Hidden Hearts, There Are No Lies

At first…It seemed like I was just a bother to him.

After all, what good could I have been on that mission?

I'm just a silly young woman in love, following her boyfriend into the war. I was somewhere I didn't belong, he was sure of that. However, I couldn't resist the temptation of leaving home. Being out of contact with him, not knowing whether or not he was still alive, it would have killed me. At least this way, working on the mission together, I could hear his voice whenever he contacted me by codec, and I could rest assured that he was all right.

"R-Rose! What are you doing here?"

I remember how Jack's voice sounded surprised and irritated at the same time; like he didn't want me there.

So I told him how I would be his save point, where he could take a break and record his data. Even ask me any questions that were plaguing him.

Our conversations over the codec were growing more…Oh, how should I say it? Saddening…

The more I tried to peer inside the man, who holed his heart away, the more he was pushing himself away from me.

And I couldn't stand it.

I couldn't stand knowing hardly anything about my boyfriend, the man I loved.

Why wouldn't he tell me anything about his past?

His childhood?

His family?

I wondered so many things, and eventually, the questions overflowed from me. But he made up excuses for having to leave. He ignored my questions, and denied me altogether. What was he hiding from me? Was he keeping a secret from me so dark and horrifying, that even I wasn't permitted to learn what it was?

Was my cooking not that great?

Something about a secret lover?

Cheating on me for another woman?

Maybe even a man?

Something about his gender or sexual identity?

Jack, what the hell were you hiding from me?

Finally, during the pinnacle of the mission's peril, you told me. How you were sent off to war as a little boy. All the torturous training they put you through, the blood and sweat. They called you the "White Devil", and, "Jack the Ripper." Wounds that cut so deep - still do - that you grew up to be this sad, yet kind and beautiful man…Or at least, to me you are.

Jack, I love you. I don't understand why you felt you had to keep this from me. Did you honestly think my feelings for you would have changed if you did?

I told you everything about me. Every little nook and cranny about my life. Yet you wouldn't tell me a thing until now. And I didn't think that was fair at all, Jack.

The mission is over now, and you and I finally have the chance to go home where we belong.

But Jack, guess what?

I'm pregnant. With your child. Jack, I want to start a family with you, and no one else.

Jack, I love you. From now on, no more secrets.

(A/N: I'm not sure how I feel about this. I don't even like Rose. But I wanted to try my hand at writing something in the Metal Gear section. This was written on April 30th, which, if I believe correctly, was also Raiden and Rosemary's anniversary…)