Recovery

Three days after his confession, before he was able to move his leg without agony nearly paralyzing him. Another week before he was able to stand, even if only for a few short moments. Almost a month before he was able to walk on his own. Today, he promised himself, he'd learn the layout of the safe house. It was six steps from the bed to the door. The door didn't open when he pushed it away from himself. But rather it swung towards him when Archer opened the door to let him know that breakfast was almost ready. This really was his first venture out of the room since he'd been injured alone.

He had his arms extended, one in front of him and the other to the side, he took a step, the hand to the side still touching the door frame then he took another step and his fingertips brushed against the wall opposite his door. The wall was rough and he could faintly make out the smell of old paint. He turned to his left and walked carefully forward, there were parts of the wall that were smooth which gave him the impression that the house at one point had been remodeled, and it wasn't done properly. Like the people respondible didn't remove all of the wall paper and glue that had been there. He hit a dead end, it was a wooden door, and badly in need of repairs. Keeping one hand on the door, he turned again, and his hand only met the air.

"Easy there mate." Soap's Scottish brogue said from in front of him. "Don't want you falling down the stairs. "There's railing to your right, lower your hand a bit."

Roach followed the direction and his hand landed on the railing, it was flat on the top, and grooved on the bottom. 'Who designed this place?' He wondered. It seemed that the safe house's layout was all sorts of odd. It took a moment but Roach's hand connected with the railing and he slowly walked down the stairs. There were fourteen of them. "Are you counting every single step Roach?" Soap questioned.

"I can't keep on relying on others to do things for me." Roach said.

He was barefoot and while the wooden floor of the hall and stairs had been cool, the floor of the landing was almost icy in comparison. The surface is smooth but with a subtly rough texture to it. He guesses that this must be genuine tile that he's standing on and not the smooth and glossy tile that is sold in mass quantities at home improvement stores. He could almost imagine what the surface looks like, semi-glossy and in more natural colors. He smells mold and could feel the moisture that the landing holds. He hadn't realized that his other senses were so hyper sensitive to the slightest stimulus. He started when a large, warm hand settled on his shoulder.

"Jumpy?" Soap asked. "Don't want you slamming into a door."

"Oh."

He realized how young he sounded and knew that his Captain was grinning, the bastard.

"The landing of the stairs is about four feet in width and three in length and I'm measuring from the door which is three steps to your left."

"Thanks. Oh god, what is that smell?"

"That's Archer's cooking."

"It's burning."

He heard Soap swear and then open the door to yell at someone to take the food off of the stove. A moment later he heard Archer yelling at someone.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you? Are you trying to burn down the house?" Archer was demanding.

"Me? You left the food cooking unattended!" Toad shot back. "Bad enough Roach can't see anymore but now we're subjecting him to your lousy cooking."

"Watch what you call lousy you damned freeloader."

"At least I can cook!"

Archer sputtered at a loss for a good come back. Roach worked hard not to laugh.

"Aw Archer, not again!" Price broke in. "I hope you're not planning on feeding that to anyone."

"This is for Roach."

"The lad's suffered enough. We don't need to go on feeding him this, what the bloody hell is that?" Price seemed to be at a loss as to how to describe what Archer had made. "I'm sure the lad will appreciate the gesture Archer, but his taste buds might not like you. Besides, he needs to eat healthy food. And don't you dare dump that crap outside again. The last time you did, I could hear the strays dying three streets down because of you. We don't want to abuse the wildlife."

Having heard enough, Roach ventured past the door and into another area of the house.

"Guys?"

"Roach!"

"Hey Toad. What's all the fuss about?"

"Archer cooked."

"Ah. It's still burning."

"Bloody hell!" Archer complained. There was the sound of a single pair of feet running and a yelp, then cursing.

"God damn it Archer, you almost ran me over!"

"The bread's burning!"

There was the sound of the oven door opening and then the smell of something on was followed by shouts, curses and the sound of a fire extinguisher. The air smelled of burned bread and something foul that he couldn't put a name to.

"Maybe cereal would be safer for me." Roach hedged. Someone laughed but he couldn't place the scandalous giggle that should not have come from a grown man, never-the-less a soldier.

After breakfast, he spent most of the day learning the house, the living room, which he had crossed through to get to the dining room and kitchen was roughly twenty steps by twenty steps. He was learning that even though his sight was gone, his other senses were now hypersensitive. He could smell the gunpowder smell and smoke that lingered on Soap's body, the smell of grass that was distinctly Archer, the smell of grime and filth that was all Price, the smell of coca cola that was Toad, and even the faint smell of cologne and gin that was Ghost.

He was able to hear the slightest noise, even the sound of someone messing with their car. His sense of touch was much more sensitive too, and that's what had made the learning of the house so much easier. It was extraordinary to think that, given the right circumstances, he was able to tell when trouble was coming, and he did.

"Good thing we decided to listen to Roach, he's like a really big alarm."

"I resent that remark."

AN: Hey, sorry it took so long to update, I had such an extreme case of writer's block that I was about to swear that my muse died on me. Hahaha…. Anyway this was kinda short cause I didn't want to force it. Review if you please. Muchas gracias.