At first, she doesn't mean to...
It was a simple brush across his broad shoulder... Leaning her shoulder against his, during meetings, during stakeouts...
When she was looking over the map, her hands; her body seemed to gravitated towards the Captain...
But now, she can feel the strings holding her heart, making her chest feel tight... As if her heart might burst at the seams.
It caught her mind off guard... She didn't even realize she was doing it, till her friend pointed it out...
"Do you have feelings for the Captain?"
"Captain Price?"
"You're always by him... As if you're drawn to him... It's so sickly sweet," she made a gagging sound, to break the tension up into a joking matter.
"I..."
She feels her mouth go dry... Parched for water, as if she had swallowed a lump of sand.
Did she have feelings for the Captain?
She stares at her hands, as they sit in her lap...
Her skin feels hot, heavy... A deep redness, a slight blush, feels feverish across her face.
But the room is cool.
She can feel the goosebumps, tickling her skin at the mention of the handsome Captain.
But now...
She is left with more questions than answers...
And it's starting to give her a fucking headache.
"Uh, what are you doing?" Soap walked into the Mess Hall, with Gaz and Ghost in toe, "It looks like a bloody Christmas bomb went off."
"Good, you boys are here... I could use some strong, strapping, young men," she smiled at her team, grinning from ear to ear.
"That doesn't look good," Gaz swallowed loudly, "My mum used to give me that look when she wanted something," he took a quick step back, making a run for it, "NOT IT!"
"What in the bloody hell is this all about, lass?"
"It's Christmas time, Soap... So, I'm decorating... We aren't able to go on leave, so I thought I would bring some Holiday cheer to the soldiers... How does it look so far?"
Soap and Ghost gave the Hall a once over.
There was a great deal put into planning this – they could see the work behind it, she had wanted it to mean something to the soldiers...
To her little family.
The bright Christmas lights twinkled in shades of bright red, green, and sparkling blues... The sweet scent of pumpkin filled the Hall, as treats both healthy and non-lined the tables for soldiers to grab on their way out.
There was soft music playing in the background... Some of the soldiers passing by, chimed in, singing along to the soft tunes.
"You did this all yourself?" Ghost pointed it out.
"That I did, Lieutenant... I've had five cups of coffee, and six cups of tea... I'm feeling pretty good."
"Jesus... Sounds like your heart is gonna explode there deary."
"Not a chance MacTavish... Now," she grinned at the masked Lieutenant, knowing her charming smile was one of his weakness, "You are just the right height I need."
"For?"
"For you and Soap to go out and gather our Christmas tree," she beamed at her boys.
"And where are we putting a bloody Christmas Tree?"
She turned to Soap, hands pressed to her hips, "When you bring me back a decent looking Christmas Tree, I will tell you where to put it... Understood?"
"Yes mam."
"Knock, knock..." she tapped softly on the office door, peaking in to see if Captain John Price was in.
Price looked up from his paperwork – scattered about his desk.
"Well, if it isn't Santa's favorite elf," he waved her in.
She entered the room with a huff at the nickname, butting the door with her hip as she juggled a small tray of assortments of food from dinner.
"What have you got there?" Price raised an eyebrow.
"You weren't at dinner, figured you were burying yourself in the mountain of paperwork... So," she placed the tray at the corner of his desk, "I brought dinner to you."
"You didn't have to do that; I would have eventually found my way..."
"There wouldn't have been anything left Cap... Figured you would want something hot and fresh before Soap got his grimy hands on it."
John looked up her, touched by her devotion to put her team before herself...
"Have you eaten yet? I heard you were out there barking orders to Simon and Soap to get a tree... Would have loved to have seen that."
She shrugged, "I snacked earlier, but I'm okay for right now..."
John watched her for a second...
There was no mistaking, she was beautiful...
She was witty, sarcastic, rough, and didn't take shit from anyone...
He admired her since day one.
She was a breath of fresh air...
And his lungs were burning with a desire for air.
"Pull up a chair..."
"No, I couldn't oppose on your dinner," she stepped back, wringing her hands together.
"You're not," he nodded to the tray, "I wouldn't be able to finish off all of this by myself... So, have dinner with me, please?"
She couldn't find it in herself to fight – not when he pleaded so sweetly.
She took the chair beside him and found herself falling into easy conversation with the Captain... Letting his guards down for a brief moment to bask in the simple moment.
But like all things...
The sweet like moments must come to an end.
Because the real world exists...
She had woken up on Christmas morning...
With the intention of giving her team their specific Christmas gifts, she had put so much thought into... But there was one...
One gift that gave her dragon sized butterflies...
And it was addressed to Captain John Price.
But those gifts would have to wait... Under her cot, where they lay hidden from the world's sneaky eyes.
She falls into Price's shadow's steps, hand cradling her rifle, while she survey's the surrounding area.
Her hand falls onto his shoulder – a simple notion; one she has done a million times before.
But he stops, before he kicks opens the door, grasping her hand in his, squeezing it gently, his bare thumb caressing the skin of her pinky.
She feels herself smile and prays the mission will be over soon.
"Bloody, fucking hell... That was about as worthless as a mop during a rainstorm," Soap flopped down on the couch, covering his eyes.
"For once, I'm gonna have to agree with the Scottish," Ghost mumbles, rubbing his eyes.
"That's a moment, we're gonna have to mark down in history," she comes into the common area, a tray in hand as the sweet scent of cinnamon and hot chocolate fills the air, alerting the men.
"What have you got there, beautiful?"
"Some hot chocolate with extra marshmallows... Might have even added a little something special for my favorite men," she winks at Ghost.
Soap is the first one to take a sip, a frosty, white mustache covers his upper lip, "Oh," he grins up at her, "You know the way to my heart, doll face."
Ghost lifts his mask just above his nose, taking a small sip, letting the warmth fill his cold bones, "That's good, thank you sweetheart."
She winked at the Lieutenant, putting the tray down, "Oh! I'll be right back... I've got something else for you boys."
"You didn't have to get us anything sweet girl," Gaz took the gift, "You've done so much for us over the years..."
"Nonsense... You are my favorite men, so open up," she stepped back, gripping the crimson wrapped gift close to her chest, the extra cup of hot chocolate in her other hand, "I'll be right back."
She found him, in his usual spot.
The spot was quiet – the cliff overlooked the base.
"Thought, I would find you out here."
"Brought you some hot chocolate," she handed him the mug, sitting beside him, as he accepted it, noticing the slight taste difference.
"Might have snuck in some brandy."
"Good choice," he took another sip, feeling the warmth return to his face.
"And I brought this as well," she handed him the present, watching with a nervous fidget, as he eyed the package.
"You got me a Christmas present?"
She nodded once – refusing to allow her voice to betray her thoughts.
The box is average sized, nothing special... But he can hear movement, shifting of several small objects, and his curiosity is getting the better of him.
He can see she is nervous.
And now he is nervous.
Wrapping is torn, and tossed in the wind... And the box is laid open, bare for his eyes to lay witness.
Little trinkets laid comfortably cushioned in soft green tissue paper.
"Oh Angel," he took the first thing out, and felt his chest tighten at the gift in hand.
"I wanted to bring a little piece of home back to you," she felt the rush of warmth touch her cheeks, "I know, it's silly but I – "
She felt the cool touch of rough calloused hands, gripping her chin – drawing her attention to meet the prettiest of all blue eyes.
"Thank you," he spoke softly, his eyes growing soft with love.
She took his hand in hers, like they had done so many times before, and felt a sense of calming peace wash over her.
Maybe, her friend was right – maybe her heart was telling her something was there... She was just too blind to see it... But now she knows...
She loves, Captain John Price... There isn't a doubt in her mind.
"Merry Christmas John."
"Merry Christmas, sweet girl."
