Liability [Simon Ghost Riley]

you don't like me, I don't like you

After finally finishing the last part of the report Ghost sighs and closes his computer. It was nearly 3 am and he was exhausted. He stands up, stretching his sore limbs slightly, and walks to his door, he shuts the light off and closes it behind him, locking it. In the distance, he could hear banging. He frowns knowing that it was lights out, so nobody should be awake. He notices the light coming from the training center and walks in angrily. He notices the new medic, Phoebe James. Younger sister of Sergeant Emma James, one of the finest in the training program. Price had her transferred to his base so he could keep an eye on her, testing to see if she'd be a good fit for 141. He was unsure why Laswell had requested her medic sister be transferred as well. The girl had been nothing but a pain in his ass from the moment she arrived. She didn't belong there, what use was a medic if she was strictly on base, no military experience. He scoffs as he notices her incorrect form as she punches the bag over and over, her stance was off and her hands weren't even taped correctly. He stomps over to her and turns off the music she had playing in the background. She whips around and glares at him angrily.

"What the fuck are you doing?" she demands, snatching the speaker from him

"You shouldn't be out here, its light out"

"I don't care"

"Go back to your room, no one is allowed out here"

"Then why are you here?" she questions, staring at him with raised eyebrows

"The rules don't apply to me"

"So you're above it all now?" she asks sarcastically

"I'm the Lieutenant" he deadpans

"I don't really care to be honest"

"Listen, I don't think you understand. You don't belong here. You're not a solider. You are a medic. So, get back to your rom and stay there. Otherwise, I'm going to have to report you to Captain Price for insubordination. Do I make myself clear?" Ghost warns, his tone incredibly threatening. It takes everything in her not to show her fear.

"Price has no say over me, neither do you. I'm not enlisted in the military"

"Listen, you may work for Laswell, but you're still on a military base, and that makes you subject to military law. Go to your room, or I will order the guards to take you there myself. Understood?"

"what guards Luitentant? looks like it's just you and me here" she says gesturing to the empty room.

"Don't test me, medic. Just go back to your room, and don't come out until morning. Is that a clear enough order for you?"

"like I said, I don't take orders from you Ghost" she sneers

"You're making a mistake. Let me spell it out for you, Either you agree to do what I say and when I say it, or I'll call Laswell and have her pull you out of this task force and send you back to the states. Is that clear?"

"First you bitch about my lack of training, now you're bitching at me to go to bed! make up your goddamn mind!"

"So that's your attitude then? Fine, I'll call Laswell right now and explain the situation. There's an endless amount of army medics who do us good in the field. You're easy to replace"

"fuck you" she says as she tries to push past him, making sure to hit him with her shoulder

"Listen, medic!" he snaps, grabbing her arm and pull her back towards him, his tone growing more serious as his expression darkens.

" I've been trying to be patient with you, but that time is over. Now listen up, because I'm going to say this once. You are here because you're part of a team and you're expected to behave like it. And that means doing what I say, no questions asked. Do you understand?"

"If I say yes will you finally shut the fuck up?"

"I wasn't finished speaking, and you will show a little more respect to me and this unit. Now, I asked you a question. Do you understand?"

"yes! I heard you perfectly clear" she responds as she turns her back on him and walks towards the sleeping quarters.

"Fucking hell"

-

The next morning Ghost had asked Soap to bring Phoebe to his office the next morning. He could not have her behave that way around the others. Disrespect was not permitted here. Someone needed to teach her. It dones't take long for a knock to appear at his door.

"Come in" he yells gruffly

Soap opens the door for her and pats her on the shoulder gently. He sends Ghost a look before shutting it behind him. Ghost motions for her to enter and sit down at the chair across from his desk. "Now that you've slept on it, what have you got to say for yourself? I hope you've got a real good excuse for that behavior last night"

"what do you want me to say? want me to tell you I'm on my period or that I'm just that naturally charming?" she says sarcastically, her arms crossed as she sits down.

"What I want to know is why you thought it was okay to go against direct orders from a superior officer"

"I see that we're going in circles here, so why don't we just cut the shit. you don't like me, I don't like you. For whatever reason you've been out to get me since I got here. Look man I'm just trying to do my job, so if you want me to stop 'defying orders'" she quotes him sarcastically "then you should just let me do what I came here to"

"You don't get it, do you? It has nothing to do with me not liking you or some personal vendetta that you think I have against you. The fact of the matter is, you're not qualified to be a part of this operation. You don't have the training, skills, or experience to handle yourself in a dangerous situation. What you're doing is putting yourself and other members of the task force at risk, and I'm not going to tolerate it."

"my position has nothing to do with the field, I'm strictly on base!" she exclaims

"That is not the point. You're still on duty, and you're still responsible for the safety and well-being of the task force. You're a liability, not a help, when it comes down to it. If we need an immediate evac and the other actual medics are already in the field then what? we send you in because you're all we got. The last thing I need right now is to worry about keeping you safe instead of focusing on the mission. So, do you understand why you're nothing but a burden to me on this task force?"

"I've been called many things in my life, but never a burden. that's a new one thanks Ghost you truly never fail to surprise me! But you aren't gonna bully me out of here. Laswell wanted me here and I'm gonna do my job" she says standing "Also for future reference, the medic that could be saving your life one day really isn't the person to piss off"

"Oh trust me, I'm well aware" his skull-covered face inching closer as he leaned forward, his dark eyes boring into hers. She stands tall and refuses to let him see how truly nervous he made her. "But while we're giving life advice, let me give you some. If I were you, I would be very careful about who you choose to piss off. Because if I have to deal with your bullshit again, I'll make sure you regret it. Is that clear?"

She salutes him sarcastically and walks out the door. Ghost rolls his eyes and sighs in frustration.

"Bloody hell" he murmurs before going back to his paperwork.