Heroics and Heartache
Outskirts of Hércules, Mexico – Near Graveyard
"Holy shit!" Clay jumped out of the Humvee and ran like hell away from the vehicle, diving over a half-wall of the old cemetery, curling into a protective ball after he scurried for cover behind a massive headstone. The resounding boom and flying debris came raining down on his position when the RPG hit its target and made mincemeat of their only remaining means of transportation out of this hellhole.
Dilapidated House
"Six, status!" Jason shouted as a ball of flame rolled out of the destroyed Humvee. Damn, I shouldn't have sent the kid. "Bravo Six, do you copy?"
Heavy gunfire erupted again as the hostiles renewed their assault. Pinned down, outgunned, outnumbered, low on ammo, no ISR overhead, comms with Havoc down, no quick response force in place to come to save their asses, and forty miles from the planned exfil location, Bravo team was in a world of hurt.
Ten minutes ago, Jason hesitantly agreed to Spenser's suggestion to make a hasty dash for the only vehicle which survived the initial onslaught, while the rest of them laid down cover fire as a diversion. The kid made it and started to drive towards them, but now, with the last one blown up, his team's options for exfil … and survival were limited.
Jason peeked out the side of a window, hoping to glimpse Clay, unsure if the kid received Ray's warning about the RPG and was able to exit before it exploded. "Six, respond," Jason demanded, his voice rising along with his fear the brave kid died.
"Come on, Kid, answer Boss," Sonny muttered from his position on the second story window, also searching for any sign of life. He hated handsome boy's idea, but no one came up with a better one, and the kid was the fastest runner of the team, possessing supersonic speed like Sonic the Hedgehog.
"I see movement …" Ray adjusted his scope as he lay flat on the tile roof, "the cemetery. He's alive, but he is now cut off from us."
"Damn!" Jason hammered the plaster wall with his fist, causing dust from the defunct house to billow around him.
"Any visible injuries?" Trent asked as his gaze met Brock's, both hacked off at their situation and the fact Spenser would now be on his own. The odds of him surviving dropped considerably given the number of hostiles they were facing.
"Unable to tell. He's hunkered down on hallowed ground. The explosion might've covered his escape. Don't think Herrera's men have seen him." Ray sent up a silent prayer to Heaven that remained the case. The thought of Clay being taken hostage turned his stomach. The drug cartel would torture the kid just for the fun of it because they had been making inroads into locating Doza.
Graveyard
His chest heaving, attempting to slow the thudding of his heartbeat and heavy breathing, Clay shifted in his hiding place as the last of the metal hail fell around him. Too damned close. Damned glad Ray gave me a heads up. Shit! What are we going to do now?
Glancing around the mining town's burial ground, Clay had little cover and would be located in short order if he couldn't figure out someplace better to hide. His eyes stopped on a stone grave marker for Hector del Pozo. He translated the saying below the name. I made some good decisions and some bad ones … I really went in the hole with this one.
Clay's face morphed into a wry smile as he chuckled. "I'm right there with you, Hector. But at least I'm not in the hole yet. And if I can help it, I'll avoid it for many a year."
He keyed his headset, hoping Bravo could hear him even though he could no longer hear them … something he recognized because Jason would've been demanding status from him by now and all he heard was static on his end. "Bravo One, Bravo Six here. Still in possession of all my parts. Not receiving you … hope you have good copy. Gonna find a way back to you if I can."
Moving to his knees, Clay felt a stab of pain in his right hip. His eyes darted down and found a thin metal shard poking out of his pants. "Well, shit." He prodded the area and didn't think the metal penetrated too deep. He yanked it out and pressed a hand to his hip to staunch the bleeding.
Dilapidated House
"We can't leave him hanging out there alone," Sonny huffed as he wiped the dripping sweat from his forehead. Wearing full tactical gear in ninety-five-degree weather was a bitch.
"If we go out there, our asses are toast before we get even halfway to him," Ray spoke the hard truth. As much as he wanted to rescue Spenser, them all ending up dead in an attempt would be fruitless.
"Bravo Six, do you copy?" Jason paced, hating the fact he had no options. "Bravo One to Havoc base," he tried again. If they could reach Blackburn and get some support, there might be a chance of getting out of this alive. In the back of his mind, the faces of Emma and Mikey played on a loop … he must find a way out of this, or his kids would be orphans.
Jason blew out a breath. "Options … anyone got any ideas?" The silence meeting his request further hollowed Jason's heart.
"I say we go out in a hail of glory and take out as many of those sons of bitches on our way out," Sonny stated.
Brock shook his head. There's gotta a be a way. Something we haven't thought of yet."
"Hey, hey … the kid is moving. What the hell?" Ray couldn't believe his eyes.
Graveyard
As Herrera and his men stopped their vehicles near the cemetery, Clay's mind came up with a possible solution to save his brothers when a truck halted over a huge pothole. Stella is right … this is an eventuality … but at least I can protect my team and give them a fighting chance to get out of this alive. Jason's and Ray's kids need their fathers … no one needs me.
When their HVT, Herrera, exited the truck, gloating over killing the half-witted marine who tried to drive the Humvee, Clay took offense at being called a half-wit. His original plan, though half-crazy was the only option they possessed and would've worked if they hadn't had an RPG. But on a positive note, Herrera believed him dead and therefore wouldn't be expecting a rear assault.
When Herrera began ordering his men to move forward to take out the rest of the Mexican marines who dare to attempt to capture him, Clay ignored the pain in his hip, kept low behind headstones, and maneuvered himself to the rear of Herrera's vehicle. Reaching the hedge near the end of the wall close to his desired location, Clay checked his last mag. Almost out. Every shot must count.
Dropping to his belly, Clay slithered under Herrera's truck and crawled to the front, lowering himself in the hole which would afford him a little protection. He almost laughed as Hector's headstone came to mind. I really went in the hole with this one. Hope this is a good decision.
Clay sighted one of the hostiles and planned his order, leaving Herrera for last, hoping Bravo would be able to grab him alive and get the intel needed to bring Doza's organization down. Clay figured he could take out half before they zeroed in on his position and maybe a few more before a hailstorm of bullets came his way. That would draw their attention away from the house his teammates were in, and they would be able to handle the remainder.
He drew a deep breath, then caressed the trigger between heartbeats. One down. Herrera's henchmen started dropping like flies as Clay targeted one after another, shooting as fast as possible. The men appeared confused at first when their cohorts crumpled to the ground like puppets with their strings cut. He dispatched sixteen to hell before they figured out where the shots were coming from.
As predicted, bullets riddled his location. Clay dropped his head, hoping his helmet and the depression in the dirt road would protect him … he couldn't move from his place, or he would end up so full of holes he would become a human strainer. Hot anti-freeze and water poured down on him as the radiator was hit with a barrage of rounds.
Over the next few minutes, gunfire reduced in intensity, then stopped altogether. Clay remained still, wondering if it was a ploy to get him to lift himself and give them a target. Not in this lifetime … I might be headstrong, but I'm not foolish and I don't have a death wish. Boots crunching on the gravel alerted Clay to several people approaching. He swallowed hard not relishing the idea of becoming a hostage, but at least his brothers now had half a chance to survive.
As his team maintained watch, Jason took a knee at the front of the truck Ray said the kid crawled under. His heart in his throat, fearing the worst when the kid didn't move … believing no one could survive the hellacious firestorm unleashed in his direction, Jason said, "Clay. Clay."
At the sound of Hayes' voice so close, Clay almost thought he was hallucinating. Raising his head, Clay's gaze met Jason's and detected relief.
"You get the rest?" Clay asked at the same time Jason asked, "Are you hurt?" Jason said, "Yes," as Clay said, "No harm."
Clay wiggled out from underneath and spotted Brock putting a black hood over their HVT's head after Sonny zip-tied the head honcho's hands behind his back.
"Damned gutsy move," Ray said as he looked over the kid.
"What the hell possessed you to do something so half-cocked? You could've been killed. Surprised you're not littered with holes," Jason barked, both pissed off and astonished by Clay's selfless and heroic action to aid them.
Pulling himself up holding onto the bumper, then putting most his weight on his left leg, his right hip aching something fierce now, Clay met Jason head-on. "Hector gave me the idea. Any of you would've done the same."
"Who the hell is Hector?" Sonny asked.
"A guy in the graveyard." Clay unlatched his helmet, took it off, and wiped the sweat and dust … which turned into mud … from his forehead with his sleeve.
Trent stepped forward, his eyes scanning the kid, not missing the blood on Clay's pants and the way he held himself on one leg, but his main worry was a concussion. "Clay, there isn't anyone else in the cemetery … at least alive."
"Teflon boy is seeing ghosts in a haunted boneyard," Sonny quipped, surprised the kid was alive after his hairbrained stunt.
Clay chuckled. "Not quite." He told him about the words on the headstone as he settled the helmet back in place. "Can we get out here now?"
Brock hopped into the cab of one of the trucks and turned the ignition. "This one isn't shot to hell. Should get us outta here."
Clay took a step and winced. Trent was at his side in seconds flat. "No harm my ass. What's wrong with the leg?"
"Only a little piece of shrapnel. Nothing big," Clay responded.
"I'll be the judge of that. Put him in the bed, and I'll check him out as we drive," Trent instructed.
Clay attempted to move on his own, but Jason and Sonny both stepped on either side of him and grabbed his arms, swinging them over their shoulders and lifting him off the ground. "Christ, I can walk. Put me down."
"Humor us, Kid." Jason started moving.
None of Bravo spotted the man hiding in the nearby house observing the whole scene and taking photos with his phone. He slunk back into the recesses, dialed, and whispered rapid-fire Spanish. Hanging up a sneer came to his face as he texted the pictures. Doza would reward him well for this information.
Truck Heading to Exfil Location
Trent cut an opening in Clay's uniform, examined the wound, and grinned up at Jason. "Yeah, minor. Teflon boy is an apt name. Just need to clean it out and bandage it for now … I'll stitch it once we're not bouncing all over hell and creation and we aren't eating dust."
Jason peered at Clay. "One helluva move. Saved our asses." He handed a water bottle over to him. "We owe you a case of beer."
"Thinking this warrants a bottle of Tequila," Clay cockily responded as he lay on his side on the truck's bed. His position a tad uncomfortable with all the bumps in the road, but Clay grinned and accepted the water. The warm liquid welcome to his parched throat. The excessive heat of the desert caused him to sweat a lot, and he needed to replenish. Once Trent finished applying a dressing, Clay rolled to his butt and scooted his back against the side.
"Whatever you want, Bam Bam … I'm buying the first round," Sonny said as he stood in the bed, peering over the cab, his gun at the ready should they encounter any more of Herrera's men on this dusty road in the middle of nowhere. Their infil via helicopter forty miles from the mining town was determined to keep their approach under wraps and would be where they would exfil too.
They rode in silence for quite some time, before Jason took off his helmet and swiped a filthy hand across his forehead to stop the sweat from dripping into his eyes. The breeze afforded by being in the back of the truck helped cool him somewhat, though the air remained hot. He leaned forward to yell to Brock, "How far out are we?"
"About twenty miles," Brock hollered back, but his eyes landed on the gas gauge. "Fuck, don't think we're gonna make it all the way back … this was full, but now it's empty." His words were prophetic as the engine died and they rolled to a stop after some distance.
Ray hopped out of the cab, pulling their HVT with him, and peered at the vehicle's side. "Couple of holes here. Probably hit the tank. Guess we're hoofing it the rest of the way."
Clay didn't look forward to hiking, his hip hurt and he was hot, but he would suck it up like the entire team … they were all dealing with the searing heat of the noonday sun. He scooted to the edge after Trent lowered the tailgate for him.
"Too bad we can't round us up a few horses," Sonny said as he jumped to the ground and focused on Clay. "Hercules' Hero ain't gonna like hiking with that sore hip."
"Riding a horse wouldn't be any fun for him either … and he would be saddle sore to boot," Trent chimed in.
"I'm good." Clay put weight on his right leg to prove to them he was fine. He refused to be the weakest link again. "I'll take point."
Jason nodded but turned an eye on Sonny, sending a silent message to him to stick close to the kid. He received a slight incline of Quinn's head acknowledging the order before Sonny moved out behind Clay.
Pushed forward, Herrera complained, "Unmask me … I can't breathe under this hood."
"Rather you didn't breathe at all," Sonny muttered as he passed the HVT.
"You are American's … why are you dressed as Marina's?" Herrera asked as he stumbled along when someone gripped his arm and pulled him forward.
Ray held onto the Herrera but ignored him. They needed to keep him in the dark, although traipsing through the desert with him like this would be no fun for any of them.
"I need air," Herrera complained.
Jason halted Ray and pulled out the scissors from the front of his vest. "Hold him still." He cut a slit near the mouth.
"I can't see. Take this off now," Herrera protested.
"Shut up, or I'll be happy to hogtie your sorry ass and drag you through the fucking desert," Sonny threatened.
Jason grinned when Herrera became quiet. He started moving again, falling in behind Sonny and was followed by Ray with their target, Brock, and Trent bringing up the rear.
Hiking to Exfil
The summer sun beat down on the men, no one immune to the effects of the blistering heat. After two miles, Jason relented with Herrera and removed the hood as the man stumbled, realizing their success could turn into failure if the target died of heat stroke en route. Not an outcome he wanted after Clay's heroic efforts which turned the day around for them.
As Cerberus flagged, his paws sore from the scorching ground, Brock took a knee, bent over slightly, and whistled. His dog gave him soulful eyes of thanks as he happily hopped up on Brock's back and positioned himself over Brock's shoulder.
Herrera gaped at the move. "You carry the dog. Why?"
Arching a brow, Brock said, "He's not wearing boots."
"Stupid, he's only a dog." Herrera couldn't believe the man would take on the added burden of a mere animal.
Brock bristled at the comment, as did everyone, but Sonny, as usual, was the one to remark, "How about I remove your shoes and see how long you last before your feet are blistered and raw."
Herrera moved away from the angry man, half-believing he would follow through, which caused Clay to grin despite feeling like crap. His hip ached, his lips and throat were parched, and he had ceased sweating some time ago. His face was sunburned … he could feel the heat radiating off it and wished for a breeze, even a hot one to cool him down.
"Havoc, do you copy?" Jason tried the comms again to no avail. His men covered a little over half the distance to exfil and were facing another five miles because they decided to go off-road and take a more direct path to the exfil location. Part of Jason's reasoning was the fact they were out of water, and he recognized signs of dehydration in all of them.
Trent was the first one to exhibit symptoms of heat fatigue. Their medic stopped a few miles back as he experienced muscle spasms and cramping in his hamstrings. Jason insisted Trent drink the last of the water with the electrolyte mix … which Trent reluctantly did.
At the moment, Jason brought up the rear, keeping an eye on all of them as they hiked up the hillside. His headache throbbed with each step, and he suspected the others were experiencing one too based on them rubbing their temples occasionally. But each one trudged on … wanting to complete this horrible mission and get the hell out of this harsh and unrelenting habitat before any of them fell victim to hyperthermia.
Still taking the lead, refusing to show his fatigue, understanding they all felt crappy, Clay crested the hill. He blinked several times … trying to clear the hallucination presented to him. He laughed as the huge, brown horse remained. "Hey, Texas, think we might be able to round him up?" Clay called over his shoulder to Sonny.
Sonny joined Clay at the top. "Well, boy howdy, ain't he a be-u-te-ful sight. Here, cover me," Sonny slipped his assault rifle off and handed it to Clay before moving forward at a slow pace and whispering to the horse.
The rest of Bravo finished slogging up the hillside and halted, watching in awe as Sonny sweet-talked a stallion, attempting to gain its trust.
Jason shook his head. "The damned thing is wild. We can't ride it. Quit horsing around."
"Now hold your horses … give me a moment. I'll have you know I got a way with horses," Sonny shot back.
"Careful, they're not like the women at the strip clubs, you're gonna get kicked in the head," Ray snickered.
"And they don't respond to dollars tucked into their g-strings," Brock added as he let Cerb down while they rested a moment.
"You fail to grasp the obvious … I catch him, I can ride him to the helo, and we get outta here faster," Sonny replied, concentrating on moving closer.
Clay scanned the horizon for hostiles as Sonny continued his hijinks and the others hassled the Texan as they all took a short break in the shade. Clay took several steps, intending to stand in the shadow of a mesquite tree but lost his balance as a wave of dizziness hit him. Staggering a few paces as his vision blurred and heart rate increased, his world folded inward and he collapsed.
Catching movement in his periphery, Jason started running as the kid went down. Trent followed as did Brock. Ray maintained watch on their HVT as he called out, "Forget the damned horse, Six is down."
Sonny whipped around and rushed towards the group kneeling around Clay ripping off the kid's helmet and gear.
"I shouldn't have finished the water. The kid needed it more," Trent groused as he helped Jason remove the tactical vest while Brock moved to cradle the kid's head on his thighs.
"He's not sweating," Brock said. "His hair is dry … should be dripping buckets like us."
Trent touched the hot, dry, red, skin. The heat radiating off Clay was significant. He pulled out his thermometer and stuck it in Clay's ear. Though not standard equipment, Trent always carried extra gear in his kit given the propensity of the kid ending up hurt or ill. "Hyperthermia … more than heat exhaustion … one-o-four point six … we're looking at full-blown heat stroke. I gotta cool him down fast."
He dug in his bag and tossed cold packs to Brock, Jason, and Sonny, then started unbuckling Clay's belt. "Hold one on the back of his neck. Put the others in his armpits." Unbuttoning Clay's pants, Trent never hesitated as he yanked them down to the kid's knees, activated two of the packs, and placed them on Clay's groin.
After lifting Clay's shirt and shoving one in his pit, Jason peered at Trent. "How long?"
"You mean before organ failure or seizure?" Trent went back to his supplies searching for anything to use to cool the kid, wishing like hell he had saline, but his rucksack took several bullets, and the bags had been pierced while they took cover in the house back in Hercules. "Don't know."
"We need to fan him." Brock put Clay's head on his thighs again to hold the cold pack in place as he waved his hands in front of Clay's face … ineffective but all he could do.
Sonny stood after putting the last chill pack they had in Clay's other armpit. He strode to the nearest mesquite, broke off a branch, returned, and began fanning the kid. But as he did so, his eyes scanned for the horse. It grazed only a little way from them … fortunately, it hadn't spooked and run off.
What none of the other guys realized is the horse was not wild. The stallion was shoed and bore the marks of wearing a bit … the animal had a harsh owner … but Sonny was certain it had been ridden. "Boss, I'm going after that horse. The kid needs medical care we can't give him here." When Jason started to object, Sonny added, "It's been tamed, wearing horseshoes. I've ridden bareback before."
Jason nodded, rose, and put out his hand for the branch. "Okay, try. Don't get yourself killed being thrown or trampled."
"Copy." Sonny moved off to wrangle a horse … the kid needed them to save his ass this time, and he would do all in his power to do just that. After fashioning a simple hackamore and reins from the rope in his pack, using all his horse whispering skills, Sonny approached the beautiful beast.
"Okay, paw your hoof, but stay still, Brown Beauty. You and me … we're gonna be friends." Sonny continued to croon and managed to put on his makeshift headgear. Gaining hold of its mane, he swung himself up and grinned when the stallion held still.
"Okay, Beauty. I got a little brother to save and need you to run like the wind." His heels pressed the haunches, and the horse took off as Sonny yelled, "Yeehaw," and spurred the godsend into a gallop.
Jason laughed. "My God, he did it."
"We're gonna owe him a case of beer." Ray grinned.
"He gets to the helo and brings help in time for the kid, I'll buy him an entire pallet." Trent took Clay's temperature again, it hadn't decreased but thankfully had not increased. He prayed help came in time to save Spenser. It would suck to tell Stella that he failed to keep a brother alive because he drank the last of the water and let his kit get shot to hell.
Hospital – Hallway
Blackburn strode down the hall to waiting area accompanied by Davis, Ellis, Colonel Martinez, and Lopez. Eric's haggard expression bespoke the tension which enveloped Havoc base ever since they lost contact with Bravo right as the shit hit the fan in Hércules. The hours of waiting, being denied the ability to send in a QRT to assist his men, and worrying if they all died took a toll on him.
Although he knew Spencer was in need of medical attention, the helo landed at the local hospital before taking Herrera to the Mexican Marine Compound, and he didn't know about the state of the other members of Bravo or the details of what occurred. Though in Eric's mind debrief took second place to the health and welfare of his best team.
"Jason," Eric called out as he spotted Hayes leaning against the wall. The master chief appeared flushed as did the rest of the men … sunburns all around, well, except for Ray … and Trent who was not present. Eric would hazard to guess the team's unofficial medic stayed with Clay.
Shifting his eyes from the door leading into the emergency treatment area to Blackburn, Jason took another sip of Gatorade. They all needed to rehydrate, so the doctors supplied them with bottles of water and Gatorade to replenish the lost fluids. Luckily the doctor assigned to Spenser spoke English, though, unluckily, everyone except Trent had been kicked out of the tiny room so they could treat Clay. The only reason Jason stood here now was that they allowed Trent to remain.
"How is our guy?" Eric asked once he had Hayes' attention.
"No word yet. We got his temp to drop a few degrees in the helo. He came around for a bit but was incoherent."
Eric nodded. "And everyone else?"
"We're good."
His gaze shifting to Sonny, a grin broke out on Eric's face. "Heard you arrived at exfil on horseback."
Before Sonny could answer, Martinez chuckled. "Soldier and cowboy."
Sonny tipped his hat, grinned but didn't elaborate on his wild ride on a horse with no name. The conversation shifted to more important matters, arrangements for safeguarding the kid while he was the hospital.
As Eric had approached Jason, Davis moved directly to Brock and handed him a backpack. "I brought what you requested."
"Thanks." He unzipped Cerb's bag, pulled out two collapsible dishes. He filled one with kibble from a baggie and the other with water from his bottle.
Noticing the gauze wrapping Cerberus' paws, Lisa asked, "How bad?"
Brock put the bowls in reach of Cerb, so his dog didn't need to move. "Pads are a little torn up. He should be fine with a day or two rest." Brock sat on the floor next to Cerb wishing he had picked up the pup sooner, but the heat had zapped him too, and carrying the hair missile taxed his body more. Brock took another drink and closed his eyes as he let down his guard now that Cerb had something to eat.
Lisa took stock of the men and turned to Lopez. "The guys are hungry. Where is the cantina so I can grab them sandwiches?"
"I'll escort you," Lopez offered.
As Lisa hurried away, Mandy sat next to Ray, who's head leaned back with his eyes shut. "You got the target. Good work."
Cracking his eyes open, Ray peered at Ellis. His words came out soft given the unsecured location, "Intel was shit again. We would all be dead if not for Clay's innovative solution. The small contingent of men supposedly with Herrera turned out to be at least fifty strong. I'm not so sure we can trust Alfaro and the marines. Honestly, this feels like we were set up."
Mandy pursed her lips. Not much she could say … the information they ran with on this op appeared to be vetted, but everything blew up in their faces, and they almost lost all the guys when they became the hunted instead of the hunters in Hércules. Something which didn't sit well with her. "I hear you, but—"
"But nothing." Ray cut her off. "Yeah, we understand this package is important, and Doza killed a DEA agent. We will take him down. Step up your game, Ellis … you worried about Jason, well, I'm worried you are behaving a bit too much like Carlson." Ray stood and walked away, his headache still pounding.
Mandy sucked in a breath, the words slapping her in the face. It wasn't like Ray to attack, he was the peacemaker of the team … but then again, the number two's job was to protect number one, so Jason could watch out for the rest of the team. So Ray coming at her like a hyena made some sense. Whatever transpired in Hércules must've rattled Hayes and the others.
She decided her time would be better served if she returned to the compound and interrogated Herrera, so she approached Blackburn and Martinez to inform them she was returning. Martinez agreed to take her back when Eric voiced his concern about her going by herself since they were outside the wire. Mandy noted Jason didn't bother to speak with her, relieved not to have the hassle of dealing with a hot-headed Hayes. And there was no question Jason seethed and held her responsible based on the heated glare he sent her way.
After Mandy strolled away, Eric said, "This isn't her fault."
Jason eyed Eric. "Her slipshod intel almost killed my boys."
"Just saying, she's doing the best she can in this hamster wheel. Cut her some slack."
Jason's brows rose. "We operate on zero margin for error. This has the earmarks of a coordinated hit. We were supposed to be dead by now. We live because members of my team went above and beyond today."
Eric sighed. "Here is not the place to debrief. That can wait until later. Martinez's men will be guarding Clay. You all need to head back to the compound and get some rest." As soon as the words left his mouth, Eric realized the absurdity of them … Jason, nor any of the others would leave Clay alone in the hospital.
"Not leaving," Jason declared.
"Right. When Davis comes back, give her your gear, and she can take it back for you."
"Yeah, sure. Keeping our sidearms though."
"Agreed."
Trent popped his head out of the door. "Temp is going down. I'm gonna stay with him, but the doc said one other person can come in the treatment room."
Jason didn't even bother to consult his men before striding to the door. He needed to be close and ensure the kid received proper healthcare.
Hospital – Clay's room
After an extended stay in the ER, the doctor managed to lower Clay's temperature to within normal limits and relocated him to a room for continued observation. The semi-private room in which Clay had been moved to initially contained another man, but when all of Bravo crowded in and refused to leave, the floor nurse transferred the other patient across the hall. Now divested of their tactical gear, Davis having confiscated their weapons, helmets, and vests, the men lined up along one wall, sitting on the floor, and keeping vigil on Clay.
The room contained one chair, which was surprisingly plush and comfortable, but without a single word spoken, the entire team agreed Cerberus earned the spot. It was Cerb who alerted them as they approached Herrera's hacienda and saved their bacon. They had been able to take cover as the hailstorm of bullets headed their way. Brock sat nearest, and his hand rested on his sleeping dog's hip, gently caressing his fur.
Jason glanced at Brock. "Cerberus is gonna be okay."
"Yeah, I know, but I should've carried him sooner." Brock's gaze remained fixed on Cerb's bandaged paws.
"If you had, you would be in a bed next to the kid," Jason stated in a matter of fact tone.
"You don't know that," Brock countered.
"I do," Trent chimed in. "We would've lost either you or Clay because I didn't have enough cold packs to go around. As it is, we barely got the kid cooled enough he didn't go into seizures."
"When is he expected to wake?" Ray asked.
Trent shrugged. "His body went through a lot of stress. Could be today, or tomorrow. At least his temp is down to normal now."
Sonny shifted trying to find a comfortable position and failed, his butt sore as hell from his bareback horse ride.
Jason caught Sonny's movement and couldn't help the grin that came to his face. "Saddlesore?"
"No," Sonny groused.
Ray chuckled. "Can't be … Buffalo Bill didn't have a saddle."
The guys all snickered as Sonny grimaced, but Jason rose and strode for the door.
"Where are you going?" Brock asked.
Jason didn't answer and stepped out of the room. He walked down the hallway in search of a specific item, peering into each room as he moved. Finding what he required in the last room, he returned to Clay's and tossed two pillows at Sonny. "Here, sit on these."
Sonny stared at the pillows as if they were horned vipers. "I'm not getting soft. Don't need them. I'm fine without them."
"You refusing to do as ordered?" Jason crossed his arms and stared down at Quinn. Not often he had to pull rank on Quinn, but in this case, he would.
Shifting, lifting his aching backside off the ground, Sonny shoved the plastic covered pieces of foam underneath him, and as he lowered his full weight on them, he couldn't halt the sigh that eked out, which caused another round of snickering.
Clay cracked his eyes open. He had woken when Jason spoke to Brock about Cerb and heard Trent's comments too, but he wasn't sure he wanted to wake up completely. His head still pounded, and he had become the weakest link yet again. But when the guys started chuckling Clay had to know what they were teasing Sonny about.
The vision of the hardened and hot-tempered Texan sitting on pillows was humorous to Clay and brought out a grin and a chuckle which wasn't missed by a single one of his teammates. Jason reached him first because he was standing as the rest of the guys hurried to rise from the ground.
"Hey. Welcome back." Jason stood near the head of the bed.
"Where are we and how'd we get here?" Clay recognized he was in a hospital, but the location he didn't know.
"A Mexico City hospital. Sonny caught the horse, rode it to the helo, and they landed where you collapsed from heat stroke. How are you feeling?"
"Been better." Clay noted they all appeared sunburned … no one went unscathed. He also spied Sonny moving slow with an odd walk as he came towards his bed. He turned when Cerb whined. "Brock, Cerb can lay at the foot of my bed, and Wild Bill Hickok can sit in the soft chair." He grinned at Sonny and received a scowl when he said, "I think Davis might still have the blow-up donut ring you gave me when I got shot in the ass with an arrow."
Relieved as Clay joked around, a good indication of no lasting damage from the high body temperature he experienced, the guys all relaxed and chortled. When the laughter died down, Clay asked. "When can I get out of here?"
"Tomorrow is the earliest." Trent pointed to the IV. "You need to fill up before you are released."
"Can't I do that in my hammock?"
"Sorry, no. Do you want Davis to bring your laptop so you can contact Stella?" Ray entered the conversation, hoping to make Clay's time here less humdrum.
"Don't bother … no need to hassle with it."
The response confused four out of the five guys standing around Clay, but Sonny understood. He didn't feel it his place to share the kid was heartbroken since Stella broke up with him. Sonny moved to the chair, and Brock put Cerb at the foot of Clay's bed. "I'll hang out here tonight with the hipster. The rest of you can go back to headquarters."
Jason witnessed a flicker of emotion he didn't fully understand cross Clay's face. He assumed it might be due to feeling vulnerable after the events in Hércules and appreciated Sonny's offer, but he wouldn't be leaving Spenser either.
About to open his mouth to tell the remainder of his men to go back, his phone rang. Answering it, he spoke briefly before hanging up and addressing the room. "Blackburn indicated Herrera is talking and we might be spun up again tonight. He's sending transport for us." He eyed Clay, not comfortable leaving him here alone, not trusting the Martinez's hand-picked marines on guard duty. "Trent, Clay's coming with us. Make sure he has what is required."
Clay grinned. "Hot-damn." He flung the covers off him and stopped as soon as he noted the hospital gown. "I need clothes."
Sonny stifled a groan. The chair would've been more comfortable than his hammock.
Ray lifted a bag and tossed it to Clay. "Davis has you covered."
"What would we do without her?" Clay pulled out his jeans and scooted to the edge to put them on. His hip twinged, but he ignored the pain, not wanting to give Jason any reason to make him stay.
Watching the eagerness of the kid, Jason shook his head. Spenser disliked hospitals which didn't surprise him because they all hated them. "When we get back to the compound you are confined to your hammock. You won't be going on the op."
As Sonny rose and shuffled toward the door, Jason didn't miss the continued slow movements. "Sonny, you're grounded too."
The fact Sonny only answered, "Copy," informed the whole team he must hurt pretty bad.
After a quick consult with the haughty doctor and a lecture about leaving against medical advice, the guys as a group, with Brock carrying Cerb, headed down the hallway to the exit.
Mexican Marine Headquarters
As Clay exited the vehicle, he bumped his hip on the door and took one wobbly step before a hand gripped his elbow. Without having to look, he knew it was Sonny … the hand familiar after the months Quinn had stabilized him after his eardrums had ruptured. He didn't say thanks with words, their gazes met and both comprehended the silent thanks, and you're welcome.
He and Sonny headed to their bunks with Brock who would leave Cerberus with them before joining the rest in the temporary TOC. As he hobbled down the hall, Clay spotted Davis. "Thanks for the clothes."
Lisa halted, surprise evident on her face. "What are you doing here. Last I heard you wouldn't be let out until tomorrow." She moved forward and gave him a quick hug. "Though I'm happy to see you up and around. You gave us a bit of a heart attack when Jason related what you did in Hércules." She grinned, glad Hayes chose Spenser for Bravo team … he fit perfectly.
Sonny leaned on the wall. "Young Jedi here could probably use something to eat. His stomach wouldn't shut up on the way here."
Clay chuckled. "Does that make you Hans Solo?"
Relief washed through Lisa watching the happy-go-lucky banter between her guys. Though roughed up, a little rest and a lot of fluids would restore them. "How about huevos rancheros?"
"Sounds good."
"Do you want to come to the cantina?" Lisa asked.
"Can't … confined to my hammock according to Jason." Clay didn't mind, he wanted to lay down, exhausted from his short walk, and his hip ached.
"I'll bring them to you then. Might even be able to round up sopaipilla's with honey."
"I'm a bit hungry, make that two orders." Sonny's mouth watered at the thought of the fried pastry smothered in honey. At Lisa's arched brow, Sonny added a hasty, "Please."
"You got it, Hopalong Cassidy," Lisa smirked as she turned to go grab the items for her boys.
Forty minutes later, his hunger sated, Clay lay in his hammock, swinging slightly and closed his eyes. Thoughts of Stella intruded. It still hurt … her words rang in his head. The more I love you, the harder this gets. You deserve someone who will embrace your life not resent it. Someone better than me. I love you, but I don't think I can be with you anymore.
His heart broke again and again. She loves me, but she can't live with my life. Why did she tell me in the beginning she knew what she signed up for when she didn't? How can she just walk away if she is in love with me? With no answers, Clay drifted into an uneasy sleep, his shattered heart dreaming of the woman he loved who couldn't accept his life.
Sonny stiffly rose from the table ten minutes after he spied Clay's eyes close. His position afforded him the perfect view through the tear in the blue plastic, and he believed the kid finally nodded off. As he made his way to his bed, Davis entered.
Lisa stopped outside Clay's room and a sad smile formed. She turned to Sonny and asked, "Can I bring you any pain relievers?"
"Nah, I'm good. Nothing a night's sleep won't fix."
"Where are his photos of Stella? He always has at least one up in his quarters.
Sonny shrugged. "Maybe he didn't bring them this time. We did get spun up on the spur of the moment."
Something in Sonny's tone made her recall the conversion she had with Clay when he handed her the camera after Doza's bagman was gunned down in the strip club. "Is something going on with Stella and Clay?"
Sonny didn't answer.
She recalled the night Sonny brought Clay back drunk as a skunk. His hangover the next day had been horrendous and Jason none too pleased with either Clay or Sonny for getting hammered outside the wire given that day's events. Lisa drew the connections and said, "Stella dumped him, didn't she?"
"Night, Davis," Sonny said neither confirming or denying for her.
"Why? When?" Lisa followed Sonny to his cube. "Hey, talk to me. Why would she do that to him?"
Sonny turned and gazed at Lisa realizing she would hound him for an answer. Too wiped out to resist, he said, "Our life is not an easy one. Not everyone can hack waiting at home wondering if we will return. Alana left Jason for that reason. So did Trent's wife. Takes a hardy woman like Ray's Naima to withstand the constant worry. I'm withholding judgment for now.
"He's hurting, but you never know what might happen. The professor might wake up and realize she will never find a more honorable man who loves her with his whole heart. I hope for his sake, she does."
Sonny kicked off his boots and then sat in his hammock. "Don't let on I said anything. None of the other guys are aware, and I don't plan on telling them. He deserves privacy while working through his heartache."
"I won't say anything. Thanks for talking to me though. Night." Lisa pivoted and strode out of the men's quarters. While Sonny might not judge Stella, Lisa did. Anger rose in her … targeted at the hairbrained woman who would let someone as special as Clay go, thoroughly hacked-off now she told Clay that Stella was a keeper. How dare she hurt one of my guys!
Cerberus rose from his soft bed on the floor, gingerly padding on his sore paws to Clay's area. He sat and peered up at his boy sensing he needed comfort. In a well-honed and often practiced move, he leapt up, not disturbing the hammock too much. He found his favorite spot, laying his head on Clay's chest. His eyes shut when Clay's hand unconsciously moved to scratch behind his ears.
Five Days Later – Bar Outside the Wire
"Here's to the end of our beer hiatus!" Sonny grinned at Clay as he lifted his Corona and took a swig. For five, long days Trent refused to allow any of them to consume any alcohol after their stint of dehydration and heat exhaustion and Sonny had a hankering for beer which would be sated tonight.
Herrera's intel had netted one other Doza lead, but the man they brought in last night refused to spill the beans. With no additional targets and the night off, he and Clay went out to the local bar they went to previously. One reason, besides the need for a beer, was that he had orders from Jason to take the kid out and loosen his tongue. Their boss perceived Clay's hound dog expressions, but the kid clammed up, claiming to be fine and Jason wanted to understand if the events in Hercules messed with the kid's head.
Thankfully, Lisa kept her word to stay quiet, but she did go out of her way to ensure Clay got extra special care. The day after they returned, she brought Spenser whatever he wanted to eat, and set up his laptop so he could view a bunch of hilarious movies to pass the time he was confined to their hooch.
Once Trent gave Clay the all clear, the kid took to hanging out on the roof by himself which is what concerned Jason. Sonny didn't mind taking the kid on another bender, but he refused to reveal to Jason the real reason for Clay's quieter than normal mood. Though, he would take this opportunity to encourage Clay in the direction of coming clean with Jason before Hayes confronted him. Things would go much smoother.
"Huzzah!" Clay downed his shot of tequila and chased it with his ice-cold beer. He still couldn't get Stella off his brain, and if he didn't find a way to harden his heart, he would screw up his position on the team.
He realized the entire team noticed his demeanor change and he let Ray believe it was because he was now back to being Bravo Six. But that wasn't it and never would be. The team worked like a well-oiled machine with Hayes and Perry in the one and two spots. The op yesterday proved that to him. They brought in Castillo without a single hitch.
Clay decided to spend one last night drowning his sorrows and then tomorrow Stella would be in his past. He would move forward and never look back on what could've been … what he wished would've been. Tonight, he would drink himself under the table knowing Sonny would get him safely back to their hooch as he did the first time. Clay waved to the barkeep, "Two more tequilas."
The rate at which Clay drank as the night wore on concerned Sonny. But when the kid told him his plan … after consuming an astounding amount of tequila, Sonny decided the kid deserved to be numb for one night. Though he didn't believe for one second this would resolve the kid's heartache … all it would produce was a massive headache tomorrow. At least Hayes wouldn't ream Spenser for being drunk since he sent them out to do just that.
When the kid missed his mouth with the beer, Sonny determined Clay had enough and took the bottle from him. "Time for Goldilocks to be heading home. You've reached your limit, you're one hundred percent gonna puke up everything, and I don't want you hurling on me on the way back."
"Henpecking doesn't suit you," Clay slurred out.
"Well, now, son. If not me, then who?" Sonny stood and rounded the table. Clay didn't fight him when he slung the kid's arm over his shoulder and hoisted him off the stool. "Let's go, Peter Pan."
Staggering, Clay's head swam as he allowed Sonny to lead him out of the bar. They made it about fifty feet before he began to gag. He found himself on his knees in the gutter with Sonny holding his shoulders as he retched. The halibut tacos he consumed now as appealing as haggis.
As Sonny held the kid, he failed to notice the ten men approaching them. When they got close, and he spotted them it was too late. Five men attacked each one of them. As Sonny engaged them, his phone fell out of his pocket. His efforts halted when something hard whacked Sonny on the side of the head and his world went black.
Clay attempted to fight, his muddled mind aware Sonny and he were in a hazardous situation … but he was physically unable to fend off the men who put a bag over his head and bound his hands behind him. He was dragged and then lifted and tossed into a vehicle.
A thud beside him he assumed to be Sonny. Clay heaved again, but luckily, he had emptied the contents of his stomach already. As the vehicle began moving, Clay berated himself for getting shitfaced in hostile territory and allowing someone to get the drop on him and his brother. Hayes is gonna be pissed at me … might kick me off the team … then I won't have them or Stella.
Mexican Marine Headquarters
Mandy ran up the stairs to the roof as fast as a category five hurricane, needing to find Hayes. Though they had been at odds because she questioned Jason's mission readiness, he proved to be on point regardless of where his head or heart might lie. He had been spot on to question her tenaciousness in getting Doza, but she was no Carlson … she cared about all the men of Bravo. Hence the reason she was sprinting to him.
Coming to a halt near the firepit, finding Jason, Ray, Brock, and Trent kicked back with beers in hand her gut twisted not finding Clay among them. "Where is Spenser?"
Jason's brow rose, noting the harried expression. "Why?"
"Dammit, where is he?" Mandy bit out again.
"What's got you so hot to trot?" Ray asked.
"Tell me he is in the compound." Mandy's eyes beseeched Jason's ignoring Ray's remark.
Jason stood. Mandy's manner indicated this was serious. "No, he isn't. He's at a local bar with Quinn."
"We have to go get him. Now!"
The other three rose after setting down their beverages.
"Ellis, what's going on?" Jason demanded.
"We were able to hack into Castillo's phone. We check his social media and found there is a hit out on Clay. There's a picture of him without his helmet which appears to have been taken in Hercules and has the hashtag which translates to Kill the Blond win Doza's favor."
"Shit!" Jason and the others raced for the stairwell.
They were met in the courtyard by Blackburn, Davis, Martinez, and Lopez who had their weapons and tactical vests. As they hastily donned them, Eric said. "We tried calling, but neither answered, so Davis pinged their phones and found two locations."
Jason clipped his vest. "They wouldn't split up unless forced apart. Where?"
Lisa turned the laptop so Jason could view the locations. Ray peered over Jason's shoulder and pointed to one. "That's near the bar they were going to."
Nodding Jason said, "We go to the second one. Most likely one of them lost their phone."
"It's Sonny's phone," Lisa inserted.
Colonel Martinez latched his helmet strap. "My men will check that spot on the off chance one of your men is still there."
Climbing into the driver's seat of one of the vehicles, Lopez said, "I'll drive Hayes' team … I know the fastest route."
The men all hopped in, doors slammed, and tires squealed as Lopez blared his horn to get cars to move out of his way.
Horizon Hotel - Roof
Sonny came around as he was dumped on the ground … or rooftop to be more accurate. His head pounded as he glanced around, searching for the kid. Spotting him lying a few feet away he wondered why Clay was hooded and he wasn't. Though, both of them had their hands bound behind them.
He wished he spoke Spanish to understand the men who freely talked. However, he didn't need translation when two of the men yanked Clay up and held him as another goon began to beat on him. As much as he wanted to yell out for them to stop, Sonny knew if he did so they would go harder on the kid. Their hosts … landed one hit after another to Clay's gut and didn't stop until another man sauntered onto the scene.
Sonny recognized Gonzales. That's the bastard we let get away on the first mission here … Doza's main torturer. Well, fuck me running. How the hell did they single us out?
As two men held Clay, Gonzales removed the hood and spoke in English, "I prefer to see my victim's faces … increases my pleasure."
Clay gasped for air, wanting to be sick again, his head swam, and he moved in and out of awareness from both excessive alcohol and lack of oxygen from trying to breathe through the heavy fabric. His first and only lucid thought was trying to locate Sonny, though he was in no shape to help him … let alone himself. He lifted his head and spotted Sonny across from him moments before a fist rammed into his face, whipping his head to the side.
Gonzales turned to Sonny and grinned. "You get a first-row seat to view what happens to someone who pisses off Doza. But don't worry, you'll be next." Gonzales inclined his head to the remaining men.
Sonny struggled to work his hands loose as each of Doza's henchmen took turns hammering the kid. Blood dripped from Clay's nose and mouth after several face strikes, but for the most part, they focused on his abdomen … the soft, vulnerable part of the anatomy. Every groan from Clay pierced Sonny's heart.
Mentally kicking himself for allowing the kid to drink so much, Sonny realized he should've cut him off sooner. He should've acquired the booze and gotten Spencer shitfaced within the safety of their compound. Now, he had to watch as they slowly killed his brother. He cringed when one of them held Spenser's head up by his hair and snapped several photos. Those would be going on the internet for sure. Though he was angry at Stella for breaking the kid's heart, he hoped to God, Stella never saw them.
Clay's head lolled to his chest when released, and Sonny wished the kid would pass out, but he didn't … the haunting scream which erupted from Clay when Gonzales swung a hammer at his left upper arm made it all too clear the kid felt all the pain inflicted.
"I'M GOING TO KILL EVERY ONE OF YOU FUCKING BASTARDS!" Sonny howled as Clay's eyes burst wide open and a strangled scream emitted as a huge hook impaled the kid just below the last rib on the right side. The whaling hook was attached to a pulley, and they began hoisting Clay up.
With the increased alcohol level serving as an anticoagulant, blood surged from the wound soaking Clay's shirt and jeans. Clay wanted nothing more than to black out … but fate was unkind, and he remained conscious. The excessive booze consumed worked as a pseudo anesthetic lessening the pain of the beating, but he felt every last ounce of this torture.
Gonzales laughed, getting his jollies from the horror-stricken face of the dark-haired soldier and the screams of the blond one. He took two more photos once they had the hooked one off the ground completely. "I say we hauled in quite a catch tonight. This will send the message you don't hassle Doza."
When one henchman began to strike him with a hockey stick, causing him to sway on the hook like a human piñata or a hog ready to be slaughtered, pure agony engulfed Clay. He tried not to cry out because every time he did, Gonzales laughed and Sonny recoiled as if experiencing his torture too. After ten strikes, Clay was no longer conscious of anything except excruciating, all-encompassing pain.
"Get the rope," Gonzales ordered.
Sonny's mouth went dry as one of the thugs brought a rope to Gonzales who then fashioned a noose. Oh, Hell no! They're gonna hang him. After renewing his efforts, the bindings loosened a bit … Sonny hoped he could get free in time to save Clay.
Gonzales slipped the noose around Clay's neck, and Clay's head lolled as the hemp cinched on his throat. Blood dribbled out of his mouth, down his chin and onto his t-shirt. As the hook was yanked out and he was held up by two hulking men who dragged him to the edge of the roof, Clay had a vague understanding of his coming fate.
Sonny broke free, surged to his feet, and rushed towards Clay … his only goal … save the kid … somehow.
"NOOOOOO!" ripped from Sonny as Clay was heaved off the roof. His world spun and lit up with bright lights and sonic booms as he dropped to his knees … he failed … his brother was dead.
Building Across from Horizon Hotel - Roof
Ray's panicked voice called out, "Go. Go. Go. They're gonna toss Six off the roof." He sighted Gonzales, but as soon as Clay began to fall, he sent up a prayer that his aim would be true as he squeezed off a round.
He held his breath for what seemed like hours, but was mere seconds, and only released it as Clay's body landed in a huge pile of mulch the hotel had out front for a horticulture project in progress.
Ray silently thanked God he severed the hanging rope with one shot before Clay's inert body took up the slack while in free-fall, preventing the kid's neck from being snapped, which would've killed him instantly. Unfortunately, despite the cushioned landing, Spenser would most likely suffer injuries falling from the height of the two-story building, but to Ray, injuries were preferable to certain death.
"Bravo Four, you're needed on the street … the kid is down there." He sighted the hotel roof again and began taking out hostiles.
Horizon Hotel - Roof
"Go, we got this covered," Jason ordered as Trent hesitated and the flashbangs filled the night air, creating a hectic scene on the roof as men scurried like hares looking for cover.
Trent took off running back down the stairwell. His heart racing, wondering if he would be able to save the kid this time. Ray's description of the kid hanging from the hook and being batted around sounded horrific. He wished they arrived sooner and could've prevented that … though he also wondered how the hell Clay ended up on ground level … that was one hellacious fall.
Jason and Brock didn't hold back as they unleashed hellfire on the men who harmed their brothers. Both spotted Sonny on his knees near the roof's edge … in apparent shock since the Texan didn't budge one inch as the hailstorm took place around him.
Though Mandy would be hacked off, Jason fired at Gonzales and took pleasure in the payback he meted out with a headshot. Though, part of him wanted to torture the son of a bitch in the same manner as he had Clay … or perhaps take a hacksaw and cut off every damned appendage first.
With four shooters, Brock, him, and Lopez on this roof, and Ray sniping from across the road, it didn't take long to bring down all eleven of Doza's henchmen. As Lopez maintained watch for them, Jason and Brock moved to Sonny who still knelt, staring at the short wall around the hotel's roof.
"Hey, buddy," Jason pitched his tone soft, noticing the faraway haziness of Sonny gaze and the slow oozing of the hematoma on the back of Sonny's skull. Blood soaked the back collar of Sonny's shirt so it must've been one helluva hard hit.
"He's gone. My fault. Should've kept the kid safe at the hooch. Let him drink too much, but he hurt so much he needed to drown out his heartache. Now …" Sonny's voice hitched with emotion as his eyes welled and he shifted his gaze to Jason.
"Gotta get him down. Can't leave him hanging there … not right … not right at all … too young … just a kid … I couldn't save him." Sonny rose on unsteady legs and started towards the edge in a fog. The kid had carved out a spot in his heart which was now hollow and empty. Clay's death hit him harder than Adam's.
"He's not hanging. He's on the ground. Trent's with him." Jason grasped Sonny's arm to steady him and redirected him towards the stairwell.
"What?" Sonny stared, not quite comprehending. He swayed and Brock moved in to help keep Sonny on his feet.
"Ray shot the rope. Clay fell."
"He dead?" Sonny questioned, recognizing they were two stories up based on the building across the street.
"Trent, status," Jason requested.
"Need medevac stat. He's likely got other injuries, but his gut wound is the priority. The kid is hemorrhaging, and I can't stop the flow … not clotting as it should. We're gonna lose him if help doesn't arrive within minutes." Hold on, Kid … don't die on us … please.
As Ray raced down the stairs, he said, "Called it in. Helo two mics out."
Sonny stared at Jason, heartburn and his heart rate both increasing as he waited to hear if the kid lived.
"Alive and Trent is doing his best to keep him that way. Let's get downstairs, and you can ride in the helo with him … you need to be examined too." Jason guided Sonny, and when he faltered, both he and Brock swung Sonny's arms over their shoulders and assisted their wounded brother down the steps.
Hospital – Outside OR
Still wearing tactical gear and holding their weapons, Bravo team minus Ray and Sonny guarded the operating room. Jason hackles rose and he wouldn't take no for an answer when the staff attempted to make them leave. Hypervigilant, he refused to leave Clay to be guarded by anyone else. Blackburn fully supported his headstrong move, and so did Colonel Martinez.
Spotting Sonny, Ray, Lisa, and Eric down the hall, Jason breathed a sigh of relief. As they hit the bottom step in the hotel, Sonny had collapsed. Hyperventilating, bordering on hypoxic, after witnessing Clay fall, the shock to Sonny's system caused hypotension, his blood pressure plummeted to a dangerously low level. For the past three hours, Sonny had been in the emergency room, guarded by Ray, Eric, and Lisa, because Hayes refused to allow Quinn to be left open to another attack either.
"What's the word?" Jason asked as Ray came closer.
"Half a dozen stitches in his head and orders to rest for several days. They wanted to admit him to monitor his blood pressure, but Sonny will not heed the doctor's wishes," Ray said.
"Damn straight. I'm staying right the hell here." Directing his gaze to Trent, knowing he would give him the information in plain language rather than doctor speak, Sonny asked, "Any word on the kid yet."
Davis pulled over a chair and forced Sonny to sit, handed him an electrolyte replacement beverage, told him to drink, then tuned in to Trent who waited until Sonny was settled before speaking.
"Being impaled and hoisted on that long hook damaged his right upper quadrant. It penetrated his large intestine, and also caused a hepatic tear and intraperitoneal hemorrhaging."
The confused expressions reminded Trent to speak plainer. "Basically, the filthy hook tore a hole in his liver and caused massive internal bleeding. The risk of infection is quite high with a ruptured gut, especially hepatitis since god knows what was already on the hook plus anything additional it might have picked up, our innards aren't what you would call clean. They will need to monitor him closely."
Trent took a breath, letting the seriousness of Clay's condition sink in before he continued, "He sustained a clean fracture to his left humerus—"
"From the hammer or the fall?" Sonny asked.
"Hammer?" It was Trent's turn for a puzzled look.
"Yeah, that bastard Gonzales hit the kid's upper arm with a fucking hammer and laughed. Hell is too nice a place for that whoreson." Clay's cries of agony replayed in Sonny's head … sounds which would haunt his dreams for a very long time.
"Even Hell has standards Gonzales doesn't meet," Brock interjected wishing he had been the one to kill the son of a bitch.
Trent shook his head. "Not sure which caused the fracture. The head injury from hitting the ground is the one I'm most worried about. They can fix his gut and arm and tank him up on blood and antibiotics, but a two-story fall, even onto the softer mulch might leave him handicapped in one way or another. We won't know until after he wakes. With any luck, it will be only a concussion."
Davis drew in a breath. "Only …"
Sonny's head throbbed, but he responded, "Better than a snapped neck and death." When he listed to one side, Davis stopped him from falling out of the chair.
Raking a hand through his hair, Jason said, "You're staying here … in a bed in the same room as the kid. You might have a hard head, but one too many knocks and the alcohol you consumed means your grounded again.
Sonny only nodded. Being in Clay's room would be better than confined to the hooch and worrying about him. Hell, who am I kidding, I'm worried to death the heroic kid won't come back from this round of injuries … and this is all my fault…
.
... To be continued with AI-I
AN: Hope you enjoyed the extra-long story. It will be continued with AI-I, so don't worry about finding out what happens to Clay ... I promise more whump.
Suggestions for I and J welcome even though I have a decent idea of what AI-I will entail. Contributors for H are ...
- Hail from Rachel Graceland
- Habitat from Megan Rachel
- Hack/hacker/hackers/hacked/hacking from Guest127, Jessiness5134, Juniper, Megan Rachel
- Hackles from Jessiness5134
- Hacksaw from Jessiness5134
- Haddock from Megan Rachel
- Haggis from Jessiness5134
- Hailstorm from Megan Rachel
- Hair from Megan Rachel, Victoria-Annxx
- Half from Victoria-Annxx
- Hall from Megan Rachel, Victoria-Annxx
- Hallow/hallowed from Victoria-Annxx
- Hallucinate/Hallucinating from Liz, Poolie, Princess Of The Kingdom
- Halt from Victoria-Annxx
- Hammer/hammered from Jessiness5134, Victoria-Annxx
- Hammock from IndyElora, Jessiness5134, Juniper, Lunary
- Hamster from Victoria-Annxx
- Hamstring from Deanaholic1, Victoria-Annxx
- Hand/hands from Jessiness5134, Liz, Megan Rachel, Victoria-Annxx
- Handsome from Liz
- Hang/hung/hanging from floopdeedoopdee, Juniper
- Happy from IndyElora, Jane, Megan Rachel
- Hard from Crazykids121, Lunary, Victoria-Annxx
- Hardy from Crazykids121
- Hare from Victoria-Annxx
- Harm from Princess Of The Kingdom
- Harsh from Victoria-Annxx
- Hashtag from Megan Rachel
- Hassle from Victoria-Annxx
- Hasty from HoneyPear
- Hat/hats from Lunary, Megan Rachel, Rachel Graceland
- Hate from Megan Rachel
- Haughty/haughtiness from Victoria-Annxx
- Haunt/haunted from Guest127, Megan Rachel, Victoria-Annxx
- Havoc from IndyElora, Princess Of The Kingdom, Shellymae88
- Hazard from Jessiness5134
- Hazardous from Shellymae88
- Head from Jessiness5134, Megan Rachel, Poolie, Princess Of The Kingdom, Victoria-Annxx
- Headache from Guest127, IndyElora, Jessiness5134, Juniper, NetMyne01, Poolie, Princess Of The Kingdom, Victoria-Annxx
- Headquarters from Lunary
- Headsets from Jessiness5134
- Headstone from Jessiness5134
- Headstrong from Jessiness5134
- Heal/healing from Chgrgal, Deanaholic1, Jessiness5134, Lunary, Princess Of The Kingdom
- Health/Healthy from Crazykids121
- Hear/hearing from floopdeedoopdee, Guest127, IndyElora, Lunary, Poolie, Princess Of The Kingdom
- Heart attack from Crazykids121, Guest127, Lunary, Princess Of The Kingdom
- Heart from Crazykids121, Lunary, Megan Rachel, Princess Of The Kingdom, Victoria-Annxx
- Heartache/heartbreak from Jessiness5134, Victoria-Annxx
- Heartbeat from Crazykids121
- Heartburn from Crazykids121
- Heat exhaustion/stroke from Guest127, IndyElora, Lunary, NetMyne01, Perenne Allegro, Poolie, Princess Of The Kingdom, Rachel Graceland, Victoria-Annxx
- Heat from Crazykids121, IndyElora, Poolie, Princess Of The Kingdom
- Heaven/heavenly from Jessiness5134, Megan Rachel, Victoria-Annxx
- Heavy from IndyElora, Lunary, Megan Rachel
- Hectic from Megan Rachel
- Hedge from Megan Rachel
- Hedgehog from Lunary, Megan Rachel
- Heel/heels from floopdeedoopdee, Megan Rachel, Victoria-Annxx
- Height/heights from IndyElora, Megan Rachel, NetMyne01, Poolie, Princess Of The Kingdom
- Helicopter/helo from AeroWright, Chgrgal, Guest, HoneyPear, IndyElora, NetMyne01, Shellymae88
- Hell from Liz, Lunary, Megan Rachel, Rachel Graceland, Victoria-Annxx
- Hellhole from Poolie
- Helmet from HoneyPear, Juniper, Princess Of The Kingdom
- Help from Megan Rachel
- Hematoma from HoneyPear
- Hemorrhage/hemorrhaging from Deanaholic1, Elise Deschat, floopdeedoopdee, Guest, Jessiness5134, NetMyne01, Poolie
- Hemp from Jessiness5134, Victoria-Annxx
- Henpecked from Jessiness5134
- Hepatic from Elise Deschat
- Hepatitis from Megan Rachel
- Hero from Liz, Megan Rachel
- Hesitant/hesitantly/hesitated from Liz, Megan Rachel
- Hiatus from Megan Rachel
- Hide from Juniper, Liz, Megan Rachel
- High from HoneyPear, Lunary
- Hijinx from Jessiness5134
- Hiking from Megan Rachel
- Hill/Hillside from IndyElora, Victoria-Annxx
- Hinder from HoneyPear, Liz
- Hip from Crazykids121, Megan Rachel, Victoria-Annxx
- Hipster from Crazykids121
- Hit from Crazykids121, Poolie
- Hockey from Crazykids121, Megan Rachel, Princess Of The Kingdom
- Hog from Victoria-Annxx
- Hogtie from Jessiness5134, NetMyne01
- Hold on from HoneyPear
- Hole from Victoria-Annxx
- Hollow from Lunary, Megan Rachel, Victoria-Annxx
- Home from Megan Rachel, Princess Of The Kingdom
- Honestly/honesty from Jessiness5134, Shellymae88
- Honey from Crazykids121, Megan Rachel
- Honor/honorable from Megan Rachel, Shellymae88
- Hook from Megan Rachel
- Hope/hopeful/hopeless from Crazykids121, HoneyPear, Jessiness5134, Megan Rachel
- Hopping from Crazykids121
- Horn/horned from Crazykids121
- Horrible from Shellymae88
- Horror from Shellymae88
- Horse from IndyElora, Victoria-Annxx
- Horseback from Liz
- Horseshoe from Victoria-Annxx
- Horticulture from Crazykids121
- Host/hosting from Megan Rachel, Shellymae88
- Hostage from AeroWright, Princess Of The Kingdom
- Hostile from Shellymae88
- Hot from Guest, Rachel Graceland, Victoria-Annxx
- Hotel from Megan Rachel
- House from Lunary, Megan Rachel
- Howl/howled/howling from Lunary
- Hug/hugs from Megan Rachel
- Hulk/hulking from Jessiness5134
- Human from Megan Rachel
- Humdrum from MusketeerAdventure
- Humerus from Elise Deschat, kookiemonster318, Victoria-Annxx
- Humour/humorous from Victoria-Annxx
- Humvee from IndyElora
- Hung/hang from floopdeedoopdee
- Hunger/hungry from Liz, Victoria-Annxx
- Hunt/hunted/hunter/hunting from Deanaholic1, IndyElora, Megan Rachel, Victoria-Annxx
- Hurricane from IndyElora, Megan Rachel, Poolie
- Hurt from Guest127, IndyElora, Juniper, Shellymae88
- Huzzah from Jessiness5134
- Hyena from Victoria-Annxx
- Hyperthermia from floopdeedoopdee, HoneyPear, Juniper, Victoria-Annxx
- Hyperventilating from Elise Deschat, Juniper
- Hypoxia from Elise Deschat, Jessiness5134, Juniper