Author note:

Work is making it harder and harder to find time to write. I hope not everyone has lost interest. Here is a short fluffy transitional chapter. Enjoy!

CH 131-Announcements

Bravo's deployment was pushed out two weeks. Their last Op was a close call and Intelligence was doing all they could to understand who attacked the helo. They were all called in to go over their AARs and to give a live, first-hand account of what took place on the mission. All of them understood the need to get to the bottom of things. But they all found the sitting around and constant questions and speculation tiresome.

One positive, from Clay's point of view, was that the delay gave him time to heal. If they kept to the original timetable, he might not have been medically cleared to deploy with the rest of the team. It would only be a couple weeks and then he would join them. It wasn't a big deal. There had been times when, for one reason or another, someone on the team had to stay back and travel with support personnel. But he hated the idea of leaving the team a man down, even for a day.

He chafed at his restrictions. Needing to ask Emma to drive him to PT, or bum a ride off one of the guys, wounded his pride. He did try to make up for those limitations by pushing himself in the gym and at home. There, where no one was watching his every move, he eased back into his lifting routine. Regardless of what the doctors and therapists said, he made up his mind he would deploy with the rest of Bravo, and he needed to be in shape. Much to Koda's delight, he also upped his cardio routine, taking the dog for a lengthy run daily.

He knew Emma worried that he was pushing himself too hard. Whenever she picked him up from therapy, she would arrive early and "pop in." Clay knew she was checking on him and trying to determine if he was giving her the full story when she asked about his progress. She would not so discreetly pump his PT team for info under the guise of being friendly. He called her out on her lack of guile and then kissed the pout from her face so she would know he appreciated her concern.

Clay tried to keep his impatience in check and manage his attitude, especially at home. But sometimes, after a rehab session, he had a hard time not letting his frustration take over. Emma didn't take it personally. She understood the motivation behind his feelings.

Today Emma was able to drop him off for his PT. She was going to pick him up as well, but Sonny called, saying he was in the neighborhood and would swing by and get Clay. She figured that Sonny just wanted an excuse to check up on his best friend. That was fine with her. It gave her time to do something as a little surprise for Clay.

She decided to bake some of his favorite cookies in case he needed cheering up. But when he got home and joined her in the kitchen, she could see he was in a good mood.

"Hey, Babe! It sure smells good in here."

Emma nodded toward the cookies cooling on the counter.

"I thought you might like some of these today."

Clay grabbed one and immediately popped it in his mouth.

"Mmmm."

"I'm happy you like them. How did things go in therapy today?"

Clay swallowed and then grabbed her, spinning her around the small space.

"Great! I got cleared for duty!"

"Already? That's two weeks earlier than they estimated."

"I know. I told you it wouldn't take me as long as they said."

Although she was happy for him, she was still slightly suspicious.

"Are you sure that you're ready? Or did you charm that poor resident into signing off on your medical clearance?"

He smirked slightly as he answered.

"Em! I don't know what you mean!"

Ever since she met the therapist in charge of Clay's case, she could tell that the young woman was infatuated with Clay. And she, more than anyone, knew how easy it was to succumb to his magnetic smile, sparkling eyes, and charismatic personality.

"Clay Spenser! I thought we agreed you would use your powers only for good."

They were both laughing now.

"Em…I would never…"

"I call bullshit, sailor."

Clay's face sported a smug grin as he replied.

"She may have been a little on the fence. But I promised to take it easy until deployment."

"We both know that's not gonna happen."

Crossing his heart, he answered.

"I promise that I'm fine and I won't do anything that could jeopardize me deploying with Bravo."

They fell silent as Emma took the last pan of cookies from the oven, shifted them onto cooling racks, and turned off the oven. She wasn't upset with him, but her expression and tone of voice shifted from joking to serious.

"I need to you level with me. Are you really ready to get back to duty? You're not just pushing yourself? Because I need you to be one hundred percent. We both know it's going to be dangerous enough without…"

Clay stepped closer and pulled her into his arms.

"I swear to you, Em. I really am ready."

"Promise?"

"How about I show you?"

After placing a tender kiss on her upturned lips, he picked her up and started toward their bedroom.

A couple hours later, Clay having proved his vigor to her more than once, they laid cuddled together.

"I told you my shoulder was fine."

He leaned in and nipped at her lips. She laughed softly and gave him a light smack on his ass.

"Show off."

"What can I say? I'm a fast healer."

The grin stretched off his face as he kissed the tip of her nose.

"Fine. I believe you."

He turned suddenly serious. Brushing the loose hair away from her face, he looked directly in her eyes as he spoke.

"Em, I promise you I'm feeling fine. My shoulder doesn't hurt anymore. And I have my full range of motion back. I'll take it as easy as I can until deployment. "

"Just remember your promise."

"I do. And I will. I'll always fight to come home to you, Baby."

"And I'll always be here waiting for you."

Now that he could drive again, Clay ran errands that he worked on the things he wanted to get accomplished before he left. He still went to the gym, but with his promise to Emma in the back of his mind, he tried not to push too hard. Just making sure he had his strength and stamina back. He also hit the range. He wanted to ensure that his shoulder could take the kick of his rifle. And that his accuracy hadn't suffered. His life and the lives of his brothers depended on his skills as a sniper. He had to be in top form.

Clay did his best to be home whenever Emma was. Between her classes and homework, they found every moment they could together. Even watching TV and eating together was cherished because all too soon, they would be a memory. Still the time went by too quickly. And soon there was only a week left until Bravo's departure.

When the alarm went off Emma reluctantly left Clay's embrace and went to take a shower. He got up to make her some breakfast. Rolling out of bed and pulling on some sweats he headed to the kitchen. He was cracking eggs into a bowl to scramble when he heard his phone indicate an incoming text. He pulled up the message as he bent down to get a skillet from the cupboard.

-Briefing room, 0830-

He sighed, getting called in just a few days before deployment wasn't a good sign. Glancing at his watch, he decided he had time to finish Emma's meal and then jump in the shower before he needed to leave. He took the eggs off the heat and covered them to keep warm. Making sure the coffee was going, he headed back to the bedroom.

Emma emerged from the bathroom drying her hair with a towel as he walked in.

"Good morning, Honey."

"Mornin', Em."

He stopped for a quick kiss and then went to pull some clean clothes out of the dresser before getting a quick shower. Emma noticed that he seemed distracted.

"Clay, everything okay?"

"I-I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

"I got a text to show up for a briefing in 45 minutes."

"Oh…"

He walked back over to her and gave her a squeeze.

"It's probably nothing. I'll let you know what I can when I find out."

Emma had no word from Clay through all her classes that day. She wasn't frightened exactly. She was just concerned about what could be so important to haul the team down to DEVGRU only a few days before deployment.

Clay still wasn't home by the time Emma returned from class. They were supposed to go over to her dad's that night for dinner. She knew he would be tied up in the same briefing as Clay and she wondered if their plans should be postponed. She was out walking Koda when Clay finally called.

"Hi."

"Hey, Babe."

"So, what's up?"

"I'm on my way. We can talk about it then."

"Ooookay."

"Nothing to worry about. I promise."

Knowing she couldn't press for details Emma took Clay at his word. She trusted him to tell her the truth about what he could discuss.

"I'll see you soon then. Did Dad happen to say if he still wants us to come over?"

"Yea. He said to give him half an hour before we leave."

"Sounds good."

"Love you, Em."

"Love you, too."

They were in Clay's truck on the way to Jason's before the subject of the day's events came up.

"Well, there were two announcements."

"Go on."

"The first is that Bravo isn't deploying to Camp Larkin."

"What?"

"Yea. It threw all of us for a loop too. Foxtrot will be taking our place there. We'll be heading to Japan. Camp Fuji."

"Really? That's unusual, isn't it."

"Sort of. But they can send us anywhere."

"I know. It's such a change though."

They were both quiet, contemplating the change in destination. Emma was the one to verbalize her thoughts.

"I guess it's safer than Afghanistan. You don't hear much about terror attacks or fighting insurgents there."

Clay shrugged noncommittally. The Geo-political landscape was changing. He knew some of the newest and greatest threats came from countries in the far East. Chances were that the team could be sent on some of the most dangerous missions of their careers anywhere from China to North Korea to Russia. But he said nothing. He didn't want to add to Emma's anxiety over their upcoming departure. He was falling deep into thought when Emma spoke again.

"You said there were two announcements…"

"Yea, uh…Ray is, well, Ray has decided to go for Warrant Officer."

"Oh. What does that mean for the team? Will he still deploy with you?"

"Yea, this time. But this will be his last with Bravo. At least his last as Bravo two, anyway."

"So, he's leaving the team?"

"Yes."

"Did you know about this?"

"No. I didn't know."

"Wow! That's going to be a big change for the team. And a huge adjustment for Dad. I wonder what brought this on?"

"Ray said that he and Naima have been discussing it for a while now. You know he'll have his twenty in in a couple of years. He didn't want to be away from the kids so much. And that Naima deserved more support."

"I bet Naima is ecstatic!"

"I'm sure she will be."

"I can't believe Ray won't be on the team anymore. What happens now? Does Dad choose a new 2IC? Or does Command do that?"

"Of course, Command has the final say. But…Jace…he already told Blackburn and Harrington who he wants."

"Who?"

Clay cleared his throat nervously.

"Ah… Jace wants…he said he wants me."

"Oh my God! Honey! That's-that's amazing."

"It's not a done deal yet."

"But it will be. You know he plans to hand the team over to you when he retires."

"He's mentioned that before."

"Will this cause issues though? Can you leapfrog over Trent, Brock, and Sonny like that?"

"Well, Brock couldn't be Bravo 2 unless he wanted to give up being the K9 handler."

Emma laughed at the possibility. They both knew how much Cerberus meant to him. Neither could imagine him doing anything else.

"What about Trent and Sonny?"

"Well, Sonny has openly said he doesn't want his own team. He doesn't want to deal with the brass. And Trent, well, I guess he's happy where he is too. I've never once heard him mention wanting to move up or have his own command."

"You are higher in rank already anyway. Does mean another promotion? Will they make you a Sr. Chief?"

"I don't think so. Maybe if I show I can handle being Jace's second in command."

Emma reached over and rubbed her hand over his arm and let it rest lightly on his shoulder.

"You will. You know Dad already relies on you a ton."

He flashed her a grateful smile. Thankful for her confidence in him.

They pulled into Jason's driveway and Clay turned off the ignition. Before Emma could open her door, he reached for her hands.

"Are you really okay with this? It means more responsibility. And it's a step to having my own team, to hopefully being Bravo one when your dad retires. Once I do this, there's no going back."

"I know this is what you want, what you've always wanted. And I support you one hundred percent. You are a born leader, Clay. And I can't think of anyone else I would want having Dad's back. Or anyone better for him to hand Bravo over to."

He didn't say a word as he pulled her into his arms.

"Thank you, Baby."

"Always."