Tit for Tat

TOC in Nepal

"WHY THE HELL NOT?!" Jason finally let loose the frustration he tamped down since finding Clay missing yesterday. He glared at Blackburn wanting a different answer.

"Because this is the Navy and you, Master Chief, as much as everyone seems to think you do, don't get everything you want or demand. There are protocols and rules," Eric stated maintaining his cool under the direct glare of one very pissed off Hayes. He learned long ago to give Jason his lead in most arena's, but at times the best-damned team leader needed to be reminded they all answered to a superior. And in this case, his hands were tied … they had orders.

Ray, Brock, and Trent all sat around the table, as unhappy about the turn of events as Jason, but they remained quiet. Sonny paced at the back of the room, his fists clenching and releasing, endeavoring not to hit the wall … or … well, he still wanted to pummel the idiot interpreter for nodding off and allowing Clay to wander away. It was a good thing the man wasn't in the room at the moment.

Jason changed tactics, "He needs us."

Eric maintained his position, not backing down or flinching. "Spenser will have the best available care. All you would be doing is standing around in the way on the ship. You have a job to do here."

"We brought in Sinjali. We rescued the three women. We're done," Jason bit back. He blew out an exasperated breath. "What more could we possibly do here? When the kid wakes, he's gonna need his brothers. This mission screwed with his head … like Mexico all over."

"As I explained, the Nepalese government requested our assistance in rescuing several of the people … children … Sinjali sold in the past six months. They have leads on their whereabouts."

"Bring in Charlie Team … Fuller will want the kudos," Jason fired back. Not that he didn't want to find and rescue kids, but their kid, their rookie, their little brother needed them.

Once they got him back to the camp yesterday, they all witnessed the vulnerability in Clay's eyes as he apologized to them for his actions. Jason pinned Blackburn with a heated glare again which also reflected his internal struggle and regret. "Spenser fucking apologized to us when we are the ones who owe him an apology for leaving him hanging … he was literally hanging from a tree. We were within three hundred yards of him the night of the HAHO jump.

"As a result of our … my failure to locate him, our brother suffered torture, disguised as medical care, for two weeks and was drugged out of his mind with a concocted herbal tea which contained not only opium but kratom."

Jason's fists balled up as he recalled the results of the extensive toxicology panel Dr. Irving ran. It showed in addition to opium the kid was also given kratom, a compound which had potentially deadly side effects such as seizures and depressed breathing … hence one of the reasons why the kid had such difficulty when they found him.

And as soon as they arrived here, the doctor whisked Clay away to a hospital ship … not that he was angry about Clay receiving the best possible care … he was, however, pissed off about being denied to accompany him and be there for him when he awoke.

Noting Blackburn had not been swayed, Jason tried one last ditch effort. "Eric, he will be among strangers and might believe we abandoned him, blame him, or are angry with him. The kid doesn't need any of that shit … he needs our unwavering support."

Eric understood, oh boy did he understand … but he had no option, just like when Sonny was trapped in the sub tube. "Jace, my hands are tied. Dr. Irving is with him. He won't be alone."

"Not the same and you know it!" Jason placed his palms on the table and leaned over … fatigued … not only physically but mentally. After sunset yesterday, they ran as fast as they could with a sedated Spenser. Once they crossed the border into Nepal, they were met with a helo, and the trip to Katmandu seemed to take forever, but they were all relieved Dr. Irving was on the flight with them and began treating Clay with the proper medicines.

Though wiped out, none of them could sleep while waiting for word from Dr. Irving, which came only twenty minutes ago after eight long hours of nail-biting frustration. None of them wanted to be here … they wanted to be with Clay … for Clay. The kid had been abandoned too often in his life. First his father, then his mother, then Stella, then his father screwed him again with that damned interview where he implied Clay supplied him classified intel for his damned book. Ash Spenser had no shame … and no loyalty.

Eric released a long-suffering exhale. "Yeah, I know, but the faster we finish what needs to be done here, the quicker you all will be able to return and be there for him. Irving indicated they would begin to transport Spenser home in two or three days, once he is certain Clay is stabilized. They will transfer him via helicopter from the USS Solace to Djibouti. A medical flight will take him to Germany then to Virginia. You may well be home before him."

"If not, who will be there to watch over the kid. He lives alone, and we damned well don't want him relapsing," Trent piped in.

"He will likely remain in the hospital," Eric supplied.

"But if we are here longer … and he is released, what then?" Sonny halted his pacing. "Not like Irving would be taking the kid home with him … like we would."

"I'll contact Naima. With her nursing skills, she will know what to watch out for," Ray offered.

"No offense, Ray, but she has her hands full with your kids. And they shouldn't be exposed to someone going through what the kid will be going through. I lost one friend to drug addiction … I'm not about to lose another." Sonny clenched his fist again.

Though as unhappy as the others about not being there for Clay, Lisa wanted to reassure Sonny that Clay would be okay and wouldn't go down the same path as Danny. "Dr. Irving is confident the detox method he will be using is effective and fast. The physical craving for the drug will be eliminated before he leaves the USS Solace.

"He also said, it is unlikely Spenser will relapse or seek out the drug, equating the period of use to someone who was in the hospital and receiving the drug. It isn't like he was out searching for a fix or addicted for months. And lastly, they have non-opiate medications to combat any pain his burned and cut back causes him."

Sonny eyed Lisa. He wanted to believe all she said, but a part of him worried … a huge part. Clay got under his skin like no other, and because of his little brother, he accepted he had real emotions and didn't need to remain closed off. Because of the blond wonder boy, Sonny opened up and as a result, took a risk with Lisa. Though he almost blew that to hell when he overreacted about her entering OCS. Luckily, she forgave him, and now they just had to figure out if and how they would proceed with a relationship and how OCS would play into things if she actually went.

Lisa gave Sonny a small smile. "I'll make some calls. Clay boy won't be alone if we aren't back before him." She scanned the concerned faces of each Bravo member. "I promise."

Mandy entered, recognizing her timing was getting better. Blackburn shared the news with Bravo, they reacted, digested the fact they had a follow-on mission, and although not happy, would turn their attention to the job at hand. They were, after all, well-trained and dedicated SEALs.

Jason turned his gaze to Mandy. "So how the hell did we get roped into this?"

Meeting him straight on, she had an answer which would mollify everyone … the truth … one they could accept. "It is a tit for tat. It's how I got your rescue mission for Clay greenlit so damned fast. Otherwise, the cake-eaters would still be considering the potential political ramifications. This way they get a feather in their caps for assisting with the retrieval of children, but more importantly … we got Clay back … alive."

The five guys simply stared. Blaming Mandy was easy… hell, they did it often enough, but in this case, she went to bat for them and likely saved every one of their careers because they would've followed through on their threat to go AWOL to find their brother.

The tension left Jason in a whoosh, and he slumped into a chair. "Tell us what you got and where we're going."

Mandy strode forward and set the folder on the table. "A couple of places. Russia for one. There used to be a brothel called The Cherry Club in Makhachkala on the shore of the Caspian Sea. It burned down years ago under suspicious conditions after a blood bath between rival gangs resulted in over one hundred dead … the press was never made aware of the actual total.

"The owner, Panin Savelievich Volkov, fled the country after his place burnt to the ground and went missing after he arrived in Oshar, one of the UAE. He was suspected of running a human trafficking ring which dealt in children. It appears a new player picked up the slack and clientele after Savelievich disappeared."

She flashed up a photo. "This is Stepankov Rollan Victorovich, and Sanjali says he supplied many children to him. This operation will require no footprint as Gaspar Kirillovich, the Russian Interpol Colonel leading the task force against human traffickers doesn't want to advertise he is working with America, but finds it necessary because many of the local police may be complicit and turning a blind eye. However, you will have a local contact he trusts, his brother Semyon Kirillovich."

Ellis continued to provide the team details, and when she noticed the weary and hooded eyes, she halted. "Go grab some sleep. We can brief more once we land at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey which will be the base of operations for this mission."

"Why Turkey?" Jason asked.

"It is central to the points you will be going. In addition to Makhachkala, as far as we know now, you'll be going into Syria, Libya, and Ukraine to locate missing kids." Mandy closed the file and handed it to Jason, knowing he wouldn't sleep until he at least did a preliminary read of the entire mission. She peered at the men and said, "It is up to you men to keep these kids from fading into nothing … and give them back a life worth living."

Four Weeks Later – Virginia – Hospital

Quietly, the men of Bravo entered Clay's room, not wanting to wake him if he still slept since it was only five in the morning. During the past twenty-eight days, they traveled to seven countries and liberated thirty children and over seventy women from a life worse than hell, taking down eight trafficking operations. And although they remained focused on their mission, in the back of their mind each one continued to worry about their kid.

Though Dr. Irving, via Blackburn, kept them apprised of Clay's condition, they all loathed the fact the kid remained in the hospital, and they couldn't visit or even speak with him. The burn unit followed strict standards of practice geared to protect their patients so they couldn't allow regular or video calls with Clay because the rules prohibited unsterile devices, such as laptops and cell phones from being brought into his room.

They received regular updates from Irving and in one he indicated after he flushed Clay's system and used non-opiates to control his pain, the kid had no trouble with the drugs. The doc had little concern it would pose an addictive issue for Spenser, which eased their minds. Also, the kid's blurry sight, caused by the residual salve used on his eyes and high-altitude retinal hemorrhages, cleared before Spenser arrived in Germany, and thankfully, left him with no lasting damage.

However, the thing they all least worried about became the biggest issue. Although the cauterization by Padma's brother served to stem his blood loss, the unguent she applied to the gash in his thigh introduced a virulent bacterium which required a high-dose antibiotic administered over two weeks via a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter also known as PICC line.

Irving reported it was touch and go for several days as the kid's fever spiked and his body fought the infection. Given the nature of his wounds, they put the kid in strict isolation to limit his exposure to other bacteria or viruses. His quarantine period extended because the severity of the damage caused by the application of the hot knife to his thigh required a skin graft, so too did several of the second-degree burns on his back.

Sonny moved to the left side of the bed as he peered at Clay. "Sleeping Beauty looks good."

Trent picked up Clay's chart and perused the notations. He grinned and figured they had Dr. Irving to thank for saving the kid's life. The constant jarring of the litter complicated his field care of the burns. The blisters ruptured leaving each wound ragged and susceptible to infection. And each time the newly healed tissue split open, the wounds deepened and bled more. The trauma necessitated the grafts on Clay's back, as well as his leg.

"By the looks of things, the kid is on the mend and may be released soon," Trent shared with them as he set the chart down.

Clay stirred as familiar voices filtered in. He blinked open his eyes to find all his brothers standing around his bed. Even Cerb stood with his front paws on the foot of the bed. "A sight for sore eyes. You're back." Clay couldn't help the grin which grew on his face.

Captain Harrington stopped by his room as soon as the doctor lifted the isolation protocols and provided him a heads-up for why Bravo didn't visit him. Clay understood why his chosen family couldn't be with him for the past four weeks, and hoped for a successful outcome of their mission. "How'd things go?"

A bit surprised to find the kid grinning and welcoming, Jason ventured, "What do you know?"

"Harrington shared basics … off saving innocents after rescuing my ass from a human trafficker and a sadistic quack. Thanks, by the way." Clay shifted in his bed, now able to comfortably lie on his back for several days. Much of his first two weeks were a blur with fighting an infection and then being kept heavily sedated after the graft surgeries. They needed to turn him frequently to prevent pressure from building on the newly transplanted integument to avoid rejection ... and movement equaled pain.

Jason shifted, uneasy, not sure how their decision would go over with the kid. "When you're released, you're coming to stay at my house."

Clay scrunched up his face. "Uh, no. Mikey snores … and my home is fine."

"Kid's got a point." Sonny grinned, he might get his way, though Trent and Jason poo-pooed his suggestion earlier. "Coming to my place then. I don't snore."

Shaking his head, Clay said, "Nope. Well, yeah you do snore … like a friggin freight train, but no, not going to your place either. Not gonna be sleeping on your couch when I have a perfectly wonderful bed that I've been wanting to sleep on for weeks now."

"My apartment then … you can have the bed," Trent suggested, though he didn't relish the idea of trying to cram his body on his loveseat … a great piece of furniture when trying to make-out with his girlfriend, but too short for a comfortable night's sleep.

"No. Why are you all …" Clay trailed off as understanding dawned. "This is about the morphine isn't it?" Their averted gazes told him the truth. "I'm not some druggy … not gonna get outta here and go searching for a fix."

"We're not saying that," Ray interrupted.

"Sure as hell are! I'm capable of staying in my own place … unsupervised," Clay bit back.

"Humor us, Kid." Brock petted Cerb after the dog hopped up on the end of the bed.

"No!" He pinned his gaze on Trent. "I'm certain you read my chart. Did you notice I haven't had any narcotics for over a week? I never asked for them … they were given on a schedule Doc laid out." He shifted his gaze to Jason. "Never once begged for any, nor wandered the halls in search of them."

"Spenser—" Jason started but was cut off.

"Fuck! I wasn't in my right mind when I dug for the morphine. I fucking hurt … burns bad enough to require skin grafts. Remember after the helo crash, Jace, … you weren't quite with it due to your concussion. No one—"

Jason cut him off. "And as a result, the team was down for six months. I stayed in the hospital for several weeks … like you … then went home to live with Alana, so someone was around if things went south. That is all we want for you."

Sonny spoke up, lying a bit, but relying on doc's assessment the kid wouldn't relapse. "No one believes you are another Danny, … we just, hell, I want to ensure you are okay. This," he waved up and down Clay's body, "is our fault. We left you hanging in a tree three hundred yards away. Then Dr. Demento gets ahold of you and burns the shit out of your back while doing his best to turn you into a fucking pin cushion and drain you of blood too. And little Miss Nurse Do-Gooder drugged you with a potion to the point you almost stopped breathing."

Silenced by Sonny's words, Clay only gaped for a moment. His head started moving back and forth. "No way in hell any of this is your fault. My main chute didn't open. When the reserve did, I was way off course, and I crashed through the trees and got hung up."

Clay blinked. "Well, at least I think I did … I don't recall much after the reserve deployed. Only bits and pieces, disjointed memories which may or may not be based in reality. Recall searing pain in my leg, freezing toes, a thin blanket, and a female voice who offered relief from the unrelenting fiery pain.

"We all know and accept the risks of our missions. So what happened to me … you're not to blame." He pinned each one with a severe glare, holding their gaze for several seconds. "I'm alive because you came for me."

Clay blew out a breath and returned his gaze to Sonny. He grinned and acquiesced partially, "You can sleep on my couch. It is more comfortable than the floor of Glitter Girls."

Lisa sauntered in with a smile. "He has you there, Sonny."

"Now don't be taking, Pretty-boy's side," Sonny groused, but inside he rejoiced the kid accepted he wouldn't be going home alone. He would willingly sleep on a bed of nails to be able to keep a watchful eye on his little brother for the next few weeks.

"No sides to take. She speaks the truth." Brock chuckled.

"Okay, so now that is settled, do you know when the doc is springing you?" Ray asked.

"A couple of days. Friday at the latest."

"Perfect. First stop will be a barbeque at Jason's house." Ray grinned.

"Why mine?" Jason didn't mind, but Ray took him off guard.

"Cause you have the comfiest couch in case Clay needs a nap." Trent winked at the kid.

"Won't need one." Clay scowled.

"Un huh, will see about that. How often have you been out of this bed in the last four weeks?" Trent crossed his arms.

Clay sighed. Damn, Trent is probably right. Gonna take a lot to increase my stamina. Rehab is gonna be grueling.

The team discussed who would bring what for the barbeque before the conversation shifted to joking, sports, and general BS. A half-hour later, five sets of human eyes and one pair of canine orbs turned and focused on their kid … secure in the knowledge he was safe at home, on the mend, would return to the team, and also happy to find Clay faded off to nothingness wearing a slight smile.

.

The end ...

AN: Well, another story comes to a close. This seemed the right point to end this one. I do have ideas though for AI-N now. One unresolved thing would be how Clay will react the next time he needs to do a parachute jump. I'm sure after Brian died in a jump and he almost died there will be some 'nervousness' or anxiety to work through.

Thanks to everyone who takes a few moments to leave a review ... they are addictive and my drug of choice (well, that and chocolate). 😊