A/N: Here's the longest chapter yet. I considered breaking it into 2 parts, but the thing is, nothing interesting happens if I did that, and I felt like this chapter would be better if it were all in one part because it essentially covers the same topic and it wouldn't be fitting to cut it up. Hope it was worth the wait, and I'll see you for the next chapter in about a week!

Also I apologize if this chapter is seen as offensive to anyone; religion is discussed by the characters. I hope to represent these characters worldviews believably, in a way that is conceivable given their backgrounds and personalities, and I'm not condoning or upholding any view point above another in this fanfiction.

I'm gonna fast-forward a little bit here, kid, because not much interesting happened over the next few weeks. I can tell you this, though: the nanobots the Doc gave me didn't work. That was obvious on the fifth day when I started feelin' kinda weak, and the day after that my muscles felt like they were totally shot. I could hardly walk. Not only that, but they didn't do what they were supposed to and heal me from the inside. I told the Doc about it and he just sighed and said that they were probably all killed by my own immune system. He said there was likely a microscopic war inside my body and most of my body's white blood cells and crap like that were dying left and right… so that explains how gross I felt over the past few days.

Yeah, most of me wants to blame him for it, but he honestly didn't know they'd end up hindering my performance instead of helpin' me. The RED team started winnin' again and it seemed like the Doc was getting' some of his old energy back. In fact, he seemed more determined than usual. He wasn't all that depressed about his nanobots not working- in fact, I think he expected somethin' to go wrong. I swear, at the time, I was pretty ticked. I was like, this guinea-pig stuff seriously better be helpin' him or I'm just wastin' my time and energy- and this is costin' me, too. If I keep losin' like this I won't get enough money for my ma and some of my brothers back home… y'know, the ones who refuse to get jobs for themselves.

Anyway. Thanksgiving was comin' up, and we get five days of vacation to go back and visit our folks, if we so choose. I heard the Soldier and the Pyro were stayin' behind… I felt kinda bad for them. I mean, I hardly know them, so it doesn't matter all that much to me, but I do wonder what sort of family they would've had to return to, if they had one at all. I couldn't even imagine what sorts of stuff the Pyro has gone through… and even if I had the courage to ask him, I doubt he'd give me an understandable answer.

I, for one, wanted to go back to Boston. I hardly ever see my ma anymore and it takes a while to send her letters. And I did kinda miss some of my brothers. Y'know, the ones that weren't out in some gang or in jail or something. The day was comin' up fast and I needed to go to the nearest town to get a train ticket. I was planning on going to get one a day before our vacation, but… that's when somethin' went wrong.

I didn't know how he knew. Maybe he had regular contact with her. Maybe a friend of hers told him about it or something. I didn't care how he knew. All I knew was that the Spy had some bad news, probably the worst news I've ever heard in my life. He came up to me that morning, all packed up with a suitcase clenched in his hand. It was a day early, so I was wonderin' why he was already lookin' like leaving. Before I could even get a word out, he said it.

"Your mother's been in an accident."

"S… say what?"

"A car accident. She's in critical condition. The … the doctors think she will die soon."

I can't describe how I felt in that moment, but it was like everything… shattered. There was a heaviness in my chest, a breathlessness in my heart that I couldn't describe. I couldn't speak. Couldn't think. I just stood there, jaw dropped, starin' at the Spy with tremblin' hands. He was tryin' to look stoic, but I could tell he was strugglin' to hold his composure. I was too.

"I've got us train tickets. I am leaving in one hour to go to the station. The train leaves in two hours."

I tried to speak, but all that came out was, "…no!" I wasn't sure what I was sayin' that for- to the Spy, or to fate, or just to myself.

I don't remember much of what happened after that. Only that I went back to my room and stared at my wall for thirty minutes before I slowly started packin' a few things. Well, I started packin' them after I threw them against the wall, beat my head against it and curled up on my bed. Another fifteen minutes passed.

Then it hit me.

So doctors said that my ma was gonna die.

But they weren't like Friedrich.

Maybe it was a crazy idea, maybe it was stupid. Maybe Friedrich had other plans for his Thanksgiving break, but I wasn't about to let that get in the way. I didn't know anyone smarter than that guy. If anyone could save my ma, it was him.

I ran like a maniac. Faster than I ever did. The Spy said the train was leavin' in an hour- and it's already been fourty-five minutes. I wasted too much time mopin' about things instead of doin' somethin' about it. But I could beat myself up over it later.

I burst into the RED base without caring who would find me there. I was sure they were probably preparin' for their vacations too, and probably wouldn't have time to deal with me.

"Medic! Doc! Doc!" I cried, dashing through their base and not carin' about all the noise I made.

As I ran around the corner, someone's arm suddenly shot out and stopped me dead in my tracks. I wheezed, nearly folded in half over his arm.

The Engineer stepped out and grabbed my arm. "What are you doin' here, boy, makin' all that noise!?"

"I need to talk to the Doc!" I gasped, breathless.

"Why?"

"It's- it's important- please! Where is he!?" I couldn't hide the desperation in my voice.

The Engineer's face softened. "In the kitchen. I'll take you to him."

I couldn't bring myself to say thanks, but I nodded and followed him wordlessly into their wimpy little kitchen. Luckily, Friedrich was there, drinking a glass of water and starin' out a window. He was in his labcoat, his back confidently straight and a dove was perched on his shoulder. The mornin' light shone through the single window, castin' a sharp square of light on the bare floor.

"We got a visitor, Medic." Said the Engineer, nudging me forward.

He looked over his shoulder and stared at me with that blank look of his, before it morphed into a smile that I couldn't tell whether or not was genuine.

"…Doc, you gotta help me… it's important and I'm runnin' out of time- … shit, I've only got like, ten minutes left…" I wheezed.

"Vhat's this about…?"

"It's- it's my ma… she- she was in an accident- I… I heard she was gonna die- … I -… you have to do somethin', you have to help her, Doc…"

"Vhat? Vhy me? Doesn't she live in Boston?" He responded casually, sipping his water. "I vas going to see my-" he stopped, casting a glance at Engineer, continuing carefully. "-…my family." So the Engineer didn't know about Klaus? I didn't know why the Doc was so careful about revealing that information.

"I-… I know, Doc- I-… I know about that, I just- you're- you're the smartest doctor I know. If anyone can save her-"

"I'm not going. Find someone else."

"Doc-!" I whisper, my hands forming fists at my sides.

"I have other obligations, to my own family, who haven't seen me in a very long time. I can't afford to miss zhis opportunity to see zhem, just to help someone I don't even know."

"But- but it's my mother…!" I plead. "I- … I love her… I – I've hardly seen her in such a long time… I don't wanna lose her, Doc…" I can't keep my voice from cracking. "…You've lost someone you loved. Y-… you know it feels…"

I saw him stiffen, his back straightening and a frown deepening on his face. The Engineer glanced between us, lookin' somewhat confused and a little embarrassed. He folded his arms behind his back and fidgeted uncomfortably. He looked like he was about ready to back out of the room and leave us to talk privately, but the Medic didn't give him enough time to make a decision. He spoke, his voice resolute and his brows scrunched together.

"…very vell, Scout. You vin."

He set his cup down on a nearby counter. "…I need to gather my zhings."

"We- we don't have time- the Spy's probably ready to leave right now- he already got me a train ticket and-"

"Ve can't take ze train anyvay. I vill need to bring some of my equipment and zhere is no vay I can smuggle it all onto a train. You vill need to come vith me because I don't know ze exact vay."

My shoulders droop. I didn't think it all through, but it was true- if the Doc was gonna come he'd need to drive himself. And it was gonna be a long way from here to Boston. It had to be like, thirty hours of driving to get there. "We'd… have to go all the way to Boston."

"Are – you sure about this, Doc?" Engineer said slowly.

"Ze Scout has a point. Doctors in conventional hospitals may not have ze knowledge to save his mutter. I, however…" He pushed his glasses up on his face. "I, most likely, can."

He paused for a moment to think, leaning against the counter. "…From here to Boston… if ve drove vithout stopping at a hotel, only for gas and food… it vould take us more zhen a day. I can't drive forever. You vill have to drive for some time, Scout."

"I-… I can't," I admitted.

"You can't drive?"

"I never got my license. I don't know how."

"Scheiß…" He rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "Ve only haff five days. It vill take a little less zhen two to get zhere, leaving us only a day vith your mutter before ve come back. And if you can't drive… ve'll never make it in time. Unless…"

The Medic's eyes trailed to the Engineer, and he shrunk, a grimace spreading across his face. He lifted a hand to rub his massive jaw.

"…Vill you come?"

It was exactly what the Engineer didn't want to hear. He fidgeted. "Look, I-… this isn't my problem, Doc. I- I'm gonna go back to Bee Cave to see my own family. Can't you ask the Sniper, or…?"

"Ze Sniper is already gone. He left early because zhere is no fight today as it is."

"Eh- Heavy?"

"I…" Medic frowned. "…I need ze Heavy to do something for me. I… I vas going to send him to visit my family in my stead. Plus, he vas going to take care of my doves."

"Well, this is Scout's problem. He could get the Spy or Soldier or Pyro to drive-"

A chuckle escaped my lips. "Pyro? Soldier? They're freakin' insane. I wouldn't trust 'em to drive, they'd kill us. And the Spy's long gone by now. And I don't think I need ta explain why Demoman wouldn't work."

"Look, I'm not doin' it, fellas…" The Engineer raised his palms outward.

"I'll make it worth your while," I spoke up, turnin' to him. "My ma's gonna die if we don't get there in time, and there's no way I'm askin' Soldier or Pyro." Desperation crept up in my voice again.

"I don't see why you can't ask the Heavy, Doc. He seems to be a good friend, and your family'd understand, right?"

The Medic swallowed and went silent for a few moments, as though he was steeling himself and comin' to some sort of conclusion in his mind. He then answered, "I vould rather him visit my son, Klaus… zhe only family I have. He's in zhe hospital and he has been looking forward to this for a long time. I can't leave him alone- he deserves to have someone he knows to visit him."

"Oh…" The Engineer replied, reaching to rub the back of his neck. "…That makes sense, I guess." If I could see his whole face I think he would've looked a little shocked. He probably didn't have any idea what the Doc's family was like, and now he knew at least a little about it. He now knew the Doc had a son and that was it.

"I swear, Engie, I'll make it worth your while- you- you can have my entire salary for a month." I meant it, I really did.

"L-look, I don't need your money…"

"My mom's gonna die!"

Engineer placed both hands on his helmet, turning sideways for a moment and staring at the wall. Then, his arms dropped to his sides and his body gave this whole defeated slouch.

"You owe me big time, fellas."

It took the Medic a few minutes to get ready. He had to let the Heavy know what happened, and from what I gathered, Aleksandr was happy to go in his stead, but concerned about the situation. He helped the Medic pack up his medical equipment- most importantly, his Medigun. He got everythin' together eventually, though, and before I knew it I was sittin' in his dusty old van with the Heavy wavin' goodbye in the rear-view mirror. Engineer was in the passenger's seat so I took the one behind him. I knew I was in for a long ride, so I tried to make myself comfortable and took a book out to read. It was an anthology of short stories, so I opened up one by William Faulkner.

Soon, we were out on the dusty, brown Kansas road, watchin' vast expanses of nothing go by our windows and it felt like we weren't goin' anywhere. The only sound was the engine rumbling and the tires rolling along the road- the Engineer and the Medic were completely silent. As I read my book, I kept wonderin' if they were ever gonna say omethin'. The silence was really uncomfortable. Like, more uncomfortable than usual.

Two hours went by and nobody said anything at all. I realized I couldn't even pay attention to my book, I forgot what I was readin' the second my eyes scanned over the words. I was sick of the silence. I just wanted someone to say *something*. I folded it down on my lap and looked up towards them, darin' to open my mouth.

"Hey, uh… Engineer?"

"Mmhmm?"

"Since you're, uh… comin' along… mind if I know your name?"

"Dell Conagher."

"Thanks."

"Who're you?"

I felt a lump growin' in my throat. I really don't like tellin' people my name. My real name. It's… so embarrassing. I admit it, I got a silly name, kid, and there was no way I was tellin' the Engineer.

"Just call me Pheidippides."

"Fi-dip-a-what?"

"Pheidippides. Y'know… Ancient Greek mythology? Founder of the marathon race?"

"Ain't no way that's your name."

"Course it is."

The Engineer chuckled. "Whatever, kid. I'll just call ya Scout, okay?"

I shrugged. "Whatever float's your boat, Dell."

Dell looked over at the still-silent driver, "…What about you, Doc? What's your name?"

He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, not breaking his gaze with the road even though it was still pretty much flat and straight as far as the eye could see. "I'm Friedrich Steinkopf."

It was odd, but even though we worked together for months as mercs, we didn't make a point to learn each other's names. It was strictly business- we usually had little interest in knowin' each other. We had our private lives, our private names, and to let someone in on that would be to open the doors to something more.

It was in that moment that I realized it. That's just what happened to me and Friedrich. I learn his name, and all the sudden I wanna know everythin' about the moron. I didn't wanna admit it, but I really wanted to be his friend. I kinda liked him, even though he could be crazy and terrifying sometimes. I didn't know if he saw me as a friend, though- maybe he did, because he agreed to sacrifice bein' with Klaus to help my mom.

I felt guilty, I really did. He was gonna spend time with his son but now he would have to wait until Christmas. But the fact that he was givin' that up to help me… maybe he really did care about me, and wasn't just usin' me as a test subject for his son. I dunno. Maybe he just wanted to keep me in high spirits and a strong psychological condition for his tests. Still, I wanted to believe that he thought of me as more than just a lab rat.

I was dragged outta my thoughts when the Engineer spoke again.

"I've seen that Scout around a lot lately, Doc, and now we're drivin' all the way to Massachusetts for him. What's the deal, Doc? What's up with this?"

Friedrich drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, taking a deep breath. "Zhis does not matter, does it?"

"Well, I think I deserve to know a thing or two, considerin' I just gave up seein' my wife and daughter for this."

The Medic softened. I could see it in his shoulders, the way they dropped from that stiff posture into a defeated slouch. "I'm sorry. It's… zhis is hard for me. I'm not used to discussing such zhings."

The Engineer waited patiently and didn't say anything, so Friedrich continued.

"Zhe Scout has been helping me look for a cure for some of Klaus's diseases." He said carefully. "He's Klaus's age and happens to have all zhe necessary chemistry for him to be an ideal test subject."

"So he's your guinea pig?"

"In a way… ja."

"And you agreed to this?" He looked over the edge of his chair toward me, and I nodded.

"Well, yeah, I mean… so far, most of the stuff he's given me actually helps. It makes me stronger."

"So you're givin' the BLUs an advantage!" Engineer whirled around to face the Medic. "That just ain't right, Doc!"

"It's for my son!" Friedrich snapped. "I don't care vhat sorts of advantages it gives zhe Scout. One of zhe compounds actually hurt him, so ve easily von zhat fight."

At this point, their voices started to escalate- I could tell they were gettin' a bit angrier and angier, though they still kept it subdued enough to where I could just barely see it, like rage bubblin in a cauldron but not overflowing.

"You've been causin' more harm than good on the field lately, Doc. We lost so many rounds because of you- that really docked our pay!"

"Vithout my Medigun you vould all be dead seconds after Respawning."

"Well what about that time you got yourself so sick you couldn't do a blind thing?!"

"Zhat vas not my fault." Friedrich ran a free hand through his hair, causin' it to stick up in several places.

"So you didn't get yourself drunk or somethin'?"

"No."

"Then what was it?"

"I was in withdrawal from my antidepressants. I vas trying to wean myself off of zhem." Friedrich snapped, gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white.

That comment diffused the Engineer's subdued anger. He was silent for a few moments, then I heard that "oh" of realization before he shrank back. "I'm sorry, Doc. I didn't' know."

"I vish it stayed zhat vay."

The conversation awkwardly ended there. I fidgeted uncomfortably in my chair.

Twenty-eight more hours of this.

I can do this.

I think.

We stopped by a drive-through restaurant and just kept going, with Medic's food sitting on the dashboard and me and Engie with burgers in our laps. I hate the feelin' of eatin' without a table, but, we had to do it out of necessity. And a while later we took another stop for bathroom breaks and gas, and our next stop was another drive-through supper, and that's when the Engineer traded off with the Medic to give him a bit of a driving break. We still had another eighteen hours on the road, and kid, I've never been so bored in my entire life.

It was awkward, boring, and cramped, and I have a hard time sleeping in cars. I could hardly focus on reading. I had to amuse myself by countin' the number of gray hairs on the back of Friedrich's head. I don't' think he was asleep, but his eyes were closed and his feet were propped up on the dashboard, boots and all. Eventually I got so bored I finally fell asleep, and the Engineer was a smoother driver than the Medic.

I only woke up when Engineer pulled over to get some more food and trade places with Friedrich, who had gotten in a nap and was ready to take the wheel again and let Dell have a break. I don't know what happened after that, only that I fell back asleep, and when I woke up it was dawn outside. I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but I knew we were gettin' close. The Doc was still drivin' and it looked like the Engineer was still snoozin' in the passenger seat.

I wake up and stretch a little, then I pull my book out of my travel bag and work on a little readin' in the mornin' light. Outside, things have definitely changed a lot- the landscape's sorta rugged and green, with forests and mountains and plains everywhere. I can tell we're not far from Boston now. We were drivin' through a woodsy area.

"How long have we been drivin'…?" I ask groggily.

"Twenty-two hours, I think." The Medic replied. Engineer snorted a little and turned in his chair.

Some more time passed and we got some breakfast, and everyone was pretty much awake. Not much interesting happened until one moment, when we were about six hours away from Boston.

I really don't know what inclined me to say it. Maybe it was because I was readin' a lot of literature, and it's been on my mind. Or maybe it was more deep-rooted than I wanted to believe, I dunno. Maybe the simple fact of it was I was curious. Either way, I regret bringing it up, because what resulted of it was definitely not what I was expecting.

"Friedrich?"

"Vhat?"

"Do you believe in God?"

He was surprised- I could see his eyebrows shoot up and then he squinted, casting me a quick glance. "Of course not. I lost faith a long time ago."

Engineer fidgeted uncomfortably.

"So you did, at one point?" I asked.

"…Ja, I did. My father was a Rabbi's assistant."

I don't know much about religion, and I wasn't sure if I believed in God or not, to be honest. I really didn't know for sure what a Rabbi was, but I figured it was some kind of priest. Then my mind started to connect the dots, at that moment. His father was a Rabbi- probably some kind of priest- and he was a victim of the Holocaust.

Friedrich was a Jew- he had to be.

"I believe in God," Engineer suddenly spoke, his voice quiet and subdued, almost as though he was ashamed of it, shyly stepping out into the light.

"I'm sorry for you." Friedrich muttered under his breath.

"Beleivin' in God isn't a bad thing." Engineer responded, stiffening a little.

"No, but perhaps a little narrow-minded."

"I think faith is important… it helps me understand the world."

"Faith? In the end, vhat is the point? No manner of faith stopped ze Holocaust. No matter of faith protected us vhen ve were carted off and murdered in droves like dogs. If God exists, he is not good. He abandoned his people vhen ve needed him most. And I don't vant to believe the universe is mediated by something like zhat. Zhere is no God. Zhere are no gods."

There was no denying the anger in Friedrich's voice, the edge of his words cut like knives and I could see them stab into the Engineer, causing him to flinch as though he was physically hurt. Still, however, he continued to argue, though I could tell he was losing.

Then my gaze trailed to the windshield. The trees were whizzing by faster and faster.

"You can't blame God for the evil of humans." Dell said.

"Doc?" I said.

"If God loved us he vould have protected us." Friedrich said.

"Doc?"

"You don't know what it feels like, Dell."

We were goin' faster.

"But I vas there. I know."

Even faster. "Doc?!"

"Zhere vas no God zhere to protect us. Ve all believed a lie!"

"LOOK OUT!"

It was the most poorly timed deer I've ever seen in my life. And it was too late for Friedrich to hit the brakes.