The Ghost and the Phoenix

Part Eleven

Steam filled the small bathroom, fogging up the mirror. Mel wiped her hand over the flat surface, staring at her reflection. A dark bruise was already showing on her cheek, thanks to part of the canopy hitting her face when she was ejected.

In another life, it was the type of reflection she'd become used to seeing, except those bruises had been caused by fists and not a stray piece of metal.

No one had truly known how fitting the name Phoenix would for Mel, not even herself. That was until the day she'd literally dragged herself from the flames of her burning house, left for dead by the man she'd loved.

'She no longer exists.' she reminded herself firmly, wiping away a tear that escaped down her cheek. That weak, pathetic excuse for a human being died that day in the fire.

This time, the misery she felt was her own doing. Instead of keeping things professional, she'd allowed her feelings to win by inviting Simon into her bed. In hindsight an obvious mistake, though it hadn't felt like it at the time.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath in. Releasing it in a long even stream, she looked back at her reflection.

As for Simon, well these feelings would pass eventually, she'd make sure of it. He'd made it clear how he felt and she'd just have to live with his decision. The way he acted today could easily be passed off as concern for a fellow team mate. Nothing more.

Quickly slipping out her clothes and underwear, Mel tested the water with her hand, finding it nice and hot. She had just put her leg in when she heard a loud banging on her door.

'Oh for fucks sake!' she grumbled, grabbing a towel from the rack and wrapping it around her body. Leaving the bathroom door open, she walked across her room to whoever was relentlessly pounding on her door. 'Hang on!' she yelled at them.

Unlocking the door, she was nearly knocked to her feet when Simon barged into her room, slamming the door behind him.

'Sure, come on in.' Mel said sarcastically as he rounded on her, the same anger from earlier still present.

'What the fuck Mel.' he closed the gap between them, until he was towering over her. 'Do you have a death wish or are you just stupid?'

Bristling at his accusation, Mel refused to be intimidated. She stood toe to toe with him, her green eyes shooting daggers, even if she had to crane her head back to make eye contact.

'No more then you or anyone else in the 141.' she fired back.

'Except we don't keep trying to blow ourselves up!'

'It was a calculated risk. Don't stand there and tell me that you, Soap or any of the others haven't pulled dangerous shit on a mission....'

'It's not the same!' he growled at her.

'Why not?' Mel glared back at him, crossing her arms over her towel covered chest. 'And don't give me some bullshit, misogynistic excuse either. I'm more than capable of.....'

'Because I could've lost you!'

Mel inhaled sharply, the rest of her sentence forgotten. Her anger turned to surprise as she looked up at him wide eyed.

Sighing, Simon grabbed the bottom of his balaclava, removing it in one swift movement. He was angry, but there was also something else there, just as strong and clear now she could see his face. It was fear.

'What did you say?' Mel whispered, not trusting what she had heard.

'I could have lost you.' he repeated, softly this time, reaching to place his hand gently on the side of her face, his thumb running over her cheekbone.