Chapter 10: The Truth

Ghost looked at me. I couldn't tell what was going through his mind. "Take your shades off."

"What?"

"Take them off." He obliged & I could see he was looking at me apprehensively.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what you were going to say earlier." This was getting bloody tiresome now, I just wanted the truth.

"I can't."

My head snapped up & I threw my arms in the air. "Why? Whatever it is I can take it. I don't care anymore! I want the bloody truth!" I shouted at him.

"No." Ghost said it softly, but that just made things worse. Screaming internally I controlled my voice.

"Take you mask off."

His eyes widened as he looked at me. "No!"

"Take it off or tell me the truth!" sighed defeated he took it off. Again I was struck by his face. I felt the anger slid from my body.

"Roach?"

"Huh... yeah?"

"Tell me the truth."

I opened my mouth & closed it again. Whatever I wanted to say wouldn't come out. I plonked myself on the grass, Ghost followed suit & waited patiently whilst I sorted myself out. I watched the stars, funny how something so small could also be so great at the same time.

"Ghost?"

"Yeah?"

"I think…" I took a deep breath. "IThinkImInLoveWithYou." I blurted. He looked at me as I covered my mouth horrified by what I'd said.

"What?"

I lowered my hands. "Don't make me say it again. It was hard enough the first time." He laughed causing me to frown, "What?"

He kept laughing. My head felt like it was going to explode with the hurricane of emotions running through it. I pulled myself together & looked at him. He wasn't laughing now, instead he was completely silent. I couldn't see his face now but I knew what I said had been enough. I moved to get up & run but he grabbed my hand & forced me to sit back down.

He didn't let go of my hand.

"Ghost!"

"Huh?"

"It's your turn. Tell me the truth."

He smiled a beautiful, heart-breaking smile which made me warm inside.

"I think I love you too Gary."

Relief flooded through my system as I processed the words slowly. My feelings were returned. I felt my face widen as I grinned like a fool.

"C'mon let's get back inside." He let go of my hand, stood up & put his mask & shades back on before turning & walking back to base. I stared after him, still unable to move due to shock. He turned & looked at me, sighing he came back & looked me in the face. "No-one can know. Well except Soap. But he probably already knows."

I laughed & let him pull me back to base. I still felt lightheaded, what I needed was coffee. We walked inside & everything was dark & quiet. "Must be in bed." Ghost murmured before striding down the hallway, leaving me to follow.

We entered the blissfully quiet mess hall. I walked over to the counter. "You want some?" I held up the coffee pot so Ghost could see it.

"Yeah, sure."

I poured us both a cup before joining Ghost at one of the tables. We sat in silence for a while. Enjoying the peacefulness of being around each other without worrying. It was a small slice of heaven before the coms rang.

"Sorry everyone but drag your arses outta bed. We got a new mission." Ghost sighed & put the mug down.

"C'mon bug we've got a mission."

I laughed. "Will you ever stop calling me that?"

He pulled me into a hug & let go when we reached the doors. "Hmm… nope!"

We laughed as we walked down to the briefing room.