The project continued as the weeks went on, but at a more heavy price. Three West Eggs, Virginia, Hawaii, and Ohio were all KIA on the same night. Four East Eggs, Utah, Georgia, Florida, and Nevada suffered the same fate days later on a mission gone horribly wrong. She was the only one to make it out. Barely alive, and in critical condition. North was devastated when he heard about what happened and remained at her side, until she died in recovery.
It didn't end there. What C.T. learned about the projects little secret, how they were all expendable and the A.I.'s, she couldn't hold it in any longer. She struck, hoping to contact the UNSC for help. To save Washington, Carolina and the rest of her friends and be spared a grim fate. She failed. And her real purpose died with her. No one ever did find out why she did it. As far as the Director was concerned, she was a traitor. She had to be dealt with. Carolina and Texas made the killing blow, but with heavy hearts. They killed their friend, and she wanted to save them.
This was when Texas found her in the Mess Hall late at night. With a mug of coffee that had gotten cold and sitting alone in the dark. She had been siting her for some time.
"Carolina?" She asked. When she turned, she saw the look in her eye. Pain.
"Hey Texas." Was her response.
She sat down with her, the same feeling of pain inside. Like everything they had built was starting to fall apart.
"Whats going on Carolina? Why haven't you and Wash been talking?" She asked. "Monty's upset."
Carolina was really wishing she hadn't asked that question. It was hard to answer without sounding like a horrible person. She was just afraid. "You have that feeling, like everything's falling apart?"
"A lot more frequently. Yeah."
Carolina looked back down at her mug of coffee and shed a single tear. "I'm afraid." She forced out. "Wash told me how pissed off South was for having to save his life twice. While he was to busy watching out for me."
"So what she bitched. Thats South."
"Its more then that. We can get hurt just for caring about each other. And After what happened with Connie, and everyone before her. And then theres Maine and Alaska and Florida are all in the hospital. Everything's gone to hell."
"So what then? You guys.. broke up? Thats it?"
"Well, not exactly. I don't plan on getting pregnant anytime soon. But for now, we've agreed to put our relationship on hold. At least until this war ends." She said. But despite the front she held, Texas could tell she was still hurting.
"Carolina. That could take years. Theres no way of knowing when the war will end."
Carolina shed a tear. Her eyes began to water. "I know. And I don't know how long we have. I'm tired. So tired. I just want this to end already."
"You still love him right?"
"Of course I still love him. I just want this to end. So that we could be together. So that we can see our baby again." Carolina wanted to cry, but she held it back. She just had to keep fighting. For them both. For Emma. The only thing that kept her going was the belief that he was doing the same. Texas placed her hand firmly on her shoulder.
"Your not the only ones fighting. You know I love that kid. I'm with you, Mitch is with you, all of us. Standing by you."
Outside the door they heard footsteps approaching. When the person came into view, they saw it was York, still angry and bitter as ever. He still hadn't let things go. He took one look into the Mess Hall to see them and then walked away.
"Well most of us." She corrected herself.
Carolina removed her hand from her shoulder. She grew a smile. "Thanks Tex." Her smile widened into a small chuckle. "Funny huh. Not to long ago, we hated each other. Couldn't stand each others sight."
"Well, crazier things have happened."
"Like my daughter from the future, coming to visit?"
"I was gonna say like having actually having decent food on board but yeah that too. Thanks again for the food Mitch."
They heard a distant 'your welcome' from out of nowhere but decided not to think to much on the disembodied voice. Just then more footsteps came coming in at a pretty fast pace. The speedster turned the corner of the corridor and found the two sitting in. It was Alabama.
"There you two are, I've been looking for you!" She said franticly.
"Whats going on Abby?"
"Come quick. A fight broke out with Agent Washington!"
"What!" They bother yelled. "Where?!"
When Alabama led them to the Locker Room where the fight broke out they were greeted to the sight of medical personnel. They were carrying away New Jersey, New Hampshire, and New Mexico. York's other members of the New Crew, as they put it. They waited for them all to break out before proceeding inside. Sitting there were the beaten siblings, Washington and Montana. They heard the shower running in the back. Blood was falling into the drain and then out came Michigan clothes soaking wet and still stained red.
Montana had just showered after a practice session. Thats when the New Crew showed up, minus York. They started talking sh*t about her brother, how he was sleeping with the boss lady and to get special treatment. He was f**king Carolina and so got out of the more hazardous mission or got the best gear or enjoyed the other perks of the boss. Aside form just her. She would not stand for it. She mouthed off to them about how they could all go f**k themselves, or each other, and that their relationship was real and they were genuinely happy. Either way it wasn't any of their business.
And thats when Washington came in. His sister was shouting at Yorks boys so he knew there was trouble. Both the brother and sister threw the first punch. The other two pinned Washington to the wall and Jersey threw Montana to the floor. Thats when Michigan appeared and it all turned bloody. They got the worst of it.
Carolina sat beside Washington while Alabama and Michigan consoled Montana. She was clutching her side. They were both furious.
"Stop hanging around me. I'm fine guys!" Montana said angry.
"Monty I think your ribs are broken." Abby said.
"Ugh, I've had worse. Tell her Mitch."
Alabama turned to Michigan to confirmed her story. "Its true." He shrugged off. Neither of them really wanted to go into how she got that scare on her leg. Alabama tried to avoid the blood on his clothes. She hated blood.
"Come on kid, lets get you to the infirmary." Texas said and escorted her out, followed by Alabama close behind.
When Michigan left Carolina was left alone with Washington. He had a black eye and a broken arm. "What else happened Wash?" She asked. He was angry. "Wash come on. Tell me."
Washington took a deep breath. "Jersey asked me when it would be his turn to f**k you." He continued more angry by the second. "York told them how you were the Ship-Whore. First you were with him and then you moved on to me. And so Jersey said that since you were done with me, when would it be his turn to f**k you."
He started opening and closing his hand. Underneath the bandages his knuckles were bright red. "That son of a bitch."
"I'm just glad Mitch stepped in before I could really get my hands on him."
"I mean York. That mother f**ker. How could he do this."
"This is all his fault."
"He thinks you stole me from him."
"Yeah, probably because deep inside he still loves you."
As they went on Carolina was starting to grow more angry. "Everyday I wonder if he really even was our friend. How would you feel about this?"
The question came out to fast she couldn't stop herself. However Washington still answered. "Well obviously I'd be devastated. Because I love. And to learn that you'd end up with someone else cause your kid from the future arrived, it break my heart. But ultimately I'd see through it and be happy for you. I don't understand why he can't be the same for us."
Carolina was grateful for his answer. And she knew that he answered honestly. She rested her head on his shoulder. "Because you have something he doesn't."
"Common sense?"
She smiled and started rubbing his back. The way he liked it. "You have a big heart. I've seen you get wronged by others so many times, and you still try to be friends. Its one of the reasons why I love you so much."
They both smiled at each other and shared a kiss. When they pulled away the happiness went away. They almost forgot there agreement. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to force myself on..."
"Knock it off Wash. We agreed to keep 'Us' on hold. Thats it."
"I know its just. I don't want to lose you."
She rested her head on his shoulder again and held his hand tighter. "I don't want to lose you either."