~~^Two Weeks Later^~~

I lay on my bed. Eyes shut, desperately trying to get some sleep. I hadn't had any for three days. Reason,

Agent California I feel the need to inform you I've finished running diagnostics on your armor. Did you know, that you would be able to withstand the pressure of a dump truck crushing you for eight minutes before being killed? That's useful. If we ever need to hide in one.

I groan.

I've got an AI now. They implanted him four days ago. His Names Argo, he's supposed to be Imagination. And he won't SHUT. THE FUCK UP.

I glare up at the small glowing teal entity. He looked to be wearing Eva armor like Maine, except the only visible parts of him were teal lines crisscrossing his body like a 3d map. Marking divots and protrusions. Being imagination he could morph himself using the lines, to show detailed holoimages of things like pelicans, jeeps, planets, a lamp. I'd be much more enthusiastic about having him, if he'd stop talking and let me sleep.

My head was pounding. From sleep deprivation , and the recent AI implantation.

Agent California, fun fact, did you know you're more likely to die of DNA collapse then from a bullet wound.

"No, I didn't. Please be quiet. I really, need to just sleep right now."

My apologies. I'll be silent.

I smile. Finally. Just as my eyes drift shut, and I feel myself slipping away,

Agent California, May I ask you some questions about the 'soldier mode' process?

I sit slowly at the breakfast table. A simple bowl of cereal. As I'm moving to put the spoon in my mouth my eyes fall shut. Leaving me in an odd sort of limbo between awake an asleep. My spoon hanging limply from my hand.

Agent California. It seems you are falling asleep while eating.

I jolt. Dropping my spoon glaring at the AI. "Very observant. Please just. Be quiet. Your voice is now one of the most aggravating things in the world to me." The AI flashes before cocking his lined head.

My apologies? I do not understand what I have done wrong.

I groan and put my aching head between my hands. Just as York and North walk up. "Hey Cal- woah. You look like shit." I sigh. "I know. It's this things fault." I throw a thumb angrily at Argo. North rubs my back gently. "Aw gee. What's going on? You look like you haven't got any sleep in days." I nod. "Because I haven't. Not in three days."

Four days actually. If you count last night.

I glare at the AI. "What, are you proud or something?"

Negative. I'm simply making sure you have the correct statistics.

I whine lightly. "Just make him, shut up! He never stops talking. He won't let me sleep." York looks up. "Hey." Argo looks at him. "Yes Agent New York?"

York frowned at him, before saying something about the human body and it's needs. I couldn't focus. My eyes staring emptily, the ache in the back of my head pulling me into darkness. And with North's warm arm around me, I was slipping faster than I could help.

"Hey Guys!"

I open my eyes with a startled gasp. Wash had just arrived, setting his tray down with a loud clack. York and North reprimand him. "What the Fuck Wash!" "She was actually sleeping." I look up, I was now full out laying against North. "How-how long?" I yawn. He shakes his head, "Only about twenty minutes. We've been trying to keep Argo distracted. It's not his fault. He's still adjusting, so his wiring basically has him jittery and excited."

I frown and sigh, moving off North. I hadn't realized I'd even fell asleep. Wash makes a face. "So wait. What exactly is going on?"

"California hasn't slept in four days because of her AI." Washes eyes widen. "Shit. Can't you like, shut him off?"

York shakes his head, explaining how the first week is a difficult process, that's different for every AI and agent.

I move to grasp at my spoon. Missing twice and my hand falling into the food. I still didn't know what the white stuff in cereal was.

I finally grab my spoon and take a bite. I feel a little run down my chin. But North brings a hand up to wipe it for me. I'd be embarrassed, but I'm too tired.

Agent California. May I request that after we finish breakfast. We attend the training room. I show in your records you haven't attended since last week.

...zzz...zzzz...zzz

Agent California?

"Argo leave her alone."

"WOAH, guys she fell asleep."

I feel myself gently being moved. Everything was to dizzy to focus.

My head rests on something warm and soft. As I let go of the rest.

"Agent California."

I jerk up. Eyes wild as I try to glimpse where I am. I look up and see the director. My head had a moment before been laid on North's lap. I'd fallen asleep again, York and Wash distracting Argo.

"Yes,yess sir?" I try to sit up straight but wobble. "It is 11 o'clock. You can sleep on your own time agent. You haven't attended your weekly meeting with the Counsellor. Also, you're needed for a solo mission."

I frown trying to stand but stumbling over. "Sir, with all do respect. She hasn't slept in-" "Agent Washington. Did I ask you? No. Remain silent." I frown. "Don't, taco to him dat way. He bein helpy."

My vocabulary had fallen victim to sleepiness. But I was still not going to let someone be mean to my Washy. I had no honest idea who I was talking to. Some guy I think. An ugly guy.

"Agent California. You do NOT, talk back to a superior. I thought Operations Chernobyl would have ground that into your head. With all the beatings you received." I tilt my head. "Why's my name California? That's like, that's a state?"

The man in front of me frowned. "Order 66, snap the hell out of whatever daze you're in. And get to the loading bay, You're needed for a mission."

_/° Washington°\_

We all watched in shock as the director disregarded her health entirely before, walking away without a care.

She turns back to the table. Eyes now shining the color of her blood. We all flinch back. "Woah." I mutter. This was the closest I'd ever been to her when she was in that mode. Her face was empty of any emotion. Her eyes staring out, seeing. But not, really taking anything in. She was a robot.

"Argo. Log off." She orders in a dead voice. Devoid of anything, resembling her.

"Hey, California don't go. Just stay in your room. Catch some sleep." York says standing and putting a hand on her shoulder. Her face turns to him, before her hand reaches up to his. Grabbing it and twisting it backwards.

"Anhhh! Fuck!" He cries out. Her face doesn't register anything. "Do not touch me again agent New York." She orders.

I stand to check on him. His wrist now instantly bruised. In the shape of her hand. He hisses lightly when I touch it gently. California walks away. Uncaring. We all stare after her helplessly. "So, that's what it does to her huh?" North asks quietly.

I glance at York's hand again and set my jaw. "She's going to get herself killed." I growl. They both look at me. "Wash, there's absolutely nothing we can do." I shake my head. "Well, I can try right?" I argue before turning and running off after her.

I see her walking gracefully down the hall. Her posture perfect, but I can from her shoulders, how tense and ready to fight she is.

As i follow her suddenly Argo pops in front of me.

Agent Washington stop.

I shake my head, " I can't. I've got to at least try to snap her out of it. She'll run herself into the ground."

No you don't understand. Stop. Really. You can't. There's absolutely nothing, anyone can do, except for the director. She's still there. In her mind, she's watching. I can hear her. She's screaming at herself to stop. No one can help her. She'll hurt you like she hurt York. Or worse. Just, let her be.

I tilt my head at the AI. "Well see, that's what makes me human. I don't just, Let people be."

I walk through the AI, and run in front of her. "Calif- Alexis Stop!" To my surprise she pauses.

"Agent Washington, do you require anything? If not stand aside." I put my hands up in surrender. "I need, for you to go back to your room and sleep. It's an order from, um. The director. He says you need to sleep." I can't help but be entrapped in her icy, blue glowing eyes. They're absolutely mesmerizing. She narrows them.

"I can hear your heart rate. Liar." Then the last thing I see is her fist coming in at my face.

_/°California°\_ (three days later)

"Order 66 is no longer in commission. You may return to your quarters agent."

I fall to the ground unconscious.

(Three more days)

When I slowly open my eyes, see I'm in the medical center. The headache was gone. How'd I get in here? Oh. OH! Washington!

I move to jump up from my bed. My heart rates firing up with an obnoxious beeping. Doctors enter the room. "Woah woah, you need to calm down." I shake my head. "Nononono. I've gotta find Wash. And York! I think, I think I hurt them. Let me go!" A doctor held me down and I yanked my hand out of their grasp just as a voice cleared their throat.

I look up as does the doctors. It's the director, and Counsellor. "Please leave the room." He orders to the medical personnel. They nod filing out. As the director turns to me.

"It seemed, your AI was malfunctioning. Causing you to lose four days of sleep. He's been repaired and returned to you. I recognize now I made a mistake forcing you into Soldier mode without hearing you, an Agent Washington out." He moves forward. "But, that does NOT. EXCUSE THE BEHAVIOR YOU'VE BEEN EXHIBITING LATELY."

I frown, unsure of what he could mean. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You are not a person. Agent California. Do not forget that. You do not have rights. You do not have freewill. And you do not have friends."

"What the director is trying to say is-"

"No counselor. She knows what I'm saying." The director gave me a look. Before striding out. The counsellor followed. Leaving me scared and confused in the bed. I know what he means. I just, don't know why he's saying it.

_/°Washington°\_

My nose was broken. And I had a light concussion. York's wrist was also, fractured.

I wasn't angry though. I wasn't upset. Hell, I didn't even blame HER. I know it wasn't her fault.

After I had passed out I was found by the director. And he debriefed me on every interaction I'd ever had with California. I told him, figuring maybe he was going to use the data to help her. What I wasn't figuring, was that he was in some twisted way making me 'tell on' myself. He lectured me about inappropriate behavior. Telling me, California's mental state was delicate, but if utmost I ought not tamper with her.

Fuck that.

As I was walking through the halls I heard sounds coming from California's room. Wait, she was back from her mission!

I knock excitedly on the door. Then I listened harder to the sounds from within. She was, crying. I try the nod. To my relief it was unlocked. I walk in. Seeing her sitting on the floor in fetal position. I feel a surge of emotion rise in my heart as I move to sit by her.

The moment she realized I was there she let out a gasp of my name. Throwing her arms around my neck knocking me backwards onto the floor. I chuckle lightly. My heart fluttering that she was so excited to see me. "Wash you're okay. I was so, so worried and-" she leans up off me about to say more when I watch her gorgeous green eyes zero in on my nose. She brings her hands to her face in shock.

"Oh my god. Wash I'm so. I'm so sorry, I didn't." She scrambles off of me and hides by the wall.

I sigh. My nose was a little swollen. And black and purple like you wouldn't believe. The skin around the injury turning yellow. I had a small white bandage over the top of my nose as well. I move and wrap my arm around her small frame and hold her tightly.

"It's okay California. Really it is. It's not your fault." She shakes her head. I feel her shudder. "It is my fault. Is all my fault. I hurt you, just, just look."

I groan and grab her shoulders. Making her face me. I can't stand her crying. It's hurting me!."LISTEN TO ME." I demand. She freezes. I don't think she's ever heard me shout before. "It is NOT. YOUR. FAULT. I know it's not. And I don't blame you. Please, stop crying." She sniffles looking up at me. "Is York okay?" She asks. I scratch the back of my head. Maybe it isn't a good idea to tell her she broke his wrist.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah he's good." Her innocent expression hardens. "I can hear your heartbeat. I know your lying." She grumbles. I quirk an eyebrow. "Can you really? That's, the second time you've mentioned that." She nods. A tear dripping down her face.

"Hey now. Don't cry. Look, think of it as. A little pay back for me dropping you that one time." She looks down. A small giggle escaping her lips. I let a smile take my face. She has she must adorable giggle. "Alright? That's better, look at that stunning smile." I tease poking her lightly. She giggles again and bats lightly at my hand.

Before wrapping her self around me again. "Thank you Wash." She whispers. I feel her bury her face into my neck. I sigh and smile. Wanting to just pull her against me and never let go. Feeling complete with her in my arms. "It's no problem. I'd do anything for you." I whisper back.

::Author Note::

PLEASE DON'T UNFOLLOW BECAUSE OF THIS CHAPTER.

I KNOW IT SUCKS ASS. I'M SORRY.

My aunt who was seven months pregnant with twins just lost them both, and she's in ICU. She apparently has at least three infections. They had to remove her colon, and her kidneys and Liver have failed. They don't think she'll survive the night.

So, I had an idea for this chap. Then it kinda fell apart. Stress and all.

Thanks for reading. I promise I'll try to do better on the next chapters