AN: We're back!

Greetings, all! I wrote this short tag after watching 4x01/4x02, because of feels. Slight SPOILERS if you've yet to watch those episodes.

Also, this is for my virtual pen pal hfish7. Thanks for talking to me about the show (and life) each week. :)

Enjoy!

God of War

It wasn't the first time that happened, Cerberus whining, sitting, acting out of character while on an op. Others had surely noticed something was amiss with him since they dropped in J-Bad, but it was Thirty's comment about Bravo's canine being "skittish" as they climbed the frozen mountain side that nearly gave Brock pause.

Truth was, Brock was well aware that Cerb's time as a working dog was coming to an end, maybe sooner rather than later. Even before he talked to Jason, told him it was on him as Cerb's handler to know when the dog had finally had enough, he knew. Cerberus was his third dog, and dammit he was the best dog he ever had the pleasure to operate with, so watching his partner near the end of this chapter in life was hard. Brock had to rely on his years of handling working dogs as a SEAL, apply that knowledge to his time with Cerb, and make a decision based on those facts. And because the Hair Missile was unable to verbally tell Bravo Five when enough was enough, it was on Brock to know those signs.

In the back of his mind, he hoped Cerberus would last through this deployment. Then they would get back to Va. Beach and Brock would have time to do a thorough evaluation of his dog, go through the proper channels, and decide how to proceed going forward.

All they had to do was survive.

#

As soon as the gunshots and mortars popped and landed, Brock quickly dialed in, just as he was trained to do at a moments notice. But no sooner than when the fighting began, Cerberus pulled at the leash that was secured to his waist, and the quick release trigger gave way under the weight of the Malinois' pull.

Brock raced after a barking Cerberus without a second thought. He ignored Thirty's question as to where he was going and pressed forward, faster, after his canine partner. As a sailor, a Tier One Operator, he knew better than to run into any situation blind. He also knew there was no way in heaven or earth or anywhere in between that he'd leave Cerberus alone in the middle of a battle, so he followed without hesitation.

Bravo Five heard the whistle of artillery fire before the device struck the frozen ground, but he was not quick enough to get out of its path as the mortar landed mere feet in front of him. Dirt, rocks, snow and dead tree branches exploded in the spot where he would have been in less than a second.

War, similar to some aspects of life, could happen fast. Or it could happen very, very slowly. Between the time he was knocked off his feet and the time his body connected with the ground, two thoughts crossed Brock's mind at the same time.

He thought about Cerberus, lost in the mountains, alone and cold and scared. He thought about his dog, who was standing at the edge of his military career, and wondered if he should have pulled the plug sooner. Maybe if he had, they wouldn't be where they are. Life was full of maybes, and after this, Brock was going to question every single one.

He thought about his brothers. His family. Bravo Team. What if one of them was hurt because he went after Cerberus, who only ran away because of the battle they were currently fighting? What if, what if, what if… those were almost as bad as the maybes. Brock was sure he'd never be able to live with himself if something happened to Cerberus or his brothers because of choices he did or did not make.

He wondered, just for a second, how things would have turned out if he just left Cerberus at the base.

Brock hit the ground and blacked out before he could think of an answer.

#

He awoke to the feeling of a slight pressure against his side. When the pressure increased, he couldn't help but let out a groan in protest. Brock tried to push the pain, and the hands causing him discomfort, but someone grabbed his arm and prevented him from getting very far.

"... 'nd let me see," said Trent.

Brock, after finally getting his eyes to focus, noticed Bravo Four leaning over his right side. From what he could tell from his position on the ground, the rest of his team were still engaging with the enemy, if the mortar fire and bullets whizzing by at their current pos were any indicator. "Where's Cerberus?" he asked once the memories came flooding back and the ringing in his ears faded.

Trent remained silent and continued to work.

"Trent?" asked Brock and he steeled himself for the worst.

Instead of getting an answer to the question he asked, Trent replied with a series of questions of his own. How's your breathing? Does this hurt? How many fingers am I holding up? Where are we? All of it in rapid succession. Brock insisted he was fine.

"Four, what's his status?" Ray soon asked over the radio.

Brock shifted slightly as Trent looked at him.

"Bravo Five is good," said Trent.

Brock grabbed his weapon and got back in the fight, pushing to the back of his mind how he felt anything but good.

#

He lost Cerberus because of his decision.

They lost Jason because he lost Cerberus.

It was his fault. There was no way to sugar-coat it, argue any facts or dispute other claims. Cerberus was stabbed. Jason was blown off the side of a mountain. Two of his teammates were injured because of him, because of the choices he did and did not make. If he had stayed around his brothers any longer, they would have surely tried to prove otherwise. But there was no other way to look at it.

Cerberus could have died.

Jason could have died.

And it was Brock's fault.

After Jason carefully, so very carefully, handed the injured canine over to Brock, Bravo Five finally felt like he could breathe a little bit better. As he held his shaking and whining dog tight against his aching body, as he tried and failed to ignore the amount of blood that coated Cerb's fur and gear, Brock couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. All actions have consequences, and now others are paying the price. What's to say a choice he makes down the line won't end up with the team coming home with a flag draped coffin?

It was a long ride from J-Bad back to the states. It took time for the vet to patch Cerberus, which gave Brock time to tend to his own minor wounds. Cuts and bruises that will heal quickly are nothing compared to what Jason and Cerberus have to face. And had that mortar landed just a little bit closer to where he was? Cerberus could be retired for more than medical reasons.

Eventually, after a lot of time and care, the Hair Missile was cleared for duty. Brock was pleased to inform the team, but they all knew that, although their dog was physically cleared, mentally speaking was another story. Post-traumatic stress in animals was a tricky subject. They had to rely on their human handlers, and sometimes other human teammates, to pick up on the signs as to when it is time to hang up their vest.

Trent brought up how Cerberus spooked on the mountain and in J-Bad. Sonny questioned the many times Brock ran Cerberus though drill after drill after drill, though the answer was obvious. Ray mentioned how Cerberus' three years were similar to 21 years for Bravo. And Jason, ever the leader, pointed out that Cerberus was born to fight. But it was time for their dog to just be a dog.

Brock, deep down, knew all of the things his brothers said were true to some degree. Hearing it, however, only reaffirmed the decision he had to make going forward. It was the most important choice he could make for his best friend, even though he knew their time together as partners was over.

He wasn't ready to see his partner go, but thankfully this wasn't goodbye. If Cerberus had died on that mountain, he never would have gotten that chance. At least this way Cerb gets to relax and be himself now that his job was complete.

AN: First things first: WE GOT REAL LIVE ACTUAL BROCK REYNOLDS WHUMP ON OUR SCREENS! It was very little but I'm not going to nitpick. Though, I gotta say, I was hi-key scared they were going to kill him off when that mortar hit. I mean, other than Cerb's injury, I thought that'd be the reason why the Hair Missile would end up leaving, because his handler was dead *panic mode* but nope. I'm looking forward to seeing Pepper on the show and how Bravo warms up to having a new canine teammate.

It's shaping up to be an amazing season! Feel free to drop your thoughts in my PM, I'd love to talk to y'all about the show :)