The Ghost and the Phoenix

Part Fifteen

Sitting on a couple of sandbags, Simon dragged heavily on his cigarette. In the distance the recruits were being taken through the obstacle course by Gaz and one of the KorTac operatives. Thankfully König was with Price today, so Simon didn't have to deal with the Austrian.

Unaware, Simon's knee bounced up and down, a small giveaway to his heightened anxiety. He'd fucked up last night, big time. He had allowed his anger and jealousy to get the better of him, and instead of listening to Mel, trusting she was telling him the truth, he kept pushing.

The hurt and pain on Mel's face when he'd dismissed their relationship to nothing more than a meaningless fling haunted him. He didn't mean that at all, he loved her, but instead of apologising he couldn't stop himself from doubling down, his insecurities raising their ugly head.

The heart-wrenching sob he'd heard as he closed the door had pierced him like knife, knowing he was the cause of her pain. He wanted to fix what he'd broken but didn't know where to start. More importantly he didn't believe he deserved to try.

A figure sat down beside him and let out a sigh.

'So, what's bothering you Lt.'

'What makes you think somethings bothering me Johnny.'

'Let me see.' the Scot tapped his finger on his chin. 'You've been chain smoking like a machine, you skipped breakfast and when your leg does that...' Soap pointed at the bouncing. 'It means your mind is going a mile a minute.'

Before he could answer, Mel walked out of the main building headed towards the hanger. Simon's body stilled as he watched her go past.

'Trouble in paradise?' Soap ventured, noticing Simon's leg stop moving. When he got no response, he pushed further. 'Did something happen between you two?'

'I blew it Johnny.' he sighed. 'The first woman I've loved, and I went an' fucked it up.'

........

Mel looked at her watch. Hopefully Jackson would be back soon. A piece of the motor had arrived damaged, so Jackson had located a replacement from the local mechanic in town. He'd left early, so should be back soon. Luckily there was plenty for Mel to do until he returned. She needed to keep busy.

She was focused on tightening a bolt for part of the internal casing, when she heard footsteps approaching.

'Hey Jackson, good timing....'

'It's not Lieutenant Jackson.' a deep voice told her.

Looking up, she saw Corporal Martin standing on the other side of the work bench.

'Oh, hi Corporal.' Mel said forcing a smile. 'What brings you to this neck of the woods.'

'Just on break, so wanted to return the manual I borrowed.' Martin held up the book.

'Sure, just chuck it on my desk.'

Martin nodded and was heading towards her office when the phone started ringing.

'Do you mind grabbing that and taking a message please?' Mel called after him.

'Sure thing Captain.'

She had just positioned the next bolt when a force threw her back against the wall. Dust and debris marred her vision as she found herself on the ground, pinned by the fallen workbench.

Mel struggled to pull herself from underneath, using the broken frame as leverage. Once clear she stood up, causing her head to spin and a dull ringing fill her head.

'Martin.' She whispered, before stumbling towards what had been her office.

It was destroyed. Her once tidy office, was now just a mangled mess of wood and metal. Small spot fires littered the area, as bits of paper fluttered down like some sort of apocalyptic ticker tape parade. She watched one piece float down, coming to rest on a pair of laced boots sticking out from under the rubble.