Disclaimer: I do not own Call of Duty, it belongs to Infinity Ward.
Chapter two- Gossip
The next morning I woke up with a bruise on my shoulder. I still couldn't believe it, I thought it was all just a dream. But this mark was the proof of our actions last night and I should believe in it.
Since there was no on going mission, I went to the mess hall to have breakfast. It was a wonderful morning. Nothing much going on, it was so peaceful and quiet...
"Morning, Lieutenant!" Ah, this annoying voice. I totally forgot about him. That guy who is currently waving at me is the Fucking New Guy or for short FNG.
Ever since he transferred here, the Captain has only spent his time on battlefield saving this man's clumsy ass. That's the reason why MacTavish can't take his eyes off of him on a mission, because if he does, Roach, the FNG, will surely encounter trouble. But sometimes his clumsiness saved us, like that time, he tripped on something and brought Captain down with him on the ground. If he had fallen down a millisecond later, the sniper would have surely succeeded in killing the Captain. So I'm kind of thankful for him. But still, that doesn't change the fact that I still hate him, because now he's the number one on MacTavish's favorite list. Sly bastard!
"Morning." I finally replied.
He sat across me with a tray full of food and smiled. He leaned forward and held one hand on the side of his mouth, gesturing a whisper.
"Hey, Ghost." Ah, I knew it. Here comes the latest news. "Have you seen the Captain today?"
MacTavish? Now that's some news I'd like to hear. I shook my head horizontally and took a sip from my coffee. "No, I haven't. Why?" I asked carefully, making sure not to sound too curious and interested.
His smile turned into a smirk and he leaned even more closer to me. Assuming it was top secret I too, leaned a little forward. "He looks more relaxed today compared to all the other days ever since he came back from that mission. Some said he brought a lady over last night. Apparently one of our mates heard strange noises coming out from his room."
I almost chocked from my coffee by Roach's words. Alright, that was unexpected. I didn't think that his moans could be heard from the outside. This mate of ours must really have sharp ears. I need to cover it up somehow, before it reaches his ears or I won't be getting any second chance. I tilted my head to the side. "He could be lying. I haven't heard anything when I went out yesterday for a midnight walk."
He furrowed his brows and pouted. How childish. "But you know Archer never lies!" So Archer was the culprit! Had it been someone else, then this conversation would have been immediately dismissed.
I laughed, making Roach feel insecure. "Come on, mate. Do you really believe that he never lied even once? We are all sinful humans."
He stared at me for a while, probably processing the information in his brain, then slowly he withdrew back to his seat, looking at his food with a hint of sadness on his face. He bit his lower lip, keeping silent while eating his food and admitting defeat. I pulled my balaclava down, I couldn't help but smirk. What a sweet victory.
"Morning." A familiar deep husky voice greeted. Like a reflex, I immediately turned around to meet the voice's owner. It was MacTavish. He really does look more relaxed today.
"Captain!" Roach's face brightened up. Captain only smiled at him and sat down next to me with a cup of coffee in his hand.
"Captain." Roach whined. "Ghost told me that Archer was a liar!" He said innocently while pointing his finger at me.
There he goes again, changing things as he sees suitable. This just pisses me off. "I did not!" I retorted.
I could hear MacTavish laughing. "I see that the two of you still get along as usual." He remarked.
"We do not!" Both of us said at the same time, as if we discussed it before hand when to say it.
"So what are you two fighting about today?" He asked as he sipped his coffee, clearly ignoring our previous comment.
"Well..." Roach began and scratched his cheek.
I kicked Roach's leg, startling him and making him look at me. I gave him a death glare. He better be quiet about it. "Its nothing, Captain. Nothing at all." I said before Roach could spill the beans.
"Morning." Another group of people joined our table.
"Morning." The three of us, who were already seated, replied.
I hope they haven't heard the news yet. "So Captain. How was it?" Damn it Meat! Always asking directly. Can't you keep your mouth shut just for once? At least let me hope.
"How was what?" Obviously Captain doesn't know it yet. Good thing, I can probably keep it that way, if I can somehow think up of something before the revelation.
"You know, last night?" Toad, not you too?
"Last night?" MacTavish, Captain! Please don't, just keep quiet. You're making them excited.
Ok, time to interrupt this conversation. "Speaking of last night. It rained heavy. We won't be doing any field training today."
There was silence. Great. Now you're all just staring at me? So now I'm just being ignored. Usually you guys would ask me if I've got a fever. Curse you all!
"So... Anyway, come on, Captain. There's no need in playing coy." Come on! Worm, you bloody bastard. Why in the hell are you all curious about his private life? Let the man have some space.
"I seriously don't know what you guys are talking about." Alright, this is getting closer to the target. I need to think up of something and fast!
"Are you maybe feeling embarrassed, Captain?" With that comment the whole group laughed. Shut the hell up, you're making things worse, Royce!
Fuck, fuck, fuck and fuck! This is my last resort. Fuck everyone! I let my head fall on the table creating a loud bang which surprised everyone. Now I've got all your attentions! But hell, did that hurt.
"Ghost! Are you alright?" The Captain stood up in panic and looked at me.
Time to put my acting skills into use. "I'm feeling a little sick." I replied sounding as sick as I can and out of breath.
"Sorry mates, I'll bring him to the doctor."
"Come on Captain. Stay here, Roach can bring him there." Go fuck yourself, Worm!
"No, its alright. I'll bring him there. I also need to get my hands checked anyway. So its like killing two birds with one bullet¹." Ah, MacTavish is such a nice guy. That's why I love him.
He picked me up and placed my arm around his shoulder and held it, he placed his other hand on my waist to support me. "You can walk right?" I simply nodded.
We got out of there, leaving our mates alone to enjoy their precious time. We walked through the hallways and finally arrived at the doctor's office. We knocked at his door and waited for his answer, then we entered the room.
"Oh, good morning Captain MacTavish and Lieutenant Riley." He stood up and shook our hands. "Please take a seat." He pointed at the chairs. We took a seat and so did he by his desk. "So whats troubling the two of you? You go first Lieutenant."
I cleared my throat. "Well, I felt dizzy all of a sudden a moment ago and I got a shortness of breath."
The doctor stared at me a little suspiciously, does he know that I'm lying? I was starting to sweat.
"Please take off your sunglasses and balaclava. I need to take a better look at you." Damn, I'm getting nervous. I took my sunglasses off and pulled my balaclava up making my face visible.
He observed my face, held my hand and checked my pulse.
"Dizziness, shortness of breath, pale skin, cold hands and a fast heartbeat. Your symptoms shows that you have anemia. Well, that is to be expected since you lost a little too much blood the other day." The doctor searched something in the cabinet full of medicine. "Here take these. These are iron tables maybe it will help." He handed me a bottle full of iron tables. "And also eat a lot of red meat and liver too." Liver? I hate liver! It tastes and smells disgusting. Well, its not like I have to actually eat it since it was all my acting and my pale face was because I thought I would get caught. I sighed, pulled my balaclava down and put my sunglasses on.
"Ok you're next Captain. Lets take those bandages off and see your hands." The Captain took his bandages off and showed his hands.
"Captain MacTavish!" The doctor shouted. "I told you not to overexert yourself, look what happened. Your wounds are open again!" Again? Was it from last night or because he carried me a while ago?
MacTavish just laughed and apologized. The doctor was at it again. Always scolding Captain. Hes a strong man, that doctor. No one even dares to scold Captain like that, but I think scolding MacTavish is only the privilege that the doctors and higher ups get. I so envy them because Captain can be scary to his underlings if he wants to. And I'm kind of a sadist too, so wanting to see him in pain is normal, I guess.
After MacTavish had an ear full of scolding, the doctor redressed the wounded hand and gave Captain an ointment to put on his wounds. The doctor warned him and muttered something about extending the Captain's sick leave for another two weeks and wrote it down. While he was busy writing, MacTavish decided that we should quickly escape from the room. He just loves to mess with the doctor. So we smuggled ourselves out as quietly as we can and ran towards the exit, into mother nature. We stared at each other and laughed while catching our breaths.
"I guess I'll be in your care for the next few weeks." He smiled and raised his hands showing the bandages.
Is this what I think it is? Is he telling me that I've got a second chance? "Yeah, I guess I'll be taking care of you then." I smiled.
A/N2: That was another fun chapter. *laughs* I made Ghost hate liver too, since I hate it. In my childhood my mother made me eat tons of liver because I was anemic. I hated the taste. It was very traumatic. Now a days when I see or taste liver I have the urge to throw up. But I still like the liver spread though, I can eat it just fine. Its strange but I guess its normal since I'm a weirdo.
¹ I know it should be killing two birds with one stone, but considering they are soldiers I made it into bullet.
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