They took you to the nearest secure hospital. A small one on the base. It had been 14 hours since you returned from the mission and Ghost had been by your side since. He refused to leave. The only reason he now wore a clean pair of clothes that were blood free was because Soap had brought them to him.

Ghost couldn't even look at all the tubes going in and out of your body. All the monitors beeping and buzzing it was driving him crazy. Every time your heart monitor beeped it was a reminder of how he was supposed to be plugged into that machine and not you. He was reminded of the damn bullet you took for him. He was reminded of all the bruises he saw littering your body. Flashes of you curled up in that horrible disgusting cell. You were bare. Nearly to the bone and that enraged him even more. He was so mad at himself he couldn't sleep and barely ate. Yet he couldn't leave the room. That was why he was now sitting in the most uncomfortable chair known to man beside your hospital bed. He just wanted you to be awake.

He knew you were safe and in good hands with this medical staff but he was hesitant to leave you on your own. He saw your heart monitor, checked it several times, and he saw your oxygen levels so he of course knew you were alive. He just needed you to open your eyes then he would know you were okay. He needed you to say words to him. It would put his mind at ease.

It made his hairs stand on end and make his stomach do flips just replying the moment when you thought he was a shadow soldier trying to take advantage of you. It made his heart crack at the flinch your body made when he tried to touch your shoulder. It made his heart crumble at the relief in your voice when you finally recognized it was him.

There was a knock at the door that pulls Ghost from his thoughts. The door revealed a nurse. "There is another visitor here for her." She says before stepping aside.

It was Soap.

"Any news?" Says Soap walking in over to Ghost.

Ghost shook his head, "same as before. She hasn't moved an inch."

Soap's face drew a sad frown. He turns toward Ghost, "why don't you get some sleep? You look exhausted."

"I rather be here."

"I can stay with her while you rest if it makes you feel better."

Ghost shook his head. Soap knew he was getting nowhere with Ghost. He was very hardheaded and stubborn when he wanted to be.

"Well here", says Soap taking a few granola bars and water from his pockets and vest, "eat these since you won't get real food"

"Thank you Johnny."

"Call me if there is any news about her. Laswell wants me in 10 minutes for a meeting so I'll come back later."

Ghost only nodded.

About an hour later there was another knock at the door. Another visitor alerted by the nurse but this time it was Alejandro. He was carrying a small bouquet of flowers and set them on your bedside table.

"Hey Ghost any word yet?"

Ghost shook his head, "not yet unfortunately"

Alejandro looked to be in good shape. A few bandages cover his arms and legs and he walked with a small limp.

Alejandro just stands by your bedside looking over your face. He turns to Ghost sitting in the chair, "can I talk to you for a moment…outside."

Ghost nodded and stands up making his way through your room door to the hospital hallway.

"What did you want to say?" Says Ghost trying to get Alejandro to talk because it seemed like he was trying to find the right words.

"I was with her for -for some of it. And I could hear what they did to her for most of the rest. The vents are all connected." Says Alejandro Ghost continues to listen, "they did bad things to her Ghost. Very bad things."

Ghost took a deep breath in and out before saying anything, trying to not make his vision see red.

"There were men in her cell when we found her." Ghost didn't want to admit to what he saw. He didn't want to acknowledge that you were hurt in that type of way. A way that might never heal. You didn't deserve that. But Ghost now knew how twisted of a man Graves was.

"I can't even look her in the eyes," says Alejandro, "I had to sit and watch. She begging me not to look at her." He hung his head, "I've never felt so useless amigo. I can't even look her in the eye over how ashamed I am."

"She will need you too Alejandro. Once she wakes up she will be happy to see you got out too. You have a shared experience. She will need that help eventually." Says Ghost

Alejandro only nods before bidding his goodbye. Ghost enters the room once more. You look like you are sleeping peacefully. Ghost only wishes he could give you mental and physical peace to erase everything that happened.

He sat back in the chair with his elbows on his knees and stared at your calm face. He gently grabbed your hand carful not to bend or move any wires. He gently rubbed a gloved thumb against the top of your hand. Bandages were all over covering most of your cheeks and forehead.

Ghost had been awake for nearly 24 hours and the weight of no sleep was taking its tole. If it wasn't for the black paint on his face, the dark circles would have been very evident.

Before Ghost knew it, he was sleep in that uncomfortable ass chair while he was holding your hand.

——

You slowly open your eyes. You let your eyes slowly adjust to the harsh light. Your head is still pounding and you don't even have the energy to move your limbs.

You gather your bearings. A hospital room that's what you were in. You could smell the aroma of the hospital instantly. Wires and machines are hanging all around you. You could only see a few but you could hear the rest behind you. You already feel restricted to the bed. The last thing you remember is Soap and Ghost screaming.

Oh yeah the bullet you took for Ghost. Your back seems to throb at the thought. You look to your right and see a large window. It looked to be about dusk. Ahead of you was a countertop and small bathroom in the corner. You slowly turn your head to the right your neck muscles aching at the small movements.

To your right was a sleeping Ghost and you looked to where his arm laid and it was in your hand, gently resting on your hospital bed. It was rare that you actually saw Ghost sleeping. Big drawn breathes came in and out of his broad chest. The man was indeed asleep. Just how long had he been here?

You take a moment to just look at him. He makes the chair he sits in look so tiny you nearly let out a little giggle. His legs are sprawled out in front of him while his head is resting on his shoulder slightly and his other arm lays on the arm rest. His skull mask is of course still on. You would expect nothing less of him.

You gentry squeeze his hand as hard as you can to wake him up, which isn't very hard at all.

"Simon wake up." You whisper, "rise and shine!" You can do no more then a whisper with his raw your voice is.

Simon lifts his head before opening his eyes. He looks around then his eyes land on you. He instantly to his feet seeing that you are awake that your eyes are indeed open and that you are smiling.

"(Y/N)" he says before coming closer and kneeling at your bed side to be face to face with you.

"Hello Simon." You say with a small smile while tears cloud your vision. Simon looks so tired and exhausted. Your heart wavers so slightly at the sight. You figured you didn't look much better.

Tears now spill over your cheeks, "I'm so happy to see you." You nearly weep.

You could tell from his eyes that he was smiling under the mask. "It's so good to see you awake Chaser"

You open your arms, "please give me a hug" you say.

Ghost hesitates. He looks scared that he's going to crush you or accidentally move one of your tubes connected to you. But the pleading in your eyes is what makes him fold and give you a gentle hug. He wraps his arms snuggly around you while you cry into his shoulder. He put a gloved hand to the back of your head gentry stroking your hair. You sniffle while still fully embedded into his shoulder. "Thank you Simon. Thank you for coming to save me." You cry even harder. You missed being in a room with someone you actually knew. You felt so safe you felt like you were home even though you where thousands of miles form your home town.

"I'll always have your back (Y/N)" says Simon as he makes a small sniffle himself.

"I'm so sorry Simon." You continue to sob.

Simon pulls back from the hug a little to look at your face, now tear streaked and red, "what the bloody hell do you have to be sorry about? I should be the one apologizing you took a fucking bullet for me Chaser." His tone was stern.

"I just-I caused you so much trouble. I got captured. I was supposed to die there. You came back and risked your life. I'm sorry" You sob.

Ghost gently wiped your tears with his gloved hand. "Don't be sorry. Nothing to be sorry about. I'm more pissed you took a bullet for me. That was my bullet to take. You can't keep doing that Chaser."

"Oh like you have done for me for how many countless missions now?! You have taken a number of bullets for me! And protected me with your own life so it was my turn to do the same!" You were breathing heavily and your heart monitor beeping faster. Your energy was shot.

Ghost could feel his temper rising, he wanted to yell but with you he could never yell at you. He didn't want you to be scared of him or fear him. He didn't know what he would do with himself if you were physically scared to be around him.

He took a deep breath in.

"You were my savior Simon. I had to protect my savior." You smile weakly.

Something in Ghost's stomach did a flip along with his face getting really hot for some reason.

"God I'm just glad to see you alive. I thought we lost you." Said Ghost.

"I'm still breathing aren't I?." You reply with a small smile.

Ten minutes later Ghost steps out into the hallway to call the task force about your new update.

Soap was the first to arrive. You had your arms open for him as soon at you heard the door open. He ran over and immediately gave you a gentle hug.

"Jesus Lass you really know how to scare a man." Says Soap

You give a small laugh, "sorry about that."

"So good to see you're awake." Says Soap letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding in.

"Thank you Soap. For coming for me. I wouldn't be alive without you."

"No need for thanks Lass. I'm just happy you're alive."

Soap turns back to Ghost who is now leaning against the counter. "Price says for you to call him. Updates about something. I think he needs you back at base."

"I'll go see what's up. I'll be back in a bit (Y/N)"

Say Ghost has he slips through the door.

Soap still stands by your bedside, "Jesus I didn't think I'd ever convince him to leave."

"What do you mean?"

"He hasn't left this room since you got put in it. Don't think he's ate and definitely hasn't slept much."

"Why would he do that?"

"He's been worried sick Lass. Never seen the man so anxious. I had to bring him clothes to change cause he wouldn't leave. Last thing I want you to see when you first wake up is a filthy bloody Ghost."

You giggle at that, "sorry about that. I appreciate you trying to take care of him. You know how Ghost can be stubborn."

"Don't have to tell me twice Lass."

Soap stayed for a while longer. Just asking how you were doing while you asked how things are going back on base. Eventually your eyes started to droop.

"I won't keep you anymore. Get some rest Chaser. You need to recover soon. The team misses you."

You nodded as he left the room and you let your eyes close and drift to sleep.