Chapter Text
"Okay boys and girls. Let's calm down!" Ed commanded as he tried to suppress the smirk on his face.
Team One had just experienced their first prank, courtesy of their blonde sniper, since they lost Lew. It brought a smile to the Team Leader's face, knowing that the Team was finally figuring out how to move forward after losing one of their own.
Sam laughed as he leaned against the armrest of his chair, put his hand to his mouth to cover his smirk, and swiveled back and forth in his chair. He had finally brought Spike out of his funk from the last few weeks. He had known that if anyone could help Spike move forward after the loss of Lew it would be him. Killing Matt and having no one at all there for him had almost obliterated his own soul. He couldn't let that happen to Spike. Not if there was anything he could do about it.
"I still can't believe you did that Sam!" Spike complained.
Spike ripped off the duct tape that was holding the air horn in place under his chair. Tossing the offending item across the table where it came to a stop right in front of Sam. Righting his chair Spike rubbed his right ear again in an attempt to clear the ringing that the blast from the air horn had caused.
"Do we need to call EMS Spike?" Wordy asked in his caring, fatherly voice as he tried to hide his own laughter.
"Yeah, we can't have you on duty if you're not at one hundred percent." Jules chimed in from where she sat next to Sam.
The laughter brought on by Sam taping an air horn under Spike's chair, and the girly squeal that echoed down the halls when Spike sat down, was just what she needed this morning. She was still working through the loss of Lew and the laughter was good, for all of them.
"Alright everyone. That's enough. We don't want Greg thinking that all we do is play around whenever he leaves." Ed commented from his place at the front of the table.
"When is he coming back?" Leah asked, having forgotten the details in the midst of the morning's playful antics.
"Later this morning. He had a late flight back last night that ended up delayed so he'll be in once he gets a bit of sleep." Ed sipped his coffee. "Which is why this morning we are training. We are going out to the range. Jules, Sam, bring your Remi's. I don't want you two losing your edge."
Spike couldn't keep in the burst of laughter at Ed's words.
"Right, like Samtastic and our very own sexy sniper could lose their edge." Spike laughed.
Jules glared across the table at Spike. The only person that was allowed to get away with calling her a sexy sniper was Sam, and that was only once in a blue moon. Especially seeing as she was still trying to lock away her feelings for him.
Leah simply rolled her eyes as the Team stood and headed to the armory to gather their weapons and ammo. She was glad the Team was finally moving forward. She wouldn't say they were moving on exactly, that took more time. But, they were able to be more themselves now and that was a good thing.
Once on the range they started with their Glocks. Each working on their accuracy, speed, and groupings. Ed kept a close eye on his Team to make sure they weren't losing their edge. They were the best for a reason and their skills on the range was one of those reasons.
Ed would put himself, Ed, and Sam through their paces with their Remi's a bit later. He had an idea up his sleeve and he was curious to see if the SRU's best sniper was up to the challenge.
SRU Dispatcher's Desk
"Hello love, I'm looking for a Sam Braddock."
Winnie looked up at the unfamiliar voice. She noticed a handsome man with black hair standing next to her desk offering her a sexy smile. The dispatcher had heard an accent but couldn't quite place it just yet.
"And who might you be?" Winnie asked, offering the handsome man a smile.
"Mick Rawson. I'm an old friend of Braddock's." Mick answered.
Mick could see the effect that he was having on the pretty dispatcher and he almost laughed. He never intended to make them swoon, but his accent usually caused it to happen anyway.
"Is he expecting you?" British! Winnie realized after hearing the man speak again. She always was a sucker for a British accent.
"No, I thought I'd surprise him." Mick winked.
"His Team is out back training right now. You can wait here until they come back in or I can deliver a message if you'd like."
"Oh come on love. Surely you can just point me in the right direction?" Mick put on his biggest smile.
"No, she can't."
Mick turned at the voice behind him. The sight that met him was a fully uniformed SRU officer carrying an MP5 in his right hand.
"Winnie, is this man bothering you?"
"No Rollie." Winnie smiled. The Brit may have been getting on her nerves but she could hold her own. "He's here to see Sam but Team One's on the range. I told this gentleman here that he can either leave a message for Sam, or wait until Team One comes back inside."
"And who are you?" Rollie asked, turning his attention once again to the newcomer.
Mick smiled at the man. This was obviously a man in charge and who had clearly come back from dealing with a situation. Mick could see the concern in the other man's face and knew he had better speak fast if he didn't want to be forcibly removed from the premises, or even better, tossed in a cell.
"Name's Mick Rawson. I'm an old friend of Sam's and have just learned he's here in Toronto. Thought I'd stop by and see an old mate." Mick explained again.
The profiler in Rollie said that this man had to be a former military buddy of Sam's. That thought intrigued him. Sam didn't seem to talk about his time in the military much.
"Winnie, I can escort him back there." Rollie offered as he turned and passed his weapon to his Team Leader. "I'm sure Sam will be anxious to see an old military buddy of his."
Mick's eyebrows shot up. So, this man knew he was former military. He figured the soldier persona must be harder to get rid of than he thought.
"Come on, this way." Rollie turned and headed to the outdoor range.
The two men walked in silence. Rollie was observing the British man while Mick was taking in his surroundings. Mick could see an obstacle course, a track, a shoot house, and a shooting range behind it all.
As they approached the shooting range Mick could see five people gathered around behind a sixth person who was laying prone on the ground. He would recognize a sniper position anywhere. That must be Sam, he thought with a smirk.
Rollie stopped several yards away from the range and the visitor did the same. They waited and simply observed Team One for a long moment.
"Okay Sam, that was your current SRU record. Think you can hit one further out?"
Mick could hear the challenge in the petite brunettes voice and he smirked. Braddock never was one to stand down from a challenge.
"Only one way to find out." Sam muttered.
Seconds later a shot was fired. A tall, bald man was looking through binoculars off into the distance. "Good hit Sam. Looks like we have a new record, again."
"See if you can go farther." A tall, skinny man with black hair encouraged.
Moments later another shot. Another ten seconds of silence. Another report from the bald man that it was a perfect shot.
Mick could hear the hint of irritation mixed with pride in the bald man's voice as he told Braddock his shot had been good. Taking a couple of steps forward he watched as Sam sighted, and shot at another target.
Rollie simply stood back and watched. He was curious to see if Sam really knew the man or not.
"You are on point today Braddock." Bald man stated.
"Does that mean it's another Sam day?" The brunette asked, clearly attempting to sound irritated.
"Every day is Samtastic day."
"Does he ever miss?" Mick asked with a smirk. Those were the exact words he spoke oh so many years ago when he first met Braddock.
Sam had his eye to the scope as he searched out another target just beyond his last. The Team had been challenging him to best his distance record. He had been doing so just a couple of yards at a time and was lining up his next shot when he heard the familiar Welshman behind him. His head whipped around to look behind him. Standing a few yards behind the Team, near Rollie, was a man Sam had thought he'd never see again.
"Mick?!" Sam stood and walked past the Team. "Mick Rawson! Man, I never thought I'd see you again. It's been what, close over two years now? What bring you to Toronto?"
Mick closed the gap between them and grasped Sam's outstretched hand. The men pulled together in an embrace that spoke of deep friendship, brotherhood.
"Heard you were here. Had time off. Thought I'd come up and see an old mate." Mick smiled as they released each other.
"Sam?" Ed asked as he crossed took a couple of steps forward and crossed his arms.
"Right!" Sam turned and looked between Team One and Mick. "Mick this is Team One. Ed Lane, Jules Callaghan, Leah Kearns, Kevin Wordsworth, and Spike Scarlatti. Our Sergeant, Greg Parker, will be along later today. Guys, this is my good friend, Mick Rawson."
"Pleasure to meet you all." Mick smiled as he reached to shake hands with Sam's team.
"So, Samo, where do you know Mick from?" Ed asked curiously. He noted the look of curiosity on Rollie's face too and knew his old friend had been thinking the same thing.
"We met in Afghanistan." Sam answered simply, after a moment of hesitation and meeting Mick's eyes.
Jules read more into what wasn't said than what was. For Sam to be good friends with this man means that Mick had to be in the military. Jules wondered if he was Special Forces just as Sam had been.
"Well, let's head inside and get some coffee. Greg should be getting in soon anyway." Ed suggested after consulting his watch.
Sam slapped Mick on the back. "Let me just grab my Remi. We'll be right behind you."
Team One turned and headed into the barn, each quietly wondering just how well their sniper knew the Brit.
Sam returned to the range, ensured his Remi's safety was on, and picked up the extra ammo before turning to follow the Team.
"So, how long are you in Toronto?" Sam asked curiously as the two men fell in step with each other.
"A week. My team is on leave for a bit." Mick answered, unable to hide a hint of sadness from his voice.
"What Team?"
"I work with the Behavior Analysis Unit of the FBI now. Sam Cooper is head of my team."
"Cooper? Really?" Sam hadn't heard that name in years either.
"Yeah. Was offered the position as head of a Red Cell in the FBI and was told he could choose his own team. He called me, passport didn't matter."
"I can't wait to hear all about it."
The two walked in silence for a moment.
"So, how is the lovely Natalie these days?" Mick asked.
Sam turned and glared at his friend. His gaze was met head on.
"How's Jenna?" Sam asked in response.
"Touché." Mick turned and kept walking.
Mick followed Sam into the building and to the armory. As the FBI agent took in everything around him he covertly observed Sam's team.
"Just gotta clean this real quick then I can give you a tour." Sam commented as he laid his Remi out on a small bench to clean.
"Never know when you're going to need it, eh?" Mick commented.
"We could get a Hot Call in any minute. Gotta make sure my gear is ready should I need it." Sam answered with a smile.
"Just like the good ole days."
"Not quite, but similar." Sam smiled softly.
"So, mate, how long have you been in Toronto?" Mick asked, making small talk.
"About two years now." Sam answered as he worked to quickly take his Remi apart to clean.
"I never thought you'd leave the Army."
"Yeah, well, things change."
"Matt still in?" Mick leaned against the cage behind Sam and didn't miss the fact that Sam went completely rigid at Matt's name.
"No." The simple answer. Sam couldn't elaborate here, or now.
Jules noticed Sam's reaction to the inquiry about Matt and decided to step in and move the Brit's attention away from Sam for a while.
"So, Mick, where are you from?"
"Wales." Mick answered simply. He hadn't missed Sam's reaction either and decided that now was not the time to push the issue.
"You flew all the way over from Wales to see Sam. You two must be really good friends then." Jules offered a small smile.
"From DC actually." Mick addressed the first of her comments while trying to avoid the second.
"As in Washington, D.C." Spike asked curiously as he came to stand just outside the gun cage, arms crossed.
"Yeah."
"Mick here works for the FBI now." Sam commented. He too was trying to keep the conversation away from Afghanistan.
"How did you manage that?" Leah wondered aloud. "I wouldn't think they'd let non-citizens in the FBI."
"Well this time they did." Mick didn't like where this conversation was going either. As he looked at the brunette he got the feeling that she was profiling him. He almost laughed at the thought. This will be an interesting visit. He thought.
Sam finished reassembling his Remi, slid it back into the case, and returned it to its place on the wall. He had been listening to everything being said around him and figured it was time to rescue his friend.
"Come on Mick. Let me show you around." Sam draped an arm around Mick's shoulder as he steered them away from the Team.
Jules stood rooted in place and watched them walk away. She was intrigued. How did Sam really know the man, how close was their bond, and why did she get the feeling he was profiling her? It seemed she would have to wait to get her answers.
"Your Team seems very…interesting." Mick commented as he faced Sam in the workout area of the SRU.
"They are." Sam answered with a smirk. "So, how is Cooper these days?"
"Good. He excels in his role as the head of our Team. He's asked after you."
"I was thinking about you two a while ago. Wondering where you were, what you were up to, if you were still in." Sam admitted as he glanced around to see if anyone was listening in.
"Yeah, well, I just needed a change and Cooper called at the right moment." Mick took a deep breath in. "It seems like you fit in well here."
"I'm trying. It hasn't always been easy though."
"Maybe later you can tell me all about it." Mick glanced over to the dispatcher's desk and noted Sam's entire Team watching them. "I think we've got your Team wondering about me."
"Let them wonder. It'll make for some interesting conversation over the comms later." Sam smirked. "Hey, it looks like Greg is back. Come meet my Sergeant."
Team One quickly averted their gaze as soon as they realized they had been caught watching Sam and Mick.
"He's clearly military." Jules commented quietly.
"Rollie got the same vibe off the man." Ed commented as he snuck another glance over his shoulder.
"Do you think Sam will ever tell us how they really know each other?" Spike wondered in a loud whisper.
"It doesn't matter." Leah stated matter of factly. "If he wants to share with you then he will. If he doesn't, well, he deserves a bit of privacy."
Jules stared at Leah for a minute, a bit surprised. But, the more she thought about it the more she realized her teammate was right. Each of them had things they kept close to the vest. Sam had more than the rest of them but that didn't mean he didn't deserve to have them.
"Greg! Welcome back!" Ed smiled at seeing his friend entering the SRU.
"Hey Team. It's good to be back." Greg smiled as each of the Team welcomed him home, minus Sam.
Greg looked around, searching for their blonde sniper, when he saw him off to the side.
"Mick Rawson? I didn't think I was going to see you again." Greg commented as he went to shake the other man's hand.
"Greg Parker. I didn't realize you were Sam's boss." Mick firmly shook Parker's hand.
"Wait, you two have met?" Sam asked curiously.
"Let me go gear up and I'll meet you all in the briefing room." Greg answered in response.
As Greg walked away he laughed to himself. He knew Rawson had said he was headed to Canada to meet up with an old friend, but he had never imagined it would be Sam. This will be interesting. He thought.
Ten minutes later the Team, and Mick, gathered around the conference room table.
"So, tell us how the conference was." Wordy set a fresh Timmy's in front of Greg.
"The conference was great. The BAU really knows their stuff when it comes to profiles." Greg smiled as he sipped his coffee. "I'm going to talk with Commander Holleran and see if there is a way to bring them up here for a training. Our negotiators can learn a lot from them."
Mick hid his surprise and the idea. He wondered if Hotch would go for it. Of course he will. Mick thought.
"Does their method really work? I mean we profile all the time but can they really tell as much about a person with just a few moments of interaction as you say they can?" Jules asked curiously. She knew they profiled all the time but from what Greg had told them the BAU was a hundred times better at it than they were.
Greg smiled. "Why don't you ask Mick."
Sam turned in his chair and looked at his friend. "So you're in a unit in the BAU of the FBI?"
Mick allowed the slightest upturn of his mouth in response.
"Well? Are your methods as good as rumors say?" Jules asked.
All eyes were now on Mick.
"Ed Lane. While not in command of this Team he is clearly an authority figure. He has tactical experience, is a sniper, and is very protective of his team. He is married and has a child. He is the second most senior member of this Team. Ed is good friends with Wordsworth. He also likes his coffee with two creams and two sugars. A Double Double." Mick responded.
Ed simply stared at the man. How did he get all that and only spoke to me for a minute? Ed wondered silently to himself.
Jules couldn't help but wonder if Sam had been talking to his friend about the Team. No, when Sam first saw him he said it had been over two years. He wouldn't have responded the way he did if he had been talking to Mick.
"Team One, Hot Call!" The claxon alarm sounded as Winnie called out to the Team.
"Hey, I gotta get to work." Sam stood and turned to his friend. "I'm on shift for the next nine hours but you can crash at my place." Sam handed over his apartment keys.
"Winnie, can you get Mick my home address please." Sam called out.
"Sure thing Sam." Winnie answered as she typed away at her computer.
"Sorry…."
"Don't worry Mate. Duty calls." Mick slapped Sam on the shoulder once. "Go do what you do best."
"Feel free to make use of anything at my place." Sam called over his shoulder as he ran down the hall to gear up.
Mick watched after his friend for a long moment. He couldn't wait to sit down with Sam later and see how his friend was really doing. Something was haunting Sam today. Mick hoped that he would be able to help. Finally, after Team One left the building, he turned back to the dispatcher.
"Here's Sam's address." Winnie handed over a sticky note. She hadn't missed how easily Sam invited the man into his home. She may not be a profiler but she could see that these men had a very deep friendship.
"Thanks love." Mick offered on last, huge smile before walking away.
As Winnie watched him leave Greg came over the comms and asked for her assistance. Everyone would have to wait until later to find out just exactly who Mick Rawson was, and how they knew one Sam Braddock.