"So. Who's on the roof with me?"

"Ray, Clay you ok with that?"

"Yes"

"Yeah"

"Ok. See the rest of you on the ground in 5."

"You really think you can join us in 5?"

"I do. You trusted me to come up with the plan now can you trust me with the implication of the plan? All due respect?"

"Yeah, I suppose. I won't hold my breath though."

"Don't. I've been proving people wrong my entire life. It'll be fun to add you to that list. For me anyway."

Reagan walked away immediately. Clay turned to follow. Ray flashed Jason a 'remind you of anyone' look before following the two. Jason rolled his eyes in response. Although inside he was already thinking it. Reagan was like looking in the mirror for him 20-25 years ago. (He didn't know exactly how old she was although he could guess)Young with so much to prove. He led the remaining four members of his team to their waiting spot. Just as much as he tried not to be, he was impressed when Reagan, along with the boys, were joining them about 5 minutes later.

"Taken care of. Let's move before these guys get the hostages out. Otherwise the next time we see them, they'll be dead and mutlated. They really don't like Americans or westerners in general really. More so than other groups."

"Oh. Well then I say we move then. Your plan your mission."

"Oh I don't think I'm ready for this."

"Ready for what?" Jason asked. He was hoping to get some reason for her file.

"Ready to lead. I was hoping I'd have years of riding in observation type roles before leading."

"Oh. Well I guess that's fine. I'm going to lead but it's your intel that we'll be following ok? You really seem to know your stuff."

"Well when you battle one group for 18 months of your life, you tend to learn a thing or two. I mean you have to if you want to survive."

There was more to the story, of that Jason was sure, but he wasn't going to press for details now. She had clamed up. He would focus on getting their fellow Americans home, then figure Reagan out. He'd have to if he was going to make her their rookie. As they raided the camp, and freed the Americans that were being held there, he watched her as she helped Trent patch everyone up enough to move. He wondered how she had so much medical knowledge when she was already a excellent sniper, but he had to put that out of his mind for now too. He knew that he had to stay focused until they were on the copter(s) back.

"Bravo 1 this is hk 1. We've got a weapons shed not far from here. I'm going to take back what belongs to the government and destroy the rest. Do not fire in that direction.

"Good copy hk 1. Do what you have to and let's get out of here."

"Copy"

Mission couldn't be this easy right?

Reagan thought to herself. Nothing ever is. That's when she's spots their HVT and there's the other shoe. Better let them know. Better than not and getting in trouble. "All call signs this is hk 1 I see our HVT heading into a tunnel. This could be our one shot to get him. He disappears below ground it could be years, even decades before any American sees him again."

"Good copy. Go. We're right behind you."

Reagan chased after the HVT. As she cornered him in the tunnel end and heard her team behind her, her bravery shot up. That was until she heard a fimilar voice behind her.

Flashback.

Reagan and Lucus were laying side by side. A phone rang. It took Reagan a second to realize it wasn't hers. Seconds later Lucus hung up.

"Going?"

"Yeah. It's getting too unstable. We can't wait any longer. Sorry. I know we thought we had 2 more days."

"It's ok. I love you. Toss me my clothes. I'll wake the kids and make breakfast. You get ready."

"Thanks."

"For what? Doing my job? I knew what I was getting into the day I said yes."

"I know. But the unexpected never gets easier."

At the airstrip.

"You come home to us you hear?"

"I'll try, you know that."

"I do. But it's different this time. All 5 of us need you to."

"5 of us? Wait... You're pregnant?"

"I am. I was going to tell you later today, but since your phone interrupted us..."

"You figured you'd wait till now?"

"Exactly! Don't worry. You'll be back in time. I'm very early. Just found out myself 2 days ago."

"I'll see you later, alright? I have to go."

"I know. We love you."

"And I love all five of you. Ana take care of your mom. I know it's hard especially at your age."

"It's not a problem Dad. I love you too."

6 months later:

"Come on Ana. We gotta go. We're going to be late for my appointment.

"Coming mom."

Phone rings:

"Hello?"

"Hey it's me.

"I knew that answering What's up Sarah?"

"You alone?"

"You know I am. What's up."

"There's been an explosion. Syria."

"You don't think it's them, do you?"

"I don't know. I saw it on the news. I know I should stay home in case, but I don't want to be alone right now especially at 5 months pregnant."

"It's ok. I'm here. Come on over."

End call.

5 minutes later

"It's open."

"Hey."

"Hey. You don't look so hot."

"I know. I'm nervous."

Door knock

"Were you expecting anyone else?"

"No. Uh oh. This could be it."

"Can I help you?"

Mrs. Reagan Aderson?

Yes?!

We're so sorry to have to have to inform you, but your husband was declared KIA earlier today.

No no no no! This can't be happening not to me.

We're sorry Ma'am. Is there anyone we can we can call for you? Any family or close friends?

My sister Erin. Oh how am I supposed to tell my kids their father isn't coming home?

No easy day. I can be there when you tell them if you like?

I'd love that.

End flashback.

Let me guess. Remembering the last time you saw your husband? You know. He went down thinking about you.

You don't have the guts. We both know that.

What the hell?

You're right. I can't kill my husband's best friend. But I sure can kill his killer. You took my kids father from them. His son never even got to meet him. He was born 2 days after his father was due home. I can't ever forgive you for that. What should have been the best day of my married life was actually the worst. It's scumbags like you that cause the real issues.

Look in the mirror woman. I'm not the one who slept around after her...

No one gets to trash me or what I went through. My path here was on my own Merritt.

Hk 1 you good

I'm good. That was a little close though.

HVT is dead. What part of Alive did you not understand?! And to take out an American on top of that?! WTF were you thinking. Oh I'll tell you: you weren't.

Reagan really wished that the walls would swallow her up. In that case , at least she wouldn't have to hear about her not thinking. But right then she knew they had to get out of the tunnels before anyone else knew they were down there. As they evacuated the tunnels she tried to spare a look at Jason every so often. Each time she was met with anger, disappointment and rage. After 3 or 4 times of this, she stopped trying. The minute they stopped and were evacuated to a nearby base, the entire team unloaded their bags and gear before getting ready to go home. Reagan was hoping to avoid an angry Jason, but of course that just wasn't going to happen. Before she knew it, he was in her face yelling at her. Ray tried to interfere, tell Jason to take a walk. Jason wasn't having it. Before anyone knew what was happening, both Ray and Reagan were on the ground from a particularly hard shove from the Master Chief. All the teammates raced to check on Ray. Of course they did. She was there temporarily. She took a minute to center herself. After all she'd survived worse. Her bruised shoulder was not taking the landing well. After she was good, she took her gear off and headed to change and put her stuff away. She was going back out there and bringing back the intell even if it killed her.