Starting to get a little bit more mature, hopefully you all approve :)

I don't own The Brave or any of it's characters... But I wish I did!

Chapter 8

Jaz and Dalton were still standing on the veranda, foreheads touching and still pressed up against each other. Both of them were still thinking about the kiss they had just shared and how perfectly their bodies had fit together.

They were trying to bring their ragged breathing under control, both still slightly out of breath.

Dalton finally took a step back and their arms dropped from clutching each other. He moved so he was standing next to her, both of them with the railing of the veranda against their back.

"Uh – umm… about…" Dalton started to stutter out.

Jaz cut him off fairly quickly, "Let's not… for now." She reasoned and quickly glanced up at him before once again looking straight ahead. "It's been a long day, let's not overthink it."

"Yeah, good idea." Dalton slowly nodded his head in relief. He wasn't quite sure what he was going to say anyway.

They stayed outside a little longer and finished up their beers. Nothing was said between them, but they were both replaying that kiss over, and over in their minds.

When they were both ready to head inside to bed, Dalton wondered if Jaz would still be sleeping in his bed that night, or if it was just too awkward now. He didn't have to wonder for long.

With Jaz determined to not overthink it, as soon as she got ready in her pj's, she grabbed her book and went to Dalton's door. He was still getting ready but she knocked on the open door.

"Is it still ok…" She trailed off, while pointing to his bed.

He smiled softly back at her and said, "Yeah, of course."

Jaz was relieved. She didn't want to sleep alone after their talk about Hossein today. She had definitely felt better after talking about him with Dalton, but that didn't mean she wasn't still worried about her nightmares.

Dalton was also relieved. He really liked having her in his bed, even if it had only been platonic so far; or as platonic as two friends who end up in each other's arms in the middle of the night, could be. He was just glad she hadn't been scared off.

Neither of them had any nightmares since they started sleeping in the same bed. And neither of them wanted to find out what would happen if that stopped.

The next morning Dalton woke up to find he and Jaz wrapped in each other's arms, once again. Jaz was resting her head on his chest and he had one arm wrapped around her shoulders and his other hand was clutching hers against his chest.

Dalton smiled as he came to and moved his head slightly to look at Jaz, resting on his chest. He had such a strong urge to lean down and kiss her forehead, but he tried to resist. He wasn't sure where that kiss last night left them, and he didn't want to push it. He would just see how it played out. That seemed to be his MO at the moment anyway.

He had an idea of what to do today, if Jaz was keen, it was exactly what they needed.

Dalton was just slipping out of bed to let Patton out when Jaz stirred.

"Hey, feel like hiking to a waterfall today?"

"Mmm, is it that one you sent photos of?" Jaz asked sleepily.

"Sure is, it's beautiful." He confirmed.

"Sounds good… but coffee first, yeah?"

He chuckled. As if Jaz could do anything without coffee first.

"Of course." He kept chuckling as he went out to see to Patton and put the coffee on.

Dalton was pleased that Jaz had agreed to the hike. Not only did he really want to show it to her, but the long and arduous hike will do them both some good and hopefully stop him from thinking about last night's kiss, over and over again.

He was wrong.

That kiss was all he could think about, and the long hike to the waterfall didn't dampen that at all. If anything, it made it worse.

Like their other hikes, he continued to point things of interest out to Jaz, while she snapped away on her phone. But this time he watched her even more than usual, from behind his sunglasses. Thank fuck for his sunglasses!

He could not get out of his mind how it had felt to hold her against him and kiss her last night. How well her body moulded to his, how she sounded moaning into his mouth and how soft her skin was when he touched it.

Now he was taking her somewhere where he would see her in a swim suit again. What the fuck had he been thinking?

Jaz knew exactly why Dalton had suggested this hike today. It was the same reason she had agreed to go. It was going to keep their minds off their kiss and any awkwardness that would be likely to arise. If anything, she was even more aware of him now.

She had always found him attractive, from the very first moment she met him. The attraction grew the more she had gotten to know him over the years. Finding out he was a genuinely great guy, with so much integrity was a major attraction for her. She hadn't known many great guys until she joined his team. They were all great, but Dalton had always been a bit different. Even Elijah had known that.

Now, after knowing how it felt to kiss him, how it felt to be held by him and how it felt to have her body pressed up against him, that attraction had multiplied exponentially.

She would just try to keep herself busy by snapping lots of pictures, playing with Patton and try not to think about Adam with his top off once they arrived at the waterfall.

When they reached their destination, Jaz was instantly struck with the majestic beauty of the waterfall. What she had seen so far of these mountain ranges, had all been so beautiful. She had been to a lot of different places all over the world, but she's starting to think the Blue Ridge Mountains are at the very top of her list.

Jaz moved closer to the water to take a few photos while Dalton found a spot to leave their belongings.

There were a few other people there today, a few sitting on the surrounding rocks and some already in the lake at the bottom of the waterfall, enjoying the cool water.

Dalton sat down and scouted his surroundings, as was second nature to him.

There were a couple of families with small children, an older couple sitting quite close to him and a few younger couples. The older couple gave him a friendly smile, which he returned, before turning back to see Jaz and Patton approaching him and sitting down next to him.

Jaz was eager to get into the water after their long hike, so she started stripping off her clothes, and once again Dalton was extremely grateful for the sunglasses.

Jaz was just stunning. Lean and muscular. Small and feminine. Scarred, but beautiful.

Dalton couldn't help but mentally catalogue the scars covering her body. Multiple scars riddle her legs, their origins not officially confirmed, but Dalton had some ideas. The numerous small scars all over her body; lasting remnants of her capture in Tehran. They were still like a kick to the gut every time he saw them. Not out of distaste, but they were a reminder of how close they had come to losing her. How close he had come to losing her.

Jaz looked over at him and asked, "You coming in?"

Dalton removed his sunglasses and tried to act casually, almost like he had been caught appraising her, "Yeah, I'll be there in a sec, you go ahead."

He watched as Jaz walked towards the water, Patton trotting after her. That dog's loyalties appear to be changing he thought to himself and smiled at the thought.

"She's a lucky woman to have a man smile after her like that."

Dalton turned to the older couple near him and saw the woman smiling at him.

"Oh – no, we aren't…" He wasn't quite sure how to respond, so the woman just smiled at him again.

"My husband first looked at me like that almost 40 years ago, and we've been inseparable ever since. You'll see." She continued while still smiling at him knowingly before going back to the book she was reading.

Dalton just turned back towards the lake, a little incensed that he wasn't being as discreet as he thought he was. His poker face was usually one he prided himself on.

He took his shirt off and headed towards the water to where Jaz was peering into some of the rock pools around the lake.

She looked up and smirked as he approached, "McG was right, I don't think Amir would be able to stand in some of these."

"We should bring Amir here when he arrives to test it out." Dalton laughed and Jaz joined in with him.

They spent an hour or so moving around the edge of the lake, studying the rock pools, feeling the spray from the waterfall and just enjoying their surroundings.

By the time they went in for a swim, Patton was already napping near their belongings, tired after the long hike and warm weather.

They swam towards the base of the waterfall, where it cascaded into the lake and stood right under the fall of water, crashing onto their heads. They both laughed out loud at the strange sensation and the force of the water contorting their facial expressions and plastering their hair to their heads.

Dalton loved seeing Jaz carefree like this and Jaz loved seeing Top laugh with abandon. Everything seemed lighter here and so easy. It was a lifetime away from the life or death missions they faced on deployment.

They moved to the body of water between the cascade and its rock interface, both bobbing down on the slippery rocks beneath the surface so only their heads were above the water. The noise of the waterfall at this proximity made conversation nearly impossible, so they moved closer together to be able to speak at all. Very close in fact.

"Is Patton ok?" Jaz said with her lips very close to Dalton's ear.

Dalton turned around where he could see their belongings and Patton, just to the side of the waterfall, "Still fast asleep," he answered.

"That dog sleeps more than I do." Jaz admonished, as Dalton moved back to face her, nearly bumping foreheads, she was so close.

This was the second time they had found themselves this close in a body of water and they couldn't help but remember the last time this happened.

They stilled in the water and it was as if everything went silent, as if the crashing water just a foot away didn't exist.

Their eyes were locked and once again Jaz found herself darting looks at Dalton's lower lip. She remembered how it felt against her own lips the night before and craved that feeling again. She looked back up into his eyes and saw the same level of desire reflecting back at her.

Instead of overthinking this, Jaz made a quick decision, whispered "Fuck it", just like he had the night before, and lent forward to crash her lips against Dalton's, hands reaching out and grabbing either side of his neck.

Dalton's initial surprise was quickly forgotten as he began to return the kiss, arms reaching out to grab her around the waist and pull her even closer, so close that she wrapped her legs around his waist to balance herself.

They kissed passionately, and deeply, completely engrossed in each other. It was as if their mouths remembered each other from the previous evening, and they just picked up from where they left off.

In the water, Jaz was as light as a feather so Dalton took this opportunity to let his hands roam all over her back and up and down the thighs wrapped around him. He let one hand settle, cupping her ass, and the other hand slid up and down her side, resting on her rib cage, just below her breast.

As they continued to kiss, tongues exploring each other's mouths, Dalton used his thumb to tentatively rub back and forth on the underside of her breast. He felt her moan into his mouth and she briefly pulled away from his lips to whisper into his ear, "Touch me".

Dalton froze momentarily, and looked into her eyes. The line between them that had been a little murky lately, was about to become nearly transparent, but the mutual heat between them was undeniable.

Unable to resist, Dalton crashed his lips back onto hers and gently cupped her breast with his hand, through her swim suit. He dragged his thumb over her nipple and he felt it instantly harden and Jaz arch herself into him, craving more.

He continued to rub her nipple back and forth, and Jaz felt ripples of pleasure spread right down through her body as she held onto him, throwing both her arms around his neck.

Her legs tightened around his waist and it was his turn to moan as she rocked her hips against his already hard cock. His hand, still cupping her ass, pressed her even closer with a tight grip so their hips ground against each other, and she let out a small gasp.

Jaz's lips left his and started to kiss his neck, all the way up to his ear lobe, which she pulled into her mouth and sucked long and hard. Their mutual pleasure continued to grow as their hips still rocked together, trying to satisfy the ache deep within them.

Dalton wanted to strip Jaz of her swimsuit and pleasure her all over, but the fact they were in public with some young families close by started to play on his mind. Sure, they were currently mostly hidden behind the waterfall, but he didn't want to give anyone an eyeful. He didn't want anyone else seeing Jaz, other than himself.

He stilled his hand on her breast and pulled back to look Jaz in the eye. The heat in them, almost had him changing his mind. But even behind the haze, Jaz knew what had to happen. They were currently hidden beneath the water level, but that didn't mean it wouldn't be obvious to anyone who saw them as to what they were doing.

Looking at each other and trying to catch their breath, Jaz rocked her hips against Dalton's one last time, causing him to moan and close his eyes, before lowering her legs back down to stand on the rocks below.

She smiled at the satisfaction of knowing it was her who made him moan, and as she took a step back he looked at her again through slightly lowered eye lids, still fighting against the desire in his body.

They didn't need to say anything, they had never had to speak much to communicate in the field, and this moment felt just like that.

Jaz gave him one last heated look, before ducking back down under the waterfall and swimming away.

Once again, Dalton was left with a problem he had to resolve before he could get out of the water so he stayed in the same spot and tried not to replay what had just happened over and over in his head. It wasn't helping his situation.

When he did finally climb out to go and sit back with Jaz and Patton, the older lady who had spoken to him before caught his eye. She gave him a small smile and a wink… Damn it, she had seen them.

They walked back to the cabin later that day in silence.

Dalton's original plan of the long hike and day at the waterfall to forget about last night's kiss, had clearly back fired. Their minds had even more to process now, and neither of them were very good at talking about these complexities

Jaz didn't know whether to be worried, confused, happy or a million other things. There was no denying her attraction to Dalton. The last couple of days had proved that, but should they be doing this? What exactly were they doing? As always, when it came to Top, she didn't really know.

They made it all the way back to the cabin without saying a word to each other, but they had exchanged looks multiple times and sneaked looks at the other multiple times also.

Dalton walked straight to the fridge and pulled out two beers, popped their lids and handed one of them to Jaz. She took it wordlessly and took a long sip. It was heaven after the long, warm hike back.

After another long sip, they both started to speak at once.

Laughing, Dalton offered, "You first."

"About what happened, or… umm – about what's been happening…" Jaz drifts off, not quite sure how to finish the sentence.

Dalton looks at her a long time before starting himself, "I've been thinking about this the whole way back, and I'm still not sure what's happening."

"Me neither." Jaz admitted. After another bout of silence and some thought she continues, "Let's not try to put a label on it. Let's just see what happens and we'll deal with it when we need to deal with it," trying to shrug nonchalantly whist saying so, but not feeling that way at all.

She was waiting to be rejected. Waiting to feel the rejection she had felt so many times over the course of her life.

To Dalton, it seemed sensible enough. They were on leave after all. If they were currently deployed, this conversation would have probably taken a very different route, but the bit of freedom afforded to them on leave, allows them to possibly explore some more.

Dalton runs his hand over his beard as he so often does when he's thinking. He was conflicted between Adam Dalton, the Commanding Officer of Special Operations Group 7, and Adam Dalton the man. He also kept coming back to Preach's words of wisdom that last night in Turkey. They were on leave, and it was only just the start. It wouldn't hurt just to see what happens.

It could all backfire and be a monumental fuck up. Or, it could be the best thing he's ever done in his life. He wanted to find out which one; he could deal with the fall out later.

"Ok." He smiles while looking back at Jaz.

"Ok?" Jaz was a little shocked that he was so agreeable.

"Yeah, ok." He confirms and smiles at her.

This was going to be interesting.

Later that night, after they had dinner and were just sitting down on the couch to watch a movie, Dalton received a text from Amir.

Top, still ok if I visit? – Amir

Yeah, buddy. Just say when – Top

I'm thinking of driving over in two days, if that suits? – Amir

Copy that, text me when you're close and I'll make sure I'm home - Top

Will do – Amir

I think Jaz will be expecting some of your cooking – Top

Wouldn't expect anything less – Amir

Dalton smiled and put his phone away. It would be good to see Amir, and he was so glad that Jaz and Amir got along these days too. He's pretty sure Jaz would have left before Amir got there otherwise, and that's not what Dalton wanted.

But what happens between himself and Jaz, once Amir arrives? He had no idea.

Dalton turned to Jaz to let her know the update, "Amir is heading this way the day after tomorrow."

Jaz smiled, "Let's put him to work in the kitchen as soon as he gets here."

"I told him that would be your response." Dalton laughed.

They settled in to watch the movie, both Dalton and Jaz managing to keep their hands to themselves for the whole time. That's not to say they weren't thinking about it though.

Once the movie finished, Dalton glanced over to see Jaz fast asleep on the other end of the couch. He smiled faintly; seeing her asleep always gave him some peace. He knew sleep didn't always come easy, and there was always the threat of nightmares looming, but every bit of sleep counts, and she had a lot to catch up on.

He briefly considers leaving her on the couch so as not to disturb her, but they've learnt that sleeping near each other seemed to stave off the nightmares, at least so far.

He leant down to pick her up and carried her into his bedroom, and settled her on what was now her side of the bed.

Dalton just sat and stared at her for a minute. She was so beautiful, and looked so peaceful like this. She didn't even know how beautiful she was, and that's one of the things he liked best about her.

He got into bed himself and turned off the lamp. As he settled himself under the covers, Jaz moved herself closer to him, as if automatically sensing his presence, and snuggled into his side.

"Night, Adam," he heard her very faintly mumble.

Adam? She had never once in the three years they had known each other, called him Adam.

But he liked it. He liked it a lot.

"Goodnight, Jasmine," He whispered back, and pulled her closer into his side.

They may not be putting labels on whatever they were, but whatever this was, he liked it. He liked it a lot.

I'm posting this during the week, because I won't have a chance this weekend. Hope you all liked it, let me know what you think :)

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