Ramblers In the Wilderness

Clarification

Ghost

Ghost sat in the kitchen. His mind still in a whirl from the antics of the night. A wave of relief settled over him since the team was back under the same roof. Sleep was near but he was not quite ready to toss and turn until it found him. Ghost got up and started his way to the kitchen.

As he made some tea his mind thought back to the conversation Cade had overheard the night prior. Ghost wasn't sure how much she had managed to hear but knew it had been enough. enough to make her think he didn't want her on the team or doing solo missions. The reality was he didn't want her on the team. At least not at first. The thought of another Lieutenant and the distraction of a female were enough to have his blood boiling. Through the weeks of training and overhearing her interactions with others, he also knew she wasn't here with the wrong intentions. She had a lot left to prove, but he had been impressed with many of the skills displayed and her ability to jump in without hesitation.

Even the hesitation outside the room didn't worry him as much as it would other new people. He recognized in her a response. A memory which was still haunting her. The hesitant reaction had taken her back to something of her past and he wanted to know what. Maybe if he knew, they would be able to help train and overcome the pause. It was possible to train out a response. It was impossible to train out gutlessness. She had guts.

Ghost also knew the best thing was to apologize. Not only for the night prior but the way he had treated her during her month with the team. But he also knew that would be hard pressed.

He sat in the kitchen ponder and had just finished a cup of tea when he heard light footsteps making their way down the stairs. Ghost watched as Cade entered and grabbed a mug to prepare hot water. She jumped as he began to speak, 'Zero situational awareness when she thinks she's safe.' Ghost made a mental note. It was an inappropriate moment to call her out on always being so lax in places she believed to be safe. A good soldier should always be aware of their surroundings.

Ghosts runs his eyes over Cades body as her back is turned. She can't see him so he takes the liberty to observe what he could. Cade had a large scar on her back. Spanning from the top of her left shoulder down and somewhat angling towards her mid back, but her tank top covered it. Ghost could tell it was old as it was faded, but he still wondered how and when it happened. Other old scars, and some not so old, showed over her neck and arms. Cade had been through much and Ghost knew the cost which came from earning those scars. Generally paid out in mental and emotional instability when remembering the trauma.

To Ghosts surprise, Cade joined him at the table once her water was done. He notes she skipped the chamomile tea and instead the sweet smell of spearmint greeting his nose.

Ghost questioned Cade on the mission and her wounds. A fresh bruise had been forming on her cheek. Still red but the purple and blue was starting to settle in. Her arms were raked where someone had clawed at her skin. Ghost felt a genuine hatred for whoever had put those marks on her.

"Foursome." Cade responds with a hint of entertainment on her voice when Ghost asks what happened.
The mental image of other men using her and ravishing her body causes Ghosts blood boil and he pinches the bridge of his nose to distract himself, but also signaling his annoying in her inability to answer a question without sarcasm.
Cade catches on and goes into detail about the mission. Her voice catching and darkness flashing in her eyes when she speaks of finding the girls.
Ghost watches, noting her shift in demeanor and how she cracks her neck as she talks about the girls' conditions. Her voice breaks ever so slightly when mentioning one who might not make it. Ghost wanted to comfort her and tell her the girl would be fine, but deep down he knew the likelihood of survival was low. Generally, the kids they rescued had broken spirits. Content to let the ease of death take away the pain of living. However, sometimes they came across fighters. Ones who would survive and move on from their traumas.
Cade frowns and wrinkles her nose. Eyes beginning to take on the thousand yard stare.
Ghost decides this is his chance to distract her. Attempting to apologize for his words the other night.

Ghost flushes and looks down when Cade teases him about caring. Though he had been rough. He did want her safe. He just wanted to be the one to ensure she was safe. Ghost found himself surprised at the feeling of protectiveness he was beginning to feel for her.
The older he got, the more he understood Price's look on the team and how concerned the Captain would become about thing the soldiers didn't think as much about.
But Ghost was understanding now more than ever with Cade. Something about her ignited him and though it was a strange sensation which made him uncomfortable, he wanted to feel it more.

Cade must have sensed Ghosts discomfort and changed the topic. Asking about the mission which he didn't shy from disclosing.
It was Ghosts turn to become saddened and quiet due to what he had witnessed.
Ghost had a rough childhood. Though working at rescuing trafficked children was extremely rewarding. It was also incredibly painful and heartbreaking. Seeing the innocence taken from one so young, someone who has only experienced pain and fear in life. It hit home and it hurt his heart.
During the mission he had witnessed the children in the filthy and overheated container. He took his anger out on any and every guard he could find. Leaving Gaz and Soap in the dirt. Killing all he could find who would have helped to source and ship these children. Ghost saw red and fed his primal killing instinct with vigor and passion. None of those pieces of shit deserved to live after what they had done. Those people belonged in hell.

Though Ghost didn't know about Cades past and doubted she would ever let him in, a hint of recognition was in her eyes. Understanding and sympathy played in her face. Ghost looked into her eyes and found them to be soft. Sweet and welcoming to talk. A side both had not witnessed in one another.
Ghost stared across into her doe eyes. Noting how loose strands of her damp messy hair fell around her face and framed it beautifully. Cade had freckles across the bridge of her nose and face. Her teeth perfectly straight and pearly white when she offered a comforting smile to Ghost.
He wanted to tuck the hair out of her face. Not because it blocked vision, but because since he had touched her at the van, he longed for the sweet caressing touch and feeling the warmth of her skin against him again. He wanted to part her lips with his tongue and taste her against him. All of her.

The thought made him pulse and begin to grow under the table, but thankfully it was out of Cades line of vision.

Cade stood and wished Ghost goodbye. As he watched her walk out, he couldn't even offer a goodnight back. He feared her name would escape his lips, calling her back to him and then he would take her there on the table.

'Good gawd what the fucks the matter with me?' Ghost planted his face into his hands shaking it, 'No reason I should feel this way. Why am I feeling this?'

Ghost felt foolish with how taken he was by a fellow soldier. But part of him didn't care. He wanted to know everything. Every part of Cade.