Ramblers In the Wilderness

Returning

Ghost

Normally, arriving back to home base brought a sense of relief and contentment to Ghost. Usually, it granted the opportunity to reset and concentrate on the next task without having to look over his shoulder. He had committed to a life which was continuously waiting for and carrying out the next mission.

However, this return brought a sense of disappointment and dread.
Disappointment in the thought of being along at nights and busy as a team during the days.
Dread with the knowledge he would be stuck here for several weeks while Cade was gallivanting in the path of danger.

She could hold her own and was well rounded, but he had become to feel protective of her.
He had from the day he met her, and the desire to keep her safe had only grown.
Ghost had enjoyed the time they spent, the closeness he had felt. He feared it might fizzle out with the business of the next few missions or that she might change her mind if the others found out. Work relationships could get messy, and he understood if she didn't want to hear the teasing from Soap.
Deep down Ghost knew the guys wouldn't care. Hell, Soap had most likely already made bets with the others about what happened on the mission. But in reality, as long as the missions were done and carried out well, no one cared.

The plane touched down mid-afternoon and Price was there with the van to pick them up.

"Cade." Ghost called to her before they stepped off the jet. She stopped and Ghost came close, rolling up his mask and pulling her into a long slow kiss. "Don't let this be the end of it all." Ghost whispered before dodging out the jet and down the steps. He didn't have the heart to hear what she might say in response. Though her kiss was receptive, he would rather just wait to see how things would unfold in time.

Ghost greeted Price with a handshake, "Heard you took a hit?" Price smiled and shook his head, "How you feelin' now?"

"Had a good medic on board and she got me righted." Ghost turned slightly as Cade brought the majority of luggage off the jet. She had argued when he had tried to assist so he relented and allowed her to carry whatever she pleased. Price chuckled as Cade teetered under the load and went to help her.

Ghost turned and headed for the vehicle, leaving them to chat their way to the car. Despite the foreboding he felt returning back, he was excited to be back on familiar ground.

Price filled them in on the intel gathered over the past week, but did not go into any details about the upcoming mission. Apparently, Gaz and Sandra had hacked into and uncovered a bunch of emails from Mandik revealing locations and scheduled appointments.

Ghost zoned out through the window as Price and Cade chatted. He only really cared about what his job was during missions and did his best to execute accordingly. He held no vested interest into what Laswell and Price drooled over.
In his younger years Ghost wanted all the details, but as the years of fighting other people's battles had drawn on, he cared less and less. He was just a pawn. A trigger puller. Unless he had a personal interest in the missions, he very rarely cared to hear the details.
The only interest he truly held for Mandrik was wrapping his hands around his throat and caving in his teeth. Retribution for putting his hands on Cade.

———

They pulled up and unpacked their gear. Dropping it into their rooms and heading for the canteen. It was dinner time and the aroma drifting through the hall was heavenly.

"You were quiet in the car." Cades chipper voice cooed behind Ghost. He stopped and waited for her to join him on the walk.
"Not like your conversation was overly stimulating." Ghosts voice was low and gruff.

Cade was quiet a few steps before she began, "I know we are back and you want to be professional, but don't push me away either." Her eyes were big and pleading. Ghost gently grabbed her elbow, both coming to a stop in the hall.
"I'm not." He said leaning in close, "I'm going to be looking for every chance to get you alone. To have my lips on yours and to feel you against me."
Ghost watched the color rise to Cades cheeks and under his mask he smiled, eyes narrowing. "Join me tonight?"