You need to have read the previous chapter (Stuck Together) before this. This one is connected to it. Sorry it took me so long to write it.
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"What happened?" Donovan asked.

The speakers let out a low, constant hum of static. The tech woman, Hazel, typed at her keyboard but nothing changed, the static continued.

"What's going on?" Donovan asked again.

"I don't know," Hazel said. "One second we had Agents Owens and Douglas's feed and the next it's gone."

He knew that. He'd been standing there the whole time and knew what happened. But he decided not to argue this point.

"I mean where are their feeds, why can't you get them back?" he asked.

"Give me a moment," the tech said.

Donovan stood absolutely still as she worked. He would not get worried, he wouldn't. It didn't matter if Carter and Mason were alone in an unused metro tunnel, Carter wasn't likely to murder Mason. Even if they fought like they'd both like to see the other six feet under.

Donovan let out a breath. It would be fine, it would all be fine.

"I figured it out," Hazel said, what felt like a thousand years later. "There was a small tremor from a neighboring metro and it seemed to have affected the unused tunnel."

"What does that mean 'effect it'? In what way?"

"I'm not sure, but part of the tunnel could have collapsed."

That was all Donovan needed to hear to be out the door in a breath and knocking on the Director's door the next. Townsend called out 'enter' and Donovan walked into the large corner office.

"Sir," he said. "There has been a snag in agents Owens and Douglas's recon mission in the metro tunnel. Part of it has collapsed. Comms are down. I request permission to gather together a team to go retrieve them."

Townsend asked a few questions but when Donovan wasn't able to offer any more information than what he'd already had, Townsend gave him the go-ahead to retrieve the agents. Donovan assembled a quick team and they geared up.

Donovan didn't talk as they drove through the city to the abandoned metro station stop. He focused on controlling his thoughts, knowing that his worry for Carter's safety could overshadow everything if he let it. So he didn't let it.

She would be fine. Mason would be fine. They both would be fine.

The team descended the stairs into the metro station, flicking on their shoulder lights as they went, their hands ready to reach for their weapons. Simply because it was a tunnel collapse didn't mean it couldn't have been planned.

Donovan led the group to the platform ledge and jumped down, his boots hitting the packed dirt. The air smelled dank and a chill crept over them. Donovan ignored the elements and their foreboding signs. Unholstering his weapon, he stepped onto the tracks and headed into the gaping hole.

Silence broken by heavy footsteps and soft breathing trailed with them as they moved further and further into the tunnel. Donovan kept his pace even, letting his light lance through the darkness. High pitched squeaks spoke of rats and the clicking of claws on metal put the rats next to them.

As they got further in, Donovan became aware of how he could taste dust in the air. It was different than the dirt they'd been inhaling before. It smelled of rock. They had to be getting close. Donovan didn't think about the fact that he hadn't heard anything other than the team. He didn't dwell on where Carter and Mason could have been during the collapse. He didn't imagine the ceiling crashing down on them and crushing them-

Focus. He couldn't go there. He took a slow breath, focusing on nothing other than the inhale and exhale of that breath.

"Up ahead."

Donovan nearly collapsed as he spotted a single flashlight swing in the darkness. He quickened his steps, forcing himself not to break into a run. A team watched him and he needed to show that his emotions didn't control him. No matter how wild those emotions were.

Carter and Mason slowly came into view and Donovan knew something was wrong. They were both coated in dust but that seemed to be the only extent of Mason's wounds whereas Carter leaned on Mason, her leg bandaged.

Holstering his weapon and giving up on all pretense, Donovan hurried to Carter. She offered a weak smile to him and he scooped her up into his arms. Instantly, she let out a sigh of relief and sagged into his hold. The action told Donovan exactly how bad the pain was. If it was any less Carter would have wanted to walk on her own, to keep her pride.

"You'll easily let him do that," Mason muttered. "But it takes a showdown for you to accept my help."

"Mason," Donovan said, coolly.

Mason waved away Donovan. "You can drop the ice wall, Boy Scout. Carter and I have come to begrudging respect for each other. Or something like it."

When Carter chuckled softly, Donovan knew Mason wasn't joking. Though the fact that they'd found some sort of peace was surprising. They seemed to always be fighting with each other.

"Are you injured?" one of the team members asked Mason.

When Mason noticed how attractive the woman asking was, he seemed to perk up.

"Yes, terribly, you'll have to hold me close the whole way back," Mason said.

"It's still a pity nothing fell on his throat making him mute," Carter said.

Mason shot Carter a smirk and the woman rolled her eyes. "We should head back."

Donovan let the team lead the way, happy to trail behind, carrying Carter.

"You didn't kill Mason," Donovan said, quietly enough that the others wouldn't hear him.

"I'm as surprised as you."

Donovan kissed her forehead, not caring about the dust.

"I'm glad you're okay."

"Were you worried?"

"Never."

Carter laughed gently and curled further into his hold, resting her head on his shoulder. Donovan loved how comforted she felt in his arms and how natural it felt to be holding her. He wished she didn't have to be wounded for the occasion but he enjoyed it all the same.

"How much pain are you in?" he asked.

Carter didn't answer right away. "I would have been worse without Mason."

"Then it looks like I have to forgive him for the Boy Scout comment."

"Only once. If he tries it again you can punch him."

"Okay."

They walked in silence for another moment, then Carter spoke, her voice sounding small.

"Donovan, do you think I act superior to others?" she asked.

"Yes."

She lifted her head to look at him. He shrugged.

"It's understandable for who you are. You're smarter than most people, you see things others miss and catch on faster than everyone. I understand how that can be tiring to wait for people to catch up.

"Also, you've been alone for a lot of your life, working in a team has never been part of your life. High school, college, Quantico, you've excelled at being ahead of the pack. That will form certain viewpoints about others around you."

"Mason was right."

"That's weird."

"I know. I'm sorry that I've acted superior."

Donovan smiled. "You haven't with me but that's because I'm smarter than you."

She hit his chest.

"It's true."

She laughed. "I guess it is. Will you help me?"

"With..."

"With acting superior. I'll work on stopping myself, but if I don't, could you call me out?"

"Must have been one interesting conversation you had with Mason down here."

"You have no idea," Carter murmured.

"Yes, Carter I'll help you."

"Thank you."

She dropped her head down and Donovan felt her relax against him again.

Once they returned to the Bureau, Donovan led Carter to the med wing and waited as the medic inspected her wound. It was deep enough that stitches were needed. The blood loss accounted for her weakness. With a prescription for pain meds and rest, the medic let them go. Before Carter could slide off the exam table, Mason popped into the room.

"Owens," he said. "I wanted to stop by." Carter raised her eyebrows at him. "To tell you, you owe me a new shirt."

"Of course," she said. "And I'm fine. Thanks to you."

"Duh, you would have been dead down there if not for me."

"And right now I wish you were dead down there."

"Sure you do."

Mason went to leave but Carter spoke again.

"Thank you, Mason."

He nodded, looking more sober. "Of course. And likewise and everything."

He walked out the door but stuck his head back in. "You still owe me a shirt."

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Howdy hey! 🤠

It's short I know, but hopefully you still enjoyed it. Let me know. 🗯💭💬

It's so funny because this whole situation was what really made me love Mason. Because no one talks to Carter like Mason and it's so great.

Also who is going to have the guts to call Donovan, Boy Scout! That's just so amazing and I love Mason for it!

That's all I have to say.

Vote, comment, follow!

Oh look they are all getting along!