Mr. Red, White, & Blue

Sweet Zoe Jane

AN: IM BACKKK. I really hope you guys are buckled up, this story has ME on the edge of my seat hehehe.

Song: Zoe Jane by Staind (yes i know this song is about his daughter but BARE WITH ME HERE)

TW: PTSD, panic attack, MELTED ICE CREAM (this should be a cardinal sin)
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After a long day of doing nothing but paperwork in the Captain's office, I wanted nothing more than to go home, eat the last of my favorite Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and cry myself to sleep.

Only being berated by the infamous Lieutenant on my way out of the base could make me want to change my mind about my plans. I was merely a few yards away from my pickup before a growl- supposedly resembling my name, stopped me in my tracks.

"Staff Sergeant, I can assume you will be responsible tonight."

Tonight is the fourth of July, a day that a bunch of old men with dusty wigs decided that they were tired of paying a 2% tax, only to make the American people pay an 11% tax on everything later on.

"I can assure you, Lieutenant Ghost, I can and will be responsible. It is only me, myself, and I occupying my home tonight."

Before nodding my way, Ghost was on his way. Today he drove his motorcycle, as if he wasn't masculine enough. Ugh.

Unlocking my door, a few fireworks in the distance caught my attention. This night has always been the worst, since his death. The explosions, the pops and crackles, the screams. I can't handle it anymore. This year will be better. Different, I tell myself. Taking off my gear and putting things away, I opt for a shower.

Ghost didn't eat today. He was also nervous, he tapped is left foot in sync with his ring finger as-well.

Thoughts kept me occupied throughout my shower, before 10pm when the fireworks begin exploding all around. I feel my chest slowly start to tighten, but that is all.

"So close, almost done." The local firework show usually ends around, 11:30pm, leaving me an hour and a half to keep my shit together. So far, so good.

For bad nights like these, I usually have König on speed dial, as we both get kind of scared to tell the honest truth. These kinds of things are no joke for seasoned soldie-

*BOOM*

A firework that led astray from the local show, hit the side of my house. A scream left my mouth, but I didn't hear it. I am somewhere else entirely...

*Three Years Ago*

"JOHNNY!!" Price and Soap were diffusing the bombs, trying to. I was supposed to be with Ghost, but I had an awful feeling. I was correct. As soon as Ghost and I turned the corner in those ratchet tunnels, Johnny was struck in the chest by Makarov's unforgiving ammunition.

I reached for my rifle, to give him backup, but it was too late. I was too late.

*BOOM*

His body hit the ground. Stiff and cold.

Johnathan 'Soap' Mactavish, KIA.

*Present Day*

     My chest tightens again, my breathing slows into shallow gasps, spots blurring my vision. Reaching for my phone, I try to send a message to König.

Help.

I black out.

Ghosts POV

Sweet Zoe J: Help.

     I made it to Zoe's home in five minutes, I live 20 minutes away. Fireworks were exploding left and right, leaving the smell of gunpowder in its wake. Fuck. Parking my bike, I walked through the front door to see her passed out on the floor. A melted tub of ice cream surrounded her torso, like a sweet crime scene.

"Zoe?" No reply. Her phone screen lay unlocked, falling from her grasp. Our chat conversation was open. She murmured on the ground, beginning to come to. I hold her head in my lap, sitting myself on my knees.

"König..." She whispered with a raspy breath, but I felt a ping in my chest all the same. She meant to text the Colonel. Rat bastard.

"Zoe, it's Ghost. You're safe, you're okay." Tucking her hair behind her ear, I carefully lifted her up and set her on the couch, still in my lap.

"Kö- Ghost?!" She startles awake, jumping out of my grasp but i quickly sit her back down. She is in no shape to be jumping around right now.

"Yes, it's me darling. You texted me, not the Colonel. He's no good for you anyways. What happened?"

"I- What? Okay, well. I was uhm, trying to get ice cream, and the uh, fireworks, set me off. Ha, literally. But uhm, one hit the side of my house, then I scared myself faint."

     Her breathing begun to pick up, sending herself into panic. Again.

"Hey hey hey, you're okay now. I'm here, nothing is going to happen to you. It's okay Zoe, you're okay." I tuck her head into my chest, rubbing her back to help soothe her nerves. Then like in the movies, a light bulb goes off in my mind.

"Want a distraction?"