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smoothdogsgirl · 1 year

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March - Road Trip

Pairing: Jason Hayes x Mandy Ellis

Warnings: Deployments, Careers, Pregnancy

Words: 3830

Summary: What happened in J-Bad doesn't stay in J-Bad. And a back-to-school road trip.

In a Discord group I belong to, there was a post for a "Year of the OTP" challenge for 2023.

Disclaimer: This is fanfic work; no money is being made from this story. All recognizable characters belong to their respective creative authors, studios or producers.

Exhaustion curses through Mandy’s veins as she enters the front door. Dropping her duffle bag at the base of the stairs, she tosses her keys into the bowl on the entryway table. Slowly, she makes her way to the kitchen, where she grabs a tall glass from a cabinet and fills it with water from the dispenser in the refrigerator door. Gingerly she sips the water.

The last five months have been a world win. First, she went to J-Bad with Bravo team. A week before Bravo’s deployment ended, she and Jason crossed a line. Afterward, they both agreed what happens in J-Bad stays in J-Bad. Then when the team returned home to Va Beach, the CIA redirected her to Turkey. It was supposed to have been a two-week stint; instead, it lasted eight long weeks. But, now, she was finally home.

She had been able to stay in touch with members of Bravo during her time in Turkey. She knew Jason had stepped down as Bravo 1 when the two-week post-deployment leave was over. She also knew Bravo was having a challenging adjustment period without Jason at the helm. During their last Skype call, they agreed to meet for lunch at the Taco Truck for burritos, a post-deployment tradition.

Mandy pulls into a parking spot at the food truck plaza. Scanning the picnic benches, she spots Jason sitting by the La Esquinita Taco Truck. As Mandy approaches Jason, seeing two paper plates with burritos and a couple of beers waiting on the table. Jason gets up from his seat when she is a few feet away; he pulls her into a tight embrace when she is close. Together they sit down, pick up their burritos and touch them. They each take a bite out of their burritos. After a few bites in, Mandy puts down the burrito; taking a few deep breaths, she hopes the sudden nausea will dissipate. But she rushes from the table to a nearby trash can when it doesn't. Mandy makes it just in time to hunch over, retching into the can. A few minutes later, she feels a large warm hand rubbing circles on her back. He hands her some napkins and a bottle of water when she straightens. When she is sure nothing else will come up, she walks back to the table, Jason following behind her. Noting that her skin is taking a green hue, Jason picks up the plates of food and tosses them in the trash. Sitting across from her, he watches her sip from the bottle.

“You feeling better?” Jason asks, concern in his voice.

Mandy smiles, “Yeah, I’m ok. Just tired. It’s been a long few months.”

“Will you get some downtime before coming back to Bravo?”

I won’t be coming back. I’ve tendered my resignation. The biggest reason is that my demons are catching up with me.”

“I thought we agreed, what happens in J-Bad, stays in J-Bad,” Jason states definitively.

“So, as always. Ignore and Override?” Mandy questions.

“Yes, Ignore and Override. That’s how we get through this.”

“I…Can’t do this anymore. It’s catching up with me.” Mandy bites out.

“What about the commitment to serve?”

“Until when Jason? All in, all the time. It doesn’t leave room for the people we care for or us.”

“Yeah, right. What are you gonna do? You gonna sit at home and play Mortal Kombat? Cause that’s not what we do.” He insists.

Mandy takes a sip from her water bottle, collecting her thoughts for a second. “We just cut the head off a snake. Tomorrow another snake is gonna slither out from some other fucking rock, and on and on. It’s never going to Fucking end….”

Jason chimes in, “You’re gonna find them. I’m gonna kill the. It’s that simple. If we don't do it, who’s gonna do it, Mandy?”

Mand growls, “Someone else. People were doing this job before us, and there will be people doing this long after we are gone. This fight is never ending, so there will always be someone there to do that. That doesn't mean it has to be us.”

Jason laughs, “Really? Someone else? You’ve been in this way too long to believe you’re comfortable with that answer.”

“You’re right, But going to have to learn to be comfortable with it.”

“Yeah?” Jason questions with a raised eyebrow.

“I was a teenager when I got in. We’d just been hit. The path ahead seemed so clear and so right, and twenty years later, all the loss, all the bloodshed. I…CAN’T…DO…THIS…ANYMORE!”

“Whoa,” Jason states, holding both hands up in surrender. When he sees Mandy has calmed again, he continues, “I get that you’ve hit some bumps over the last year or so. But this can’t have been the only time you’ve had some ops go bad. So, what else am I missing? Because this is who you are. It’s who we are.”

“It’s not who I want to be anymore,” Mandy replies, an errant tear escaping and streaking down her cheek as she sniffles.

“Ok, then, who do you want to be, Mandy? Tell me.”

“I don’t have all the answers, Jason. But I have to do this now.”

“What do you mean you have to do this now?”

“If I don’t do this now, if I don’t, walk away now. I’m gonna lose myself forever. And if I stay, you’re gonna talk me out of it. I have too much at stake. I’m not going to let that happen.”

“What the fuck could possibly be so important?” Jason asks, his voice laced with frustration.

Mandy lets out a tired sigh, “This isn’t how I wanted to tell you. But I’m pregnant.”

Jason sits there quietly, staring at her. Not sure he’d heard her correctly, “Are you sure?”

Mandy chuckles, “Yeah, I’m sure. However, the positive pregnancy test, all-day sickness, and food aversion solidified my suspicions. So, it seems what happened in J-Bad came home with us… Also, to be clear, I’m having this baby, Jason. I’m leaving how involved you want to be up to you.”

“That’s my kid. I’m not going anywhere. Have you been to a doctor?”

“I have, I’m about eleven weeks along, and everything looks good on the ultrasound.” Reaching into her purse, she pulls an image out and slides it across the picnic table to him. “Here is a copy of the ultrasound picture for you.”

Jason picks it up carefully, immediately recognizing that the blob in the center of the image is their child. With that realization, he lets out a pained groan.

“What?” Mandy asks, worried.

“I’m gonna have to tell Emma and Mickey…I’m gonna have to tell my teenage kids they are going to get a younger sibling. This is not gonna be a fun conversation. Especially as I gave Emma a refresher safe sex speech before the deployment.”

Mandy tries to stave off a chuckle that quickly develops into a full-body laugh, “You master chief gave Emnma a safe sex speech?”

“Yuck it up. Cause I’m not telling the kids by myself. You’re doing this with me.”

Mandy abruptly stops laughing. “What are you talkin’ about?”

“You and me,” he states, pointing at each of them for emphasis, “are a team. I have your back; you have mine. It’s why we work so well together. Why mess with what works?”

“Fine, but you’re telling Bravo Team on your own. Cause while you’re telling them, I’ll be telling Naima. I’m gonna need to talk to someone who’s not only done this before but has done this with a tier-one operator. Knowing how you guys operate, standard rules probably don't apply.”

Jason smirks at, “Sure. You got yourself a deal.” He then takes a swig of his beer, “I have the long weekend off. Do you want to join the kids and me on a road trip?”

“As long as the kids don’t mind, I’d love to join you. When are you leaving?”

“As soon as you’re packed. We planned to hit the road once we finished your re-entry lunch.” Jason admits.

After lunch, Jason followed Mandy home, where she packed a weekend bag before piling into Jason’s Truck and heading to his apartment. She noted a couple of potted plants by his front door when they pulled up. Getting out, they were greeted a the front door by Emma. Emma grins, stepping forward to hug Mandy, “Please tell me you’re joining us on the road trip?”

Mandy smiles, returning Emma’s hug. “Yeah, I’ll be joining you guys. So where is this trip to? Your dad didn’t tell me.”

Emma links her arm with Mandy and guides her into the kitchenette, where Mickey is packing a cooler.

Jason follows behind them, “so, are we ready to go?”

“Yeah, bags are by the front door. And the cooler is backed.” Mickey states.

“Alright, help me get everything in the back of the truck,” Jason asks his son. “Everyone, hit the head before we get on the road.” He adds as he leaves the room.

“Dad,” Emma and Mickey both groan.

Mandy just chuckles, watching the family go. Subconsciously she places a hand on her abdomen, this is her child’s family, and she can’t help but smile at that.

Emma caught Mandy’s movement, unsure if she should articulate the burning question; instead, she answered Mandy’s earlier one. “We are heading up to Windham, New York. We’re driving to drop Mickey off at Brighton Academy, his boarding school. Then you and Dad will drop me off at Tish.” Emma explained.

Mandy chuckles as she follows Emma out. Jason honks the horn of the truck as Emma locks the door. Father and son are waiting on them. Emma climbs in the back seat, joining Mickey while Mandy climbs into the passenger seat.

“So, are we driving straight through or stopping for the night when you get tired?” She asks Jason teasingly.

Mickey and Emma started chuckling before Jason could form a response.

“Picking on me already? Wow, why did I ask you to join us again?” He asks Mandy with a wink.

Mandy grins, folds her hands under her chin, and flutters her eyelashes, “Because you like me.”

“Cute,” Jason gripes. “We’re stopping for the night in Philly.”

“Grandma and gramps are expecting us for dinner,” Mickey chimes in.

“Oh,” Mandy murmurs, unsure if she’s ready to meet the parents, as it were. Granted, she’d met Linda Hayes once shortly after Alana’s death.

Meanwhile, Emma links the Spotify app on her phone with the truck’s sound system and Bon Jovi’s ‘Blaze of Glory.’ Within minutes all three members of the Hayes family are singing along enthusiastically. Mandy shakes her head in amusement.

“Come on, Mandy! You have to sing along too!” Emma exclaims from her seat.

After some encouragement from Mickey and Jason, Mandy joins in, and the quartet sings several songs together. Three hours in, they stop to refuel on gas and take a bathroom break.

Once he’s refueled the truck, Jason pulls into a space on the side of the gas station. Nearby is a small grass field that Mickey runs off with Emma’s Reese's peanut butter cups. She chases after him yelling, “Give them back, Mickey!”

Mandy laughs, shaking her head as Jason lowers the tailgate on the back of his truck. Together they take a seat watching the two teens chase each other.

“You ok?” Jason asks, noticing how quiet Mandy has become.

“Yeah, it just hit me earlier. It’s not just us. But those two,” Mandy nods to the teens, “will be this baby’s family.”

“They’ll be your family too, not just the babys’,” Jason tells her, giving her shoulder a slight nudge with his own.

“I’ve told you about my family history; since my mom died, I’ve had no family, which is daunting. Not to mention, we didn't exactly have a great relationship before she died.”

“You’ve interrogated terrorists. Seen some of the worst of humanity. My kids are harmless by comparison.”

“What about your parents? I wasn't exactly prepared for this road trip to include that. Not to mention do they know I’m coming to dinner?”

Jason looks at her sheepishly, “My mom will be happy to get another grandkid to love and spoil. My dad…” Jason shrugs his shoulders. “After Mickey and I loaded the last things in the truck, I called my mom, so she knows you’re with us.”

“Speaking of Mickey and Emma, when do you plan on telling them about the baby?”

Jason chuckles, “How Emma’s been watching you, I think she suspects something.”

“What do you mean?” Many asks apprehensively.

Grinning, “You’ve been distracted in your own head. That’s understandable... But that's not normal. You’ve been placing your hand on your stomach a lot.”

“Oh,” Mandy replies, not realizing how out of character she’s acted. Mandy lays her head on his shoulder and yawns. The excitement of the day catching up with her.

“Look, why don’t I tell them before we hit the road? Your nerves look frayed, and you’re obviously tired. Get in the truck and take a nap. I’ll wake you when we hit the outskirts of Philly.” Jason suggested.

Mandy agrees with a slight nod of her head. He places his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. She nestles her head into his shoulder, letting his inherent warmth seep in, the smell of his aftershave soothing her.

Leaning down, he places a soft kiss against her temple, “It’s gonna be alright.”

Caught in their own bubble, neither adult notices the teens watching them from the grassy field. Several minutes go by, then Mandy pulls away slowly. Jason helps her down from the tailgate.

Jason watches Mandy climb into the truck before jogging over to his kids. He snatches the last Reese’s peanut butter cup from Mickey’s hand and pops it into his mouth. Both kids simultaneously yelling, “Hey!”

“Are we getting back on the road, dad?” Mickey asks.

“In a bit, but I need to talk to you about something. Jason then points to some picnic tables. The trio saunter to the table, each taking a seat.

“What’s up, dad? Is this about Mandy?” Emma asks, getting straight to the point.

Jason claps his hands together and shakes his head, “I told Mandy that you were suspicious of something being up.”

“So something is going on?” Emma pushes, not allowing Jason any slack.

“Are you guys dating?” Mickey asks, finally joining Emma with the questions.

“Yes, something is going on. No, Mandy and I aren't dating. I’m not sure what we’re doing.” Jason finishes with a sigh taking a hand to rub the back of his neck.

“Well, you two are something, or you wouldn't have brought her on the road trip?” Emma nudges.

“Especially since we’re stopping at Grandma and Grandpa’s house for dinner.” Mickey tosses in.

“That’s all true….” Jason pauses, unsure how to continue.

Seeing her father struggle for words, Emma takes pity on him and asks, “Is Mandy pregnant? Are we getting a sibling?” She smirks at him.

“Emma!” Mickey exclaims at her questions.

“Yeah, Mandy’s pregnant. The baby’s mine. So, in roughly six and a half months, you’ll get a baby brother or sister.” Jason admits.

“Umm, weren’t you the one giving Emma the safe sex speech before your last deployment?” Mickey can't help but ask.

Jason glares at his son. But before he can respond, Emma chimes in.

“Wait! That means she’s like three months pregnant. Three months ago, you were still in J-Bad. You two hooked up on deployment?” She pauses for a moment. “Isn’t that against the rules, Master Chief Hayes?” She asks teasingly, wanting to get a little revenge.

Jason groans, “Enough. I’m not gonna get into the details of what happened between Mandy and me in J-Bad.”

“UGH!” Mickey exclaims a look of disgust on his face.

“Dad, trust me, we don't want the details of how our sibling was conceived,” she shudders. She briefly looks at her brother before continuing. “We love you, dad, and as long as you’re happy, that's all we want. It seems like Mandy and this baby could be a chance for you to be happy. We want that for you.”

“Dad, mom’s been gone, and she would want you to be happy. That’s all she ever wanted for us. Plus, with you stepping down from actively deploying with Bravo Team, you’ll be able to be around more and help Mandy. I know you have regretted being deployed so much when we were little. You have another chance to do things differently.” Mickey adds.

In the truck, Mandy grabbed Jason’s discarded Flyers hoodie and folded it into a pillow. She didn't wake up when the others came back. The kids put on their headphones and returned to their electronic devices while Jason pulled back onto the road.

Many startles awake to a hand gently nudging her shoulder. Stretching languidly in her seat, she then curls back in on herself. Pulling the hoodie from where it's wedged, she pulls it tightly around herself like a shield as a source of warmth and comfort.

“We’re about twenty minutes from my folk's places,” Jason advises as he changes lanes to get off at the next exit.

“Ok,” Mandy mumbles as she tries to stifle a yawn.

Sitting up, she lowers the visor, wincing when she sees her reflection in the mirror. Her hair had come out of its loose ponytail and now stood in a static halo. She notes that the bags under her eyes are less pronounced but remain present. The exhaustion from deployment, the last few weeks on extra assignment, and the changes going through her body due to the pregnancy still taking their toll on her body.

In the mirror, Mandy sees Emman hand her a brush, “thanks,” she tells her, a wane smile on her face.

Running the brush through her hair Mandy combs out the tangles and pulls it back into a ponytail. Turning in her seat, she hands the brush back to Emma, “thanks,” she states again, this time the smile on her face reaching her eyes.

“No problem, we girls got to stick together,” Emma replies, stowing the brush in her bag. “Speaking of, when do we find out if we’re getting a little brother or sister? Personally, I’m hoping it's a girl. One stinky little brother is more than enough.”

“Hey!” Mickey yells with indignation, “I don't stink!”

“Your hockey duffle bag tells a different tale,” Emma insists, reaching and ruffling his hair while he tries to swat away her hand.

“Knock it off, you two.” Jason grumps from the driver's seat, used to their antics.

Uncontrollable laughter bubbles up from Mandy’s core; she tries to suppress it. Her body shakes for a moment and then bursts out. Causing the others to laugh with her.

“The doctor plan on doing an anatomy scan around the time I reach eighteen to twenty weeks, so as long as the baby cooperates, we should find out its gender then. I’m roughly eleven weeks now, so it's still a little ways off.”

“That’s so cool. Will you send us pics and keep us updated?” Mickey asked, full of excitement and curiosity.

“Sure. I can do that.”

Dinner had been a tense and painful affair. It only worsened after she declined the glass of wine with dinner. She had picked at her meal, the tension making her nausea worse. Eventually, she had to excuse herself as the little she ate didn't sit well.

Jason had been in a heated argument with his father. When she returned to the table, which only worsened when Jason revealed her pregnancy, his mother sat in stunned silence as his father abruptly stood and stormed off.

The kids cleared the table and said their goodbyes; now, the quartet was back in the truck heading toward Windham. Mandy reached over the center council, lacing her fingers with Jason’s give them a squeeze in support.

The rest of the drive to Windham was quiet; everyone was lost in their thoughts. When they arrive at Mickey’s school, they get out of the truck; Jason unloads his bags from the truck bed as Emma hugs Mickey tightly.

Mickey then comes over to Mandy, giving her a shy smile. He also offers Mandy a tight hug. “I want to be in the loop. Will you please keep me updated on what's happening?”

As she steps back, Mandy grins, “Of course.” She then unlocks her cell and hands it to him, “Add your contact info.” Mickey grabs and quickly enters his info, But instead of giving it back to Mandy, he hands it to Emma, who also adds her information.

Last, Mickey heads over to Jason. Neither says anything as Jason pulls Mickey into a tight, crushing embrace. Mickey hugs him back just as fiercely. They stay in that position for a moment before pulling apart. Grabbing his duffles, Mickey says “Bye” to everyone before heading for his dorm room.

Climbing in the truck, Emma rests in the back seat and falls asleep within minutes. Getting back on the road, Mandy leans back in her seat and watches Jason. After a few minutes, he glances in her direction, “Why are you staring.?”

“Just thinking about today. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster. How are you holding up?” Mandy asks again as she laces her hand with his on the center console.

“Surprisingly, I’m ok. Yes, you shocked me with your lunchtime revelations. But, us having a kid is not a bad thing, though I can't say I’m looking forward to the ribbing from the guys.” He chuckles, and Mandy sputters to suppress her laugh. “I got to spend time with the kids, and they took the news of getting another sibling well, so that's a win. My mom is excited about getting another grandbaby to spoil. As for my old man, we’ve been butting heads since I was in high school and decided to enlist. I’m sorry for what he said to you and that you had to witness the drama.”

“I’m sorry for causing the drama.”

“That wasn't on you, and had you not been there, we would have gotten into it over something else. He and I don't do well together in the same house, let alone the same room.”

They continue to talk over things for the next two and a half hours, making their way into New York City. Jason mutters a few choice curses under his breath. Emma wakes as Jason puts the truck into Park. It’s almost midnight when he pulls her bags from the truck bed.

Mandy and Emma hug as they say goodbye, the young woman also asking to be updated on all things pregnancy. Mandy steps back, giving father and daughter a moment. She, in turn, pulls out her cell phone and starts looking for a decent hotel where they can sleep for the night.

#Seal Team #Bravo Team #Jason Hayes x Mandy Ellis #Mandy Ellis #Emma Hayes #Mickey Hayes

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