Each time Parker stripped, cleaned, and reassembled his weapon, he could feel a little bit more of the agitation that coursed through his body slip away into empty space.  Every time, he relaxed a little more and kept at it.  Heâd learned a long time ago that repetitive tasks often eased his mind, allowing him to organize his thoughts or emotions so that he could better face the world, and right now, he needed that control restored.  The anger he had felt towards Ghost in that moment had overwhelmed him, tearing his control asunder and scattering it to the winds.  He had wanted to kill her, would have killed her, and that scared the shit out of him.  He was not a violent man by nature, wanting to help and protect instead of hurt, but the loss of Claire had ripped a hole inside of him that would take time to heal and until it did, heâd have to be extra careful to keep control of his emotions.<br/><br/>Reassembling the weapon one last time, he sat back on his heels and took a deep breath then another.  Looking around the room, he noted his fellow companions.  Angel was talking to Nadira quietly, both huddled under a blanket, and Markstrom was pacing back and forth, muttering to himself again.  He watched him carefully, making a note to keep an eye on him more as time went on.  The Master Sergeant, he knew, was up on the top floor trying to radio headquarters.  Ghost had ascended the steps earlier, heading that way, so he figured she was checking in per orders.  He could imagine the shit she was getting now and he thought that would have made him smile but it didnât.  Deep down, he didnât really wish Ghost harm, even if his actions earlier indicated otherwise, and no one appreciated a dressing down from a superior officer.   Or at least an officer.  Parker wasnât sure Spaight could be considered superior to any of them, not with what heâd seen so far.  Suffice it to say, he really wasnât a fan of his commanding officer but commander he was so heâd follow.  For now at least.<br/><br/>Parker looked up then as he heard footsteps on the stairs.  Teyha exited first, bringing a frown to his face.  He hadnât realized sheâd left the room and chided himself for that.  A good soldier was aware of their surroundings always.  No excuses.  That made him think of Ghost again, and about how she said sheâd heard a sound and went to investigate, and he shook his head.  Maybe he could understand her a little better after all.  He watched through hooded eyes as she exited next and had words with Teyha, then saw Markstrom slip into the stairwell muttering about first watch.  Ghost followed behind him almost immediately and that caused Parker to sit up.  He might be willing to understand Ghostâs actions a little better, but he wasnât yet ready to trust her.  And Markstrom was just plain insane.  If either of those two were on first shift, then he was also.  Grabbing his gear, he slipped over to the front wall, taking up a position near a broken window and a huge crack in the wall which gave him line of sight in two directions.  He thought briefly about sleeping but knew if he tried, heâd just have nightmares about Claireâs death again, so he didnât.  Besides, he was used to going without sleep.  Had been doing it most of his life.  He settled in then, prepared to take on whatever came.