It was the bitter cold that woke him. The icy, winter wind whistled though the gap beneath the door and cut through the bedcovers. Roach shivered. Outside, the sun was just rising, its weak light barely penetrating the curtains. He pulled the blanket up over his chin and looked at the clock: 5:55.

How? He asked himself, as he leapt out of the bed. How the hell did I not hear the alarm?

"I'm late!" Roach said, aloud, "Damn it! I'm so late!" Stumbling over his boots, he rushed to his closet and pulled out the first thing he could find.

Seconds later, he burst through the door, sprinting swiftly towards the canteen, almost slipping though on the snow that had fallen the night before. It had already been ploughed, but there was still black ice.

He was freezing, and he had forgotten his jacket. Out of all the winter days, why now? Roach thought. He had a hard time breathing through his mouth, the freezing air burning his throat. Coughing, he covered his mouth with his hand.

He flew past a group of men huddling around the payphone, arguing about who was going to call first. The base was ten hours ahead of the U.S. and anyone who wanted to call home had to be up early.

As he ran blindly around the corner, he crashed headlong into Ghost. Together, they tumbled to the ground. Roach landed on top of Ghost.

"S-sorry Ghost," Roach panted, "I didn't see you."

"I know you didn't." Ghost growled, as he got to his feet brushing off the snow. "Or you wouldn't have to bumped into me, you bloody wanker! Now get out of my way!"

Ghost shoved Roach, causing him to stumble, as he stomped away furiously. What's the matter with him? Roach thought, confused. He hesitated for a second about going after him, but he was already late. He got up and started to run. Ghost would have to wait.

Eventually, Roach made it to the canteen. After the silence outside, the chattering of the other men and the clattering of metal plates was painfully loud. He tried to ignore the delicious smell of eggs and bacon, which made him even hungrier, as he rushed towards the snack section.

He thought for a moment before grabbing a stale-looking muffin. Well, it's better than nothing right, Roach? He thought, displeased. As he took the muffin and started to make his way out the door, he found himself in front of Meat and Worm.

"You're late," Meat smirked, "Did you not hear the alarm?"

Roach frowned at him. Wait, how does he know I'm late? Realization dawned; Roach's eyes narrowed. "You turned my alarm off, didn't you?" Roach accused.

Meat chuckled, nodding his head.

Roach was furious. "You bastard! I'm supposed to be meeting MacTavish!" he shouted. He shoved passed them towards the door, their laughter echoing in his ears.

Roach walked furiously, feeling the cold touch of the snow as it landed on his closely trimmed hair. The only sound came from his boots crushing the snow beneath his feet, and the wind whistling around him. He shivered.

He felt weird walking alone, with no one to talk to. Since his return from the latest joint mission with Team Metal, Ghost had been increasingly aggressive and distant, fighting over minor issues with everyone around him, including Roach. Normally he would have walked with Ghost everywhere, literally: if he went to take a shower, Ghost would walk him to the shower room. They had been very close to each other, close enough raise comments from the others more than once. Maybe he's embarrassed to be around me now? He wondered, but he knew that Ghost usually didn't give a shit about what other people thought.

Roach tried to push it out of his mind as he arrived in front of MacTavish's office. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door

MacTavish was at his desk, surrounded by files. A lit cigar rested in his hand. The room stank of its smoke and sharp odor of strong coffee. His eyes were red, as if he hadn't slept in days.

"You're late, mate," said MacTavish, seriously, "I thought Ghost told you 0600?"

Roach tensed. He thought quickly for an excuse. "I'm sorry, sir. The battery of my clock died."

MacTavish looked at him disdainfully.

"Sit down," said MacTavish. Roach immediately sat down.

"Do you know why you're here?" MacTavish asked.

"Not really, sir," Roach gulped. Please don't tell me he found out! He had snuck out of the base a few days ago, and since Ghost had been bailed out from a local police station after another inter-Task Force brawl, the town outside the base was off-limits without expressed permission from MacTavish.

"Roach," said MacTavish, abruptly, "My brother-in-law just died and I need to take some time off.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Roach said, quietly. An awkward silence descended. Flustered, Roach asked. "How'd he die, Sir?"

"He was in Afghanistan," MacTavish said, "On a training exercise."

Roach was astonished. "He was a soldier?" He asked.

"He was," MacTavish said, sipping his coffee, "And that's how he met Audrey, my older sister, and me."

"I'm sorry to hear that, sir." said Roach. "How is she?"

"That's why I have to go," MacTavish said, "I'm the only family she has. I met him back when I was in The Regiment. Me and him were running buddies at first but became friends afterwards. He was a good man."

There was a moment of silence as they both were in deep thought. Roach had noticed something that grabbed his attention: died on a training exercise... He automatically knew what he meant, and knew not to ask further questions.

"Anyway, Roach, I want you to be in charge while I'm gone," MacTavish said, "So as of right now: you're acting lieutenant."

Roach froze. This was the last thing that he'd expected. He looked up at MacTavish. "Sir?" He said, confused.

"I've been looking through everyone's files to see who should be in charge," he said, "You've got an impressive record."

"What do you mean by that?" Roach asked, curiously.

"You're a good leader," MacTavish said."I got back perfect reports from our last joint-op with the SEALs, and the one before that."

"All due respect, Sir," Roach said, "But don't we already have a lieutenant?"

MacTavish's face darkened. "There's a problem with Ghost. He's been suspended."

Ghost suspended! Roach thought, shocked. How can that be?

"Can I ask why, Sir?" Roach asked.

"It's... complicated," MacTavish said. "Ghost was on loan to Team Metal," MacTavish continued, "They went out to capture a high-ranking Ultranationalist. He died before they could capture him." MacTavish put his hand to his temple, rubbing it as if it was painful "Shepherd is calling an inquiry."

No way! Thought Roach. "Is Ghost being held responsible?" He asked.

"Aye." MacTavish responded, "They claimed that Ghost was the only one there with the man before he died."

I know that Ghost can be a bitch sometimes, Roach thought, but he has his limits. Is that why he's been pissed this whole week? Why didn't he tell me?

"What about the inquiry?" Roach asked.

"It's on hold back until I get back. You don't need to get involved."

Roach thought for a moment, trying to piece things together. It makes sense now, he thought. For all his anger issues, Ghost was a good operative. Roach knew that he had enjoyed the missions with the Metal guys, and spoke highly of them. Now they were sticking a knife in his back. No wonder he's pissed off. Roach thought.

"Does Ghost know about this yet?" Roach asked.

MacTavish looked pointedly at Roach, clearly uncomfortable. "He didn't take it well." He said, "I think he understands the reasoning. He'll calm down in time."

Shit! Roach thought. Maybe I should just avoid him for a while.

"There will be a meeting at 1700. I'll tell everyone what's going on." MacTavish said as he slammed a batch of files on the desk in front of Roach.

Roach looked at the files in shock. He could always do paperwork with no problem, but this was more that he had anticipated.

"You need to read each of these files." MacTavish said, "Weekly videoconference is Thursday."

"Conference, Sir?" Roach asked, bewildered.

"Aye," MacTavish replied, "Shepherd and the boys and girls from Intel. Don't worry; he does most of the talking."

Roach felt relieved; he never liked speaking in conferences.

"It's only while I'm gone," MacTavish assured, "Just for a few weeks. Besides, it's fun in there sometimes." MacTavish leaned closed to him, "Especially when Shepherd's mad."

"What about the guys here?" Roach asked.

"They have their own routines," MacTavish said. "If you see that they need more practice in a specific thing, just tell them that they should practice. It's their choice; don't force them."

Strange. Roach thought. Ghost always criticizes me every time I chose to train on something else other than what he tells me. For a second, Roach was actually relieved Ghost wasn't going to be in charge. His obsession with the small stuff could start to grate after a while.

Finally, MacTavish placed a small tub of fish flakes on top of the folders.

"What's that for?" Roach asked, curiously.

"For the fish," he nodded his head to the tank that was sat on the corner of his table.

Great! He wants me to take care of his pets too! Roach thought. He didn't complain. After all, MacTavish was his boss and it wasn't something he could do anything about.

Roach nodded, struggling to grab all the files as he stood up. As he walked out the door MacTavish called after him, "Don't overfeed the fish!"

"Got it" Roach replied as he headed out the door.

I know it has been a long time since I uploaded and it is still in chapter one. I had errors in the one before so it had to be fix. I want to thank Lisbet Adair for helping me with my story. It took a long time for just one chapter to finish so it might take a while before I post another chapter. Until then.

Blossom Sanderson98 out.