Author note:

A little angst and fluff. Drop a review if you enjoyed! Don't forget to watch SEAL Team tonight, second to last episode of the season! :(

CH 71-Paperwork

Clay and Emma knew they were living on borrowed time before Bravo got spun up for a mission. The call came two weeks after Emma moved in. The good news was that they got plenty of notice and they could spend some time before Clay had to go. The bad news was that this Op was predicted to take a few weeks, at least.

Emma knew this was coming, but it didn't make it any easier. Both her dad and Clay texted her as soon as they got all the particulars. She was in class and could barely glance at her phone. As soon as she was on lunch break, she called Clay.

"Hey honey. I wasn't sure you'd be able to call."

"I'm at lunch now. Anything more you can tell me?"

"Not really. But we don't have to report until tomorrow morning at oh six-hundred."

"Well, at least I get to see you before you go."

He could hear the sadness in her voice. "You okay Em?"

"Yea. You know that I always worry about you until I know you're home safe."

"I know babe. Do you want to go over and see your dad tonight?"

"If we can. Do you have anything you need to prep?"

"No, just pack. Actually, I have less to do than I usually would. I don't need to clean out the apartment or stop my mail, or any of that. How about you? Much homework?"

"Nothing that can't wait."

"Good, then we can make the most of our time. I'll talk to Jace and make plans if that's okay?"

"Yea. We will need to find out what's going on with Mikey."

"We can all figure it out together."

"I'll see you tonight Em. Love you."

"I love you too."

Emma got home a little after 3:00 and Clay was already there. She found him in the bedroom folding clean clothes he had run through the wash. As she walked over to him, he stopped and took her in his arms.

"Hi babe." He leaned to kiss her. "How was the rest of your day?"

"Okay, I guess." She shrugged, not wanting to let on that she had spent the afternoon trying to get her emotions under control so she wouldn't break down in front of him.

"We're supposed to be at your dad's in a couple hours for dinner. Does that work for you?"

"Yep. I was going to bake something to take over."

"Sounds good. Let me know if I can help at all. I'm going to wrap up the laundry and finish packing."

Before heading to the kitchen, she allowed herself a moment to lean her head against his chest and just listen to his heartbeat. Emma took a deep breath and tried to freeze the moment, the feeling of his arms around her, in her brain and heart. She could feel him pressing kisses to the top of her head. She was used to this, to him having to leave. This time seemed different for some reason. Maybe it was because they were just getting used to living together and now, he had to go.

He packed his ruck carefully, double checking that he had everything he needed. He also pulled some paperwork out of his jacket. He separated them out, putting a few into the safe in the closet, and the rest were folded into an envelope he inscribed with her name and put into the lap drawer of the desk. Then he went to join her in the kitchen.

Emma was pulling a couple pans of brownies from the oven. The aroma was heavenly.

"Those smell so good Em."

"Thanks!"

"Are you sure we have to share with Mikey and your dad," he asked jokingly.

She slid the still-warm pan into an insulated bag so they could take them along.

"Do you think Jace would mind if we brought Koda along? He can run around the yard."

"I think it'll be fine. Besides, Mikey loves to see him anyway."

"Okay, I'll get him in his harness. Do you need me to carry anything?"

She picked up the bag and stealthily hid the second pan in the cupboard before answering.

"Nope, I'm good. Let's get going."

When they got to the condo, they opened the fence and went to the backyard. Jason was at the grill flipping some burgers. Clay unclipped Koda's leash while Emma greeted her dad.

"Hi Daddy," she said while giving him a big hug.

"Hey Em." He returned her embrace and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He looked at the bundle in her arms and asked, "Whatcha got there?"

"A treat for after dinner. I'm going to go put them in the kitchen."

She went inside and took the pan out of the bag and sat it on the counter to finish cooling. She started to get things out of the refrigerator and get ready for dinner. She saw that her dad had bought some macaroni salad and some fruit to have with their burgers. She had to search through the cabinets and drawers to find the right bowls and silverware. She got the table set and took a beer out to Clay who had remained outside to keep an eye on Koda.

"Thanks babe." He put his arm around her gave her a quick kiss of thanks.

"Hey! Where's mine," Jason asked. He continued, teasing her. "I see where your loyalties are now. I never should have let you move in with this slacker."

"Sorry Dad. Do you want me to go get you one?"

"Nah, these are done anyway. Let's go on in."

Clay whistled for Koda and they all trooped inside. Jason called for Mikey as he set the burgers on the table. They all sat down to eat. Almost immediately Emma asked what the plans were for her brother while their dad was gone.

"I called your Grandma," Jason said between bites. "She's flying in. But she can't get here until Wednesday."

"So, what do I do until then," Mikey asked, clearly concerned.

Emma looked at Clay and he nodded. "You can come stay at our place for a few days if you want. You'll have to sleep on the couch. But, I'm sure Koda will be happy to keep you company."

Jason cut in. "Are you sure Em? I can make arrangements."

To his surprise, it was Clay that responded. "No Jace, Mikey is family. There's always room for him at our place."

"Okay. What do you say sport? Do want to hang out at their place for a few days?"

The teen finished chewing the bite of burger that was in his mouth and nodded. "Yea, that sounds fun. Thanks, Em. Thanks, Clay."

"Sure, thing man." Clay held up his fist and Mikey responded with the expected fist-bump.

With that settled and dinner over, Emma went and cut the brownies and brought them to the table. Jason, Clay and Mikey dove in right away. She laughed at their enthusiasm.

"Mmmm…these are so good Em," Mikey complimented her.

"Is that why you want to come stay with me…you think you'll get this every night?"

Everyone laughed. After the went over the particulars of how and when Mikey would get to the apartment, it was time for Emma to say goodbye to her dad. Jason held her close.

"I'll be fine Em. We'll go take care of business and then get back. I'll even make sure to get this guy here home safe to you."

She hugged him back and reached up to kiss his cheek. "You better. You all better come home safe. I love you Daddy."

She grabbed Koda and attached his leash to his collar as Clay spoke to Jason. "See you tomorrow man."

The ride home was pretty quiet. Emma was absorbed in her own thoughts and Clay didn't try to draw her out. When they got inside, they were both still quiet until Emma broke the silence.

"I'm going to go ahead and take a shower."

"Okay Em. Koda and I will just find something to watch on TV."

She didn't linger in the shower. She wanted as much time with him as she could get. When she wondered back into the bedroom, she was surprised to see Clay in bed reading.

"I thought you were watching TV."

"There really wasn't anything on. And, Koda must be tired because he went into his kennel and went right to sleep." He reached for her hand. "Besides, I'd rather be in here with you."

She squeezed his hand and allowed him to pull her over to sit next to him.

"You're so beautiful Em."

She slid off her robe and he lifted the sheets for her to join him. She nestled into 'her spot', tucked against his right side. He held her tight, with both arms around her. Looking up at him, she stated the obvious.

"I'm going to miss you."

"Me too. You'll have Mikey and Koda to keep you company."

"Just come home safe, that's all I care about."

"I always do my best, Em."

He captured her jaw in his hand and kissed her tenderly. She drew her leg up to rest across his thighs and clutched at his arm. Pulling back, he whispered to her hoarsely.

"I love you Emmie."

"I love you too, so much!"

That was the last of the discernable conversation for a while. Later, as they lay together, bodies cooling and trying to catch their breath, Clay spoke again.

"Em…"

"Yea?"

"I received back some paperwork that I submitted a while ago. It just happened that it was made official this week."

She laid her arm across his chest and propped her chin up to look him in the eye. "What paperwork?"

"Well…I've officially made you my 'Next of Kin' and my beneficiary."

Her eyes went wide with fear. "Why are you telling me this right now? Is something wrong?"

"No. There's nothing wrong. It's just with me leaving tomorrow, I thought you should know."

"I don't want to talk about it." Her voice quivered. "I don't even want to think about what that would mean."

He reached out and swept the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. "It doesn't mean anything. I just felt that you should know. I filed them in the safe with…"

She cut him off, "I'm not going to need them," she said with finality.

"I know you're not. And I know you don't want to talk about it, but I need to, okay? I need to know that if, and I mean if, something happens to me, you're taken care of."

She nodded, pushing her anxiety away for him. If he needed to say this to her, she would let him, even if it tore her heart out to think of it.

"And…there's an envelope for you in the desk. In case…"

She nodded and swallowed away more tears. "I understand," was all she could manage.

"It just…I love you so much Em…"

"Then show me."

Rolling her underneath his body, he did. He showed her, again and again throughout the night until they both could no longer stay awake.

His alarm went off way too early. He showered and got ready quickly, not intending on waking Emma. She still had over an hour to sleep before she had to get up for class. They had said their good-byes last night. When he went into the kitchen to grab a quick bite, there was fresh coffee and a tin filled with her homemade brownies. Spying a small note propped up against his mug, he turned on the light so he could read it.

Clay,

I hope you enjoy these while you're gone. Can't promise that you won't have to share.

Come home to me.

I love you!

Em

He hadn't even known that she baked a second batch last night. And, as much as she loved sleep, she must have gotten up sometime in the night and programmed the coffee maker and set out the brownies for him. He could feel tears fill his eyes. She was so damn thoughtful. God, he loved her!

Pocketing the note, he left one of his own laid it against her bag.

Love you too Em, Always!

Clay

Koda whined from his kennel, wanting attention. Clay obliged and bent to scratch his ears.

"Take care of her for me boy."

He allowed himself one, last quick glance at her, still sleeping with her head on his pillow. Then he left silently and locked the door.