"I was allowed to say goodbye to someone and I picked you. You've been angry with me for so long. I needed you to know that last night, I took a chance with my feelings. BLU all knew I was dying. The medicine wasn't working fast enough. Medic cannot know what happened. Everyone has to believe I've been reassigned. You and I know different. She does not allow you to defy her rules for so long. This way, it was painless. She allows love between team members, Spy. At least let him know how you feel. Before I died, I spent that last night with Medic. And it was the best night. I cannot stand by and let you torture yourself with not knowing. Just like I could not. Goodbye, my friend."

He clutched the letter tightly and his feet led him automatically. The BLU Medic had slipped the letter into his cigarette case before they took her away. He was in shock. He didn't understand why she was asking this of him. The night air stung his face where involuntary tears had fallen. He had arrived quicker than he thought. He raised a fist and knocked on the camper door.

"Hey Spy, bit late, isn't it?" Sniper frowned. "What's wrong, mate?"

Spy tucked away the letter inside his jacket. "May I come in?"

Sniper stood aside and allowed him to pass. "Are you crying? Sit down."

"I suppose I am. The Medic's been fired."

"What? Why?"

"I don't know. I just heard we're getting a new one tomorrow."

"I'm sorry, mate. I knew you were close."

"She's such an idiot. Why couldn't she just stick around longer and get better?"

"I'm sure she tried, Spy. You can't help when you get fired."

There was silence for a moment while he studied the bushman. Sniper watched his friend with concern etched on his face. Spy took a deep breath and braced himself.

"Do you really have a girlfriend in Australia?"

"What? Where the hell did that come from?"

"Distract me. Tell me about her."

"Ah well, I guess I can tell you the truth. Scout kept runnin' his gob about Miss Pauling so I said I had a sheila down home. I just meant to shut the kid up."

Spy chuckled. "You bastard."

"As if you've never lied!"

"Not to you, mon ami. Sit. You need to hear this."

The Australian stood for a moment before sinking into the kitchen chair across from Spy. Spy lit a cigarette from his case and watched the smoke swirl between them. He wanted to do this but wasn't ready yet. He smirked and removed his mask. Instantly, Sniper shut his eyes.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?"

"It's warm in here. I trust you, Sniper. You can look."

Sniper hesitated but once he realized Spy wasn't lying, his eyes wandered over the Frenchman's face. They sat staring at each other, both waiting for Spy to speak. The Frenchman hadn't even considered what his next move was. He knew being maskless was a huge move for him but didn't know what to say next. He grabbed his mask and quickly headed for the door.

"Fuck this. It's too late for this."

Sniper shoved him back into the chair. "Too late to run, spook. You've been acting weird since that night we all drank. Now talk."

"Which night? Oh, you mean the night I kissed Medic? I suppose I have."

"You kissed her? What happened?"

Spy laughed. "I never told you? Of course I didn't; I would have had to tell you why we never went further. It's a long story."

"She liked the RED, right? Is that why?"

"Oui. How did you know?" Spy asked surprised.

"Who else do you think she came to once you two stopped talking? You and Engie hated her and she took care of everyone else."

"I didn't hate her."

Sniper waved his hand dismissively. "I ain't accusing ya. She would come here at night, when she knew she wouldn't be needed in her office. She never told me much. Mostly about the RED and how she was afraid to die sick. But I've gone off track, mate. You're the one who came to talk tonight, not her. It would've been nice if she'd said goodbye though."

"I like listening to you ramble, bushman. I'm just not ready to talk yet."

"Then I'm going back to bed. Wake me when you're ready."

Spy was going to argue then spotted how late it really was on the kitchen clock. His skin itched without the comfort of the mask and he made sure the curtains were fully closed. He thought about leaving but knew Sniper was alert and ready to stop him. He pondered the best way to do it while listening to Sniper's steady breathing. He leaned over the bed and hovered near the Australian's ear.

"Je t'aime, mon ami." Spy whispered.

Sniper rolled to face him. "Is that what you've been stressed about telling me? You love me?"

"You understood me?"

"Yeah. After that drinking game, I asked Medic to teach me more French. I also know how to say 'good morning' and 'goodnight' to Heavy. He nearly hugged the air outta me the first time I said it. But why'd you wait so long? I know you; it'd take you a while to admit it to yourself."

Spy shrugged. "I know that you're straight. What good would it do? Then Medic encouraged me."

Sniper looked confused for a moment then laughed heartily. "I'm not straight, you bloody moron. Not technically."

"What?!"

"I don't really know what it is. It's like, I don't care what a person has, I care about the person. I never told you?"

"Non!" Spy said angrily. "It would have helped! I'd thought you would have hated me."

"I'm sorry." Sniper laughed again. "Come here. Of course I wouldn't have hated ya. You're my kind of person, spook."