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“Shit, I need to know what happened. What is our status? I need a sitrep,” Priest barked as he shot up in bed.

“What you need, is some rest. Everything is fine.” Lia said as she delicately pushed Priest back down to the bed.

“Rest! I’ve been resting for four days.” He went to sit up again this time wincing in pain. He gently laid back down. “Damn, those boys did a number on me.”

“Those assholes damn near killed you,” Lia replied.

“I’ll recover, and then it will be time for payback. That, I fucking guarantee!” Priest spat with hate in his blue eyes.

The doors to the infirmary slowly opened, and Shaw poked his head in.

Lia motioned him over. “He’s awake.”

Shaw’s eyes went wide, and he rushed over to see Priest’s eyes staring back at him. Shaw grabbed his hand and tears welled up in his eyes. Priest could feel some moisture forming in the corners of his eyes, also.

“Thanks for coming to get me, brother. I wouldn’t have lasted much longer. That’s two I owe you.” Tears were streaming down Priest’s face now.

“You don’t owe me shit. You have saved my ass more times than I can count. Alec, we got to stop doing this shit like this, taking chances. We have everything here, and we need to protect it.”

Priest looked over at Lia and then back to Shaw, “You’re right. No more unnecessary chances. We take everything on together.”

“Thanks, bro. It’s just I have had nothing to fight for, except my country. Allison and this compound, are as much of a family and a home as I ever had.”

“I understand, Jeremiah and I agree. This place is somewhere we can put down roots again. Protecting what we have here is important. We do things smarter from here on out.”

“That’s all I wanted to hear.”

Webb, Doc, and Neville came bursting in the room.

“Hey guys!” Priest said excitedly.

“We thought we heard a bunch of noise in here. Damn Sarge, you look like shit.” Doc joked.

“Shut up, Dude!” Shaw barked. “The man’s been through hell.”

“Pipe down, kids,” Webb scolded. “How you doing, Alec?”

“I would be doing better if I knew what the hell went on out there. Plus it’s killing me not being with you guys.” Priest pouted.

Shaw laid a hand on Priest’s shoulder, “You’ll be out there soon enough. Don’t try to rush it, everything is cool. Besides, if you get too froggy, Cap will sick Lia on you.”

Webb crossed his arms and gave Priest his best stern father face.

Izzy checked Priest’s vitals and then looked at the Team.

“He will pull out of this and be the old Priest in time. It is just going to take him a little while with the injuries he suffered,” Izzy said solemnly.

Priest gave a thumbs up in agreement.

“Yeah, those fucks have no idea the nightmare coming for them and the price they are getting ready to pay.” Shaw spat as he slammed his fist into his open hand.

“Take it easy, Big Man. We are going to them back for this. The Reapers are not into the revenge business, but we’ll make an exception in this case.” Webb said grimly.

Priest nodded his head with purpose.

Izzy quickly changed the subject back to Priest’s health, “He needs some more rest.”

“With Lia taking care of things, I’m sure he’ll be just fine.” Webb added.