Hee Debrief, Sam's Secret & Daphne

SRU HQ – Briefing Room

The team, freshly showered, looked much better than when they wandered in thirty minutes ago Greg thought as he looked over his team sitting around the briefing table. Not a single one of them left unscathed by that last call. But they were all okay, a little battered and bruised but all okay.

It's the first time every single one of his team was checked out by EMS at a scene. The most serious were Leah and Sam. Leah thankfully was only bruised. Sam luckily had just been grazed and didn't even require stitches.

He could see Jules was shooting daggers at Sam and was brewing for confrontation. Ed was just generally pissed off because of the way it went down. And strangely Sam was staring intently at Spike and Spike seemed disconcerted.

Greg thought if Sam did anything to upset Spike the rest of the team would have his head. Spike was barely hanging in there after Lou's death. He had taken a full month off. He had tried to come back after three weeks but he needed another week off after he decked Sam in his tech room. Then the team took another month before they even looked for a replacement.

Sam had helped Spike a lot in that last week but they were still protective of Spike. That damned grenade incident nearly sent Spike over the edge. Greg knew that everyone would lay into Sam if he upset Spike again. Ed had laid into Sam so hard after the grenade because of what it had done to Spike. To his credit Sam stayed silent as Ed had raged that day.

Greg wanted to head off any issues before they started so he said "That was a tough call. I'm proud of each of you. I expect debrief to be short and light. Unless there are any egregious actions or errors that need to be highlighted I think it would be sufficient to say each performed their duties well and we kept the peace. So are there any pressing issues we need to address?"

Sam had watched Spike ever since he had rushed up to the EMS unit where he was being attended. The spooked look that covered Spike's face shook Sam to the core. He hated what Jules call out that he had been hit had done to Spike. He could see the haunted look remained even though Spike knew he was okay.

He had to do something to bring Spike out of those dark thoughts that he could have lost another friend. Sam noted that Sarge had just finished his brush off of the debriefing. He was glad Sarge was not going to make a big deal of it. Then it hit him how to help Spike. Time to make a complete fool of himself for Spike's sake.

Jules had opened her mouth to lay into Sam for being over-protective when Sam cut her off.

Sam stood up pointing at Spike with a serious face but in a childlike accusatory voice whined "It's all Spike's fault. He jinxed us. Hee Ran Long and I had to chase him two friggin miles in this damned heat."

He could not keep up the serious pretense, his face melted into a smile as he finished laughing "I swear you're gonna pay for that one Spike. Just you wait, my revenge will be sweet."

Jules and Ed forgot their anger as the team dissolved in laughter over Sam's antics.

Greg then realized Spike's demeanor was because Sam had been shot and Sam just defused the whole issue for Spike. Damn he's insightful sometimes. He liked the complete change in Spike's demeanor; he was now relaxed and laughing deeply at Sam.

As the laughter died down Greg quickly said "Okay debriefing considered closed on the Hee Ran Long case. Let's focus on the next warrant call." Greg called out to Winnie "Winnie do you have the file on the Daphne Duncan case?"

Jules punched Sam lightly in the left arm. He gave her one of his WOW smiles then leaned back in his chair completely relaxed swinging back and forth and spinning around like a kid, making Spike laugh more.

She had been so mad at Sam for being over-protective of her that she hadn't noticed Spike's mood until Sam pointed at him. Jules was damned glad that Sam had noticed and stepped in to help Spike. Those two had a great friendship before Lou died.

But now they seemed much closer. They were brothers of the heart and a single event in each of their lives connected them deeply. Both had lost best friends in unspeakably horrible ways and both had felt profound guilt over those losses.

Winnie walked in happy to see them all smiles again. "Sorry it took so long. Here's the file Sarge."

"Thanks Winnie" Greg responded.

The team realized they had totally ignored her when they walked in earlier, something they never did. Everyone said a different version of hi to her. Winnie walked out all smiles herself now too.

Greg noticed each had grabbed a bottle of water as the team settled down to review the next warrant call. Well Sam had three. But Greg guessed that with Sam's two mile run in this heat it was expected.

"Alright, so our next subject is Daphne Duncan" Greg informed them as he showed the team a picture of a striking woman with hazel eyes and short cropped jet black hair. "Seems Ms. Duncan is wanted for corporate espionage."

Wordy interrupted "Why does that fall into SRUs realm? Seems a bit tame."

"She is wanted in connection with theft of sensitive defense information from the Thruston Group" Greg shared.

Sam was staring at the picture with an odd look on his face.

Jules noticed "Sam what is it? You know her or something?"

He couldn't believe what he was seeing. No way in hell it could be. Sam asked "Sarge, when was that photo taken?"

"Yesterday. Why?" Greg answered.

Sam stood and walked to Greg holding out his hand for the picture. Greg handed it over. Sam scrutinized the slightly grainy photo closely.

The team just watched curious at his actions.

In a distracted tone Sam said "I have to make a call."

SRU HQ – Gym

Sam quickly walked out of the room holding the photo. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed leaving his teammates confused. He walked into the empty gym as his call was answered.

"Sir. It's Sam, do you have a moment?"

["Samuel, nice to hear from you. Are we still expecting you in three weeks? Your mom can't wait to see you again" General Braddock stated.]

"Yes Sir. But I'm calling about something else. We need a secure line before I can say more" Sam responded.

["Let me arrange it. Do you still have your encrypted phone?"]

"Yes Sir, just need to retrieve it from my locker, give me five minutes" Sam said as he headed toward the locker room.

["Good, I'll call you back in ten minutes" he replied then hung up. The General was extremely curious; Samuel had never requested a secure line since leaving JTF2.]

SRU HQ – Men's Locker Room

Ed caught up with Sam at the locker room door and stopped him from entering. "Samo, you need to return to the briefing room now."

Sam looked seriously at Ed and said "This is important Sir. Give me twenty minutes. There might be changes in our plans for the warrant call."

He pushed past Ed and strode ramrod straight and purposely to his locker.

Ed followed intrigued by Sam's words. He saw Sam open his locker and reach into the very back withdrawing a medium sized box. The locking mechanism required a thumb print, a fifteen digit code and a small key.

Christ thought Ed, he'd never noticed that box in Sam's locker.

Sam just glanced at Ed as he withdrew a phone and a small black notebook. Sam did not try to hide the contents and Ed saw it also contained some type of id, a gun and several clips of ammo. Sam closed it leaving the rest inside and put the box back in his locker then closed and locked it as usual.

"Excuse me Sir. I'll be on the roof. I need privacy for this call. Be back as soon as I can Sir." Sam strode quickly out of the locker room opening the black book and flipping several pages.

As Ed exited the locker room just behind Sam he saw Sam's index finger scan down a page and stop just before he opened the door to the stairwell to the roof.

SRU HQ – Briefing Room

The serious all business tone and mannerisms had prevented Ed from following Sam to the roof. He went back to the briefing room and as he entered Greg queried "So where is he? What's up?"

Ed sat down totally perplexed and opened his water bottle. Sam had called him Sir, not once but multiple times. His stride and carriage had been all military. He hadn't seen that in nearly two years.

What the hell was in the black book? Why the hell did he have a Glock, id and phone in that lock box? What the hell was that all about?

He finally responded to Greg "Not sure. Our Samo has some secrets I think. Pulled a phone and black book out of his locker. He's on the roof making a private call. Said he'd be down as soon as he could and our warrant call might change."

Ed took a long drink and looked at the confused faces of the team, they wanted more information. He just shrugged "Don't have any more info for you."

Then Ed looked at Greg and said with serious concern in his voice "Sam went all soldier on me. It sounded important. I say we just wait."

Greg, Jules, Spike and Wordy looked at each other concerned. All soldier. That didn't sound good.

Leah was out of the loop again but saw the concerned looks so asked "What do you mean all soldier?"

No one answered her, each was too lost in their own thoughts.

SRU HQ – Rooftop

The phone rang and Sam answered "Master Corporal Samuel W. Braddock B23-509-653"

["Verified. XRF-63-89-VRX"]

Sam scanned the black book looking for the right verification code, finding it he stated "Verified" then put the book in his pocket.

["Putting you through."]

["Samuel?" General Braddock asked.]

Sam got right to the point "Sir. I believe I've found Daphne Blain alive but she is going by Daphne Duncan. My team has a warrant call where she is the subject. She is wanted in connection with theft of sensitive defense information from the Thruston Group. How should I proceed?" Sam asked.

["Daphne Blain. Are you sure?"]

"I'm looking at a surveillance photo taken yesterday. It is a little grainy, ninety percent sure it is her. Hair is cropped now but same facial features and eyes, so like her brother's. Sir, we all thought she was dead for the past five years."

["Standby."]

"Yes Sir" Sam responded and then waited.

His heart was racing. Daphne alive? Please let it be her. Christ where has she been? What the hell had happened?

He was on hold for ten minutes and was pacing back and forth the whole time. Sweat was dripping from his forehead and his shirt stuck to him. Damn it was hot and muggy today.

["Samuel a unit is on their way to you. You are to give your Sergeant the following briefing …."]

Sam listened to all the orders the General gave him without interrupting. "Yes got it. We have a new team member, Leah Kerns; you will need to add her." He listened. "Yes Sir Lou's replacement. Who is commanding the unit and what is their ETA?" Sam listened again. "Sir are you sure that is wise? He's probably not the best choice for this one." Sam listened again. "I understand, yes Sir."

He hung up and blew out a long breath as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. Shit this just got complicated, no simple warrant call. Sam marched to the rooftop door and down the stairs to the briefing room.

SRU HQ – Briefing Room

Sam strode in and everyone could see exactly what Ed had meant by all soldier. The stiffness and formality entrenched itself in his body. Sam surprised everyone when he hit the button that sealed the room. Sam waited at parade rest while the room completely sealed.

Then Sam strode to Greg and came to attention when he addressed him "Sir. We have a situation. I have been authorized to disclose certain information to this team."

Greg held up his hand indicating stop before Sam could continue. Sam complied immediately. The team saw shadows of always following superiors orders without question. Greg was worried about the significant change.

Sam was drenched from twenty minutes on the roof and he looked so hot and uncomfortable standing at attention but not a muscle twitched even as sweat dripped in his eyes.

Greg grabbed a water bottle as he held it out to Sam he said "At ease Sam, sit, drink. When it's gone you can continue."

Sam took the water and sat at attention. Everyone remained silent, this was so very odd and it worried them.

As he drank the water his surroundings reintroduced themselves to his mind and Sam slowly relaxed.

Greg saw the relaxing and said softly "Sam, when you are ready but remember you are not in the military anymore so relax."

Sam sighed as soldier mode started to relinquish control of his body. Listening to his father give him orders had brought it back full force. "Partially right Sir, err Boss."

Greg looked at him quizzically and Ed arched one eyebrow up clearly not liking the hesitant tone Sam had just used.

Sam continued even though he did not really want to disclose his secret "The JTF2 early release contract I signed says I can be called up anytime for short duration special assignments for a period of ten years. It was the only way the General would release me early."

Several gasps were heard in the room. None of them knew that.

Ed looked at Sam and asked the obvious question "So have you been called up?"

Sam grimaced "Partly but not exactly. I've been ordered to assist but in my SRU position. In fact, the General ordered me to enlist Team One's help with a sensitive situation. He is clearing it with Holleran as we speak. There is a JTF2 unit on the way. ETA is one hour. I'm to brief you on the situation before Captain Blain and his unit arrives."

Spike's eyes widened "Blaze and Winds are coming here and we are to assist. Why?"

Sam looked around and said "I'll start at the beginning. You all have been clear to receive this classified information."

He got nods all around.

Sam stood. His shirt was uncomfortably wet so he unbuttoned the uniform shirt and took it off hanging it over the back of his chair. It felt much cooler in his t-shirt only.

Ed was relieved that the soldier mode had completely receded. That shirt would not have come off in soldier mode no matter how hot he was.

Sam picked up the photo of Daphne and started "This woman is not Daphne Duncan. Her real name is Daphne Blain. She is Blaze's sister."

Gasps and nods yet again.

"She is JTF2 as well but part of covert ops. She specializes in deep cover ops. But she has been missing and assumed dead for the past five years" Sam stated then took a long drink.

His heart racing. Blaze's sister is alive.

He continued "She was last seen in Vancouver trying to infiltrate a group that was selling arms and intel to many terrorist groups." A sad look crossed Sam's face "It is not known if she has gone rogue or is just deep, deep cover. There are some indications of the later though. Her handler believes she has surfaced here as Daphne Duncan in order to come in from the cold."

Spike laughed "Don't ya mean the heat, buddy?"

That made Sam chuckle and relieved a bit more tension.

Ed had an assessing look on his face "So I assume we facilitate that and do not break her cover. Can't have the military charging in to extract her but an SRU team with a warrant could do it without raising suspicions."

Sam nodded "Yep exactly." Sam cringed a bit "Blaze's unit will assume her protection once she is out."

Spike saw the look on Sam's face as he said that "Why does that concern you so much?"

Looking at Spike Sam answered "Well two reasons really. One Blaze mourned her loss so very deeply. Two Blaze is likely to kill her when he sees her because of it.

"They are like fire and gasoline when they are together. I really don't know how they survived childhood in the same house. They cannot be in the same room for more than ten minutes and they are bickering. Not a pretty sight. Had to break them up several times.

"I got a few scars to prove it" Sam didn't laugh, he was absolutely serious. He absently rubbed a small scar on the back of his right hand. The General had no idea what his was doing assigning Blaze as her protection detail.

Greg said "So we wait for Blaze to arrive before heading out? Will they be accompanying us or wait here?"

Sam sighed "The General wants them to accompany us but not dressed as military. Again, he is clearing it with Holleran for them to wear SRU uniforms."

Wordy asked "Who is in charge of the warrant call?"

Sam looked to Greg and Ed "SRU, we are. They assume custody after we arrest her. Spike, Angus will be sending you some additional intel on the location shortly. Might even be here already. Ed we need to reassess the tactical plan. It is likely the info we had was incomplete. We will have six additional men to assist; Blaze, Winds, Hal, Angus, Russ, and Daniel."