"So let me get this straight," South chewed. Carolina had managed to convince Sarge and Grif that things would be under control and to go help Junior unload the warthogs. Tucker was harder to convince and was now leaning against one of the cabinets next to where Carolina was sitting across from South. "You and Wash saved this planet and are now hunkered down here with my brother and York and are running this little shindig. Oh and apparently you and York have a brat. Did I get that right?"
"Sure," Carolina nodded. "So, care to tell me your side now you know mine?"
"Ya, easy. Woke up in some cryogenics lab and made a run for it when the docs weren't looking. Found myself here and then found some dude with a sword just like that one there has," South rattled off.
"How'd you manage to find yourself on the same planet your brother and company happen to be on?" Tucker scoffed.
"I don't fucking know. Do I look like I know that information?" South snapped at him. "I didn't exactly stick around long enough to find out. Besides, it's not like I woke up here. The lab was in orbit so I grabbed an emergency shuttle and got out of there and ended up here."
"And the guy you said had the sword, know what he looked like?"
"He was in armor," South muttered.
"What kind?" Carolina insisted. South looked up at her. "There were two mercenaries that we were fighting against. One of them had an energy sword like Tucker's. Wash and I fought against them for a while before dropping a ship on them. There weren't any bodies recovered so we weren't sure if they were incinerated or made it out. Were there two or only one?"
"Just one, though he wasn't in the best of shape," South shrugged.
"Still managed to get a piece of you," Tucker commented.
"He was lucky."
"What did the armor look like?" Carolina asked again.
"You're really hung up on that armor," South replied. Carolina stared at her. "Black."
"Were there orange or green accents on it?" Carolina asked, her jaw clenched in frustration.
"Green."
"And he had the sword?"
"That's what I said," South huffed. Tucker and Carolina exchanged looks. "What?"
"Hey Church," Carolina called.
"What's up, C?" Church asked appearing in front of her.
"See if Caboose is awake and have him get one of the empty dorms ready. South can go rest up there for the night," Carolina replied.
"Got it."
"We'll be over in a few minutes so ask him to hurry, please."
"Sure."
"You're putting me up in a dorm?" South asked.
"You'll be able to rest quieter there than anywhere else. You can shower and relax for the night," Carolina nodded. "The others will be back tomorrow before lunch. You are more than welcome to stay here. I know your brother will probably be happy to see you."
"Sure he will," South sighed. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
"Not a problem," Carolina nodded giving South a small smile.
"So, a kid huh?" South asked.
"Yup," Carolina nodded again. "I'm sure you'll hear all about it in time."
"How old is she?" South asked.
"Just turned nine. You'll meet her tomorrow. She's going to bed soon."
"Ah." The three sat in silence for a while, South looking around the Medbay. She looked back at Carolina, "So what exactly is this place again?"
"It's a training facility. We'll give you a tour in the morning," Carolina answered pushing herself up out of the chair she had been in. "Tucker and I will take you over to the dorm."
South nodded and followed Carolina into the hall and through the locker room to go out that exit, Tucker bringing up the rear. They walked across the yard to the dorms where Caboose was waiting.
"Thanks for getting it ready so short notice Caboose," Carolina said taking the card key from him.
"Oh hey, it's not a problem Carolina," Caboose replied leading them back to the room.
"Your voice sounds familiar," South commented. "You were with Wash when he shot me. In fact, pretty sure you shot me first."
"Tucker did it actually," Caboose commented.
"Dude, don't be putting that shit on me. I just met this crazy bitch," Tucker spat back.
"Ok, ok," Caboose relented wringing his hands nervously in front of him. "It was an accident and no one actually did anything and everything is fine and no one got shot and exploded."
"Caboose, just be quiet," Carolina sighed. He stopped at an open room. Carolina motioned for South to go in, "These are our dorms for the recruits. They're like a mini-efficiency apartment so basic amenities are available. We have a lunchroom back in the main building. If you need anything, just give Caboose a shout, he's in charge."
"Thanks," South muttered.
Carolina nodded and turned to go, but paused in the doorway to look back at her, "It is actually good to see you South."
"Yea, same," South replied giving Carolina a smirk.
Carolina ducked her head at her again before closing the door behind her. Tucker kept pace with her until they were almost back into the locker rooms.
"So I think it's safe to say that I don't trust a signal word that's come out of her mouth," he commented as they walked inside.
"I know," Carolina sighed.
"The way she came at us from out of nowhere like she did, does not co-inside with this story of hers."
"I know."
"And seriously," Tucker pointed out as they left the locked room and continued walking through the hall, "Cryogenics? Must be one helluva lab they got going if they can repair a bullet to the head." Carolina nodded. Tucker looked at her, "You ok, boss?"
"Just tired," Carolina sighed. "This was just extremely unexpected and I'm having a bit of a problem dealing with it right now. My head is a bit of a mess."
"Want me to walk you home at least?" Tucker offered.
"Thanks, but no," Carolina chuckled. "I think I can manage that much."
"Alright. Oh and hey, congrats."
"Thanks Tucker," Carolina gave him a small smile. "We didn't tell everyone else yet. We were waiting until you guys got back."
"Understood," Tucker nodded. "You sure you're ok?"
"Ask me one more time," she growled giving him a threatening look.
"You sure-nah, never mind. I like living," Tucker chuckled. "So I guess it's kinda a good thing that the others are gone. Tonight would've probably turned into a shit storm had they been here."
"Don't have to tell me twice," Carolina sighed.
"I'm sure Emma's thankful for that as well."
"Probably," Carolina nodded. "She and I are going to discuss what's going to happen when the guys get back."
"If you need help or anything, including babysitting, let me know."
"Thanks Tucker," Carolina smiled. "You've been a huge help tonight and I really appreciate it."
"Eh, don't mention it."
"Momma?" Carolina cracked an eye to see Ally standing at the edge of the bed. She picked her head up and glanced at the time, groaning when she saw it.
"Sorry. I forgot to set the alarm," Carolina sighed, sitting up before pushing her hair back and rubbing her face.
"I figured when you didn't get up that may have happened," Ally smiled at her. "I did eat some cereal though."
"All by yourself?"
"Yup. I can make you some if you want?"
"Sure. Thanks," Carolina smiled at her. Ally leaned forward and gave her a hug before running from the room. Carolina heard her footsteps on the stairs before standing up. She walked into the bathroom to brush her hair quick before turning to head out of the room and downstairs. Ally was just finishing pouring milk into the bowl when she walked into the kitchen.
"All served!" Ally smiled at her.
"Thanks Ally," Carolina sat down in the chair and watched Ally finish cleaning up the breakfast things. "How'd you get the bowls down?"
"I jumped up onto the counter."
"Really?"
"Yup. What time is daddy getting back?" Ally asked.
"Shortly. We'll head over once I get showered and dress."
"Kay. Do I get to know who it was that Uncle Tucker, Uncle Grif and Sarge brought back?" Ally asked.
Carolina sighed. This wasn't a topic she wanted to deal with right away, but since it couldn't be avoided like she would prefer it to be, she might as well tell her. "Remember Uncle North had a twin?"
"Yea. She got killed."
"Apparently not. Someone put her in a cryogenic state and fixed her. She apparently just escaped recently," Carolina replied as she finished her cereal.
"What's cryogenic?" Ally asked sitting back down at the table.
"You're put into a frozen state where you are sort of dead, but still alive."
"Does Aunty Emma know?"
"We talked last night after you went to bed. We needed a game plan for how to tell your Uncle North and Uncle Wash."
"Uncle North I understand cuz that's his sister. Why does Uncle Wash need a game plan?"
"Because."
"Because why?"
"You know how we keep telling you we did bad things because we had no other choice?" Ally nodded. "Well, this is one of those scenarios. Wash was a little too involved in South's death."
"Did he shoot her?" Ally asked bluntly.
Carolina nodded, "He did."
"And that's why Uncle North gets all mad whenever Uncle Wash brings up his sister then."
"Correct."
Ally nodded her head. There was a knock on the door so she jumped up to go answer it while Carolina took her bowl over to the sink. She walked out to see Ally chatting with Emma.
"Morning," Emma greeted. "Late start?"
"Forgot to set the alarm," Carolina sighed walking to the stairs. "I'll be right down."
"Take your time. We'll hang out."
Carolina nodded and Emma watched her walk up the stairs before Ally pulled her over to the fish tank. She started rattling off the names again as Emma leaned on the arm of the chair. Carolina came down a few minutes later, dressed and ready to go. The three of them walked over to the main building. Church stopped them before Carolina could head upstairs.
"So they're back early. I have the guys upstairs in your office," Church informed then. "Tucker is there as well since he said he'd watch Ally for you."
"Is that ok? You get to hang out with Uncle Tucker?" Carolina asked looking at Ally.
"Yup!"
The three of them walked upstairs and into Carolina's office. Ally squealed in delight when she saw York and ran to jump at him, giving him a hug before greeting North and Wash as well. Once she was done, she grabbed Tucker and pulled him from the room.
"How's my other gal doing?" York asked walking over to hug Carolina. "I see you started blocking my calls."
"I'm alright," Carolina smirked as he kissed her quick.
"So Tucker wouldn't tell us why they were back. Did they find something?" Wash asked.
"They did," Carolina nodded. She looked at Emma.
"Husband dear, sit please," Emma pushed him towards a chair.
"Um, ok," North chuckled doing what she asked. Once he was seated, she sat on his lap and nodded at Carolina. "What's going on?"
"They found someone, not something," Carolina went on. "They brought them back here."
"Why would they do that? They should've taken them to lockup for questioning," York growled.
"Chill. They didn't have a choice and it was fine," Carolina put a hand on his arm. She looked back at North. "It's South."
All three men froze and turned to stare at her before Wash broke into hysterical laughter, "You're joking right?"
"Fraid not," Carolina shook her head. "Talked to her myself. You can ask Tucker and Church."
"Where is she?" North asked.
"I put her up in one of the empty dorm rooms to rest a bit," Carolina answered.
"Emma, let me up," North looked up at his wife.
"Depends," she shrugged. "Are you calm?"
"Emma, move." She raised an eyebrow at him. "Please."
"We want to make sure you're nice and calm first. There's also the issue that her story doesn't jive well. It's suspicious," Carolina replied.
"Come on, it's South," North countered. "Let me talk to her. I'll get the story straight. She won't lie to me."
"She might, North," Carolina shook her head. "We don't know what kind of shape she's in or who had her in a cryogenics lab. There's something we're missing."
"Then let me get to the bottom of it," he said through clenched teeth.
"Once you calm down, you can gladly go and talk to her," Carolina nodded.
"I am calm dammit."
"Sorry man, I'm with the girls, you don't sound calm," York shook his head. "Which I'm assuming is why Emma is sitting on your lap…"
"Yup," Emma nodded. "Knew he wouldn't dump me on the ground to go running off to find her."
"Maybe we should just let him go see her for himself," Wash suggested.
"Or you could just wait for her to come in here herself," Church replied appearing over Carolina's desk.
"She's coming up here?" Carolina asked.
"Yup," Church nodded as the door opened.
"Holy shit," Wash commented under his breath when she walked into the room. She paused and stared back at the three men who were staring in shock at her.
"Emma, please?" Emma sighed before letting North up. He walked over to South and hugged her. "I can't believe you're actually still alive."
"Same," South chuckled, hugging him back.
"What happened to your hair?" North chuckled ruffling the short strands.
"Not a clue. Woke up this way," South pushed him off her. She looked over at both York and Wash, "Those two idiots haven't changed much."
"Nice to see you too, South," York commented rolling his eye.
"Who the hell is that?" South nodded towards Emma who was standing off to the side.
"Oh, that would be Emma, my wife," North smiled.
South gave him a look of disbelief, "You're married?"
"Yes."
"You're joking."
"No," North shook his head.
"You got married?" South asked.
"Yes I did. To that lovely lady right there," North motioned for Emma to come over. She rolled her eyes and walked up to him so he could wrap an arm around her. "Emma, this is my sister South."
"Pleasure," Emma smiled. "North has told me a lot about you."
"Yea, sure he has," South scoffed.
"No, he really has," Emma chuckled.
Wash cleared his throat, "I'm uh…I'm gonna go make sure the recruits know what's going on this afternoon."
"You helping on the Floor still?" Carolina asked.
"Yea, definitely," Wash nodded before heading towards the door.
"What's his problem?" South asked once the door closed.
"North, how about you and Emma give South a tour?" Carolina suggested ignoring South's question.
"Sure!" North agreed.
"And if you see the kid, send her up," York called after them as they turned to leave. Emma nodded at him when North was too enthralled talking to South. He waited until the door closed to turn to Carolina, "What the fuck?"
"Yea," Carolina scoffed walking around to sit in her chair.
"Seriously?"
"Apparently."
York ran a hand through his hair before looking at Carolina again, "You alright, Lina?"
"Yea," she nodded, giving a sigh as she leaned back in the chair. He walked around to sit on her desk.
"You don't look it."
"I'm tired and really not in the mood to deal with this," she replied looking up at him.
"I can see that. Go home."
"York, I-"
"Don't argue with me. Wash and I can do your class today. Go home." She gave him a tired, but clearly annoyed look. "Lina, I love you and I'm not going to fight with you. Please go home. We can handle this without you for an afternoon. You are visibly tired and I can see little stress lines. I will carry you there if I have to."
"Fine."
"Wait…really?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "Sorry. I'm not used to you agreeing so quickly."
"Yea well, when you are clearly right," Carolina sighed. York held out a hand to help her up. "You sure you can handle things?"
"Yes," York nodded. "Go home and relax."
She reached up and kissed him, "I love you."
"Love you more," York winked watching her walk out of the office. He looked at Church who had appeared on her desk. "What the hell happened last night?"
"Heh. Sit down and I shall regale it for you."