Thank you for the feedback and love, it is so greatly appreciated. I was so nervous about putting this out there, since it is my first fanfic ever. I forgot to say, I'm from Australia, so we spell some words with a 'u' in them… Like favourite, honour, colour etc. I know that gets confusing so just clearing that up.

I don't own The Brave or any of its characters… but I wish I did!

Chapter 2

The day after their tequila fuelled night of festivities, for three of them anyway, all five members of Special Operations Group 7 left their home away from home once again. They knew they'd be back in a few months and they looked forward to that, but for now, they were looking forward to some rest and recuperation away from the base.

Well most of them were anyway.

Preach and his wife were on a business class flight straight to California. The DIA had stepped up for Preach to make sure his long journey home was as comfortable as possible.

They all exchanged hugs with their favourite father-figure teammate. McG and Amir promising to drop in to see him during leave, Dalton being left with a wise stare, that only he understood, and Jaz with a hug that picked her right up off her feet.

Jaz giggled and reprimanded him, "Preach, put me down! You're just out of the hospital."

"Girl, you're as light as a feather, you best be doing some eating while on leave. And don't forget my offer to come visit. You're welcome anytime. Anytime." He repeated.

Jaz smiled and nodded at him. Preach reached a very special part of her that had never had a father figure to look up to, or one that she respected. Despite working alongside him day in and day out, laughing, joking, teasing him for his healthy smoothies, it was his wisdom and comfort that was one of the things she missed most while on leave.

They all waved Preach and his wife off as they departed the base in a Humvee, then went to collect their own bags for their own departure. They were on a standard military transport flight from Turkey to DC, all four of them, and Patton.

Amir sat on the flight smiling amusingly at the other three and their tequila hangovers. Jaz and Dalton were too proud to admit they were suffering and both sat there, looking stoic, despite their headaches. The early morning flight hadn't been ideal, but DC awaited and this was the only flight today.

McG was a different story. He didn't even bother to try and hide his hangover, sitting with his head in his hands, groaning at the movement of the plane.

"Maybe taking a shot of tequila after every horseshoe that missed the pole wasn't the best idea?" Amir asked.

Jaz smirked at that, "Especially with your aim."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're a sniper, blah, blah, blah." McG slowly retorted. "I get you didn't miss as many as me, but you had a few more shots and you and Top seem just fine."

Jaz, Dalton and Amir all exchanged secret smiles while McG still had his head in his hands. What McG didn't know was that he was so drunk the night before, he hadn't noticed that the others weren't always taking the shots they should have been. Admittedly, they were still drunk, just not like McG was. Not the kind of drunk that led him to sleep on the couch with a bucket beside him, just in case.

"Get some sleep." Dalton offered. "We've got hours on this plane, might as well catch up on some forty winks."

"Yes sir." And with that McG, let his head rest back, crossed his arms over his chest and let the plane lull him into a deep and much needed sleep.

The others looked on at him amusedly, before trying to get some rest themselves.

Patricia was there to greet them on arrival in DC, and with the good news that they didn't need to stay there for as long as first expected. According to the Deputy Director, with the compulsory in-depth counselling the team had after Elijah died and after the mission in Tehran, along with the powers-that-be's genuine relief that Hoffman was definitely dead this time, they only needed to stay for a couple of days just to recap on other missions.

That was welcome news to the four remaining members. Recapping missions isn't always easy, and to have to spend days summarising the three worst missions of their deployment had not been happily anticipated.

As the CO, Dalton would have to stay one more day to sign off on a lot of paperwork and meet with the DIA to discuss future deployments. But as they all headed straight to the hotel Patricia had booked for them, their steps were lighter and the relief was noticeable.

After an early night for them all, which McG had needed, despite sleeping the whole way home from Turkey, they breezed through the next day at the DIA. They spent the day gathered in a conference room with the DC-based side of their team and some higher ups. Missions were recalled, facts were re-stated and decisions were justified. They knew the next day would be exactly the same, and despite their tiredness, the four SOG7 team members had dinner together at the hotel that night.

Jaz was the last to arrive in the hotel's bar to meet the others. Her gaze fell on Dalton as soon as she stepped in. It was always the first thing she did in an unfamiliar situation; search for him, as if seeing him put her at ease. In fact she knew that's exactly what it was. And with him standing there in a navy blue checked shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and jeans that were a bit of a snugger fit than the ones he usually wore around base, her chest pounded with more than just feelings of ease.

Dalton saw Jaz the moment she stepped out of the elevator. It was second nature for him to be constantly on the lookout for his team, and as hard as it was to admit to himself, she was the one he looked for first.

As she walked into the bar and caught sight of him, Jaz stopped momentarily as if to gather herself. It was a blink and you'll miss it moment, but as her eyes met his she gave him a slow smile, one he returned as she approached the group.

She noticed three beers sitting on the bar table the three guys had snagged, one of them waiting for her.

"Finally recovered have we?" she teased McG.

He just gave her one of his big, easy smiles as he responded, "You know it Jazzy, I always bounce back."

"Eventually." Amir had added, as McG's smile turned into a glare. But then they all genuinely laughed, just happy to be back on home soil, with no threats and the time to just enjoy each other's company before heading their separate ways the day after tomorrow.

They didn't have a late night, as they were due back at the DIA early the next morning and then they were all heading out to a dinner with the entire team that following evening.

Amir left to head up to his room straight after dinner and the other three decided to have one more drink in the hotel bar.

"My shout." McG announced as he headed to the bar for the drinks.

Jaz looked after him with raised eyebrows, "Wow, what's gotten into him, he rarely shouts drinks."

"Who knows, but I'm not complaining. Maybe we can get a couple more out of him." Dalton replied, as he looked at her with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

That twinkle in his eye is what makes her catch her breath. Every time. Those clear blue eyes did something to her that she couldn't name or label, and she didn't want to, or didn't want to admit to wanting to. She wondered in that moment, how she would get through the next few months without the safety and comfort of those blue eyes. It's no secret that she and Dalton got closer during this deployment. It was a tough one and without his support, she didn't know where she would be.

Luckily McG came back with the drinks then to save her from staring. Jaz sat with them for another ten minutes, but as soon as she finished her beer she excused herself and told them both she would see them in the morning.

She didn't miss Dalton's look of surprise that she was leaving so soon, but left with the parting line, "Gotta get my beauty sleep."

"You need all the help you can get." McG joked after her, and she replied by turning around and flashing him the bird.

McG and Dalton both chuckled after her and McG didn't miss the way Dalton's eyes stayed on Jaz until her saw her enter the elevator and the doors closed behind her. He didn't say anything, he knew better than to broach that subject with Top, but if these two thought their closeness this deployment had gone unnoticed, they had another think coming. He just smiled to himself and hoped they would figure it out one day.

The next day at the DIA went much the same as the previous one, with the exception that they wrapped up earlier and had time to get back to the hotel to get themselves ready for their dinner. Amir, Jaz and McG were glad that their debriefs were done for this deployment, and although Dalton didn't complain, he wished that he was done too.

The restaurant was walking distance from their hotel and they once again arranged to meet in the hotel bar.

Jaz was last to arrive again, and after she exited the elevator she took the time to appreciate these three good looking men she was fortunate enough to call her family. They all stood in tailored pants and shirts, looking dressier than their previous evening. They knew this restaurant was fancier than the hotel restaurant and thought they should dress for the occasion. While all three men were clearly drawing the eye of fellow bar patrons, it was Dalton that her gaze remained on as she approached the group. To say he looked handsome was an understatement. The grey pants and light blue shirt he wore fit him like a glove and those eyes of his were enough to set off any outfit.

She wasn't feeling particularly comfortable in the dress she had selected for the evening. She was much more at home in her fatigues or gym wear, or even just jeans and t-shirt, but like the guys, she thought she better dress for the occasion.

Once again Dalton spotted Jaz as soon as she exited the elevator and this time he had to consciously make an effort not to stare. The simple black dress she wore and her long hair flowing down her back showed off her femininity, which she doesn't always get a chance to show in their line of work. It wasn't like he had never seen her in a dress before, she had to wear them for missions sometimes, but this one wasn't for a mission. It wasn't to play a part. This was just Jaz, and she was stunning.

Amir and McG turned around as Jaz approached and McG wolf whistled and followed with, "Jazzy you have legs!"

"Fuck off McG, just because I don't prance around with as little clothing as possible…"

"Hey it's hot in Turkey, just trying to stay cool." McG put his hands up and defended himself.

Amir, as always, was his lovely and polite self, "You look really nice." Which earned him a smile from Jaz.

Dalton agreed, "Amir's right, you look really nice."

Trying to get the attention off of her, which she wasn't comfortable with, she returned with a back-handed compliment, "Well you all look a hell of a lot better than you have done in 7 months."

"We smell a hell of a lot better too." Dalton agreed with her, before ushering them all outside to start their walk to the restaurant.

The dinner went well and it was nice for the field team and the DIA team to spend some time together without it being mission related. They sat for a few hours eating, drinking and trading stories. Since the DC based team, and Dalton, had to be back in the office the next morning, it wasn't a late night.

Conscious that it was their last night together before they went their separate ways the next day, the field team went straight to the hotel bar to spend a bit longer in each other's company.

They sat and did what they do best. Joked with each other, payed out on McG, prodded Amir about his crush on Hannah and teased Top for being a mountain man. The talk soon turned to their plans for leave as it often did.

They all knew McG was heading straight to Montana to see his Mom. He doesn't even deny being a mommy's boy, in fact, he's quite proud of it.

Amir was flying to Lebanon to see his parents. He wasn't going to be there for the whole time, but felt a real need to see them after the emotional heaviness of this deployment.

They all knew what Top would be doing, he did the same thing every time. And Jaz mentioned going to New York before travelling around, "Who knows where," she added as an afterthought.

"Feel free to come to Montana anytime you want Jaz." McG offered. "You too Amir. My Mom loves the company and now you're such an experienced horseman, you would love the wide open spaces," he joked.

"Tempting." Amir replied, "But does your Mom cook better than you? There's only so many burritos I can stomach." He teased right back.

Dalton sat smiling at his team. He loved their banter. Loved that they all got along so well, even if it had taken Jaz a bit of time to come around to Amir.

He also had the conversation he had with Preach on their last night in Turkey weighing on him. He knew how Jaz felt about New York, and was surprised she was going at all. Should he offer up his cabin as a potential destination for her? How many rules would that be breaking? He's not sure, but he can't get the conversation out of his mind.

McG and Amir excused themselves after one more drink, since their flights were both in the early hours of the morning. Jaz's wasn't until 10am, so she figured one more drink wouldn't hurt and Dalton decided to keep her company.

"So what's happening with Patton?" Jaz broached over a gin and tonic.

Dalton took a quick sip of whiskey before replying, "He's in quarantine, but I'm hoping he gets cleared and I can pick him up the day after tomorrow so he can drive out to the cabin with me."

"Will your sister's be waiting for you?" Jaz continued.

"Nah, I told them I'd go and see them when I was settled back in. They like to bring the kids up to the cabin occasionally, but don't generally stay long term. It's too rustic for them."

"How rustic is rustic?" Jaz was genuinely curious.

"No neighbours, no postman, no mailbox even." Dalton responded.

"That actually sounds amazing."

Dalton gave her a quick smile and then asked tentatively, "Can I ask about New York? You never talk about it much and I was under the impression you weren't keen on spending much time there."

"I'm not," Jaz answered quietly and glanced down at her glass. She spun it around in her hand a few times before she continued, "I usually spent most of my leave with Elijah and his family. They are just as loud, crazy and lovable as he was. This is my first leave without him, and I guess New York is what I know the best. I don't plan on being there long, but it's just a start. Hopefully."

Dalton watched as she continued to spin her glass in her hand, not yet looking up.

"Will you see your Dad?" he asked gently. He knew this was a touchy subject. She didn't talk about her Dad to anyone, although he had been happy to hear that she had mentioned him in her conversation to Xander before she was cleared again for active duty.

"Not if I can help it."

That was what Dalton needed to hear.

His conversation with Preach was once again at the forefront of his mind and he battled with whether to put it out there at all. For the most part he wanted Jaz to feel like she had somewhere safe to go. That if she didn't want to be in New York and she didn't want to be alone, that she had options. Being without Elijah for the first time was something that he knew would be especially hard for her this time round and his heart ached for everything Jaz had been through the past several months.

He didn't know if it would be the smartest move. He couldn't deny that his feelings for his sniper were not purely platonic, and he couldn't deny that his relationship with her was different to his relationships with the rest of his team. Should he be shying away from that? Or should he be exploring it, like Preach had hinted at, on more than one occasion.

He knew Preach and McG had extended their invitations to her and that's another reason he loves this team so much. They looked after each other and out for each other without a second thought. And it was that thought that finally tipped the scales for him.

"You know you can always come visit me at the cabin, right?" he tried to throw out there casually.

Jaz stopped spinning her glass, kept her head down, but raised her eyes up to meet his.

"Did you really just invite me to your cabin?" she checked. "Your sacred place, your alone space, your mountain man space?" she teased as she looked at him through her eyelashes.

Dalton tried hard to keep things light and casual, and shrugged, "I mean, I know it's not Preach's big family home, or McG's ranch, or Amir's family mansion, but it has its charms."

"Such as…?" Jaz prompted

"Bugs. Big bugs. Probably the biggest bugs you've ever seen." Dalton said with a lot of emphasis while trying to keep a straight face.

"Well, how can I refuse bugs?" Jaz laughed and Dalton joined in.

This easy interaction was why they got along so well. They could flip a serious conversation into light hearted banter in the blink of an eye. It was what worked well in the field too, kept them from going crazy with everything they see. The whole team shared these traits, and if Dalton was honest, he didn't think he could work with anyone that couldn't get on board with this.

They were both still chuckling and finished the last of their drinks.

As they stood up and made their way to the elevator, Dalton threw in one last comment, "Seriously though, the offer is there. If you need it."

"Thanks Top, I appreciate it."

The next morning all four of them met very early in the hotel lobby. McG and Amir had a taxi booked to take them to the airport, but Jaz and Dalton wanted to say good bye to them. They didn't know for sure when they would see each other next and after living on top of each other for so many months it was always strange when they went their separate ways.

"Jaz, you really got up early to come say bye? I feel so special, it warms my heart." McG tentatively teased, knowing that Jaz was not a morning person.

Jaz tried to look annoyed, but the truth was she would miss McG and their sibling-like relationship. It was one of the easiest relationships she had ever had, and she wouldn't ever forget that he had constantly tried to make her smile or laugh over the most mundane things when she had needed it the most during this deployment.

So instead she just smirked and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her back and rested his chin on top of her head. He was going to miss her just as much.

Jaz then turned to Amir, opened up her arms and just said in her blunt way, "C'mon then."

She would miss Amir more than she would ever tell him and was genuinely glad he was part of their team. She felt a little bad at the way she had treated him at first, but was glad that he didn't appear to hold grudges. A definite advantage to working with men.

Amir laughed and hugged her back. He knew he hadn't been a welcome surprise for her when he first arrived, but was happy that they could now walk away as good friends.

"See you two losers when I see you." Jaz said as her departing comment. She didn't cope well with the sentimental stuff, and they knew that about her as they just raised their eyebrows and smirked.

Dalton walked the two guys out to their cab as Jaz went back up to her room to finish packing. She was going to meet Dalton back in the lobby for breakfast and then he would be dropping her off at the airport before his last day at the DIA.

Dalton pulled up to the curb outside the domestic terminal at the airport. He and Jaz had spent most of the car ride in relatively comfortable silence, both a bit lost in their thoughts.

Jaz was trying not to think about being away from her team for the next few months. She honestly didn't know how long she would last in New York. And still wondered why she was bothering to even go there in the first place, but she guessed she would figure it out, it's not like she wasn't used to thinking on her feet.

Dalton couldn't help but wonder if she had thought about his offer the previous evening. If he was honest with himself, he didn't know what he actually thought about his offer. He had let Preach get into his head, but it had seemed right at the time. He hoped he hadn't scared her off or made her uncomfortable. And he hoped it hadn't been inappropriate. But at the very least, he was her CO and looking after his team and their well-being was part of the job description.

At least that's what he kept telling himself.

They got out of the car, Dalton grabbed her bags from the back and then joined Jaz on the pavement.

They both looked at each other for a moment in silence and smiled.

"This is you officially dismissed Sgt Khan." Dalton tried to lighten the moment.

Jaz did that trademark scowl of hers and asked, "Do you expect me to salute you now?"

"I assume it would be with your middle finger." Dalton quickly retorted and they both laughed.

Jaz knew they couldn't stand there forever, the curb side at the airport was manic at best.

So she tried to say as casually as possible, "I suppose you want a hug now too?"

"Well I'd be insulted if Amir got a hug and I didn't." Dalton responded while also trying to sound as casual as possible.

While they were both chuckling they took a step closer so they were standing face to face and wrapped their arms around each other.

Jaz put both arms around his neck, while Dalton had one arm enveloping the middle of her back and the other hand resting just below her neck, wrapped up in her hair. With his strong hand holding her there, she found her face pressed up warm against his cheek and his surprisingly soft beard tickled her face.

The scent of Dalton as she was breathing him in reminded Jaz of all the times they had sat out looking at the stars, sometimes sitting close together so he could whisper the stories to her without anyone else hearing. The warmth of his face against hers reminded her of how safe and comfortable she always felt in his presence.

As Dalton rested his head against hers, he couldn't help but remember doing the same thing when they lost Elijah and the same thing after getting her back in Tehran. It was for her comfort. It was for his own comfort too if he was being honest. And the way she felt in his arms, was like she was meant to be there.

They held each other a moment longer, before realising that this embrace was going on longer than a platonic hug should, and slowly took a slight step back.

Jaz lowered her arms so her hands were on his shoulders and chose that moment to look up and found herself caught in his crystal blue eyes. Dalton stared down into her big brown eyes and long thick lashes, hands still on her waist. They were still standing close, both of them taking long, deep breaths, with their heads still close together and eyes locked on each other.

The part of Dalton that made him a great CO, the part trying to get control of this situation and wrangle his emotions managed to kick in. He took another slow breath before taking a small step back, letting his hands slip from her waist, cleared his throat roughly and said, "Well, have a great flight."

"Uh yeah, thanks." Jaz replied, equally as roughly, as her own arms fell to her side.

Although she knew he said it to all his team, when he said "Text me when you get there", she couldn't help but have her spirits lifted slightly knowing that she would be in contact with him later that day.

"Will do, Top."

Top.

That was just another reminder Dalton needed that he was her Captain and she was his subordinate. With very clear rules between them.

With one quick, final look into Dalton's eyes and a smile that didn't quite reach hers, Jaz turned and walked into the airport, willing herself not to look back.

Dalton stood there with his hands on his hips and watched her go, hoping that she would be ok, and feeling a little despondent that he may not see her for several months. They hadn't mentioned his offer again, so Jaz probably just thought he was being polite.

Probably for the best he thought, as he finally got back into the car. These few months at his cabin are exactly what he needs and he hopes that he can clear his head and get back to thinking about all his team mates as friends and colleagues.

Nothing else.

Then he remembers how it felt to hold Jaz in that hug.

Fuck.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please let me know what you think :)