"STEP AWAY from the gate."

The group stares at Phillip incredulously. "What?" Soap questions.

Phillip is quick with his reply. "You heard me."

Alejandro scoffs. "You're crazy, this is my base."

Graves shakes his head, saying, "It's not a base. This is a... sizeable covert facility, and I admire it. So, I'm taking it. You boys have been relieved. Thank you for your service." He nods as if he didn't just say what he did.

Ellie turns to Ghost, Alejandro retorting, "No, no, no, no, no... I don't take orders from you." He practically growls the words out.

Phillip steps forward. "Didn't Valeria say that? Now, that makes me wonder what else I don't know about your affiliation with a drug lord?"

Alejandro turns to Soap, grimacing before stepping towards Graves, darkness in his eyes. "What did you just say to me, pendejo?"

Soap goes to pull Alejandro back. Ellie shakes her head, asking in disbelief, "What is this about, Phillip?"

He turns to her, smiling softly. "Ellie, I need you to get whatever bags you have in the car and come with me."

"She's not going anywhere," Ghost snaps, moving beside her.

Phillip laughs. He doesn't even acknowledge the Lieutenant. "Ellie. Get your stuff. Let's go."

"I can't... I can't go with you, Phillip," she stammers, heart beating fast. "What are you doing?"

"Graves, you're outta line," Soap chides.

Phillip raises his finger up, pointing at them. "Don't, don't do that." He's angry. "No one needs to get hurt here." His eyes cut to Ellie. "Now, I told you what your orders are, Shadow 0-2. Get your bags and move."

Ghost shuffles forward, clenching his fist. "Are you threatening us?"

"Soldier, I don't make threats. I make guarantees. So let's not do this," Phillip says sternly. "Ellison Rose, get over here."

"She's not going anywhere," Ghost snaps.

"She is no longer under your command, Ghost."

Soap huffs. "I'm calling Shepherd."

As he goes to walk to the truck, Graves calls out, "General Shepherd sends his regards." At those words, Ellie's stomach drops. "He told me y'all wouldn't take this well."

Ghost sounds to be in disbelief as he asks, "He knows about this?"

"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."

A look of understanding passes between Soap and Ghost, Ellie fearing the outcome of what is about to happen. She knows these two men. She's gotten close with each of them — while she might not know a lot about Ghost's personal life, she knows he cares about his team.

"And why are we talking like this is some kind of negotiation? It's not," Graves boasts. He points to himself. "I've got my orders. Now you have yours."

"And who do you think you are, cabrón?" Alejandro sneers. He gestures to the base, yelling, "My men are inside!"

Ellie's finger twitches as she places her hand on the knife holstered at her thigh, tear-brimmed green eyes finding Ghost's. The movement is not lost on him. Without saying a word, his eyes convey all she needs to know and comfort washes over her for a moment. Together.

"I'm afraid not," Phillip says. "Your men have been..." he pauses and clicks his tongue. "Detained."

"How could you do this to us, Phillip?" Ellie demands, eyes spilling with tears. She's thankful the rain masks it. Her voice wavers. "How can you do this to me?"

He winces. "I'm not doing anything to you, honey. I told you to get over here. You're coming with me. Back to the Shadows." He looks to the man beside him, the other Shadows gripping their weapons tighter. "Go get her stuff." Phillip then nods to the one behind her. "Jake, bring her."

Ellie's eyes widen as the man grips the back of her shirt tight in his fist, pushing her forward harshly. Alejandro shouts and reaches for Phillip, who then slams him against the car. They zip-tie Alejandro's wrists.

As Soap shouts at Graves, Shadows raises their weapons and fire, Ellie yelping as she gets shoved forward again. A flash of black movement beside her and the man pushing has a knife in his throat, Ghost yanks it out and throws it at the Shadow who rushes them. Gunfire rings out on the other side of the cars, Ghost pulling Ellie towards him as he unholsters his pistol. Soap shouts and Ellie knows he's been shot. As Ghost reaches for her, Shadows grab her arm and pull her away, and throwing her into the back of a vehicle. They tie her wrists as well, Ellie ignoring the burning of her fresh wound as she flails her legs with kicks at them.

The gunfire dies down and Ellie can't lie, she's terrified. An image of Ghost and Soap's limp bodies on the wet pavement makes her start to hyperventilate. The man doing this to them is not the one she's known since she was thirteen. The one who comforted her when she was sad. The one who fought off bullies in high school when she couldn't.

The trunk opens and they toss Alejandro in the back with her. He's unconscious.

"You there, Ghost?" Graves calls out, Ellie sits up and sees him walk around the car with his weapon drawn. "That was a big mistake, brother. It did not have to be like this." She spies his irritated expression, Phillip calling out to the Shadows, "Find 'em!"

The cold harsh feeling of betrayal overtakes Ellie as she loses all strength in her core and falls on her back. She can feel blood starting to ooze out of the wound. Her head pounds and she wants to curse the tears that run down her face. Phillip opens the trunk, Ellie looking away from him.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," he whispers, hand coming to her face, wiping off the tears. "I wish you woulda listened to me, Ellie." He sighs. "Could you not have been stubborn for once in your life?"

She jerks her head away from his touch. "I can't believe you did this. You betrayed me!"

"No, honey, I betrayed them." He huffs as he explains, "You were supposed to ride back with me, Ellie. It would have made things so much easier. But, I can fix this. Unfortunately, it's gonna be uncomfortable for you for a little while. I'm gonna have to hold you while I get things ready. I won't be putting you in a cell like Alejandro here, but I'm still gonna take all the necessary precautions."

"Ready?" she questions. "Ready for what?"

"I'll tell you when we get back." A sour expression overtakes him. "You know I don't share what's mine, Ellie. Did you think I'd just let you go with the 141? Just give you up, like that?" he asks, snapping his fingers sharply. "You know better, honey."

"What's yours?" she seethes. "I'm not yours!"

He smiles. "That's where you're wrong. You've always been mine." He whistles, calling attention to the Shadows. "Load up, let's roll." He slams the trunk shut and Ellie winces.

She starts to nudge Alejandro, pleading with him silently to wake up. He doesn't budge. She can see a large bruise on his forehead from where they hit him. The bumps they go over make her grit her teeth. Her wound is on fire. After what feels like forever, they go through a large gate that is forged with barbed wire, the walls beside it high.

A prison.

They drag Ellie and Alejandro out, separating them as they go. She's taken through the run-down halls of the prison, paper, and debris littered about. They come to the third floor, opening a door to a dimly lit office.

"Easy down, gentlemen," Graves orders, them placing her in a chair.

Ropes go around her torso and feet. She's bound to the old desk chair. She wants to scream but the anger coursing through her causes tears to form.

"Out." The Shadows file out the door, shutting it behind them as Phillip grabs a chair and sits beside her. "I hope you don't hold this against me too bad. The ropes and ties are all temporary."

"Oh, that makes it all better, Phillip." She spits the words out. "You've lost your mind. Shepherd's corrupted you... the Phillip I know would never do this."

He shakes his head. "The world is changing, honey. I had to change." Growing solemn, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out an envelope. "A letter arrived for you the other day. Addressed from your uncle John."

"And you're just now getting it to me?" she snaps.

He scoffs. "We've been busy hunting down the missile, Ellie. I was waiting for the right time to give it to you."

"And now is the right time? Just open it and give it to me, Phillip."

Glaring, he rips open the envelope and hands her the letter, green eyes scanning the words on the paper. A few seconds later, a small gasp leaves her mouth. "No, no, no..." she whispers.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"He... my mom..." she stammers, hands shaking.

Phillip takes the page from her. After he reads the saddening words, he looks up at her with sorrow in his eyes. "Ellie... I'm so sorry." He sets the letter to the side, gripping his hands in hers. "I'll make arrangements for you to get back home as soon as possible. We'll fly back-,"

"No! No! It's not true. She's not dead. Call him, call my uncle," she demands. When he shakes his head, she yells, "Now, Phillip! Call him!"

He glares again, grabbing the small prepaid phone from his pocket. He always has a burner phone on him just in case. "He might not even answer."

"I don't care," she whispers. "Please, just call him."

She watches intently as he dials the number, the same landline he's had since Ellie was born. She held her breath as he pressed the call button. She listens to it ring. When her uncle finally answers, she whimpers.

Phillip starts to talk, asking about the letter, growing silent as her uncle starts to speak.

"Let me talk to him," she pleads. Phillip tenderly places the phone to her ear. "Uncle John?"

"Ellie-Rose, is that you? I'm so sorry about 'Nita. There was nothing the doctors could do... she was already gone when we got to her."

She shakes her head, tears flowing. Phillip's body is a blur. "No, it can't be true. I knew... I knew she wasn't feeling great before I left, but I thought she would be okay."

"I know, sweetie. I did the only thing I could and mailed a letter to the address you gave me. I tried to call you but it didn't ever go through. I figured you were busy. Your momma told me that's how you stay."

She cries into the phone. "I should have been there."

"No, sweetie, it was a heart attack. It was during the night. You would have never known. Now, don't be holding yourself accountable. 'Nita always understood about your job. She's so proud of you, Ellie-Rose. She always will be."

Nodding, even though he can't see it, and sucks in a sharp breath. "I know. Thank you for letting me know."

"Now you stay with Phillip, okay? You need someone there for you. I know he would do anything for you, Ellie. He's always looking out for you."

A sob breaks through her chest. "Yeah, he is, isn't he?" She sniffles, saying, "I need to go, Uncle John. Thank you... thank you again for calling." He hangs up and Phillip places the small phone back in his pocket.

Ellie looks up at him, shaking her head. "How can I lose you and my mom all in one day?"

Phillip's eyes burn into hers. "You haven't lost me, Ellie." His words are barely above a whisper. Tears are in his eyes.

"I don't even know who you are."

"This was a betrayal to the TF-141. Not you. This was never supposed to hurt you, Ellie! I didn't think you'd be so attached to them after just a couple of months."

She is in disbelief. "We've been through a lot! We've grown together. Ghost is great Lieutenant."

"Your Captain hasn't even met you yet! He's not even bothered to come out here!" Phillip runs a hand through his hair and stands. "And now your mom... Ellie, I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I know you're pissed at me. I know that-,"

"Pissed is an understatement, Phillip!" She scoffs in disbelief. "I'm heartbroken! And now my mom is dead!"

"Ellie," Phillip warns. "I have to go. There's gonna be boys posted up outside. Don't do anything you'll regret. I'll be back as soon as possible, okay?" With his hand on the doorknob, he turns. A tear has fallen. "I'm sorry, honey."

And then he leaves, Ellie hunching over as loud sobs rake through her body.