Author note:

I hope you all enjoy. Thanks so much for posting your reviews. It helps me to know that someone is still interested.

CH 58-It's Not a Lie

The team got called up for one more mission before their time off. So far, they'd been gone for three days. At least her dad and Clay both were able to communicate with regularity from wherever they were. Clay had texted her everyday while they were waiting for things to come together on the OP.

Emma was sitting in the lunchroom when her phone pinged with a text from Clay.

-Hey Em. Things still good there?-

-He honey, Everything good here. You? -

-Fine. Going stir crazy waiting. Just wanna kick down doors and get home-

-I'm fine with no door kicking if it keeps you safe-

-We'll be fine Em. I wanna get home to you-

-I want you home too-

-It shouldn't be much longer-

-Can't wait-

-Gotta go babe. Love you-

-I love you too. Be safe! -

At home that night Emma was going through her list of things for their trip. Since neither Hannah or Jeni had a car, and Emma's little car and Clay's truck wouldn't accommodate all of them, they had decided to rent a car. She wondered if Clay had a chance to make the reservation before they got spun up. She texted him her question but didn't get a response until the next morning.

-Crap no! Sorry babe-

-No worries. I'll take care of it, just stay safe-

Once school was over, Emma searched through their options online. She quickly found out that even though she was a legal adult, and had a credit card, no car rental agency would rent to her. They required renters to be at least 25 years old. What was she going to do now? She had no way of knowing when Clay would be home to take care of it. She had an idea. She just hoped he wouldn't be mad.

Emma went by the apartment and sifted through Clay's nightstand drawer for the key to the storage box in the closet. He had told her where he kept his important papers and an extra credit card for emergencies. Emma found his card and placed the call.

"Hello, I'm Emma Spenser. My husband and I are going on vacation with some friends and we need to rent a larger vehicle."

The employee on the other end of the phone was very accommodating and even applied a military discount when Emma mentioned that Clay was in the Navy. Everything was set. They had a 7 passenger SUV reserved for Clay to pick up. She returned everything to its place and hoped he'd forgive her intrusion.

Emma was going to text him to let him know what had happened. She didn't want to keep anything from him. She picked up her phone but saw a message from her dad.

-Em, comms blackout for next 24. All is good. Will let you know when we're home-

Well, so much for that. She would tell him as soon as she could contact him.

Bravo touched down while Emma was sitting in a History lecture. She had her phone set on silent so she would still know when she got a message from Clay or her dad. She felt her phone vibrate and chanced a look at it while the teacher's back was turned. The text was from her dad.

-Hey Em, we're back see you at home-

She breathed a sigh of relief. Until the team was back on the ground at home, there was always a chance something could go wrong.

A few minutes later her phone vibrated again.

-Home honey. See you soon-

She started to type a response when her teacher interrupted her.

"Ms. Hayes…you know the rule about phones in class."

"Sorry." She was forced to put her phone down before she could finish her message to Clay.

From that point on, all she could do was watch the clock. Bravo had definitely been gone longer before but knowing that he was off now and that they would be on their trip together in a matter of days, made her even more impatient.

Finally, the bell rang, and Emma headed out to the parking lot. She had her head down finishing her text to Clay. She wasn't paying attention as she approached her car. A voice broke into her thoughts and startled her.

"Can I bum a ride?"

Her head whipped up to see Clay leaning against her car and giving her that slow, easy smile that she had fallen in love with.

"Wha…?!"

Emma dropped her bag and jumped into his arms. Clay caught her and lifted her up with his hands on her behind as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

"Hi baby. I couldn't wait until tonight to see you."

He covered her lips with his and reacquainted himself with the taste of her. When he was done kissing her, he sat her feet back on the pavement and she was able to finish her question.

"What are you doing here?"

"I had Lopez drop me off." He placed another kiss on her lips.

"I'm happy you did."

"Let's head back to your place babe." He knew that she would want to see Jason.

She handed him her keys, picked up her bag and went to get into the passenger seat. They got back to the house and Emma greeted her dad. Jason had some cuts and bruises on his face that she fussed about. He assured her he was fine.

Once Jason had convinced her that he was okay, she and Clay went up to her room. He walked in behind her and closed the door. Emma went into his arms.

"Are you hurt too?"

"I'm fine Em." She quirked her eyebrow at him.

"No, really. I was up on overwatch when that went down. I'm fine." He kissed her upturned nose. "But I love you for worrying."

"I'm always going to worry about you." She kissed him on his chest, just above his heart.

With that settled, their conversation turned to their upcoming trip.

"By the way, I had an interesting voicemail from the car rental place when I got back. Actually, they asked for Mrs. Spenser."

"Oh…yea…about that," she was chewing her lip as she explained her predicament with trying to set up the car rental. "So, I had to use your credit card. And the only way to do that, well, I had to tell them that I was your wife. I'm sorry. Are you mad?"

He noticed that she was twisting her fingers together in nervousness.

"Em, look at me." His eyes were twinkling. "Of course, I'm not mad. You found a way to work the problem and take care of what I should have done before I left."

He could see her shoulders relax. "Besides," he tipped her face up to look into her eyes. "It's not a lie. It just hasn't happened yet."

He winked and smiled at her and her face flushed. He loved that he could still make her blush.

"What else do we need to do before we leave?'

"I think just grab some food and drinks and finish packing. Oh…and you'll need to pick up the SUV."

"Will Mrs. Spenser be going with me," he joked.

"Don't tease me Clay," she pouted. But he could see she was laughing as well.

"Hey," he took a hold of her hand. "I love you."

Neither one of them was truly upset. After all, as Clay had said, it was just a matter of time.