Melody closed her eyes shut. The deafening boom of the desert eagle and she knew she was dead. But, what she didn't feel was the crack as her jaw shattered from the speeding bullet and the immense pain take control of her until she was dead. She fell to the floor next to Anastasia. Yuri spun around as the gun was shot from his own hand. She couldn't see over Yuri's large shadow, but her shoulders relaxed and every part of her craved to see the face of the voice that came from the owner of the M9 pistol.
"Boom." MacTavish said quietly. Melody jumped to her feet as the President and Volk ran off like cowards. Melody felt like punching that President in the face. He just abandoned his own eight year old daughter so he could save his own neck. They didn't kill Yuri since they knew they could somehow get some answers out of him and they wouldn't have to even touch the girl. Ramirez tackled the Russian and slammed his face against the table. He placed his pistol barrel on the man's forehead. Dunn, with a substantial cast around his left shoulder, placed a hand on the kid's shoulder. He shook his head with a stern look.
"Not now, man." He said glancing over at Anastasia.
Melody saw his face. MacTavish looked over at her with an almost angered look. He turned and stormed off, muttering something she couldn't understand.
'Dammit, way to go, Melody. You just ruined everything. Wise up!' She angrily scolded herself as she ran after MacTavish.
"MacTavish, wait! C'mon, will you please talk to me?" She said running up beside him.
Though he was angry with her, he stopped and turned to her. "Do you realize how much danger you put yourself in? Everyone in. Who knows what could've happened Melody. What if I had been just seconds late? You'd be lying there, face first, in a puddle of your own-"He hesitated with a shiver. He didn't want to think of that.
"I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to get everyone in danger. And so what if Yuri had killed me? You apparently don't seem to care too much about this. All you seem to care about is your fuckin' mission. That's all you ever care about. What if I wanted to do this, huh? What if I had a desire to actually succeed at my mission? 'Cause all I seem to do is just fuck things up." She angrily yelled back at him. All her emotions came up to the service and just boiled out in anger. She sat down on one of the small couches in the hallway. The main emotions, pain, loss, and abandonment, all came out as anger. She was terrified. Terrified of losing MacTavish because of her actions. She didn't want to live a single day without him. She knew she'd do anything for him, for any of her team mates. They were her friends. She was willing to take a bullet if that's what it took to get the message clear to everyone, even to the world. She knew if that had been MacTavish in there, she would've killed Yuri. Used all her tricks and skills to slowly kill the bastard for even touching him. She couldn't lose him so easily. She still wore the Russian guard uniform. She stared down at her black boots as MacTavish let out a breath.
"Look, I'm sorry. It's just that you can't do that to me." He said taking her in his arms.
She pressed her ear against his chest so she could listen to his relaxing pumping heart. At that moment as she listened to his heartbeat, she vowed she would do absolutely anything as long as it continued to pump relaxing, soothing beats. Even if it meant her own had to stop.
MacTavish wrapped an arm around her shoulders and began to walk away then they turned as Anastasia yelled and ran to Melody in Russian.
"Эй! Подождите! (Hey! Wait up!)" She called, honey hair floating behind her back and brown eyes wide with excitement.
Melody grinned and slid out of MacTavish's arm. She pulled her hair back as she continued a conversation with the girl. MacTavish stood there confused. The girl laughed as Melody tapped her nose and took her hand. As the three walked, MacTavish looked down at the girl then at Melody.
"When were you going to tell me you could speak Russian?" He asked with a grin.
"When ask me." She said with a smug grin and peaked up at him from the corner of her eye.
"Well, now I'm asking. What all languages do you know?" He asked.
"Cela ne répond pas à votre question? Questo rispondere la tua domanda? Esto da respuesta a su pregunta? Isso responde a sua pergunta? (Does this answer your question?) She answered in French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
"You're pretty much amazing Melody." He said taking her hand.
She grinned half-heartedly. "No, I'm not perfect no one is. I just studied hard, very hard." She said remembering why she had learned all those languages. Not just because her father said it would be better if she knew so much and would be good if she went into foreign countries, but because she remembered hearing how much he admired a particular man who knew just as many languages. She was ten then so she thought if she knew all those languages, her father would go on and on about how wonderful she was. Finally have that love and respect she oh so craved for. Of course, she never found it. Melody shook her head slightly. While standing there with MacTavish she remembered when she first saw him. He remembered different, but she was one who actually helped him with his stab wound in India. He didn't remember, apparently. She remembered every second now. Who knew that same person on the table would come to be the most important thing in her life.
Melody stood on the hard packed dirt floor of the underground safe house. She was sent here weeks ago. After her accident was all patched up. She looked over at the large rounded man she called Doc. He was short, gray balding hair, and wore a stained white apron over his blue button-up shirt and long black trousers. He was a nice old man. She watched as he cleaned his tools and instruments. He looked over at her, needle in hand.
"Why do you look so wary, Abhita?" He asked. (Abhita was his given nickname for her; meaning fearless, brave, courageous, etc.
She grinned. "I dunno, Doc. Something just doesn't feel right." She said looking up at the dirt and mud ceiling.
"There doesn't seem to be much to worry about at the moment. But who knows, something extraordinary may happen. I happen to trust the 'gut feeling' of yours. Don't let me down, Abhita." He said with a grin, needle pointed towards her stomach.
She smiled at him. The old man seemed to trust every one of his patients. Hopefully, her gut feeling about that betraying him one day was faulty.
"Hey, Doc, who's this Nikolai over here?" She asked looking at his stack of files, one picture placed on top. Numerous photos were taken of his patients, some just local children or sick parents. She even saw her picture next to his favorite patients' board. When she was injured after Shepherd's betrayal by the Shadow Company, her unconscious body was moved on to a specialist in India, Doc. Ever since she's been staying here, helping him with his patients. Besides, she had no idea how to get out of here. They both snapped their heads over hearing the rushed and panicked footsteps and two men yelling in the hallway. They burst into the room, pushing an injured bloody man inside. Melody jumped up from her chair in shock. One of the men grabbed Doc and pushed him towards the injured man.
"What the hell is going on?" Melody demanded walking towards the man angrily. Nobody pushes her friends around.
He turned to her, first an angered expression then confused. Melody shared the same look.
"Price? What are you doing here?" Melody asked looking at him.
She looked over at the man and walked towards Doc, knowing he needed help.
He looked over at her, he pulled over the defibulators; charging them. Seeing the wound on the large man's chest, lazily wrapped in make-shift bondage, she immediately reached over and grabbed the needle he was just messing with and bit the top of it with her teeth and started grabbing the morphine. With that wound, surgery was going to definitely hurt like hell.
"We're losing him. Charging. 3, 2, 1!" Doc said pressing the panels on the man's chest.
Melody watched as the action caused the man to jerk up at the sudden force. She put the needle down for now and ran over to him.
"Abhita, hand me the syringe!" He said looking over his shoulder to Melody.
She wondered why he needed it so soon put quickly grabbed it, accidently stabbing her palm and causing an instant bloody mess on her hand.
"Ugh, What the hell, Melody!" She yelled at herself. She just wrapped it up in the nearest cloth and went to Doc and handed him the syringe.
He gave her a look then went to cut carefully the shirt around the wound. Melody precariously watched him; this man didn't have any time for precaution. She quickly reached over and took a side of the fabric with her hand and ripped the shirt harshly, doing her best not to touch his chest or the knife that continued to stick up right in his chest. While carefully ripping the shirt, she looked up at his face as he winced and looked at her face weakly. She stole a stare then looked back at his chest.
"Bet you looked prettier yesterday." She mumbled looking into his icy blue eyes.
He fainted from the pain and she knew it was time for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or pain medication. She reached over and with her good hand took the needle and placed it in his chest near the vein.
"You should feel good for a little while." She mumbled then stepped aside as Doc came in with his gloved hands and gently removed the knife. She took it with one hand, examining the blade.
'Man, he got stabbed with a damn good knife. Wait, this was Shepherd's…' She thought looking at the design on the handle. She was stabbed in the back with the same knife when he was fixing to head out to some safe house of Makarov's to receive a DSM from the house.
"Ever heard the old saying, 'curiosity killed the cat'?" He had asked her as her mouth gaped open under his pressed warm hand against her mouth.
"Bastard." She said aloud under her breath.
Price looked over at her as she examined the knife, then back at Soap.
Melody felt her stomach churn as she watched him begin surgery on his chest, blood covering his gloved hands. Melody wasn't really comfortable or familiar with the sight of blood. She usually said she couldn't stand the salty odor and she hated to see it pour from her. She shivered and clutched her stomach; stepping over and sitting at her previous spot.
Melody soon left after that, escaping the sight of the blood-covered man. She would've helped them get out of the place when they were overrun, but she was too late when she made it there from the outside halls.
That night at a small secret location just for them, she disappeared with MacTavish as he led her towards where they were keeping their previous enemy, Yuri. He held her hand in a tight grip as if something was going to happen to her if he didn't. After her stunt that day he felt like he could never let her leave his sight. Melody stepped over to one of the tables holding his file.
"Turns out we're not the only ones with a hatred for Makarov. What's he done to you that you have to kill your own man?" She asked pulling up a chair beside him.
MacTavish stood a step behind her; one hand on the back of the chair.
Yuri glanced up at MacTavish then back at Melody. "Let's just say he betrayed years ago. After that I've been attempting to get my revenge on the sorry bastard. The deal with the President was just a small part of that process. I have to say, I didn't know who I was killing. I'm glad I didn't." He said staring at her.
She was a little uncomfortable with him staring at her for so long, but just shook it off.
"What's your reason?" Yuri asked looking at her with a mocking grin.
"Let's just say I have a lot of personal reasons." She said. "By the looks of it, you seemed to be an ex-Spetsnaz, so you should be well skilled in combat. And it so seems we need another place to fill in our squad. Whatdya say?" She asked.
"Melody?" MacTavish said taking her arm and across the room.
"Yes? Gotta problem with my leadership ideas?" She asked crossing her arms at him.
"No, I mean, yes. Why are asking him? He tried to kill you." He whispered.
"So, I know a good man when I see one. He may have a bad background and I'm not too sure if we can trust him, but we can use him. This could be an advantage for us, John." She whispered back. He knew she wasn't going to change her mind, considering she used his real name in a solemn voice. She then began to slowly smile one of her breath taking smiles. "Captain John MacTavish are you threatened?" She whispered with a grin.
He seemed speechless at first. "No, I'm just talking about yours and everyone else's safety here."
She laughed; Yuri peeked over his chair to arch an eyebrow at the whispering two. "Aw, how cute! But, don't worry, I only see you." She said standing on her toes and kissing his burning cheek with a grin. He rolled his eyes at her. She turned and looked over her shoulder once more. "For now." She teased with a playful smile.
"Yes or no? Once in a lifetime chance here." She said looking back at Yuri with a straight face.
After a couple of minutes, he nodded twice.
"Good." She said reaching over and grabbing his wrists at the back of the chair. MacTavish tensed and glanced between Yuri and Melody. She cut the rope with her knife and placed it back in its original place at her hip. She dusted off her hands and looked at Yuri. MacTavish was expecting him to start trying to go after Melody; he let his hand hover over the sidearm in the holster at his hip, but let it fall when he made no such move. He still didn't trust him, though.
As Melody turned to leave MacTavish wrapped an arm around her waist, looking back at Yuri, almost as if he was challenging him to even think about touching her. She jumped at his touch, shocked because he never held her like that, yet.
'There's a first time for everything…' She thought moving closer to him.
"Knew you felt threatened." She said with a smile turning to stand in front of him, blocking his path.
He stepped back giving her a look. "What?" He asked.
She rolled her eyes with a smile. "I'm saying this again. Don't worry, you're the only guy I see, okay? Get it through that thick skull of yours." She teased wrapping her arms around his neck and tapped a finger against his head. He smiled and leaned down to steal a kiss as she continued her little speech. She rolled her eyes under her lashes and held him close as their lips parted in unison. She loved these moments. Everything seemed peaceful and at ease; just with MacTavish and the warm feeling of his body and lips against hers. She don't know what would happen if those moments were taken away from her. She'd probably fight to get them back. He locked his arms around her waist, tickling her back and sending goose bumps from his skin against hers. The shirt was a thin blue button-up blouse that could easily feel any contact. It was her favorite because it was easy to take off and on. Dunn overheard her saying that to Becca when she noticed her wearing it that day (knowing it was her least favorite and curious of why she wore it). He heard her use that statement, 'easier to take off and on'.
He laughed. "Good news for MacTavish." He said looking at Melody as she smiled and her cheeks turned red.
MacTavish stood there leaning against the doorway and shook his head with a grin; even though he felt embarrassed. He just reached over and smacked the back of his head. Becca laughed as Dunn elbowed him in the chest and continued their little wrestle.
Melody laughed and stood up. "Oh, get a room you two." She said.
MacTavish laughed watching her leave, messing with her dog tags. They all found it amusing except Dunn because he had used that same statement on them catching them, as he described, 'sucking each other's throats out'.
As MacTavish held her, he felt a difference in this. Like it was going to be the last kiss he'll ever be able to share with her. He kept her in a tight grip and pushed her against the cement wall in the private shadowing corner, leading towards their base. He lips began viciously pressed against hers. If it was his last, he wanted to remember every taste on her 'bubblegum lips'. At first shocked, she then accepted it; knowing nothing much was going to come out of it. Maybe carelessness; things like playing with the edge of clothing without even noticing it then breaking apart in embarrassment like they sometimes did. Their hearts raced into one single rapid beat. She could feel his hands caress her thigh, pressing her already close body to his. He could feel her heartbeat as her breasts pressed against his chest, creating a swift beat like a drum on his chest. He was unsure about what would happen, but he knew he had to show her how he really felt before it could be too late. Words were used to often in this category, why talk about it when you could simply show the person. He liked this way much better since he failed in trying to tell her something. Only because her brown eyes were like realizing all you have left to take out an enemy helo was a simple pistol. Useless and smashing his confidence into small pieces. He placed a hand on her shoulder, feeling the bone underneath and playing with the thin fabric, tempting her to let him to continue. He used that hand to place on the back of her neck, sending chills down her spin but also craving more of that warm and light feeling in her stomach. She knew what they both wanted, but she wasn't sure if she herself was ready to delve into that. She never really experienced that, at least in a romantic motion. Would she even be good at it? She felt embarrassed thinking about it. She dove in for a ferocious kiss, causing his insides to stir at the touch. He leaned down and picked her up from her thighs, now even. Melody let her gut feeling fade away as he stroked her back bone, just above her bottom. She smiled under the pressure of his lips; Scottish bastard was teasing her. She pulled his lips with hers, and gently bit against his bottom lip, tongue tasting the top.
"Melody." He eventually let out between breaths.
She was for sure she crossed an invisible boundary line for him. "Yes." She said quietly, fingers caressing his neck.
He hesitated, not sure what to say. But he knew he had to something now. "I think I need to tell you something. I know you're probably going to think it's a cliché, but…" He started pulling lose strands of soft, brown, strawberry scented hair back.
"Yes." She pressed on with a smile.
"I think I… I love you, Melody." He said.
So how was this chapter for you? Weak? Needs improvement? Stinks on ice? Or do you even think it's good? If you have any suggestions I will gladly take them:) And feel free to R&R if you want. I totally live for you guys lol. But lemme see if I can pull a Chapter question outta ma head... How about this... How do you think Melody will react? What do you think will happen to them now as they take along a new team mate and now that Melody has made her own personal vow to never let anything happen to him, how do you think that will affect her combat? Stay tuned!:)