AN: This chapter was written by both me and my boyfriend, enjoy :3. I did notice that in our first chapter I forgot to write a disclaimer so here it is:

Disclaimer: we do not own Halo and my boyfriend owns these characters

They were all exhausted when they got back to the Pelican, so tired in fact that Deadeye fell asleep when she was buckled in. Skin-Head forgot Jacoby's "no hitting on the girl rule" and tried to slide his arm around her but Jacoby beat him to it and almost growled protectively. The rest of the journey continued in peace.

Deadeye was still asleep when they touched down so Jacoby picked her up and carried her to her bed and left knowing he would lose more than a limb if he woke her up.

The next morning was a slow one, everyone woke up late, ate late and lazed around until Jacoby told them to get read only to say that he'd put the base in lockdown and everyone had the day off. It was nice being able to relax, not worrying that at any minute a group of Elites could burst through the door. Skin-Head went back to sleep, Deadeye started cleaning her sniper rifle, Motherboard was trying to hack into the Elite tactic system…again…, the Rookie had slipped off to his room as per usual and Hedgehog, Arson and Jacoby just sat talking like a bunch of old men. Anyone who looked over at the three men would see they were deep in conversation and the team knew better than to disturb them.

"So you think she feels the same way?"

"You're being a little juvenile about this Jacoby…"

Jacoby huffed, "I'm really not, I just want to know"

"Yes Jacoby, she really does, it's not that hard to tell"

"Really? You better not be kidding me!"

"With all due respect, I think you are—"

At that point Motherboard ran in looking a little flustered.

"Okay, big, big, BIG covenant patrol moving its way toward a marine outpost; they're calling in for support. Do we help them?" he cut in, "Sarge, it's your move."

Jacoby stopped to think for a moment and glanced at Hedgehog.

"We'll help them; we may be able to benefit from having them on our side."

A curt nod from Jacoby sent them away to prepare and inform the others, he then went straight to the vehicles, once there he spoke to Hedgehog.

"So the prototype is up and running then?"

"Not quite yet, the creation of an EMP cannon is a little difficult to do."

This was a creation that Hedgehog had thought of after an incident where the Covenant had used an EMP on a civilian ship evacuating Reach causing it to crash into the ocean, killing all inside. Hedgehog planned to use this weapon against them.

"Just keep trying then, you'll get it. I know you will be able to do it."

Hedgehog nodded in agreement and Jacoby moved on to check on Deadeye and Skin-head. Deadeye's sniper rifle was now spotless and the trigger was delicately sensitive, Skin-head had rounded up all of his favourite guns and explosives. He was happily talking away to himself, thinking Deadeye cared about how many women he'd supposedly bedded. Jacoby chuckled to himself when he saw her stony face, looking like she was listening but in fact she was doing everything but. He then rolled on checking on Motherboard, Arson and the Rookie, the two of them trying their utmost to get a word out of him, pushing, teasing and even putting a naked flame next to his head. There was no reaction and he remained the silent enigma that he was.

"Let's roll out people, we got some Elites to fight!" came the order from Jacoby and they all piled back into the Pelican and were in the way to join in the battle.

This one was just like any other, a lot of Elite blood and a few scrapes on their part. The worst injury was that Deadeye had sprained her ankle when jumping down from the Pelican. Despite this minor setback Deadeye had managed to get a brilliant headshot on one which was aiming his fuel rod gun at Jacoby.

"Thanks again, how many times have you done that for me now Deadeye?" Jacoby inquired.

"Hmmm it's currently 5-3 to me," came the reply accompanied by a smile.

"OH SO YOU SAVE HIM FROM ONE ELITE BUT DON'T HELP ME WHEN THERE'S FOUR FREAKING ELITES AFTER ME?" was the outburst from Motherboard.

"Oh calm down Motherboard, at least you don't owe me like Simms here does," said Deadeye with a wink aimed at Jacoby who promptly blushed.

"What are you Ungoggy whining about?" roared Skin-head's booming voice, striding into the group proudly, "I was a machine out there," shifting his gaze to Deadeye, "Took out a wraith, with my bare hands, and took a brute and punched him to death. Ooh, pretty sweet fight there."

"That's pretty sick Skin-head, not nice at all, at least I make it quick for them," Deadeye shot back with bitter precision, something she was renowned for in and out of battle. Skin-head looked rather disappointed at her reply, it was clear he was aiming for some praise from her but he shook it off and went to try and brag to the Rookie with no success. Jacoby turned to Deadeye.

"Honestly, thank you for that out there, I probably wouldn't have made it if you hadn't gotten him."

"Don't worry about it Sarge, I'm just looking out for the team," she said with a small smile and quickly looked up, alert, when someone approached them. Deadeye had her hand on her gun, ready to shoot but then relaxed when the figure took off their helmet to reveal a feminine face with long blonde hair.

"I'm Doctor Chloe Brisbane, are you Sergeant Simms?" she inquired.

"Alive and serving," he said and noticed that Deadeye looked decidedly jealous, finger cradling the trigger.

"Good, I'm your new physician, heard the position was open and all that," Chloe explained as the group started walking towards the Pelican. The two women fell into step together and an awkward silence ensued between them. Well, it was awkward until Chloe asked Deadeye, "Who's the cutie piloting that thing?" at that Deadeye relaxed.

"Oh, that's Motherboard, an expert hacker and one of the most socially awkward people you will ever meet."

"Oh, he seems rather confident to me."

"Just wait, he won't disappoint, he's just managed to have a conversation with me."

Jacoby looked over at the two girls and caught Deadeye's gaze, she smiled at him and all of his worries disappeared.