The door opened and he turned from the window to see Jax, looking radiant even though she wore black. Jeans, long sleeve t-shirt, boots, all of it was black. Her hair, which she almost always wore in a ponytail was pulled back. But it was her smile that lit up the room. It was gorgeous. She was gorgeous. Walking toward him she giggled.

"We scored big."

Holding his right arm out, his heart hammered when she walked to him, her arms wrapping around his waist, his right arm pulling her close, even though his left arm was in a sling between them. He inhaled the scent of her hair and reveled in her warmth.

"Great job, Little Mama."

He kissed the top of her head and lay his cheek on the place he'd just kissed. She moved and he lifted his head to look into her eyes but her lips captured his in an instant and he loved the way that felt even more.

Her tongue dipped into his mouth and danced along his. His right hand cupped her nape, just under her ponytail and held her mouth to his and his lips mated with hers. She stepped back then, but stayed close. "We've only got a few minutes before Wyatt will be back and chances are Ford and Josh will come in as well so we can debrief the team back home."

She took his right hand and led him to his bed, sitting and patting the space beside her. "I may have let Josh think we're an item. I don't think there is an issue with it, but I just wanted to give you a heads up. When he asked if we were together, I told him it was none of his business and that he needed to back off. I didn't clarify anything further. I..."

He placed his forefinger over her lips, his eyes sought hers. "Don't worry about it. I rather like the idea of us being together. At least of us thinking about trying out dating."

Her eyes widened and her smile grew. He removed his finger, dipped his head down, and kissed her lips briefly. "What do you think?

"If it doesn't work out, it may be awkward for a while."

"Then I'll take every assignment that takes me out of town."

She giggled, "You shouldn't have to do that."

"How about we don't borrow trouble and see where this goes?"

The door opened and Wyatt stepped in. "Interrupting?"

"No." Jax snapped.

Josh and Ford walked in behind him and other than a brief glance at their closeness, no one said anything else. Wyatt began hooking up cords from his laptop to the television in the room so they could see their remote team as they debriefed. He pulled up their software and then connected them to GHOST headquarters back at Lynyrd Station.

The screen blipped a few times then the rest of their team came into view. She scooted Dodge back to rest against the headboard, then sat next to him. Ford sat at the foot of the bed, Josh and Wyatt perched themselves at the foot of the other bed so they could all be seen.

Gaige started. "Hi everyone and great job."

Gaige and Lincoln congratulated them on a job well done then Gaige got to business. "Okay, debrief. What do you have for a diamond?"

Jax sat up straighter and replied. "Georgia had cut four, two-carat pieces from the stone which leaves approximately 154.5 carats left. Still one of the largest rough pink diamonds in the world and, hopefully, Guardwell will be happy with that much and the four smaller stones."

Gaige nodded then looked at him. "Dodge, how are you doing?"

He cleared his throat. "I'm fine. The pain has lessened and in a couple of days, I'll be just fine."

"Okay. Sorry to start your first mission out this way. But, baptism by fire and all."

He chuckled, that's for sure. He asked in return, "Any sightings of Mangus?"

Lincoln spoke up then. "As a matter of fact, yes. We got word late last night that he was spotted in a little town about 80 miles from Jasperville. He turned around and began driving back here. We’re guessing someone got word to him of the shit-show happening. We set up cameras in the area and we know how he gets in and out now. We have him on camera entering his mountain hideout. We're going out there in the morning once Hawk and Axel return to see if we can get him. We're assuming he's tucking in now that some of the shit is going down."

Jax smiled and locked eyes with him and his heart fluttered. Like a fucking teenage girl his stomach twisted and his heart thumped along like it was in a race. "Isn't that fantastic?" She asked and all he could do was smile in return and nod.

"Okay, so tomorrow you should be able to come home. The feds will deal with Mags and I'll report in as soon as I hear from our contact."

Lincoln smiled and looked at him. "For Adam." Gave him a thumbs up and dammit if it didn't bring tears to his eyes. Ford tapped him on the leg then. "For Adam. He'd be so proud."

Swallowing the gigantic lump in his throat all he could do was nod. Jax lay her head against his chest and snaked an arm around his waist. Gaige looked at them, his brows rose but to his credit, he said nothing. They'd no doubt have a discussion when they all got back to HQ. But for now, this was a moment he'd never forget.