Author note:

I hope you like this short bit of fluff. (see notes at end)

CH 123-Shark

Emma pulled into the parking lot of The Bulkhead and searched for an open spot. The place seemed particularly busy tonight. She looked around but didn't see Clay's truck. Shrugging her shoulders, she figured that he must have caught a ride and planned on taking her car home and picking up his truck on base later. She did continue to scan the spots to see if there were any vehicles she recognized. She didn't want to have to hang out by herself in the event that the team got delayed for some reason. She saw Sonny's motorcycle, with its "Don't Mess with Texas" sticker, and Brock's truck, complete with Cerb's kennel bolted to the bed. Knowing at least some of Bravo was there, she proceeded inside.

Walking through the door was a little strange for her. She knew this was the team's preferred hang out, but she had never been. She knew that the guys often needed to let off a little steam once they completed a mission. Many times, Clay begged off. She knew that was because she couldn't join him there. It always made her feel guilty that she was keeping him from his time with his brothers. He said it was no big deal and that he would rather spend his down time with her. But she suspected that he did miss the camaraderie of hanging out with the guys when lives weren't on the line. But, since her birthday, her age was no longer an issue. She could join Clay here and socialize with their friends and family. In fact, when Clay called her once they touched down from this latest Op. and told her that the team was heading to the local spot, but he would be on his way home, it was she that suggested joining him there. At first, he was surprised by her proposal. But then readily agreed to her idea.

The light was dim when the door shut behind her. She took a few steps inside and heard Sonny's Texan drawl cutting through the din. She spied him, Brock, Vic, and Trent over at a high top to her left. Smiling as he started to wave his arms around to better illustrate his point, she wove through the mass of people over to their location.

"Well, the bedroom door busts open, and then…then shit got real."

She approached the table and all heads turned. Vic was the first to greet her.

"Hi Emma."

"Hey there everyone."

"Uh, hey Princess. Blondie didn't mention you'd be joinin' us."

"I hope that's not a problem. Clay said to meet him here. But I don't see him anywhere."

"It ain't a problem. But Tinkerbell ain't here yet. He and Ray and Jace got held up back on base. Said fer us to come on without 'em."

Emma checked her phone for a text or anything indicating when Clay might be on his way.

"Well, I don' t have any messages from him. Maybe I better go and wait for him at home."

Sonny wrapped an arm around her shoulders to keep her in place.

"Whachya talkin' about? You can have a few drinks and wait here with us for Loverboy."

"If you're sure."

"A'course I am."

She took out her wallet and grabbed some bills.

"At least let me buy the next round."

"Put yer money away."

"But…"

"'Sides it's Vicky Martin's turn to pick up the tab." He turned to Bravo seven. "Lopez, go on an' get us all another drink."

"Thanks. I didn't mean to interrupt. What was that story you were telling?"

Brock choked on his drink and Trent barked out a laugh. Sonny sputtered a little and his ears turned red.

"I uh-I uh don't remember what I was sayin'."

Emma's look was dubious, and she had to laugh at his obvious discomfort. Vic showed up just then with their drinks and saved Sonny any more embarrassment. Wanting to let him off the hook, she started a new topic of conversation.

"Is it always this busy here?"

Trent spoke up.

"Not usually. But Fridays are always a little busier. Lots of Townies show up."

Emma nodded her head and took a sip of her beer.

"Vic is Maria joining us tonight," she asked, referring to his girlfriend.

"Nah., she has to work tonight."

"Oh. That stinks."

"Yea. She opens tomorrow too. I probably won't get to see her until tomorrow night."

"Well, for what it's worth…I really like her."

His cheeks heated up a little as he answered.

"Me too."

"Anyone know if Naima's coming later?"

"Ray didn't say nothin'."

"Maybe I should take off then. I don't want to cramp anyone's style."

She looked pointedly at Sonny.

"Ya ain't crampin' nothin.' Pickins are a little slim tonight anyways."

Emma looked around and saw just a few ladies in the place. Most seemed to already be with someone. There were plenty of men, many sailors, and even some other team guys. No wonder the frog hogs hung out here, she thought to herself.

They continued visiting while they worked on their drinks. The guys were soon ready for shots. Emma still nursed her bottle of beer. Not knowing if she would need to drive home, she didn't want to overindulge. After the second round of shots Brock noticed that the pool table was free and suggested a game. They apparently weren't the only ones with the same idea. Just as Trent reached for a cue, another hand grasped the same one.

"Hey! I think we were here first."

They all turned to look at the foursome standing in front of them. They guys were big, but clearly not Navy. And also, not very smart if they were willing to challenge for a simple game of pool. Sonny stepped forward, ready to respond when Emma laid a hand on his arm. He checked himself. He didn't want things to get physical and possibly get Emma hurt. So, he stood down. But he didn't completely let it go.

"Wait! I got a idea. How's about a little wager?"

"I'm listening."

"How about me and this pretty, young lady here take on two a ya? Winner gets the table for the night and loser pays everyone's tab?"

Emma startled breath was audible. Even his brothers looked surprised. The big man in front of them raked over her with his gaze and leered.

"You got it."

He turned back to his companions, and they started to discuss who would be teaming up to take on Sonny and Emma.

"Sonny! What are you doing?"

"Relax Princess. You and me both know we got nothin' to worry about."

Sonny knew what most others didn't, Emma was a dab hand at pool. He and Jason taught her when she was little. They would take her with them to the base Rec Hall. When she was big enough to hold a cue, they taught her the basics and she took to it like a fish to water.

"It's been ages since I've played. I'm waaaay out of practice."

"Thet don't matter. It'll all come back to ya real quick. And don't tell me ya wouldn't like to kick their asses."

She looked over at their potential opposition, laughing and commenting on "the little girl." She thought for just a moment before agreeing.

"Alright, but I don't know how good I'll be,"

"C'mon. Ya know ya still got it."

Vic spoke up then. He was on the hook for the tab. He hadn't planned on paying for this crew too.

"Uh…are you sure about this, Sonny?"

"Relax Lopez. Emma here's our secret weapon."

The guys watched Emma's countenance change from a hopeful smile, to all business. She lifted her drink and finished the contents. Then she grabbed her hair and twisted it up, tucking it out of the way before striding over with purpose to select a cue. She choose a couple out of the rack attached to the wall and weighed them in her hand. Then she took a long look down the length of each before making her selection and placing the other back on the wall. Turning, she and Sonny approached the table where their competitors awaited.

"Wanna flip fer who gets to break?"

"No need," the largest man answered and then gestured to Emma. "Ladies first."

Nodding, Emma racked the balls and then chalked her cue. She bent over the felt, laying her delicate fingers out to cradle the tip and then took a firm grip on the wrap before taking aim.

Clay rode with Jason over to the bar. He knew that they were late and hoped Emma wasn't pissed about having to wait for him. When Harrington called him, Jason, and Ray into his office to get some more details around a couple statements in the teams' AARs, he'd had no choice. And there was no way to contact her to let her know what was going on. He tried calling her now, but it went to voice mail after a few rings.

"Shit."

"Something wrong?"

"I'm not sure. Em's not answering her phone."

"I wouldn't worry about it. You know how loud it can get. Especially if Sonny's talking. She probably can't hear."

"I hope that's all it is."

They pulled into the parking lot and found a spot. Jason nodded towards Emma's car.

"Her car is still here so at least she didn't get mad and leave."

"I just hope she's not in there plotting her revenge."

Jason chuckled at Clay's uncertainty as they opened the door and stepped inside. They didn't see the team or Emma at first. He was about to question Jason when his eye was drawn over to the pool table. Emma was there with the rest of the team. She and Sonny were paying particularly close attention to the man trying to make the next shot. His aim was off, and he failed to sink the ball. Clay watched Emma and Sonny consult briefly before she leaned over the table, cue in hand. He walked closer and observed quietly. He didn't want to break her concentration. As she lined up her shot, she wiggled a little in place to be sure of her footing. His eyes were trained on her pleasantly curved ass as she moved slightly from side to side.

"Eyes up, asshole," Sonny growled.

Clay flinched, thinking he'd been caught. But he noticed Bravo three's glare was not aimed at him, but rather at a man he didn't recognize that was openly ogling Emma's body. His fist tightened around the bottle in his hand, and his scowl joined that of his brothers as they advised their competitors to remember their manners. Emma quietly, and expertly, put the ball in the corner pocket, ignoring the commotion. As she stood up, she finally looked around and saw her dad and Clay standing there.

"Hey, Em. Sorry we're late."

She turned and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi. Everything okay?"

"Yea. It's all fine. Just a few questions we needed to answer. What's ah, what's goin on here?"

Before she could answer, Jason bent to give her a hug. Then Sonny was calling her back for the rest of her turn. Jason chuckled at the confused look on Clay's face.

"Haven't you and Emma ever played pool before?"

"Not really. We messed around a couple times at McGuffey's, but nothing serious. Why?"

Ray, who finally arrived, whispered an explanation.

"If you ever do, make sure you're on her team."

"Why's that?"

"She plays like an expert, has since she was little."

His eyes widened in understanding as the words registered and he watched her sink another ball. She stepped back to let Sonny have his shot. When the Texan barely missed, the other team hooted and took over. Able to make just one shot, the table was turned back over to Emma. Clay watched in awe as she focused all her concentration on the table in front of her. She walked around, gauging the possible shots and angles before settling on her approach. Once again, Clay watched her bend over the table, the shaft of the cue held firmly in her grip as she licked her lips and then took her shot. He would be lying if he said that the situation didn't have him a little aroused. Then in quick succession, she sunk the final two balls to claim Bravo's victory. She grinned as Sonny began to gloat and started to order shots for everyone.

Emma replaced her cue stick and found her way over to Clay's side.

"You wanna tell me what that was all about now?"

"Well, we were going to play a game or two while we waited for you and Dad and Ray. But those guys decided that it was their turn instead. Sonny made a bet that we could beat them. Winner got the table, and the loser has to pick up the tab."

"And he knew that you would be his ace in the hole."

"Something like that."

"I was a little surprised. You never told me you could play."

"It just never came up."

He sat down his beer and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

"I gotta say, watching you like that. It was definitely hot."

She wound her arms around his neck as she answered.

"It was?"

"Oh yea. My Baby's a shark."

She started to laugh, but he placed a hand behind her neck and began to nibble at her lips.

"You better wait until we're home for that. I'm pretty sure Dad and everyone else is waiting for us."

He groaned and pressed one more kiss to her waiting mouth. They walked over to join the team. Clay grabbed a shot and Emma, another beer. Sonny raised his glass.

"To Emma."

"Emma," they all answered.

She blushed at the acknowledgment. Thankfully, everyone's attention quickly turned elsewhere. Brock and Trent started a new game while everyone else heckled. Thanks to their win, the drinks flowed freely. She, Ray, and Vic switched over to water to make sure that there were enough drivers to get everyone home safely. After a few more games, Sonny convinced Clay to take him on.

"What's wrong there, Blonde Ambition? Intimidated by my skills?"

"Not at all, Sonny. I've seen you play before. We all know that Em's the reason you won earlier."

"It wasn't all her. 'Sides, if yer worried, maybe ya can get her to show you some of her moves."

"Oh, I'm going to for sure."

He winked at her and she hoped that no one else was paying enough attention to catch his innuendo.

The evening was really fun. She enjoyed herself and got to see a side of the guys she didn't usually. There were still a few red faces and mumbled apologies after off-color stories or comments. She tried to tell them that it wasn't necessary. They shouldn't act any differently due to her presence. She really wanted them to think of her of her as just Clay's girlfriend. But she knew that was going to take some time.

They didn't wait too late to head home. They both wanted to be alone. So, after their goodbyes, they walked out to Emma's car. Clay was fine to drive so she passed him the keys.

"Did you have a good time, Em?"

"I did. It's definitely different than hanging out with them at Dad's or Ray's though."

"For sure. Think you'll join us again?"

"Sometimes, sure. I don't want to wear out my welcome."

"That would never happen."

"I know that you need your time with just the guys. Maybe if Maria or Naima can come, I'll tag along."

"You can come anytime you like."

"Well, we'll see."

"It was hard for me to keep my hands to myself all night. Especially watching you kick ass at pool."

"Really?"

"I told you it was sexy."

She smiled wickedly and bit her lip.

"How about we go upstairs, and you can show me how sexy."

"You read my mind."

*This was inspired by an IG post from Kerri that showed her playing pool.*