Shepard of Fire (COD BO2 Fanfic)

Loading the Gun

Chapter 7.

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Tessa's POV:

Holly somehow managed to convince Kelsie to drink with us, which opened the opportunity for Nikolai to flirt with her. After several bottles were emptied, everyone sat around the room idly buzzing with drunken chatter. Edward stuck close to me, while Kelsie clung to a satisfied Nikolai. Holly and Tank sat on the couch, flirting while sharing stories of their deployment days, while Takeo had fell asleep in the corner. All was well as the night dragged on, Holly relaxing after her rough day. I honestly felt a little bad for her, seeing as how she dealt with troubled people everyday. But, since the group had showed up, she seemed to light up more when she returned home. I watched her, snuggling closely into the lap of the drunken Marine, laughing her honest laugh. Then, I began to wonder of Edward, his sharp features softened as he made conversation with Nikolai. He seemed to be enjoying himself, his eyes dancing with amusement. Before I had realized I was staring, he turned to me. "Is everyzhing alright, liebling?" I nodded, still lost in his eyes. I wrapped me arms around his waist, holding him close as I pressed my cheek against his chest. He stiffened slightly, but relaxed. The dull sound of his heartbeat thumped by my ear, lulling my body to an even more relaxed state. His hands traveled to my back, one rubbing the small of it while the other pressed me closer. He was warm, and smelled of sweet liquor and vanilla. His thin body was hard, and he was stronger than most believed. I pressed closer to him, enjoying the warmth and comfort he gave me. "Liebling..." He murmured, pressing his rough lips to me head. I sighed, content in our drunken embrace.

Tank's POV:

I didn't understand how she could stand him. Tess is just over there cuddling with the psychotic doctor like its nothing! Holly seemed to notice my concern, drawing her eyes to were I had mine locked. She smiled, giving my hand a squeeze. "Tess is happy. Been a long time since I've seen her this close to a man." I turned my gaze to her, Holly's blue orbs lighting up with happiness. My mind turned to something else, and without thinking I leaned forward, placing my lips on her soft cheek. She froze, surprised by my sudden gesture. I pulled back, an gathered her chin in my hand, pulling her face over towards mine. Our lips pressed together, and she relaxed into the kiss. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she pushed closer to me, deepening the kiss. I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her small body against mine. I could hear the faint chuckle of Nikolai, knowing instantly that we had been spotted. But, I didn't care, this was perfect. Holly pulled away slowly, opening those stunning eyes of hers. Her breathing was a tad shaky as she laid her head on my chest, pressing her nose to my collar. I chuckled, rubbing her neck. "Happy Birthday, beautiful." I said, causing her to blush like nuts. She smiled, kissing my collar bone softly. "Thank you." She murmured, her voice lulled with a sudden sleepiness. Within minutes, all I could feel was her soft breaths on my neck as she fell asleep in top of me, clutching her fingers in my shirt. Kelsie spotted us, and walked over to place a blanket on us. I thanked her, and she smiled, nodding as she planted a kiss to Holly and I's heads. Tessa and Richtofen had disappeared, while Nikolai picked up the sleeping Takeo. He carried Takeo upstairs, while Kelsie flipped off the lights and followed. That left Holly and I alone, sprawled on the couch, drunk and exhausted with a blanket thrown over us. She squirmed slightly in her sleep, pressing even closer to me. I sighed, laid back and held her close, shutting my eyes. Soon, sleep took over me, and I fell into my own dream.

Holly's POV:

I woke to Tank jerking in his sleep late at night, sweat soaking through his shirt. He was groaning, as though he was in pain. His breathing was ragged, and his heart seemed to race million miles an hour. I shook him, trying to wake him as I said his name. He wouldn't open his eyes, and kept jerking around. I began to panic, throwing the covers off myself. I shook him roughly, and began yelling for him. Nothing, just a scrunched up face and louder groans. I jumped from him, running up the stairs to get help. I slammed my fist repeatedly on the door the Tessa's lab. "Tessa! Doctor! Please, I need help!" I yelled, pounding the door more. Richtofen opened the door, shock and anger painted on his expression. "Vhat is the meaning of zhis, frauen?!" He screeched, Tessa appearing behind him. "It's Tank! He's jerking around in his sleep and won't wake up! He's groaning, and sweating, and he looks like he's in pain! I can't wake him up!" I yelled quickly, pointing down the stairs. Richtofen wasted no time, walking quickly down the stairs towards Tank, while Tessa and I followed. Richtofen shook Tank violently, yelling for him to wake up. Tank seemed worse than when I left him, his body convulsing in his sleep. Richtofen raised a bare hand, smacking Tank on the cheek. "Vake up, verdammt!" He screamed, frustrated at the Marine. Tank's body jerked roughly, before his eyes shot open and he lurched to sit up. He was panting, and sweat dripped from his chin. His eyes were wide with fear, as though he had come face-to-face with a monster. I ran to his side, but kept a respectful distance to give him breathing room. His eyes slowly moved, scanning the now silent room. He raised a shaky hand to me cheek, and felt it, as though reassuring himself of something. "Y-your.... alright..?" I nodded, taking his hand and kissing the palm. He looked at Rochtofen and Tessa, confused by their presence. "What's goin on?" He asked, his breathing calm once again."Zhe frau came pounding on our door at zhis hour, screaming zhat you vouldn't vake up." Tank's eyes returned to me, "What happened?" I asked as gently as I could. "I had this fucked up dream, that you and Tess had come back to our time. Next thing I knew you were being torn apart by maggot bags and I couldn't stop 'em. They ripped you to pieces right in front of me." He said, resting his bloodshot eyes on the carpet. "What are 'maggot bags'?" Tessa asked, wording the question on my mind too. Richtofen raised a brow, "Zhe zombies?" My brows furrowed in confusion. "Zombies don't exist." I stated, Tessa nodding in agreement. "Wait, didn't you two research The Great War?" Tank asked. "Of course, and how the world fought against a disease in Germany that killed millions. America stayed away from it, not wanting to get involved. During the war, Germany, Japan, and Russia fought against the rest of the world." Tessa said, in a matter-of-factly tone. Richtofen raised a brow, "Zhat never happened, frauen. Zhe Great War was when element 115 infected humans, killing zhem, zhen reanimating zheir corpses, turning zhen into flesh-eating monsters." I cocked a brow, and my mouth flew open. What in the living Hell were they saying?!