Consequences

"You wanted to see me?" Ash asked, stepping into the Deputy Director's office.

"Ah, Cohen," Five said, pointing to the chair on the other side of his desk. "Sit." Ash promptly sat down at attention. "Lose the shades." Ash folded her sunglasses as she took them off, resting them in her lap. As the Deputy Director scanned Ash's face, he noticed the bags under her eyes. "When was the last time you slept?" he asked.

"About thirty hours ago," she replied. "There was the hostage situation in Spain, then Rainbow was on standby during the grand reopening of the SLG since its closure after the attack last year. I was too anxious to sleep."

Five nodded. "Tell me what happened during your operation in Spain," the American said, folding his hands in front of his chiseled face.

"I turned in my report, sir," Ash said. "All the details are–"

Five held up one hand, silencing Ash. "Tell me what happened," he repeated.

"It was a standard operation," Ash said. "Rainbow saved the hostage, by the book."

Five sighed. "If it was by the book," he said, "then Kötz and Weiss wouldn't be injured."

"We all knew the risk going in," Ash said. "Sometimes, people get hurt."

"Don't give me excuses," Five said. He folded his arms on the desk. "Tell me exactly what happened."

Ash took a deep breath. "Blitz and I stood at the primary breech point," Ash said. "I checked the drone feed as Sledge, Glaz, and IQ were moving towards the second breach point. The terrorists in the room–members of the White Mask–started talking. One of the terrorists voiced an opinion to execute the hostage." Ash sighed. "I told Blitz we were breaching as I activated the breach charge. Blitz charged into the room, activating the flash attached to his shield."

"You breached without Cowden's command?" Five asked.

"Sledge did not give the order to breach," Ash confirmed.

Five nodded. "Continue."

"The terrorists, confused and blinded, started firing. IQ was injured as a stray bullet passed through the wall and hit her side. Blitz and I engaged the terrorists, with Sledge breaching and engaging soon after. After we neutralized the four terrorists surrounding the hostage, Glaz yelled, 'Three behind!' As I turned towards the breach point, Blitz pushed me to the side. Two of the terrorists charged into the room. One of the terrorists rammed Blitz, letting the second fire several rounds into Blitz's exposed side."

"I thought Kötz only had one bullet wound," Five said, picking up a medical report. "One bullet wound to the right shoulder. I guess his Kevlar stopped the rest?" Ash didn't respond, unsure of how to answer. "Go on."

"I instinctively reached for my sidearm, drawing and firing as I hit the ground. Both terrorists were neutralized before anyone else suffered an injury. Glaz neutralized the third. Sledge took personal responsibility of the hostage, Blitz and I lead him to the extraction point, and Glaz supported IQ as the two brought up the rear."

"Kötz stayed in front, even though he was injured?" Five asked. Ash nodded. "I see." Five picked up Sledge's report. Ash remained silent, resisting the urge to fidget in her seat. "What you did was impulsive and reckless," Five said at last, lowering the paper. "Two of your teammates are injured because of your actions." Five paused, studying Ash. She remained expressionless. "However, based on your report, as well as Cowen's, I have decided that no disciplinary action is needed, as your actions had the potential to save the hostage." Five leaned forward, his brown eyes locking with Ash's. "I'll say it again; your actions might have saved the hostage." After another second of glaring, Five leaned back. "As a member of Rainbow, you are the elite. You wouldn't be here if you weren't good at your job."

"Thank you, sir," Ash said.

"I wasn't–," Five started to say. He sighed. "Rainbow saves lives, Cohen, but only if we can work as a team. Next time, think about how your actions will affect your team, and follow the squad leader's orders. I do not want to have this discussion with you again. Dismissed."

Ash stood, putting her sunglasses back on. "Yes sir." As Ash turned to leave, she asked, "May I ask a question?"

"Go ahead," Five said, his focus going to the papers scattered about his desk.

"Why do you use our last names?" Ash asked.

"It helps keep faces attached to documents," Five said without looking up. "Again, dismissed."

Sledge and Castle stood outside of the command building, both still in their combat gear. "Well?" Castle asked.

"I got a slap on the wrist," Ash said, joining the two.

"Told you there was nothing to worry about," Castle said with a grin.

"You made the right call," Sledge said, his accent unaffected by the gas mask. "Five just wanted to see if your story would change."

"I figured as much," Ash said. "How're Blitz and IQ?"

"They're fine," Castle said. "Rainbow will back at full strength before you know it."

Ash caught a look as it passed between Castle and Sledge. "What?" she asked.

"Well," Castle said, "you've been on stand-by ever since we got to Hereford. In fact, I don't think you've even been to your new apartment."

A burst of gunfire momentarily distracted the trio. "Rook must be putting the recruits through the paces," Sledge said, glancing at the sound. He turned towards Ash. "You are living rent free in another country. Might as well put those NATO funds to good use and actually use the place every now and then.

"I'll think about it," Ash said, stepping past Castle.

"No need," Sledge said. Ash stopped in her tracks. "I ask Six to approve the four day leave you submitted. After twenty-hundred hours tonight, you are officially off duty until oh-eight-hundred Monday morning."

Ash spun around. "But I never–" Thoughts raced through her tired mind, finally settling on the only possibility. "Why'd you do it?"

"You work too hard," Castle said. "You deserve a break."

"It just so happens I get one after getting an earful from Five?" Ash asked. Castle rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at the ground. "That's what I thought." Ash turned towards the barracks, fuming.

Sledge grabbed Ash and spun her around. "What the bloody hell is your problem?" he asked. "We go out of our way to make sure you get a vacation and this is how you thank us?"

"Why does it feel like this 'vacation' is a punishment?" Ash asked, crossing her arms.

"If you were being punished, you wouldn't be getting paid," Sledge said.

"That's not the point," Ash hissed.

"I'm sure neither of you have slept in a long time," Castle said, stepping between Sledge and Ash. "I know I haven't. So how about you both stop before you do something you'll regret."

Ash and Sledge glared at each other for a moment. "Fine," Ash said at last. "If anyone needs me, let them know I'm on vacation."

"Oh we'll be just fine, lass," Sledge said.

Ash turned around and opened her mouth. "Hey!" Castle yelled, pushing Sledge and Ash away from each other. Once the two stopped pushing back, Castle said, "Sledge, why don't we go introduce ourselves to the new recruits?"

"Sounds like a plan," Sledge said. He immediately turned and walked towards the firing range.

"Ash, you need sleep," Castle instructed. "Go lie down on your rack until you get off tonight."

"Yes sir," Ash said mockingly, giving Castle a casual salute. Castle returned it with a smile before running to catch up with Sledge. "Like I need a stupid vacation," Ash grumbled under her breath as she entered the barracks.

Ash shut the common room door, fatigue gripping her body. She shrugged it off, scanning the room. The only people in the room were three of the Russian soldiers. Tachanka was cleaning an old Tokarev, Fuze was taking apart a pilot's helmet and storing the pieces on a small table, and Glaz was using his easel in the corner. The three Spetsnaz wore the underclothing of their gear. "Hello Ash," Glaz said, waving his paintbrush in the air with a smile on his painted face. Tachanka muttered a greeting in Russian, while Fuze said nothing.

"Hello Glaz," Ash said, stepping around the sniper to see his latest painting.

"How was your meeting with the Deputy Director?" Glaz asked, eyes now focused on his canvas.

"I'm still in Rainbow, so I'd say it went well," Ash said. She recognized the subject of Glaz's painting. In the center was a large photograph of a beach. Bullet holes peppered the wall around the photograph, and a splash of red stained the wall in the corner. Glaz was painting a wall he and Ash passed in Spain.

"I'm glad to hear that," Glaz said, taking a step back and tilting his head. "You are a good spotter."

"You just like my M120," Ash said, grinning.

"That is what makes you a good spotter," Glaz said. Tachanka said something in Russian, and all three of the Russians laughed. Ash raised an eyebrow. "Russian joke," Glaz said. "Doesn't translate well." Tachanka and Fuze chuckled. Ash figured the joke was about her. Glaz glanced at the FBI agent before looking back at his painting. "There is something bothering you."

"It's nothing," Ash said, waving her hand dismissively. "Just wondering what that joke was about."

Glaz set his paintbrush down before he poked Ash's chest with one finger. "You're lying," he said. "I can tell." Glaz looked between the other Spetsnaz and Ash. After a second's pause, he said, "Come with me." The Russian led Ash out of the common room and into the sleeping quarters. Ash sat down on her rack as Glaz sat down on the rack opposite. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong."

Ash sighed, her fatigue keeping her thoughts from organizing. "All I was trying to do was save the hostage," Ash said at last, taking off her sunglasses. "That's it. What I don't understand is why everyone is acting like I did something wrong."

"That's it?" Glaz asked. He chuckled and shook his head. "The answer is simple, but you won't like it."

"Try me," Ash said.

"You did the right thing," Glaz said, putting a hand on Ash's shoulder. "You just did it wrong."

Ash sighed. "How did I do something wrong if the mission was a success?"

"No offence, but you have a big head."

"Excuse me?" Ash asked, a hunt of murder in her voice.

Glaz raised his hands. "I, uh, can't remember the word," he said, standing. "One moment, please." He left the room, muttering in Russian. Ash took off her boots, balancing her sunglasses between them, and resting her hat on the steel toes. The Russian walked back into the room. "Ego," Glaz said, sitting back down across from Ash. "By big head, I meant big ego."

"I knew that," Ash said. "I don't see how it's relevant."

"You think highly of yourself," Glaz said. "Sometimes, you think this too much. Don't be like the German girl. It's okay to be wrong."

"When is it good to be wrong?" Ash asked.

"You've seen some of my paintings," Glaz said. "When I make a mistake, whether it is because of color or brush size, it is very hard to change. Even if a mistake is made with good intentions, that doesn't make it any easier to fix. But, I learn what not to do when I start again with a fresh canvas. Sound familiar?"

"Kind of, yeah," Ash said.

"Why don't you sleep on it," Glaz said. "You could use some sleep anyway."

Ash smiled. "Thanks." Glaz patted Ash's shoulder twice before leaving her alone. Ash tried to organize her thoughts one last time, stretching out on the stiff bed. Before she could even start, fatigue sent her into a dreamless sleep.