mandy and the girls all walked over to them.

"Come on, you gotta dance," Mandy said with flushed cheeks and grabbing his drink and taking a sip. She took her hat off to cool down.

"I have to dance, huh," Jason smiled.

"Yeah, pull me in close maybe cop a feel," Mandy flirted back as Jason laughed. "Oh, I love this song," Mandy said as Jon Pardi's song Head Over Boots came on.

Jason took the last sip of his drink and then led Mandy to the dance floor. The opening lyrics started as they put their arms around each other.

(Song Lyrics)

I wanna sweep you off your feet tonight

I wanna love you and hold you tight

Spin you around on some old dance floor

Act like we never met before for fun, 'cause

You're the one I want, you're the one I need

Baby, if I was a king, ah, you would be my queen

You're the rock in my roll

You're good for my soul, it's true

I'm head over boots for you

They swayed together as the lyrics continued. Mandy resting her head on his chest just listening to his heartbeat as Jason rested his cheek against her head.

"I love you," Jason said making Mandy's breath hitch and pull her head back to look at Jason. "I know it's fast but what you and I have is special. We know each other's good and bad, yet here we are. I don't want to waste another day waiting to tell you cuz in our line of work, you never know when it's your last."

"I love you too," Mandy smiled. "Have for a while, I think."

The two looked at each other and leaned in for kiss they lost themselves in. The world around them didn't exist and they knew moving forward everything would be different. No matter what life threw at them, they'd never be out of the fight because they had each other.

I wanna sweep you off your feet tonight

I wanna love you and hold you tight

Spin you around on some old dance floor

Everyone around them clapped after the song ended and the two were broken out of their trance. The song changed to Chase Rice's song Do It Like This. The entire team was dragged out on to the dance floor by their partners.

Mandy pulled herself close to Jason and locked eyes with him. The two moved with each other as the beat of the music boomed through the barn.

"So," Mandy said as the song played. "Wanna get out of here and head over to the guest house?"

"Have our own party?" Jason said running a hand down her back.

"Oh, definitely," Mandy said as she pulled him in for a passionate kiss and then led him out of the barn.

Mandy and Jason explored each other for most of the night not wanting to waist a second of the final day in Tennessee. Jason, however, still woke up early. He found himself getting out of bed and starting coffee downstairs. The sun had begun rising and Jason took a seat out on the back porch to watch. He felt at peace after telling Mandy he loved her, and she told him the same as well. For the moment, he pictured a life outside of teams with Mandy on this land. Maybe a kid or two of their own running around and enjoying the ranch as well. He smiled at the thought of a child made of her and him.

"I love that smile," Mandy said leaning down to wrap her hands around his neck from behind. "What are you thinking about?"

"The future," Jason said turning his head to kiss her.

Mandy was wearing Jason's shirt from last night with her tousled hair. He unlinked her arms and guided her to sit with him. She settled herself in his lap sideways but turned to watch the sun rise as well.

"God, I'm gonna miss this," Mandy sighed.

"Yeah," Jason sighed. "We'll have to come out here every chance we get. Maybe retire out here."

"Retire?" Mandy smiled as she turned to look at him.

"I mean, we both can't operate forever," Jason smiled back.

"Jason Hayes, talking about hanging it up. Never thought I'd see the day," Mandy said cupping his cheek.

"Well, with you by my side, it'd be bearable," Jason smirked as Mandy slapped his chest.

"Right back at you," Mandy muttered in between kisses. "It's not a bad idea though. Tons of space here to retire on."

"Peaceful and quiet too," Jason added. "For now, we go back home and get ready to take down Roman."

"I know," Mandy sighed and then turned to straddle Jason. "If anything happens-," Mandy began before being cut off by Jason.

"Nothing is going to happen to either of us," Jason said grabbing her face.

"You can't promise that," Mandy replied.

"No, but I just have this feeling that we'll get through whatever comes our way," Jason said kissing her.

"Faith," Mandy whispered. "I love you."

"I love you too," Jason replied kissing her sweetly.

"Show me," Mandy said as they began to kiss passionately.

Eventually Jason and Mandy made it back to the main house, where the team of course teased them. The two could care less though since they were living off the high of being in love and telling each other. Everyone had a brunch before going to their rooms and packing up. The flight back to Virginia Beach was later in the evening so they decided to just hang around the house for the day.

Jason found himself on the patio again, of the main house this time. He admired the view of mother nature just like he had that morning.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Susan said coming to stand next to him. "Little bit of peace in all the madness of the world."

"Yeah, something like that," Jason smiled. "Thank you for having us."

"Oh, it was all my pleasure," Susan waved her hand. "This place hasn't been this alive in so long. I also don't know of a time I've seen Mandy so happy," Susan added looking back in to see Mandy laughing at something.

Jason turned to look as well and smiled again, "She's amazing. Far better than I deserve."

"You two really are meant for each other," Susan said slapping his arm. "Both of you deserve this. Thank you for bringing her home. If I'm honest with myself, I always worry about her losing herself in the job. Though, since meeting you she's changed. Her walls cracked."

"Never really been walls between us," Jason chuckled. "You did a good job raising her."

"You did a nice job raising your kids as well," Susan replied looking over at Mikey and Emma.

"That was all Alana," Jason shook his head. "I was out fighting this war. Alana took care of everything else," he sighed.

"You may fight the war out there, but those kids in there look at you like you're their hero. They know you love them and that's all that matters."

"Mandy said the same," Jason smiled.

"Well, she is my daughter and just like me always right," Susan smirked causing Jason to chuckle. "Now, you guys will go home and get back to work. Promise me one thing, take care of her. Roman hurt her deeply."

"Goes without saying," Jason said seriously as Susan pulled him in for a hug.

Later everyone was boarding a private plane back to Virginia Beach. Everyone was ready to go home yet all wanted to stay a little bit longer. The team knew work was to be done though.

"Now this is what I'm talking about," Sonny called out as he walked over to where Mandy was sitting. "Think you can swing these digs for our future ops?"

"Think it's a little out our allowed budget," Mandy chuckled. "But if you every wanted to go anywhere you can all ask, and I'll see what I can arrange."

"Wait, are you serious right now?" Sonny asked.

"Yes," Mandy shrugged. "Goes for everyone too.'

"Oh, I love you," Sonny exclaimed. "Not bad for a spook."

"Watch yourself, Sonny," Jason said giving him a little shove. "She's spoken for."

"You sure boss? Ms. Spook here wants a cowboy," Sonny laughed loudly.

"I've met real cowboys Sonny," Mandy smirked.

"That hurts," Sonny said clutching his heart and turning to go back to his seat.

Jason grabbed Mandy's hand as he settled into his seat. Mandy looked over at him as she squeezed his hand back.

"Home sweet home," Mandy smiled.

"Home is where you are," Jason replied back.

"Corny," Mandy chuckled.

"But you love me for it," Jason said leaning into her.

"Yes, I do," Mandy whispered as they kissed.

"I love you," Jason said in between. "We move forward to the next chapter."

"Moving forward," Mandy replied as they looked into each other's eyes.