Chapter Text
You took a deep breath as you left the helicopter. Your boots kicking up dust in every which direction as you made your way to the gathering of men at the end of the strip. The blades of the helicopter spinning it away and spitting more back at you. The sun was beaming scorching rays on you, making you squint, even with the black paint that coated the skin around your eyes. You took in a breath, outstretching your hand to shake the hand of the Captain before you.
~~
Today marked the seventh year since your fiancé, Simon, died in the field. KIA. You never got his body back, and it took you far too long to come to terms with his death. You joined the military as an effort to forget him and the life you’d built with him. It worked, somewhat. Your anniversary, his birthday, and the day of his death were ever-present in your mind and you always took those days the worst. You’d would usually end up hungover in your bed, sporting the ring you’d found in the ashes of your shared home after you’d burned it down in hopes of feeling some relief from your emotions. It was brilliant, a shining aquamarine set into a gold band. He’d asked to marry you, but never was able to give you the ring. His death coming before he could. You clung onto it, wore it in with your tags as you travelled the world, hoping that one day you’d actually see him again. In 4 years, you had lost hope, losing your humanity with every battle you fought, losing your sense of morality with every man you executed. But the ring kept you grounded. Reminded you why you were here. You’d make sure it stayed sparkly, polishing it once a month, taking it to many jewelers to replenish the band when the chain of your tags wore it too thin, even making sure they preserved the etching in the seat of the band- Mrs. Riley.
~~
“Captain Price. It’s good to finally meet you.” You said, shaking his hand firmly. “I take it this is your team?” You gestured to men behind him, dressed casually.
“Pleasure to meet you in person too, Lieutenant Firefly.” He shook your hand in turn. “These are my Sergeants, Soap MacTavish and Gaz Garrick, and my Lieutenant, Ghost.” He gestured to each man, the Sergeants waved but Ghost just stared. This made your brow furrow but you thought nothing of it- maybe he’s just used to not having to do this. Though, the look he gave made chills run down your spine.
“Well, its a pleasure to meet all of you…” You smiled through the uneasy feeling. “As you know, I’m Lieutenant Firefly. I’m here to assist with following a string of leads you got. Hope to get along with you.” You offered a wave to them all. “Since I’m going to be here for a while, I was informed that my personal effects were moved here. Where might I find my living quarters?” You questioned, turning back to the Captain.
“Right, we haven't received anything yet but I’ll let you know when we do. Soap will show you to your quarters.” He gestured to the Scotsman, who was eager to smack the back of your shoulder and lead you along.
~
He led you to a plain building with a small plaque outside marked “141”. He led you down a few hallways, opening a door to a common room with another hallway, where rooms lined the path. He took you down and stopped at the last door, opening it for you.
“Right, an’ here we are!” He chirped, “We switched rooms so the girl could get a nice one. Ye’ can thank Ghost for that, make sure his sacrifice is recognized.” He beamed, taking up a mocking tone at his comment about Ghost.
Your hand went up to your tags, pulling them out and fiddling with the ring. “I’ll make sure I do, thank you Soap. I’m gonna take a minute to settle then I’ll be out, yeah?” You asked, shooting a smile his way. He nodded but didn’t leave, instead pointing to your tags.
“Real pretty ring, ‘ye engaged?” He asked, leaning in a little closer to get a better look. “Aquamarine? Hey, that’s Lt’s favorite! You two’ll get along, I think.”
You stepped back after he made his observation, smile faltering a little. Another chill went down your spine at the mention of Ghost, what made him so unsettling to you? “I’m not engaged- not anymore anyway, this was my fiancés. He was KIA a decade ago. I found this in the ashes of our home.” You explained, waving it off. “Just a little keepsake.”
“Ah, sentimental? I get it, I carry my older sisters old Claddagh ring around as a good luck charm, see?” He reached into his pocket and pulled a small journal out, pointing to the ring attached to the leather strip that bound it shut. “She passed a few years back, so I get it.” He smiled faintly, looking at the ring before putting the journal back in his pocket. “Anyway, I’ll leave ‘ye to it. We’re probably just gonna be out in the commons, so join us whenever.”
You nodded as he left, clicking the door shut behind him. You set your bag down on the bed, taking a look around the room. You shed your heavy gear onto a chair, running your fingers over the worn wood of the desk it sat at. Little carving dotted its surface, some new, some old. A dog, some bullets, even a rough carving of a woman’s face. You turned around, taking in the slight decor of the room. Some old paintings, an even older lamp, a musty looking chair, worn side tables. The bed was big, bigger than any you’d encountered anywhere else during your time in the military. You hummed, thankful. Even if the man gave you the creeps, he was still nice enough to give you a big bed.
You fell backwards onto the bed, fiddling once again with the ring. “I’ll have to make sure I polish this when my stuff get here.’ You thought. You brought it up to eye level, turning it over to look at the engraving in the seat. You sighed at the sight, taking a moment to mourn what you could’ve had. That moment was cut short at the sound of knocking. You sat up and looked at the door, then a gruff voice came from the other side.
“Hurry up, Price just got word your stuff’s here.” It called. It wasn’t one you’d heard before, was it? You paused. That tone, the roughness of it, it was so familiar but so unfamiliar at the same time. Even down to the Manchester accent.
There’s no way.
You shook your head, trying to get the thoughts to dissipate before they made you spiral. ‘You’ve thought this about everyone who’s sounded even remotely similar! You need to get over him!’ You yelled at yourself, but you didn’t believe yourself. You managed to get the thoughts to go away, gathering your composure before going to the door and exiting. The person on the other side was gone, so you simply made your way out to the common area, where everyone but Ghost was seated. He stepped forward and Price spoke.
“I just got the message that your stuff’s here. Ghost’s gonna help you bring it back.” He smiled. Ignoring the awkward feeling in your gut, you returned it.
Before you could say anything, Ghost brushed past you, as if he would die if he were close to you for any reason. You were taken aback and looked at Price, who shrugged, as if to say “That’s just how he is.”. You sighed, following him. He set a brisk pace, and was hard to keep up with at a walking pace. Finally, you ended up at the depot, where all incoming packages and transferred items wound up. He got to the desk before you, requesting your stuff to be brought up. The man at the desk disappeared for a moment, coming back with a cart and two small boxes. He warned you both that it was heavy, but two of you made light work. They were mostly clothing and a few books anyway.
~
He helped you heft your stuff back to your quarters, but the silence was thick and uncomfortable. You were the first to say something as you shifted the box in your arms, trying to throw it up to your shoulder.
“Do you normally talk so little?” You’d asked, which was met with more silence. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
More silence, then another question.
“Why the mask? You look brooding.” Once again, silence. “Okay… awkward.” You grimaced.
It was a long, awkward walk. He stopped to hold the door for you and you entered, but he didn’t follow from the door. He seemed almost frozen. When you approached again, he snapped out of it, storming away from you and towards the commons. You could only stand there, confused.
You arrived a little bit after him, and the rest of the guys were sat there staring at you. Their faces reflected the same confused look, and you felt a little better.
“Does anyone know…?” You asked, setting the box in your arms on the back of a couch. “What he’s so worked up about?”
They all shrugged, Soap speaking up. “I ‘spose we’re just as confused as you are, lass. He came storming through here angry as a hornets nest.” He said, leaning over the couch to see Ghost leaving your room and entering his, the door shutting with a slam. “Somethings got him, though. That’s for sure.” He grimaced.