If you ask you shall recieve!

The beating of your heart drones in your ears as you continue forward hoping you’re going in the correct direction. A few drops of rain hit you as you continue jogging, not really paying attention to it due to already being wet. The sound of the dead started to fade as you continued on your journey. The only thought was of finding Jack and finding him alive. Anger started to boil inside you as you recalled everything that man has done.

It was fueling you to keep going as the rain started to come down faster and faster. You pushed through knowing that if you stopped now it could mean your death. The city had to be closer where else would that herd of dead come from. It was farther than you thought as the rain had come to an end, but the wind was biting through the wet clothing you had on. The shivering comes a short time later, but you keep pressing forward towards what you hope is the city.

The sky is darkening with the fall of night and the city is nowhere in sight. You start to panic looking for somewhere to lay low that's somewhat fortified. You eventually stumble upon a mall and the flashbacks hit you hard as you recognize it. Kane screamed for you to run as the deadheads began to devour him alive. The bullet you fired into his head to save him from suffering. 

You make your way in as the flashbacks continue as your shivering becomes worse. You're distracted but continue into the building and go to the exact spot. All that’s left are his bones as you start to cry. “I’m so sorry Kane. All of this is my fault… I know you wouldn’t want me to think this way, but look at what I did and what I’ve done. I got you killed. I wasn’t strong enough to protect myself or Josie. Now Jack is missing all because we didn’t kill that bastard right away”, you vent.

You start to sob as you notice a small glint beside the pile of bones. You reach out and realize it’s Kane’s dog tags. They’re covered in grime but you pick them up anyway and start back towards the back store room where the dead came from the first time you were here. You grabbed a better bag and stocked up on anything you would need that was left. Then you took your old shoulder bag back and started gathering up Kane’s remains. You would bury him properly when you got back to base. 

The big glass window that you had to jump through was letting the sounds come through when you heard the wind pick up and rain start to pour again. Tonight you would stay here out of the weather, but the shivering wasn’t helping anything. You finally fall asleep in a small janitor's room you found earlier. No windows, one door in and out and a couple of lockers that you scavenged some old granola bars out of. 

The nightmares start almost as soon as you're asleep. Kane’s yells and screams are the first of the nightmares as you watch in horror him being devoured. The nightmares morph but this time it’s Ghost and the dead are heading towards him like they did Kane. This time is different. You push him towards the window as you pull the gun from your waistband. You put the gun to your head. Ghost is yelling something at you as his brown eyes plead with you not to do this, but you put the gun to your head. “Survive”, you whisper then pull the trigger. 

The sound of the gun going off is what woke you up, but once you got your bearings it was banging at the door. You shuffled towards the door and heard the dead there groaning. You panicked knowing that the door may not hold. You moved quickly pushing the lockers across the door and some other things to barricade it. Now you were stuck there was no way out. The ceilings and walls were sturdy and made of concrete. Vents way too small for you to fit through.

Once again you were trapped just like the house attic, but this time there was no miracle. The banging on the door continued and you knew they wouldn’t leave until they got what they wanted. There was no way that they would leave and you would die of dehydration in a couple of days. You started conserving and kept waiting for the dead to move on, but that's wishful thinking. You spent most of your time staring at the ceiling or sleeping and every time you woke you listened only to hear the groans and banging. 

Days had passed as you used a small drain as your toilet and you could tell you were becoming dehydrated. The canteen is empty and no one is coming to save you so you grabbed your bow and the arrows that you had. You rubbed Kane’s dog tags before putting them in the bag with his remains. You snapped one to make a dagger of sorts. The moment of truth as you moved the lockers just enough to make a kill chute of sorts. You opened the door and began stabbing the dead in the head. It was grueling, slow and tiring as you finally killed the last one. 

First thing on your list was getting water so you grabbed all of your gear and headed out. You found a small stream and set up a small fire to boil it. It took forever to find things that would burn after the rain, but eventually it worked. You drank as if there wasn’t enough then put the rest in the canteen. Next was scavenging for food then once that was done you cooked it. You ate some then stored the rest in your bag. You started your way towards the city now that you knew where you were. 

The journey had taken several days and at this point you realised that you had gone the long way. You were running out of food but the city was up ahead and there was bound to be some food left over. You scavenged some of the suburbian homes right outside the city getting some canned foods that had been left behind. The city was as dangerous as you thought it would be; the dead were everywhere. Most were in the late stages of decay, but there were a few fresh dead that were roaming the streets. 

You got extremely lucky to find a small store with maps. You made your way onto a fire escape and pinpointed where you were currently situated. “If I were a guy that thought my brother was still alive, where would I go?”, you whispered to yourself. You pinpointed several points on the map that could be well defended so you grabbed a small pencil you had also nabbed at the store. There were five circles that you would check as you made your way down. 

It was mid day if you hurried you could check at least two locations. The first location was visible to you so you started making your way towards it. You were able to avoid or outrun the deadheads as you made the first location. There were no signs of life in this building other than some rats and pigeons that had gotten in through broken windows. The way to the second location was a bit trickier as you started to jog towards it. 

There were hushed voices as you made your way to the second location. You managed to slip inside as the voices got closer. “I thought I saw a shadow dart into that old building up ahead”, one whispered. You waited as the other tried to dissuade his friend, but no such luck as the voices got closer. There were limited hiding places, but you picked a sturdy looking trunk. It was stale inside with the moth-eaten clothes as you kept the lid cracked enough to watch and listen in. 

One is tall and willowy whereas the other one is shorter and older. “I could have sworn I saw someone come in here”, the shorter one says. “And I’m telling you that it was a trick of the light”, the taller one replies. “We need to hurry. I don’t like being out here”, the taller one states. “Look we are just checking to make sure that it wasn’t somebody snooping around”, the shorter one replies. “Look man Henry made it clear to just come out to get food his brother's kid would like”, the tall one gripes. 

They had to be talking about Jack, you were sure of it. “Look I don’t like the brat either. Kids wailing is gonna’ get us all killed, but Henry would kick us out if we took matters into our own hands”, the short one huffs. The thought of what they would do to Jack fuels your anger, but you bite down on the inside of your cheek to keep your emotions in check. “Let’s split up and see if we see anybody or any food”, the short one states. 

“What if the dead come after me?”, the tall one whines. “You shoot it you pansy. What do you think you carry that gun around for?”, the short one hisses. With that they split up and now you have to make a decision. Trail one of them and subdue them for info or just trail them back to where they are hiding out. “What would Ghost do?”, you ask yourself. Knowing him he would probably kill one and capture the other for interrogation, but would you be able to take either of them. 

As if he were right there you could hear his voice telling you to take out the short one. He seemed more aggressive about the whole situation than the tall willowy one. You crawl out of your hiding spot and trail the shorter one for a couple blocks then duck into an alley where you rattle some trash cans and roll a bottle out of the opening. You hide behind some old scaffolding gripping your knife tight. Your bow is out of the question due to the tight quarters and limited arrows.

Every scenario you could think of runs through your head as you hear the man call out at the mouth of the alley. He takes the bait and starts to head toward your position. You lunge just as he passes by and swing the knife. It catches him in the shoulder. He yells and goes to pull away, but you know if he gets back enough he can raise his rifle and fire. He succeeds in pushing you away and your back hits the wall. 

The knife is still stuck in his shoulder as he turns his back to you trying to reach it. It was the wrong move as you launch yourself onto his back and lock your arms tight around his neck. He spins a couple of times and grabs at your arms trying to pry you off his neck. You hold tighter knowing this is life and death in this world. He slams you against the wall with all his weight in a last desperate attempt. You know there will be bruises later, but you would endure anything at this point to get Jack back. 

It feels like hours even though the struggle only lasts minutes. The man finally hits his knees and you continue to hold even after he goes limp. Once you’re sure he is dead you pull your knife out of his shoulder pulling his head up by his hair. You bring the knife to his throat and your hand begins to tremble. You haven’t been this close to someone when taking their life. You were sure he was already dead; this was just for good measure.

‘Do it. If he isn’t dead he could pose a threat later’ the voice inside your head says. You close your eyes and pull the knife across his throat as blood starts to pool below. It’s slow meaning his heart had stopped making your decision a little easier. You pull the rifle out of his grip and check to see how much ammunition is there. It’s a whole magazine worth and when you search him he has two more on his person. You sling the rifle over your shoulder where your bow and quiver sit. 

Now to find the other guy and get the info you were after. You decide to go back to the spot where they said they would meet back up and wait. You take count of your weaponry and wipe down your knife and clean your hands the best you can. You put your knife back in its sheath on your belt and wait. You hear footsteps approaching and try to calm your nerves. What if they found their friend first and know it was you. What if they shoot and ask questions later. All the thoughts stop when the willowy man steps in. ‘Shit you didn’t come up with a cover story. He’ll notice the rifle isn’t yours’ the voice in your head screams.

He notices you immediately and raises his rifle at you. “Stay still. Hands up”, he tells you. You do as he says and put your hands up. Time to act and you pray that he takes the bait. “Please don’t shoot me. I was just looking for something to eat”, you say. You start thinking of people you have lost to bring tears to your eyes. He falters for a moment as the tears flow down your cheeks. “Easy I’m not gonna shoot unless you give me a reason to”, he responds. “There was another man that was going to meet me here. Have you seen him?”, he questions. 

“I saw him earlier. He tried to bring me back here but a pack of those dead grabbed him. He dropped his rifle. I grabbed it and ran”, you sob. Maybe you should have been an actress back before the world went to shit. He lowers his guard and has you sit down to recount what happened. You tell him again how he found you, the dead got him first and you grabbed the rifle and ran. He seemed to buy it easily enough. 

He tried to comfort you as best as he could and once you had “calmed” down he explained that there were some others from his camp. You let him talk, but you could tell he was young and naive. He then offered to take you to his camp. You gather your stuff as you walk and he starts to tell you about his life before the dead. He was in high school when it happened and as he talks he divulges he just turned seventeen. You ask more about his camp and the people there. 

You learn that he just joined this Hank guys camp a week ago and that his brother just showed up with his kid in tow. “What’s the kid like? I mean I haven’t seen any children since this all started”, you try to sound nonchalant. “Well he cries constantly any time his dad picks him up. I swear that kid hates him”, he explains. He describes the child and you know when he mentions a small birthmark on his neck that it’s Jack. 

You wait till the kid turns around and when he does you take the rifle and hit him in the back of the head. It does the trick and he crumbles to the ground. It’s starting to get dark and there are some dead roaming around. You grab the kids rifle and sling it over your shoulder with the other one. Then you start dragging the kid to where you’re going to make camp for the night. The place you chose is an old abandoned apartment building. It looks like it was abandoned before the outbreak meaning no one would come looking here.

You get a small fire going so as not to draw any attention and you wait for the kid to wake up. It’s several hours later when the kid comes to. He frantically searches all around until his eyes land on you, but instead of anger you see fear written across his face. “Please don’t kill me”, he pleads. “I’m not going to kill you at least not yet”, you mumble. “What do you want?!”, he shrieks. “Keep your voice down unless you want the dead to know where we are”, you hiss. 

He shrinks back against the wall and quieter this time asks his question. “I’m here for the kid”, you tell him. “Why what’s so special about him?”, he questions more. You explain everything to him and what that man did to his mother ending on how she was killed and that he was a dangerous man. He tells you his name is Colton and he was traveling with his dad, but his dad got sick and died at the camp he stays at now. He also shows you the bruising on his body from where Jack’s father beat him for giving him old candy “Look I know this is a lot and I’m gonna get the kid back. I’ll go tomorrow now that I know where it is and take them out.”, you explain your plan. 

“What about me?”, he asks. Before you can answer a noise from outside grabs your attention. Colton freezes as you put a pointer finger to your lips. You wait when you hear another small noise, and it’s so faint you almost think it’s your imagination. You scurry to the door and give a hand signal for Colton to stay where he was. 

You pulled your knife out waiting and just when you thought maybe you had imagined it a figure stepped through the opening of the room. You launched yourself, but whoever it was moved fast and grabbed you wrist and spun you to pin you against the wall. It knocked the breath out of you and a gloved hand covered your mouth. “Easy luv jus’ me”, a familiar voice said. “Ghost”, you breathed when he removed his hand.

He turned to look at Colton. “Who’s this?”, Ghost inquires. “His name is Colton. He’s from the camp that has Jack”, you explain. You go back near the small fire you had made as Ghost continues to look over Colton. “Wha’s the plan?”, Ghost questions. “Well I was going to need someone to provide overwatch”, you say. “What about ‘im?”, Ghost asks. “If he helps maybe a spot at camp”, you reply warily. 

Ghost looks between you and Colton for what seems like an eternity before agreeing. Colton seems happy as he agrees to help with whatever is needed. All three of you discuss what you all are going to do tomorrow. After that you settle in to sleep as you watch Colton do the same. Ghost gets up and sits beside you once he is sure Colton is asleep. “Saw a dead body in an alley several blocks away. Tha’ yer’ work?”, he inquires. “Yeah it was me or him and I chose life”, you reply matter of fact. 

“Poor bonnie lass. Are ye’ alright?”, Soap asked, turning to you. “I don’t know”, you whisper again. “We are gonna’ ‘ave ta’ bury our dead”, Soap said. “I have to stay here and look after Jack and Ghost”, you reply. “Ye’ look like yer about ta’ drop”, Soap tells you. “I’ll be alright, but when you all get the chance can you bring some food”, you explain. Soap agrees and tells you he and Gaz will come by to take Josie to be buried. 

The next couple of hours go by until Jack starts crying as Ghost stirs awake. “Momma”, Jack cries. “It’s okay Jack”, you try to soothe. “Mo…omm..a”, he hiccups through his cries. You pick him up and try to help him relax, but he continues crying for his mom. “Momma is gone Jack. She went bye bye”, you sniffle. You know if you cry then it will only make things worse. Ghost gets up to use the bathroom as you continue to try and calm the crying child.

Ghost comes out from the bathroom and grabs the carved horse from the desk and hands it to Jack. He accepts it and eventually cries himself to sleep as you continue to rock him. “Luv you need to put him down”, Ghost tells you. “I can’t I promised I would take care of him”, you say. “You haven’t slept since the incident. You need to sleep”, he tells you. You just shake your head as you get up to get him pills.

He takes them as you tidy up the room and a couple hours go by when Jack wakes back up. “Hungy”, he says. “I know sweety” you say. Eventually Soap brings food and talks with Ghost about the survivors. Out of the sixty-five people on base only twenty six including you, Ghost and Jack survived. “Did Maria and her husband live?”, you asked out of the blue. “Aye lass they have”, Soap replies. 

“Can you send them here? Josie wanted them to take Jack to raise…if anything happened to her”, you explain. Soap agreed and headed out to find them as you helped Jack finish up his food. He clung to you afterwards and Maria and her husband showed up at the door. “Soap said you wanted to see us?”, Maria asked. “Yes I’m sure you heard about Josie”, you said. “Yes we have”, she responded. “She told me in her final moments that… she wanted you and your husband to take Jack as…your adopted son”, you finish. Maria and her husband are happy, but you can see the sorrow at losing a friend like Josie. 

“We would like to make you his godmother and Ghost his godfather. Josie saw you both in that way”, Maria told you both. Ghost tenses but nods his head as you agree. You hand Jack over as he reaches for you and begins to cry. “It’s okay Jack they are going to take care of you sweety”, you tell him. You feel torn as you want him to be safe with Maria and her husband, but you also want him to stay with you. You want to kick and scream how this world is unfair, but you hold it together to soothe Jack.

They go to leave when he cries out the word horsie. It takes you a moment to realise that he wants the wooden horse. You give it to him as he waves goodbye to you in a better mood than a few minutes ago. You turn back inside not knowing what to do with yourself. Ghost sits in his chair watching you closely. Ghost says something about taking a shower and you nod at his words.

He is, as always, efficiently quick and you don’t even notice when he comes out in nothing but a towel. He tosses a clean towel at you and tells you to take one as well. You go in and close the door and take a shower just going through the motions. You dry off and change into some clothes that you had taken in with you. You look into the mirror and see something and you almost scream when you see the visage of Josie laying lifeless in the tub. 

When you turn around there’s nothing there so you collect yourself and turn back to the mirror. This time you do scream as you see Josie’s face with a bloody bullet wound in her head. You scramble back, tripping over the bathmat and falling onto the floor as you scream and sob. The door flies open to reveal Ghost as he looks around the bathroom, eyes landing on you. He pulls the IV pole inside the bathroom and kneels in front of you. 

He doesn’t say a word as he checks you over and waits for you to move. “I killed her”, you sobbed. “No luv you saved her from a fate worse than death”, he explains. “I should have been faster… I should have kept Jack with me..he was safer with me”, you panic. He notices your breathing picks up and you're slipping into a panic attack. He pulls you against him and puts your head against his chest. “Breathe with me love. In. Out”, he comforts. 

You try and eventually calm down enough for him to coax you back into the room. You sit down in the chair as Ghost makes his bed and you break down again. “I’m sorry”, you cry. “Sorry for wut?”, he questions. “I took your mask off and I shouldn’t have looked. I know how much…your privacy meant… to.. you “, you explain. “It’s alright luv. You took care o’ me when I was sick it was bound ta’ happen”, he told you. Doc comes by to check on you both after the scare and advises that once the IV bags were empty he could remove the IV. 

The day goes by in a blur and you still haven’t slept even though exhaustion is nipping at your heels. Soap comes to let you both know they are about to bury Josie and Ghost agrees that you both should go. Ghost doesn’t admit it but he is worried about your mind as well as your health and tags along after placing his mask back on. He watches as you walk to the outskirts of the wall where several graves were dug. They lower Josie’s body down and hold a moment of silence then people start tossing dirt into the grave. 

Ghost watches you like a hawk as you throw your fistful of dirt into the grave. On your way back to Ghost’s room you sway a little as fatigue settles in. Once in his room he notices you waver again as he steadies you. “You should sleep”, he tells you. You turn to look at him not wanting to tell him that your vision was growing dark around the edges. Each beat of your heart makes the inky blackness spread, but you rub your eyes to make it subside. 

There is not much for you to do but you manage to get Ghost back into bed. The night has fallen and now you have been awake for far too long, but you don’t want to sleep in fear of what you might see. Ghost is watching from the bed as he reads a book, but a small twitch from you has him watching you fully. You haven’t noticed him watching you, but the black inky pools around your vision start creeping in. It’s like watching a broken pen spill ink across a stark white page.

Then just when you think things can’t get worse the ringing in your ears starts. You feel cold as you start to shiver a little then you start feeling lightheaded. “Luv ya’ a’right?”, Ghost inquires. Before you can answer, your body fails you completely. Ghost watches as your body goes limp and you collapse into a heap on the floor. He moves as quickly as he can with his IV pole to you and turns you onto your back. 

You look fine as he checks you for injury then your pulse which is thready. He chalks it up to be all the stress and fatigue. He picks you up as best he can and struggles with his IV pole, but he somehow manages to get you into the bed. He slides into the bed beside you and pulls you tight against him resting your head on his chest. You sleep for a long time and it frightens him a little as he continues to monitor you. 

When Doc comes in to take his IV out he has you checked over. He listens intently to the things that Doc tells him. “I’m worried about what her mental state might be when she comes to”, Doc explains. “I’ll stay with ‘er. Price will understand”, Ghost tells him. The good news was he had been on antibiotics for over twenty-four hours and had been fever free. Price came by to check up on him when he explained what happened. 

“This never should have happened. How’re you holdin’ up?”, Price asked. “I’m fine no more fevers and takin’ the antibiotics”, he responded. “Doc passed me earlier and explained what happened. Said you were gonna’ take care of her”, Price nods towards your sleeping form. “Yea’ I mean she’s been doin’ the same fer me”, Ghost replies. “I’m proud of you Simon”, Price announced. Ghost whipped his head so fast to Price that it should have caused whiplash. “Wha’s that supposed ta’ mean”, Ghost said.

“Come on Simon I know that man you brought back isn’t here for interrogation. I had words with ‘em and I know what happened. You haven’t pushed (Y/N) away and now you’re willing to babysit her. You like her Simon”, Price sighs. “You’re takin’ a piss”, Ghost huffs. Before Price could respond you shot up in a panic, eyes darting around the room until they landed on Ghost. “You’re a’right luv. You’re safe”, he soothed. 

Price watched quietly as Ghost grabbed some water for you. “Josie… it was my fault”, you sniffled. “No luv”, Ghost responded. “It should have been me. I could have led the dead away from their hiding spot in the hospital wing. It was my fault we made the run for your room's window”, you rushed out. “Luv you couldn’t ‘ave possibly known what would ‘appen”, Ghost placated. You shook your head as tears fled from your eyes down your cheeks. 

“It should have been me”, you rasp through tears. Price watches in silence noticing how Simon stiffened at the comment and eyes widening slightly. “No luv, never say that”, he says. “(Y/N), this wasn’t your fault. It’s the git who went back to the barracks with a bite”, Price gruffs. You seem to notice Price for the first time through your tears. He watches as Simon agrees with him and you yawn. “I should get going and let you and ‘er rest some more”, Price announces. 

When he leaves, Ghost leans back into his pillows as you curl up as close as possible to him. Your head lying on his chest as you fall into a slightly fitful sleep. Ghost thinks about what Price said about him having feelings for you. The longer he watches you the more it seems like Price’s words were true. When you had said it should have been you all he could think of was you slowly turning and him having to… no he wouldn’t think of it. 

He listened as it began to rain outside and how cooler his room was getting. Winter would be coming soon as you shivered a little. He pulled you tighter to him and removed his mask to sleep. He listened to the rain and your steady breathing, but anytime you would whimper he realized his grip on you had loosened. He pulled you on top of him making sure the blanket was covering you. You stopped whimpering and seemed most comfortable that way, and it wasn’t long until he followed you into sleep.

When you woke up the first thing you noticed was how warm you were. Then as you became more aware you realized Ghost was underneath you. His face looked peaceful with the sunlight hitting his light brown hair and chiseled jaw. You weren’t ready to get up and face the day so you put your head back on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Some time had passed when you looked back up to his face. 

“I can feel ya starin’ luv”, he mumbled. You couldn’t help but smile and snuggle into his chest in your embarrassment of being caught. Eventually you looked back up to meet his deep brown eyes. He was so handsome like this. It had to be the stress as you leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek. His mouth opened slightly in shock at what you had just done. “Wut was tha’ for luv?”, he questioned. “A thanks for everything you’ve done for me”, you reply. 

A small grin tugged at his lips and your stomach felt like it was flip flopping. Then a knock sounded at the door causing you to slide off of Ghost to his side. Price walked in looking grim and it had you worrying your lip. You waited to see what was going to happen when Price finally spoke. “We have a problem, the prisoner escaped last night and took Jack”, he announced. You froze as Price explained that his adoptive parents were alright. 

You didn’t wait for Price to say anything else as you got up. “Which way did they go?”, you asked. “The tracks we found seemed to lead North”, Price replied. “I need a bow with arrows, a knife and a pack stuffed with food”, you rattle off. Price stops and watches as you start grabbing heavy clothing since the weather was changing. “I’ll go with you”, Ghost announces. “I’ll grab you some packs and a couple of horses. Might help you catch up faster”, Price affirms and heads out. “Wha’s the plan?”, Ghosts asks.

“There won’t be a place he can hide. If he hurts Jack I’ll strip flesh from bone and string him up for everyone to see”, you growl. Within minutes you and Ghost are out by the gate with horses and supplies ready to go. Maria approaches you with a blanket that she made a while back for Jack. “Please use this to keep him warm”, she sniffles trying to hold back tears. You nod and climb onto your horse as Ghost does the same. “Keep yerself safe Lt”, Soap says as he helps open the gate. 

You goad your horse onward as you and Ghost pick up the trail. You stop every so often to let the horses walk or rest. When the tracks disappear you panic a little, but Ghost keeps reassuring you that you both are on the right path to finding Jack. The sky is getting heavier clouds and you know it won’t be long for the rain to start, and with how cool it was it wouldn’t be long before you both would need to seek shelter. 

The tracks had long faded, but Ghost was sure that you both were heading in the right direction. You kept your head on a swivel for anything that would give you a clue that Jack and his so-called father had been through this area. The horses were becoming skittish and soon it became evident why. Cresting the hill there was a smell of burning flesh in the air. Screaming is what caught your attention. 

A barn on fire is what got your attention as you goaded your horse forward down the hill. Ghost followed as you pulled your horse to a stop a few yards away. You could hear women screaming and children wailing. The front of the barn was locked with a chain and padlock as the roof started to collapse in. “You’re not alone, help is here”, you yelled. A woman on the other side is yelling for you to get her and her children out. You look for anything that can help you, but find nothing.

Ghost reaches behind him revealing bolt cutters and cuts the lock on the chain. When the doors open you’re met with several children of all different ages come running out with a couple of women. Some of the younger women’s clothes are torn and they scream when they see Ghost. “It’s alright we won’t hurt you”, you sooth. The oldest woman is trying to calm them as you try to make sure that was everybody. “No one is left in there, it was just us”, the older woman claims. 

“What happened here?”, Ghost questioned. “A man was traveling through with his son last night. He asked if they could stay and we let them. He killed my son in law and tried to take my daughters, but when the oldest wouldn’t leave with him he… he…assaulted her then tried to kill us in the barn by fire”, she cried as she hugged her eldest daughter. “Ghost these women and children need to be taken back to the base where they will be safe”, you explained. 

“If we do that we might lose the trail”, Ghost replies. “When the man left was he on foot and which direction did he go?”, you inquired. “He was on foot and was heading north and said something about a city that his brother lived in”, the eldest woman responded. “Ghost take the horses and get these people to the base where they will be safe”, you said. “No I’m coming with you”, he argued. 

“These children and women need a guide back and I’m not going back without Jack. You would be their best bet of protection and survival”, you tell him. He seems to weigh his options until you break the silence again. “We’re wasting time. Here take my horse and get them to safety”, you state. You hand him the reins to your horse and take inventory of what you have. He knows he won’t change your mind, but he is worried about you as you take your bow and arrows. 

At the base you were in Ghost’s room as you tried to sleep. The cold seeping into the room wasn’t unbearable, but it reminded you that you were alone. It didn’t help that you had been having nightmares the whole week. It was starting to take its toll as you had dark circles under your eyes, but the leg was healed enough where you could walk and run again. You had been very helpful to doc as people were getting sick with the temperatures outside fluctuating. 

He was trying to save as much medication as you did research on medicinal plants. An older woman had a greenhouse full of medicinal herbs and plants. It was becoming useful and she was teaching you what could be used to heal or used as a treatment. You hated to admit, but you missed Ghost. As much as you didn’t want to admit you had grown close to him and he seemed to understand your reluctance to trust some of the men around the base. 

Josie had come by when she found out what had happened to you and was so upset that you were willing to forgive Ghost. “It wasn’t like he did it on purpose”, you explain. “I get that it was an episode, but he should have stopped after that first hit”, she huffed. “Sometimes nothing you do can help someone going through an episode. Sometimes interacting with them makes it worse”, you explained. “Well it was a dick move to just up and leave like he did”, Josie countered. 

“I don’t take it to heart Josie. He probably needs time to reflect and get back in a good head space besides I’m still indebted to him for what he has been doing for me”, you respond. “Like what? What could make this all okay and you not take it to heart”, she argued. You looked around the room to make sure no one was listening in. “He has been letting me help with the torture of our prisoner”, you calmly whispered. Josie’s eyes went wide as the realization of what you had just said sank in.

“Why are you whispering?”, she asked. “Because everyone around here thinks Ghost is torturing him for information about a gang of raiders. I don’t want it getting out that I… well you know”, you said. You couldn’t bring yourself to say that word not even now lest the images of what happened flash in your head. Josie didn’t say anything after that other than watching you to see if you would say anything else. 

The next couple of weeks went well and you continued to help in the medical wing. Your back had been healing and there would certainly be scars from the glass at the hospital that you and Ghost had raided. The days blurred together but eventually Ghost came back. He had a cough that he swore was just from not having enough water, but you knew better than that. You had watched him when traveling and he was always prepared. 

He looked so tired and worn out, but kept gruffing at you that he was fine. Later that night when he fell asleep you felt your way to him and felt his head. He was burning up and there was no way that he didn’t have a fever. You quickly made your way to the door and pulled your blindfold off. You ran to get Doc who went in while you waited outside Ghost’s door. “Of all the symptoms he has I would say he has Strep. His fever is very high and I want to start him on IV antibiotics right away. Worst case scenario is his throat starts swelling to where we would have to intubate”, Doc explains.

“He won’t want to be in the hospital wing. Can we set everything up here? Besides I can isolate myself here with him so no one else other than myself risks getting sick in case it’s not strep. Someone can drop supplies off and knock”, you relay. “That would be for the best. I’ll go get all the supplies and be right back”, Doc says. The only problem now was you would have to see his face in order to care for him. Doc made it back and set everything up with your help and not once did you look at his face. 

“Alright everything is set up if you need anything I’m going to leave this pen and notepad. Just leave the notepad by the door. I’ll have someone come by every hour to make sure you don’t need anything. I’ll bring meals by and check on him at those times”, Doc explains. “I can do that”, you respond. Doc takes his leave as you turn back to Ghost. You still haven’t looked at his face, but it will be inevitable to continue on like this. You war with yourself about looking, but finally give in.

The first thing you notice is how flushed he looks, then you notice the scar on the top lip near the corner and some scars that went from his jaw to his cheek on his left side and a thin long scar on his right cheek. Another small thin scar across his forehead. His light brown hair sticking up in some spots and his lashes that were very light in color. Sharp jawline and he was very handsome in your opinion. He started to shiver and you knew it was possibly from the IV bag being cool so you pulled it from its stand still keeping it elevated and placed it inside your shirt to warm it a little.

Once sufficient you placed it back on the IV pole but noticed he was still shivering. You made a decision and tried to wake him. “Ghost”, you called softly. It took several more times before his eyes slowly fluttered open. “Sit up just a little” you tell him. He struggles a little but does as you ask without complaint as you slide yourself in to sit up against the headboard. Once you're settled you help him lie back against you. The back of his head rests on your sternum and he is sweaty, but hopefully you can keep him warm like this. His shivering continues for a little while longer until it slowly ebbs. 

You absentmindedly start combing your finger through his hair and hear a faint sigh. He coughs every now and again, but his breathing evens out. He sleeps and now that you're stuck you have nothing to keep yourself entertained. You fall asleep after a couple of minutes and don’t wake until you hear the door start to creak open. You snap to attention and cover the view of Ghost’s face from the intruder. 

You relax when Doc’s face comes into view. He makes his way over as you try to adjust your aching back to no avail. Doc checked him over as you silently watched, but then as he went to look into his eyes a hand shot up grabbing onto Docs wrist. “Ghost it’s okay you're sick. Just relax and let him finish up his work”, you soothe. It takes a few more moments for him to register and let go. Doc finished up and told you that the fever was down and that he was going to go get some food for the both of you. 

Ghost was mumbling something about a shower when Doc left. He started to get up when you pulled him back to you. “I need a shower”, he groused. “Not in the state you’re in. I shouldn’t have been able to pull you back. You’re still weak and only been on antibiotics for a few hours”, you chastise. He huffs then starts to cough as he lurches forward. He starts to heave as you reach for the trash can near the bed. He empties what little he has in his stomach as you rub his back. 

He groans as you place the trash can back and reclines back into you. “Ya’ shouldn’t be in ‘ere”, he grouses. “Someone needs to take care of you and I don’t think you would want to be in the hospital wing”, you respond. His fever is picking up again as a shiver takes over his body. “Don’ need ta be looked after”, he coughs. He shivers again as you place your hand against his forehead. “Yeah sure you don’t”, you respond.

He falls back to sleep as you wait for Doc to return, but time starts to fly by as you start hearing panicked screams. Ghost stirs at the sound of the sirens on base going off as he tries to get up. “No you’re sick. What does the siren mean”, you ask getting up from the bed. Before he can answer, Soap pokes his head into the room. “Lass ya’ need to stay ‘ere and barricade yer’ door”, he says. “What is going on?!”, you panic.

“Some git was bitten and went back to the barracks. We ‘ave an outbreak inside the base. Barricade yer door until one of us come back. ‘ere take this”, Soap says, handing you a handgun. You don’t have time to say anything as he takes off in the direction he is needed. You do as he said and take the heavy wooden desk and place it in front of the door. The window is high enough up that the dead can’t reach it so you don’t bother with it. 

You grab the chair and set it down beside Ghost’s bed and sit down. You check the gun making sure there is one in the chamber ready to go. You wait for several hours as you hear gunfire every once in a while, but you notice it’s time for another dose of antibiotics. Ghost had been in and out of consciousness asking if the threat had been taken care of yet. Unfortunately it had not as you prepared the syringe with the antibiotic. 

He stirred as you checked the IV bag and concluded that it would last until later tonight. “Before you ask no they haven’t come to tell us it’s clear”, you relay. “What the bloody ‘ell is takin’ ‘em so long”, he grouses. “I don’t know but every once in a while I will hear gunfire”, you explain. “Must be sweepin’ n’ clearin’ “, he guessed. The sun continues to go down as the gun shots start getting fewer and fewer. 

You must have slipped into a dreamless sleep and when you wake up Ghost is sitting up against his headboard. “IV’s almost out”, he muses. You look and he is right, but nobody came to alert you that it was alright to leave the room. “Do you have any weapons in here?”, you ask him. “Yea’ a rifle and a couple knives in the locker”, he gestures to the locker in the corner. You open it and grab the rifle he had talked about and some knives. You handed the rifle and a knife to him and took the other knife. 

“Here I’m going to run to the infirmary across the way to get you what we need”, you tell him. “Ya’ shouldn’t go out there alone. Besides ya’ have ta’ move the barricade”, he explains. “Not if I go out the window”, you explain. He tries to fight you on it, but you are already opening the window and hoisting yourself out with your pack on your back. You slowly make your way across the base to the infirmary using the buildings and crates as cover. 

So far it has been clear, but that doesn’t mean anything as you slip into the infirmary. You had just made your way down the familiar hallway when the power flickered. The generators must be going if that’s the case and you would have a small window to get what you needed and get out. You saw movement at the end of the hallway and recognized the back of one of the nurses. You were about to call out to her when you noticed the twitching in her limbs and the jerky way she moved.

You ducked behind the small nurses station as you tried to pull yourself together. You could shoot her in the head, but guns were loud and she may not be the only new dead head in here. You hoped she would move and kept peeking around the desk to see if she would move, but no such luck. The power flickered again and you panicked a little as you made your decision. You crept up behind her with your knife in hand and without hesitation sunk the blade into the base of her skull. 

She shuddered and collapsed as you pulled the knife out. You slinked closer to the room you needed and rushed to the cabinet, but it was locked and you cursed to yourself. You could break into it but that would be loud and you had no idea if there were anymore deadheads in the building. Ghost was in need of the fluids and more antibiotics so you made your decision. You grabbed an old fire extinguisher off the wall and hit the lock. 

The sound was deafening and you cringed as you listened, but didn’t hear anything. You decided it was safe and hit it several more times until the lock gave way. You pulled the pack from your shoulders and filled it with as much as the pack would allow you to shove in it. You turned towards the door when you heard crying. Not just any crying a small child's cry and then the shrieks of the dead. You went running to find the source knowing the only child here was Jack. 

When you got there five recently turned deadheads were at the door. You raised your gun as the crying inside the room got louder. You fired into their heads with precision and made it to the door where you knocked. More shrieks were coming from down this hallway and when the door opened Josie was there holding a wailing Jack to her chest. “Come on we don’t have time”, you told her. 

You both started running as the lights shut off completely. You both had just burst through the doors when a deadhead launched itself at Josie. She fell to the ground as Jack rolled out of her arms. You fired at its head and in a spatter of blood another knocked into you. The gun was knocked from your hand as Jack wailed. You pulled the knife and sunk the blade in its temple and scrambled towards the gun and aimed at the one getting too close to Jack.

It fell as you turned and fired at the other one on top of Josie. Josie picked Jack up and was running behind you. You looked for the open window and spotted it. “We are almost there. You will have to put Jack down so I can help you up. There is a chair on the other side to stand on and I will hand Jack to you when you’re ready”, you called out. She nodded and did as you said as soon as you hit the side of the building. 

The deadheads were gaining as Josie shimmied into the window. She called for Jack as you lifted him up and he disappeared into the small window. You turned and they were too close so you fired into them. You killed the ones closest to you and then you backed up enough for a running jump and pulled yourself into the window as gunfire erupted outside. You pulled yourself back up to see Soap, Gaz, Price and some other men take down the rest that had been chasing you. 

You closed the window and breathed a sigh of relief going over to check on Ghost who was still holding onto the rifle. Josie was checking over Jack as you piggybacked the original IV bag and pulled some antibiotics for him to take. The lights were still on in this building as Josie took Jack into the bathroom to check him and clean him up. “What’s happinin’ out there?”, Ghost questioned. You told him what happened and that Soap, Gaz and Price seemed to be handling it with some other men you didn’t recognize.

He nodded and you were about to say something else when a scream followed by wailing sobs met your ears from the bathroom. You ran to the bathroom and Josie was sobbing as she clung to Jack and kissed his head. Jack was crying too when you felt a presence behind you. Ghost was watching, holding onto his IV pole. “What’s wrong, is he hurt?”, you ask frantically. Josie shakes her head and that’s when you see it and it feels like a bucket of ice water was dumped on you.

 There is a bite wound on Josie’s arm as she hugs her son to her chest. Ghost freezes as he spots it too and you know what this means. “What do we do”, you say more to yourself. “You know what has ta’ be done”, Ghost says. “We don’t know that she will turn”, you try. “We can’t take that chance”, Ghost replies. 

“No… you have to..to..k..k.kill me”, Josie sobs. “You can’t give up. Jack needs you”, you panic. “I could..hurt him..I don’t want to turn..please”, she cries. “What if we wait and see if you start with the symptoms”, you try to bargain. Ghost shakes his head as you are trying to buy time. Josie takes some time mulling over what you said and agrees. The fever usually sets in within three hours so you take Jack from her arms and take him back to the room. 

Ghost sits on his bed watching through the open bathroom door to keep an eye on Josie. You keep Jack occupied as the time ticks by and soon you hear Josie groaning in pain. The fever starts setting in and she looks horrible as sweat clings to her pale body. “I want..to say goodbye”, she tells you. You go get Jack and let her hug him and kiss his head. “You have to be strong now baby”, she said, petting his hair.

They hugged for what felt like ever and then Josie looked at you. “If Maria and her husband are still alive I want them to take care of Jack. They wanted kids but she can’t have kids and she loves Jack. I also want you to be… the one to… take me out”, she whispers. You nod as you make your way back into the bedroom. You move the barricade and peek to see the hallway empty. You go back into the bathroom to help Josie up and out into the hallway. 

Ghost noticed you didn’t even try to take the makeshift blindfold off and so he got up to grab his mask. Once he tugged it on he informed you that you could take off the blindfold. You sat there and realized it was still dark out. “Still on military time huh”, you smiled. Ghost seemed to smirk at that, but you couldn’t tell by the small lamp that illuminated a small part of the room, and his mask. “You can go back to sleep. I have duties to attend to”, he tells you.

“It’s alright. I’m up now best to earn my keep anyway”, you reply. Ghost watched you for another few minutes before motioning you to follow him. He took you to the infirmary and doc found some things for you to do. Ghost ducked out as soon as he could to do whatever it was he had to tend to. The crutches were a hindrance, but your wounded leg would protest when you tried to walk on it. Soap came by for a checkup from his wound and doc commented about how well done the sutures had been done.

You explained it was the heat of the moment and it would have been prettier had it not been a rushed job. Soap only laughed and talked about how the scar was just to add to his charm which you rolled your eyes at. The only break you received was for lunch and Soap came back to get you. Soap led you to a table in the back where Gaz and Ghost were sitting. “How you settlin’ in?”, Gaz asked. “Pretty well, have a new job and everything”, you reply.

Ghost watches you from the corner of his eye and listens intently to you. “Ghost any more information from that man you brought back?”, Gaz questions. You freeze knowing that the only reason that bastard is here is because of what he did to you and Josie. “Nothin’ yet”, Ghost replies. He is looking at you as you stop eating and starting to get nauseous. You will it away as Ghost seems to stare you down. “Ye arigh’ lass? Ye look like yer about to heave”, Soap says.

“Yeah, just pain in my leg”, you say. Soap and Gaz drop the conversation about the man you had Ghost torture, and start asking if your going to be okay. You force yourself to eat because you never know when you're going to eat again in this hellscape. Ghost had his mask up to eat and you focused on his mouth. Full lips with a scar on the top lip closer to the corner of his mouth. Strong jawline with small scars that look like they go up his cheek, and you can’t help but stare as he shovels food into his mouth only pulling it down while chewing. 

His eyes meet yours and you automatically place your gaze down to your food. “(Y/N)”, Ghost says. You look up to acknowledge him as he tells you to meet him after you're done with your work. The food was good as you cleaned up your spot and took your plate back to the woman working the line. The rest of the day went smoothly and when you were finished with the infirmary you made your way to meet Ghost. He stands against the wall as darkness is falling over the base. 

He looks ominous leaning against the wall as he meets your gaze. He pushes off the wall and you start to follow him. “So the guys don’t know what happened”, you state. “No, none of their business”, Ghost replies. You continued to follow him on your crutches as you recognized the path you were taking. The prisoner woke when you both entered the room and started yelling and cursing. Same as before you called out objects as Ghost inflicted the torture. 

This session lasted an hour before the prisoner passed out from pain. “Pitty”, Ghost mumbled. Ghost once again led you to his room, but then said something about a shower. You followed along and grabbed a cloth to clean around the sutures in your leg. The soap was going to dry out your skin, but you were clean for the first time in a couple of weeks. When you got finished you dried your hair and skin as Ghost waited for you.

Ghost led you back through the maze of the base and back to his room. You had snagged a small rag earlier in the infirmary just in case you needed it. You sat down as he took your crutches to place against the wall. When he turned around he was surprised to see that you had placed a rag over your eyes and tied it in the back. “What’re ya doin’ luv?”, he asked. “This way you can be comfortable in your own room. That mask has to get uncomfortable at some point”, you say.

He feels intrigued that you’re still willing to blindfold yourself after what you know he is capable of doing to you. “Why do you trust me?”, he blurts out. You sit frozen for a few moments as you think of how to respond to his outburst. “Because you helped me when I was at my lowest point, and never made me feel unsafe”, you whisper. He breaks a little at that and sits beside you as he realizes you’re shaking as you recall what happened to you. You startle a little when he pulls you into his lap, but you soon relax within his arms. 

He doesn’t speak, just holds you as you nuzzle into him. “Thank you for saving me”, you mumble into his chest. “Always luv”, he responds. You smile at that as you feel him pull off his mask. Without thinking he places his lips to the top of your head for a quick peck even though you don’t register it at first. Without thinking you bring your hand up to place on his face, but he grabs your wrist as you jolt a little. “I’m sorry”, you whisper. He is tense as a bowstring as you sit and wait for him to make a move. He brings your hand close to his face and with the palm open he set’s it against his cheek.

You just rest there cupping his cheek and rub your thumb back and forth across a slight stubble. He relaxes more and more as you let him get used to it. He reminds you of a skittish cat that would spook at the slightest wrong move. When he leaned into your touch you felt somewhat accomplished as you continued then squeaked when he pulled you back with him as he lay on his back. You stayed like that until you rolled off him and fell asleep as he sat staring at the ceiling. What the hell was he doing letting you get this close to him. He always kept people at a distance before to keep them from getting hurt. 

He remembered one woman back in England near his old flat that tried several times to get to know him. He kept her at a distance only seeing her as a neighbor because of not only his past, but the job he had. If anyone then had found out about a girlfriend or acquaintance they could become a target, but now what would it matter in the ruins of old civilizations? Maybe the only reason he felt this way is because of what happened to him because of Roba, and how he was also at the mercy of sick people. 

Maybe he was drawn to you because of basic instincts starting to take over. Yeah that had to be it; he was drawn to you because biologically it made sense. That’s what he continued to tell himself before sleep claimed him. Later that night you woke to Ghost muttering and the bed moving slightly. You listened for a moment then realized he was still asleep when he gasped then let out a strangled cry. You sat up realizing it was a nightmare and with your blindfold still on patted the bed until you met his shoulder. 

You gently pushed him and that’s all it took for him to startle awake and lash out. He threw you hard onto the floor and before you could scramble to your feet fully he hit you with the strength of a bull. Your back and head hit the wall behind you causing a cry to slip from your lips. Then a fist collided with your face. Pain erupted along your cheek as you tried to steady yourself again, but he slipped behind you as one arm went around your neck.

“Ghost”, you gasped. His hold only tightened as you scratched at his arm to try and pry it off. You panicked in that moment and jabbed your elbow several times into his ribs. He grunted but nothing helped and you could feel consciousness slipping away. You decided in a split second to go limp and it seemed to work as his grip loosened. You took that moment to slip under his arms causing the blindfold to slip off. It was dark but you could make out his silhouette and the door behind him. 

You knew there was no way you were going to get past him so you grabbed the lamp from the table and threw it. It made contact stunning him enough for you to slip past him and grab the door handle, but you were yanked back by your hair and fell to the floor. He was over top of you and his hands wrapped around your neck squeezing hard enough that you were sure your windpipe would collapse. He slammed your head a couple of times as you clawed at his arms again.

You tried to talk but no sound would come out, but you stopped fighting and lifted your hand to his cheek. You felt him flinch but continued to keep your hand there and used your thumb to stroke his cheek. His grip suddenly loosened as you gasped for breath and his breath became erratic. You knew what PTSD looked like and knew this episode was coming to an end. He was shaking when you made your way to your knees coughing. “Ghost”, you rasped. 

He flinched when you spoke to him and you slowly inched your way to him as he collapsed. His back resting on the wall as he tried to regain his composure. You didn’t speak as you settled to sit beside him with your back against the same wall. You slowly put your hand over his and he flinches again, but doesn’t pull away as you use your thumb to slowly stroke his knuckles. You both sit in silence for a few minutes until his door opens. 

You close your eyes when you hear Soap’s voice, “Ghost ya’ alright ma… Holy hell (Y/N) what the hell happened here?!”. “Bad dream, he’s alright now”, you rasp. Still keeping your eyes closed as you know the light is streaming in from the hallway. “I didn’t mean to”, Ghost whispers. You can feel he is trembling again as you squeeze his hand. You feel someone kneel in front of you and you can tell it’s Soap as he touches your cheek. You wince as pain radiates from it and Soap apologizes.

“Steamin’ Jesus (Y/N) your face and neck”, Soap says. “It’s alright Soap”, you croak. “You need to be checked out”, Soap announces. “I’m not leaving”, you whisper. “I’m going to get doc”, Soap relays. “Fine”, you reply. You hear Soap leaving and you look away from Ghost knowing that his face is still on display. You look away from him and spot a balaclava next to you on a table. You reached up, grabbing it and handing it to Ghost with your free hand. He pulled his hand away from yours to put it on, but his hand came right back to yours to squeeze for reassurance.

“It’s okay”, you grate out. You turned to look at him and you could see the anguish in his eyes. You smile at him as you wince a little at the already swelling cheek. He continues to watch you as you put your head on his shoulder. When Doc comes bustling into the room he kneels down in front of you. “(Y/N) how are you feeling?”, doc asked. “I’m fine, really just hit my head a couple of times”, you explain. “Then what happened to your cheek and neck?”, Doc grilled. “It was nothing”, you replied. 

“It was my fault”, Ghost spoke up. Doc looked appalled as he continued to check you over. “He was suffering a PTSD attack. It was my fault for triggering him”, you explain. “Well you have a concussion, bruised cheek and your neck will be sore for the next couple of days”, Doc tells you. You nod as Doc turns to Soap ordering him to go get some water for you. Soap doesn’t hesitate as Ghost has been rigid since Doc came into the room. Soap comes back as you take sips of water and Doc finishes up with his instructions.

Once Doc leaves Soap waits to see what you want him to do. “It’s okay Soap I’ll be alright”, you rasp. “You good Lt.?”, he asked. “I’ll be alright Johnny”, Ghost responds. Soap lingers for a moment longer then leaves as you hear him go back into his room. Ghost doesn’t move a muscle as you turn to look at him. He flinches when you place your hand on his shoulder. “Ghost it’s alright. I shouldn’t have touched you when you were obviously having a night terror”, you whisper.

He looks at you just staring into your eyes. “I never should have put my hands on you”, he says. “Well I technically put my hands on you first, and if it wasn’t for almost dying it was very impressive how quickly you move”, you respond. He relaxes a little more as you both sit in silence for a while holding his hand. “Teach me”, you say. “What?”, he grunts. “Teach me how to defend myself. I want to be able to know how to get out of holds and fight back if I ever needed to”, you explain. 

“Alright once you're healthy we’ll start trainin”, He gruffs. You lean your head on his shoulder as he watches you. You can feel all the adrenaline leaving you and you close your eyes for a while. “Wake up luv”, Ghost says. “I was just resting my eyes”, you respond. “Can’t have you fallin’ asleep yet. Don’t want ya’ to have any complications”, he tells you. You could tell that even though Ghost had relaxed some he was still tense. You got up slowly as Ghost watched you grab your crutch. 

“Come on”, you say. He looks at you in slight bewilderment as you hold your hand out for him to take. He takes hold of your hand and you pull him up with what little strength you had left. He followed you as you made your way towards the cafeteria. When you entered the kitchen you pulled a teapot and scavenged until you found some tea bags. You made him sit down on a stool while you fixed the tea as he silently watched you. Once the tea was done you grabbed a cup and poured some out for him.

“It probably isn’t tea like you’re used to, but it’s at least tea”, you joke. You could see the small tug at the corner of his mouth in a lopsided grin. He pulled his balaclava up to expose his mouth and lower part of his nose. Same as last time you took note of the small scar through the corner of his lips and the ones on his opposite cheek. “Take a picture luv it’ll last longer”, he gruffed. His comment made you look away as your face heated up. 

You hadn’t seen his whole face or any other part of him, but that didn't mean you couldn’t imagine what he was like underneath that mask. “Seems like you have seen a lot of action”, you say trying to make small talk. He hums at that as you turn to make yourself a cup of tea. “I’m sorry for earlier”, he mumbled. When you turned around he wouldn’t look you in the eye. “Ghost it was an accident and I shouldn’t have woken you up like that”, you respond. 

Ghost then looks you in the eyes and you can see he is trying to work through things in his mind. “Why do you do that?”, he asked. “Do what?”, you reply. “Why are you forgiving me? I'm no better than that man I have been torturing”, he says. “No Ghost, you are nothing like that man”, you say. “I put my hands on you. I tried to kill you”, he raised his voice and started to stomp toward you. “You didn’t and wouldn’t have done that if I hadn’t woken you up”, you huff.

He comes to stand in front of you looming over you in an intimidating manner. His mask is still up from where he was sipping his tea and his eyes are boring into yours. It clicks in that moment for you that this is his defensive mechanism. He pushes people away so that way he doesn’t have to deal with his emotions. It angers you a little that this man would do that to you after all you had been through since meeting him and Soap in that house.

His breath hit your face as he stared into your eyes with a gaze that people would cower from. “You’re an idiot”, he growls. You scoff at that as you have already deduced what his game is. “Oh I’m an idiot huh. What about when I helped save your ass when we were being shot at”, you huff. “I had everything under control”, he seethes. “Oh yeah sure you did”, you hissed. The anger in his eyes and his words should have made you want to wither, but you couldn’t bring yourself to look away from the beautiful fury behind those brown eyes.

You watched as his eyes flitted to your mouth a few times and if you hadn’t been paying close attention you would have missed it. Without thinking you pushed onto your toes and smashed your lips to his. He pulled back in shock and you could tell you had taken him off guard. You watched as the shock faded, but then he lunged forward pinning you against the counter. His lips were on yours and he was being as gentle as he could be. You were panting in between kisses and the anger and tension in his body slowly faded. 

In the heat of the moment you rolled your hips as he pulled away with a grunt. “No we can’t”, he breathed. You couldn’t understand what you did wrong as he seemed to be enjoying it just moments ago. “Come on we should get back to bed”, he says. You help put away the cups then follow Ghost back to his room. You lay down on the bed while Ghost lies down on the floor. “You don’t have to sleep on the floor”, you say.

“I’m fine down here”, he gruffed. You didn’t respond as you rolled over onto your side turned away from him. You fell asleep not long after, but when you woke up the next morning it was late. Ghost was gone from the room, and it angered you a little that he hadn’t woken you up for your duties. You went to medical to help doc and he gave you some small tasks to do. When you were finished for the day you went to go eat. When you got to the mess hall Soap and Gaz were at their table. 

You grabbed your food and went to sit down with them looking around for Ghost. “If yer lookin’ fer Ghost you won’t find ‘im lass”, Soap said around a mouthful of food. “What do you mean?”, you questioned. “He left early this morning”, Gaz replied. “What for?”, you asked. “Said something about scoutin’ the nearest town”, Soap replies. You think about it for a minute and wonder if you're the reason he left this morning. 

“It seems fine”, Josie said. “The adrenaline finally wore off”, Ghost guessed. “She’ll make it right?”, Josie asked. “I think so”, Ghost responded. The dream was peaceful this time as you walked through the house you and Kane had shared. It was peaceful outside, no dead roaming about as you heard a noise up in the bedroom. “Kane?”, you called. You slowly made your way to the bedroom and opened the door. 

There was a silhouette at the window looking out into the back yard. “Kane?”, you asked. The figure turned and you backpedaled so hard as the figure turned to look at you. It was Kane all grotesque as his maw opened. “You left me to die”, it said. “No I tried but there were too many of them”, you cried. “No you let me die for that guy in the mask”, he growls. “I didn’t know him until after you died I swear!”, you yelled. 

“LIAR!”, he screeched. It lunged at you as you scrambled for the stairs, and as you hit the stairs he collided with you as you both fell down the stairs. Your head was swimming as you tried to figure out what was happening. Then that thing that looked like Kane reared its ugly head and opened its jaws wide. The teeth sunk into your thigh as white hot searing pain shot through your leg. You screamed as whatever was happening started to become fuzzy. 

You sat straight up screaming in pain as you started reaching for your leg. “Grab hold of her”, you heard someone say. The scene was bloody as you could feel more pain coming from your thigh. Then all at once everything hit you as you remembered being shot in the thigh. Strong arms wrapped around your upper body to hold you still. “Easy luv. The doc is just tryin’ to stitch ya’ up”, a voice close to your ear whispered huskily. 

You realized it was Ghost and that voice would have been sexy as hell had it not been for another stinging pain shooting up your leg. “I told you we should have sedated her”, the doctor said. “No, save it for someone who will need it”, you replied. “Fine then you're going to have to sit still. I already stitched the exit wound”, the doctor replied. You grasped Ghost's arm and gripped as hard as possible when the pain would sting.

If you were hurting or making Ghost uncomfortable he never let on as the doctor continued to stitch your leg up. Once he was finished you let Ghost go and he let you relax and moved to stand beside you. “You alright luv?”, he asked. You nodded as you remembered your nightmare and started to heave. Like lightning, Ghost had grabbed a can to hand to you as you kept heaving. You could feel him take your hair into his hand as you lost anything and everything in your stomach.

“I’m sorry”, you whispered. Ghost stood there as the doctor checked you over, but as soon as the doctor deemed you okay he left to see other patients. “It wasn’t the pain that made you sick”, Ghost stated. How he knew you had no clue, but you nodded at his statement. “Nightmare”, he said. You nodded again as Ghost pulled a chair out and sat down beside you. “They won’t go away will they”, you say. “No, not entirely”, Ghost replies.

“You have them”, you state. He nods as you come to terms with the fact this is now a part of your life. “They ever get easier?”, you question. “Some do and some don’t. I was told it depends on the trauma, but I think it’s all shite. I think it depends”, he replies. “Depends on what?”, you ask. “On the person and how they deal with it. Do they let it control them or do they use it as fuel to keep going. From what I've seen you will use it as fuel”, he says.

You look him in the eye and hold his gaze and if his gaze doesn’t do things to you. He can tell you’re a fighter he knew that at the beginning. Now after what happened to you he knows that you will come out better than he had with his experiences. “Thank you”, you whisper. “I ‘ave something to tend to luv. Soap will be coming to check on ya’.”, he tells you. You only nod and watch as he leaves until he is out of sight.

True to Ghost’s words about fifteen minutes later Soap comes sauntering into your room. “Aye there’s the lass that toughed bein’ stitched up”, he says jovially. “Hi Soap, How’s your wound?”, you ask. He shows it to you and it already looks like it will leave a nice scar. “Be careful Soap ladies see that scar or any others and you’ll have to fight them off with a stick”, you joke. He laughs at that and sits down to talk to you. He tells you that the man Ghost brought back is being held in the cells and asks what it’s all about.

 You don’t tell him what happened to you, but tell him Josie’s story and how that man deserves worse than a cell to sit in. “Well by the looks of L.T. when he went by seems like that man will be praying for death”, Soap said. “L.T.?”, you questioned. “Yeah ye know for Lieutenant. It’s what I called ‘im be’fer the world went to shite”, Soap explains. “I didn’t know he was a lieutenant. What rank are you if you don’t mind?”, you question. “Sargeant”, he replies. 

You nod as you tell him about your time as a MOS (Military Occupational Specialty also known as a medic). Soap listens intently as you recount some of the missions you went on. Then he tells you about his time in Las Almas and how he and Ghost had to resort to guerrilla warfare. “Glad he waited for you”, you told him. “Me too lass, me too”, he replied. Price even made a stop to see how you were and thanked you for all the supplies you had gotten to bring back.

You managed to fall asleep into a dreamless sleep this time. When you woke up Ghost was propped up in the corner watching you. “Ghost”, you acknowledged. “Got somethin’ you need to see luv. We were able to make you some crutches. I also brought you some clean clothes”, he tells you. You graciously accept the new clothes as you change the shirt you were wearing first while keeping your bra on. 

You had difficulty with the boxer and sweatpants so you called for Ghost who had ducked behind the curtain to let you change. He came in and stopped suddenly seeing you in his oversized shirt. The feeling in his chest was something he hadn’t had in such a long time. He had to admit you looked gorgeous even though you were a little disheveled. You looked up at him wondering why he wasn’t helping you. 

He was frozen, his eyes locked on you and you wondered what was going through his head. While his head screamed at him ‘Mine’ with you staring at him bewildered. He also knew you had no panties on as they were lying on the hospital bed and he could already feel something he hadn’t felt in a very very long time…arousal. It started down his spine then to the rest of his extremities. He had to will himself not to get hard as if he was some horny teenager.

“Ghost, can I get some help?”, you asked again. That got him moving as he kneeled down maintaining eye contact helping slide on the boxers. He could feel the heat of your skin through his gloves and he wondered what it would feel like without his gloves. He then helped you into the sweatpants that he had to pull the draw strings tight just to hang loosely on your hips. You started to laugh as you realized they must be a pair of his sweats as they were exceptionally long on you. 

“Ghost I don’t think I’m as tall as you”, you giggled. Your giggles and seeing you in yet another item of his clothing he had to close his eyes and think of something awful to keep from getting hard. His mind kept screaming ‘mine mine mine’ as your fingers wrapped around his hand. “Ghost are you okay?”, you asked concerned. “I’m alright luv”, he told you. He bent down to help roll the pant legs up and it looked downright comical, but you weren’t going to complain because they smelled like him. 

“Come on luv”, he told you. You tried to keep up with him, but it was even harder now that you were on crutches. He would stop and wait when you fell too far behind as you made your way through the mazes of hallways then to the outside. It was dark and it was cool tonight which made you shiver slightly. He led you what felt like halfway across the base when you both came to a smaller building. Ghost opened the door and ushered me in as I hobbled inside the stench of blood hit my nostrils.

I looked back to Ghost as he locked the door behind him. “What are we doing here?”, you asked. He doesn’t say anything, just motions for you to follow him. You can hear someone begging and pleading to be let go as you get closer to a door with a bright light coming from under the door. When Ghost opens the door and steps in the person starts screaming for help. When you hobble through the door you recognize the person immediately. The one who raped you and terrified Josie.

The anger that flashed in your eyes is what Ghost was waiting to see. “You remember ‘er?”, Ghost asks the man. “Please no more”, the man begs. “Answer the question”, Ghost growls. The man takes one look at you and flies off the handle. “You fucking bitch look what he did to me because of you!”, he shrieks. “Wrong answer”, Ghost says. Fear flashes in the man's eyes as Ghost walks to the back of the room bringing a rolling tray full of instruments beside you. 

“Pick one”, Ghost says. You look at the assortment of tools that range from pliers, jumper cables, brass knuckles, crow bar, cloth beside a jug of water, small metal rods, hammer, nails, drill, screws and some other things. You looked at Ghost questioningly as you pointed at the drill. He picks it up and grabs a couple of screws as the man starts yelling for help. 

Ghost makes sure the strap around the man’s wrist is tight as he makes the man's hand lay flat. He places a screw on a fingernail and places the drill over it. You know what is about to happen, but instead of feeling disgusted and turning away you continue to watch as Ghost drills the screw through the man’s finger. The screams and pleas are like music to your ears. When Ghost stops the man tries to regain his composure as he cries. “Now you know what it’s like”, you say. It startles Ghost a moment when you speak almost as if he had forgotten you were there. 

“What the fuck are you talking about bitch”, the man says. “Remember when you raped me. I begged and screamed for you to stop, but you didn’t so why should we stop”, you say. Ghost looks up at you and you swear he grins under that mask. “Another finger Ghost”, you say. Ghost does as you say and the screaming starts all over again. When Ghost stops he watches you to see what you want him to do.

“The crowbar”, you say. Ghost had made a vow that he would do anything to protect you after what happened. He picked up the crowbar looking back at you for your instruction. “Knees”, you relay. Ghost nods as the man is begging for it all to stop as Ghost brings the crowbar down to the first knee. Ghost waits until the man stops screaming then breaks the other knee cap. You watch as you realize that something dark in you was breaking free.

All the power this man thought he held was now in your hands and at the hands of Ghost. Ghost knew the power you were feeling right now. He had felt the same power when he killed Roba and the darkness that consumed him. Ghost could tell you wouldn’t turn out as dark and as fucked up as he is, but that this small darkness would follow you for the rest of your life. “Jumper cables”, you say next.

Ghost lifted a battery and grabbed the jumper cables. “YOU CAN’T DO THIS!”, the man yelled. Ghost was about to respond, but you spoke first. “We can and we will for as long as I can until I decide to feed you to those deadheads out there. Do you know what it’s like to be ripped apart while you’re still alive? I do. I have seen what those things can do and they don’t care as long as they can eat”, you seeth. The man turned to Ghost, “You can’t just feed me to those things! Please. It’s inhumane!”, he sobbed.

“Not up to me. If that’s what she decides that’s what’ll happen to ya”, Ghost told him. The man started to curse at you and spit at you. Ghost hooked up the jumper cables and grabbed the two ends and held them to the man’s hands. Screams continued to fill the room for at least fifteen minutes until the screaming stopped and the man’s body slumped forward. Ghost unhooks the battery and checks the man’s pulse.

“Must ‘ave been too much for ‘im, but he’s still alive”, Ghost says. “Thank you for this. It won’t give me back what he took, but it’s a start”, you say. Ghost nods and leads you back outside as the chill of the night hits you. “I don’t want to stay in that hospital room again”, you said. “Come on”, Ghost says. He leads you to what you make out to be the barracks, but you pass all the rooms with bunks to a corridor with doors. 

Ghost goes to the end of the hall and unlocks a door looking around before ushering you inside. When you get in you can see a cloth balaclava on the desk in the corner and all the tactical gear you knew this was his room. “You can ‘ave the bed”, he states. “I can’t take your bed”, you whisper. “I can take the floor”, Ghost replies. You go to protest again, but the look Ghost gives you shuts you up. You put your crutches in the corner and start to hobble to the bed to sit down, but freeze in your tracks when Ghost pulls his shirt over his head.

He is ripped, broad and holy shit those shoulders have you almost drooling. You watch as he holds his mask in place as he pulls off his shirt and you quickly look away. Your cheeks were burning as you sat down on the bed. He pulls on a black t-shirt as you watch out of your peripheral. “I should leave. I just realized this is your only space for you to be maskless and Soap told me how you don’t like to take it off in front of people”, you ramble. “I can sleep in it”, he says. “That isn’t fair to you”, you respond. 

You both sit there and then an idea comes to you as you get up and grab the shirt Ghost had just taken off. You go back to the bed and take the shirt rolling it and make it into a blindfold. “There this way I can turn towards the wall and have something over my eyes”, you tell him. You do just as you said and lay down under the covers and face the wall. Ghost stands there completely dumbfounded with you.

You barely know him and even after what had happened to you that you were willing to blindfold yourself for his sake. He turned the light off as the room went black. He lays down on the floor and listens as you slow your breathing to relax. He listened until your breathing evened out and  that was when he decided to pull his mask off and lay it beside him on the small roll out mat he was laying on falling asleep pretty quickly.

The nightmare was horrid as you were back in the house tied down to the bed. You were thrashing and whimpering as the nightmare continued until you started crying out for it to stop. Ghost shot awake with your cries and realized what was happening. He grabbed your flailing arms and called to you. “Luv it’s jus’ a dream. Wake up luv wake up”, he calls. You wake then and you're frantic until you hear Ghosts voice telling you that you’re safe. 

You're sobbing by the time you're fully awake as Ghost pulls you to his chest cradling your head to his chest. You cling to him like a lifeline as you try to regulate your breathing. “Calm down luv I wouldn’t let anythin’ hurt ya’ while you're in my room”, he says. You focus on his gravelly voice from being asleep to help ground you and focus. Once you're finished you pull back realizing you were still wearing your blindfold. 

“I guess we should go back to sleep. I’m sorry for waking you up”, you tell him. “It’s alrigh’ luv”, he replies. He goes to move away from the bed when you grab his arm. “You don’t have to sleep on the floor”, you whisper. Ghost tenses under your touch and has an internal war with himself about sleeping beside you in the bed. You trembled and Ghost made up his mind as he lay down on his side as you faced the wall again. 

“Jake”, you call. “Yes darlin?”, he asks. “Seems like the Dagger Squad has been invited to a camping trip”, you say. “I think it would be good to get out of the city for a little while”, he said. “Camp Jennings is where it looks like we will be going”, you say. “Sounds good we better get some equipment if we’re going”, Jake says. “What is today?”, you ask. “Today's Tuesday”, he replies. “Well we have until Saturday to get everything we need because they are heading up on Sunday”, you sigh as Jake kisses down your throat. 

“Well I think today should be a lazy day until you have to go to work”, Jake announces. “Good because I don’t think my poor pussy can handle anymore”, you giggle. Jake lets out a deep laugh as you do to which lasts for a moment. When you get up you realize just how sore you are as you walk to the bathroom to relieve your bladder. Jake watches you as he gets up to get ready for the lazy day until you have to go to work. 

“I’m taking you to work this week”, Jake announces. “Alright does that mean you will be spending your evenings at the Hard Deck?”, you ask. “You bet darlin. It’s an excuse to see you, drink beer and play darts or pool”, he says. You shake your head as you decide on a quick shower. Jake joins you and it’s such a relaxing atmosphere as you both clean each other. Nothing sexual about it and that’s what you loved about this relationship. He didn’t always expect sex and was always straight forward about it when he did. 

He always made sure he wasn’t hurting you and would always check in with you when in the act to make sure. You shared small kisses before shutting off the water and getting out. You both dressed in sweats and t’s and ordered take out for lunch since you both slept in too late for breakfast. The tv droned in the background of NCIS as you tried a new noodle combination from the chinese takeout. “You know this noodle isn’t bad, but it doesn’t hit the spot”, you say. “You’re right, but try this one”, Jake said. You took it from his chopsticks and your eyes lit up. “That one is it”, you tell him. He gives you the take out container and picks up another one to try. He had ordered five different noodles and three different dishes. Broccoli beef which was amazing, Honey chicken and some types of fish. 

When you tasted one of the fish you automatically spit it out into a napkin. “Oh come on it can’t be that bad”, he said. “Be my guest”, you replied. He took a small portion and popped it into his mouth and not a second later was spitting it out into his napkin. “You were right that was awful”, he sputters. The face he makes has you laughing until your stomach hurts. “I love this”, you speak. “What?”, he questions.

“The way this is so simple. We don’t expect anything from each other and I can finally be myself”, you hum. Jake’s smile falters as he realizes your ex must have expected you to change for him. “(Y/N) I would never ask you to change for me”, he tells you. You stop and look at him with a smile, “I believe you and I’m glad that I wasn’t right about my first impression of you”. “Wait, what did you think of me at first?”, he asks. 

“No I’m not doing that”, you giggle. “Oh come on just tell me”, he says. “Alright, fine. At first I thought you were a pretentious asshole and that you were a total manwhore, although from what some of the others tell me the manwhore thing might have been true before we got together”, you say. Jake just laughs as he nods along with your statement. “Well I’m a changed man because of you”, he replies. 

You lean over to kiss him as the rest of the day goes by much the same way. You're cuddling on the couch when your alarm goes off to get ready for work. “You’re still taking me right?”, you ask Jake. “Yeah”, he replies. You change into a simple outfit of jeans, tank top and boots as Jake watches you. He is dressed in plain jeans, t-shirt and boots as well. “You’re gorgeous”, he murmurs. “Thanks stud you look handsome yourself”, you admit. As you pass him you lean in for a quick kiss, but have to duck when he tries to pull you in for another one. 

“Come on, I don't want to be late”, you say. The Hard Deck has its usual crowd for a Tuesday as Jake makes his way to the dart board. He enjoys watching you as you flit from table to table taking down orders. He doesn't love when guys try to get you to give your number to them. One guy in his khaki uniform asks you something, but you giggle as he says something else. He starts to get up when you whisper something to the young guy and point to him. Jake makes himself taller as the guy seems to get the hint. 

You wink at him as you take the rest of the table’s order. He trusts you completely, but he doesn’t trust any other man in this place except for the dagger squad and Mav. Especially the younger officers because he had been one once and used it to his advantage to get women to come home with him. He realizes then that every woman he ever brought home never stayed as he would usher them to an Uber before the next morning.

You were the only woman he has ever shared his place with other than the one he thought he was going to marry, but turned out to be a cheater. He never expected to have this and he wants to hold on for as long as he can. Evelynn has already hinted that you were the one for him and every day it seemed like she was right. The August heat was oppressive even during the night, but you needed a break from the loud bar. 

You walk out onto the deck and within a few minutes Jake walks out to join you. “You alright?”, he asked. “Yeah I just needed a break from the noise”, you respond. He leans on the railing with you as you both listen to the waves crashing on the beach. Jake watches as you close your eyes to listen to the waves. Jake can’t help but reach out and tuck a stray hair behind your ear. You open your eyes and look at him with a small smile.

Jake watched as you pushed off the railing to lean up and kiss his cheek. His smile only causes your smile to grow. “You're beautiful”, he tells you. “Thanks”, you say. Jake swoops in for an actual kiss when someone clears their throat. When Jake looks up he goes rigid and when you turn you scowl. Jake’s father stands there watching the two of you and without thought you stand directly in front of Jake crossing your arms. 

‘What do you want?”, you huff. “I want to talk to my son”, he said. “Go ahead inside darlin’ I can handle the likes of him”, Jake confides. You nod then glare at his father as you make your way back inside. “Why are you here?”, Jake asks. “I came to let you know I’m dying”, he reveals. “What do you mean you’re dying?”, Jake asks. “I went to the doctors and they found tumors in my lungs. Too many to do surgery or try to save me. They’re giving me a month to live”, he says. 

You watch from inside, but when you see shock cross Jake’s face you start worrying what his father has said. “You don’t have to take over the ranch. I have it set up for somebody to work it until you can take it over. So I’m asking you son, will you take on the ranch after the Navy?”, he asked. “I’ll have to talk it over with my girlfriend”, Jake tells him. “Why would you have to ask her? She isn’t part of this family”, his father coughs. “I think she’s it for me and I’m going to ask her to marry me and if she says yes then she will be a part of this family”, Jake admits.

“Is she pregnant?”, Jake’s father asks. “No and she doesn’t have to be for me to love her or marry her”, Jake responds. “That’s not what I meant. I would have actually liked to see you have children. As much as you probably think I didn't, I did want you to succeed and be more than I ever could be. I know I wasn’t the greatest father, but I did love you kids and your mother. Don’t let this woman go Jake, she is strong and everything I would hope you would find”, his father admits. 

“I’m glad you approve”, Jake grits out. “I only flew up here to tell you the news and I will fly back tomorrow. Let me know what you decide, but I have already left the ranch to you in my will”, he coughs. Jake nods as his father turns to leave as you watch while cleaning a table. Jake goes to the counter and orders another beer and it worries you because when he drives he never has more than two. By the time your shift ends Jake has had too many and you take his keys from him to drive home. The entire truck is silent as you worry about him.

When you pull into the parking lot Jake finally speaks. “My fathers dying”, he whispers. “What?”, you ask, not sure that you heard him right. “He has cancer. They are giving him a month to live. I shouldn’t be this upset about it”, he says. Jake turns his head to hide his tears and it breaks your heart that he is trying to be strong. “Jake I meant what I said before about men crying too. I love you either way”, you respond. He turns toward you, tears streaming down his face and eyes rimmed red.

“I should hate him, but I can’t and I don’t understand why”, he admits. “He is your father. I think the big thing is you wanted his approval when you were younger. That’s why when you didn’t get picked to be team leader you beat yourself up about it”, you explain. It takes a moment but what you said sinks in and Jake realizes that you’re right. “He also asked if I would take over the ranch once I retire from the Navy, and I told him I would have to ask you”, he replies.

“Why would you need to ask me?”, you question. “Well if he dies in a month and we are still together I want to know your opinion”, he says. “Yeah but you’re going to be in the Navy a couple more years”, you say. “I was hoping you would still be with me”, he explains. “Jake I’ll stay as long as you’ll have me”, you reply. “Lets go inside”, you tell him. 

Jake follows you inside, still upset about what happened with his father earlier. When you get into bed for the night you pull him to you as he rests his head on your chest. Your heartbeat seems to help him as you also run your fingers through his hair, scratching his scalp occasionally. You wait until he is asleep before falling asleep yourself. The next couple of days Jake seems out of it and in your worry you text Evelynn while Jake shops for camping gear. 

Evelynn texts back that Jake was always seeking approval from his father like you suspected. Now you knew he felt guilty and was warring with himself about taking over the ranch. You text Evelynn back that you would be okay with whatever Jake decided on and she told you to tell him. You waited until in the parking lot about to go into the Hard Deck for your shift. “Jake I want you to know that whatever you decide with the ranch I will be okay with whatever you choose”, you tell him. 

His head whips in your direction as you give him a small smile. “I swear I love you so damn much, and I don’t think a ranch like that would be good for us. I don’t want those memories lurking around every corner”, he confesses. “Jake I will be behind you on your decision and I know you want approval, but with all that your father has done. Don’t let him impact your decision. Do what’s right for you”, you tell him. 

“I fucking love you”, Jake admits. He pulls you over the console and into his lap to kiss you. You both make out until the horn blares as you accidentally back into it making you both jump. You laugh as does Jake then you spot Bradley shaking his head. “Can you all not fuck in the parking lot”, Bradley jokes. “I’ll fuck my boyfriend wherever I want”, you tease back. You straighten out your clothes and head into the Hard Deck with Jake on your heels. 

After clocking in you start waiting on tables as Jake and Bradley sit in a corner of the bar. It surprises you that Jake is talking to Bradley about his father and the issue at hand, but you have to go back across the bar to wait on another table. “So you don’t take over the ranch and sell it. I don’t see what the big deal is”, Bradley tells him. “I like what I have going with (Y/N) and if things go farther than what we have I don’t know if she would want to start with a brand new ranch or not. I’m not even sure if I want to leave the Navy”, he confides.

Bradley watches as Jake runs his fingers through his hair clearly stressed. “I have known (Y/N) for a long enough time to know that she would follow you and do anything to make you happy. You make her happy and as long as she is by your side she will continue to be happy”, Bradley explained. “How would you feel if things keep going the way they are if I decided to ask her to marry me?”, Jake asks. Bradley chokes on his beer to the point it comes out his nose. 

“Bradley are you okay”, you ask, coming to their table. Bradley looks at Jake and notices Jake is white as a sheet worried that Bradley would spill the beans. “I’m okay. Beer just went down the wrong way”, Bradley says. You roll your eyes laughing then give Jake a quick kiss to his cheek before going back to your job. “You really are serious about her”, Bradley states. “I want to give her everything and more”, Jake admits. 

“I think you both would be happy together, but I’m telling you this now if you ever hurt her by running out on her for another woman or like you did over that photo I’ll kill you”, Bradley says. “I couldn’t do that to her. I’d never be able to forgive myself if I lost her”, Jake sighs. “I know she loves you, but maybe wait at least a full year of dating before asking her to marry you”, Bradley offers. “I have been thinking that exact same thing”, Jake replies.

You watch as Jake and Bradley continue to converse with each other. Lightning flashes in the sky outside as another big storm comes through. Every once in a while the lights flicker in the bar as everybody watches until they go out for good. You hear Mav tell Penny he will go start the generator as you make your way to Jake. “Everything alright darlin?”, Jake asks. “Yeah I have a little bit of a break until Mav gets the generator running”, you reply. 

You settle on Jake’s lap as he continues to sip at his beer. “You know when we get home we can curl up on the couch and watch a cheesy movie”, Jake offers. “Can we watch Easy A”, you beg. “What’s it about?”, Jake asked. Bradley huffs a laugh as he had watched that movie with you before. “No, because if I tell you it ruins the surprise of watching the movie”, you whine. The lights flicker and come back on signaling that Mav had started the generator. 

The storm was picking up as you realized the Umbrellas on the deck hadn’t been secured and were still open. You ran out and started closing them as the wind whipped around you. Lightning struck a little ways down the beach as you were on the last umbrella. Lightning struck the sand right in front of the deck you were on. You cried out covering your ears as you were temporarily blinded. Someone grabbed you and pulled you back inside the bar and when you opened your eyes you could still see flashes of light. 

Everything sounded muffled, but you could make out Jake and Bradley’s voices. When your vision and hearing came back to you they were both fretting over you. “I’m alright. Just scared me”, you say. Penny came over scolding you for going out into the storm as you explained the umbrellas. “I can replace an umbrella. I can’t replace you”, Penny stated. You nodded and told Jake you were going to get back to work. 

Penny asked you to close up the bar which you were okay with so Jake stayed behind with you. When you had to lock up the bar the rain was pouring down and you both were soaked within moments. You turned slowly as Jake grabbed your wrist to run to the truck. “Kiss me”, you said. “What? It’s pouring”, Jake said incredulously. “The movies always make it seem so romantic”, you reply. Jake smiles and leans down to give you what you asked for. 

The kiss was everything you hoped for and more. Jake made sure to keep it slow and sensual and then when he pulled away your eyes were closed and a soft smile on your lips. “You’re amazing”, you tell him, opening your eyes.  “Same goes for you darlin’. Now let's go home”, he replied. As soon as Jake had the truck started he turned the heat on. The ride home was slow going with all the wind and pouring rain. 

Once the parking lot came into view you were able to relax. You both ran for the apartment door where Jake and you were laughing by the time you got to it. You pull Jake down for a quick kiss as he smiles into it. Once inside you both go for a warm shower to knock off the chill. Jake gets out first and gets dressed. “I’m going to make popcorn for our movie”, Jake tells you. “Okay I’ll be out in a few minutes”, you respond.

By the time that you get out of the shower and get dressed Jake was queuing the network account. When you realized that there wasn’t a blanket on the couch you went to the small closet in the hallway to grab one. Jake raised the popcorn as you sat down and draped the fluffy blanket you had purchased a while back across your laps. Jake handed you the remote as you typed in Easy A.

Jake was actually enjoying the movie as you laughed and both commented on it. “So what did you think?”, you asked as the credits rolled. “It was good. Now we can watch my pick”, Jake said. You nodded as he typed in Pearl Harbor a movie made in 2001 and went to go get more popcorn as the movie started up. You made it back just in time for the movie to start. Jake decides to lay down and pulls you with him.