Little Buddy – Sonny Quinn
It was official Sonny hated rainforests and all that they contained, and he especially hated the humidity and rain.
Bravo had trekked through the Mizoram-Manipur-Kachin Rainforest which joined India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar (Burma) together. They had remained within Myanmar for the duration of their trek after they were tasked with rescuing an American family; two adults and one small child – Adam and Maya, and their four year old son Benji. They had been caught up in the civil unrest and terrorised by the rebel forces who hated any and all foreigners, even those helping their own people. What made this family different was that they were friends of a high ranking General and therefore Bravo had been tasked to collect them.
The village where they lived was deep in the rain forest which seemed like a weird place to live but that was not any of Bravo's concern about their choices. It took Bravo just over two days to reach it on foot as there was no other way in if they wanted to keep their presence a secret. What greeted them was not what they expected at all, and not at all in line with the intel they had received. The acrid smell of the remains of the village choked them and the smouldering ashes provided a haunting glow to the desecration that had occurred.
"Heads on a swivel." Jason cautioned over the COMMS as they stood at the edge of the clearing looking over the devastated village that the rebels had already been through having destroyed almost everything in their path. Jason stepped over the body of a local who had deep wounds to his body from what looked to be a machete or some other similar bladed weapon. "Bravo 1 to Havoc, be advised we have reached the village and the rebels have been through it. Proceeding to search for survivors." He signalled for everyone to spread out in pairs as they moved deeper into the village with their weapons raised.
"Bravo 3 to HAVOC, please confirm which residence again." Sonny advanced forward into the village, cringing as he stepped into a pool of blood that was still sticky before he continued forward seeing that there was at least a few huts still standing although not as many as there should have been.
"HAVOC to Bravo 3, should be the fifth one from where you entered the village." Lisa's voice came over the COMMS, and Sonny looked over at Clay before they both counted the burn patterns where huts had clearly been as there were charred belongings scattered within the ashes. The first three huts were gone but the next three were in tact then the rest were also in piles of ashes. "Six, with me." Sonny nodded at Clay who was already moving towards him as they moved towards the house that should have been the family's knowing the rest of the team was moving through and clearing the rest of the huts that were left standing as well as keeping watch to make sure that there were no rebels who had stayed just in case anyone came by.
Sonny rushed the hut kicking the door open to make his way in before he stopped short at the sight that greeted him. "Shit!" Sonny exclaimed sharply which had Clay's attention as they lowered their weapons. In the far corner of the small open plan hut was little brown haired hazel eyed Benji who was curled up as tightly as he could staring up at them wide eyed and whimpering with a small soft toy teddy bear clutched to his chest. "Hey there little buddy. My name is Sonny and that right there is my friend Clay." Sonny handed his gun off to Clay before he took a few steps closer then stopped as he could see that it was only frightening the young child more so he knelt down and tried to make himself look as unintimidating as he possibly could. He tuned Clay out as he heard him advise the team and HAVOC that they had Benji but there was no sign of the parents. "I'm not going to hurt you Benji, I just want to take you home." He kept his voice as soft as he could.
Clay stood poised and ready for action as he looked out from the doorway of the hut while Sonny worked to coax Benji out of the corner or at least get himself close enough to pick him up and carry him out. Clay had not missed the hand shaped dark bruise that took up almost all of Benji's left cheek, and Clay knew that the child must have been backhanded hard by someone.
"Bravo 2 to Bravo 6, any sign of the parents?" Ray asked as he and Jason moved along the open clearing that ran behind the huts.
"Negative Bravo 2, only the child." Clay replied sparing a glance over his shoulder at Sonny.
"Bravo 4 to 1 and 2. Going to need you over here. We found all of them." There was something in Trent's voice that was daunting. The fact that Trent had said 'all' meant it was not just the parents that he, Brock and Cerb had found.
Ray and Jason spared a look at each other before they signalled that they were on their way. It took less than a minute for the two of them to jog across the village and they both halted at what they were seeing but it explained the vile smell that had permeated the air. There were several charred bodies that were unrecognisable but it was clear to see given the damage to the charred remains that they had suffered horrendous deaths even before the burning took place in a pile. Jason turned away to report it into HAVOC knowing that they had no way to identify the bodies of Adam and Maya nor did they have the means to transport all of the bodies back in order to bring the two of them home.
Sonny swallowed softly as he edged closer to Benji who at least was not trying to scramble back further into the corner. "See this little buddy." Sonny tapped the American flag that bore the Bravo team insignia within it on his vest receiving a timid nod from Benji. "Well, I came all the way from the United States so I could get you home, look I even have a photo of you to help me find you." He produced the picture that they had been given from one of his pockets and held it out to Benji whose little eyes became glassy and the tears fell silently down his dirty cheeks leaving tracks as they dripped down onto his teddy bear.
"Three, we need to go!" Clay called back over his shoulder knowing that the longer they stayed the riskier it was, hating that he had to push Sonny to hurry up especially given how frightened the young boy was.
Benji looked from the flag insignia to Sonny's eyes a couple of times before he suddenly pushed out of his huddle and flung himself at Sonny sobbing softly.
Sonny wrapped his arms around the shaking frame of Benji once he recovered from the sudden hard impact and lifted him off of the ground. Sonny grunted and coughed slightly as the boy's head collided hard with Sonny's windpipe as he drilled his face into his neck. "It's okay little buddy. You are okay. I've got you." Sonny softened his voice as much as he could and let his Texan drawl come through deeply as one of his large hands rubbed Benji's back hoping to calm him down. He stood up and turned round looking at Clay who nodded understanding that he had his arms full with the boy clinging to him the way he was.
The moment that Sonny took the first step towards the door Benji began squirming against him. "Woah there little buddy." Sonny wondered how the hell parents managed to hold onto their kids when they squirmed as much as Benji was. Benji placed his little hand, the one the was not clutching his teddy bear, against Sonny's vest and pushed himself back before he pointed towards the small bumblebee backpack that was on the floor then to the small flannelette blanket that was next to it.
"I've got it. The least we can do is grab some of his things." Clay shouldered his gun as he made the comment as he could still recall being shipped away when he was younger with very few items that were familiar to him. A quick glance of the hut gave Clay the idea that material possessions were few and far in between given that there were no other toys other than the small teddy bear that was clutched to Benji's chest which admittedly looked as though it had been attacked a few dozen times with sewing thread and a needle to patch it up but they had at least two days ahead of them trekking back to their EXFIL point so a few possessions would be needed. Clay crossed the small hut, knelt down and opened the bag finding it contained two well-worn pictures books, a water bottle that seemed half full and a change of clothes. He moved around the hut, not caring about making a mess as he pulled out the various bags and boxes that were hidden round the place until he found the rest of the child's clothing then stuffed it into the bag before he packed the blanket on top then zipped it up and handed it over to Sonny who shouldered it along with his own pack once he had juggled Benji so he could get his arm free for the few seconds that it took to do so.
Benji, for the most part, relaxed back into Sonny's chest with his face pressed into his neck once more with only the occasional muffled sob breaking free of his small trembling lips.
Clay took the lead as he led them out of the hut seeing the rest of the team making their way towards them. Clay had heard everything over the COMMS so he did not need to ask for details and it was best not to say anything as they did not want the boy overhearing any of it. He nodded towards Sonny and Benji, the latter still clinging to the former as if he was in the ocean and there was no life raft.
"How is he?" Trent bet Jason to asking as he was unable to assess the small child although he did not miss how he was trembling in Sonny's arms.
Clay shook his head. "Terrified, someone hit him in the face given the bruise that takes up his whole left side. Hasn't said anything but we grabbed him a few of his things. Could do with some food and water." Clay reported succinctly not thinking about the food and water thing until that moment. They had no idea when the boy had anything to eat or drink last, and they doubted he would be able to tell them either.
Jason knew that doing a medical assessment of the only survivor, of the small child, was crucial but he also knew they had to get moving. "Sonny, any other sign of injury?" Jason glanced at his watch knowing that they would be best to get moving and try to cover as much ground before they had to rest as nightfall would be upon them soon enough. It was also not a good idea to stay at the ruined village either because they had no idea if any of the rebel faction were still around or would come back through to do another sweep for any survivors.
"Nothing else visible but I have not been able to get that good of a look at him." Sonny replied quietly still running his hand around in circles trying to soothe the boy.
"Let's move, put some distance between us and here. Medical check will have to wait until we bed down for the night." Jason decided as Ray nodded in agreeance with him. There was no way to trek through the night despite how much he wished they could but they would move for as long as they could then take turns to watch while the others rested. It was not an ideal situation especially with the rebel faction patrolling the rainforest and now a young orphaned four year old. Jason took the opportunity to step off to the side to update HAVOC of their plans before they set off through the rainforest once more.
Trent had quickly slid his pack off and produced a bottle of water for Benji to drink from before he slid his pack back on and took his gun back from Brock who had held it while he did. "Here Sonny, try and get him to drink some. Small sips to begin with." Trent moved closer to Sonny seeing him juggle Benji in his arms before he took the bottle. Trent looked towards Ray and Jason then nodded as he got a glimpse at how tightly the small boy was curled into Sonny. For four years old, Benji looked tiny, but Trent refrained from making any call as he was in no way an expert on children or their health for that matter.
Sonny looked down as best as he could wondering how the hell he was meant to convince the kid to pull back and drink the water from the bottle, at least it was a pop top which meant there would be less chance of spillage. "Benji, little buddy, I have some water for you to drink." Plain and simple was the approach Sonny was going to go with first but all that got him was a small shake of the small head that was pressed into his neck beneath his chin. Sonny looked over at Ray who was too busy scanning the shadows beyond the clearing to help. "Okay, okay, you just tell me when you want some then." He decided not to push it as the last thing he wanted to do was scare him more but he kept hold of the water bottle in his right hand as he was holding Benji with that arm.
"Five, take point. Six, with him. Three behind them. Two and Five follow behind with me." Jason ordered not liking the airiness one bit that surrounded them. It was far to quiet given the animal life that usually lived in rainforests but it seemed that even they had fled.
Sonny knew his brothers would protect him and Benji but he somehow managed to hold Benji who had his hand, the one that was not clinging to his teddy bear, tightly fisted in the fabric of Sonny's shirt by his shoulder, and hold his weapon. Sonny had no idea what to expect, and he had no idea nor did he want to imagine what the boy had possibly witnessed but what mattered was getting to the EXFIL point and getting in the sketchy clunky truck that would take them back to the plane so they could fly home.
The men moved as one falling into line and leaving the village and all the atrocities it held within it behind keeping a quick pace that ate up the distance quickly. They knew that they had to hustle as they were racing against the daylight as it was already largely blocked out by the thick foliage that the canopies of the trees provided which meant it got darker quicker. There was only so much distance they could cover before the place lapsed into total darkness even with their NODS equipment but it was just not feasible to keep going and wear themselves out given the long distance and terrible terrain.
SEAL TEAM
Ray had been watching Sonny seeing that he had to keep jostling Benji who had not moved at all from where he was curled tightly against Sonny. Ray knew how sore a person's arm could get from carrying a child even if physically fit, and he would admit that his arms had gotten tired and sore from carrying his own children for extended periods of time like the time Naima decided to go shopping on Black Friday and Ray had spent hours holding RJ in his arms in the busy mall while Naima and Jameelah shopped. Ray glanced at his watch seeing that it had been just on two hours since they had left the village and by his best estimate they only had another hour and a half of light left despite it already beginning to fade.
Ray quickened his pace to close the distance between him and Sonny. "Son, want me to take him for a little bit?" Ray offered quietly.
Sonny slowed to a stop and turned towards Ray. "Yeah, that would be good." He was grateful for the offer as it was not easy carrying a kid. The kid may be small but all of his weight was rested solely on Sonny's right arm. "Hey little buddy, my brother Ray is going to hold you for a little while." Sonny nodded towards Ray although Benji made no effort to move.
"Hi Benji." Ray spoke softly hoping that the little boy would come to him easily. Ray shouldered his gun and reached out to take Benji into his own arms but the moment he touched him he flinched and held tighter to Sonny.
Sonny grunted as a small sneaker clad foot connected with his groin as the kid fought Ray being anywhere near him. Sonny shook his head whilst waving Ray off as he caught his breath. "Alright, alright, you can stay with me kid." Sonny relented instead handing his gun off to Ray as he took a few moments to shift Benji further to his side onto his hip and switching his right arm out with his left. "But you got to drink some water." It was a compromise. Okay, Sonny was going to bargain with a four year old but he had not had anything to drink yet.
Ray stifled the smirk that tugged at his lips as he shook his head watching as Sonny negotiated with the boy. He was not the least bit offended by the traumatised child's refusal to be passed over. "Looks like he has imprinted on you Son." He could not help the comment as he did not bother handing Sonny back his gun instead took hold of his own and repositioned himself.
"He has taste Ray." Sonny did not miss a beat as he chuckled.
"Kid must be more in shock than we thought." Trent sniped quickly as he had not missed the whole interaction. Sonny stopping and trying to pass the boy off to Ray had made them all stop for a few minutes.
Sonny shook his head and returned his attention to Benji who was very slowly loosening his grip on the fabric of Sonny's shirt as he had twisted his neck around so that his ear was pressed into Sonny's neck rather than his face. "Here little buddy." Sonny fumbled slightly but he managed to keep a hold of the kid while popping the top of the water bottle open and bringing it to Benji's lips. "It's okay, you can have it." He coaxed seeing as Benji opened his mouth allowing Sonny to tip the bottle up and let him have a small mouthful.
"Small sips Sonny." Trent reminded him softly as the last thing he wanted to do was startle the boy and stop him from drinking. Sonny nodded and pulled the bottle back to stop the flow of water letting Benji swallow and it settle before he let him have another small mouthful.
Jason shook his head as he looked around at the men in front of him before he surveyed the terrain around them. They had covered a lot of distance in two hours but he would still feel better if they made more progress. "Let's keep moving." The small break was needed for them all but 'quick' was the defining term. He hoped that they would make it further past where they had had to bed down in the early hours of the morning but knew it was unlikely especially with a small boy now in their custody, or rather in Sonny's custody as he had certainly taken a liking to the usually ornery Texan.
Sonny let Benji sip his way through a quarter of the bottle before he recapped it and held it in his hand as they began moving again through the rainforest. Benji tightened his grip on his teddy and on the fabric clutched in his small hand simultaneously as they began moving once more which did not go unnoticed. The silence of the young child was unsettling to Sonny but then again it also made their job easier as they did not have to worry about keeping him quiet or him being heard by the rebel forces that were still patrolling at will.
Clay smiled as he glanced over his shoulder at Sonny wondering if he even realised if he was humming softly to the boy as he rubbed his back continuously. While Sonny might not have realised it, his brothers certainly did and shared several smiles and smirks at the golden hearted Texan's sweet antics. Clay turned back just in time to see Cerb tense and Brock hold his fist up to halt them all.
Brock heard the low rumble that emitted from Cerb and felt how rigid his body became next to him, then he felt his eyes widen as he caught sight of what had caught Cerb's attention, a baby gibbon clinging to its mother low in a tree not far from them. "It's alright boy." Brock scratched Cerb's ear with his free hand before he raised it up and pointed up ahead at the gibbons.
"Aww look, we found Sonny's spirit animal." Clay snickered although there was some similarities with the way Sonny was holding Benji to the way the mother gibbon was holding her child.
Sonny shook his head ignoring his brothers now that the perceived threat was no longer one instead focusing back on Benji.
"Keep moving." Jason was glad that it was only a protective mother gibbon and baby that they had come across as he was aware of what else could live in the rainforest of Myanmar, and none of those animals were on his list to meet, at least not without a piece of bullet proof glass in between him and them. "Trent?" Jason caught up with Trent so that they were side by side.
"Yeah boss?" Trent let his eyes wonder over the surrounding flora and fauna even as he replied.
"As soon as we find somewhere to bed down for the night, I want you to work with Sonny and get the kid checked out. Blackburn wants a medical report on the kid." Jason could see that the boy was not going to let go of Sonny anytime soon which would not make Trent's job any easier but he would have to find a way to work the problem.
"Already planned on doing so boss." Trent wanted to be reassured himself that the kid was okay having seen the large bruise that blemished his soft skin as he rested his head to the side against Sonny's neck. "Going to be hell to separate them, you know." It was worth pointing out. Jason resisted the urge to groan, close his eyelids, and pinch the top of his nose all at once. "HAVOC have any idea on what will happen to the kid once we get him back stateside?" Trent pressed as he could not imagine having to pass the kid off to a complete stranger after everything that he had been through. Not only had the boy lost both of his parents but he had quite possibly witnessed several brutal murders and the burning of bodies, was about to leave the home that he had only ever known as his parents had moved to Myanmar when he was only a year or so old, and none of it seemed fair at all.
Jason wished Trent had not have asked because he had already pressed Eric on it but all he got was a clipped 'working on it Jason' which did not appease him as much as he hoped it would. "They are working on it." It was clipped but it was all he had to answer.
Trent nodded in understanding before he frowned and pouted his lips as he felt something wet drop onto his skin and run down the bridge of his nose. "Oh damn." He barely got the words out before the sheets of heavy rain starting bucketing down over them, soaking them completely within seconds and making the ground muddy and bog like. There was nowhere to seek shelter from the rain so they had to keep moving knowing that the rain would pass by soon and the warm temperatures would dry them off once that happened. Nor could they avoid it or let a little rain slow them down when there was still daylight left.
Sonny did what he could to shelter the child in his arms from the rain but it was little use given the slant of the droplets combined with the torrential pour that it was as he continued to trudge through what was fast becoming thick and sticky mud. "Only in a rainforest." Sonny muttered under his breath as he pressed Benji into his chest a little tighter hoping to keep the water from hitting his face as it was enough to feel like it was piercing their skin which would do him no good especially with the bruise that seemed to be still darkening. He had not thought it was possible but the boy began trembling violently and then startled even more violently as a howl of some sort echoed through the trees which had all of his brothers pointing their guns up and around as they searched for any danger that was presented to them even as they continued to move.
SEAL TEAM
The darkness blanketed the rainforest thickly providing the truest pitch black that they had ever seen but still the rain did not ease up nor did the men of Bravo as they used their NODS to navigate through the worsening terrain for that extra bit of distance as they hoped to find somewhere to bed down for the remainder of the night with whatever shelter could be offered before the sun decided to return. With the darkness came the dropping temperatures that made their exposed skin break out in goose-bumps as their soaked clothes stuck to their skin uncomfortably.
Ray had moved to the front of the group with Brock and Cerb as they reached the hour and a half mark and the only thing left was the fast fading wisps of light that peaked through the foliage, and they were lucky that the light seemed to hold out for another half an hour before it finally lost the battle to the darkness. A battle like one that they had all faced from time to time but none of them would make the comparison.
Clay had moved back to remain at Sonny's side as the path they were following was wide enough for them to walk side by side in pairs of two. He had not missed the way the young boy's teeth were loudly chattering or the way he was shaking so hard that it was making Sonny's arms shake by the sheer force of it. The boy was freezing despite Sonny's best efforts to keep him as sheltered as he could, and letting him draw his own body heat in an effort to keep him warm. There was no doubt in any of their minds that the young boy was suffering in the cold, was probably starving, and still terrified. Clay knew that the blanket that the boy had pointed to was in his backpack that Sonny still had draped over his shoulder but there was no point in getting that soaked as it would only serve to make him colder. Instead he hoped that the waterproof kiddie backpack would keep it dry so that when they stopped they could get him into a set of dry clothes and then wrap the blanket around him in an effort to warm him up. Clay did not miss the way Sonny had paled a few shades either as the little boy was draining him of his body heat which meant he was feeling just as cold and most likely tiring faster.
"Sonny, give him here. He's drawn a bit to much body heat from you for the moment." Clay held out his arm for the boy as he kept his voice low not wanting to alert the rest of the team to the predicament.
Sonny wished that he could hand Benji off purely so that the boy could be warmer but the colder he had got the tighter his little hand had clutched and twisted in the fabric of Sonny's shirt, and the more he had tried to burrow into his chest and neck. "Kid's holding me tighter than one of those knots they use in Texas to wrangle a bull at the rodeo." Sonny answered as he let his hand slide up and down continuously over Benji's back hoping that the friction would create a small amount of heat at the very least. "I can push through it." He added on not wanting his brother to worry although he knew it was futile.
Clay bit his lip as he deliberated what to do, after all the kid had just about panicked when Ray tried to take him from Sonny, but they were both freezing as the kid was drawing every bit of warmth from Sonny that he could. "Okay, okay, but the moment we stop I want you to get as much out of the rain as you can, for both of you." Clay relented knowing that there was not much else he could do except to have a quiet word with Trent and get him to check on both of them.
"Thanks blondie." Sonny answered missing the opportunity to razz Clay about being all concerned as he was focused on the shivering child in his arms and making sure that he did not slip over in the thick and slippery mud as well as the puddles that were forming rapidly that were akin to small ponds.
Clay gave him a tight lipped smile before he returned to scanning the area surrounding them as they continued to walk as a reduced pace as the conditions became increasingly hazardous. He waited a few minutes before he dropped back a few steps so that he was just barely in front of Trent and Jason who rounded out the team. "Trent." Clay spoke in a hushed voice but still loud enough to be heard over the rain.
Trent was kind of surprised that Clay had dropped back towards him and Jason but it was obvious that there was something on Clay's mind given the worried look he had on his face. "What is it Clay?" Trent asked already running his eyes over Clay looking for any sign of pain or illness but not finding anything.
Clay nodded his head towards Sonny and Benji before he looked back at Trent and Jason.
Jason did not miss the way Trent followed Clay's direction and frowned. "Tell us now kid." Jason was anxious despite how hard he was trying to hide it as it was not often that Clay looked at worried as he did.
"Kid is freezing and drawing a lot of body heat from Sonny." Clay stated plainly.
Trent withheld the sigh that desperately wanted to break free of his lips knowing they had to keep moving while they could as Jason was not satisfied with the distance that they had already put between them and the village given the patrolling rebel forces and the lack of ISR. Trent looked at Jason knowing that he needed to assess both Sonny and Benji. "Clay swap out with me for a little bit." Trent signalled a swap out as he loosely twirled his finger in the air in front of him.
"Yeah." Clay nodded and moved to the side so that Trent could catch up with Sonny which would not be hard given how much they had slowed down due to the deteriorating conditions before he shifted back to be beside Jason.
Jason reached his hand out and quickly squeezed the back of Clay's neck. "Good work kid." He praised him genuinely glad that Clay was looking out for Sonny before he let his hand drop away from his neck.
Ray and Brock were a few feet ahead of Sonny with Cerb held taut on his leash another foot in front of them. Ray blew out a breath and swiped at the rain that was dripping off his eyelashes yet again as he had lost count of how many times he had already. Ray barely had time to react as a grunt echoed out from beside him as Brock slipped and fell down hard on his backside. He stopped immediately and knelt down next to Brock who was blinking heavily and Cerb began to whine as he doubled back to be with him. "Brock, you good?" Ray asked concerned that Brock was making no effort to get up.
Brock blinked heavily a couple of times as he had landed hard enough that it jarred his teeth. "Yeah, yeah, give me a hand up." Brock knew that he could not stay down and that they had to keep moving.
"I've got you brother." Ray held his arm out once he had planted his feet firmly into the muddy ground (or rather as firmly as he could) and wrapped his hand around Brock's outstretched wrist before he hauled him up off the ground. "You sure you are good? Nothing hurt?" Ray asked not letting go of Brock.
"Brock, you okay?" Trent was beside Brock in an instant ready to examine him if needed.
"I'm good, just slipped." Brock waved off both men's concerns although he did not miss the look that was shared between the two before he reached down and gave Cerb a reassuring pat.
Ray turned back to Jason. "We're going to have to find somewhere to shelter and stop for the night Jay." Ray knew it was not the ideal situation but the likelihood of one or more of them getting injured was a chance that they could not take especially given how far they still had to hike, and then there was Sonny who was carrying Benji.
Jason gritted his teeth and scanned the area before he looked over all of his men. "Yeah. The first decent shelter we come across will be where we bed down for the next few hours. Hopefully the rain will pass and we can get moving again before the sun is up." It was the right decision but it did not mean that it did not put Jason on edge.
Trent was happy that Jason had made the call as Clay had been right about the small boy bleeding Sonny of his body heat, and he only hoped that they would find shelter quickly. "Want to get some food into this little one too." Trent pointed towards Benji as he watched Brock brush some of the wet clumps of mud off his pants pleased that he was not showing any sign of injury as he was bearing his weight equally on both legs and moving with ease.
Sonny swayed lightly from side to side when they were stopped hoping to keep Benji settled in his arms as the kid was fighting sleep or maybe he was too cold to go to sleep, either way it couldn't be good for the wee tyke. His arm was numb, the one that was holding all of the boy's weight, but he was not about to switch out his arms as that would mean shifting the boy and upsetting him.
Jason nodded at Trent before he turned to Ray. "Let's get moving." It was the only thing that he needed to say to get them all falling into line again in their pairs of two with Trent staying by Sonny's side. There was a bone deep weariness within all of them and the rain was piercing at their skin and chilling their bones but they would continue to push through it.
SEAL TEAM
It happened by chance really, Ray scanned the area that they were walking through just over thirty arduous minutes later and found a small sheltered clearing off to the side just as the rain had finally decided to give them a reprieve as it went from torrential to barely a few spits within seconds almost as if someone had shut off the valve. Ray keyed his COMMS knowing it would get everyone's attention as they halted. "Jay, that's about as good as we are going to find." Ray knew that the sheltered area was largely hidden and had enough cover that they could conceal themselves as it was circled by several large trees with lots of dense foliage close but not close enough that anything could lurk in them and get close without them realising.
Jason followed Ray's line of sight and knew he was right immediately as it was the best they had come across in the past thirty minutes. "Right, eat and bed down. I have got first watch. Ray, contact HAVOC to let them know." Jason ordered watching as Brock and Cerb moved forward into the small clearing and gave it the all clear before the rest followed.
Clay had been a step or two behind Sonny and did not miss the slight sway in his step. He instinctually moved closer and placed his hand on Sonny's shoulder once he stopped. Clay helped Sonny to sit down on the ground as he was not about to let go of Benji before he knelt down in front of him and eased his pack off of him. "Is the little dude awake?" Clay asked softly as he reached round and tactfully eased Sonny's pack and Benji's backpack off of his shoulders letting him rest back against both.
Sonny tilted his head to the side and looked down to see that Benji's eyes were still fluttering as he fought going to sleep. "Yeah, going to be a long night with the kid." It was just a suspicion but given the boy had stayed awake despite his best efforts to settle him it was unlikely that he would stop fighting it anytime soon.
Trent had shucked his own pack off opposite where Clay had guided Sonny to sit down and grabbed a few items including a standard issue military blanket that had been stashed in the bottom of his pack before he made his way over to Sonny, Clay and the child. Clay sidestepped to let Trent in without so much as a word. "Clay, want to get this ready?" Trent held out an MRE knowing a hot meal was needed for all of them but especially for Benji as they had no idea how long it had been since he had eaten and a warm meal was always good to help keep the cold at bay. MRE's were not the greatest thing in the world to eat but they would do in times like this.
Clay took the MRE packet that Trent held out to him and smiled when he saw what it was – Elbow Macaroni in Tomato Sauce – then set about preparing it hoping that with a bit of food in his stomach that Benji would ease his grip on Sonny.
Trent looked at Sonny and considered how the hell they were going to get Benji to let go of Sonny and let him check him out. "Any idea on how to do this?" Trent asked openly although he did send a questioning glare Ray and Jason's way as they were the fathers of the group.
Sonny patted Benji's back and dipped his head ignoring the twinge in his neck as he did. "Hey little buddy." He moved his hand from his back and swept the soaked matted locks from Benji's small pale face seeing the boy look up at him. "This is my brother Trent, he just wants to make sure you are okay. You don't have to go anywhere, okay, you can stay right here with me. And while he does that my brother Clay is going to get you something yummy and warm to eat." Sonny explained as delicately as he could. He was so far out of his area of expertise preferring to be the 'fun' uncle but he would not fail the terrified boy; he may not have been a father but he was lucky enough to have watched Jason and Ray with their own children and there were no finer examples as far as he was concerned.
Benji let out a shuddering breath that made his entire body move before he slowly let go of the bunch of fabric that he had bunched in his hand and turned his head just enough to cast his eyes over Trent then to Clay before he looked back up at Sonny. "It's alright little buddy." Sonny reassured him softly hoping it would be enough. It took a few more moments of silent deliberation before Benji slowly unfolded himself and turned around so that his back was pressed back against Sonny with his arm hooked around his arm with a tight hold still on his teddy.
Trent withheld the wince that came to him as he got his first proper look at the handprint shaped bruise to Benji's face knowing it had to hurt like hell but at least there was no swelling or cuts to his face. "It's okay Benji, can you tell me if you are hurt anywhere else?" Trent decided that asking first would not freak the boy out as much as if he started a physical examination straight away. Benji looked up at Sonny then back to Trent far to wearily than any of them liked before he shook his head to indicate that there was nowhere else. "Can I take a look?" Trent knew he had to be sure before he let the kid eat and drink or even sleep as the last thing they wanted was for something to happen to him especially in the middle of the jungle.
Sonny felt as Benji tensed and tried to press back into him with his little sneaker clad feet digging into his thigh. "Woah, take it easy little buddy." Sonny held Benji a little tighter which seemed to help calm him down.
Ray knew that they had to take it easy and not traumatise the four year old anymore but he also understood the need for Trent to perform a medical examination. "Trent." Ray waited until he had Trent's attention. "Might be worth examining Sonny first." He suggested.
"What?" Sonny groused as he glared at Ray although it did not have any actual fury behind it.
Ray shook his head remembering how RJ liked to see what would happen before it happened and at the last visit to the paediatrician Ray had ended up sitting on the examination table next to RJ with the doctor doing everything on him before RJ would allow it to be done to him. "Benji might be like RJ and want to see what you will do first before allowing you to check him." Ray offered in way of explanation although it was not hard to see that it did not make sense to his brothers except for Jason who offered him a wry smile as he kept watch beyond the small sheltered circle that they found themselves in.
"Okay, you've lost me, but it's worth a shot I guess." Trent had no idea what made Ray come up with that but it was worth a try.
"Hey Benji, how about I take a look at Sonny then I will take a look at you?" Trent spoke to Benji hoping that it would calm the kid.
Benji looked up at Sonny once more and blinked a few times almost as if he was waiting for Sonny to make the decision.
Sonny was surprised at the way Benji had deferred to him. "Alright, that sounds like a good idea." Sonny groused hating being examined but if it got the kid to be examined then he would do it.
Clay shook his head softly quietly amazed at Sonny's paternal instincts that seemed to have come out the moment that Benji latched onto him back in that hut hours ago. "Trent, can he eat while he waits for his turn?" Clay had made sure that the MRE was hot enough for him without burning him recalling that Naima and Ray always plated their kids meals up a few minutes earlier to let them cool down a bit before they ate.
"Yeah, that's fine." Trent answered even though his focus was on examining Sonny which worked in his favour as he was paler than usual but given what Clay had said it made sense.
Sonny let Trent work away instead he kept his eyes on Benji the whole time as Clay handed him the fork but kept hold of the MRE. All it took was a small nod from Sonny and the kid tucked into the packet of pasta and sauce as if it had been days since he had eaten after the first tentative bite although a soft but stern warning from Trent had Clay pulling the packet back so that he would chew and swallow his mouthful completely before putting the next forkful into his mouth. The whole time that Benji was eating he was watching Trent examine Sonny.
Trent was not concerned about Sonny as much as he thought he would need to be but there were still some precautions to take. "Want you to eat and drink something too before you rack out." Trent spoke quietly having seen Ray already heating up several MRE's for the rest of them as he pressed Sonny's canteen into his hand. "Now little mister what do you think about letting me take a look at you?" Trent softened his voice as he gave Benji the water bottle that he had sipped from earlier hoping he would be thirsty after his meal and want to finish off the rest of the bottle as he had barely touched it.
"It's okay bud, I will be right here." Sonny's words were the final persuasion that Benji needed it seemed as he gave Clay back his now licked clean fork since he had finished his dinner practically having inhaled it then took the water bottle from Trent and sucked it down greedily whilst allowing Trent to gently palpate his small body and raise his shirt to check for any more bruises but luckily there were no tender spots or areas of bruising although his skin was still cold to the touch.
Ray dispensed the heated MRE's before he handed the last one to Sonny knowing it was one of his preferred flavours – Beef Ravioli in Meat Sauce – who juggled it in his free hand and said thanks.
Trent smiled at Benji as he finished up the examination pleased that there was no other sign of injury beside the bruised face. "Not a scratch or anything other than that bruise." He reported seeing Jason turn away to report to HAVOC his findings. He lightly tickled him beneath his chin getting a small smile before he withdrew his hand completely and moved back to settle down on the ground against his own pack with his own MRE – Chicken, egg noodles and vegetables in sauce.
Benji licked his lips as he finished off the rest of the water bottle that Trent had given him before he began eyeing Sonny's meal which did not go unnoticed by any of them including Sonny. "Want some more to eat little buddy?" Sonny asked already stabbing his fork into a piece of the ravioli and holding it out for Benji to eat.
Benji looked up at him for a few seconds before he returned his gaze to the piece of ravioli that Sonny was waggling around on the end of the fork. "Yes p-w-ease." Benji spoke softly with a hint of shyness.
"Open up." Sonny nodded his head amazed to hear the little boy speak. Benji did as he was told opening his mouth wide and Sonny fed him the piece of ravioli that was coated in meat sauce.
"Well I'll be damned." Jason muttered under his breath although he was extremely proud of Sonny as he watched him eat a piece of ravioli for himself before giving another piece to Benji, alternating this way until they were through the entire packaged meal.
"Sonn-ee?" Benji tugged on Sonny's sleeve as a shiver ran through his body as he was still cold and in damp clothes.
Clay smiled as he reached out and took the empty packaging from Sonny's hand freeing him up to deal with the boy who was finally beginning to feel safe around them.
Sonny knew that the meagre belongings they grabbed for Benji would barely be enough to hold him out for the remainder of the trek out especially if it kept raining like it had before. "Come here little buddy." Sonny snagged the blanket that Trent had left on his shoulder, shook it at as best as he could before he tightly wrapped it around his small body.
Jason wished that they could take a bit longer but they needed to rest as much as they could before they would have to start moving again. "Guys, get some sleep." Jason ordered knowing they would sort themselves out while he settled into take watch for the next two hours until he would swap out with Brock and Cerb.
Sonny slid down a little bit further although he was still resting comfortably against his pack. "Time to get some sleep little buddy." Sonny moved Benji over so he was laid up higher on his stomach and his head was rested on his shoulder before he tucked the edge of the blanket around him once more wanting to keep him as warm as he could even though he was still wearing damp clothes. He waited until the boy's breathing evened out before he even allowed his own eyelids to flutter closed as he fell into a light sleep.
Jason could not keep his eyes from returning to all of his men but mainly to one, to Sonny who was instinctually and amazingly cradling the sleeping boy against his own chest even as he rested. It was a different side of Sonny, one that he had seen on previous occasions, and one that he enjoyed seeing. Under that gruff exterior really was a heart of gold. Jason shook his head as he focused back on the task at hand which was making sure he kept his men safe while they rested as they all needed it.
SEAL TEAM
Brock and Cerb rose quietly and moved over the sleeping bodies towards Jason. Brock stifled the snicker that threatened to escape his lips as he caught sight of what had Jason so amused; Sonny was holding tightly to Benji who apparently was a wiggly worm and Clay rolled further away so that he was not in striking distance of the kid's feet that seemed to kick out on occasion having already caught him twice before.
Brock crouched down next to Jason who had the good grace to look back out over the rainforest. "I've got this watch Jay." Brock kept his voice soft as Cerb settled down beside him after nudging Jason's hand for a pat which he received.
Jason nodded wearily and withheld the yawn that wanted to work itself free. "Clay is up in two hours." He informed Brock who nodded easily knowing that the previous night it had been Ray, Sonny and Trent that had kept watch while they slept for the few meagre hours that they got.
Jason knew he had to get some sleep and after another firm look at Brock he pushed himself up to his feet and meandered quietly to where he had rested his pack down earlier. He spared one last glance at his men before he settled himself down on the ground.
SEAL TEAM
By the time the first wisps of daylight began to peak through the thick foliage canopy Bravo had already been hiking for an hour or so, give or take a few minutes, as they wanted to cover as much distance as they could as none of them wanted to spend another night in the rainforest if it could be helped.
Despite the team's best coaxing, Benji would not be separated from Sonny at all. They had all smirked and ducked their heads to hide their laughter when Benji had tugged on Sonny's sleeve once Sonny had successfully pried him away from his chest and put him on the ground with his small hand encased safely in his. Sonny had looked down at Benji with a look of confusion at the kid's restless jig that he seemed intent on doing before it dawned on him that he needed to relieve his small bladder. But the real kicker was when Sonny led the boy to the privacy of a tree and went to step away only for a meltdown to happen with the end result being that Sonny had to stand right next to him still holding his hand and avert his eyes while he peed. The boy was definitely attached to Sonny, and Sonny was so far out of his element yet at the same time oddly in his element.
Clay and Brock had the lead with Cerb out in front of them as they made their way through carving a path for the rest of the team. Trent was a few footsteps behind them. Sonny had been surprised when Benji felt comfortable enough to walk beside him as long as he held his hand tightly and had his teddy bear in the other with his bumblebee backpack secured on his shoulders, and they kept pace remaining within a few footsteps of Trent. Ray and Jason were the last ones to round out the group.
Ray shook his head wishing he had a camera to snap the sight in front of him as he watched Benji stumble on the uneven ground then right himself which made Sonny look down at him and smile which got him a bright smile back. It always amazed him how resilient kids were, and somehow he wondered if Benji had known that he would not be seeing his parents again as he had not asked about them once but he willed that thought away as he did not want the scene in front of him to be tainted.
Jason had not missed the wistful look or the small smile that tugged at Ray's lips as they continued trekking through. "What are you thinking about?" Jason asked quietly so that they could not be overheard. It wasn't often that Ray or any of his men looked serene whilst in the middle of an op.
Ray nodded his head towards Sonny and Benji. "Kind of wish we could capture the moment on camera." It was a sight to behold, Sonny in all of his gear dressed head to toe in camo, while he held four year old Benji's hand with his bumblebee backpack on his back.
Jason smiled softly understanding where Ray was coming from. "Kid's been good for Sonny." Sonny had not complained one bit since they had found Benji but that was just an added bonus.
Ray nodded and returned his gaze to the foliage around them still on alert for rebel forces and wildlife.
Sonny felt as Benji tugged on his arm and looked down just in time to see him point to the snake that had slithered into their path with a small 'eek' escaping him as his eyes widened. Sonny immediately scooped up Benji into his chest while simultaneously stepping back, almost jumping out of his skin when Jason placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Just us Sonny." Jason was quick to reassure Sonny before he saw what had caused him to react. Jason reached up and keyed his radio knowing Ray had his gun trained on the snake as a precautionary measure as it seemed to be in no hurry to move from the path to alert Brock, Clay and Trent to stop which they did as they both took up watch positions.
"Jase…" Sonny swallowed thickly trying not to let the fear be heard for his sake as much as the kid's but the sound of the snake hissing was unnerving him even more as its beady eyes looked their way as it halted in its slithering to do so.
"Just stay still Sonny." Jason whispered sharply as he followed his own advice.
Sonny felt as though he had stopped breathing as he stood as still as he possibly could although he did not feel that he was still enough, and he could feel Benji shaking in his arms, clearly the boy felt the same as he did about snakes.
For a few agonising minutes all they could do was wait in a standoff before the snake finally began slithering again heading away from them.
Ray blew out a breath that he did not know he had been holding once the snake was tucked back into the foliage. "Let's get the hell out of here." Ray murmured as he took a look at Sonny seeing he had paled somewhat.
Sonny stuttered for a breath of air but he did not have to be told to get moving as he was already striding forward to catch up with Brock, Clay and Trent knowing that Jason and Ray were close behind. Sonny looked down at Benji whose eyes were still wide with fear as he had tucked himself back into his chest with his teddy clutched tightly between them. He did not have the heart to even try to put the boy down understanding the fear of snakes instead he began rubbing his back with his hand and held him a little tighter in the hopes that he would calm down.
Clay glanced over his shoulder as they began walking again, all of them even more hyper alert now because of their unsanctioned encounter with one of the rainforest's deadlier residents. "You good brother?" He asked quietly seeing that Sonny's pallor had yet to recover and seeing that Benji was just as terrified.
Sonny barely glanced up from Benji as Jason still had his hand on his shoulder and was guiding him through the rainforest. "We're good, aren't we little buddy." It was a statement predicated on a falsity but none of them would call him out on it or tease him, this time at least.
A few questioning glances were exchanged around Sonny and Benji but no one said anything instead settling into silence as they continued to make progress trying to cover as much distance as possible without stopping. The last thing any of them wanted to do was spend another night in the rainforest as they all wanted to meet the trucks, return to their makeshift base, have a hot shower to get all of the built up grime and the stench off of their skin, then rack out on the plane ride home.
SEAL TEAM
The sun was blaring through the canopy every chance it got and the humid air made them all sweat making their uniforms stick and cling uncomfortably to them. It was barely midday but they had been trekking for hours already, and while the canopy kept most of the sun off of them it still did not protect them from the soaring and suffocating heat.
Jason knew that they had covered more distance than even he had expected them too but he knew that they would not be able to continue the pace if they did not stop and take a small break just long enough to rehydrate and grab a granola bar to snack on soon. "Break in five mikes." Jason spoke just loud enough for his voice to carry to Clay and Brock who were in the lead as he raised his hand to swipe at his sweat soaked forehead. It would also give him and Ray a chance to take a look at the map and check out how far they had to go before they reached their EXFIL point, and he hoped that they would be able to extrapolate the time that it would take them too. Truth was they were getting low on supplies, and on energy but they were not about to let themselves get caught out.
Jason turned his gaze to his 2IC. "We will take a look at the map, work out how far we can get before nightfall, see how far we are from our EXFIL point." Jason knew that Ray would handle it.
Ray spared a brief glance at Jason before he continued to survey the surrounding rainforest. "We've already covered more ground than I expected when we looked before we set out this morning. We have to be getting close by the end of the day." He had already done a set of calculations but even those had been exceeded but he knew that they were all desperate to get out of the rainforest. It was not how they had hoped that the mission would go but at least one of the family had made it out alive, and for that they had to be thankful.
Jason nodded but said nothing more as they continued to hike before Brock bought Cerb to a stop at what he and Clay had deemed an appropriate place to stop as it had adequate shelter which meant they were hard to spot and it was completely shaded by the thick overhead canopy. Everyone knew it would be a quick stop.
Clay walked over and stood in front of Sonny seeing the dilemma on his brother's face. "You have got to put him down brother, get him and yourself to eat and drink." Clay kept his voice soft but firm understanding that seeing the snake had rattled Sonny and Benji but they needed to take a few moments to hydrate and snack as it would be a long afternoon otherwise.
Sonny knew that he had to put Benji down so he could shrug out of his pack and grab the kid a bottle of water before grabbing his own canteen and a couple of granola bars out but it felt horrible to do. "Hey little buddy, you and me are going to sit down right here for a few minutes." Sonny knelt down then carefully set Benji down on his feet feeling as the boy tensed momentarily. Benji pulled away from Sonny and looked around wearily at the forest before his eyes darted between Sonny and Cerb as his hand clutched at the fabric of Sonny's shirt by his shoulder. Sonny kept his hand on Benji's back and shrugged his pack off with some difficulty before he began riffling through it.
Brock smiled as he watched Benji timidly gaze at Cerb then back to Sonny repeatedly. Brock had kept Cerb away from Benji purely for the fact that he did not want him to feel overwhelmed and he had no idea how he would react to Cerb but now seemed like a good of time as any to introduce them. "Cerb, go see Sonny." Brock murmured quietly seeing Trent catch what he had said and smile at him.
Cerb stood up, doggy stretched into the downward dog position then closed the distance between him, Sonny and Benji. He reached Sonny's side and laid down panting as the heat was getting to the fur missile too.
Sonny set his canteen and a water bottle down beside him before he grabbed two granola bars hesitating as he doubted the kid would like them but they did not have time to heat an MRE nor did they have enough of them left. He felt as Cerb nudged his leg and looked up at him with his big brown puppy dogs eyes and quickly reached out to scratch the dogs head.
"Puppy!" Benji smiled, his tone almost a happy squeal, as he carefully lowered himself to the ground onto his knees sitting back on his heels, and looked over to Brock who nodded once granting permission for him to pat him. Benji very cautiously put his small hand out and stopped; whoever had taught him that did so well.
"It's okay, you can pat him." Sonny had not stopped patting Cerb who belly crawled forward to reach Benji's still hand until he had his head nudged under it. Benji patted very softly, his little fingers running beside Sonny's larger ones. After a few more pats Sonny retracted his hand, picked up the water bottle, opened the pop top and held it out to Benji. Benji maintained the steady rhythm that he had set patting Cerb instead choosing to slide onto his hip and rest against Sonny once he had let go of his shirt then took the bottle and began sipping from it. It seemed that as long as there was some sort of physical contact between Sonny and Benji then the kid was content.
Brock smiled before he felt his leg be nudged by a booted foot and he shifted his attention to Trent. "Good choice brother." Trent praised him knowing how perceptive he was.
Brock shook his head at Trent's praise. "Cerb needs it as much as Benji does." Brock knew that Cerb was trained to work and for endurance but this mission was taking a long time and there had been no play or cuddles which the dog was also accustomed too.
Trent nodded knowing what Brock was not saying. "Davis will be waiting to spoil him and the kid once we get back to the plane." Trent smirked as he could already see that Lisa would make sure they were both spoilt that little bit extra. Brock just smiled and shook his head knowing that between Lisa and Clay that Cerb was certainly the definition of a spoiled pup but he loved that they cared enough to do it for him.
Sonny let Benji take a few large mouthfuls before he swapped out the bottle of water for one of the granola bars he had opened for him. Benji was so focused on petting Cerb that he did not even look at what had been put in his hand to eat. Sonny had to stop himself from laughing as he watched Benji bite off a big bite of the bar and begin to chew it only to screw up his little nose and send a look of utter betrayal towards him. "They are not that bad little buddy." Sonny tapped him on the nose softly as he took a bite out of his own bar; he hated granola bars, the texture and the taste, but they were filling and nutritious, and what they had an abundance of left in their packs.
No one missed the interaction, not even Ray and Jason who were looking over the map while speaking with HAVOC. If they continued at the pace they had been travelling at and took a slight deviation in their path then they should arrive at the EXFIL point just after nightfall. They still had a fair way to travel by road once they met the trucks that would be driven by two of their support personnel but at least they would be tucked up on the plane flying home just after midnight give or take a half hour or so that would allow them to shower and change before they got on the plane.
SEAL TEAM
Sonny was surprised at Benji's determination as he continued to trudge along beside him tucked safely into his side with his hand held tightly in his. They had finished their break and began walking again over four hours ago and other than an odd noise here and there or a soft gasp as the boy spotted another animal that he had to point out to Sonny, he was largely quiet.
Jason dropped back to settle at Sonny's right side, the one that was not occupied by the small clingy boy, allowing Ray to take over leading them. "You alright brother?" Jason kept his voice low as Sonny had been unusually docile, hell there had not been a single comment about his fear and hatred for the jungle or in this case rainforest, but then again none of them had been trying to wind him up either as it would not be fair on Benji.
Sonny looked at Bravo 1 with a furrowed brow at his question before his attention was pulled abruptly as Benji tripped and tugged on his arm. "Shi… sugar!" Sonny managed to stop himself from cursing but only barely as he knelt down immediately as Benji looked up at him with big glassy hazel eyes and his bottom lip was quivering. "Come on little buddy, lets get you up." Sonny easily lifted Benji up onto his feet seeing the small bloodied patch on the knee of his pants before he saw that he had landed on the sharp edge of a broken tree root that was protruding from out of the muddy ground. Nor did he miss that his teddy bear was covered in a light layer of mud, oh well, he was sure they could get it cleaned for him.
Trent was at Sonny's side in seconds, knelt down beside him, as the rest of the men took up defensive stances around them. "Let me take a look." Trent had not missed the small but growing patch of blood on his pants.
"Let me get him up." Sonny barely had the words out before he scooped Benji up into his arms, having his arm tucked under his knees and pressed against his stomach so it looked like he was sitting as he rose to his own feet as kneeling down in the slimy mud was not comfortable.
Trent smiled and stood up just as Brock turned around and held out his hand for his pack so that he could access it easy and it did not have to sit on the ground and get covered in mud. "Okay Benji, I am just going to take a look at your knee." Trent gently rolled his pant leg up to just above his knee seeing that he had a small laceration just below his knee that was bleeding quite a bit.
"Trent fixes all of us little dude." Clay offered supportively having seen the way Benji cowered back against Sonny.
Benji looked from Trent to Clay wide eyed. Yeah, those eyes would get him anything he wanted. "He does?" There was such awe in the boy's voice that it made them all smile.
Clay smiled broadly seeing that Trent was pulling out an antiseptic wipe before he handed Brock a plaster to hold knowing that it was best to distract him from what was about to be done. "Yeah little dude he does. He even helps Cerb. Kind of like Doctor Doolittle." Clay snickered at the glare that Trent sent his way for the Doctor Doolittle comment but they all knew that any time Brock found a stray dog or cat, hell he even found a goat once, that Trent played vet from time to time before they were handed off to actual vets. And they all knew that after Cerb had got the deep laceration to his leg that Trent had not only taken a special first aid course for animals but had made a special first aid kit for Cerb.
"Wow!" Benji exclaimed genuinely amused.
Trent shook his head as he made a mental note to get payback for the Doctor Doolittle comment from Clay but his distraction had worked as Benji had not even flinched as he worked to clean up the small laceration. "All done." Trent soothed the edges of the plaster down before he shoved the rubbish back into his pack and took it back from Brock then shouldered it again as Sonny gently pulled the pant leg back down to cover him up.
"T-f-ank you." Benji offered timidly struggling to pronounce the 'th' but it made him sound quite cute before he managed to twist himself around in Sonny's arms, clinging to him once more as he pressed his face into his neck.
"You done walkin' for the day little buddy?" Sonny asked although he was already impressed by how far Benji had walked on his little legs without complaint and without dawdling. Benji nodded his head tiredly as a yawn escaped his lips that Sonny felt. Sonny chuckled softly before he rested his chin down on top of his head as they began moving again through the rainforest quickly picking up the pace that they had been going at all day.
"Looks like he is quite content to nap while being carried." Clay murmured softly although he must admit that a nap sounded like a brilliant idea about now.
Brock chuckled softly. "Jealous Spense?" The look of indignation that was tossed his way only made Brock smirk more.
"Like you don't want a nap Brock." Clay shot back knowing that they would most likely all be racked out on the plane within minutes of taking off.
The sound of rustling had them shutting up very quickly as they all scanned the nearby foliage. "Rhino, mom and baby." Brock pointed out seeing the pair grazing just off in the distance from them. It was clear that the baby was fairly young but it appeared in good health from what he could see. He relaxed Cerb's leash a little bit more as he had tightened it when they had first heard the rustling.
"Best we don't disturb them. Come on." Jason kept his voice low as the last thing he wanted to do was have to write a report on how one of his men got hurt due to an overprotective Mama rhino. He could already see the report and hear the snickers that would go around DEVGRU if a rhino hurt one of them.
"Right you are boss." Sonny did not like his chances with a rhino even though they were several feet away from them.
If Jason did not know of Sonny's dislike for the rainforest then he would have questioned his need to carry on but then again none of them wanted to remain there any longer than they had too.
SEAL TEAM
It was official – Bravo and rainforests did not mix. Sure it was in the name but did it really have to rain so much and so heavily, Jason thought wryly as he swiped his hand over his face to brush off some of the water off although there was no point as he was coated immediately as the rain lashed them all again. Jason had settled at the back of the group with Ray leading them closer to their EXFIL point after they had stopped for another quick break to hydrate although Sonny had had the displeasure of waking Benji up who was disgruntled but he managed to get a few sips of water into him before he pressed his small face back into his neck but did not go back to sleep. Jason felt as tired as his men but they were so close and night had begun to fall so they dug deep and hurried their pace as HAVOC finally got them back on ISR as the canopy became more open. But of course nothing could go as smoothly as their trek out had gone so far.
"TOC to Bravo 1." Eric's voice came over the COMMS and had them all halting.
"Bravo 1 to TOC, good copy." Jason answered hating the rain more and more as he swore it got heavier.
"You have a force of at least ten coming towards you, unable to ascertain if friendly or unfriendly." Eric informed them although he was fairly certain that they would not be friendlies.
"Copy HAVOC." Jason knew that they had all heard as they were all taking up defensive positions, hell even Sonny had his gun raised while holding Benji tightly against his chest. Jason did a double take wondering when Sonny had wrapped a blanket around Benji and his backpack but now was not the time to ask. ISR was a true gift but Jason wished that he could see it as well as TOC. Jason had a choice to make, to engage or not to engage first, to divert and conceal or not too. Jason deliberated for no more than a few seconds before deciding to wait and see as the last thing he wanted to do was engage when they had Benji to protect.
Using several hand signals Jason relayed to his team what he wanted to do which was to get low, huddle down, and wait and see. If they had to engage then they would as they had the clearance but the last thing he wanted to do was engage in a shootout this close to EXFIL, not with a young child under their protection. Jason looked around at his team seeing that Ray had huddled down beside him, while Trent was grouped with Brock and Cerb, and Clay had placed himself in front of and just off to the side of Sonny so that Benji was entirely concealed and protected.
Ray keyed his radio as the first man came into view through the scope of his gun not far from them, and it was easy to see that they were unfriendly as they belonged to the rebel faction that was currently running through the rainforest destroying everything and killing anyone that they came across. Ray signalled towards the faction as three more men came into view armed with machetes, knifes, and a few old rifles that looked more dormant than functioning in one hand and what looked to be some sort of alcohol in large old glass bottles in the other that they were all sipping out of.
Ray, Clay, Brock and Trent sighted in on the four men while Jason scanned through the foliage seeing the rest of the group meander into view. A quick count revealed that it was fourteen men. They held still hoping like hell that the men would pass by without detecting them.
Sonny hoped that Benji would remain completely quiet and still as he had been before as he tightened his hold on him a little bit more as he folded his body around him as much as he could.
Ray kept his gun trained on the guy holding the largest machete who was also the closest to them as they were going to pass right by them, within touching distance. Everyone had their fingers poised on the triggers of their weapons, ready to engage if they needed. The only saving grace was the thick foliage of the rainforest that provided them coverage and allowed them to eclipse back into the shadows.
After a few tense minutes a collective exhale of air was released and fingers were slowly eased off the triggers as the group of unfriendly men moved past them without detection. The men did not hesitate to get moving as they were losing the light fast and they still had at least ninety minutes of hiking ahead of them before they met the trucks that Eric had advised were on route to them.
Sonny felt as Benji shivered against him despite the blanket being tightly wound around him to try and keep some of the rain off of him and that distracted him enough that a large branch swung back into his face, he felt as the sharp edge caught his cheek making him curse aloud and had all of his brothers looking back at them except for Jason who was trailing behind him.
"You okay?" Trent asked although the near darkness made it hard to see if Sonny was bleeding as the rain was pelting down on them washing them down.
Sonny swiped a hand over his face. "Fine, just get me the hell out of this damn rainforest." He groused angrily that he had gotten hit in the face by a branch although he was glad that it had not caught Benji.
"I think we are all with you there brother." Jason definitely agreed with Sonny's point that the rainforest was not a fun place to be before he looked at Benji who had woken up as his eyelids fluttered as he pulled his head back from Sonny's neck instead settling his chin on his shoulder to look back at Jason. "Hey kid, it's okay." Jason assured him softly as he snuggled closer to Sonny's chest. The kid had held up remarkably well for being all of four years old and freshly orphaned but it had taken its toll on him as he was exhausted, cold, soaked through thanks to the torrential rain that did not want to give them a reprieve, and had barely had anything to eat. And then there was the unknown which was that they had no idea what he had witnessed or how long it had been since he ate or drunk before they got to him. Jason could not imagine how terrified the boy had been and still was but one thing he did know was that he had become attached to Sonny in the short time that they had spent with him. The fact was that once they landed stateside then the boy would be handed off, to who Jason did not yet know, but he knew that it would not be easy on Benji or Sonny however they would deal with it when the time came because for now the young boy deserved to feel safe.
SEAL TEAM
The headlights of the waiting trucks cut through the edge of the rainforest as Bravo broke free of the rainforest and entered the clearing where they were sitting idling and waiting. It was such a welcome sight even as the rain continued to fall down heavily around them. One of the members of Bravo's support, Riley, came jogging over to them, and it seemed even his Navy issued parka was no match for the rain. "It's going to be a rough ride as the rain is making the roads even worse. We had to take a longer detour as the road we were going to use washed out. We need to get moving. Coffee, towels and warmed blankets as well as dry clothes are all inside ready for you." Riley informed them as he jogged over with them as they got to the vehicles. Jason, Ray and Trent ended up in the first vehicle with Riley driving, while Clay, Brock and Cerb, Sonny and Benji all ended up in the second vehicle with Lachlan, another member of support. The doors were barely shut and the vehicles were already pulling out, lurching on the slippery unsealed ground that the country had to offer.
Clay dumped his pack down then helped Sonny take his off while Brock peeled the soaked blanket off of Benji and dumped it in the foot-well of the truck grateful for the heater being on full as the hot air filled the space. Brock threw one of the towels over Cerb but it was pointless as like all of them he was covered in mud and needed a hot soapy bath to work all of the clumped mud out of his fur.
Sonny looked down at Benji as Clay and Brock awkwardly changed out of their clothes, towelled off as best they could, then pulled on the fresh clothes that would have only been provided for them by Lisa as she would have stocked the vehicles. "Let's get your backpack off." Sonny reached out and pulled Benji's arms through the straps then let the bag drop down onto the ground in between his feet hoping that at least one of the sets of clothes that Clay had stuffed into the bag were dry enough for him to get changed into as they could not leave him in his damp clothes.
Clay pulled the dry shirt down until it was in place before he grabbed the towel and rubbed it over his damp hair trying to dry it a bit more as droplets of water were still dripping off his locks and onto his face. A quick glance around the truck made him realise that Brock was relatively dry and changed while Cerb was smothered in a towel as if he was a doggy burrito already dozing on the floor at their feet but Sonny had yet to change as he still had his arms full with Benji. "Sonny, give him here. Brock and I will get him dried off while you do the same." He had no idea how the kid would react but he was not going to let either of them continue to freeze and sit in soaking wet clothes when they did not have too. "Brock, there should be some clothes in his backpack, I packed him some." He said as he arranged another towel over his lap ready to receive Benji.
Sonny hesitated but he knew that they both needed to get dried and changed even with the heat blasting around them. "Right little buddy, I am going to give you to Clay for just a few minutes so he and Brock can get you dried and out of those yucky clothes." He told Benji before he very gently shifted him onto Clay's lap which he did not like one bit as he reached to grab at him but Clay countered by jiggling his leg up and down making him giggle softly although he kept his eyes firmly on Sonny who worked quickly to strip down to his boxers, dry himself off then change into the dry clothes that awaited him.
Brock frowned as he dug through the kid's backpack, sure the bag was waterproof but not for torrential and prolonged rain, and everything was damp. It was also not helped by the addition of the muddy and soggy teddy bear that had been put in there after the kid had fallen over. "Is there a spare jersey or something?" Brock asked hoping that there was something in the pile that they could at least cover Benji with and he was sure that the kid would not care if it dwarfed him. "Everything is damp."
Clay had helped Benji strip off his soaking shirt and pants before he wrapped a towel around him and began drying him even as he looked over at Brock. The kid was remarkably docile and Clay could see the relief once he was out of his heavy clothes which were now dumped in a pile on the floor with the rest of their stuff.
Sonny went to curse but quickly alternated to something that was a little bit more friendly for small ears seeing that Benji was still watching him and reaching out for him even going as far as overbalancing himself and if it had not been for Clay's hand resting over top of his towel covered stomach he would have toppled right off. Sonny managed to arch and lean forward and look through the pile finding a long sleeved shirt that would work. He sat back and took Benji back although he sat him on his knee so that they could get him dressed before he would allow him to settle under one of the warmed blankets.
Clay took the shirt from Sonny and then stopped as he looked from Benji to the shirt. "How the hell, heck, did this work out? Jason and Ray have kids yet they are both in the front vehicle." Clay corrected his slip up but not in time as he wondered how the hell they were meant to dress the kid who was a trembling mess as he was freezing. None of them had experience at dressing young kids.
Brock smirked at Clay's exclamation but he had a fair point, none of them were child rearing experts. "Arms up Benji." Brock figured it was the best thing to try and he barely withheld his smirk as Benji raised his arms up and Clay narrowed his eyes at him. "Give it here." Brock swiped the shirt out of Clay's hands, rolled it up then worked Benji's arms into the sleeves before pulling it over his head and then down the rest of the way.
"Something you care to share Brock?" Clay asked as he watched Sonny wrap one of the warmed blankets around Benji before he let himself tuck back into his chest.
Brock shook his head as he eased back into the seat and draped one of the warmed blankets over his lap knowing it would suffice until they got back to their temporary base and got into the shower where hopefully the hot water would be able to rid him of the cold he felt completely. Brock was not about to share that he had observed Ray say that to RJ once at one of the picnics they had after he had gotten soaked as he had run through the sprinklers more than a couple of times before Ray or Naima could wrangle him into his swim shorts.
Sonny relaxed back into the seat, sliding down just a little bit, and closed his eyes once he was sure that Benji was settled although he knew he was not sleeping as the silence settled over them only being jarred when they hit a pothole that was enough to make them rise off of their seats.
SEAL TEAM
Eric and Lisa descended down the slippery metal staircase as the headlights illuminated the muddy road both relieved that Bravo had made it back and that the rain had stopped again. The vehicles stopped and outpoured the men of Bravo all looking worse for wear as the exhaustion was evident.
Lisa felt her eyes widen as she watched as Clay got out of the truck then turned back to help Sonny out who was cradling four year old Benji in his arms with Brock and Cerb following behind closely.
Eric raised an eyebrow questioningly at Jason waiting for an explanation as to why Sonny was the one holding the boy they had rescued.
Jason did not miss the look of shock that appeared as quickly as it disappeared on Eric's face as he stopped in front of him. "Kid won't let go of him." Jason supplied before he moved past him and Lisa wanting to get a hot shower before anything else.
Eric was dumbfounded and there were few times that he had been before. "I want all of you to go inside, get showered and changed then get on the plane. You have thirty minutes." Eric waved support forward to take care of the vehicles as well as the guys gear that they had shed.
Lisa stepped forward until she was right in front of Sonny. "Let me take him and Cerb, get them both bathed." She said softly knowing that Brock would take Cerb into the shower with him if he had too but she had secured a tub that would do for Benji and for Cerb. She reached out to take Benji but was surprised as Sonny shook his head stopping her and making her frown. Hell she had even enlisted Mandy who she knew was running hot water into the tub as they spoke.
Sonny knew that Lisa would take care of Benji and of Cerb but he was not just about to hand him over. "Benji this is my friend Lisa." Sonny very gently pried Benji away from him and turned him around so he could see Lisa. It was not hard to see that the young boy was exhausted, overtired, and still freezing cold. "Can you say hi to her?"
Benji looked from Sonny to Lisa. "Hi Lisa." Benji spoke shyly giving her a apprehensive smile.
Lisa swore her heart melted as she watched Sonny interact with Benji. "Hi honey." She replied softly realising what Sonny was doing.
"Lisa is going to take you and give you a nice warm bath. Cerb is going to stay with you the entire time." Sonny explained softly hoping that Benji would allow it.
Benji looked from Sonny back to Lisa a few times before he settled on Sonny. "Back to you?" He asked innocently and far to timidly.
Sonny smiled and bopped Benji's cold red tipped nose eliciting a small giggle from him. "Yip. Lisa will bring you and Cerb back once you are clean then we all get to fly home together." Sonny explained with as much simplicity as he could to the four year old.
Benji wrinkled his nose before he smiled softly and reached out to Lisa. "Okay." It was as simple as that.
The paternal side of Sonny Quinn was one of the most endearing and sweetest things that Lisa may have ever seen in her entire life as she reached out and took Benji from Sonny's arms resting him on her hip with her arm wrapped securely around him before she reached her free hand out and took Cerb's leash from Brock's hand. Lisa turned on her feet and headed inside with one of the support members holding the door open for her.
Sonny smiled and shook his head at the maternal side of Lisa. Clay slapped his hand down on Sonny's shoulder. "Come on brother, lets go get showered ourselves." Clay gave him a small push to get him moving.
Lisa felt as Benji's small fingers flicked the ends of her hair as she carried him through the building with Cerb at her side until she got to the room where the tub was located. "Benji, this is Mandy." Mandy whirled around as she had been looking out the window watching as the men arrived back while the tub filled with hot water although she had added some cold so that it was not searing hot.
"Hi." Benji offered tiredly.
Mandy smiled glad that they had gotten the boy out alive and relatively unscathed. "They all good?" She asked as she moved forward and began to get Cerb out of his vest which was relatively easy.
"Cold, dirty and tired but they are okay." Lisa understood the need to know, it was something the two women could agree on easily and both knew the relief that it bought each and every time. Lisa sat Benji down on the edge of the sink before she peeled off the blanket and revealed what it was uncovering.
"Really?" Mandy couldn't help the mirth in her voice as she spied what the guys had changed Benji into seeing that Lisa was smiling too. She got the vest off of Cerb who immediately sprang free and jumped into the tub splashing water over the edge and onto the floor making Benji brighten and laugh.
Lisa laughed as she took the shirt off of Benji in one easy tug then dropped it down on top of the blanket that was piled on the floor knowing that one of the support staff would collect it once they were finished. "You want to join Cerb?" Lisa asked Benji, glad that the boy was smiling despite having lost both of his parents, and knowing that she and Mandy would have to bathe them then refill the tub and re-bathe him and Cerb again to make sure that all of the mud was gone. Benji nodded enthusiastically which was all the answer Lisa needed, and although she hesitated to remove the boy's underwear she knew that he needed them off but Benji beat her to it as he wriggled and lifted then shucked them down his legs and kicked them away with his feet. "Come on then." Lisa lifted him into her arms again, crossed the small room and then put him down into the tub as he received a lick to the face from Cerb who had rolled himself around so that he was soaked from nose to tail.
Mandy laid a towel down on the floor in front of the tub then went down on her knees only for Lisa to join her a few seconds later. Mandy quickly draped a flannel over Benji's groin before she turned her attention to Cerb who was happy to lounge in the hot water. "How long have we got?" Mandy asked as she looked over both Cerb and Benji then to the brown tinged water seeing that there was mud still clinging to Cerb's fur while Benji had mud caked into the crevasses of his hands, under his nails and behind his ears. Either way they were going to need at least two soap and rinse cycles each.
"Thirty minutes." Lisa answered as she grabbed the shampoo for Cerb and passed it to Mandy before she grabbed the kid's apple scented shampoo that she had collected.
"Then lets get to work." Mandy smiled as she popped the top open on the shampoo and poured a large amount out into the palm of her hand then put the bottle down and began to lather up Cerb.
Lisa smiled as she followed Mandy's action with the shampoo for Benji and began scrubbing her fingers through Benji's hair. Benji smiled, giggling every so often, as he tilted his head back into Lisa's hands enjoying her actions. Lisa and Mandy exchanged glances and smiles knowing that time was ticking and they needed to get them cleaned and dried.
SEAL TEAM
Eric glanced at his watch before he looked down towards the ramp of the plane before he looked back at the men of Bravo who had all made it onto the plane with several minutes to spare. They had all sat down with a hot meal and beer which they were tucking into heartily. However that was not what had Eric looking at his watch; what had him looking from his watch to the back of the plane was the fact that he was still missing Lisa, Mandy, Cerb and the kid that Bravo had bought back.
"Blackburn, sit down, you are making me nervous." Jason was not nervous but he did not like someone else incessantly pacing in his line of sight.
Eric huffed but sat down next to Jason before he looked around at the men who all looked like they needed their hammocks hours ago. "How long does it take to bathe a kid and Cerb?" Eric groused even as Jason uncapped a beer and handed him it.
Brock chuckled softly but it was enough to draw everyone's attention as they finished off their meals.
"What?" Trent asked unable to keep the amusement out of his voice as he wondered why Brock was chuckling.
"I am pretty sure Cerb is part fish." Brock answered knowing how much he loved his baths.
Sonny's attention was diverted as a flurry of activity descended upon the plane. "Here they are… what the…" Sonny trailed off as he watched Cerb bound towards them as Mandy walked beside Lisa who had Benji settled on her hip as she carried him but what surprised him was what Benji was wearing – a pair of flannelette pyjamas that were blue with a variety of dinosaurs on them.
Lisa smiled down at Benji seeing him perk up as he spotted Sonny and he began to squirm in her arms as he wanted to go back to Sonny. She had thought that Benji had settled down as the hot water had made him sleepy but not tired enough to settle down until he was back with Sonny. "Okay honey, okay." Lisa spoke softly hoping to calm Benji down until they got to the men.
Clay cocked his head to the side that rivalled Cerb's as he looked at Benji or more specifically what he was dressed in now that he was bathed. "Are those… flannelette pyjamas?" He asked as Lisa and Mandy reached them, and Lisa handed Benji back to Sonny who happily took him.
Lisa smiled as she sat next to Clay while Mandy sat next to Jason. "Yes they are." Lisa smiled adoringly watching as Benji shuffled around until he was comfortable as he laid stomach to stomach on Sonny then pressed his face into Sonny's neck and tucked his hands under him.
"How the hell did you get those?" Ray asked before he could stop himself as they were new and just about the perfect size.
Lisa threw a quick glance at him before she turned back to watch Sonny who took the blanket that Eric offered and draped it around Benji without disturbing him.
Ray raised his hand up, the one that was not holding his beer. "Stupid question." He still wanted to know but he knew better than to question Davis and her ways.
Sonny looked up having seen that Benji's eyelids were fluttering as he fought off going to sleep but he doubted it would be long before he settled now that he was dry, warm and in a cosy pair of pyjamas. "Has he eaten?" Sonny asked softly with his Texan drawl on full display knowing that a granola bar and a few sips of water was all that he had eaten since they had begun trekking before the sun had even risen which was several hours ago.
Mandy smiled at the sweet side of Sonny and the way he was caring for Benji. "No, he hasn't had anything to eat." She answered him knowing that they had taken the full thirty minutes to bathe and dry him and Cerb off, having let the two play and splash in the water for a few minutes after they were both perfectly clean and the water was clear of mud before they had dried them off.
"I will get him something." Clay was already up on his feet and heading off to the crate where the containers of hot food were sat.
"There should be a container with a 'k' on it Clay." Lisa called knowing she had ordered a meal that she hoped with be kid friendly seeing him nod in acknowledgement.
Sonny smiled as he looked down at Benji until Clay returned holding the meal container that was labelled with a 'k' on it and a pop top water bottle that was cold as he had pulled it from the chilly bin. "Here." Clay held out both to Sonny which he took with a bit of a juggle before he rested the container on top of his thigh and set the bottle down beside him.
"What did you get him?" Ray asked as he reached forward and opened the container then pulled out the fork out seeing some sort of pasta with a side of fruit.
"It's cauliflower mac n cheese with a side of fruit." Lisa had tried to get something healthy but filling and comforting at the same time.
"You got the kid fruit and vegetables?" Sonny screwed up his nose at the idea of cauliflower mac n cheese, and that was on top of the side of fruit. It just did not seem fair. However even Sonny had to admit that it did smell good, and it got Benji's attention as he turned his head towards the container. "You want some kid?" He asked and a rumble from his little stomach answered his question. He took the fork from Ray and held it out to Benji but he showed no interest in feeding himself as he kept his hands tucked securely between his and Sonny's bodies. "Okay, alright." He answered as he got a forkful of the cauliflower mac n cheese then raised it to Benji's mouth who quickly ate it with gusto.
"Is that good honey?" Lisa had leaned forward as he finished his second mouthful and reached out to brush her hand over the back of his head wishing that she had been able to get his hair a bit drier before they had to board the plane.
"Yes thank you." Benji yawned once he had replied but he still opened his mouth for another mouthful that Sonny had already prepared.
Eric watched the scene in front of him, always amazed at how the men of Bravo melted in the presence of children, before he finished his beer and stood up. "Take off is in ten minutes." Eric informed them before he moved away to make sure that everything was in order for their departure.
Mandy watched Eric's retreating figure before she turned back to the men around her, and to Lisa and Benji. She reached out and placed her hand on Jason's wrist, the one holding his beer, as he turned to look at her. "You should all get some sleep. Lisa and I can keep an eye on the little guy while you do." Mandy kept her voice soft although even as she spoke she wondered whether they could really pry Benji away from Sonny as she knew that neither her or Lisa had the heart too.
Jason smiled tiredly as the fatigue had gotten to him now that he was settled on the plane with the hot shower and meal having satisfied him. "Don't think the kid will settle without Sonny." Jason answered although he was grateful that Mandy had offered. "But you are right about us all needing sleep." However there were still a few things on Jason's mind.
Mandy had known Jason long enough to know that there was something other than the failure to save Benji's parents plaguing him but she also knew it was a delicate balance to get him to open up. "What else is on your mind Jason?"
Jason's eyes betrayed him as he glanced over at Benji who was still eating as Sonny continued to feed him as he made his way through the mountain of cauliflower mac n cheese that was in the container. "What is going to happen to him once we land?" Sooner or later the question would be asked, and although Jason was not ready for the answer he still needed to know.
Mandy pursed her lips as she followed Jason's gaze before she smiled softly and turned back to look at him. "I spoke to Maya's parents, his grandparents. They will meet us on base with a social worker." Mandy saw the look of alarm that flittered over Jason's face at the term 'social worker'. "He will be going home with his grandparents, a social worker is merely a formality to make sure the transition goes smoothly given all that he may have been through."
Jason nodded his head before he looked past Mandy and around his men knowing that they would eventually drift to where their hammocks were already hung instead of being ordered to once the plane was in the air.
Mandy leaned forward and squeezed Jason's wrist making him look back at her. "You did good Jason, you and the team. It was not the outcome that we wanted but at least we got that sweet little boy out. He had no choice in going to live in the middle of a rainforest that rebel forces patrolled. Take it as a win Jason." She assured him hoping that he understood what she was getting at.
"Yeah." It was said breathily but Mandy could hear the doubt even in the single word but she also knew better than to push it instead she turned her attention back to Sonny and Benji.
Sonny chuckled softly as Benji finished his meal, fruit and all, and snuggled closer to him although it was not possible given how tightly curled into him he already was. Sonny absentmindedly tugged on the edge of the blanket and pulled it around him a little more even though he knew that he would move once they were in the air. He looked across to Lisa and smiled at her. "What else did you get him?" Sonny asked knowing her and knowing that if she managed to secure him pyjamas then she would have got him a few other things.
Lisa raised an eyebrow at him as she leaned back against the netting of the seat before she raised her beer bottle to her lips and took a mouthful. "Couldn't let him run around in the shirt you guys put him in." She settled on that answer not missing the way Brock looked away or the sharp intake of breath from Clay which told her who dressed him like that.
"In our defence, the kid was soaked and needed something dry." Brock held his hands up in a surrendering manner making Trent, Ray and Jason laugh while Mandy just shook her head amused.
"And all the dads were in the other vehicle. We worked the problem!" Clay was quick to add as he sent a pointed look towards Ray and Jason before he shrugged.
"Don't look at me! It's been years since I helped my kids get dressed. That is definitely our 2IC's current area of expertise." Jason was quick to withdraw himself from the job of dressing young children as his kids were grown. Although he did recall how difficult it could be sometimes to get young kids dressed as they squirmed and were highly uncoordinated.
Ray glared at Jason but he knew that he was right as RJ still needed help getting dressed but it definitely was not something that Ray would call himself skilled at as half the time he ended up with chasing RJ around the house while the kid managed to strip himself of whatever Ray had managed to get on him before he made his break. "RJ ends up running around the house naked when I try to dress him. Naima is the expert at getting him dressed, not me." Ray would gladly admit that Naima excelled in something that he did not. "And anyway it will only be a matter of time before one of you has one of your own." He could not help it as he looked from Clay to Brock and Trent and then to Sonny, and he did not miss the blanching from all of them.
"Something you know that we don't Ray?" Mandy questioned him having not missed the men's reactions.
"Nope, not at all." Ray smirked as he shook his head as he wondered if his brothers had realised that they all seemed to be at the point where they were starting to look to settle down, or settle down as much as being a Tier One Operator would afford them. There were subtle notes and patterns that had changed within the men but as far as Ray was concerned it was a good thing.
Clay did not say anything but the smile that tugged at his lips told them enough as his tired eyes sparkled with mischief. "A mini version of all of us… damn that is kind of a scary thought."
"And why is that blondie?" Oh Sonny was going to bite as he could see the trouble sparking.
"Think about it Sonny…" Clay waved his hands around. "Brock's kid would have every dog under their command yet be able to sneak up and scare the hell out of all of us. Trent's kid would be scarily attracted to weapons and rocket launchers, and sure would know how to use them. And well your kid would be damn ornery, would not like any other kids." He concluded snickering.
Lisa could imagine little versions of each of the men who did not have children knowing that Mikey already had some of Jason's hot headedness but was tempered by Alana's ease, while RJ already had some of Ray's mannerisms perfected. "And what about your kid Clay?" She asked wondering what he would answer. Clay shrugged and looked at Lisa as he remained silent.
"Hey, what do you mean my kid would not like any other kids?" Sonny's offended question had them all chuckling.
"Hate to break it to you Son but you can be a bit prickly with people." Ray knocked his knee against Sonny's.
"It takes you a while to warm up to people brother." Trent offered recalling how Sonny often was disdainful towards people that he did not like upon their first meeting.
"I like people!" Sonny protested making everyone chuckle again.
"Strippers don't count brother." Trent was quick to point out earning a slap from Lisa as she reached across Clay to administer it. "What was that for?"
Lisa merely pointed a finger at Benji as discussing strippers around him was inappropriate even if he was asleep.
Sonny shook his head. "I like all of you." He said as if that was going to make his point.
"You didn't at first." Clay was quick to point out as he could remember Sonny's visceral condemnation and hatred of him when he first joined Bravo.
Sonny shook his head knowing that Clay did have a point and he wanted to disagree with him but he couldn't.
"Alright, alright, enough." Jason calmed things down as he could see Benji beginning to squirm in Sonny's hold suggesting that he did not like the change in the Texan's voice or the way he had puffed up like a peacock puffed out. "Don't want to wake the kid up."
Lisa watched as Sonny relaxed purposefully back into the chair for Benji's sake more than his own grateful that their departure had gone smoothly as they finally reached cruising altitude. "I'm sure he would prefer to be laid out on you instead of all scrunched up Sonny." Lisa hoped that he would take the hint and retreat to his hammock to get some sleep himself, and that the others would follow as they all looked ready to curl up and sleep, even Cerb was laid on the floor with his head rested on his paws dozing.
Clay yawned then looked at Lisa. "Sleep sounds like a great idea." He yawned again before he got up and toddled off to his hammock as Lisa, Mandy and the rest of the team watched on in amusement at their 'kid' putting himself to bed.
Brock finished off his beer and stood up. "Come on Cerb." Brock would happily settle in his hammock with Cerb asleep on top of him as they were both exhausted as each other. It was not often that the hair missile was exhausted but having been sated by the hot bath and the handfuls of treats that Lisa and Mandy would have given him, he was ready to sleep. Brock wondered away with a nod at the rest of the group with Cerb right next to him.
Lisa looked at Sonny who seemed to be contemplating how to get up without disturbing Benji as he was not an expert in moving sleeping children without waking them up. "You want a hand up?" She asked making him look up and over at her.
"I'm good." Sonny answered as he leaned forward just a little having folded at his hips then shuffled forward to the edge of the chair.
"I've got you brother." Ray stood up then moved to help keep Sonny steady as he pushed himself up to his feet being extra careful not to jostle the sleeping four year old. Ray was quite content to follow Sonny over to where the hammocks were as he was ready to catch up on some sleep before he got home to his own family, and after this mission he really wanted to hold his children in his arms for as long as he could.
Jason watched as his men put themselves to bed in their hammocks before he looked over at Eric who seemed to be filling in paperwork, and he knew that he had his own to do as AAR's were still to be submitted and a debrief was still to be held but he knew he did not have the energy to concentrate on it.
Mandy squeezed Jason's wrist once more as she had not bothered to move her hand away from him. "Go get into your hammock too. Get some sleep Jason." She spoke softly knowing that he had a routine that he liked to do but his own exhaustion would do him no favours when it came to filling out the paperwork that was required.
Jason sighed but he knew that between Mandy and Lisa that neither of them were going to let him avoid at least getting into his hammock. "Yeah." He felt as Mandy let go of his wrist and he missed the contact although he would never admit it before he looked at both women. "Night."
"Night Jason." Mandy replied instantly knowing that as soon as he was in the security of the hammock that he would be asleep, and she was glad for that as he needed uninterrupted sleep in the warmth and safety of the plane, actually the entire team needed it.
"Night." Lisa kept her voice low as she watched Jason amble his way over to the last hammock before she looked back at Mandy. "You good?" She asked as she held her beer bottle out to her.
"We're on our way home with them tucked up safe and sound. I'm good." Mandy answered assuredly gently tapping the neck of her bottle against Lisa's as both women shared a smile as the relief that came with that knowledge flooded them just as it did each and every time.
SEAL TEAM
Lisa moved quietly through the plane checking on the men and shaking her head at their failure to cover themselves up despite the blankets being draped over the end of their hammocks but at least they were all sleeping soundly. Lisa stopped at Brock's hammock first, grabbed the blanket and draped it over top of Cerb and him before she repeated the same action with Trent, Jason and Ray before she got to Clay. She took one look at Clay and shook her head at the position the man managed to contort himself into when he slept in his hammock before she grabbed the blanket, shook it out then laid it over top of him making sure his socked feet were covered and the blanket went right up to his neck before she tucked it around his shoulders than softly ran her fingers through his hair once before she moved on to Sonny and Benji.
Lisa smiled as she took the opportunity to pull out her phone and take a photo of the scene she was witnessing, and she knew she would get the picture printed out then sneak a copy into Sonny's cage knowing he would like it, before she tucked it back into her pocket. Sonny was laid on his back with Benji spread out over his torso like a starfish and his face was still tucked into his neck. Sonny had his hands laid down flat on Benji, one across his back and the other laid down over his pyjama covered leg. The blanket that had been tucked around Benji was now rumpled and tucked between Sonny's body and the fabric of the hammock with Benji's small hand clutching at the corner of it as his other hand held tightly onto the fabric of Sonny's hoodie. If anyone looked at them, they would not have known that they were not related nor that they only met two days ago, but to Lisa that was what made it even more special. The small shiver from Benji caught Lisa's attention, bringing her out of her musing, and had her grabbing the blanket, shaking it out and draping it over the both of them as gently as she could before she moved away.
Lisa looked up and felt the blush on her cheeks rise as she caught Eric smiling at her as he had been watching what she had been doing. She crossed the short distance to him and stopped in front of him. "Don't know what we would do without you Lisa. I think you and Mandy may be the only ones that are able to get them covered up with blankets without waking them up." It was so much more than just that but Eric knew that Lisa would understand that he was meaning a hell of a lot more than just covering a bunch of Tier One Operators with blankets.
Lisa looked back at them before she looked at Eric. "It's ironic isn't it? I don't know what we would do without them either." It was the truth simply put but she meant every word.
Eric huffed lightly at the way Lisa had turned it back on them. "Probably be a little less crazy." He answered lightly making her laugh.
"Probably but I think we like the crazy most of the time." She sobered as she looked back at the men before she returned her gaze to Eric. "Did you ever think you would see Sonny comforting a child that was not his own like he is with Benji?" There was something a lot more paternal about Sonny with Benji than he was with any of his brother's children.
Eric let his eyes drift to the hammock that contained Sonny and Benji and a smile tugged at his lips as the scene tugged at the strings of his heart. "No, no, I didn't." He paused before he looked at Lisa. "It's nice to see him mallow for once."
"Yeah, it is. I guess that is what a Tier One Operator looks like when they are at peace. I kind of wish it could last longer." Lisa smiled softly although it was tinged with sadness knowing that peace did not last however long she wished it would, and she was not just applying that to Sonny but to the rest of the team who were sleeping like babies.
Eric shifted his eyes back to Lisa as he reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. "Go and get some sleep Lisa." Eric knew that Lisa had slept on and off for the past few days as had he and Mandy but it had been restless as they were worried about the men with spotty radio communication and no ISR in the heart of the rainforest.
"You too Eric." She reached out and patted his forearm before she moved away. She wasn't ready to sleep instead she wanted to spend a few more minutes soaking in the peace that hung softly and comfortingly in the air.
SEAL TEAM
Lisa moved around the men taking the opportunity to get them up as there was only an hour and a half left of the flight before they would land back at base and be able to go home. What surprised Lisa was that Benji was already awake but contently lying still on Sonny's stomach having been watching her.
Lisa smiled softly as she knelt down next to the hammock. "Hi honey. You want to come with me?" She spoke softly as Sonny was still asleep.
Benji yawned before he nodded and reached his arms out to her. Lisa reached out and lifted him off of Sonny and rested him on her hip as she held him in her arms. She took a few seconds to run her fingers through his hair in an effort to tame the wicked case of bed hair that he had going on. "Are you hungry honey?" She asked knowing that they had all been asleep since they had taken off, and she could rustle up a pop tart or two instead of a breakfast MRE. It wouldn't be the most nutritious breakfast ever but at least it was something to fill his stomach, and she could offset it with a drink of water.
Clay had roused and took the time to push his hair off of his forehead before he ruffled his own hair as he crawled out of his hammock, stood and stretched. His eyes had landed on Lisa when she had crouched down and he continued to watch as she lifted Benji into her arms and held him close. He took the few steps that separated him and Lisa and stopped at her side. "I'll wake him up Lis." He offered knowing that Sonny could be difficult to get up at the best of times, and Lisa already had Benji to take care of.
Lisa laughed lightly as she rested her chin on top of Benji's head and looked at Clay whose bed hair rivalled Benji's. "Come here you." She shifted her arm to make sure Benji was supported before she raised her hand up and managed to corral Clay's hair into something more manageable which had Benji laughing as Clay was trying to duck away from her. "That's better. Come on honey, let's go make you some pop tarts while Clay wakes Sonny up."
"Pop tarts?!" Clay's attention went to Lisa at the mention of pop tarts.
Lisa smiled teasingly. "Wake Sonny up and I will make you some too." She knew how much Clay loved pop tarts and it wouldn't be hard to make a couple more as he did not eat them all that often.
Lisa carried Benji over knowing that once he was finished eating then it would be best to get him washed up and dressed which could be achieved easily as she had gotten him an outfit when she had gotten him the pyjamas as his clothes that had been in his backpack still needed washing and drying having remained damp. "We are going to be landing very soon and you are going to see your grandparents honey." Lisa moved around effortlessly as she got the pop tarts started then handed Benji a fresh bottle of water with the top already popped so he could drink from it straight away, all while holding Benji to her hip.
Sonny stood and stretched out hating that he was woken before his eyes looked around the plane stopping on Lisa who was stood holding Benji while making him breakfast. It was an odd picture of domesticity even though it was taking place in the belly of the C-17 several thousand feet about the ground. "Lis is making pop tarts." Clay pulled Sonny from his revelry smiling widely before he made his way over to Lisa leaving Sonny standing still.
Sonny looked around the plane seeing his brothers in various states of dishevelment as they prepared themselves to land and go through debrief whilst trying to wake up because despite how long they had slept it still did not feel like it had been long enough. He raised his hand to his chest and scrubbed his hand across his shirt lightly, barely skimming the fabric, but it felt odd to not have the kid against his chest. It surprised him just how quickly he had gotten used to the feeling of it.
Clay smiled and shook his head at the look on Sonny's face as he glanced over his shoulder to see him still standing where he was completely still just watching. Clay turned his attention back to Lisa as she called his name just in time to have a pop tart that was freshly iced held out for him to take. "Thanks Lis." He took the pop tart and bit into it enjoying the way it melted in his mouth. Sugary goodness, he could have moaned at the taste of it but he refrained, barely.
Lisa smiled and shook her head at the similar reactions that Clay and Benji had to eating the pop tarts that she had prepared. Lisa's smile faltered briefly but it was enough that Clay caught it as she began swaying lightly with Benji in her arms.
Clay had no doubt where Lisa's mind had gone to but he would not call her out on it, not when she had Benji in her arms, and not when they were on the plane where they could be easily overheard, but he would check in with her at some point soon and make sure that she was okay. He knew that the pain and sadness she felt over his miscarriage never truly went away instead she had learned to live with it and keep it at bay as much as she could but even she had moments where she could not keep it hidden and none of them expected her too. Instead Clay did what he knew would help. "You want me to take him?" He asked before he stuffed the rest of his pop tart into his mouth so that both of his hands were free.
Lisa looked up at Clay barely concealing her glassy eyes before she nodded and let Clay take Benji from her as he was still happily munching his way through his second pop tart having already demolished the first one. With a soft nod, she stepped away from everyone needing to take a few moments to herself before she refocused, and with Benji on board she had the perfect excuse as she went to get the clothes that she had got for him.
Sonny frowned and watched as Lisa handed Benji over to Clay then move away from them which had him moving towards them. "Everything okay?" He kept his voice light but he could not hide the worry that it was tinged with as he took Benji back from Clay immediately as the boy reached out to him.
Clay looked Lisa's way before he looked back at Sonny and gave him a small smile seeing how Sonny had settled Benji against his chest so naturally. "Everything is fine brother." Clay would not say anything as Lisa did not need anyone to know that small things still caught her off guard from time to time, and sent her spinning. With that declaration, Clay clapped Sonny on the shoulder leaving him to focus on Benji while he moved towards Jason knowing that he was filling out the required paperwork and that between the two of them they could get it done quicker.
"Sonny?" Benji's voice had Sonny's attention immediately.
"Yeah little buddy?" Sonny asked as he moved to snag a wipe from the table nearby as Benji's mouth and chin were covered in crumbs, pop tart filling and icing.
"Where's Mommy and Daddy?" Benji asked innocently as he looked up at Sonny with wide eyes before he looked around the plane seemingly searching for them.
Sonny swallowed feeling as though he forget how to breathe momentarily as he felt as almost everyone turned to look at him and Benji as the kid had been the loudest he had been since they had found him. Sonny decided to buy himself some time as he wiped his face, cleaning him up, as the pit in his stomach formed. He looked around for help as kids were not his forte or rather he was not the best at answering their questions despite always trying his best but the thing that got him about this time was that it was such a pivotal moment. After all how is anyone supposed to tell a four year old, let alone make it understandable, that their Mommy and Daddy are not coming back but what he did know was that he could not lie to the boy.
Sonny shifted Benji as he sat down so that he was in his lap and he noticed how everyone had begun to migrate back towards them in a silent show of support and unity. "Benji, your Mommy and Daddy… they are… well…" Sonny swallowed as the lost look on Benji's face had him fumbling with what to say and had him looking around for help.
It was Mandy who emerged from behind Jason and knelt down next to Benji having seen Sonny's struggle, and she could understand why he was struggling to explain it to the young boy. "Benji, your Mommy and Daddy are in heaven now." Mandy hoped to soften the news although she knew that nothing would soften that kind of news, and she hoped that the boy had some idea of the concept of heaven. Heaven seemed like something that kids should believe in even if that belief was lost as an adult.
Benji inhaled in a shuddering breath as he blinked several times looking at Mandy completely still. "Mommy and Daddy are dead?" Benji asked with his small voice trembling as the tears began to roll down his cheeks after a few moments.
Mandy hated that they had to be the one to explain to Benji that his parents were dead as it would be one of the defining moments of his life. "Yes sweetheart, they are." She spoke as softly as she could feeling herself begin to choke up at the pure devastation that Benji openly displayed. For a four year old he seemed to have a comprehension far beyond what he should have in regards to death.
Benji sobbed loud and painfully. "But Mommy… Mommy promised she wouldn't leave me…" He sobbed as more tears cascaded down his cheeks and snot bubbles filled the end of his nose.
Sonny was spurred to action as he pulled Benji close hating that they had to be the one to tear the child apart. "She hasn't little buddy, she hasn't." Sonny rocked Benji softly trying to stop him from hyperventilating even as he fought his hold. "Neither of them have."
Mandy stood up and turned away from Benji who was wrapped up in Sonny's arms before she walked past the rest of the team who had gathered around them and towards the front of the plane needing to pull herself together but the increasing volume of Benji's heartbroken wails made it harder. The fact was that he would always remember her as she was the one who had told him that his parents were dead, and although he did not understand it in that moment he would know that it was the moment that he was now an orphan, a parentless child.
Jason could hear and see the emotion in Mandy as she walked past him, and without an ounce of hesitation he followed after her knowing how hard it was to tell a child that their parent or parents were not coming home, that they would never see them again. Jason watched as Mandy stepped into the shadows so that she could not be seen as she sunk down behind a pallet that was stacked high with gear. He stopped and looked back towards Sonny who was holding Benji against him, rocking him with a desperateness within the action, while letting him cry his little heart out before he looked around at all of his men as Brock sent Cerb over to them before he turned away to give them some semblance of privacy, Trent stayed close by to make sure that medically Benji was fine, Ray had moved to sit down and looked to be praying as his head was bowed, Eric waved support off, while Clay had his arm wrapped around Lisa's shoulder as she was tucked into his side and it was plain to see that she was struggling to contain her own emotions.
Jason turned back towards the shadows and moved forward finding Mandy sat with her back up against the side of the pallet with her legs folded and her feet tucked under her and her hands were clasped together. He said nothing as he sat down beside her although he did not miss the glassiness of her eyes as she quickly reached up to run her hand over her face trying to hide the evidence that her eyes had welled up with tears. "Come here." Jason draped his arm over Mandy's shoulder as she leant into his side resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you. I know that it is a terrible thing to have to do." He whispered before he kissed her forehead as he could still vividly recall having to tell Emma and Mikey about Alana despite almost everything else being a blur from that awful time.
Mandy took a deep breath and let herself inhale the comforting and safe scent of Jason as she fought hard to reign in her emotions. "I couldn't let Sonny do it. I did not want him to remember that coming from him." She tried to explain it away.
Jason knew exactly what she was meaning, understood what she was not saying. "I know." There was not a lot else he could say as Benji's crying seemed to echo around the plane so instead he let his words hang in the air.
SEAL TEAM
Sonny was drawn to the dark corner of the bar as he did not want company as Benji's sobs and inconsolable clinging reverberated around in his brain. It had been almost four hours since Mandy had told him that his parents were dead, three hours since they had landed and the kid had melted down on the tarmac when he realised that he had to leave the safety of Sonny's arms even though his grandparents were standing within reaching distance ready to take him home visibly relieved that at least their grandson had survived and been rescued, and only a half hour since they had finished their standard debrief although there was nothing ordinary about this one as the sadness lingered like darks clouds foreshadowing a storm.
It was a strange feeling to miss the boy that he had only known for a short amount of time, missed the way his little hands clutched the fabric of his shirt, missed the way he snuggled his face into his neck, missed the weight in his arms and the warmth against his chest, and missed the unexplainable trust that he showed him.
A glass of whiskey was placed down in front of him followed by a bottle beside it but he barely acknowledged it as he found himself wondering what would Benji's life be like now knowing that the boy's entire world had just be turned upside down. The only respite in that line of thinking was that Benji's grandparents seemed like good people as they had not tried to tear him out of Sonny's arms despite how desperate they were to hold and hug him instead they let him cling to Sonny until he was ready to let go. He reached out, picked up the glass, then swallowed it down in one mouthful before he sat the glass back down with a thud however he made no effort to refill it as he did not want to numb himself with alcohol, not this time anyway.