Chapter 20: Christmas Special

(Author's Note: I know we're nearing summer at this point, but this chapter is actually pretty important, and I just so happened to write it on Christmas.)

"Guysguysguysguys! Wake up!!"

Rhode groaned as he woke up, "I swear, Riley, if you pranked me or Carolina again, I'm gonna kill you."

It had been two months since Rhode and Carolina went on the run. After taking refuge with The Misfits, they had grown used to living with them. Although Riley was still trying to wrap his small brain around the idea that Freelancers are deadly and will try to kill you if pranked. Riley learned his lesson after Carolina came after him with a kitchen knife. You do not want details.

"No, it's not that!" Riley said, "Guess what day it is?!"

"It better be important," Rhode rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock, "Especially since you're waking us up at 6:30 in the morning."

"It's December 25th!!" Riley yelled, "CHRISTMAS!!!"

Rhode's eyes widened, "A Christmas chapter? Really? Won't that seem horribly cliche and send our views plummeting to the ground?"

"Yep!"

"Let's do it!"

XXX

Carolina stumbled out of her room fully dressed and rubbed her eyes as Rhode stepped out of his room.

"Did Riley draw on my face again?" She asked, "Because if he did, I'll finish killing him."

"Nope," Rhode answered, "He's just excited because it's Christmas."

Carolina tilted her head, "Christmas?"

Rhode raised an eyebrow, "You... Do know what Christmas is... Right?"

Carolina thought for moment, "Well... I do remember celebrating something around this time of year as a little kid. But then... My mom died and things were never the same..."

Rhode's eyes widened. She never talked about her family before. Much less the fact that her mom was dead.

"Oh... I'm sorry," he apologized, "I didn't mean-"

"It's okay..." Carolina interrupted, "I'm over it."

They were silent for a moment before Rhode said, "So, you haven't celebrated Christmas since you were a kid?"

"Nope. I guess I kinda just forgot about it. What do you do on Christmas again?"

Rhode laughed. It was adorable that Carolina of all people was asking him about how Christmas works.

"Well, the main event is exchanging gifts. I don't think there's anything more exciting than opening a present on Christmas."

"So... What do you get people?"

"Whatever you think they want."

"What... What if I don't have what this person wants..."

Rhode smirked a little, "If I didn't know any better, I would say you were trying to find out what I want for Christmas."

Carolina blushed a bit, "N-no! I'm just trying to remember..."

Rhode laughed, "I'm just messing with you. Besides, it doesn't have to be an object. It could just be a service or even just telling them something. Not every gift is concrete."

Carolina thought about it for a few seconds. She then got an idea. Then blushed at the idea.

"Oh... Okay... Thanks Rhode."

"No problem."

XXX

"Riley," Zach told his 'friend', "Where are we gonna get a tree? We're on a planet literally made of ice!"

"We'll go to a store for one then!" Riley argued.

"What store?!" Zach exclaimed, "There isn't any civilization for miles! We'll freeze before we find anyone!"

"We don't need a tree," Alex said, walking in, "Christmas isn't about trees or gifts."

"Yeah," Zach agreed, "It's about spending time with friends and family."

"Usually, yes," Alex said, "But since all I have is you guys, that's ruled out."

"Hey!" Both guys exclaimed.

"And to think that I was getting you guys a gift card to Spacey's..." Riley muttered.

"So, what did you guys get for Rhode and Carolina?" Alex asked.

"I made two more Gungooses!" Riley said.

"I managed to copy my Fallout 4 CD twice..." Zach shrugged, "Carolina will like video games, right?"

"Then it's settled," Alex said, "You guys have it all set."

"What about you?" Zack asked, "What did you get them?"

"I don't have anything," Alex gave a shrug, "I just hope they take the 'it's the thought that counts' excuse."

"You've been telling me that for years..." Riley sulked.

XXX

After getting their 'gifts', Rhode retired to his room to play his new Fallout 4 game and Carolina decided to watch.

Rhode groaned and fell on his back as an enemy managed to slaughter him, "Man, I'm out of practice."

"In... Video games?" Carolina questioned.

"Hey, video games require great skill and concentration!"

Rhode then flexed his wrists, "And hand muscles..."

Carolina laughed and then frowned, "Hey Rhode?"

"Yeah?"

"There's, umm, something I need to tell you..."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"My... Real name..."

Rhode sat back up. It never occurred to him how much that subject intrigued him.

"What?! Are you..."

"Yeah... It's..."

'Now or never,' she thought.

"It's Elizabeth..." She managed to get out, "Elizabeth Church."

(Author's Note: Man, if they reveal her real name in canon, I'm going to get so red in the face.)

Rhode stared at her for a moment before smiling and stretching out his hand, "Nice to meet you, Elizabeth Church. My name's Ryan Bellator."

Carolina giggled and shook his hand, "Nice to meet you too."

Rhode laughed and leaned back against his bed. Then a thought occurred to him and he frowned.

"Wait," he said, "Church..."

Then his eyes widened and he stared at her, "The Director's real name is Leonard Church..."

Carolina looked at him and her eyes gave him the answer he was hoping was false.

"The Director is... Your..."

He never got to finish. Carolina bolted out of the room and Rhode quickly got up and ran after her.

"Carolina!"

He finally found her at the door of the base, her face against the wall and he heard sniffing. She was crying.

"Carolina..."

"Now do you know why I never wanted to tell my name to anyone?!" Carolina snapped, turning to him, "It's because I don't want to be associated with him, other than as one of his Freelancers! He's a terrible father, or at least he is now. I barely even remember a time where he was a good one, and that was when my mother was around! Then the only family I had were the Freelancers. And now..."

She sniffed, "The only one I have left is you..."

Rhode stared at her for a few moments, dumbfounded. Then he pulled her into a hug. For a second, she didn't even try to hug back.

"Why?" She asked, "Even after you figure out who I am, you still don't abandon me."

"Because," Rhode said, "I don't care about your past. I care about you, as in now. You can't dwell on the past. Just... Let it all go. And I-"

He stopped and pulled away. Carolina stared at him expectedly as his face went red.

"Yeah?" She said, confused.

Rhode's face turned a brighter shade of red, "I... I..."

Rhode took a deep breath, "I love you Carolina."

Carolina stared at him expressionless as he looked down, his face completely bright red.

"Look, I, umm, forget what I just said and let's go back-"

He was interrupted by Carolina... kissing him. His eyes went wide for a second before they closed and he kissed back.

When they separated, Carolina let out, "I love you too Rhode."

Rhode gave a warm smile and hugged her. They stood there for a minute or so before he looked up. Then he laughed.

"What?" Carolina asked.

"Nothing," he answered, "you wouldn't get it."

Above them hung mistletoe.

XXX

And that's that! I originally wrote this on Christmas, so that's why the chapter is Christmas themed. Till next time guys!