Another slightly more mature chapter, hope you enjoy!

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

Chapter 9

Dalton woke the next morning with Jaz still wrapped in his arms, and fast asleep. As he lay there, just enjoying holding her, he realised that this would be their last day alone for a few days, since Amir was arriving tomorrow.

He was looking forward to seeing Amir, he had fit into the team so seamlessly, especially once Jaz eased up on him, but he had really enjoyed this time with Jaz. He still had no idea how long she would be staying, but he hoped it would be a little longer yet. A lot longer actually.

Dalton decided to slip out while Jaz still slept to get a few chores done around the cabin before Amir's arrival. As much as he didn't want to leave her warm body in bed, he wanted to get the chores done early so he could spend the day with Jaz.

Jaz only stirred slightly as he slipped out of bed as quietly as he could. He watched as she curled into the warm spot where he had been lying and snuggled into his pillow. If you had told him three weeks ago, that Jaz Khan would be in his bed, having slept cuddled up to him all night, he would never have believed it. And yet now, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world.

He finally backed out of the room, put the coffee pot on and then went outside with Patton to make a start on the chores.

When Jaz wandered out of the bedroom a little while later, it was to find coffee all ready to go, thank goodness, but no sign of Dalton.

She wandered out onto the back veranda with her coffee to see if he was out there and she caught sight of him up a ladder, chopping some dead branches off a tree. She leaned against the railing and just watched.

She could watch him all day. In fact, sometimes she does. Her job has a sniper made her very observant anyway, but subtly watching Adam Dalton, was one of her favourite pastimes. And the more she had gotten to know him over the years, the more she wanted to watch.

As she was staring at him, he sensed her presence and turned around. He finishing up with the branch he was hacking off and then wandered over to stand on the steps leading up to the veranda. With him standing on the second step, they were eye-to-eye.

He smiled slowly at her, "Good morning."

"Morning." She returned with the same slow smile.

"Sleep ok?"

"Considering I don't remember going to bed, I would say that's a yes." Jaz blushed slightly. She remembered settling down to watch the movie last night, but the next thing she remembered was waking up, with Dalton already gone this morning.

'I'm glad you're getting some sleep." Dalton responded softly, still smiling at her.

Jaz, still blushing, just nodded her head, getting lost in those blue eyes once again.

Dalton bit his lip and looked back at the tree he had been chopping. "I have a little bit to finish out here, but I need to go into town today, we could get some lunch and then hit the supermarket for more supplies before Amir gets here. What do you think?"

"Actually, I need to return my hire car, so sounds great."

"Oh really, planning on staying a little longer?" Dalton prodded cheekily.

"I mean, maybe. Or I can always go with Amir when he leaves…" Jaz teased and saw the amusement in Dalton's eyes.

"Well you are friends now." Dalton quipped as he started back down the steps.

"Practically besties." Jaz shrugged.

"Remind me to use the term 'besties' with McG." Dalton laughed as he walked back to the ladder.

Jaz laughed with him before finishing up her coffee. She watched him for a bit longer. Watched his muscles rippling while he tackled the tree. Watched the concentration on his face, a look she had seen many times before.

She had to force herself to head back inside and shower and get ready. She didn't know what would happen once Amir got there, but she was super happy to spend another day alone with Dalton.

A couple of hours later, they drove in tandem into town and straight to the car hire yard to return Jaz's car. She hopped into Dalton's truck then and he drove them into the centre of town.

He needed to pick up a few things at the hardware store and Jaz wanted to hit a clothing store, so they went their separate ways for an hour to do what they needed to do. When they met up at the car, Dalton raised his eyebrows at Jaz's numerous bags.

"Did you buy half of Pennsylvania?"

Jaz just looked up at him through her eye lashes, "Maybe. I did buy a new bikini…"

The glint in Dalton's eyes slowly darkened, and Jaz just smirked.

"Good day for a swim then…" Dalton said roughly while clearing his throat, trying to not picture Jaz in a bikini, but failing.

"We probably won't have time..." Jaz responded casually, while throwing the bags in the car, "But please tell me it's time for lunch.

Dalton shook his head to try and rid himself from the thoughts of Jaz in a bikini. Easier said than done, but he led Jaz to an Italian restaurant for lunch and just hoped that those thoughts would abate over pizza and pasta.

After lunch, they hit the supermarket and stocked up on food and alcohol again, before heading back to the cabin, still with much of the afternoon ahead of them.

While Jaz and Dalton had joked about swimming, she actually had something else in mind. She was hoping they could try some fishing again. Hopefully they could be more successful than her first attempt.

She ran the idea by Dalton, and despite his surprise, he was happy to indulge her request.

"Do you want to try the same spot or change it up?" He asked her.

Jaz thought about it briefly before responding, "The same spot. I want to conquer it before moving on to another spot."

Dalton rolled his eyes, "Typical."

"What's that supposed to men?"

Dalton smiled cheekily, "Nothing bad, just your stubbornness shining through."

"Scared I'll catch more fish than you, Top?" Jaz threw back at him.

"I'm actually more scared for the fish themselves." He declared as he headed outside to get the fishing gear ready.

They were set up on that same Jetty as last time. The same Jetty where Jaz had let Dalton into one of her recurring nightmares. It was one of many, there were still a lot she hadn't told him about, but it somehow felt more peaceful sitting there this time. Like some of her demons had been exorcised.

She had remembered how to cast off, and they were both sitting there, expectantly, waiting for a bite. Patton was sitting alongside them, stretching out in the sun.

"What time is Amir getting here tomorrow?" Jaz asked while waiting.

"Not sure yet, he said he'd text. I'm assuming the afternoon at some stage."

"I wonder what's kept him in DC for a week…?" Jaz smiled, half to herself, but Dalton caught sight of it.

"I assume he was just seeing the sights. We didn't get to see any when we were there after our deployment ended." Dalton was slightly confused by the way Jaz was looking at him.

Jaz just kept grinning, "He was definitely seeing some sights, not sure if they were of the geographical kind though…"

"Huh – what are you talking ab… Hey, I got one!" Dalton got side-tracked as he felt a tug on his line.

He stood up and started to reel in his line, slowly, but clearly with a lot of experience behind it. He managed to catch a decent sized Small Mouth Bass, and put it into his bucket to grill later that night.

Happy with his first catch, he had just cast off when Jaz felt a tug at her line as well.

She was straight up to her feet and started to slowly reel her line in, just like Dalton had showed her.

He was standing right next to her and watched her face as she concentrated. It was the same expression as when she was lining up a shot, or scoping out the enemy. He watched that expression change to one of delight as she reeled her own Small Mouth Bass in.

"I'm pretty sure this is bigger than yours, Top." She exclaimed as she held it up to show him, like a trophy.

"Of course it is." He said resignedly, while shaking his head and smiling at the same time.

Dalton helped her get the fish off the line and put it in the bucket.

She stood next to the bucket, just peering in, looking at the two fish.

Dalton was next to her, just watching her, "Still gloating?" He asked sarcastically.

But when she met his eyes, he saw something he wasn't expecting. Softness, tinged with sadness and sentiment. She smiled gently and kept looking into his eyes.

"My first catch… That one was for Hossein." Jaz whispered softly, tears shining in her eyes.

Dalton stared back into her big brown eyes, realising that this had been cathartic for Jaz. This had been something she had needed to do to come to terms with some of her demons.

What he did next was something he needed to do.

He took a step closer to her and reached out a hand to place it tenderly on her cheek, his thumb wiping away a stray tear and his fingers burying themselves in her hair.

Jaz leant into his palm, welcoming the comfort he always seemed to provide, her eyes never leaving his.

Eyes locked, he leant down and pressed his lips to hers, his other hand finding her cheek so he was cradling her head in both his hands. He couldn't help himself, he wanted to kiss away any residual guilt she still had.

The kiss was soft and tender and full of emotion, and Jaz returned it with just as much emotion. She felt like the guilt she had been carrying around for Hossein was slowly being erased by Dalton's comfort, care and reassurance.

She brought both of her arms up to wrap around his waist and as they slowly pulled their lips away from each other, Dalton released one of his hands from her cheek to wrap around her shoulders and pull her to his chest.

He held her close, one hand continuing to caress her cheek, soothing her as it did so. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead before resting his chin on her head. He loved that she fit so snugly against him, like she was meant to be there.

Jaz had never felt safer in her whole life as she did at that very moment. Her team rescuing her in Tehran was a close second, but here against Dalton's chest with his arms wrapped around her, she felt more peaceful than she ever had. There was a lot she still had to work through, she knew that, but maybe it was supposed to be worked through with Dalton at her side.

She felt his chest rumble as he started to chuckle. She looked up at him questioningly, still being held close.

Dalton looked down at her and explained, "Hossein would have loved that your fish was bigger than mine, he was just as competitive and stubborn as you are."

She just laughed lightly in response, she genuinely loved hearing these tidbits about Hossein.

Dalton smiled at her and placed one last soft peck on her lips, holding her gaze for a second longer before pulling away, "C'mon, there's plenty more fish out there just waiting for us to catch them."

They spent another couple of hours out there, only keeping another couple of fish and releasing all the others they caught.

Jaz found herself genuinely enjoying this relaxing past time and Dalton promised to show her some other spots around the mountains. She couldn't wait.

That evening they grilled the fish they had caught on the barbeque for dinner, built a fire, made s'mores and perched themselves on the back veranda like they had so many other nights, drinking beer and staring at the stars.

"So what sights are we going to show Amir when he gets here?" Jaz broached.

"We?" Dalton quizzed.

"Well I'm practically a local now, with my new fishing prowess and all." Jaz grinned.

"How could I possibly forget?" He teased. He was actually hoping Amir would be up for some fishing. There was a beautiful part of the river that was great for fly fishing. He would love to show them both.

"We can just wait and see what Amir wants to do." Dalton reasoned. They would figure it out when he got there.

Just then, both their phones vibrated with an incoming message to their WhatsApp group chat.

Top, still got a couch free for me? – McG

Dalton looked over at Jaz and raised his eyebrows, she just shrugged in response.

Yeah buddy, it's yours if you want it – Top

I'm thinking of stopping by in a couple of days. Is Amir there yet? – McG

He arrives tomorrow – Top

Jazzy still there? – McG

I sure am – Jaz

You gonna give up that bed for your fave 6'2'' buddy? – McG

Preach isn't coming – Jaz

That's my girl – Preach

Dalton and Jaz both smiled as Preach joined the conversation.

Ouch, that hurts – McG

Put a band aid on it sugar – Jaz

You've been hanging around Top too long – McG

We're besties now – Top

Besties? Fuck - you've been hanging around Jaz too long - McG

Guilty. Jaz and Dalton both laughed out loud at McG's response, but snuck a look at each other and smiled almost secretly.

What are my chances of a bed? – Amir

Not a hope in hell – Jaz

Thought as much - Amir

Dalton glanced quickly at Jaz. They hadn't discussed their current sleeping situation and whether it will change when Amir gets here. Currently there was a spare bed. They should figure that out that at some stage. Soon.

Just let me know when you're arriving McG – Top

Will do. Get the party ready for my arrival – McG

Jaz rolled her eyes and chuckled at that. McG was impossible not to love.

Now I'm starting to feel left out – Preach

You keep up that rehab buddy, we'll see you soon – Top

I'm gonna hold you to that – Preach

Jaz saw Dalton smiling at his phone after that. She knew he missed Preach. Watching Dalton in the hospital when Preach was in his coma, anyone could tell how much Preach meant to him. They'd known each other a long time and had seen a lot together.

"You should fly out and visit Preach." Jaz stated.

"Yeah… I'm sure I will at some stage." Dalton looked up at her and smiled, "When he's a bit further along with his rehab, I think it's still tough going at the moment."

Jaz just nodded in response.

Dalton looked at her and thought he would take this opportunity to broach the subject of their sleeping arrangement.

"Jaz…" he started tentatively. "… When Amir gets here, what happens…' He drifted off, not quite sure how to ask.

"To the way we sleep?"

Jaz could be quite blunt when she wanted to be, and at that moment, Dalton was very appreciative of that.

He nodded, waiting for her to continue.

She took a deep breath to settle herself before continuing slowly and thoughtfully, "Umm – I think… I think that since we haven't even figured this out ourselves, and we aren't putting any labels on it, that maybe we should keep this to ourselves for now."

Jaz looked at Dalton to see his reaction. He was nodding slowly in agreeance so she continued, "I'll go back to sleeping in my room, and we'll see what happens after Amir and McG have gone again."

"So you aren't going to leave with Amir then?" Dalton teased quietly.

"I mean, we'll see what happens. Depending on these new recipes of his, I might leave you alone with McG." Jaz teased right back and lightened the conversation.

"He'll have to be my new bestie."

They both chuckled at that and went back to staring at the stars. They sat quietly for a few more minutes.

Eventually Dalton worked up the guts to venture softly, "I'll miss you sleeping in my bed."

Jaz continued to stare skyward, but the relief she felt at hearing him vocalise what she had been thinking about the last few minutes put her at ease.

She took a deep breath and offered, "Well, we still have tonight."

They sure did have tonight.

They finished up another beer each, put out the fire and got ready for bed.

They climbed into Dalton's bed and lay facing each other. Despite the ambiguity of whatever was happening between them, other than cuddling and snuggling, which had only happened once they were asleep, they hadn't actually done anything in bed.

Yet.

It appeared the great outdoors was their happy place, so to speak. The bed had always seemed off limits. But now they knew this was the last night, even temporarily, the thoughts going through both their minds were far from pure.

All the lights were off, but the bedroom was lit up from the near full moon overhead.

"Top, what are you thinking?" Jaz whispered.

Dalton smirked. "I'm thinking that since you're lying in my bed, you should probably call me Adam."

Jaz smiled at that, but reasoned, "I don't want to get into that habit with Amir arriving tomorrow. I'll try once he and McG have gone.

"Fair enough." Dalton agreed.

"So what are you thinking?" Jaz repeated.

Dalton was quiet for a few seconds, trying to determine what response to give her. The clean one, or the dirty one.

He went for the clean one, "I'm thinking about how glad I am that you decided to leave New York. You?"

"I was thinking the same thing." Jaz admitted.

Dalton reached out and ran his hand from her shoulder all the way down her arm and back again.

He decided to be dirty too. "I'm also wondering if I should have taken advantage of this bed."

There was a moment of silence. Fuck, he shouldn't have said that.

"I was thinking the same thing." Jaz repeated and moved herself closer to him, his hand still running up and down her arm, and relief running through him.

He could see her eyes in the moonlight and they bore a hole right through him. She looked absolutely beautiful in this light, even more so than usual. He couldn't resist and he didn't want to.

He leant towards Jaz, but she was already meeting him halfway. With one last look deep into each other's eyes, he gripped her upper arm and their lips met.

They kissed eagerly, opening their mouths almost immediately to deepen it.

Jaz placed a hand on Dalton's chest and ran it down his torso feeling his muscles rippling beneath her finger tips. His skin felt alive with her touch and he wanted more.

The hand he had on her upper arm moved up to grasp her neck, guiding her head on an angle to deepen the kiss even further. He felt her tongue slip into his mouth at the same time as her hand wandered down further and further from where it had paused on his abs.

"Jaz." He breathed out against her lips as her hand brushed over his already hard cock through his boxer shorts. Her hand kept moving and went back up to his abs, but he was on fire.

He rolled her so she was lying on her back and pulled back quickly to look at her.

"You're so beautiful." He whispered, before she grasped the back of his head and pulled him down to crash his lips against hers.

They were kissing passionately, deeply, like they couldn't get enough of each other. Jaz reached for him again, wanting to feel him, wanting to feel what she was doing to him. She once again brushed her hand against his cock and it was all he could do not to just rip of her pj's right then and have his way with her.

Dalton moaned loudly into her mouth and she smiled against his lips. She's never seen this side of Dalton before, but she'd definitely dreamed of it.

The hand grasping Jaz's neck started to wander down over her chest, between her breasts, down over her stomach and rested on the spot where her tank top met her sleep shorts. He slid his fingers under the hem and settled his hand on her stomach. He pulled back to look her in the eyes, waiting to see if there was any apprehension.

He only saw desire and encouragement. He started sliding his hand upwards and when he leant down to capture her lips again, he palmed her breast and cupped it gently, finally skin to skin. He massaged her breast softly before running his thumb over her rock hard nipple.

Jaz moaned into Dalton's mouth and he took the opportunity to pull away and begin kissing her neck. He kissed and licked his way up and down her neck, while his hand continued to work its magic on her breast.

He moved his hand away, back towards the hem of her tank top and she groaned protestingly. He looked back down at her as he lifted her top up slightly, questioningly. She nodded at him and leant down to pull the top up and over her head, discarding it on the floor.

He just stared at her in the moonlight and repeated his words from earlier, "You're so beautiful," before continuing to caress her other breast, slowly and teasingly. Jaz's breath caught as he leant down further and captured her other nipple in his mouth and proceed to lick the nub with his tongue, before sucking it into his mouth. The feeling of his mouth on her naked breasts and the tickle that his beard provided was driving her insane.

Jaz writhed on the bed and ran her hands through the hair at the back of his head as he swapped to tease her other nipple with his tongue. She held his head in place as sensations of pleasure spread all over her body.

She couldn't get enough of him and dragged him even closer to her, so he was now laying on top of her, cradled between her legs, hips flush together, still protected by her sleep shorts and his boxers.

Pulling back to look each other in the eyes, Jaz tilted her hips up to grind herself against his cock.

Dalton's eyes rolled in their sockets at the feeling of her hips against his, grinding slowly, the friction increasing. Jaz lifted her head slightly to kiss his neck and he audibly moaned his pleasure and ground his hips even harder into hers.

They rocked against each other, Dalton's hand still caressing her breasts, but his lips were back on hers.

They were kissing furiously and frantically and their hips started to move faster against each other.

Jaz could feel his cock, seeming to get harder and harder, rubbing against her clit through their two layers of clothing. They both knew those pieces of clothing weren't coming off tonight, but the pleasure they were both getting through them, was more than enough for now.

Jaz's legs wrapped around Dalton's hips and they ground long strokes against each other. Dalton pulled his lips back from hers and started kissing her neck again. At the same time, they increased the speed of their thrusts against each other slightly and the combined sensation sent Jaz close to the edge.

When Dalton moved his lips from her neck, back down to one of her nipples and sucked hard, the waves that had been building in her erupted and with a cry, she released all the pent up tension and let it ripple all over her body, wave after wave.

Seeing Jaz writhing in pleasure underneath him, was enough to secure his own release, groaning loudly as his hips continued to rock against hers frantically at first, and then slowly tapering off as the pleasure spread all over him.

They were both breathing deeply and raggedly as they attempted to regain control and come down from their moment of bliss. Dalton had his head buried in the crook of Jaz's neck and she had her hands threaded through his hair.

After another minute, when their breathing was back to normal, Dalton pulled his head back and looked at her, "You ok?" He asked softly.

Jaz gave a very satisfied smile, "I'm more than ok, you?"

"Way more than ok, except I'm going to need to change my boxers." Dalton said sheepishly.

Jaz smiled, not quite believing what they had just done, but having no regrets whatsoever.

Dalton rolled off her so he was lying at her side again and he tugged her against him to kiss her lips slowly and softly. He had no regrets either.

This was definitely new to them and to their relationship. Labels or no labels, whatever what happening, was definitely advancing, and at the moment, they were both fine with that. Way more than fine.

After a few more lazy and satisfying kisses, Dalton got up to clean himself up and change his boxers. When he got back from the bathroom, he saw that Jaz had fallen asleep, cuddled up to his pillow.

He tried to get into bed without disturbing her, but she woke enough to snuggle up to him, head resting on his shoulder to go to sleep. She was still topless, and he could feel her breasts pressed against him. He didn't think he had felt this intimate with anyone in his whole life.

Tomorrow Amir would be here and he and Jaz would be back to being just team mates, so he was going to take advantage of every minute until that time came.

He kissed the top of her head, breathed in her apple scent shampoo, pulled her a little closer, and drifted off to sleep himself.

So I'm blushing a little bit. I know this is still a slow burn, but I've never written anything like this before. Hope it's ok, and would love to hear what you think :) Also, Amir arrives in the next chapter.