by Margaret Kay
She left his room and made her way down the hall. Looking through the glass doors, she saw that Madison was alone in the galley. Madison smiled and held up four fingers, then three, five, then two. Sienna punched them into the keypad and the door opened.
She was greeted by the smell of coffee, which didn’t even help to revive her. She’d never felt completely spent like this in her life. She literally had nothing left in her, no fight, no energy. She felt numb, resigned, waiting for what might happen next like a spectator to her own life. She helped herself to a cup before joining Madison where she sat. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Anthony should be out of the meeting he is in, soon.”
Sienna nodded and then sipped the hot coffee. Then her eyes met Madison’s bright blue eyes that focused on her, waiting for her to say something in reply. The image of those eyes behind the assault rifle that was pointed down at her in that warehouse came to her. The fear she had felt, sure she would be shot and killed, washed over her and smothered her. It was paralyzing. The room was quiet, awkwardly quiet. She didn’t know what to say to this woman. Small talk didn’t seem appropriate. But there was nothing else to talk about with this complete stranger who could have killed her.
“You really are safe here,” Madison said. “Maybe later when Anthony can lie down with you, you’ll sleep. You look exhausted.”
A small smile curved Sienna’s lips at the thought of him laying with her. Yes, that just may make her feel safe enough to fall asleep. “I feel exhausted, too.”
“Being in crisis and feeling afraid wears you down. Add in not sleeping well, and exhausted is what you get. I know. I’ve been there,” Madison said. “Time and knowing you are safe will help resolve that though.”
Sienna nodded. “Thank you for your kindness. I can’t even imagine what you must think about me.”
Madison laughed sarcastically. “What I think? I’m not sure that what anyone thinks should matter to you. Anthony is a good friend and a member of this team. We’re all tight. You’re important to him, so the rest of us accept you.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes, just like that. Look, no one here thinks you had anything to do with your husband’s murder. You went on the run to save yourself, and even put yourself in the hands of someone like Razor. That takes guts and desperation. So, if you’re worried anyone here is going to judge you, you can relax and put that thought out of your mind.”
That was a relief. She wasn’t sure why she believed what this woman said. She just did. Maybe it was that desperation. She felt the need to say something, anything, but words wouldn’t come. She remained lost in her own thoughts for a few more moments, but when she saw the intense focus Madison regarded her with, she felt the need to break the silence.
“I, um, have been so far out of my element. I’m a kindergarten teacher. Fake FBI and NSA agents, hell, real FBI or NSA agents weren’t anything I had any experience with. Police, home invasions, and everything else life has been about for the past month, well, it’s just been surreal.”
“I’m glad you found your way to Anthony. Helping people is what we do. This team can be a little overwhelming though, so make sure you tell someone if your feeling that way.”
“This morning when I told all of you what happened, that was overwhelming. Even though I knew it was all one-hundred percent true, even I had to admit it sounded far-fetched.”
Madison smiled sympathetically. “Because those kinds of things don’t happen to normal people.”
“No, they don’t. I wouldn’t have believed me, so I wasn’t sure why you would.”
“These kinds of things do happen out there. It’s a scary world that most people are lucky enough to know nothing about, most normal people anyway. For the rest of us, it’s just business as usual.”
Sienna thought about that for a few seconds. Business as usual, this kind of thing was business as usual for them. Madison had said it so casually. She still didn’t know exactly who they were, but she did believe that they were the good guys. Her mind wouldn’t let her consider who they could be if they weren’t.
She saw Madison’s eyes flicker to the door with a gaze of recognition. Looking over her shoulder, Sienna saw the blond man enter the room. Cooper, his name was Cooper, she reminded herself.
“You didn’t sleep long,” he said as he approached the coffee pot.
“No, I couldn’t fall asleep. I think I’m overtired.”
“Garcia plans to lay back down when he’s done with the video-call he’s on. Maybe you’ll be able to sleep if he’s with you,” he said. He sat his coffee cup across the table from her and then took a seat beside Madison.
It struck Sienna how casual they both were about her and Anthony sleeping together. Did they know from being in communication with him that they were lovers? Or did they just assume it? Did they even think twice about it? She was recently widowed. Jumping right into bed with someone this soon had to make her look bad. At least it would in her world. Her friends would raise more than a few eyebrows if they knew. That thought sparked a feeling of embarrassment to filter through her.
“If you remember anything else, at any time, make sure you speak up,” Cooper said, bringing her out of her thoughts.
She nodded her head yes.
“And you can stop worrying about your safety now. That’s our job from here out. We’re not going to abandon you and let you face this alone. This team has you now and getting to the bottom of this, is our mission.”
“And we are very good at what we do,” Madison added with a smile.
Just then Doc entered the room. He grabbed two water bottles and handed one to Sienna as he approached the table. “I highly recommend laying off the caffeine if you have any hopes of sleeping anytime soon. Hydration is your friend.” He unscrewed the cap on his and took a long drink.
She nodded and forced a smile. “Thanks.”
“What kind of drugs have you been taking?” He then asked.
This question shocked Sienna. “None. I don’t use drugs!”
“Easy, honey,” Doc said holding his hands in a surrendering gesture. “I didn’t mean to insult you. I just figured you may have had to do some things to survive that you normally wouldn’t, like smoking pot or taking pills.”
She shook her head. “No, the only drug I did was what you made me take.”
Doc laughed. “Touché.” He’d still run a tox panel on her.
Then his eyes went to the door and Sienna instantly breathed easier because Anthony came through it. Yes, Anthony. That was what she would call him, just as Madison had. It felt right.
“Sienna, why aren’t you asleep?” He couldn’t believe she sat there. He fully expected her to be out cold.
“She couldn’t,” Madison answered for her. “I think she needs you with her.” She beamed an entertained smile at him that Sienna didn’t understand.
Garcia grabbed another water bottle from the refrigerator and then took a seat beside Sienna. “Don’t you even start with me,” he playfully scolded Madison, who laughed at him. “At least I’m honest with my team.” He pressed a kiss to Sienna’s cheek and shot the others a grin.
Sienna still didn’t understand, and she felt very self-conscious regarding the public display of affection. “I think I’m overtired.”
“We’ll go try again in a few minutes,” he told her. Then his eyes shifted to Cooper. “Did you speak with Shepherd?”
Cooper nodded, his eyes going to Sienna. Garcia knew he wouldn’t disclose what was discussed in front of her. He hoped Shepherd sanctioned the mission to scoop up Saucedo. Hopefully, Delta Team would be prepping for that mission right away. He believed that was the best chance they had at getting the intel they needed.
Echo
Jackson painted a verbal picture for Angel with his narration of the night they brought her to the Silo as he drove into the barn, as the platform descended, and then after he unbuckled the baby from his car seat, and he carried him and the backpack f
ull of the baby paraphernalia to the elevator. He had another large backpack slung over his other shoulder, Angel’s clothes and a few things he had her bring for Sienna.
“I carried you, just as I am him now.”
“That was almost two years ago,” Angel said in a whisper, shocked by both the fact that that much time had passed, and that only that much time had passed. On one hand, it seemed like a lifetime ago, but on the other, it seemed like just yesterday.
“This woman, Sienna Andrews, she is like you were during that time, in crisis and not sure if she can trust us.” The elevator door opened. They stepped inside. “I want you to reach out to her. I think you can help her.”
Angel’s eyes met his beautiful hazel-greens, eyes she had trusted from the first time she looked into them. Their son had his eyes. “I’ll try. Will Lassiter talk with her?”
“I’m not sure,” Jackson replied as the elevator opened into the bright, white hallway.
Jackson stepped off, but Angel remained frozen inside the elevator. She hadn’t expected the emotions that slammed into her at the sight of this hallway.
“Babe?”
“Wow,” she said.
He reached his hand to her. She immediately grabbed hold and stepped forward at his tug.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I didn’t expect to feel what I am.” She gazed back at him and their baby in his arms. She took a deep breath and then closed her eyes while she blew it out slowly. When she reopened her eyes, her stare focused on the concerned expression that was on his face. “I fell in love with you here, first trusted you here. Those are the feelings I choose to remember.” She forced a brave smile. “This place was safe. It was what came later that wasn’t.” She glanced around as they took a few steps down the hall. She froze again at the opening on the left to the hallway, where the team’s private quarters were located. She smiled. “Your room, the first place we made love.”
Jackson beamed a smile as well. “Our first real kiss, right there against that wall.” He chuckled. He moved her into the hall and pressed his body to hers, pinning her to the wall in the very spot. He kissed her, passionately, like that first one had been.
Their son’s cooing sounds brought smiles to both their lips, mid-kiss. They separated and smiled at their son.
“Yes, Sammy, right here is where it all started for Mom and Dad,” Jackson said. “Come on, let’s bring you to meet your Godfather in person.” His eyes shifted to Angel. “Garcia needs this. Thank you for coming.”
She kissed his cheek. “Always.”
He led her to the galley, a room that she remembered well. She gazed through the glass doors as he entered the code, her eyes locking with Madison’s. Cooper and Doc faced them as well. They all smiled in recognition. She recognized Garcia’s frame topped with long hair she didn’t recognize. His back was to her. Seated beside him was a woman with black hair. Just as the door slid open, Garcia turned in his chair to see what his teammates smiled at.
Garcia couldn’t believe the sight, Jackson holding his son, Angel at his side coming into the room. Emotions hit him he’d never felt before. He felt the smile spread across his face, felt the tears burn his eyes. He stood, and his legs carried him in their direction. “Oh, man,” he mumbled below his breath. His eyes were locked on Jackson’s eyes that were on the tiny face gazing at him in wonderment. He’d seen pictures of the baby while he was under cover, but that was nothing compared to seeing the baby now, in person.
“Meet your Godfather,” Jackson said, handing the baby to Garcia. “I present Samuel Anthony Jackson.”
Garcia took the baby, holding him awkwardly, like fragile glass that would shatter in his hands. Angel helped him to cradle the baby in his arms. He stood there, staring at him for a few long seconds in silence, too overwhelmed to speak. When he finally found his voice, it sounded as emotional as he felt. “I’m sorry I missed the first few months of your life, little man.”
“You’re back now. That’s all that matters,” Angel said. Her eyes shifted to the woman who was just coming to her feet. Angel beamed a reassuring smile at her. This woman’s face showed emotions that Angel remembered all too well, panic, confusion, desperation. Angel stepped towards her. “Hello, I’m Angel, Jackson’s wife.” She reached her hand out and shook Sienna’s.
“Sienna Andrews,” she introduced herself. She hated to admit it, but she was relieved that the baby was not Garcia’s. For a second, an irrational jealousy flared in her. For a second when they came through the door, she feared Angel was Garcia’s wife and she feared the baby was his. “Your baby is beautiful.” She smiled as she viewed Garcia still cradling the baby in his arms. “How old is he?”
“Three months,” Angel replied. “Jackson shared a few pictures with Anthony, but this is the first time he’s been able to meet him.”
Sienna saw tears in Anthony’s eyes. In that moment, he was no longer the same man, a ruthless biker, the man with the gun who had protected her in that rusted out warehouse, the man who had burned that other man alive. She saw deep emotions, joy, and vulnerability, a real human being.
Madison made her way over to Angel and embraced her. “He’s gotten so big,” she said softly. “We’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you guys too and so has Jackson, when he’s been home. He’s hated not being there with the team.”
“And he’s hated being separated from the two of you when he has been with the team,” Madison said.
“It’s the job. I get it,” Angel murmured. She forced a smile in Sienna’s direction. “The team has stayed close to provide cover for Anthony while he’s been under.”
Sienna nodded, lost in her thoughts. Then she heard the men laughing and she turned her head to see the stunning smile that was mid-laugh on Anthony’s face. He still clutched the baby in his arms. He looked relaxed and happy, unlike he had looked since she met him.
Her eyes swept over the other men, laughing at what, she hadn’t heard. Images of both Cooper and Jackson with assault rifles dressed in black tactical gear from the night before flashed through her thoughts. Doc, holding the vial he would have force fed her if she hadn’t drunk it on her own was a stark contradiction to the laughing face he had now. They were the same men, normal men, but also dangerous and highly trained men who had come to her aid when she needed them.
Garcia noticed Sienna watching him with an intense focus. He stepped over to where she stood. “My Godson, Sammy,” he said, holding the baby more upright.
“He’s beautiful,” Sienna said, reaching a tentative hand towards him. She took his little hand in hers.
“The first time I’ve held him,” Garcia said with a smile. “Wow, he’s just so tiny.” He slipped his arm around her and pulled her in close. “Do you want to hold him?”
“Not yet. You keep him. You have time to make up for.” She leaned closer to him.
“That looks a little too natural,” Madison whispered to Angel, her head nodding to Garcia and Sienna cuddling together with the baby between them.
“Are they?” Angel stopped herself before she completed the question.
“Yep,” Madison confirmed with a big smile.
“It’s too bad there’s that no fraternization rule, huh?” Angel whispered with a giggle.
After a few more minutes, Cooper’s phone chirped. He viewed the message and then informed the team of the incoming video call they had to take. Shepherd was on the line. His eyes shifted to Angel. “Can you keep Sienna company? The team has a debrief with Shepherd in the control room.”
“Sure,” Angel assured him, taking Sammy back from Garcia.
Sienna watched the others leave and then turned her attention back to Angel and the baby.
Angel sat across the table from Sienna. Since Anthony left the room, Angel saw fear and increased nervousness wash over and take hold of Sienna. She understood. She remembered feeling that way when she was here, whenever Jackson wasn’t in the room with her.
“I was a guest he
re a couple of years ago. Just like you are now. That’s how I met Jackson and the rest of the team. I was in trouble and they helped me, like only they can.”
Sienna’s eyes focused on Angel. Her lips trembled with words that wanted to break free. Tears filled her eyes.
“It was scary, all of it. I know how you feel. You’re not alone. You have the whole team and they’re the best at what they do.”
Sienna swiped at a few tears that rolled down her cheek. “I took a huge leap of faith, trusting them.”
“You didn’t misplace your trust. Please, believe me.”
