"Here we go again with another episode! This is a prologue to Big Boss's part in PEACE you are gonna freaking love this new story he's gonna have. Please enjoy, it may be short but the build up will be totally worth it!"

Chapter 167: A Step Back, Step Forward

It had been a day since Stefanie was given the treatment to remove the Borgia Parasite from her body, the very Parasite which gave her so many benefits was also creating a threat within her. It was late in the night and laying in the same Medical Bed she now awake and sitting up against the headboard and she was just thinking over her situation.

With the Borgia Parasite now gone she was now back to being Quiet, she could no longer wear the olive green sniper clothes given to her and she could no longer eat or drink like a normal person. To think being close to normal as possible ended so quickly was just so frustrating to her now that she had to wear her Quiet gear once again.

All she could do was look down at herself as she was just in her bra and thing, this is pretty much all she could wear now along with her green harness, leggings and boots. However her thoughts were cut when the door out of her room opened and coming into the room was a welcoming sight. It was her man Howling Wolf.

"Hey Stef" Wolf whispered as he came closer and Quiet could only smile as he came closer and soon he came to the edge of the bed leaning over it and the two had a slow kiss happy to see each other, Quiet could only moan feeling his lips on hers before Wolf pulled back.

"How you feeling?" Wolf spoke and the two had their conversation in Navajo.

"Could be better, but at least the threat in me has been suppressed" Quiet watched Wolf as he sat on the edge of the bed looking at her. "What about you?".

"Ah" Wolf shrugged his shoulders. "Just looking after the new recruits, just same old same old".

Looking down to Wolf's hand she gave a slow nod then gently placed her hand on the top of it. "Hows Cub?" She could only whisper as she looked up to Wolf. "Is she alright?".

Looking down at her hand on top of his Wolf then turned his hand and held on to hers as he looked back at her. "She's ok...but". Wolf had to stop himself before he could continue.

"With the death of Ralph, the other kids blame her for his death" Wolf revealed and Quiet was shocked. "What? Why?, she was innocent in all that. The crane on that platform malfunctioned".

"I know, but they blame her cause she suggested playing hide and seek to Ralph and obviously he agreed and got the boys involved in it, they believe her idea got Ralph killed and they despise her now. Not only that...but now they are hostile to everyone here, we cant get through to them" Wolf revealed all and Quiet just looked at him.

"I...I cant believe that" She could only whisper and Wolf got off the bed with a sigh as he took a few steps away looking at the wall. "I'm afraid its true, we tried everything. Explained the situation with the crane but they just refused to hear us out. They feel like they are in danger here".

"So whats gonna happen now? Are they gonna be taken off Mother Base?" Quiet questioned and Wolf slowly turned folding his arms as he looked to her. "No, we wont have them go back to the battlefield. We are still gonna teach them how to do basic jobs, but I fear they will refuse to be taught".

"Damn it.." Quiet said in frustration as she looked down to her body and the room was silent for a few second until she looked back up to Wolf. "What about Big Boss? Any news on him yet?".

Wolf slowly shook his head. "Nothing, its been almost forty eight hours since he last checked in".

"You dont think...he?" Quiet trailed off and Wolf shook his head again. "No, I dont believe that. This aint his first time, he'll get in touch with us again soon. Its all just a matter of waiting".

"What about the base? How is it functioning without him?" Quiet asked folding her arms under her breasts as Wolf came back to the edge of the bed.

"Miller has been sending soldiers out to do Side Ops, its not much but the payments are good. Its mostly just prisoner extractions, eliminating heavy infantry and armed patrols" Wolf explained sitting back on the bed.

"Plus Ocelot's been thinking about the Main Ops" Wolf added and Quiet tilted her head slightly. "He's heading out on the missions?".

Wolf chuckled. "No he needs to stay here and keep things in check, he suggested that when you recover maybe you should go and do these new jobs".

"Me?, I'm surprised he didnt ask you first" Quiet raised an eyebrow at him and he just chuckled. "Who says he hasnt" But then Wolf's smiled lowered as he looked to the wall thinking for a few seconds before looking to her again.

"But my time on the field is over Stef, I cant go back out there...to much Phantom Pain" Wolf stated and Quiet gave a slow nod completely understanding him, deep down she knew things like this happen to the best soldiers when they are pushed too far. It had nothing to do with fear but once a soldier has hit that point in the field they cant will themselves to go back on it.

Deep down she perferred Wolf to stay on Mother Base anyway, the man lost too much and she didnt want him to be destroyed mentally. "I understand Leon, I really do". She whispered taking his hand again and pulling up to her mouth placing a kiss on it and in response he smirked and leaned in and the two entered a lip lock again with Quiet moaning in delight as their tongues dueled.

Placing her hands on his cheeks Quiet explored every inch of Wolf's mouth loving the warm and sweet taste his mouth offered. The kiss lasted for a while before they pulled apart again and they just smiled at each other once more with Quiet's hands still on his cheeks while Wolf placed his right hand on her right hip.

"I'm just so glad you are ok.." Wolf whispered and Quiet gently pulled his head forward and their foreheads connected and they closed their eyes taking in a deep breath and inhaling the scent of the other.

"Your stuck with me, I'm never going away. I promise..." Quiet whispered lovingly and suddenly Wolf's radio went off and the two sighed having their moment ruined, Wolf slowly pulling away from Quiet and while still looking at her he placed his finger on his ear piece.

"This is Wolf" He responded as he looked and rubbed his right hand on Quiet's thigh in comfort.

"Leon this is Miller, listen I need to speak to you in private. Its about the Mammal Pod still at the Afghanistan Central Base Camp, I know your done with the field but please hear me out. Can you come by my office in the morning, I wouldnt ask you if I was desperate" Miller stated.

Wolf could only sigh at Miller's request and Quiet rolled her eyes as she could clearly hear it thanks to her advanced hearing. "Alright, will come back at 7:00AM".

"Thanks Wolf, its just too important. I appreciate it, also...hows Quiet?" Miller asked and Wolf looked back to her with a smirk. "She's doing fine, she's a tough bitch".

Quiet's eyes widened with her mouth slightly open at Wolf being cheeky and he just winked at her.

"Huh..good to hear. Listen Ocelot really suggests letting her take over the main ops until Big Boss returns and to be honest I'm all for it, let her know how important she is" Miller stated.

"I think she knows how important she is, dont know what we'd do without her" Wolf smirked looking at her and she smirked back.

"Yeah, well thanks again Wolf. I'll see you tomorrow. Get some rest" Miller ended the call and Wolf sighed lowering his finger from his ear piece.

"Tough bitch?" Quiet raised her eyebrow at him and he just chuckled. "Would you rather me call you a softy?".

Quiet thought for a moment then shrugged her shoulders. "Good point, so what happens now?".

Wolf smirked leaning forwards and Quiet began to shrug down the headboard until the head hit her pillow and soon Wolf just looked down at her, Quiet's lust slightly grew seeing this man over her and it always drove her crazy.

"Get some sleep, your gonna need it to see Ocelot tomorrow" Wolf smirked but Quiet didnt as it was not the answer she was expecting.

"Your not staying? No happy reunion?" Quiet questioned and Wolf chuckled taking his right hand off her thigh and placing it under her chin.

"Hospital rules, plus reception is just outside your room. Do you really want the poor nurse out there hearing you scream during her night shift?" Wolf joked.

Rolling her eyes she gave in. "Fair enough..". Wolf chuckled in response and gave her one more quick kiss before getting off the bed.

"I'll come by with Cub after I meet Miller, you will be cleared at 12:00PM so enjoy your rest" Wolf ordered and Quiet smirked. "Sir..yes sir..". She flirted and Wolf smirked.

"Sweet dreams Stef" Wolf turned and headed for the door as Quiet leaned up on her elbow and she watched Wolf's backside as he went for the exit. "Oh I will...".

Wolf left the room with a smirk and the door closed behind him and he made his way down the hall and past reception, it had been a long day for Wolf and now all he wanted to do was sleep. Deep down his thoughts were thinking of the request from Miller, he knew exactly what he was going to ask him but he decided to hear him out as it couldnt hurt. But now the main objective was sleep and nothing more so he checked out of the Medical Ward and headed for his quarters on the Combat Unit.

-Undisclosed Location-

Sitting on a hard bed in his cell was Big Boss just looking down at the ground with his elbows resting on his knees, he was gaurded by four heavily armed soldiers just watching his every move and every time he even got up they aimed their weapons at him until he sat back down.

He sat in silence for hours just wondering where the hell he was heading and soon he heard the familiar sounds of high heels coming down the walkway leading to his cell, he sighed knowing who it was. Still looking to the ground he soon heard the footsteps stop.

Still looking to the ground he refused to look to the bars to his cell. "So what now? Gonna try and reason with me again?".

On the other side of the cell Para Medic looked to the guards and nodded and thats when one of them opened the cell with the others keeping their rifles on him, the cell door was unlocked and with the guard opening the cell following Para Medic in she slowly sat down on a chair on the opposite side of Big Boss's small cell.

The gate of the cell shut and everyone fell silent with Big Boss still looking to the ground. "I thought I'd have a chance to speak to you before we reach our destination".

"So where are we heading?" Big Boss asked as he looked up to Para Medic sitting on the chair with her legs and arms crossed looking at him. "Back to America?".

"No Snake, not anymore" Para Medic revealed and Big Boss mocked a laugh. "Change of heart huh?".

"Plans have changed" Para Medic slowly looked down at her folded arms. "Jack...I know you may reject this but please, just hear me out ok." She then looked back up to him. "I wouldnt hurt to just listen would it? Just to hear what we want you to do?" Her voice was calm but almost sounded like she was pleading for him to listen.

Looking to the soldier next to Para Medic and to the men outside his cell he knew he had nothing better to do, so he sighed looking back down to the ground with his elbows still resting on his knees. "...sure".

Do you remember San Hieronymo?" Para Medic revealed and thats when Big Boss just fell in complete silence as he remembered the very thing she was talking about.

It was six years after the events of Operation Snake Eater, Big Boss's former team, FOX, had broken their allegiance with the CIA and gone renegade. He himself is also targeted by the FOX unit, which sent renegade FOX unit soldiers to attack and capture him. He was interrogated by one of the members of FOX, Lieutenant Cunningham, who's trying to locate the whereabouts of the missing half of the Philosophers' Legacy, with the United States Government having already acquired the other half of the Legacy from the Soviet Union at the conclusion of Operation Snake Eater.

The events was the beginning of Big Boss's new life and with it, it was the stepping stones of MSF. He would never forget those events for as long as he lived.

Slowly looking up to Para Medic he frowned wondering why the hell she brought it up. "What about it?".

"There is someone I want you to bring back to us, someone very important to us. He's better known as the Perfect Soldier, but you know him by a different name" Para Medic stated.

Big Boss slowly sat up straight looking right at her with his eye widened. "Null...".

Para Medic nodded. "Thats right..." She then lowed her head again looking at her folded arms. "We lost track of him during the Rhodesion Civil War, we have been looking for him for a very long time".

"Just like you've been looking for Eli?" Big Boss guessed and Para Medic fell silent for a few moments before looking back up to him. "Eli..." She stopped herself again looking to the side.

"...Null has been located, we recently found him in Mozambique." Para Medic then looked back to Big Boss. "We want you to bring him back".

"Why? What do you want from him?" Big Boss leaned forward frowning but the woman in front him just looked at him. "Thats classified, I'm sorry Jack but I cant tell you".

"How do expect me to even think of helping you if you cant even tell me the reasons why?" Big Boss spat.

"I just cant Jack, its a matter of security. But I know you will do this" Para Medic stated and Big Boss just looked at her as she continued. "He is in danger, he has become a target to a Warlord and he is being hunted all over Mozambique for crimes he committed".

"I know how much you care for him, and I know you wouldn't want him to die" She stated and Big Boss slowly stood up making the guards around raised their rifles at him but he didnt move as he looked down at the woman in front of him. "And he will be alot saver with you?" Big Boss mocked.

"Would you rather him be tortured and cut to pieces by the Warlord and his soldiers?" Para Medic just looked up at him with her eyes looking right into his. Big Boss was silent after that statement and he just continued to look at her and soon she slowly stood up and she approached him, coming to arms length she looked up to him and just admired his looks.

"Jack, If Null meant anything to you...if you considered him a true friend of yours then you must save him and bring him back to us in America." She could only whisper.

"Whats in it for me? Whats to stop you from double crossing me..again" He added.

"We will give you what you desire, the one thing you wanted. A Nation of your own, solid ground, we will give you a foundation to create your world. Your true...Outer Heaven" She revealed and Big Boss was silent.

"Its what you wanted right?" Para Medic then walked away to the cell bars and just looked to the distance with Big Boss watching her movements.

"We can give you that, a fresh start, a new chapter. No reminders of the pain you have suffered from XOF and Skull Face" Para Medic offered.

"With you in control of us?" Big Boss mocked not believing this and thats when Para Medic looked back to him. "No, you will be free to do what you want. If you truly dont want anything to do with us again than so be it..." It was then she slowly approached him and this time she got closer.

"But wouldnt you want to finally be able to finally achieve what you wanted?...or are you willing to stay in the endless ocean, only to sink once again by a new threat which would one day rise to overtake you?". She then gently placed her hand on his exposed chest while still looking into his eye.

"Save Null, bring him to us and reclaim the world you want..." Para Medic whispered. Big Boss looked down at her hand on his chest and took a slow deep breath.

"Jack, look at me.." Para Medic whispered again and he looked back into her eyes. "...Zero is giving you this chance, he see's you as an irreplaceable friend and wants you to live".

"Do this mission, go back to your Diamond Dogs...kill it and take your men to your true Outer Heaven...please...I dont want you to be thrown away and forgotten. If you wont do it for me or Zero...then do it for the men who believe in your dream".

Silence filled the room and Big Boss sighed lowering his head and thats when Para Medic took her hand off his chest and then placed it on his cheek making him gently look at her again.

"Bring Null back to us...and create your Outer Heaven" Para Medic pleaded and thats when she took her hand off him and then turned away back to the cell door and as it opened Big Boss spoke.

"And Eli?" Big Boss called out stopping Para Medic and she looked over her shoulder to him. "You still hunting for him right?".

Para Medic opened her mouth to speak but she stopped herself once again only to look back to her front to the guards. "Eli...yeah we still want him".

"You keep being hesitant when I mention him, what does he really mean to you?" Big Boss asked confused and Para Medic was once again silent before looking back to him.

"I'll tell you the truth when you save Null, you deserve to know" It was then Big Boss saw her eyes began to water but she turned back to her front rubbing her right eye. "Rest up Jack, your mission will begin tomorrow".

"You dont even know that I've accepted it" He called out and as Para Medic left the cell with her gaurd she turned back around as the cell door slid shut with an echo and she gave a small smile. "You already have, I know the man you are. You never let those you care about die".

With that Para Medic turned and walked down the long hallway and Big Boss just listened as the sound of her high heels grew quieter and quieter as she left and soon it became silent once more, looking to the soldiers still guarding him he then sighed and sat back down on his hard bed.

His mind was now torn, Null was someone he indeed cared about and was he willing to let some warlord rip him to shreds cause he hated Cipher?, or was he willing to work with them to save him and even have a chance at making Outer Heaven greater.

Big Boss's mind was already made up but in his heart he knew he could be making the biggest mistake of his life, for the first time in his life he was torn but if it meant the survival of his world then he would have to see this mission through. No matter the cost.

"Para Medic has given Big Boss a big opportunity to make Outer Heaven greater even if it means working with the devil, but what choice does he have? Was this the perfect chance to finally make a solid foundation for his world or would he be betrayed once more? Only time will tell. Big Boss must now rescue Null and we all know how much Big Boss cares for his men in this story. GET READY FOR MORE!