( This first request is by DaJazzGal. The scene occurs at the end of the twins' Season 9 opener mission. Enjoy! )

"Package is secure," Carolina barked through her radio. "Everyone on board."

After a sharp order from the Director, the Counselor hurriedly turned off the hologram of the research facility. My two superiors turned to the large screens behind them and switched on the transmission function. Instantly, the video cameras on board the transport ship—479er's Pelican—provided us scattered angles of the inside of the ship so we could observe the Freelancers.

I almost wanted to start pacing, but I restrained myself. I had almost shrieked as poor North had been shot back at the research facility. His attempt to save his irritating, ungrateful sister had gotten him injured, and I couldn't tear my eyes from him. He was out cold, his wounds obvious beneath his armor. If he... if he was unable to recover... I was unsure what I would do. North didn't deserve this fate. He didn't deserve getting hurt because of South's idiocy.

Come on, North... wake up...

"Shall I check their status, sir?" the Counselor asked. Both of their backs were to me as they stared at the monitors.

"I shall put their transmission into… other hands," the Director replied coldly. "FILSS, please make contact with Agent Carolina."

"Yes, sir," a smooth female voice said. I smirked behind them; apparently, the Director had grown tired of his right-hand man for the moment.

"And," the Director added. "Do not answer any questions about the unusual head count, FILSS."

"Affirmative."

As the computer program made contact with the Pelican, I frowned and stared at the small screen indicating how many employees were on the mission. For some reason, four Freelancer positions were blinking in blue:

Agent 1: -Confirmed-

Agent 2: -Confirmed-

Agent 3: -Confirmed-

Agent 4: -Data Missing-

I took a deep breath, daring to open my mouth. I could ask about this. This information was something I needed for my records. The Director could recognize that… right?

"Excuse me, sir," I said in a small voice. "Why is there an extra Freelancer indicated on this mission?"

The Director did not even turn to me. "I just told FILSS not to answer Carolina's questions regarding the matter, Agent. What makes you believe that I will answer yours?"

My face burned in embarrassment, but before I could apologize, South's voice cut me off.

"Heads up! We've got company back here!"

Focusing our cameras behind the ship, we discovered the Pelican was being followed.

The enemies began firing, and chaos ensued. I stared with horror as the Pelican and its adversaries played a dangerous game, swooping around and aiming deadly weapons at each other. South was bouncing around in the back like a ragdoll, and as she fell unconscious, North woke. I would have broken into a smile if the Freelancers hadn't been about to be demolished by their pursuers.

"Carolina," growled the Director. "Agent North is awake. Take evasive action. Clear him for equipment usage."

Carolina didn't hesitate. "Counter measures depleted. North, get moving. I'm clearing you for equipment usage."

"Got it," North grunted quietly; I doubted Carolina could hear his reply. He lifted his restraints over his head and stumbled over to South. With some effort, he placed her in the seat instead and strapped her in. "Stay safe, kiddo."

My eyes were wide as he stumbled toward the exit above him, ripping off his helmet. He couldn't do this. Not after what happened to Utah. He would die out there as the missiles flew into him.

Once outside, North staggered away from the exit. His breaths were heavy, but he straightened up, his eyes determined as he stared out.

"Well, here goes nothing."

The enemies fired their final round, and I couldn't breathe. Each missile would make a direct hit on the Pelican no matter how amazing 479er's flight skills were.

I almost spied a curt smirk on North's face as he reached up and positively pounded his fist into the Pelican.

Where there should have been an exploding pile of twisted metal fraught with missiles, North's energy shield had blocked every single enemy shot. The Pelican spiked downward from the force of the blast, and I let out my held breath quickly, my eyes never leaving North. His legs shook from the effort of staying upright as he struggled to control his armor enhancement, his mouth clenched in concentration.

"There's the rendezvous," Carolina was saying to 479er. "If we're going to make it you better punch it."

I let out a low breath. "Looks like North already did."

The Director did not react to my comment, though the Counselor let out a small chuckle.

"They are almost at the rendezvous," he commented. North fell back inside the Pelican with a loud thump and groaned, trying and failing to sit up. His bravery had drained all of his energy, and I could see the holes riddled through his armor were leaking blood profusely.

Soon, I saw the Mother of Invention from the Pelican's cameras. They were back. Thank God.

"Agent," the Director said shortly. "Go to the medical bay and report on North's injuries now."

"Yes, sir." I turned promptly and left the room, thankful to be out of my superiors' intense presences. I could report better on the Freelancers anyway now that they were landing back on the ship. I practically ran to the med bay, my holographic keyboard bouncing along beside me.

When I arrived, South and Carolina were staring silently through the large window leading into the stabilization room. A few other Freelancers had joined the group upon word that the mission had finished as well, and they were all watching North with worry. I was strongly reminded of the throng of soldiers who had waited outside during Utah's accident, but I tried not to think about that.

North was lying on a hospital bed, unconscious. I passed the Freelancers hastily to enter the med room, knocking on the door quickly.

"They won't let you in," Carolina said icily. "They said no one—"

"Agent Eleven," one of the medics said quickly when the door opened. "Dr. Church said you would be arriving. Come right in."

I smirked at Carolina briefly before striding in the room.

"Make sure he's okay!" South said quickly in an uncharacteristically high-pitched voice. I didn't have time to respond as the doors snapped shut, but I saluted at her through the window to indicate I had heard her concern.

I approached North, carefully avoiding any equipment and staying out of the medical team's way.

"How is he?" I asked, readying my hands on my hologram again.

"Stable," a medic responded. "His injuries weren't too bad, actually. I couple shots got through his armor, but no bullets embedded in his flesh. I doubt he'll even have scars from this one. The main problem was blood loss, but we have him all set now. He's not in any life-threatening danger."

"Good to hear," I replied, typing away. "Do you know when he'd be ready for action again?"

The medic thought. "I'm not sure. It depends on how he feels when he wakes up. Like I said, this wasn't a major injury. It shouldn't be long."

I raised my head in the window's direction and shot South a thumbs-up. She nodded back, still shaking slightly.

"Thanks for the report, uh…" I continued. "I'm sorry—What's your name?"

"Just call me Matt," he said genially, turning back to North, who groaned and stirred suddenly.

"North!" I said quickly, getting as close as I dared to where he lay. "Are you all right?"

He moaned again as the medics attended to him. "Ugh… I got shot."

I couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Good observation. You also saved the whole mission."

"And got shot," he repeated, laughing weakly. "Nice to wake up to a friendly face, though, Eleven. I'm guessing everyone else made it back in one piece?"

"Yep," I smiled. "All thanks to you."

"Don't thank me just yet," he smirked. "I'm full of holes at the moment. You know what I would like, though?"

"Hmm?"

"It's great to see you, really. But… I just want to see my sister. She got knocked around back in the ship."

Typical North. He had almost died getting shot and using his bubble shield, yet he was still worried about his dumb sister. I looked over at Matt, who hesitated for a moment.

"Well… well, okay," he relented. "But I just want one guest in here at a time."

"Of course," I replied, looking over at South, who was staring unblinkingly at North, every muscle tense.

Upon exiting the room, I told South she was allowed to enter. Of course, she acted like she didn't care about the news, but she nevertheless hurried inside and stuck by North intently, getting in the way of the medics and refusing to leave his side.

I smiled as I watched them. Mission accomplished.