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brUTUS

“S o you’re feeling better?” Dr. Caster asked, sitting back in his chair.

“I do,” Brutus said gratefully. “Minicamp went well, even if I was distracted. Our new linebackers coach is a former rival, but a friendly one. So we’re able to be chill in our roles since we were friendly but not buddies.”

“Establishing power structures is a key element for many relationships in a sport like football,” Caster acknowledged. “But I suspect that you’re not feeling better because of minicamp.”

“No, and I might need to cut this session short,” Brutus replied. “Linda’s coming home today. She was able to tell me that much, which I’m grateful for.”

“That’s not always a given in the military. If it was, there wouldn’t be all those surprise reunion videos on YouTube.”

Brutus nodded, laughing softly. “True. I guess what they do isn’t available for public oversight, but they’re able to tell us when they’re coming home.”

“You’re not officially a dependent however,” Caster pointed out. “How’d you hear?”

“A text message from the wife of one of the soldiers. Apparently someone gave her my phone number, and she reached out to me. Normally I’d be pissed about my personal number being handed out like that to someone I don’t know. In this case, not so much.”

“I see. How did you feel while Linda was gone?”

Brutus shifted in his seat, uncomfortable. “Scared. I’ve always been the one taking the risks, not the one sitting on the sidelines. I told JT the same thing, sort of. Said the shoe’s on the other foot this time.”

“JT sounds like a smart man,” Caster said. “Should I be jealous you’re seeing another therapist?”

“Hardly, he’s the new linebackers coach.”

Caster chuckled softly. “I see. Well, coaches and bartenders can often act as therapists in some ways.”

“Don’t worry Doc, I plan on still talking to you until I’m certain of this… change in me.”

“I’d like to talk about that change if you’ve got the time,” Caster said. “I’m curious.”

Brutus checked the clock on the wall, and nodded. “Yeah, for a few minutes at least. But then I’ve got to get on the road. I don’t want to be late for Linda’s return.”

* * *

S tanding in the parking area outside the barracks, Brutus felt no embarrassment at all as he saw a couple of other people waiting for the return of Charlie Company.

He practically bounced on his toes as he waited in his Bluecats warmup jacket and jeans, waiting for the ‘bus,’ the series of vans that would bring the members of Charlie Company back to the company area from the nearby airfield.

“Your first time, huh?” an amused voice asked behind him.

Brutus turned to see a dramatic sight, a rather short woman in a tight black dress and fishnet stockings, combat boots, bright purple highlights streaking through her hair.

“Relax, big man. You’re going to have cramps in those calves by the time they get back.”

“Huh?” he asked, looking down at his feet. “Oh. Yeah, it’s my first time.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve been deflowered twice with this.” The woman chuckled. “Sabby Goodman.”

“Ah.” Brutus got the reference. “You’re the one who texted me. Hollywood’s wife.”

“And Muscle Mommy’s sister,” Sabby added, offering a hand. “And you’re Brutus Townsend.”

“Yeah… say, you’re the artist who’s doing all the logos, right?” Brutus asked.

Sabby nodded.

“I’m impressed.”

“I’ve still got Alpha Company to do, they just changed commanders and their new commander wanted me to make some adjustments.” Sabby shrugged. “But thanks.”

“You look very relaxed about this,” Brutus noted. “Why?”

Sabby tapped her elfin chin, pretending she was thinking before grinning and answering.

“Because my sister is the biggest badass in the Army. She’s the bitch Rambo checks under his bed for at night before he goes to sleep.

And since Jess trained Logan, that means my husband is a total badass too.

And following that chain, since my husband’s a badass, and my sister was on the mission…

Linda’s safer than if she was sitting in an office all day. ”

“That obvious, huh?”

“Like I said dude, it’s easy to see you’re losing your deployment cherry today,” Sabby said. “Oh wait, I see them now!”

Brutus’s head whipped around as he saw five plain white vans come down the street, turning into the parking lot and pulling around. Brutus was about to rush the van when he felt a tug on his belt, and realized Sabby was pulling him back.

“What-”

“They’re still carrying their weapons,” Sabby said as the doors opened. “Major Kirk’s very clear, they get the guns checked in, then we can help them with their bags if they want it.”

Brutus nodded, and waited. Just seeing Linda get out of the second van helped with his emotions, and when she came out again to get her bag he was there to sweep her into his arms, spinning her around as he embraced her. “You’re safe.”

Linda grunted in pain, and Brutus put her down. “What happened?”

“I… here.” She tugged her undershirt up. Brutus’s eyes widened as he saw the large purplish bruise forming, coming out of the cup of her bra over her left breast. “I’m okay, just a little tender. Let me dump my gear and we’ll talk afterwards.”

“Take your time.” Major Kirk came out of the company offices. “I’m giving the entire company a forty eight hour pass starting now. Headquarters element will take care of barracks NCO detail. Just stay within recall distance, and I’ll see you all on Monday.”

“That’s great sir.” Brutus gave Linda’s hands a squeeze. “What do you say I make a few calls, and get you a place with a tub and room service? Get out of the barracks for a few days?”

“Hey Superstar, can I get some of that action too?” Derrick Jackson, who was carrying his gear, called over. “Man I could use some good grub!”

“Tell you what.” Brutus looked to Major Kirk. “Doesn’t that barbecue place in town deliver on base?”

Major Kirk nodded. “It does.”

“Then dinner for the company’s on me,” Brutus said. “Just get me the numbers Major, and I’ll call it in myself.”

“Oh sure, just buy your friends with barbecue,” Sabby teased as she came by, one arm around Hollywood while she carried her sister’s bag. “What about bowling? Everyone loves bowling, you know! And karaoke!”

“I think Hollywood’s the only eight pound balls you get to play with tonight,” Linda teased the diminutive goth, getting more laughs.

Linda went and got her things while Brutus made the arrangements. As he did he watched Linda move, worry creeping in as he saw the pain she was in. She was limping on her left leg, and regardless of her saying anything about being fine, she wouldn’t carry anything in her left arm at all.

It took hours, but in one way that was good in that there was plenty of time for Brutus, with Sabby’s help, to set up a buffet line for all of the Charlie Company soldiers.

He’d bought everything the barbecue place had or could put together in an hour, and he was happy to see soldiers with sauce smeared on their faces or chewing on a large Rice Krispy treat, or putting together a pulled pork sandwich while he waited.

Cleanup was even easy, as there were literally no leftovers.

Linda didn’t eat anything though, and as he watched her do her job, he grew increasingly worried. Eventually though the company was released, and she came out of the barracks, changed into a large sweatshirt and some casual pants. He was glad, because this was about her.

It was dark by the time they got to the resort, a ‘log cabin’ place just outside of town that Hollywood had told him about when Linda was inside the company offices making sure the rest of the fire team was getting their gear hung up properly to dry.

Their cabin was quiet, with dinner waiting for them as Brutus ran a hot bath for Linda.

“So what can you tell me?” he asked as he measured out the bath oils. “About how you got that?”

“Just a little bit.” Linda came in wearing a bathrobe. She was so beautiful, and while his body surged with desire upon seeing her shrug off the robe, the huge dark splotch above her heart tempered his want as he took her hand. “We went down south, a drug interdiction mission.”

“That’s… that’s all you can say?” Brutus said.

Linda nodded.

He took a deep breath, trying to understand. Dr. Caster had warned him about this at the end of their session, about setting aside his need for comforting knowledge in the face of Linda’s job requirements.

“Is this one of those missions I might read about on the news?”

“Doubtful.” Linda took his hand and let him help her into the bath.

It was rustic, a ‘horse trough’ that had clearly been adjusted to become a bathtub.

But in that regard it was absolutely perfect for their current needs.

The deep corrugated aluminum container nearly came up to Linda’s chin though, which was just what Brutus wanted as she sank into the fragrant depths.

“It wasn’t as successful as the DEA wanted. The big bad guy got away.”

Brutus sighed again, and sat down on a stool next to the tub to keep talking with her. Picking up a washcloth, he lifted her right arm, slowly cleansing the skin.

“And how’d you get shot?”

“Guard with a nine mil pistol, we were taking a building just like you and I did the week you were with us.” Linda squirmed slightly in the hot water as she adjusted. “It was just one of those things.”

“Just one of those things,” Brutus repeated, the cloth stopping as he felt a surge of anger inside him. “What else?”

“Not much else I can say,” Linda added, leaning back against the slightly sloped back insert of the tub. “Just that in the end, what Takeshi told Dawks is probably true. We got out with nothing but a bruise today. But we’ll be back, sooner or later. It’s pretty much inevitable.”

“What? Why?”