Disavowed: A Call of Duty Fanfiction

Chapter 8: Return to Sender

She stood at the window, looking toward the bottom of the hill. Despite the chill creeping in from the outside, her head felt hot again, and she was barely able to stay upright on her feet. She couldn't shake the memory of what had happened down there, Shepherd's betrayal... The bodies of Ghost and Roach laying in a burning heap.

Kiev cleared his throat behind her and she started. "Oh, it's you," said Sasha, releasing a tensed breath. "Is everything alright?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing," he replied, coming to her side. "Vladimir asked that I look after you while he was gone, I want to make sure I don't disappoint."

She grinned vaguely. "I hope that isn't putting too much stress on you."

He waved his hand dismissively at her. "Nonsense. I take my duties with pride." Kiev looked her face up and down and screwed up the corner of his mouth. "Though, I am worried about that fever. That Roseroot I gave you doesn't seem to be doing enough."

"Is there something else I can take?" she asked, feeling her center of balance tipping.

Kiev felt her forehead and under her chin. "I have acetaminophen, which may help. But if it doesn't..." He furrowed his brow. "Let's hope it works, eh?"

"What if it doesn't work..?"

He sighed. "I may have to take you to a hospital where they can give you better treatment."

She flickered her eyes back and forth in thought. "Alright... Let's hope it works."

It didn't. Sasha was panting from the heat, and Kiev watched helplessly as she whimpered in distress. "Damn it all, I thought it would work..." he muttered. "Sasha, I'm taking you into town so you can get to the hospital, alright?"

"Will Vladimir be upset if he finds out?" she asked weakly.

"I don't know; I doubt it. Just hang on." He scooped her up and carried her to the car waiting outside, placing a cool, damp cloth on her forehead. "Please, don't die in my backseat, okay?"

She made an effort to laugh. "I promise." As they drove down the road, she looked up at him. "Kiev?"

"Yes?"

"Vladimir told me that he's got a friend... erm, business partner? In Sierra Leone. I've met many other people he's talked to... Who is this guy?"

Kiev cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Well, normally I'm not at liberty to say, but since your health is on the line, his name is Warabee. You'll likely never have to meet him, but in case you do, he's the General of the African militia; very strategic and powerful, though personally a bit whiny, in my experience, when he doesn't feel he has the upper hand."

She scoffed. "Sounds like a fun man to do business with..." She groaned, pressing the cloth to her head a little more firmly. "Thank you, Kiev. You've been so much help."

He looked at her through the rear view mirror. "More than you realize," he muttered to himself.

"Well," said the doctor, looking at the thermometer in his hand. "You certainly had a high temperature when you got here, but it seems to be coming down."

Sasha sighed. "Good. I've been so worried about it."

The doctor glanced back at her as he put his supplies down. "Now tell me, Barinova, have you been worried a lot lately?"

She caught her breath and looked down at her hands folded on her chest. "I received some distressing news recently... And my... My boyfriend has been gone a lot. I also had a miscarriage back in July."