Location: Iris Medical Station
Epsilon Eridani system
June 3
rd, 2553
2:14pm

"I'm nervous. Hella nervous. My heart's beating so fast, I feel like it's gonna jump right out of my chest! Realistically, that can't happen right?"

"Okay, okay, relax, princess. Take a nice deep breath."

"It's not working!"

"Celest, it's perfectly normal to be scared, but don't worry," Jun assured in a comforting manner, quickly taking hold of her hand. "You can do this. I'm right here with you."

The elevator was taking the duo to the floor where Caden Devon, Celestina's older brother was staying while his left shoulder was healing up after a mission that almost went wrong. It was not everyday that a sniper would find himself in a precarious situation, but in order to save the mission, Caden had to step in and it cost him one hell of a shoulder injury.

Celestina's stomach felt like it was in knots throughout the ship ride, pelican ride, and now the elevator ride. She was quaking with anxiousness, these feelings in her chest wanting to burst out. Her brother was alive and well, now a Sergeant, well-feared sniper and father. She couldn't believe that she was an aunt, but it was one of the best feelings in the world to have at the moment.

"Here we are," Jun said as they were nearing Caden's ward. "You ready?"

"Catch me if I faint, won't you?"

He simpered at that, hoping it would calm her a little. Jun himself needed to relax, unsure of how this was going to play out, whether or not Celestina was going to keep her emotions in check. "Sergeant Devon?" He called out.

The sergeant was lying on the bed, data pad in hand and his left shoulder and upper arm heavily bandaged. He glanced up from the data pad and to the doorway, where two people he had never met before stood.

Oh my Jesus Christ. He looks... just like daddy.

"Hey there. What's going on?" Caden asked, presenting a pleasant smile that ran in the Devon family. He had short, jet-black hair, and the hazel eyes that Celestina also had.

"We're wondering if you had a moment to spare," Jun continued, walking in, with Celestina almost timidly following behind. "We're from the Spartan Branch."

"Spartan?" He put his data pad down on the bed. "Is this what I think it is, then?" He shifted to sit on the edge of the bed and face them.

"Yes, it's exactly what you think it is, Sergeant." So this is Celest's brother. Seems like a nice guy. He was everything to her. Is. Wonder if he'll kill me for being in a relationship with his little sister?

"Please," He said, holding his hand out for a handshake. "Caden will be just fine."

Jun took his hand in a strong handshake. "Jun. I'm the second-in-charge and recruiter."

"Ah, I sort of guessed your name."

"Oh really?

"Yeah, you're kinda famous. It's the tattoo, for sure."

Funny. "Well, I am proud of it."

"I'll bet!" Caden chuckled, then catching sight of the demure Celestina. "Ma'am." He gave her his hand.

Oh jeez, my heart's gonna explode. "I'm... Celestina. I'm the... Head Trainer for the branch." She hoped that he wouldn't feel that her hand quivering in his grasp.

His eyebrows knitted together when he heard that name. "I'm sorry, but did you say 'Celestina'?"

She forced herself to smile at him. "I read your file, Caden. Yeah, your little sister and I have the same name. Small world, eh?"

"Totally."

She was unable to take her eyes off him, still in minor shock over the fact that she was standing before her brother after 23 years. "We're... sorry for your loses. As Spartans," She exchanged a brief glance with Jun. "We understand completely what that's like."

Caden gave her a small nod to show his appreciation. "Thank you, Celestina. I'd... say my family's death is the main reason why I'm here today. I mean not... here as in the medical station, but... here as in the UNSC. You know what I mean."

Celestina couldn't fight back her silly grin. Yeah, he's definitely Caden. As goofy as he's always been. "Yeah, we do."

Seeing his lover smile like that definitely warmed the former Noble member's heart.

"Would you um... would you say that it shaped you into what you've become today?" She questioned with a little bit of uneasiness in her tone.

"Definitely," He answered without hesitation. "My family was my whole life, you know? I felt like I had it all," He told them, his face expressing his grief although he held a little smile. "Covenant bastards attacked Convergence V and I lost everyone - my parents when they were working at our gun range and my older sister Christine when Brutes broke into our home. Was in a freakin' coma for a year trying to protect my little sister. Thought at least she had survived but she was nowhere to be found," At his bedside, there was two holo-stills. He gazed at the one with the family of five as soon as he mentioned Celestina. "I took out all of my frustrations at the local gun range on Mars and enlisted as soon as I was of age."

Jun could see it on Celestina's face - she was begging to reveal her identity right here, right now. So he stepped in and said, "I've reviewed your service record, Caden. You're one hell of a sniper, I must say. You hold the record for having one of the highest number of confirmed sniper kills. You're quick on your feet, silent on the field. And let's not forget your bravery on your last mission."

"Aw geez," Caden lowered his head bashfully and scratched the back of it. "You guys are too kind."

"Trust me, with the record you've established over these years, your family will be damn proud of you." Celestina commented with a beaming smile.

"That's sweet of you to say, Celestina. Thank you!" He thanked with all his heart.

She took in a shaky breath, but kept her smile. "Well, I'm convinced," She turned her head to Jun. "I thought his record was enough but his courteousness is blowing me away too! Don't you agree, Jun?"

"Oh absolutely, princess," Whoops. Probably not a good idea to call her that in front of other people, let alone Caden. Ah, screw it. I can't take it back. "Caden, we'd be proud to have you on the branch as a sniper. Fireteam Lilac is lacking one."

Caden gave them a little smirk upon hearing that. "Oh well, I guess we'll have to change that, won't we?"

"Is that a yes, Caden?"

"It's a hell yes."


Celestina was the first one to exit the room and when she was a distance from Caden's ward, she let out a much needed sigh, putting one hand on the wall to steady herself. Jun immediately sat one hand on her back and ran it up and down. "Are you okay?"

She was on the verge of hyperventilating but his gentle caresses on her back were stopping it, thankfully. "I just... can't believe it, Jun," She straightened her back, thought not turning to face him just yet. "Caden's alive. After all this time! After all those nights I spent crying for my family, I've got someone back and..."

He moved his hand from her back to her shoulder. "And now you have to come back soon and tell him who you are. He'll be thrilled, princess! It might take some convincing, but you can do it," He placed his other hand on her shoulder as well, in an attempt to get her to look at him. "He deserves to know that his little sister is okay. And you deserve your brother back."

"Then I'm coming back tomorrow,"

"So soon?"

She titled her head at him. "What's the date tomorrow, sweetie?

"June 4th."

She raised her eyebrows at him, wanting him to understand what she was getting that.

"Oh. Got it. Alright, I'll make the preparations for you to come back tomorrow. And... good luck, princess."