Thanks RedDawnShadow, TheShadeOps, CaptainHall, MasterDerp5885, and WheresDaBeef for your awesome reviews. Thanks also to xRosexInxThexSnowx. Well, here comes chapter thirteen where hopefully I'll be able to get deeper into the Dash x Ghost thing… Yeah… Don't have much to say this time… Probably because its 3:27 in the morning as I'm typing this note… Anyway… On to chapter thirteen with you…

Thanks for Reading, Fly High Aim Higher

~Spitfire out

*Dash's POV*

Two days after we got back from that Russian prison and Doc wouldn't let me see Ghost. I had to wonder why because he never gave a good reason. Come to think of it, last time he had gotten hurt I couldn't see him either.

I sighed as the warm water pelted gently on my skin. A warm shower in the middle of winter after a mission gone sideways always felt good.

I heard the door open and close quietly but dismissed it as one of the nurses. Someone had told them about the bullet wound on my shoulder and they were always checking up on me now to make sure that it was healing right.

As I wrapped myself in a towel after finishing the shower I could hear a rustle of fabric behind me then felt strong, warm hands on my shoulders, thumbs working out knots in my tense muscles all the while being careful of my injury. Then the arms wrapped around me and held me close to the body behind me as whoever it was rested their chin on top of my head. I recognized the warm embrace almost immediately as Ghost.

"Shouldn't you be in med-bay?" I asked, ignoring and at the same time liking the fact that we were so close.

"Doc said I could go…" There was that hypnotizing accent and I melted into his grasp.

Then I noticed his voice wasn't muffled at all, it was strong and clear. That noted the absence of his mask. He moved his chin from my head to my shoulder and I looked out of the corner of my eye to see those beautiful, captivating blue eyes looking back at me. I gave a small smile and escaped his grasp, turning around to get a good look at his face.

I had to stop myself from gasping. He was just… wow… A scar could be seen easily that went from just above his left eyebrow, even catching his eye lid, down to just below and just to the right of the center of his lips. His hair was black and looked like it was naturally messy. The jet-black hair hung over his forehead a little bit and that smile. It wasn't a big one; it was a gentler and softer smile.

I stepped back towards him, not caring that I was only wearing a towel, and wrapped my arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"You should be resting," I said quietly.

"So should you," Ghost responded, moving his face a little closer to mine so that we were just inches apart.

"I'm not the one that jumped in front of a bullet to save someone else's arse," I commented, also moving closer, we were just centimeters apart now and I could feel his hot breath against my face.

"You did it before I did," Ghost pointed out, reminding me of my shoulder wound and how I had gotten it saving his arse from Sheppard.

Ghost then closed the distance between us and caught me in a kiss. It was passionate and gentle at the same time, it was wonderful. He pulled away slowly, leaving me wanting more.

"Ghost…" I said quietly, "I never meant 'no'…"

"Neither did I," I whispered in my ear, kissing me lightly before letting me go so I could get dressed.

*Archer's POV*

Toad had been staying with me since we got back; he refused to leave my side. He had reason that he didn't even know about to be worried; I hadn't told him what Doc had told me yet, I was still working out the details on how to say it without making him worry even more. What Doc had told me… I didn't even know it had happened, maybe it was the pain all melded together so I didn't notice, maybe it was the fact I didn't see it happen… I didn't know and quite frankly, I didn't want to know.

All I knew know was that I was being kept on pain killers that made me drowsy. It was probably a good thing, not sure I wanted to feel the pain of a knife through the ribs and several to the back of the knee and other places on my right leg. Maybe Toad had noticed the injuries, maybe he hadn't, either way, I don't think he knew I was in as bad a shape as I was.

Doc had even said that he had lost me once or twice before he finally got me patched up. But I couldn't tell Toad that, he'd freak out and then I'd never get him to sleep. I should be dead, I didn't know how to tell Toad what had really happened but both Doc and I knew that we'd have to tell him eventually or he'd find out himself and then he'd be pissed.

Doc came in later with a glass of water and handed it to me, he had gotten used to Toad always being there, I figured he just thought it was a friend looking out for his best mate. Toad was still asleep in the chair beside me as I quietly drank the water.

"We've got to tell him…" I said when I finished.

"You sure?" Doc asked carefully, neither of us were looking forward to telling him what happened.

I just nodded in response, "Just gotta figure out how you tell someone something like that…"

I had come to terms with it but I wasn't sure Toad would accept it as easily as I had.

Doc just sighed, "I'll take care of it," he said quietly, nudging Toad to wake him up and motioned to him that he wanted to talk to him alone.

Toad walked back in a few minutes later and I braced myself for his reaction, "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, sitting down again, "You actually died… twice… and didn't tell me?"

"I did- I didn't… know how… now… it's… I-it's different now that we're…" I stumbled over my words, reaching a hand up to my head.

Toad caught my hand in both of his hands and stood up, "It's okay, Ian… I'm here for you, and I'm not going anywhere," he said quietly, pressing his forehead against mine.

"I know, Christian… I know," I whispered and he sat back down, keeping my hand in his.

It felt right, to be so close to him. It was as if I shouldn't be anywhere else. Out of random I started thinking about before we were 'Archer and Toad', back before Sheppard found us on that op where Toad had gotten fucked up by another sniper. Back then we weren't Archer and Toad we were Shadow and Jester, guess who's who?

That op was more like a nightmare, Toad had scared the shit out of me; he crashed once in the heli during evac and twice in the ER. Sheppard found us during our last stand, we were surrounded, outnumbered, and, with a wounded partner that couldn't shoot for shit in his condition, I was also out gunned. Sheppard gave us the help we needed to get out alive, barely. I had taken a bullet to the back as I helped load Toad on the heli. I wanted them to just leave me, get my partner to safety but both the pilots and General refused and got me aboard the aircraft before it took off. I was okay though, it was a minor hit, especially compared to Toad who was stuck in ICU for five weeks before finally being moved to a recovery room. Sheppard wanted to recruit me after that, for some secret task force that happened to be the one-four-one. He had said that my 'display of rescuing my teammate and requesting to stay behind in the interest of the team' proved that I was the best-of-the-best. But I refused, Toad and I were partners and always would be, he attempted to bargain with me to join the task force until he finally conceded and allowed Toad to come with me when he recovered.

It was a bitter-sweet memory of how we had gained membership into the elite task force. The memory of how we got our new names, however, was a fond one. I had gotten mine on my first op with the team. I had run out of ammo and the target was getting away, I was the only one with a clear shot and I had found a bow and single arrow. I took aim with the bow and loosed the arrow, exhaling calmly as I did to keep my shot steady. The arrow went through the target's skull. From there, they started calling me Archer. Toad got his name because he was 'jumpy' after his injury. Of course, he had good reason to be, he'd been hurt pretty bad.

"What're you thinking about?" Toad asked randomly.

I smiled a little, "Before we were Archer and Toad."

Toad chuckled a little, "You mean Shadow and Jester…" he said with a fond smile.

"Yeah… good times," I said quietly.

"Yeah, they were, but these times…" Toad said, facing me and putting our faces close, "are better," he said, capturing me in another kiss.

"Agreed," I whispered when he pulled away.

We were quiet for a while, me running my fingers through Toad's reddish-brown hair with his head leaning against my shoulder. Without looking I knew those emerald green eyes were staring at our interlaced fingers. I rested my head against his as I fell asleep.

*Ghost's POV*

I couldn't believe what I just did… I let Dash see my face, the damned scar. But her reaction… She didn't gape, she wasn't horrified by it; she just… wrapped her arms around my neck and told me that I should be resting. But the scar wasn't just a mark, it was a memory, a bad one that I wish I could just forget.

We were in her room, lying on the bed. She nestled into my chest as I wrapped my arms around her and held her close.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you," I whispered as I fell asleep.

For once, the nightmares stayed away. For once in my life, I slept all through the night until it was time to get up at 0600.

We had gotten word from Nikoli that MacTavish and Price thought we were dead and were going after Sheppard. I couldn't let them face that bastard alone so I was going to lead those that were fit to fight and help them out. I woke Dash up and told her what we were going to do, she was partial to the plan, loved it even. The rest of the team wasn't so eager, they thought I was crazy, mainly Doc but his reasoning was that I was injured so he didn't count.

I went to check up on Archer after hearing that Doc had lost him twice while he was working on the sniper.

I found Archer asleep in a recovery room, Toad was there too, also asleep. Their hands were laced together and Toad's head rested on Archer's shoulder. Both were smiling lightly.

I left the room without waking either of them, this explained where Toad was when I addressed everyone. I checked on Roach next, the bug was doing better but he wasn't fit for duty, even if he did support my plan, which he did, he tried to convince me to let him join us but he couldn't. So it was just Nikoli, Dash, and I. It's all I needed.

We geared up in Kevlar vests, each grabbing silenced weapons and flash bangs, a few breaching charges, along with a couple knives each, one for throwing, the other for close quarters situations.

Nikoli was just the pilot but he geared up anyway in case we needed his help, which was doubtful. Nikoli took us to where we needed to be and a few meters away I saw MacTavish on the ground, a knife in his chest and Sheppard aiming a 44 Magnum at the Captain's head. There was no way I could reach them in time. But that was when Price jumped in at the last second and tackled Sheppard away, causing him to miss hitting MacTavish. This gave me enough time to get Dash and myself into position.

If only Jay were here or if Archer were okay. I knew Archer and Toad would've agreed to my plan, they were risk takers and would do just about anything to help someone on the team. I was knelt down by 'Tavish when Sheppard's pistol was flung down near me. 'Tavish moved like he were going to take the gun but I kept him still, signaling to Dash who moved to help me restrain the Captain. Sheppard was now approaching and Dash stood, ready to attack the General.

I stood and faced him as well and the General stopped in his tracks upon seeing who we were, "I-I killed you, both of you!" he shouted disbelievingly.

"You can't kill a Ghost, they're already dead," I said with a growl as I charged at him.

Sheppard managed to wrestle me to the ground, restraining my legs and keeping my arms pinned with his knees, he punched my face repeatedly.

Sheppard was tackled off of me by Dash who instantly had Sheppard trapped under her but Sheppard got the upper hand and caught one of her punches after managing to free one of his hands and twisted her wrist, she punched with the other hand, a strong punch, knocking him out instantly. I went over and cuffed the General. I wanted to get some answers out of him before the bastard died.

I looked over at Dash, she was keeping her injured hand close to her side protectively. She nodded subtly as if to say she was okay. I knew she would be and looked over to where Price was patching 'Tavish up. He turned to Nikoli as the Russian pilot exited the chopper to check on everyone.

"Thought I told you this was a one way trip," Price said, helping MacTavish up and holding him up.

"Wasn't my idea," Nikoli said, gesturing to me and Dash, "Looks like it still is anyway."

Price glanced towards us and gave us a small nod as Dash pulled up the unconscious General.

"Nikoli, we've got to get Soap out of here," Price said as the wounded man stumbled and Nikoli helped support his other side.

Nikoli helped get Soap in the chopper as Dash and I came up with Sheppard between us as he started waking up a little, Dash punched him again to keep him out.

The trip back to base was silent other than the pained moans of the wounded Captain. The chopper landed and Price wasted no time taking MacTavish to the infirmary. Dash and I however escorted Sheppard to the brig to be questioned later.

Dash left to the rec room, I assumed she was going to beat the punching bag up. I went to check on Roach, who over enthusiastically asked how it went. I answered by saying that we had captured Sheppard but MacTavish was hurt pretty bad. Roach was instantly worried but I assured him that the Captain was okay, which he was now.

Once we all got our gear put up we headed back to our own rooms in the barracks to sleep.

Truth be told, I ended it here like that, cause I ran out of ideas… So.. Yeah… Didn't get as much into the Dash x Ghost thing but got a better look at Archer and Toad's back story. *shrug* Flames if you want to, that was a horrible ending to a chapter and I know it… Hey, at least they captured Sheppard… but, is that really a good thing? Muw-ha-ha-ha!

Thanks for Reading, Fly High Aim Higher

~Spitfire out