Several hours later, the group managed to get back to the house and a frantic Sadie. Jerry helped Alpha Squad park the SUVs and check the perimeter while they took care of Gypsy. Hank had made sure Swede and two other Brotherhood Protectors were there at the house with his wife and daughter before heading to Jerry and the women’s rescue. They had waited for the Sheriff and his crew to arrive and give their statements, as well as for the scene to be cleared before they could leave.

All were exhausted from the adrenaline rush that was now leaving their systems. And hungry. Sadie, Allie, and Swede started to grill burgers and fix a few sides for everyone. When everything was ready, everyone sat down, loud and boisterous like one large family. Swede and Allie were formerly introduced to Alpha Squad with more jokes about another ‘damn’ SEAL in the mix. Swede even took delight into sharing more stories about Joe and their many escapades when they were single, causing Laura to laugh and inspiring ideas for pranks to play on her fiancé when she returned home.

“When are you guys heading back to San Diego?” Gypsy asked Raso.

“With Mr. Patterson’s permission, we’d like to stay the rest of today and tomorrow to make sure there are not any more issues with any of Aleski’s men that we may not have taken out today. So I guess the day after tomorrow,” Raso said with a shrug.

“Please call me, Hank. I think after this week, you’ve earned that right, and technically you’re family,” Hank said with a smile for the women of Alpha Squad. “I have to say I’m impressed with your skills as a team. You all moved just like a trained Special Forces team. I’m glad Gypsy has you on her side. Hell, I’m glad you’re on our side.” Hank laughed.

“Thank you…Hank. We aren’t Special Forces, but we were trained by the best, former SEALs and Delta operators. It also helps that most of us, minus Taz here, all worked together in the Sheriff’s Department in some form or another well before the task force was created. We are a rag tag group, but we make it work. God help anyone who hurts family, as you saw today,” Sgt. Brocard declared.

“She means anyone who hurts family…” Diesel said looking directly at Jerry.

Gypsy coughed. “Are you taking the private jet back or have a commercial flight?”

“We have the jet as long as we need it,” Raso replied curious at Gypsy’s questions.

“Okay if I catch a ride back with you?” Gypsy finally asked.

“You’re leaving?” Jerry asked confused and hurt.

“I have to. My two-week vacation is up. I have to be on set of the new film I’m working on in less than a week. We are filming in Los Angeles and San Diego, but I still have a few things I need to get done before filming starts,” Gypsy said.

Jerry got up and excused himself and left the group at the tables. Everyone looked at each other confused. Laura got up from the table to search for Jerry, finding him down the driveway around the front of the property. Laura ran to catch up with him.

“So you’re just going to give up because she’s going back to her job?” Laura questioned.

“She’s made her choice. No room for me,” Jerry said direct and to the point, his tone flat and defeated.

“Actually, I only heard her ask about a ride because she had a commitment to a job and then you throwing a temper tantrum,” Laura said matter-of-factly. “Have the two of you even talked about anything more than bumping uglies in between the sheets? She’s probably thinking you’re ready for her to go after today’s events or now that Aleski has been taken care of. I thought you were a SEAL, Jerry. Don’t disappoint us now. The whole team is rooting for you,” Laura said as she turned to walk away.

Jerry watched Laura walk away with a shocked expression on his face that slowly turned into a smirk. The damn woman had a sassy streak a mile wide. He now knew what Joe saw in the woman who was way beyond opposite of what his crazy friend usually went for. Jerry was happy that Joe had found a woman who completed him, as well as probably drove him crazy.

Jerry looked up at the sky for a few moments to gather his thoughts then took a deep breath before calling out Laura’s name. “Hey Laura! Hold up.” Jerry ran to catch up with her. “I need your help with something.”

“Sure what’s up?” Laura asked curiously. Jerry placed his arm around Laura’s shoulder and turned her toward the road while telling her his plans.

* * *

Gypsy went looking for Jerry and Laura. When she rounded the corner, she saw Jerry put his arms around Laura and kiss her cheek, with a huge smile on his face. Feeling betrayed, she turned around and went to find Raso.

“Hey Ice, if I go back with you guys, can we leave tomorrow?” Gypsy said with no emotion.

“Uh, let me talk to the rest of the team. It shouldn’t be a problem. Everything okay?” Raso asked.

“Yep, everything is awesome. Just want to get back and get my stuff that I need done before the next film is started, that’s all,” Gypsy replied.

“Okay, let me go talk to the group.”

Gypsy watched as Raso walked away. She looked at everyone around her then sighed. She figured it was too good to be true for her. She was damaged goods. She walked into the house and went up to her room and started packing her things.

“Hey, trouble. Raso sent me up to let you know that we are heading out tomorrow,” Laura said. “Thank God, I’m so ready to get home to see my boys.”

“I’m sure you are,” Gypsy said short in her reply.

“Are you okay?” Laura asked.

“Yep, never better and my mind is clear. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be ready to go tomorrow. If you don’t mind, I’d like some alone time. Make sure everyone knows,” Gypsy said, opening her door for Laura to leave.

“Alrighty then. See you tomorrow,” Laura said confused.

Gypsy closed the door behind Laura and locked it. She slid down the door to the floor and silently cried her eyes out. Her heart was heavy. Her head was calling her all kinds of a fool for thinking that she could have someone like Jerry while her heart kept telling her to go and talk to him because it wasn’t what she thought she saw. Gypsy knew she was vulnerable right now and didn’t know what to do.

The next day, Gypsy got up and double checked to make sure everything was packed and ready to go. Gypsy said her goodbyes to Sadie and shook Hank’s hand. She ignored Jerry completely. She knew he had come to look for her last night, but she didn’t answer her door when he had knocked or called her name. This morning was no different. She rode with Alpha Squad to the airport so she didn’t have to deal with him on the drive to Bozeman. When he walked toward her, she went the opposite way getting onto the plane, avoiding Jerry at all costs.

“Hey Gypsy Danger, what’s wrong?” Raso asked once they were in the air on the plane headed back to San Diego.

“I’m fine, Ice,” Gypsy replied hastily.

“No, you’re not. You’ve barely spoken to anyone, you’ve ignored Laura since last night, and ran like the hounds of hell were after you when Jerry tried to talk to you,” Raso said looking at Gypsy sternly.

“I told you I’m fine, damn it. Leave me alone,” Gypsy exploded.

Raso looked at Gypsy in shock then walked away. Diesel, overhearing the conversation, went up to Gypsy. “Not sure what crawled up your ass and died in the last twenty-four hours, but I suggest you crowbar that shit out now,” Diesel said firmly.

“Whatever. Dr. Colez was right, you guys are hampering my recovery. Never thought Laura or anyone would go after someone’s man…Never mind, he wasn’t mine to begin with,” Gypsy said in a snotty and condescending tone.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Diesel asked laughing.

“Look I saw it with my own eyes, Diesel. Laura kissing Jerry in the driveway,” Gypsy snapped back angrily.

“No, you didn’t. Had you even asked Gypsy, you would have found out that Jerry asked if I thought you would give him a chance to be there for you now that your situation was handled. He had asked for my opinion and help on a surprise for you. Wow! You seriously thought I’d cheat on Joe with Jerry? Seriously Gypsy Monroe? I’m hurt you would even think I’d do something like that,” Laura said as she walked toward Gypsy. “He hugged me and gave me a kiss on my cheek because I gave him advice on how to talk to you about building something more between you two and then threatened to kick his ass if he ever hurt you,” Laura finished then shook her head at Gypsy and walked away.

“Damn it. Laura, I’m sorry,” Gypsy yelled, walking after Laura as fast as the plane isle permitted. “Please forgive me. I’m so damn sorry. I’m just so scared I’m not going to be good enough to keep a man like him. I’m such a fucking idiot,” Gypsy said as Laura turned around to look at her.

“Gyps, you’re very worth it, and it’s funny because he’s worried he’s not good enough for you. Joe told me about his injuries and the bullshit he went through while in rehab. You’re not an idiot. You’re scared and doing exactly what I did with Joe - listened to my head instead of what I knew in my heart.”

“I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?” Gypsy cried into Laura’s shoulder as she hugged Gypsy tight.

“There’s nothing to forgive sweetie. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, hun.”