Warning! I should probably warn that there will be a fair bit of swearing. When I say fair, I mean a lot. This is me after all guys. :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Soap, Ghost, or any other part of Modern Warfare as they all belong to Infinity Ward. I'm just amateur writer who likes to borrow them a little. I do own Lara 'Bones' McCoy of course.
Note from Sassy: It's taken me a while (after I was struck down by the daemon that is severe writer's block) but I am back with more CITS, with a chapter that has been rewritten too many times to count. :P Either way, as usual huge thanks need to go to VerityA for keeping me focused when I was trying to write this (LOL) and of course to everyone who's been reading/favouriting/reviewing! Your continued support means the world to me. I've only just discovered the existence of the traffic tab thing on this site and I have to say that I am incredibly flattered by the number of people reading this fic! I hope that I don't let you guys down! :)
VerityA: Sadly Ghost himself doesn't seem to understand the fine line that exists between cocky!Ghost and mean!Ghost. He has a wee bit of remorse in him though, its just very expertly hidden. Eitherway, I am as always honoured that you enjoyed this! (and that your meter is still broken :P)
Leen141: I hope this chapter continues to be sugar for your soul! About Roach…when Ghost refers to his 'girlfriend' he's referring to Lara. This is an attempt to wind him up and tease him since everyone on the base knows how close friends Lara and Roach have become. Sorry for that bit of confusion! I'll definitely get those song recommendations to you soon though dear! And thank you for your review! :)
Eiram87: *hugs you loads* Words can't really say how honoured I felt when I clicked that TV tropes link… Thank you! And on another note, I'm glad you enjoyed the dichotomy! It's one of the reasons I came up with this fic, so it's nice to hear I'm doing it justice. I hope you enjoy this chapter. :D
Tbonechick2011: Aww thank you! That's the best I can ask for really. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the conflicted emotions and of course, the added Ghost action. I hope you enjoy this chapter too. :)
AwesomeBlonde89: Thank you so much, that has really made me smile! :D I hope you continue to enjoy where this story is going.
MisMot: I *adore* your reviews. And you naturally. I've rested up my wrists and am now pretty much back to normal. :) You were completely write about that paragraph being too long. I am known to ramble and in all honesty I was so sick of editing chapter nine that I couldn't bring myself to thin it out. *sighs* As for spotter (I will reply to your review properly soon) but you are welcome to include it as CITS back story. I am also ridiculously happy that you loved Lara's debate. It was really important to explore that more than anything else, so for you to say I've managed it is just brilliant! Sadly, due to chapter length, the Ghost/Lara fallout has been relegated to chapter 11…but it is coming, I promise. Also thanks for the concrit about my action scene being a little *too* frenzied. I wanted to incite some confusion, but in experimenting with my style I most likely went a little too far. I hope it didn't detract *too* much anyway. As for whether I'm going to stray int MW2 I can safely say that I am indeed going to attempt it *very nervous intake of breath* Whoa…rambly reply. But as always, thanks so much for your review. :D
Perthy25: Thank you! The story has a long way to go, so hopefully there will be interaction coming that you are looking for.
UrgentOrange: I don't think I can talk about reviews… *Tuts at self* It's great to know that you're still reading either way! As for the concrit, I feel you may be very right. I shall count it as a lesson well learned. :) And I adore you for picking up on that image…without sounding arrogant it was one I was a little proud of. I'm also happy you picked up on the boys becoming a little protective. :D Thank you!
xGhostxStealth: Your reviews are amazing, they always cheer me up so much! :) And really don't apologise for the length, in my opinion, the more rambling the better! I'm glad you liked the op anyway! I am so sick of writing briefing scenes from NSD that I just wanted to try something a little bit different. And yay! You liked dark!Ghost and Lara's debate. They were the two things I felt like I need to get right. As for the injuries, I always try to research them as much as possible, because to be fair, it annoys me too. :/ I hope you like this chapter. :D
Sweet Candy Rain: Whoa…where to start? I'm sorry that I kept you up reading till 6am reading…if it helps its 5am over here and I'm *Still* working on this chapter. :P I'm really glad that you've connected with Lara as a character anyway, and of course that you want an update! I'm sorry that this one has taken a little longer than usual. As for Roach, there's plenty of him coming up for you. I hope you enjoy the chapter! :)
Blighter007: You seem a little angry, so I'm sorry for that at the very least. Obviously you are more than welcome to the opinions that you have about my interpretations of the characters, but I'd like to say that they are just that, interpretations. I am by no means saying that this is exactly who the characters are and how they should interact. I've worked hard with this fic and I'm sorry if you feel that I've made Soap a 'soft' character. I don't think I've shown him in a particularly inept light, but he is far less brutal and rash than my version of Ghost is, I will gladly admit that. This is deliberate, since I'm trying to show two very different, yet still masculine men. Either way, I'm sorry if you think I've not managed that. Thank you for the criticism. :)
5th January 2012
"If you want to know what I think…" David laughed gently, handing her the neat pile of t shirts from her bed. "I think you're bloody insane."
"So do I." Lara smirked in return, pushing them into her duffel bag, her hands pressing down hard as she attempted to draw the zipper closed. "But it's more fun that way, right?"
"Are you sure 'fun' is the word you were looking for?" Her brother rolled his eyes, collapsing down onto her bed with overdramatic force. He fell backwards so that his head was laid back on the duvet, his legs hanging over the side. "Because to me drab uniforms, regimented living and months of pouring over dusty military history sounds like hell."
"You're such a chip off the old block." Lara laughed sarcastically, rolling her eyes and sitting down next to him. "Dad must look at you and wonder what happened."
"Hey…" The comment earned her a sharp jab in the ribs from David, before he propped himself up on his elbow to look at her. "Is that what this is all about though? Dad?"
If there was one thing about David that she hated, it was the way he could read her like a Sunday morning newspaper. He had that certain look where his green eyes would relentlessly stare at her, an obvious sign that he was working her out, usually to full effect. And Lara hated it. She liked being able to hide, being able to keep her emotions bottled up tightly within her own head. She was good at it too, confident that she could keep everything from her parents and they'd be none the wiser. But David? He knew her too well, seemed to understand exactly how her mind worked. This time was no different.
It might not have been her only reason, but there was no getting around the fact that she had first considered the military because of her father. She'd grown up with him as an infantryman and for as long as she could remember he'd dropped hints about David following in his footsteps, his voice as passionate as she had ever heard it when he referred to the military. David however had never shared this aspiration and as soon as it became clear that he wanted to study rather than fight, Lara had half decided that she would join up herself when she could.
"What makes you say that?" He might have been right, but that didn't mean that she had to admit to it straight away.
"You've been back from Uni, what? 6 months? And all you've talked about when you got back has been bloody Sandhurst." He rolled his eyes. "It's not hard to connect the dots, Lara."
"I've never wanted to be stuck behind a desk…"
"So you choose dodging bullets instead? You could have worked in A&E if you wanted variety…"
"I have my reasons, alright?"
"And one of them isn't because you want to impress, dad?" He sighed softly, running a hand down his face. "You're not fooling anyone, Lara."
"It's not just about dad, ok? Sure, he's a part of it but…" She paused, her hands tangled in her hair as if they were helping her to think. "I just feel like I can make a difference this way…put my training to good use."
"And the only way of doing that is in the army?" David scoffed. "By throwing away your free will and becoming some state serving robot?"
"Stop it…" Lara spat, edging away from him on the bed. "Don't bring your anti military bullshit down on me. Not today."
"I just want you to realise what you're getting yourself into…"
"I'm aware, David. Believe me." She rolled her eyes; her voice was already beginning to soften. "But I'm sick of having to justify this to you and mum."
"Can you blame us for being protective? We all remember what it was like when dad was on tour."
"And you think I don't?" Lara laughed darkly. "I'm not exactly relishing the thought of doing that to mum all over again." She bit her lip, lying back on the bed, her head colliding with the mattress with a heavy thud. Closing her eyes for a minute, she tried to pick the right words, but every sentence she seemed to construct didn't do how she felt justice. "Would you believe me if I said that this just feels…right?"
"Like this is your calling? Give me a break, Lara."
"I didn't say that…But, it just feels like what I want to do." She sighed, turning her head to face him, holding his gaze for long enough to show him that she was serious. "I'm a big girl and this is my decision."
"Maybe that's the problem…" He laughed softly. "You're not to me. Deep down you're still that baby girl my parents brought home one day." He shook his head, sitting up straight so that his back was now to her. "…I'm sorry, ok? I don't mean to be such a twat about all this. Honestly."
"You're not being a twat…"
"I'm not being supportive though, am I?"
"You helped me pack…" Sitting up so that she was beside him again, Lara gave his arm a quick, playful nudge. "I'd still be lost in a pile of clothes if it weren't for you."
"You don't fold things properly." He rolled his eyes, although this time his manner was affectionate rather than confrontational. "I can't have you pitching up at the Academy with creased clothes."
"See?…Supportive." She tilted her head so that it was resting on his shoulder, a rare gesture of affection that ordinarily would feel a little forced. David reached around, slinging his arm around her shoulders and giving her a soft squeeze.
"You're going to take care of yourself aren't you?"
"Course I am."
"Promise me." His voice was nothing if not serious.
"I promise."
"Good." Giving her arm another quick squeeze, David let go, standing up abruptly. He cleared his throat, his voice suddenly the usual upbeat, carefree tone that Lara was used to. "We should stop all this soppy shit…if mum walks in it'll only set her off."
"Agreed."
"So how about I take my little sister out for her last civilian pint?" He held out his hand invitingly. "If you're nice to me I might even make it two."
"Sounds brilliant. About time you stopped being so cheap."
"Piss off." He rolled his eyes, pulling her upwards. When he looked at her again a soft smirk was visible on his features. "One condition though?"
"What?"
"Ditch the oversized khaki shirt. I feel like I'm going out with Jean Claude Van Damme."
A heavy jolt sent everything crashing back into focus, Lara's shoulder practically burning from the action.
The helicopter lurched again and Lara opened her eyes disgruntled, looking around quickly. None of the other men seemed particularly fazed, some of them attempting to sleep, the others staring blankly into space. They were dusty, battle weary and sore and yet the atmosphere felt so mundane, so ordinary, as if they hadn't just finished a mission that had left many men dead and played part to a brutal interrogation. Lara swallowed hard. She couldn't decide if it was better to be desensitised to such brutality or not. Her guess was that it made life one hell of a lot simpler within the 141. She just doubted that she was capable of it herself.
Her eyes strayed dead ahead to the figure sat opposite and Lara jumped when she realised they were doing the same, familiar brown eyes almost studying her. She met Roach's gaze and for lack of anything better to do, gave him a gentle nod, a gesture that was somehow supposed to represent the beginnings of an apology. Gary paused for a second before smiling back weakly, his eyes locked on hers the entire time.
They'd have to talk, but the confines of an exfil helicopter was hardly the ideal place, Lara leaning back and closing her eyes again. Memories of home instantly came flooding back across her darkened vision, everyone of them a fragmented memory of a past life, of the person she had been. She could remember her naivety before her training at Sandhurst, her first day with the Medical Corps, even the reaction she'd received when she'd joined the Paras. In a lot of ways it was all so recent, and yet at the same time it was an entire lifetime away.
Had the 141 already begun to change her? In all honesty, Lara truly didn't want to know and she endeavoured to push the question from her mind, its answer too frightening to contemplate. Desperate for distraction, she began trying to list as many tendon and ligament attachments as she could, hoping that the boring task might force her into sleep. Although she knew that she would have to face up to the days events sooner or later, for the moment it was far better to hide within a haze of drowsiness and semi conscious thought for as long as physically possible.
A devoted Captain would have had his thoughts focused on the fact that the mission was a success, that their target was caught and neutralised and that in the process his team had managed to secure valuable, if vague intelligence.
As it was, Mactavish's mind was far more concerned about the 'no casualties' part of Ghost's debrief.
"Your team did excellent work, Riley." Shepherd nodded slowly, one hand splayed out across Mactavish's desk, a cigar smouldering away in the other. "With Antonov's death we've taken a key player out of the game…it's been a long time coming."
"He was quick to deny his importance, sir…" Ghost replied quickly, his hands knotted behind his back. As was Shepherd's way, both he and Mactavish were stood in front of the desk, a clear display of the other man's importance and rank.
"He was trying to save his skin…nothing more." The General took a thoughtful drag from his cigar. "I have a pile of damning intel on him a metre high…he was too dangerous to be kept alive."
"He mentioned a Vladimir Makarov." Soap said slowly, ignoring the ache in his thigh that was almost begging him to sit down. "Am I to understand that he's our new prize, sir?"
"Makarov's no prize. He's a whore. A mad-dog killer for the highest bidder." Shepherd shook his head with distaste. "But he still needs to be taken down."
"What intelligence do we have?"
"Very little. We know what he's done and how he did it but aside from that…" Shepherd slid a slim file of intel across the desk towards them, Soap stepping forwards and automatically beginning to flick through it. "He's a smart ass, which makes him ten times more dangerous."
"He's not been active since 2009, sir?" Soap raised a curious eyebrow, looking up from the file.
"Exactly. A foiled bombing on a Moscow soccer stadium. The authorities were getting twitchy…covered the whole thing and denied him the publicity." The General rolled his eyes. "Wouldn't let my men anywhere near…After that he just dropped off the radar."
"Until now." Ghost nodded. "Antonov was definitely supplying Makarov…and by the number of mercs we encountered this didn't feel like a one off, small operation."
"Then we need to know what he's planning…why after 7 years the man has decided to choose now to reappear." He cleared his throat, sucking in another drag from his cigar. "I already have men on a clean up operation. If Antonov kept records, we'll find them."
"And if he didn't, sir?"
"Then we'll keep our ears to the ground. Makarov can't hide indefinitely and when he finally comes to the light…" The General smiled. "I want my task force to be ready for him."
"And in the mean time?" Soap shook his head slowly. "With respect my men are useless sitting around waiting for intel."
"It's business as usual, Mactavish. Believe me; I won't put your men to waste."
"Understood, sir."
"But when I do find Makarov…and believe me, I will, remember that I won't hesitate in sending everything we have after him." Slowly the General stood, moving around Mactavish's desk and nodding to them both. "I might not have infinite resources, but I do have the best group of warriors on the damn planet."
She might have been praised as a good medic, but Lara was pretty certain that she was a terrible patient.
It was strange, sitting in the infirmary whilst one of the nurses peeled away the ragged shirt that had served as a rudimentary sling from her shoulder, their hands although delicate still causing an intense amount of pain. The discomfort of having the sling removed was only bested by the agony of having a new, clean one put in place, but Lara fought hard to try and ignore it, her teeth gnawing into her bottom lip. In fairness she'd been offered pain medication, countless times, but she'd turned it down. It was almost like penance.
"Walking wounded, eh?" Toad smiled. Lara by now had been left to her own devices in the infirmary, sub consciously staring into space until the sniper suddenly appeared at her side. He laughed at her obvious surprise. "Sorry…I didn't mean to scare you shitless."
"It's ok." Lara smiled weakly, nodding for him to sit down on the bed beside her. "I'm not really with it."
"You took a bad hit. How's the shoulder?"
"I'll live." She just managed to stop herself from shrugging in time. Glancing at him, she suddenly remembered his reason for being in the infirmary, cursing herself for being so self absorbed. "What about you? Archer said you'd taken a hit…"
"Don't stop being our medic, right?" Toad laughed, lifting up his t shirt to show a white gauze taped across his abdominals. "Just a bit of peripheral damage…I'm fine. Not enough to get me on the injured list like you or Mactavish."
"I'm in no rush to get out there again."
"You say that…but it's fucking boring being stuck on base. Archer snapped his hamstring once…you think he's a gruff bastard now…you should see him when cabin fever has set in." He laughed. "Not pretty."
"I can imagine." She managed to produce a false chuckle, but it was hardly convincing and Lara was painfully aware of the fact.
"So…" Toad sighed. "You going to start telling me what's wrong or do I have to keep up the small talk?" When she met his gaze his eyes were filled with an almost uncharacteristic maturity. "C'mon Bones, this isn't you."
"I'm fine…"
"And I'm a shoe in for Captain…" The sniper rolled his eyes. "Credit me with at least a bit of emotional intelligence here."
"Only a bit?"
"I was being modest…" He shrugged, a grin plastered across his features. "Come on…tell me."
"Do you ever…" She hesitated for a moment, biting down on her lip. "…Do you ever wonder why you do this?"
"All the time."
"And what do you tell yourself? When you doubt it?"
"The truth?" Toad laughed nervously, a still grimy hand running through his matted black hair. "Shit…I'm no good at all this deep stuff, Bones."
"Try…"
"I guess… I take pride in the fact that I'm here…doing a job that not many people could do. One that not many people would want to do. And I'm good at it too, so…"
"But how do you justify it? What we do?"
"I see it as necessary…" He shook his head. "In an ideal world…sure, we wouldn't need an army, or guns and all that other shit. But take a look around. The world doesn't work like that." He laughed darkly. "I guess people like us are needed. To do the ruthless, brutal things that no one else wants to do."
"Do you ever want to say fuck it and just quit?"
"Everyday. But will I? No." His mouth moved into a crooked smile. "I'm in too deep. This task force is my life…it's where my friends are, guys I know would die for me if they had to. I can hardly just fuck off and abandon them." He sighed. "Besides…I joined the army at 17…what else would I do if I wasn't stuck here?"
"I guess…" Lara rubbed at her aching forehead with her left hand. "Nice to know I'm not on my own."
"Anyone who says this life doesn't get to them is a fucking liar." Toad laughed, nudging her left arm with his elbow. He stood up slowly, being sure to make eye contact with her as he did so. "But give it time, Bones. You're still new around here…no one said adjusting was going to be easy."
"But its gets easier, right?"
"Eventually. It's intense…but that's how it goes. You can't be a part of the 141 casually. It either becomes your life, or you're in the wrong job." He nodded to her quickly. "Get some rest and decompress a bit. You'll feel differently later…I promise."
When he left, the infirmary was plunged back into silence, but Lara's thoughts were quite the opposite. Now alongside her own doubts and internal monologue were all of Toad's justifications, words which clashed against her own opinions with resounding force. She let out a soft groan, cradling her head in her good hand. By now she was silently terrified. Three weeks ago, this had been only a promotion, but now Lara was beginning to realise the full reality of her transfer. Through every progression in her military career, Lara had had to surrender a little more of herself. When she'd joined up, she'd had to sacrifice seeing her family, had to accept missing her brother's civil partnership whilst she was on tour. When she'd joined the Paras, she'd had to abandon her relationship with Toby and the security it gave her. And now? With her ascension into the 141 Lara felt as though she was having to sacrifice herself, along with all of her principles and ideals.
In the space of 24 hours, her job had morphed into being so much more than a simple medic. And the thought hadn't got any easier. If anything it was just getting more difficult to deal with…
It was a happy coincidence that led to Roach standing in front of Ghost, his fists clenched and ready to block a testing blow.
They were both a similar height and build, so being sparring partners was a logical decision. It was good tension release and for the most part Roach enjoyed the challenge, Ghost being just as strong as he was and not easily thrown.
However, today was different. Roach wanted to let it go, hell, he'd been telling himself resolutely that there was nothing he could do; no matter how much he hated the thought of Ghost and Lara together. He'd been so close to pursuing it, to confronting Ghost in the showers and pushing him hard against the lockers until the arrogant smile disappeared from his features, but he'd stopped himself, just in time before he could escalate matters further. After all it was common knowledge that Riley was quick to anger, but Roach was far happier to handle things diplomatically if it was at all possible.
Unfortunately Riley did himself no favours. It was almost as if he knew exactly how to get underneath Roach's skin. On this occasion it was working too, as every second longer spent around the lieutenant had Gary's blood boiling within his veins.
"Let's see if you can actually lay a hand on me this time…"
Ghost came at him with his first punch and Roach blocked it, raising his hands in time and side stepping the blow. He waited for Ghost to come at him again before grabbing the arm that extended out towards him, twisting it just enough to cause a soft twang of pain and then pushing backwards, causing the lieutenant to stumble. Normally at this point there would be his usual celebratory smirk and jeer, but instead Roach stayed silent, already advancing on the other man.
"Got a problem here, mate?" Ghost said quickly, pulling off his mask and throwing it aside as if it were a hindrance. His eyes were more angry than confused and he flexed his fingers within the confines of his leather training gloves.
"I think that's classed as one point to me…" Roach couldn't resist replying with a self satisfied smirk.
"It's not over yet…"
"It will be soon." Gary laughed. "Or are you going to get a hit on me this time?"
Riley's response came in the form of a sudden explosion of speed, his shoulder shunting forwards and catching Roach openly in the ribs. He groaned as bone clashed against bone, not having the time to reprimand himself for being so easily caught off guard as his hands struggled to push Ghost away, the lieutenant shoving forwards again and knocking the air from his lungs. Roach spluttered, giving Ghost the time he needed to edge around his body, a swift kick to the backs of his knees causing Gary to involuntarily tumble to the floor.
"You were saying?" Ghost laughed above him, a crooked, arrogant smile splayed across his features.
"Fuck you."
"Not so fun when you're the one on the losing end, right?" He raised an eyebrow, offering a gloved hand out to Roach. "Get up."
"Sure." Gary took his hand gladly, using all of his strength to pull on his arm and bring Ghost stumbling down onto the floor beside him. A dark laugh left his mouth and he scrambled to his feet quickly, Riley quick to do the same, his features no longer displaying the same arrogance they had previously. Before he could say more the lieutenant was stalking forwards, his hands shoving Gary in the chest, bare face suddenly inches from his nose.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"We're sparring…"
"That was a cheap shot and you know it…" Riley spat, punctuating the statement with another push.
"Can't handle losing, sir?"
"Don't try and pull the innocence act with me, alright?" Ghost rolled his eyes. "It won't fucking work."
"And you'd know…right?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know full well…" Roach shook his head. "Do you think I'm stupid or something?"
"I think you've stopped making fucking sense, mate…"
"Sense?" Roach laughed sarcastically, responding with a shove of his own. "Lemme help you. Those scratches of yours... you don't remember getting them, right?" The sergeant cocked a mocking eyebrow. "Need me to fill in the blanks for you, sir?"
"They're none of your damn business…"
"Why? Because I actually give a shit?" Roach scoffed. "I saw you leaving the Infirmary…there's no point denying it."
"I said…" Ghost brought his face closer, squaring his shoulders as if he was attempting to make himself appear taller than he was. "…That it's none of your fucking business…"
"Then stop screwing with my friend…"
"Or what? You going to throw a little temper tantrum every time I do?" Ghost laughed sarcastically, shaking his head. "It's obviously been awhile for you and you've forgotten how this works, so let me remind you. It takes two people to screw, Roach. Remember?"
"She was drunk…"
"You think I wasn't?" Riley rolled his eyes. "What's it going to take to get rid of this angelic image you have of her? She's no fucking better than the rest of us."
"And you're hell bent on showing that. Why? Does it make you feel like a big man bringing her down to your level?"
"You make it sound like I fucking forced her." A soft, triumphant smile spread across Ghost's features. "Believe me, she didn't take much persuading."
"She's not your toy…"
"When did I say she was?" Riley laughed. "We're both consenting adults…we can do what the fuck we like."
"It's fraternisation."
"Are you threatening me?" The lieutenant tilted his head, angry eyes locked with Gary's. For a split second his features remained livid as he processed the threat, before a satisfied, impromptu smile broke out, softening his face instantly. "You wouldn't go to Mactavish about this…even if you wanted to. Not if it meant giving your precious Bones a bad name." He rolled his eyes. "I'm right aren't I?"
"Just because I care about her."
"Who says I don't?" Ghost laughed. "You're quick to tell me what I'm thinking."
"You've been on her case since day one."
"Professionally. Last time I checked there was a difference."
"Really?" Gary smirked, folding his arms. "Where was the difference when you fell into bed with her?"
"I don't know…" The lieutenant shrugged. "Ever thought about asking her that? Like I said…she didn't bother playing hard to get."
"Stop talking about her like that…"
"Or what? Are you actually standing here and trying to defend her honour?" Riley smirked, watching the look of anger swell in Roach's features. "Fuck…You're jealous, aren't you? That's what all this protective bollocks is about?"
"Fuck off."
"Why? 'Cos I'm right?" The lieutenant paused, giving Roach the chance to contradict him. "I am, aren't I? Weeks of following her around and it's me she screws." He laughed, his tone smug. "Fucking grow a pair, mate."
"You just don't get it, do you Simon? You can't get your head around thinking about someone other than yourself for a change."
"Don't even try and get into my head, alright?" The amusement was lost from Riley's face instantly, his eyes suddenly so much more intense, focused. "Because you have no idea what the fuck you're talking about."
"You sure about that?"
"Positive. Because if there's one thing I stopped thinking about a long time ago, it was myself. You got that?"
"Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?" Roach rolled his eyes, stepping forwards confrontationally. "Forget everything you've said just because of some long dead tortured past?"
"Drop it, Roach."
"Little close to the bone, is it?" Gary laughed, a testing shove pushing Riley backwards. At last he had found something to use, an illusive way to get right under Riley's skin and he intended to exploit this new angle as much as possible. "So you can say all this shit to me but at the end of the day you can't take it yourself?" He smirked. "And you told me to grow a pair."
"Didn't you hear me?" Ghost shook his head bitterly. "I said…drop it."
"Poor twisted, fucked up Riley…" Gary laughed darkly. "No wonder you had to get Lara hammered before she'd even consider sleeping with you…"
The following pause told Roach more about Ghost's state of mind than anything else, the lieutenant fresh out of witty, hurtful remarks, his fists clenched and body rigid as he stared at the sergeant with indignant eyes. For a moment, neither of them moved, the gym plunged into an uneasy, forced silence, the particles of air feeling so tense around them that they almost became crushing. Barely seconds later, it was as if someone had pressed the 'on' button…
Riley was the first to snap, a gloved fist forcing its way into Roach's face with so much force that it rattled the teeth in his jaw, causing him to bite down painfully onto his tongue. His vision became hazy, frenzied and he lifted his hands just in time to block the following punch, grabbing the lieutenant's arm by the wrist and wrenching it to the side, his free right hand capitalising on the situation and sending a sharp jab straight into Ghost's ribs. Doubling over, Riley spluttered, winded, a split second window of opportunity for Roach to act again, this time with a swift uppercut to his jaw. The burning in his knuckles might have been intense, but the cracking noise as the bones of his knuckles connected with Riley's jaw was enough to send a satisfied smile across Roach's features.
He hesitated for too long, his mistake becoming blatantly obvious when Ghost darted forwards, shouldering him again in the ribs, except this time there was so much force behind the action that they fell to the floor, Riley quick to pin Roach with his legs. What followed were a flurry of frenzied, softening punches, seemingly random as they bounced off Roach's jaw and cheek bones. The metallic tang of blood permeated his mouth when a particularly sharp hit connected with his bottom lip and Roach groaned, kicking up his legs to gain enough leverage to flip them over, Riley suddenly finding his back pressed hard again the synthetic floor of the gym. This time, Gary wasted no time, a purposeful punch hitting Ghost's nose with the sole intent of breaking it. As blood began to pour from his nose, Roach followed it up with another hit just below the lieutenant's eye, his right knee jabbing almost instinctively into the other soldier's ribs with astonishing accuracy.
"What the fuck?" The red mist that had descended on him had silenced Roach's ears to his surroundings and his heart thudded in his chest when firm hands were suddenly tugging at his torso, pulling him backwards and off of Ghost's body. They were yelling his name as Roach struggled, his limbs flailing as the hands continued to pull him backwards, but their grip was too tight and he soon gave in, his chest a flurry of movement as he attempted to catch his breath. In front of him Archer was helping Ghost to his feet, standing instinctively between the two of them.
"Fancy telling me what's going on in here?" It was suddenly apparent that the hands holding him back belonged to Mactavish, the Captain's thick Scottish accent angry and confused. Roach struggled again and the hands dug in tighter, putting painful pressure against his bruised torso. "Ease it up, mate. Don't give me reason to put you down myself."
"Fucking get off of me!" In front, Ghost was wrenching himself away from Archer, his eyes instantly meeting Roach's. For a moment he was content to stare, wiping his bloodied nose on the back of his hand. "And you…don't you come near me. Got it?"
"Fuck off…" Roach moved forwards, his body instinctively ready to fight again if it had to.
"Hey!"" Mactavish's grip tightened further and he heaved Gary back, Archer moving in to help him as the Captain moved in between them. "You're both going to cool off…then I want to see you. Understand?" He raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between them both. "I want answers for this…"
"I've got nothing to say." Ghost rolled his eyes.
"Too bad. You still answer to me, mate." Soap shook his head. "Go get yourself cleaned up…"
"Gladly…" Riley laughed darkly. "But if you think I'm apologising…you can forget it."
"That was an order, lieutenant…" Soap merely barked in response.
With Ghost gone, Roach instantly felt a little calmer, tugging his arms away from Archer's restraining grasp. He took a deep breath inwards, ignoring the stinging pain in his ribs, his torso suddenly feeling tender and sore. He hissed at the action, his tongue instinctively lapping the blood away from his split lip.
"You alright, mate?" Soap nodded quickly, although there was barely any real concern in his voice, replaced only by a clear distaste.
"I'm fine, sir."
"You don't look it." The Captain raised an eyebrow. "Want to tell me what was going on here?"
"Sparring, sir."
"Cut the bullshit, Roach. I'm not in the mood." Mactavish rolled his eyes. When he spoke again his tone was blunt, dripping with authority. "You're going to tell me everything, alright? Because I want to know exactly what it takes to get two of my team leaders so wound up."
"Nothing, sir."
"Really?" Soap gave him a stern look, folding his arms slowly. "I'm not buying that. So, why don't we start from the beginning, eh? With you telling me what the hell is going on?"
So an epicly long chapter I know, and I apologise for any typos since its now approaching 6am and I haven't slept in nearly 24 hours. But on that note, I just want to say thank you to everyone still following this fic, your support keeps me writing and makes coming up with new chapters a joy! And if you like the idea of motivating me further with your brilliant reviews, then I would be very honoured. :)
-x-Sass-x-
My musical addictions during this chapter were:
Rise and Fall – Gemini (dub)
Blue – Gemini (dub)
Do It Like A Dude – Jessie J (because a bit of pop never hurt anyone :D)
Daniel (Mt Eden dubstep remix) – Bat for Lashes