Arrow Inferno
Chapter 46: Stanley ‘STAN’ Norris vs. Ian ‘WILL’ Williams ~ Parting!

**

"So both of you stayed in that jungle till daybreak." The look on Jackson's face as he watched his friend get ready was a cross between shock and incredulity. "Huh?" Will frowned as he fixed his belt. "What do you mean by both?"

"You and Stan."

"I wasn't in the jungle with Stan." Will chuckled. "I'm pretty sure he was in bed."

"No, he wasn't. He left right after you did. And he said he was going to keep an eye on you."

"What?" Will paused and looked at Jackson.

"He also told me not to wait up just like you did. Then he left."

Will resumed dressing up. "Well, he goes for runs too but I'm sure when he came back you were asleep."

"He got back just before you did, Will." Jackson had a knowing smirk on his face. "Jungle sex huh? I need to try that."

"Aw come on." Will laughed. "I'm sure he must have spent the night at Gaia's or something. Those two love to party. Gaia is the ultimate fun goddess. You're going to enjoy these two weeks, buddy." He picked up his backpack. His bag was already on the chopper. "Have fun." He started for the door with Jackson closely behind.

"Have a safe trip," Jackson said. "You've gotta arrive alive." He added, making Will smile despite himself. He was noted for his roars of 'Arrive Alive' whenever their aircraft got ready to land after a mission.

On the helipad, the chopper was ready to take off. The sound of the engine and spinning blades was loud. Amongst the people standing around were Jackson, Gaia, and Stan. The werewolf stood a bit further behind the other two with his arms folded across his broad chest and a blank expression on his face. Will had still not spoken to him. And he hadn't tried to speak to him either because he didn't want to upset him.

Will hugged Gaia who told him to take good care of himself. "Damn, you look fucking hot in those shades." She murmured when Will stepped back.

"Get in touch when you get back home," Will said.

"You know I will." She gave a sad smile.

"And show my man here a good time." He jabbed a thumb in the direction of a chuckling Jackson.

"I've already told him what to expect." She giggled.

"See you in two weeks, buddy." Will gave Jackson a one-arm hug. "Thanks for everything."

"Take care."

Will turned around and went to the hatch of the chopper. He stood quietly for a moment and then removed his backpack and threw it onto the seat. Then he turned around and walked with the sexiest swag towards Stan. When he got to him, he didn't stop but rather gestured at the closest office.

"A word." He said curtly as he went past Stan.

Stan turned and followed the soldier, his heart pounding so hard and fast he feared it would actually fall out of his chest.

Gaia and Jackson turned in unison to watched as the two men went into the office and shut the door.

"What do you think they're going to do in there?" Jackson asked above the noise of the chopper.

"You mean besides swapping spit?" Gaia shouted back, making Jackson laugh.

"You're crazy. They need to talk about whatever is going on between them."

"No time," Gaia waved a hand at the whirling blades. "But they both need a good galocher."

"What the fuck is that." Although Jackson didn't know what it meant, the expression on Gaia's face made him laugh.

"That's French for some good, blazing hot tongue action." Gaia grinned.

"Jesus Christ!" The Arrowhead dissolved into laughter. "I'm going to enjoy these two weeks."

*

In the office, Stan shut the door behind him and turned to face a straight-faced Will.

"I'm sorry about your mother," He said softly.

"Yeah, me too." Will was still wearing those sexy shades but his gaze remained on Stan. He'd never seen the instructor look so defeated and wretched. Where the fuck did all his confidence go? "I'm sorry I pulled a gun on you." Stan nodded. "You had your reasons. I understand."

"I went too far," Will shrugged. "I was angry. I am still angry. You had no right to knock me out. I'm not a dog or a criminal, or a hysterical human to be knocked out like that."

"I know. I'm sorry." Stan's voice was so quiet.

"One day, you will explain all that shit to me. I don't have the time today. But whatever you tell me had better be the truth."

"I promise it will be," Stan said gruffly, surprised there was no tremor in his voice considering how he was feeling that very moment.

"Good." Will started for the door but Stan stopped him with a hand on his chest. "What?" his eyes locked on Stan's from behind his shades.

The two looked at each other in silence for a moment. Then Stan dropped his hand with a sigh. "Nothing."

With a curt nod, Will turned and left the office with Stan following dejectedly behind. With a final wave at Gaia and Jackson, he got on the chopper which promptly took off.

And as it soared into the sky, Stan watched, feeling as if his heart was being hacked out of his chest. The pain he felt within was so excruciating he heard his wolf howling within him. And for once, he didn't even feel like easing his wolf's pain by going for a much-needed run. All he wanted to do was crawl into bed and pretend that Will was in the other room.

The werewolf did exactly that!