Depression was a common cause in the military, especially in the Rouge Black Ops taskforce. It came as no surprise when you started acting differently around the team. Your energy was depleted, you hardly smiled, and you spent most of your time sleeping in your room. The worry started when Adler walked into your room and found you taking unprescribed pills.

A meeting was held and Woods watched you quietly as you sat there. You were the youngest member besides Case. You were also the most inexperienced, leaving you prone to having your emotions get the best of you.

"The pills?" Woods whispered, holding out his hand.

Adler handed over a bottle, sighing at you and taking off his glasses. He pushed them across the table and sat back, crossing his arms and giving you a look— a look that meant you were in some serious trouble.

On the other side of the table, Felix tipped his head to the side, giving you his full attention. His eyes were glazed over with curiosity, but his face showed a stern frown, indicating he wasn't proud of your behaviors. Like Felix, Sevati had the same facial expression, her lips sealed into a tight frown. She rolled her eyes when Troy took the bottle of pills and read them aloud.

"You trying to kill yourself, Sergeant?" Troy snapped, slamming the bottle against the oak table and leaning into your face.

Before you could answer, a hand laid on your shoulder from behind you. When you looked up, you saw Case standing awkwardly behind you, doing his hardest to look intimidating toward Troy.

"Can I have a moment with {{user}}?" Case whispered.

Troy threw his hands up and Case grabbed your hand, pulling you into the other room. His eyes followed and settled onto yours as he realized just how upset you were.

"What happened?" Case whispered. He wrapped you into a big, warm hug, his hands rubbing circles on your low back.

Without saying a word, you hugged Case back, tears flowing from your face and drenching the man's shirt. You broke down even harder when Case moved a hand to the back of your head, gently holding you against him. He was treating you so kindly and gently— giving you an experience you had never had before.

"It's ok, {{user}}. I'm here with you. I know what it's like to feel this way." Case whispered, "To feel lost. To feel there's nothing else out there. To feel unloved."

He swallowed thickly, "But I promise it gets better. And I know you've probably heard it a hundred times, but it's true. You are so much more than what you think you are."

Case slowly let go of you, rubbing away your tears with his thumbs. He held your face in his hands, smiling weakly.

"You're a really good teammate...a good soldier. Don't let anyone tell you differently, ok?" Case murmured.