Uniform Defines the Man?

SRU HQ – Front Desk

Winnie heard boots hitting the floor walking into the SRU. She was busy finishing notes from Team Three's last call. She looked up to greet them "SRU may I help …" her voice trailed off.

Her eyes had landed on a huge bear of a man. So tall he towered over the other man several steps behind him by nearly a foot. She did not fully register the other man because of the man approaching her. He was broad shouldered, barrel chested and had biceps almost the size of basketballs, well that was exaggeration but they were huge. He was bald, and his face was terribly scarred.

She wondered just what type of action he had seen that had caused scars like that. He looked hard as nails in all ways but the goofy grin on his face.

Then she noticed the Army uniform and tan beret and knew he was Special Forces. Only SF wore the tan caps. He was most likely with the other JTF2 men who were already in the briefing room with Team One.

Winnie rose from her chair and said "I assume you are with the others."

His smile broadened and he nodded yes.

"Let me show you to the briefing room" Winnie responded.

The other man dressed in the same uniform as the grizzly bear sized man caught up to the bear and was about to turn in the direction of the briefing room as he stated "No need Winnie, I know the way."

Winnie stared stunned wordless. She fell back into her chair.

Seeing her reaction he paused as he gave her a quick small smile. "Yeah it's me Winnie. Is the team in the briefing room?"

All Winnie could do was nod yes.

"Thanks" Sam said as he strode ramrod straight with purposeful strides toward the briefing room.

She wondered just what the heck was going on. Today was so very odd. Winnie would have to corner Spike later and ask him.

SRU HQ – Briefing Room

The team and JTF2 guys had quickly resolved the earlier misunderstanding and were now all gathered around the table looking at the nearly one hundred warehouse photos that Spike had printed out. He decided it would be faster to go really old school and have several eyes looking them over while his computer ran the analysis too.

Ed, Wordy and Pawn were trying piece together a potential layout based on the photos. The rest were looking them over closely for any identifying elements that Spike could use. Everyone was so focused that they didn't bother to look up when they heard two sets of boots coming toward the briefing room.

Out of his peripheral vision Ed saw two Army uniforms. He sighed. He had hoped it was Sam because they could really use him on the layout puzzle. But he stood anyways to greet the new comers. He turned and in a shocked questioning voice he said "Sam?"

All of Team One looked up at Ed's one word question. They were thunderstruck and speechless at seeing Sam outfitted in his full Army gear standing at parade rest with a hard set to his jaw and steel glint in his eyes. So very different from the man they normally saw in his SRU uniform.

Sam stood still. He knew each one of his team needed a moment to process their thoughts at seeing him dressed this way. He waited.

Apollo saw the blonde man and immediately saw the resemblance to his General. He thought HOT DAMN, what luck, I get to work with General Badass's son. If even a quarter of the stories of Braddock are true this should be awesome. Can't wait to get moving.

Cameo and Pawn were both confused. Why was the SRU officer now dressed in an Army uniform with the rank insignia of Master Corporal when he was no longer military? If he was military then why was their Sergeant reporting to a Master Corporal? Today was confusing to say the least. They looked to their Sarge and saw a weird look on his face. They so wanted to know what was going on.

Leah looked in wonder. Damn, Sam looked good in that uniform. But she reflected how a simple change in uniform had changed the demeanor of the man so much. She did not understand what the others did. But she hurt for him nonetheless based on the various expressions on the faces of her teammates. She looked back at Sam. It was clear as day from the guarded look in his eyes that he did not want this but that he accepted it as something he had to do. He was definitely the most complicated of the team.

Greg sighed. All the things Sam had gone through as a soldier, it was a damned shame he had to go back. Greg was going to miss him. He hoped it wouldn't be too long before Sam would be back. His spot would be here if he wanted it.

He hoped Sam would want it. Greg hoped this would not break Sam completely. He could clearly read Sam was near the edge. Sam had been through too much, too god damned much. But he was strong and resilient and Greg had hope Sam would come back to them. If Sam broke they would help him rebuild again. Sam was family and they would never abandon him.

Ed thought Sam is all soldier now, hard edges. A soldier had different protocols. In this case, it might be better Sam was a soldier. A soldier had targets to be taken out not subjects to be talked down. Given the scene at the safe house that mindset was probably what was needed to get Ben and Daphne back alive. Sam would have different protections as a soldier, certain actions would be justified for national security.

I will definitely not be hearing 'cats' today, Ed thought a little sadly. God dammit Sam, you never seem to catch a break. It's always the hard way for you. You always pay a high price to protect those you love. Will you never learn you are important too and not take unacceptable risks to save others?

Looking at Sam dressed as he was, Ed came to realize, no Sam would always protect others before himself. Ed silently vowed, I promise Samo, we will have your back, just like you always have ours. We will do all in our power to help you.

Wordy closed his eyes. It hurt too much to see Sam pulled back into that world. He was doing so well with them. He was moving forward and making a life. The raw pain Sam had shared only with him on the day he had called out 'Wordy, help me' ripped his gut again.

How could the General allow this to happen? He was a hard man for sure, but he loved his son. His conversations with him at the Royal York hotel and in the hospital when Sam was in a coma showed him that.

So how the hell could he let Sam reactivate? The General should have denied him. The General should have found another way to help Sam. Sam was always protecting others. Who the hell was protecting Sam? Wordy clenched his fists, he really felt like punching something.

Spike froze. Images of all the horrible things he had heard as they had all listened to Sam that night he found out about his lungs flooded in and threatened to overwhelm him. Sam's first words he said that night rang solidly in his head 'Everything I love gets taken away from me. I can't live like this. It always hurts.' He was not, unequivocally not going to let that happen again.

His brother needed him to be strong, like he was being. Sam always faced things head on, like when he overcame his fear of water. Spike would not fail Sam the way he failed Lou.

Spike sat back down and started on his laptop again. He had to find a clue. He had to find a way to locate Ben and Daphne. His hand absently snaked down to his right cargo pocket and patted. His mind registered his action and mentally checked, yes Beauty is fully charged.

Jules' face was blank, completely, utterly devoid of any emotion for several long seconds. Then it crumbled and she ran from the room.

Sam immediately did an about face and strode after her.

SRU HQ – Women's Locker Room

Sam went directly to the women's locker room. He didn't bother to knock as he opened the door and walked in because there were only three women in SRU. Jules, Leah and Donna and Donna was on vacation.

He knew where to find Jules. Where he always found her when things overwhelmed her. It didn't happen often but when it did, he was always there for her. He found her in the back corner of the farthest shower stall.

She was seated on the floor, knees raised and tucked close to her body. Her face buried in her arms that were folded across her knees. He heard her light sobs and saw her shoulders shaking. It hurt to see his strong Jules in such a state, especially because he knew he was the reason for it.

Sam slowly squatted down in front of her and softly crooned "Jules."

It took several minutes but she finally looked up at him with watery eyes and tear streaks down her face. Her eyes said it all she was hurting badly, for both of them. But she said in a strained voice "Sam, I know you don't want this. I don't want this for you."

Sam shifted to sit next to her his back up against the tiled wall. He put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. Jules rested her head on his chest over his heart. Sobbing renewed. He brought his other arm around her too and he held her tenderly while her emotions flowed uncontrolled.

Uncontrolled waterworks from Jules was rare but it happened. She was comfortable showing this side of herself to him. She knew he would never see her as weak or less capable for showing her softer emotions. He knew it was so hard for her, she always felt she had to hide them. Felt she had to work twice as hard for acceptance in this world.

So her soft feminine side was always held in check. But she knew he would never judge her. He simply accepted her and she knew it was safe to let him see this softer side.

Actually, it was mutual. He only shared certain emotions with her too. Sure the guys had seen him cry a few times. But he sometimes wondered what they would think if they knew he would lay his head in Jules' lap and let his tears flow as she stroked his hair to comfort him after a very bad call or when he had to take a life. She never judged him for that either, just accepted it was what he needed. They had a connection that neither could deny.

Her tears stopped after a time and he still held her in a strong, protective embrace. He didn't offer any words, what could he say? She was right, but he had no choice. She knew he had no choice. But knowing that didn't make it any easier. He knew the drill. She had to release her hurt and pain first, anger would be next, followed by acceptance.

"Ow, damn Jules that hurt" Sam yelped as Jules landed a solid hit to his chest followed by several more.

Yep anger was here in full force. Sam let her pound on his chest for a bit to get the initial surge of anger out. Usually she did not go full force and stopped after a few hits but today was different. Her fury was growing not ebbing and she was landing harder and harder hits.

Sam scrambled to a standing position and she followed still swinging landing several more hits. Sam managed to grasp her fists and then pin her arms to her sides as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her back to his chest and holding tightly as she fought for release.

"Calm down. Please calm down. Jules please" Sam pleaded.

Jules continued to struggle growling at him for another minute. Then she finally relaxed in his arms calming. Sam said "You done?"

Jules nodded.

He asked again "Are you sure you are done?"

She nodded again and said quietly "Let me go."

Sam slowly released her.

Jules spun to face him. She landed a hard left hook to his jaw.

Sam rubbed his jaw "Aw Christ Jules, don't ya think I have enough bruises on my face today?"

Jules wiped her hands over her eyes to clear the tears. Then she glared at him as she said with hard authority "Braddock, you better not do anything stupid. You better come back to us. We need you."

Then her eyes turned doe soft as she added gently just above a whisper "I need you. Sam, you have to come back."

Sam pulled her into a hug and said tenderly "Jules, you know I'll try."

He had wanted to promise her he would be back but he couldn't do that. He didn't know. But he damned sure was going to try.

Emotion bubbled up in him and Sam said a little raspy "Ready to go?"

She looked up to him and gave him a small smile "In a moment, you go first. I'll be out in a minute or two."

He could not resist the soft look in her eyes. He lightly traced the arch of her brow with the tip of his index finger and caressed the side of her face. His hand cupped her chin and gradually tilted her face up. Then he leaned down, pulled her tightly to him and kissed her deeply and ardently. When he finally stopped after a minute or so and pulled slightly back he saw an unfocused look to her eyes.

Sam stammered out in a voice cracked with emotion "I'm sorry Jules, I shouldn't have. I was out of line. I'm sorr …"

Jules reached up and pulled Sam down and kissed him back just as fervently.

When they finally separated they were held captive in each other's gaze. Both wanting more; the embers of their desire stirred. Small stress cracks beginning to develop in their carefully constructed walls that restrained their mutual passion.

Sam finally stepped back and separated them physically but not emotionally. In a gravelly off pitch voice he said "Jules, we'll talk later, after this is over."

She nodded.

He turned and left the locker room.

Jules watched Sam go. When she heard the door of the locker room close behind him she walked to the mirror and stared at her image. She stared at her lips. She brought her index finger to them and lightly drew it across them. Jules wondered just what the hell she was going to do.

That man had her heart, wholly and completely. Always did, always would. She had pretended for so long that she could move on. She tried dating, no one compared. Could they have a relationship now that he was back in the Army?

She sighed and quickly wiped her face with tissue to remove all traces of tears. For now she had to focus on the job. Because if they didn't get Ben back, there would be no Sam left.

One last look in the mirror. If Sam could do this, she could do this. Jules steeled herself and strode confidently from the locker room.