Clara.I swear my whole body relaxed when we drove through the first set of security gates into the compound, we hadn't faced any trouble at all on the way back though we did see several groupings of dead much to the worry of the guys. The fact that they were all worried had me terrified.“Well rookie you did good.” Wheelers voice called through the walkie as the truck pulled up to the garage entrance and Bubble stuck his head out for the guard there to see him and let us in.“Thanks.” I muttered although I was a little offended that he seemed so surprised.Jake smiled from his seat next to me and I watched as he switched off his walkie. There was no need for them now, we were home, safe.“They will unload all the supplies and inventory, then we debrief with the chief. Then we clock off for the night.” He smiled and I returned it, his happiness was infectious, his smile mouthw

  Clara“Woo hoo.” Porter smiled. “I'll start. Forewarning you Rookie, I have every intention of getting you very drunk.” He stated and winked and I winced oh god what had I agreed to. “I've never, kissed a guy.” He stated with a smile and watched as I downed the small shot of brown liquid. “Hell we might need more booze, you got a stash Jones?” Porter asked Jake with a smile and I watched as Jakes curios eyes swung from me to Porter before he reluctantly nodded.“Why exactly are we trying to get me drunk? I'm already drunk, lets get Bubble drunk he's still sober.” I moaned much to the guys amusement.“No can do, like Rigs said, initiation night.”“Okay but do you have to embarrass me while doing that?”“Hell yeah, besides we'll all know each others secrets eventually, it happens when you work together long enough, mi

  ClaraThe gym was empty when I got there, I left my army blacks on, figuring I needed to get used to wearing them in all situations and I jumped onto the running machine. There was something about pushing myself like this that helped me think and I needed that. I had to figure out what the hell I was going to do about Jake.As much as I had tried, the feelings weren't going away, just the opposite. As I got to know him better I liked him all the more. It was frustrating and inappropriate. We had to work together. I took a deep breath as I sped up, my mind turning through possibilities.Maybe I should try dating someone else again, really try this time. Otherwise I was going to end up having to switch teams. I couldn't let it distract me, that wasn't fair to the team, they would rely on me to have their backs and if I was distracted by Jake it could jeopardise that. Jeopardise their safety and that wasn't a risk I was

  Clara.I grabbed up a selection of sharp knives and wrapped them in a bag and grabbed the bottles off the counter before heading back into the living room to the unusually silent guys.I focused on Wheeler knowing that I would give myself away if I looked at Jake, the longing for him that I felt was so damn strong at the minute I was sure it was written on my face.“Thought you got lost. What else you got?” He asked and I placed the bottles on the floor careful not to bang them and watched as the guys eyes lit up.“Hey she's learning, important things first.” Bubble stated with a chuckle. As I placed the bag of knives down beside the bottles. “Hell yeah, weapons and booze, girl after my own heart.” He stated.I saw Jake flinch from the corner of my eye but ignored it as I faced Wheeler again. “Any of this you want to keep?” I asked.“Sure, take

  Clara“Say something please.” He asked and I turned my attention to him in the mirror for a moment before scanning outside again, I couldn't say this if I was looking at him. I wasn't that brave.I closed my eyes and pretended I was talking to Matt.“I was fourteen when I first figured out what the army really did. I don't know if that makes me innocent or sheltered but its true. I figured then that this was what I wanted to do. Nothing else had seemed even remotely appealing and I liked the idea of protecting people, of making a difference, of maybe helping us get back to a life worth living.”“I knew my parents would never approve so I started talking to anyone in the army I could find, asking them as many questions as I could think of. After a month or so I think quite a few people actively avoided me but I didn't care. Every answer I got was what I wanted to hear. I knew there