Inside the Wire-Chapter 2
So, I'm back to continue this story lol. Not sure where I'm taking this one but just couldn't leave the ending where I left it. Enjoy some more Jandy!
"Jason," Mandy said calmly putting her hand on his bouncing knee.
"Sorry," Jason sighed as they sat in the doctor's waiting room.
"Hey, it's gonna be okay," Mandy replied squeezing his thigh. "We will get through this."
"Yeah," Jason said letting out a breath and squeezing Mandy's hand on his thigh as well.
"Anyways, Emma and Mikey are coming home this weekend," Mandy said trying to distract Jason.
"What? Why?" Jason asked.
"Cuz, they love their Dad and want to spend time with you," Mandy replied as she looked at something on her phone.
"More like they want to see you," Jason smiled.
"Well, I am more fun," Mandy smirked as she texted someone.
"Yes, you are," Jason smirked leaning in for a quick kiss.
"You're such a guy," Mandy chuckled.
"Hayes," a nurse called out grabbing their attention.
Jason got up with Mandy beside him. As they walked towards the nurse to be led back, Mandy took Jason's hand for support.
"Right this way," the nurse guided them. "The doctor will be right with you."
"Thanks," Jason said sitting on the bed with Mandy in front of him.
"Breath," Mandy instructed as she brought their joined hands up to her heart.
Jason took a few deep breaths in and out before nodding to Mandy that he was okay. Before either could say anything, the doctor walked in.
"Jason how are you?" the doctor asked.
"Good," Jason answered. "So, what's the news?"
"Straight to the point," the doctor smiled. "Your scans came back fine but that doesn't mean there isn't any trauma sustained. Given your age, the hits to the head could be costly moving forward and you may see affects in the future. How are the headaches?"
"They've calmed down. The stuff you gave helps," Jason answered. "You think I can make it six more months?"
The doctor regarded Jason seriously, "Honestly, I'd say you should stop while you're ahead, but I know how you team guys are as well."
Jason had a million things running through his mind. Should he leave the team now? He'd told Mandy he wasn't re-enlisting back on to Bravo once his six months were up. Was it worth the risk of causing more damage or even dying on the battlefield leaving everyone he loves behind? The warrior side in him also didn't want him to leave quite yet. A part of him wanted to finish what he'd committed to and leave the team in a good place this time around.
"Anyways, keep monitoring your symptoms and taking the medication I gave accordingly," the doctor said before leaving Mandy and Jason alone.
As soon as the doctor left, Mandy was in front of him wrapping him up in her arms. Jason's arms instantly going around her as well. The two were silent and just held each other in support.
"Don't go making any rash decisions," Mandy murmured knowing Jason so well.
"You know me too well," Jason chuckled as they pulled back from each other. "I finally feel like I'm in a good place and making progress."
"Okay, then you keep doing that. Serve these last six months and then we figure out what to do from there," Mandy said. "You could even work for me."
"Work for you?" Jason raised an eyebrow. "What would that entail?"
"A little this and a little that," Mandy flirted.
"Then I'm quitting today," Jason laughed as they walked out of the room.
The rest of the afternoon flew by and before both knew it, the evening had come. After the doctor, Mandy and Jason headed out to their taco truck for some lunch. They moved some of Jason's stuff into the new place they'd bought and broken in the new mattress laying on the floor of their new bedroom as well.
"You ready?" Jason asked coming to stand behind Mandy who was putting on her stud earrings.
"Yes," Mandy smiled back.
"I love you," Jason said kissing her shoulder.
"I love you too, but we have to go," Mandy said turning around to give him a kiss.
"Or we could just stay in," Jason said in between kisses.
"No, I want to go out," Mandy said with a final kiss and pulling Jason out of their bedroom. "No offense, I love you and the kids, but I want some other company," Mandy joked as Jason scoffed.
"And you think the guys are better company?" Jason asked. "Aww, you miss them."
"Of course, I do," Mandy replied once they were downstairs. She wrapped her arms around his neck as Jason walked her backwards towards the door. "I miss the company, not the sending you out into danger part though."
"Maybe you can pick up a consulting gig soon and tag along," Jason said. "It could be fun," Jason smirked as his eyes turned dark looking Mandy up and down.
"Such a one-track mind. Let's go," Mandy said turning away and shaking her head.
"Anyone know what's going on with Jason?" Trent asked out loud as the team had gathered at the bar already. Jason hadn't shown up yet.
"He has been very perky lately," Sonny commented.
"Maybe he finally turned over a new leaf and is happy with life," Clay replied taking a sip of his beer.
"Or someone is making him happy," Ray threw in.
"Boss is seeing someone?" Brock asked surprised.
"I don't know actually but I have a hunch someone is there," Ray replied.
"You're telling me that Jason hasn't even told you?" Sonny asked shocked. "Any idea who?"
"I have a pretty good guess but could be wrong," Ray said. "Naima tried bringing it up with Emma, but she avoided the topic so whoever it is the kids know."
"Or maybe Emma doesn't want to talk about her dad's love life. I know it'd be the last thing I'd want to talk about with anyone," Clay shrugged.
"Whatever or whoever it is has put Bravo one in a particularly good mood. Hell, in the last six months there were moments I thought for sure Jason would go at Soto, but he held himself back," Trent reminisced.
Before anyone could say anything, the entrance door opened, and Jason could be heard arguing with someone. The guys all looked up to see he was smiling and holding the door for someone to walk through. The next thing they knew they saw the one and only Amanda Ellis giving Jason her signature annoyed look at Jason. She said something back to Jason to look at her in shock but then both were smiling at each other. Jason led her in with a hand on her back. He signaled over towards their bartender for their usual.
"Hi guys," Mandy said as she approached the group who was staring at her and Jason. "Okay then, you'd think I died and came back to life with the way you guys are looking at me."
"How are you?" Ray asked getting up to give her a welcoming hug. Turning towards Jason, "I knew something was up. Happy for you brother."
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Ms. Ellis," Sonny said.
"If it isn't my favorite knuckle dragger Sonny Quinn, or should I say Daddy Quinn," Mandy smiled back.
"He's your favorite?" Jason pouted as Mandy rolled her eyes.
"Thank you," Sonny said giving her a strong bear hug.
"For what?" Mandy asked confused as they pulled a part.
"The baby gift, or should I say gifts. Hannah and I are incredibly grateful for some of those things. It was too much," Sonny said honestly.
"No problem just did a little research and asked around. Glad you liked it," Mandy smiled back.
"Look what the cat dragged in," Lisa said from behind causing Mandy to turn around. The two women were hugging immediately and trading words back quickly.
"Now wait one minute, why does she get that kind of greeting?" Sonny complained.
"Hoes over bros," Mandy and Lisa said together before laughing.
"You know why I truly left the agency? It was all the testosterone I was surrounded by. A girl can only take so much," Mandy joked.
"Some days I wonder why I stick around," Lisa joked back. "Then again, these guys aren't too bad compared to some."
"What's that mean?" Jason asked seriously.
"Let's just say being a female in this line of work has a lot of barriers to be broken," Mandy intervened quickly. "Anyways, where's our drinks?"
"This conversation isn't over," Jason murmured in Mandy's ear as she nodded. He gave her a quick kiss before heading to the bar with Trent to get more drinks.
"So, you and Jason," Ray questioned.
"About six months. Met up with him after he came back from his post deployment trip with the kids," Mandy answered.
"You're good for him. It's about time you both got your acts together," Ray smirked.
"And how are you," Mandy said with a pointed look.
"Taking it day by day and getting better with it," Ray smiled.
"Good, I'm glad," Mandy said patting his hand.
The rest of the evening was filled with fun and laughter. Stories of what everyone had been up to or stories of the past. The entire team could see how at ease Jason was with Mandy at his side. They could see him slowly healing and the same for Mandy. The two were constantly within reach of each other and sometimes you could tell they'd get lost within each other. Today everyone found a little peace in each other's company and counted their blessings for the time being. Tomorrow would be another day.
