Memories, Mom's Water, Zach & Defiance
Twenty-eight Days After Rescue – General Braddock's Home – 0905 (9:05 am)
As the coffee splashed in his lap Sam jumped backwards knocking over the chair and landing hard on his ass. He sat there dazed and utterly, completely, totally overwhelmed. Images, memories, thoughts, feeling, people, places, names, hurt, joy, sorrow, fear, love and so much more cascaded, burst, tumbled, invaded every sense of his being.
Everything that made him who he was tried to enter his mind at once and that hurt. It was like an elephant trying to squeeze through a straw.
It was too much at once to comprehend.
William was on his feet instantly as Samuel jumped back from the hot coffee splashing in his lap. He grabbed several cloth napkins from the table and was at his side within seconds of him landing on the ground. Samuel had not responded in any way to his yells asking if he was alright.
The General was dabbing at the area the hot coffee soaked. A deja vu image of the morning in the Royal York hotel invaded his mind but he was definitely not laughing this time.
His yells brought Yvonne and all the unit men racing to the breakfast room. General Braddock held up a hand indicating for everyone to stand back. Samuel's eyes were rapidly blinking. Then they rolled to the back of his head and he blacked out. William caught his son before his head hit the ground.
William lightly tapped Samuel's cheek "Samuel, come on son, wake up. Come on." After a few moments he saw Samuel's eyes begin to flutter. "That's right. It's okay. Wake up son. I've got you, it will be okay. Samuel open your eyes."
Sam's eyes flickered open. He was on the floor held in someone's arms. His ears registered the voice. Sam barely whispered "Dad?"
"Yes son" William responded softly.
Shakily and timorously Sam said "Dad. I remember. I remember everything."
Sam's body began to shake uncontrollably as he turned his face towards the blurred image of his dad "Help me."
General Braddock registered the fear and pain and embraced Samuel tightly as tears flooded both their eyes "I'm here Samuel. It'll be okay son. Breathe, just breathe."
With tears streaming from her eyes from a mix of joy that Sam's memory returned and sorrow he was so overwhelmed by them Yvonne came close. She knelt down and wrapped her arms around the two most important men in her life.
As much as the unit men wanted to celebrate the return of his memory they could see how distraught it made him. Craig, Jack and Drake wondered why he was so distraught. Sam should be happy his memories came back. He would know all his family and friends now.
Winds, Mason and Mike knew exactly why he was distraught. Blondie had suffered more hardship and pain in six years than most people do in a lifetime. None of it was publicized because he was Special Forces JTF2.
But all three of them had been here the day he was awarded all the medals and citations that resulted from the full investigation of his service. And those were only related to things that could be acknowledged openly. There was so much more that could not.
Mason and Winds turned away and motioned the others to leave too as they left the room to give the Braddock family privacy.
Enroute to Dr. Blue – 1430 (2:30 pm)
Sam was quiet and contemplative. He was ensconced in the rear seat of a blacked out SUV sitting between Mason and Winds. Mike was driving and Drake was in the front passenger seat. There was a lead vehicle with Hal and Jack. The following vehicle held Craig and Pawn. Daniel and Russ had left twenty minutes before them. Russ would be in a sniper position and Daniel would recon the building before they arrived. All the men were in civilian clothes but armed and he was wearing a vest under his shirt.
His dad was taking no chances and said it was for his safety. The General had planned to go as well but had to attend an important meeting last minute. Sam thought it was total overkill but kept quiet. Part of the reason he didn't say anything was he knew the General would not change his mind no matter what he said. But mostly the reason he said nothing was it took too much effort.
He was glad the guys were respecting his need for quiet right now. It was all still so overpowering. When it hit him it had been too much to process and he had blacked out.
His parents had held him a long time while on the floor of the breakfast room. It was all still too compressing. Some of the memories physically hurt; every memory and feeling was experienced like it was the first time. He felt fragile, very fragile for the first time in his life. Sam needed help to come to grips with so very much all at once.
The General had called Dr. Tansy while his mom took him to change his jeans and check for burns. The soft sobs of relief from his mom when she confirmed no serious burns had disconcerted him. He hated he was the source of her sadness.
The fact that when his mom took him to his dad's study and the man did not let go of him for nearly five minutes had affected him too. In some small way, Sam was glad he couldn't see their faces. It would have been hard to handle any more emotional input. The one thing that helped him get through the first hour was that he felt safe with them.
Dr. Tansy had come straight over. Dawn had been awesome. He spent nearly three hours alone with her in the library where they had always met the last time he recuperated at his parent's home. She understood him and how his mind worked.
So much had happened to him in such a short period of time and his life was totally tilted. He knew what happened to him had affected a LOT of people too. That only added to what he had to process. Dawn helped him outline some first steps.
One of the first things she suggested was to limit new experiences as he dealt with the past. She had recommended he stay with his parents a few weeks at least since he felt safe there. She agreed that seeing the eye specialist was a good thing. Dawn had told him that nearly eighty percent of what people process comes via the eyes. So the stress of not seeing was impacting his ability to cope effectively.
Dawn also knew he needed quiet to process things and instructed everyone to give him space, not to push and go at Sam's pace. He was extremely thankful for that. At his request his dad arranged for Dawn to come on a daily basis until Sam deemed he was okay.
He was given complete control over that aspect of his life. Not so much on anything else including his choice of drink. Drake still did not want him to have coffee or anything with caffeine until he was sleeping through the night.
To him that sounded like they were talking about an infant and it still pissed him off. It was coffee that brought back his memory after all. Well that or his dad's voice since they both occurred at the same time. But regardless.
Unfortunately the General agreed with Drake. So now he was relegated to water or juices. No coffee, no tea, no sodas. Water or juice only, that sucked.
They were all against him on this and it was so bad that his mom even made a big deal of him taking a travel mug with water on this trip to Dr. Blue. She insisted he had to stay hydrated because it was an hour ride both ways. For Christ sakes it was only a couple of hours, he could go without water for days and survive. He knew of thirteen times he did just exactly that.
But he had quickly acquiesced and thanked her knowing she was only worried about him and he did not want to cause her more hurt.
Shifting uncomfortably in the small space between Winds and Mason he switched the damned travel mug from one hand to the other. Mom would probably check to see if I actually drank the water Sam thought. So again only to make her happy Sam finally took a sip from his silver travel mug.
Sam nearly choked on it.
As he coughed repeatedly Mason quickly asked "Blondie you okay?"
Why do people ask you that and expect an answer when you are clearly coughing Sam thought. A few more coughs and he finally got out "M ok, just went down the wrong tube."
Mason patted his back a few times while a few more coughs slipped out.
Sam adjusted again and sat back. He took another sip of his water this time without coughing, it went down smoothly.
A small grin settled on his face. His mom was the all-time greatest mom in the world. He would have to figure out how to thank her properly for this smooth, rich, bold flavored iced 'water'.
Sam had a coffee ally.
General Braddock's Home – 1500 (3:00 pm)
Eight Braddock males paced around in the large library. Not a single one could bear to sit. All had been on high alert since receiving the request to be here today. All had managed to swing leave knowing on a gut level this summons had to do with Sam. When they arrived they had been ushered into the library and told that the General and Mrs. Braddock would be with them shortly.
The double doors to the library opened and William and Yvonne entered. There was something about their demeanor that both encouraged and distressed each of them.
Yvonne was the first to speak "Gentlemen can you sit down please?" She headed to one of the ten chairs that had been arranged in a circle. When none of them complied she said pleasantly but firmly "I asked you all to sit. Did you not understand?"
They immediately sat realizing it had been a command not a suggestion. William paced a few moments then sat and looked at each man. "As you have no doubt surmised I asked you all here regarding Samuel."
He got nods indicating such.
Looking at Zach "And no doubt you have told what you know to your brother and cousins and they shared with your dads"
Zach blushed and started to stammer out "Sir. I, I…"
William waved him off "Zachary I knew the minute you returned that you would reveal the details. I am not mad. I actually counted on it. I wish only to thank you for all your care and support of Samuel while in Afghanistan. Yvonne and I truly and deeply appreciate all you did for him and that you were able to be there for him."
Yvonne got up and gave Zach a huge hug. "Thank you so much Zach." It was then that she saw the brace on Zach's wrist hidden under his jacket "Dear, how did you get that? You weren't injured helping Sam were you?"
Damn she noticed. Nothing ever got by Aunt Yvonne. Zach shook his head but did not answer. He was slightly embarrassed but more afraid to say how he had sprained his wrist.
Yvonne looked sharply at him.
Zach caved a bit but not all the way "Um it was just a small training accident yesterday Aunty."
Yvonne innocently asked "What kind of training accident?"
Zach's eyes diverted to Jeff pleading not to say anything yet. But it was too late Jeff and Adam snorted trying to hold back laughter. Jeff had told Adam the whole hilarious scenario only last night.
Ryan Braddock looked sternly at his son. He didn't know he had been injured. He asked "Zachary Ryan Braddock how did you injure yourself?"
Slight panic and embarrassment entered his eyes. All three names too. He was gonna be in deep shit if he did not answer. Zach stammered "Sir. um, I uh, I just took a bit of a fall in training. Nothing big."
Ryan turned his fatherly glare on Adam who was still snickering with Jeff "You seem to know something. Since Zachary is being cagey, tell me how your brother injured his arm."
Adam sobered at the glare that told him he'd be in big trouble if he didn't tell his dad. He sat straight up but was going to divert. He wasn't going to be the one to tell. "Sir. I think Jeff is the best one to answer that. He was there when it happened."
Jeff glared at both Zach and Adam with a look that said 'thanks for throwing me under the bus, you're gonna pay'. He straightened up to and said "Sir. What my baby cuz is too afraid to tell you is that he sprained his wrist training with me."
He let that sink in knowing the fathers and the rest of the cousins would get his meaning.
Ryan looked with astonishment at his youngest child. Why in the world would he be afraid to tell him that? Realization hit. Both pride and concern increased a hundred fold as he looked to his youngest "Zachary you joined Special Forces."
Every set of eyes bored into Zach. He was not sure how his dad and the other's would react. He had made the decision without consulting or telling any of the family. Jeff found out when Zach showed up in his latest group of training recruits three days ago. From the looks of it Jeff had told Adam. He knew he would have to tell the family at some point but had wanted to wait until he knew he had passed the initial phase of recruit training.
Zach swallowed hard then answered assertively "Yes Sir I did."
There was a moment of stunned silence. Then the room erupted as every male Braddock congratulated him. Yvonne smiled reservedly proud of him but her heart broke for her sister-in-law Connie. All of them were at risk being in the military, but Special Forces was a much higher risk. She prayed Zach never endured the hardships and pain her son did.
When things finally settled back down William continued "Samuel is home now. He will be staying here. His memory came back this morning. But he is in a precarious state right now. He is currently enroute to consult with an eye specialist because his vision has yet to clear."
William then went on to fill them in on all the details of Samuel's health and how Dr. Tansy had suggested they approach it.
"So, my original plan in gathering you was to help provoke his memory recall. But he has regained it and Dr. Tansy believes that too much stimulus at this time would be bad. So I'm asking you all to be patient a while longer. In a few days or a week or so I'm sure he will be ready to interact with all of you. For now I need you to pick one representative that can stay" William concluded.
Four of five cousins immediately chimed in "Zach."
Zach looked at them stunned. Why would they choose him?
His brother Adam saw his questioning look "Don't be stupid, if you're gonna be SF you better start using your brain bro."
Zach still continued to stare perplexed.
Adam took pity "You were there for him already. He knows your voice. It will be less stimulus like the doctor ordered."
Jeff snorted then teased "And besides you clumsy oaf you're off duty and out of training for the next three weeks for your stupidity of falling off the climbing wall."
"I wasn't clumsy. Wilson fell and I was trying to catch him. It wasn't my fault Frankie let go of the belaying rope" Zach tried to defend himself.
He was interrupted as Jeff told the humiliating story. Which was followed by razzing from Adam, Scott and Kyle. But inwardly Zach could care less about the teasing. They had picked him to stay with Sam. That vote of confidence in him meant a lot.
Two Weeks Later – Outside SRU HQ – 0900 (9:00 am)
Sam was sitting in a rental car just outside the SRU HQ. They had been there for several minutes as Sam prepared himself to go in. Unsure of the reactions he would get but still glad to be here. He turned towards Zach in the driver's seat. "Thanks cuz. I really appreciate all your help. You have skills that are going to serve you well in SF."
Zach smiled at him "It was damned fun. I'm learning so much from you. Makes missing out on this cycle of SF training totally worth it. Hell, I'll be better prepared when I go back. Jeff says I start with the next group in four weeks. Part of me still can't believe we succeeded. But it was mostly you. Still not quite sure how you did it all. It was your plan and you arranged everything."
Then Zach quieted and watched Sam closely. He could tell he wasn't quite ready to go in. Zach knew it was tough for Sam so he settled back to wait.
Adjusting the tinted glasses on his face Sam just smiled back at Zach. His mind wandered a bit thinking how they had come to be here today. He had been going stir crazy and felt smothered by all the security the General forced on him. The General had ordered that he could not leave until he had finished the vision therapy and his eye sight cleared.
That would be at least another four to six weeks by the doctor's estimation and that was only if all worked out. Thankfully, the light sensitivity was almost completely gone. They had started working on getting his eyes to focus again. He had a tiny bit of improvement which was encouraging the doctor told him.
Sam thought it could really suck when your father was also your Commanding Officer. He was going absolutely nuts with all the restrictions the General put on him. So for the first time in his life he was defying a direct order.
If they got caught there would be hell to pay. Zach was safe from any official reprimand not being in the same chain of command. Yet. Luckily, that transfer wouldn't happen until Zach successfully completed SF training. Otherwise he wouldn't have enlisted Zach's help today.
However, for his actions he might just earn himself a BCD for going against the General's direct order. But it would be worth it and he would take full responsibility. Consequences be damned. He NEEDED to see his SRU family. It had been too long. He needed to be near them even if only for a few hours.
They had not been allowed to come visit him and he was not allowed to call them due to all the damned security measures. It was total overkill in his mind. There was no direct threat against him and it felt more like and over-protective father than anything else. His dad meant well but Sam had to see them, all of them, but especially one.
Sam left that thought grabbing his silver travel mug and taking a sip of 'mom's water' he smiled again. Remembering Zach's last comment Sam grinned. Then he said to Zach "Well that's not quite true. We have my mom to thank for parts of this plan. She's the one that actually rented the plane and car and ran interference so we could slip out without Mason and Winds seeing us. Mom has skills I never knew she had."
Zach laughed remembering how Aunt Yvonne had asked for Winds and Mason's help a few hours ago. Those two were gonna be pissed at them. Opening the driver's door Zach asked "Ready to go in?"
Sam nodded and Zach came around to Sam's side of the car and offered his shoulder for Sam to place his hand on to guide him to the door.
As he placed his hand on Zach's shoulder Sam wished he could just walk in all by himself. He sighed disgusted at his inability but redirected his thoughts to a positive frame of mind. His vision was returning, just very slowly.
The tinted lenses he was wearing right now were part of what the doctor called neuro-optometric rehab. The doctor said he expected Sam would make a full recovery but that it would take some time. Waiting sucked.
SRU Briefing Room – 0915 (9:15 am)
Ed had just finished reviewing the tactical plan for the warrant call on a major drug gang that would take place in three hours. It would involve Team One, Three and Five. All twenty one members of the teams had crowded into the briefing room and it was standing room only. Ed was looking at Greg when he finished "So, if there are no more questions we will reconvene in two hours."
Someone in the very back cleared his throat. The voice was a bit gruff "I have one."
The voice sounded familiar to Ed and he tried to see who it was but couldn't "Yes?"
Smiling, Sam said "Can I come?"
An excited voice squealed out loudly and people were shoved out of the way as Spike ran towards the back "SAMTASTIC your back. Buddy I missed you so much."
Everyone turned to see Sam standing next to a man that looked very similar to Sam. Sam was nearly bowled over as Spike launched himself at Sam. Mostly because he didn't see Spike jumping at him. Zach stabilized both of them preventing them from falling. There were multiple calls of glad to see you and handshakes and back pats.
The rest of Team One held back allowing the other teams that were closer to say hi first. As Ed, Greg and Wordy watched they could see that Sam would miss hands that were held out for shakes. They all shared a sad look. Sam's vision had not cleared. He was not back.
Jules smiled just hearing his voice and seeing him standing here felt so good. But she noticed the same thing they others did and she noted that his beautiful blue eyes were hidden from her view by tinted glasses. She wondered how much of his memory he had gotten back. It would have to be at least some if he was here.
When teams Three and Five finally filed out Sam moved forward into the room. Spike never moved far from him after he noticed Sam could not see properly. That hurt, that hurt a lot. But he was here, he was alive and he remembered. Spike could live with that and he could help Sam.
Ed, Greg then Wordy each pulled Sam into long tight hugs and exchanged heartfelt words that expressed how much they had missed him. They refrained from asking him about his eyes, for now at least. Seeing him was such a relief.
Leah patted his back briefly and welcomed Sam back. The image of how he looked on the ground after the bomb exploded on that hot summer day sent a chill down her back. She was glad to see him looking so well.
Mike stood back observing the man he replaced. He pushed down and chastised himself for an uncharitable thought that his job was still safe. He wouldn't wish injuries like that on anyone. He knew how important perfect eyesight was to a sniper.
Jules held out as long as she could. Tears were in her eyes as walked directly in front of Sam. She had to see his eyes. She reached up and removed the tinted glasses.
He squinted slightly as his eyes adjusted to the fluorescent lighting but they opened normally after a moment.
Her hand slowly and gently reached out for his face. She stroked her thumb just under one eye.
Sam inhaled deeply. It was a scent he craved. Her touch so gentle. A touch he needed.
His throat constricted. His eyes teared up. "Jules" he said a bit huskily.
Jules responded softly "Sam."
He opened his arms.
She stepped closer.
Sam wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest.
Jules wrapped her arms around him.
They held tightly to each other.
Greg, Ed, Spike, Leah and Wordy quickly adverted their gazes and busied themselves with something, anything trying not to see the true feelings these two had for one another. But they all knew. They had all known. Leah pulled on Mike's arm tugging him out of the room and to the armory leaving the core team alone.
Zach stood watching. He knew now why Sam had to come. He had known from before how important Sam was to them. But now it was different. He could see they were all so important to Sam too. Especially Jules. Those two only said each other's names but that one word held so much. He turned to look out the window. His cousin had it bad. He wondered how long it would be before Sam married her.
Their embrace was broken up by a loud angry bass voice that bellowed "Just what the hell do you think you are doing Blondie? The General is livid and is going to have your hide."
Sam pulled away from Jules. He turned to Mason and his calm words shocked every single person in the room to the core. "He can have it. He can give me a god damned BCD for disobeying his orders for all I care. I needed to be here. I needed to be where I belong."