"I heard he's gay." muttered Agent South Dakota, aka Eva.

"He is SO not gay." said Agent California, aka Jenny. She was a typical tall, blonde with blue eyes, with a thin, but physically fit body. If she wasn't a star hacker and marksman she could be mistaken for a wannabe model cruising the streets of LA on casting calls. She and fellow blonde beauty, South Dakota were close friends.

Jenny actually considered Eva to be her best friend, but Eva was not in to such titles."I heard he was just a happy person; like your brother."

The new guy was Agent Florida. A former Air Force Officer who went blind undergoing the process for Spartan armor. But his instincts were strong; he had enhanced hearing and dark blue armor that allowed him to see via digital sonar. And when he took off his helmet he was undeniably gorgeous. Shoulder length brown hair, strong cheekbones, and intense, battle scared eyes (even if they were almost milky white.) He sat alone in the cafeteria eating a peanut butter sandwich with a coffee.

"Seriously, everyone says he's a total fruit." Eva rolled her eyes.

"And I think he's probably just nice- not everyone in the military acts like you." Wearing her orange armor, the color of her state flower (minus her helmet,)she strutted over to his table and took a seat waiting for him to notice her.

"Well hello there darlin'." he said in a voice that could only be described as 'hollywood' level charming.

"Hi, I'm Jen- Agent California, I've heard allot about you." She shook his hand even though he was still holding the sandwich.

He put down the sandwich and finished the handshake like a normal person. Jen seemed a little off, as if she was star struck by him. But that wasn't such a bad thing.

He held her hand longer then expected, studying her hand; tracing his fingers through every aspect. Even with her armor she had such elegant hands.

Without his helmet he was completely blind, and that proved to be a barrier when it came to making friends. (And he such as heck was not going to wear his helmet 24/7- that would just be silly.)

"Are you blushing?" he asked as he felt her hand caress his. She felt warm, comforting, kind.

"I guess so." she moved his hand to her cheek. She would go on to tell him her story, her time in the Navy, why she chose to don the Spartan armor. Her specialty was computer science. She could build a computer by the time she was 9. It was an old desktop made from parts she found in the trash at her mother's office. She had a fascination with deconstructing technology; learning every secret. Her dream was to be as good as Agent York. In fact he was mentoring her.

"Wow, you're quite ambitious." Florida said, leaning back in his chair as he took a sip of his coffee.

"So, what did you do in the Air force?" Jen asked.

"medevac helicopter pilot." he said rather abruptly.

"You were a pilot? What's your role on the Mother of Invention?" She knew there were already a few pilots including one who considered herself to be the queen of the pilots. But why would a blind pilot be recruited to project freelancer.

"I'm in transition-all things considering," he said with a smile that boarded on a laugh. He had to laugh. Of all the things that could have gone wrong; he could been paralyzed, he could have lost his hearing, but no- fate chose to take his sight. But he needed to stay positive. He was recruited to project freelancer for one reason, one moment.

He had been picking up 3 bodies. 2 were still save able. He just had to fly out under a hail of gunfire. So 50 feet in the air , at 60 mph he did the unthinkable- he put the only paramedic at the wheel, told her to take the wheel, hold it steady , flying in the direction of the base- and if god was watching over them this plan would work. He then opened the door and hanging upside down he opened fire for what seemed like just a few seconds. It was actually 9 minutes- 75 confirmed kills. It was enough to make him worthy of Spartan armor.

The director heard about him and immediately recruited him to project freelancer, he knew they could use someone that 'creative'.

Florida still had to take a ranking test, to hopefully prove he was still the same warrior despite the loss of his eyes and a severe immunity system disorder.

"I have to take a ranking test, but I'd love to meet up with you later." he said as he finished his lunch.

She walked with him to the trash cans.

He put his hand on her shoulder, as if testing the waters.

"I'd like that." she leaned in and kissed his cheek. "best of luck."

Now he was blushing. Jen stroked her hand down his cheek. He looked so adorable. She had no idea why anyone would think he was gay. "I didn't get your name."

"Butch Flowers." he said , gazing in to her eyes as if he could see in to her soul.

'and..there it is' she said to herself, she bit her lip to hold back laughter. "Sorry, that sounds like the name of a ..puppy."

"Now worries, it's not the first time I heard that." he pulled her close and kissed her deep and hard. She put her arms around his back, essentially making out with him against the trash cans.

When he released the kiss she could barely breathe. This was love at first 'sight'.

"so yeah, see you later." she said as they finally parted ways.

Jen sat back down with Eva, and her helmet "not-gay."

"...And you are entitled to your opinion." Eva snickered.

"what? you think he faked that?" she said watching him leave.

Eva shrugged. "you never know." seeing Jen glaring, "oh, come on I'm just giving you a hard time. He seems fine- not my type but fine." Florida seemed like a nice enough person, regardless of his sexual orientation."Well Barbie, aren't you going to go cheer on your Ken..."

"Yeah I probably should." Jen could not stop smiling, she just knew he would perform amazingly. -Depending on who he had to fight in the training arena.