A/N: Tis a kinda fluffy, warm-hearting chapter…*sniffle* hope you guys/gals like it. :)
They were all at the beach. It was a beautiful, slightly cloudy Sunday afternoon. The perfect day to kick back and relax.
Most of the Daggers hadn't really had time to relax in ages. First, during their mission to destroy enemy bunker, losing Maverick and Rooster for six days straight, Bob getting the flu and being totally out of it…So yeah, it was busy.
Phoenix was the one who suggested it. The others agreed pretty quickly. To save gas money, they all decided to use Rooster's Bronco and Hangman's truck. It was just easier that way. So, Hangman picked up Bob, Payback and Fanboy, while Rooster picked up Phoenix, Maverick and Penny.
They met at the beach around 1300. The boys decided to grill some burgers or lunch while Phoenix and Penny set up the table. Bob attempted to help out here he could, but everyone insisted that he should rest. Bob didn't rest. Nope. He was someone you'd usually find helping out where possible, working or whatever. If Bob wasn't moving for a while, then something was definitely up, which is why it had been such a scare to the others when Bob would literally be out like a light for long periods of time while he recovered from the flu.
So, instead of resting Bob walked out to the shore line and sat down in the sand.
The warm golden sun reflected off his glasses. His toes dug into the soft sand as he pulled his knees to his chest. This felt good. It felt peaceful. A distant cry came from a seagull far above him and clouds drifted softly in the sky. He heard the laughter from his friends as they did something stupid and Bob smiled. It felt like the burden of a thousand planets had finally been lifted from his shoulders. Even if it was just for a little while.
He breathed in the salty-fresh air, closing his eyes. The waves crashed gently to the shore, some water sprinkling on him. So this is what peace felt like…
Phoenix paused in setting the table and glanced at the ocean. She tapped Penny's shoulder, smiling. Penny looked up too, humming. Phoenix pointed to Bob. Penny smiled taking out her phone and snapping a picture.
"Hey, guys!" Phoenix called quietly. The boys were still cracking up over some lame joke Hangman had said. They turned their smiling faces to Phoenix, and occasional chuckle escaping Payback's lips. "Check it out." She pointed to Bob.
They looked over and smiled. Recently the only rest they'd seen Bob get was only small catnaps when his fever allowed it. It wasn't restful, if you catch my meaning. But this… this was rest. Just what their 'baby' of the club needed.
"Let's let him sit there for a while longer." Maverick whispered into the afternoon air. And so they left him be. Everyone of course kept glancing over his way to make sure he was okay, but other than that…they allowed him to have a few moments peace.