The Ghost and the Phoenix

Part Four

Ghost leaned against the building in the darkness. He took a long drag from his cigarette, the glowing red orb the only hint to his position. He was used to living in the shadows, learning from childhood about the safety the darkness offered.

Naturally the base was dark and quiet this time of the evening. A few safety lights littered the area, but it was the barely visible glow coming from the hanger that held Ghost's attention.

Jackson had said she would be there and Ghost was curious. To say Captain Carter had made an impression was an understatement. How she had handled herself during the briefing, not to mention on the mission earned the Captain a lot of respect from Ghost. Not something he gave easily.

With his cigarette finished Ghost paused, reluctant to head back in until he learned more about this slip of a woman who had begun to invade his thoughts. Sighing, he pulled the bottom of his mask back down and quietly headed towards the hanger.

He found her sitting on the ground a small distance from the chopper, cross legged, elbows resting on her knees, her head in her hands. In front of her was a small white candle, it's flame flickering with the slight movement of the air. From where Ghost was standing, it looked as though she had her eyes closed.

Hearing movement at the doorway, Mel looked up, dropping her hands into her lap.

'It's okay, you can come in.' she called out.

Ghost stepped closer, stopping when he reached the edge of the candlelight.

'Hi Lieutenant.' she said, giving him a welcoming smile. 'Can I help you with something?'

'Just checking in.' he replied, surprised at not being told to piss off for interrupting what was obviously a personal moment. 'You weren't at the meeting in the Rec room, so...'

'I'm sorry, I didn't realise I was supposed to be there.' she said concerned. 'Did I miss anything important?'

'Just a few glasses of good whisky and a bit of conversation.'

'My old CO used to do something similar.' she gave a small smile. 'Captain Price reminds me a lot of him.'

'Good man then.'

'He was.' a sadness entered her voice.

'Was?'

'He was KIA.' she said, dropping her gaze back to the candle. 'It's why Jackson and I could assist on the mission. My unit have been temporarily reassigned while they sort out his replacement.'

'Well I know Soap for one is grateful you ended up at the 141.' Ghost told her, unsure why Price had kept that bit of information quiet. 'Though the doctors will probably wish you'd left him there.'

Mel let out a soft laugh, nodding her head. It didn't take a genius to work out that Soap wouldn't make an easy patient to deal with.

'So, do you mind me asking what this is about?' Ghost pointed to the candle, trying to ignore the goose bumps on his skin caused by Mel's laugh.

She held his gaze, and Ghost could tell Mel was sizing him up. For some strange reason Ghost hoped she found him worthy. After a short pause, she gave a small smile that didn't quiet reach her eyes.

'Most people think it's weird....taking lives is part of the job and they were the bad guys after all.' She began. 'But on our side or not, they meant something to someone and I'm the reason that person is mourning tonight.' Mel began to absentmindedly twist the ring on her thumb.

'To be honest it's not something I give a lot of thought to.' Ghost admitted.

'Like I said, most think it's weird.' This time the smile reached her eyes, and Ghost's chest tightened. 'But for some reason, doing this helps me make peace with it and keeps their ghosts away.'

Ghost nodded. He knew the mental toll this line of work could take on a person. Shit, it was why he was the way he was. Of course thanks to his past, he was already hardened to sadness and loss, but taking a life impacted everyone differently.

'Is this why your callsign is Phoenix?' Ghost gestured to the flame.

'No......I crashed a jet and a chopper during flight school then went on to top the class.' Mel grinned.

'Out of the ashes.' Ghost chuckled.

'You got it.'

An easy silence filled the hanger as Ghost watched her gaze return to the candle which had begun to flicker. He was finding there were many layers to the Captain, and he was intrigued.

'I'll leave you to it.' he finally said. 'And thanks for today. Soap's a pain in the ass but he's a good friend.'

'Goodnight Ghost.' she smiled at him, before he turned and disappeared into the darkness.