Contagious || Ghost x Fem

𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮

A/N: #2 in Ghost? Holy shit. I honestly didn't expect people to read this, as I started making it for my entertainment. But since y'all love it and I constantly get messages to update I will be consistent and likely have more stories to come. I'm so glad you guys enjoy this AND IT WILL GET BETTER! Gotta be a lil slow for all my slow-burn girlies. Anyways, love y'all n enjoy.

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You stand before Ghost's hospital room, a sense of apprehension gnawing at your insides. You've been delaying this moment, unsure of what to say or how to face him after everything that's transpired. With a hesitant hand, you lightly knock on the door, the sound echoing faintly in the sterile hallway. The door opens, revealing the same nurse who had attended to you during your recovery. Her expression is neutral, but there's a flicker of recognition in her eyes as she sees you standing there. "Can I help you?" she asks politely, her voice gentle yet professional.

You swallow hard, mustering the courage to speak. "I... I just wanted to check on him," you reply, your voice barely above a whisper. The nurse nods in understanding, stepping aside to allow you entry. You offer her a faint smile of gratitude before stepping into the room, the familiar sight of Ghost's hospital bed greeting you. He lies there, still and silent, his form shrouded in the pale light filtering through the window. Machines hum softly in the background, a constant reminder of his fragile state. You approach his bedside, feeling a swell of emotions threatening to overwhelm you. Ghost looks so vulnerable, so unlike the strong and stoic figure you've come to know. It's a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in their line of work, of the sacrifices they make for their missions. Taking a deep breath, you pull up a chair beside his bed, the cool metal offering a small measure of comfort.

Ghost's voice breaks the silence, his tone weary yet curious as he speaks. "What do you want?" he asks, his gaze meeting yours with a mixture of apprehension and vulnerability. You take a moment to gather your thoughts, choosing your words carefully before responding. "I wanted to check on you," you begin, your voice soft but earnest. "Make sure you're okay." There's a hint of skepticism in Ghost's eyes, a wariness born of past betrayals and uncertainties. But you can also see a glimmer of something else — a flicker of hope, perhaps, that you might offer him some measure of solace in this moment of vulnerability.

"I appreciate that," he replies, his voice tinged with a note of gratitude. "But you didn't have to come all this way just for that." You offer him a faint smile, the gesture tinged with warmth. "I wanted to," you assure him, squeezing his hand gently. "You've been through a lot, and... I just wanted to be here for you." There's a brief pause as Ghost absorbs your words, his expression softening ever so slightly. Then, with a sigh, he nods in acceptance, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that exists between you, forged in the crucible of shared experiences and mutual respect. "Thank you," he murmurs, his gratitude palpable in the quiet room.

A heavy silence enveloped the room, punctuated only by the soft hum of machinery and the occasional distant murmur of voices from the hallway. You glanced at Ghost, his expression unreadable, and ventured, "Do you remember what happened?" Ghost's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions before he replied, his voice tinged with resignation, "No, but I've been told." You nodded slowly, a surge of relief washing over you. "Yeah, you're lucky to be alive," you remarked, your tone tinged with genuine concern. Ghost let out a scoff, shaking his head slightly. "Me? You're the one who's lucky," he countered, his gaze meeting yours with an intensity that caught you off guard. Confused, you crossed your arms and leaned forward slightly. "How so?" you asked, genuinely intrigued by his response.

Ghost's lips quirked into a faint smirk under his balaclava as he leaned back slightly against the pillows. "Well, you ran out in the street in the middle of a shootout and almost got us spotted," he stated matter-of-factly, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. Before you could interject, he raised a hand to halt your protest. "But," he continued, "I will say you didn't do half bad out there." A genuine smile tugged at your lips, a sense of pride warming your chest. "Thanks, L.T.," you replied with a grin, "but I wasn't the one with a piece of a helicopter sticking out of me." 

Ghost chuckled lightly. "Fair point," he admitted, his gaze shifting to the sterile hospital room ceiling. After a moment, he turned his attention back to you. "I mean it though, you did well." You nodded, feeling a swell of pride despite the grim circumstances. "Thanks, Ghost. Coming from you, that means a lot," you replied earnestly. There was a brief pause before he spoke again, his expression turning serious. "But next time, don't be so reckless." You nodded in understanding, the gravity of his words sinking in. "Got it," you replied, your tone reflecting your determination.

Ghost winced as he shifted to move, and you instinctively reached out to assist him, but he recoiled slightly, refusing your help. "I don't need your help," he insisted, his tone firm despite the pain evident in his expression. You nodded reluctantly, respecting his wishes as he managed the movement on his own. Just then, the nurse entered the room, her voice carrying a mix of concern and admonishment. "Lieutenant! I told you if you need to move to tell me!" she exclaimed, her eyes darting between Ghost and you. Ghost shrugged sheepishly, offering a heavy sigh of resignation as he acknowledged his oversight. 

You exchanged a knowing glance with the nurse before she turned her attention to Ghost, checking his vitals and adjusting his IV. As she worked, you shifted uncomfortably, feeling a surge of guilt for not being able to protect him from harm. Once the nurse finished her tasks and left the room, Ghost turned to you, his expression softened. "I'm sorry Ghost," you said and he tilted his head a bit. "I couldn't save you. I was supposed to be covering you." Ghost's gaze held yours for a moment, a complex mixture of emotions flickering in his eyes. "It's not your fault, Serpent," he replied, his voice quieter than usual. "You did your best." 

You sighed, the guilt still lingering. "I just wish I could have done more." Ghost reached out to gently touch your arm. "I've been through worse, and trust when I say it's not your fault." You managed a small smile, appreciating the attempt to ease the tension. "Well, let me know if you need anything, okay?" He nodded, and as you turned to leave, you couldn't shake the feeling that there was more beneath the surface – something unspoken hanging in the air between you and Ghost. "I know that's not all you wanted to see me for, Serpent."

You feigned innocence, trying to mask your true intentions. "What makes you think that?" You said starting to fiddle with your thumbs. "Am I wrong?" he countered, his tone unwavering. You hesitated, unable to meet his gaze directly. "No," you admitted quietly. "What do you want, Serpent?" Ghost pressed, his voice softer now, almost gentle. "I need information," you confessed, your voice barely above a whisper. "Information? On what?" Ghost inquired, his curiosity piqued. You took a deep breath, steeling yourself before revealing your true concern. "Shepherd." For a moment, Ghost's expression softened with disbelief. "You must be joking," he replied incredulously. You shook your head, your resolve firm. "No, it's just... something isn't adding up. And with the possibility of a mole, we can't just brush that off." Ghost studied you for a long moment, his features unreadable. Finally, he nodded, a silent acknowledgment of your concern. "Tell me everything that happened while I was out."

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