AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey folks! I hope you're all doing well. Just wanted to drop you a line before we get started. I took a brief pause to allow people to catch up, but the pause ended up being longer because of the ongoing site issues since late September. Nevertheless, as it seems the site administrators don't intend to resolve those problems soon, I'm back to push forward with the story.
RECAP: Chuck and Sarah finally revealed their relationship to the team, informing their teammates that they are dating when they are off duty. Each member of Red Team (Cole Barker, Bryce Larkin, Jamie Hughes, Big Dan, John Murray, and team leader Chris MacDonald) made their positions clear they support them, so long as they remain professional on duty and never bring their relationship (or any issues that may come from it) to work. In this chapter, Red Team is relaxing at a leisure centre in the indoor swimming complex at the facility after a night of heavy drinking together in the preceding chapters and the mature standalone piece.
Who Dares Wins
Chapter Sixty-Four: Pool Day: Finale
Hereford
Saturday, 1 December, 2007
Sarah rose from the bench inside the steam room, unable to endure the escalating heat any longer.
"Look, Speedy, she's had enough already!"
Bryce turned to look at Big Dan, struggling to keep a straight face at Dan's teasing of Sarah.
She narrowed her gaze at Big Dan and Bryce for their teasing, said, "You two are very evil!" and then bolted for the exit of the steam room inside the leisure centre where Red Team was spending the afternoon relaxing.
Bryce and Big Dan laughed at her expense as she emerged from the therapeutic room.
"Close the door after you, Sarah, 'cause some of us are trying to get warm in here!" Big Dan called out gleefully.
Sarah shook her head at Big Dan's request, fighting off amusement as she lashed the door shut after her.
She was so desperate for a breath of the fresh cool air; she inhaled sharply while the heat from the steam room clung to her skin like a second layer, making her feel suffocated.
Sarah took in several breaths to restore herself, feeling thankful for the cool breeze out in the open air.
Once she got her breath back—stemmed from spending too long in the relaxing facility to warm up from the harsh December air—she was grateful for a plush deck chair awaiting her in the lounge area with a poolside view.
Sarah entered the lounge area, moving to collapse into the deck chair, feeling the cool fabric against her damp skin, providing a much-needed respite from the steam heat as she drew out a few pleasurable, relaxing sighs.
While she was recovering, Sarah stole a glance at the main pool and spotted Chuck and Cole enjoying themselves resting against the edge of the pool.
Another minute or two here, then I'll go join them…
Sarah's gaze remained locked on her boyfriend, their eyes meeting in stolen moments, until a group of four guys suddenly appeared from nowhere, barging into the lounge room, and obstructing their line of sight.
The view remained obstructed for a moment until the guys moved to occupy seating positions on several vacated deck chairs.
Sarah's gaze lingered on their movements until they settled into their seats. She then turned her attention back to her boyfriend, who now appeared absorbed in conversation with Cole and Jamie Hughes, who had just joined them at the edge of the deepest end of the pool.
Looking back at the group of guys in the lounge room, Sarah felt a sudden sense of unease. The group of four had fixed their gaze on her, and it felt as if they were undressing her with their eyes.
Her eyes darted back and forth between the group of athletic men and the inviting pool, her unease growing in the presence of these unfamiliar faces.
One of the group soon leaned into another and they started to whisper, with Sarah catching some of what was being said, which was typical guy talk, accompanied by the occasional nod towards Sarah.
The awkward moment stretched on for a little while longer, making Sarah shift restlessly in the deck chair, torn between confronting the guys who were eyeing her up or escaping to the pool.
The two guys who were whispering then paused their actions, turned and caught Sarah's glance.
Sarah let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes at them, hoping for some understanding.
Her activity seemed to have an effect, as another of the guys who hadn't been part of the whispering turned to his friends and said, "Oi. Stop whispering, you two! You're creeping her out."
The two men paused their actions, looked at Sarah and their friend, and then one of them said, "Sorry. We were just wondering-"
"I heard what you were saying," Sarah interrupted, meeting his glance with another eye-roll. "Yes, I'm here with someone. And yes, I noticed you here. It's kind of hard not to, as you've all been looking at me non-stop since you came in here."
"Sorry about that. I can assure you their experiences with beautiful women, to this point, have been few," one guy joked.
Sarah looked at the young man who made that comment, as did the two whisperers, who glared at their friend for the remark.
"So, are you here with a friend or boyfriend?" another guy in the group suddenly asked.
Sarah turned to look at the guy, her shoulders tensing up as she crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes in a wary gaze. "I think that's my business, not yours?"
"Ooh, mysterious, huh? That's enticing," the guy replied.
"Not mysterious," Sarah said with an instant shake of her head. "Just private. I didn't come here today to be chatted up by anyone. I'm here to relax after a night out and a few…busy…months."
"Fair enough," one of the whisperers said with a shrug, accepting the point. "You can't blame us for trying, anyway. Your stunning appearance makes it impossible not to try, but your uptight behaviour shows you're not open to friendly conversation."
Sarah registered what they said, but remained silent, fidgeting restlessly in the deck chair again as the air became heavy with tension.
I need to get out of here. It's far beyond awkward now! I don't blame them for trying, but I do not need to reveal my private life to strange people who come up to me…
After a moment, Sarah rose to stand and exited the lounge area but she quickly paused in place, drowned out the distant sounds of laughter and splashing from the nearby pool, and turned to face one of the guys, who said, "Sorry for disturbing your peace. I hope you find it elsewhere without us interfering in your day."
Sarah nodded, forcing a smile at the young man before she turned and carried on walking towards the pool.
Arriving at the edge, she stopped in search of Chuck and found him after a moment. He was swimming toward the shallow end.
Sarah took a moment to compose herself in anticipation of coming into contact with the cool water again, as well as to move on from the unsuccessful chat-up by the four men before she picked an empty spot in the water and jumped into it.
She disappeared under the deep water as the sensation of the cold water around her submerged skin sent a shiver down her spine, causing her to embrace herself in search of warmth.
Sarah's head soon broke the surface of the water, where she immediately sought refuge at the pool's edge. The cool touch of the water sending additional shivers down her spine.
After a moment of her body accustoming itself to the cold water again, she propelled herself forward, her strokes slicing through the water with ease as she searched for Chuck.
She soon spotted him again, reclining at the edge of the shallowest end of the pool, his feet dangling in the water, just a few paces from where the water slide in the facility came to an end.
Sarah swam the remaining distance to him, the scent of chlorine filling her nose, and on arrival at his position, she came to a float just in front of him.
"Hey," she said with a warm smile.
"Hi," he said, meeting her glance, his neutral tone—matching his indifferent demeanour.
Sarah's eyes narrowed as she searched for any hint of understanding in her boyfriend's unresponsive demeanour. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he said, still devoid of emotion.
She held her narrowed glance, trying to decipher why Chuck's mood had shifted since they were last together just ten or so minutes ago.
"Chuck?" she queried cautiously, still eyeing him up.
His gaze broke with her briefly, then he looked back at her. "Those guys in the lounge area."
Sarah shook her head, feeling the dampness of her wet hair against her fingertips, as she let out a frustrated sigh. "What about them?" she asked, her anger mounting by the second as the day she intended to be stress-free deteriorated rapidly from the moment she stepped out of the steam room.
"They looked like they were chatting you up," he said.
She nodded. "Uh-huh, they were."
Chuck drew out a sigh and broke their gaze.
Frustration continued to seep out from Sarah as she scoffed. "Are you seriously sulking with me and taking offence to this right now? I hope you don't think I encouraged or welcomed their advance. Because if you do…"
Chuck drew out a more prolonged sigh, then met her gaze again. "I don't. It's just-"
"No, just nothing, Chuck!" Sarah abruptly interrupted, shaking her head sharply as her frustration spilt out. "I know exactly what you're thinking right now, and I won't stand for it! A couple of guys who I don't know approached me and tried to chat me up! You do not know what they said, nor how I replied, yet you've reached the conclusion that your girl is speaking to other guys, you don't like it, and now you have the hump with me and you're taking it out on me!… But in your grand thinking, Chuck, you didn't stop to consider if I enjoyed being approached by them, which I didn't!" she said with a confirming nod.
Sarah took a momentary pause, her heart pounding with the effort to contain her rising anger, taking a deep breath, trying to rein in those frustrations. Releasing the breath she took in, she said, "So whether or not I welcomed those advances is far more important than what you think about guys approaching me, because it's me who they approached…"
Chuck nodded, his neutral expression melting into a face etched with remorse. "You're right. I should have considered whether you welcomed their advance. I saw them speaking to you and in a moment of complete stupidity, I lost my mind and instantly assumed the worst."
Sarah scoffed, with Chuck having confirmed that he had the hump with her because he thought she enjoyed being chatted up by that group of four. "Is that all you have to say to me right now?"
Chuck's face softened with regret, a smile forming that reached his eyes, radiating through them. "I'm really sorry. I saw them chatting you up, and I became so focused on that, I lost my mind and didn't factor in anything else. I was stupid. Again... The truth is, as I have told you previously, I'm an insecure guy in relationships, Sarah, and I have never claimed to be otherwise."
Sarah puffed out a sigh, a lot of her anger subsiding at the softer, friendly side of her boyfriend. "You don't need to be insecure with me," she stressed. "And I won't allow it. I have done nothing wrong to earn that today…"
"You haven't," he said quickly in acknowledgement, nodding. "It's me, again…. No surprises there," he sighed and threw up his arms in apology. "I've been a jerk to you a few times already since we met."
Sarah's anger evaporated and was replaced with a renewed connection with Chuck. "You've also helped me a lot and looked out for me in ways nobody ever has," she said with a smile.
"It doesn't give me a reason to be a douche to you at other times, though," Chuck said instantly, still guilt-ridden.
"No, it doesn't. But I'm not sure why you got jealous and took it for granted I was a willing participant in their flirting anyway because what part of we're dating exclusively didn't you hear just before? And also, after everything we did last night and what I did to you in the changing room just before we came out?" she said with a wry smile.
"Apparently none of it," Chuck said, then his mind caught on to the last part of what Sarah said, quickly narrowing his eyes. His senses heightened as he meticulously surveyed the surroundings for any potential eavesdroppers.
It appeared there were, as Chuck found himself under the watchful gaze of a middle-aged couple just a few feet away.
Chuck blushed, his face turning a deep shade of crimson, as he quickly averted his eyes back to Sarah. She met his embarrassed gaze with an amused expression.
Chuck coughed in embarrassment, turning uncomfortable and not knowing where to put his face.
After a moment, he looked back at Sarah and leaned in to whisper, "Um, people overheard what you said and are looking at us."
Sarah registered what he said, arched herself to take in the middle-aged couple looking awkwardly at them, looked back at Chuck and shrugged. "I don't care," she said simply.
Chuck narrowed his gaze and bore a stare into Sarah's orbs, still feeling uncomfortable that people had overheard Sarah's sex talk.
Despite his attempts to calm his nerves, they persisted, and he decided to leave the area, gripping Sarah's hand.
"Let's go on the slide for a while," he said.
Sarah smirked in reply, detecting her lover's obvious embarrassment at the middle-aged couple hearing her remarks.
Nevertheless, she allowed Chuck to lead her as she swam after Chuck into another location in the large indoor pool, then they climbed out and made for the stairs leading to the slide.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Chuck and Sarah reached the top of the structure housing the massive indoor water slide and joined the queue, eagerly anticipating their turn.
Sarah couldn't hide her amusement as she gazed at Chuck, which stemmed from his embarrassment in the pool over her sex talk. "You totally brought me up here just to get away from the embarrassment you felt because of that couple, didn't you?"
Chuck shook his head, moving to tap Sarah on her nose. "And it was totally your fault."
Sarah snorted, pleased with his response.
They waited another minute until it was their turn.
Sarah was about to turn to face Chuck to decide who was going down the slide first when suddenly, Chuck grabbed hold of her and said, "And because it was your fault, you're going first!"
No sooner than Chuck had finished speaking, he'd grabbed her legs, too. From there, he lowered her and threw her down into the slide in one fell swoop.
As Sarah had no choice but to go with the flow down the slide, he heard her screech out, "You're so dead, Chucccckkk!"
A wave of uncontrollable laughter surged through Chuck, leaving him thoroughly pleased with what he had done.
He soon met the glance of a lifeguard in charge of the slide, who merely shook his head at him.
"It's your turn now," the lifeguard said.
Chuck shook his head, chuckling away. "Oh no, I couldn't possibly do that! I'll let someone else take the honour! I'm going to sweat it out up here for a while until she calms down!"
The lifeguard continued their head shakes, fighting off amusement as Chuck stepped aside and let the next people in the queue use the slide.
Chuck waited in place for a moment as the slide activity returned to normal until he saw two familiar faces as Jamie and Cole emerged from the stairs and entered the top of the structure.
Cole's eyes crinkled with warmth when he met Chuck's glance. "You look more chirpy than when we saw you last!"
Chuck nodded, suppressing laughter. "I just threw Sarah down the slide!"
"Fucking hell!" Jamie burst out laughing.
Chuck and Cole's laughter mingled with his, creating a symphony of mirth.
"You're dead when she catches you! I hope you know that, Chuck!" Cole warned.
Chuck nodded, still laughing. "I know. But it was worth it."
"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, mate!" Jamie said, his deep laughter continuing. "You'll be lucky to get away from here without her tearing out your eyes!"
Chuck's gaze narrowed, his confidence waning as Jamie's warning sank in, while Cole's latest wave of laughter filled the air, growing louder with each passing moment.
"I'd go down and face the music if I were you, mate, or else she might blow this whole structure down with some PE (plastic explosive)!" Jamie chortled.
Cole snorted multiple times to try to hold in an additional burst of laughter, while Chuck winced in shock as his mind considered the retribution of his pissed-off girlfriend.
"He's scared!" Cole declared, succumbing to laughter again.
"Of course he is!" Jamie laughed back. "And who wouldn't be with a pissed-off Sarah? But I've got no sympathy for him because if you do the crime, you do the time!"
Cole and Jamie shared more laughter, oblivious to Chuck's disapproving glare.
After a moment, Cole glanced towards the stairs, just in time, as he saw Sarah pacing with purpose up the stairs, extending his laughter significantly.
Jamie turned sharply to glance in the direction Cole was looking, roaring as he did, "FUCKING HELL! Watch out, Chuck, mate, 'cause she's coming up the stairs!"
"She isn't!" Chuck said in shock, darting to look down the stairs and saw his worst nightmare, as Sarah was making haste up them, as Jamie had warned. "Oh, crap!"
Chuck suddenly turned away to look at the slide, and, to his relief, there was a lapse in activity and the slide was clear for use.
"I need to make a hot exfil! I'll catch you both later!" Chuck said in a panic.
A fresh wave of laughter erupted from Jamie and Cole, both watching on in elation as Chuck shot down the slide, quickly disappearing from view.
They turned back to face the stairs just in time to witness Sarah arriving at the top.
Her demeanour appeared exhausted from her rapid ascent, yet her eyes were fixed with determination. "Where is he?!" she breathed labouredly.
Jamie and Cole continued chuckling away, and in sync, they both pointed at the slide where Chuck had just made his escape.
Sarah followed their pointing, fixed her gaze at the slide, and wasting no time, she stormed to throw herself down the slide hot on Chuck's tail.
"Go on, girl!" Jamie urged through his laughter, his face lit up with deep amusement.
"Give him a good beasting from both of us!" Cole's enthusiastic encouragement filled the air as he turned back to face Jamie and they shared an additional spirited exchange of laughter.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Sarah passed the last turn of the water slide, entered the straight-angled final stretch, and saw the open pool in sight.
After a moment of anticipation, she emerged from the slide and plunged into the pool water awaiting her, sending water droplets flying in all directions.
Wasting no time submerged, she moved to stand and sought Chuck.
He was in the middle of the pool, swimming backwards and looking in her direction.
His gaze was mostly amusement.
She held her boyfriend's glance, mouthing doggedly, "I'm going to wipe that smirk off your face!"
With purpose, she set off swimming to catch him and make him pay for throwing her down the slide.
As Sarah pursued Chuck in the pool, he quickened the speed of his backstrokes, determined to stay ahead. Sarah, fueled by a mix of frustration and determination, pushed herself harder, her strokes becoming more powerful. The water churned around them as they raced towards the deeper end, the playful tension between them fueling their competitive spirits.
Chuck's smirk remained mostly intact, deeming himself able to reach the end and climb out before she reached him.
But Sarah was determined to wipe it off his face. She was relentless, closing in on him with every stroke. Chuck, sensing her determination, suddenly tried to evade her by changing direction, but Sarah anticipated his moves, matching his every twist and turn.
Their chase became a thrilling dance, a battle of wills in the water. Chuck's amusement slowly turned into genuine fear as Sarah closed the gap between them. He could no longer keep up his playful facade, realizing that he would indeed have to face the consequences of his actions.
With a burst of energy, Sarah lunged forward, her outstretched hand inches away from grabbing Chuck. But just as she was about to catch him, he dove underwater, evading her grasp. Sarah followed suit, diving in pursuit.
Sarah's determination fueled her strokes, propelling her through the water with lightning speed. Each stroke brought her closer to Chuck, who now realized the gravity of his actions.
The water churned around them as Sarah closed the distance, her eyes fixed on her target. Chuck's smirk transformed into a pure panic as he tried to swim faster, but Sarah was relentless.
With another burst of energy, Sarah lunged forward, her hand outstretched to grab hold of Chuck's ankle. But just as she was about to reach him, he dove beneath the surface again, disappearing into the depths.
Undeterred, Sarah followed suit, plunging into the unknown. The water enveloped her, its cool embrace heightening her senses. She scanned the underwater abyss, searching for any sign of her elusive lover.
Suddenly, a movement caught her eye. Chuck, like a shadow, darted through the water, attempting to evade her. But Sarah was a force to be reckoned with.
She kicked off the pool floor, propelling herself towards Chuck with a burst of speed. Their bodies collided, sending ripples through the water. Sarah's determination met Chuck's evasive manoeuvres, creating a thrilling dance beneath the surface.
Each twist and turn intensified the chase, their bodies weaving through the water like graceful predators. Sarah refused to let him escape, her lungs burning for oxygen, her muscles straining against the resistance of the water.
In a surge of strength, Sarah grabbed hold of Chuck's arm, pulling him towards her. The battle was nearing its end, and victory was within her grasp.
With a triumphant grin, Sarah emerged from the water.
However, Chuck slipped from her grasp, splashing her face with water.
"Right, that's it!" Sarah said with complete determination.
Chuck smirked in reply, taking off to escape.
Once more, Sarah was hot on his tail in pursuit.
The pool became a battleground where nothing else seemed to except those two, their movements fluid and determined. They weaved through the water, each trying to outmanoeuvre the other. Chuck's latest round of amusement transformed into a desperate determination to stay one step ahead of her, while Sarah's resolve only grew stronger.
Finally, with no water left to escape into, Sarah cornered Chuck near the edge of the pool. With a triumphant smile, she reached out and lunged at him as he attempted to climb up and escape, her victory clear in her eyes.
Her actions and display of enormous strength crashed them back into the water, and, despite the physical toll on both of them through their intense chase, they grappled with each other under the water for as long as they could until they ran out of air.
Once they returned to the surface, Sarah pushed Chuck into the corner of the pool, jamming him into place.
"You caught me," he said with a grin.
Sarah scoffed with an eye roll. "I'll always catch you. You're too slow," she said, fighting off a smirk.
Chuck pouted cutely, causing Sarah to smile.
As they both regained their breath, the tension between them dissipated, replaced by a shared sense of exhilaration.
Chuck realized his prank had not only sparked a thrilling chase but also strengthened their bond. He had underestimated Sarah's determination, but now he knew better. The smirk had vanished, replaced by a newfound admiration for the girl who had chased him down and made him pay for his actions.
Sarah, meanwhile, couldn't help but feel admiration for his stimulation of all of her senses, especially when it came to wiping smirks off of people's faces who doubted her resolve.
They held their glance, filled not with amusement nor fear, but with a mutual understanding and respect. They both knew that their playful rivalry would continue, pushing each other to new heights in the pool and in the life they intended to build together.
"Can you let me go now?" he soon asked, his eyes crinkling in amusement.
She shook her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, mirroring his amusement. "You're staying right here before you do anything else to me."
Sarah detected an instant playful streak light up her boyfriend's face, and after a moment, he arched himself forward to kiss her lips.
When they parted, he asked, "Like that?"
Sarah shook her head, a resolute expression crossing her face.
I'll show him how to do it properly! She thought.
Moving to grab hold of Chuck's shoulders, Sarah propelled herself forward to meet his lips with her own.
From there, she kissed him with purpose as the young lovers made out with each other against the corner edge of the pool.
Chuck moved to wrap his arms securely around her.
Sarah smirked into his mouth as she continued to kiss his face off, oblivious to anyone who may be looking, basking in the victory she'd earned, as well as Chuck's firm, delightful touch.
They continued their intimacy until they heard a distinct Scottish voice they knew all too well call out, "Oh, aye, look at those two, ey!"
Sarah broke from kissing Chuck, then met John Murray's glance—who was laughing along with Chris and Big Dan close by.
She merely flipped the Scot off, no longer caring about the jokes of her teammates towards her relationship with Chuck, then she lifted Chuck's chin and kissed him again, proving a point to her teammates that she was past caring what they thought about her dating choice of that of a teammate.
Sarah's actions increased the laughter of her three teammates.
"You're looking a little trapped there, Chuck, fella," Big Dan teased, snorting at his joke.
Chris and John Murray laughed at Big Dan's joke.
Chuck arched himself to look behind him, meeting Dan's glance. "Am I?" he asked nonchalantly. "Because I'm feeling completely comfortable from where I'm floating."
Chuck's remark hit the spot, causing Big Dan, Chris, and John Murray to burst into laughter, while Sarah struggled to stifle her amusement by biting her lip.
Chuck turned his attention back to Sarah, and a gentle smile spread across their faces as they floated peacefully in the pool.
Cole and Jamie then joined the five teammates, their arrival announced by Cole's booming declaration, "She finally caught you then, Chuck?!"
"It looks like someone we all know so well has caught another idiot as well!" Jamie said suddenly.
Everyone turned to look at Jamie in query of his comment, following his gaze to another part of the pool where Bryce was.
Bryce was in the company of someone everyone on the team had the displeasure of knowing.
Suddenly, once everyone had finished taking in the presence of Jill Roberts with Bryce Larkin, the seven teammates shared immense laughter, which was so boisterous, that it caught Bryce and Jill's attention who broke from speaking with each other and turned to look in the direction of the rest of Red Team.
"He wouldn't…. Would he?" Chris asked in disbelief.
Big Dan looked around his teammates, detecting a telling look from each of them, deeming they thought he would—just as Dan did. Big Dan snorted, then said, "Of course he would!"
Everyone nodded in sync, sharing another wave of rapturous laughter.
"He's a brain-dead pillock if he does after how she treated Chuck!" Cole declared.
In perfect harmony, the team exchanged additional synchronized nods, their unity clear.
With everyone now staring over at Bryce and Jill, Big Dan looked around his teammates, then said, "Right then, fellas and Sarah, I want none of you getting in the way of those two because I can't wait to take the piss out of Speedy for this one!"
Big Dan's comment was met with a mixture of head shakes, snorts, and some light chuckles.
Sarah—one of the head shakers—continued her actions, meeting Dan's glance. "You're evil," she said, holding a belittling glance at him.
Big Dan snorted in approval of Sarah's remark.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O
The full complement of Red Team entered the sauna facility together.
Big Dan, who was last to enter, looked around the therapeutic facility at some civilians and his teammates, then said, "Right then, a little while in here, then we'll be off."
His teammates nodded as they moved to take seats on the sauna benches, with Sarah moving to take a seat on Chuck's lap because the facility was rather busy.
"Look at those two!" Big Dan shouted in amusement, pointing at Sarah and Chuck.
Cole, Jamie, Bryce, Chris and John shared a light-hearted chuckle, while Sarah again resorted to flipping Big Dan off instead of a verbal remark.
Big Dan smirked in approval, then looked around at the civilians and said, "Who's in charge of the water bucket?"
The group of civilians looked between themselves until one said, "No one, really."
"Nice one!" Big Dan said, his tone chirpy. "I'll be in charge of that then, ladies and gents."
"Oh, fucking hell!" Jamie complained, shaking his head without amusement.
Jamie's remarks caused a wave of laughter among the team, while Big Dan—smirking in approval—moved to collect the water bucket and spoon, then moved to take a seat on the bench, close to the burning rocks of the sauna.
Once he was comfortable, Dan collected a spoonful of water and threw it on the rocks, relaxing his shoulders as the water hit the surface.
"Ya wee tosser!" John Murray hissed in complaint.
Smirking away, Big Dan moaned, "Aw, that's lovely, that is!" making the glee he felt from his actions known to everyone in the sauna.
Dan's teammates shared glances and head shakes with each other, the memory of his identical actions at the sauna in Manchester just weeks ago lingering in their minds.
Sarah then changed her glance to the civilians. "You're all going to regret giving him the bucket. I hope you know that."
Her remarks amused the facility, while Dan started preparing another immediate spoonful of water.
"I do already!" one civilian complained, running a hand to her head.
Red Team could only shake their heads at the comment as Big Dan threw the spoon onto the burning rocks again.
Once the water hit the rocks, Dan sighed in pleasure. "Aw, that's lovely, that, Speedy, isn't it, fella?"
Bryce, enjoying the heat just as much as he did in Manchester, nodded, suppressing laughter.
Big Dan then turned his attention to the rest of his teammates, looking around at them. "Anyone for another bet again, fellas and Sarah?"
"You're not getting anything more out of me, ya wee tosser!" John Murray hissed, pointing at Big Dan, his face staunch and filled with resolve.
Big Dan snorted, satisfied with the response from the Scot, then turned to look at Jamie, who said, "He's getting bugger all out of me as well."
"That's 'cause you were both first out last time," Chuck teased.
Jamie and John shot glares at Chuck in reply, spreading additional amusement through the facility.
"Another minute or two, then we'll make it nice and hot and steamy," Big Dan declared.
"Charah is already doing that," Cole declared suddenly.
Many eyes narrowed inside the sauna as they all turned to look at Cole in query.
Big Dan was first to reply, asking, "Charah?"
"Chuck and Sarah!" Cole chuckled boisterously. "With their lap dancing!"
Chuck and Sarah shot glares at Cole for his comment, with Sarah going a step further, taking into her possession a discarded drinks bottle and launching it across the sauna at Cole, who attempted to dodge it.
"Hey!" a member of the public complained, glancing at Sarah in distaste.
Sarah's teammates—Cole included—laughed at her actions.
Big Dan crossed his arms, pausing his water-throwing activities for now, finding the exchanges between his teammates way more amusing.
Once the laughter calmed, John Murray said, "Charah?" looking around the team. "I love it!"
"As do I, fella," Big Dan said with a nod.
"At least it's better than Cophie," Chuck said, glaring at Cole for his teasing.
Eyes narrowed at the latest remark as people attempted to cypher what it meant.
John Murray, first to get it, said, "I think he means Cole and Sophie, as in Cophie, like Cole did with them."
"Bingo," Chuck said with a grin.
Big Dan led the snorts of Red Team as he looked around the team. "They better not come up with any names for the rest of us!"
"We should make one for Speedy Gonzales and Jill because they're next up as the latest couple on the team!" Jamie said, succumbing to immediate laughter at his own joke.
The team, except for Bryce, joined Jamie in sharing the laughter for a long moment.
However, Bryce, remaining unamused, complained, "Oh, here we go! You lot can all meet whoever you want, but when I'm talking with someone, I get the shit for it!"
"She's not a good choice for you, fella. Trust us on that," John Murray cautioned, fighting off additional amusement.
Stoically, Chris locked eyes with his compatriot for a moment. "It's his mistake to make."
Heads nodded in agreement with the team leader.
"We get that, fella," Big Dan said with a nod at Chris, devoid of any teasing or amusement before he finished looking at Bryce. "We just don't want to see him get hurt."
"He's more likely to hurt her than she is him!" Cole chuckled rowdily.
Cole's remark set off deep laughter within the team again, while Bryce shot a glare at Cole, complaining, "Fuck off!"
"So, did you all feel that earthquake this morning, then?" Big Dan asked, changing the topic while glancing at the civilians present in the sauna.
The team paused their amusement, glancing around at the civilians as their heads started nodding.
A middle-aged woman sitting close to the door to exit the sauna, likely with her husband, said, "Yes, it woke both of us up."
The group inside the sauna then turned their attention to a man in his twenties seated alone in the sauna, who said, "I was already awake, coming home after a night out, but me and my girlfriend felt it too."
Sarah met eyes with her team leader, then said, "See, what did we tell you?"
"Aye, you look red-faced now, fella, unless we set it up and got these in with the craic (joke)?" John Murray said.
Big Dan glanced around at the members of the public who appeared confused, then pointed them at Chris seated close by. "This one doesn't believe us that the quake happened. He was lights out but you can trust us that when this old-timer is sleeping, it would take ten quakes and Mount Everest shattering into pieces to wake him up!"
The sauna exploded with laughter, with the members of the public even finding Dan's joke to be hilarious.
Chris, meanwhile, could only glare at Dan. "I'll be throwing that bucket and all of its contents over your head in a minute, laddie!"
Big Dan smiled gleefully, extending his arms out in a challenge. "You're welcome to try it, old-timer."
"No fighting in here," a middle-aged man said with a wry smile. "Or I might have to arrest you."
Big Dan scoffed. "I should have known the Old Bill would be around," he said, then turned to Chris. "Saved by the police, old timer."
Cole pointed at Big Dan with a rowdy chuckle. "You were!"
Cole's remark elicited laughter from the team.
"It's fine, laddie, I'll have him on Monday at work," Chris said.
The off-duty police officer looked around Red Team. "We have no jurisdiction at 22 Regiment, so feel free there."
Eyes narrowed in every corner of the sauna, from both the public and Red Team, at the mention of 22 Regiment.
Big Dan, still relaxed with his arms crossed, asked, "Who says we're from 22 Regiment?"
The off-duty officer rolled his eyes. "I've met many people through my job. I've long since been able to distinguish between the soldiers, the gangs, and just about everyone else."
Big Dan smirked in reply, though he opted not to verbally reply, nor did anyone else on the team because only somebody who wasn't in the Special Air Service would say that they were.
With the atmosphere muted for a moment, Big Dan brought the atmosphere back by collecting the bucket and preparing another spoonful of water, discharging the contents onto the hot rocks shortly after.
"Ya wee tosser!" John Murray hissed.
"I can't take much more of this before my head bursts into flames again!" Jamie complained.
"Bloody hell!" a member of the public complained. "There'll be another earthquake soon, in here, if he keeps on adding heat!"
The witty remarks caused a ripple of laughter to spread throughout the sauna, while Sarah relaxed into Chuck's hold on his knees, arching herself to share with Chuck the amusement of the joke, as well as heat getting to Jamie and John.
"I hope everyone's nice and steamy and having a good time," Big Dan said, looking around his teammates and the public, a sinister undertone presenting through his features.
"Does he always do this?" the off-duty police officer asked.
With a collective sigh, Dan's teammates said in sync, "Yeah…"
"He's just like some of the colleagues I work with!" the officer said with a shake of his head.
The group in the sauna shared a chuckle while Big Dan smirked in approval, then prepared another immediate spoonful of water, turning to look at Bryce as he did so. "I don't think it's anywhere close to being as hot enough in here as we like it, do you, Speedy?"
"Make them sweat!" Bryce said, sharing the amusement with Dan.
Suddenly, the middle-aged woman close to the door of the sauna stood. "That's enough for me! You lot are lunatics!"
"And me," her husband quickly replied, moving to stand with her.
The married couple swiftly vacated the sauna, to Big Dan's immense satisfaction.
Their departure made additional space inside the sauna as the team and remaining members of the public shifted themselves to make themselves more comfortable.
After a moment, Big Dan glanced around at the remaining residents of the facility, his lips creeping up in sadism, feeling satisfied at seeing them sweat. From there, he took the spoon inside the bucket into his possession again.
"If we leave together, they can't get on our backs, so who's up for it?" Jamie asked, glancing around.
John Murray and Chris seemed to reach an immediate consensus with Jamie, nodding at him.
"Aye," John Murray said.
Jamie looked in search of additional volunteers. "Anyone else? If not, don't say I didn't warn you!"
Chuck, Sarah, and Cole remained silent, each trying to go further and outlast Dan just to have one over him, though they knew it was probably perilous to try, yet they remained dogged anyway.
Bryce, meanwhile, was the most confident of them all; deeming today was the day he'd beat Dan at something.
"Fair enough. I'll catch you mugs all in a bit 'cause there's only going to be one winner in here!" Jamie said.
With his remarks delivered, Jamie quickly stood, then made for the exit, with Chris and John Murray in tow, the latter of the Scots shouting back at Dan as he did so, "Ya wee tosser!"
Big Dan smirked in satisfaction, then threw the spoon on the rocks. "Aw, that's so lovely, that is!"
Chuck and Sarah turned to face each other, sharing a smile.
"So, who do you think will be next out then, fella?" Big Dan asked Bryce.
Bryce surveyed Chuck, Sarah, and Cole up and down, then said, "All of them, just like last time, mate! They don't have what it takes!"
Sarah turned back to face Bryce and Dan. "We'll see."
Chuck nodded.
Big Dan smirked in reply, then prepared another immediate spoon of water.
"That's enough for me!" the off-duty police officer said.
Big Dan held his smug look. "In a bit," he said nonchalantly.
The police officer stood from his spot and made for the exit, with a young female on her own leaving after.
With the latest departures, the only remaining people were the young man in his twenties, Bryce, Dan, Cole, Chuck, and Sarah.
"We're at the final stretch now, ladies and gents. But there can only be one winner," Big Dan said, looking at everyone left with glee.
The remaining group shared the amusement with him, though the intensity of the heat was starting to really get to Cole and the young twenties man.
After a moment, the young man couldn't take any more, proclaiming, "That's it for me, too."
"And me!" Cole said quickly.
They both moved to stand, making for the exit.
"Not following your best man out today, Chuck?" Big Dan wittily remarked.
Chuck shook his head, suppressing a laugh as he leaned in and kissed Sarah's neck. "It's nice in here, isn't it?"
"Mh-hm," Sarah replied, arching herself to smile at Chuck again.
Big Dan smirked in satisfaction, then prepared another immediate spoon, discharging it onto the hot rocks.
"Aw, it's so lovely in here!" Big Dan said in glee.
"Yeah," Sarah said with a nod. "It is."
Chuck suppressed a laugh at his girlfriend's remark, wrapping his arms around her as they made themselves snug where Sarah sat on his lap.
Big Dan narrowed his eyes at their relaxed posture and actions, turning to look at Bryce. "I think we might have a problem here, Speedy."
Bryce shook his head, still confident. "Nah, we'll waste them. They don't have what it takes. Eye of the tiger, and it's not them, mate!"
"We'll see," Sarah said, remaining resolute, drawing additional courage and strength from being officially in the open with Chuck, feeling resolute in wiping more smirks from people's faces today.
"Put some more water on if you want, Dan?" Chuck said, rising to the challenge and taking comfort from Sarah just as she was from him.
For the first time in the exchanges, both today and in Manchester, Big Dan lost some confidence, feeling reluctant to gather another.
"He's scared," Sarah said smugly, revelling in Dan's loss of confidence.
Chuck and Bryce, each seeing the change in Dan too, joined Sarah in sharing the pleasure of the loss in Dan's confidence.
"Well, you heard them, Dan. Throw it on!" Bryce encouraged.
With reluctance, Big Dan followed through and threw on the spoonful of water.
The four teammates acclimatised to the new climate, with Big Dan bearing it as much as he could until he surrendered to the intensity and ran a hand over his forehead. "Fucking hell! I'm sweating in here!" he complained.
Bryce erupted in immediate laughter, while Chuck and Sarah turned to face each other again, sharing a smug glance.
"Keep going, baby, we've got them," Chuck whispered his encouragement.
Sarah smiled in reply. "We've come this far. Let's see it through."
Chuck nodded, emitting a fatigued grin as he fought off the intensity of the heat.
Sarah turned back to face Big Dan; seeing her teammate really start to struggle in the sauna, he looked exhausted.
With great satisfaction, she moved to stand, saying, "It looks like you don't need the bucket. I'll take it because I need some more water and heat in here."
Chuck and Bryce erupted in laughter while Sarah, with joy, moved to collect the bucket, gaining renewed vigour at seeing Big Dan sweat as he furiously began wiping at the temple of his head more and more.
Once she had the bucket, she took the spoon and prepared another serving of water, watching Big Dan the entire time as she threw the water on the rocks.
"Fucking hell!" Big Dan complained after another twenty seconds, rubbing his head. "It must be all the ale I had last night or how long Speedy and I stayed in the steam room earlier! I can't take any more of this! In a bit!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Big Dan jumped up and bolted for the exit, to Chuck, Sarah and Bryce's great satisfaction, sharing a ripple of laughter for a long moment as Sarah called out, "Close the door after you, Dan, 'cause some of us are trying to get warm in here!"
Big Dan complied with the request and quickly disappeared from view as the three remaining turned to face each other in victory, soon hearing a chorus of laughter outside the sauna from their teammates towards Dan's demise.
"Yes, we fucking got him!" Bryce said with immense excitement. "You're a bloody legend, Sarah!"
Sarah smiled at Bryce, then moved back to sit close to Chuck.
After another minute, Bryce's joy soon faded though, glancing between Chuck and Sarah. "I think he was right, though, about too much alcohol and how much time we both spent in the steam room earlier. Because I'm almost done in here as well."
"You shouldn't have both teased me about my exit from the steam room earlier, then, should you?" Sarah taunted.
"Oh, did they?" Chuck asked, raising an eye and glancing at Sarah.
Sarah nodded.
"I see. Well, that's just hardened my resolve. There's only gonna be one winner in here. Us," Chuck said with a sly grin. "Sarah, throw some more water on 'cause it's cold in here."
Sarah smiled in reply, then prepared another spoon of water, throwing it on the rocks.
The increased intensity got to Bryce almost immediately, who shifted uncomfortably on the bench. "It was bad enough having to compete with just Dan on his own in Manchester, but now I have to go through two of you. Sod this, I'm out! I'm just glad Dan has lost and you deserve the win after all the shit you've had!"
"For that, we won't tease you outside for your exit," Chuck said.
Sarah nodded.
Bryce smiled at them both, then rushed for the exit, leading to another ripple of laughter outside the facility as he rushed towards a showerhead to cool down.
With it being just Chuck and Sarah left in the sauna, the lovers turned to face each other and shared a smile.
"I don't have it in me to beat you and become the winner," Chuck said, moving to rub the sweat off his forehead.
"You don't have to. I don't want to beat you…" she said, holding her smile. "We'll go out together as joint winners."
Chuck's face lit up with warmth. "That sounds good to me. Let's do it."
The lovers moved to stand, taking each other's hands as they rushed to depart the sauna.
Chuck was the last of the two to depart, not even bothering to close the door of the sauna as they rushed to share a showerhead to the rapturous cheers from their teammates.
Under the freezing showerhead, which they spent a long moment under to cool down after their extreme endeavour, they suppressed laughter together and embraced in celebration of their collective achievement.
When they departed the showerhead, they rushed with purpose towards the pool hand-in-hand and jumped into the water together, under the continued cheers of their teammates.
They spent a moment underwater together, sharing a gaze and enjoying the relaxing cool water, which was soothing after yet another grand physical endeavour in a sauna at Big Dan's hands.
Once they came up for air, their teammates moved to surround them, where they proceeded to pick Chuck and Sarah up into the air before throwing them both back into the water.
Chuck and Sarah turned back around to face their teammates, and when they did, Big Dan said, "I was letting both of you win because of everything I put you through!"
"My arse, you did!" Cole said with a rowdy chuckle.
Cole's instant rebuke caused a wave of laughter to spread through the team, which they shared for a long moment in great spirits.
When the moment relaxed within the team, Chuck and Sarah turned to each other again, moving to passionately kiss in the middle of the deep water.
Their actions led to another outpouring of cheers from the team, though in another corner of the pool, their actions were less well received by Jill Roberts, who was with her friends and was frowning in distaste, her glance locked at Chuck and Sarah.
As Chuck and Sarah's lips parted, Sarah's eyes met Jill's, a self-satisfied smirk playing on her lips as she tenderly touched Chuck's cheek.
"Right then, let's be off out of here for some scran and then a little while later, we'll get our revenge on Blue Team. And don't worry, fellas, because I've spiced up our planned surprise with something sinister of my own," Big Dan said with a sly grin.
"Sounds good to me, Dan!" Cole said, his amusement palpable as the unit shared laughter.
"And me!" the rest of the team said in sync.
The great spirits continued to ripple through the team as they swam halfway up the pool together, climbed up the poolside to exit, and then departed for the changing area one by one, with Big Dan last as he checked in on his kids playing together with some school friends.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Next chapter, the team sits down for some food, then they split ways for a few hours, with Chuck and Sarah going shopping together while Chuck hits Sarah with a surprise for their first month anniversary since they got together, then the chapter finishes with Red Team's revenge on Blue Team
FOOTNOTES: I hope you enjoyed the return to Who Dares Wins. If you want to review it with your feedback, I'd appreciate it! I wonder if Bryce will be so stupid as to get with Jill. He wouldn't, would he? *laughs strongly*.