Contagious || Ghost x Fem

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐜𝐞

The room fell into a heavy silence as Ghost meticulously examined the notes you had compiled. Each stroke of his pen across the paper seemed to echo in the quiet room, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of pages. You watched him closely, a knot of anticipation tightening in your stomach. "I stayed up all night looking for information," you confessed, breaking the silence that had settled between you. Ghost paused, his gaze flicking up to meet yours with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "How can I trust you?" he questioned, his tone guarded.

You felt a pang of hurt at his question, though you understood his wariness. "I know we've had our differences," you began, your voice tinged with sincerity, "but I wouldn't be telling you if I didn't believe in what I found." Ghost regarded you for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded, a silent acknowledgment of your words. "Alright," he conceded, his tone softening slightly, "let's go through this together." You exhaled a breath you hadn't realized you were holding, relief flooding through you. As Ghost continued to review the information, you couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Despite the tension between you, there was an underlying sense of determination, a shared commitment to uncovering the truth.

Together, you delved into the details, dissecting each piece of information with precision. The weight of the task ahead loomed large, but you were determined not to let it overshadow your resolve. As the hours stretched on, you found yourself leaning on Ghost's expertise, his insights guiding you through the maze of information. Ghost's brow furrows as he considers your words, his gaze intent. "It doesn't make sense he wouldn't care who someone managed to get American missiles from. It's their equipment," he muses, a note of disbelief in his voice. He scoffs lightly, adding, "Americans are sneaky."

You nod in agreement, acknowledging the truth in his statement. "They are," you concede, though a hint of reservation colors your tone. His eyes fix on you, a shrewd glint sparking in their depths. "You can't be talking, you're also American," he points out astutely. A surge of frustration courses through you, and you find yourself slamming your notes down on the table with more force than intended. "Just because I was born there doesn't mean I'm like them," you retort sharply, your words laced with defiance. Ghost's chuckle cuts through the tension, his expression amused yet knowing. "I can tell you were raised by Price," he remarks casually, his observation striking a nerve.

You freeze, your mind racing with questions. How could he possibly know about your upbringing? Did Price divulge that information to him? The uncertainty gnaws at you, leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable. "How do you know that?" you demand, your voice betraying a hint of apprehension. Ghost's gaze remains steady, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, with a faint smirk, he leans back in his hospital bed, crossing his arms casually. "Let's just say I have my ways of figuring things out," he replies cryptically, his tone tinged with amusement.

You narrow your eyes, a mixture of curiosity and suspicion flickering in your mind. "And what exactly do you know?" you press, your voice edged with determination. Ghost's smirk widens slightly, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "Enough to know you're not your typical American," he answers vaguely, leaving you with more questions than answers. A sense of unease settles over you as you contemplate Ghost's words. What else does he know? And how does it relate to your quest for information about Shepherd?

"We need to start looking at the Americans we're working with," Ghost says, his tone grave and serious. "Even Keegan and Laswell?" you ask, a hint of sadness in your voice. Ghost nods solemnly. "Can't be too careful," he replies, his gaze fixed on the wall as if lost in deep thought. As you ponder the situation, another question crosses your mind. "Hey, what about Graves?" you inquire, curiosity tinged with concern lacing your words. "Him too," Ghost confirms, his expression unreadable as he continues to stare ahead. "Serpent, from now on, you report to me about what you find. No one can know we're digging up dirt on Shepherd or the Americans," he instructs, his voice firm and resolute.

You exhale slowly, the weight of the task ahead settling heavily on your shoulders. "I'll be discreet," you promise, steeling yourself for the challenges that lie ahead. Ghost's expression remains serious as he responds, "This doesn't mean I trust you." You can't help but smile in response. "Well, you trust me enough to trust an American. I could be a spy or something," you jest lightly. He rolls his eyes, a faint hint of exasperation in his voice. "Do you think that's the best thing to say right now?" You giggle, trying to lighten the mood. "All jokes," you assure him, hoping to alleviate some of the tension in the room.

Ghost's demeanor softens slightly, and he lets out a faint sigh. "Just be careful, Serpent. We're treading on thin ice here." You nod solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I will. Thanks, Ghost," you say sincerely, appreciating his concern. He gives you a nod in return before turning his attention back to the notes spread out on the table. "Let's see what we can uncover," he murmurs, his gaze focused intently on the task at hand.

The nurse steps into the room, her presence breaking the concentration between you and Ghost. "Lieutenant, it's time for you to rest. Give work a break," she insists, her tone firm but caring. Ghost hesitates, considering her words before responding. "No need," he starts to say, but you interject, standing up from your seat. "She's right," you affirm, placing a hand on Ghost's shoulder. "We can work on this tomorrow." He sighs, relenting to your insistence. "Fine. But I expect you in here after lunch," he says with a hint of authority, though there's a small twinge of amusement in his tone. You nod, offering him a reassuring smile. "Deal," you agree, before turning to the nurse to bid Ghost farewell for the time being.

As you begin walking towards your room, intent on delving deeper into the information you've gathered, you encounter Keegan along the way. He greets you with a friendly smile. "Hey, Serpent. I haven't seen you almost all day," he remarks. You offer a small shrug in response. "Yeah, I went to go see Ghost and do some work. What have you been up to?" you inquire, genuinely curious. "Honestly, not shit," Keegan replies with a chuckle. "I'm about to go lift, though. You down for a gym sesh?" he proposes. You ponder the invitation for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Yeah, I'm down," you confirm, appreciating the chance to clear your mind and engage in some physical activity.

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