Inside the Wire
This is just a little one-shot inspired by the Season 4 finale of SEAL Team. It'll take place about 6 months into the future. I hope you enjoy!
Jason was slowly waking up from sleep. He felt warm and comfortable in his bed. Jason glanced over towards the nightstand and saw it was 7:30 in the morning. He didn't have anywhere to be and had just gotten back from an op a couple days ago. He decided though that breakfast was a good idea, so he got up and looked around for a t-shirt to put on. As soon as he got up, Cerberus took his spot on the bed and curled back up to fall back asleep.
Shaking his head, Jason rounded the corner to his kitchen and opened the fridge. He had some eggs and bacon and decided to make breakfast. The apartment was quiet, but it felt peaceful too.
A lot had happened over the last six months. Jason had gone on that road trip with the kids and explored wherever the open road had taken him. It was nice to be with Emma and Mikey. The loss of Full Metal had hit him hard and pushed him over the edge.
(Flashback begins)
"What happens when ignore and override isn't enough?"
(Flashback ends)
Ignore and override. That was his go to motto. All in, all the time.
(Flashback begins)
"All in, all the time, doesn't leave much room for us."
(Flashback ends)
Hearing Clay struggle to balance his life with Stella and the teams brought back a lot of memories. He didn't want Clay to become him. Jason had finally realized that maybe they had to work just as hard inside the wire as they did out. Sure, even balancing there would be sacrifices made but at least trying to balance would be a bigger achievement. Everyone had to make their own decisions when it came to the job and worked for one may not have worked for another.
After taking Ray to therapy with him, Jason continued to go to some sessions as well. He was so tired after holding the burden of the fallen on himself. He was so tired wondering if all the sacrifice had been worth it. Emma, and others, had always tried to tell him that he was more than an operator, but he never believed them. Like with most people in his life, he tried to keep his lives separate.
Jason heard movement on his bed and looked through the shelves to make sure everything was okay. He smiled and went back to cooking breakfast. As the bacon sizzled, he started a pot of coffee. He laughed at the high-end coffee in his cupboard and the argument over it. It was ridiculously expensive but even he'd admit that his taste buds loved it compared to what they served on base most of the time. Before he knew it, breakfast was ready, and Jason plated it for serving. He grabbed some mugs and poured some coffee as well.
Jason took a sip of his coffee and sighed at the taste. He went to lean against the end of his shelf wall and just smiled at the sight in his bed. There curled around Cerberus was the woman he loved. Dark hair spread out on the pillow behind her, and he could see her wearing on of his old band shirts. He thanked his lucky stars for getting a second chance with her.
(Flashback begins)
Jason had taken the couple weeks off after deployment and spent a lot of it with Emma and Mikey. The loss of Full Metal as well as the entire team's heads in so many different places had been a lot to handle. He just wanted a moment to breath without everyone depending on him for something. His post deployment routine had been different this time around. He had almost decided not to go to the food trucks, but Emma had been in town, and he'd decided to take her, so he wasn't alone.
Emma, Mikey, and Jason had just gotten back from their road trip and were walking up the stairs towards his apartment. Emma and Mikey were talking behind him, and Jason was looking for his keys. He hadn't seen the figure waiting by his door until he heard her.
"Hey," the person said softly causing Jason to stop abruptly and look up.
"Hey," Jason replied looking her over. Mandy looked beautiful as usual.
"Sorry, I had come by before, but you were gone. I heard and came as soon as possible," she said rambling.
"Yeah, um, took a trip with the kids," Jason said looking behind him to see his kids watching on curiously.
"Anyways, you're busy so I'll just head on out and let you guys get settled. Just wanted to check on you," Mandy said as she made her way past them. "It was nice seeing you."
As Mandy walked away, Jason looked on and then looked at the kids.
"Dad!" Emma whispered wide eyed. "Go after her."
"What?" Jason asked confused.
"She obviously dropped everything to check on you. The least you could do is thank her for checking on you," Emma said. "Or ask her out," Emma muttered.
"What?" Jason said wide eyed. "It's not like that, we uh," Jason rambled.
"She's the one you take on your post deployment lunch," Emma stated.
"How do you know?" Jason asked confused.
"Uncle Ray," Emma said simply. "Now go," Emma pushed.
Jason turned and looked over the balcony to see her about to get in a car, "Mandy! Wait!"
Mandy paused and turned around to see Jason jogging towards her. She told her driver to hold on so she could talk to Jason.
"Thanks for checking on me," Jason breathed out suddenly feeling like a teenager talking to a pretty girl in high school.
"Always," Mandy said. "I know how hard losing a team member is. Full Metal was fun too," Mandy said reminiscing.
"Yeah, he was," Jason smiled sadly. "How long you in town for?"
"Well," Mandy trailed off. "Probably indefinitely."
"What? Why? Having a life got too boring for you?" Jason asked.
"Traveling was fun but doing it alone isn't that much fun," Mandy laughed. "I'm actually looking to maybe do a little consulting and take on some personal charities with the military."
"Wow, that's amazing," Jason said. "So, you'll be around?"
"Yeah," Mandy smiled.
"How about a drink then? Maybe dinner?" Jason boldly asked watching her contemplate. "I'll take you to that tequila dive bar in town you love so much."
"You had me at tequila," Mandy smirked.
"It's a date then," Jason smiled.
"Guess it is," Mandy smiled back.
(End Flashback)
"Are you just going to stand there and watch me sleep?" Mandy mumbled sleepily laying with Cerberus.
Jason chuckled and walked towards the bed to sit on the edge. He put his cup down on the nightstand and then leaned over to kiss Mandy sweetly. In response, Mandy wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer.
"Morning," Jason mumbled against Mandy's lips.
"A very good morning," Mandy replied. "Do I smell food?"
"Yes," Jason said sitting up and brining Mandy to sit as well.
Before Mandy could respond, Cerberus was up as well letting out a whine and looking for some morning kisses as well, "Good morning to you too, buddy."
"Wow, man's best friend trying to steal my girl," Jason joked.
"Oh, it was always Cerb. Isn't that right, buddy?" Mandy said as Cerberus barked in response causing them both to laugh.
They been together for almost six months. Looking around the apartment, most of Jason's stuff was packed up in boxes. Jason and Mandy were moving in together. They'd found a place they could call theirs. Mandy's things had already been moved.
Emma and Mikey knew about the two being together, but Jason had kept it pretty quiet with everyone else. Jason was being a little selfish in wanting keep Mandy to himself for a little while as he worked on himself. The guys were starting to wonder though what was up with him. Jason was still Jason but a little calmer. They wondered what in the world was going on with him that he was smiling more than they'd seen him do in a while.
"What time is your doctor's appointment?" Mandy asked as they ate breakfast.
"One," Jason replied somewhat nervous.
After coming back last deployment, he'd started experiencing headaches once in a while. Mandy had caught one once and grew concerned. They'd argued over going to see a specialist one night.
(Flashback begins)
"It's fine," Jason argued. "See it passed. It's probably just from this last op and I got a little shaken up."
"You're not fine, Jason," Mandy argued. "You've been doing this for twenty years. Twenty years of injuries piling up."
"Mandy-," Jason started before being cut off.
"Sorry if all I want for the man I love is to be okay!" Mandy exclaimed as it suddenly became quiet.
Jason walked over towards Mandy whose eyes were shining with unshed tears and pulled her in for a hug. Mandy wrapped her arms around Jason tightly and took a shuttering breath.
"I love you too," Jason whispered into her ear before pulling back to look her in the eyes as he gave her a long kiss. "I'll go see a doctor."
"Thank you," Mandy sighed as they pressed their foreheads together.
(End flashback)
"Hey, it's gonna be okay. Whatever it is, we'll face together," Mandy said squeezing Jason's hand.
"I know," Jason said looking at Mandy. "My enlistment is up in six months."
"Okay," Mandy said as she took a sip of coffee waiting to hear what Jason would say next.
"I'm not re-enlisting," Jason said squeezing her hand. "With being Bravo one at least. Maybe I'll try something in command again. I don't know."
"Hey, whatever you decide, I'll be right there beside you like always," Mandy said as she leaned in to kiss him.
"I love you," Jason said.
"I love you too," Mandy replied. "So, tonight's the night."
"Guys want to hang out at the Bulkhead tonight," Jason replied as they put their dishes in the sink and started to get ready. "Ready for all the attention," Jason said putting his hands on her hips, so she was facing him.
"With you, yes," Mandy replied. "I bet they already know," Mandy smirked.
"Wanna bet on it," Jason said as he started to move them towards the bathroom to shower.
"What did you have in mind?" Mandy said distracted as Jason pulled off his shirt.
"I had a few ideas," Jason smirked as he shut the bathroom door and the two were left to their own blissful world.
