Everyone of Bravo had a rotation schedule for sitting with their new teammate. Jason and Ray would take the night shift so they could spend the daytime with their families. Also having been in at the tier 1 level the longest, they also were the best qualified to deal with Reagan's night terrors which were almost a nightly thing. They would also love to know the cause of these, as it breaks their hearts to see her dealing with them. They knew she'd talk to them on her own time. (Not that either of them would admit it if asked, but they didn't mind the clinging on either. Reminded them of their younger days where their children would do the same.) Sonny and Trent would take the next shift. Trent would bug her about the medical side of things. She knew dam well about that side of the conversation thank you very much. And Sonny? Well he'd fill the remaining time with war stories. Most were unrealistic to have ever happened, but she didn't care. It kept her mind off other things. After that, usually Brock would come by with Cerberus for support. The nurses would all flash the pair, and Reagan, evil looks all the time! They knew better than to interfere though. A nurse had 'accidentally' gotten bitten by the pooch when they tried to kick him out. Yeah the two humans had quite the laugh after that accident. And after Brock would leave, Clay would usually stop by. At first Reagan thought the two couldn't be more different. Sure they both had well known parents (not that he knew about the whole daughter of a multi trillionaire better connected than even the President themselves. Yeah. No one would EVER know about that.) Clay's dad was known for all the wrong reasons. Reagan's for the right reasons. Both operators fathers had been absent during their childhood. Reagan's father at least tried when he was home. Clay's never even came around. Reagan was female; Clay was male. However the one thing Reagan found out was they were more similar than expected. Both had entered basic at similar ages, and younger than their classmates. Both had received shit for who their fathers are. Both were natural leaders, but had a tendency to back off. In fact, outsiders would see the two and say how lucky Reagan was. Not many can balance having two lives successfully. One day as Clay was sitting with Reagan, a booming voice came through the halls.

"Who the hell is that?!" Clay asked

"Oh that's my father. He must be pretty pissed if he's using his Master Chief voice." Reagan responded.

"He is a SEAL?"

"Used to be. Was for much of my early life. In fact, he led Bravo for a while. That's why I didn't like you at first. He's actually the one who drafted Jason in his early days. Ray too. That's why I'm so honored to get to wear our trident. Because now that I am, not only am I working with the best of the best, I'm honoring my family history and continuing our legacy. Promise not to say anything?"

"You have my word. I know how hard it can be to live in your dad's shadow. You don't share his name though?"

"No I don't. I was married at 21. I took my husband's name and kept it even though I was widowed at 25. Easier than dealing with the father's daughter label."

"Oh I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I deal with the loss."

"What the hell were you thinking?"

"Good to see you too dad."

"That doesn't answer my question, Reagan."

"Dad I..."

"Uh I need a coffee. You need anything Reagan?"

"A straw ban man smoothie and my laptop?"

"I'll try."

"You're the best you know that?"

"Why you love me."

"Alright. Now that he's gone you have a lot of explaining to do."

"Dad... you remember Devion?"

(Scowl)

"Well I saw him again. With a target we set out to bring back. He and Mr. target know I know the truth of Lucus' death. They'd love to take me out and continue selling us out; no one else knows. How many is too many dad? And of course their friends file on me didn't help things. I was about to go down for killing an American hero. The widows and widowers deserve the truth. If it killed me, well at least they know the truth. The kids have Valentine. He'd take care of them."

"But what about me and your mother? Your sisters? Who'd take care of us?"

"Dad I... I love you."

"I love you too baby girl, I don't care if you're 31, you'll always be my baby girl. Maybe just think things through next time yeah."

"I promise best I can."

"Mommy!"

"Oh come here my baby girl. I missed you."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. I'm fine now, except for the sling. I still will have that for another 2 weeks at least. Procedure or something."

"You would know a lot about that word. How many times out of 10 have you ignored that."

"And yet you have been by my side the entire time. I love you you know."

"And me you. That'll never change."

"Come here Ty. I missed my baby boy too."

"Will you read us a story mommy?"

"Yeah. If your father has one." And he did so she did.

A few hours later...

"Daddy I'm hungry."

"Ok here's 20. Go get something from the cafeteria."

"Ok. They're gone. What's bothering you? And don't tell me it's nothing. I've known you going on a decade, and we've been dating for half of that. I know when something's bothering you.

"Well it's nothing big alright? Just something about my boss is rubbing me the wrong way. Gut instinct you know? Something's off and I can't put my finger on it."

"In our line of work, our gut is all we have. If something is bothering you, you're likely right. I'll put out some feelers alright?"

"Sorry to interrupt , but I've got an update on your health, Reagan."

"That's fine. Give it to me."

"Well you're healing well and a lot faster than we thought possible. It's looking like you can likely go home on Friday!"

"Yes! Oh am I ready. How long till I can go back to work?"

"You can probably resume light and I do mean light duty on Monday. However the complete return to work will be months away. That arm of yours needs to heal completely and you need to regain your complete range of motion."

"Anything she shouldn't be doing doc?"

"Just don't let her push her arm's range of motion. Oh and no heavy lifting."

"So can I pick up my children and play with them?"

"With your good arm, yes."

Friday

"You ready to get out of here baby girl?"

"Hell yea. I'm ready to return to work, too. Oh I am not getting in that thing."

"Sorry. Hospital policy."

"Fine. But I get to get my own self into my car."

"Deal."

Home sweet home:

"I got the door."

"Valentine, I've got an arm injury only now. I'm not an invalid person you know. I had to convince you that I'm perfectly fine walking in the door by myself. "

"I knoe that. It's just my nature. I love you and it's hard seeing you hurt."

"It's the nature of my job. You of all people should understand."

"Surprise!! Welcome Home."

"You did this? For me?"

"Yeah. You're an American Hero baby girl. Even if the government won't admit it we all will."

"Now let's not go blaming the entire fiasco on the government. It's partially my fault too, you know. It's hard for me to ignore training and ask for permission rather than forgiveness."

"Oh come on Reagan. Don't be such a downer. Any of us would have done the exact same thing. Just enjoy this moment with your family and friends."

And there lies the problem. Well things will change. I just have to bring it.

"Yeah. Now where can I find myself a non-alcoholic drink. Still on the stronger stuff till my shoulder heals completely."

"Of course. We already thought of that. This way."

With a family like this, there's no way I won't heal. Maybe beyond just the visible wounds. Maybe, just maybe some of the invisible ones will heal too and I'll finally be free to be me in this Land of the Free. That'd be great.

But maybe not. Someone had other plans. And they involved protecting their empire from ALL threats. Including the one that got away. And they knew exactly how to do it.

Ok guys. Things are starting to heat up! From now on, if you want to read the full un-filtered version of this story you'll have to do it on A03. It's going to be getting too dark for here.