CHAPTER 29
JUST ONE PHONE CALL AWAY – after 6x01
...
MONDAY
.
1602 hours:
MISSED CALL – JASON
.
1708 hours:
"Hi"
"Hi"
"Why did you call before? I couldn't pick up, I was at that NGO, visiting"
"Well, you know why. You asked me to call."
"Dear Lord, Jace. I'm at the office now. I just saw you earlier"
"So? When do you get home?"
"I don't know. At 1900 I think"
"Ok then. Talk to you later"
"Ok bye"
.
1909 hours:
"Hi, what's up"
"Guess what"
"Oh my God Jason", I've barely arrived home"
"Ok then, I won't call anymore. Jesus."
"Well, call me later then. [...] Jace? Hello?"
.
2226 hours:
"Hi. What"
"I didn't tell you to not call anymore"
"But you meant it"
"No I didn't. Don't be a baby, Jace"
"I'm not! I just won't call you anymore for that. That's it"
"Well, that's too bad. I was having a better idea"
"Hum. What"
"We could do it while we're on the phone. Like at this hour."
"You mean, phone sex? Alright... I like the idea"
"Good. Because I'm wearing… guess what I'm wearing"
"Hum… my Hayes T-shirt"
"How did you know? Damn it"
"That was an easy one"
"Ok, guess what I'm wearing underneath then"
"Nothing."
"You're not fun"
"Ok, guess what I'm wearing now"
"You're wearing your green boxers with tiny ships"
"What the fuck, Mandy. How did you know that?"
"Because when I left your place this morning you were wearing that one, and I knew you probably stayed at home, since you called in the middle of the afternoon, and you're a pig and haven't showered or changed your underwear yet"
"Ok you're not fun either"
"Fine. Just say something sexy so that I'm turned on"
"I don't now. Can't you just put your fingers there and rub?"
"That's not how it works for me"
"Well, I'm rubbing mine, like, during this whole conversation."
"[Laughter] You're an idiot"
"Oh, I know. I remembered. Something sexy"
"Humm. Ok. Do tell"
"I really liked your outfit yesterday. You looked like a sexy peasant"
"...Jason, that's not sexy for me."
"But you were so grateful when I complimented your butt"
"Yeah, for the compliment. Hearing what I wear is not sexy for me"
"Well… ok, give me a hint then"
"I don't know. Tell me something you wanted to do to me some time"
"Oh, that's easy. When you were getting your dress off at the beach on Saturday…"
"U-hum. Yeah…?"
"I really wanted to fuck you."
"Please, elaborate."
"Oh, sure. I would go to where you were… and whisper in your ear…"
"...Yeah?"
"'Let's fuck'. Then we'd go back to the apartment for a quick fuck. And go back to the beach."
"Jace."
"[Gasps]"
"Jace."
"[Gasps] [Moan] Yeah, say my name"
"Jace. You didn't elabo-"
"[Moan] [Gasps] Yeah, Mandy [Moan]"
"…"
"…"
"Really?"
"Oh… That was good. I liked this phone sex thing"
"Good for you"
"Did you say my name three times? You really liked it then, huh"
"Oh, sure. Look, I'm spent. Going to sleep now, ok"
"Yeah, you go to sleep now. Thinking of me. Sweet dreams"
"U-hum, you too. Good night. Bye"
…
...
TUESDAY
.
2005 hours:
"Hi"
"Hey"
"How was everything? The stem cell treatment? And the PT"
"They were ok. Good."
"Yes, I know. You answered my text earlier. I want you to tell me how was it. Like do you feel any better?"
"Well, the doctor at the clinic told me that I'd feel more 'rejuvenated' each time I left there. He said that this week I won't feel that much of a difference, except some boost of energy. The memory stuff and headaches will improve more next week. And the next. Then they pause it for two or three weeks between the sessions, depending on the case."
"Oh, that's great!"
"Yeah, it better be, 'cause this month I'll be spending like six grant"
"But you told me that you still have money from when you sold the house, right? It'll be worth it"
"I know."
"You'll be ok, Jace."
"Thanks for saying that."
"Why you're still bummed? Something wrong during PT?"
"No, it was ok. Normal."
"Jason, please tell me."
"Well… turns out that my PT doctor is a good friend of one of the PT doctors that started Clay's treatment these days."
"Oh, and is there something wrong? Stella told me the doctors are telling her he's progressing well"
"Yes, it's ok. It's just that my PT told me how much therapy Clay still has to do. Like, how painful the sessions can be"
"Jason, please don't go there"
"But why not? You know that it was my fault that he lost his leg, Mandy. I told you. He'd be at home with his family."
"It's not, he got hit by a missile. It's war"
"Yes, it's this fucking war, but it's also my fucking head. Why didn't I hear him? When he told me he suspected I have TBI? I knew he was right, you know? I knew it"
"Then what, you're going to blame yourself forever because you are human? Because you were stubborn?"
"But it cost him his leg"
"It didn't. I told you. Jason, did you really think that anyone else would've accepted immediately if someone on their team said something like that? Pointed out you have TBI?"
"I don't know"
"Because you told me that you didn't know you were responsible for that incident where your team ended up at the hospital."
"No, I didn't. I suspected I had something, and because the doctor said some things later about TBI, then-"
"Yes, you see? Clay knew you probably had TBI because he heard everyone and put the pieces together. But he didn't tell you about the information he gathered. He only told you later on, when you were out during that Omega mission, right?"
"Right…"
"So he came back from his leave before you knew you had TBI for sure. You had a suspicion, you might've been almost sure, even. But you didn't know that TBI had caused you to make such a big mistake yet. You only knew when Clay told you. What DEVGRU operator would ever stand down from an op because he suspects he has TBI? Or thinks it's on an early stage yet? You know the ideal thing is that he does that, that's what the Navy wants. But nobody does. Not even Ray stood down when he had his shoulder issues, or PTSD. Not even Ray, Jason. You know that Ray is practically a moral compass."
"Yeah. U-hum."
"Ok, then"
"Ok. You're right"
"You good then?"
"I'm better. I am. I think I'm good. Thanks, Mandy"
"You're welcome"
"I think I'm ready for phone sex now."
"[Laughter] You're fast. Ok. I have a few things to check about that story that Paul is investigating. That's why I called you earlier."
"That's ok, I can do it quickly. Already rubbing it"
"Ok, calm down sailor. I mean I won't be able to attend now, but I'll give you something"
"Please do"
"Ok, so when we met at The Bulkhead. When we talked about your jury"
"Oh yes [Gasps]"
"You looked so disappointed when I got up to go. So when I stood up and you had those puppy eyes..."
"[Gasps] Yes, really disappointed I was"
"… I glanced at the storage closet"
"Oh my God, yes [Moan]"
"And thought about taking you by the hand and going in there"
"[Gasps] Oh God [Moan]"
"But I knew I wouldn't be able to leave if I did that, so I said goodbye"
"Yes, but [Gasps] what would happen in the storage closet?"
"Oh, Jason. I'd leave that to you. To lead"
"[Moan] Oh my God [Gasps] Mandy [Moan]"
"…"
"…"
"You good?"
"[Breathing] oh yes… I'm good. Had great ideas for that"
"Good. Good night then"
"Yeah… Good night."
