I packed my stuff and got ready to leave, I came a bit later then planned. Sarah was the first to get into the car, which she later regretted as she got squeezed with the others.
It wasn't often that we were moved to the station that resided in the forest, especially with so many people. The military trucks filled up with soldiers slowly, we were being rushed by the superiors as we were falling behind schedule.
The two vehicles quickly became full, but there was a few people left with no way of getting in. Of course I was the one who was left out.
I felt someone pat me on my shoulder, I turned my attention from the trucks to see Persha behind me.
"Wanna ride with the crew?"
I looked at her confused, she pointed over to another car and I noticed Captain Price. She meant the 141. I wanted to ask her if KorTac was coming with us as well but I already knew the answer.
"Can't I go with you?"
"I am full, so unless you want to walk. . . I would recommend you to start moving."
She lead me towards the 'crew', waving over to the Captain. I watched as Soap and Ghost packed their bags into the trunk and got ready to leave. Just perfect.
"Hi Price, you see. It turned out we have more soldiers then planned. There isn't enough space for poor Shade."
I rolled my eyes without Persha noticing.
"She can ride with us can't she? Captain?"
Soap just had to butt in with the most shit eating grin I have seen him have.
"I wouldn't want to trouble you, Sir. I can figure something out."
"It's fine. You can ride with us."
Everyone's attention turned to Ghost, no one thought he would be the one to approve. I guess Prices decision didn't matter much.
"Oh my, really? That's great to hear! I will leave her in your hands then!"
And just like that the Major left, making me breath out a sigh.
"I am sorry, Sir."
Price smiled at me and placed a hand on my shoulder in a reassuring manner.
"No reason to feel sorry, I just hope you won't be too uncomfortable through the ride."
I looked at him a little confused.
"I am calling shotgun!"
Gaz's voice called out from behind the car.
Great. It was five people. That's what Price meant.
"Put your bag in the back."
Ghost's ordering tone sent a shiver through my body. I haven't heard it in a while.
"Yes Sir."
He scuffed, or was it supposed to be a laugh? It was hard to tell.
---
Of course I was stuck in the middle, I don't know what I was hoping for. Ghost was glued to the window the whole time, his manspreading habit making me want to strangle him on the spot. Soap made the experience more bearable, he continued talking with me, trying to get to know more stuff about me, sometimes trying to include the LT in the conversation. Gaz and Price joined in sporadically but they seemed to be indulged in their own talk.
Ghost would shift in his seat, leaning against me, squashing me between him and Soap. There was already little space in the car so I would lean back against him as well, slowly pushing him back in his original spot. He would stop for a bit, but as soon as I went back to sitting normally he would do the same thing again.
I wanted to tell him to sit properly, so I would look his way and we met each others eyes, he raised his eyebrow every time. I just looked back at Soap and continued our talk. At some point I gave up and simply stayed leaned against him.
I had to admit, although sitting in between the two bigger man wasn't the most comfortable, the ride was quite enjoyable.
---
The car stopped. We have finally arrived at the station.
I stretched my legs as I exited the car, my bones popping while I did so.
"Finally freedom!"
"Yeah, you take too much space. I am never sitting next to you again."
"Me? I am the smallest here! Ghost is the one who took the most space."
I breathed out a heavy breath, he eyed me.
"You didn't seem to mind it while we were in the car."
He told me almost in a whisper. He wasn't wrong. But I am not admitting that.
"I didn't have a choice."
I told him coldly after hearing Price chuckle at our banter.
"You get along well, huh? Ghost?"
"As if."
I spoke before him, before grabbing my bag and making my way to my tent.
"Don't forget to come visit us before you leave!"
I met up with Sarah along the way.
"We got separated again. Make sure to hold onto me when we will be coming back."
"I will hold your hand the whole way, don't worry."
I laughed along with her.
"How was the ride anyway? He didn't do anything to you right? Did he make you uncomfortable? If you want I will beat him up for you. . . Or at least I can try."
She checked for any injuries, acting dramatic, Sarah really didn't like Ghost it seems.
"I am fine! He didn't do anything to me. He isn't that bad of a person."
"You don't know that! He hurt you once. What makes you think he won't do it again?"
This made me upset, Sarah was my friend but I couldn't let her talk about him like this. Neither of us knew him, we didn't have the right to talk about him like this. Although I had to admit he was only nice to me a few times.
"He won't. We are on the same side, remember?"
"I still don't trust him."
"That's okay, I am not asking you too."
We got to the tent and placed our bags on our beds.
"I heard from our Captain that we will have a free day soon. We can finally relax together."
I wonder if I will be back before then.
"Sarah. I will be gone for a day. They need me for something."
She looked at me with a soft smile.
"It's okay. The Major already mentioned you were deployed for work."
"I'm sorry. But I hope you won't miss me too much."
I tried not to bring her mood down, it was a little hard with my continuous disappearing.
"Get me a gift from the outing, I will forgive you then!"
We continued talking, her voice calming down my anxiety from the unknown danger that I was going to meet with soon.
---
I was planing on just leaving, but I guess nothing bad could happen from meeting the 141 before I did.
Their tent's were a bit further then ours, everything there was quieter, calmer. I could almost forget I was in the military.
I could see Soap and Gaz talking with some one I haven't seen before. I came up to them waving back towards Soap as he noticed me.
"Y/N! Missed us already?"
"Hah! You wish."
I looked towards the unknown soldier.
"Ah! Sorry, you two don't know each other. Shade, this is Rudy."
He nodded my way. I have heard this name before. But where?
"Always good to meet another ally."
I nodded back in agreement.
"I would invite you inside but, well, talks are happening."
Soaps voice turned into a whisper.
"No need, I am leaving soon anyway."
"You are? I can get Ghost for you if you want."
I looked at Gaz confused, don't tell me they also think there is something happening between us.
"No need-"
I looked towards the entrance of the tent, Ghost's body slowly emerged from the exit, with him yet another new face. His eyes focused on me, I looked over to the other man. He looked familiar, he was handsome, it was definitely a face I have seen before. The two came up to us, I could feel Ghost's eyes staring at me.
Perhaps Sarah was right that he is a little special.
Or he is just really bad at showing interest.
"Alejandro, you guys are done already?"
"For now, yes."
His accent was nice, it was Spanish. All the bells rang in my head and yet I couldn't remember the man. While Rudy talked with 'Alejandro', Ghost walked right past them and went up straight to me.
"Something wrong?"
"Can't I come to see you?"
"I thought you didn't want me to ignore you?"
Where did he pulled that out from?
"Won't you introduce us to the lady?"
Alejandro walked closer to me, taking out his hand for me to shake and so did I. Soaps surprised expression almost made me chuckle.
"Call me Vargas, miss?"
I remembered. How could I forget this name. 2 years ago, before I was moved to this unit. A mission gone wrong. The mission where I lost my soulmate. William.
"Gloom."
I smiled at him brightly upon using the old code name. The name I had taken after my brother, the old scars that have barely healed, have been scratched open again. The memories still fresh in my head.
"Gloom?"
He looked confused for a moment but quickly realized what I just said.
"Oh my! Gloom! Haha! I never thought I would get to see you!"
"It's nice to see you again as well, Colonel."
Everyone looked between the two of us.
"You two know each other?"
Gaz asked first. Alejandro placed his arm around my shoulder, bringing me close to him.
"One of the best snipers I have ever met. Saved my ass more then I would like to admit."
"We never met per se. Only ever heard each other through coms."
"They said you were a feisty one. Didn't expect you to be this small."
I pushed of his arm with a chuckle.
"That's an advantage. I am harder to notice."
He raised his arms in defence only to drop them a moment later.
"Never said it wasn't."
"Let's catch up after I come back."
"You going already? I will be waiting."
"We all will be."
Ghost added.
"Yeah."
He got closer to me, guiding me to the side, further away from everyone.
"Hey, Y/N . . ."
"What, Riley?"
"Be careful."
I swear I could hear the longing in his voice. It made my breath catch in my throat.
"I will be."
He evidently wanted to add something but kept quiet.
My smile dropped the moment I started to walk away. I caught a glimpse of his eyes. The way he looked at Alejandro, it looked the same as when he looked at König.
Word count: 1673