MacTavish had called over the COMM for the FNG and Archer to head to the briefing room for a mission, irritation showing clearing across Archer's face when he entered the room. The man was tall, stoic, and quiet, unnerving the FNG when they'd first met. Now sitting in the briefing room together, the irritation coming off in waves he thought he'd fall over dead. Much to Archer's dismay when he'd tried talking MacTavish into sending someone else, someone he'd worked with before, on the mission with him he was quickly shot down. The Scot's anger sharp and stinging as he made the veteran sniper back down in submission, Archer would have to deal with it even if he didn't like it. It wasn't that he hated the new guy, or he pissed him off at one point or another, he just couldn't stand him. Going out on the mission he'd have to push it back and let it go for the time being. But man, with the new guy and his insistent bugging, questions a hundred miles an hour, bouncing up and down like a kitten waiting to pounce onto a new toy; Archer wasn't sure he'd survive. The others seemed to like him though, teasing the hell out of him as the new FNG. The nonstop pranks had been fun to watch but he just grated on Archer's nerves.

It didn't surprise Archer that not long after being here Roach took the younger man as his new friend, helping him navigate who is who, what to do and what not to do. The two were always seen around each other which also meant he was around MacTavish and Ghost as well keeping him in good favor with the two CO's. But for some reason, despite having trained to keep everything calm and blank on the outside, the new guy would say one word or give a look and Archer thought he was going to strangle the man. Of course he couldn't especially with him being chummy with the CO's, mostly Ghost who ran training.

Maybe this was his punishment for completely handing the guy his ass during hand-to-hand combat training a few weeks back. He didn't mean to dislodge the man's shoulder, it had just happened when he'd tried to flip Archer over. Legs wrapped around Archer's chest, the man used all his momentum to try and topple the much larger man and ended up hanging above the ground. Grinning at the smaller man's shock Archer had dropped to his knees slamming the man harshly into the ground to the sound of a loud crack followed by a howling scream. After that the FNG had stayed as far from Archer as possible. Archer took every moment in enjoying it but now on the mission, the FNG couldn't run away from his superior anymore.

The FNG is lying next to Archer, shoulders almost touching, as they look through their scopes. They'd been there, still under the beating sun making their ghillie suits soaked from sweat. Archer could feel the FNG squirming beside him, his breathes harsh coming from behind his black balaclava, three red stripes down the left side of his face, which he insisted on wearing under the ghillie hood.

"Hazel, will you stop fucking moving!" Archer whispered angrily, shooting the smaller man a glare.

Hazel went rigid before a moment later he let out a breath and slumped against his sniper rifle, "How much longer? We've been waiting for days for this guy to show up…" He couldn't hold back the whining and impatience showing in his voice that only made Archer angrier.

"Can you just shut the fuck up and watch for him?" Archer snapped, a hand reaching out and shoving Hazel's face towards his scope.

Hazel didn't say anything in response, Archer pulling his hand back, and stared through the scope for several more hours. When the sun had set they still stayed in place, Hazel switching his scope to night vision before continuing to lie in wait.

"I got movement at the top right corner of that third building from the left. It looks like some guy is setting up something…" Uncertainty of their safety shivers down Hazel's spine as he speaks. "Maybe we should back out for the night to the other position and come back before dawn."

Archer looked through his own scope spotting the man at the top of the building, messing with something inside of a large bag before lying down on his stomach, "Enemy sniper getting in position. Stay absolutely still. I'm going to move back and when I give the command, you move back, slowly."

"Right…" Hazel's voice is barely above a whisper as he watches the enemy sniper nervously, "This is the first time seeing one out, think they know we're here?"

Archer doesn't answer as he moves back slowly trying to make as little noise as possible despite the foliage all around making it practically impossible. A few meters back his ghillie suit catches on a bush making it move angrily as he moves his leg back. A curse leaves his lips and he goes absolutely still. Back at their original position Hazel is holding his breath, staring down his scope watching the man.

"He's looking this way… I don't know if he sees us… Fuck…" Hazel's voice is shaking slightly, "I hate getting shot… please I don't want to be shot today…"

"Shut up you fucking pansy!" Archer growls, a hand moving to his leg to release his suit from the bush. "As long as he's not shooting at us, he hasn't seen us. And even if he looks like he's looking at us he's probably not."

A few minutes later Archer has moved back far enough and he whistles for Hazel to follow him back. Trying to be as discreet as possible Hazel moves his rifle to lie across his arms and begins moving back. It's a long and slow process and when he reaches Archer he turns around so he's facing away from the compound. They're over halfway to a new position they'd scouted previously when a static cuts through the silence and MacTavish's voice comes through the radio in their ears.

"Report in, what's happening out there?"

Archer moved a hand to his throat touching the mike, "Still no sign. Guy must be arriving soon, changing position now for better cover from enemy sniper that's set up, over."

"Copy that; stay frosty Oscar Mike, out."

Archer removes his hand and starts crawling forward again with Hazel not far behind him. It doesn't take them much longer until they're in position again, rifles at the ready staring down their scopes. Hazel starts squirming again and Archer turns his head to send a death glare at him.

"What the fuck is your problem?" It's a low growl coming from the back of his throat and as the words reach Hazel's ears he grows stiff.

"Sorry…" Hazel says hastily, not wanting to go into a full conversation with Archer. He'd been trying the entire time they'd been on this mission, from the moment they got in the chopper. Now it's been several days and still no luck. He'd given up, to now having Archer practically jumping down his throat for a response with his animosity, Hazel was unsure of what to say.

"No you've been trying to talk to me so now here I am, willing to hear what you have to fucking say so say it!" Archer's voice raises slightly as he yelled at Hazel making them both jump and go silent, looking around to see if anyone had heard them. After a few agonizing minutes Archer lets out a breath he'd been holding; no one heard.

"Why do you hate me?" Hazel says finally breaking the silence that had engulfed them.

Archer grunts, keeping his head down and over his rifle as he stares down the scope, "I don't."

Hazel scoffs turning his head towards Archer before looking down his own scope, "You've hated me since I first joined. You can't deny it, especially after you dislodged my fucking shoulder… Plus the way you've been treating me…"

Archer didn't say anything, just kept looking over at the compound, watching and waiting.

"I mean," Hazel continues, "you're the best fucking sniper on the team with Toad at your side, and with me being a new sniper, do you feel threatened by me? Or that MacTavish will have me replace Toad permanently? It won't ever happen…" He looks over at Archer but doesn't see any kind of sign of acknowledgement that he'd heard. Taking in a deep breath he plummets further into the thoughts that had been running through his mind before speaking again, "I'll never be as good as you, and Toad is way more experienced than me, I'm just the third wheel that doesn't want to get in the way… I look up to you and Toad… Make me want to strive and be better… Why do you hate me for that?"

"Four heavy armored trucks approaching the compound from the south, get ready this could be it." His words reveal nothing as Archer speaks, and with his chest constricting and hurting Hazel watches the trucks through his scope.

It didn't take long for men to start piling out of the trucks and in the third one stepped out their target. He was dressed sharp in a suit; four heavily armed men surrounded him, blocking him from view as they moved.

Archer cursed beside him, "Those guys are in my fucking way I can't see clearly. Did you get a good look at his face?"

Hazel nodded his head before speaking, "Yeah it's him." He pulled the picture they had of their target and set it between him and Archer, "No mistaking it, that's our guy."

Archer grunted in acknowledgement as he continued to try and see the man himself, his finger against his trigger, wanting to hurry and finish the job. Hazel is beside him calling out quietly the wind and anything else that could affect the shot.

"Take out that sniper when I hit the target." Archer says when Hazel finally quiets and with a grunt of his own the two men ready themselves.

Finally Archer gets a clear line of sight and confirming the target with his own eyes he pulls the trigger. Within seconds the compound is buzzing with activity, the target down on the ground with blood and brains spilling from the holes in his head. Beside him Hazel had taken out his target and the two began moving backwards.

Archer touched the radio on his throat, "Target down, moving towards the EZ, over."

"Copy that; meet at the EZ in two hours. Stay frosty, out." Comes a cool British accent over the COMM and Hazel immediately recognizes it as Ghost's voice.

"I wonder where the Captain is…" Hazel mulls out loud as they continue crawling away from the compound in the direction of the EZ.

"Shut up and keep a look out." Archer snaps from ahead of him, pausing momentarily to glare at Hazel before continuing to move forward.

Hazel sighs heavily, following Archer's orders keeping his eyes scanning the area as they move, ears straining to hear anything over the loud pounding of his heart. When they had gotten a safe distance Archer raises a fist and Hazel froze, holding his breath. Slowly and carefully Archer rises to his feet, looking around cautiously before motioning for Hazel to join him.

"It's clear, let's get going. We have a long way to go still." Archer says under his breath before starting forward at a jog with Hazel close behind.

They didn't make much sound despite the large ghillie suits and heavy sniper rifles in hand, boots barely making a sound but the soft crunch of leaves under foot. An hour had passed and they still had a ways to go but Archer raised a fist and they came to a halt. He nodded towards a tree and Hazel went to it, leaning against it as he pulled his balaclava up to his nose, the ghillie hood slipping down to his shoulders. Archer looked over, seeing the three scars that run down his cheek, almost perfectly lined up with the red stripes on his balaclava. Hazel doesn't notice Archer watching, his right hand holding his rifle while his left fishes into a pocket and pulling a water bottle out. He opens it with his teeth, taking the cap between his fingers and downs half of the bottle. A stream of water falls out the corner of his mouth as he gulps the liquid down greedily thankful for the small break. He thought he was going to die from heat exhaustion in the forest, the summer heat beating down on them. Lowering the bottle from his lips he finally notices Archer watching and offers the water to him. Hesitant to get close to Hazel he reluctantly reaches a hand out and their fingers momentarily touch before Archer yanks the bottle to him. The action makes Hazel groan aloud, frustrated with Archer's behavior but he quickly looks away from the taller man's glare. No matter how angry it made him he didn't want to piss off his superior more so than he already has.

Avoiding eye contact with Archer, Hazel looks around their position silently. It isn't until Archer offers him the almost empty water bottle does he look back at him. He takes it with a nod, downing the rest of the water before putting it back in his pocket.

He reaches up and pulls his balaclava down then fixes his ghillie hood back on, "I can take point."

"No need, I can handle it." Archer hisses as he shoves past Hazel and begins walking off through the bush. Hazel runs several feet to catch up with Archer's fast pace then slows to a walk.

The helicopter arrives a few minutes after they make it to the EZ and in silence they climb on sitting across from each other as they head back to base. It's a long ride back and Hazel finds himself drifting asleep, his head lulling to the side, eyes struggling to stay open until they finally shut. Archer is watching out of the corner of his eyes, not sure why but he can't help. He remembers the lower half of his face, the scars pink against his pale white skin, light brown goatee, his hazel eyes unfocused as he stared off in peace enjoying the short break.

Furrowing his brow Archer shakes his head, mentally slapping himself before staring out the open side of the helicopter, his rifle safely tucked under the seat. He tries to focus on the scenery they pass but he finds his mind slipping. The way Hazel's lips had looked when he'd licked his lips after finishing the water, his eyes half closed. It sent a shiver down Archer's back making him uncomfortable. Why the hell was he thinking about that? He had to get out of this helicopter and as far away from this kid as possible. And that's just what he does when they finally land back at base. He doesn't bother waking Hazel, knowing the pilot will do it for him and with his rifle in hand jogs to the armory. He takes his time in cleaning his gun thoroughly before putting it away in his personal gun locker and heading to the briefing room. As he's leaving the armory he sees Hazel coming, grumbling under his breath with his sniper rifle leaning up against his shoulder, his free hand rubbing at his eyes. Archer makes a quick turn, avoiding the man, and since he's passing the laundry room he drops off his ghillie suit, covered in mud, leaves and sticks stuck in it, and reeking of sweat. At the briefing room, he begins filling out the mission report. Thankful that neither Ghost nor MacTavish ask much about the mission.

He can feel his cheeks' burning a light red as his mind wonders back to the mission, lying on the ground next to Hazel. Pushing the thoughts from his mind he forces himself to become angry, not wanting to let what true feelings inside him are saying. He'd rather have everyone think he hates the FNG than show that he's actually infatuated with the man. Archer figures if he pushes it down long enough it'll disappear but so far he'd had no luck. Weeks have passed and he didn't want to think about what that could mean.

"Archer!"

Looking up, eyes wide, Archer sees MacTavish standing on the other side of the table watching him with eyes slightly narrowed, "Yes, sir?"

"I've been trying to get your bloody fucking attention for the past five minutes! Where is Hazel?" The Scot's patience gone from having to continually try and get Archer's attention, he was almost tempted to let Ghost kick the chair out from the other man, almost.

Archer shrugs his shoulders, quickly looking down at the report to hide the blush rushing back to his cheeks, "I saw him walking towards the armory on my way here."

Just before MacTavish tells Archer to go find him, Hazel steps through the door, ghillie suit gone and in combat pants and boots, a tight grey shirt outlining his muscled body, balaclava pulled down over his face. He'd put glasses on, one of his eyes red from rubbing at it. He pauses as he feels the tension coming off the captain and in a swift movement he raises his right hand in a salute.

MacTavish shakes his head and motions for the man to sit down, "No need to salute me Hazel, get started on your report."

Hazel nods his head, "Aye sir." He sits down a few seats down from Archer, clicking a pen as he starts to fill the form out, biting his lip under the mask.

Archer tries to ignore him but he notices the chewing, the twitch in his hands as they rest on either side of the paper. He's trying to remember something that he's unclear of but it's clear he doesn't want to ask Archer. It's not like the man has been nice to him. Granted Archer felt the opposite of him, actually liking the smaller man, but Hazel thought that he hated his guts and didn't want to anger the sniper. So as Archer finishes filing out the report Hazel's still sitting, his head tilting to the side as his eyes wonder Archer decides to be nice. Sighing heavily, he hands his report in and after a quick glance down at where Hazel has stopped on his own report he taps the table with three fingers twice. Hazel snaps out of his thoughts, seeing the three fingers and quickly writes down six. He starts to thank Archer but the man is already out the door leaving him alone with Ghost and MacTavish.

"He fucking hates your guts mate."

Hazel sighs, leaning back in his chair as the tension in his shoulders subsides, "I know… I tried asking him why but he just said he didn't and then just started ignoring me. I mean, he was practically biting my fucking head off the majority of the mission then just boom, asks about the elephant in the room and he's pulling away… I'm just glad nothing bad happened… He doesn't trust me…"

MacTavish pauses from staring at the paperwork in front of him and looks across the table at Hazel, expression softening, "It'll take time for him to warm up to the thought of working with you. He's just only ever worked with Toad since he had joined, they have a system. Whether Archer likes it or not you're going to have to become a part of that system until we get that forth sniper. And as for the trust, he trusts you enough to get the job done or he never would have left base with you."

Hazel nods his head, looking down at the file dreading having to complete it. He always hated doing paperwork with such a passion but knew it needed to be done. Taking a deep breath he leans forward again and finishes the paperwork just as Roach bursts through the doors.

"Hazel!" He yells out, his arms wide with a huge grin plastered across his face.

"Roach!" Hazel yells back, a grin hidden beneath his mask but it's heard through his voice as he stands up and the two hug for a moment before Roach quickly moves backwards.

He's pinching his nose and waving his hand in the air, a look of disgust on his face, "EW dude you stink!"

Hazel laughs and shrugs his shoulders, "You're telling me? Man it's awful but I wanted to get the report done before I forgot anything. I'm gonna go wash up now."

"Good mate, that's a real good idea. Come find me when you're done!" Roach carefully pats his shoulder making Hazel laugh as he leaves, Roach instantly striking a conversation with Ghost. Their British accents fading as he shuts the door to the room behind him, MacTavish's accent cutting through the air as he told the two to shut up so he could finish his work. All of them knew he wouldn't and that Ghost would have to come in and save his arse from Shepherd.

Chuckling to himself Hazel made his way through the base unsurprisingly not running into anyone. If they were on base the guys either closed themselves in their rooms, wanting their privacy, or were in the recreational room relaxing if they weren't in the mess hall bugging the cooks or raiding the fridges. He stopped by his room, the bed made neatly, the desk clear save a black journal, and a dresser next to the closet. Opening the dresser he pulls out clean clothes to change into, tossing them on the bed before taking his boots off, feet relieved as they get air. Satisfied he leaves his room walking down to the community shower and locker room, clean clothes in hand. He sets his things in front of his locker, opening it and pulling out a bag with his toothbrush and toothpaste and a towel. He sheds his clothes, save his balaclava, setting them in the hamper in his locker and with bag and towel in hand he steps around the wall dividing the lockers from the showers.

He didn't think anything of it when he'd heard one of the showers on, figuring it was Archer cleaning up from the mission. What he didn't expect was when he turned the corner he saw Archer leaning forward, a hand against the tile wall with his forehead against his arm so he's looking in the opposite direction. His other hand he sees moving in a jerking movement and he nearly faints as a low groan reaches his ears. Archer was taking care of himself and Hazel didn't know what to do as he stood there, frozen in place. There's another low groan and Archer stiffens biting his arm and Hazel realizes he's just seen Archer come and he's sure he thought a name was groaned. He's not sure whose name but before he can finally unglue himself from where he's standing Archer looks up. A feral growl escapes hiss mouth followed by a string of shouted curses and Hazel finds his feet taking him away from the scene, quickly grabbing his clothes on and running back to his room. The shower forgotten he stands with his back pressed against the door, wanting to sink into the floor and disappear. His breath is coming in fast quick gasps as he'd run up the four flights of stairs from the second floor where the showers were located within the barracks. Sweat drips down his brow and he tosses his glasses to the bed, his vision instantly decreasing making the edges of everything becoming slightly blurred. He's about to cross his room to get his contacts and put them in when there's a knock on his door and his stomach drops as the deep British accent cuts through him.

"Open the bloody door; I know you're in there."

Hazel stands halfway to his desk, a hand outstretched for a new pair of contacts, "No." His voice is just above a whisper as he defies his superior but his fear of seeing Archer outweighs the consequences he'll have to face eventually.

Archer hears him though and his large fist pounds against the door shaking it in its' hinges, "Hazel, open this door now!" The malice is evident in his voice, "That's a direct order mate, don't fucking test me right now!"

Newfound fear washes over Hazel and carefully he unlocks his door before jumping across the room as it swings open and Archer steps in, his hands clenched into fists at his side. Archer was the stoic, quiet type, not ever really speaking up and keeping to himself about everything but as he slammed the door behind him his face was anything but expressionless. With a flick of his wrist the door is quickly locked and he stalks across the room as Hazel tries desperately to disappear into the cemented wall. To his dismay it doesn't work and Archer's hand wraps around his throat and he's lifted up off the floor, feet dangling in the air.

"What. Did. You. Hear?" The words are spoken individually, harshly, their noses almost touching as Hazel looks on with wide eyes. Archer was trying his best to not let Hazel see anything and from the fear in his eyes, he was getting the reaction he'd wanted.

"I d-d-didn't h-hear a-a-anything!" Hazel stutters out, hands gripping Archer's arm trying to gasp for air.

"Don't lie to me!" Archer growls, pushing his body up against Hazel to intimidate the man even more. It backfires as he feels a soft lump against his hip as Hazel's right leg is pushed between his legs to press up against him. His breath hitches slightly, eyes widening for a moment, his body reacting to the proximity of Hazel's face to his, their bodies pressed together. He curses aloud, stepping away from Hazel before dashing out of the room with the door slamming closed behind him. A few moments later Hazel hears Archer slam his own door shut down the hall and he's left to sink to the floor, gasping.

He's not sure what to do or think as he sits there, knees against his chest. Was Archer involved with Toad and he didn't want anyone to know? Hazel shook his head not wanting to think about it. If the two were together it was none of his business, and if Archer approached him again he'd tell the truth like he had, he didn't hear anything. You could say he was lying if you mean just the groans, but the name at the end, he had no clue whose it was and he had no plans to learn.

Lifting himself up off the ground after half an hour, hand shakily grabbing his glasses, he runs out of his room, past Archer's room, and down to the showers. He strips again, folding the clothes and setting them on the middle bench. He grabs his towel and bag with his toothpaste and toothbrush and showers. Thankful for no one else being in there he slips off his balaclava, three scars starting at his hairline above his nose and left eye, going down jaggedly to his jaw. Two of them curved down his neck to his left elbow where they met and formed one line down to the top of his wrist. A few members of the Task Force had asked him about it when he'd joined but he told them to ask another time, not wanting to talk about it.

It was only now when he'd pull the balaclava off, letting the water wash over his face and enjoying the feel. A smile tugging at the corner of his lip, forgetting what he'd caught Archer doing earlier, he washes his body. Scratching at his head, the shampoo bubbling up, he feels the tension leaving his body. Leaving the soap in, he grabs his toothbrush and starts scrubbing his teeth for a few minutes until he spits into the drain, rinsing the brush before putting it back in the bag. Stepping under the stream of water he sets his hands again the tile, sighing heavily.

Upstairs Archer is pacing his room, nails digging into his palms. He didn't know what had come over him but he had let rage fill him and he'd gone after Hazel. It was so uncharacteristic of him and when he'd made the mistake of pressing their bodies together he was sure he was going to lose it. As soon as he'd gotten back to his room he couldn't make the bulge go away until he slipped his hand under his boxers, rubbing it until he came. Images of Hazel pushed down under him filling his mind and he finds himself groaning out his name as he releases for the second time that day. His legs shaky under him he walks across his room, lifting up a discarded shirt and cleans himself up before collapsing on his bed, groaning in frustration.

He had wanted to close the distance of their faces, have their lips touch, but there was no way he could do that. He'd been hurt so many times before, he couldn't let it happen again, not like this. He was supposed to be the younger man's mentor, teach him everything he knows to make the man better but instead he lashed out at him, belittling him. Making the man feel pathetic under Archer's scrutinizing glaze. He felt bad for it, he didn't want to make him feel that way but Archer had no other way to handle the emotions wanting to burst free. Toad would know what to tell him, to help calm his nerves, but his best friend was home with his family and didn't want to bother him. He had his own problems going on at home; he didn't need to hear about Archer losing his mind after he'd left because his emotions won't calm down. It was almost like Toad was with him though as he thought back to when his friend had left, telling him to come clean to Hazel but Archer had shaken his head vigorously saying that, that was the worst idea possible. Now he was sure the cat was out of the bag, or elephant as Hazel liked to call things. Archer never could understand all the references the American made but Ozone, Chemo, Scarecrow, Peasant, Robot, and Zach all did. It irritated him, though it had never been irritating with the others, it was only with Hazel. The man could only be breathing in the same room and Archer would react, wanting to move closer to him, lift that mask up to show those pink scars. To feel them beneath his fingers before taking off that bloody mask. It was bad enough having one trigger happy mask tooting maniac running around, they didn't need a happy go lucky mask wearing idiot running around too.

Groaning in annoyance at his own thoughts he slips out of bed and opens his door to see a small note folded and slipped under it. Picking it up he reads the note scribbled out, "I didn't hear anything, I swear and I'll forget what I saw. I promise." There was no name written anywhere but Archer knew it was Hazel. A groan against escaping his lips he rips the paper up, tossing it into a small trashcan by his bed, before heading downstairs and out to the recreational room. Inside several men are sitting on a long couch, controllers in hand as they play some game. One a different couch a few guys are talking, he notices Scarecrow giving him a look before turning away and continuing to talk with Royce. Archer shrugs it off and walks over to an empty couch to watch a card game not far from him involving Meat, Worm, Rook, and Mamba.

After awhile Meat and Worm leave when Jester comes and waves for them to follow. Archer gets a filling they're about to pull off some big prank but he doesn't care. He turns his attention away and pulls out a small book he keeps in his pocket, the spine falling apart.

o0o

Hazel looks up from where he's sitting with Roach, MacTavish, and Ghost, a spoon still in his mouth; his balaclava rolled up to sit atop his nose. He sees several of the guys walk into the mess hall taking up their typical seats once they've filled their trays with food. They're talking excitedly amongst themselves but he's not sure what it's about. He has a small feeling it's some prank they plan to pull on him. Tearing his eyes away he sees Archer sitting quietly eating his own dinner, a small book in his hand. Flashes of what he'd seen earlier start appearing but with a quick shake of his head he puts the thoughts behind him.

"Something wrong mate?"

Hazel shakes his head before looking up at MacTavish, "Just worried they guys are planning some prank." The Scot nods his head, glancing over at them. It wasn't hard to hide his true thoughts when Hazel was actually worried about what they were planning.

Across the table Roach turns in his seat and grins, "I'm gonna go over there and find out."

Before any of the three men can say anything Roach hops out of his seat and bounds across the hall to stand behind Meat, bugging them to know what they're hiding. From that point on they begin talking in whispers, but Hazel can feel the looks and glances some of them are shooting his way. They are planning something. Feeling a headache starting to form Hazel takes a sip of his water and sighs; it was going to be a long night if they were going to pull the prank tonight if they haven't already set it. From the looks of it they have.

At a table closer to the group of men Archer is trying to focus on his book but his efforts are broken by the insistent whispering between Meat, Roach, Worm, and Jester. They're talking about something Meat and the other two stooges took from Hazel's room. Archer sits up straight, glancing over to the table to see a black journal in Meat's hands. It's the journal he'd momentarily glimpsed to be sitting on Hazel's desk, they went and took that. Archer groans mentally, keeping an eye on them out of the corner of his eye and sees Meat pull out a pair of dog tags from the journal and a collective gasp comes from the table. His curiosity peaks and he turns his head to see there's dried blood on the tags, the page it had been pulled from has large letters scribbled in black ink. Even from this distance it's easy for Archer to read, 'Joseph died in front of me.' Who was Joseph?

Meat asks the same question, aloud, to everyone at the table's dismay because Hazel's eyes shoot up to look at the men. His eyes are wide, his hands trembling, legs unsteady as he pushes himself from his seat. MacTavish is asking what's going on, Ghost is watching with his arms crossed, and Roach is running to Hazel who's making his way to Meat.

Roach tries to stop Hazel, putting his hands up, "Come on, and let's go finish eating?"

Hazel pushes Roach aside and glares down at Meat, "What the hell did you just ask?"

Meat has the journal and dog tags hidden behind his back, "I didn't ask anything."

Hazel narrows his eyes noticing Meat is hiding something while Roach comes up beside him grabbing his arm, "Come on mate, and let's finish eating. These twats were talking about some past mission before they'd joined the task force."

"What do you have behind your back Meat?" Hazel asks, ignoring Roach. "Don't say you're not because I can see you are."

"It's none of your business." Meat rolls his eyes.

"Meat if you have something that doesn't belong to you, give it back, now." MacTavish calls, making his way across the hall wanting to avoid a fight breaking out between Meat and Hazel.

Meat, not wanting to anger the captain stands up and with reluctance, pulls out the black journal and dog tags from behind his back. Hazel freezes, mouth opening slightly as he stares at the objects. He had a sickening feeling when he heard Meat ask who Joseph was and seeing his journal in the other man's hands it confirms it. His hands dart out taking the journal and dog tags back, shoving them in his pant pockets and before MacTavish reaches them Hazel has Meat on the ground. He has Meat's armed pinned beneath his legs as he wails down on the much larger man, knuckles becoming bloody from the blows. MacTavish is now running to pull Hazel off but just before he grabs him Archer has Hazel in his arms pulling him away. He kicks and screams out curses and insults fighting Archer to get his hands on Meat.

MacTavish is finally there, standing between Meat and Hazel, his hands up as his face turns red with fury, "Enough! You have two seconds to calm your ass down Hazel!"

Archer feels a shiver go through Hazel before he grows still in his arms but he doesn't let go, keeping his arms firmly around. Meat is wiping blood from his mouth and nose as he stands up with Worm at his side. They're both watching Hazel wearily but his eyes are on the floor.

"My office! Now! The both of you!" MacTavish growls out while grabbing Hazel's arm and taking him from Archer.

Meat follows while Ghost steps up next to Roach, his arms still crossed, "What was that about?"

Roach sighs heavily, "Meat took Hazel's journal and found dog tags to some guy named Joseph Mallet. One of the pages read, Joseph died in front of me.' It must have been someone from his old team before he came here."

Ghost shook is head, turning to go back to his food, "Never mess with a man's past. If he chooses to leave it behind closed doors, respect it. You don't know the wounds you'd be ripping open."

Archer nods silently, noticing the agony in Hazel's eyes as he'd laid his eyes on the dog tags. Sighing he made his way back to his food, no longer hungry, and takes the dishes to the kitchen. He heads back to his room where he lays down on his bed with the small book in hand; thumbing the page he's on. Half an hour later he hears footsteps; harsh and heavy, as they pass down the hallway then the clicking of a lock and the slamming of a door followed by the lock clicking back in place. It had to have been Hazel since Meat lived on one of the lower floors. Absent mindedly Archer wonders what the captain had said to the man, worried for him.

He pushes it out of his mind until he hears soft knocking on his door, "What?" Archer grumbles as he puts the book down, folding the page he was on, and opens the door to his room. To his surprise Hazel is standing there, head pointed down while he shuffles his feet. Archer steps aside and the smaller man steps inside and finds a spot against the wall to sit down, his knees pulling up to his chest. Archer closes his door, clicking the lock, and sits down on the edge of his bed looking at Hazel. A silence engulfs them and Archer doesn't think he plans to speak up any time soon. Accepting that, he picks his book back up, leaning against the wall, and continues reading.

Stifling a large yawn Archer looks across the room at his desk to see the time. He sighs, putting his book on his desk, removing his boots and stuffing them at the edge of the bed, and looks over at Hazel. His head is turned down, hands limp at his sides, shoulders lifting and falling steadily. Archer shakes his head realizing Hazel had fallen asleep. Grabbing a spare blanket and pillow from the closet he lays Hazel down, wrapping the blanket around him. Hazel turns his face into the pillow, hands clenching the blanket in his fists, knuckles turning white. Archer moves quietly to his bed, and not long after he's fast asleep as well, his dreams more pleasant than Hazel's.