Author note:

A little bit of intrigue. Clay doesn't appear directly in this chapter. I'm nervous about this chapter, so please let me know if you enjoyed it. Thanks! (note at end)

CH 94-Friends and Enemies

Emma made it through classes on Monday and Tuesday and was headed to the Day Care for Music time on Wednesday. She arrived a little early as Mrs. Johnson informed her that they had taken delivery of the first set of instruments she ordered. Emma got to the classroom and began unpacking. There were bongos, bells, a xylophone, and maracas. She was ecstatic with each new find and was already planning how to incorporate them into her time with the kids.

After class, when she was putting things away, Mikayla wondered in.

"Hey, Em. How were the kiddos today?"

"Hi. They were great, really excited about the new instruments."

"Ah, okay. It makes sense now," she laughed.

"What makes sense?"

"Little David came back to class chattering about his 'drums.'"

Emma smiled as she answered.

"Yea, I let him use the bongos today. He seemed to really enjoy it."

Mikayla bent over and grabbed the instrument in questions and tapped at it.

"So, you still coming with on Friday?"

"I guess," she sighed. "You know I don't want to go pick up guys, and that I can't drink, so…"

"I know. But the place will let you in. You'll get stamped as underage. We're not just going to find guys. It's only a fun night out, just us girls."

"I guess…I"

"C'mon Em! You'll have fun, I swear."

"Alright. I promised Clay I wouldn't just sit around alone while he's gone."

"See, I knew I liked him."

"Okay. I'll meet you there at 8:00, okay?"

Mikayla agreed and hugged Emma.

"See you then Em!"

"Bye, see you then."

Emma went home to take care of Koda and to brush up on the reading that the professor gave them for tonight's class discussion. They were going to address the ongoing conflict on the Korean peninsula. Emma wasn't sure if she had a clear point of view on the issue. She was happy to listen to the discussion this time, sure that later topics would give her the opportunity to speak.

She got to class early and picked a spot in the second row near the center of the room. She got out the reading materials and her laptop to take notes. A few minutes before class was supposed to start a group of students burst in talking loudly. Well, one of them was anyway. He kept up his one-man show until the professor arrived, and class began.

The discussion started off slow, but soon several students were chiming in. Until the boisterous student from before class got involved. After about ten minutes of his diatribe, Emma concluded that he spoke only to hear himself talk. When anyone else dared to speak up with an opposing, or even different view, he talked over them. Ugh! Emma wished that the professor would take things in hand, but he believed in letting the discussions play out on their own. She hope all the classes wouldn't be like this. It really wasn't what she had in mind at all.

She was frustrated when she got home and wished she could talk to Clay. She needed to be able to discuss it with him and hear his opinions. He always listened to her and her concerns. After a quick walk with Koda, she flopped down on the couch with a huff. The dog tilted his head and pawed at her, sensing her disquiet.

"Sorry, boy. It's hard without him."

The tears started to flow even as she grit her teeth against them. Koda whined and licked at her hand. She smiled in her sadness.

"Thanks buddy. I love you too."

She had planned to do some laundry tonight, but she was worn out. Turning out the living room light and checking the door, she gave up and went to bed.

The rest of the week went quickly and soon Emma found herself getting ready to go meet Mikayla and her friends. She had a hard time deciding on an outfit and once she dressed, she had to do her make-up and hair quickly so that she wouldn't be late. She got there and met Mikayla at the door, and they went inside. The music was loud and there was a crush of people on the dance floor. Her friend squealed and pulled Emma along until they were part of the mass of bodies dancing to the beat.

Emma tried, she really did, but she couldn't get into it. She motioned to Mikayla that she was hot and left her and the rest of the girls to go get a drink. Finding a stool at the bar, Emma ordered herself a seltzer and turned to watch her friend, now dancing with a cute guy. She was definitely considering texting Mikayla and just going home. It was too loud, too many people. She took out her phone to check the time and couldn't help pulling up Clay's last text. She hadn't heard from him in a few days. This lastest communication was short and sweet, but at least she knew that he and her dad and everyone else was okay.

-Hey Em. We're fine but getting busy over here. Might not be able to talk for a while. Love you & miss you Baby! –

She drifted for a minute, seeing his smile, and hearing his voice saying those words to her. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice the guy that slid up next to her.

"Hey there, aren't you in my Geo-Politics class?"

Emma looked up and straight into the face of the bore that had monopolized Wednesday's entire class. Trying to remain pleasant she plastered a smile on her face and answered.

"I am in Professor Donaldson's class on Wednesday's, if that's what you mean."

"Yea, yea… I thought I recognized you," he said as he took the seat next to her. "I'm Troy, Troy Mitchell."

He waited for Emma to introduce herself.

"Emma Hayes."

She went back to scrolling through her phone, hoping he would get the hint.

He spied the pretty blonde in class this past week and when he saw her at the club tonight, he couldn't believe his luck. She looked like an underclassman and he was sure he could dazzle her.

"So, you're here by yourself?"

Emma barely remembered not to roll her eyes.

"Nope, with some friends," she gestured to the dancefloor. "I just got a little warm and came to get a drink."

He smiled at her statement. Thinking it meant that she was available.

"Can I buy you one? What're you drinking?"

"Um no thanks, I still have plenty of seltzer."

As he was formulating a response, the music slowed.

"Well, okay then, would you like to dance?"

"No, thank you. I'm in a relationship."

"I don't see a ring, and there's no boyfriend here, so…"

"No, he's not here tonight, but I do have a boyfriend, so no, thank you."

He still stood there, not getting the hint. Emma couldn't take it anymore. She texted Mikayla, paid for her drink and got up to leave.

"Where're you going?"

"I, uh, I'm not feeling well. So, I'm, going to go home. It was nice to meet you…."

"Troy," he supplied.

"Yea. Good night."

Emma navigated to the door and out to her car. She didn't notice Troy lurking at the doorway, noting which car she drove off in. When she got home, she sent Clay a text.

-I miss you so much honey. Stay safe! –

Another Wednesday rolled around. Emma sought out Mikayla at work and again apologized for leaving early on Friday. Her new friend was not offended and suggested that next time they go out for dinner and shopping. Emma easily agreed. That plan was much more her speed.

She got home and prepared for class. This week they were supposed to be discussing US-Pakistani-Indian relations. She fervently hoped that the professor would keep things in check and let more than Troy Mitchell speak. Emma had some thoughts, but she wondered even she'd even get a chance to share them.

When she arrived for class, she chose the same seat as she had for the past two weeks. Unfortunately, Troy by-passed his usual place and sat next to her. She greeted him politely when he said hello, but then focused on her notes and thankfully, the professor came in and started the discussion.

Troy still tried to out-talk anyone that disagreed with him. Some of his points Emma agreed with and some she didn't. She did get the opportunity to add her point of view to the general conversation, backed up by facts in the reading. Many other supported her point and Emma felt good about her contribution.

Things were going well until Troy spouted off some derogatory comments about the military. Now Emma didn't agree with everything the military did, or all the operations that the government ordered. But she supported Clay, her Dad, and the team whole-heartedly. She knew that whatever they did they did it to the best of their ability and with the best interests of the US and everyone involved at heart. Her blood boiled at his insults.

"Yea, our relationship to Pakistan would be much better today if it weren't for that botched military operation a few months ago."

Emma automatically bristled. She remembered what happened there, and how it affected Clay. He still had a hard time talking about it and she suspected, still blamed himself some for the loss of innocent lives. She had to watch herself. She wasn't supposed to know anything about that Op and certainly didn't want to put Clay or the Team in jeopardy by blurting out classified info. She bit her tongue, but he droned on and on.

"I mean, I guess that's what you get when you send a bunch of guys that probably barely graduated high school to deal with a situation like that. What can you expect a bunch of Neanderthals to do, right?"

Emma could no longer stay silent as he attacked the intelligence and abilities of her family.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," she interrupted.

The class quieted down as she addressed him.

"What, and you do?"

"Yes, I do. I personally know several members of the Navy and they are some of the most intelligent, innovative, and resourceful people in the world."

"Sure…" he began.

"You've had your chance, now let someone else speak. How many languages do you speak, hmmm? The service members I know speak up to six, fluently. Can you calculate angles, gravity and windspeed effect on a projectile in seconds while under fire? They can. Do you know the current leaders of the most prominent factions in multiple countries, their known associates, and spheres of influence? How about the chemical compounds found in most common explosives and how to disarm them? So, no they may not have college degrees, but they are smarter, braver, and have more integrity than you, or me, or most anyone else."

She took a deep breath and tried to calm her temper. How dare he?! The room was almost silent after her impassioned statements. She chanced a look at the idiot next to her and saw him trying to cover the embarrassment he felt. Thankfully, Professor Donaldson announced the end of the class and reminded them of their assignment for next week.

Emma was still enraged and had no intentions of engaging in any more conversation on the subject. She gathered her things and started on her way to her car. Troy followed and caught up to her.

"Hey! What do you think you were doing in there?"

She spun on her heel and answered.

"I was setting the record straight about your mischaracterization of people I know, personally."

"Ahhh, I get it. You're a Squid Kid. Now it makes sense. Daddy a Captain or something?"

"No. Actually, he's a SEAL, as is my boyfriend."

That was all the talking she wanted to do with him, so she got into her car, locked the door, and took off. If she could have seen his face in her rearview, she would have seen the naked hatred on his face. First, she rejected him at the club, now she made him look like a fool in front of the whole class. He wouldn't let it stand.

Emma drove home and was still angry as she entered their apartment. She took Koda for a run and worked off some of her emotions. After a snack and a quick shower, she pulled out her computer and sent off emails to both Clay and her Dad. After tonight's events she felt, even more intensely, the need to convey her feelings of gratitude and love toward them both.

She was able to fall asleep and slept as soundly as she could without Clay by her side. She slept, completely unaware of the enemy she had just made.

*I figured it was okay for Emma to say that Jason and Clay are SEALS since that has been discussed in public by both Clay and Sonny in the show. As long as she didn't reveal they are with DEVGRU. I apologize if I'm mistaken.*