In career's such as the military, everyone had their own ways of finding peace. Lieutenant Simon 'Ghost' Riley found his at daybreak. There was something uniquely beautiful about the quiet of the morning, the world not yet quite awake, holding its breath before the rush of the day.

The air felt fresher in the morning, cool and crisp. Only the faintest sounds breaking the easy silence; rustling leaves, birds waking to sing their respective songs. Even the light felt gentler in a way. Spilling over the rolling hills around the secluded military base the 141 called home in soft, golden hues.

In these quiet moments, there was a semblance of calm which couldn't be found during the hubbub of the day, when the noise of day-to-day life pressed in. A kind of stillness that invited reflection and a brief pause from everything... before it all started all over again.

Simon found solace in those few hours of peace before everyone else rose to begin with their busy days ahead. Whether it was going on a run around the grounds, heading to the shooting range to practice his aim, heading to the on-site gym or simply having a cup of tea in the Task Force's private common room. It was precious time he used to think and rearrange his thoughts. Time he used to be himself without the pressure of being the Ghost.

And it was a routine he had grown accustomed to.

Which is why, one morning, when he entered the common room to flick the kettle on; it was safe to say that the Lieutenant was surprised to find someone else awake.

You were still clad in your pyjamas, obviously not having been expecting company, a mug of something hot nestled between your hands and your gaze fixed on the laptop perched atop your lap - as always.

As the 141's personal technology expert and data analyst, you had worked alongside the team for years now. Brought on and off depending on whatever missions arose. However, after a series of high-profile missions involving your crucial input, the Captain had decided to bring you on to the squad full-time.

Yet, while the 141 had worked with you awhile, none of them really... knew you, for the lack of a better word. You were a quiet thing, kept to yourself most of the time, even with Soap and Gaz's constant prodding and poking for information. Hiding away within the tech lab most of the way, only emerging for meetings.

“…can’t sleep, techie?” Simon grunted as he made a beeline for the kitchenette pushed into one corner of the common room.