assignment you cooked up for us!” Walker joins in.
“I know. Don’t you want our time back to normal, though? Coz I sure as hell do!”
They nod sullenly so I continue, “So by a show of hands who is willing to find out?”
I wait with bated breath hoping they still believe enough in me after watching my meltdown back at the labs. Surely enough they each take it in turns to nod and raise a hand and I release the breath I was holding. Just one more matter to decide.
“By a show of hands who is willing to be led under my command?”
“What the fuck are you on about Kye?” Saunders shouts, taking me back. He’s one of the quietest of us all, our caring medic.
I glare at him hoping he’ll wilt under my stare but he’s not backing down.
“You think we don’t trust you anymore? What, that you’re not man enough to lead us? You did what any of us would do if our loved ones needed us. The fact that Faith is sat right there while we talk about this shows me you’re thinking straight; you do understand what it means sending her back?”
I nod and Faith flinches.
“Well, then I vowed to follow you and I stand by it. Jonah’s good an’ all but he’s just not as pretty!” A wry grin is sent my way.
“You okay with this Jonah?” I ask.
“Why are you even asking? You’re team leader, Kye, I’m second in command. I took over because you had shit to sort out. I never wanted the job permanently you dumbshit!”
They all start talking to each other – about me. Taking the piss, agreeing I need to man up, stop being such a pussy and on and on. I sit and listen with a grin. I deserve this ribbing, putting me back in my place. They’ve adjusted remarkably well considering they got back not long ago and found everything turned on its head. They’ve coped much better than I did.
“Okay guys knock it off, you’re hurting my feelings!” I say holding my hand over my heart. This causes them to crack up again, just what I was going for. Faith becomes heavy and I flick my gaze down to see she’s fast asleep. I look back up at my team.
“We need to figure out where you’re going to stay until we’re ready to travel again.”
“Straight back to business!” They moan.
I hold my hands up. “I know, I know. But I need to know you’re sorted.”
“Daddy worried for our safety?” Cal continues, “How many times have we slept in the field? We’ll figure it out. You can even come and tuck us in if it’ll make you feel better... Daddy!”
They start rolling around on the sand, their shoulders shaking with their laughter, acting just like little kids. Daddy? Cheeky fucker!
“You’ll be lucky if I don’t smother you while you sleep!” I reply.
More cackling. “You couldn’t creep up on me baby. I’m highly trained!” He replies.
Did I really miss these guys? I think I prefer it when we’re on a mission and they’re all ‘Sir this and Sir that’.
“Okay then. I’m gonna take my girl home seeing as how you losers can look after yourselves.”
They look at her sleeping figure, probably forgetting she was even here as she’s so quiet. She’s usually the one leading them in calling me out and winding me up. The news of her sisters has obviously knocked the wind out of her. I pick her up and she nuzzles into my neck. I need to start feeding her up. She’s skinnier than she ever was before.
“She gonna be okay?” Trask asks.
I ponder the question. Is she? “When is she not?” I reply needing to allay his worry but thinking of plenty of times when she hasn’t been okay.
He nods in answer looking sceptical. I know they’re close, they’ve bonded in a way that at first I was pleased with. I wanted her to be accepted and I wanted them to make her welcome but I wonder what the depth of his feelings really are for her. He knows she’s mine but does he want her as more than a friend? Is my mind imagining things that aren’t really there? Fraser wanted her and I can’t really blame any
“I know. Don’t you want our time back to normal, though? Coz I sure as hell do!”
They nod sullenly so I continue, “So by a show of hands who is willing to find out?”
I wait with bated breath hoping they still believe enough in me after watching my meltdown back at the labs. Surely enough they each take it in turns to nod and raise a hand and I release the breath I was holding. Just one more matter to decide.
“By a show of hands who is willing to be led under my command?”
“What the fuck are you on about Kye?” Saunders shouts, taking me back. He’s one of the quietest of us all, our caring medic.
I glare at him hoping he’ll wilt under my stare but he’s not backing down.
“You think we don’t trust you anymore? What, that you’re not man enough to lead us? You did what any of us would do if our loved ones needed us. The fact that Faith is sat right there while we talk about this shows me you’re thinking straight; you do understand what it means sending her back?”
I nod and Faith flinches.
“Well, then I vowed to follow you and I stand by it. Jonah’s good an’ all but he’s just not as pretty!” A wry grin is sent my way.
“You okay with this Jonah?” I ask.
“Why are you even asking? You’re team leader, Kye, I’m second in command. I took over because you had shit to sort out. I never wanted the job permanently you dumbshit!”
They all start talking to each other – about me. Taking the piss, agreeing I need to man up, stop being such a pussy and on and on. I sit and listen with a grin. I deserve this ribbing, putting me back in my place. They’ve adjusted remarkably well considering they got back not long ago and found everything turned on its head. They’ve coped much better than I did.
“Okay guys knock it off, you’re hurting my feelings!” I say holding my hand over my heart. This causes them to crack up again, just what I was going for. Faith becomes heavy and I flick my gaze down to see she’s fast asleep. I look back up at my team.
“We need to figure out where you’re going to stay until we’re ready to travel again.”
“Straight back to business!” They moan.
I hold my hands up. “I know, I know. But I need to know you’re sorted.”
“Daddy worried for our safety?” Cal continues, “How many times have we slept in the field? We’ll figure it out. You can even come and tuck us in if it’ll make you feel better... Daddy!”
They start rolling around on the sand, their shoulders shaking with their laughter, acting just like little kids. Daddy? Cheeky fucker!
“You’ll be lucky if I don’t smother you while you sleep!” I reply.
More cackling. “You couldn’t creep up on me baby. I’m highly trained!” He replies.
Did I really miss these guys? I think I prefer it when we’re on a mission and they’re all ‘Sir this and Sir that’.
“Okay then. I’m gonna take my girl home seeing as how you losers can look after yourselves.”
They look at her sleeping figure, probably forgetting she was even here as she’s so quiet. She’s usually the one leading them in calling me out and winding me up. The news of her sisters has obviously knocked the wind out of her. I pick her up and she nuzzles into my neck. I need to start feeding her up. She’s skinnier than she ever was before.
“She gonna be okay?” Trask asks.
I ponder the question. Is she? “When is she not?” I reply needing to allay his worry but thinking of plenty of times when she hasn’t been okay.
He nods in answer looking sceptical. I know they’re close, they’ve bonded in a way that at first I was pleased with. I wanted her to be accepted and I wanted them to make her welcome but I wonder what the depth of his feelings really are for her. He knows she’s mine but does he want her as more than a friend? Is my mind imagining things that aren’t really there? Fraser wanted her and I can’t really blame any
Similar Books
