Chapter 8:
With Volk secured and the mission a success, Roach found himself back at the Task Force 141 base in a matter of days. He had been expecting Soap to greet him when he landed and was surprised, but pleased to see it was Ghost standing there waiting for him.
"I see you guys survived without me," Roach called over the sound of the helicopter's blades slowing down. Jumping out, he walked over to Ghost and smiled, albeit a little awkwardly. It had been nearly a month since they had seen each other and despite his best efforts, Roach's immediate thoughts were of the kiss they'd shared. "Where's Soap?"
"In a meeting with Price. Those two never stop talking business. Especially after your capture of Volk, things are moving fast." Jerking his head, the two of them started walking towards the base. "It's been quiet without you, Roach."
"I thought you liked it quiet."
"Who said I was complaining?" He chuckled as Roach winced. "I'm kidding. It's good to have you back."
"It's good to be back," Roach replied softly, keeping his eyes averted from the other man. He could never admit out loud how much he'd missed him. "Anyone die whilst I was gone?" He was half-joking, but it was a distinct possibility. With their line of work, every day could be the last.
"No. Meat got clipped but it wasn't serious." Ghost shrugged but halted suddenly, hand moving to his shoulder.
"How's it feeling?"
"Better, but still room for improvement." Rolling his shoulder, Ghost sighed. "Still worth it though."
"How so?"
"You're alive aren't you?"
"True." They came to a stop outside his room and Roach quickly divested himself of his bag and jacket. "How long do you think Price and Soap'll be?"
"You'd be better off meeting the others first. They're waiting for you in the rec room." Ghost escorted him there but stopped outside the door. "I'll come to get you once the meeting's over." Just like that he was gone, walking back down the hallway.
Roach shook his head in amusement. He knew Ghost was just making excuses so he didn't have to join the celebrations. Parties and loud places weren't his style. Roach amused himself for a moment imagining Ghost in a club, sulking in the corner. Then with a shake of his head, he entered the rec room.
At first, no one seemed to notice and he managed to sit down next to Poet who did a double-take and then grinned. "Roach!"
"Hey, guys!"
It took a while for everyone to calm down and welcome him back. Roach was reminded of how much he loved his job, that these people were his family. Meat showed him the impressive wound on his arm which still looked painful but he shrugged it off.
"Man, you missed out big time. We went down to Rio and the favela there was mayhem!"
"Rio?"
"Yeah we got a lead on Makarov's ammunition maker, the name's Rojas. He's in custody now."
"So that's two men working with Makarov in custody, Rojas and Volk. The Russian's running out of friends and fast."
"Oorah!" Royce and Meat cheered, bumping fists.
The news was good, it looked like they were closing in on their target and everyone was in high spirits. Roach couldn't help but feel his spirits lifted. The past year had been a tough one, trying to track down Makarov was no easy feat. Things were finally going their way.
"Did you hear Soap the other day, we might be getting leave time for Christmas!"
"Awesome! The wife'll be pleased with that."
"Roach." Said an easily recognisable voice and a hand was laid on his shoulder. He turned to see Ghost. "The Captain's are waiting." He explained in mock seriousness.
"Alright. See you in a bit boys." He waved them farewell and went with Ghost to the command room.
Once he was done briefing the three in charge on what went down in Paris, Roach waited as they talked. It was strange to be sitting across a desk from Ghost, his title of Lieutenant had never really come between them and their friendship. But sometimes it surprised him to remember the other man was actually in charge of the whole team, only under the direct command of Soap and Price, if you didn't count Shepherd. Since the General rarely made visits to the base he was almost always forgotten about.
"Well Roach, you sure made a name for yourself out there. Sandman has told us you have a reservation on his team anytime you want it." Soap told him with a grin.
"Really?" Roach grinned back. "What did you say?"
"I told him he's not to go stealing my Sergeant's. Especially since we put so much time and effort into training your ass up. Your skills are mine." Soap shrugged. "Unless of course, you wanted to leave."
"No sir, I'm quite happy here."
"Good to hear soldier. Now get your ass outta here and get some rest."
With a mock salute, Roach left. No, he had no immediate plans to leave the Task Force, he would probably stay here until their mission was done, or he was KIA. Hopefully the former. Not only did the team feel like a family, the two Captain's were the best the SAS had to offer, not including Ghost who was also rumoured to have been the best of the best during his time with them. They also treated everyone fairly, not pulling rank at the first opportunity and Roach knew how rare that was. So no, he was in no hurry to leave. Not that there was anything wrong with Sandman, but his place was here.
He returned to the rec room and demanded a full retelling of their mission to Rio, which he got from several different perspectives. Although he hated the fact that he'd missed out, he at least had his own story to tell the team of what went down in Paris.
By the time he returned to his room that night, Roach was exhausted. After a five hour ride on the helo, a two-hour briefing and being with the team, he was now spent. Falling onto the bed, he struggled out of his shirt and kicked off his shoes. Before he could start on his trousers however, there was a knock at the door.
It was Ghost.
"Can I come in?" He asked, rather politely and Roach stood back in surprise.
It was only after he shut the door Roach realised he was still shirtless and quickly grabbed his shirt to pull back on. "What's up?"
"I wanted to give you this back." Ghost was holding out his lucky charm.
"Oh, thanks."
As he took it back, Ghost grabbed his wrist and pulled him closer. "You were right." He said softly. "I kept it with me and you were safe."
"You kept it on you?"
"I never let it out of my sight."
Roach swallowed thicky as his throat tightened with a surge of emotion. Looking down at the charm, he smiled. "Just like you promised."
Ghost's hand was lifting his head and then surprisingly, but welcomely, he caressed the side of his face. "I couldn't stop worrying about you. No matter how much I told myself you're capable of looking after yourself. It was only when you stepped off that Helo I finally relaxed."
Roach wanted to kiss him. The urge was so strong it scared him and he knew if Ghost wasn't wearing his mask he wouldn't have been able to control the impulse. As it was his fingers were still slipping underneath the balaclava, pulling on the edges.
Suddenly Ghost's hands were back around his wrists in a tight hold. "Roach..." A warning in his voice, but not quite enough to hide the fear.
"I've already told you, scars don't scare me." He held perfectly still, letting Ghost choose. If he pulled away, Roach wouldn't stop him. But if he didn't then that mask was coming off. "I'm not going to push you away."
Again he hesitated. "Do you trust me?" He finally asked.
"Yes," Roach replied firmly.
He started slightly as the room went dark, then realised Ghost had flicked the light switch. Then the hold around his wrists was gone and he knew he was allowed to take the mask off, so he did. His hands cupped both sides of Ghost's face, feeling the roughness of the scars against his palms.
"I don't care about scars." He whispered into the darkness.
Ghost didn't respond with words. Instead, he leaned down and kissed him. Just like before, heat surged in Roach's body, more intense than before because he was completely sober this time. Ghost pulled him closer and Roach's hands slid up to thread in his hair.
"Roach," Ghost pulled back slightly but smiled, Roach could feel it against his lips. "I like you, a lot. So I'm willing to try. What do you say?"
"Yeah, I want to try too."
"How did I know you'd say that?" Then Ghost was kissing him again and Roach forgot his witty comeback.
