I have been killing myself trying to get this updated. It's more or less a filler to get to the next chapter, hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

Rico grumbled as he felt someone shake his shoulder, frustration swelling in his body as all the comfortable warmth that was under his blanket was pushed out in one big wave. As the cold air covered his body he grumbled before cracking open an eye, blinking against the darkness as his lieutenant's mask appeared close to his face.

"Sir?"

"Come on Rico, time to get up. You're going on another mission before you get outta here."

Rico lunged sideways, already full of energy, only for his momentum to be interrupted by the tangle of blankets that were strangling his legs, sending him crashing to the floor in a loud thump that raddled the lamp on his nightstand.

"Fuck." Rico rubbed his head which had managed to hit the metal framing of his bed. A chuckle produced a glare as his pride cracked.

"Let's try to be a little more coordinated out in the field aye?"

"Yes sir…" Rico mumbled, glancing at the clock to see that it was only 10 pm, and that he'd only fallen asleep a half hour ago. Sighing Rico rubbed his eyes as he walked out to get his gear together.

5 Hours Later…

Rico sat huddled against the wall of the worn shell of a building that had been gradually falling apart from age. Shifting from foot to foot in his crouch, he looked at the neck of MacTavish in front of him, looking for any sign of unease by gauging the tenseness of his shoulders. Finding none Rico allowed himself to relax, looking up at the stars. He still found it fascinating how much clearer the stars were in the desert compared to back in the states. Looking back down and around him it saddened him that such a beautiful sky was above the most miserable of places. Hefting his ACR Rico glanced back around him, a chill filling his body. He hated demolition missions, but even so he was known in his last division as the best demolitionist, so that automatically nominated him for this mission, due to the fact that Roach was wounded. The defusing itself he had no problem with, it was just the matter of him being responsible for the possibly thousands of people surrounding him that he had to worry about that got to him. As it was he was in a town with a population of 10,000, but he wasn't even sure of the kill zone of the bomb itself at the moment, not until he got his hands on it.

Rico perked up as he heard the crackle of MacTavish's earpiece, Ghost's voice filling the intercome.

"Bravo in position. Ready when you are."

"Roger, moving out."

Rico swallowed dryly as he felt MacTavish reach back to pat his leg which he returned silently on the man's shoulder, signaling he was ready. Silently he fallowed his captain through the maze of alleys, praying that Ghost and Toad could see them clearly. Archer was coughing up a lung back at base. Stopping abruptly Rico nearly ran right into MacTavish who was peering cautiously around the corner. At this point the building that supposedly had the bomb in it was about 4 blocks away. MacTavish pointed at the alley across the road, than raised his fist, all fingers erect. As he counted down Rico braced himself, his legs tensing. As MacTavish's final finger closed down into a fist the man launched himself forward, Rico close on his heels. Right before Rico was swallowed up in the shadows of the alley he glanced to his right to see two guards with their backs turned to them, talking as they lazily walked down the middle of the road, AK-47's slung lamely over shoulders. Letting out his breath slowly so as not to cause a loud breath, Rico fallowed MacTavish once more, unease filling him as they reached their destination. A rundown factory stood raggedly before them, doors hanging off of hinges, walls crumbling, and windows broken. Wiping off a bead of sweat that had run down his forehead Rico gazed wearily at the machines that surrounded him as MacTavish hugged the walls. Rico decided to sling his weapon over his shoulder in exchange for his combat knife. He was better with a knife in close quarters anyway. MacTavish kept his rifle out. Kneeling down MacTavish pulled out the blueprints that supposedly showed them where the bomb had been placed. MacTavish pointed at a spot in the creaky wooden floorboards, placed directly in the center of the factory. Rico nodded as he pulled out a crowbar before slowly walking up to the spot and wedging the metal under the board, wincing as the nails squealed as the board was released Rico flicked on his small flashlight, careful to keep it below the boards as he peered down into the floor. His breath hitched in his throat as he saw the tangle of wires that stood out in front of him. He looked up at MacTavish who gave him a silent nod before muttering something into his radio, then turning to stand guard. Rico bit the inside of his cheek before he began the tedious work of slowly clipping wires. After what felt like at least 5 minutes he paused, knowing that he had to pick up the pace he stared at the 3 wires that were in front of him. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his glove before pausing, doubts filling his thoughts. Holding his breath he cut another, paused, then relaxed as he glared at the last two. It was now that he heard a floorboard creak to his right. Glancing at MacTavish he felt panic fill his stomach as the man raised his weapon snuggly into his shoulder, the sights lined up. Thinking fast Rico thought back to his training, and without questioning himself cut the last wire. Exactly at that moment he heard MacTavish grunt and a bag thrown over his head, a thick rope cutting off his air supply in a large rush. Tightening his hold on the pliers he silent mouthed a prayer before jabbing his hand back over his shoulder, the satisfying feel of the pliers breaking into bone vibrating down his arms. With the grasp on his neck slack he twisted around and disabled the man before moving on to the other who had knocked out MacTavish with what he guessed had been chloroform. Ducking down he dodged a poor hook before grabbing the man behind the neck, kneeing him in the stomach. Using the momentum he crouched low before shooting upward, a well-placed palm strike crushing his attacker's nose and lodging them into his brain. With a final strike to the man's pressure point on his neck, knocking him to the floor, he scanned the area to find he was alone. The quiet was weighing down on him. Hastily he reached for his mike.

"Ghost."

"Rico, what's going on down there."

Rico checked MacTavish over as he responded, "The bombs defused, we were assaulted by two and MacTavish is out cold, probably chloroform. I'm on my way now, get the heli ready."

"Rodger."

As the channel went quiet Rico sighed before quickly putting the remains of the bomb in his pack, not wanting it to get reused, then stripped MacTavish of his extra gear before hefting him up into a fireman carry, groaning at the weight.

"Damn sir, you're a lot heavier than Roach." Shouldering the man he couldn't help but wonder how he always ended up in this position. Shaking his head he quietly walked out the way they had come, once more praying that Ghost had them in his sights. When he came to the road he grimaced. That really was a long way to sprint with a 200 something pound man on your back. Shrugging his shoulders he adjusted his hold on MacTavish, beads of sweat covering his forehead as he launched himself across the road. When he was about halfway there he heard a bullet whiz by his head, only to hear a heavy thud just off to his right. Glancing over he saw the body of a dead guard fall to the ground, his weapon clattering of the side. He gave a nod off in Ghost's general direction before leaning heavily against the wall on the opposite side of the road, his legs shaking uncontrollably. Swallowing he winced at the pain that snaked around his neck from the rope burn, "I have to get back home." And with one more heave Rico launched himself forward.

Back at Base

Rico nearly fell out of the helicopter as it landed, hitting the dirt ungracefully and landing on one knee, only to rise slowly with a pained grunt, arching his back in a stretch. He turned to see MacTavish gently lowered down in a stretcher, still out cold. They would have to check him over just to make sure the chemical they had used was in fact chloroform. Ghost was walking over to their CO to give a brief description of the mission, Toad walking silently away, probably to check up on Archer. With one more glance Rico glanced at his watch, "10 in the afternoon. They'll be in the rec room waiting for lunch by now." Sighing Rico rubbed his neck absentmindedly, wincing as his neck burned from the dirt on his palm rubbing into the raw skin. Ignoring the pain he went to drop off his equipment then take a shower. It wasn't until he walked slowly into the rec room and the men all cheered at the fact that he was still alive that he felt just how truly exhausted he was. He eyes drooped and he hunched his shoulders as a heavy hand slapped his shoulder. He looked up and stretched his neck back, feeling the skin of his neck protest, to see the slowly dimming smile of Meat.

"Shit man, what happened to you?"

"Hm? Oh," Rico waved his hand, "Nothing much, just tired."

Chemo walked up and stared at his neck, "Hey man, you should get that checked out, that looks, painful." Chemo's eyes widened at the sore.

"I'm fine guys, really. It's just a little burn."

Meat shook his head and he heard a laugh off to his right. Automatically the room quieted some. Rolling his head his eyes bugged out at the sight that met him. There was Roach, shirtless, with medical tape wrapped around his torso, giving him a broad-shouldered look that Rico couldn't resist, and as Roach's eye's met his he couldn't help but avert his gaze. Once more Roach chuckled before walking up to Rico and knelt so they were eye to eye.

"You look tired mate. Why don't you go have the doc look you over and then go get some rest. I'll tell Ghost, I'm sure he'll be just fine with you catching a few hours of sleep."

Rico stared at Roach for a few seconds, looking into those deep brown eyes that gazed at him so intensely. Thinking over what Roach said Rico tensed his legs to get up, only to go weak with exhaustion, sliding the rest of the way down so he was lying flat on his stomach on the couch.

"I'm not moving." He glared defiantly at Roach who stood up strait, smirking down at him with an eyebrow raised. "Well you aren't hurt right."

Rico gave Roach a suspicious look before shaking his head and burrowing further into the couch. His eyes widened as Roach nodded at Meat who was standing behind the couch, and before he knew what was happening, gravity betrayed him as the couch keeled forward and his face was greeted for the second time in the past 24 hours by the floor. Rico groaned before, keeping his face wholeheartedly smashed against the floor, raised his arm to give everyone the finger as they laughed at his rumpled state. He felt a pair of hands on either arm as Meat and Chemo helped him up. Roach laughed at his sour face before walking up to him, "I would recommend that you go see the doc now." Rico nodded before making his way out, his mind occupied with images of wrapped torsos and brown eyes.

This chapter is so horrible I'm going to start crying. I just had to get it up so there's no spell check or anything. Yes I know the action is crap, but hey, now that I got it out of the way we're on to the good stuff. If you're still reading this, please review.