Chapter Text
Ghost was having a pretty good day before it all went to shit. He was hanging out with Soap in the rec room, having a very enlightened conversation about tea. (“I'm tellin ya, it's shit. You only like it because of cultural pressure and mass manipulation of the media. Open your eyes, Simon!“ “Sure Johnny.“) Soap even tried to make him a cup to prove a point. It was quite frankly horrendous but Ghost wasn't one to back down so he drank it all while looking Soap dead in the eyes. He very discreetly spat it back into the cup when Johnny wasn't looking.
When all of a sudden a very brave or very stupid private burst into the room.
“Sir! Oh, uhm, sirs!“ he threw up a half-hearted and shaky salute. “There's a matter that requires your immediate attention. Or well, the lieutenant's attention. It's uhm…“ He was fumbling with his words, trying his best to explain the situation as delicately as possible but finding himself at a loss.
“What is it, private? I don't have all day. Spit it out.“ Ghost rose to his full height, crossing his arms. He was annoyed at the interruption and the fact that whatever was about to cut his free time (with Soap) short was probably unbelievably stupid. A recruit getting stuck somewhere, someone shooting someone on accident etc. Dealing with idiots in idiotic situations was his least favourite part of the rank of lieutenant. The never-ending paperwork a close second. Because even though Ghost immensely enjoyed all the perks offered by his position (a room with a private bathroom, leading missions, rookies being scared shitless of him), the responsibilities weren't his forte.
(He once shared this with Price when he was very inebriated. That it was unfair that he couldn't just do what he wanted - be a badass and spend time with Johnny - without all the other shit. Price laughed at him. For a very long time. Ghost was torn between wanting to punch him and calling an ambulance because the old man looked like he was having a heart attack.)
“Well, I- just… here.” The private, giving up on doing this delicately, pushed a young girl in front of him, into the middle of the room and promptly left. And oh. Oh no. Nononono-
“Hi. I'm sorry. I didn't know where else to go.”
Ghost didn't say anything. Just stared at her. She looked like Tommy. And a bit like Mum. The last time he saw her, she looked like Joseph. Ghost didn't say anything because what the hell are you supposed to say to the daughter you haven't seen in at least ten years. And why was she even here? How was she here? How did she find him? How did she know who he was? When did she get so big? Where was her mum? Why-
“Huh? What's going on here, Ghost? Who're ya, lass?” Johnny asked, confused. Because, well, a teenage civilian girl was a rather strange sight in a very secret military facility. But when she turned to him she looked confident, like she belonged there. At first sight. Because even though she held her chin high and her shoulders back, her hands were shaking on the handle of the duffle bag she was holding. Soap looked her up and down. She was probably around 15, 16 years old and seemed to be going through a bit of a rebellious phase if the few facial piercings and choppy hair was anything to go by. Soap couldn't shake the feeling that she looked familiar. Her hair was something between a light brown and ginger and her eyes… Big, dark brown, framed by light lashes…
He looked at Ghost. And back at the girl. And back at Ghost. And back at the girl. And ba- Uh-oh.
“Ghost,” he jabbed his friend with his elbow. Ghost was frozen and quite frankly looked like a deer in headlights. The last time Johnny saw him like this was when he called him pretty when drunk. “Lt. say somethin'. Ghost! Snap out of it!” he slapped the back of his head. That thankfully brought him out of whatever trance he was in. He dropped the mug he was still holding. It shattered, spilling the disgusting tea on the floor and both of their boots. (So he didn't drink it! Bastard…)
“Edme, what the hell are you doing here? How did you even get here?” Ghost took a few quick strides towards her, looking her over for any signs of distress or injury. She looked relatively alright if a bit tired and stressed but when he approached her, she took a step back. Ghost paused. She looked wary of him, scared even. Simon wanted to throw up. And it was no wonder she was scared, he was practically a stranger! A very tall and intimidating stranger with a sharp voice and a fucking skull mask on his face. He wanted to slap himself. He didn't know what to do. The girl obviously needed his help, but he didn't know how. It was all too much. This was why he never saw her! He wasn't made to be a dad! He sent her mum all the money she could ever need but that was it. That was all he could do! He didn't know how to deal with distressed teenage girls that looked like his dead brother and mother!
He took a step back as well. He needed to get his shit together. For her. He took off his mask and took a few deep breaths. He softened his expression and voice. She didn't need a lieutenant, a soldier. She needed a dad.
“Kid. What's going on? Are you okay? What can I do?” He extended his hand slightly towards her. It felt like trying to befriend a spooked animal. He felt like one as well. He could feel Johnny's gaze on his face. There was a warm pressure on his shoulder, Johnny's way of encouraging and reassuring him. Simon shot him a quick look. He just smiled at him and gave a small nod. He nodded back.
“Edme?” he took a small, slow step forward. She still looked uneasy but less scared. She was nervously chewing on her lower lip and playing with the rings on her fingers. Oh how the time flies. She was so small the last time he had seen her. He had been able to lift her up with one arm, resting her on his hip as she had babbled about her day. But now… She was a young woman. How many birthdays did he miss? How many firsts? First friends and first days at school? He always told himself it was better this day. His life was dangerous and busy. He was barely home. And well… He wasn't fit to be a father. Didn't know how to be. (What if he messed up? What if he became like him?). Her mother was more than happy to take care of her alone with his financial help, which he was more than happy to provide. (That's how Soap found out about Edme. He asked him where the hell he was sending all his money to and if he had a secret kid hidden in Manchester. He meant it as a joke but the laughter died on his lips as he saw Simon's guilty expression.)
Speaking of her mother…
“Edme, why aren't you with your mum?” Simon asked, concern leaking into his voice.
“It's a long story," the girl shuffled her feet, looking at the ground. “She can't take care of me anymore. I'm sorry to bother you, but… I didn't know what to do.” She looked back up at Simon. Something was missing in the story. She couldn't take care of her? She definitely had the funds to do so… This was suspicious.
“It's okay, kid. You're not bothering me. I'm happy to help.” Simon attempted to give her a reassuring smile. It didn't really work. He really wore that damn mask too much. “But how the hell you got here. Don't get me wrong, I'm not angry or anything, just-”, he threw up his arms, gesturing to the space around them as if to point out the absurdity and weirdness of the situation. Once again, this was a very secret military base. Most military people didn't know about it!
“Oh, mum gave me a phone number. Some guy picked up, John Price, I think he said he was your captain or something? He sent me here. Even had a car pick me up. He's really nice," she smiled. Simon gave a sigh of relief. At least she didn't walk here or something. But then it hit him. That fishing hat wearing motherfucker.
“Price sent you here? I spoke with him this morning. Why the hell did he not say anything?!” Johnny voiced his exact thoughts. “Meddling old fart…”
“You better not be talking about me, sergeant.” The captain's voice made Soap jump, “and I didn't say anything because I didn't want to risk someone running away," he gave Ghost a pointed look. Simon felt mildly offended. “Do you really think I would have left my daughter in trouble?” he crossed his arms, meeting Price's eyes defiantly. “No, not really. But it was a precaution.” Price shrugged. And Simon couldn't really argue with that. He wasn't the greatest at confronting his problems. And if the slightly incredulous look Edme sent his way was anything to go by, she wasn't buying his shit either. I guess that's what happens when the only interaction you have with your child for ten years is checks. A bit of shame pricked at Simon.
“Well I'll leave you two muppets to clean up the mess,” Price said pointing to the remnants of a mug and tea on the floor, “and how about I show you, where you'll be staying young lady?” he smiled at Edme, taking her bags like a true gentleman. “You can talk with dad later, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you.” Simon wasn't sure if she was thanking him for showing her her room or allowing her to escape Ghost's presence. He tried to not let it get to him. He definitely deserved it.
When the door closed behind Price and his daughter, Johnny gently pulled at his arm. “Come one, Lt. Let's clean up.” Simon must have really looked terrible since Soap didn't even tease him about the undrunk tea. He just silently helped him pick up the broken porcelain and sweep the floor. They stood there silently for a minute, just looking at each other. Ghost didn't know what to say. Or what to do. Was he supposed to go find his daughter? Or give her space? Soap could see his inner turmoil plainly on his face.
His face. Simon still hasn't put his mask back on. It was a rare sight. Johnny has only seen him without it a handful of times. He selfishly allowed himself to indulge for a moment. His hair was messy and flat from being under the mask. His eyes were covered in a sheer layer of two days old eye black but they were as beautiful and expressive as ever. Dark brown with a little bit of gold. Just like his daughter's. He had a strong, slightly crooked nose that had been broken one too many times. He was chewing his lip nervously. There was a deep mangle old scar pulling at the corner of his mouth, traveling all the way to his cheek. It wasn't the only one but it was by far the most noticeable one. Soap was pulled from his daydreaming by his friend's voice.
“I don't know what to do," Ghost said softly. It was more of a whisper. His voice was shaky and unsure. It felt like an admission, one that probably took a lot of courage and strength. Soap took a step towards him. He wrapped his arms around him tightly. They didn't hug often. Almost never. Hugs were reserved for post-mission adrenaline fuelled reunions. And quiet, emotionally complex moments about unpredictable family situations, it seemed.
After a second, Simon hugged him back, holding onto him like a man drowning. Johnny ran his hand up and down his spine, tracing nonsensical and soothing patterns.
“It'll be alright. I'll stay by your side.” he whispered a promise into Simon's shoulder. They'd face this together.