Page 2 of Attraction

“Yes.” She looks at him and smiles. “Well, it would’ve been pretty dumb of me to take this posting and not know who you are, right?”

“Damn right!” He grins and with a self-confident smirk filling his face he holds up another book and drops it with a heavy thud onto the floor.

Incensed by his actions, Kat’s about to reply when she hears a cough in the doorway. She turns around and sees Commander Edwards, leaned against the door watching the pair of them.

She stands to attention. “Sir!”

“At ease Lieutenant,” he groans. “Master Chief Jackson, what in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Jackson leaves the books and sighs, “I told you Sir; she’s not staying.”

“Yeah, yeah, I recall you saying something like that. But I don’t believe you waited for my reply? Lieutenant…” He holds the door open. “Would you mind waiting outside? I need to talk with the Master Chief—alone.” Kat nods and immediately leaves as Edwards closes the door behind her.

“Sit!” Commander Edwards steps forward and points at the desk in front of him, “I said sit down!”

Begrudgingly, Jackson does as he’s asked. Then, he folds his arms across his chest and hisses loudly, sucking air through his teeth.

Edwards also sighs, a long drawn out breath that hints at his frustration. Then, stroking his hand over the smooth baldness of his head, he continues, “As I was explaining—in my office, Command wants your team back in the fieldASAP,and that means you need a medic—that’sher!”

He frowns, taking another deep breath. “Darius, your team hasn’t been operational in over six months and all because you can’t find a goddamn medic you like. Hell, the last one quit the military altogether and I don’t even want to imagine what you did to him?” He scowls as Jackson stares back at him. “Look, the cake-eaters are all over my ass about this. A DEVGRU team— not on ops, that’s a problem. Black squadron not on ops—much more of a problem. But having a team like WOLF, sitting on its ass—that’s a definite no go.”

He sighs again, taking a minute to let Jackson reflect on his words. “You know they’re talking about splitting your team up—redistributing the talent.”

“What the hell?! They can’t seriously do that?”

“Oh, they can, and they will unless you get your ass back in the field.”

Before Jackson can object, Edwards holds his hand up, signaling for quiet as they both take a moment to reflect on the situation.

“Sir, you know my team is the best. Hell… it’s better than best. But you also know that she–” He jabs his finger toward the door. “—she is not right for this team.”

“Is she not? Really?” Edwards cocks his head. “Darius, did you even look at the file I gave you? No, no, don’t answer that because I know you didn’t. You didn’t because you already decided you wouldn’t take her. God, it pains me that I know you that well.”

“Sir, with all due respect, she’s never gonna make the grade. I mean c’mon, have you looked at her? The size of her? We both know physically she can’t, and hell I’ll even lay money she knows it. And again with respect Sir, every damn medic they send is a waste of time. I mean, do they send these jerks on purpose just to piss me off? No one has been as good as Marco, and you know that.”

“Alright, I know you have a problem with the medic, with her size and physical…attributes, and you may have a point, but trust me, someone with this level of training, she’s one of the best applicants we’ve had. In fact, she was the only fuckin’ applicant we had. It would seem your reputation precedes you, Darius.” His voice hitches as they continue to stare at each other.

Jackson is known for being an arrogant ass and it’s more than evident in his behavior towards any and all new arrivals. Since his team lost their longstanding medic to an IED, he’s been reluctant to have anyone new on the team. But this time, Lieutenant Morgan’s gender adds to his resistance.

“You know, I have an excess of M. O.’s looking for positions on teams, but your unit—not one. Not one single fuckin’ application except for hers.” Edwards sighs, pacing back and forth across the room—his way of calming himself. “Darius, brass is pushing hard for you to take her. If you want her gone, then fine. But you’re going to have to find me a legitimate reason as to why she doesn’t meet the mark. If you do…then no question, she’s gone.”

“A legitimatereason? What the hell is a legitimate reason?”

“I don’t know, use your goddamn imagination. You’re the Team Commander, that’s your problem to work out.” Frustrated, he massages the nape of his neck. “Hell, take her on exercise, I’m sure you’ll find a flaw there; I mean, you have all the others. I don’t care what it is but Darius, make sure it sticks because this can’t come back on me. If you want her out, then I need something watertight because my dick’s swingin’ in the wind here, and that means yours too.” He sighs, taking a deep breath. “Just remember, you send her packing, then you’ll have no choice but to take whatever they send next. I need this team back on operations, is that clear?”

“Yeah…. Crystal.” Jackson sighs, raking his fingers through his floppy dark hair. “Oh, and sir, what happens with her now?”

“Well, for now, officially she’s this team’s medical officer so you’ll show her some respect.” He opens the door and then immediately pushes it closed. “Oh… and Darius, just a reminder: don’t scare the crap out of her, because trust me, the last thing I need right now is more paperwork. That one with the medivac was a fucking nightmare.”

Angrily, Jackson rolls his eyes and rubs his hand over his head. “Fuck…” he curses, looking at the door, Kat is standing there, arms folded, glaring at him.

“Now… would you like to put my books back on the shelf… please?”

He stands up from the desk and steps forward, towering over her—using his height to intimidate, he stares with contempt. “I wouldn’t bother putting those books back because you won’t be here long enough to make it worthwhile.” He looks at her, angry, his violet eyes deepening in color, but he is fascinated by her calmness and he holds his gaze. With anyone else under these circumstances — his aggressive and domineering stance — he would see at least a flicker of fear. But she doesn’t flinch. That makes him both curious and annoyed, but staying ice-cool, he’s careful not to show it.

She’s never seen purple eyes up close and intrigued, she stares back at him. “Well, you know what? I’m staying, and so with all due respect,sir… Fuck you!”

“We’ll see!” He grins with a superior smirk as he pushes past her to leave — slamming the door shut.

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