Contagious || Ghost x Fem

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰?

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow across the sky, you found yourself perched on the steps outside, a cigarette between your fingers. The smoke curled lazily upwards, disappearing into the fading light. Lost in your thoughts, you barely noticed Rodolfo's approach until he was standing beside you, his presence breaking the solitude. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice low and gentle. You shook your head, offering a silent invitation as he settled beside you on the steps. There was a comfortable silence between you, the only sound the occasional whisper of the wind. Rodolfo glanced at you, taking in the quiet contemplation etched on your face. "Everything alright?" he ventured, concern evident in his voice. You nodded slowly, exhaling a puff of smoke before responding. "Just needed some air, you know?"

He nodded in understanding, his gaze turning towards the horizon. The sky was awash with hues of pink and orange, a serene backdrop to the chaos of your thoughts. "It's a beautiful evening," Rodolfo remarked, breaking the silence once more. You nodded in agreement, appreciating the fleeting beauty of the moment. Despite the tranquility of the scene, a weight still hung in the air, unresolved tension simmering beneath the surface. Rodolfo glanced at you again, a silent question in his eyes. You offered him a small smile, a silent acknowledgment of his unspoken support. In that shared moment, amidst the fading light of the day, you found solace in the presence of a friend.

As the evening settled around you both, you took another drag of your cigarette, the ember casting a brief glow in the growing darkness. "It is," you replied softly, nodding towards the horizon. "Almost makes you forget about everything else for a moment." Rodolfo hummed in agreement, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Sometimes, it's good to just... be here, you know?" he mused, his words carrying a hint of reflection. You nodded in understanding, grateful for his company. "Yeah," you murmured, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the cool evening air. "I guess we all need a moment of peace now and then."

Rodolfo glanced at you, a knowing look in his eyes. "You've been through a lot," he said gently, his voice laced with empathy. "But you're strong. Stronger than you think." You offered him a grateful smile, touched by his words. "Thanks, Rodolfo," you said quietly. "Means a lot." He returned your smile, his expression warm and reassuring. "Anytime," he replied, his tone sincere. "We're all in this together, right?" You nodded, a sense of solidarity washing over you. "Right," you agreed, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the shadows.

With a sigh, Rodolfo extended his hand, and you took it, allowing him to help you to your feet. You flicked your cigarette away, watching as it arced through the air before extinguishing it on the ground. "I should get back to it. Just wanted to see how you were holding up," he said, his tone genuine. "Thanks, Rodolfo. How about some drinks when the boys get back?" you suggested, a faint smile tugging at your lips. Rodolfo smiled in return, his eyes brightening at the idea. "You know I can't turn down a drink," he said, giving you a nod before turning to make his way toward a separate building. Left alone once more, you made your way back inside, the silence of the safehouse enveloping you like a heavy blanket.

You decided to seek solace in Ghost's office, longing for the familiar comfort it offered. Pushing the door open, its hinges creaked in protest, the sound echoing in the empty room. You crossed the threshold, the air heavy with memories of moments shared in this space. Making your way over to Ghost's couch, you sank into its soft cushions, letting out a weary sigh. But as you stretched out your legs, you suddenly stubbed your toe on the coffee table, causing you to curse under your breath. Clutching your throbbing toe, you glanced down, only to notice something on the floor under the coffee table. Curiosity piqued, you leaned down to get a closer look, wondering what it could be.

You picked up the small device, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of your stomach as you examined it. The realization dawned on you like a cold wave crashing over your senses—it was a listening device. Your heart hammered in your chest as you stood there, frozen in shock and disbelief. A rush of questions flooded your mind. How long had it been there? Who had planted it? What conversations had it captured? Paranoia gnawed at the edges of your thoughts as you grappled with the implications of this discovery. The sanctity of Ghost's office, once a haven of privacy and security, now felt violated and compromised. 

With trembling hands, you clenched the listening device tightly, the weight of its implications heavy in your grasp. With a surge of anger and defiance, you brought it crashing down onto the hard surface of Ghost's desk, the impact resonating through the room. The device shattered into pieces, its fragments scattered across the desk like shards of betrayal. Each strike was a release, a cathartic release of frustration and fear

With a shaky breath and a pounding heart, you quickly dialed Price's number, your fingers trembling against the screen as you waited for him to pick up. Each ring felt like an eternity, the anticipation coiling tighter with each passing moment. Then, finally, the line clicked, and Price's voice came through the receiver. "John," you began, your voice wavering with a mixture of anxiety and urgency, "I... I need your help. Something's happened, and I don't know what to do."

 As you spoke, you recounted the unsettling discovery of the listening device in Ghost's office, the sense of violation it instilled, and the overwhelming uncertainty that gripped you in its wake. Your words spilled out in a rush, the weight of the situation pressing down on you with each passing second. Price listened intently, his voice steady and reassuring as he offered his guidance and support. "Stay calm," he advised, his tone firm yet comforting.

"We're going to deal with this as soon as we get back, you hear me? Everything's gonna be okay," Price reassured you with unwavering conviction, his voice a steady anchor in the storm of your fear and uncertainty. But despite his reassurance, the weight of your discovery bore down on you, suffocating you with its suffocating grip. "No, no, what if we're too late?" you uttered, the words tumbling out in a panicked rush as the magnitude of the situation threatened to overwhelm you. Price's response was immediate, his tone resolute. "We won't be. Trust me, we'll handle this together. Stay vigilant, stay safe. I'm contacting Laswell, I'll be in touch soon." His words offered a glimmer of hope, a lifeline in the darkness that threatened to engulf you. With a shaky breath, you nodded, your resolve bolstered by Price's unwavering confidence. As you hung up the phone, a sense of dread welled within you.

Feeling torn and uncertain, you paced the length of Ghost's office, your mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Calling Ghost seemed like the most logical choice, but you couldn't shake the fear that he might be in danger, or worse, involved in whatever scheme was unfolding. Your fingers hovered over your phone, hesitant to make the call. What if he was in on it? What if he was being manipulated? The weight of the situation pressed down on you, each passing moment intensifying your anxiety. But then, a voice in your head urged you to trust him. Trust in your relationship, trust in his loyalty. With a deep breath, you dialed his number, your heart pounding with each ring, praying for his voice to answer and reassure you that everything was okay.

Panic surged through you as the call went unanswered. Each unanswered ring felt like an eternity, amplifying your fears. With no response from Ghost, you felt a wave of dread wash over you, leaving you feeling utterly helpless. Frantically, you considered your options. Should you call someone else on the team? Should you wait? The weight of the situation bore down on you, and you struggled to keep your thoughts clear amidst the rising panic. But with the device destroyed, the nagging feeling of unease persisted, gnawing at your resolve. With no clear path forward, you were left grappling with uncertainty, your mind consumed by the haunting question: What now?

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