The story continues, and details of the mission emerge. Plus we meet some new characters. I guess most of you will have read the previous chapters, but just to remind/inform you this story features m/m and m/f relationships and sex.
Thanks for the comments and votes, It's always lovely to hear that people are enjoying my stories.
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Two days after Sam and Tom had received the call to attend Council to hear the details of their mission, Alex and Cal arrived back in the car, the last members of the teams to return to the house. A meeting was immediately called, and the men and Tilly met in the dining room waiting for their instructions. There was an air of anticipation as all waited to hear the latest news. Sam stood nervously, Tom at his side, and looked around the room at the faces intent on listening. He was going to start with the easy bit.
'Tom and I have had a message from the Council. We have to attend there in five days time, when hopefully we will find out about this mission. We will of course let you know as soon as we can. I would expect we will be heading to it shortly after we return, although there will be some planning time first. We will also have to report on how our training is going to make sure they think we are ready.'
Tom took up the talk. 'In the meantime, we will intensify the training we are already doing to make sure we are prepared for whatever is in store. Whilst Sam and I are away, Alex and Tilly will lead the training sessions. We will speak to you two about that before we leave.' Alex and Tilly nodded. 'I know we don't have to tell you how important this mission is, and it will undoubtedly be difficult as well or they wouldn't have needed two teams in the first place. We know you will all work as hard as you can both for the rest of the training and the mission.'
All the team members confirmed they would. They were ready for whatever they had to do, despite knowing it would be difficult and probably dangerous.
Sam took a deep breath. 'There is one other thing to tell you all.' He looked at Tom, who could instantly see how difficult he was finding this. 'I... I mean we....um, Tom and I...' He looked at Tom again, desperately searching for some support, his mouth going dry and his body shaking with nerves. He looked back at the faces of the teams, Tilly and Dill the only ones not looking expectantly back at him.
'It's okay baby,'
he heard in his head as Tom stepped forward and took his hand in his, intertwining their fingers. The move did not go unnoticed and they both saw the bemused looks most of the men gave them before Tom spoke. 'Sam and I are together, and more than that, we are mates. We hope that no-one has a problem with working for us because this mission is too important to have anything get in the way.'
There was a moment of silence, and Tom had the suspicion some of the men were having conversations with each other behind their surprised expressions. Tilly looked at him and Sam smiling, which was an indication that there were no negative emotions in the room, although someone could be keeping a tight lid on it. Finn was the first to speak. 'It's not a problem with me. I'll be glad to see the boss happy.' Sam beamed a smile to him.
One by one the men spoke and although some expressed their surprise, they all agreed it wasn't an issue either personally or for the mission. Dill shot a thought to Tilly.
'Mates, huh? That was quick.'
'If it's right, it's right,'she replied, hit then by the feeling of disappointment coming from him.
'That's not to say we aren't Dill, I just need more time and we have other things going on right now that are rather important. And just at the moment, I want my gorgeous sexy pussycat all to myself!'
Dill couldn't help himself grinning at her comment, although unfortunately at that moment he was looking at Tom, who looked back with a puzzled expression. He calmed his expression and looked back at his boss with his usual attentiveness.
'That's all for the moment then.' Sam said, totally relieved. 'We will commence proper training again tomorrow morning straight after breakfast. Tonight everyone should at least get out for a run and make sure you get a good nights sleep ready for more hard work. Thank you all.' His last comment was said with rather more feeling than usual, and everyone recognised it was not just about the meeting, but about them understanding about him and Tom.
Most of the men filed out and headed out of the door after changing. A run around the grounds had sounded good to all of them, especially with the knowledge they would soon find out the mission. Tilly asked Dill to go too, shooting him an image of her cottage, and knowing by the grin on his face that he got the idea. She smiled to herself knowing that when she got there he would already be naked and hard waiting for her to join him for some passionate loving. She wanted to be close to him especially while they had the chance as the next few days would be intense, and she also wanted to make up for his disappointment at her not agreeing to be his mate.
'I just wanted you two to know, I only felt surprise at your announcement, and not even that much of it. Perhaps you were both more obvious than you thought. I don't think anyone had a problem, once Tom managed to say something.' Tilly looked pointedly at Sam who blushed.
'It's not that easy coming out and telling everyone you've found your lifemate in one simple sentence you know.'
'I'm sure. I was only teasing. And I'm rather glad I'll only ever have to do one of them.'
'So, you turning to the girls, or are you going to admit there is something between you and Dill? Whatever you told him he's left with the biggest grin I've seen in a long while.' Sam replied with a teasing grin.
'There's no big announcement on the cards, no.'
Sam noticed that she hadn't really answered his question, but stayed silent. She would tell him when she felt the time was right, and he knew there was some sort of relationship happening even if she wasn't ready to tell anyone else. He also knew, by her moods lately, that it was good for her and making her happy, and that was enough for him. When she also left the room he turned to Tom and gave him a massive hug, his relief evident.
'I told you it would be okay babe. You worry too much. Now, do you want to go for a run, or shall we get our exercise upstairs in your bed?'
Sam thought about that for a moment.
