The debrief took place early in the morning. I wasn't terribly excited about it, but it was my duty to attend to it. Ghost woke me up when my alarm failed to do it and I didn't even try to hide my annoyance at it. I never was a morning person, and just because my exhaustion is reduced doesn't mean I don't need to rest at all. I only got one damn fucking hour of my eyes shut, not even got the time to dream a fucking thing. I think it would have been best to just stay up instead of having my body taste a little bit of rest.

I don't even know how I dressed, because before I knew it, we were already heading towards the meeting.

"You look tired" Ghost's voice appeared in my numb ears.

"I think I needed a couple more hours" was my reply before letting out a yawn, feeling tears form in my eyes in response. "But don't mind me. I'll get some rest later."

Our boots hit hardily the new floor beneath out feet as we approached the meeting room, shortening the distance with each step.

"Just don't fall asleep in Shepherd's face" He warned with a grin just before entering the quarters.

"General." I saluted him when we passed through the door.

"At ease, Lieutenant" he commanded and I stood with my arms on my back "I've been informed of your performance in the last mission, I expected no less from you."

I smiled as I briefly trailed my eyes to the Captain "Thank you, sir"

"What's the next assignment, sir?" Ghost's voice suddenly appeared behind me, making me slightly jump in the spot. Shepherd clicked some things on his laptop and a map projected on the wall in front of us. "Seems we're headed the wrong direction, Sir. Shouldn't we be coming back to the fight?" MacTavish asked as I crossed my arms on my chest, examining the images in front of us.

"Plenty fight to go around, MacTavish. Glad you made it outta South America. You're meeting up with the 6th fleet. Leadin' the counter-strike."

[Russia. "The Gulag", prisoner #627]

"Prisoner Six-two-seven. We believe that's who Makarov's got the mad-on for. But we can't get to him." He continued as he showed us where the prison was versus what was stopping us from reaching it. Our main problem were oilrigs located near the Russian territory.

"Oilrigs, sir?" MacTavish asked.

"Russians are using them as SAM sites. Oil workers are human shield, so we can't just blow up the rigs wholesale. And this is one of the least defended." He then showed us all the weapons that were stored on those things.

"Boys" he then turned to me "Lady. I know I'm sending you into the meat grinder on this one. They're defending it, so it means we want it. Especially if it get us to Six-two-seven. Captain, select the team members you want participating on this mission, take into account you'll be traveling by submarine. The navy will be joining us on this one. You're being deployed tomorrow, dismissed."

After the meeting I left straight away to the gym, straight to the heavy bag again. Training a little may be enough to wash away the slumber. Even though I wore gloves, it still hurt my bones every time my fist fiercely hit the bag. I let out a cry of strength before kicking the boxing sack, making it loose from the ceiling and falling loudly onto the ground. I stared at the bag before falling into the ground and laying my back on the cold floor as my chest rose up and down from my hastened breathing, finally closing my eyes when exhaustion took over my body.


My ears focused on the wonderful tickling sound of the clock. I was thankful the gym had remained completely empty these hours I've been here. At least I regained my energies with those few hours of sleep. No one bothered me and the silence was pleasantly intoxicating.

The door opened and a familiar scent filled the room, along with footsteps only I could recognize. I formed a smile on my lips as I moved my head up to see him.

"Did the heavy bag got the best of ya'?" Ghost asked while walking towards me. I formed a grin on my face. "He and I got into an argument, but I showed him who's in charge" I replied teasingly as I moved my eyes to it, finding it still laying on the ground and the wall above it leaving in evidence I ripped the chain with it.

He stood up in front of me to lend me his hand and helped me get back on my feet. "At least this time you were wearing gloves. I guess you are listening to me after all "

"And when have I not?" I replied as I massaged my neck. I guess being on the floor for all morning and afternoon wasn't the greatest idea.

"Well, since you're already here. why don't we go for a few rounds?" He said as he removed his balaclava, my heart stopped when his face appeared beneath it and the half smile he had on his face almost got me on my knees again.

"didn't get enough last time? " I teasingly said while raising a brow. He cracked a smile as he rolled up his sleeves.

"you got lucky last time..." he began as he walked closer to me, stopping right in front of me, compelling me to look up at him"it wont happen again" He muttered with a grin before stepping back, and I formed a devilish smile in response.

We examined one another by walking in ritualized circles, waiting for one of us to start. The fight felt different this time. It was filled with something else. It took pace really quickly and we fought with an equal mixture of fury and desire. I threw a kick to him, which he dodged by crouching and answered by launching his fist towards me and I stopped it with my arm, pushing it away. It went like that for a while, moves and counter moves, it was almost like a dance for dominance, but he was getting better. In one of his punches I grabbed his arm to off-balance him and roll him over my shoulder, but for my surprise he landed on his feet and immediately pushed me against the wall.

I stopped the knee that he aimed at me and dogged the fist that was coming my way by docking while spinning to then push him against the wall. He formed a grin in his face as he waited for me to continue, our breathings matching one another as he leaned against the wall. Fighting was starting to wake this...appetite for him in me and the way he looked at me revealed I was not the only one.

I threw my final kick at him, but he grabbed my leg and threw me to the ground, using his whole weight to succeed and I gripped into his shoulders to remain rigid and absorb the impact my back was going to receive against the mat, letting out a groan when it finally impacted. He held me in a way I was not able to move in any way, his strong fingers still digging into my thigh as our chests pushed against each other with each breathing.

His face just centimeters away from mine. Time had lost meaning to me now, my heart stopped and my breathing ceased. I could do nothing but stare at his light blue eyes, feeling my eyes slowly traveling to his pale lips. His breath was so inviting I felt compelled to tilt up my head and just... let it happen, but before I could even think about moving a muscle, he was already standing.

He cleared his throat, not daring to meet my gaze.

"as you were, Lieutenant" he quickly dismissed himself before turning around and heading towards the exit, leaving me speechless and utterly rooted to the ground.