Author note: I hope this installment brings you some joy in these crazy times. Please leave me a note if you enjoyed it!

CH 117-Strike a Chord

Clay heard a louder than normal commotion at the door as Emma came home from class. He wasn't sure what was causing her to have more trouble negotiating her way inside, until she finally kicked the door open with her foot and managed to step into the apartment. Clay sprang up from his spot on the couch to help relieve her of some of the items weighing her down. Her leather satchel, heavily laden with books and her purse were barely hanging on her shoulder, and her keys were still clutched in her hand. In her other hand was the handle of a black, hard-sided case obviously containing a guitar.

He grabbed her bags just as they slipped from her shoulder and relived her of the handle of the guitar case. He hung the bags on the hooks by the door and sat the instrument down next to their over-stuffed chair.

"Thanks, Honey."

"You're welcome," he answered, kissing her cheek. "You certainly had your hands full."

"Yea," she turned to pat Koda's head. "I just picked up the guitar today. The store called while I was in class to tell me they had it."

"You bought a guitar?"

"Uh huh. It's for the Music Class I'm taking."

"I thought you were learning piano."

"I am. But…my professor encouraged me to learn the guitar too."

She flopped down on the chair and continued.

"The piano is great to teach most music classes, but for Music Therapy, sometimes you have to get moving. You know, walk around the room, especially with students that have mobility issues, or need to work on motor control skills. It's a lot easier to do that with a guitar."

"That makes sense."

"I'll need to do some practicing here at home to catch up."

Clay sat down beside her, and she leaned her head on his shoulder. Pressing a kiss to the crown of her head, he answered.

"That's no problem. I love to hear your music."

He was sure she would pick it up fast. He knew that she was progressing quickly with her piano due to the fact that she already read music from her choir and singing.

Laughing, she responded.

"I hope you still feel that way by the time I master the ABC song."

The subject was put aside as the couple started their preparations for dinner.

The rest of the week was busy, and Emma didn't get a chance to practice until Friday. The fingering and chords seemed to be coming along, but it was the strumming that kept tripping her up. She would think she had it down, and part way through, she would lose the rhythm and have to start over. It was really beginning to frustrate her. After almost an hour of practice, she laid the instrument down, none too gently, on the bed and stormed out of the bedroom with a muffled scream. Cautiously, Clay poked his head out from the kitchen.

"Everything okay, Em?"

"Ugh! Noooo!"

She laid face down on the couch, burying her head under a pillow. Trying not to laugh he sat down softly beside her and pulled the cushion away from her face.

"What's the problem?"

She sat up, but he could see her hands curled into fists in her lap.

"I just, uh! I can't seem to get the strumming right. I'm so tired of playing the same bars over and over and over again."

"Why don't you give it a break for a little while and come back to it later?"

She nodded in agreement and went to get herself something to drink. Clay exhaled in relief. She wasn't the only one that was going crazy. Hearing the same notes repeating time and time again was starting to grate on his nerves as well. He didn't say anything to her. He knew that she needed to practice, and he was trying to be supportive. If being on the teams taught him anything, it was that any new skill took patience and persistence to master. He knew she was intent on learning to play guitar, believing it would help her be a better therapist in the future. He admired her resolve and knew that she wouldn't give up until she had it down pat. But…he secretly hoped that any more practice would wait until he was out of the apartment, or while she was on campus.

He had to give it to Emma, she was no quitter. After a brief respite, she was back at it on Saturday, determined to figure out her issue with strumming so she could learn the basic songs and then move on. Later that afternoon, when Sonny texted asking if he wanted to go for a drink after dinner, he jumped at the chance to get out of the apartment. He checked with Emma to make sure she wouldn't mind. She was more than accommodating, happy to have the quiet to concentrate. Kissing her goodbye after their quick meal, he quickly escaped.

"Hey there, Blondie!"

"Hey man."

Clay sat down, exhaling loudly while motioning to the bartender. Sonny watched his friend reach for his beer almost before it hit the wooden surface in front of him and take a long swing.

"Uh oh. Trouble in paradise?"

"Huh?"

"You and Princess. Is there somthin' goin' on?"

"Why would you ask that?"

"Weeelll…ya usually take a lot more convincin' to come out without her on a weekend. And that was an awful long drink ya just took there."

Clay barked out a half-hearted laugh and shook his head.

"When did you become so observant?"

"It don't take much to see it. Now what's up?"

Clay lifted his cap and rubbed an agitated hand through his curls before settling it back on his head and answering.

"Em's taking a music class. You know she already sings,"

"Like a songbird," he added, interrupting briefly.

"In order to be a Music therapist, she needs to learn to play music too. She was learning the piano and doing great. But her professor told her that learning the guitar would be more helpful once she starts teaching. You know, she could move around a classroom while playing, that kind of thing."

Sonny nodded and he continued.

"She's been practicing the guitar at home. And, uh, it's driving me nuts. I'm sure she'll get it soon. But…right now, hearing the same part of 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' over and over again is about to make me crazy."

"Did you say anythin' to her?"

"Nah, I don't want to upset her, or make her think she can't play at home. I mean she's got every right to practice there. It's her home too. And she deals with so much shit from my job. I ought to be able to cope with this."

He took long pull from his bottle and sat it down with a thunk.

"I can see where yer comin' from."

"Thanks. I needed a little time to clear my head. I'll be good by the time I get back home."

Clay stayed with Sonny a little later than he intended. When he got home, the lights were off, and Emma was tucked in bed. After undressing and brushing his teeth, he sipped in behind her. She immediately rolled over, and into his arms. Holding his breath, he glanced down at her laying on his chest. He had really tried not to wake her. But her eyes were still closed, and her breathing remained steady. She wasn't awake, yet even in the depths of sleep, she sensed his presence and sought him out. He sighed, feeling like a heel. He snuggled her closer and kissed her cheek, determining to have more patience.

Two days later the patience he promised himself was almost worn out. Emma was almost giddy when she finally started to get the hang of the motions and tempo for strumming. He thought that might be the end of it. But the notes, although correct and the tune was technically correct, she was still playing the simple song. She vowed to him with a smile that she wasn't going to stop until it was perfect. Again, he took refuge elsewhere, making some excuse about needing to hit the gym.

Emma didn't think too much about his recent absences. She was confident in Clay's feelings for and commitment to her. But, after a couple more trips to the bar with Sonny and a missed dinner, she started to think she had done something to upset him. She never asked her dad to get involved in their relationship. But knowing he might have insight that she didn't she almost chanced a call. She knew that would be stepping over a line, so she put down her phone. This was between her and Clay. They were usually so good about communicating. She couldn't picture what she had done that he didn't want to talk over with her.

That night Clay surprised her by bringing home some of her favorite Thai food and telling her he got them tickets to a movie she wanted to see. Everything seemed back to normal. Maybe she was imagining things. Their date night was perfect and there didn't seem to be a strain between them at all. Emma internally heaved a sigh of relief. The next day started out great too. They took Koda on his morning walk and stopped to get some donuts on the way back. They discussed their plans for the day.

"I have some reading to do for class, and I need to work on a paper. What about you?"

"Not much. I was going to wash the truck and just take it easy."

"Sounds good. Oh! And I need to get in some practice for Music class."

Clay gritted his teeth and forced a smile. He thought that if he timed it right, he could manage to be out cleaning his truck while she put in her time with the guitar. His plan almost worked out. He spent extra time outside, wiping out every crack and crevice, but when he went inside, he was still treated to twenty minutes of her still playing the children's song.

When she finally put the instrument back in its case, he was guiltily relieved and tried not to show it.

"That truck must be sparkling by now."

"Huh?"

"You were out there forever," she joked as she joined him in the chair.

"Oh, heh, yeah. Just like new."

He averted his eyes, missing the quizzical look she gave him. He kissed her cheek and stood up.

"I'm gonna jump in the shower, okay?"

"Sure."

There was definitely something going on. She knew they needed to talk it out. If she had done something to upset him, she needed to know. The conversation might be awkward, but it was better than having this thing, whatever it was, between them.

Clay stood under the hot water feeling guilty. He hated not being 100% up front with Emma. But he rationalized that he was sparing her feelings. Still, his conscience pricked at him.

Both were mired in their separate thoughts when Clay's phone rang. Since he was in the shower, Emma picked it up. She recognized the number right away. Resigning herself that any discussion would need to wait, she went to tell Clay to hurry up. He needed to report to base.

The team was briefed in flight. A US scientist that was working with an international team to help identify and dismantle rogue nuclear weapons had been snatched. They didn't know his whereabouts yet. But he wasn't their target. His family, a wife and three children, were in country with him. They were in hiding, hoping to avoid being kidnapped and used as leverage to get the scientist to work for the terrorist regime. The CIA got a lead on their location and Bravo was going in to get them out. There was no way to communicate with the family that they were coming to get them to safety. And that they were to go with them, returning home without their husband/father.

Even under the cover of night, Bravo got to the family's alleged location without incident. A villager that had become friends with the family was hiding them in a dugout under his barn. Clay, being the only one to speak the local dialect, took point as they approached the farm. Bravo placed themselves strategically around the house and barn before Clay made their presence known. When he called out, the farmer appeared, hands raised. He was sure that the man was afraid that this was some sort of trap. When he was finally able to convince the man that they were who they said they were, he led them to a trap door under his barn floor. Clay and the farmer both descended the makeshift ladder. There, in the dark, was the scientist's family. The wife's eyes were wild with fear until Clay spoke.

"Ma'am, we're Americans, US Navy. We're here to get you and your children."

Still, she looked at him warily. He sat down his weapon and asked for a light. The farmer lit an oil lamp and the anemic glow shone over the underground lair. Clay tried again now that she could see his face and his uniform.

"Ma'am. We mean you no harm. We were sent get your family and return you to the States."

Finally, he could see her head nodding.

"I'm-I'm sorry. I…I just. I wasn't sure if anyone would ever…"

"It's okay ma'am. You and your children will be fine. My team is waiting topside to get you back to our base of operations, and then on a transport home."

He could see her eyes fill with tears.

"You are safe, but…we do need to hurry. We need to use as much of the darkness as we can for cover. Grab what you need, essentials only, and follow me."

She promptly complied, making sure the older children had on their shoes and put on their jackets. She picked up the baby and the one bag that held their meager supplies and then nodded that she was ready to go.

Clay called up to Ray and Bravo two's face hovered over the entrance.

"We're ready man. I'm gonna hand up the two older kids and then come on up with the mother and baby, okay?"

"You got it, Brother."

The little boy, who appeared to be the eldest, still Clay judged him to be only about eight, started toward the ladder. Clay picked him up and put him into the waiting arms of Ray. Next was the little girl. Sonny reached through the opening and took her from Clay's grasp. The infant and mother were last. Clay looped his weapon over his back and held out his arms for the baby. The mother carefully relinquished the sleeping bundle to him. He stepped back and motioned to her to precede him up the ladder. With one final glance at her child, she mounted the rungs. He carefully negotiated his way up out of the dugout, trying his best not to wake the infant. Once he was through the trap door, the baby's mother retrieved her little one.

Jason took over again, letting everyone know the plan. But the woman looked to Clay for reassurance.

"It's not too far. They'll carry the kids and I'll stay with you, okay?"

Before they started out, she knelt down next to the two older children. She admonished them to keep quiet and still. Telling them that no matter what happened they could trust these men and should listen and do what they were told. With that the group was off. They made fairly good time considering they were travelling by night and slowed their pace to accommodate their travelling companion. They made it back just as the sun started to creep over the horizon. Loading themselves and the small family into the trucks, they took off for the airstrip. They arrived at the dusty airfield and began to unload the trucks. TOC was packed up and ready to go.

As the group walked toward the plane, the team was still on alert, knowing that there could be snipers anywhere. Thankfully, no one dawdled. In fact, the woman hurried up the ramp into the belly of the plane. As soon as she was inside, Clay could see her looking around, scanning for a glimpse of something…or someone. Her shoulder slumped and the look on her face was heartbreaking as she approached Clay.

"Where's my husband? Is he coming soon?"

Clay cleared his throat and wished he didn't have to say what came out of his mouth next.

"Ma'am…our assignment was only to retrieve you and the children."

"What do you mean? Is another team rescuing him?"

"I don't know. I am only privy to the details of our mission."

Before she could say anymore, Davis stepped up and led her to a place she fixed for the children to lay down. She had even cleared out a plastic tote box and lined it with blankets where she could place the baby. After getting her children settled, she returned to Clay.

"Well…who does know? Who can tell me where my husband is?"

The answer to that was well above his paygrade. He walked her over to Jason and Blackburn.

"Master Chief Hayes and Lt. Commander Blackburn. They should be able to answer your questions."

He retreated to a seat near the children. For some reason he felt responsible to watch over them with their mother otherwise engaged. Watching the scene unfolding. He could tell the moment that she was informed that her husband wouldn't be coming home with them, at least not now. He saw her face crumble and her whole body shook with her sobs. It tore at his heart. He could see Davis and Blackburn leading her to a seat to get buckled in for takeoff.

As the plane took to the sky, the baby started to stir. She was startled by the loud noise and the unfamiliar surroundings. Being the closest, Clay reached over and lifted the infant into his arms. Not exactly sure what to do, he cradled her against his shoulder and rubbed her tiny back. She started to calm, but still shook with the occasional tremor. He wanted to get her back to sleep. Surely, that was the best thing for her. He started to hum the melody to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," without even being aware of it. That was until the baby stopped and turned her eyes up to him. Then he began to sing. He sang the lyrics through several times. The song seemed to lull her, and her eyes drooped as she slipped into slumber again. Clay laid her back in the makeshift cradle just as they leveled off and her mother returned. She checked on the baby and then addressed Clay.

"Thank you. Thank you for taking care of her…"

"Clay," he supplied.

"Thank you, Clay. I'm Jenyth and that's Josie," she gestured to the infant. "I appreciate you calming her."

"I didn't do much, just sang a little."

"That's perfect. She loves music. It always calms her when she's upset. John sings to her every night."

The last few words came out in a sob.

"I'm sorry…about your husband."

"Me too," she lowered her head sadly. "But he'll make it home somehow. I know he will."

She looked back up and offered a weak smile.

"Why don't you lie down and get some sleep? It's going to be a long flight."

She nodded her thanks and he left her to her rest.

Clay wondered toward his team and got his hammock hung. As he laid back and closed his eyes, he was struck by how consoling the music had been. How just a little tune, gave comfort and something familiar to an innocent little one when she needed it. He was so thankful that he was able to offer that small amount of solace to her as her world was torn apart around her. He knew that the song would never have come to mind if it wasn't for Emma and her relentless pursuit of perfection. He may have been able to manage a similar tune, but he would have butchered the lyrics for sure. He knew her field of study was important. But he never realized just how healing music could be until he got this firsthand glimpse. He owed her an apology about the way he had been acting and for not being honest with her. He was only paying lip-service to supporting her. That all would change at his first opportunity.

When Emma got home from class, Clay was there. She happily greeted him, receiving his kiss and embrace.

"I'm so happy you're home in one piece. How is everyone?"

"We're all good. How are things here?"

"Just the usual, school and work."

They sat down on the couch, and he pulled her into his arms.

"Well, there's nothing wrong with routine."

As they sat in silence, Emma remembered her resolve to talk through whatever she'd done to upset him. At the same moment, Clay wanted to come clean and ask for her forgiveness for his attitude.

"Em/Clay, I'm sorry," they said at the same time.

"What are you sorry for, Em? You haven't done anything."

"Well, I'm not sure what I did. But before you left…things weren't quite right between us. You were avoiding me some and I just thought…"

She sat up and shrugged her shoulders helplessly. Clay reached out and cupped her cheek.

"No, Emmie. You didn't do anything. It was me. I…well, I was acting like a jerk."

"No, no you…" she shook her head and started to reply, but he interrupted.

"Babe, I was. I know it and I need own it. I was…well, your practice on the guitar."

God, it sounded even worse as he said it out loud. He was mortified.

"The same song, over and over, it was…it was getting to me."

"I'm sorry. Why didn't you say something?"

"At first I told myself that it was to spare you. I didn't want to hurt your feelings. But, after this mission…I realized that I wasn't giving you enough credit for what you're doing."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"I know I've always said that I support you and that what you want to do is important."

She nodded vigorously in agreement.

"But…I-I wasn't treating it or you that way. I was getting annoyed by your practice instead of encouraging you like I should have been. There is no difference between you wanting to be able to master this to help your future students and me going to the range or to the gym to keep my skills sharp. I am truly sorry, Em. I'm sorry I wasn't truthful with you and I'm sorry that I was selfish. I'm going to do better. Do you forgive me?"

She sat there with wide eyes trying to take it all in.

"Of course, I forgive you. I didn't even think about how irritating it could be to hear me play that over and over again. I'm sor…"

"You don't have to apologize to me," he interrupted.

"Okay. But I could have been more thoughtful," Clay was shaking his head as she continued. "Now, that I know, I will try to do most of my practicing when you're on base. Deal?"

He crushed her to himself, pressing kisses into her hair.

"Thank you, Emmie. I love you so much."

"And I love you."

"So how is the song coming anyway?"

"I think I've finally got it down."

Clay released her, got up, and retrieved her guitar.

"Would you play for me?"

"You're not serious," she chuckled.

"I am. Would you play, and sing…please?"

Emma opened the case and got situated, starting to strum the chords. Clay sat back and listened to her, noting how each note, each beat was perfect. He closed his eyes and thought of baby Josie. He hoped that she was okay and that someday she would hear her father sing to her again.