THE SHUFFLING of soldiers' feet as they grab their things and head to the buses waiting to take them to the nearest train stations or airports echoes down the halls of the base. Thanksgiving (for Ellie) had come and passed. It wasn't necessarily celebrated considering she's the only American there, however, she did appreciate how Soap made her a meal.

Granted, it was nowhere close to being like what she had back home, but the thought he put into it was valued. Price encouraged her to return home for a short time, but she refused.

And now, as it was time for the recruits and soldiers to go home for a while for Christmas, she refused that too. The other 141 members are leaving, all except one. Not hard to assume which member that would be.

Ellie steps out of her room, waving to Soap as he walks up to her. He's headed home to Scotland.  He's been excitedly talking about it for the past couple of weeks. Ellie can't deny she is excited for him. The way he speaks of his family is quite sweet.

"Ya know, Ellie, if you wanted to come with me, you could," Soap tells her softly. "I know my mum will love you."

She laughs. "That's sweet, Johnny, it really is. But I'm not going to intrude. And I wouldn't want her to get the wrong idea, you bringing a girl home for the holidays. She might think we're serious."

"She'd praise God for the miracle, she wouldn't even care if you were just a friend," Soap retorts with a chuckle. "If you change your mind, Gizmo, let me know."

"Well, Price said he'd only be gone for a few days, so he'll be back soon. Besides, Ghost has been avoiding me, so I think I'll be fine."

He smiles sorrily. He knows the words are true.

After the interaction with the bartender and the information that Makarov was back on the map, Ghost became a recluse. Ellie's not seen him out and if they had meetings, he was like a fly on the wall. Wordless unless he provided any intel. Never once sparing a glance at Ellie.

She wants to confront him. However, she remembers his eyes and becomes nervous. She doesn't think she can handle him and any rejection he might give her. She knows she'd be lying if she said she didn't replay that night over and over again. The way he stood in her doorway. How possessive he was at the bar. 

Now, she'd give anything for him to acknowledge her existence.

She walks with Soap to the buses, hugging him tightly before he boards. Gaz had already left a few days ago. When the buses all pull away, there are only a few people left standing. All higher-ranking officers. Speaking of one of them, a female officer named Clara, comes up to her. 

"Captain wants to see you in his office."

Ellie nods and heads back inside the base, smiling at the guard at the door as she moves through the halls. She makes a left turn and stops at the door with "CAPTAIN JOHN A. PRICE" engraved on the placard. She knocks. Hearing the muddled "Come in," Ellie opens the door and steps inside.

He's sitting at his desk, cigar in between his lips. She notices the few Christmas decorations.

"You wanted to see me?" she asks.

He blows out a puff of smoke. "I'm making you one final offer." Ellie scoffs and plops down in one of his office chairs. "I will buy you a first-class roundtrip ticket to Atlanta. You should spend time with your family."

She shakes her head. "I can't. I have already gone through this with you and Soap... it won't be the same."

"Ellison, as your captain, I am inclined to keep a close eye on you." He leans forward. "If I suspect one of my soldiers isn't holding up well, I can and will step in."

"What is that supposed to mean, Price?" she retorts. "You think I'm unstable or something?"

Price rubs his beard. "No. I think you're avoiding your grief."

"What do you know about my grief?" she questions.

His blue eyes are gentle as he watches her. "I've not seen you cry. Not heard you confide in anyone. You're avoiding going home." Price sighs again. "I know losing Graves was hard. I do. Not to mention your mother... I just worry about you staying here by yourself, is all. It's Christmas. It's time for family."

"This is my family."

"Well enough. But, we're all leaving."

Ellie bites her lip. "Not everyone."

That makes Price laugh. "Yeah? You and Simon gonna sing some carols, eh?" He puts out the cigar. "Don't think I haven't noticed his strange behavior either."

"Right. He's avoiding me."

"Yes. He is."

She purses her lips. "Thanks for the encouragement. I was hoping you'd tell me it was all in my head."

"Don't take it too personally, Ellie. He has spells like this. He's... he's been through more than you and I know or will ever experience. He's come a very long way since I first recruited him. Couldn't hold a conversation with the bloke if you tried."

"Well, then I think the time here will be great for us. Ya know, hash things out..." She picks at her fingernails while he analyzes her.

"I'll be back in a few days. Try not to run him off, yeah?" Price replies, standing up from his desk.

She follows suit. Giving him a play salute, she says, "I'll try my best, sir." 

They are about to leave the office when Price stops her. His voice is quiet. "One last chance, Miller. After this, I won't bother you about it again."

She smiles. "I'm good, Price. This is my home away from home."

–

The day and night passed on without any sight of Ghost. Ellie is spending the afternoon in her room, folding her few clothes. She shamefully has been regretting not going home with Soap. Even if his mom would smother her. She'd take it. Besides, the love might actually be nice.

Tossing a shirt to the side, she stands and leaves her room, roaming the halls. She comes to the training center and quietly walks in. Soft grunts and the echoing thuds of someone using the punching bags hit her ears as she crossed the threshold. 

Curious, she slows her steps and peeks around the corner. Standing shirtless, wearing loose sweatpants is a familiar, yet almost foreign to her, masked man. He's relentless on the bag. Ghost has his hands taped up, however, Ellie can see the blood marking his knuckles and the fabric of the equipment.

Her eyes widen as she soaks in the scars across his back, the way he has his whole left arm tattooed. She's never spotted any ink before, granted, he's always been wearing long sleeves and gloves. But, the ripped muscles, scars, and tattoos were far from what she expected to see.

The balaclava adds a tantalizing touch to the sight of him, making Ellie gasp.

Immediately at the small noise, his head whips around, Ellie paling as she stumbles back, running into the wall. She grips her shoulder and hisses, mentally berating herself for her stupidity. 

"Sorry!" she calls out to him, trying to laugh it off as his eyes are locked and cold on her. 

After he doesn't respond, she sucks in a short breath and turns to run away. Literally, run. She rounds the corner and takes off into a sprint. Thinking she's clear, she stops, hands on her knees as she catches her breath. 

But then the moment of peace is crushed.

"Ellie."

She gasps and jumps, hand on her heart as she spins and comes face to face with Ghost, who thankfully is wearing a short-sleeved shirt now.

The way he says her name makes her shiver.

"Hey, Lt," she stammers, trying to smile as she walks away. "Have a good day!"

"Stop." He growls the word out. She obeys, grimacing before she turns back to him. "Get a good enough look?"

Before she can reply with a dignified and appropriate answer, the truthful and instinctful one pops out. "Honestly, no." His posture slacks and Ellie immediately begins to backtrack. "I mean, yes... yes, it was good. I mean... not good as in good, but more like... good as in, it was enough." She smirks as she quietly adds, "More than enough, actually."

"Stop that," he huffs. "Don't... just stop." He shuffles on his feet as he asks harshly, "What are you still doing here? You were supposed to be gone."

"Well, sorry to disappoint you with my wonderful presence, Ghost. I'm staying."

"Johnny said you were going with him."

She rolls her eyes. "He's overconfident. I turned him down."

"That's a surprise," he mutters. "I figured you'd be drinking him under the table in Scotland by now."

"You figured wrong, Ghost. I decided to stay put here." She looks him up and down. "What about you?"

"What about me?" he retorts.

"Why are you still here? I was having a great day until your alarmingly attractive body ruined it."

He doesn't reply, instead just watching Ellie, unblinking. Ghost could pass for a statue if his forearm wasn't tensing like it was. The movement draws Ellie's eyes, her irises gulping in the sight of the black ink. 

This really shouldn't be affecting her as much as it is.

"Well, anyway, I'm thinking I should just get outta here," she chuckles, turning and telling herself not to stop, even if he commands her to. "You should, uh... get your hands checked out!" she calls over her shoulder.

She immediately returns to her room, locking the door and taking an ice-cold shower.