Sawyer glanced over his shoulder at the metal carnage down the hill before giving a slow nod. "Yeah, that might not be a bad idea."
They might have taken out the mechs that had attacked the others, but that didn't mean there weren't more in the area. Scorpions usually had silver fliers with them, although Sawyer hadn't seen one. That didn't mean it wasn't out there somewhere. They couldn't take the chance that one of those little communication mechs reported their position back to the others. They'd be overrun with mechs.
"So, I just thought I'd bring this up," Stefan said as they started back for the complex. "If you ever run toward a scorpion again, I'll kick your ass."
Sawyer chuckled as he looped an arm around Sawyer's waist. "I make no promises." He grunted when Stefan's elbow jammed into his side, then laughed. That response shocked him. He couldn't remember the last time he laughed.
He turned his head and leaned in to press a kiss to Stefan's cheek. "Thank you for saving me, baby." He had no doubt whatsoever that Stefan was the reason he could laugh again.
Stefan glanced at him, but didn't say anything. There really wasn't much to say. Stefan had saved him in more ways than one. He'd protected him from the mechs and dragged him kicking and screaming back into the land of the living. He was a good man to have by his side. Sawyer was glad Stefan had chosen to stay at his side.
When they reached the others, Sawyer nodded to Sam, Butler, and Foster before turning his attention to Ralph and Tim Henderson. "I wasn't expecting to see you two again. I'm glad you didn't have any adverse effects from your time in cryostasis."
"I'm sorry." Ralph frowned as he stared at Sawyer. "Have we met?"
Sawyer smiled. Yeah, they'd met. "Picture me with a mask and a hood."
Ralph's eyebrows lifted. "You're the one who freed us?"
"Guilty as charged." Sawyer chuckled. "I'm sorry I had to drop you off the way I did. I couldn't go into the settlement. It's better if others don't know who I am."
"We won't say a word," Ralph promised.
"I'd appreciate it." He was having less problem with the others from his unit knowing about him, but he was still wary of strangers learning about him, or god forbid, the ADF. "Let's get inside."
He started leading the way around the side of the mountain to the secret entrance. He could hear Roark explaining to Foster that he needed to walk his horse through the narrow opening in order to get him inside the complex.
He stepped through then grabbed one of the lamps and lit it. Once everyone was inside, Sawyer closed the door and made sure it was sealed from the inside. He handed Stefan one lamp then lit another.
"There's a place down here where you can leave your horses." Sam and Butler already knew that, but Foster did not. "Do you guys remember where the bunker is located?" he asked of Sam and Butler.
"We can find it," Sam replied. "We'll join you guys after we get the horses taken care of."
"Sounds good."
He wanted Roark to show him where he got the bazooka.
Much to his disappointment, he didn't get to see the armory. Roark gestured to him. "I'd like everyone to meet in the bunker. I have some things to say."
Sawyer's shoulder slumped. "Yeah, okay."
Roark chuckled, the evil bastard. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Sawyer followed Roark to the bunker. Instead of sitting down at the table with the others, he went into this kitchenette and made a fresh pot of coffee. He was pretty sure they were going to need it. He'd break a bottle of whiskey, but that was like gold on the trading market. It needed to be saved.
Once the coffee was done percolating, he set the pot on a tray then added several cups and the sugar and creamer. He carried the tray to the table then sat down next to Stefan. "Coffee, baby?"
"No, not yet. I think I've had my fill of coffee this morning."
Sawyer chuckled. "Got the caffeine jumps?"
Stefan's eyes rounded comically. "It's just been so long since I've had any. If I have another cup of coffee, I'm going to bounce right out of this room."
Sawyer leaned in close to whisper in Stefan's ear. "Don't worry, babe, if you get bouncy, I'll give you something to bounce on."
Stefan's eyes rolled, but there was a curve to his lips.
Sawyer glanced up when the others walked in. He scooted closer to Stefan to give them room to sit at the table. He gestured to the tray he'd brought in. "There's coffee if anyone wants any."
