Lesser Than (Delayed WIP)

We're done for.

"ROACH! ROACH GET THE FUCK UP NOW!" A voice boomed from behind me. My ears rang loudly, and my eyes stung from the dust being kicked up.

I could barely make out two figures before me, Ghost and Shepard. I realized they were fighting, their knives and guns scattered around them on the ground. I noticed Ghost's head was bleeding, and through the dust, his ear completely missing. I slowly recollected what happened, looking down to see the knife lodged into my torso. I would've thrown up then and there if gunshots from the shadow company hadn't started ringing through the clearing. I grabbed a gun that lay next to me, trying to steady myself as I aimed for Shepard. Ghost seemed to notice and used all his strength to shove the ex-general against the wall of a now broken-down plane. I lined up quickly and closed my eyes, shooting several rounds before I heard a loud thud. I didn't dare open my eyes. Tears welled as the overwhelming noise began to get the best of me. I was scared that if I had missed Shepard, I'd open my eyes to see Ghost lying dead.

A firm hand gripped my helmet, and I fought to get away from it, holding the gun up as I pried my eyes open hesitantly. I saw the half-masked face of my lieutenant and sighed deeply, realizing I'd been holding my breath that whole time. I collected myself before trying to sit up. Ghost shoved me back down, giving me a firm stare before pointing to the blade lodged in my stomach. I grunted before slowly raising my hands,

"What? Why are you not talking." I signed

"Coms are compromised, not safe. Stay still, I'll help."

At this time I was more thankful than ever that I taught him sign language. He handed me his knife, and I looked at him in confusion as he took the scarf he usually wore around his neck and laid it on my chest above the wound.

"Hold tight, sergeant." He whispered as he took a bandana and placed it in my mouth. Shit- he's gonna pick me up like this. Before I could open my mouth to reject, he had a firm grip on the back of my shoulders. I wanted to scream, but with cloth in my mouth, it was muffled to crying. I shut my eyes tightly as he slowly lifted me and sat me inside the plane. It was smokey and hot but better than cooking out in the sun. I was annoyed Ghost had even mov0ed me, but I trusted him to not let me die in this damned place.

Then, I heard a familiar voice over the coms, like a beautiful Swedish angel or, most of the time, my annoying higher-up.

"Ghost!? Roach!? Do you copy? DOES ANYBODY COPY?" Soap's voice rang out, panic thickening his accent as he yelled into the mic.

"Aye. Send a chopper; Roach is down and injured. Shepherd is dead." Ghost spoke firmly and clearly; there was no response from the other end, so we were either wholly fucked, or saved. I sat up, my back against a pile of smoking metal, and released a shaky sigh. I took my hands off my stomach, a faint red stain visible on my palms. If I didn't have to keep my reputation with the lieutenant, I would sob like a baby right now, and I think he knew this. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, and a moment later, I felt Ghost sit beside me. My worst fear came true as he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me to lay on his shoulder, patting my back lightly. I Curled up against him and let myself cry, gripping my pants legs. I felt him release a long breath before feeling his hand rub my back slowly; I was bawling like a baby. I tried pulling myself together, but I couldn't.

"I-I could've died.." I muttered, opening my eyes to stare down at my stomach.

"You're talking, Sarge?" Ghost's deep voice shocked me momentarily before I closed my eyes and realized what I'd done. I was too weak to sign, but usually, it was because I was too weak or scared to talk. As far as I know, only Price has heard my voice.

"Sorry, sir," I mumbled before sitting up. His hand trailed my back before returning to his side awkwardly. I crossed my legs and wiped my face, staring straight at the ground.

"I uhm- you've never heard me talk, have you?" I questioned the taller man as I looked up at him. It took a minute, but I eventually noticed his mask was gone, well, most of it. A large chunk of his mask was burned away, either from fire or it was ripped when he got shot. I grinned softly and shot back a little smile.

"Well, now we're even, sir." I signed before turning away and giggling; I felt a hand lightly slap the back of my head before laughing out a snort. We sat momentarily, laughing at the whole situation; it was easier than crying.

The sun was setting over the Caucasus Mountains, and the sky was a bright orange and pink ombre. I sat next to the Ghost still, or rather, I was asleep against him. The sound of a helo nearing woke me. I sat up slowly, wincing slightly, and I registered the sharp pain in my stomach once more. I glanced up at Ghost as he cast me a smile and signed to me, "Helicopter, soap, and doctors." I nodded and sighed in relief, leaning against the uncomfortable metal rubble. I shielded my face as the chopper landed nearby, sending dust and sand flying through the air and making it hard to see. When the helicopter landed and the ramp was down, Captain Mactavish ran towards us, two medics trailing him. A concerned look was plastered across his face as he reached us, kneeling and skipping the hellos.

"Ghost, Roach! Fuckin thought we'd lost ya, lads. You okay? Ghost, what happened here? Where's Shepard?" The smaller male bombarded us with questions, making me chuckle lightly.

"Aye, calm it, Mactavish. We're obviously alright, still alive. Can't say the same for Shepard, though." His voice was angry; he spoke about Shepard through gritted teeth. Pointing at the dead traitor across the plane, I got a firm nod from Soap before orders were given to pick me up and tend to my stomach. I watched the medics near me, and my hair pricked up uncomfortably; I shooed them away as they got closer, and I watched Simon stand and smirk at me. I snorted before attempting to stand alone, making it to about a crouch before I collapsed back down with a yelp of surprise. Soap frowned at my stubbornness as I continued to refuse help from the others. I froze as large arms wrapped underneath me and lifted me quickly into the air. I furrowed my brows as I turned to glare at Ghost, who was carrying me now towards the helo. I huffed and rolled my eyes before looking ahead of us, a small smile creeping onto my face along with- blush? FUCK NO! I can't be blushing at my lieutenant; I'll get fucking fired..

I shook my head clear as we boarded the large helicopter. I sat on the floor next to Ghost as the medics worked around us in the crowded space. Soap sat in a seat with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands, which meant this wasn't over.

I stiffened as cold and unfamiliar hands pulled my shirt up to look at the wound. They didn't usually ask permission, but the sudden intrusion shocked me either way. I realized I couldn't lift my arms enough for them to remove my shirt like that, so my shirt was cut off. Blood ruined it anyway, I thought to myself, snorting a small laugh, which earned me an odd look from the medic. I turned to stare at my feet; at this point, I was undressed beside my boxers; I wasn't too bothered by it until I caught people eyeing me in places they shouldn't have been. I glared at one medic studying my scars; once he saw my gaze, he quickly turned around and acted like he was busy with some buttons that he obviously did not know how to control.

I bit my lip uncomfortably and looked around; Ghost was stretching, his head bandaged to make him look like a giant buff body heaving around a big cotton ball. I chuckled as he walked over to me and threw a jacket around my shoulders, giving me a shove as he walked to his seat. As I smiled up at him at him, I saw his eyes wrinkle, giving away his grin. I took a breath, then looked to my right and saw Soap kneeling beside me. He had been watching the medics treat my wound but looked up and smiled at me reassuringly.

"You'll live, like a real damn roach, huh? Hard to kill this one." He ended his sentence by addressing the medics, who ignored his comments. Soap rolled his eyes in annoyance before hitting my chest lightly with his fist and shooting me a wink.

"Get some rest, lad; you've had a long day." He muttered lightly, ruffling my hair as he stood and walked away

Once the medics were done, I could lay down momentarily, as Soap said. I looked around for a second before laying my knife out next to me and closing my eyes, only planning to sleep for a few minutes.