Maddox "River" Benson twirled the long neck beer between his hands, causing droplets of condensation to fly in a graceful arc to the table top and soak into the napkin bearing the Aces Bar and Grill logo. He frowned when the thin paper tore and he pushed it into a small sodden pile next to the empty bottles in the center.

"So, what are you going to do now that you are retiring?"

He glanced at the assembled men and women sitting at the large table. Matthew Steel, Kason Sawyer, Faulkner Cooper, Sam Reed, Christopher Powers, and Hunter Knox looked at him expectantly. The team of SEALs, also known as Wolf, Benny, Dude, Mozart, Abe, and Cookie was some of the best men he had ever had the pleasure to know through the years. He was closer to his own team, of course, but SEALs were all brothers-in-arms and saw to it they always had each other's six. One couldn't go through everything they had and not feel a sense of family.

"I got a couple of things banging around in my head." He took a draw on the beer, pulled the label off and flashed the group a half smile. "I'll figure something out."

The pretty brunette waitress, Jessyka, bent over the table and placed the bottles onto her tray. "Another round?" she asked. She took a step back which displayed that curious limp of hers. River didn't know what had caused her injury but in all the years of coming to this bar, he had never seen it stop or even slow her down significantly. He shook his head and tilted the still quarter full bottle slightly. She smiled but suddenly lurched forward. "Hey, watch it!" she shouted over her shoulder.

Next to him, River saw Benny slide his arm around her waist as a group of loud, obnoxious men jostled her. Every man at the table, the entire SEAL team, stiffened and stared at the men. Dude, the most serious one of the team, cleared his throat and raised one eyebrow at the boisterous group. Catching the glares, the men murmured a quick apology and hurried to the other side of the packed room. The team relaxed and Jessyka kissed Benny lightly. "My hero," she murmured before returning to the bar with her loaded tray. Benny grinned and didn't take his eyes off his woman.

"So, Maddox, how did you get your nickname?" The pretty blonde, Summer asked. She was nestled inside Mozart's arm, looking very comfortable. "We've heard a lot of stories about how some guys get names and 'River' seems a little unique."

"Not a lot to say really. I was born and raised in Mississippi. You know, Mississippi River." He shrugged. "Could be worse."

"I heard it almost was," Wolf chuckled. "Something about strong hands and working on a farm."

"Yeah, something like it," River growled and sat his beer on the table. "There was no way I was going to let them saddle me with a name referencing a cow's body part. When it was first suggested, I told them point blank they better pick something else. I wasn't particularly tickled about 'River' either but considering the alternative, it worked." He shrugged. "Now the name had grown on me and for the most part, I prefer it to Maddox."

Caroline was curled against Wolf's side as he gently stroked her arm, his deep affection clearly evident for all to see. River was happy for the couple. Marriage and family were difficult at best for any military man but doubly true for SEALs. Leaving at a moment's notice with no idea where their men were or how long they would be gone was hard. Seeing all the members of this team happily wedded filled him with hope. Maybe they would be able to beat the odds. "What are the other's nicknames?" she asked.

"Bruiser, Finch, Toad, Hick, and Cowboy. I'm not completely sure but I think the new guy's nick is Railroad. He joined them today."

"I'm not sure either. I know there were a couple of new men arriving the last few days but I'm uncertain where they are assigned," Wolf said.

"Oh my God, what did that poor man do to get saddled with 'Toad' as a nickname?" Alabama asked with a laugh.

River smirked. "Sorry, you'll have to ask him. Some stories are better off coming from the source, right Benny?"

They all laughed and River turned his thoughts inward. He took another drink of his beer and watched the dynamics of the group. It was obvious to anyone how close they were. He felt a twinge of loss knowing he was no longer a part of his team. Right now, the others were off on a mission and he was left behind. They had planned on a little send off for him, some beers and reminiscing about times past but as sometimes happens, Uncle Sam called first and they had to leave earlier this morning. Sitting here was making him more nostalgic. What was he thinking coming here on his last night in Coronado? He should be at his apartment getting ready to leave. The furniture rental company had already come by yesterday so there were only a few things left. Other than his clothes and a handful of odds and ends he'd collected over the years, nothing else remained. He was leaving in the morning; leaving a life he had known for the past twenty years and heading into what? When he said he had something in mind, it hadn't been exactly true. The only thing he had planned was a visit to his family. Twenty years in the service, including twelve as a member of the elite SEALs teams and now he didn't know what would be next in his life. There was little call for trained snipers in the outside world and going to college at thirty-eight didn't sound appetizing either.

Looking around at Wolf's team laughing together made something clench in his gut. It was going to be hard acclimating to life after the SEALs. He knew he was lucky in leaving with body intact and only a handful of scars both inside and out. There were things that would haunt him in the night but he knew of too many brothers who had returned from missions severely altered by what they had seen and done. Add that to the others who never came back and he felt fortunate, indeed. Finding the current stream of his thoughts too maudlin, he rubbed his hand over his face, pulled a bill from his pocket and tossed it on the table before standing.

"You leaving already?" every eye at the table was trained on him.

He nodded. "Yeah, I got a long drive tomorrow so I better get some rest."

As one every man stood and solemnly shook his hand before giving him a manly half-hug. Murmurs of "take care" and "see ya" drifted around the room.

As he turned, he heard, "Once a SEAL..." He looked back to see Abe lift his beer.

"Always a SEAL," the others finished in unison before lifting their beers in a salute. River snagged his and downed the last swallow. They may not have been on the same team but they were still brothers. He knew without a doubt if any of them ever needed him, he'd be there and the same was true for them. SEALs never left SEALs behind.

Making his way out through the crowd, he felt his cell vibrate in his pocket. Fishing it out he glanced at the caller id and frowned. Who would be calling him from New Orleans? Stepping out of the noise and onto the sandy beach he connected the call. "Yeah?"

"River, I need your help."

River was shocked when he recognized the voice of his former team member and unofficial leader, Henry Jameson.

"Bull? Jesus man, it's been what, ten years? How the hell are you?"

"Tired."

River chuckled. "I was wondering who was calling from New Orleans Police Department. Do you need bail money?"

"Nah, I'm working here; got my detective shield a few years back, which is why I'm calling. You got a minute?"

"I got all the time you need."

"Yeah, I talked to Bruiser earlier today. He told me you were exiting so I was hoping you could help me. I need to call in a solid if you have some time and don't have anything planned for a few days."

"I'm free. What's up?"

"How fast can you get to New Orleans?"