Miami, Florida

June 11th, 2021

Demo POV

You rushed over to Derek who was unconscious and rolled him over. You saw the glass shard in his leg and noticed he was bleeding heavily from his chest.

Demo: Patch get your ass over here quick!

You heard footsteps come from behind you as Franklin slid across to Dereks other side.

Patch: I can block the bleeding for now but we need to get him and Mickey back to base ASAP.

Demo: Just do what you have to do.

He examined the shard on his leg and looked down at his hands and looked back up at you.

Patch: You have thicker gloves than me, I'm gonna hold his leg down and you're gonna have to pull the shard out.

Demo: Can't we just leave it in until we get back?

Patch: No we can't leave it in, as possible as it is, leaving the shard in his leg will only do more damage with moving him. It can break and next thing we know, he has tiny shards in his leg that I'd have to dig out.

He held down Dereks leg as you placed both of your hands on the glass shard.

Patch: On the count of 3, pull it out. 1...2...3

You pulled the shard out as Patch quickly reached into his bag and grabbed gauze pads and bandages.

Demo: Is that seriously all you fucking have!?!

Patch: What do you think I've been using this whole time, this is shit Mira packed in my uniform, she doesn't know shit about medical work. She needs to keep her Spanish ass in the shop.

Demo: Just focus on stopping the bleeding.

Patch: I can't stop the bleeding, best I can do is slow it down until we get back.

Demo: And how are you going to do that.

Patch: By Jamming this pad into his bullet wound and gash and then wrapping it. It should clog it until we get him back to the medical wing.

You heard footsteps and when you looked it was John.

Bulldog: Got the white sons of bitches hightailing it out of here. They don't know what to do after losing their boss.

Demo: Whats our ETA for our Evac.

Bulldog: Not long, Valks on her way back now with the chopper. How is he.

Patch: Same as Mick, he's critical and we need Valk here now.

You stared at Dereks unconscious body as you looked over at the dead Miller and back at him.

Demo: Hang on just one more time bud...

Timeskip: 25 hours later.

Hereford Base; Medical Wing

Derek POV

You opened your eyes to see a bright light. You squinted your eyes as you slowly adjusted and then fully opened them. You looked over to your left and saw an IV tube running into your arm and on another bed you saw Mickey sleeping. The door across the room opened to reveal both Franklin and Gustave. They closed the door and looked over at you awake.

Doc: You're awake, that's good.

Derek: What happened?

Patch: Shortly after blacking out back in Miami, we had you and Sean Evac'd outta there and brought back to base and got that bullet in your chest removed.

Doc: Had that bullet been 2 inches more to the left, and it would've pierced your heart. You're lucky to even be alive.

Derek: Doesn't feel like it.

Patch: That serum you injected into yourself, it wasn't a super soldier serum, more like a booster. It's why Miller was carrying it, he was scared that you would gain the upper hand. That odd feeling you're having or crave, is your body going through withdraw on the substance. It's one of the reasons as to why you feel like shit.

Derek: What about Loba and Valk, are they alright?

Doc: Valk is fine and all patched up. Loba however, is in the room next door with Ajay who is treating her.

Derek: So what am I supposed to do?

Patch: Well, how do you feel?

Derek: Besides my whole body aching, I feel fine.

Doc: Most I can say is take it easy, those who aren't wounded will go out on missions with Robert being in charge. You need your rest.

Derek: For once Doc, I'm not gonna disagree with you. I need this break.

The two medics looked at eachother and then back to you.

Doc: Did he just... comply?

Patch: Dont look at me, this shit only happened once and that was after Operation Hammerdown back in 2018. He at the most, took a good 6 hours to relax before being back on the field.

Doc: Wouldn't really consider that a break.

Patch: Oh trust me, they were running for their fucking lives.

Derek: And your lucky ass didn't have to outrun F-15s that were more than prepared to gun down the Whitehouse.

Doc: Why were they gonna fire onto the Whitehouse?

Patch: Russians controlled it.

Doc: Back to the main subject...

He opened up a file he had in his hands and read off of the contents inside.

Doc: Derek, with the amount of blood loss and the large gash that we stitched up your leg. It's best you do as little walking as possible. Top that off with the bruised ribs, sprained left forearm, and a minor concussion.

Derek: I have a minor concussion?

Patch: You'll feel it all once that Serum wears off.

Derek: How long is that gonna be.

Patch: Why do you do that?

Derek: Do what?

Patch: Askin me questions as if I'm gonna know the fucking answer.

Derek: You studied this shit.

Patch: I studied human anatomy not biology.

Mickey: Do you guys ever shut the fuck up?

Doc: *clears throat* Glad you're awake Mickey, how do you feel.

Mickey: I'm still in alot of pain and these two just ruined a good ass dream.

Patch: Your dreams consist of you having sex with yourself.

Mickey: Nah, this one was better.

Patch: Wait hold on, I was kidding about the sex with yourself part.

Mickey: Well fuck.

Derek: You have sex with yourself in your dreams?

Mickey: Sometimes, not gonna lie I have a nice cock.

Patch: large enough to satisfy Veronica's short ass.

Mickey: What're you trying to imply?

Patch: That you have a small fry, now can we just get back to the main subject with what's going on with you two shitheads?

Derek: Can I leave?

Patch: You can leave, but you can't do anything.

Derek: And like I said I was planning on taking the break anyway.

Patch: I'll have the girls babysit you if you dont shut the fuck up.

Derek: I'd like that.

Patch: Yea thats why I'm not letting that happen.

Derek: Man you're no fun.

Frnaklin walked over and took out the IV needle.

Patch: alright, you're all good. You hungry?

Derek: I haven't eaten anything in a day, ofcourse I'm fucking hungry.

Patch: Alright Mrs. Pissy, you want to go get something to eat?

Derek: I mean is it safe?

Patch: Well I'll be supervising so... yea.

Derek: Say less.

Patch: Alright, let me just help you out. Get to see everyone aswell.

Derek: Oh great.

Mickey: Oh, this is gonna be good.

Franklin walked over and helped you off the bed slowly. He wrapped his arm around your back and you moved away from it.

Derek: Alright, I can walk on my own just fine.

Patch: Only doing it just incase you fall.

Derek: Well I didn't, so what now.

Patch: You can walk your confident ass to the cafeteria.

Derek: I fuckin' will.

You slowly walked towards the door as you grabbed the handle and opened it. You took a step out of the room and turned back to Franklin giving him the finger. He looked back over at Mickey who was getting out of bed.

Patch: Sean, I'm starting to like you more.

Mickey: Well atleast someone appreciates me.

Hereford Base; Cafeteria

Franklin opened the doors to the cafeteria as you and Mickey both walked in, with you having a slight limp. You walked over to a table and slowly sat down as you gave a relief exhale.

Patch: Yea, your dumbass was in pain that entire walk , weren't you.

Derek: Oh piss off, not the first time I walked something off.

Patch: Yea, except last time you did, you nearly fucking died.

Bulldog: Yea no we seriously need to talk about that.

Derek: John I know your ass ain't talking.

Demo: You have a problem.

Patch: You're not out of the loop either Robert.

Demo: What did I do?

Patch: You literally faced death by taunting Talon to put a barrel in your face.

Derek: You did what!?!

Demo: Oh fuck off.

Ava: Lieutenant!

You looked over to see your recruits running over. With Ava giving you a light hug.

Derek: How was it with Mark?

Kenzie: It was good, but you had us worried, you all did.

Derek: we're alive, nothing to worry about.

Ava: Yea but your condition.

Derek: Me and Mickey will heal, same thing goes with Bulldog.

Bulldog: Wait we're using codenames?

Derek: For now atleast. While you guys are here, might aswell take a seat.

Ava: You want us to sit here?

Derek: Well why not, gotta get to know you guys somehow. Besides, you're in the family, can't exclude you.

They all reluctantly sat down.

Kenzie: Feels kind of weird.

Patch: How?

Ava: Well last time I sat with a group of guys was in highschool Junior year, they were a bunch of assholes.

NATO: Didn't you tell Colt you were in a bukake?

Ava: That was a lie, I only said it because he was irritated that we had really no physical experience in this field. Besides Sam really.

Sam: Even my experience is small.

Derek: I'd best tell Harry that if they're gonna go on missions, that I might aswell go along to make sure nothing bad happens.

Mickey: Need a crackshot with you?

Derek: Depending on the situation, I might.

NATO: Well if it makes you feel any better, after the black mask leader fell, the masks don't have a reliable higher up, they're panicking.

Derek: I hope they never stop, every leader that rises, they will fall.

Demo: Just like your mom at her night job.

Derek: Fuck off.

Kenzie: Your moms a stripper?

Derek: No she's dead he just likes making these jokes.

Demo: Oh you know I'm kidding.

Derek: If I didn't your face would've been on the table.

Bulldog: I don't understand how Mickey does it.

Patch: Does what?

Bulldog: Spar with Colt, like I'm big but I'm still terrified to go toe to toe with that man.

Mickey: Because before he learned all his fancy shit, we were pretty much equal, thats why I won a few.

Derek: Yea and then have been on a bigger L streak than the Jets.

Mickey: I'm engaged, and the wedding is soon, so piss off with your lonely ass.

Derek: My priorities are on a different target.

NATO: Oh yea, kill the masks. Because every woman wants a man fueled by bloodlust.

Derek: Give me a second.

You looked over your shoulder towards the female table and yelled.

Derek: Hey Ela, do you think it's hot that I'm fueled off bloodlust!

Ela: Very much so!

You turned your head back towards Mark.

Derek: See?

NATO: They don't count.

Derek: Why don't you grow an inch and get some bitches.

NATO: I did grow an inch.

Patch: He's lying his ass off, I measured him this morning.

Derek: Thought so. Now how come you aren't talking?

You looked over towards Emma who was just sitting quietly eating her food.

Emma: Prefer not to.

Derek: Well, gotta know you somehow.

Ava leaned over and started to whisper in your ear

Ava: Actually, while you were gone she did talk alot. She was opening up well and then something happened the night before and she's just been quiet since.

You looked over at Emma and noticed the scars on her arm that she quickly covered up. They looked fresh, so You looked over at Patch who gave you an expression that read "Dont bring it up" you felt a slap on your shoulder as you saw Grizzy behind you.

Derek: Fucker that was my shoulder that got stabbed.

Grizzy: Oh shit.

Derek: Its whatever, how is everything.

Grizzy: Good, how was it.

Bulldog: It wasn't a trip to Disneyland, we got our asses kicked.

Derek: Yea but we still did it.

Mickey: Speaking of which, shouldn't our next plan of engagement be more focused on the fuckers after them?

Grizzy: Yea what the hell, I miss my damn bed.

Derek: We had our hands tied but once me and Mickey are all healed, we'll get to the bottom of it.

Grizzy: You better.

Derek: Or I could give you basic firearms training and YOU can do it yourself.

Grizzy: On second thought being here a bit longer doesn't sound that bad.

Derek: See that's what I thought you said.

Emma got up without saying a word and left the cafeteria, you leaned over and looked Kenzie and gave the same questionable glance.

Derek: Where's she goin.

Kenzie: We don't know, she does this every now and then, but it's starting to be more frequent.

Ava: Last I saw her one time was the stairs leading up to the roof.

NATO: You never questioned it?

Patch: If she's really feeling that NATO, sometimes it's better to keep an eye, then to try making them talk. Could make the situation worse.

Derek: Well I'll be right back.

You slowly got up letting out a grunt

Patch: Where are you going?

Derek: Where do you think I'm going... to have a talk. Dont come up to the roof.

Hereford Base; Roof

You opened the door leading to the roof and just as you guessed, you saw her leaning against the small wall, just looking out at the city. You walked forward cautiously before standing right next to her.

Derek: Seat taken?

She looked over and shook her head "no" before looking back out. You leaned against the small wall and looked where she was looking.

Derek: Its a beautiful sight.

She spoke quietly

Emma: Yea.

Derek: I know why you're up here, you want to do it. Why?

Emma: I'm more of a disappointment than a daughter. I left my home because my family never liked me, I was always their "Disappointing child". No friends, no family. What point really is there.

Derek: The people here, are your family. Sure they might not be biological, however they still want to include you as one of their own.

Emma: Theres nothing further past Rock bottom, it's just failure after failure. Fuck up after fuck up. What point is there to even try to win.

Derek: Because I've been in your place before, and I too thought I was nothing but a failure. I lost everything, and nothing ever went through my mind except for rage, sadness.

You reached towards your neck and pulled off your balaclava. You thought that this was necessary.

Derek: I lost everything, everyone. I spent a few years as an orphan, trapped in my own mind. I pictured every person I wanted to get back at, to the point where I couldn't take it anymore. I always wanted to die, I couldn't stand being alone. So, I followed in my father's footsteps and enlisted in the marine corps, but not for good intentions. I just wanted to die. I canceled everyone out, I disobeyed orders and followed my own. If I let someone in, they were just going to die aswell. But these people, my friends. They showed me otherwise.

She looked out for a second then back at you almost wanting to ask a question

Emma: Have you ever felt a sense of comfort?

Derek: I have, and it was the best time of my life. However it was cut short because of a long lasting grudge against my name. I lost her, and one of my best friends. I was saddened and no longer feeling comfort. However, I kept looking forward. You should do the same Emma, don't let old memories die, however keep looking forward for yourself.

Emma: This kind of stuff is new to you, isn't it.

Derek: I am still learning things as I keep going. But Emma, you never lose when you get knocked down, you only lose when you give up. If you ever need to talk, you're always welcome to our dorm. We'll make sure you feel welcome. You're not alone, and never in any of our eyes will you be a disappointment or failure. I might be rough around the edges during your training sessions, but I do it because I don't want to lose anyone else under my wing.

You pointed your finger at your Bruised face and motioned your whole body.

Derek: I got all of this, because I didn't want to lose anyone. It was my life or there's and I took that risk. Same thing goes for you, we won't let anything happen to you, I won't let anything happen to you.

You stopped leaning off the wall and put your arms out.

Derek: No come on, I'm not much of a hugger but I'll let this one slide. Just not too hard.

She walked over and accepted your hug making sure not to hug too hard.

Emma: Thanks, I needed that...