HOT WATER cascades down her grimy skin, leaving the water murky as it rolls down the drain. A shower has never felt this good for Ellie. Her muscles are aching, cuts burning from the mission in Al-Mazrah. 

She's back at Shadow Company HQ - but briefly. Of course, Ghost was right. She now belongs to TF-141 and is under the orders of Captain John Price. She has not spoken to him yet or met him, but apparently, that is all about to change. Ellie was ordered by Shepherd upon her return to pack up her things and get on a flight to Las Almas. Hassan was taken there by the cartel. They're working together and made the situation much more messy.

Phillip did not take the news lightly. He didn't speak to her once she got back. So, once the shower is done she is going straight to his office and giving him a chewing out like he's never had before. Once the water starts to grow cold, she shuts it off and steps out. The mirror is foggy and she's thankful.

The last thing she wants is to see her reflection. Her burned skin. Bullet holes. Bags under her bloodshot eyes. Ellie's lost a lot of sleep over them recovering the American missile in Al-Mazrah.  Shepherd was pissed. When Ellie met with Laswell on her flight back, she was telling her about how angry he was. She felt bad for Laswell at that moment. Kate was never one to show any strong emotion, but Ellison knew was was beside herself that Iran got their hands on weapons of that caliber. 

Ellie puts her hair up into a ponytail and lines her ear with her earrings. She doesn't wear them a lot anymore and figures she should just let the holes grow up. For some reason, she can't bring herself to fully do it. 

She dresses in a shirt that covers her large scar, donning cargo pants and boots before making her way to Phillip's office. Thankfully, he is already in there.

She knocks and he doesn't look up. "Got a second?" she asks after a moment of silence.

"Make it quick, Miller."

She bites her lip and shuts the door behind her. Plopping down in the seat, she waits for him to look up from his paperwork. He doesn't. So, she leans back in the chair and stretches out her legs, propping up her boots on the wooden desk. 

That gets him. 

His eyes are narrow as he finally looks at her. "What do you think you're doing?"

"S'pose I'm gonna have to start acting out to get Daddy to pay attention to me," she answers flatly, making him laugh, but there's anger hidden behind it. 

"Is that so?" He caps the pen he was holding and leans back in his chair. "Didn't take you for a toddler."

"You don't take me for much, do you?"

She could swear she saw the steam blow out from his ears. "You're out of line, Shadow."

"I'm not a Shadow anymore. I'm a member of Task Force 141," she replies, mocking Ghost's deep British accent as she repeats his words to her. "You could have warned me that Thomas Shelby was gonna hate my guts."

Graves sighs. "What did you do?"

Her mouth drops open. "I didn't do anything but speak to him."

"That's your first mistake." She glares at him as a stupid grin spreads across his face. He loves her getting on Ghost's bad side. "You were Miss Independent and wanted to go. I tried to stop you. Could have kept you here with me."

"Well, I appreciate your concern, Commander. I do. You seem to be beside yourself that my new Lieutenant hates me."

Phillip holds his hands in the air as if to say "I told you so." Ellie wants to punch him in his mouth. "Now you're about to go spend a good while with him in Las Almas. Dealing with cartel... you sure you're up for that?"

"Aren't you going to be there?" Ellie asks. 

He nods. "I am, but with the Shadows. We might meet up occasionally but I won't be there covering you like they will. You better learn to behave yourself," he warns. "You don't know this guy's history. I've read his file. He scares the piss outta me."

Ellie rolls her eyes. "I'm sure he's just like every other prick out there."

The look that crosses Phillip's face makes her confidence falter. "I mean it, Ellison," he says sternly. "Don't get yourself in trouble. I can't get you out of it. You're at a different unit as of now." He goes silent, hands covering his mouth as he shakes his head at her. 

"What?" she questions quietly. "What is it?"

With his voice barely above a whisper, he answers. "I can't believe you."

Ellie blinks. "What did I do?"

"You left me."

His words stung. "Phillip... you were about to force me to retire. I wasn't ready. I've been through hell and back for you and this company. Do not make me out to be the bad guy."

He looks away from her, guilt-ridden over his face. "I know, honey. You aren't the bad guy in this story." He stands away from the desk and walks around to her, holding out his hand. "I'll walk you to the car."

"Hassan was taken back into cartel protection in Las Almas," Laswell states over the laptop as she debriefs Ellie on her flight. "Mexican Special Forces confirmed. Hassan is moving something sizable towards the US. The cargo could be containers housing missiles. We don't know how many or what the targets are."

"To find out," General Shepherd states, "we need to capture Hassan and bring him in for interrogation. We're sending Ghost and Soap with you to link up with the Mexican Special Forces in country along with all the manpower you need. Graves will be there with the Company to assist.

"We need to avoid a war, general," Laswell replies, almost sounding exasperated.

"I know. Graves can help us cut some red tape and get this done. Miller, I know you're still transitioning to your new group. If you need anything, you know Commander Grave's number. But I don't expect you'll have any trouble with your new group."

If only he knew. "Understood, sir."

The call clicks off and she shuts the laptop, placing it in her backpack. The car stops at the airfield, Ellie groaning internally when she sees Soap and Ghost waiting for her. A plane ride with the two of them was bound to be interesting — one man who seemed to enjoy the company of others and another man who seemed to despise it. 

Phillip had said Ghost's file was daunting. Now she was itching to see it. But she doesn't have the clearance for that. As the car stops, she sucks in a sharp breath and thanks the driver as she climbs out with her things. Ghost's eyes are emotionless as she comes up. Soap, on the other hand, is grinning at her. He comes and gives her a quick hug.

"Good to see ya back, Ellie," he says to her.

"Let's go," Ghost barks, walking up the ramp and positioning himself in a seat far away from her.

"Did you piss in his breakfast or something?" she whispers to Soap, him guffawing as the ramp closes.

He sits beside her. "Nah, he's a big softie. Don't let him fool ya."

"Yeah, he's soft alright. Softer than a bowie knife."

Soap laughs again, this time Ghost turning and glaring at the duo. Ellie already feels herself sweating under his scrutinizing gaze. 

"Laswell debrief you?" Ghost questions, almost as a challenge.

"Yes, sir. She did."

"What's our mission?"

There it is. "Capture Hassan. Interrogate him. Hopefully, stop whatever he's trying to bring in." She pauses, the corner of her mouth twitching as she asks, "Any other redundant questions, Lieutenant?"

"What was Shepherd shooting up when he decided to let you join our team?" 

The hostile question takes her off guard. Soap choked on the water he was drinking. "Well, I'm not sure. I guess whatever John Price was on when he accepted."

Ghost's gloved hands clench. "Captain Price didn't have much of a choice in you. General Shepherd was insistent. Makes me wonder who died to get that to happen."

Ellie's blood pressure rises. "You insinuating something there, Ghost?" She leans forward. "I'm wondering how you got here too."

He chuckles. It infuriates Ellie. "I'll tell you how I didn't."

"Can we just be professional? You don't even have to talk to me unless we're on the field. How about that?" Ellie retorts. "I busted my tail off to get here. I promise you that. Did I pass your test the other night?"

He shrugs as if he doesn't have a care in the world. "You did alright."

"Just alright? You do realize I'm not the one who dumped your tea into the harbor, right?"

Soap busts out in laughter. Ghost's eyes just narrow. "I do."

Ellie can't help herself. He's pissed her off. "Now I got to ask you another question. Why the mask? Got a face only Mother could love?"

Something in those words changed the atmosphere instantly. Even Soap beside her got still. There's a story behind it that she doesn't understand. When Ghost completely stills in his seat, Ellie does not even see his chest move with his breathing — she gets worried. No, terrified. She thinks he might toss her from the plane. 

His eyes are cruel and cold and Ellie thinks he might be fighting to keep his composure. "Speak to your Lieutenant like that again, you'll be finding I'm not as nice as I look."

Ellie can't bring herself to reply. She only musters up a nod. 

"Is that understood?" he challenges. 

"Yes, sir," she answers, voice quiet. 

Soap leans into her as Ghost stands and heads to the copilot seat, obviously done with Ellie's immaturity. "Did ye have to be so honest, Ellie?"

"I've been told I have a way with words."

He shakes his head, barely smiling. "Go easy on Lt, okay? He's not as bad as he seems. He doesn't trust you yet. And... about the mask... and Mum... don't bring that up, okay? As much as you want to say what's on your mind to him, I suggest you don't. He'll always have your back, Ellie. Just don't push him." 

She nods at his instructions, wondering if Phillip is right. She might not be cut out for this. Flashes of what happened in August come back to her mind and she fights to steady her breathing. When Soap asks if she's okay, she chalks it up that it's a fear of flying. 

Ghost might have a history, but so does she. She can understand what Soap is saying — she wouldn't want anyone asking any questions about her scars. Which is why she's keeping them covered. 

As Soap begins telling Ellie home stories, she looks forward and meets Ghost's eyes. It stops her in her tracks. She wishes she could see what he is thinking as he looks at her. His eyes... dark and calculating and expressionless all at the same time. They feel like a magnifying glass, an x-ray, seeing right through her. 

She wonders if he can see her for the scared girl she is.