#Jeep Convoy

[carbikezus]

2025 Easter Jeep Safari: Jeep’s Stunning Off-Road Concepts Unveiled

2025 Easter Jeep Safari Concepts Unveiled: From Military Beasts to Modern Marvels Every year, Jeep enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the Easter Jeep Safari, an event that showcases the brand’s latest innovations, off-road capabilities, and bold design concepts. Now in its 59th edition, the 2025 Easter Jeep Safari continues the tradition with seven new concept vehicles, each embodying a unique…

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Jeep Convoy Concept, 2025. A mlitary-inspired, classic workhorse Jeep Gladiator with a design that stands the test of time visually and functionally . Jeep Easter Safari 2025 concepts have dropped.

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Reign down on me - Part 9

Pairing: Ghost x Hybrid!reader (eventual poly!141)

No use of y/n or mention of gender/race

Summary: Reader is a wolf hybrid in a world that treats them like second class citizens, given a horrible start in life after being thrown into the military with no preparation. After years of struggle, they're finally taken away from their base by Ghost, now a permanent member of taskforce 141 reader struggles to come to terms with the fact that perhaps there's a life there for them - if only they reach out and accept it.

Warnings: hurt/comfort, Angst, abuse mentions, self doubt, violent scenes

A/N: sorry this took so long, but i hope y'all enjoy! Can't wait to hear what you think of it 💕

-🐺-

As soon as the chinook touched down, you awakened to scorching Mexican heat and an achingly dry mouth. The hot air left you clacking your tongue in disgust at the tacky taste of sleep, but lucky for you Price was ready with a bottle of water. Barely seconds after downing half of it like a floundering fish, you were hauling yourself out with Gaz. 

You didn’t get very long to look around once out. After taking a precautionary glance around the military base and scoping the dusty buildings, the three of you were soon greeted by a tall smiling man with his arms folded. Meanwhile his stocky, straight faced hybrid companion hung back to his right. You could feel his unshifting gaze on you the moment you’d stepped out the helicopter. 

It was a surprise, afterall it’d been so long since you’d worked with another of your kind. He was a wolf just like you, but his ears were a soft bark like brown and his tail swished straight down the way, perfect and unbroken despite his field of work. When you flicked your eyes back to his you could see him looking you up and down with the same assessing stare. 

“Good to see you again, Captain. Garrick.” The tall man said, beaming at Price and nodding to Gaz before he then tilted his head at you. “And you brought backup, I see.”

“Not backup, Ale. This is Pup - 141’s newest recruit,” Price said, putting a heavy hand on your shoulder. “Pup, this is Colonel Alejandro Vargas and his hybrid partner Rodolfo Parra.”

“Rudy must’ve made quite the impression last time we worked together, eh?” Alejandro said, patting Rodolfo's Shoulder in turn. 

‘Rudy’ raised his eyebrows at that. Clearly he hadn’t expected to have had much of an influence on Price’s new hybrid, but now he was looking somewhat embarrassed at that inadvertent praise. His tail tucked into his leg revealing some of the ombré streak of tan that ran through the back of it and his ears settled low to his head. 

“Well he, more than any other hybrid before, certainly showed me there’s a lot of merit in having a multi-species team,” Price shrugged. “Pup was the one to convince us, took em out on a mission and Pup was solid.”

“Is that so? I look forward to working with you then, Pup,” Alejandro said, directing an easy smile in your direction. “Are you all ready to head to the target location? I can finish briefing you all in the ride over.”

“Yeah, best get on with it,” Price nodded. 

With that, you all walked round to the head of the massive jeep convoy and loaded yourselves in. 

Even after being told it was legit, there was a part of you that had been deeply suspicious that Price had made up a goose chase just to get you out of the kennels all the way up until the ride in the jeep. A little ghost of warmth had filled you at the idea your Captain cared so much. Even when he’d dispelled that once he’d gotten to talking about strategy with Alejandro, you couldn’t help but feel he’d taken you when he might not have in any other situation. Especially when it was likely you’d be forced into all out assault against heavy fire. Some might’ve resented that, but you could only shift around in anticipation, tail wagging around like a cat toy. 

You were all going to be storming through the forest and taking down a cartel in hopes of finding a connection that had another connection through which you’d find the arms dealers that the 141 had been tasked with taking down. Not complicated at all. Well, Alejandro and Price’s explanation was somewhat complicated, you’d almost gone cross eyed trying to follow all the names, but Gaz was kind enough to whisper in your ear and fill you in on the local groups that they were discussing. 

The whole time Rudy watched you out of the corner of his eye. You could see them practically cutting through the mirror. The way he seemed to frown, you could only assume he had some kind of a problem or was at least wary with you. However he didn’t voice any concerns. Merely kept his ears folded downward in obvious discontent. 

-🐺-

“Pup, what the fuck did I tell you? Stay close!” 

Within no time, the forest was like an impressionist painting. Streaks of dark spots dotted themselves in amongst the twisty trees and blended through the foliage before firing and lighting up their spots, forcing themselves to shift once more. 

To the humans you were with, it would be utter chaos. To you and Rudy, it was all background distraction. You could smell the people, you didn’t have to look for them. Even despite the ear protection you wore, you could still hear their shifting feet clumsily beating through the brush.

And so the two of you found yourselves standing over a body, mouths covered in blood, yours plastered with a smirk while he took to a coy smile. The man had been about to take a shot, aiming for either your boys or Alejandro. Though before he could fire he was interrupted by Rudy yanking the gun back and then you diving onto him, rendering the idiot gravely wounded until Rudy delivered a final blow. 

“We make a good team,” you said, cocking your head and listening out for more movements. 

Rudy snorted and turned away. 

“Maybe…but there’s still more work to do.”

When he stalked off you couldn’t help but frown, but ultimately you followed, there wasn’t the time to contemplate why he was so standoffish. There would be plenty of time for that when you and your team weren’t being hunted like an infestation. Not to mention Price was screaming in your ear about checking in and to report your condition. 

“Still operational, Captain,” you muttered. “Making my way back to you.” 

With that you were racing through the trees, eyes fuzzy and losing themselves in the darkness. Your instincts were sharply rising to the surface, the wolf within growing stronger every passing second. It felt like your veins were pumping hot lava. 

There were three men that crossed you on your way back to Price. The first fell to the floor and gurgled before he could even think about lining up a shot for you, the second fought bravely and managed to graze your arm with a bullet and bruise your neck a little in an effort to pull you off. The third had seemingly popped out of nowhere, he had to have been camped in his position like a sand snake. The sneaky bastard was about to land a bullseye, the barrel of his weapon practically kissed your temple. You thought you’d only had enough time to squeeze your eyes shut and draw back your ears.

Lucky for you though, Gaz shot first. 

“Were you listening when Price asked you to be careful, Pup?”

“Course I was. Don’t think that guy was though,” you grinned. 

“Bloody hybrids,” Price grunted through the comms. “You two on me. Now!”

Both you and Gaz joined Price once more and continued on your tear through the forest. More than once you ran into Rudy, but by that point you were too lost in the work to really take note. Blood had sponged into your clothes and dripped off your chin, your muscles were bunched with tension and your pupils felt wide as the moon. That primal side of you was fully present and awake and it had its claws caught so deep, there was a small part of you that worried about being stuck feral. 

All notion of that disappeared when Price commanded you to stop. His hand wound tight in your collar and suddenly your legs lost their momentum. You peered up at him wide eyed and out of breath, soon looking out of the corners of your eyes and searching for hidden dangers. You only made eye contact once you knew for certain you’d both be safe. 

“Easy, Pup,” he said soothingly, running a rough hand over your ears in gentle waves. “Easy. That’s it.”

“Why’ve we stopped?” You rasped, so high pitched it could almost have been a whine. 

“The compound is up ahead. We want you and Rudy with us. Can you follow my commands? Are you ready to go in?”

Price gestured at Alejandro and Rudy who were standing just off to the side of you. Rudy’s chest was rising and falling like a beating drum, but other than that, he looked composed and ready to strike. In comparison you felt like something of a tornado. 

For a few seconds you closed your eyes and breathed, slowly gaining awareness of your own thudding heart and the way the air tickled at the hollows of your ears. 1…2…1…2. You imagined Ghost’s deep rumble telling you to come back to yourself. Instantly your awareness sharpened. You could make out the faded scent of cigars that wafted through every fibre of Price’s being, and in that moment there was no greater comfort than something that had become so fmailliar. 

“Yeah…Ready, Captain,” you said with a gulp. 

Price nodded back at you and then to each member of your small group. Before long you were lead to the front of the treeline, staring at a big concrete eye sore that hid just below the tops of the great Cypruses so that it might stay hidden from the sky. There were a few slitted windows, one small doorway, plenty of opportunity for anyone that might try to get a lucky shot in. You couldn’t help but notice that the whole thing looked like a creature grimacing in pain. 

Alejandro clicked his tongue, then began to speak. 

“Ok, listen up. There’s only one entryway into this thing, so we’re going to need to manoeuvre round and then run like hell and take out whoever we can from the outside before it turns into a death funnel. It’s gonna be armed to the teeth once we’re inside, so we need to be fast and we need to spread out,” Alejandro said, his voice low while his eyes roamed the building. “Gaz and I want you up front with me so we can take shots inside while Price holds up the rear. Then, when it’s safe enough, we’ll send in the wolves to stir up a little carnage. I want you two to team up and take down who you can, overwhelm them and keep them panicked enough that they can’t get a shot on either of you.”

Gaz clenched his jaw as soon as it was mentioned that you’d be going in first. He shot a sharp look over at Price, but your Captain wasn’t giving anything away. You yanked your head around from where he was holding your collar and looked at him, trying to evaluate how he felt about that plan of attack. He was stoic as ever. 

“Let’s do it,” he said eventually, breathing deeply as if to punctuate his decision. 

He didn’t look in any mood to argue. Gaz probably evaluated things that way too because he didn’t say anything, but that didn’t stop him from giving a small nod of his head and keeping his eyes glued to you. It was as if he was saying that he’d be just behind you no matter what he was commanded anyway. 

You offered him a reassuring smile, or something like that as your lip didn’t quite fully curl. Your body was too busy preparing itself for attack, letting go of functions that didn’t facilitate your immediate survival. Your vision darkened by the second, but before your instincts burst fully to the forefront of your mind you couldn’t help but catch a little movement in the corner of your eyes. 

Alejandro wrapped a hand round the back of Rudy’s neck and pulled him close, touching his forehead to his hybrid’s. His lips moved quickly, he said something that sounded Spanish and then…kissed Rudy’s temple. Then just as quickly as he’d swooped in for a peck, he moved away again. Gaz and Price were too busy looking at you, they didn’t catch it, but they did catch your frown. 

“Alright, Pup?” Gaz asked, quickly picking up on your change of expression. “You alright with the plan?”

You blinked up at him. It took a little while until you mustered up the wherewithal to shake your head. The movement slowed as if it were moving through molasses 

“No, I’m fine with it Gaz,” you shrugged. “I infiltrate first most of the time anyway. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I’ll worry anyway,” he said, flicking your ear from just over your helmet. “Don’t want anything to happen to my new favourite.”

You shook your head, but rather than let loose the grin that threatened to spill over your lips, you let the comment fuel you. That and Rudy and Alejandro’s little moment could wait till later. At that moment everything was about the building in front of you and the protection of your hard earned team. You wouldn’t let them down. For once you were happy to act as both the battering ram and shield, knowing you’d fight any man that threatened to take your men from you. 

Once Ale gave the go ahead, everything seemed to happen in double time. You, Price and Rudy took up the rear, running ahead through the panic with snarling jaws and weapons Primed. Price shot behind you all at any stragglers from the woods while you and Rudy moved to position yourselves for the door. A renewed fire lit your veins, and when you looked over you could see that Rudy looked much like you felt, his face focused and irises wide as cannonballs. 

As soon as Alejandro cried ‘go’ you were both let loose. Rudy flew high and you went low, both taking out the two men that filled the hallway like pillars. Your man screamed bloody murder when his femur was torn into and then squeaked when his genitals were shredded loose from his body. Rudy’s man didn’t have the chance to scream, his throat was torn out and slapped against the walls with a wet sound. 

The next few men were dispatched in equally gory fashion, blood spattered fourth and covered you both anew, your mouth fizzed with the taste of iron and tattered fabric. Saliva and plasma foamed down your chin, each new bite like a mouthful of unset jelly. It was that feeling that had your instincts invading, the battle in front of you fading as it blended into all the ones that came before it. 

-🐺-

“So you’re actually useful for something then! What a good mutt. We finally made a killer out of you, didn’t we? Can send you off to do some real work.”

The face in front of you tortured you like nothing else. That fucking tirelessly smug look, that scar that marred him seemed to deepen that unbearable smile, it stretched tight over his lips. He loomed just out of reach, no matter how hard you fought against the chain, you could never touch him. Could never reach no matter what you tried.  

“You just saved me a bullet, you vicious little bitch… I’ll let you into a secret too since you passed your test so spectacularly - It wouldn’t have been for him. Could’ve used him for the next dog after all.”

The body below you was cooling now. The man’s blood at your hands and feet only made you long all the more for Maddox’s, but there was no way he’d be stupid enough to allow you loose when so feral. Instead he took great joy in watching you choke yourself just for the chance of even laying a scratch on him, chuckling everytime you gagged.

-🐺-

“Pup! Behind!”

You squealed, clawing at the air as you were quite literally dragged back into the present. Someone was forcing you from your latest quarry, the man was still screaming and flailing around like a kicked puppy, throwing himself around with all the grace of a chew toy. The strangers’s hands brought you back and twisted you around to meet his gun, the burning scent of its barrel stinging your nostrils. Though before the metal could reach your head, you flung it upward with your fist. The noise of the shot ground into your ears like iron shavings, competing with your knuckles in a blindingly throbbing battle. 

Even with the generous ear protection you were given, you were still left reeling. Made dizzy and sent wobbling off to the wall by your left. The gun was lining up with you slowly, the man clearly affected by that same misfire. It was a race for both your lives. You pushed off the crumbling wall and threw yourself to his feet in a last ditch attempt to win. 

Another shot rang out. Your vision went black. Your body felt as if it had been buried at the bottom of an explosion, your lungs and back ached with pressure. A few more shots whizzed through the air, the individual pops were your only company through the darkness. That and a low rumbly voice that felt as if it were vibrating through your rattling skull. You're my good Pup, it said, I knew you had to be mine.

“Pup! Pup!”

Light flooded your eyes and the unforgiving weight on your back alleviated all at once. You were rolled around to meet wide brown eyes that searched over you in a wide sweeping motion. Gaz. He finished tossing the body that had lain on top of you and came to kneel directly in front of you so that he could get a better look. 

“Still breathing, Cap!” he shouted, his voice deliberately carrying past where you were lying. 

You flicked your eyes to the hallway beyond and noticed Price dragging someone into a room after acknowledging you both with a grunt and a quick glance. You didn’t recognise the man he was flinging through the doorway, but you could only assume it was the target. 

“I told you not to worry,” you groaned.

Gaz didn’t look the least bit amused. Neither did you after he hauled you up into his lap. You grimaced, hands instinctively flying to your side where pain had begun to radiate like a blooming lotus. The petals of that pain unfurled slowly, sending your breathing haywire. Fuck, did it hurt. It sent you cursing like a sailor. 

“Did that cunt actually shoot me?” You seethed, not willing to look down while you were trying to focus on breathing. 

“Fucking lucky that one didn’t. That one you were attacking first got you in the vest from further away before his friend fell on you. I got em’ both.”

“Ah…Makes sense that I’m not pink mist then. Thanks for that.”

Gaz turned you around, just so he could narrow his eyes at you. You could only tilt your head back, wondering why he was so perturbed. He didn’t look angry per se, it was like he wasn’t sure what to feel. His brows were heavy over his darkened eyes and his jaw ticked over as he tried to form words. You’d never seem him like that before.

“What happened to you?” he finally asked.

“What do you mean?” 

“Your eyes were pitch black, I’ve never seen you that far gone before. It was like you were possessed or something. Freaked me the fuck out.” He said, shaking his head. “So what happened?”

Had it been someone you hadn’t known you’d have told them to shove it. The rebuke was building on your tongue, practically clawing to come out. Though the concern on Gaz’s face stopped you from doing anything of the sort. You softened your gaze and looked off to his left, focusing on a tattered piece of wall and the ghost of a smile the bullet marks created. 

“Training took over. Maddox…he always…,” you stared so hard your vision doubled, the blurry face grinning back twice as much before you refocused on Gaz. “The wolf in me took the lead. I did my job and they went for me and not any of you. All that matters is you’re fine, Gaz.”

Gaz didn’t say anything to that. He continued to frown, and thought on it for a minute, staring down at the spot where the centre of your pain radiated outward. You began to wonder if it was pulsing visibly just as much as it was physically. However impossible that was. Just as he looked like he might have formed a response his chance to talk was taken from him. 

“Gaz, how’s Pup? Broken?” 

Price’s voice was all grit, he filled the silence like a sledgehammer. Gaz called back that you were going to be fine, just bruised and after another grunt of affirmation he was called to come assist in securing the asset. Alejandro sent Rudy to go watch over you. Gaz gave you a look that said he’d be talking to you later while he switched with Rudy, disappearing into the room and taking his palpable silence with him. 

Rudy didn’t show any of that same blinding concern once he reached you. If anything he looked like he might be bored, but you couldn’t tell with his face. He had a knack for appearing neutral, if not a bit startled at times. Looking so shifty as his ears flicked about, clearly not trusting that the base would stay conquered. 

“You’re still alive. Good for you,” he said at last, choosing a spot just in front of you to lean against. 

You snorted. His ears twitched irritably at the sound. 

“What? You disappointed?”

“No, just surprised,” he said simply.

You frowned back at him, but before you could bother to ask why, he elaborated. 

“They break all you British hybrids so bad, its like none of you even want to try staying alive.”

“What? They train you so much better over here do they? I never realised Mexico was such a paradise,” you said back, sneering over at him. “It’s no wonder your ears and tail aren’t even marked if you’re standing there looking down on me for the way i fight.”

Having said that, you were waiting for the fight to break out that normally would’ve happened with any of the bastards from your last base. All of you were raised on a hair trigger. Left to your own vengeance, so long as you didn’t cause any grievous wounds that stopped you working.

With that in mind you made a show of visibly switching off your comms, confident now that the fighting with the cartel was behind you that you could settle things in private. Rudy didn’t even bat an eye however, he tilted his head at you, but eventually did the same. Neither of you needed to disrupt the others with your bickering.  

“You think that your broken tail makes you a better soldier than me?”

There wasn’t a good response for that. If he’d engaged in your petty little fight, you might’ve said yes, but he was as calm as if he and you were sat waiting in a briefing room. As you tried to find a retort your ears flicked nervously around your head, dancing between being upright and flattened before they settled on pinning ever so slightly backwards. 

“Shows that I must be doing a good job staying alive if I’m still here despite it.”

He smiled at that, pursing his lips soon after. 

“Sure…I’ll let you have that. They call you ‘Pup’ for a reason I suppose.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” you growled.

“Mean’s that you sulk just the same as one.”

You lunged for him and quickly regretted it when your ribs sent a stab of pain that tremoured through your whole body. Even while you did everything in your power not to make a noise, you were helpless in letting a small whine escape your throat. 

“Sound like one too. You should take it easy, you’ll have plenty time to get me back once you recover from that.”

You flipped him off in place of being able to take a swipe at him. Your breathing was getting ragged, so deep and frayed that you eventually committed to ripping your vest off and getting a look at your wound. Your arms burned with the effort it took, but the thing parted from you with a thunk and suddenly your body really let you know just how much you’d wrecked it. Traitorous thing, proving Rudy right. 

When your eyes landed on the island shaped bruise at your side, it took everything not to wretch. The thing was already a hundred different shades, looking ugly and dark and just as sore as it felt. Your eyes grew wet and you soon forgot all about the one sided argument you were having and closed them, begging yourself not to cry so that you could reserve the last scrap of your dignity. 

“That looks bad…Woah!”

You hadn’t realised, but in a fit of dizziness you’d begun to slide down the wall. Rudy stopped you from collapsing into a heap right at the last second. For second all you felt was air and then his cool hands on your skin. Not long after his peppery scent flooded through you, forcing you to stay in the room. He propped you up on his side and kept an arm curled against you, gripping onto your hip. 

“You good?” He asked, intense eyes flicking all over your face. 

They were like molten copper. He disarmed you instantly, chasing the rest of the fight out of your failing body. Even if you had been primed to start a boxing match only moments before you’d resolved to let him have his sense of superiority while you focused on staying upright.

Well, almost. 

“You just this touchy with everyone, yeah?” you asked, trying to distract him from how pathetic you’d turned. 

It was finally his turn to look confused.

“What are you talking about?” he asked, ears flicking around. 

“I saw you two lovebirds before we attacked,” you grinned, soon grimacing when you took a particularly hard breath. “Does he always give you a good luck kiss?”

Rudy looked like he wanted to throw you off of him, but by sheer goodness of his own heart prevented his hand from doing so. It didn’t stop his fingers gripping your hip tighter, his claws luckily grazing your good side. He stopped himself when he caught your wince.

“Don’t talk shit.”

“I’m not judging.”

“Sounds like you are,” he snorted. 

“If anything I’m jealous.”

That was supposed to be a joke. However your tone didn’t convey that. So for a second you were left blinking over at each other until Rudy clenched his jaw. His iron patience was wearing thin, the pickaxe that you were taking to it was apparently breaking through. All from that comment. It was then that you realised whatever he had with the colonel was more than just a little over affection. 

“Really? You want Ale?”

You gasped in shock, clutching your side and barking out in laughter. 

“Oh shit, no,” you cackled.

“Who then?”

“My handler obviously…apparently. Fuck me, how did we even get to talking about this?” you sighed, settling back against the wall. 

Rudy looked more relaxed now and he loosened his hold on your frame, his tongue lashed out against his lips and that gentle smile returned to his face.

“You got us onto the subject I believe. Which of them is your handler? Garrick?”

“Desperate to gossip now?” You asked, trying to let the subject die. 

Rudy wasn’t having that though. He was like a cat with a mouse, easily batting you between his big paws.

“It’s Garrick isn’t it? You were looking…moon eyed is the expression isn’t it?”

“I do not have moon eyes for anyone!” you groaned, knocking him with your shoulder and hurting him about as much as you did yourself. “Besides, I belong to Ghost not Gaz.”

Rudy’s eyebrows shot up so high you were almost sent into a new laughing fit imagining them coming clean off. He shook his head, eyebrows still firmly attached. The absurdity of the whole situation didn’t escape you. After being in a gunfight that almost ended your life, it seemed unlikely that you’d be stuck gossiping with your fellow hybrid afterward while there was a man most likely being beaten for information in the other room.

“Ghost?” he choked out. “No mames! That’s not someone you want a kiss from. He’d give you the kiss of death.”

“Maybe on you. He’s really quite sweet with me,” you grinned, “Reckon he’d give me a big peck on the head as well, just like Ale does with you.”

“Ghost. Sweet?”

“He is. We were having a romantic morning cuddling in bed just the other day,” you said faux wistfully. “Trading stories, sharing scents.”

“Ah, so that’s the nice British way of saying that you fuck. I’ll have to keep that in mind when Alejandro and I trade scents.”

It was your turn to risk losing your eyebrows to the sky. In fact you were so taken aback that your mouth went dry. Sure it wasn’t like you were a virgin, but you had thought it was rare that hybrids and humans had sex, nevermind navigated complicated handler relationships while doing the act. In fact that very idea opened up new avenues in your mind, sparked a little inkling of opportunity you hadn’t really consciously considered much before. 

“You and Alejandro are…together?”

You’d expected him to laugh or look offended or look panicked or something, but now that you two had found some kind of messed up common ground he didn’t give much away. He tilted his head at you and smiled indulgently. 

“Oh, so you weren’t just playing coy? Poor little Pup.”

“Poor little Pup nothing,” you said petulantly, folding your arms and willing the conversation away. “I’m a professional, I don’t shag my superiors.”

“It sounds like you’d like to though,” he chuckled, looking delighted with himself. “I’m right, am I not?”

“No,” you said squeaked out, body raising a hundred degrees just at the thought. 

All sorts of images flooded your mind. Ghost lying next to you just like he had been when he’d whisked you into his bed. Ghost dripping and wet from the rain, carrying you close to him, so close to him you could practically smell him through the mental haze. Ghost holding you against a wall while you trained, keeping you at bay while you waited to attack your fake target. Ghost’s unyielding grip on your collar. Relax Pup, I’ve got you. Thats it, keep it steady. 

“Oh well that’s definitely the face of someone that’s telling the truth,” he remarked slyly. 

“Go fuck yourself,” you huffed, shaking at the realisation that maybe that wasn’t even the first time that you’d considered being open to the idea of something else with Ghost…  

“I don’t have to. Maybe you can use that death wish of yours to ask for the same.”

“Shut the fuck up,” you groaned, now just trying to focus on staying upright.

“Alright then,” Rudy said, still smiling into the middle distance. “You’re the one that started talking shit anyway.”

“No don’t you start that shit, you’re the one-”

“You two!” Price barked.

Both your heads whipped around to the now open doorway where Ale and Gaz were busy dragging a hooded man while your Captain oversaw the whole thing. His face was grave and drawn, he looked battle worn and weary, but even beneath the layers of grime and awful mood you could see that his resolve stayed well intact. 

“Captain,” you said quietly, feeling like you had to acknowledge him in some way. 

Rudy said nothing, but gave a nod.

“We have a team coming out to meet us and escort this one back to Los Vaqueros’s base. Rudy, stay with Gaz and Ale. Pup, can you stand?”

You bit your lip, knowing how much your next movement would hurt, but sucking it up despite yourself. With a growl, you braced your hands beneath you and then clawed your way up the wall, coming to a shaky stand until you were all the way upright - almost all the way upright. Your hip kept you wonky on your feet, but otherwise you were able to stay in place. 

You shot him a shaky thumbs up. 

“Good. I’ll help you to evac. Once we get to base, you and me are going to have a talk.”

If your spirits hadn’t been thoroughly pissed on by that point, they were then. Your ears drooped low and you nodded slowly waiting at the wall like a naughty child until he was ready to prop you against his shoulder. 

Your thoughts raced at the possibilities of all he could want to talk about. So much had happened to you in such a short space of time, it felt like your mind was a skipping DVD. Scenes of carnage melded with the two officers in the hallway, both rooms melting together while flashing to Ghost, Price, Soap and Gaz training with you. All your team warred for for time with all your enemies, all the fighting you had done up to that point mingled with scenes from training hangars, bars with pool games and soft blue sheets draped over Ghost’s sprawling body. 

It was going to be a long ride back.

-🐺-

“You decent?”

You looked down at the puddle of water below your tail with unfocused eyes, the blurry edges of the water seemed to morph and change colours with the flickering lights above you. Shifting between pink, yellow and white. It had taken a while to get most of the blood out. Most being the operative word. Your uniform was hurled into the corner, too far gone to be worth washing or doing anything to save. Price had told you to chuck it once you were changed into the new clothes he’d pulled from your kit. 

“Yeah, I’m changed,” you finally answered back. 

You were a little soggy, but still you had changed and you were clean and your hair had been tended to first after getting your jogging bottoms and T-shirt on. All that was left was to finish brushing out your tail, your secret weapon against whatever words were about to come your way. From the way Price had been speaking to you, you could tell he wasn’t very happy. Brushing out the snarls from your fur would give you an excuse not to look at him. 

You were just starting to comb out the tip of the silvery fur when Price walked in, boots heavy against the tile. He filled the doorway like a barricade. 

“Come on,” he sighed, his voice even heavier now that he was so close to sleep. “Go sit on a bed, I need to get off my feet.”

“My tail’s still wet, I need to brush it out and dry it,” you said quickly, hoping that you weren’t giving him reason to be more annoyed.

“Fling a towel down. Whatever bed you sit on, I’ll take. Gaz can have the other one.”

You raised your eyebrows, but didn’t dare question him further. Truth be told, when you’d been pushed toward the room and through the bathroom, you hadn’t thought much about what the bunking situation would be, but now that you were cognizant of the situation, it dawned on you that there was two twin beds beds out there and three soldiers to fill them. So you must be on the floor then. 

It didn’t matter. That wasn’t the most pressing issue at hand. You took a dry towel and spread it out over the bed on the left hand side of the simple room, and taking a proper look around. There were two twin sized beds at the back of the room, a plain wooden dresser next to the doorway at the front, and of course the bathroom that you’d come out of to the left with a mirror stuck to the back of it. The walls were stark white, but thankfully there was a small window in the middle of the two beds, giving the room a little relief from the stark paint and yellow lighting. 

You jumped when Price came to sit next to you, avoiding touching the already wet towel, but sitting close enough you were dipping into him. It took a little adjusting so that you wouldn’t lean into him, but once you both got comfortable, you were soon left staring. Looking into the hard blue gaze that met yours like a set of angry headlights. 

“Gaz told me what you said.”

“W-what?” you whimpered, wondering what it was that he was referring to.

Had he heard your conversation with Rudy? You were so sure that door was closed. So sure that you could barely hear their mutterings in there. 

“He said that you told him you ‘did your job’. Do you know how many times we called out to you to come to heel, Pup?”

“I…No. No, Sir.”

“I asked you three times. Gaz asked you once before he had to take out the men that were on you. You did not ‘do your job’. You rushed ahead like a half crazed coyote and almost got yourself killed. And then what? What would I have told Ghost, hm?” Price growled, his breaths coming out fast and uneven. 

Your wet tail curled around you, scraggly strands drawing close to what little warmth was still in your body. It felt like you were growing colder by the second, frozen in Price’s icy stare. Your chest pumped feebly in order to keep your blood flow moving, though the way you were shaking you couldn’t be sure everything was working as it should. 

“I’m sorry, Sir,” you murmured, your whole body curling in on itself like a slinky. 

“I’m sorry doesn’t cut it. I told you when you started with us that I don’t want you taking risks that threaten your life. You’re not disposable to my team, not to me, not to Gaz or Soap, and especially not to Ghost. You don’t ever get to a point where you start blacking out and rampaging out of control like that again. You hear me? Never.”

The breath from your body felt as if it had been robbed from you. Every little gear in your mind ground to a halt and suddenly all the possibilities of what might happen next were spread out in front of you, playing in tandem and haunting you with the awful consequences of your actions. Would Price punish you? Remove you from the team? Send you away? Take you back to Branhaven. 

“Look at me, Pup.”

You looked up immediately as if controlled by him. Everything in you was now coded to answer to his every call and do everything he said while you still could. All instincts pointed to serving him well before he made any decision to get rid of you. To try and preserve yourself now that the fighting was done. You could see your own dark reflection staring back at you in his pupils, the wilting frame of your body frozen there in the inky blackness.

“We gave you this collar because we knew you’re a great soldier and because we knew how well you’d work with our team and because we wanted to make you ours. This collar means you’re 141 for life,” Price said, tugging on it for good measure. “Don’t sit there looking sorry for yourself like I’m gonna send you packing or treat you like your old superiors would’ve. I’d have hoped that you knew me better by now. C’mere, you little sod.”

You didn’t get much of a chance to react. Price drew you into his arms and perched his head on yours, fanning your ears with his hot breath. You melted into him, wrapping your arms around his hard frame and covering him with a soft outer layer of hybrid. Cigar smoke, bullet oil and musk be damned, his warmth and his scent felt heavenly on your senses. 

“What are we gonna do with you, ay? Bloody troublemaker.”

“I don’t mean to be,” you sniffed.

“Course you don’t. That’s why I’ve got a fitting punishment to get those tendencies in check.”

“Punishment?” you asked, stiffening in his arms. 

He drew back from you and nodded his head, not giving much away. He’d already told you he wasn’t going to treat you like your old superiors, but that didn’t do much to put you at ease. Just because you weren’t going to get a whipping, didn’t mean you were out of the woods. You had no idea what he had planned, searching his face dug up nothing. 

“Was on the phone to Ghost before I came to talk to you. We both agreed to set you up with a therapist. You’re getting a minimum of ten sessions booked in to start, and then after five we’re going to evaluate how many more you might need.”

You gawped at him, face going from a picture of worry and to one of indignant shock. A bloody therapist? That was his and Ghost’s big idea of a punishment? At that point you wondered if you might rather have one of your old punishments. What the hell were you going to say to a therapist? What were they going to say to you? Oh sorry your family abandoned you and left you to the proverbial wolves, maybe you’ll feel better if you talk about it. 

“I’m sorry, Sir, but I don’t know what a therapist is going to-”

“Don’t ‘sorry, Sir’ me and don’t you think for a second that you know better. You’re going and that’s final,” he said, tone so sharp that it cut off any room for argument. 

You gulped and suddenly were reminded of your place. Of your character. You were supposed to be meek and trying to grovel for forgiveness. All things considered, a few sessions of pretending to make emotional breakthroughs would probably be one of the easier challenges you’d have faced in your lifetime. 

“Ok…um…Sorry, Sir.”

“I think that’s enough sorries out of you, Pup,” he grumbled, ruffling his hands over your ears. “I think we’ve established how sorry you are. You can make it up to me by sorting your tail out and picking a bunkmate. Gaz is gonna come by with some food in a minute and then we’re all gonna get some sleep. You can talk to Ghost tomorrow.”

For yet another time you were left stunned. A bunkmate?

“A bunkmate?” You repeated out loud. 

“Only two beds,” Price said, as if you were stupid. “You can sleep with me or Gaz. I won’t be offended if you switch even after you’ve made my bed all wet.” 

Suddenly being faced with the choice of sharing a small bed with Price or Gaz after the conversation you’d just had and the conversation you’d had with Rudy earlier in the day was too much. Too much was happening to you! Where did life get off giving you the choices or lack thereof that it did? 

You must have looked a sight, staring into the dead air above the other bed like you’d seen a monster. On the one hand you figured that you could really use some comfort and the memory of how you felt after sleeping with Ghost was tamping your panic and convincing you that it would be ok, but on the other you were thinking about Rudy telling you to get it on with your teammates and that was bringing all sorts of embarrassing thoughts to light. How could you sleep next to them knowing that it might encourage those thoughts?

“I can just sleep on the floor, Price,” you said with what you hoped would be a convincing smile. “Done it plenty of times before.”

Price wasn’t having any of that. He paused at the bathroom door and fixed you with a tired stare. 

“Choose or I’ll choose for you.”

“No really, I can just use my bag as a pillow and-“

Price laughed dryly and shook his head. Looking at you like an incorrigible puppy. 

“Sleeping with me then. Sort that tail, eat your dinner when it comes and get into bed. Last thing I need is you complaining about your back while you’ve got that hip in bad enough shape.”

You watched him disappear into the bathroom with no less shock horror than when he presented the arrangement to you. All you could hear was Rudy’s taunting voice in your ear telling you that you could have any of your superiors if you just made your desires known. Which in turn helped break you from your shock. 

You started to wonder how Rudy and Alejandro started out together. Had they been like you and Ghost? Had Rudy come from a training facility and then luckily stuck with someone who loved him and who would foster that warmth and connection? Or maybe they knew each other before. Did Rudy do it for benefits and then it turned into more. 

You remembered some of the hybrids at your old base would trade sex for favours or contraband. The very thought of that made you want to vomit out all of your insides, especially when you thought of the humans at your old base. Fucking some of the hybrids was dire enough, only doing it to scratch each others itches when the need you felt grew to an explosive point. You’d never thought about doing out of genuine interest and attachment to another person before. Now it was all you could think about. 

“Wow, Price must’ve given you some talking to.”

You spun in place and faced Gaz, cheeks heating and ears flickering until you realised you’d been caught deep in your salacious thoughts. The room spun ever so slightly, but after getting a hold of yourself you remembered what Price had said and fixed your eyes on the trays that Gaz was holding. 

Right. Dinner. Tail. Sleep. 

“Hey,” you said lamely, sheepishly meeting Gaz’s eyes. 

“Hey, yourself,” he snorted. “You ok?” 

“Yeah, fine,” you muttered rather unconvincingly. “You?”

“Fine, Pup. I didn’t get told off by the captain,” he winked. “And I already had my dinner. You should eat as well, might give you some life back in that sorry face.”

He went to set your tray down next to you and you gratefully thanked him while looking over the contents. It was exactly what you needed. Some kind of beef stew brimming with sauce and vegetables with a big bar of chocolate for after and a bottle of water to wash it all down. You breathed it in as if you could inhale it, the fresh smell making your mouth water. 

“What the hell? We need whoever the cook is here to transfer back with us. This looks fucking good.”

Gaz laughed at that. 

“Tastes fucking good too. Should eat up.”

You shook your head and picked up your brush. 

“Gotta sort this before I get Price’s bed any wetter. Should probably try to get back on his good side,” you said, already navigating the half dried tangles. 

“I don’t think he’ll care much. I’ve seen that man fall asleep standing in the rain. Bit of water on his bed won’t make a difference to him,” Gaz shrugged.

You laughed at that, but didn’t let it deter you from your work. It wasn’t like you were only concerned for the bed. The longer you took to get the last of your tail unfurled, the more painful it would be to tug out the dry knots. It felt therapeutic to tackle each tangle one by one anyway, brought a sense of calm to you while you worked. 

“What did the big man say anyway?”

“Hm?” You hummed back, not really hearing what he said. 

“Price. You looked like you were about to have a fit before I came in.”

You paused what you were doing and looked up at him with an arched brow. He arched his own back and to that you could only roll your eyes. 

“Nosy.”

“Got a right to be. Saved your life, you have to do whatever I say now.”

“Oh really?” You asked, seething as you hit a bad snag in your tail. 

“Really. Now tell me what he said,” Gaz demanded, voice higher with his amusement. 

You sighed and finally tackled the tough section you were working on, lobbing the big furball you pulled into the bin underneath the bedside table. Once that was done you looked over at Gaz. 

“He told me that I have to go do therapy,” you said with a screwed up expression. 

“Oof,” Gaz said, pursing his lips as he tried not to laugh. “I can see why you looked so serious then. Truly, it’s the harshest of punishments he could’ve come up with, that cruel old bastard. Just think of the battle scars you’ll come out with. Fucking hell, you’ll never come back the same.”

“You’re so funny.”

“I am. It doesn’t matter how much you say I’m not. I know that I’m hilarious.”

“You’re an idiot,” you said, finishing the last bit of your tail. 

“An idiot that saved your life,” he smiled. “Idiot.”

You grinned and finally put down your brush so that you could go get the hairdryer. Instead of engaging any more in the silly fake argument, you got to work finishing off the drying process, taking a minute to sweep the dryer over your tail and fill your ears with white noise.

Once it was done, your tail was fluffy and warm, all ready for a good nights sleep. After you ate your stew of course. Now that Gaz was settled back on his bed and scrolling through his phone you were left to get to work on your last task. You picked up your tray and got ready to greedily scoff down the heavenly bowl in front of you. 

Just as you were picking up your fork and digging into your first bite the shower in the bathroom turned off again. You flicked your ears at the sound but didn’t think to pay it much mind. Instead you enjoyed your first bite, savouring the salty spicy beef and soft veg that was the perfect amount of juicy and crunchy. It was enough to make your eyes close all of their own accord. 

You opened them again when the bathroom door opened, immensely grateful you’d already swallowed that bite you took before you choked. Price came out in only a towel, the wet sheet of fabric commendably doing everything it could to cling to the ridges of his muscled hips and soft belly. His chest and arm hair was speckled with water droplets and the top of his head was all fluffy after it was presumably roughed over with the towel. 

Suddenly you’d completely forgotten what you were supposed to be doing. Your big round eyes were too busy roving all over Price. Every hair, every muscle, every scar that he had laid bare and available to you. In fact so much so that you were only broken out of it because Gaz cleared his throat and looked pointedly at you. 

“Good stew, Pup?” He quipped, shooting you a sly grin. 

You cleared your own throat and hid your eyes in the food, not trusting yourself to look at either of the other men in the room. 

“Yeah, yeah good. Thanks, Gaz,” you muttered, shovelling another bit in without tasting it this time. 

“You get some for me?” Price asked, busy combing his fingers through his hair over at the mirror. 

“Yeah, your tray’s just there on the table, Cap.” 

“Good man,” Price replied.

Just as you were sure that you might get over whatever it was that had come over you, you heard his towel dropping. Your ears, your tail, your heart stopped in place. Your eyes flicked up to the pale slopes of his ass before they shot right back down to your food again and felt as if they might just keep going and roll out of your head. Why did you even look up in the first place? 

You were sure the next bite of stew would be the end of you. But you could’ve face anyone asking why you’d stopped eating and you sure as hell didn’t want to think of some other way to distract yourself, so you forced down another bite and lost yourself to the rhythm of your raving heart. 

Luckily for you Price stuck his boxers on and then a pair of his own sweats, leaving his chest bare before he dried himself. He had the dryer on for a couple minutes after that, but you didn’t dare look at him beyond what filled your periphery, little flashes of him fluffing at his hair or running the dryer over his arms and chest. 

Soon enough the ordeal was done. He came over to sit by you and shovelled his food down with very little grace. He ate so fast that you both finished at the same time. The sound of his heavy breathing and Gaz turning the shower back on for himself were soon the only sounds in the room. 

“Ready for sleep?” He asked, raising his big damp brows at you. 

“Uh…I think so.”

“Good.”

That was all he said. No warning, no precursor to what he did next.

He stuck both your trays on the table and yanked the covers back, sweeping you under them with him, pulling you close to his chest until you were flush to his body. The smell of the cheap soap did little to diminish his natural scent as it wove itself around you. The sound of his booming chest filled your ears and soon you were both lying there in the stillness as if what was happening was normal. 

“Shouldn’t we turn the light off or…” you trailed nervously. 

“Gaz’ll need it, Pup. Just close your eyes, he’ll turn it off when he’s done,” Price rumbled, his entire voice trickling over you like hot honey. 

“Oh, yeah right… it’s just-“

“Pup,” Price groaned. “Anymore out of you and I’ll double your minimum amount of therapy sessions. Shut up, shut your eyes and go to sleep.”

Well there was no arguing with that. Though part of you wondered if you’d need more therapy just from that night alone. You huffed at the thought and finally settled against him, annoyed enough with his bluntness that you were able to see past his naked body and the bullet holes that speckled his left arm. You were only barely thinking about how much you wanted to paw at him at that point, grumpy and content enough to fold yourself into the sheets and close your eyes just as he’d asked. 

The sound of running shower water accompanied you into your dreams. Just as you’d figured it was going to be a long night, you floated off to Price’s faint snores and Gaz’s shower. Finally too tried to think anymore, or worry about what Gaz would see once he got out of the shower.

[magicalqueennightmare]

Mardi Gras

Bucky Barnes x Reader (Nicknamed Belle)

You and Bucky go to Mardi Gras with your family and when a drunk recognizes Bucky in the worse way you admit your true feelings

“Are you sure you’re up for Mardi Gras?” you asked Bucky as you packed an overnight bag. Despite the fact that New Orleans was only about an hour or so by car all of you were staying there for a couple days. Everyone had tossed money in the hat for an airbnb. He cut his eyes up at you from where he was laying across your bed, right arm thrown over his face “Are you trying to get rid of me already doll?”

“James Buchanan Barnes! Don’t you dare!” a smile slipped onto his face that made your heart flip “I love it when you get all feisty like that Belle” you shook your head “You just love when I get all feisty over you!” and climbed onto the bed with him, moving to straddle his waist. He moved both hands to your hips, the thumbs of both his flesh and metal hands tracing circles onto your flesh “I’m not exactly used to having someone care enough to defend me” you smiled “Well you better get used to it Barnes” and leaned down to brush a kiss against his lips. 

Your lips had barely met before he flipped the two of you over and your back was down to the mattress with him nestled between your thighs “You know..we have to behave for the next few days since we’ll be under the same roof with your brother and all the kids..”  you grinned “What did you have in mind?” he glanced at the clock “We have a few hours before we have to leave” you nodded “Just remember I need actual recovery time, just bear that in mind” “Poor thing” he cooed before crashing his lips against yours.

The decision was that you, Bucky and Aj would drive in the jeep while Sarah, Sam and Cass took Sam’s truck. Basically “convoy this shit” as Sam had lovingly put it. Nic, Gina and Kayla were already in New Orleans at the airbnb. They’d flown in that morning from Texas and if you weren’t badly mistaken you were fairly certain Joaquín was coming too. It had been a while since you saw him so you were excited for that. It was just nice for everyone, mere normal humans and heroes alike, to be able to find time to just do something as mundane as hitting Mardi Gras together.

“Aunt Belle?” Aj asked the moment all of you hit the road and you cut your eyes up in the rearview mirror “What’s up buddy?” he grinned “I’m hungry” a laugh slipped from your lips “I know your mom made you eat breakfast” he nodded “I’m still hungry” you shook your head “Blue bag that’s in the floorboard has all your favorites”

“You’re the best!” he dipped down to pick it up and you heard him start digging through. Bucky moved his hand across the console and you felt the metal digits tease at your leg “What about Cass?” he whispered and you grinned “He has a red bag of his favorites in the backseat of Sam’s truck” he shook his head “You really are the best” you cut your eyes at him and winked “So I’ve been told”

You pulled up to the address of the airbnb Nic had forwarded to you and let out a low whistle “This is some vampire diaries shit” Bucky cut his eyes at you “I don’t know what that is” Aj popped up out of the backseat and leaned down to look out the windshield better “She’s right, it is”

The place looked closer to something Elijah should’ve been waltzing out of, fixing his coat than the lot of you staying in. You stepped out of the jeep and nodded to Sam “Are we sure we were able to afford this place even with all of us pitching in?” he shrugged “Apparently someone owed Joaquín a favor so he cashed in” 

You grinned “From the looks of it, I think we all owe Torres a favor now” about that time the front door of the place opened and the man in question walked out followed by Nicholas, Gina and Kayla.  “Well damn Belle I’d settle for a hug” you laughed and ran to him. He picked wrapped both arms around you and spun you around “Damn it’s good to see you girl” 

He sat you down and looked back towards Bucky, his eyes getting a little bigger “Hey Barnes, what’s up” “Not much Torres” Bucky replied and you looked back at Bucky to see he was doing that staring thing. Oh, you hadn’t thought about the fact that maybe he didn’t realize you and Joaquín were just old friends?

Joaquín thankfully didn’t seem deterred because he just grinned at you “Besides I had to come see for myself that he could actually smile” you shoved his chest playfully “You’re an ass” he laughed “But you love me!” you shook your head about the time Kayla launched herself into your arms “Woah! Hey little miss”  she was wrapped around you talking a hundred miles an hour about school, the raccoon she saw and all the mardi gras decorations up around town then she spotted Aj and Cass and you were quickly forgotten about in favor of her cousins.

Nic pulled you into a hug “Hey little sister” you ducked when he tried to ruffle your hair “Don’t you dare” and he smirked at you before looking at Bucky “I hear you’re living with her now” Bucky looked from him to you before nodding “Yeah, I mean when I’m not gone on missions. I help pay bills and take care of things around the house..” Nic cut him off before he could say anything else “I was just going to say I’m glad to know she’s not alone in that place anymore. I know Sarah’s close but those five years were hell on these two. I was lucky that me and Gina both survived it”

Bucky smiled and stepped up behind you, slipping an arm around your waist “Well I don’t plan to go anywhere unless she makes me” Gina winked at you “I don’t foresee that happening” then cut her eyes at Sarah “There are some shops I saw in town I’ve been dying to go check out. You two want to come with me?” You nodded “Of course” Kayla came running back up “Can I come?” you looked at Gina and she nodded “Of course baby but you have to stay close to me or one of your aunts” “Yes ma’am” Sarah whistled at the boys “You two coming with us or staying with the guys?”

“I wanna stay with Uncle Sam and Uncle Nic” Aj said and Sarah nodded then looked at Cass “What about you buddy?” He looked at Kayla “I want to come with you all” Sarah nodded “Ok then, load up” you walked over to Bucky “You good with these idiots?” he eyed the other men and nodded “Yeah sweetheart, are you three good by yourselves?” you nodded “Yeah baby, we’re good” he pressed a quick kiss to your lips “Just call if you need me..I mean us” 

You shot him a smile “I know what you meant and I’ll call. The keys to my jeep are inside my duffle” he nodded “Ok”

“You and Bucky seem..” Gina started and Sarah interrupted “Head over heels in love with each other but neither of them will admit it first?” your mouth fell open, eyes flickering towards the kids who thankfully were too engrossed in the hand churned ice cream. “Gossip, much?”

Sarah raised an eyebrow at you “Not gossip if it’s true babe” you shook your head “I plead the fifth” Gina laughed “Oh she’s adorable, getting all flustered when she has a hundred year super soldier following her around like a whipped puppy” Sarah grinned “That man runs back from missions. Sam says it’s a bitch to get him to sit still through debriefings” 

You shrugged “In my defense he was always like that about debriefings long before I was ever even born” Sarah and Gina both froze, looked at each other then busted out laughing. Sarah wiped her eyes “I’m sorry, the reasoning isn’t funny but the way you said it, like it’s just an age gap” you shrugged “Physically he doesn’t look much different in age than me and his stamina is..”  “WOAH! NO MA’AM!” Gina cackled and both kids looked up at that.

You felt your face warm “Eat your ice cream kids” they both nodded and went back to their food. You shrugged “I’m just saying, he’s amazing and I don’t just mean in bed. Bucky is unlike any other guy I’ve ever known” Gina cut her eyes at Sarah “She’s in loveee” “Shuttt up” you replied and they both shook their heads.

______________________

You walked in the door of the airbnb and grinned when you found Bucky, Sam and Joaquín sitting on the back porch with Nic. They had a fire going in the fire pit and the normalcy made your heart flip. Was he happy? The man had gone through so much, here you were just a normal woman who was offering him a place in her family and they were welcoming him in. Sam and Joaquín knew a little bit of what it was like to be soldiers, to lose people but none of you would ever be able to grasp the extent of everything he’d gone through.

“Hey, your face fell” Sarah spoke next to you and you nearly jumped. “Yeah, I’m good” she smiled “Well go put your stuff away then grab your antique. We’re gonna go back into town and check out that restaurant” you nodded and headed for the bedroom that had gotten marked for you and Bucky. 

When you walked in you saw he’d sat your duffle and his on the foot of the bed. You smiled and sat the bag from the store down next to it. You were about to dig into your duffle for a jacket when you felt arms slip around your waist so you covered his hands with yours, fingers tracing over the back of his flesh and metal hands “Bucky?” you asked and he nuzzled his face into your neck “Yeah doll?” you turned in his arms to look up at him “Are you happy?”

“What?” he asked, a look of confusion spreading across his face “If this is about when you hugged Torres earlier, I admit to being a little jealous but I know who you’re with” you smiled slightly “Well that’s good to know but you know what? Never mind, it’s stupid” you started to turn away and he tightened his grip just enough to keep you from pulling away “Talk to me”

“You’ve gone through the wringer for what? Ninety years. How the hell can the mundane life I live, my family…me..what can we offer a man like you?” he shook his head, right hand coming up to gently cup your chin “Everything Belle. A little peace which I never thought I’d find and that is more than I could ever ask for. Your brother looks at me as just a man, same as your sister in law and your niece thinks the fact that I have a metal arm is cool instead of terrifying” you pulled him down into a kiss and he smiled with his lips against yours “Any more ridiculous ideas bouncing around that head of yours?”

You shook your head “Not that I can currently think of” he nodded “Good, then grab your jacket. I’m hungry” you grinned “Damn super soldier metabolism” he shrugged “Wait till we get home and all that super soldier stamina is built up” your thighs clenched at his words and a smirk slipped onto his face “See? There’s something else you can think about”

You were still half asleep, curled up to Bucky’s chest when you heard Gina and Sarah doing rock, paper scissors in the hallway over who had to knock. You laughed and hollered “WE ARE IN A HOUSE WITH CHILDREN! WE’RE COMPLETELY DRESSED EXCEPT FOR BUCKY’S SHIRT” and heard them both burst out laughing before Sarah stepped closer to the door “In that case we need to leave in like twenty for the parade”

You heard their footsteps fade so you turned around and Bucky was biting his bottom lip in an effort to not laugh “What are you so amused by handsome?” he shook his head “Nothing sweetheart” and pressed a quick kiss to your lips “Let’s get dressed” you pouted “Damn, I wanted a little more time in your arms” he shrugged “Remember we are in a house with children” you shook your head with a laugh “Fine but you owe me”

He rolled the two of you over so he was on top of you and let just enough of his body weight rest on you that you wrapped your legs around his waist in response. He grinned “Believe me doll, I’m keeping count” and pressed another kiss to your lips before moving you over to the mattress and climbing out of the bed.

_____________________

You, Sarah and Gina had ended up with the three kids in front of you and all of you were basically crammed between Bucky, Sam, Nic and Joaquín. You shot Bucky a smile “You know nothing is gonna happen to us? This is the more family friendly one. The party one isn’t till later”

Joaquín winked at you “Why do you think I’m still here? I’ll deliver you all back to the house then go have fun later” you shook your head “Remember the rules Torres” He nodded “Don’t add to the population or subtract from the population” you grinned “Attaboy”

Bucky’s arms slipped around you and he whispered in your ear “Nevermind about the jealousy thing doll. That idiot is your little brother” you cut your eyes back at him and nodded “Oh I know, believe me” as the parade started.

The colors of the floats mixed with the music and the atmosphere was infectious. Sarah grinned at you and you shook your head “No!” she nodded “Yes” Nic simply laughed when she pushed Aj and Cass towards him and pulled you with her “Come on!” 

Bucky watched as Sarah dragged you and Gina with her and the three of you joined another group of women nearby. You dove right into the chaos, dancing with the music. Your hair swung around you as you laughed, grabbing beads as they made it your way. You caught his eye and winked at him. He’d never seen a prettier sight than you this relaxed, this happy. Your family definitely brought out the best in you and for some reason they’d invited him in too.

___________________

Once Sam was recognized the ten of you ended up with beads that had his shield on them, you even talked Bucky into wearing them.  You grinned at him as you played with the beads about your neck “Well damn Cap, guess it does come in handy being your family huh?” he rolled his eyes “Nice to know that’s the only time you wanna claim me” 

A few minutes passed and you realized you were missing Bucky and Joaquín. “Nic, where did those two go?” you asked and he looked around then pointed behind you “There they are” you turned to see the two of them walking up behind you. You raised an eyebrow “Where did you two go?” Bucky nodded to Joaquín “That one wanted a funnel cake, I went after these” he held out a string of beads that had the enchanted rose from beauty and the beast and your eyes got big “Where did you find those?” “There was a float, they ran out but I guess they’re fans of captain america and I told em his adopted sister is a big fan..”

“One of the cosplayers came up off her own beads” Joaquín  added and you laughed “Bucky! You didn’t have to” he slipped them around your neck and pressed a kiss to your lips “No, every Belle needs her rose” Joaquín fake gagged “Oh you two are sickeningly sweet. I’m gonna need a beer to hang” and walked off. Bucky slipped his arm around you so the two of you rejoined everyone else.

Later that evening Nic and Gina had called it a night and went back to the airbnb with Kayla. Sarah wanted to come back out so Gina told her to just leave Aj and Cass there and the boys were good with it so you, Sarah, Sam and Bucky were back in the quarter for the afterparties.

You laughed when Joaquín struck out with some woman and shrugged when he looked at you in exasperation “She doesn’t deserve you honey if she doesn’t like your dance moves” he nodded “You know what? You’re right” 

All of you were headed into a bar when you heard someone mutter something about someone being dangerous. You froze and cut your eyes at Sam who must have heard it too because he was trying to get a better listen. “What’s that?” Sam asked and the man stumbled up, pointing at Bucky “Why was he even pardoned? He’s a monster”

You saw Bucky’s face fall and that was all it took. “Oh hell naw” you swung without a second thought and connected with the guy’s jaw. He stumbled and called you a few choice words, mixed in with calling Bucky everything from a terrorist to a killer. “You’re a drunken bastard and only one of you had a choice in the matter” he got back to his feet and you were ready to go again but Bucky hoisted you over his shoulder “No, you are not doing that”

About that time the bouncer walked out and spotted Sam so he took all of your word and waved down a cop for the asshole but you were still struggling against Bucky’s shoulder “Baby, let me hit him one more fucking time” the guy looked at you as he was being put in the cop car and you hollered “FUCK YOU”

_____________________

Bucky carried you away from the crowd and finally put you down on your feet. “Good grief Belle, I never knew you had that bad a temper” you straightened your shirt and huffed “Some idiot insults someone I love? I’m gonna knock the hell out of them”

It wasn’t until he stared at you for a few seconds that you realized what you just let slip “You love me?” you swallowed hard and nodded “Yeah, I do. I’m in love with you Bucky, it’s ok if you don’t..” you didn’t get to finish the thought because the next moment he was kissing you. 

When he pulled away he smiled at you “I love you too Belle” “You do?” you asked in a small voice and he nodded “I do, with everything I have” you smiled and pulled him back into another kiss.

You heard someone clear their throat and looked up to see Sarah, Sam and Joaquín about three feet away. “Well since you two finally figured that out, can we go to the bar now?” Sam asked and you laughed “Yeah” then slipped your hand into Bucky’s as the two of them followed them back towards the bar. At least that drunken asshole was good for one thing. Happy Mardi Gras to you.

@desimarie12

[captain-price-unofficially]

US Jeep convoy in Italy, June 1944

[rangerelizabeth]

what about “you’re burning up. Why didn’t you say anything?” from the h/c list — maybe gale bejng unused to having someone to care for him? :)

Thank you for the ask anon! I had fun with this one. We all love some Gale childhood trauma h/c don't we? Hope you enjoy!

Prompt: "You're burning up. Why didn't you say anything?"

Word count: 1057

John breathes a sigh of relief when Our Baby appears in the sky. His least favorite thing about being Air Executive, aside from sending Gale and the men on missions, is the agonizing wait. Each time, dread churns in his stomach as he paces for hours, his mind coming up with every worst case what if scenario. 

Once the forts are accounted for, he races down the runway in the jeep to meet Gale at his plane. As he pulls up, Gale is the last one of his crew to drop out of his fort onto the tarmac.

“You boys alright?” John calls out, greeted by several affirmations before the crew piles into the waiting convoy.

Now just the two of them, Gale joins him in the jeep. He looks particularly windswept after this mission, cheeks flushed and hair tousled. John gives his knee a brief squeeze and notices it trembling. 

“Hey, you okay?” John asks softly. “Rough mission?”

Gale shakes his head. “I’m alright. Just adrenaline, you know how it is.”

John’s not entirely convinced, but doesn’t press. Instead, he drives Gale to the interrogation center, where he drops him off with a promise to see him at dinner. 

At dinner, John watches anxiously as Gale pushes his food around on his plate rather than eating it. His hand shakes ever so slightly where it grips his fork. Something had clearly unsettled him on the mission, though everything seemed smooth from the number of returning forts and the interrogation.

Feeling helpless to comfort him in the middle of the mess hall, John finds Gale’s foot under the table, hooking his own around it. Gale looks up, offering a small smile. For now, that’s enough.

Later that evening, after the men who flew have had a chance to get cleaned up, the crews are in the barracks getting ready to head to the officers club for a much needed night of relaxation. John notices Gale pulling on a jacket over his uniform despite the warmth of the night. 

“You cold, Buck?” he asks quietly, trying to keep their conversation private despite the number of men milling around.

“A bit,” Gale admits, sitting down on his rack to wait for everyone to finish getting ready.

Mirroring him on his own bunk, John observes Gale closely. His cheeks are still flushed, not just from the windburn but from something deeper. His face is unusually pale, and he’s still shaking a little. No, shivering. Shivering, because he’s cold and the goddamn idiot is sick.

Pressing the back of his hand to Gale’s forehead, John winces. “You’re burning up, Buck. Why didn’t you say anything?” 

Gale just shrugs, embarrassed, fiddling with a loose thread on his blanket.

John glances around decidedly, finding the closest person in their vicinity. “Hey, Croz,” he calls out, louder. “You guys go ahead without us. Buck and I have things to take care of.”

Crosby looks puzzled but doesn’t question it. “Alright, Major.”

Turning back to Gale, John lowers his voice once more. “Wait here. And change into something more comfortable, okay? I’ll be back in a few minutes.” 

Heading out of the barracks, John’s more thankful than ever for the bike he won when he first got to Thorpe Abbotts, because it means he can get what he needs and get back to Gale much faster now.

When he returns to the barracks, John finds them now mercifully empty aside from Gale, who sits exactly where John had left him, except now dressed in his sleep clothes. Gale looks up  curiously. “Where did you go?”

“Got you some water and medicine. Figured you’d prefer this to the sick bay.”

Gale nods gratefully. “Thanks, Bucky.”

John urges Gale to settle against the headboard, handing over the supplies before taking the blanket off his own bed and adding it atop Gale’s own. Satisfied, he sits on the edge of Gale’s rack and takes his hand in his. It’s clammy from his fever, but John doesn’t mind. 

“You don’t have to stay. You can go to the club with the rest of the guys, I’ll be fine,” Gale offers weakly. John shakes his head in dismissal. Like hell John is leaving him. He doubts Gale actually wants him to leave anyway, despite the offer, all too familiar with his self-sacrificing nature.

“You should’ve told me you were sick. Were you feeling bad before take off this morning?” John implores softly. 

“Could’ve been worse,” Gale responds, not meeting John’s eyes.

So that’s a yes, then. John loves Gale to death, but frustration wells up in his chest at the admission. “Yeah, it could have been worse. You could’ve fucking died trying to fly a plane with this kind of fever.”

He regrets the words as soon as they’re out of his mouth, Gale immediately looking guilty, so he backtracks, brushing his thumb soothingly across the back of Gale’s hand. “Hey, I’m sorry, I’m not upset with you. I just worry. I wish you would’ve told me.”

“I’m sorry,” Gale whispers. “I didn’t want to be a bother.”

“Why would it be a bother? It’s not your fault you’re sick.”

Gale pauses for a moment, contemplative, before speaking. “My Ma always thought it was,” he confesses bitterly.

John’s heart breaks a little. John guesses Gale has never had someone take care of him while he was sick. He’s probably used to just toughing it out, which was why he assumed he had to do the same today.

“You can always tell me,” John says, leaning in to press a quick kiss to Gale’s lips, who pushes him away softly. 

“Bucky, stop,” Gale murmurs. “You’ll get sick.”

John rolls his eyes. “Don’t care,” he returns, before leaning in once more, this time just brushing his lips against Gale’s still too warm forehead. “Come on, lay down.”

Gale complies, shuffling a bit to get comfortable. Once he settles, John pulls the blankets up around his chin, effectively tucking him in. A small smile breaks on Gale’s lips where he looks up at Bucky with tired eyes. John begins to card his fingers through his hair, every now and then stopping to gently scratch at his scalp. 

Gale hums, his eyes falling shut. “Feels good.” 

“Good,” John says, affectionately. “Get some sleep, okay?” 

“You’ll stay?” Gale murmurs sleepily. 

“I’m not going anywhere.”

[samedmunds]

East German Hijinks

I've been taking a look at the Cold War Museum in Virginia's digital archive of photos, interviews, and declassified documents from members of the US Military Liaison Mission in East Germany. It's a really weird bit of espionage history where basically each occupying power in Germany granted each other the ability to have stationed a handful of military personnel separate of any embassy or consulate who could just sorta... go places. They called it touring. These guys are sort of diplomatically immune and can go most places in the country outside of certain restricted zones (which the Americans immediately ignored).

Looking at the loosely organized photo gallery from servicemen who were stationed there from the 60s to the late 80s, there were a few commonalities that really stood out, in between family photos, state dinners, and visiting dignitaries. But every. single. person. had at least one photo of their service vehicle (usually a Jeep or a Ford muscle car) in a Situation.

That second to last one there is left for the caption.

They did a lot of off-roading so they could get covert photos of field activities, convoys, rail resupply, and field exercises. I'm particularly fond of The Device here

But there's also a lot of the human element in there (lots of irritated Kommandatura)

and my personal favorites:

And this last one just has incredible vibes:

[cramberry24]

Yeah so I was supposed to either work on this week’s “I am King” chapter or the new “Army Dreamers” WIP today but INSTEAD I got bit by the urge to write one of the (endless) alternate “what if’s” for the Ambush chapter of “I am King” (I am not kidding I have way too many) and so HERE HAVE THIS!

This is part 1, and imma post the second part probably some time later tonight when I finish it, but this seemed like a good spot to stop for the moment.

I uh blame @voltac (lovingly) for encouraging working on other wips besides “I am King”🤣🤣

It is technically a fix-it btw, >:)

“There’s a truck takin’ off.”

“Ours or theirs?”

“Theirs.”

Eve fires her last round and reloads. “What’s in it?”

“Don’t know - could it be the explosives? I think - I think one of our guys is taking a jeep, looks like he wants to chase it down.”

Eve looks through her scope again, finds the truck Rojas is talking about. She loses sight of it through some of the buildings, growling deep in her throat. Being on the outside of the base, up in the snow-covered rocky inclines, gives her a height advantage, but she has to deal with losing certain angles and the added distance.

“Fuck, this is taking too long,” Rojas hisses out.

There. The truck curves around a tower. Eve’s lucky - at the angle she’s at, she can aim for the driver. It’ll be a fucking hard shot, with how erratically the soldier is driving, but she’s no quitter. She breathes, finger light on the trigger, and the truck jerks as the driver slumps. She lines up her next shot to take out the man in the passenger seat before he can take over the wheel, and the truck spins to a stop, nearly overturning.

“Fuck, fuck, more Krauts pouring out the back, aimin’ into the truck - whatever’s back there, they don’t want us to have!”

Eve shifts her scope, sees the Krauts Rojas is pointing out standing outside the back of the truck, lifting their guns. The one closest to the truck slumps as his head explodes in a gory display from Eve’s shot, and she’s clipped the next one in the neck before he’s reacted. The third one stumbles back and then gets shot from behind, Eve not having to do anything as the jeep Rojas mentioned arrives.

“Think we’re good,” Rojas says, and Eve instantly swivels her gun back to the base, hissing out curses at the lack of progress made - they still haven’t hit that last truck of explosives, god fucking damnit.

“Holy shit,” her partner says. “The truck, sarge, it had -“

She never hears the end of his sentence. She barely even feels the prickle on the back of her neck before blinding pain slams into her head and everything goes black.

~~~~

Robbie’s body is still buzzing with fear and adrenaline as the surviving members of the platoon pile into the trucks and jeeps, the drivers tearing off back to camp. They did end up hitting the last truck of explosives, and as soon as they finished, they were pulling out and away before German reinforcements could arrive and crush them like flies.

Daniels and Pierson are shouting at each other, still arguing about earlier, about Daniels taking the jeep to chase down the truck Robbie had been hauled into. Robbie tunes them out, closing his eyes and breathing. Fuck. Fuck. That had been close, too close. He doesn’t want to think of the what if’s, about what could have happened. No, instead he thinks of the sudden swerving of the truck, someone picking off the driver and then the guards, Daniels arriving a minute later.

He knows it was Eve. His angel, watching out for him. He had told her that same joke only a few hours ago when she left with Rojas to set up her overwatch position on the outside perimeter of the base. She had rolled her eyes, rapped on his helmet about “tempting fate”, and he had fought the urge to pull her into a kiss, too many other soldiers around.

He’ll make up for the missed opportunity when they get back to camp. He’s on a jeep with the other members of his squad, Luna with them as well, and they’ve got their own convoy of trucks and jeeps. Since Eve hadn’t been near him when they had left, he’s not surprised he hasn’t seen her yet. They’ll get back to camp, Eve will go make her reports, probably try to get in the middle of Daniels and Pierson’s fight, and then Robbie can drag her into their foxhole, kiss her senseless, hold her as close as possible.

By the time they get back to camp, the decision has been made - Daniels is leaving the line, heading into Bastogne and then who knows. Maybe if Daniels hadn’t fired back, just as angry and then getting cocky with his remarks, he’d just be demoted, but the words “court martial” have been thrown around a lot. Robbie’s not surprised - after Pierson’s blow-up with Eve the day before, he’s been expecting another fight with either himself or the Texan, and Daniels clearly feels the same. As much as Robbie’s pissed at their sergeant, he still pulls Daniels away from Pierson and toward the command tents to get him to calm down and finish any paperwork he needs to do.

“He’s already sending you off, possibly court-martialing you,” Robbie hisses out. “Lay off before he decides to shoot you.”

“I’d like to see him try-“

“For fuck’s sake, Daniels! Stop making this worse!”

“Asshole doesn’t fucking care, and I got you back anyway, he’s just pissed I did it-“

“You helped, but I woulda still been on that truck if Eve hadn’t taken out the driver,” Robbie snaps, raising an eyebrow at the Texan. “Who knows if you would’ve caught up if she hadn’t been there, or if you would’ve been able to stop the truck at all.”

A shiver runs up his spine - he doesn’t want to think about that.

“So what?” Daniels spits out. “You’re sidin’ with him?”

“I’m saying you need to get your head out of your ass and calm the fuck down. Think of Hazel, and the baby. It’s over, Daniels, so stop making it worse by arguing with Pierson - he’ll only come down harder on you.”

Daniels sighs, an angry, short exhale, clenching his jaw tightly. After another few seconds, he gives a sharp nod.

“Okay,” he mutters. “Think O’Shea’ll try and change his mind?”

Robbie bites his lower lip with a frown. “I don’t know about that, pal. You know the two of them aren’t really on the best of terms right now.”

Daniels nods again, and then his eyes lift and land on Robbie’s face. Something passes over his expression and he takes a step forward suddenly, pulling the shorter man into a tight hug. Robbie inhales sharply in surprise but then quickly returns the embrace, closing his eyes as he hugs his friend back.

“Fuck, Zuss, I thought…”

Daniels’ voice shakes as he trails off, his arms tightening for a second.

“I know, I…thanks, Daniels.”

Even if it was reckless and does get him in trouble, there’s a part of Robbie that’s still beyond relieved that the Texan didn’t even hesitate to try and go after him. A wave of that anxiety from earlier - what if, what if, what if - rises back up and he shoves it back down, releasing Daniels and stepping back.

“Anytime, brother,” the Texan says, sincerity shining clear in his baby blues, and a different swell of emotion surges up. Fuck, it’s barely even dawn and he’s already experienced too many emotions today.

“You better scram before Pierson sees you still around,” he gets out, and irritation flashes Red’s face again. Scowling, the Texan does head off to find a jeep to tag along to Bastogne - he’ll probably find Nora and complain to her about Pierson.

~~~~

It takes an hour and a half for them to realize something is wrong.

Eve’s always zipping around camp, darting from person to person, foxhole to tent to foxhole, so it’s not noticeable right away. It also doesn’t help that Robbie, exhausted from his capture and immediate rescue, just heads to their foxhole to wait for her, figuring she’s busy with reports in the command tent. Luna’s curled in his lap and he buries his face into his scarf, eyes closed as he breathes in the woodsy scent that reminds him of Eve.

So when Pierson pulls back the tarp covering with a scowl, Robbie’s quick to scowl back, squinting up at the sergeant. He opens his mouth to snap at him, not in the mood to deal with his shit after the blow-up with Daniels earlier, but Pierson speaks before he has the chance.

“Where’s O’Shea?”

That stops him short. The scowl falls away, confusion taking its place.

“What?”

“The fuck do you mean, what?” Pierson barks out, eyes scouring the tiny foxhole as if Robbie’s hiding the lanky girl in here.

“I thought she was with you?”

Pierson’s eyes snap up to Robbie’s face at that, a muscle in his jaw twitching. Something cold washes over Robbie and he stiffens.

“She hasn’t been to the command tent,” Pierson grunts out. “I thought…thought she might’ve gone to check on you.”

Robbie doesn’t even take offense at the tone, instead sitting up, his heart beating faster.

“I haven’t seen her since before the ambush,” Robbie replies. “You haven’t…you don’t know where she is?”

Pierson spits out a curse, letting go of the tarp and standing, stalking off, and Robbie scrambles out of the foxhole, following the sergeant through the snow, heart pounding. She’s not in any foxhole, isn’t in any tent, and no one’s seen her at all. They all say the same thing - the last time anyone saw her was before the ambush when she and Rojas went to their overwatch position, and that everyone assumed she was either with Pierson or Robbie.

“There’s no sign of O’Shea or Rojas,” Woods tells them, trepidation and dread in his eyes as he shifts in the snow. “They were together, but they haven’t…no one’s seen them.”

That’s when the panic starts to set in. Eve can’t just be gone. Faintly, Robbie can hear Pierson sending a private off to Bastogne to double check the wounded to see if either of the two missing soldiers ended up there, but Robbie already knows they’re not there. He saw the wounded, knows if she had been injured he would’ve been one of the first to know. Eve’s out there.

Fuck, they left her. They left her.

She could be hurt, she could be…no. What if she got captured? No, no, this can’t be happening.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?!”

Pierson grabs his shoulder and pulls him to a stop, snarling down at the private, and Robbie tries to shoulder past him, just getting shoved back again. He hadn’t even realized he had started off, storming off back across camp in the direction of the base.

“She’s still out there!” Robbie shouts, chest heaving. “We left her!”

“And you’re just going to walk back through a German-infested forest all the way back to the base that’ll be flooded with Kraut reinforcements? You’re going to get yourself killed!”

“She could be hurt, she needs us, I can’t just -!”

“She could be dead, or not even there, captured hours ago and gone!”

“I don’t care! I can’t stay here and do nothing!” He glares up at Pierson, fuming. “You can court martial me, do whatever, send me off with Daniels later, I don’t care, but this is Eve! I get before about the mission and that you hate me ‘nd Daniels, but this is Eve!”

“I know it’s her,” Pierson snarls, blocking him once more when he tries to go around him, “and I know the last thing she’d want right now is you going off and getting yourself fucking killed on some suicide mission to find her! Think, Zussman!”

He’s right. Fucking goddamnit, he’s right. Eve would be beyond furious if he tried to get all the way back to that base, behind enemy lines to try and get her. If she’s even still there. If she’s even still…

“I can’t just leave her.”

Pierson lets go of his arm at the new tone in Robbie’s voice, cautiously watching him as if he’s about to take off again.

“We already did,” he says bluntly, and Robbie looks away as he gnashes his teeth. “We’re checking the wounded, and we’ll see if anyone saw or heard anything, and with any fuckin’ luck we’ll push through this forest again and get back to the base as a division, but right now, there’s no way for any of us to get back there. There’s nothing we can do, Zussman, and if you can’t accept that, I’ll send you off the line to join Daniels.”

Robbie can’t even look at Pierson. His fists shake from how tightly he’s clenching them.

“Do you understand, private?” Pierson barks, that edge back to his voice, and Robbie glares at him.

“I understand, sir,” he spits out.

And that’s that. Daniels is off the line, Eve is missing, and Robbie’s stuck.

[gingerteaonthetardis]

ThreeRose and cozy maybe? 😳

hm... perhaps writing about rose tyler and liz shaw in the same room during my most favorite bisexual classic who era has fixed me? this is a bit of a long one. please enjoy.

[read on AO3] [prompt me!]

The Doctor chose to blame the Brigadier, of course, given that very little was allowed to be his fault. Only in matters of supreme cosmic importance—Rose had often noticed and remarked upon this—did he enthusiastically drag the responsibility square onto his own shoulders and insist on keeping it there.

It was a trait almost as endearing as it was infuriating.

But when it came to practicalities, such as, “Did you actually ask about rooms while Liz and I were out chasing the escaped Cryptons, or did you just interrogate the poor bartender?” the answer was almost always something like, “Well, what do we even bother with UNIT for if they don't take care of room and board, Rose? Tell me that!”

The result was the same, however, regardless of who took the blame: the four of them had been left out in the cold—figuratively speaking—for the night. No rooms to let, and nowhere else in the postage stamp-sized town to ride out what was sure to be a long, rainy night. Only through Rose’s efforts and the barman's good grace were they being allowed to pass the hours, however sleeplessly, in the shelter of the pub which made up the bottom floor of the Wolf & Badger.

Fortunately, they had managed to secure—and retain—a comfortable corner booth and a steady supply of drinks. Or rather, Rose had done. By buttering up said barman, who had been quite friendly to her even before she slipped a stack of bills across the bartop.

Her UNIT salary was good for something, at least.

Viewed from any angle, the booth was the best seat in the house: just the right distance from the hearth to keep everyone warm without overheating, but secluded enough that they could talk in relative privacy. Not too far from the bartender either—named Lewis, Rose reported back, Lewis Badger, as in Wolf & Badger; he had two daughters, a Cocker Spaniel named Katrina, and a passion for model trains. She was thrilled to report he poured quite generously.

On top of the comfort factor, the window just behind Liz's head allowed them a clear view of the street, in case any more Cryptons came toddling through the square before the rest of the UNIT convoy could arrive. Their ETA, according to the Brigadier, was sometime around dawn.

Which meant they just had to hang on—Rose reached over and checked the Brigadier’s watch—about five more hours.

She'd never particularly looked forward to sleeping in the back of a UNIT service Jeep, but she'd done it before, and by god, she planned to do it again.

“Miss Tyler,” drawled the Brigadier, withdrawing his wrist from her grasp, “I'm afraid your constant examinations of my timepiece will lead you to the same conclusion all sane people inevitably reach: time does not speed up simply because you wish it.”

He frowned as he spoke—he was always frowning at her, always furrowing his brow and calling her “Miss Tyler” while Liz got the “my dear” treatment.

She was never sure whether she ought to be insulted or flattered by his presumed deference. It seemed to stem largely from her existence as the Doctor’s “plus one,” a factor placing her firmly outside the normal UNIT hierarchy. But the Brigadier carried on calling her “Miss Tyler,” as if the formality alone could make her in some capacity “official,” and therefore less of a thorn in his stiff, well-starched side.

To his credit, it had sort of worked. Eventually. She was a consultant now, like Liz.

Next to her, the Doctor sat up a little straighter, and she stifled a smile. She’d been lost in her thoughts, but she still ought to have known he couldn’t let such a generalised assertion from his old friend stand.

Now you've done it, Alistair.

“Actually, Brigadier, I think you're wrong about that,” the Doctor pronounced with typical paternalistic glee. “There are certain corners of reality where wishes have immense power—power enough to shape the entire universe, bending time and space to the rules of that wish. They're called Spero Quadrants. Highly rare.”

The name sounded distantly familiar, and she squinted through the haze of her memory. “Hang on, we’ve been to one of those. Couple… hundred years ago?”

The Brigadier’s eyebrows arched expressively. “Hundred years?”

“She's older than she looks,” the Doctor replied, patting her arm with affection before visibly noticing her empty pint glass.

He hadn't so much as touched his own drink, but that was hardly surprising. Her alien often claimed he didn’t understand the human preoccupation with intoxication, though she did recall certain… rather lushy moments in their jumbled up future-past. She was nonetheless charmed by how swiftly he switched his full glass for hers, tossing her a smile and a wink along the way.

“Now, as for Spero Quadrants,” he went on, “they are a relatively new phenomenon—on the scale of the universe, I mean. Been around maybe a few hundred million years or so. Typically, they are religious in origin, but they've evolved mostly away from—”

“Hang on,” Liz piped up, finally taking an interest in the conversation. “That's nonsense.”

Though her voice was slightly slurred, it was not by drink. Of all of them, Liz was the least night-owlish; she’d once confessed to Rose that her preferred routine, when the Doctor wasn't mucking it up, often had her in bed by half past nine and rising again about five in the morning. Given the lateness of the hour and the longness of the day, Liz was just starting to become charmingly sleepy. Rose grinned.

Meanwhile, the Doctor was making a show of being affronted. “What's nonsense?”

He took great care to foster their endearingly adversarial relationship, Rose always noticed with a smile. It was important to him. Liz was something like the retro Scully to his extraterrestrial Mulder—that is, if Mulder and Scully had played with lab equipment and were more prone to fits of schoolgirlish laughter.

“All of it! It's patently ridiculous. If such places existed and were as powerful as you say,” Liz said, getting into it a little, sloe-eyed stare refilling with its usual keen light, “surely one poorly thought out wish would have undone the entire fabric of reality by now!”

“My dear girl,” replied the Doctor—really, had he and the Brigadier gotten some sort of pet name memo or something? “I did mention that they are rare. And you'll recall I also said ‘change,’ not ‘destroy’! Spero Quadrants are by no means lawless, anarchic places. In fact—”

“Oi, this is our table!”

The entire party looked up at the interruption, which came in the form of a wiry, totally inoffensive but also truly drunk man in a tweed waistcoat. He was scowling fit to set his face that way, and had thumped his hands down on their table as he spoke, violently rattling their glasses.

The Brigadier, who was closest to the man, reacted first. “I beg your pardon?” His moustache twitched.

The drunk man didn’t recognise what Rose knew to be a clear warning shot.

“You heard me,” the stranger hurled back. His weight leaned heavily on his arms, as if he needed the table’s support to keep him upright. “S’our table. Best seat in the house—”

“Hear, hear!” Liz agreed, lifting up a pint glass that was very much not hers. Probably one of the Brigadier’s. Rose snickered.

But he wasn’t done. “You nicked it hours back and we’ve waited our turn, but it’s our regular table, we sit here every Wednesday, you know! We’re good, regular cust’mers,” he said, stretching the word regular to epic proportions, chewing on it like it ought to contain more syllables in its gristle. “Not like you lot. So, now—now—th-the fellows and I figure you’d best be going!” The man punctuated his point with an accusing finger and an intense wobble. “‘Cause it’s ours!”

“Yes, you’ve mentioned that several times,” the Doctor drily replied. “My good man, I really think you ought to sit down now.”

The man merely blinked.

“I think that’s what he’s trying to do,” Rose pointed out. “And there’s no reason he shouldn’t—actually, shift,” and she wiggled closer to Liz, tugging the Doctor’s sleeve, “there’s plenty of room for one more. Maybe two, if we squeeze in. It’ll be a bit snug—”

“Miss Tyler,” cut in the Brigadier, “I hardly think that’s—”

“Don’t be rude, Brigadier! The man just wants a minute with his special table. It is nice, with the fire and everything. Very intimate. Here,” and she smirked to see Liz already snuggling up beside the Brigadier, uncomplaining, her drowsy head tipping toward his shoulder. “There you go. Nice and comfortable. Doctor?”

But she didn’t need to say a word. The Doctor, too, had wedged himself in closer beside her, right where the booth began to curve. His eyes twinkled with repressed amusement as he draped an arm around her shoulders under the guise of squeezing in. Velvet tickled the back of her neck.

But no such joy from the Brigadier. “Doctor!” His moustache was really going now, his brows hanging like blades about to come down on some unlucky bloke’s head. “Would you please—”

“Now, now, dear Brigadier. Rose is right. We needn’t be stingy with our good fortune. Come,” and the Doctor patted the seat beside him, looking back at the drunk man, “rest your weary bones a minute, sir, you look as if you’re about to tip over.”

The confusion in the man’s eyes was a sight to behold. He couldn’t seem to settle on where to look—at the sanguine expression Rose wore while she curled up to the Doctor, or at the glowering Brigadier, or at Liz, nestled comfortably between the former and the latter, looking for all the world as drunk as he. “Is this some sort of a joke?” he said, with a note of accusation. “I said we want it to our-selves, not to share with a load of—”

“Steady on, mate,” Rose interrupted briskly. “I’ve smacked men for less.”

The Doctor nodded. “She really has.” He couldn’t seem to help sounding admiring, which further widened her smile.

“Remember King Markitron? God, he was just begging for it, with all that robot overlord stuff.”

“I do remember that, quite clearly,” the Doctor replied with a smirk. “Still, it was a lovely visit. Not exactly right for a romantic outing, but I’ve always found a sun-soaked sapient revolution quite stimulating—”

“Good Lord,” the Brigadier sighed, head falling into his hands. Rose hid her laugh in the lapel of the Doctor’s coat.

“Look, are you going to sit down or not?” the Doctor asked, returning his attention once more to their drunken interruptor. “We haven’t got all night—or, rather, we do have all night, but I have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind, and you’ll answer them better when you look a little less green.”

“He does look ill,” Liz observed, yawning in a rather loud, squeaking way that plainly embarrassed her. “Sorry.”

“It’s perfectly all right, my dear.” The Doctor said warmly, while Rose reached over, giving Liz’s hand a comforting squeeze. “It is rather late, and you’ve had a dreadfully long day. Most upright citizens would be in bed by now! Luckily for us, this man appears quite the fellow degenerate. Now, where was I? Yes,” he nodded, “my first question is: if there was one thing you could wish for—one thing in all the world, with no limitations—I’m trying to prove a point—what would it be, sir? What would be your greatest desire?”

And that seemed to be the final straw for the man. His glassy eyes grew wide in his flushed face, and he shook his head rapidly before pushing off the table with a stagger. “You’re all sick,” he croaked, looking between them all again, at their various states of interconnectedness. “And quite possibly mad!”

“Quite possibly,” the Brigadier glumly agreed.

“Perhaps you’d better save yourself,” Rose suggested.

And just like that, the stranger was stumbling off, back to his already dispersing group of friends. He kept shooting them furtive glances while slipping on his rain coat and mumbling what she assumed were virulent oaths to his friends, but it went no further than that. The other men barely seemed to have noticed his absence, let alone the loss of their “regular table.”

However, even once he was gone, neither Rose, Liz, or the Doctor made any effort to move. Except in the shoulder region: both Rose and the Doctor’s began to shake with laughter that couldn’t completely be held back.

“The poor man,” Rose giggled. “I think we really frightened him.”

“Oh, yes, quite. There is nothing as terrifying as a warm welcome!”

“Was that your plan?” the Brigadier accused Rose. “Repelling flies with honey?”

“Don’t think that’s how the saying goes,” she shrugged, “but a little friendliness goes a long way.”

“Well said! It is a lesson you could stand to learn, Brigadier,” the Doctor needled, though his smile was only growing wider. He so loved to disconcert the man.

“I am perfectly capable of achieving my aims in a given social situation.” The Brigadier all but turned up his nose at them, as if they would be fools for thinking otherwise. “Though my methods are less… uncouth than Miss Tyler’s, they are equally effective.”

“So, you agree!” Rose teased with another laugh. “I am effective.”

His eyes glinted. “And brash. And impulsive.”

“Well, I have to take my compliments where I can get them, don’t I, Alistair?” She preened a little when his lips quirked—there was the twinge of humour he was rumoured to possess—and leaned back even further into the Doctor’s embrace.

Between his body and the fire, she was nice and settled now. She hardly minded the ache beginning in her back from sitting so long after all the running she’d done earlier. And the company was good, even if diminishing by the moment.

She watched Liz’s head give a final slump toward the Brigadier, who seemed resigned—in fact, not entirely upset—to be playing her pillow. His eyes kept darting down to the amber crown of her head and then away again, lips pressing and uncompressing. Something warmed in her chest.

“He didn’t allow me to prove my point,” the Doctor said absently.

Rose peered up at him, reaching to comb her fingers through his hair. “And what was your point, my darling, big-brained alien?” Across the table, Alistair cleared his throat, but she just tossed him a grin. She really must have been more tired than she felt; her mind and muscles were all sort of lax, and she was feeling terribly endeared to everybody. “That if wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches?”

The Doctor looked quite amused. “No, my love.” Ah, sod the memo. She was really doing just fine, wasn’t she? “We’ll try it again with Miss Shaw. Liz, my dear girl, are you awake?”

“Yes, Doctor,” came the muddled reply.

“I pose the same question to you that I posed earlier: what would you wish for, right now, if you could wish for anything?”

Liz’s eyes opened, and though they held weariness, they were still impressively thoughtful. “Well, seeing how I’ve no wish to unravel the very fabric of the universe,” she emphasised, “I think I’d wish… to be in my own bed, with my own soft sheets…” She turned her head into Alistair’s shoulder and sighed happily. “And pillows. Fluffy pillows.”

Rose’s eyes met the Brigadier’s, and she shook her head, smiling.

“And you, Brigadier?”

“I don’t see what the use—”

“Come now,” the Doctor said, rather softly. “If you could wish for anything.”

There was a brief pause in which she thought Alistair might try to argue again. But then his gaze again turned to Liz, and to his pint glass, which was nearly empty now. Then to the fire, just off to the side. It crackled merrily, casting its warm light over the whole of the table. She realised he was giving the question serious consideration.

“The same sort of thing, I suppose,” he answered gruffly, after a few moments. “Maybe health and happiness for my family. I know the decent thing is to wish for peace in our time, the end of all wars and all that…” For about half a second, he actually looked quite sheepish. “But mostly I wish to end my career in good standing, reputation intact, without some new alien menace blowing up decades of work.”

The three with eyes still open exchanged small, knowing smiles. It was a rather unlikely proposition, put that way—certainly worthy of a massive, cosmic wish.

“What of you, Rose? Do you remember what you wished for?”

“Galoshes,” she replied.

The Brigadier sputtered, but the Doctor looked delighted. “Really?”

“Yeah, galoshes and a rain kit. I’d just ruined mine on Elsignon. That whole big Sontaran invasion, you remember? Their lasers tore my jacket to ribbons. And we were a good million billion miles from the nearest M&S, so I just wished for galoshes and a new coat.” She turned to pat the glossy red rain coat hanging over the edge of the booth behind her. “I already had everything else I wanted.”

“You do talk such nonsense, Miss Tyler,” the Brigadier said, but she swore he sounded almost fond that time.

She nodded her head at him politely. “Why, thank you, Brigadier. What did you wish for, Doctor?”

“A little more than galoshes,” he answered with a laugh, nudging his thigh against hers. “We hadn’t been travelling together long, if you’ll remember.”

And she did; Rose remembered very clearly what an irritant she’d been to him back then. In what she came to find out was his first body, he had hardly any patience for her at all. But they’d still forged a kind of connection, however unlikely, she thought with a rush of fondness. Sometimes she even missed the old codger—always going on about samples and non-interference and where has Susan got to?

“At the time,” the Doctor went on, “I found your presence most… how can I say it? Vexing.”

Alistair cleared his throat again. “A wholly unique experience, I’m sure.” She kicked him underneath the table—not hard, barely more than a nudge—but of course, he was far too mature to respond in kind. Still, his lips twitched again. Victory.

“I was so ‘vexing’ you tried to wish me away?”

“Not exactly. I wished—and I remember this precisely—I wished that you would ‘find the place you were looking for, the place you truly belonged, so you could bloody well leave off and stop bothering me’!” His impression of himself was spot-on, almost eerily so, though she couldn’t imagine that past body using such language.

She must have been a much greater annoyance than even she’d guessed.

“Oh, lovely,” she mock-sulked. “Ta, Doctor, that’s really nice.”

“Good luck that the wish came true. Albeit… not in the way I expected.” Turning his head, he brushed an uncharacteristically subdued kiss across her hairline. She leaned into it, enjoying its gentle pressure, and for once, there was no throat-clearing from the Brigadier. Then the Doctor said, “That’s the point, isn’t it? Most people don’t really make reality-destroying wishes. It’s all home and comfort, maybe a bit of a better life. The removal of some inconvenience in their way. And let us remember that it is already the nature of all things to change, even—as our sluggish friend puts it—the very fabric of reality. Most wishes are for things which might have come true anyway. They are a selection of one potential option on a massive, cosmic buffet of possibility.

“Of course, there are exceptions… many exceptions,” he added solemnly, “and consequences, and those have to be dealt with when they come. But for the most part, those who stumble upon a Spero Quadrant—for they cannot be sought, that's a very important thing to remember, they can only be found—most of those people come up against a similar problem to the Brigadier, or to you, Rose. They cannot think of a meaningful wish which does not carry with it an implicit risk or danger. Or they cannot think on a grand enough scale, for every species is in some way myopic. Limited, no matter how advanced. Sometimes, they simply fear the prospect of getting what they want.” The hand draped over her shoulder flicked up to tweak her ear. “So even though they could have anything in the universe, they wish for galoshes.”

At that, the table fell into thoughtful silence, with only the background bustle of the closing pub for accompaniment. The sound of dishes being washed, of glasses being put on shelves. Most of the regular customers had gone away; Lewis was only really keeping the lights and the taps on for their sakes, and with that knowledge came a certain sense of shared isolation. Almost like sneaking into a school after dark. The rain outside continued pouring down, and here they were, inside their little pocket of warmth and light and friendship.

Rose wasn’t at all sure of the Doctor's logic. But she couldn't help thinking about the nature of his wish, too—even at his most frustrated, he'd wanted her to find true belonging. That she might find it with him, on the TARDIS and off, alongside all his many varied and wonderful companions, had never occurred to him; it hadn't been a possibility he'd known to anticipate.

So perhaps he was right. About wishes. About the fundamental desires of most beings. Were they really for small things? For warmth and comfort and a bit of peace?

Those things probably weren’t, on the whole, very extravagant or dangerous.

A little longer and she realised she'd been staring at the Brigadier’s hands where they rested on the table. He didn't fidget, just kept his palm calmly on his glass. When she glanced up at his face, he was holding eyes with the Doctor, midway through some kind of silent communication.

At any other time, she might have wondered what was being conveyed—but she found herself too sated and comfortable to give it much thought. Their mysterious exchanges could continue for another day without her interrogation.

“This isn’t so bad, is it, really?” the Doctor finally said, jostling her somehow impossibly closer. She could hear one of his heartbeats, feel it under her cheek. “It’s quite cosy.”

“Very. Don’t think I’d wish for anything.” She hummed sleepily. “You, Alistair?”

“No, Rose,” came the answer, rippling faint surprise over her body. Her eyes grew wider, and she watched him try and fail to repress his amusement at her reaction. A smile living mostly in the eyes. “Not a thing.” The Doctor’s hand found hers and squeezed.

Just a beat too late, Liz mumbled out a fuzzy, “Hear, hear!”

And for a while after that, the only sounds were their muffled laughter and shushing, the rearranging of limbs toward mutual comfort, and the snapping logs in the fireplace, while the rain outside drummed steadily towards the morning.

[girlactionfigure]

🟦 Friday updates, events from Israel  ( 1 of 2 )

ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting to Israel in Realtime

✡️Erev Shabbat - Parshat Re’eh - Deuteronomy 11:26 - “See,” says Moses to the people of Israel, “I place before you today a blessing and a curse”—the blessing that will come when they fulfill G‑d’s commandments, and the curse if they abandon them. These should be proclaimed on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal when the people cross over into the Holy Land.

▪️LEAKS FROM SHIN BET PRE-WAR ANALYSIS.. 

Oct. 1 - The Shin Bet recommends eliminating senior members of Hamas. 

Oct. 3 - The Shin Bet claims that Hamas wants settlement and not war and that the way to maintain it on this track is economic benefits.

Oct. 7 - Hamas launches an invasion, massacre and hostage taking.

.. Minister of National Security Ben Gavir: "The documents revealed tonight prove black and white: Shin Bet chief Bar chose a few days before the massacre to act to preserve the "peace" with Hamas.”

.. The intelligence officer of the Gaza Division, the one who calmed the opposition with the words "imaginary scenario" - retires from the IDF.

▪️THE FUTURE IN GAZA (Amit Segal).. The Prime Minister is not telling the truth about the Gaza Strip. More precisely: he says it, but in a muffled way.  After the terrible failure of the 19-year experiment of relying on sensors and walls instead of holding the ground, we are now returning to another old experiment conducted between 1967 and 2005: military bases between Gaza City and Rafah. 

.. Those around Netanyahu claim that the decision to stay on the Philadelphi Egyptian border corridor will bring a hostage deal closer, as it will make it clear to Hamas that it has no choice but to be flexible. At the same time, there are factors that believe otherwise (including the loudest hostage family forum) - that remaining in the Strip will sentence the hostages to death and endanger the lives of many soldiers. (( Though the option they present is “the Americans and Egyptians will give guarantees” - which hasn’t worked in the past.  For example, Israel has such guarantees for the northern border for having pulled back, compromised on the UN drawn border line, and on the international waters line to give Lebanon access to a gas field - none of which stopped Hezbollah. ))

🟦🟦 Friday updates, events from Israel  ( 2 of 2 )

ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting to Israel in Realtime

▪️SIDE ISSUES.. significant news cycles absorbed by where, how and who to have an Oct. 7 massacre memorial ceremony.  A state ceremony involving the towns?  Impacted families.  Big national production?  Commemoration at the presidents residence?  Argued, disagreed with, impacted towns refusing to participate, families demanding their lost loved ones names not be used, budget complaints.  Sometimes we are ridiculous.

▪️AID HIJACK.. a convoy of aid trucks from the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) organization entered the southern Rafah area with IDF coordination.  During the drive, armed men took over a vehicle at the front of the convoy (a jeep) and began to lead it.  The IDF struck the lead hijacked vehicle.  The remainder of the convey unharmed.

▪️INFLAMMATORY SOCIETY DIVIDING NEWS.. (Ynet) (( Every year for Rosh Hashana tens of thousands Breslev chassidim and many other spiritually oriented Israelis travel to Uman, Ukraine, to the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslev.  The more dedicated have continued even though there is the Russia-Ukraine war. ))

The Ministry of Finance plans to transfer NIS 700,000 to Moldova for opening of the border between it and Ukraine, to allow the Uman pilgrimage. Last year thousands of Israelis needed government help to make the journey - through Ukraine's neighboring countries.

(( First the amount of money is relatively tiny, and I’m sure if the pilgrims were required to pay NIS 25 per person to cover the expense they would.  Second, the dedicated pilgrims are going to go - credit to the government that they are taking steps to provide the pilgrims with safer paths to travel.  “BUT BUT spending govt money on ultra-religious Israeli citizens is BAD!”  

What is bad is Ynet trying to cause societal division in the midst of a war! [or so it appears, I can’t read their mind to actually know their motivation - but for example I don’t see them complaining about the policing cost of the Kaplan protests, or the cost of Oct. 7 commemorations.] ))

🔸DEAL NEWS.. The cabinet confirmed against Defense Minister Gallant's position the decision to stay on the Philadelphi Egypt border corridor.

♦️SAMARIA - TARGETED ELIMINATION.. targeted elimination in Zavabada south of Jenin, drone-on-car strike.  According to reports 3 terrorists are eliminated.

♦️ROCKET LAUNCHER STRUCK - LAUNCHES!  Overnight, Israeli fighter jets struck several Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon. As a result, several rockets flew out of a targeted launcher toward Israel. One rocket crossed the border and impacted an open area near the Migdal Tefen industrial zone, close to the town of Kisra-Sumei.  No injuries.

⭕ ROCKETS from HEZBOLLAH at Kisra-Sumei, Migdal Tefen overnight.

[annaphoenix1994]

Ain't Gonna Drown

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

»»-------¤-------««

Simon watched as Kiera put herself into her mindset, feeling as if he literally watched her flip the switch to the soldier he was familiar with. 

Her eyes didn't hold that familiar glow anymore. They were cold like his, ready to fight anyone in her path. Atta girl, love, he thought, smirking at her as the plane was landing. He was scared for her, their relationship progressing in the time they had spent together between, and afraid it was about to come to an end. He knew he had to set those feelings for her aside as he couldn't physically handle the thought of losing her. He knew it was a risk, but he'd be damned if that was a risk he was willing to take if it meant coming home to her. Taking a deep breath, he covered his face in that balaclava he loved so much to diffuse the Simon Kiera knew, but not for long.

He was Ghost.

Unbeknownst to her and Alejandro's team, Price and Gaz had been detained by Shadow Company just outside of Las Almas - their comms being taken from them as well as their weapons when they had first arrived after being tasked by Laswell after her findings. 

They were his prisoners.

"Señora! So nice to see you." Alejandro smiled, greeting her with a friendly, brother-like hug as he and one of his men along with Soap walked along with him as they had been on a perimeter run outside of his base, getting to the gate just in time to shield themselves from the falling rain that was coming.

"Ghost! So nice to see you, Hermano." Soap nodded at his comrade, reaching out to shake his hand, a playful smirk smearing on his lips as if he was teasing Ghost about spending the brief holiday with Kiera.

"Likewise, mate." 

"You too, Alejandro," She smiled. "Where's Graves?"

"He and Captain Price went out on reconnaissance with the Sergeant. Said he got a tip about Hassan."

"I'm sure he fucking did," She scoffed, winning a confused glance from Alejandro. "We need to find him."

"Why? What's wrong? -"

Just as Kiera was going to reply, three Jeeps in a convoy-style line stopped at the access point, two of his men standing on point by the entry as if they were guarding it after relieving themselves from the first Jeep. "What the hell?" Alejandro scoffed, walking up to Graves as he exited the vehicle, seeing he was armed. "What's this?"

"This is the immediate future," Graves replied, looking at the returning team before locking his eyes with Kiera. Gotcha. "Step away from the gate."

Kiera didn't like feeling of being surrounded by Graves and his men. She knew what was going to happen after seeing the somewhat satisfying gleam in his eye when he looked at her. Naturally, Ghost stepped closer to her, now standing behind her as he didn't like how one of Graves' men got too close.

"What?" Soap scoffed.

"You heard me."

Alejandro shook his head, "You're crazy. This is my base."

"It's not a base. This is a sizable covert facility, and I admire it. So, I'm taking it," Graves shrugged. "Now, I'm not sure why your team came back, but this is now a mission against our own, Colonel," He continued, his gaze turning stark as he looked at Kiera. Oh, he knew she was mad, but it only spurred him on further. He had things in his control now. "Step away from Officer Dutton. She's coming with us."

"No, I don't take orders from you," Alejandro said, standing in front of her. "What's your point of reason?"

"That's classified information, Colonel. I'm afraid I'm not able to discuss that with you as it's above your pay grade. Step aside."

"Then you can discuss it with me," Kiera added. "Tell me - actually, tell all of us why you're doing this. I'm sure we'd all like to know so we can... how was it you put it when you interrogated Hassan? To nail your ass, huh?"

"I'm not doing this," Graves shook his head, nodding to one of his men to make an attempt to contain her by ties. "I suggest you don't fight it, Dutton. This'll go very bad for you."

The soldier grabbed her harshly by her wrist, putting it behind her back before her other hand followed. Ghost's fists clenched at the sight before him. You just made a big mistake, mate. "And I suggest that you tell everyone here why you're doing this. You know I'm a threat and you don't want a hit on your ego, huh?"

"Dutton, I'm not going to tell you again," Graves warned, the loading of his rifle catching her attention. Oh, fuck. "Smith, bring her over here. You boys have been relieved. Thank you for your service."

"We just fuckin' got here?" Soap scoffed. "We were called back."

"I didn't make that call, Sergeant. The only call I'm making is what I was directed. Seems like your little friend here has been sabotaging you this entire time -"

Kiera laughed, "Yeah fuckin' right. Maybe take that accountability for yourself. How exactly have I been sabotaging you? Because being a threat to uncover a little secret isn't sabotage. It's justice."

"Smith, shut her up. Step out of the way, Colonel."

"Again, I don't take orders from you." Alejandro replied, stepping closer to him as if he were territorial, his voice threatening.

"Didn't Valeria say that? Now that makes me question what else I don't know about your affiliation with a drug lord as well as bringing in a Case Officer to the battlefield when they have no business being there. Seems like I'm onto something else now, huh?"

"What the fuck did you just say to me, pendejo?"

"You're out of line, Graves." Soap warned, putting his hand on Alejandro's shoulder, physically holding him back from rearranging Graves' face.

"Don't do that," Graves pointed his finger. "Don't do that. No one needs to get hurt here. Let me take my prisoner and get my intel."

"Are you threatening us?" Ghost spoke up, uneasy about the feeling he fought in his stomach. He looked at Kiera, seeing that her eyes were of a warrior. She went too easily - like she accepted it. 

Why?

Ghost knew after taking a few moments to watch her think - she had an idea up her sleeve and she wasn't about to tell a soul about it, not even Ghost or Laswell. Her herself knowing was too much.

"Soldier, I don't make threats. I make guarantees. So, let's not do this."

"I'm calling Shepherd." Soap scoffed, walking towards the barracks.

"General Shepherd sends his regards. He told me y'all wouldn't like this."

You motherfucker, Kiera thought, tugging at the ties that held her wrists behind her back. I knew it.

"He knows about this?" Ghost scoffed.

"He's put me in command of this operation from here on out. So y'all need to stand down. It's time to let the pros finish this."

Soap and Ghost shared a glance. 

Another fight on our hands, Johnny.

Kiera's intimidating laugh broke the tension for a brief moment, "Yeah, so you can host another shitty recon and get all of your men killed? Isn't that how it went last time? Called it a "milk run," right?"

He pointed his pistol at her head and Ghost's heart sank at the sight. "I won't tell you again. Shut your mouth before I shut it for you, for good."

"Fuckin' do it. Do me the goddamn favor."

Stop talking bloody stupid, Kiera. Don't be the hero.

Graves knew she wasn't scared of him or his men, but he wasn't about to stand down to her. He knew she was a threat and was slowly exposing him with her petty words. He was going to get his intel before completing his mission assigned to him by Shepherd:

"Who the fuck do you think you are, cabrón? My men are inside!"

"I'm afraid not. Your men have been... detained."

Alejandro snarled, lunging for the American leader as his betrayal sunk through him like a ton of bricks. The rest of Graves' men tackled Alejandro, leaving three more to make a pathetic attempt of capturing Ghost and Soap.

Ghost used his elbow to target the soldier behind him as Soap grabbed one by the neck. Ghost saw that one of Graves' men had gone to strike Soap behind his head. His attempt failed as a throwing knife landed in his neck. Ghost then ducked behind the Jeep as rapid fire echoed from under the entrance checkpoint. "Fuck." He grumbled, seeing that he only had a clip full of ammunition in his pistol, knowing he had to eliminate the need for ammo.

He looked at Soap from behind the Jeep after hearing him groan in pain. He had been shot.

A bullet clipped his upper bicep, fortunately, but it still didn't stop him from falling to the ground and clutching it.

"Go, Johnny, get out of there! Soap, GO!" Ghost shouted, the beam from the Jeep's taillight blurring his vision as well as the pouring rain.

Soap nodded at Ghost to acknowledge he had heard his plea. Moving the deceased soldier out of his way before leaping the short concrete curb that protected him from the rapid shots of fire Graves had put out.

Graves scoffed after he had realized both Soap and Ghost had escaped his grasp. He sighed, turning around at the sound of Kiera's giggle. "Yeah, looks like you're in control, Shadow-1." She mocked.

He didn't reply. Instead, he nodded for Smith to find something to strain their vision - both her and Alejandro.

He made his way to search the area behind the Jeep he saw Ghost dart behind, his weapon ready to open fire. "You there, Ghost? That was a big mistake, brother."

"Sir, both members are M.I.A."

"Shit," Graves grumbled, running a hand through his now-wet hair. "Find 'em!"

"Copy that, sir. Where are we taking them?" Smith asked, referring to Kiera and Alejandro.

"I'll inform you over the comms," he said lowly. "All Shadows, listen up! We are switching to another channel. Do it now before going after our targets! We have no room for injury here."

"Roger!"

"I'm not giving her any room to think of an escape plan," Graves continued to Smith, his voice low as he watched one of his men use a hood, similar to an execution hood, to cover her and Alejandro's head. "I'm getting my intel and we're going to get those missiles and Hassan. If anyone knows how to do it best, it's her."

Smith nodded. "Want me to escort you?"

"No. Lead the team in finding the Brits. I have two of his other members detained as well."

"Copy that," Smith nodded, ensuring his rifle was loaded before gesturing for the rest of Graves' men. "Let's move! It's likely they went to Las Almas!"

»»-------¤-------««

The Jeep barreled down a dirt road, shaking both Kiera and Alejandro violently. Her vision was dark, and her hearing was limited as the material of the hood irritated the sensitive skin of her face. It smelled like lead and brass - sure that the hood was used to carry bulk amounts of ammunition. She was sat in the middle of the rear seat, her shoulder pinned to Alejandro's bicep as the soldier sitting next to her took up enough space that led her to sit closer to her brother in arms. Her shoulders ached as her wrists began to feel raw at the excessive pressure the ties were causing her.

"Take a breath, señora. It'll be alright." Alejandro whispered, sensing her nervousness.

"Oh, I am." She grit her jaw.

"Doesn't sound like it."

The Jeep came to a harsh stop, sure to send its prisoners into a forward jolt if they weren't prepared for it. They breathed heavily; their brains not able to decipher what was going to happen next. She felt the effects of true isolation, even though she wasn't alone. 

[alex99achapterthree]

A bad day on the USS Altamaha (CVE-18)...

This Grumman F4F Wildcat had an issue landing aboard USS Altamaha. It struck something with the right wingtip and ended up in the water. I've no more information on the incident... I hope the pilot got out.

USS Altamaha...

... was part of the class of "escort carriers", often referred to as "jeep carriers". Constructed using commercial hulls like transports with a flight deck built on top, they were much smaller, slower, lightly armed and carried fewer planes than the fleet carriers. Escort carriers mostly served as transports and support vessels since they couldn't keep up with the fleet in major actions and were very vulnerable to attack. In the Atlantic ocean, several served with distinction in anti-submarine task groups, protecting convoys from German U-boats.

[cynicalrosebud]

Echoes of Duty (COD Sentinel AU) - Chp 5

Echoes of Duty Masterlist

Warnings: Canon-typical violence; You are responsible for your own media consumption

Notes: This chapter is rush af but I plan on editing it later!

The plane’s ramp lowered with a loud hiss, and Soap and Ghost stepped out into the heat of Las Almas, the dry wind whipping across their faces. The military base ahead of them was bustling with soldiers moving to and from vehicles, preparing for the operation ahead. As they walked down the ramp, Alejandro Vargas, his presence commanding as ever, strode toward them, a sharp, no-nonsense expression on his face.

“Sergeant MacTavish,”  Alejandro greeted with a firm handshake, his grip strong.

Soap cracked a small grin, tilting his head slightly. “Call me Soap.”

Alejandro nodded, before turning his gaze to the imposing figure next to him, Ghost. His mask and dark gear made him an intimidating presence — and Alejandro didn’t miss a beat. “Lieutenant... Laswell says they call you Ghost.”

Before Alejandro could continue, Soap was already chiming in, “Actually, I believe he prefers to be—”

“That’ll do,” Ghost interrupted flatly, giving Soap a brief side-eye. Y/n giggled at the small pout Johnny pulled after the scolding.

Alejandro let out a small chuckle and gestured toward the convoy of jeeps waiting for them. “Welcome to the city of souls.”

Soap’s eyes scanned the scene in front of him as he and Ghost followed Alejandro to the vehicles. “I’ve never been to Mexico.”

Alejandro’s response was quick, firm. “This isn’t Mexico… This is Las Almas.”

The city was its own beast, far removed from what most would imagine of the country. There was a harshness to it, a raw edge that made it clear that Las Almas had its own rules, and Alejandro Vargas was the one to enforce them.

As they approached the lead jeep, Ghost remained quiet, his attention focused, though the mention of Shepherd’s contractors broke his silence. “Shepherd's contractors are inbound to reinforce. They're bringing hardware. They’ll need room.”

Alejandro nodded as he motioned toward the vehicles. “My base is your base.”

“Good,” Ghost replied, his voice low and clipped. “Now, where’s Hassan?”

Alejandro's tone shifted to something darker as he turned toward the waiting vehicles. “Cartel safe house, ten clicks from here. Get in.”

As Soap and Ghost climbed into the lead jeep, Y/n slid in after them, silent as she slipped into the seat next to Ghost. She had been watching the exchange quietly, her senses tingling with the energy between them all. She knew her place here — observing, waiting until she was needed, her presence felt but unspoken.

Alejandro turned to address the men waiting in the other jeeps. “Vamos! Moverse!” His voice carried over the din of the base, commanding as always.

Once Alejandro was inside, his second in command, Sergeant Major Rodolfo Parra, glanced at Ghost with a teasing smirk. “Tengo miedo de los fantasmas.”

Alejandro caught the exchange, grinning slightly. He turned to Soap, amusement flickering in his eyes. “You know Spanish?”

Soap shrugged, unbothered. “No.”

Alejandro’s grin widened. “You will…”

The jeeps roared to life, pulling away from the base as the convoy headed toward their destination. The tension in the air was palpable as they embarked on the mission, each of them prepared for the storm that awaited. As Y/n sat back in her seat, her mind was already calculating, feeling the weight of her connection to the Sentinels around her, knowing it wouldn’t be long before she’d be needed.

-

As the jeeps rumbled over the dirt roads, the air inside was thick with anticipation. Alejandro and Rudy exchanged a few words in Spanish, discussing the mission, while Soap and Ghost kept their eyes forward, each lost in their thoughts. Y/n sat between Ghost and Soap, quietly taking in the atmosphere.

After a few moments, Alejandro finally glanced back at Y/n as if he hadn’t noticed her presence until now, his curiosity piqued. "And you are...?" 

Y/n gave him a small nod, her voice cutting through the air. "Y/n. Guide for these two." She motioned to Ghost and Soap with a tilt of her head. "You must be Alejandro Vargas."

Alejandro grinned, giving her a nod. "Ah, the infamous Guide I've heard so much about." His eyes flickered with recognition as he continued, "I've seen what Sentinels like them can do... but never worked with a Guide. Interesting."

Next to Alejandro, Rudy glanced at her, his gaze more subtle but still curious. "Sergeant Major Rodolfo Parra," he introduced himself, his voice calm but holding a hint of respect.

Y/n gave him a soft smile. "Nice to meet you, Rudy."

Rudy smiled slightly at the use of his first name, and Alejandro raised an eyebrow, clearly amused at how easily she slipped into the group. "It’s not every day you meet someone who can keep these two in line." He motioned to Ghost and Soap, who both remained silent, but there was a slight shift in Ghost’s posture as if he found the comment amusing.

"Someone has to," Y/n quipped back, glancing at Soap with a smirk. "They’re a handful."

Soap let out a small chuckle, nudging her lightly. "Careful, lass. You’re startin’ to sound like Price."

Alejandro laughed at their banter before nodding approvingly. "Good. We need every advantage we can get." His voice dropped, turning more serious. "Cartel’s not going to play fair. You ready for what’s ahead?"

Y/n’s expression shifted, her confidence solid and unwavering. "I was born ready."

Rudy gave her another look, his respect growing. "Well, then… welcome to Las Almas, Y/n. Let’s hope you don’t have to work too hard."

Y/n smirked. "Don’t worry, Rudy. I can handle it."

-

As the convoy moved further into Las Almas, Alejandro and Rudy shared a look, a silent exchange that only bonded Sentinels and Guides could have. Alejandro’s sharp senses, already heightened by the presence of the Guide seated nearby, softened the moment he caught the gentle yet resilient aura that Y/n carried. It was subtle but undeniable—there was something about her that made even the hardened Colonel feel a sense of calm.

Rudy, his Guide instincts attuned to reading others, felt it too. As he glanced at Y/n again, his usual guarded expression melted into something much softer, a protective warmth flooding through him. She was strong, no doubt, but there was a quiet vulnerability beneath her sharp wit that tugged at him in a way he hadn’t expected. He gave her a small, reassuring smile, something rare for him.

"You know," Alejandro said, breaking the silence, "it’s not often we meet someone who can manage Sentinels like them." His tone was softer now, less formal, as if he felt an unspoken camaraderie with Y/n.

Y/n raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. "I’ve had plenty of practice. They’re not so bad once you get to know them."

Rudy chuckled quietly, the sound a low rumble from the front seat. "Still… not easy. It takes strength." His voice held an uncharacteristic tenderness as if speaking to her directly as one Guide to another.

Alejandro nodded, his gaze softening further as he regarded her. "You’re in good company here. We look after our own." His words carried weight, a promise unspoken but clear in his tone. There was something in the way he looked at her, a subtle understanding between Sentinels and Guides that connected them all on a deeper level.

Rudy added quietly, "You ever need anything, Y/n... we’re here."

It was a simple statement, but the way Rudy said it, with that undercurrent of protectiveness, made it clear that both he and Alejandro already felt a bond forming with her. Y/n’s presence was like a calming balm to their heightened senses, and they would do anything to ensure she was safe, even as they prepared for the dangerous mission ahead.

Y/n gave them both a small, grateful nod. "I appreciate that, truly."

Alejandro and Rudy exchanged another look, a shared softness that only deepened with her words. Even though they had only just met, they both knew—they’d be keeping a close eye on her, not out of doubt, but out of a growing sense of protectiveness. She was already one of them.

[aggravateddurian]

The U.S.S. Redball is a Miranda-class starship operated by the Starfleet Logistics Command. It was commissioned in 2293 and was last refitted in 2350. It serves as a Class 6 general goods freighter, operating in the Columba Expanse, a region of Federation space that borders Romulan territory and open (ungoverned) space.

Its mission is to visit strange, previously explored worlds, to keep colonies and outposts in supply, and to boldly go where everyone has already gone before...

More detail under the cut:

The Redball is named for the Red Ball Express, a famous US Army convoy system from World War II, intended to keep troops advancing into German-occupied Europe as they rapidly moved through western France. True to its namesake, the Redball travels a preset 'round robin' cargo route from Starbase 196, in orbit over Columba Prime.

Despite being a freighter by classification, Redball retains her standard 23rd Century Miranda-class armament, consisting of a pair of podded Megaphaser Type-VII heavy pulse phaser cannons on the rollbar, six Type-VII phaser banks, and four Photon Torpedo launchers.

Redball has four shuttlecraft, all Type-4s, named:

Willy (NCC-1944/01) - named for the Willy's Jeep

Duck (NCC-1944/02) - named for the DUKW amphibious truck

Jimmy (NCC-1944/03) - named for the CCKW 2 1/2 ton truck

Mack (NCC-1944/04) - named for the famous truck brand

The ship also has a standard complement of 12 worker bees.

The primary mission of the Redball is to deliver cargo to remote colonies and outposts. With the ability to defend itself inherited from its origins as a 23rd Century light cruiser, it should be a capable vessel. In reality, the vessel has been somewhat neglected by Starfleet due to its low priority. As of 2380, the vessel is well-known for its bevy of mechanical and technical issues: from warp drive stalls, to faulty energisers, to a power junction on D Deck that fails so reliably you can set your watch by it. Its last refit did not include any modern amenities, such as a holodeck or food replicators. The crew have to make their own fun, and live off food made in food synthesisers.

It is considered a low-tier posting, the kind of posting you don't compete for at the Academy. But someone's got to do it.

Notes:

The visuals for the Redball come from Star Trek Online. I've been using STO to visualise the ships and crew while I look at getting them drawn or rendered.

[7bitter]

guy in a t-shirt COVERED in confederate flags outside the burger place. yeah & this is southern ontario. also got a jeep with a "we stand united with the freedom convoy 2022" sticker in an ugly ass sans serif font

[crazyforkasey-blog]

Dear Nixon

Dear @dontirrigateme I am your secret santa. I really really tried to write a Mclung fic, but I just couldnt get word on paper, so instead here is a Nixon piece.

I wrote this some years ago and it is a part of a multichapter fic.

The Girls in this fic is some brave modern day soldiers that had were killed in Afghanistan and travled through time to meet our dear boys.

If you like it I will post the entire fic a soon as posible

All my love from Denmark

"Nixon, Nix, wake up, we are moving out, Germany my friend" Welsh was kicking the cot Nixon was sleeping on

Easy Company and the rest of the 506th were heading for the Bavarian alps.

Nixon rolled off the cot and looked at his reflection in the mirror on the wall, he looked like hell. He had tried to quit drinking, but had failed, and he had run out of Vat 69 and had been forced to drink the local stuff, as he called it.

Nixon walked across the square and into the post office "Ah, Captain Nixon, what can I do for you?" private Vest asked him

"I am looking for a particular brand of Whiskey" Nixon looked Vest square in the eye

"Vat 69, well it won't be cheap sir" Vest said to Nixon

"That won't be a problem" Nixon told the young private, he needed that whiskey, so if he had to pay out of his ears for it, he would.

The two men was interrupted by Janovec, who informed them 350,000 Germans had just surrender

Nixon started to leave the post office, when Vest stopped him "Sir, I got a couple of letters for you here" Vest handed Nixon two letters. One was from his wife and the other from his parents.

The letter from his wife had to be the dear Lewis letter Charlie had told him about.

Nixon opened the letter, he read it as he walked across the square, it was indeed the letter he had been expecting. He knew it was coming and he knew he hadn't been faithful to Cathy, especially not since Normandy, but he still felt like a failure.

Nixon headed for regimental HQ, eager to share the news with Charlie, but then he remembered, he couldn't, because of his fucking drunken mistake. Nixon would never forgive himself for hitting a woman, and not only a woman, but the woman whom he loved with all of his soul.

Before he reached HQ, the order to get on the truck came, private Christenson clapped his hands and told the men to move out.

Nixon climbed in the back of a Jeep and sat down sulking. Winters was driving and Emma was in the passenger seat.

Someone started to sing Blood upon the risers and the large convoy moved out. The Convoy scrambled through Germany.

Somewhere around Nuremberg, they stopped for the night and the officers first priorities was finding sleeping arrangements for the men.

Speirs walked into a house with Liebgott and Dana hot on his heels. Speirs told Liebgott to tell the family they had five minutes to get out and not to come back before the Americans had left.

Dana stood quietly in the corner and watched Liebgott and Speirs yelling at the family.

Dana didn't even feel guilty about kicking the family out of their house, these people were responsible for the suffering she and six million other people had been through, so no she didn't care, she just wanted them gone.

So did Speirs, after the family left he pulled her close "Are we good or as good as we're going to be?" he asked her

"Yeah, we're good" Dana said

The regiment stayed for one night and moved out. The regiment continued south on the autobahn, as the convoy moved south, the 350,000 Germans, who had surrendered, walked in columns in the grass between the lanes, they were heading north. Winters was impressed with how the Germans still marched with pride, even though they were defeated.

Webster, who's truck was driving in front of the jeep with Nixon in it, got on his feet and started to yell at the Germans "Hey you, yeah that's right, you stupid kraut bastard, say hello to Ford and General fucking Motors, you stupid fascist pigs, look at you, you have horses what were you thinking?" At this point Ramirez had enough of Webster's yelling

Ramirez pulled him down on the bench "That's not enough Webster, give it a rest"

Camilla, who was on that same truck, hid a smile, she knew they would find out soon enough, why they were there to fight.

However Webster wasn't thru "Dragging our ass halfway around the world, interrupting our lives and for what? You ignorant servile scum, what the fuck are we doing here?"

Without knowing it, Webster had just put a voice to Nixon's feelings toward the Germans and the war.

…..

Landsberg, Germany

Easy and the rest of the 506th pulled into the small town of Landsberg, Winters immediately sent out some patrols, in case they were staying there for the night.

Dog would stay in town and Easy would patrol the woods. Speirs nodded and yelled out Easy, the men and Dana gathered around Speirs, who told which platoon to go where.

Dana looked at her husband, she was still, so very much in love with him and she couldn't imagine living without him. Dana still feared that one day she and the rest of the girls would be sent back to their own time and she would lose the love she had finally found.

The patrol was walking through the woods, it was Erie quiet. Dana had Shifty and McClung as lead scouts and Bull and O'Keeffe brought up the rear.

Bull noticed O'Keeffe was jumpy and gave him a hard time about it, telling him they could hear his heart pound all the way in Arkansas.

Perconte was looking around "Hey George, kind of reminds you Bastogne"

Luz looked at Perco and rolled his eyes "Yeah, now that you mention it, except of course there is no snow, we got warm grub in our bellies, and the trees aren't fucking exploding from Kraut artillery, but yeah Frank, other than that it's a lot like Bastogne"

Frank was glad his best buddy agreed "Yeah"

Luz took a drag of his cigarette "Bull smack him for me please" and Bull did just that

Dana ordered the men to settle down, she knew what they would stumble upon and she knew they were getting close, the woods were all quiet and it seemed like, even all the animals had left this part of the woods.

O Keefe made a remark about how quiet it was and Perconte agreed with him. Dana was still waiting for them to find the camp, which she knew from her history books was a sub camp of the Dachau concentration camp.

The patrol walked into a clearing and there it was, the Camp, the men all became quiet and Christenson lost his lunch.

Dana turned to Perconte, who was the best runner "Go get my husband, Nixon, Winters, Emma and do not let Nixon get here without Captain Kahne.

Perco ran and Dana walked up to the fence and tried to talk to the prisoners, but they wouldn't talk to her and she realized it was because of her uniform, so she removed her helmet and let down her hair, that made the difference, some of the men cried and some called out the names of their daughters and wife's.

…

Perconte ran into town and asked for Winters and Speirs, no one knew where they were and Frank was getting desperate, he knew if he came back without the officers Dana had ordered him to bring out to the camp, he was a dead man.

Finally he found Winters and Emma "Major Winters, ma'am, we found something on the patrol and ahh, we came across this…"

"What, what Frank, Frank what is it?" Winters asked him

Frank was frantic, he didn't have words to describe, what it was they had found "I don't know Sir, I don't know"

Emma knew exactly what it was Dana and her men had found. She dropped her head and waited for Franks breathing to slow down, once she was convinced Frank wasn't panicking, she looked at the two men "Frank go get Camilla and Roe, tell her it's time and she needs her hunger kit, she will know what you mean"

Emma then turned around and the first sergeant she noticed was first sergeant Talbert "Tab go get Nixon and Charlie and tell them to get here on the double, tell Charlie why we fight and she will know what to do"

Talbert ran off and Emma looked at her husband "You and need to have a little talk"

Emma led Winters into the building, which served as HQ "she put her hands on her hips and started to pace " Ok, in 1942 the Nazi's came up with the final solution, they were going to eliminate all, Jews, Jehovah witnesses, gypsies, homosexuals, handicapped, anyone who didn't fit into the idea of the Arian race. They put them into camps and worked them to death or gassed them and then burned the bodies, it's a camp like that third platoon has discovered in the woods, so be prepared, it's going to be ugly, rough and a lot of men are going to break down"

Emma turned and looked at her husband. Winters looked startled and a little pale "Yeah, ok, let's go see what it's all about"

When they walked out of the HQ, the other officers were waiting for them. Charlie, Emma and Camilla were looking at each other and nodding, they knew exactly what they had to do, once they got there and it was going to be the hardest thing they would ever have to do.

The remainder of the second battalion was ordered onto trucks, and when the battalion pulled up to the Camp, Winters knew nothing would ever have prepared him for the sight that met them.

Skeleton-like men were gathered around the fence and the gate to the camp. They were all wearing striped clothing, most of which was torn and worn. Their heads were shaved and most of them were missing most of their teeth, the whole camp was wrapped in a stench of death, rotten corpses and general decay.

Winters stepped off the jeep, he was about to order Christenson to cut the chain that held the gate together, preventing the prisoners from escaping.

"Stop, Major Winters, sir" Camilla stepped forward

"We have to make sure these people stay in the camp, they can't wander off and scatter. They probably have typhus, cholera and other cottages diseases, we need to keep them here and Sir no one feeds them, if we starting giving them food they will eat themselves to death, we have to put them on a special diet, only food with live bacteria, like sour kraut, yoghurt, quark and such"

Winters nodded and ordered Christenson to open the gate. Winters walked in with the men following him and he realized he needed a translator, so he could talk to the prisoners and send for Liebgott.

Nixon walked next to Winters with Charlie hot on his heels, she knew what the place would do to Lew and wanted to be near him when he finally realized why they were fighting the Germans.

Nixon stared at the men emerging through the smoke from the burning buildings, some carrying what looked like death bodies. Nixon was paralyzed, the amount of emotion that ran through him at that very moment was indescribable, and he felt helpless, shocked, rage against the Germans, sadness and sorrow.

What these people had been through, couldn't even be described and it made his problems seem insignificant.

Nixon turned around and there she was, his reason for existing, the woman who made it worth living and he had done the most unforgivable thing a man could ever do and here she was, just looking at her, made Nixon feel like it was all going to be ok.

Charlie looked at Nixon and opened her arms to him. Nixon almost ran into her arms and he was a mess.

Charlie just held him and whispered to him "It's ok, it's all going to be ok" Charlie had tears running down her cheeks. Nixon pulled away a little and brushed the tears of her face "I am sorry, I am sorry, I promise, no more drinking and no more rage"

Charlie looked at him "We are not ok yet, but we will be, just hang in there" Charlie started to walk away.

Nixon looked at her back "Charlie, now I know what you meant, when you said, I would know soon enough why we were here"

Charlie stopped for a second and then continued walking.

Winters and Emma were talking to one of the prisoners, Liebgott translated. Emma already knew what the man would tell them, and he confirmed what she already knew.

Camilla came running "Winters, hey Em, can you get the men to rally around me? So I can tell them what to do"

Winters looked at Emma "Get it done, I need to call Sink"

Emma got a hold of Speirs and McMillan, they found the commander of Fox and the battalion gathered around the Easy Doc.

"Look, we need to triage these men, those who can walk, those who need assistance walking or need to be carried and last those who are dead. The live inmates need to be placed by the gate, leave the dead in the huts, they will buried tomorrow, ok boys move out"

Camilla started with men already gathered at the gate. Camilla spoke German and Russian, courtesy of the West Point language courses.

She had her trusted stethoscope, and she was examining a man, when she felt a hand on her shoulder, Camilla looked up. Lipton looked down at her, she squeezed his hand "I am ok, I can handle this"

Lipton nodded and continued his walk around the camp, everywhere he looked there were dead bodies and smoking remains of buildings. He stumbled upon Malarkey, who was looking at one of the dead bodies wrist and they both noticed the tattoo. All of the men in the camp had tattoos, they had been branded like cattle.

This camp was nothing like Lipton had ever even imagined, he couldn't comprehend how such evil existed, what kind of sick minds had planned the extermination of a whole religion, this was genocide, like never seen before.

Dana was helping the men triage the prisoners, she felt like she was about to vomit, the stench in the camp was overwhelming and nothing had prepared her for this, for seeing an actual concentration camp.

Speirs walked by and noticed his tough ass wife looking pale and fragile and he knew he had to get her out of there "Dana why don't you go and help unload the trucks"

Dana looked at Ron and gave him a grateful smile and walked towards the trucks the 326th medical unit had brought with them.

Dana started to help and she noticed Sink, Winters Nixon, Emma, Charlie and Doctor Kent walk towards Camilla.

Camilla was talking to one of the polish prisoners in Russian, when she heard Sink address her "Lieutenant Hamlin"

Camilla turned around "Sir" she said and saluted Sink

"This here is Doctor Kent, he is the regimental surgeon" Sink introduced the two doctors to each other.

"We already met, however last time I saw you, you didn't know who you were and you went AWOL from my hospital" Kent smiled at Camilla

"Yeah, sorry about that, I needed to get back to my boys" Camilla blushed slightly

"So tell me what do we got here" Kent asked Camilla

"Well, all of them are starving, 99 percent of the men have cholera and typhus and they all have some sort of respiratory tract infection, pneumonia mostly, I need blankets, cots, antibiotics, food with life bacteria in it, clothes, every medicine you can think of, plasma, saltwater, disinfection, you name I need, and a bunch of nurses would be awesome" Camilla told Kent

"Well, you can have whatever I got on these truck and I can some of your men scrounge for supplies at the local hospital" Kent said

"Awesome and yes, do you by any chance have any coca cola with you?" Camilla asked

"Why would you need coca cola, for these men?" Kent asked

"Oh, the coke was for me" Camilla winked and got on with her work.

Pretty soon the 326th took over from the second battalion and in no time tents were pitched and the nurses, medics and the two doctors were working hard.

Dana and Emma poked their heads into the tent Camilla was working in, she just looked at them and motioned for them to leave, one thing was for her to risk infection, but she wouldn't let her friends catch anything.

…..

Nixon and Charlie were sitting in the living room in Charlie's billet, she shared a small house with Camilla, who was working out at the camp and Charlie wasn't expecting her home anytime soon.

Charlie was looking at a jittery Nixon who needed a drink and Charlie wouldn't let him, she had sat him down and told him he wasn't leaving the house until he was sober.

Charlie knew he could do it, he did once when she first met him and by god, she was going to sober him up again.

Emma was sitting on the couch in the living room of her and Dick's billet, she was going thru some paperwork when her husband walked in, she couldn't help but smile and winters walked over and sat down next to her and pulled her close to him and kissed her on top of her head. He needed to be close to her after what they experienced today and after what he just heard from Division HQ

"I just heard from Division HQ, that the Russians liberated a larger camp, ten times bigger with ovens…"

Emma looked at her amazing husband "I know Auschwitz, horrible place" Emma sighed

"The towns' people claim they didn't know about the camp, that we are exaggerating" Emma said

"Well they are going to find out tomorrow. Taylor just declared Martial Law and every able body between the age of 14 and 80 are going to help bury the bodies"

Emma looked at Winters "Serves them right" was all she said

…..

The next morning a very tired Charlie drove Nixon out to the camp, the people from town were already working on burying the dead.

Charlie could tell Nixon still had a hard time dealing with what he had seen "You need to accept the fact this has happened and live with it, knowing you fought for those who lived through this. This is why we fight"

Nixon knew he found the reason for his war and his reason for being sober through the rest of it.