“Ace, what the hell did you do?” Daisy demanded loudly. She was now quite pissed and didn’t care who heard her or what these Alphas thought about her outburst. She pulled out of his embrace. This was outrageous. If they thought for one minute, she was going to take a two-month leave, they had another thing coming. Just because she had broken down and shed a few tears when she was exhausted and injured, did not mean she would sit back and go passively.
“Look sweetheart I had nothing to do with it. I don’t know why the General said that, but I am glad he did. You need a break. Take some time off and just relax for a change,” Ace said with determination. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I can tell you never take time for yourself. You are always working or planning about working.”
“What I do is important to me. I save soldier’s lives. I am here at their darkest hour. If I can help them get back home in one piece and be there for their families, then I have done my job. What I do is as important as the soldiers on the front lines. Just as important as what you and your team do,” Daisy said adamantly. “I need to do this. It’s what keeps me going. I don’t know what I would do without my work.”
“I have no doubt that what you do is very important. Iknowhow very important it is. You are the one that has saved many of our friends from certain death. But it can’t be your whole life. Then you are not living. You are only existing,” Ace said earnestly. “I want to give you something to look forward to come home to after work.”
Daisy was more than stunned. She sat in silence. The room was deathly quiet. Ace had just said the very words her brother had told her several times. She wasn’t living, only existing. Could it be true? Had she stopped living 20 years ago and just existed while waiting for death to claim her for her sins? Daisy laid her head back on Ace’s shoulder and closed her eyes. She couldn’t deal with this right now. She just didn’t have the mental capacity to face the truth.
The other men in the room shifted uncomfortably. This was a conversation Ace and Daisy needed to have in private, not in front of an audience. They began to excuse themselves.
“Dr. Robertson, it was good serving with you. I’m glad that you are feeling better,” Daryl said as he shook her hand. “Stay safe, out there. We need doctors like you. Don’t get yourself killed.” Daisy smiled at Daryl’s short lecture. She had to give him credit for speaking his mind when she had just blasted Ace for trying to interfere with her work.
“Dr. Robertson, if you are ever in San Diego give me a call. My Caroline would love to meet you,” Wolf said as he and his team said their goodbyes. It was time for them to head back to the States and their wives and children.
When everyone had left, Daisy laid her head down and closed her eyes. She wasn’t up to round two with her Alpha male. Wait? When did she begin to think of him as hers?
* * *
Ace decided to drop it for now and just let her close her eyes. He pulled her a little closer and placed a kiss on top of her head. She relaxed against him. After several minutes, she was again sleeping peacefully. The men on Ace’s team kept watch over her while she slept. Ace ran through his mind what he needed to do once he got her home. He had to find a way to reach her and get her to relax and rid herself of this death wish.
Daisy was released from the hospital the next day. She had only suffered from dehydration and a mild infection in her bullet wound. Daisy had to go through debriefing then she was sent to her quarters to pack up. She was being sent home today. Daisy wanted to be furious, but deep down she knew she needed this. It was time to go home. She needed to go see Luke in person. It had been 5 years, since the last time she was in the same room with him. Daisy had most of her clothes packed in her bag when there was a knock on her door. She opened the door to see Ace standing there.
“What are you doing here? I thought you would be on a plane for the states by now,” Daisy said with a bit of curiosity.
“I will be soon. I’m waiting for you. I need my flight buddy,” Ace said laughingly. Daisy smiled back at him. She stepped back to let him in her room. Ace walked inside and looked around the room. It was a very impersonal space. There were no family pictures, no pillows, or decorations like you would expect most women to have.
“I’ll be ready in a few minutes. I have almost everything packed. I just need to get my laptop,” Daisy said as she went to get the rest of her things. About the same time a familiar, tone sounded from her laptop. Daisy looked at the screen. It was Luke. Shit! She should have called him already. No doubt he had been notified that she had been MIA and again notified when she was found. She really needed to change her next of kin notification, but that might hurt his feelings. Daisy huffed out a breath and answered the Skype call.
“Hey! How are you?” Daisy said cheerfully with a smile on her face. She wanted to put Luke at ease as she knew he had been worried about her.
“What the hell, Daisy?” Luke yelled at her over the computer. “You’ve been MIA for 3 fucking days and that is how you answer me?” Daisy could see Luke’s jaw ticking and the veins in his neck were bulging. He was gritting his teeth. He only did that when he was really pissed. Daisy started to try to apologize when Ace stepped up to the computer.
“I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but I will not let you talk to Daisy that way,” Ace growled at the computer.
“Who the hell are you?” Luke yelled back. “It’s none of your damn business who I am.”
“Guys! I’m standing right here,” Daisy yelled over the two Alpha men arguing over Skype. “Luke this is Ace, one of the Marines that helped rescue me. Ace this is Luke, my big brother.”
Ace immediately relaxed. He was pissed when he thought this guy was a boyfriend that was going to talk to Daisy like that. Ace got it now. If Daisy was his sister, he would have yelled at her too. He began to apologize, but Luke beat him to the punch.
“I’m sorry, Daisy. Ace is right. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that, but I was scared. I thought you were gone for good this time. Are you ok? They said you were in medical. Were you hurt?” Luke asked with concern on his face.
“It was nothing, Luke. Just a little flesh wound and some dehydration. We were in the desert you know, but I was totally fine. I had some excellent soldiers with me,” Daisy tried to deflect just how serious the situation really was. She didn’t want Luke to be worrying about her.
“You have got to stop getting yourself in these types of situations. You have taken another 10 years off my life, sis,” Luke admonished her.
“Luke, I am so sorry. I never meant for you to be worried. And I’m sorry I hadn’t called you yet. I just got out of medical then I had to go through debriefing. Now, I am packing up my things. They are sending me home. I’m on a two-month leave starting as soon as I get home,” Daisy sighed heavily.
“That is good to know. You need to take a break. I don’t know if you have rotten luck, or if you go looking for this shit, but I am tired of it. I know we have had this conversation before, but you are going to listen this time. I will go over your head if I have to,” Luke’s voice had turned almost menacing.
“You are getting your wish, brother. I promise to come visit with you when I am back in the States. I know it’s been too long. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?” Daisy pleaded. She cocked her head and pouted her lower lip like she did when they were kids. Luke gave her an exasperated look before a short chuckle.
“Sis, you know there is nothing to forgive. I was just worried, but I do want to see you,” Luke smiled. “I am serious though; you have to stop this death wish you have. It’s not going to change anything Daisy. I have moved on and it’s time for you to do the same. The past is the past, Sis. Let go, please? Be safe coming home. I’ll see you soon. I love you,” Luke said.
“I’ll see you soon, Luke. I love you, too,” Daisy whispered as she closed the window, tears were welling in her eyes, again. Heaving out another big sigh, Daisy moved to finish her packing. Ace took her by her right bicep. He gently pulled her into his embrace. He wrapped his warm arms around her and held her close for several minutes while Daisy got herself back under control. Sensing she had gotten her tears under control; Ace pulled back to look at her.
“Daisy, you ok?” Ace asked quietly.
