Hello everyone. Thank you for reading. Before we begin Chapter 2, I would like to say that this story takes place a few short months after Halo 4. (Obvious AU) I am a huge Halo fan and thought, what were to happen if one of the Spartans that were listed as an MIA were truly to be recovered? So this is my story on that and Isaac really is the only choice on this... and I'm a sucker for some man on man love! Don't forget to review!

"I'm sorry, can you repeat that?" Captain Lasky laughed awkwardly at that thought. "Chief?" He asked again, tilting his head at the incoming transmission.

"SPARTAN-039 has been recovered." The Chief replied yet again. He pulled up his connection feed, there was no interruption. The large Spartan turned back to the man that was sitting there on a piece of rumble, watching as the ODSTs had continued their recon-now-turned salvage operation. "I would recommend prepping the sickbay and an evaluation team." John added before the feed had cut.

Lasky continued to stand there, hands clasped behind his back as Palmer had stood there at his side, "I thought most of the SPARTANs on Reach had been marked Killed In Action?" The gen-IV replied. There was a stretch of silence as Captain Lasky tapped his console. The familiar 1940s style bomber pilot AI had popped up immediately.

" Yes,sir?" He asked calmly. Thought being a smart AI he knew exactly what was going on. The captain had a cold and distant look on his face as his eyes swam with a thousand decisions.

"Roland. I need you to deliver a message to Halsey." The AI popped up at the screen, looking over the Captain before he had gotten into the UNSC channels and brought up the Doctor's contact information. Not many people would actually have the feeling of such self importance to disturb her... but the thought of knowing that one of her Spartans survived Reach and had ended up spending five years by himself. Lasky thought it was something that she needed to know. He worked rigorously to send the report to her, making sure to include everything he knew from the report he had gotten from the Master Chief. He was still in disbelief that someone could survive so long on a glassed planet. It just really showed the true nature of the SPARTANs and their superior nature.

Isaac was ashamed of the way he was currently living his life; he was eager to pack up and go. There was no reason for him to stay any longer. He waited patiently though for the ODSTs to go through the things that he had strung together to create a deep space transmitter. Though there wasn't much there. It had taken him a very long time to just salvage that much technology to even get this far. Without his helmet to conceal his features, you could see that he was overtly upset. He had been stuck for the entirety of the war... he couldn't accomplish anything that he was made for. And now, feeling utterly useless, he started to set demo charges.

"What are you doing?" The Chief asked, tilting his head some. Though seemed like a dumb question because it was clear what he was doing. Isaac didn't respond at first, turning to look at the other, holding the charge out.

"There is no further use for this base. We might as well blow it. That's what Halsey would want." He muttered as he set another in the dirt, programming it to blow upon detonation. The Chief only agreed, helping him set the charges as the marines had collected their findings and were set to go. They proceeded towards the pelican that had brought them planet side. Isaac almost felt guilty leaving the base.. His memories of Vinh would die here. She was a wonderful soldier and even better friend. And her body would rest here finally. It was time for a new and better start for the super soldier. He turned to climb aboard the pelican, standing in the hatch way as they started to ascend. He flipped and unflipped the detonation cover. The fiddling showing his anxiety towards the situation.

"Petty Officer, end it." The Chief instructed. Isaac stood for a long moment, the wind whipping wildly at the open hatch. He only responded with the set charge. Within seconds, what was left of the base had blown sky high. Between the fire and mountain debris, it had covered the horizon with a large dust cloud. The Spartan stepped back and let the hatch close. He moved to the bench and sat. Shoulders slumping and helmet resting against the bulkhead. It was clear to see the relief from the soldier. The Chief on the other hand saw this and noted it quickly- distress was not easy to see on the super soldiers. But amongst one another it was almost like lighting a road flare in a closet. Quiet in his head, the Chief observed Isaac. He never would have imagined finding a Spartan on Reach. He had worked with Isaac a few times before but never exactly knew the Spartan like; he had his own team. They were the last of a dying breed with more produced in a simpler fashion. No one would ever really live up to the expectations and accomplishments that they had provided. "039." John spoke over the private COM channel. Isaac did not budge. "Captain Lasky will want a full debriefing once we board."

Still no response. "039?" His voice became more gruff. Demanding.

"Understood, Master Chief. I'm just trying to take in my situation at the moment. I hope you understand." Claimed the weary soldier. Though John did understand. Having lost Cortana in the recent months he was on back to back missions constantly. He wasn't stopping and Captain Lasky and Palmer were becoming concerned. Most would take a breather... sleep. Though the Chief hadn't.

"Take the time you need." He spoke softly, patting the man on his shoulder as he watched Reach burn yet again... the thought of seeing a planet he grew up on and be re-destroyed... watching the mountain crumble within itself, it was surreal.

John and Isaac entered the war room, their heavy feet echoing off the large walls. Lasky stood there behind the large universe map. His head turned up, staring up at the pair. "Welcome, Petty Office aboard the UNSC Infinity." He spoke, hands behind his back. They snapped to attention. "At ease." He waved him off. The two soldiers relaxed, though barely. Isaac stood uncomfortably on the deck. He had never been a fan of fabricated gravity. His boots felt much better upon the dirt of a planet. "It's been some time for you I understand. We will be needy a full debriefing before 1800hours. Per ONI request..." Lasky started. Though the vibe that cut through the air coming from John... was just as thick as it had been when Del Rio was in his face screaming to hand Cortana over to him. "Though I do understand that you have been running short of rations on your last few days on what is left of Reach. So, proceed to the armory, get yourself a shower and a hot meal and yourself and I can talk over what exactly happened."

"With all due respect, sir?"

"Yes, Petty Officer?"

"I have been out of commission for nearly five years... I would like to attempt to get what little normalcy that the UNSC provides. So I can debrief now, if that is acceptable." Isaac asked, looking the Captain straight on. His gaze was cold behind his helmet. He didn't want anyone treating him like he needed to relax. He needed action.

"Of course. The UNSC is looking for mostly notable events... anything of interest." The Captain proceeded. He waved his hand and lifted his brows out of curiosity. Isaac stood quietly. Lasky thought that perhaps he was trying to recall anything he might have forgotten.

"The covenant circled the planet for a few months. Never landed as far to my knowledge just perhaps scouting for survivors. Up until then I believe.. I was the only one left. There was slight regrown by the rivers but not much. No animal life." He reported. The Captain nodded, having Roland record the report. There wasn't much.

"The UNSC will be disappointed but I'm sure they weren't expecting anything of significance. Regardless we thank you for your time. There was several medics waiting to receive you and give you a physical and a psyche evaluation to process you for further active dut—"

"Excuse me, sir?" The Chief cut in, he stepped forward and extended his hand. "There is nothing wrong with 039." He spoke sternly.

"Chief, it's only protocol. Even with you Spartans he requires a psyche check up... five years alone can rot the brain. You two are dismissed." He said, waving his hand. John narrowed his eyes at the other. He had become more of an asshole in the late months. Normally he wouldn't be so dismissive of the Chief and truly hear what he had to say... perhaps the man thought his lose of Cortana and his obsessive missions was getting to him as well.

"Yessir." He gritted through his teeth as he looked over the other Spartan as they left. Perhaps he were right. Five years alone could rot the brain. Isaac kept quite as they walked towards the armory to get unarmored. He hadn't realized he had been staring at the soldier, until Isaac turned to him.

"Something I can help you with?" He asked curiously, cocking his head some. He always had a curt tongue.

"Nothing. Just in shock still finding you out there. I wasn't expecting to find someone alive. Let alone... we'll you." John said, his blue eyes slicing through his blast shield. Isaac checked his weapons, turning over his shoulder as the bulkheads parted for the elevator.

"As Dr. Halsey has always said: never die, do they John?" He spoke sarcastically. That stopped the Chief in his tracks. The bitterness in his voice struck a cord. No one dared speak of Halsey the way he had. At least not her SPARTAN-IIs. The bulkhead shut behind the large Spartan. John standing there in slight awe.

Spartans never die, do they John?

Sorry about the meh chapter. I had a little bit of writers block and I need a bit of set up for this story to make it take off. I've been playing all the halo games over and re-reading the books like mad so I might be slow updating. At least weekly to bi-weekly updates.