Chapter 3
While Alex and Tyler hang back to go over plans with the general, along with their newest addition to the team, Liz reluctantly agrees to stay with Mikey and gear up.
Their first stop is the central issue facility to finally get her some gear that fits.
Men and women cleanly march from one building to the next while jeeps whiz by.
Everyone has a purpose they execute with a scary precision.
Her head drops, feeling out of place, so she resorts to watching her feet and the dust kicking up around them rather than all the people moving too close for comfort.
A deep sadness settles on the long walk across the base.
They both know Mikey should not be the one beside her, getting her ready for her first real mission.
When they reach the small brick building, Mikey pulls the door open, ushering Liz inside.
The noise from the rest of the base fades away as they make their way deeper into the facility, nothing but squeaking shoes and the dull hum of an air conditioner to fill the silence.
Rows of shelving are spaced along one section, holding all the clothing anyone could need, all a mix of blacks and camouflage.
On the far side is a wall of shoes with shelves upon shelves of various accessories.
“C’mon, we don’t have much to get. You need some real boots and a vest that fits. The rest of what you wear should be fine,” he says, guiding them toward the shoes waiting in the back. He begins looking through the boxes, trying to find her size.
“So, I don’t have to wear the army uniform?” she asks, picking through boxes to help speed up the process. The boxes thunk onto the discolored tiles as they start to pile up. Liz isn’t even sure what she is actually looking for, she just knows she needs shoes in her size.
“Nope. That’s one of the many perks in being in a super secret spec ops unit.
It’s definitely unfair, but we can dress in whatever works for us, although that usually means black to stay hidden.
Sometimes we need to be in full tactical gear, but not very often,” he says, picking a box and holding it above his head like a trophy.
Finally having what they were after, they make their way to the racks holding hundreds of kevlar vests.
Finding a vest in her size goes much faster than the shoes.
The third one Mikey forces her to try on fits like a glove.
He tosses it over his arm, tucks the shoe box into the crook of his elbow, and weaves through displays until they make it to the large desk in the middle of the room where a man waits.
“Hey, Ted. I’m snagging these for her,” Mikey says, nodding his head in Liz’s direction. “Just throw them on my account. Alex should have sent over his list of demands if you don’t mind getting everything together for us.”
Liz watches the man with caution even though he is fully engaged with Mikey.
The man seems to only be in his late forties to early fifties with neatly cut grey hair and deep wrinkles around his eyes.
He turns to walk away when she sees the prosthetic leg.
Liz pulls her eyes away, hoping she wasn’t rude for noticing.
“He said we are in hangar two. If you could get someone to deliver everything there, I would really appreciate it.”
Ted stays silent, giving Mikey nothing more than a nod before walking off, list in hand.
A sharp chirp rings out from Mikey’s pocket.
He slides out his phone and checks the message, not bothering to reply before stuffing it back into his pants.
They leave Liz’s new gear on the desk and step back out into the controlled chaos outside.
“The guys are done, and apparently Scott had some info he was holding onto that helped pinpoint where Ry is being held. We have just over an hour until we can gear up,” he says, guiding her once again through the endless stream of people and vehicles roving around.
“We don’t have time to go back home. Are you good at eating in the mess hall? Ty and Alex will meet us.”
Her shoulders drop at the thought of being around so many strangers. Despite everything, she still gets nervous around crowds, especially when she does not know anyone or their intentions.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Honestly, though, I don’t think I’ll be able to eat anything.”
Mikey can’t help but feel for her, knowing all too well the nervous jitters before the first mission.
Unfortunately for Liz, she has so much more to worry about than it just being her first. She has been through more than anyone ever should in such a short amount of time.
Mikey glances at her, seeing the strength and determination she carries has him beaming with pride.
They may not have known each other long, but she has quickly become one of his closest friends.
“Did you hear about the man who installed a window in his butt?” he asks, holding back his laughter. “It was a pane in the ass.”
Liz lets out a melodic giggle, letting it take some of her anxiety with it. She loops her arm through his and lets him guide her across the courtyard, not speaking again until they reach their destination.
Mikey holds the heavy glass door open for Liz.
Only a few small steps into the mess hall and she freezes.
A cacophony of voices ring out, making it sound too much like a high school lunchroom.
She should be happy with the normalcy of it all, the men and women finding joy in their everyday lives, but she isn’t.
She is bitter and jealous that while they get to sit here, laughing with friends, and enjoying their food while so many of their fellow soldiers don’t get to.
She hates herself for doing the same thing only moments before when Mikey started joking with her again.
How can she let herself feel any type of joy with what is happening to Riley?
A hand finds its way to the middle of her back, pulling her from her thoughts. “They got a table over there in the corner. Pick what you want and load up a plate,” he says, grabbing a tray and plate.
Liz follows his lead, picking up her own tray and following close behind to the salad bar.
She watches, slowly putting greens and some veggies onto her plate, as Mikey piles salad onto a second plate.
Her eyes go wide as the mountain of lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes grows.
He finally tops it with two heaping scoops of chicken, cheese, and a rich orange dressing.
Liz, on the other hand, adds a small spoonful of chicken and ranch dressing.
They make their way over to the hot line.
Once more he starts filling his plate with more food than any one person should eat.
Chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and broccoli.
Despite the amazing smells wafting all around, she can’t bring herself to take more than the measly salad and a bottle of water.
When Mikey’s tray is practically overflowing, they make their way over to the table where the rest of their team waits.
A wave of relief washes over her when she sees its only Tyler and Alex sitting at the table.
Hopeful that they were able to convince the general to get rid of Matt, she slides into a chair between Mikey and Alex.
They have a pleasant enough time eating together.
Alex takes time to go over the new plans, breaking everything down for Liz.
She knows she will be partnered with Mikey, and he will keep her from making any huge mistakes, but her nerves won’t stop until the adrenaline takes over.
The mood of the entire table shifts when a chair is pulled over and the newest member of their rag tag squad sits down. Liz seethes the moment her eyes land on Matt. She wants to get up and drag him from their table. She wants him to know she will never welcome him into their unit.
Her fork clangs against the plate as she aggressively stabs at her salad.
“I thought you guys were getting rid of him,” she snarls before shoving the fork into her mouth, eyeing him with disgust. She can’t help herself; the promise she made was to play nice with the general, not this new man who lobs insults then winks like he did her a favor.
“Woah, what the hell did I do to deserve that?” he asks, clearly taken aback by her anger.
“Oh, you mean other than how you insulted me back in general fuck faces office? We don’t need someone trying to come in and fill the hole Riley left.
We are getting him back and our little team will be just fine until then,” she says, staring him down.
She doesn’t miss the rest of her team exchanging worried glances.
“First off, that wasn’t an insult. I am genuinely impressed with your dedication to a man who embarrassed you the way he did.
Personally, I would let him rot and move on to someone who reciprocates my feelings, but if you want to hold out hope for a man who treats you like that, then that’s your choice to make.
” Liz is so angry she cannot even form words, and her jaw drops open as he begins again.
“And second, the only hole that man left behind I wouldn’t mind filling, is yours. ”
The chair under her flies back, and she’s on her feet across the table. Before anyone can register what is happening, Liz has brandished her fork like a knife, seconds from plunging it into Matt’s smug face.
Mikey snatches her hand, roughly pinching the area between her thumb and pointer finger. The fork drops to the table with a loud clang, and he shoves her back into her chair.
“Enough. Both of you,” Alex shouts, trying to get control of the situation before more eyes see what is happening.
“Shit, you were really going to stab me, weren’t you?
” Matt asks with a smile plastered on his face.
“Look, it’s a ten out of ten for the dedication, but we both know this face is too pretty to stab.
” Leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, his hazel eyes scan hers for any hint of amusement.
“Has anyone told you you’re like a little honey badger? Small and cute but mean as all hell.”
“I said that’s enough, Solano,” Alex snaps.
One look at the mountain of a man now standing over them would get anyone to rethink their choices.
“You’re not needed here. Go to hangar two and make sure all our supplies are in order, and if I hear another word out of you, I will throw your ass off the team so fast your head will spin.
” Alex slams himself back down into his chair, not bothering to see if his new recruit is doing as instructed.
It’s not long before the whispers of what happened start to make their way around the mess hall.
“I’m sorry,” Liz whispers to Alex, knowing her outburst is going to once again make more work for him to deal with. The last thing she wants is to cause problems.
“It’s not your fault. The guy is an asshole, but we need to work on your temper. You can’t go around attacking fellow soldiers,” he says, finishing up the last of his food.
“I know. I promise it’s something I will work on.
I tried so hard not to let it get to me.
I know Riley didn’t mean what he said, at least I don’t think he did, but the other thing…
” She trails off, pushing her still half full tray to the middle of the table so she can lay her head down.
“The last thing he said was just too far. I can handle a lot, but I won’t tolerate anyone speaking to me that way.
” A soothing hand rubs gently up and down her back, a light, comforting touch of a trusted friend.
“I take things like this very seriously. Right now, we need him to find Riley, but I will talk to him and make it clear I won’t tolerate that shit. He does anything like that again, and he’s gone, no questions. You have my word.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me, but we both know if you get rid of him, general stupid face will go back on his word. My comfort will never be more important than Riley’s life. I just need to focus on getting him back and not fucking up my first mission.”