A/N: Hello, everyone! This is a second version to my other story also called "Love at Long Range", featuring everyone's favorite sniper, Jun.
But that's the first version. After I had finished writing the main story, a lot of things did not sit right with me so I wanted to rewrite the chapters, but instead, I decided to post a second version on its own.
This is what I consider to be the official version. What the proper background for my OC is supposed to be, as well as her future.
Enjoy! :)
Halo - Love at Long Range
Location: Rooftops, Cutlass Base, Lake Deseda, Eposz
Reach
July 31st, 2552
8:23am
"We need to talk."
Noble Three glance up from his data pad to his right, where the stern voice came from. "For once, I'm keeping my mouth shut. The Commander doesn't know and never will."
The female Spartan appeared as if she was ready to drop an earful on him in order to keep him quiet, but was surprised by his words. "Oh. Well… thanks, I guess."
Jun's eyes had already returned to his data pad as he continued to lean his left side over the solid railing. "Just looking out for a teammate. I am the eyes of the team, anyways."
Misha-B312 gave him a nod. "I appreciate it." Expressing her thanks, she spun around to leave the rooftops, only to be stopped by Three's next words.
"Can I give you some advice, Six?"
Noble Six breathed in the chilling air of Reach and let it go through her nose, having almost anticipated this. "I don't need or want it, Three."
"Stop running."
Of course, those 2 words stirred some confusion in her. "Excuse me?"
Jun sat the data pad down on the railing. "If last night was any indication, you've been running from your pain for a very long time. Keeping it all in. You keep it up and you'll go insane."
"Didn't know you were a psychologist, Three."
"I've seen it happen one too many times. And I would like it if our newest addition stopped yelling at something that wasn't there in the middle of the night up on the rooftops."
She exhaled furiously, still in disbelief that someone had caught her talking to a hallucination. "I didn't think anyone would come up here. I mean, I get you're the sniper and all, but I figured you've had your fill of scouting from high places."
"The rooftops were our escape. I'm not able to let it go. So yes, I'm always here."
"… 'Our'?"
He froze if he had been face-to-face with Death himself. "As I was saying-"
"Yours and who else's?" She questioned immediately.
"I don't need or want to tell you, Six."
"Then I guess my personal demons are none of your business." She shrugged her shoulders at him.
"I never said they were. I just don't want you to start losing it on the battlefield in the near future."
She gave a short laugh, amused by this last sentence. "First off, we're Spartans. The word 'future' is not found in our dictionary. And secondly, I'm not looking for a new best friend here, so you don't have to worry about me. I'm perfectly fine."
He nodded. "So I guess that's why you were asking 'Angie' to leave you alone."
It was Misha's turn to be taken aback. Taking in a much-needed breath, she said, "You heard that much, eh?"
"Like you said, it's none of my business. I won't interfere. But if you need help," He returned his gaze to his data pad. "I'm here."
She wanted to say it. The reason why she was so closed off. Why she was always alone. She wanted to so badly but she never ever wanted anyone to think she was soft. Noble Three did not seem like the judging type though. All these emotions in her chest just waiting to burst out. "My sister," Misha blurted out, having lost the fight. "She took care of me after my parents died. She was killed trying to protect me when the Covenant attacked. She's the reason why I'm here. I never forgot the sight of her body sprawled over our coffee table as I was being escorted out by UNSC. I swore I'd make the Covenant pay for what they did. But… I guess I never really faced my demons, did I?"
"That why you're a lone wolf? It's easier to not have any emotional connection to anyone? Not have to take care of anyone?"
"Angie took care of me and it got her killed, didn't it?"
He shook his head lightly. "It's not the same thing. You can take care of someone and they can still die."
"Exactly," Now, Misha was only getting a little confused by his words. "I'm lost, Three. I once heard Kat refer to you as a cold-hearted bastard."
Jun produced a smirk at that. "Kat's called me a lot of things over the years. 'Cold-hearted bastard' is actually one of the nicest things she's called me. In fact, it's the only nice thing she's ever called me…"
For that, Misha gave a genuine giggle. "But here you are, trying to help me. I thought Jorge was the only softy here."
"Just because I shoot at whoever or whatever a superior points at, doesn't mean I don't have a soul, you know. I know my priorities."
"And the person you share this rooftop escape with is one of them?"
Jun was now completely regretting his mistake earlier, saying that the rooftop was 'our' escape. He was regretting the entire statement all together. Reluctantly, he said, "Yeah. She was never good as hiding her feelings like you can, though. She's always tried to save everyone."
"Expect that you can't."
"But she tried. And then would blame herself whenever something went wrong. Whenever she was fighting her demons, she'd come up here most of the time. I'd always make sure she was never alone."
It was all coming together for the newest member of Noble. "So when you said you've seen it one too many times…"
"I just know what having demons looks like. I also know what tends to happen when someone doesn't face their demons."
The team's sniper was trying to help her out. After all, he was the eyes of the team; he looked out for them in the battlefield. Perhaps it was time she stopped and allow someone to assist her for once. Perhaps-
"I failed her," Her thoughts were interrupted when Jun spoke again. Misha found him staring at the glistening lake, his bright blue eyes soften as he spoke the next words. "Would be nice to not see someone else fall."