Exes and Jealousy-Chapter 1- Jealous Mandy
Couple chapters of Mandy and Jason running into some exes and encountering people flirting with them while they're together. Hope you like it!
The last seven months had been an interesting timeline for Jason. He had come back from deployment. He had been a part of taking down Al-Hazred Junior. Clay left for his new job. Ray had left to take up his position as warrant officer and still trying to adjust to the change. The team had gotten some new members. Everyone was figuring out their new roles in this new way of life. Even Jason questioned and thought about what the future had in store.
The biggest change though was being "all in", not just with Bravo team, but with his girlfriend as well. Mandy and he had started something overseas and followed through continuing it once they were back home. Mandy had somewhat come back to working with the team often at the request of Lisa and some influence from Blackburn. Their relationship wasn't always smooth sailing, but they worked through it and communicated as well as they could. Mandy listened to him and helped him in her subtle ways. He returned the favor to her as well.
Things were stable and dare he say it, good, in his life. The kids had taken to Mandy. Mandy didn't overstep and try to take over their lives and acted more like their friend and supporter in whatever they were up to. Although he talked to her more about what was going on in his mind, she convinced him to continue seeing a therapist. She said he needed someone outside to help him work through it all and who wasn't biased. He agreed even though he knew that Mandy never let him run and called him out when she thought he needed to.
Jason had gone for a run. They had come back from an op three days ago. It was a nice day outside and Mandy was tied up that morning in meetings regarding their recent mission. She was supposed to work a half day. They had made tentative plans to catch up with the team later.
As Jason opened the door to his apartment, he noticed Mandy's shoes and purse by the doorway. He smiled thinking about how Mandy had made herself at home at his place and in his life. They'd always tip toed around each other over the years but now nothing was in their way to be together.
"Jason," Mandy called out as she walked out of his bathroom. She had already changed from her professional clothes to jeans and one of his t-shirts knotted at her hip.
"Hey," Jason smiled walking up to her and pulling her into kiss.
"You need to shower," Mandy said in between kisses as Jason walked her back towards his bathroom. "We need groceries too," Mandy added distractedly.
"You could join me," Jason chuckled lifting her up onto the vanity and standing in between her legs. "You were gone before I got up this morning," Jason murmured into her neck.
"Wanted to get a head start," Mandy sighed as they both started stripping each other's clothes off. "Shower first, groceries later," Mandy said as she wrapped her legs around Jason's waist.
Jason chuckled as he led them into the shower.
Later that afternoon, Mandy managed to drag Jason out of his apartment to do some grocery shopping. She knew that last mission had taken a lot out of all of them. She would've loved to sit and relax with Jason but unfortunately her job didn't just stop. There was all the aftermath of every successful, and not successful, mission meetings she had to go through when she was back stateside. After all, once she wraps up the paperwork on the op finished it's off to the next.
It was Friday however, and she had the weekend off, fingers crossed her phone didn't go off with an emergency. So, she had plans to spend it with Jason and friends. Emma and Mikey were coming by for the weekend too. The apartment barely had any food when they got back from the last op. The two of them had been eating take out the last couple of days. So here they were at the grocery store.
"Okay, what do we need," Mandy said out loud looking at the list she had made.
"Food," Jason replied smartly behind Mandy.
Mandy gave him a look, "All brawn and no brain."
"Pretty sure I used my brawn AND brain just a couple hours ago with you," Jason smirked.
Mandy glanced down his body and back at him with a smirk, "Maybe brawn but definitely not your brain."
"You weren't complaining," Jason smirked again as he caged her against the handlebar of the cart.
"Nope, no Hayes charm on this one," Mandy said shoving a laughing Jason away. "Okay, we need a plan here."
"It's not an op, Mandy," Jason chuckled tossing an apple in the air.
"What, beneath Bravo one's pay grade," Mandy smiled as she moved the cart towards some vegetables. She tried to eat healthy sometimes, key word being tried. "You can walk into the battlefield where bullets are flying, and bombs are going off but you're afraid of a little grocery shopping."
"It's gonna be a nice weekend. We can grill. I think Emma is on a vegetarian kick," Jason replied.
"You go to the meats and I'll grab a couple things in the aisles for Emma and Mikey," Mandy said pushing the cart.
"Divide and conquer," Jason commented. "Anything else ma'am?"
"Don't ever call me ma'am," Mandy replied seriously. "But General, Admiral, or Commander work."
Jason laughed and leaned in for a quick kiss, "I'll go pick out some stuff to grill."
"I'm gonna grab some favorites of Emma and Mikey," Mandy replied thoughtfully.
Jason paused and looked at her as she went over her list again. He pulled her in and gave her a deep kiss, "I love you."
"I love you too. You okay?" Mandy asked trying to get a read on him through his eyes.
"I'm great. Thank you for thinking about the kids," Jason said.
"Well they're a part of you so why wouldn't I care?" Mandy asked.
"You're the best," Jason replied as he walked to the meat section.
"I know," Mandy replied cockily as she heard Jason laugh.
Jason had been looking through the meats for a few minutes trying to decide what to buy. Mandy had mentioned that Emma was still on her vegetarian kick. He was trying to decide how much to buy as well figuring he'd be called out on an op again sooner rather than later.
"Thought I turned you," a voice spoke from behind Jason.
Jason was startled a little at the sudden presence. He turned around to come face to face with Natalie.
"What?" Jason asked.
"Thought you'd switch from meat to the meat substitute," Natalie replied looking at the steaks in his hand. "You said they weren't that bad."
"But nothing beats steak," Jason replied. "Old habits die hard."
"Yeah," Natalie said regarding him. "Heard you got back a few months ago from deployment."
"Yep, been back," Jason replied awkwardly. He wasn't quite sure how to react. Here was his ex-girlfriend in the grocery store while his current girlfriend was elsewhere. Talk about worlds colliding. On one hand, Mandy wasn't a stranger to Natalie per say but it still made everything awkward. "How you been?" Jason asked.
"Good. How about you? You look… good," Natalie replied. She meant it too. When he had left for deployment, he had broken up with her and was a mess. Though he still looked like he had demons to battle, he seemed a little less tense and seemed a little more relaxed. His eyes shined a little brighter than before.
"Thanks," Jason chuckled. "I'm doing good actually. Just doing a little grocery shopping. Kids are coming by this weekend."
Natalie glanced in his cart, "Fruits and vegetables?"
"Yeah," Jason said with a smile. "Gotta try to eat healthy once in a while."
"Hey, listen, if you're-," Natalie began before she was interrupted.
"So, I got some of Emma and Mikey's favorite snacks, but we should swing by the bakery and get some desserts," Mandy said walking towards Jason but reading something on her phone. "Also, Emma says she's done being vegetarian," Mandy said looking up and then stopping next to Jason. "Natalie, how are you?"
"Good, how about you," Natalie replied looking at Mandy and then back at Jason.
"I'm doing good," Mandy replied.
For a living, Mandy sits in a room with some of the worst people in the universe. Was she intimidated by them? Maybe. Sometimes. Most of the time she had control and knew she could break them. She'd put target packages together and despite telling Jason that she would get chills before an op, she was still filled with confidence that the guys would get the job done. This was different. Here she was with Jason and his ex-girlfriend. The one he tried to be "all in" with. This was the first woman after Alana he dated seriously before Mandy. She knew Jason and she were serious. He loved her. He never told Natalie that, but a small part of her still felt insecure.
Jason knew Mandy well. On the outside, Mandy was cool, calm, and collected. He could also see the brief flash of insecurity go through her eyes when she saw Natalie. The two of them had been through a lot in there lives and tended to think the other shoe was about to drop. On one hand, it had been Mandy that told him you had to either be "all in" the relationship or not be in a relationship at all. He had taken her advice to heart and went "all in" with Natalie, or at least tried to. He knew Mandy and he had a complicated on again off again past. Then everything happened in Afghanistan and they fell back in bed together except this time they decided to commit to each other.
Mandy understood him in a way that no one else had. She understood his commitment to the team and the demons he faced. At the same time, he wanted to do better by her. They helped each other through the dark patches of lives they had chosen to live.
"That's good," Natalie replied looking at the two of them. She saw how Jason reach out to put a hand on her lower back. Even though the situation was awkward, he relaxed even more within Mandy's presence. She remembered meeting Mandy a couple times while with Jason. She wasn't blind to the connection those two shared, but Mandy seemed to mind her own. They both seemed to have darkness hanging over them that they were constantly battling. She remembered the way Mandy regarded her when they first met. Mandy's eyes were assessing her like prey almost. Mandy had said she worked for the State Department, but Natalie always got the feeling it was more than that. Any time she had tried to get any information on Mandy, the team easily switched topics. Despite Mandy's cold exterior, it was clear the team was protective of her like she was one of their own, which made Natalie think Mandy's job was more than she said. Sure, the team had accepted Natalie, but that group was a tight family that held things close to the vest. It seemed Mandy was well connected to Jason's kids than she ever was too.
"Well, it was nice seeing you," Jason said trying to wrap up the awkward moment.
"Yeah, nice seeing you too," Natalie replied as Mandy nodded in return and the couple walked off.
Mandy and Jason grabbed the last few items and checked out. They loaded the truck and talked about miscellaneous topics. They got back to Jason's apartment and put the shopping away.
Jason suddenly grabbed Mandy, who let out shriek, and put her on the counter while giving her a passionate kiss taking both their breaths away. Jason pulled pack and put his forehead against hers.
"All in," he said softly. "You, I'm all in."
"I know," Mandy sighed. "So am I."
Both of their phones buzzed, and they groaned hoping it wasn't an op.
"It's just Ray asking about tonight," Jason sighed in relief.
"Yeah, Naima texted me as well," Mandy said putting her phone down and arms around Jason's neck. "We have a couple hours to spare. What should we do," Mandy said seductively.
"I'm sure we could come up with something," Jason replied picking her up and walking towards the bed.
Mandy and Jason managed to pull away from each other to make it out to the local bar hangout with the rest of the gang. Both current and former Bravo team members had taken up a small corner of the bar laughing and having a good time. A girls versus boys pool game had begun.
"Ohhhh," the guys exclaimed as Jason sunk the second to last striped ball.
"Your turn," Jason said looking up at Mandy with his smoldering Hayes smirk.
Mandy looked at pool table to assess the situation. She needed to get one of the solid colored balls in, but it was right next to the last striped ball which was at the corner of the table by one of the pockets. The eight ball was still out there, and she couldn't sink that one or the girls would lose. She looked at the cue ball and walked behind it to get a view of what her options were.
Looking at Mandy, he could see her doing a complicated calculus equation in that big brain of hers. Most didn't know but Mandy was the brainy type. She was always reading different things and sprouting off random facts. It was something he learned about her over the last few months and he loved it about her. She hid that part of her away from everyone. Most only got to see the cool cunning personality of a CIA agent or interrogator.
"C'mon Mandy! It's not a math equation. Take a shot!" Jason called out.
Mandy smirked, "Okay then but my calculation, I got this."
Mandy got behind the cue ball and angled her stick accordingly. She took a deep breath and then looked straight at Jason as she hit the cue ball. The cue ball hit one side then angled towards another and then hit her solid ball just enough to go into the pocket, while watching the eight-ball shake just barely from falling in.
"Woohoo," the girls shouted while the guys all stared in awe.
"How'd you-," Sonny asked looking at the table and walking around to where Mandy was trying to figure it out.
"Just some simple math," Mandy said walking up to Jason and taking a sip of his drink.
"That is one scary brain you got going on there," Ray chuckled. "What are you doing with this guy?" Ray chuckled as Jason lightly shoved him.
"Want another drink?" Jason asked as Mandy nodded yes back. "Gin and tonic?"
"You know me so well," Mandy replied with a quick kiss.
"Anyone else want another round?" Jason called out and then went to the bar to order. The bartender came over to Jason, "Hey, another round of the usuals for our group over there."
"Sure, no problem," the bartender nodded.
Jason leaned against the bar and glanced over to the group. He caught Mandy mid laugh with her head thrown back at whatever Sonny was entertaining the group with. He smiled watching her with everyone. She was carefree and didn't have a worry in the world and he felt the same too. Suddenly someone slid up next to him at the bar. Jason turned away and saw it was a blonde woman.
"Hey there sailor," the blonde greeted him.
"Hello," Jason replied. He knew these types. They crawled around the bar looking for guys in uniform to take them home. He at one point after everything with Alana had dipped into the pool of taking some of these types home. He wasn't blind to the attention women gave him.
"What's a good-looking guy like you doing all alone at the bar?" the blonde asked.
"Just hanging out with some friends," Jason replied looking down the bar hoping the bartender was almost done with his drinks.
Back at the pool table Trent spoke up, "Looks like boss has fan."
The guys chuckled as they all looked over to see the blonde flirting with him and their leader looking like an animal trapped in a cage with no way out.
"But his heart is quite taken," Ray threw in looking at Mandy whose steely eyes were watching the blonde like a hawk. She knew Jason attracted the attention of many women. She also knew he didn't pay much attention back and loved her. It still didn't stop a little jealousy from occurring seeing as they'd already run into Natalie during the afternoon.
"She's got nothing on you Mandy," Brock chimed in.
"You okay?" Ray asked seeing the intense stare Mandy was doing towards the bar.
"What?" Mandy asked somewhat flustered as she turned to Ray. "Yeah, I'm good."
Ray raised his eyebrows as the rest of the team subtly kept themselves busy from saying anything. It wasn't often they saw Mandy break her cool persona unless it was around Jason.
"Okay, you know he'd in love with you and nothing is going to change that," Ray stated.
"I know," Mandy said. "This day is just testing me."
"What?" Ray asked confused.
"We ran into Natalie while grocery shopping this afternoon. And before you ask, it was as awkward as you thought it was," Mandy replied.
"Okay but that still doesn't change anything," Ray stated. "So, are you going to let him continue to suffer or save him? Jealous?" Ray chuckled.
Mandy looked over and saw the blonde put her hand on Jason's arm and figured enough was enough already. Jason was hers and she was his. Mandy got off her stool confidently started walking across the bar towards Jason.
Once she got to Jason she slid in front of the blonde. She put one hand behind his neck and the other on his chest as she pulled Jason in for a deep passionate kiss.
Jason was momentarily caught off guard as Mandy appeared before him and suddenly her lips were on his. For a second, he didn't react and then he had his hands on her hips while kissing her back just as passionately. The blonde scoffed and left the bar in search of another.
"Mmmm," Jason hummed as they kissed and then broke away from Mandy so they could catch their breath. "Jealousy looks good on you," Jason smiled as he pulled her even closer.
"Just gotta claim what's mine," Mandy said looking into his eyes possessively.
"Oh, I'm yours. I'll prove it to you tonight. Again," Jason smirked as their drinks were placed on the counter.
"You better," Mandy replied as she helped him carry the drinks back over to the group.
"How about that show?" Trent muttered as the others tried to hide their smiles at the display of affection at the bar.
"First though, I'm gonna beat you at pool," Mandy smiling sweetly at Jason.
"Oh, it's on," Jason replied laughing.
They finished the pool game and Mandy came through again with an amazing shot for the win. At the end of the night, they went home with each other and showed each other how much the loved the other.