Chapter Four: Beginnings
BUZZZZZZ!! The buzzer for the basketball game went off and the scoreboard read 42-36. Squad 1 or The Blue Squad’s Woman’s Basketball team had defeated Squad 2, The Red Squad in their opening game at Fort Bennet Military Base. The game was open to only non-military guests as it was elected to be a charity game for the local Big Brothers, Big Sisters Organization. Game tickets cost $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. The Blue Squad consisted of six women who were Stella Bonasera (Center), Jessica Angell (Power Forward), Lindsay Monroe (Point Guard/Team Captain), Aiden Burn (Shooting Guard), Kendall Novak (Alternate), and Samantha Flack (Small Forward). They were coached by a Lieutenant named Erin Sanders. The Red Squad consisted of Peyton Driscoll (Shooting Guard), Aubrey Hunter (Power Forward), Jordan Gates (Point Guard/ Team Captain), Jane Parsons (Small Forward), Gillian Whitford (Alternate), and Quinn Shelby (Center). They were coached by another Lieutenant named Lynn Coates. After the game ended and the girls shook each others hands they headed into the locker room to change. These games were mostly for fun but there was a steep competition between a few of the players that didn’t just stay on the court. They were all members of an elite team of Army soldiers that had been split into two squads but were basically all one team and relied on each other. The two squads shared a locker room and all went in to change and head back to the barracks for the night. Peyton walked by Stella and bumped her shoulder into Stella’s.
“Nice rebounds Bonasera, I think I was able to get what eight points by you? And everyone thinks you’re such a hot shot!”
“Yeah well check the scoreboard Driscoll my team beat yours by six points and would have done it by more if we had had time.”
“Watch it Bonasera, your hair frizzes even more when you’re pissy honestly I don’t know what Mac sees in you!”
“You little bitch!” Stella said as she pushed Peyton into the lockers and went to punch her.
“Stella, Stel, hey, hey, hey, come on she isn’t worth it! Come on Bonasera let’s go to the barracks and have a few drinks, come on.” Jessica Angell said while she pulled Stella away from Peyton.
“You know Bonasera if you had used some of that anger in the game tonight maybe you would have gotten more shots!”
“I swear to God…” Stella said as she tried to shove her way back to Peyton.
“Peyton just leave her alone, you’re just going to get both of you in trouble with Sinclair, leave it alone.”
“Oh yeah and Driscoll jealousy doesn’t look very good on you. Mac’s with me because he can’t stand the sight of you!”
“Damnit Stella shut the hell up and let’s get out of here, quit egging her on!”
“This isn’t over Bonasera!”
“You bet your ass it’s not!”
Jessica, Stella, and the rest of Blue Squad walked out of the gym and headed over to the barracks.
“You just couldn’t ignore her could you?”
“I’m sorry Jess but she just gets under my skin she knock my playing abilities all she wants but it’s obvious she still wants Mac and it just sets me off. She struts around acting like her shit don’t stink and she’s the hottest thing around well I got news for Miss “I’m from England” she’s not. Mac can’t even stand to be in the same room as her and she honestly thinks she can steal him away from me…not a chance!”
“Then why do you let her get to you? Before she started showing signs that she was interested in Mac the two of you were at least civil to each other you were never friends no but if you keep fighting with her you’re going to get yourself kicked off of Blue Squad and we both don’t want that to happen. So come on Stella just ignore the English bimbo and have fun that’s what these games are suppose to be about.”
“I know Jess it’s just every woman on Red Squad practically drools over Mac, you can’t blame a girl for being a little territorial, and if it was Don you would have the same reaction.”
“Okay, point taken but I’m begging you Stel let it go, for everyone. This team needs you; you’re the leader aside from Mac. Besides we all kind of look up to you and strive to be as good of a soldier and cop as you are. Not to mention Sam and Kendall adore you and you’re not setting a very good example for them by letting your temper get the best of you.”
Stella sighs.
“You’re right Jess I just need a few beers and to hang out I’ve been stressed out with this whole upcoming Top Secret undercover mission that we’re going to be on and it’s just hard trying to be the girl with all the answers and the one her colleagues look up too, it’s a lot of pressure.”
“Which is why Sinclair picked you to be second in command of Blue Squad because he knows you can handle yourself in any situation and are a good role model for the rest of the team.”
“Thanks Jess, I’m glad I have a friend like you and I’ll try my best not to let Peyton get to me.”
“Good that’s what I like to hear. So Don and I were talking this morning and wondered if maybe the whole squad or everyone who wanted to would go out to Frisco’s tonight and get some drinks and maybe go dancing. It’s Friday and we are allowed to have fun on the weekends as long as we don’t get too trashed and can still report for duty on Monday. Come on it will be fun and we can all get to know each other better. Sinclair and Gerard assigned us to the different squads about a month ago but we really don’t know that much about our squad mates. What do you say? Oh and Mac already agreed to it.”
“Oh really? Mac usually isn’t one for social gatherings what did Don say to make him agree to this?”
“Not much surprisingly, he just mentioned it would be a chance to get to know the squad better and Mac said sure that he would be there.”
“Hm, I wonder why he didn’t say anything about it to me today after the lecture Sinclair gave us about our mission. We had lunch and hung out for a while afterward but he didn’t say anything about going out.”
“He has a lot on his plate too Stella it probably just slipped his mind that or he wanted to surprise you. With Mac who knows?”
“Heh I hear you there. But sure I’ll go, what time are we leaving?”
“Well we figured we would all meet up at the Patterson Barracks where the guys live and kind of carpool from there around 21:30, the club stays open until 02:00am. So when everyone gets wasted enough or ready to leave we’ll just pile into the vehicles head back to the base.”
“Okay well its 16:45 right now so let’s go back to the barracks and chill out for awhile then we’ll get ready around 18:00. I have a cute little skirt and top that I think Mac will appreciate.” Stella grins mischievously at Jess.
“Ooh lala Stella you little minx you!”
“You’re damn right, I’m Macs little minx.”
Jess and Stella laugh together and walk into their barracks after the rest of the girls on the squad.
“Okay ladies gather around I have something to ask/tell you.”
“What is it Jess?” Lindsay Monroe asked.
“Well Don and I kind of arranged a night out for everyone on Blue Squad tonight we’re going to meet up at the Patterson Barracks and kind of carpool from there around 21:30, to Frisco’s, a trendy little club on the outskirts of Fort Bennet, the club stays open until 02:00. Who’s in?”
“Oh I’m in definitely!” Samantha Flack said.
“Yeah me too.” Replied Kendall Novak
“Count me in.” Aiden Burn said.
“Same here” Lindsay agreed.
“Stella, you coming?”
“Yep, Aiden it’s going to be a blast!”
“Alright ladies well lets just hang out for about an hour then we’ll start getting ready, I’m going to call Don and tell him that we’re all in.”
Jess went to the phone station outside of their barracks and called Don to let him know what was going on.
Meanwhile, over in the Patterson Barracks some of the guys were gathered around the TV watching Adam and Chad compete against each other in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, while some other GI’s gathered around Mac, Danny, Don, and Hawkes playing poker in the other room.
“Hey, Flack you’re girls on the phone, says she needs to talk to you.” Private Jake Manson called into the break room.
“Alright, Manson give me one second, I’m out guys I got nothing and Hawkes is kicking my ass so we’ll continue this later alright guys?”
“Sure Don, good game thanks for all your cash buddy!” Sheldon Hawkes grinningly replied as Flack slapped him on the shoulder on his way to the phone station outside the barracks.
“Hey gorgeous, what’s up?”
“Not a lot we kicked ass at the game and all the girls are going to Frisco’s tonight, just wanted to call and let you know oh and to say I love you baby!”
“Alright that’s my girl, I love you too. How many points did you score?”
“Well you’ll be proud to know I lead the pack by getting ten baskets and earning us twenty points. Final score was 42-36. Driscoll was so pissed. She even started shit with Stella after the game. Thankfully I was there to hold Stella back otherwise she would have beat the shit out of Peyton. I swear those two need to come to a truce or something this is getting ridiculous plus Stella could get herself thrown off of Blue Squad if she doesn’t keep that temper of hers in check. Oh but Don don’t say anything to Mac he has enough to deal with right now without having to worry about his girlfriend getting into it with other team members. I talked to her and she said she would do her best ignore Peyton next time. Hopefully there won’t be a next time though.”
“Geez, Driscoll has a lot of nerve when is she going to realize that Mac wants Stella and not her? I mean they went on like two dates and Mac said she was as interesting as a cardboard box. Don’t worry though I won’t say anything about it to Mac so when are we all meeting up to go to Frisco’s?”
“Thanks Don, and around 21:30 outside of your barracks. We’ll all meet their and then take a couple of Base vehicles to the club then leave when everyone gets good and ready, are all the guys in?”
“Yep, asked them earlier and they all said it sounds like a great idea. Alright well I better get going oh and Jess could you wear your cute little red G-string tonight? It’ll look great with a pair of low-rise hip huggers and a black spaghetti strapped shirt.”
“Well Mr. Flack didn’t know you paid such close attention to my clothes. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Please Jess I just pay attention to them when I’m taking them off of you.”
“Well, down boy save that energy for tonight!”
“That an invitation?”
“If you’re a good boy it might be.”
“Oh I’m a very good boy!”
“Okay stud well I got to go and start getting ready I’ll see you in about an hour and a half, love you, bye.
“Bye baby, I love you too!”
Jess smiled and walked back inside to see what the girls were doing. Sam was taking a shower so she could start getting ready for the club and Lindsay and Kendall were looking through their closets trying to pick out what to wear that night having already showered. Jess walked over to Stella’s bunk and saw her and Aiden looking at some pictures and talking about something.
“Hey you two what you looking at?”
“Oh, I was just showing Stel some of my pictures from high school and boot camp, along with some pictures of my family and ex- boyfriend Ricky. We’re also trying to figure out what the top secret undercover mission is that General Sinclair briefed us about earlier today.”
“Ah, I see well he said both squads, including every member would be involved and we would be undercover as civilians but he didn’t say much about the actual mission. We’ll be briefed about the whole operation on Monday I’m excited I bet it’s going to be very interesting. Stella do you have any inside information on it?”
“Nope, I know as much as you two and everyone else know, we’ll find out soon enough though. I’m going to go get a shower and start getting ready.”
“Yeah me too, as soon as I’m out you can have my shower you know Stel, takes forever.”
“Okay well I’m going to get my clothes ready and see what Lindsay and Kendall are up too.”
About an hour passes and all of the women are ready for the club so they head over to the Patterson Barracks and meet up with the guys to go to Frisco’s. Don and Mac pull up in two black SUV’s and everyone piles into them, then head off base to Frisco’s.
BUZZZZZZ!! The buzzer for the basketball game went off and the scoreboard read 42-36. Squad 1 or The Blue Squad’s Woman’s Basketball team had defeated Squad 2, The Red Squad in their opening game at Fort Bennet Military Base. The game was open to only non-military guests as it was elected to be a charity game for the local Big Brothers, Big Sisters Organization. Game tickets cost $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. The Blue Squad consisted of six women who were Stella Bonasera (Center), Jessica Angell (Power Forward), Lindsay Monroe (Point Guard/Team Captain), Aiden Burn (Shooting Guard), Kendall Novak (Alternate), and Samantha Flack (Small Forward). They were coached by a Lieutenant named Erin Sanders. The Red Squad consisted of Peyton Driscoll (Shooting Guard), Aubrey Hunter (Power Forward), Jordan Gates (Point Guard/ Team Captain), Jane Parsons (Small Forward), Gillian Whitford (Alternate), and Quinn Shelby (Center). They were coached by another Lieutenant named Lynn Coates. After the game ended and the girls shook each others hands they headed into the locker room to change. These games were mostly for fun but there was a steep competition between a few of the players that didn’t just stay on the court. They were all members of an elite team of Army soldiers that had been split into two squads but were basically all one team and relied on each other. The two squads shared a locker room and all went in to change and head back to the barracks for the night. Peyton walked by Stella and bumped her shoulder into Stella’s.
“Nice rebounds Bonasera, I think I was able to get what eight points by you? And everyone thinks you’re such a hot shot!”
“Yeah well check the scoreboard Driscoll my team beat yours by six points and would have done it by more if we had had time.”
“Watch it Bonasera, your hair frizzes even more when you’re pissy honestly I don’t know what Mac sees in you!”
“You little bitch!” Stella said as she pushed Peyton into the lockers and went to punch her.
“Stella, Stel, hey, hey, hey, come on she isn’t worth it! Come on Bonasera let’s go to the barracks and have a few drinks, come on.” Jessica Angell said while she pulled Stella away from Peyton.
“You know Bonasera if you had used some of that anger in the game tonight maybe you would have gotten more shots!”
“I swear to God…” Stella said as she tried to shove her way back to Peyton.
“Peyton just leave her alone, you’re just going to get both of you in trouble with Sinclair, leave it alone.”
“Oh yeah and Driscoll jealousy doesn’t look very good on you. Mac’s with me because he can’t stand the sight of you!”
“Damnit Stella shut the hell up and let’s get out of here, quit egging her on!”
“This isn’t over Bonasera!”
“You bet your ass it’s not!”
Jessica, Stella, and the rest of Blue Squad walked out of the gym and headed over to the barracks.
“You just couldn’t ignore her could you?”
“I’m sorry Jess but she just gets under my skin she knock my playing abilities all she wants but it’s obvious she still wants Mac and it just sets me off. She struts around acting like her shit don’t stink and she’s the hottest thing around well I got news for Miss “I’m from England” she’s not. Mac can’t even stand to be in the same room as her and she honestly thinks she can steal him away from me…not a chance!”
“Then why do you let her get to you? Before she started showing signs that she was interested in Mac the two of you were at least civil to each other you were never friends no but if you keep fighting with her you’re going to get yourself kicked off of Blue Squad and we both don’t want that to happen. So come on Stella just ignore the English bimbo and have fun that’s what these games are suppose to be about.”
“I know Jess it’s just every woman on Red Squad practically drools over Mac, you can’t blame a girl for being a little territorial, and if it was Don you would have the same reaction.”
“Okay, point taken but I’m begging you Stel let it go, for everyone. This team needs you; you’re the leader aside from Mac. Besides we all kind of look up to you and strive to be as good of a soldier and cop as you are. Not to mention Sam and Kendall adore you and you’re not setting a very good example for them by letting your temper get the best of you.”
Stella sighs.
“You’re right Jess I just need a few beers and to hang out I’ve been stressed out with this whole upcoming Top Secret undercover mission that we’re going to be on and it’s just hard trying to be the girl with all the answers and the one her colleagues look up too, it’s a lot of pressure.”
“Which is why Sinclair picked you to be second in command of Blue Squad because he knows you can handle yourself in any situation and are a good role model for the rest of the team.”
“Thanks Jess, I’m glad I have a friend like you and I’ll try my best not to let Peyton get to me.”
“Good that’s what I like to hear. So Don and I were talking this morning and wondered if maybe the whole squad or everyone who wanted to would go out to Frisco’s tonight and get some drinks and maybe go dancing. It’s Friday and we are allowed to have fun on the weekends as long as we don’t get too trashed and can still report for duty on Monday. Come on it will be fun and we can all get to know each other better. Sinclair and Gerard assigned us to the different squads about a month ago but we really don’t know that much about our squad mates. What do you say? Oh and Mac already agreed to it.”
“Oh really? Mac usually isn’t one for social gatherings what did Don say to make him agree to this?”
“Not much surprisingly, he just mentioned it would be a chance to get to know the squad better and Mac said sure that he would be there.”
“Hm, I wonder why he didn’t say anything about it to me today after the lecture Sinclair gave us about our mission. We had lunch and hung out for a while afterward but he didn’t say anything about going out.”
“He has a lot on his plate too Stella it probably just slipped his mind that or he wanted to surprise you. With Mac who knows?”
“Heh I hear you there. But sure I’ll go, what time are we leaving?”
“Well we figured we would all meet up at the Patterson Barracks where the guys live and kind of carpool from there around 21:30, the club stays open until 02:00am. So when everyone gets wasted enough or ready to leave we’ll just pile into the vehicles head back to the base.”
“Okay well its 16:45 right now so let’s go back to the barracks and chill out for awhile then we’ll get ready around 18:00. I have a cute little skirt and top that I think Mac will appreciate.” Stella grins mischievously at Jess.
“Ooh lala Stella you little minx you!”
“You’re damn right, I’m Macs little minx.”
Jess and Stella laugh together and walk into their barracks after the rest of the girls on the squad.
“Okay ladies gather around I have something to ask/tell you.”
“What is it Jess?” Lindsay Monroe asked.
“Well Don and I kind of arranged a night out for everyone on Blue Squad tonight we’re going to meet up at the Patterson Barracks and kind of carpool from there around 21:30, to Frisco’s, a trendy little club on the outskirts of Fort Bennet, the club stays open until 02:00. Who’s in?”
“Oh I’m in definitely!” Samantha Flack said.
“Yeah me too.” Replied Kendall Novak
“Count me in.” Aiden Burn said.
“Same here” Lindsay agreed.
“Stella, you coming?”
“Yep, Aiden it’s going to be a blast!”
“Alright ladies well lets just hang out for about an hour then we’ll start getting ready, I’m going to call Don and tell him that we’re all in.”
Jess went to the phone station outside of their barracks and called Don to let him know what was going on.
Meanwhile, over in the Patterson Barracks some of the guys were gathered around the TV watching Adam and Chad compete against each other in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, while some other GI’s gathered around Mac, Danny, Don, and Hawkes playing poker in the other room.
“Hey, Flack you’re girls on the phone, says she needs to talk to you.” Private Jake Manson called into the break room.
“Alright, Manson give me one second, I’m out guys I got nothing and Hawkes is kicking my ass so we’ll continue this later alright guys?”
“Sure Don, good game thanks for all your cash buddy!” Sheldon Hawkes grinningly replied as Flack slapped him on the shoulder on his way to the phone station outside the barracks.
“Hey gorgeous, what’s up?”
“Not a lot we kicked ass at the game and all the girls are going to Frisco’s tonight, just wanted to call and let you know oh and to say I love you baby!”
“Alright that’s my girl, I love you too. How many points did you score?”
“Well you’ll be proud to know I lead the pack by getting ten baskets and earning us twenty points. Final score was 42-36. Driscoll was so pissed. She even started shit with Stella after the game. Thankfully I was there to hold Stella back otherwise she would have beat the shit out of Peyton. I swear those two need to come to a truce or something this is getting ridiculous plus Stella could get herself thrown off of Blue Squad if she doesn’t keep that temper of hers in check. Oh but Don don’t say anything to Mac he has enough to deal with right now without having to worry about his girlfriend getting into it with other team members. I talked to her and she said she would do her best ignore Peyton next time. Hopefully there won’t be a next time though.”
“Geez, Driscoll has a lot of nerve when is she going to realize that Mac wants Stella and not her? I mean they went on like two dates and Mac said she was as interesting as a cardboard box. Don’t worry though I won’t say anything about it to Mac so when are we all meeting up to go to Frisco’s?”
“Thanks Don, and around 21:30 outside of your barracks. We’ll all meet their and then take a couple of Base vehicles to the club then leave when everyone gets good and ready, are all the guys in?”
“Yep, asked them earlier and they all said it sounds like a great idea. Alright well I better get going oh and Jess could you wear your cute little red G-string tonight? It’ll look great with a pair of low-rise hip huggers and a black spaghetti strapped shirt.”
“Well Mr. Flack didn’t know you paid such close attention to my clothes. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Please Jess I just pay attention to them when I’m taking them off of you.”
“Well, down boy save that energy for tonight!”
“That an invitation?”
“If you’re a good boy it might be.”
“Oh I’m a very good boy!”
“Okay stud well I got to go and start getting ready I’ll see you in about an hour and a half, love you, bye.
“Bye baby, I love you too!”
Jess smiled and walked back inside to see what the girls were doing. Sam was taking a shower so she could start getting ready for the club and Lindsay and Kendall were looking through their closets trying to pick out what to wear that night having already showered. Jess walked over to Stella’s bunk and saw her and Aiden looking at some pictures and talking about something.
“Hey you two what you looking at?”
“Oh, I was just showing Stel some of my pictures from high school and boot camp, along with some pictures of my family and ex- boyfriend Ricky. We’re also trying to figure out what the top secret undercover mission is that General Sinclair briefed us about earlier today.”
“Ah, I see well he said both squads, including every member would be involved and we would be undercover as civilians but he didn’t say much about the actual mission. We’ll be briefed about the whole operation on Monday I’m excited I bet it’s going to be very interesting. Stella do you have any inside information on it?”
“Nope, I know as much as you two and everyone else know, we’ll find out soon enough though. I’m going to go get a shower and start getting ready.”
“Yeah me too, as soon as I’m out you can have my shower you know Stel, takes forever.”
“Okay well I’m going to get my clothes ready and see what Lindsay and Kendall are up too.”
About an hour passes and all of the women are ready for the club so they head over to the Patterson Barracks and meet up with the guys to go to Frisco’s. Don and Mac pull up in two black SUV’s and everyone piles into them, then head off base to Frisco’s.
