shanachie_quill: christmas leonard (Default)
[personal profile] shanachie_quill
Title: In Honor of Them that Served
Characters: Multiple Fandoms, Multiple Characters
Fandom: Hawaii Five-0, CSI: Crime Scene Investigations, NCIS: LA, Last Resort, Firefly, Covert Affairs, Avengers
Series:
Written For: Our Military
Prompt: Veteran’s Day
Summary: In support of our military and those who serve, various fandoms and their connection to the military.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Just generally assume if it’s aired, it’s fair game
Warnings: You know me, you know my writing, and just…keep that in mind.
Disclaimer: No one recognizable belongs to me. Not making any money off this.
Author's Note: And I win! I got this done before the real or the observed day! In honor and thanks to those who have served and are serving. I salute our fighting men and women. Thank you all! And a special thanks for writing help to whogeek, chrismouse, and illfindmyway like always. And also to my family who’ve served and are serving. And to my friend chrismouse, who is serving.



Hawaii Five-0

“Uncle Steve! Uncle Steve!”

Steve McGarrett looked up from the reports he was signing to see his favorite young lady running towards him. Following her, with an indulgent look on his face, was her father and Steve’s 5-0 partner. Danny had clearly given up on telling her not to run because he wasn’t even trying to slow her down. Steve had just enough time to swing his chair away from his desk before Grace launched herself into his arms. Surprised, Steve returned her hug just as fiercely, asking, “What brought this on, Gracie?” Over her head, he met Danny’s eyes, but the other man seemed just as confused.

Grace leaned back so she could see him. “Thank you!” she chirruped before hugging him again.

“Um, okay?” Steve was still confused, but he wanted to help with her. “You’re welcome. But what for?”

“For everything you’ve done. You did a lot,” Grace explained seriously.

Steve looked at Danny. “Do you have any idea…?”

Danny shrugged. “Not a clue. She just insisted she had to come see you when I picked her up, to say thank you.”

“Danno,” Grace said with a tone of long suffering. “We hafta thank Uncle Steve because he was a SEAL.”

“I’m not sure…” Danny started.

“Danno. My teacher said that we should take time to thank the men and women that were in the military for what they did. And Uncle Steve was a SEAL. So we should tell him thank you.”

Steve and Danny exchanged looks, understanding dawning as her words registered. “Grace, I wasn’t a SEAL for thanks,” Steve said slowly. “I was a SEAL…”

“Because he’s crazy,” Danny said in a low voice.

“Because it was what I felt I needed to do,” Steve finished. He brushed her hair back from her face. “I’m glad your teacher taught you to be thankful to people who decide to serve.” He shifted Grace to set her on the floor. “If it’s all right with your dad, how about we go get some shave ice?”

“Yay! Danno, can we please?” Grace asked.

“May we?” Danny corrected. “And I don’t see why not. Why don’t you go ask Kono and Chin if they’d like to join us?” Grace nodded rapidly and ran off to find the other two members of 5-0. “I had no idea she was going to do that. I’m sorry if that was uncomfortable for you.”

“No, it’s okay.” Steve got to his feet. “It’s nice to know that some people still appreciate what the military does.”



Covert Affairs

Annie glanced towards the glass walls that enclosed tech support where her best friend, Auggie Anderson, normally reigned supreme to see that he was not currently holding court from behind his specialized desk. She looked towards Joan’s office to see the blinds were open, but Auggie wasn’t in there either. It was unusual for him not to be in the building during normal working hours and she considered what it could mean.

When he still hadn’t appeared by midday, she got to her feet, smoothing her skirt before heading towards Joan’s office. Knocking on the door, she waited for Joan to call, “Come in,” before she entered. Joan looked up from the file she was reading as Annie stepped into the office. “Yes, Annie, what is it?”

“Is Auggie okay?” Annie asked. “I noticed he’s not here yet today.”

“He’s fine, Annie. Just taking a little personal time.”

“It’s not like him to miss…” Annie started.

“He’s perfectly fine. He checked in this morning and will check in later if he doesn’t finish before he’s supposed to be back here. I’m sure he’ll appreciate your concern.”

“What if he gets into trouble? If no one knows where he is…”

“I’m well aware of where he is, but if you’re that concerned, he’s at Arlington Cemetery. I hope if you do decide to interrupt him, you’ll treat it with all due respect. Now if that’s all, I do have work to do.”

Annie went back to her desk, sitting down, and attempting to focus on her work. After the third time she re-read a sentence, she shut her computer down. Clearly she wasn’t going to get any work done today. Gathering up her purse and car keys, she headed out of the building.

On the drive out to Arlington, she contemplated what Auggie could be doing at the cemetery. She’d had time to consider it and wasn’t sure why he’d choose a holiday to go to such a public place. From what she knew he preferred to be in private when he wanted to grieve.

Upon reaching Arlington, she headed for the main building. She was pretty sure where Auggie had gone, but she didn’t know exactly where in the cemetery that was. She did remember the name of his one team member, the brother of his ex-girlfriend, and knew she could find Auggie through him.

Approaching the information desk, she said, “I’m looking for a grave site for a group of soldiers, but I only know the name of one of them.”

“If it was a public burial I can give you the information, but if the information is to private, I won’t be able to release it,” the guard answered.

Annie nodded. “I’m pretty sure it was public. But…” She dug out her cover ID. “I work for the Smithsonian. I’m not looking for it to make a spectacle. I just want to check on a friend, who was a member of the group.”

“Give me the name and I’ll see what I can do.”

“Billy Rowland,” Annie answered. “I don’t know when exactly he died. But I know it was in the nineties.”

The guard smiled at her answer. “We’re computerized now thankfully. So we can search by name or location. Or even conflict.” He turned away, tapping the name into his system. “Rowland. Yes, here he is. And his burial and the rest of his team was public.” Picking up a map, he circled a section on it. “They’re here.” Pointing to the road, he showed her how to get to the section where they rested. “Just follow the road and then you’ll have to walk for a little way. You’ll might have to read the markers to find the exact…”

“No. I actually think I’ll have no problem,” Annie replied quietly. She folded the map over and tucked it into her pocket. “Thank you.”

As she drove as far as she was able, Annie tried to figure out what she was going to say to Auggie when she found him. She was sure if he’d wanted her there, he would have said something. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to turn around and head home or back to the office. Parking as close to the site as she could, she got out of the car, looking across the rows and rows of stark white crosses.

Standing out among the crosses was a familiar figure; his dark hair a blunt contrast against the field of white and green even at the distance. Taking a deep breath, Annie began to pick her way across the field, careful of her heels. When she got close enough to speak without raising her voice, she said, “If you don’t want me here, tell me, but I was worried.”

Auggie’s shoulders tensed beneath his dress greens. “Annie.”

She stopped beside him, close enough that their shoulders would brush if either of them moved. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t need anyone here with me. I was just coming to…” Auggie took a breath. “I’m not even sure why I came. I just needed to.”

“I was worried when you didn’t come to work today,” Annie said quietly. “And then when Joan said you were here…”

“I’ve been thinking about them lately,” Auggie admitted. “I needed to. I know they aren’t here, but it was the best I could do.”

“They don’t blame you, Auggie. And you got the man,” Annie pointed out. “Their spirits are resting in peace now.”

“I know.” Auggie turned towards her voice. “That’s why I needed to come.”



CSI

“Oh. Captain.” The girl startled as the man walked into his office. “Sorry. I didn’t mean…”

“You aren’t supposed to be in here.” Brass reached for his sidearm as the girl spread her hands, showing she was unarmed. “How did you get in here?”

“I’m friends with one of the CSIs. I didn’t mean any harm. I just…” She relaxed slightly when he seemed reassured by her words. “I was just. GG told me that you used to be in the military and…” She took a deep breath. “I can’t thank the one person I should have so…” She shrugged. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” She ducked her head, skirting around him, and trying to slide out the door. “Sorry for bothering you.”

“Who are you?” Brass asked.

She smiled. “Sorry. I seem to be doing nothing but apologizing. Ella Jackson. I’m just gonna go.”

Brass shook his head after she dashed out of his office, moving around until he could take a seat at his desk. He was reaching for a case folder when he noticed the envelope sitting precisely in the center of his desk. For a minute he stared at it, then deciding it wouldn’t be there unless someone had left it, he lifted it up, and slit it open; spilling the card out onto his desk.

Flipping it over, he looked at the front of the card where a soldier and a little girl held hands. Opening it up, he read, Thank you for all that you have done for this country. Ella Jackson. Brass stared at the signature of the card for a few minutes, thinking of another little girl with a similar name. Instead of throwing the card out, he set it aside and turned back to his work. The card was just what he needed.

Last Resort
(spoilers through 11/8)

James King had done a lot of things he regretted over the years. But he had always been a good SEAL, a good Navy man. He had been following orders when he’d gone to Pakistan and the team; the men he’d trusted had blind-sided him. And it cost the lives of most of his team; including his best friend.

Then Cahill, the one who’d caused half their problems, had gone after Tani and something in James snapped. He had had enough of everyone jerking him around and using the people he took under his protection.

When he blinked, thinking clearly again, Cahill was a bloody mess at his feet and Tani was staring at him in horror. “What did you do?” she whispered.

James reached towards her, before realizing his hands were covered in blood. “I couldn’t let him hurt you.” Dropping his hands, he added softly, “I would never let him hurt you.”

Tani stared at him for a minute, then reached for him, enfolding him in her arms; heedless of the blood. “He was your friend.”

“No,” James replied. “He was the reason I found you. And you might be my redemption.”

Firefly

“Kaylee, what the hell are you doing?” Mal demanded as he stared at the disaster area that used to be his nice neat common room.

Kaylee’s head popped up from underneath the table before she scrambled out after it. “I’ll clean it up, Cap’n. I promise. But I read this. I read about. On Earth That Was.” Kaylee stopped, actually pausing to take a breath, and try to organize her words.

“Read about what, Kaylee?” Mal asked patiently.

“A day to celebrate veterans.” She bounced a little on her toes. “I thought. Since we have you and Zoe and… Jayne. We could do something”

Mal looked around the common room. “It looks more like you set a bomb off in here, meimei, and I don’t think that was your intention.”

Kaylee managed to look abashed at his comment. “No, it wasn’t.”

“Okay. So. Small. All right, meimei, and discreet?” He smiled at her. “The idea is appreciated but the memories might not be as much.”

“All right,” Kaylee agreed.

“And, Kaylee? It was a good idea.”

Avengers

Steve was fidgeting with the tie from his dress greens when Tony walked into the living room. “Aren’t you supposed to be wearing that?” Tony asked, twirling a finger towards the accessory. “We do need to leave for the parade in a few minutes.”

“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” Steve explained.

“Why not?” You’re a vet, you can be there, and…” Tony stopped as Clint strode into the living room.

Both men stared at the archer, who seemed unconcerned by their scrutiny. “Okay. I’m dressed. Are we going?”

Tony blinking, continuing to stare at Clint who was actually dressed in something other than his SHIELD uniform, battle dress, or scruffy jeans and a t-shirt. “What the fuck are you wearing?” he finally demanded.

Clint’s gray eyes didn’t even have to travel downward to check his clothes. “My dress blues. Obviously.”

“I have eyes. I can see that. Why are you wearing… How do you even have dress blues?” Tony sputtered.

“I’m ex-military. Do you even read the files you’re given?” Clint replied.

“Generally no. Not really. Well, only the important bits,” Tony said.

Clint hit himself lightly on the forehead. “Right. Of course. What was I thinking? Clearly the fact that I spent time in the military is totally unimportant. Steve, tie? Are we going or not?”

Steve looped his tie around his neck, deft fingers doing it up quickly. “Yeah. We are. And, Clint? Thanks.”

“Yeah. Don’t mention it, Cap.” He turned a glare on Tony. “And you. Try reading the files.”

Tony watched as the two men almost marched out of the living room. “Well, where’s the fun in that?” he asked the empty room before hurrying to catch up with them.



NCIS: LA

Sam Hanna paused as he exited the store, a step or so behind his partner, G. Callen. Sliding his hand into his pocket, he removed his wallet, and pulled out a few bills. Reaching out, he dropped them into the can the old man was holding. Waving off the poppy the man held out, Sam nodded to him. “Thanks anyway. And thank you for your service.”

Callen was waiting for him when he reached their car. “Bit of irony there?”

“Because I gave money to a veteran?” Sam questioned. “No. Why shouldn’t I?”

“Just considering the circumstances. What with you being a vet yourself and all,” Callen commented.

Sam shrugged. “I’m not vet. I’m still actively working. And some of those guys have it pretty rough. It’s my way of paying it forward.”




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