Washington, D.C. – Saint Mary's Hospital.
Owen drove into the parking lot of Saint Mary's Hospital. It was now the fourth day since their return to Washington. The rescue mission from two days earlier, though filled with danger and uncertainty, had ultimately succeeded without a hitch. They had successfully extracted the captured CIA agent, Catherine, from Mikhail's stronghold.
But the cost was high—every member of the rapid response team had been injured except for Owen. Thankfully, the CIA showed some appreciation, arranging for their treatment at one of Washington's better hospitals. All medical expenses were covered.
Carrying a bouquet of flowers, Owen stepped into the elevator with a light heart. When he reached the third floor, a few steps brought him to Monica's room. Inside, Monica was smiling brightly on her hospital bed, chewing gum and blowing bubbles. The rest of the room's chairs and couches were fully occupied—by Ghost, Swagger, and Heartbeat.
"Hey sweetheart, how are you feeling today?"
"Not bad. The wound's healing fine—just bored out of my mind…"
Monica's face lit up when she saw Owen, her gum forming a playful bubble as she grinned.
"These are for you."
Owen handed her the flowers.
"Thank you, darling. I love them…"
She inhaled their scent and gave him a kiss. The two exchanged sweet words and affection, but the others were already growing impatient.
"Oh come on, man. Save the lovebirds routine for later—where's the stuff? Hand it over!"
The guys swarmed him, snatching a box out of his hands.
Ghost ripped it open, and his expression lit up instantly.
"Aha! Owen, I freaking love you. Ice cold! You're a gem. If it weren't for Monica, I'd marry you…"
Owen theatrically jumped back. "Give it a rest, Ghost. I don't swing that way. Save your love for Heartbeat. Hahaha…"
"Catch!"
Ghost laughed as he tossed Owen a can of beer, which Owen caught one-handed. Another landed in Monica's lap. Swagger and Heartbeat were already helping themselves.
The room filled with the sound of cracking tabs—chhk chhk—as everyone eagerly opened their cans. Cold beer slid down their throats, and a collective sigh of satisfaction followed.
"Perfect…"
"That's the best beer I've ever had…"
"I feel alive again…"
"Hahahaha~~~"
Laughter burst from every corner. These past few days had nearly driven them insane. Sure, the CIA had found them a top-notch hospital, but the place was strict: no smoking, no alcohol, and a regulated diet of specialized nutrition meals.
These hardened men, used to living on the edge, were dying inside. The liquid nutrition wasn't just bland—it was the texture that got to them, like drinking snot. Still, for the sake of healing, they had gulped it down with noses pinched.
But no booze? That was torture. These guys were all self-proclaimed alcoholics.
Even Monica—despite being the only woman—was a true German beer lover. The only one who wasn't desperate for a drink was Swagger, the sniper, who held himself to strict discipline and avoided all addictive substances. But even he was sick of the nutrient sludge and needed something real to clear his gut.
Clunk!
Suddenly the door burst open. A nurse stood in the doorway, her eyes full of disapproval. Her gaze swept over every guilty face in the room.
"Gentlemen," she said sternly, "the doctors specifically ordered no alcohol during your recovery. You're compromising your treatment. If this continues, Dr. House and I will refuse to sign off on your discharge."
She sounded more disappointed than angry. But it worked—the room fell completely silent. No one dared argue. Jack Bauer had made it clear: their recovery had to be thorough. CTU had even made a formal agreement with the hospital—no one would be discharged without approval from their doctor and dedicated nurse.
Which meant that if the nurse didn't sign off, these elite operatives would be stuck in medical lockdown, enduring more bland meals and prohibition.
So, in the face of this unimposing young woman, these hardened killers folded. One by one, they betrayed Owen without hesitation.
"Nurse, it was all him! We refused, but Owen insisted."
"Yeah, Owen, I told you not to tempt us like this…"
"Boss, I have to side with them. We have rules—no alcohol. But you wouldn't listen…"
"Sweetheart, you know I don't even drink beer…"
Owen was dumbfounded, staring at their shameless faces in disbelief. You guys begged me to bring the beer! And you, Monica—don't drink beer? Who was it that got me drunk last time? Was that a dream?
After pinning all the blame on Owen, the traitors scattered like cockroaches. Owen glared at Monica, betrayed.
Monica, out of the nurse's line of sight, playfully stuck her tongue out at him.
Owen wanted to say something, but one look at the nurse's frosty glare shut him up. Defeated, he gathered the empty cans and the cooler box and slunk out.
Downstairs, the very traitors who had just sold him out were waiting. They rushed over with grins as soon as they saw him.
"Come on, bro. You gotta understand…"
"You were a true brother in there. On the battlefield, that was like taking a bullet for your squad…"
"Boss…"
"Save it!"
Owen kicked each of them in the rear.
"I'm a brother? A brother, my ass. Taking a bullet? You threw me under the bus! You backstabbing bastards. Next time? Forget it. You can die of thirst for all I care. Enjoy your pig slop. In fact—wait—I just had an idea. Maybe I'll suggest to Jack that, since this hospital is so great, you all should get full-body diagnostics. Treat everything while we're at it!"
"No, bro, please don't…"
"We were wrong, we swear…"
"Boss, you're not that kind of person…"
Watching them grovel, Owen finally felt a bit better. Then there was Monica—his own girlfriend! She'd teamed up with the others to throw him under the bus. She'd pay for that. At home—with interest.
"Alright, scram. I'm heading to the gym to work out some of this frustration before I shoot one of you in the face."
After sending the clowns on their way, Owen walked to the parking lot to get his car. With the others still recovering, his schedule was relatively free—aside from occasional meetings with Jack at CTU.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS (Chapter 79)
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]