Chapter 14:

As the next couple of months passed by, Roach found his relationship with Ghost settling down into their new friendship. Maybe friendship wasn't the right word for it, it seemed too casual. Whatever the word was, Roach still hadn't found it.

November was almost over and Christmas was beginning to show its head. Already someone had hung tinsel in the rec room, but no one would admit to it. There was still talk of having a break over Christmas but Soap was yet to confirm this.

When Roach entered the rec room it was to find baubles hanging from the ceiling. "Someone's making a statement." Poet chuckled as he sat down next to him. "I kinda agree, it would be nice to spend Christmas at home."

"You know who's doing it?"

Poet only shook his head, but his eyes flitted to Archer momentarily. "Nope, not a clue."

Roach grinned, knowing the glance hadn't been a slip-up. "Alright. So what will you do if we get time off?"

"Spend it with my girl. I miss her so much man." Poet pulled out a photo from his pocket and smiled at it. Roach had seen this photo many times, the man always carried it with him. "I think I might propose."

"Shit, can I get an invite?"

"You're the best man!"

Meat dropped into the seat opposite them grinning. "Who's getting married?"

"Poet hopefully."

"Aww, congrats man!"

"Hey, I haven't even asked yet!" Poet smiled sheepishly. "I'll let you know how it goes if we get the time off."

"Speaking of time off." Meat jerked his head at the doors and the other two turned to see Soap walking in. He paused to look up at the ceiling. "How much shit do you think Archer will be in if he gets caught?" Meat asked quietly.

"Better hope Soap doesn't hear you," Poet warned.

Their Captain cleared his throat and the room fell silent instantly. He pulled off one of the baubles and examined it. "I see you're all looking forward to Christmas this year." He said casually. "It's a good thing we've got the next four weeks off then." No one moved and Soap raised an eyebrow. "Haven't you all got some packing to do?"

"Let's go!" Meat's yell was barely audible over the cheering. He grinned at Roach and Poet. "Better start packing then, catch you later!"

Roach glanced at Poet. "Better buy a ring."

"Already got one."

"Good luck." He winked as Poet too got up. Roach however remained where he was.

Although he was looking forward to going home and spending the first Christmas with his family in years, he was going to miss the base. Maybe it was because he'd recently had two months off so he wasn't as homesick as the others.

He was pulled from his thoughts as Soap sat down across from him. "Not excited?" He asked.

"Yeah." Roach smiled. "So what will you be doing?"

Soap hesitated. "I've got to stay for a couple of weeks. Being the Captain has its drawbacks. But I was going to visit Amber a bit closer to Christmas, maybe spend a few days with you guys..."

"That would be nice." Roach had accepted the relationship between his Captain and sister now. Besides, she was happy and that was all that mattered. He knew Soap wouldn't hurt her. "Does she know?"

"No, I want it to be a surprise." He looked surprised. "You're cool with it?"

"Yeah, like you said before when you feel a connection with someone you hold on. Don't worry, I won't let anything slip to Amber."

"Good." Soap glanced around to confirm the room was empty before leaning closer to him. "Have you considered asking Ghost to go with you?" Roach felt his cheeks start burning. Yes, he had considered it but couldn't decide if it would be a good idea or not. "I think it would do him some good to get away, don't you?" Soap winked and stood up. "Just an idea."

Roach watched him go in surprise. Did Soap just give him his blessing?

"He's out at the shooting range!" Soap called before the doors could shut.

It appeared he had.

Smiling, Roach got his feet and taking his Captain's advice, headed for the shooting range. Ghost wasn't shooting but leaning against one of the stations smoking.

"That'll kill you one day."

He looked around as Roach approached him and smiled. "Only if the bullets don't first." He offered him the cigarette and Roach took it. "Shouldn't you be packing?"

"I've got time." After taking a drag, he handed the cigarette back. "What about you?"

Ghost snorted. "Like I've got anywhere to go. There are only ashes where I come from."

Roach sat down on the table and smiled nervously at him. "Come with me then. There's enough room for you." When Ghost didn't respond, he started feeling anxious. "You don't have to. I just thought it'd be nice to get away from here for a while."

"I'd like that." Ghost replied softly.

The happiness he felt was almost overwhelming. "Great!" Ghost laughed and he realised he'd sounded too eager. "I-I mean, cool." Roach cleared his throat.

"Smooth."

"Shut up and go pack."

...

Less than a week later they were stood outside Roach's house. Roach glanced at Ghost to find he looked very pale. He had forgone the balaclava and Roach knew this was a big step for him and that he was very nervous.

"All good?"

"Sunshine and rainbows."

Roach paused in front of the door. "You know, they'll want to call you something other than Ghost. It doesn't have to be your real name if you don't want it, they won't know the difference. Just wanted to make you aware."

Ghost looked at him and smiled. "Always looking out for me huh?"

"Always." Roach smiled back and rang the bell. "Deep breaths." He said, quickly squeezing Ghost's hand before letting go.

When his mother opened the door he was dragged into a hug. "I'm so glad you got time off for Christmas!" Then she looked at Ghost. "And you must be... Ghost?"

He hesitated for a second "Simon. It's nice to meet you."

"I'm Jenny. Come inside, both of you." She ushered them in and Amber ran over to hug him.

"Gary!"

Goodbye Roach, hello Gary. "Hey, Amber." When she let go he indicated Ghost. "This is Simon. He's my Lieutenant."

"What did he do?" Amber asked Ghost with mock seriousness. "If his superior has to follow him about it must be bad right?"

"Said he wouldn't miss my face whilst he was gone so I'm here to make sure he doesn't."

Gary's eyes widened in surprise. "Sorry, was that a joke?"

"Maybe." He shook Amber's hand. "I'm Simon."

"Amber." She grinned and winked at Gary. "He's cute." She started laughing as he blushed and to his surprise, Ghost laughed too. "Come on, I'll show you around."

"He's my superior, not my boyfriend!" Gary yelled after them.

Shaking his head in amazement, Gary carried their bags inside. He hadn't realised how much Ghost had improved recently. Only months ago he wouldn't have been joking and making easy conversation with strangers, let alone be seen without his balaclava. Now however, Roach was seeing the full impact of the man's therapy. When he saw the two talking outside, a new feeling filled his chest. Was it pride? Gary almost laughed, he was proud of Ghost.

"You never did explain why you brought a friend." His mother said, moving next to him. She gave him a knowing look. "I take it he's the 'it's complicated' person?"

"Yeah." There was no point in denying it. She had always been able to see right through his lies. "But he's just a friend."

"Alright." Ghost glanced back and smiled at him, albeit a bit nervously. That was his cue to intervene. "If you say so."

"Mum!"

"I won't say anything."

"Better not." He muttered. "Amber will explode if she finds out. I should go make sure she's not interrogating him."

"Alright, I'll get some food on, you two must be starving."

"Thank you." He kissed her cheek quickly before joining Ghost and Amber outside. "I hope you're not being pushy." He warned her and she rolled her eyes. "I was asking about John."

"As our Captain, he's got a lot of paperwork to sort out so he couldn't afford to take time off." Ghost caught Gary's eye and smiled. "I should have stayed to help, but someone insisted I take the time off."

"Like you didn't need it." It was so strange, seeing Ghost away from the base. He seemed so out of place in a family setting, but it didn't feel wrong. When Amber left them, Gary moved closer to him. "Doing good?"

"For now."

"Regretting coming with me?"

Ghost looked at him intently. "No. But it's hard to be normal."

"Please, normal is overrated."

"That's why you like me then?"

"Not even a little bit." He nudged Ghost's arm with his own. "Maybe one day I'll tell you all the reasons."

"Give me one."

He glanced at Ghost to see if he was joking or not but he looked genuinely curious. "Fine, remember when you took that bullet for me?"

His hand went to his shoulder. "Of course."

"Well, it made me realise that you had my back no matter what. I liked that." Gary looked away, embarrassed now.

"Well, your smile is one of the reasons I like you." This of course made him smile and Ghost laughed. "There it is. You have a nice smile."

Gary had never been told that before and it made him blush. To think Ghost found his smile attractive warmed his heart. "Come on, let's get something to eat."