Crash and Burn

Disclaimer: Metal Gear Solid is owned by Konami and Hideo Kojima.


Chapter One ~

While the rest of New York slept, Hal Emmerich (aka Otacon) sat in front of his computer, working on yet another project to keep his mind busy. It was the only way for him to forget about what had happened six months before on the Big Shell. Work was the only thing that kept him going, work and very little sleep.

"You're still awake?", an instant message said, as its window popped up on the screen. "Hal, you really need to get some sleep."

"What are you doing up, Matrix?", he typed back. "Playing cyber nanny for me again?"

"No. I decided to check in to see how you were doing and I see you're still not sleeping well."

"I feel like it's my fault that she died. If only I could have saved her."

"It's not your fault, Otacon.You need to stop blaming yourself for Emma's death. It was beyond your control. If you want some company I can either come to your place or you can come over to mine.", she typed back.

"Snake is here and I doubt you would want to hear his snoring."

"LOL! Is his snoring really that bad?"

"If you put him in a cementary, he would wake the dead."

"LMAO!! So my place it is then."

"I-I don't know, Mason. I have a lot of work that I need to finish."

"Hal, for once in your life forget work and come over. You haven't allowed yourself to grieve for Emma. You have to grieve in order to start the healing process."

He knew that she was right, he was still hanging on to the thought that if he didn't grieve for his sister that she would somehow remain alive in his memory. Otacon knew that he had to let go sooner or later but could not bear the thought of doing so.

"I failed her once, Matrix, and I won't do it again," he typed back.

"You won't be failing her,"typed Matrix."You will always have her with you in your heart and mind. But you need to cry for her, let go of the past and look to the future."

"I'll be over in forty-five minutes. Just need to shower and change first."

"Okay, I'll see you in forty-five."

With that, the hacker signed off the messenger service leaving Otacon alone with his thoughts. She had always been a great friend to him and an excellent lab partner. Without her, the scientist doubt he would have had time to make the improvements to all the computer programs he used and the redesigned sneaking suits for Snake. Getting up from his seat, he went into his room to get some fresh clothes then headed into the bathroom for a shower. It would be the first time in weeks that he had been out of the apartment, which was a small victory. After undressing, he stepped into the hot shower and let the water run down his slender body, washing some of the tension he felt away. A few minutes later, Otacon began to cry for Emma...

When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please
To tame your wild wild heart

I know you feel like the wall are closing in on you
It's hard to find relief
And people can be so cold

When darkness is upon your door
And you feel like you can't take anymore

Let me be the one you call
If you jump, I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend your broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone... -Savage Garden