Location: John Hopkins Hospital, Main Campus, Baltimore, Maryland, 4:30 PM:

They made it just in time. Connor was being wheeled into Surgery when Julia and Aaron arrived.

"Are you direct family?" The doctor asked, giving the two marines an appraising look.

Julia nodded, "yes, I'm Connor's sister."

The doctor nodded, "You have a minute, he's in critical condition. We need to operate as soon as possible to give him the best chance."

Julia quickly thanked the doctor, before moving into the pre-op room.

Laying in the bed, was her brother. Connor's armor had been removed and the shrapnel that pierced his chest had been cut just above the skins surface. The doctors would remove the rest when he went in for surgery.

Connor's eyes, half closed and puffy from the numerous painkillers and sedatives, were looking directly at his sister in the doorway.

Julia walked straight to his side, tears streaming down her cheeks. It tore her soul apart, seeing her brother in such a state.

"Oh Connor…" she breathed, "everything's going to be alright, they're going to take excellent care of you," she smiled, before kissing his forehead gently.

Connor closed his eyes, the familiarity of family was one natural painkiller that didn't have to be pumped into his arm.

Aaron stood back and observed, just seeing Connor still alive was overly reassuring.

Julia stepped back, "I love you bro," she shook her head with frustration, "So help me Connor, you get your sorry ass back in shape soon, got it? Don't make me pull an Aunt Leena on you…. believe me, neither of us want that."

Connor blinked, and even through the haze of drugs, his lip twitched upwards in amusement.

Seconds later, a nurse appeared, looking slightly beleaguered, "I'm afraid we have to take him in now."

Both Julia and Aaron nodded. Julia turned to leave, but Aaron lingered, looking at his squaddie.

"I want you to know that we're all pulling for you. Trevor's worried sick, even though he won't admit it, and I think even the clones are hoping you'll make it. Which you will," Aaron smiled before bumping Connor's shoulder lightly, "Julia kept telling me, where there's life, there's hope. I'd say that where there's hope, there's life. I expect to see you back on deck in no time, you got it?"

Connor's eyes were getting heavier from the sedatives, but he blinked twice.

"Good, I'll see you soon brother."

And with that, Aaron left and joined Julia out in the busy hallway.

Together they watched as a nurse and an orderly wheeled him through the double doors, and they knew all they had to do now, was wait.

Julia looked like she was on the verge of crying, so Aaron wrapped an arm around her for comfort.

"Don't worry Jules, he's going to be fine. The fact that he could respond to us, even just with his eyes, speaks volumes about his will to live."

Julia smiled, gaining control over her emotions. She still had this empty feeling in her gut, a feeling she knew wouldn't be going away any time soon.

Stepping into a quieter section of the hospital, they both leaned against a wall, before Julia looked to Aaron.

"I heard what you said to him," Julia let out a breath she hadn't even know she was holding in, "that meant a lot."

Aaron nodded, "he deserves a lot more."

Julia smiled, deciding to change the subject a bit. Ever since they had seen their former Squadmate, Tye again, she had wanted to ask Aaron what he thought about him.

"I know this probably isn't the time to bring this up, but remember Tye?" Julia asked casually, "they evac'ed him out of Tibet barely breathing. Everyone thought he was done for as well, remember?"

"Yes, and this is important because?"

"Well," she considered her words carefully, "we all thought he'd died. They told us, remember? They told us he succumbed to his injuries. But he didn't. Not only did he survive, he's now fucking invincible."

Aaron couldn't help but smile.

"If Tye could survive, Connor can. Granted he might not turn into a super soldier but," she raised an eyebrow, "he's at least been given a chance."

"You've always been something of an optimist Jules. I both love and hate that about you."

"I'm a woman. It's bred in me."

Aaron chuckled, "God knows somebody's got to be in this squad. Trevor's acting like a mopey teenager, Connor's cool headed, but a little predisposed at the moment… I'm perfect," Julia raised her eyebrows, with a smirk of amusement while Aaron raised his hands in defense, "What? It's true… Anyways, last but not least the clones, which… well I don't really know about them."

"Yes, about them," Julia mused, "they remind me of when Tye first joined our squad. Remember? He was insecure and unsure of what his role in everything was…. I see the same in our new found friends."

Aaron shrugged, "Yeah, I guess. Tens acts as their leader, like it or not. He seems responsible, but hesitant, afraid to commit. He's also a little preoccupied. Like there's something on his mind troubling him. He's rather quick to anger too. Have you noticed that?"

Julia nodded, "yeah, he certainly didn't like it when I questioned his role in the Republic."

"To be fair, you were acting like a complete jerk. We only just met the guy and you were throwing philosophical questions down his throat. Can you blame him for getting angry?"

Julia shook her head, "fair enough. What about the others?"

In all honesty, they were both glad for the conversation, it helped distract them from things they'd rather not think about.

"Well," Aaron made a thoughtful noise, "Right'eye reminds me of your brother. Level headed, not super quick to judgment, and intelligent. He and Tens are definitely close, I think they balance each other out."

Shrugging, Aaron smiled, "what about the last two, Riot and Jumps?"

Julia chuckled, "you mean Abbott and Costello?"

"Yeah, the two obnoxious ones… what do you think of them?"

"They're interesting…. both greenies… what's the word Tens uses?... 'Shinies' that's it. They're overeager to satisfy their older brothers… and they are both, as you said, rather obnoxious. Jumps reminds me of a boot fresh out of training, he, unlike Riot, tries hard to do what he's told. Riot though…. Riot is a trouble maker…."

"He likes you," Aaron interrupted with a smile.

Julia rolled her eyes, "I've noticed, thank you very much. Another reason he's annoying…"

"Yes… but he likes you," Aaron repeated, smiling even further.

Getting annoyed, Julia decided to change the subject, "So… about Tye… what do you think they did to him?"

"You're changing the subject," Aaron said quickly, before getting out of Julia's way, just in case she decided to lash out.

"Yes, I am," Julia murmured, giving Aaron a particularly evil glare, "Now, unless you want to end up like the bodies we saw earlier… I suggest you go along with it."

Aaron, getting the hint, coughed slightly, "Uhh, very well. Yes, about Tye… did you see how Trevor reacted when he saw him? He looked like he'd seen a ghost."

"He did," Julia replied simply, looking down the Hospital hallway with sadness.

Tye had been evaced out with them, but a DARPA black op's unit had taken him away when they arrived in Baltimore. Julia and Aaron had seldom worked with any DARPA black op's squads…. and for good reason. They were the elite of the elite, soldiers who didn't have a moniker.

"So, what do you think they're going to do with Tye?" Aaron asked, hoping to keep the conversation going. He knew how important it was to keep Julia from dwelling on her brother, even if the outlook had changed for the better. Grief, regrets, and fear could destroy even the best soldier. Aaron didn't want to see that happen to Julia, as it had almost happened to Trevor after Tibet.

"I don't know," Julia sighed, "They kept him alive after Tibet, so obviously he means a lot to the military. You saw the weapons and armor he was using… armor that made him invisible! Whatever program he's in, it's far more advanced than anything we've ever been privy to…"

Aaron nodded, "Wouldn't mind getting a hold of his rail gun laser gun thingy. Whatever it is, it punched holes the size of bowling balls in some of those droids."

Julia shook her head, "What is it with guys and big guns?" though she could easily understand the need for good weaponry, "Anyways, Tye's injuries weren't as severe as Connor's so DARPA will probably just patch him up again…"

"He had fucking rebar sticking through his chest… how is that a patch job?"

Julia shrugged, "His injuries from Tibet should have killed him, yet he's alive. I have a feeling whatever DARPA's done to him, allows him to survive injuries like that… in all honesty, I feel sorry for the guy."

"Well, he's a clone, he never really did have any rights, and now it looks like they've turned him into a lab rat super-soldier. Poor guy…. Wonder if we could get him back on the squad?"

Julia gave Aaron a, 'not the time or place for that comment' stare.

"What?" Aaron shrugged, "you saw how he singlehandedly took out all of those droids, and the fucking tank! Who the hell wouldn't want someone like that on your side? Let's face it, if it wasn't for Tye saving the day back in the Hangar, we'd all be dead."

Just then, before Julia could respond, a Hospital aide approached them.

"Sirs," the aide saluted, "Lance Corporal Connor Black's surgery has been suspended. The doctors here do not have the required tools with such severe internal injuries. So instead, the patient has been stabilized for transport to another hospital nearby to continue with his surgery. He is in critical, but stable condition and has been cleared for transfer. Furthermore, you are to report immediately to Colonel Underwood. He is outside the hospital near the evac and staging areas."

"Thank you," Aaron told the aide, before turning to Julia, "that's good news right? If they feel safe transporting him, I think he's going to pull through. I know you want to see him again, you will, but for now we have to focus on the present, we have to remember there's still a battle being fought."

Julia hesitantly nodded, before following Aaron out of the hospital.

5:00 pm:

Within a matter of minutes they were facing Colonel Underwood outside the hospital.

The constant sound of helicopters landing and departing could be heard in the background as more wounded arrived from Washington.

"Colonel Underwood," Aaron saluted, "Private Meyer and Private Rush reporting for duty, sir."

"Marines, at ease," the Colonel saluted back, "now, I'm relaying direct orders from Commander Atkinson of Marine Base Quantico. You two are being deployed immediately by bird back to the front lines in Washington. There, you will join up with your squad leader, Sergeant Kelly. Understood?"

Both Aaron and Julia nodded, "yes, sir."

"Good," Colonel Underwood smiled, "Oh, and I should also mention, Commander Atkinson, with permission from DARPA, has assigned Delta Squad with a new member."

Both Aaron and Julia looked at each other before looking back at the Colonel.

"But I do believe you've already met Clone Corporal Tye?" The colonel gestured behind them.

Both Aaron and Julia turned around to face their former squadmate, a fully armored, fully weaponized super soldier they hardly recognized if it were not for his helmet being off.

Tye gave both of them a nervous glance, before looking away, "Julia, Aaron, it's… it's nice to see you guy's again…"

A/N: A big thanks to my Beta, MS CT-782, for beta'ing this chapter. It was short, sweet, and long overdue. I am very sorry about that, but life beckons and it's all I can do to write what I do.

I have no clue when the next update will be, but I do have several chapters written, they just need revision (by myself and my Beta), so I will get them out a soon as possible.

Thank you all for your patience… I love every review I get, so please don't hesitate.

Well, that's all for now. Thanks and have a good weekend.

-Sly

P.S: Yes, Colonel Underwood is a nod to the character Frank Underwood from Netflix's House of Cards… a rather dark (and probably accurate) depiction of Washington D.C. politics and politicians. (And no, this story is not a crossover to that series, sorry.)