Author's Note: If you have any writing tips, please feel free to comment.

Again, I gratefully accept constructive criticism as a means to help me develop my skills as a writer.

--- --- --- --- ---

Chapter 25

A month has passed from the rescue and Red was getting much better and was discharged from the hospital along with Allen. The Ranger was sent back to her home at Ithaca to recover slowly from her PTSD. Red decided to rent an apartment near the base to spend some time alone. A nurse would continue visiting them to change Allen's bandages and to check on their mental state. More good news is that both Williams and Malloy has woken up from the coma. The bad news was that both women thought they were in an enemy hospital and started attacking everyone. MacTavish, Ghost, and Price rushed to the hospital as soon as they were informed about the incident as General Malloy and Colonel Williams were engaged with work out of the country. When they walked through the doors to the ward they heard shouting and panic.

"What the bloody hell is going in here?" asked Price.

"Captain Price! Thank God you're here," said a nurse breathless. "The Captain and the Lieutenant seem to have lost it and we cannot seem to get the situation under control."

"Let us handle it," said MacTavish firmly.

They ran to the center of the confusion and saw Williams on the floor as she couldn't stand up because of her wounded leg, using the pipe of the IV drip attached to her arm as a weapon. On her side was Malloy, her right arm in a sling due to the bullet wound holding a needle with her left arm that was heavily bandage due to the deep gash left by Espinosa. They both looked deranged, gritting their teeth and determined to take anyone who approached them.

"Lisa, what are you doing?" asked Price trying to reason with her.

"Price?" she asked puzzled. "MacTavish?"

"Simon!" said Williams and looked at her Captain. "We're not in an enemy hospital."

"Fuck me...," said Malloy putting the needle on the stand.

"You're at St. Peter's ladies," said Ghost.

Lieutenant Walker rushed in, panicked holding the clipboard high above his head.

"What happened here?!"

"Lieutenant Walker?" asked Malloy surprised, sitting down. "We can explain Doc."

"Damn. They told me you two were trouble but I did not expect this," he said looking around the room.

"We're not any trouble Doc, whoever told you exaggerated," said Williams. "We're awesome patients don't you worry!"

Ghost shook his head and helped Williams onto her bed. Price and MacTavish did the same with Malloy.

"My head burns," murmured Malloy squinting her eyes.

Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, pain and weakness were starting to take over her body.

"What happened to the squad?"

They briefed them about the situation of her teammates about being discharged and also about Collins' condition.

"Everyone's coping?" asked Williams grunting with pain while clutching her leg.

"Yes, you're a tough bunch of soldiers," said MacTavish gruffly.

"Ok so, any leads?" asked Malloy faintly, her eyes drooping.

"No! No talking about work and that is an order!" said Price. "Your objective right now is to get better. Both of you nearly died."

"Yeah we can do that," said Williams coughing. "Get healthy and fit and then back to work."

"You'll have to re-qualify," said Ghost.

Williams looked at Malloy.

"We're fucked there, girl."

"Fuck that Williams, we're awesome."

"You're swearing too much," MacTavish chuckled.

"It's the side-effects of the medicine," said the doctor. "Everything that comes to their mind, they are just blurting it out. It's quite common."

"You tell 'em Doc!"

"Now I'm getting worried," whispered Price.

"Hey! I heard that Price, I'll deal with you later. Right now we have to find Espinosa's and Makarov's location," said Malloy and started to get out of bed.

"Wait on a second," said Williams. "I just realized something. If the ETF is practically disbanded... who replaced us?"

The three of them sighed and looked down as MacTavish forced Malloy back into her bed.

"Don't tell me it's..."

"Kowalski," finished Price.

"That bitch," murmured Williams.

"She's a failure guys," replied Malloy. "Do me a favor and avoid any missions with the ETF right now if you want to live and I'm not joking. If she is given the permission to take care of Espinosa and Makarov, I will blow the whole goddamn base up!"

"We'll talk about this later," said Ghost.

"To make sure that you don't do any of your shenanigans," started Lieutenant Walker, "I will keep you in two separate rooms."

"Fine with me!" said Malloy. "Don't want to stay in the same room with a Jarhead anyway."

"'Ey! Take it back G.I. Jane!" yelled Williams as they pushed Malloy's bed out of the room.

"Come and take it, sweetheart! And G.I. Jane was in the Navy, you idiot!" Malloy shouted back in the corridor.

"This Devil Dog will show you who the idiot is!"

"Tone it down Lisa," said Price in the new room.

"How are you feeling?" asked MacTavish grabbing a chair and sitting down next to her.

"I feel like shit Soap!" replied Malloy beaming sarcastically. "I'm stuck in bed here. I should be out there searching for that son of a bitch!"

"Lisa, calm down," said Price. "What we should avoid right now are rash decisions."

"He's right," said MacTavish. "Focus on getting better."

"Getting better my ass!" she started shouting but then calmed down and looked depressed all of a sudden. "My team's not coping is it?"

Price and MacTavish glanced at each other and looked somber.

"We just received news that Allen overdosed on sleeping pills," said MacTavish in a small voice. "The good news is that her parents got to her just in time and took her to the polyclinic."

"I'm sure Red is fine. She's Russian and has Spetsnaz blood in her," she chuckled sadly remembering what her friend had told her. "What about Collins?"

"Collins has been broken down mentally," said Price as gently as possible. "She's getting better; she's talking and eating but the doctors say it will take a very long time to recover."

Malloy nodded and looked down. She started remembering the state of her teammates in that dungeon; what they had been through. They managed to break them and ruin them.

"They used Alice as bait," she said quietly. "What I don't understand is how they were sure that they would send the ETF and the 141 to her rescue? I mean there are Delta, SEALs, MARSOC and other endless spec ops teams."

"They knew that you have worked with Alice in the past," said MacTavish.

"But how would they know? It's CIA, everything's classified."

"I think I would know how to reply to that question," said a woman.

They looked up and saw Tiger with the usual black suit and tied-back hair. Her expression was serious and she walked and stood at the end of Malloy's bed.

"Nielson and I suspect that she sold you out."

They all stared at her.

"What proof do you have?" asked Price.

"She could have broken down."

"She's a trained agent," said MacTavish.

"She's not a snitch!" said Malloy through gritted teeth.

"For Christ's sake Shadow, they kidnapped her family! What would you have done?" asked Tiger raising her voice.

"I would have kept my mouth shut! She knew that even if she did give them the information they would still have her family killed!"

"It's not as easy as you think," said Tiger crossing her arms.

"It is not meant to be easy in this field Tiger, and you fuckin' know it," spat Malloy.

Lieutenant Walker walked in the room looking worried.

"I think you better leave. You're upsetting my patient," he said.

Tiger nodded at them and left without a word.

"I'm feeling peachy Doc!" yelled Malloy.

"You have got to calm yourself, Captain," he said.

"We'll visit you later," said Price.

"Wait, MacTavish," said Malloy grabbing his hand. "I need to talk to you. It won't be long Doc."

"Very well," said Lieutenant Walker and walked out of the room.

"I'll wait for you in the car Soap," said Price.

"Thanks, Price," said MacTavish and with a puzzled face, he sat back down holding Malloy's hand. "What's wrong?"

"I just want to thank you, John," said Malloy turning her head on the pillow so that she could face him the best she could. "You saved my life and also that of my friends."

"I did my job, Lisa, that is all," he said softly. "I promised you that I'd protect you-"

"You never gave up on me hun and that is all that matters," she said sweetly.

"I did not know what I would have done without you, love," he said kissing her hand.

"You would have found another lass then," she joked.

"Bloody hell Lisa, I would not manage to find a lass like you. The important thing is to rest and gain your strengths ok? And please stay out of trouble!" said MacTavish in a desperate tone making Malloy giggle.

"I'm too weak to even talk let alone do something stupid."

"I'll come visit you tomorrow sweetheart," he said, kissing her on her forehead.

MacTavish walked out of the hospital towards the car where Price was listening to the radio and determined, he went back to the base and started working to bring Espinosa and Makarov down.

--- --- --- --- ---

"Enemy hospital huh?" asked Ghost jokingly.

"Goddammit... Lisa thought we were still kidnapped," said Williams in pain as she tried to make herself more comfortable.

"Well, you were unconscious when we got to you love," said Ghost sitting on a chair next to her. "You were in a pretty terrible condition. We thought you were..."

"We're here now aren't we?" she asked smiling while her eyes were drooping.

"Still," he said stroking her face, "I would have been devastated if I lost you. I contacted your sister about you, she was worried sick."

"Where is she?" asked Williams rubbing her head.

"She's in Afghanistan right now managing the Lioness Programme. HQ knows about her situation but they still sent her. I'll place my mobile on your nightstand so you can call her anytime you want ok?"

"Thank you, Simon."

"In the meantime, I need to get you another mobile," started Ghost talking to himself pacing around the room, "so if anything happens you can contact me immediately. Maybe I'll install some kind of alarm..."

"Simon-" started Williams trying to speak.

"...so it would be much faster if you're in trouble..."

"Babe-"

"... what would be best is to place a guard in front of your door and he can protect you and Captain Malloy..."

"Riley!"

"Yo!" he replied instinctively and then realized what he was doing. "I'm sorry love I'm just worried."

"We're safe Simon, don't worry," she said stroking his hand as he sat on the bed.

"Charlene I need to go," he said looking at his watch. "I have a meeting in thirty minutes. If you need anything just call. Even if it's at three in the morning, I don't care."

"Thank you," she said smiling softly. "Simon..."

"Yes love?" he asked while putting on his jacket.

"Umm nevermind..." she said shyly looking down.

"You sure?"

Williams nodded in reply. Ghost kissed her softly on the cheek, gave her a wink and a smile and dashed off leaving the Lieutenant lonely, wishing she was near her sister or at least near her best friend Lisa.

--- --- --- --- ---

Roach was in his room reading some files that he snuck out of the administration building. He sat down on his bed with the files spread out near him. The files consisted classified information about the ETF's past missions and joint operations and also about the enemies they captured. He tried to learn more about their lives and also about Espinosa and Makarov. Roach's head was going to burst and he could feel a migraine coming. The things that happened in the past weeks were overwhelming and adding training and missions to the list did not make his life any easier.

Suddenly, there was a knock and the door burst open.

"'Ey mate," said MacTavish and noticed Roach packing away the files hurriedly.

"Captain MacTavish," he stammered, panicked.

"Don't worry Roach, I stole some files too," he said sitting next to him on the bed.

"How are Williams and Malloy?"

"They're fine," said MacTavish while skimming through the files Roach had. "They're in a stable condition; they'll get better with time. What's worrying me is that both of them are thinking about Espinosa and Makarov."

"Last time I went to visit Collins, she asked me about it as well," said Roach worried. "I told her not to think about it."

MacTavish sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"And Shepherd has nothing on Makarov," he said running his fingers through his Mohawk.

"He told us he's gonna ask the ETF if they have any intel they gathered when they were captured."

The door flung open again and this time, Ghost and Ozone walked in.

"Yo," said Ghost.

"'Sup?" asked Ozone while ruffling Roach's short hair. "How are Fox and Shadow?"

"They'll be fine," replied MacTavish not looking up from the file he was reading.

"Do we have training tomorrow? As I was thinking of paying them a visit."

"We always have training," replied the Captain annoyed.

"Maybe I'll find five minutes –"

"Or maybe you could concentrate on your work so we can find those who did this to them," said MacTavish slightly heated.

"I know you're my Captain and everything but what the hell is your problem?" asked Ozone irate.

"My problem is you getting distracted by Captain Malloy instead of doing your work as you are supposed to!" spat MacTavish.

"Distracted?! We're just friends! I have been there for her every time she needed me and I intend to the same this time," said Ozone getting red in the face.

Ozone went out of the room, closing the door hard on his way out. Ghost and Roach looked at each other not knowing what to do or say. MacTavish sighed and threw the file on the bed out of anger.

"MacTavish you're too stressed," said Ghost placing a hand on the Captain's shoulder.

"Better get some rest sir," said Roach.

"Aye... I'll see you tomorrow," he groaned. "If you find anything, inform me and Price immediately."

"Yes, sir."

"Don't worry about it mate," said Ghost.

--- --- --- --- ---

Red was in her rented apartment smoking a cigarette on her sofa. She was looking out of the window where she could see the base in the distance. Her apartment was decent; a kitchen in the corner overlooking the sitting room which consisted of a sofa and a TV, a bedroom and a small bathroom. Nothing fancy but she needed a temporary place to stay until the Board decides what's going to happen next. Red had already been told that the ETF has been replaced to keep the operations going on smoothly and General Malloy, apart from her teammates, were the only ones who defended her place in the ETF seeing that the Americans were in war with Russia.

Thinking back, she really missed her mates back in the Armed Forces of Russian Federation. They would sweat through PT and laugh together at the bar. Some of them died in the line of duty, others decided that type of career was not for them and others were still going strong. At least that's what she thought; it has been years since she last contacted them. Alas, all of that was a distant memory.

Red extinguished her cigarette in the full ashtray and ran her hand over her stomach which was bruised after all that beating. She was suffering constant headaches and not even medication could soothe her pain. There was a knock on her door and groaned as she flipped her red, flaming curly hair around and got up. She grabbed her Grach and held it steadily in her hands. She looked into her door viewer and saw two familiar faces. She sighed and opened the door.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Hey, lass! Thought we'd come visit ya and cheer ya up," said Archer beaming.

"This is for you young lady," said Toad giving her a box.

"Spasibo (thank you)," she said. "Come in."

"Nice place," said Archer. "How are you feeling Alex?"

"I'm fine. Thanks for the vodka," she smiled as she settled her sidearm on the kitchen counter.

"We all need to unwind from time to time," said Toad sitting on the sofa. "Did you visit Mac?"

"Da, she's not ok at all," said Red sighing pouring vodka in three shooter glasses. "She's really depressed and is starting talking about her brother Joseph again."

"Yeah it sucks," said Toad.

They all drank down the shooters and Red poured some more.

"Talking of family," said Archer trying to change the subject, "you've got any? At the hospital, the nurse couldn't contact your next of kin."

"I have no family," she said shooting down vodka. "Mama died when I was six, I have no siblings and I have no idea if my father is still alive."

"What happened to him?"

"He's on the run because Makarov wanted to recruit him for his army. Dad is ex-Spetsnaz and used to train soldiers. He trained me in fact, even though in Russia women are not permitted to fight on the front lines yet, especially in the Special Forces so it was a big opportunity for me to join the Elite Task Force."

"What are you going to do now?" asked Archer walking to sit next to Red.

"I can't go back to Russia it's too unstable at the moment and I have a feeling I won't be very welcome there seeing that I have worked with the Americans."

"That's because you were working with the Yanks. If you decided to join the Brits instead, you wouldn't have any problem," joked Archer and Red laughed.

"If I was a sniper, would you have accepted me as part of Sniper Team One?"

"Of course! You can still join and offer us moral support while we blow stuff up with the Javelin or shoot bad guys," said Toad winking.

"It's settled then," said Red smiling.

"You don't have a special someone waiting for you at home?" asked Archer.

Red shook her head.

"No lad, I don't," she replied imitating his accent. "I never had time for relationships and I was never the girlfriend-type anyway."

"So you would decline if I asked you out?"

"Probably," she replied but she couldn't help but smile in realizing that there was someone who is interested in her.

"Can't say I didn't try," winked Archer.

--- --- --- --- ---

Quick Author's Note: That is it! I hope you enjoyed the chapter :) 

Did you love that chapter!? I hope you did! Show your support for the author by simply clicking the little VOTE button to the bottom left or top right of your screen! Have a wonderful day!

Votes and Comments/Feedback most enthusiastically welcome!