Chalice of Revenge (Ghost X Ruby Laswell)

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It has been 9 months.

9 months seen I've been awake from a reality I thought was death. The veil. It was desolate, lonely.. but nothingness all at the same time. I could hear, but couldn't respond. I felt as though I could physically move my body but my brain didn't permit me to.

It's been lonely. I haven't had anyone but myself, as everyone was on their own mission leaving me to attend physical therapy and be alone in my apartment which I despised. Lonesome was my enemy.

My pain was zero to none now. Of course I had a few nasty scars, but at the very least I wasn't dead. And I truly thought I was. If it wasn't for Ghost getting me out as soon as he did, I wouldn't be here.

I haven't heard from him since the incident. According to Kate, he sat at my bedside for almost two months straight until he was coerced to go to Iraq for a mission with Soap, Gaz, and Price. I missed the field, and I missed the feeling of accomplishment. Overall, and I hated to say it, I missed Simon Riley. Did he know I was even awake? Did he care? He had to care, unless he gave up on the idea of me.. right?

The night still haunted me. The pain, the screaming, the gunshots, the blood. The feeling of losing it all in an instant. But I was better now. I was prepared to go back out, do something with my life again.

I sigh as I look at the ground, my slippers and sweats on. A combination I haven't come to appreciate. I just completed my physical therapy and fitness training, leaving me to wait until someone can take a chance on me entering back out onto the field.

I look over, seeing a light on my phone blink. I lift it up, seeing a strange number appear. I press the green button, putting the thin brick to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Ruby, it's Kate."

"You're on a burner phone?" I interject.

"I don't have much time. This is urgent and I need you to listen, the-" the phone starts to crackle, static entering my ear. It grows in sound and intensity, leaving me to subtract the phone from my ear.

"Kate?" Nothing. "Kate?" Nothing again. I reluctantly hang up the phone, putting my chin in my hands. The hell was that about? She always called any minor emergency urgent, but I trusted that she was in safe hands with the new lieutenant that replaced Graves.

I stand up, heading to the kitchen. I throw open the cabinet, taking out a tall glass cup and popping open the fridge.

"Aha." I grab a wine bottle, flicking off the top and pouring it into the cup. I watch as the bubbles fizz over the rim. Wine was my new company when it came to a Friday night- other than that, I sat home typing away at my computer and watching sad "reality" TV shows that weren't even remotely close to reality.

I take a sip, then notice a sound at my door. There were a few light knocks. Without saying anything, I walk over to the door and stand on my tip toes to peer out of the door hole. And I couldn't believe what I saw.

I immediately unhook the deadbolt, swinging open the door and seeing the man I thought I'd never see again.

"Ghost?" He stood in front of me, usual Baklava and all, and was in a black sweatshirt with cargo pants.

He looks me up and down, as if he was unsure of what to say. To be fair, it has been almost a year.

"Laswell..." he says quietly. I walk to the side, allowing him to walk in as he keeps his eyes on me.

"I wasn't expecting—"

"Just stop."I try to talk, but my body is pulled into him almost immediately. His arms wrap around my waist and back, as his head rested on top of mine.