#fluffwriting

Jamie wakes up as the sun shines through the window. Jamie sees Ghost asleep beside her. Jamie wonders why Ghost is sleeping on her bed, then recalls the nightmare, as well as how Ghost brought her to his quarters. She gets out of bed. Before leaving the room, Jamie eyes the hoodie on the desk chair. She smiles as she grabs it and puts it on before leaving the room.

Task Force 141 knew about Jamie’s mental struggles and a little about her life back in her dimension. They dislike what she deals with or the fact that she won’t discuss it. The only reason they know is that Optimus Prime informed Price, who then informed everyone else. Jamie’s ill temper upon dimensional return is now expected.

Jamie’s unhappiness upon returning confirms their correctness, yet they remain displeased. They also see how tense she is, and that she’ll refuse to talk to them. “Leave her alone for now,” Price tells the others. Everyone but Ghost goes their separate ways. Ghost watches Jamie walk down the hall.

Everyone is in the kitchen of the safe house early in the morning. That is everyone but Jamie. “That’s it. I’ll drag her out of bed myself!” Ghost says. “I’ll go. I’ve been trying to get her ass out of bed for the past ten minutes,” Nikolai says. He walks out of the kitchen and goes up the stairs.

Nikolai walks into Jamie’s room and sits on the bed. “It’s time to get out of bed.” “Five more minutes.” “You said that five minutes ago. Ghost is about ready to yank you out of bed.” Jamie says nothing. Nikolai worries she’s unwell, but she doesn’t feel warm as he feels her forehead. “Did you stay up late?” “No.” “Another night of insomnia?” Jamie says nothing. She hates that everyone knows she deals with insomnia. It’s been an issue, but not a constant one. Ghost barges into the room. “Get up!” He yells. “Leave her alone.” Price walks into the room. Nikolai explains that he figured the issue is Jamie’s insomnia. “Not a good time. Sorry, but she can’t sleep any longer. “We’re leaving in an hour,” Price states, then departs with Ghost. Nikolai sighs. He moves Jamie onto his lap. She leans on him. “You should have sought help from us. We might have been able to help you fall asleep.” Nikolai carries the smaller woman downstairs to the kitchen.

He sets her on a chair at the table and makes her breakfast. “Make an extra-strong coffee,” Soap jokes. “Not funny!” Nikolai argues. Soap leaves the kitchen. Nikolai finishes making breakfast for Jamie. Price watches from the doorway. He worries whether Jamie’s insomnia is going to be an ongoing problem again. He hopes Jamie will wake up for today’s half of the mission and that she’ll sleep well tonight. Price sits at the table with Jamie as Nikolai finishes cooking. He puts a cup of coffee and a bowl of scrambled eggs in front of Jamie before sitting on the chair next to her. “Eat.” “Sleep.” “When we leave. I’ll carry you.” “Really?” Ghost comments from the doorway. “She’s a grown woman. Not our fault she stayed up all night.” “Enough, Ghost!” Price scolds. He, Gaz, and Soap walk into the kitchen. Jamie hates that she’s causing an argument. “She’s struggling with insomnia again. Not the best time, but it’s out of her control.” “She’s not fit for duty anymore,” Ghost argues. “Enough! I don’t want to hear another word!” “She needs time to wake up,” Nikolai argues. “She’ll be ready when we reach our location.” Ghost walks out of the kitchen, annoyed. “You know Ghost cares about you,” Nikolai assures Jamie as he puts a hand on her shoulder. “Now, eat.” Jamie eats the eggs, worried that Ghost doesn’t care about her.

The rest of the night is relaxing, with dinner and a movie. Jamie fell asleep during the movie. The others hope she’ll sleep all night. Ghost carries her to bed.

Once Jamie is in bed, Ghost stands by the bed, uncertain if he should leave. Jamie’s insomnia means he might wake up in the night and find it hard to fall back asleep, as he knows. With the time being nine at night, Ghost sits at the desk, watching Jamie. He decides he’ll leave at two in the morning. He can handle getting four hours of sleep. Assuming he’ll fall asleep rather than lie in his bed, staring at the ceiling.

At midnight, Ghost is busy with his phone and hears Jamie’s whimpers. Ghost puts his phone on the desk and moves toward the bed. He sits on the bed and puts his hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “Jamie, wake up,” he says as he shakes her shoulder. “You’re okay; we’re safe.” Ghost continues to attempt to wake Jamie. It takes a few minutes before she wakes up. “You’re ok.” Ghost is careful as he moves Jamie onto his lap, hugging her. He rocks her back and forth, hoping to comfort her. Jamie takes a few minutes to calm down. She holds on to Ghost like a lifeline. “Do you want to come with me? Maybe sleeping with me will help.” Jamie nods. Her eyes still showed fear from the nightmare. Ghost knows he should have Jamie talk about her nightmare, but he’s concerned about getting her back to sleep. Ghost carries her to his room.