Going to the Dogs

Exfil Location

Jason lowered Clay to the ground as they waited for the helos. He stood back to allow Trent and Duncan to check the bleeding. He glimpsed the hole in Spenser's back as Trent lifted the dressing for Duncan to apply a new one. He had viewed wounds before, worse ones than this one, but for some reason Clay's wound made him cringe inwardly.

The sounds of rotators filled the air and Sonny grumbled, "About fucking time."

Within minutes two birds set down, Bravo support hopped out. They would be doing mop-up work at the site of the firefight, gathering the live hostiles still zip-tied to the trees and any of the wounded ones. Ellis wanted anyone she could pump for information.

Duncan and the three medics who arrived with the others moved Clay into one helo along with Cerberus. Brock and Jason hopped in with Trent and two medics. The other medic, Duncan, Ray, Sonny, and their injured captive loaded into the second helo.

Helo

Sounds drifted in as did pain as Clay fought to open his eyes. Disoriented, he became combative as hands caused him pain. He tried to pull away but someone or something held him down. He twisted one way and another and began kicking his feet and flailing his arms. He struck something solid, and his hand was held in a vice grip which fucking hurt.

As Clay began fighting Trent and the other medics as they stripped him of his gear and shirts, Jason grabbed Spenser's hand. He leaned in close and shouted to be heard over the blades. "Stop fighting. You are safe."

The loud, stern voice of his boss filtered in and Clay stilled, obeying the command, but mostly sensing he was safe if Jason was here. He settled and squeezed the hand holding his, unsure who it was, finding it strange, yet comforting at the same time.

Jason listened to the medical jargon flung around by the two men in charge of Clay's care. Things he didn't understand but he watched Trent who continually nodded and often chimed in with other details. He did comprehend when one said, "Temp is too high. One hundred four point six."

Shit this isn't good. His eyes shifted to Cerberus as the dog whimpered in Brock's lap. His normally stoic hair missile handler had tears in his eyes as he gently petted his dog while Trent shifted to examine their canine teammate. Shit, shit, shit!

When Clay became restless again, he followed Brock's lead and essentially petted Clay's head, actually scratching him behind the ears, and damned if that didn't work to calm the rookie down. He caught Trent's amused expression. "I'll deny this if you so much as breathe a word."

"No one would believe me, so I'll save my breath," Trent chuckled despite the situation being dire for both human and canine soldiers. He peered up at Brock. "Cerberus is gonna be okay. In the fleshy part."

The short laugh and news broke Brock's tension and he smiled and drew in a deep breath.

In Jason's mind, the flight took forever. He had to continually reassure and settle Clay as the fever's delirium took hold of his sniper rookie. By the time they landed Clay's head lay in his lap, one hand brushed his fevered head, while the other remained clenched in Clay's grasp. Though semi-conscious, Spenser's grip was strong and truthfully a little painful. Each time Spense experienced a stab of pain his grip intensified, squishing Jason's fingers.

Tarmac

As they landed, more medics rushed forward with gurneys for the wounded. When they transferred Clay, he started to thrash again when Jason let go of his hand.

"Go with him," Eric ordered quickly assessing the situation.

Jason didn't object, though he wanted to find Carlson and put his fist into the man's face. There would be time enough for that once Clay was being attended to by doctors. He ran alongside the stretcher, as did Trent, not willing to be shoved off.

Once loaded in the ambulance, Jason glanced back and his eyes met Ray's. A silent conversation occurred in the brief moment before the door shut. Jason trusted Ray to keep an eye on Sonny. They had enough experience with the hothead to know he would be seeking blood from Carlson, and it could cost Quinn his career.

Ray turned to Sonny. "Grab the kid's gear."

"Got other plans." His fists clenched as Sonny's thoughts turned to pulverizing Carlson. The ass sent them on a mission ill-conceived, with shit intel, and the kid didn't even need to be there. Fucking Nazeri spoke fucking English.

"No, you don't. Jason will handle Carlson," Ray's tone brooked no defiance.

"I'll take whatever is left then." Sonny stormed over to the other helo and grabbed the kid's vest and weapons. The sight of blood covering the floor caused his fury and guilt to rise. "Damned kid!"

Duncan looked up and sighed. "Need a hand?"

Sonny peered at the man who kept Clay alive. "No, I got it. Thanks."

Shaking his head, Duncan said, "None needed. Catch you around." He strode toward Colonel Tom Sutton, surprised to see him. He came to attention and saluted. "Sir."

"At ease," Sutton said after returning the compliment. "Sitrep?"

"The soldier should make it, though touch and go. The dog too. Damned if he doesn't remind me of Blondie."

Tom chuckled. "Which one the canine or the man."

"Well, both actually. Each one shielded the other. When will Blaze exfil?"

"With the American's support team. They want to ensure Yel Malik is among the dead."

Duncan nodded and followed Sutton to the waiting vehicle. He spied Quinn lugging the extra gear and smiled. Spenser is lucky … his unit will protect him as fiercely as Blaze, Winds, Patch, Mason, Brody, and Ripsaw protected Blondie. He is likely to cause Bravo team as much of a headache too with his tendency to attract trouble.

Hospital

For the past twenty minutes, Jason paced the tiny area. Fifteen steps one way and fifteen back. His hands alternated between clenched fists and lacing his fingers behind his neck and squeezing. In the short, swift ride to the local hospital Clay had gone downhill fast. By the time they arrived, two IVs were going full bore and his temp had risen more.

The scariest moment … yes, macho SEAL team soldiers experienced fear … was when Clay's heart stopped beating. Jason stopped breathing at the same time and only began again when the medic found a pulse after shocking Clay with a defibrillator.

Eric entered, followed by Sonny and Ray. He noted Jason's demeanor which told him things were bad. "How is he?"

Jason halted and his burning glare landed on Blackburn. "He died … almost died. I'm gonna plow my fists in that ass Carlson. Did you know Nazeri speaks English? The kid didn't even need to be on this fucking mission."

Unable to hold back any longer, Jason slammed a fist into the thin wall. His other fist followed. He beat a hole the size of a face, envisioning Carlson, landing one punch after another until Ray and Sonny pulled him away and shoved him into a seat.

Mandy Ellis watched and wished she could do the same. But unlike Jason, she possessed restraint and a more effective method of dealing with Carlson. The man would be eating dog food as far as assignment went. He would never leave the basement of the most backwater, least influential CIA office once she got done with the bastard. That is after Jason bruised him up … because although she would never strike a physical blow, Mandy privately admitted she wanted to see the idiot bloodied after glimpsing the floor of the helo stained with Clay's and Cerberus' blood.

"Where is Trent?" Davis asked joining the group.

All eyes turned to Jason.

Waving his hand toward the door, he answered, "Back there with Brock. Some shit about this not being a veterinary hospital and the doctors not wanting to treat Cerberus. They are making them see the light … probably at gunpoint … that Cerberus is a soldier in need of care, regardless of the fact he has four legs."

Sonny growled, "I can go help."

Davis couldn't help herself as she said, "Sonny's more of an attack dog than Cerberus."

Sonny raised a brow. "Maybe not more, but I agree we are kin. Let me sink my teeth into Carlson."

A door opening made the group turn and they spied Trent exiting. Ray said, "What's the word on both?"

Trent inhaled and released it gradually. "Nothing yet on Spense, but Cerberus will be fine after a couple weeks of rest. The doctor removed the bullet after giving Cerberus a local anesthesia. Nothing major hit. Brock's with him as they finish bandaging up his leg. The doc is scared shitless of Cerberus."

Davis pulled on Mandy's arm. "Help me grab coffee and such for the guys. Sounds like it might be a long wait."

Three hours later, the haggard group all stood as a doctor approached them. He launched into gibberish as far as most of them were concerned. When he stopped they all looked to Trent for translation of the medical speak.

"He says Clay has a severe kidney infection which is causing the fever and was most likely the reason for his nausea too. The puncture wound nicked the kidney and blunt force caused the wound to expand leading to the blood loss. They repaired the damage and are transfusing him."

"Damn, this is my fault," Sonny grumbled. "If I hadn't landed on the kid."

Trent shook his head. "Likely it would've ruptured on its own."

Jason asked, "How the hell did he get a kidney infection?"

Thinking back Trent offered a possible solution. "Hard to tell. But he did end up in that cesspool on the previous mission. He was stuck in it for two hours. Could've picked up the bacteria then."

Weary, Jason slumped into a chair. "So, will he be alright?"

"Yeah. They are treating the infection, too."

"What about the bullets he took for Cerberus?" Ray asked.

"Bruised ribs. Nothing cracked or broken. He'll be sore." Trent explained.

Peering at the doctor who still stood with them, Sonny groused, "Why the hell can't you explain things in plain English like Trent."

Incensed, Dr. Bajwa said, "I speak English well. Perhaps you should learn your own language."

"When can we see the kid?" Jason pushed up out of the chair. He didn't want to leave Clay alone in a foreign hospital.

"He will be moved to a room within the hour, but you must wait for visiting hours," Bajwa stated.

Eric captured Jason's eyes and prepared for the challenge. "Go clean up. Sleep. Spenser will be fine in their care."

"Hell no. I'm not letting that kid out of my sight," Jason challenged.

"Don't make me pull rank." Blackburn straightened up.

"Jace, a shower, food, and a bit of rest will do you good," Ray urged, and finding no softening, he added, "a little talk with Carlson, too."

Jason's eyes landed on Ray. His second in command knew him well. "Fine."

Sonny grinned and fell into step with Jason's long stride, looking forward to watching the CIA weasel piss himself when his ticked off boss found him.

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AN: Hope you enjoyed this chapter ... next up poor Carlson.