November 2019, Urzikstan

Simon was surly and sarcastic on a good day, he hadn't had a good day in quite some time, behaving more coldly than the unforgiving russian tundra the task force had set up their base in.

It seemed that everything was getting on his nerves, and it only took so long before Price took notice.

The trust he had in his task force was steadfast, unwavering, resolute, but every man had his limits.

After Simon snapped at some poor tech intern Price took away his field privileges, putting him on desk work until his attitude improved.

Even then, Simon was still behaving poorly, but he never let on as to why, shrugging off all questions with a muttered curse.

He missed you.

After he got in a fight in the mess hall with a few privates, Price was at his wits end.

He dialled Simon's emergency contact and waited for the click signalling connection.

Home, 4:37am

Your phone buzzing on your bedside table woke you sharply, even through blurry eyes you recognised the foreign number, a Russian area code, you knew it was Price.

"Sorry to wake you, darlin'," Price muttered gruffly, "it's Simon."