Chapter 14

Sam was tired, sweaty, and weary as he walked with his team across the tarmac to catch a flight back to home base. Tango Company, as they were called, had finished their last mission successfully, with only minor injuries to a couple of the soldiers. He had been assigned as leader of the small group under the Special Operative division. They were an elite unit that took on the impossible missions.

"Man, Titan I could sleep for a week," Spark groaned as they walked up the ramp to the belly of the cargo plane.

"Yeah, it'll be nice to sleep on a mattress again," Sam replied sighing softly. It was funny the small things you missed and took for granted until they weren't there.

"I want a nice juicy steak and fried potatoes," Hawkeye told them as he slipped his pack off his shoulders and dropped it beside him. He slouched on the bench seat that ran down both sides of the interior of the plane and pulled a small bag of jerky from a side pocket.

"You sound like my…" Sam started but stopped himself as he pictured his brother in his mind. The scent of the jerky was almost too much for him as the ache clenched his heart. He remembered how much Dean liked jerky and steaks.

Over the past couple of years, Sam had kept in touch with Bobby who updated him on his father and brother. No matter what had happened between them, Sam wanted to be sure they were okay. He hoped when his tour was up, and he got back stateside, he would go home and see what kind of reception he would get. If it wasn't good, he would move on and now, he knew he could. The Marines had changed him for the better and he knew he could handle the rejection, if that is what happened.

"You okay Titan?" Doc asked when he saw the pained look on his face before it disappeared.

"I'm fine Doc," Sam answered pushing his memories back into a box and locking it.

When Sam got to Spain along with several of his fellow recruits, they had been given additional training and testing to determine their strengths and weaknesses. All were assigned to an elite special ops unit that took on high profile missions. After a year of missions, Sam was assigned his own unit and was called Titan by his team, because of his size and sixth sense about missions. All were assigned code names, and their real names were erased and not used.

Spark was the explosive expert and knew his way around C-4, Semtex, and any other kind of explosives. He could blow anything up and could make a bomb out of common items no one would think about. He had come over with Sam from the states, so they were close. He was from Texas and insisted everything was bigger there.

Hawkeye was an expert sniper and tracker. He also came over with Sam and Spark and had formed a tight bond with them. He could track a target better than anyone around. He was Native American and had been taught the old ways by grandparents and shamans.

Doc was the team medic and took care of any injuries when they were in the field. He was highly trained in his field and could hold his own in a fight. He was from Denver, and it was his second tour. Sam had specifically requested him for his team since he was easy-going and was a people person.

Chaos was the last member of Sam's team, and his name said it all. He could go into a situation and cause more chaos and misdirection for a single person that four guys combined. He was a master of disguise and knew several different languages. Sam met him through Spark who met him at the NCO club and suggested him as a member.

Tango Company was in high demand for missions of the sensitive nature, and they were good at their jobs. Sam was a natural in strategic planning and mapping out their missions for the best possible outcome with no loss of life to any of his men. He could run through the different scenarios in his head and pick the best one. Sam was always prepared with a Plan B in case some unforeseen obstacle screwed up the initial plan.

"Are you going to take some leave Titan and join us?" Chaos asked grimacing when he moved his arm the wrong way. He had been grazed by a gunshot on their last mission.

"I don't think so. I might take a day and explore the town," Sam replied. His team was like family and looked out for each other, having each other's backs. They all looked up to him and none of them had any objection to Sam being in charge. He had earned their respect and loyalty.

"You ever think about reupping?" Spark asked.

"I honestly don't know. I think it'll all depend on what I find at home when I go back. If I save most of my PTO, I can get out early and have time to decide on something like that. It'll give me a chance to really think about it."

"Hawkeye and I were talking about starting a consulting/private security business. You should think about joining us. We want to employ vets."

"I'll keep that in mind Spark. Thanks."

They settled back on the hard, uncomfortable seats as the plane got ready to taxi down the runway and take off. All were used to the conditions and worse, so they never complained. After taking off and once the plane leveled off, Tango Company let the rocking and whining of the plane lull them into a light doze. They had learned to catch a nap whenever and wherever they could because you never knew when you'd get the chance again.

Spn

Sam grunted and pushed up from his slouched position as the sounds changed and he knew they were going to be landing shortly. He shook his body to finish waking up before glancing at his team.

"Guys, we're back, wake up," Sam ordered his team.

The others grumbled and moaned for a few minutes as they woke and stretched as best they could. They could tell the plane was descending until the wheels finally touched down with a bounce that jolted them.

"Anyone got any gum?" Chaos complained as he worked his jaw. "My ears are stopped up and won't pop."

"Here," Hawkeye replied pulling some from a pocket and tossing it his way.

"Anyone else want some?" Chaos asked as he took a stick and offered it to the others. When they declined, he pitched it back to Hawkeye.

"There should be transportation waiting for us so be sure you have all your gear," Sam instructed.

The plane rolled down the tarmac toward a hanger following the ground crew's directions and stopped. After the wheels were chalked and the engines cut off, the back door was lowered so they could disembark. Tango Company made their way down the ramp and squinted from the afternoon glare of the sun.

Sam looked around and saw a truck by the hanger and headed that way, followed by his team.

"Nice to have you back Titan," the driver greeted him.

"Good to be back. Anything important we missed while we were gone?"

"Naw, you know how it is. Same old thing."

Sam got in back with his team and relaxed as the driver sped off. The first thing on the agenda was to have Chaos' injury checked out and reports filed and then he would need to report to the higher ups about the mission and be debriefed before he could relax.

A/N: Things are going well with Sam, and he even has his own unit. He hasn't forgotten about his family and hopes things will be different when he returns stateside. Reviews/Comments would be great. NC