Rosa knew she was right. It was for the best. They would come up with a plan; the next time the ship docked on earth was in 13 days. Both North and South were assigned to go off ship, so as South left, she would disable the dock security cameras and doors for 30 minutes. (any longer and it would raise alerts.) She would leave a vehicle for Rosa and then Rosa would be on her own, to get as far away as possible.

Now she had 13 days to say goodbye.

Every smile, every touch, every kiss; she needed to remember it all. She still went to work every day, as to not arouse suspicion, but she would no longer do 10+ hour days. She would meet him at the gym, to work out together. Go eat together, watch a movie on a very limited on ship collection together.

His laugh, his voice; she always though people from the Midwest had an accent, that didn't seem true. She looked for nuisances in his voice, as they cuddled in bed, taking about their day. She always held his hand, even if they were just talking. She loved the feel of his hands; strong, callused from battle and weight training.

The last night they made love one last time. They had been having sex for a while, after realizing that is was about their love for each other, not just her trying to please him.

"Go slow" she whispered, kissing his ear, check, and neck. As she felt him deep inside her, she explored her hands down his chest, every scar, and birthmark. She kissed his soft blond chest hair, as they switch positions, on their sides, looking in to each other's eyes. She touched his face, with tears in her eyes.

She thought about leaving a note but she could not put in to words everything she wanted to say. She would have to hope he understood.

What she would never know was; he did. In her armor (or even her normal clothes) her body looked the same as always, but when she slept naked in his arms (or sometimes wearing one of his shirts) he could feel her curves; her breasts, her stomach area, her hips. He could feel a new energy with her, her happiness, and her glow. When he confided in his sister she reminded him the possibility the baby wasn't even his, but he loved Rosa too much.

He knew she couldn't stay; it wasn't safe. The baby was his child or Maine's but either way, it was the child of a freelancer agent with an AI. North could very well see the director demanding the removed of the baby so they could study it or even dissect it.

But he also could not go with her, at least not now. Project Freelancer could not be trusted and it would only be a matter of time before it would all come tumbling down. CT's courage struck the first blow and now Texas was picking up where CT left off. He would need to be there to help the revolution from the inside. He would choose his friends wisely, and when the time came he be on the right team. But if he left with her, they would both become the next mission; Carolina, Wyoming or even South would not hesitate to kill both him and Rosa

Someday he would find her again, in this life or the next; that would have to be enough faith and courage to sustain him; enough to let her go.

North awoke and left long before he had to; if he saw her eyes, if he heard her voice his heart would force him to stay by her side; to be her hero.

When he returned she was gone. He was of course questioned by the director; after all she lived with him for over 6 months and now she stole a vehicle and over $20,000 worth of data and weapons on top of the fact she still had her armor.

"I don't know what to tell you. She's not CT, she's just a doctor, practically a civilian- she just got scared and ran."

"And how does this turn of events make you feel, Agent North?" this question was the tipping point. The director already knew the kind of person North was, so his answer had to add up.

"She broke my heart, sir." It wasn't a lie, and the fact that saying those words nearly took the breath out of lungs- it was enough to end the questioning.

When he returned to his room he lost it. He cried, he prayed.

"North?" theta appeared, seeing his friend's tears, "she's gone?" the little AI's voice cracked with emotion, if he wasn't a projection he would have been crying too.

"G-" theta started, "God has a plan."

North had no idea where that came from. Maybe the alpha AI had been based on someone religious?

"God, will make this ok, but if you don't want me to …"

"Please don't discuss her—or God, ever again!" North shouted. The AI disappeared. He punched a wall, crying out in frustration. Where would he go from here? Now he was afraid.

Meanwhile-

Rosa escaped in to the Midwest, driving deeper and deeper in to the forest until she could not longer even feel humanity. She lived out of her vehicle for a few weeks until she could find a place to start making a shelter. She used what little tech she had to find buyers for some of the freelancer items she stole. She knew she risked being found, so all transactions were made in cities far from where she was actually staying.

4 months later, on route to another transaction she gave birth to a baby girl. The baby as so small, possibly premature, she could not make out any distinguishing features. She couldn't keep her; her life was not was this child deserved.

Luckily this was a major city so there were plenty of places to choose from. She wrapped the baby in a towel and left it on a church pew.

(ooc- this starts from my previous story)

In the years to follow she would get diagnosed with cancer, make connections to the wrong people, and wallow on her suffering. She would meet York one last time; on the run himself she took him in, cared for him. But when he accidently thought she was coming on to him he made reference to her reputation, causing her to finally tell him the truth. With that he left.

"…please remember-this world can be ugly but you are always beautiful. See you in the next life."

Years later-

Wyoming had already killed so many, including North and York. Yes he was after AI but he was also after armor components (those he killed for fun.)

It came as no surprise, the day he found her. Rosa pretty much lived in her armor, still in fear of reprisal after all these years. She instantly turned to face Wyoming with her weapons drawn.

Wyoming didn't have his weapon pointed at her; he had something much more effective. He opened his hand to reveal theta.

"rosa?" was all he allowed the little AI to say but it was enough. Rosa started sobbing and screaming uncontrollably; he might as well have been holding Agent North's severed head.

She dropped her weapon, took off her helmet and sat down at her table.

"I don't see why you didn't stay, a few more months and he would have left with you. The organization was already falling apart at the seams. You had to have known that. Or did you leave for your baby?"

"did you hurt my baby?"

"no, your child has done nothing to incur my wrath." He walked behind her, and put a gun to her head. "It was just one of many facts I unearthed on my quest to find you."

"please, just do it!" there nothing more he could do to hurt her.

"Just one more thing." Wyoming's helmet projected surveillance imagery of a school. And one little girl in particular with dark hair and light eyes. And a smile; a one of a kind smile like nothing god had ever made since. There was no doubt in her mind; that was North-no-Evan's daughter. Wyoming left the projection on as he cocked the gun.

"I never hated you Rosa, but I also never loved you."With that he fired a single round. She slumped forward, her mind fading to black.

There is a theory that heaven is not a place where you see everyone you ever met; but rather a vision of the perfect life. A vision held by your soul; the energy leaving the body behind, as you join the energy of the universe.

For those who believe, it would come as no surprise; Rosa saw a white light pierce the darkness, and as she moved closer and closer she heard a single voice.

"welcome home kiddo"

End.

"Hello, can you hear me

I'm in California dreaming about who we used to be

When we were younger and free

I've forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet" hello by adele