Since Diapers

Chap 14 (Immediate Assistance)

Jay's POV

My men and I have been holed down, with gunfire in the distance. "Hey, Mouse," I stated. "Are you still glad I asked you to come back with me?"

"If we make it at alive, I'm getting myself a date with CJ," Mouse replied.

"No can do," I nodded. "She's married and has a daughter."

"I bet you're gonna be glad to see Hailey," Mouse looked at me.

"I'm not married anymore," I replied. A grenade landed on the floor. "Grenade!" We all got down as it went off. It was a flash bang, but it disoriented me and my men. "Mouse?!"

"I'm good!" Mouse called.

"Ranger Halstead." a female voice stated. Whoever it was, helped me up. My vision was trying to adjust. I looked at her. "Jay, we gotta get you out of here."

"CJ?" I asked.

"No time to talk," CJ nodded. "Let's go."

"Alright," I stated. Everything else was a blur. I woke up in a tent, with an IV hooked so me. "I made it out?"

"Welcome back," a man stated. "Agent Strand, he's awake."

"Thank you, Agent Mora," CJ walked in. "Go ahead and do a walk through, then go for a break."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied and left.

"Managing your own team now?" I asked.

"This team happened because you and your men went MIA," CJ stated as she sat in the chair next to my cot. "How are you holding up out here?"

"Well, I lost Hailey due to this," I looked at CJ. "Can you believe it? I can't hold a woman with this type of career."

"Maybe, but I'll always be your best friend, Jay," CJ replied. "I told you that you can always call me if you needed help."

"I didn't need help."

"The US Army contacted the Feds. That's why I'm here. I was the extraction team."

"Why are you really here?"

"That's the truth, Jay," CJ stated. "I go where they need me."

"There's always a second agenda. You've got a family."

"You got all the time in the world, until you don't. I was betting on forever, but forever comes and goes. Never thought I'd have to know you as a memory. Now I'm rehearsing all the things I'd say if you were in front of me. I'd tell you that I love you, I miss you, I wish you were here," CJ stated. I grabbed her hand. "Maybe if I shout it loud enough you might hear. I'll talk to the walls, I'll tell them the truth. Have a heart-to-heart with the ceiling, 'cause I can't be with you." She looked at me. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Why does it sound like you're saying goodbye?"

"Because I am," CJ sighed. "I left my daughter's 5th birthday to come and save you."

"Agent Strand," a woman walked in. She let go of my hand. "You have a call."

"Thank you, Agent Hawley," CJ stated. "CeCe could keep you company while I take this call."

"Okay," I stated. CJ left the tent. "How long have you known CJ?"

"We just met on the plane ride here," CeCe replied.

"Oh," I nodded. "So, she told you absolutely nothing?"

"Nothing, other than the focus on the mission," CeCe stated. She sat down where CJ was. "I usually don't do this, but Ranger Halstead, you are a good looking guy."

"Thanks, CeCe, but I'm not looking for anything," I stated.

"The conversation between you and CJ didn't seem like nothing," CeCe replied. I looked at her. "Oh, you're not one of those guys that go for women with a hero complex, are you?"

"No, but CJ knows that I really hate profilers, which is saying a lot since I was a cop," I sighed. I looked at the ceiling. "CJ and I have a lot of history together, ever since we were infants. We grew up together. She's my best friend." CJ walked back in. "Hey, can you and I talk alone?"

"Yeah," CJ nodded. CeCe left. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I stated. I groaned, sitting up. "I hate you're seeing me like this?"

"Like what, Jay?" CJ asked. "A hard working man?"

"Beaten and bruised," I replied.

"I'm sure you've seen me at my worse," CJ nodded. "What did you wanna talk about?"

"CJ, I still love you," I looked at her. She smiled. "I'm guessing you still love me too."

"With you I'm defenseless," CJ stated. "Not in a bad way."

"Can you explain that to me?"

"Jay, I love you, but I also love TK," CJ sighed. "I can't do anything about it. You were the one who filed for divorce. I'm not going to break TKis heart." She looked me in the eyes. "I love him and we have a family together. My daughter needs both her mother and father."

"CJ, if you give me a chance, I'll quit this job and come home," I stated. "Home to Chicago and we can be a family."

"When I meant defenseless, I meant a sense of control. I have my hands on the wheel while with TK. I can work, I can work from home to support my daughter," CJ replied. "Now that she'll start school soon, I'll be working the hours she's at school and I'll be in the office with the rest of the team." I sighed. "Why are you doing that?"

"What am I doing now?" I asked.

"Like the decision I've made has disappointed you," CJ stated. It got quiet. "You are disappointed. You thought I'd pick a different route."

"I thought you would. Do you blame me for wanting something I once had? When I was happy?" I asked. "I thought you wouldn't want me to risk my life for our country. You don't want me to die, do you?"

"I am not the one telling you to stay here," CJ stood up.

"I gave you a choice," I stated. "You've said all you needed to."