Chapter 21: Run Away

A/N: Hey guys! Here's the next chapter hope you enjoy it. And Sister of Gallifray I agree with you about throwing the knife in Shepherd's eye :P

Shepherd seems to be hated by everyone :) Which is good 'cuz he's a twat.

Anyway, this will probably be the last one for a while as I've got a lot of C/W coming up so I need to concentrate on it. Sorry guys. But when I do finally get a chance to update I'll put a load of chapter on at once to make up for it :)

Enjoy & R&R! :)

Price stood up & started pacing the length of the room. "That bastard can't get away with this."

Ghost stood up. "There's nothing you can do."

"Shepherd's too influential within the military." Soap decided to join in the conversation. I stayed silent. Soap noticed after a minute or so. "Roach?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah." I mentally shook myself. "But it's not me we should be worrying about. We have to do something!"

"We can't."

I looked at Price in disbelief, he never gave up. "There must be something. Anything!"

Soap looked at me thoughtfully. "Well… we could take it to the top. You know, the ones Shepherd can't influence."

Price seemed to consider it. "It would be risky…"

Ghost slammed his fist on the table making us all jump as he started shouting. "N! You could all lose your jobs. It's not bloody worth it." He locked eyes with me. "And neither am I." He stormed form the room.

Soap & Price gave me the look, meaning I should get my arse after Ghost & talk some shitty sense into him. I sighed. "Fine, fine. I'm going ok?"

I left before either of them answered. This was going to be fun, when Ghost wanted to hide he could disappear for days on end. I went to the rec room first, like hell he was going to be there but it was a start.

Obviously he wasn't, no surprises there. But I did find Poet. I walked over & he looked up.

"How Poet how's Ozone doing?"

Poet smiled. "He'll pull through."

I smiled back. "Good." Poet & Ozone were close mates. "Good. Have you seen Ghost around?"

"Yeah. I saw him head to the armoury about 5 minutes ago. I wouldn't go though, he looked real mad."

I was already turning towards the door. "Thanks but I'll take the chance. See you later."

"Yeah, sure."

I walked to the armoury & found an ACR missing. Looks like Poet was right. I went out to the pitt & found Ghost running it. I don't know why he was, I mean he has the best time in the squad. He's even beaten Soap's. But for some reason he always tries to beat it. Repetitive activities must help him somehow.

After about half an hour he finally noticed me & walked over. "Hey."

"Hey Ghost. Listen, we need a plan."

"No."

"Why? Do you want to go?"

"Of course not!"

"Then what is it?"

"I don't want you, Soap & Price risking your necks for me."

"Ghost -"

"No! I've made my choice. End of topic, period." He stormed off again before I even opened my mouth. Since there wasn't anything else I could do I joined Poet in the rec room for the rest of the day.

No-one bothered me that night. Good in one way 'cuz I finally got some sleep. Worrying in another 'cuz Ghost always bothers me when he's got a problem.

I woke up the next morning & got changed. As I went to the door I found a note on the floor where someone had slipped it under the door. Curious I picked it up & read it.

'Gary,

I'm sorry but I'm leaving with Shepherd tonight. Well for you it would've been last night by the time you read this so I've already gone. You know better than anyone that emotions aren't exactly my thing.

Tell the others - especially Soap & Price - that I said goodbye & sorry. I really am sorry Gary. Please forgive me one day.

Simon.'

I clenched the letter in my fist as I processed the words. It was definitely Ghost's handwriting. I just didn't understand, he would run away. Would he?

"No…"

I tore from the room & ran down the hallways, almost knocking Soap over in the process.

"Roach!"

I ignored him & kept running until I stopped outside of Ghost's room. Intending to knock the door down until he answered I began banging my fist on the door. "Ghost!" It opened when my fist made contact with the wood. I stared at the empty room until Soap caught up with me.

"Damn Roach. You can really run when you want to…" He got quieter with each word as he looked from the expression on my face to the empty room. "What's happened?"

I couldn't speak so instead I handed him the letter. He read through it & looked at me. "Roach I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. It's that bastards Shepherd's."

"C'mon." He pulled me away from the room. "Let's find Price…"