Zero paced around back and forth like the angry blonde he was, growing more and more impatient by the second. Axl was sitting rather lazily in a chair, watching Zero, waiting for smoke to start steaming from his helmet any second. X in the meantime, was having his shoulder looked at while Echo was having her arm tool examined by three other reploids in the medical bay. X didn't pay attention to what was being done to him, and only stared at Zero with more subtle irritation for the way he had been acting all day.

X sighed at him, clearly annoyed with the blonde. "Zero sit down, you're not helping anything by wearing a groove through the floor."

Zero didn't answer; he was still fuming raving thoughts in his mind which made X all the more irritated. Axl, who was watching in utter boredom, and getting dizzy by the other reploid's pacing, decided that Zero really did need to sit down. Just as Zero turned around in front of a chair to start his trek across the five foot space again, Axl kicked him just behind the knee, forcing his leg to buckle and his backside to land in a chair just far enough away from Axl. Zero was surprised and quickly gave the navy hunter a growl and deathly stare. Axl just rolled his eyes at him.

"Sit down and calm down, it isn't helping, it's just gonna burn off your ponytail." He stated, turning away with his eyes closed.

Zero didn't respond yet again, he just sat there, rapping his fingers against the arm rest. X turned away from him to see what the other reploids were doing to Echo. On another table she looked like she didn't like having her arm prodded by other scientists or being scanned at the same time. So many people around her seemed to make her nervous, and X had to admit they were crowding her. X was going to open his mouth to say something but was beaten to it by the medical reploid looking at him.

"Well X…your armor is perfectly fine and you have no viruses of any kind."

X could feel Zero relaxing more without even looking at him. He continued to listen to his results.

"Whatever…Echo did, and when we were looking at your armor, there was…well we aren't sure what." He was entirely unsure how to put this without having Zero demand more information from him. "We just know it's not on our scanners anymore but the faint signal we did pick up matched the one on the raptor reploid. Hers however is hundreds of times stronger."

"So it's some unknown entity that fixed X's shoulder and whatever it is, it's in Echo?" Zero asked, trying to make sure he grasped the entire situation.

"Pretty much…looking at her tool she has, we've determined it's some sort of extraction and introduction device. Of what is extracted we aren't sure, and what is introduced may be whatever she did to X."

"Then could she of taken something from X?"

"We didn't see anything missing with X. Everything checks out fine."

X, who still wasn't keen on looking at Zero, could feel him relax a bit more. Axl stood up and stretched, glad that X was alright but didn't show it much. Zero kept sitting for a while, becoming more calm and full of relief. He still didn't like the mysteries surrounding Echo, but if X wasn't viral or damaged, then that was enough for him to relax. X got off the medical table, walking towards Echo who was still being looked at like some fantastic discovery that no one had seen before. The hunter wasn't impressed by how everyone was acting and how they were being ignorant to the raptor's clear expressions of anxiety.

"Wait a second—I'm getting a scan of something viral."

Zero shot up out of his chair, only stopping because Axl happened to be in front of him. Echo seemed to cringe at the mention of the word virus, and when the other reploids started to find the source of the viral signal, the raptor didn't like that even more. If she could have sank into the table she would of, but one of the other medical staff had a firm grip on her arm tool. As the scanner started to resonate with the viral signal, moving closer and closer to a specific point in the arm tool, Echo lurched forward, pulling her arm away and discharging a capsule from the tool. Something fell to the ground with a clatter and a clink, and the other staff watched it on the floor, rolling away. The scanner's direction went from Echo to the small durable vial on the ground, and everyone was quiet for a moment. One of the reploids went to touch the vile but Echo jumped on it first, taking it away from reach.

"No. Virus make sick." She said adamantly.

Everyone in the room just stood, dumbfounded for a moment. A vial of virus just came out of a reploid's arm, and she was telling them that it was bad? That it was going to make them sick? All the other medical reploids looked at each other for an explanation but no one found words to do so. X looked at Axl and Zero, who all looked at each other, just as confounded. Echo stood there, nervous and not liking the presence of the other reploids. What else was confusing them was if this reploid had a virus in it, and could be physically holding onto one, how was she not being infected? The silence was only broken by a familiar navigator hailing X on the intercom overhead.

"X, if you're checkups have gone through, we need you Axl and Zero to come take a look at the data we're decrypted from those discs." Alia explained.

"Alright we're coming." X answered, looking down at Echo. "Come on, we're going to go see what we found Echo."

"X, she just had a vial of what virus some out of her-"

"Zero, she's a reploid, not an experiment and won't be treated like one. There's enough data here to look into her without her being stared at." X snapped at him. "The scans already showed she isn't a maverick or infected, and beside the point, just because she may have an association with viruses, doesn't mean she's intending harm or destruction on anyone."

With that X turned and left the room in a huff, Echo following quickly behind him after one of the other reploids had managed to take it away from her in X's rant. Zero didn't say anything, wondering where X's frustration had come from. Axl just looked between the closed door and Zero in a bit of surprise.

"Dude you just got dog hous…I'm going to the research bay."

Axl slipped away from Zero's flaring expression of 'I'm so not in the mood', and followed X quickly down the hall. Zero sighed and turned around, looking at the other reploids who seemed to just be standing around, still a bit confused.

"Get looking into that container and do it in a quarantine, we don't need an accident." Zero instructed, starting to make his own way to meet up with the research team.

Zero couldn't figure out at the moment why X was being rather touchy about what he was saying in regards to Echo. Right now he just wanted to figure out the questions that seemed to be massing around her and that was it. As he walked down the hall, many moved out of his way, feeling that aggressive air about him.

X and Axl stood in the middle of the research room, X having Echo stand next to her. What would have been a quick report ended up being every female reploid in the room hovering around Echo and admiring how cute she was. X realized that this was going to become a massive habit and if he had to, would probably need to intervene at some point. Axl found it slightly amusing and even joined in, giving Echo attention and mild praise. The raptor was uneasy around so many people but found it better than being stuck in the med lab around inconsiderate people that were intent on poking her. Once Zero arrived, everyone slowly stopped being distracted by the dino reploid and went back to work. X only crossed his arms, keen on paying attention to what Alia had to say. Zero looked at X but turned his focus to the navigator as well, knowing that saying something now was a rather bad time.

"We found something about an old lab in an extremely dated sector on one of the files." The navigator began. "The date on the file goes back to what we think is about thirty years ago, but the lab itself was never recorded on any address at the time when we tried to cross reference it. We're thinking that it's hidden underground and it may still be somewhat intact."

"That's one hell of a long way out." Axl looked at the map provided on screen for them. "That's way on the outskirts of the city."

"Yes, which is going to mean we can only transport you so far directly." Alia continued. "It's not the best thing but based on coordinates I've managed to decipher, and that there aren't any stray mavericks in the area hopefully, it really should just be another investigation."

Zero couldn't help but bring in a sarcastic comment. "Right that 'last investigation' ended up bringing a robot dinosaur with us."

Alia didn't respond to that. "Right now that's all we have so far is the location. I've been trying at these codes myself but whoever did these discs up, knew how to keep them from prying eyes."

"It's good work anyway Alia." X said. "When do we head out?"

"Well Signas got back just now and he saw the forms and…"

"Greeeaaat." Axl moaned. "That means in an hour."

"We'll be ready by then." X informed Alia. "We'll get on a break in the meantime."

X turned to leave, not saying anything to Zero. He only watched the blue hunter leave, an expression of stuck up confusion on his face. Him and Axl left the room, slowly walking down the hall to figure out what to do for the next hour. Axl swung his arms behind his head, walking casually down the hallway with his eyes shut. Zero kept wondering why X was so furious with him and it was plain as day on his face he was thinking that, if it wasn't the sign that he was almost talking to himself.

The two walked for a good few minutes, passing by others who were now trying to work furiously with Signas back from his meeting. Other reploids murmured rumors about Echo and her reason for being here and the mission the three had taken just a few hours ago. Thankfully nothing about the virus vial, at least, not yet. The navy and red hunter continued to walk, for about a good ten minutes into a less busy part of HQ. It would be easier for them to relax before going out to the old laboratory Alia had found. Neither of them spoke to each other as they went. Axl kept walking, and without looking at Zero, started to break the silence between the two.

"You still aren't getting it."

"What? Why X is frustrated with me out of the blue?"

Axl shrugged, pretending he didn't know anything. "It is frustration coming out of a blue guy."

"Axl you aren't amusing anyone in the slightest."

"I find myself amusing so moot to your point."

Zero groaned at Axl, growing more frustrated. "What did he say when I wasn't there?"

"I dunno, I was busy giving Echo some attention." Axl said almost too casually, still not looking at Zero. "Something about you being a jackass though, I heard that much."

Zero was now more irritably confused. "To who, Echo?"

"Wow you're really blind today…"

"She could be viral, she had a virus in her and I'm not going to take any chances in a possible infection." Zero argued defensively. "I'm sorry if I'm a bit forward with wanting to make sure people I care about are safe."

"You aren't getting it." Axl insisted. "Isn't there someone else who's been associated with viruses around here?"

Zero stopped for a moment, wondering what Axl was talking about for the moment, but it was hard to see past his bit of anger he was holding on to. Axl let his gaze look at Zero to see if he had figured it out yet, but he still had an indecisive look on his face. The navy hunter sighed, and turned to go back down the hall.

"I'm gonna be elsewhere while we wait to be dispatched again while you figure things out with X."

Zero was still standing there, unmoving for a second, having what Axl said reel around in his head. He started to slowly walk again in thought, slowly starting to realize what Axl had meant by someone else being associated with viruses. He knew who Axl was talking about, he was talking about him. Still, what did that have to do with the way he had been treating Echo? She was a strange reploid with an unknown design, had an entire vial of the viral stuff pop right out of her arm. X still was keen on giving her some trust even after Zero had said…and that's when it hit Zero. It was what Zero said just earlier, and what he had been saying since. The blonde hunter turned right around, heading back to find X, knowing that he needed to say something to him.

X, was sitting back in his office, sitting down with his eyes closed resting. The fact that Zero was acting like he was, was really burning at X inside. No matter how much he tried to ignore it, it was still his persisting thought that was adamant on being his only thought. The blue reploid tried clearing his head, trying to relax before they had to leave yet again. Signas had a habit of working them like dogs and it either meant little sleep or little free time outside missions and paperwork. If it wasn't for the sake of the planet, X probably would have-

'Knock' "X?"

X only looked at the door, glaring at the person he knew was beyond it. He didn't answer, but that didn't stop Zero from coming in on his own. The red hunter walked in quietly and shut the door behind him, his ambiance now something entirely more pleasant. Despite this, X didn't look at him; he just continued to stare at nothing on the wall.

"Remembered to knock this time?" He spoke in a very neutral tone, but it still had a hint of irritation in it.

"X I came here to apologize…" Zero stated with a hint of sincerity in his voice.

X looked at Zero for a moment, seeing that he seemed to have calmed down. X shifted his eyes at the wall again and sighed. He wanted to say something but he thought otherwise, thinking it was uncalled for. Zero took his friends silence as his chance to speak.

"I realized what I said and that what I've been doing really wasn't the way to go about it."

"You were being hypocritical Zero." X corrected. "You of all people should know better. Being associated with viruses does not mean that the person is an immediate threat or enemy out to cause pain."

Zero took in a deep breath and exhaled, knowing X was right. "I just didn't want you going maverick or that being a possibility. I can't think of how I would deal with it if you did."

X was about to continue his end of the discussion when he stopped, thinking of what Zero just said. Now that he thought of it, Zero's actions did make some sense and it made the blue maverick hunter much less aggravated with him. X stood up, still waiting to say anything in response, as he wasn't wanting to forgive Zero so quickly yet. He was aware that Zero cared a lot for him, to a point of death. That drove X crazy more than any of the other habits the blonde reploid had. He scoffed at the thought, remembering the times before. He knew he couldn't be mad at Zero for very long, and finally looked back at him.

"You need to be a bit less dramatic when going about showing you care." X complained, coming to a better mood.

"I'm never gonna be you X, you have your way and I've got mine."

"Yeah of which sometimes involves death. How do you think that helps me, if you aren't here with me helping try to save what we can?"

Zero gave a weak laugh, looking at the ground while walking towards X. "The dying part I can work on…"

"The dying part you will work on." X corrected again.

"Hey, I've been good and alive for a good lone while so don't tell me I'm not working on it." Zero joked, putting one arm around his blue friend in a hug.

X gave a bit of a smile at that. "Just stay alive."

"So far so-"

"Fiiiix!"

"SON OF A-"

Zero jumped backwards when Echo randomly appeared from under X's desk right in front of him. The raptor jumped back behind X, not expecting Zero to be so startled by her. The blue reploid on the other hand found it rather funny that Echo made Zero jump in the first place. The blonde reploid gave Echo a look that was a mix of frustration and annoyance.

"Oh come on Zero, you didn't see her under the desk?" X asked, still laughing.

"Zero break. Echo fix." The raptor explained, looking a bit proud of herself.

Zero was quick to defend himself. "I didn't break the damn desk…"

"Zero you did a flying tackle to try and grab Echo, forgetting the desk was in the way, as well as myself…my desk is not made for reploid gymnastics."

Zero merely looked away, ironically in the direction of the clock. The blonde hunter noticed the time and knew that the hour was almost up. He sighed, so much for getting any rest before another mission. X looked at the clock on the wall as well; figuring now was as good a time as any to leave. Without a word they both left, as if already knowing what the other was going to say. X motioned for Echo to come, and she did, leaving the desk and shutting the door behind her. Zero, who was still cautious of Echo, only looked back at her from the corner of his eye, wondering why X was having her follow.

"X…"

"I know she's under protective custody, but if this is a lab she was made in, she may remember where to find it or anything in it."

"…alright you're in charge here."

X and Zero, as well as Echo headed for the transceiver room, already finding Axl ready to go. Alia was setting up the coordinates when the pair came in, only noticing Echo as she hopped up towards X as he moved towards the teleporting machine. The reploid picked Echo up and held him in his arms, making sure that she felt safe while being teleported awake this time around, and making sure she didn't possibly end up somewhere else. Once everything was ready to proceed, one of the other reploids came running in, looking as if he had some important information.

"We just picked up a viral reading in that far sector. It's just one, but it's huge and moving fast."

X, Axl and Zero all looked at each other, all seemingly having the same idea.

"I think it's time for a rematch."