Frayed Edges

A/N: I've read so many good Ghost/Roach stories I wanted to make one of my own. Enjoy!

*Disclaimer* I do not own the Modern Warfare 2 or the characters. No copyright infringement intended.

Roach had always had feelings for Ghost. He never told anyone though, he was afraid. The last guy that even hinted he liked Ghost left the next day & never contacted again. Roach would rather be friends then nothing & besides, Ghost would never like him in any way other than friends.

4th FF :)

Chapter 1: Admitting The Truth

I was sat in the rec room when Ghost walked in. I knew immediately it was him, the room always went silent when he walked in. I glanced up to see him sit with Soap & the room returned to its normal pitch. Poet nudged me, "Roach, c'mon we're going out for a beer. You coming?"

I smiled. "Yeah, can't say no to a beer." I stood up & stretched, sitting down for a couple of hours always cramped my muscles. As we walked out I noticed Ghost looking in our direction. Feeling my gaze he lifted his eyes to mine. I smiled & dropped my head, this wasn't the time to stare. I followed Poet, Royce, Meat & Ozone outside to the patio. Royce chucked a beer at me but as I went to catch it a hand shot out & took it. "Hey!" I turned scowling to see Soap standing next to me chuckling & Ghost grabbing a beer from the cooler Meat brang out.

"What? I can't steal a beer from you now & again?" He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Uh, sure sir."

"Hey. None of that sir shit. We're off duty remember."

"Uh. Ok Soap." He chuckled & nodded to me before joining the others conversation. I sighed, I guess I have to get my own beer. I turned to get one & Ghost was stood there holding one out for me.

"Here you go mate, you're probably gunna need one." He chuckled at something. Probably the big ass question mark on my head. "Soap wants to talk to you." He jerked his thumbs at the Scotsman who was arguing with Royce about something again.

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with scotch."

"It's bloody awful man."

"It's a whole lot better than lager."

Royce began to retort but I turned my attention back to the conversation at hand. I turned back to Ghost, he was watching me with a strange look in his eye. I scowled, "What?"

He shook his head, "Nothing, man." He clapped my shoulder & winked. "Just watch out for Soap." He turned & left me there, feeling the warmth he left on my shoulder slowly trickle down to my chest. Get a hold of yourself Gary! It doesn't mean anything. Mentally shaking my head I joined the others & we talked for a couple more hours before going back inside.

As we walked inside Soap pulled me to the side. Great, here comes that chat. Internally sighing I waited until Soap spoke. "You ok Roach?"

I was taken aback. It wasn't like Soap to care, well I knew he did. But he never showed it externally. "Yeah… Why?" I asked suspiciously.

"I noticed you looking at Ghost earlier." He said it bluntly. Sounded like he'd wanted to say this for a while.

I blushed, thankfully it was dark so he couldn't notice. "So? I saw him glance up." I shrugged, trying to be nonchalant. Pretty sure Soap saw through it.

"Is there something you need to talk about?" Soap knew. No question about it.

*Sigh* "You know don't you." It wasn't a question. Soap knew it.

He nodded. "Yes I do."

"Are you going to tell him." I blurted out worried. I wasn't going to let my feelings ruin what I had here.

Soap looked taken aback. "No. Of course not. I just want to know if it's going to affect your work."

I laughed. "Soap, it hasn't ever affected my work. The job comes first, feelings second."

"Good… Wait? What do you mean?"

I gulped."Welllll…. you see…" I swirled my hand not knowing what to say.

"How long Roach?"

"Umm… a couple of months after I joined the task force." I mumbled sheepishly getting quieter with each word.

Soap sighed again. "Well, you've done a pretty good job of hiding it. I've only started noticing. Thankfully Ghost hasn't."

"Why?" I asked curiously. "What would happen if he did?" I saw Soap stare at me. "…I'm not going to tell him! I'm not that stupid! Just curious what happened to the other guy."

"Well… let's just say. Ghost didn't take it as a complement & the guy left & we never heard from him again."

I gulped. "Note to self. Don't EVER tell Ghost." I whispered.

Soap laughed & patted my shoulder. "See ya tomorrow Roach." He walked off to his room. I watched as his figure got swallowed by the darkness before tuning & heading to my room.