Hunted | Simon "Ghost" Riley

Chapter Eleven

Ghost had sat uncomfortably with Evie all afternoon, trying to keep the thoughts of Price and her being related out of his mind. Father and daughter at that. I don't think she'd be upset, but why do I feel so hesitant to tell her? Evie was waving her hand in front of Ghost, trying to get her attention. He blinked rapidly, "Huh?" Evie looked at him with a confused look on her face. Her lips mouthed, "What's wrong?" Ghost shook his head, "Nothing," he sighed quietly, "Just a lot on my mind. I should tell her. Evie scribbled quickly on the notepad, 

Wanna talk about it?

Her writing was a little messy. "Not particularly.. But we should anyways." He paused before continuing. "Your father, John Price, he uh," Ghost felt the emotions burn in his throat almost instantly. He cleared his throat, attempting to push the emotions back down but they had become too strong after ignoring them for so many years. "John, was my Captain." he finally said after a moment of composing himself. "He was" he exhaled sharply, smiling softly under his mask as he remember the many memories with Price, "a great Captain. Even better friend. He was on a mission with me a while back, before all this." he waved his hands around, "Johnny and I got pinned," he glanced up and looked at Evie, who had tears in her eyes and emotions he couldn't read, "We waited for updates from Laswell or Price, or even Gaz. When we didn't hear anything from them we tried to call for emergency evac but it was too late. Johnny's gone so I went to find the rest of the team to evacuate. When I showed up to their location, the building had obviously been ambushed. Price was gone before I had even set out to their location." He finished as he rested his elbows on his knees. He avoided Evie's eyes for a moment before looking up. She was still staring in what Ghost thought was disbelief, with tears soaking her face. She tried to speak before wincing and scribbling on the pad. 

I'm so sorry Simon... 

Ghost shook his head, "I am too, he was a good man. At least for the time I knew him." he said softly with small laugh. 

Did he ever say anything about a daughter?

Ghost paused as he thought back. It had been so long he searched his mind carefully. He remembered a time when Price was having an unusually good day. 

There was no missions, warrants or any assignments for the team to do that day. Price had walked around base all morning, smiling and being extra nice to people he talked to, even the recruits that usually pissed him off. When Ghost grew tired of his happy mood, he asked what he was so damned happy about, all Price said was, "Got a second chance." 

Ghost nodded, "I think he did." he told her of the memory and Evie smiled. Her face suddenly changed, her eyes wide and wonderous. 

she scribbled on the page once more. 

You're Simon. 

As Ghost read, he smiled under his mask and nodded, meeting her eyes again. "I'm Simon, yes." he said as he fought the emotions in his throat again. 

A Few Months Later

After Ghost told Evie about Price, the two had promised not to talk about him until Evie could talk again. She would grow frustrated as she tried to write too many questions. After a two week stay and finally getting off all the annoying tubes, Horangi gave the OK to discharge her, but she had to take it easy for another week or so. 

Evie had stayed in Ghost's room so he could keep a closer eye on her. "Evie, I'm going to be late." he shouted from the bedroom, looking at the bathroom door. "Then go!" Evie shouted back. He sighed and walked to the door, putting his head close to it, "You're coming with me." he said with a sharp tone. Evie opened the door, "I don't want to. It gets hot out there." her voice was still slightly raspy and whiny. "Evie," he warned. "Simon," she warned back with a smile as she crossed her arms. He closed the space between them, putting a finger under her chin and forced her to look at him, pulling on it firmly. She stood on the tips of her toes, a subtle whimper escaping her throat as his fingers dug into her skin. "Get your shoes on, now." Ghost demanded slowly, his voice dominating all hesitation she felt. She nodded quickly, her doe-eyes in his, trying to bite back a smile. "Good girl. I'll be in the hall." he released her chin and turned to walk out of the room.