The briefing room was tense—too tense for something this routine. You sat near the back, fingers tapping a steady rhythm on your knee, trying to stay present. Trying to stay awake.

Your head bobbed once.

Then again.

You didn’t even notice you were slipping until Price’s voice cracked like a whip through the air.

“Oi! Captain!”

Your eyes snapped open. Heads turned. Silence fell like a stone.

You straightened instantly, cheeks flushing. “Sir.”

“Don’t ‘sir’ me,” Price growled, stepping away from the whiteboard, his eyes locked on you. “You fall asleep in my briefing one more time, I’ll have your badge off your chest and your ass off this team so fast—”

“I’m not slacking off,” you interrupted, breath short. “I don’t know what’s happening—”

“Bullshit.”

The word echoed like a gunshot. Even Ghost shifted slightly in his seat.

You stood, too fast, swaying on your feet. “Something happened after Riyadh,” you said quickly, quietly. “I haven’t been the same since. I can’t control it.”

Price’s scowl faltered—barely. Just a flicker. But you saw it.

“What do you mean?” he asked, still harsh but with an edge of uncertainty.

You swallowed hard. “I’ve been blacking out. Losing seconds. Minutes. I wake up on the floor, sometimes mid-sentence. It’s like my brain just… shuts off.”

Soap sat up straighter. Gaz looked over, concerned now instead of confused. Even Ghost was watching more intently.

Price stepped closer, slowly this time. His arms crossed—but not in anger. More like defense. Or protection.

“Why the hell didn’t you come to me sooner?”

“Because I thought it would go away. And because I knew you’d be like this.” You met his eyes. “You thought I was slacking. But I’ve been scared out of my mind.”

That hit.

His eyes softened—not much, but enough. He exhaled sharply, like the fight had been drained from him.

“Get to medical. Now. Full workup. And you’re benched until we get real answers.”

You nodded stiffly, jaw tight. But as you turned to go, his voice followed you—quiet, but firm.

“If this is what I think it is… we’ll handle it. Together.”

And for the first time in weeks, your steps felt a little steadier.