I apologise for the long wait :( I am so mean.. I admit that I have been lazying around.

SJ648: Thanks for the review. That would have been awkward if Price walked in on them xD With regards to that strange 'review', I reported it so no worries. It doesn't bother me that much anyway :)

Enjoy the chapter!


His head felt heavy and he could hear muffled noises around him. A beeping sound with a constant rhythm, people talking, and clinking noises that sounds like clipboards are being thumped against a metal surface. What was going on? Where was he? He groaned as he tried to get up but the pillow was too comfortable. He opened his eyes slowly and saw a blurry image in front of him. As the view in front of him got clearer, he could see someone near him wearing royal blue scrubs. He tried calling out but no sound came from his mouth.

"O mio Dio, si รจ svegliato! Chiama Dottor Malloy, veloce!"

She is speaking Italian? Where the hell was he? The nurse did something with the IV drip and smiled at him.

"You are going to be ok, do not worry," she told him.

A moment later, another person ran next to him wearing green scrubs. She said something to the other nurses and they left her alone with him.

"Simon, I am Margaret Malloy, Lisa's mother," she said in a whisper.

"I remember you," said Ghost, weakly. "Where am I?"

"You're in a military hospital in Palermo, Sicily," she continued. "I used to work here as a guest surgeon years back. This was the best place I could bring you and your colleague here. I know these people and I trust them."

"Colleague?"

"Your friend, Gary, was in a worse condition than you."

He shifted his head to his right and saw his mate, Roach, with an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth and numerous wires coming out of him just like he was.

"Gary is still unconscious. Both of you suffered from a ruptured lung. The Elite Task Force took you to a nearby hospital in Nalchik near the Caucasus Mountains. I extracted you and transferred you here. No one knows you're alive except me, my husband, the ETF and Task Force 141. So you're in safe hands."

"Will we be ok?" asked Ghost.

"They performed surgery on both of you in Russia and managed to stabilise you. Nevertheless, you suffered a substantial amount of blood loss. You went into cardiac arrest multiple times due to loss of oxygen circulation and even though you managed to recover, we were still not sure if you were able to make it."

"What about Price and MacTavish?"

"They're the most wanted men in the world but they're still alive."

Ghost dreaded to ask her the next question but Dr Malloy read his mind.

"Charlene is safe as well, Simon, don't worry."

"I need to talk to her," he insisted.

"You can't," she replied firmly. "You'll compromise them and yourselves. I'll inform her that you have woken up. I'll try and find a way for you to communicate with her later on. Right now, you need to rest."

"Thank you for everything Doctor," said Ghost, half-smiling. "I appreciate everything you're doing for us."

She gave him a reassuring nod and walked away. Ghost looked around him and observed his environment. It was quite a roomy ward with a nurse station in the middle and beds placed in a semi-circle. Ghost and Roach were on the far right side of the ward with sunshine popping through high ceiling windows on their right.

Observing the patients and their state of wellness, Ghost assumed that they were in the Intensive Care Unit. Near one of the beds, there was a young girl, probably eleven years old. She had light brown hair and lively, chocolate brown eyes. She was staring at him with a lovely smile on her face. A girl of her age was not supposed to be permitted in the ICU. Probably the nurses closed one eye for her as they made a shushing gesture when they passed her. The girl was standing at the foot of the bed where an unconscious, middle-aged man was lying. The girl waved at him and Ghost raised his fingers slightly from his bed and waved back. She giggled and turned her attention to the man in front of her.


MacTavish was in the kitchen in the country house in Lampedusa and his head was buried in his hands. He could not believe that the consequence of them missing the cargo in the previous mission, was so devastating. Gas attacks were occurring all over Europe with an overwhelmingly high death toll both military and civilian. They had to figure out their next move and fast. He hoped that Price would find a solution.

"Bad news," said Price. "Contacted Tiger and Agent Nielson at the CIA told me that their hands are full and couldn't provide anything."

"I would never have guessed that the CIA would be ever at a loss," said Malloy, while sipping tea and reading a book.

Agent Nielson was Malloy's handler when she was part of Alpha Squad at the CIA. Her codename 'Shadow' stuck with her when she started working in the Special Forces even though the majority of the people calling her by that codename do not know its origin.

Codename 'Tiger' trained Malloy to blend in the espionage world as well as possible by teaching her the tricks of the trade. Nobody knows her first name except Price. Price and Tiger met on a mission in Ukraine and decided to be in a relationship. Unfortunately, love did not stop from Tiger disappearing one day leaving Price alone and confused. Years later, they met again through Malloy but did not attempt to give the relationship another try.

"Why are you so calm about this?! People are dying out there!" said Allen.

"It's war Mac, people die. No use panicking over it. We need a plan," said Malloy closing her book.

"We have to figure out Makarov's next move," said Nikolai.

"Yuri, anything you know?" asked Allen but Yuri shook his head.

"We'll figure something out in the morning," said Price and went back on the laptop.

Before parting ways, Malloy's mobile rang and everyone looked at it. She read the message quietly when an impatient Williams broke the silence.

"Well?!"

Malloy beamed and looked at them.

"Ghost woke up from the coma," she said.

They all cheered and started hugging each other. They needed the good news after all that has been happening. They were soon interrupted by someone calling on the laptop. Daniels got on it and checked it out.

"It's from an unidentified server," she said.

"Accept the call," ordered Malloy.

"Who is this?" asked Daniels.

"Sergeant Daniels, it's General Malloy. Is Lisa there?"

"Dad, what's wrong?"

"Honey, I've got some excellent news! Your sister Louise just informed me. She gave birth to a baby girl," he said ecstatic.

"What?!" asked Malloy in disbelief. "Is she ok? What did they name her?"

"Both mother and baby are fine. They named her Marilyn. I have to go though. I'm afraid that someone will identify my call. I'll talk to you when I can."

He hung up and Malloy was standing there with her mouth open, totally stunned by the news.

"You're an aunt!" beamed MacTavish.

"That sounds so weird," laughed Collins.

"I'm an aunt," said Malloy to herself.

Malloy really wanted to hold the baby in her arms. Price might have noticed what was going on in her mind and gave her a friendly pat on her shoulder.

"You'll meet her soon lass. That's why we're out here fighting a war, to build a better place for the coming generation."

He walked off laughing and cheering. MacTavish hugged her tightly and kissed her lightly on her forehead.


In one of the bedroom upstairs, Red decided to go and rest even though it was only half past eight in the evening. She was exhausted after training with Williams and Malloy and that overwhelming news so she decided to take it easy. Everybody else was doing what they were assigned to do. As soon as she closed her eyes there was a knock on the door and it opened.

"Alexandra? Am I interrupting?" asked Yuri sitting down by her side.

"My eyes are closed, I wonder why? Oh wait, maybe it's because I'm trying to sleep!" she said annoyed.

"I apologise for disturbing you," he sighed and was getting up to leave when Red stopped him.

"Never mind, what do you want?"

"About last time-"

"Nothing happened last time," she hastily interrupted.

"Why are you shutting me out?"

"It's because that's what I do, don't take it personally."

"At least I got a hug so I'm not complaining," he winked.

Red rolled over facing away from him. She felt him removing hair from his face but not knowing why, she didn't stop him.

"Why do you keep doing this?" she asked.

"Because I think you are beautiful and we don't know if we'll still be alive tomorrow," he replied. "I am not asking you to be in a relationship with me. No commitment; no strings attached; nothing. What do you say?"

Red glanced at Yuri and observed him for a while. She perfectly knew what he meant. They both were lonely and needed someone to confess their worries to. Yuri was attractive, very alluring, had a daring personality and smart. On the other hand, he is very reserved, enigmatic and introvert. You never know what's going on in his mind and that is what intrigued Red the most.

She grabbed him from his t-shirt, slammed him on the bed and got on top of him.

"Very well Spetsnaz man," she said seductively. "I lead."

"I'm all yours," he smirked.


The next morning, Allen, Daniels and Red were in the kitchen chugging down buckets of coffee. Daniels was on guard the whole night with Collins and was exhausted. Red was tired for other reasons.

"So..." said Allen, looking at Red with an evil twinkle in her eye. "How was last night?"

Red slammed her mug on the kitchen and glared at her.

"How do you manage to find out about everything?!"

"Walls are pretty thin here sweetheart," said Daniels.

"Needed some venting off," said Red.

"Is hottie good in bed?" asked Allen, slightly bouncing.

"You have no idea," winked Red.

Allen and Daniels squealed but were soon interrupted by a slightly panicked MacTavish.

"Have you seen Lisa?" he asked.

They shook their heads, puzzled at him being so agitated.

"She may have gone into town," said Daniels.

"Car's here," said Nikolai.

"Soap," called Williams from upstairs. "Her stuff is gone."

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the whole house changed. It turned cold and full of dread.

"What do you mean her things are gone?" bellowed Price.

"Collins and I were on guard and we saw nothing," said Daniels.

"I don't like this at all," said MacTavish, troubled.


Michael 'Ace' Vaughn was leaning against his mahogany desk in his enormous mansion situated near a wonderful lake in Storuman, Sweden. His office consisted of the most prestigious furniture and art one could get his hands on. Stolen Monet and Picasso paintings hung from the wall, sculptures with spotlights on them situated in the corners. He glanced at the mirror hanging over the fireplace. Slightly curly, black hair, eyes which looked like two chips of ice, little stubble around his square jaw and thin lips. He straightened his Versace suit and smirked as he thought about one thing. His life was perfect.

Hearing a ticking noise he had just realised that his life was going to become more perfect. The door opened and a woman stood there looking stunning in a skimpy red dress, black heels and red lipstick to match the dress. Her light brown hair hanging down slightly curled and her light green eyes lined with black eyeliner.

"I had to see it to believe it," he said with a smooth voice. "Lisa Malloy, always a pleasure to see you."

"That's it Mr Vaughn?" replied Malloy smirking.

She walked towards him and slid her arms around his neck. He grabbed her tightly around her waist.

"I missed this sexy body," he whispered, sliding his hands down her rear.

"That's better."

"I'm sorry I have to put you to work immediately sweetheart, but I have a shipping of armaments coming in tonight and I want you to supervise," said Vaughn.

"That's why I'm here honey," said Malloy.

He grabbed her from the back of her neck and kissed her fiercely. From her lips he moved down where he sucked on her neck. When he pulled back he noticed that he left a red and purple mark on her neck. He smirked and stared her down while still holding her.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked in a menacing tone.

"No, you didn't," replied Malloy trying her best not to stammer.

"Good. Now get back to work. We'll continue when you get back."

"Yes," she simply replied and walked back out.


I really want to hear your thoughts on this one :P I hope you have enjoyed the chapter. I'll try not to take long to update :) Until then, take care xxx