LASWELL'S BROWS raise slightly, the corner of her mouth twitching to fight a smile. 

"You mean that?" she asks Ellie, stepping closer to her. "You love Gh-,"

Ellie's hands shoot out to stop her from saying his name, eyes widening as she whispers, "No, no! Don't say that."

Laswell laughs smally. "What? But you just said-,"

"I know what I said, Kate," Ellie sighs. "But if you say it, it just makes it more real. And... I'm not trying to run him off. Especially after the emotional roller coaster I just put him through. I'm just thankful he's not breaking up with me."

"I wanted to ask you about that," she replies. "Last I heard, Price said that Ghost wanted some time away from you. Then the next thing I know, he's calling me. Asking me what he can do to get you some relief." Laswell smiles. "I was glad to hear him ask that. I knew then you'd both be fine."

"I still can't believe he did that for me."

"I can." When Ellie looks at her in confusion, Laswell explains, "Ellison, I've gotten the feeling very early on there would be something to happen between the two of you. I told Price this. I felt like it was just a matter of time."

"But why?"

"Ghost talks about you more than you realize."

Ellie looks over at him as he stands with the others, eyes softening as she watches him. "Even when he hated me?"

"He's never hated you."

Those words make Ellie look at Laswell as she adjusts the beanie she's wearing, casually fixing it as she just reveals key information to Ellie. Price calls out and tells them to group up. Laswell raises her finger in the air, signaling one more minute.

"You better run on the helo and get situated. There's a small cabin, be quick. I put some isopropyl alcohol in there to disinfect your hands when you're done," Laswell explains, patting Ellie's shoulder as she walks to the group. 

Ellie hurriedly gets her supplies in order and washes her hands, jogging to the group. Soap quirks his eyebrow and she shakes her head at him sheepishly. It's embarrassing enough for her to be having these issues and now they're all decked out in white. She hopes no accidents happen.

"Alright, listen up," Price orders, getting everyone's attention. "The convoy will be passing over the frozen lake in about thirty minutes. Soap, Gaz and I are gearing up to go under, set the C4, and sink the convoy. If Makarov is in one of those vehicles, I want him. Got it?" Everyone agrees. "Ghost and Farah — you two are my best snipers. I want you on the hill with sights on our target. We need to know which car he's in if he's even in one. Nik, you're our ride. In and out." Price looks around at the group, asking, "Are the roles clear?"

Everyone acknowledges that they are, Ellie, saying it quietly. He didn't mention her. The group splits, and Gaz and Soap going to gear up. Ghost takes a few slow steps back as he looks between Price and Ellie, Farah calling him over to get their guns calibrated and ready. They'll be traveling on foot. 

Ellie looks to Price, giving him an awkward smile. "Where would you like me, Captain?" Something in the way he looks at her makes Ellie's stomach start to sink. "What's wrong?"

"Remember how I told you that you've lost my trust? That you have to earn it back?" he asks lowly. Ellie nods. "Now's the time. I've got a full crew where I need them. I was gonna have you just sit with Laswell or co-pilot with Nik, but when Laswell and I were discussing plans, we realized we needed this second helo. Which means I need a pilot."

"Wherever you need me to take it, Price, I will."

"You better," he replies. "What's gonna happen is that when we grab Makarov, we're coming back on foot to the LZ where Nik is picking us up. Then he's carrying us to a remote coordinate. You're going to fly Laswell after the two of you track live radar for us. They're gonna know we've stopped them. Won't be long. I need you sharp and ready to go." He gives her a pointed look. "You've been... distracted lately. Do I need to send you home?"

She shakes her head immediately. "Please. Don't do that. Whatever you need me to do to earn your trust back, let me do it. If you need me to do your laundry, Price-,"

"Enough," he says gently, cutting her off. "Just go sit tight with Laswell. Have everything ready to go and stay alert. You need to keep your eyes peeled for any unwanted visitors while you wait."

"You got it, Captain," Ellie tells him. He grips her shoulder — not in a bad way, just communicating in solidarity.

"You with me, Miller?" he asks quietly, voice strong yet hushed. His brows are set hard.

Ellie nods her head, replying, "Yes. I'm with you. All of you."

His face relaxes slightly, squeezing her shoulder before he lets go. He turns and his voice booms out, "Let's move!"

Ellie turns, meeting Ghost's eyes as he and Farah begin to head for the treeline. Once everyone has started walking away she goes and sits in the pilot seat, getting everything ready for when they have to leave. Laswell sits on the passenger side.

"Don't suppose you've made good leeway with Price?" Ellie asks. "I think he's testing me today — seeing if I'm worth keeping around."

Laswell wears a ghost of a smile. "He's old school, Ellie. He's not holding it against me because he's known me for a long time. He has only known you for about a year and a half. John'll come around."

"I just don't want him to come around too late."

The wind and snow start picking up, Ellie tightening her jacket around her. "John may be hurt, but he's smart. He won't let you go."

"You sure about that?" Ellie asks, voice filled with doubt. "You've been pretty spot on with reading people so far, but what if you're wrong this time?"

"It's not just reading people, Ellie. It's knowing them. Their pattern. John has been a stern, yet forgiving man. He takes his job seriously and he looks out for his soldiers fiercely. He felt like you betrayed him and the other men. And he felt like I did that too." She shrugs. "He'll forgive you. Just like he did me."

A few lights ping on the radar, showing movement towards the target zone. Ellie sits up a little straighter. They wait a few more minutes, Ellie mentioning that the others should be in position by now. Laswell nods and radios the others. "Watcher to 0-7, gimme a sitrep."

The familiar voice of Ghost breaks through the winter ambiance. "0-7 in position with Kilo. Bravo's in the water."

"Copy, where's our incoming?" Laswell asks.

"Convoy approaching southeast, four vehicles," Farah replies. 

"Any sign of Makarov?"

"No PID, but high security on the third vehicle."

"Ghost to all Bravo, how copy?"

There's a bit of silence, then eventually Soap comes through. "All stations, good effect on target."

Ellie breathes a sigh of relief. It's short-lived when she remembers who they're here for.

"Do we need to move out?" Ellie asks Laswell.

"Let's see who or what they find."

After a beat, Price speaks. "Negative on target — no Makarov. Just a prisoner."

Laswell curses under her breath.

"Prisoner secure, moving to surface."

"Standing by," Laswell sighs.

Ellie looks around, eyeing the treeline to make sure everything is clear. She doesn't like waiting on the other side. Waiting to make sure no one is ambushed. She understands the role she has to take since Price is still weary of her, but it's hard. She wants to be back with them. Helping.

Price speaks over the radio, sounding out of breath as he states, "Six to Watcher and Miller, no Makarov. Target was not in the convoy. Prisoner intercepted and secured."

"Can you ID?" Ellie asks.

"Stand by."

The agonizing wait feels like forever. Eventually, Soap speaks, but not to them. "Ghost, you seeing this?" he asks, sounding pissed.

"In my sights," Ghost growls out.

Ellie and Laswell turn and look at one another in confusion. Laswell presses her radio. "Six - who do you have?" she asks.

His response throws them off. It's General Shepherd. Ellie's mouth drops open a little. "What? How is that possible, Laswell?"

"We're going to find out," Laswel sighs in irritation. "This is growing into one messed up situation. Seems like Shepherd is the common denominator." She presses her radio, confirming, "Shepherd?"

"In the cold flesh," Soap responds.

The line goes silent and Ellie figures Price must be giving the beat down or something to Shepherd, if they haven't killed him already. Laswell closes her eyes for a moment as she takes in a deep breath. Ellie watches the radar, seeing a ping pop up. Her face slacks.

"Laswell," she states, tapping her on the shoulder and pointing to the screen. "Inbound."

"Keeps getting better," Laswell mutters. "Radio the others while I call Nik."

"Roger that," Ellie says as Laswell moves to the back for a moment. She presses her radio down. "All stations to Gizmo. I'm tracking helos inbound North. 10 clicks out."

"Rog," Price replies.

Farah is next on the line, asking, "What's the call, Bravo?"

Ellie sits expectantly on the line. Eventually, Gaz replies. "Ghost, Farah — push to exfil. Gizmo or Watcher, call Nik and tell him we got a plus one."

Laswell comes back to her seat and straps her seat belt on. She radios Price. "Send traffic, Bravo."

"Plan is to hoof it to transport and drive to the LZ for extraction."

"I think your guest may slow you down, so watch your backs. Heading to location. Out here." Laswell types something on her laptop, eyes flicking to the pings that are growing closer.

"Do we need to offer support or stick to the plan?" Ellie asks as she buckles herself in.

"Stick to the plan. I'm putting your coordinates in now."

Ellie flicks switches and throttles the gear shift, the helicopter raising easily from the ground. The feeling of being in the pilot's seat is her favorite. Having hands on the controls is what she likes. She hates the jumping part, but flying — that's fine.

They eventually make it to the spot without issue, Nikolai's voice coming through radio as Ellie is shutting down the controls.

"Laswell, six on deck — we are RTB."