Chapter 73

I know, I know. It's been a while since I've updated. Life is busy, but this whole strike has been brutal. A lot is delayed in the industry, and I just have no idea when SEAL Team will start filming at this point. I think we'll be lucky if they get back to set by year end or early next year. I know early on it was said they're traveling to Columbia for some filming, and I hope that isn't scrapped. Anyways, enjoy the new chapter!

"I have to go," Mandy said against Jason's lips as he kissed her in the airport parking lot. "You could've just dropped me off."

"Nah, you're getting a full escort," Jason replied as they broke a part, and he went to grab her bag.

"Through security?" Mandy raised an eyebrow as Jason took her hand in his and they started walking.

"As far as they'll let me," Jason said.

They walked in a comfortable silence into the airport. Mandy walked up to the check in desk and got her ticket. Since she wasn't supposed to be gone long, she just had her carry on with the essentials.

"Jason Hayes breaking hearts everywhere he goes," Mandy laughed as they walked towards security.

"What?" Jason asked confused.

"The lady at the check in desk. She was really into you," Mandy smirked.

"Well, I'm only really into you," Jason said leaning in for a kiss. "So, I guess this is it."

"Yeah," Mandy sighed looking towards security. "I love you. I promise to try and not get into a lot of trouble. That also means you gotta be on your best behavior. Hopefully, I come back with some sort of target package to something."

"The dogs and I will be on our perfect behavior," Jason smiled.

"Look at you love birds," a voice said.

"Troy," Mandy acknowledged as she looked at Jason and then back to Troy. "You guys and my Dad coordinated this, didn't you?"

"No idea what you're talking about. I'm just a special operator," Jason replied.

"Just to be safe, you're getting some back up," Troy shrugged. "Plus, it was better than attending meetings with your Dad over the next couple days."

"Good to know I'm an alternative," Mandy shook her head. "Well, we have to go. Love you."

"Love you too," Jason said with one final kiss. "Keep her out of trouble," he told Troy.

"Miss. Spook set off into trouble, okay?" Sonny called out as Jason walked into the cage room.

"Not funny," Jason replied. "None of those thoughts or vibes there."

"Since when were you superstitious like Sonny," Ray teased.

"Since I got a girlfriend that gives me a run for my money," Jason muttered.

"Aww, he called the spook his girlfriend," Sonny teased. "So sweet."

"And he admits he gets into trouble," Trent added.

"What are you guys? Little school girls," Jason mocked.

"Seriously though, you guys good?" Ray asked.

"Yeah, adjusting back to the normal crazy of this job. Troy is with her, so she has someone covering her back," Jason replied.

"How's Cerberus?" Brock asked.

"Taking it day by day but adjusting. Think having Gunner and Sarge around helps," Jason answered. "Alright, let's run some drills!" Jason said as everyone else groaned.

"No rest for the wicked," Sonny joked walking out the door.

After hours on a plane, Mandy and Troy finally landed in London. As they left the luggage area, they spotted their ride waiting for them.

"Hi, Amanda Bell and my associate," Mandy introduced herself to the driver.

"Ms. Bell, this way with me," the driver replied.

"When is our meeting?" Mandy asked as she got her phone out and started checking things over.

"Scheduled for tomorrow afternoon," Troy said checking his phone as well.

Mandy sent off a quick text to Jason letting him know she'd arrived safely while Troy did the same with Jessica.

Once they got to their adjoined rooms, the two settled down and started working on their computers and working the intel. They ordered room service and compared notes.

"Okay, we need to get some sleep so we're ready for tomorrow," Troy said shutting his stuff down.

"Feels like we have nothing," Mandy said frustratedly. "I just don't get how Roman ended up where he is and he's good at covering his tracks. Probably using covers we don't even know yet."

"Hey, maybe tomorrow will spark something," Troy assured Mandy. "And how Roman got to where he is? Who knows? Once you get mixed up with bad guys, you go down a bath you can't undo."

"Be honest, should I be the one hunting him down? Maybe I'm too close to this," Mandy said falling back onto the bed.

"Since when do you self-doubt yourself? Look, are you close to this? Yes, but you also got people around you that'll pull you back from going off the deep end," Troy replied. "I'm just hoping the intelligence agencies here actually give us something to go off of. So, call that SEAL of yours and get some rest."

"Okay, tell Jessica and Haley I say hi," Mandy replied as Troy left for his room.

Once the adjoining door was closed, Mandy glanced at the time and decided to call back home. The time difference was brutal, but she figured now was as good as any time to call Jason.

"Hello?" Jason answered.

"Hey, now a good time?" Mandy replied.

"Always a good time for you. Have a good flight?" Jason said.

"I don't know if it was better or worse than flying halfway across the world on a C17," Mandy joked.

"I'd image the actual seats on a regular plane were better," Jason chuckled. "You guys meet with an agency yet?"

"Tomorrow afternoon. Troy and I were going over things on our end though once we got here. Nothing is hitting though. Just keep being led to a dead end it feels like," Mandy replied frustratedly.

"Maybe some sleep will help," Jason encouraged. "Oh! Thought you should know that no pillows or household items were lost today."

"Cerby is progressing. That's good. I know he has it in him. Once he realizes the good life he's got after operating, he'll settle down," Mandy said.

"Definitely has a lot going for him," Jason said thinking about having Mandy and their life after operating. "Just gotta take one day at a time to adapt to change. Change can be good."

"The great Jason Hayes just said change is good?" Mandy teased.

"If that change is you by my side, yes," Jason replied.

"Bark on the outside but a pile of mush on the inside. It's what I love about you," Mandy said. "Keep this sly wooing skills up and this spook will be out of a job."

"Hah, I'd never be a spook in my life," Jason countered.

"Hey! I'm a spook," Mandy replied.

"Exactly," Jason cheekily replied. "But you're the exception since you're my spook."

"Oh my god, my teeth are rotting with your sweetness," Mandy laughed.

"I mean I've made friends with other spooks in this war," Jason added. "You're just the one I took a special interest in."

"Next thing you're gonna say is let's phone talk dirty to each other," Mandy rolled her eyes.

"Well now that you mentioned it," Jason said as Mandy chuckled.