Safer With A Ghost | Simon "Ghost" Riley

Chapter 17

Ghost Team and Ivy's last night was quiet, Ivy mostly distracting herself by trying to have fun with Soap and Gaz. Rudy and Alejandro stayed in their room, understandably. Price said his goodbyes, sharing a moment with Ivy before leaving for the night. "You be good kid," hugging Ivy tightly, "I'll try to check in on you every now and then." Ivy squeezed Price tightly, "I'll miss you dad." Price smiled at the term of endearment. Both pulled away, wiping their sadness from their eyes and sharing a smile. "Try not to drive those soldiers too crazy." Price said, winking as he walked out the front door.

Soap, Gaz and Ivy were sitting on the back deck talking, drinking the last of the beer that was left in the house. "What am I gonna do without you two?" Ivy said as she smiled at the two men who she had already shared so many memories within a short amount of time. "Be extremely fucking bored probably." Soap laughed out as he took another drink of his beer. "That's for sure." Gaz said lifting his drink up. Ivy smiled weakly, sadness building in her chest. Soap sat up, "Lt. is gonna be more of an asshole, too." His voice tried to sound playful, but some seriousness slipped out. "He can't be that bad, Soap." Ivy said as she tilted her head. Gaz shook his head, closing his eyes for a moment before speaking, "Yes he can," pausing to take a drink, "when we first met him, he was damn cold hearted. Took a while to relax and warm up to us." Soap sighed in agreement, "Took him months before he even laughed with us, especially on the job. Lt.'s definitely never been one to relax," Soap smiled, "until we got here. He's a different person around you, Ms. Ivy." Soap and Gaz's words swirled in her head. Cold? I've never seen Sim.. Ghost be cold. "He is?" she said hesitantly. Both Gaz and Soap nodded quickly. "You have him wrapped around your tiny finger for sure." Gaz said quietly before finishing his beer. "Guess it's not as tightly as we thought," she sighed holding back tears from escaping her eyes, "He uh... ended things? I'm not exactly sure what the thing we had was, but I won't be a bother to him anymore." Ivy chugged the remaining half of her beer, still fighting the emotions from showing themselves. Soap and Gaz snapped their heads towards Ivy in disbelief. "What do you mean?" Soap asked, louder than he intended. Ivy set the empty bottle down, "He said he was distracted, and the reassignment was for the best." Tears won the fight after the words spilled from her lips, a tear gliding down her cheek. "Fuckin' Lt." Soap said frustrated. "Ivy he's not thinking properly." Gaz tried to reassure her, putting his hand on her shoulder. "In fact, he does this idiotic thing to protect those he loves." Ivy looked at Gaz, "L-loves?..." "You can see it in his eyes Ms. Ivy." Soap said softly. Ivy stared at the two men before her, wondering how she might've missed it. He loves me... Untamable thoughts whirled in her mind, unable to contain a coherent one. Finally, a thought crossed her mind before she spoke, "N-no he doesn't love me..." she shook her head quickly, "he just thinks I'm a distraction. He said it himself." "Ivy," Gaz attempted to speak before being cut off, "No Gaz!" her lips trembled, more tears falling from her eyes. "If he loved me, he would've fought to stay with me." Ivy stood up, feeling angry they would tell her something so foolish. Her hands shakily combed through her hair, "I'm going to bed. I'll see you guys in the morning." Ivy walked inside before Soap or Gaz could speak again.

Walking inside towards the stairs, Ivy saw Ghost in the corner of her eye in the kitchen. She looked at him for a moment, asking herself if there really could be a chance that he did love her. Looking at him, he glanced up at her meeting her eyes. Ghost scanned her body from her feet back to her eyes, and looked back down, not saying a word. That answers that... Before more tears could flood her cheeks from the silent rejection, she quickly walked upstairs and to her bedroom.

Ghost's POV

Standing in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, Ghost was lost in his own mind, and fighting his thoughts; Tell her how you feel. NO, you're probably never going to see her again. You know that's not true.. I can't put her in any more danger. The backdoor opening and closing pulled him out of his brain momentarily. When he looked up, he saw Ivy standing at the bottom of the stairs with tears in her eyes. Looking over her he noticed how she swayed from too much alcohol. Meeting her eyes again, he saw desperation and misery. I can't put her through anymore... Silently deciding that it was best for the both of them, he looked away from her, feeling his chest tighten as his heart fought his stubborn mind. Her quick footsteps flooded his ears, and he looked back up, feeling severe regret. Tears began to build in his eyes again as the back door opened and closed again. Quickly wiping his eyes, he looked towards the back door where he saw Gaz and Soap walk in. Approaching Ghost, Soap spoke, "Ey Lt., what you doing awake?" Shaking his head as he rubbed his eyes, Ghost spoke, "can't sleep as usual." Ghost sighed as stood up straight, "Don't stay up much longer, we have to head out early." Before he could walk away, Gaz put himself in Ghost's way, "Now that you mention it," Soap rubbed the back of his neck, nervously, "Ivy was pretty upset when she came inside and..." Ghost cut him off before he could finish talking. "Don't wanna hear it." His voice grew agitated, putting his hand up. Soap sighed, annoyed. "Lt. she cares about you.. I think she may even love..." "Don't." Ghost cut him off once more, his voice was deep and tough, giving both a warning not to prod him any further. Before Soap or Gaz could speak, Alejandro, who stood in the shadows in the hallway listening to their conversation, spoke. "Ghost, what the fuck?" His voice sounded malicious.