The Viper

John Price

Chapter Song: One Mans Grief Peter Gundy

Simon sighs inwardly as he stands outside of the shared room he's about to enter. He stretches his neck in attempts to calm himself as he slips the keycard in and walks inside. She'd been having this effect on him, one he couldn't quite place since they met. Even though he warned himself, warned the men. There was a pull, like a moth to a flame he found himself glancing at her, watching her, waiting for her next move. No matter how many times he told himself it wouldn't happen, they were on a mission. They didn't know her.

He could make a mile long list of reasons why he should continue to keep his distance, but he had a funny feeling that his eyes would continue to find their way back to her. Just as he watched others do the same, even the Captain, who would do anything in his power to deny it.

His movements are silent as the door pushes open and latches shut, he watches the conversation going on between the three men die as he walks into the room. They then turn to him, before back to each other to decide who would be the one to ask him. Finally, Soap speaks. "Take a detour, L.T?"

"I offered to walk her to her room, she accepted." His left shoulder lifts in a shrug, kicking off his shoes then walking towards the bed to grab his bag. It's silent as the men watch him pick it up and sling it over his shoulder.

"She couldn't do it herself?" Price tilts his head with a smile, it's the snarky ass one he likes to use and Ghost frowns under his mask instead of replying. No good can come of anything when he's in a mood like this.

Theres a few moments of silence before Gaz relaxes back onto the sofa. "What exactly is your problem with her, Cap? You haven't even given her a chance." Gaz turns his head to look in his direction. Squinting as he assesses the Captain's face. If there was one person who could pull Price's head out of his ass, it was Gaz - it was rare, but he'd done it a few times.

"None of you are even a little suspicious? She isn't military trained, theres almost nothing in her file. I mean Simon has more information in his file than her. Not to mention, she's just a kid, what kind of experience could she possibly have to take on a mission like this? You've seen the hit list." He doesn't break eye contact with Gaz as Gaz sits up, bringing himself eye to eye with him. It was rare for the two of them to go toe to toe against each other, even rarer for the Captain to be acting this way. Ghosts suspicions had been confirmed a lot quicker than he'd like, but, it served for some entertainment so he couldn't complain.

"We were kids too, Captain." Soap mutters before things can escalate. "She's smart, and obviously has been trained well. Those are shite excuses and you know it - what does she have to do to prove it to you? Kill them?" They're all glaring at each other now, Price's face burning pink as he scowls at the two of them.

"None of us were as young as she is. You lot are only defending her because you want to stick your pricks in her." He scoffs, standing up. Soap chuckles and Ghosts back straightens as he begins to enter the bathroom. Gaz just shakes his head, laying back down.

"At least I can admit it, denial isn't a good look on you Captain, neither is irrationality." Gaz pulls his hat down over his eyes and crosses his arms for comfortability, effectively removing himself from the conversation. Something Ghost and Soap have seen often between the two. The Captain's jaw clenches, causing a muscle in his cheek to tick with annoyance. He stares blankly at Gaz before snapping out of his trance. He removes his hat quickly, running his hand through his hair aggressively.

"She's twenty-four. That isn't a child." Ghost adds. He's now leaning against the wall, facing him with a disapproving look. "She looks young for her age, which she can't help. This isn't like you, Price. Accept it or don't but we're here now and taking your anger out on her is wrong, even for bastards like us."