The morning sun filtered through the blinds, casting long shadows across the hut's common area. The team had gathered for breakfast, but the usual chatter and camaraderie were noticeably subdued. All eyes kept drifting towards Jaz, who sat at the table, her plate of food barely touched. The scrambled eggs and toast remained untouched, a stark reminder of the toll the recent events had taken on her.
McG tried to keep his concern in check, reminding himself that as long as she was drinking fluids, there was no need to hit the panic button just yet. He casually pushed a glass of orange juice closer to her, relief washing over him as she absently picked it up and took a sip.
"You should try to eat something, Jaz," Amir said gently, breaking the tense silence. "Keep your strength up."
Jaz looked up, forcing a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm not really hungry," she mumbled, pushing her plate away slightly.
"Come on, Jazzy," McG chimed in, his tone light but his eyes serious. "At least have a bite of toast. Can't have you fainting on us when we're turning this place into Fort Knox."
Jaz rolled her eyes, but there was a flicker of amusement in her expression. "Fine," she conceded, picking up a piece of toast and taking a small bite. "Happy now, mom?"
"Ecstatic," McG grinned, though the worry never left his eyes.
Top cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, team. We've got work to do. We're turning this place into a fortress, and we're all hands on deck for this one." His eyes met Jaz's, conveying his trust and confidence in her. "Jaz, I want you on the camera placements. You've got the sharpest eye for angles and blind spots."
Jaz straightened, a flicker of relief passing over her face at being included. "Got it, Top."
"Preach, you're on the perimeter sensors. Amir, you'll handle the motion alarms at the entrances. McG, you're setting up the central monitoring system. I'll coordinate and fill in where needed. Let's move, people."
As they dispersed to their tasks, there was a renewed sense of purpose in the air. Jaz moved from window to window, her trained eye assessing each angle, ensuring no approach to the hut would go unnoticed.
"Hey, Top," she called out at one point, gesturing towards the tree line. "I think we need an extra camera here. There's a slight blind spot where the tree line meets the edge of the property."
Top joined her, nodding in agreement. "Good catch, Jaz. McG, we need another unit over here."
McG appeared with the additional camera, his movements efficient as he installed it. "You know," he said conversationally, "when I joined special forces, I didn't think 'security system installer' would be part of my job description."
Jaz snorted. "What, you thought it was all glamorous missions and daring rescues?"
"Well, yeah," McG grinned. "That, and impressing the ladies with my heroic tales."
"How's that working out for you?" Jaz teased, a hint of her usual spark returning.
"About as well as your cooking, Jazzy," McG shot back, earning him a playful punch on the arm.
Their banter was interrupted by Amir's voice from across the room. "Guys, I think I've got the motion sensors calibrated. Want to test them out?"
Top nodded. "Good idea. Jaz, why don't you do a perimeter check? See if you can approach without setting them off."
Jaz nodded, slipping out the front door. The team watched on the monitors as she moved stealthily around the property, testing each approach. Suddenly, an alarm blared, making everyone jump.
"Got her!" Amir exclaimed, pointing to one of the screens where Jaz could be seen freezing mid-step.
She came back in, a satisfied look on her face. "Nice work, Amir. I couldn't even see where that one was hidden."
As the day wore on, the hut slowly transformed into an impenetrable stronghold. Motion sensors hummed to life, cameras swiveled silently, and alarms stood ready. The team worked tirelessly, driven by a shared determination to protect one of their own.
Preach wiped sweat from his brow as he finished installing the last perimeter sensor. "You know," he mused, "my daughters would love this. They always said our house needed a moat and a drawbridge."
Top chuckled. "Let's hope we don't have to go that far. But speaking of which, how are we on those reinforced doors, McG?"
"Just finished," McG called from the entrance. "Unless they've got a battering ram, no one's getting through these babies."
As night began to fall, an uneasy quiet settled over the hut. The guys exchanged worried glances, noting Jaz's increasing exhaustion and her obvious reluctance to head to bed. She sat on the couch, her eyes fixed on the newly installed security monitors, her body tense as if expecting another attack at any moment.
Preach, ever observant, disappeared into the kitchen. The sound of a kettle whistling soon filled the air, and he emerged with a tray of steaming mugs.
"My grandma Carter's famous naptime tea," he announced, passing the mugs around. "Guaranteed to soothe the soul and ease you into a peaceful sleep."
Jaz wrapped her hands around the warm mug, inhaling the soothing aroma. "Thanks, Preach," she murmured, taking a small sip. The warmth spread through her, providing a small measure of comfort.
"Great special forces team 7 has evolved from slumber parties to tea parties.. what's even in this?" Top asked, surprise evident in his voice as he tasted the tea.
Preach smiled mysteriously. "Family secret. But I can tell you it's got chamomile, lavender, and a few other herbs known for their calming properties."
As they sipped their tea, the team fell into their usual bedtime routines. Amir meticulously laid out his clothes for the next day, a habit born from his days as a deep-cover operative when every detail mattered.
McG double-checked the first aid kit, adding a few extra supplies. "Better safe than sorry," he muttered to himself.
Top made one last round of the hut, ensuring everything was secure. He paused at each window, each door, his trained eye searching for any potential vulnerabilities.
Finally, they could delay no longer. Jaz stood at the threshold of her room, her hand hovering over the light switch. The darkness beyond seemed to loom ominously, and she found herself hesitating.
McG passed by, pausing to give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You good?" he asked softly, his eyes filled with concern.
Jaz nodded, forcing a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, I'm good. Thanks, McG."
She stepped into her room, making sure her blinds were pulled all the way down before settling into bed. Despite the exhaustion weighing on her, sleep felt elusive. Every creak of the building, every rustle of wind outside, had her on high alert. She placed her gun on her nightstand and fluffed her pillows against the wall pulling herself up against them tucking her chin to her knees.
In their own rooms, the guys lay awake, each lost in their own thoughts, worry for Jaz foremost in their minds.
Top lay in bed chastising himself for the millionth time that he should have done more to protect her. Should have stood his ground at the first verbal assault against her. And the gnawing feeling in his gut that she ran to McG instead of to him, that maybe in her eyes she felt he had failed her too.
Preach sat cross legged on his bed with his Bible opened on his lap. As he said his last prayers of protection over his wife and girls, he through in an extra few for protection over Jaz. With a quiet "Amen" he closed his Bible and put it back in his nightstand drawer and turned off his light.
Amir finished the last of his prayers and stood while folding his prayer mat. He knew he was the newest to the team but he really hoped Jaz knew that he didn't wish any harm to come to her. He knew better than anyone what it was like to but the outsider and hunted. He didn't want that for her. What little he knew about her, he knew she had more than earned her spot on this team.
McG tossed and turned. He knew if Jaz could see him she'd accuse him of impersonating a rotisserie chicken. He knew when she first joined the team he had reservations but she had more than proven her capabilities and then some. He rolled over punching his pillow one last time and tried his best to rest so he could be at his best for whatever was to come.
The silence of the night was shattered by a deafening crash, followed by the blaring of alarms.
In an instant, the hut erupted into chaos. Top and Preach were out of their rooms in seconds, weapons drawn as they raced towards the source of the commotion.
"Preach, take the back!" Top shouted over the din of the alarms. "Amir, on me!"
Amir fell in behind Top, his eyes scanning for any sign of an intruder as they moved swiftly through the hut.
McG's heart pounded as he sprinted towards Jaz's room. He burst through the door, his breath catching in his throat at the sight before him.
Jaz sat on her bed with arms protectively around her head surrounded by a halo of shattered glass. The moonlight streamed through a jagged hole in her window, illuminating the fear and shock on her face. A brick lay on the floor next to her bed, a chilling reminder of how close the danger had come.
"Jaz!" McG called out, rushing to her side. "Don't move There's glass everywhere!"
Top appeared in the doorway, his face a mask of controlled fury. "McG, get her out of there now! Amir, Preach, with me. We're sweeping the perimeter."
As Top and the others moved out, McG carefully helped Jaz from the bed, glass shards falling from her shoulders and hair, his trained eye assessing her for injuries. "Only seems to be a few cuts but we need to get you in the shower to get the smaller pieces off. Ok Jazzy?"
Jaz nodded mutely, allowing McG to guide her to the bathroom. As the door closed behind them, McG turned on the shower. "I'll be right outside. I'm going to grab you some clean clothes from the laundry."
As he returned with her clothes and began to turn the knob he stopped dead in his tracks as he heard the first muffled sob over the sound of running water. McG leaned against the door, his fists clenched at his sides, feeling helpless and furious all at once.
Inside the bathroom, Jaz stood under the warm spray, tears mixing with the water as she saw small pieces of glass fall to the tile floor. She tried to muffle her sobs, hating herself for feeling so weak.
"Damn it," she choked out between sobs, her voice barely audible over the running water. "I'm supposed to be stronger than this."
McG composed himself and entered the bathroom. "I grabbed your favorite flannel pants Jazzy and just because it's you, my best oversized Army shirt you like so well that drives the women crazy"
After what seemed like an eternity, the water shut off. McG heard movement inside and then Jaz's quiet voice. "McG? I... I'm done."
He handed her a towel through the shower curtain and then handed her her clothing. As she exited the shower dressed in his shirt that comically could have been a dress on her, she shocked him doing something she had done only a handful of times before. Walked up to him and rested her head on his chest. Instantly he pulled her into a tight embrace getting a nose full of her apple shampoo do to their exaggerated height difference.
"I've got you," McG murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You're safe. I've got you."
In the common area, Top, Preach, and Amir huddled around the computer, analyzing the security footage. Frustration evident on every face.
"There," Amir pointed to one of the screens. "That's our guy."
The footage showed a figure dressed entirely in black, face obscured, moving with practiced efficiency.
"Damn," Preach muttered. "They're good. Look at how they avoid most of the sensors."
McG and Jaz slowly walked into the room taking in the scene in front of them.
Top's face softened at the sight of Jaz looking so tiny in front of him. "Amir, let's board up Jaz's window. McG, take her to the medical room and patch her up."
"She's bunking with me tonight," McG added.
"Top hesitated but then realized it was the best option. "Good call" "We'll board up your window too, just as an extra measure."
While Top and Amir worked on the windows, McG took Jaz to the medical room. He carefully cleaned and bandaged her cuts, his touch gentle as always.
When they returned to the main room, Preach updated them on the footage. "The guy's covered head to toe in black. No identifying features at all."
Top addressed the team, his voice grave. "We're on high alert now. Keep your firearms next to you and ready...but lets try to get some sleep."
McG led Jaz to his room, positioning her against the wall as he had before. They lay together in silence, the weight of the night's events hanging heavy in the air. McG could feel the tension radiating from Jaz's body, her breathing shallow and quick.
"You're safe now, Jaz," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "I've got you."
Jaz nodded silently, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. Minutes ticked by, the silence broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional creak of the building settling.
Suddenly, Jaz's breath hitched. McG turned to face her, concern etched on his features. "Jazzy?"
She rolled towards him, burying her face in his chest. Her body began to shake as sobs wracked her frame. McG wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she finally let go of the fear and tension she'd been holding back.
"It's okay," he whispered, running a hand soothingly along her back. "Let it out. You're safe Jazzy.. I'm right here."
Jaz's sobs intensified, her fingers clutching at McG's shirt. Her breathing became more erratic, coming in short, sharp gasps.
"Jaz," McG said, alarm creeping into his voice. "Jaz, I need you to try and slow your breathing."
But Jaz was beyond hearing him. Her body shook with the effort to draw breath, each inhale a desperate gasp, each exhale a choked sob. McG could feel her heart racing, her entire body trembling.
"Shit," he muttered, quickly untangling himself from her. "Hold on, Jazzy. Just hold on."
He scrambled for his medical kit, fumbling in the dark until his fingers closed around a paper bag. Returning to the bed, he gently cupped Jaz's face with one hand.
"Jaz, look at me," he instructed, his voice firm but kind. "We're going to breathe together, okay? In and out. Nice and slow."
He held the bag to her mouth. "Breathe into this. It'll help, I promise."
For several agonizing moments, Jaz struggled, her panicked gasps echoing in the quiet room. McG kept talking, his voice a steady anchor.
"That's it, nice and easy. You're doing great, Jaz. In... and out. In... and out."
Gradually, torturously slowly, Jaz's breathing began to regulate. The harsh gasps softened, becoming deeper, more controlled breaths. McG continued his gentle coaching, relief washing over him as the color slowly returned to Jaz's face.
"There you go," he said softly. "You've got this. Just keep breathing with me."
As the panic subsided, exhaustion took its place. Jaz sagged against McG, her body heavy with fatigue. He carefully lowered them both back onto the bed, keeping Jaz cradled against his chest.
"I'm sorry," Jaz whispered, her voice hoarse from crying.
"Hey, none of that," McG admonished gently. "You have nothing to apologize for. Nothing at all."
He pulled the blanket over them both, his arms still wrapped protectively around Jaz. She nestled closer, her ear pressed against his heartbeat.
"Try to get some sleep," McG murmured, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. "I'll be right here. I promise."
Jaz nodded, her eyes already drooping. Within minutes, she had fallen into an exhausted sleep, her breathing finally slow and steady. McG stayed awake, keeping vigil, his mind racing with worry and anger at whoever dared take away her her security of where they called home.
The next morning, an early call woke Top. "Director Campbell," he answered, tension in his voice.
"Adam, Noah filled me in about last night. What happened?" Patricia's voice was sharp with concern.
Top briefed her quickly, ending with, "The intruder was dressed all in black. We couldn't make out any identifying features."
Patricia sighed. "We suspect it's Hawkins or his men, but without proof, we can't act."
"So we just have to wait for worse to happen?" Top's frustration was evident.
"Or for him to reveal himself," Patricia confirmed grimly. "Keep Jaz safe, Adam. And keep me informed."
As Top ended the call, McG walked in, looking weary. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, evidence of a sleepless night.
"How is she?" Top asked, concern evident in his voice.
McG ran a hand over his face, exhaling heavily. "It was a rough night, Top. A really rough night." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "
Top's jaw tightened, a mix of anger and concern flashing in his eyes. "But she's okay now?"
"She's still sleeping," McG replied. "Physically, she'll be fine. Mentally..." he trailed off, shaking his head. "We need to end this, Top. Soon."
Top nodded grimly. "We will. One way or another, we'll put a stop to this."