Chapter Text
“Mischief!” Shrieked a woman as she darted into the room of cages and jumped into Spencer’s back whilst he was changing.
“What the hell?” Sonny went to grab the woman and pull her off. But Spencer had already managed to remove the woman’s arm holding him in a headlock and dropped to one knee so the woman could easily slide off.
“You reactions are getting slow.” A quick jab landed on his ribs as she ducked and weaved her way in front of the beleaguered seal. “Must be…”
“I am not getting slow.” Spencer roared as he jumped to his feet and made a grab for the woman, deftly landing his shoulder in her midriff to lightly wind her before tossing her up as he stood upright so she landed over his shoulder looking down his back.
“Some girls would kill for this view.” She spluttered before bursting into laughter and quickly having to gasp for air as the pressure on her middle restricted her breathing. After a couple of light slaps to his lower back Spencer lowered her back onto her feet. “But I much prefer this one.” She added looking straight at him before diving in for a hug.
“Me too.” Spencer returned the hug tightly. “I’ve missed you, it’s been years.” He eased backwards after a couple of minutes and put his hands on the woman’s shoulders to take a good look at her: head to toe. Her brown hair was up in a neat ponytail, like always. Her blue eyes were more serious than he was used to but they still sparkled, outshining the new lines, and her smile was in its usual half smirk as she waited for his assessment.
“We need to talk.” Decided Spencer, he couldn’t see anything obvious but her tense shoulders were definitely hiding something. “First, I should probably introduce you to the team.” He took a step backwards and turned so they stood next to each other in front of his cage looking at the five men and dog.
“Let me guess,” she took a step forward and made a show of inspecting the men; staring at each one before looking back at Clay, “the dog is Cerberus.” Clay snorted and his shoulders jumped. “And you must be Master Chief Hayes.” She stepped up to Jason looking him straight in the eye and offering her hand. Hayes blinked and took a half step back but shook her hand. She smiled up at him before sauntering across the room, “And this must be Sonny.” She glanced at Spencer who returned a small nod before giving the Texan a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek “Thank you for looking after my idiot, I know it’s never easy.”
Sonny chuckled “it’s my pleasure miss, although you know I’ve got some stories to tell.”
“Unfortunately,” interjected Ray before Sonny could get started, “We have to get changed and get to the briefing.”
“Of course, Ray.” The woman started to the door, “Spencer,” she paused holding the door frame, “If he, they, come looking…?”
“Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.” Nodded Spencer “but we’re definitely going to have a talk.” The woman nodded and left.
Five men turned from the doorway to Spencer with raised eyebrows and hands on hips. “So are we.” Started Hayes.
“After the briefing,” Ray pulled Hayes back to his cage, “we’re running late.”
“Quite the pistol.” Muttered Sonny as he pulled off his tee-shirt and changed into work clothes. They were all quiet whilst they finished getting ready, only one topic of conversation was in their minds and they didn’t want to risk Ray’s ire by bringing it up. Jason gave them all a quick once over, nodded his approval and moved to the door. A petty officer opened it just as Jason reached out to grab the handle. “Sorry, Sirs.”
“Clay.” Interrupted a large man over the petty officer’s shoulder grinning. “Good to see you, I’m alright now Petty Officer.” He patted the smaller man on his shoulder. “Thank you for the escort.” Jason frowned but moved out into the corridor to give Clay and the other new arrival some room. The others followed and leaned against the corridor walls watching Clay in the doorway.
“British?” Mouthed Brock to Sawyer who nodded absently.
“SBS by the looks of him.” Agreed Sonny. The man was as tall and broad as Hayes but a decade younger. His uniform was spotless but his boots looked well worn and broken in. Black Velcro on his chest and shoulders showed where the patches had been removed recently.
“Have you seen Mayhem?” The Brit asked Clay.
“Probably out running the obstacle course or already in the briefing room. Waiting.” Clay ran a hand over the back of his neck, “Always one extreme or the other.”
“Good. As long as you’ve seen her.” The man laughed at Clay’s surprise. “You’re a terrible liar, Clay. And if you hadn’t already seen her you’d have asked about her the minute you saw me.” He patted Clay on the shoulder and moved back into the corridor. “We should get to the briefing before your Master-Chief has an aneurysm.” He turned to Hayes, “Honour to meet you, Chief. I’m Sergeant Major Walker.” Backs straightened and salutes were exchanged as well as several meaningful looks before Jason led the way.
“I’m not asking you to betray a confidence, but if you have any insight to what’s going on with her, I’d appreciate a hint.” Walker dropped back to walk alongside Clay at the back of the party.
“What is going on with you two?” He hissed back.
Walker sighed and stopped to make a little room between themselves and Bravo team. “We lost a baby 18 months ago.”
“I’m so sorry.” Stammered Clay. “I didn’t know you were trying.”
“We weren’t.” He shrugged “Just, sort of happened.” They started walking again. “I thought we were ok, but the past month…” he shrugged again.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Agreed Clay fishing out his phone to put in the holders outside the room. Walker did the same and waited as Spencer swiped them access.
“Thanks, brother.”