Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of call of duty. I only own my characters and the plot of the story.

Welcome to the world of the Stockholm syndrome

"People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes."-Abigail Van Buren

No thoughts were going through my mind it was only empty like my heart and my soul. To deep to even care if the darkness inside was like a black-hole. Nothing it seemed could ever fill the missing void in me now that all that I know is slowly fading away from me. Maybe a thought about wanting to die, wanting to escape, running as fast as I could and how far I can make it before my legs break and I am forced to crawl like a dog. Chances of me surviving such a trial are slim. I would be shot in one second of escape. The only person to ever show me compassion, empathy, and love was my protector.

Love or was it just sympathy? I should not be thinking of these thoughts about Valik. These thoughts though are what keep me alive like the stubborn person I am. When this ends, nothing will be left of us. It was bound to happen anyway. I cannot be with him. He lives here in Russia. This was his home country. Where he grew up and where he will stay until his time is up. I do not know what the future holds for the both of us or for that matter for me. I only want the best for Valik. He would not want to fight against his own country. He would not want to fight at all after this.

I could feel their grip on me tighten on my arms making me aware that I am being dragged like an animal ready to be thrown in with the wolves. It hurt so much that the pain made me want to scream but it could not escape my lips. Showing signs of weakness here is going to get me killed, not that they already have shown their fangs on intent to kill me. I am not fucking weak. How dare they think so but I have survived. It was an easy escape for someone in my case or even in this position. Staying strong for as long as I can is tough to handle.

'Do not think of love, Katie. Your own feelings are your downfall here. You have to live for your family. Your family is most important. They have to see you again. Make it out alive for them, for yourself; you have to do what you can.' I thought to myself. I had to remind my mind that these feelings that I have are to be hidden away somewhere deep inside.

I was battered, weak, and many other things to add to my list to my tattered body. It was like a bad day, but a day was more then what seemed like forever. Months in this frozen waste of hell, I was feeling as if hope was leaving me. Trying to keep what is losing in me is hard. No one should go through this.

I could feel the cold air hitting my face sending shivers throughout my body. I could see my very own breathe in front of me. My body was shaking, but like the dogs that these men of the warden were, they threw me to the ground flat on my face. I could hear them laugh and say something in Russian as if they were mocking me. Whatever they said to each other, I did not care for it. I placed my tired arms in front of me, trying to raise myself up from the cold ground only to be knocked down.

Feeling pressure on my back, the pain going through me fast, I was still like a scolded child. Not looking to who the foot belongs too, my eyes only looked forward to the scene before me. Seeing the other prisoner's not wanting to look in my direction they kept their own gaze to each other. I knew they wouldn't look at me. They are too fragile to even mutter a word to me. I felt like a disease amongst them. The guards in the tower's and on the ground pointed and kept their weapons close. They were treating me as if I was the most dangerous prisoner here. Then again, I did do one of the dumbest things ever.

"You do see them? They are looking." The warden said. "It makes me so happy, if you will to know that the dog, Valik will be fighting. No little girl will stop it. No one here will keep me from winning. You have become nothing more than trouble. I do not like that in my prison."

"Humph. This is no prison. You say that Valik is your dog- all these guards are your dogs. They are just afraid to challenge you." My voice was hoarse but yet I kept on talking without holding my tongue.

His foot pressed harder against my back causing me to winch. Any harder and I would be going through the ground. My little comments are getting on his nerves. This is what I wanted even though I am weak both physically and mentally, I want to fight more and see how much more this man can take. Giving up is what I want to do but at the same time, getting the top dog of this kennel to attack just makes him worse of a man.

"You surely have a mouth on you. Women should not have such authority. They are taught lessons and it only seems as if you need more until you submit like the others. Until then you pathetic woman, play nice with the others. I see your Russian lover and the captain coming towards us with that mutt. Let me tell you something, your mind games and tricks will not work on me." He said.

"Play nice? I doubt that. And for that matter, I have no romantic feelings towards Valik. Unlike you, at least he cares. Furthermore, I will survive this long with the others while you and your guards rot." I said.

"HA! He may seem strong on the outside and the best fighter here but it doesn't mean he is going to get killed… kindness. It is such a profound and pathetic word that has come from your mouth. Nothing in this damn world is kind. So do not act tough. You are not strong. Don't think I will not harm you again. I am the warden here; all of these guards will listen to me. If you try anything I will make sure one of these guards will harm you. And this time, Valik will not save you."

With that said, the pressure on my back wasn't there. I did not want to look at the face of the devil. I could hear their footsteps drawing away from me. As long as the warden was away, I finally looked up. All the eyes were not on me anymore. The guards have lost interest in me and went back to what they were doing. As of now, I was a target- a target that got too attached to one of the guards. What a world this was. As far as I knew, there was another target that the warden would like to harm. More than one- I was just another in his line of sight.

Letting out a slow sigh, I could hear new footsteps coming towards me. I closed my eyes for a moment wanting to relax my tired body. The cool ground relaxed my muscles making me forget that I was on the outside. My tense body could finally get a break when I felt something warm lick my cheek. Opening my eyes I could see Boris nudging me with his nose. It was cold and wet but I moved my hand to pet him on the muzzle.

"Finally out of the tunnels." I heard John say. "How are you feeling Katie?"

Looking up to see that both men were standing waiting for me to get up from the ground; using my arms to get me off the ground, I grunted painfully as my legs began to wobble. The pain in my body was still there but sometimes you have to get through it even if your body wants to sleep. I was sore from all that I went through. Knowing that the guards would sneak a glance here and there, it did not bother me. I had other matters to worry about.

"I still feel sore." I stated trying to balance myself.

I do not understand why my body was shaking. I was cold yes, but that was not what was bothering me. My body was still tired, it was still sore, as when I moved my leg first I stumbled only to be caught by John. I heard him grunt with my weight crashing into his body. Feeling his breath run through my skin I shivered but I kept my composure as I am sure he did the same. My arm was around his neck when I felt his hand on my waist. Valik quickly walked over to me but John nodded his head.

"You sure you are…" I stopped John before he could finish.

"… I am fine. Like I said I am sore and that is all."

"Katie." It was Valik's turn to speak.

I looked to the guard at my right. His eyes stared deeply into mine but even he could not find the right words to say. Boris whimpered nudging at his masters still hands beside him. I moved my arms up but I quickly threw it back down to my side. Both men looked more tired than I and I could not help but question why. They both were sweaty from the brow and when I turned my attention to John he noticed my questioning look.

"Something bothers you." Valik spoke.

"Something does. I would like to know what it was you two were doing before I came out here. What is it that kept you two busy and why both of you look so tired. Please do not lie to me, I only want to know." I stated.

"I do not like to remind you about it, but we have been training for the fight. Lately he has been distracted by your wellbeing." John commented.

My eyes widened as I looked from John to Valik, who was giving the soldier a hard cold glare. It seemed that they did not want me to know what it was they were doing, but sooner or later I was going to find out. The tension in the air became still that I back myself away from John. Both of the men looked about ready to fight each other for what reason; because I was going to find out or the reaction that I would make? It did not matter what I thought or what I would do. Both of these men needed to understand that I could handle this even if it meant that Valik had a chance of dying when the fight was to happen. Me being his distraction hurt me enough already that I wanted to tell him that he should forget about my need and focus on himself.

"What difference does my life make if I am not prepared to focus on another? You should know this, John. You look after your team whom you have to keep alive while under fire. I know what I am doing in this place, you do not. Your rank and experience went out that gate the moment your team decided to interfere. It makes no difference if it is one person or ten or more people. With the other guards, you know as well as I that they don't give a shit about another human's life."

Valik's voice was about to rise almost causing a scene. The guard and the soldier both kept their composure trying to make the other back down. I tried to cut myself in but I did not do that. I knew if I tried to interfere I would have to fight my own battle between these two men. Either way, I kept my thoughts to myself until it was my turn to speak.

"I understand where you are coming from Valik. I'm sure most people here do when it comes to protecting others. You have to do what is right for Katie. Her life is in your hands. Those around me, plus Katie are in mine. My life is not for you to be protecting. I can take care of my own and you know. Stop acting as if the world has fallen upon your shoulders. Stop trying to be a hero for her. Katie, I am glad you are out of there. It was different without you." John said looking at me as his eyes softened up a bit.

"Do not change the subject on this matter…"

This was my chance now to speak. I understood that Valik was only looking out for me, but he also needed to know that they did not need to see me as something so frail. I had to prove myself to them one way or another, but before I could speak my legs once again gave out on me. Valik quickly rushed to me pulling my arm over his neck and supported me by the waist. Maybe I did need their help, but I had to make my point across to both of them. This fight was only proving something that if I kept my mind on it and the wellbeing of Valik, it would only be a distraction.

"… Do not bicker at each other. What will this accomplish? John, you are a soldier. You are trained to be out in the battlefields doing what you are told to do. We are not in your familiar territory were we have to watch for enemy fire. I know you want Valik to see your point and I also know that Valik wants the same. Think about what you both are saying. Valik, you should know better than any of us." I pointed a tired finger to the prisoner's around us. "They look out for one another because that is all they have. These guards do not care if they lived or died."

I slowly looked away from John who still had his eyes on me. Turning my attention to Valik now only made him tense up a bit more. Not wanting to be crushed any longer, I pushed my body forwards away from him. Even if my body was tired I wanted to stand on my own. Neither male said a word to me as I weakly walked off away from them not looking back to them. It is best to leave them to wonder and think before they say anything further. Both males, those alpha males, I just could not help but smile at the thought. Boris walked besides me, leading me to the building of my cell.

…

Both men look on as she walked away from them both. Valik turned away from her walking form, his thoughts were biting him. He knew that he was a foolish person who was itching to get into any fight. It was foolish to begin with which made him mad at himself for not holding in his tongue.

"You have to realize that not everything can fall on you. You take things way too deep. Over thinking about this situation will only cause you to mess up and lose this fight. Think with your head for once about not only her or the prisoners, but of your own safety. Your objective may be different from mine but I can keep a level head under such conditions. Learn to deal with them." John stated almost in a cold manner.

"It is not easy to keep a level head John. I am protecting her from these rabid mutts called guards. She has to be on my mind because she gives me some hope; to remind myself why I am doing this. I do not want to see her go through all that worse shit. You say you understand. It might be the same thing for you, but Katie is no soldier." Valik hissed at John.

The Russian guard stood tall with teeth clenched. Valik's fists were clenching tightly that they were turning white from the pressure as John stood firm and tall keeping himself calm. It almost looked intimidating for anyone who has yet to see, but for Valik it made no difference. The Scotsman was no threat to him, yet with his growing impatience and adrenaline coursing through his body Valik wanted to fight.

"You are right about one thing; no one here is a soldier. They do not know what it feels like to take a man's life. The amount of training that I was put through made me a stronger person. I fight because I am told to fight, not because I want to. I am a leader to my team and their lives are entrusted to me. I have seen things you cannot comprehend. A weapon in your hands makes you no soldier." John did not even blink, maybe a few times but once he stated the last sentence his voice grew colder than anything Valik has yet to hear. The guard knew that John was pissed but he has yet to show it on his face. "We can talk later if you have anything else to say. Katie is almost out of sight with Boris. You have this chance now to make sure she is well. You can still keep her on your mind, but also know that she could handle herself in a bad situation. She does not always need protection."

John was right and he hated to admit it even to himself. A weapon in his hands did not make him any more than a simple guard. Valik did not understand the concept of war, of course he has killed a man out of self-defense, but to kill a man because you are told too in a battle was… Could it still be different? Killing a man was still killing a man. John knew that Valik has done it, yet comprehending the art of war was a different matter. The nagging thought of Katie not always needing protection was another bother to the guard. After months of taking care of her and the situation turning, Valik had to agree with John on it. Katie could handle herself at times, but the guard had the instinct to protect her no matter what. It was that bond; it was something more that kept him close to her.

"Is that how you see it? Your team will not always need protection as well. Katie is strong, I know this much, but sometimes those you protect are the ones you care about. That is the same with your team. You care about them as well because of that bond that has been shared in training. I will go and talk to her to see if she is doing okay."

"Do not over think what is needed to be done, Valik. Her life is at much in your hands than mine. She may not always need protection, but she does need help in surviving." John said.

Valik looked towards to where Katie walked and nodded. Both were now at some agreement in the concept and it was Valik's turn to walk away. Sure the guard did not agree at times with what John had to say but it was better to communicate then to kill someone who had a different view of things. No one was telling Valik that he was wrong or right, John had a different aspect of it all. There was a great bond between them even if they acted like children at times. Valik still had that respect for him which he did not want to lose no matter the cost. The guard knew that the solider would be fine outside of the cell walls and began to move to the building. John watched as Valik walk away from him. There were no more words to be said until later when both of the men were settle enough to rest their tired bodies.

Time was ticking by and you could almost hear it counting down the hours. John may have had his calm composure, but inside however, there would be that doubt of not being able to make it home alive. It was a soldier's worst fear even in the line of duty. No one wanted to die far from home and a soldier was no different. The flashbacks of near-death clouded judgment; clouded the very being that made John. Times were changing in a drastic measure that he was not sure if he could handle the life of a civilian after fighting in a war that took many of his comrade's lives.

Walking over to a broken down bench, he sat down with his elbows on his knees. Thinking over his mental state over the past years has taken its toll on him. He has seen too much for someone of his age. No one needed to see what he has seen, yet he chose that life. There was no turning back from the life of a soldier who has fought in a war. John took in a deep breath when the images of past comrades disappeared into the black. They were people who have taken their time, their leadership to teach him their ways.

'War is never an easy thing to be involved with. You have to do what you are told. If you must take a life do not hesitate to do so. In war if the person on the other side is young or old, they will do what they are told to do. They will attack you as you will do the same. It's the same excuse that we are all given. What does war even teach us? War teaches us the art of murder.' John was reminded of what he was told by the one man he respected the most. The very man that has helped him and in return John helped him back.

'Price.' The thought of the old man made him laugh inside. 'I wonder if he has returned to the base. I wonder if he knows I am here. Maybe Ghost has told him about this suicide.'

In the back of his mind, his hope of surviving this ordeal was even worth it if he managed to escape. No man should think like this like the way he was thinking. None should have to think of survival like the way John did. But the future of these people depended on his team whether they knew it or not. John depended on his team to make it another day. It surely was different to protect someone that was not your comrade or brother in arms. This was a different kind of protection, one that John understood not on an emotional level, but he knew much about it by just observing it. Valik had an emotional protection for someone he cared about while John has protection for his team. A leader in the aspects of trying to get out alive it seems. It was the same but different.

"You, soldier." A distant voice called out to him.

Knowing that they only spoke Russian, John knew that they were calling to him. That and they were coming towards him with their hands on their rifles, protecting themselves in case he chose to react violently. The guards around the prison were cautious now with the prisoners, they did not fear for their lives for they had power in their weapons and numbers, but they did not want to have the burden of some riot.

'What do they want?'

Irritated with his thoughts lost, John took his gaze off the sky and onto the group of guards that were now in front of him in a semi-circle. They were talking amongst each other about-God-knows-what- placing their eyes on and away from him like he was some sort of meat waiting to be feasted upon. Whatever they were planning John kept his eyes on every single man. Observing their movements from the shuffling of their feet to the look in their eyes made John cautious in his own manner. With each face he recognized a face from a day before. The very same guard who stood in front of Valik and him without saying much as a single word only to turn and walk away from them.

Rurik was in the circle of guards but kept his thoughts to himself as the others mocked the soldier and his lack of understanding. When Johns eyes took a quick glance in his direction however, Rurik tensed a little but when his calculating eyes drifted away from his in a split second, the guard amongst many felt the fear from the soldier.

"We have seen you train with Valik. As a soldier, we see that you're giving him some tips on how to fight. But your training is not going to help him in the upcoming fight. Valik will die." One guard spat out.

"Humph." The captain said.

The guards knew that John could not understand a single word they were speaking, but they had a chance to mock the soldier. With the language barrier running deep which was irritating John, he kept his eyes sharp. If he were to take his eyes off of these men they could attack without questions. This was their chance that they waited for but John could take out a few of them. The guards did not make any movement for an attack. They stood in their places looking at John with their mocking eyes as they continued their conversation or lack thereof.

"You hear us soldier? No matter how hard you trained with him it would all be for nothing. Do not waste your breath on a runt such as him." Then the guard standing in front of him stuck out his chest and yelled loud enough for Valik to hear through the echoes it made. "Valik will die by the hands of his opponent. We all cannot wait to see his lifeless corpse on the ground with his blood flowing through the concrete."

Not understanding the true intention of the gathering, the guards one-by-one turned and walked away from the soldier. Rurik took one last glance at the man sitting on the bench only to meet his eyes once again. John wanted to speak to this young guard but he argued against it on his own terms. There was no need to speak to a guard that he could not understand and he did not know if he could see any trust in him. Rurik looked away quickly and turned his back to the soldier running to the rejoin the group of guards leaving John to himself.

Base

'If I would have known about this ahead of time then I wouldn't be in here alone dealing with this explanation.'

With a dart board on the wall, Ghost grabbed some of the different colored darts amongst his desk. Throwing them to the target with many colors and numbers for a total score was just something the lieutenant liked to do on his spare time. Missing once, twice, five times even someone skilled with a gun could not always hit its mark. Ghost was different from the rest and surely all knew that and he knew as well. He would like to think of it as that because it was true. He did like to keep to himself because his story was like the rest with a bit of his own experience. What other man wouldn't? But there are some things that he would like to keep in the back of his mind. Though, like his other comrades he was the best amongst the best.

The thought of having a family still goes through his mind every now and then because he wanted to know what it felt like to at least like someone or more, depending on how he felt. Finding a nice girl, marry her have some kids is the typical dream for most men, but coming home to a wife will be something that Ghost has never had. He would like to have someone who at least will be there for him when he has the chance to go home, though it has been many years since he has been home. Even the ones that keep quiet want to have some sort of happy life. Away from death and hate that brings itself upon others in a time of war.

He never told anyone about that thought. Surely every soldier wanted to have a wife to come home to with a child running up to them. The war has taking time away from them all in the past few years. Destroying their homes, killing thousands, there is no happiness at this time. The only thing to do is to get the bad guys and try to rebuild each home from the bottom up.

Though, what he and the others have been through is never going to leave him. Almost near death with the grim reaper just floating above them, shot and burned alive alongside Roach. He thought he would have died, he thought he was dead, somehow through those odds they survived even if he did not want to with the pain flowing through his body. Some of those burns are still there covered along his arms and torso just ugly and a reminder. Those scars are going to be there for the rest of his life to the day he dies. Recovering wasn't easy and knowing the fact that one was betrayed by their own commander; trusting someone he does not know isn't all what it is cracked up to be.

The clock's time was going by slow; very slow. It was just mocking him with every tick it made. Each time Ghost would look at the clock, not even two minutes would have gone by. Throwing the last of his darts, Ghost kept standing looking at the clock with anticipation. He had to clear his mind, he had to look away from the very thing that kept ticking with the same noise was annoying. It was going through his head spinning around and around like a wheel without an end. He put pressure on his head with his fingers to his temples trying to get rid of the headache that was bothering him when the door opened.

His attention was now focused on the figure that closed the door behind him. He was not a tall man, but he was of average height with a lean frame. One would not want to cross his path and by the looks of it Ghost did not want to have to explain. The situation was not out of reach for the team, but with the man standing in the room, he had to know every last detail of the last mission.

"I am gone for three months on a mission to find out that I hear about Soap being held captive in a Russian prison with an evil man we have been trying to gather information on? Do not leave out details Ghost for this mission that I had no knowing of. What has Soap done this time to get his ass in that prison?"

Price stood tall with crossed arms staring directly into Ghost. The lieutenant sat down on his desk with papers scattered amongst the wooden object. The lieutenant knew that this was going to be a long explanation considering that Price was away from the base for a certain amount of time and that considering a full assault on the prison would have been a dangerous tactic. It was Soap who wanted to gather information on the warden without Price knowing. Both Ghost and Roach knew that there was no way Price would not have noticed it, and being the senior captain amongst the 141 the elder captain would have known.

"Price, it's a long story…"

Price held up his hand to stop Ghost from saying anything further. The elder captain wanted to know every detail of this mission.

"…I have all the time in the world Ghost."