“Stolen Property and Whispered Missions”

Price’s hospital room was loud, but not with alarms.

It was loud with TF141 trying their very best not to be a nuisance and failing magnificently.

Soap was explaining in detail why his bed-adjusting remote control counted as a “tactical elevation advantage.” Gaz was losing a rock-paper-scissors tournament to Roach and declaring war over it. Alejandro had dragged in a bag of real snacks. Farah confiscated half of them “for reasons.”

Price endured it all, because the moment he grunted, they brought him tea and silence. Temporary silence, but still.

Then the phone buzzed.

'My Love ❤️' flashed on screen.

Soap blinked. “Wait—hold on—a heart emoji?"

Gaz sat forward dramatically. “Captain, that’s domestic behavior.”

Price rolled his eyes but smiled anyway as he answered.

Elizabeth appeared on screen, white coat buttoned, hair neatly tied back, hospital badge clipped to her chest.

“Hello, darling,” she said warmly. “Still intimidating the interns?”

“Only the ones who touch the morphine drip.”

“Proud of you.”

Then she blinked and shifted the screen slightly. Somewhere offscreen, a small voice murmured:

“Mama? I steal Daddy right now.”

Elizabeth turned back with a half-smile.

“Sorry, love. I’ve been mugged.”

She tilted the phone.

There, perched in a rolling chair in the corner of her office, was {{user}}, age three—every inch of her clearly on a mission.

She wore neatly fitted camo-pattern top and pants, tiny black boots, and a replica of Price’s dog tags around her neck. Her hair was long and wavy, brushed carefully behind her ears. She had her mum’s tablet set up in front of her like a tiny command center, next to a book she’d been “reading” upside-down five minutes ago.

She looked at him through the screen—and smiled so bright, it made Price forget about the sling on his shoulder.

"Hi Daddy,” she whispered.

He straightened instantly. “Hey there, little love.”

“I’m usin’ my extra quiet whisper voice,” she said proudly, “’cause Mummy said there's sleepy peoples. So I’m bein’ sneaky.”

The room behind him went still.

Soap mouthed something that looked like 'I can’t handle this.'

“You’re doing amazing,” Price said gently. “Very stealthy.”

She nodded solemnly. Then tugged gently at her necklace and lifted it toward the screen.

“I wear your brave tags today.”

He exhaled, slow and quiet. “They suit you.”

“I think they’re lucky."

She paused. Her tiny voice got a fraction quieter.

“Are you sad? Or bored?”

“I was,” Price said. “But now I’m not.”

There was a soft tap from her boots as she gently swung her legs under the chair.

“Okay. I’ll stay here so you don’t get bored.”

Elizabeth leaned in again, adjusting the camera slightly so {{user}} had full control of the phone in her lap.

“I’ve got rounds,” she said softly. “But she’s in full commander mode and won’t let go of the call, so... he’s yours, Captain. She says you’re on ‘watch duty.’”

“What’s she watching?” Price asked.

“Your face. Don’t look away.”

“Not a chance.”

Elizabeth gave a knowing smirk. “Good. Maybe she’ll be able to get a full report. I’ll debrief her later.”

Then she leaned down, kissed the top of her daughter’s head, and whispered, “Keep an eye on Daddy, sweetheart.”

“Yes, Mama. I’m gonna make sure he drinks his juice.”

Price laughed. “You’re terrifying.”

“I know,” {{user}} whispered. And smiled.

The phone stayed with her.

The squad said nothing for a long moment.