Sniper had never been the best with human interaction. Particularly to his chagrin…in the `realm of women. The women of Australia had always been strong, independent and stubborn. In order to gain their affection, you would have to prove your strength and endurance and usefulness. As a man…you would have to prove you were worth their time. Sniper had never been particularly beefy. He had grown up a lanky boy…his gangly limbs seeming far too long for his adolescent body. His body was always lean. No number of extra portions at dinner or doting from his mother seemed to change that. Growing up and going to a small school in the bush, he had been relentlessly teased for his freakish looks. He had been forced to learn to be quicker in both thinking and in speed. There were days he was forced to outrun the bullies at school to avoid a beating. Other days, he would hide or climb a tree and throw rocks at them until they got bored. He loved his parents, but even they could not seem to comfort him. They seemed to be at a loss as to how to help their only child. His father, a gruff Australian sheep farmer born and raised, would impart some gruff words to the effect of 'the world is tough, gotta be toughe'.' His mother was more comforting. She would gently pat his cheeks and say, "Oh, Micky. You'll find your way, dear." So, he did. Now…well, neither of them liked it…just leave it at that.

A soft snore from his right interrupted his thoughts. His gaze was brought to the young woman currently curled tightly against the passenger door. Her pink lips were slightly opened in a soft snore as her eyelids fluttered. Her curls were haphazardly strewn about her face and stuck up every which way. Now there was a puzzle for him to piece. She hadn't performed abhorrently for her first time out on the field. Her inexperience as a mercenary had showed but overall…not bad for an amateur. However, he knew deep down that she wasn't being honest. She was a terrible liar. He couldn't for the life of him understand how this delicate, flower of a young woman ended up in mercenary work.

Delicate flower?

He shook his head after the thought. She may look innocent and assuming, but Mick had lived long enough in the mercenary world to know not to trust a pretty face. He'd met plenty like her. All big eyes and unassuming innocence. The second your guard is down, boom. You're a dead man. His eyes wandered back to her. She wasn't being honest. She was hiding something. It was true that the mercs were not supposed to discuss their family life…but they all knew something. As of right now, the only thing gained is that she has a protective grandfather and was supposedly from upstate New York. Spy had informed them the night after their sparring session that she'd slipped and mentioned her grandfather. He'd called her skills 'nonexistent' and 'abhorrent'. Was she from money? Was she running? Was she holding back? All Mick knew is that she unsettled him. Mick didn't like being in the dark. He prided himself on his observation skills…which is why he was so perplexed that she hadn't dropped the act around him yet. He'd growled at her when she'd made a comment regarding his skill earlier. Instead of defending herself, she'd apologized. She'd curled away frightened. Either she was really good…or she really was completely out of her depth.

Engie had already gained her trust…or so it seemed. He'd also been keeping them informed of what he learned. Although, Engie did seem to like her.

They had quickly reminded him that she could be manipulating him, but he'd merely shrugged and answered, "If it's an act…it's a darn good one."

It wasn't uncommon for the Administrator to send people to report back to her. He couldn't imagine the made-up position of 'Backup' being a fixed part of the team. He knew that her true colors would show eventually…he'd just have to be patient. He wasn't normally this standoffish, he usually stuck with his three rules. Be polite, be efficient and have a plan to kill everyone you meet. However, in this situation, the first rule was going to have to take a back seat to the other two. If it turns out that she really is innocent, which he doubted, he would have to profusely apologize. His mother would be furious to know he was treating a woman who'd done nothing wrong to him so rudely.

Mick huffed to himself as he tipped his hat back to scratch his head as they pulled to the base. The van was parked and turned off and he assumed that everyone had turned in for the night. He cut the engine to his camper and turned to the woman next to him.

"Oi. Sheila. We're at the base." He informed opening his door.

When there was no response, he turned to see the young woman still dead asleep.

"Oi! Sheila! Wake up." He called his eyebrows furrowing in annoyance.

She curled into a tighter ball and mumbled something in her sleep. Mick rolled his eyes and slammed his car door before walking around to her door and opening it. He shook her shoulder and her head lolled as she continued to snore.

"Plum tuckered out, eh?" Mick muttered unsure of what to do.

He unbuckled her seat belt and glanced at her again before grumbling to himself and scooping her in his arms in a clumsy bridal style. As he turned, he nearly jumped out of his skin to see Pyro standing behind him. Pyro tilted his head as Sniper cursed in surprise.

"Don't do that, mate." Sniper rebuked as he shut the car door with his shoulder. "Know where her room is?"

Pyro exclaimed unintelligibly and began to lead the way. Sniper adjusted the girl in his arms and froze when she nuzzled into his neck muttering incoherently as she got comfortable.

He cleared his throat uncomfortably and muttered,

"You awake?"

A soft snore answered him, and he huffed to himself as he followed after Pyro. He made his way into the base and up a set of stairs. As they headed down a hallway to a set of storage rooms his brows furrowed in confusion. Pyro opened one the door to reveal a makeshift room. A barren mattress lay on the ground with some old pillows and a sorry excuse for a blanket. Moonlight shown lazily into the room revealing the dust that floated in the air.

Sniper wrinkled his nose in confusion,

"This is her room? It's in a right sorry state."

The woman in his arms grumbled and nestled further in his arms and he took it as his que to set her in her bed. As he set her down, he backed away quickly when she slowly sat up and looked at him and Pyro sleepily. Drowsiness clouded her eyes as she slurred,

"Sniper?"

"Just brought ya to your room, sheila. Go to sleep." Sniper assured gruffly.

She nodded before sleepily grabbing her vest and then shirt and pulling them up over her head revealing her white undershirt before reaching for her shoes in order to undress to comfortably sleep.

Sniper's ears felt hot and he was thankful for the darkness of the room because he knew they were red. He quickly turned to Pyro who was sitting in the corner with his unicorn plushie and some other toys and pillows. It looked like a child getting ready for a sleepover. Pyro looked up at him as Sniper quickly mumbled,

"I'm gonna leave now."

And with that he made his exit.

Lisa opened her eyes blearily as the sun slowly bathed her small space of a bedroom with morning light. She sighed and rolled over on the lumpy mattress, dragging the thin, worn blanket over her shoulders to continue sleeping. She hardly remembered how she ended up in her bed. She stretched languidly and her limbs cracked as she yawned. She brought a hand over her eyes and made a mental note to ask someone on the team how to put in an order for necessities. Curtains can be counted as necessities, right? She rolled over and hugged a second, soft fluffy pillow to her chest and curled in a tight ball as she began to succumb to the warmth that began to envelope her as sleep wrapped her in a loving embrace. Wait…she only has one pillow. If you can even call it that. It rests below her head. What is she hugging? She opened her eyes and her eyesight slowly focused to reveal a fluffy pink unicorn clutched tightly in her arms.

'How did Pyro's plushie get here?' Lisa thought sleepily before blinking her eyes and seeing a figure hunched in the corner.

Lisa shrieked and flew back against the wall behind her mattress. The figure turned to her and a happy voice said,

"Huddah! Hurdumph hurmph?"

Lisa placed a hand over her racing heart as she caught her breath.

"P-Pyro…what…what are you doing in my room?!"

Pyro shrugged and lifted the two action figures he was playing with.

"Ok…would you mind…giving me some privacy? Thank you for the unicorn. It was sweet of you." Lisa said pulling her blanket up to cover her body with one hand and holding the plushie out with the other. She was thankful that she was in her undershirt and pants at least. Her vest and long-sleeved shirt being taken off at some in the night. She just hoped it was her who had done so. Her face turned bright red at the thought of it being anyone else.

Pyro picked up the rest of his toys that had been in the corner and shuffled over quickly to pick up his unicorn. He patted her head a few times and hummed a cheerful tune to himself as he left the room. Lisa huffed and looked beside her bed to see her shirt and vest folded neatly next to her bed. She most certainly did not fold them last night. Maybe Pyro? Had to be…did Pyro carry her to her room? Was she just so tired that she doesn't remember? She rubbed her face and groaned in annoyance…just one morning she would like to wake up without being stressed out of her mind. As she pulled on her long-sleeved shirt, there was a knock at the door.

"Backup! You up?" Came Scout's voice from the other side of the door.

"Yes! I'm up! Don't come in, I'm changing." She called as she finished putting on her shirt and picked up her vest as she searched for her shoes.

"Uh…wasn't planning on it." Scout called back defensively.

"I don't know. Engie said yesterday that you have a problem with knocking." She called back as she zipped up her vest and continued to search for her boots.

"I knocked today!" Scout exclaimed.

"Today? It'd better be everyday…I don't exactly sleep in full uniform, Scout." She chided as she found her boots and slipped them on.

"Oh, ya don't?" Scout teased back with a suggestive lilt to his voice. "Well…what do ya sleep in?"

"Chain mail." She answered blandly.

"Fine. Keep your secrets." He huffed back though amusement laced his voice.

She shook her head with a small smile as she finished lacing her boots. She took a glance around her room. Everything seemed in order. She grabbed her backpack that was sitting by the door. She opened her door to see Scout leaning against the wall adjacent to it, absentmindedly tossing a baseball in the air. His face lit up upon seeing her.

"Ready to go?" He asked excitedly.

"Go? Oh! You mean for Scout training?" She asked as she adjusted her backpack.

"Yeah, duh. What'd ya think I was askin' about?" He asked exasperatedly.

"I don't know…maybe breakfast first?" She suggested as the sun began beam brightly through the windows in the hall.

"Eh. There ain't much here right now. We should have a delivery in by lunch if you can wait." He responded studying his baseball.

"Delivery?" She questioned as they started walking down the hall.

"Yeah. I think you should be gettin' some more stuff for your room and some extra pairs of shirts and pants for your uniform. Sorry 'bout your room…it's pretty bare bones." He said picking up his metal bat that he had rested against the wall.

"It's alright…maybe I could get some things delivered to decorate it. I also need sheets…a blanket…some new pillows would be nice." She stated more to herself than to Scout.

"Maybe you could ask your family to send some until we get paid?" Scout suggested as they walked down a flight of stairs.

"Am I…allowed to contact my family?" Lisa asked hesitantly not wanting to get her hopes up.

Scout stopped to stare at her incredulously.

"Wait…ya didn't know you could contact them?"

"I wasn't aware…" Lisa started but was interrupted.

"Jeez…it's almost like ya didn't read the contract." Scout scoffed as he marched ahead of her.

Lisa's eyebrows rose at this.

"And you're saying you have?"

Scout chuffed without looking back at her.

"Heh. Yeah…duh. Of course, I did!"

"Really?" Lisa questioned skeptically.

"Oh yeah. Loads of times." Scout chuckled tossing his ball in the air and catching it.

Lisa did not believe him but continued walking after him.

"Can I look at my contract again? I might not be allowed to contact my family."

Scout turned to her at that and slowed down enough to walk beside her as they headed to the door that led to the back outside.

"I mean…maybe your contract is a little different…but I dunno why they'd say you can't eve'. You're not allowed to talk about the job, but it's nice to catch up. My Ma wishes I'd call more often." He mentioned as they opened the door and walked down the steps to the yard.

"Maybe I can ask Miss Pauling or something." Lisa responded halfheartedly.

"Doubt it. She only shows up once in a blue moon. Trust me…I'd know." He said sounding frustrated as he kicked a pebble down the path.

Lisa turned her head to regard the boy's glum expression.

"It's alright, Scout. My recruitment wasn't the same as the rest of you, I'm fairly sure."

"Oh yeah? How were you recruited?" He asked with a jerk of his head, his eyes shining with curiosity.

"I…don't know if I'm allowed to talk about it." She replied feeling her cheeks heat embarrassedly.

"Oh, come on. I won't tell no one." He pleaded.

"I won't tell no one is a double negative." Lisa replied, her lips twisting into an amused smile.

"A double what now?" Scout questioned.

"Double negative. I won't tell no one…implies you'll tell someone." She explained.

"Yeah…ok, Miss Smarty Pants with the big words. Let's see if your brains can help you with baseball." Scout replied with an eye roll as they entered a cleared area.

As they entered the clearing, she saw four white bases set. Scout walked over to a couple and shook the dust off.

"Alright! Best sport in all of America. Baseball. Game of champions. First things first…the Boston Red Sox are the best team. No exceptions. Yankees are the worst team. No exceptions." Scout stated passionately as he marched in front of her like a drill sergeant.

She absentmindedly wondered if he had learned it from Soldier.

"I am your teacher. Scout. Or you can call me coach. I'll accept either." He suggested with a confident roll of his shoulders.

Lisa subtly rolled her eyes while his back was turned and looked past the field to see a lonely camper van. She wondered where Sniper was…

"…I am by far the fastest person here, so don't feel bad if ya can't keep up." Scout bragged as he turned to face her.

She jolted to attention.

"Your reflexes weren't terrible for your first time in the field, but I think if we train at least a few times a week…you'll be an ok to a semi-decent backup Scout in no time." He chuckled throwing his ball and catching it. "Before learnin' baseball…we'll do the training exercises that I have come up wit'."

"Ok…so what's the first thing?" Lisa asked following him with her gaze.

"What's the first thing, what?" He asked cupping his ear.

It took her a second to realize what he wanted.

"What's the first thing, Scout?" She acquiesced.

His chest puffed up proudly at the respectful use of his name.

"Glad you asked. Firstly, we will be runnin' laps. Dat's why we are here so early. Harder to train once the sun is all da way up." He informed her as he looked at the sun that was steadily climbing the sky.

"Right…so how many laps, Scout?" She asked looking around the little field he had carved out.

"Don't worry 'bout that…maybe da term 'laps' isn't da best for what imma 'bout to do." He said observing his baseball with a roguish grin.

He then turned to her and his eyes gleamed mischievously,

"Ya ever play dodgeball?"

"Scout…you're not going to use the baseball are y-" She asked paling as she eyed the baseball in his hands.

"If I were you…I'd start runnin'." He grinned.

She took off.

"Ya can't leave the field! Just try not to get hit!" He called from behind her, sounding way to excited about what was happening.

Her arms and legs ached in protest as she ran.

"Way too early in the morning for this." She grumbled to herself as she took a sharp turn, as she heard Scout's footsteps gaining ground behind her.

"GRENADE!" Scout yelled and Lisa dove to the left.

She heard a whistle as the baseball narrowly flew over her head and into the dirt somewhere behind her.

She quickly got off her hands and knees from her position on the ground and ran in the other direction back towards where they had been.

"Not bad, Backup! Now let's see if you can do it without a warnin'." Scout called from somewhere behind her.

She slowed down and glanced in all directions. The area he had cleared was completely flat. Nowhere to hide.

"If you're lookin' for somewhere to hide, ya won't find one." He called to her and she could hear him approaching. She turned to look at him while backing up.

"I noticed dat was somethin' ya liked to do when fighting Soldier in his little maze. Maybe dat will help ya when bein' a Spy…but when ya gotta fill my shoes-" He then threw the ball at her.

She side stepped just in time to watch it fly past her face in what felt like slow motion. It bounced off the ground and rolled somewhere behind her.

"It does ya no good. I'm in the thick of it from the time we start, 'til we finish. Ya gotta get used to bein' quick and gettin' hit from time to time. Like obviously, try not ta get hit but ya have to get used to it."

"Yeah…right. I-I still don't want to get hit if it's all the same to you." She nodded backing up towards where she had seen the ball go.

Scout advanced clearly not seeing her as a threat.

"No one wants to get hit. But when ya do, get up. Brush it off. Hit 'em harder than they hit you. Dat's how you'll survive dis place."

"Right…" She stated as her ankles brushed the ball. "So, if you get hit…you hit them harder."

"Yeah. Dat's what I said. You're not down 'til you're dead." He stated continuing to walk closer nonchalantly.

"I see. I think I understand." She stated as she pretended to stretch to touch her toes and sneakily picked up the ball.

"Do ya?" Scout snorted but his expression changed when he saw the ball in her hand.

"Oh yeah. I think I do." She stated looking at him with a wide smile.

"Backup…what do ya think your-" He stated backing up.

"THINK FAST, SCOUT!" She yelled chucking the ball at him and running as fast as she could in the other direction.

She knew she missed him, but a laugh bubbled from her throat when she heard him yell,

"Oh, it is ON, GOLDILOCKS!"

The rest of the morning was spent like that. Throwing a baseball as hard as they could at the other. By late morning, they were both covered in bruises and sweat but laughing hysterically at one another.

"I won. I hit you in the stomach SO many times." She laughed as she collapsed on the outside steps to the base.

"What? Nah. I won dat! I nearly hit you in the head like ten times." He spluttered as he took a seat next to her. He tugged his sweaty shirt as he panted and laid back.

"Nearly doesn't count." She scoffed moving her curls to lay on the other side of her shoulder. She cursed herself for forgetting her hair tie in her room as the curls seemed to hold in heat.

"Ok! But I hit you in the back a lot." Scout defended sitting up.

She winced as she felt the bruises. Those would welt later.

"You got me there. You win, Scout."

He gave a cheer and collapsed back again.

"Don't tell the others, but that was the most fun I've had in training so far." She informed him as she wiped some sweat from her forehead.

He beamed at her.

"Really?"

"Oh yeah. For sure. I blew myself up training with Soldier and Spy cracked a rib when I trained with him. Engie is really nice…but he is so smart, and he can give me too much information for me to remember all at once. This was a lot more fun." She nodded as she too laid back on the steps next to him.

"So…does that make me the best teacher so far?" He asked turning to her and raising her eyebrows.

"Don't get ahead of yourself." She replied smacking his shoulder playfully.

"I'm da best teacher. Admit it." He stated closing his eyes and resting his arms behind his head.

"Let's see how I do next time in a match. Then we'll see who taught me the best." She responded gazing up at the cloudless sky.

It was silent for a bit as they both relaxed.

"I miss clouds." She mentioned to Scout. "It's so…"

"Beige here?" He filled in.

"Yeah…it's just so…boring?" She replied looking for the right word.

"I get what ya mean. I miss snow. We have a base in Colorado. You'll love it there. Sometimes we get missions up in the mountains and it's a sight betta' than here." He told her with a small smile on his face.

"I love mountains and…snow." She told him. "I hope we get to go there. I've realized I'm not a huge fan of the desert."

"Yeah…it's not my favorite place either…but ya get used to it." He shrugged.

"My grandparents used to take me to the mountains on vacation when I was younger. I really enjoyed skiing."

"Neve' done it. Is it fun?" He asked looking at her.

"Yeah. It's hard to get used to at first…but once you have a rhythm, you're fine. I really like ice skating too. Sometimes when we'd visit New York City, my grandpa would take me to Wollman rink. We'd skate together all day and then got hot chocolate later." She told him, her eyes creasing as she smiled at the memory.

"You seem to spend a lot of time with your grandparents…" Scout noticed.

"Yeah. I do." She said not offering anything more than that remembering what Pauling had said.

"My grandparents died when I was pretty young." Scout told her. "Mostly spent time with my Ma and brothers."

"Oh, you have siblings?" She asked curiously.

"Yeah. Seven brothers." He nodded with a chuckle.

Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open,

"So, your mother had EIGHT boys?"

"Yeah…it's a lot I know." He said rubbing the back of his neck.

"You're poor mom. That's hardly a family at that point…it's a small army." She said shaking her head with a small laugh.

He smiled at that.

"Yeah…we could be a lot sometimes…"

He took his cap off and ruffled his hair a bit.

"What 'bout you? Got any siblings?"

"Not really…I'm an only child. I have a second cousin I am close to who is kind of like an older brother to me. He was around a lot growing up."

"But other than your cousin…you were just…alone?" He asked his eyebrows furrowing.

"Yeah, I mean…I was an only child. No other siblings…other than my cousin whose kind of like one. There is a large age difference though, so he wasn't around me all the time growing up. I was always excited when he showed up though."

"How much older than you is he?" Scout asked.

"Thirteen years." Lisa replied.

"Yeah…so I guess ya really didn't have any siblings to rough you up, huh?"

"Not really. Just my cousin who would occasionally give me a hard time." She smiled.

"Bet dat must be nice. Siblings can be the worst." He told her shaking his head.

"Really?" She asked leaving the door open for him to answer.

"Oh yeah. My brothers would beat me up every chance they got. Said it'd make me tougher…" He informed her looking down at his bandaged hands.

He gave a dry laugh.

"I mean…it worked but…"

"Sometimes you'd rather not get hit?" Lisa recalled from their time together earlier.

"Yeah." He nodded with a small smile. "Exactly."

"What about your parents? Didn't they ever step in?" Lisa asked concern lacing her voice.

Scout's face fell and he looked away and Lisa's heart clenched at the familiar expression. She subconsciously let a hand pat the pocket of her vest where her keepsake was held. She let out a soft breath as her fingers traced the familiar shape of the item. She glanced back to Scout who was still looking away from her and his fists clenched tightly. This was a stark contrast to the upbeat, energetic if not arrogant young man she'd seen earlier.

"Scout, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ask something so personal."

"It's ok…you didn't mean anythin' by it." He said looking at her.

He looked to his hands and unclenched them. He let out a soft sigh and finally said,

"My ma was always safe to go to. When she was around, she wouldn't let them rough me up…but she had to work a lot. She did a lot for me growin' up. Life wasn't easy…and she did her best for us."

"I'm sure she did, Scout. She sounds like an amazing person." Lisa agreed kindly.

"She really is." Scout said contemplatively as he looked out over the field in front of them.

They sat in silence for a bit. Just taking in the scenery and resting.

"Again…I didn't mean to be nosy about your family." Lisa offered looking at him.

"No harm done. There's more to it but…we'll save that for a later date, yeah?" Scout asked looking at her with a sad lopsided grin. "Maybe then you'll share some stuff 'bout your family too."

"Yeah…maybe…" She replied distantly as she watched a lizard scurry across some rocks nearby.

Suddenly there was a low rumble and they both sat straight up.

"What is that?" Lisa asked.

Scout sighed and stood up, stretching his arms over his head.

"Sounds like the delivery trucks are here. Come on. There should be a delivery for ya. Newbies always get large deliveries."

She followed him around the yard towards the front of the building to the garage. There were a few delivery trucks in. The side of two of the trucks said MANN CO. The other said RED BREAD. Multiple workers unloaded the large crates from the trucks parked outside the garage. Spy, Demo and Engineer were already standing there talking to a few workers and signing off on some papers.

"Oh, hey you two!" Engie greeted before observing their dusty and bruised bodies. "Training go well I take it?"

Scout laughed and said,

"Yeah, of course it did. I'm a great teacher after all."

"Did Scout just say he's a great teacher?" Demo questioned looking up from the crate he was checking.

"Yeah, ya heard me! She said it herself!" Scout exclaimed defensively snatching the clipboard away from a worker who had walked up to him for a signature off some items.

"Really now?" Demo asked slyly before looking at her teasingly. "How much did he pay ya to say that?"

The others chuckled at his joke and Scout's face turned red as he looked away and opened the crate in front of him aggressively.

"No, really. We had a lot of fun. I think he's a good teacher." Lisa defended stepping in.

Demo fixed her with a look, and she could feel Engie and Spy observing her.

"Huh. Clearly more money than I thought." Demo chortled softly as he rustled through some items in the crate in front of him.

"I'm being serious. I had fun and think he did a good job." Lisa defended stubbornly as a worker walked up to her.

"May I have your signature?" The man asked.

"Oh, yeah. Sure. Did I get something?" Lisa asked as she signed it.

"Clearly. Or the man wouldn't be asking for your signature." Spy retorted as he picked up a small crate and walked away from the group.

"Yeah. This way." The man answered her leading her to one of the trucks.

The man was dressed in a grey Mann Co uniform with a hat. The brim covered the man's eyes and Lisa followed behind him hesitantly. The man walked up the ramp into the truck and Lisa followed. Inside he picked up a medium sized box from the truck and set it in front of her.

"Oh, thank you." She said as she bent to pick it up.

She had lifted many boxes as part of her job at the bakery back home. She was sure she could lift it. She bent down to lift it.

"Liftin' with your back and not your legs. Glad ya didn't forget, bright eyes." The man commented from where he stood.

She froze at the voice. She looked up at him from where she was bent and saw familiar twinkling brown eyes. His pink lips were pulled to the side in his signature smirk and his black hair was tucked into his hat. His brown eyes danced mischievously. She went to open her mouth, but he put a finger to his lips and then mouthed,

'Later.'

He then told her quietly,

"Open it when you're alone."

She swallowed as her mouth suddenly felt very dry before giving him a nod. She lifted the large box and walked down the ramp away from him, her heart pounding.

"Whatcha get, Backup?" Scout called from where he was standing over a crate shaking a box of new ammo.

"Some uniforms and things for my room. Guess Pauling was ahead of me." She called back as she held to box tightly and headed away from them.

"Jus' a moment, lass!" Demo called her and she turned around to look at him over her box.

"Scout was just tellin' me that the two of you got blown up by the BLU Demo." He said casually.

"Yeah…and my grenade didn't go off when I needed it to." She replied with a small huff, her voice slightly muffled from the box in front of it.

"That's Mann Co for ye. Once we get our paychecks you should upgrade your gear. Until then…I'd like to teach ye 'bout what it means to be a demolitions expert." He offered looking at her through his one hazel eye before ending with a smirk and a challenging glint in his eye. "If you're up for it that is…"

Lisa steeled herself and gave a short nod as she adjusted the box in her arms.

"I'm up for it."

"Ye sure? This isn't some sissy Spy trainin' or learnin' a wee bit o' mechanics. I will be teachin' ye how to craft high ordinance explosives." He continued his voice low. "If ye can't keep up…you'll explode."

She shrugged and threw him a playful look as she turned to the side to look at him fully without the box in her way.

"First day here I exploded training with Soldier. Second day here…I exploded training with Soldier. If you think I'm afraid of exploding…Soldier kind of beat you to the punch."

Scout snorted loudly from where he leaned against a truck watching the exchange and said, "She's got ya there, Cyclops."

Engie fought a smile as he stacked boxes in the garage.

Demo narrowed his eye at her though a smile twitched at his lips.

"Ye got guts, lass. Let's 'ope they stay in ye."

"Can't wait to find out. Let me put this box in my room and then maybe we could meet after lunch?" She offered. "Scout told me we would be getting some food delivered in since the kitchen supplies were low."

"Yeah." Engie replied as he opened a box with a crowbar and pulled out a machine part to look at it. "There should be some sandwich stuff in the kitchen."

"Alright, that fine with you, Demo?" She asked from behind her box.

"Sounds fine, lass. See ye in an hour." He called as she left.

Lisa carried the box as quickly as she could to her room and once, she made sure the coast was clear, she opened the box.

Her green eyes filled with tears as she picked up a well-loved recipe book. Her grandmother's book. She opened it and a sealed envelope fell out. She quickly opened it and wiped away her tears at her grandmother's neat, cursive.

Lisa,

If you are reading this then Vincent have been successful in finding you. Your Grandfather and I have been worried sick. We heard about what happened at the border and don't you worry, darling. We are having the incident investigated. We know you are in a bind…which is why this must be handled with the upmost discretion. Burn this letter after you receive it. Leave no trace of it. Vincent will meet with you once a month when shipments come in from Mann Co. I know you have questions, mon cher. Your grandfather and I will gladly answer them when you are back, safe and sound. For now, the only way to contact us is through Vinnie. Do not try to call or write as that is easily traced. Trust Vinnie. Your grandfather and I love you so so much ma petit colombe. Vous Êtes fort au-dela de toute mesure et grandement aime. Tu me manques, ma colombe. Prends courage.

With Love,

Grandmy and Grandpy.

Lisa quickly brushed away her tears as she stuffed the letter in her pocket next to her most prized possession. She would have to find a place to burn the letter and soon. In the box she found a nice, warm blanket and a new pillow, a nightgown, and a book. She recognized it as one of her favorites growing up, 'Stuart Little.' The old hardcover was frayed on the edges and the pages well-loved and worn. She gently set it down next to her bed.

As she sifted through the box, she found a small, crumpled piece of paper with far less neat handwriting.

Bright Eyes,

Meet outside the base around by the road. I can't get into the base without permission, so you'll have to come out. Meet me around midnight tonight.

Vincent

Lisa also tucked that in the pocket to be burned. She jumped when she heard a knock at the door and quickly hid the cookbook and the 'Stuart Little' under mattress before calling,

"Who is it?"

There was no reply. She quickly got up and walked to the door and opened it to see another package sitting there also from Mann Co.

She heaved a sigh as she lifted the box into her room. She opened it to find more uniforms, a few Mann Co posters and some necessities for her room. Plain curtains, an alarm clock, a bedside table (non-assembled), a lamp and what looked to be a bed frame. She also found a Mann Co weapons catalog inside. She set it next to her mattress as reading material for later.

There was a knock at her door, and she looked up to see Demo peek his head through the door,

"Ye ready lass?"

She quickly looked at the time on her new clock and said,

"Oh! Sorry! I lost track of time."

Demo chuckled and opened the door fully,

"Figured as much. Made you a sandwich so we can eat as we go over the basics of demolition."

As he said that, he procured a sandwich and a water bottle. Lisa smiled and took the sandwich and water bottle being offered to her.

"Thank you. That was very kind of you."

"Weren't nothin' at all." He shrugged with an easy grin.

Lisa followed after him through the hall and noted the way his body seemed to sway back and forth slightly, and she realized that what she had been told was true. Demo really was rarely sober.

They arrived at Demo's room and it was much cleaner than Lisa had been expecting. His bed was made and while the room was not neat…it wasn't a disaster. The flag of Scotland hung proudly on the wall and perhaps more notable was the large sword hanging above his bed. Lisa felt a certain dread and unease radiating off the large blade and quickly followed Demo to the end of his large room where a workbench sat in the corner. Grenades, sticky bombs and all sorts of other explosive devices lay strewn above the worktable, along with a large bottle of whatever he drank. Etched into the worktable beneath the scattering of explosives, looked to be a symbol. Perhaps a crest? Lisa could make out what appeared to be three grenades and a bottle…very similar to the one sitting on it right then. He grabbed the bottle and took a large swig before gesturing to the seat in front of the table saying,

"Sit."

Lisa obeyed and nervously glanced at the bombs as they tottered back and forth as Demo sat with a clumsy thump into his chair.

"Now lass. The basics, I wan' ye to recite the periodic table in alphabetical order. Ye may begin."

Lisa blinked widely at him. She had not even thought about the periodic table since high school. Demo guzzled his drink and burped before glancing at her and looking her up and down.

"What's the hol' up? Go on."

"I…I do not remember the periodic table…" Lisa stammered, and Demo eyed her critically through his single orb.

"Ye dunnae…YE DUNNAE THE BLOODY PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS?!"

"I did at one time but Demo! School was a while ago and it wasn't helpful information for my day-to-day life…" Lisa trailed off as Demo squinted critically at her.

"Figures school didn't teach ye anythin' useful! I mean look where ye are!" He gestured grandly at the room around him. "In the middle o' the desert as a mercenary. Thought bein' a merc would be easy money now di' ye?"

"What? No. I-" Lisa started but was quickly interrupted by Demo slamming down the bottle and pointing a finger at her.

"Do no' give me annae lip! I've seen yer type before. Ye join on a whim and quit yer borin' nine to five for an excitin' new life. Now look at ye. Outta yer depth a million times o'er."

Lisa gaped at him. He was only halfway wrong. He watched her shrewdly, his one eye darting about her face, appraising her reaction. She quickly shut her mouth and sat up straighter and steadied her gaze a bit, despite the protest of her racing heart.

Demo snorted before swallowing from his bottle again.

"You're wrong." Lisa managed to get out.

Demo stopped drinking to look at her.

"Beg ye pardon?"

"You're wrong. I didn't join for an exciting new life…or money…"

"Those are the only two reasons I can think of a woman like yourself joinin' us. I mean look at ye! I have seen some serious mercenaries in my time. Men and women both. Me mum bein' one of 'em. Terrifyin' woman. You?" He chuckled before continuing. "Ye look like ye should be settled down in some small town with a 'usband. 'ave a dog and a pristine, green yard an' white picket fence…maybe a wee bairn or two clingin' to yer skirts."

A sharp pain pierced Lisa's heart.

'I did want that.' She recognized painfully before swallowing and forcing a sad smile.

"Well then…you should know life doesn't work like that. I may not be as strong or as experienced as any of you, but I am here. Whether I should or should not is up to the Administrator. Are you going to teach me the art of demolition or not? If not, I will go figure it out on my own." Lisa said far steelier than she felt.

Demo silently appraised her before bursting into a full, loud belly laugh.

Lisa blinked in confusion.

"Something funny?" She asked in annoyance.

"I knew ye were gutsy! We'll make a professional merc outta ye yet. First, ye gotta 'ave spirit. Ye got that. Now…I teach ye the basics of demolition. Startin' wit' the bloody periodic table o' elements." Demo replied breezily pulling out a list of the elements.

"Wait…so that whole thing was a test or something?" Lisa spluttered at his sudden shift in behavior.

"'spose ye could call it that. Most of the fellas 'ere are suspicious of ye. Not me…well…not much. Ye don't seem very experienced…but ye're gutsy. I can work wit' that."

"…I knew Spy was suspicious of me. Everyone else is too?" Lisa questioned furrowing her brows.

Demo stopped the bottle on its way to his lips and his eye widened as if he had said something he should not have before waving a hand,

"Ach! Pay it no mind. Most mercs are suspicious over newbies. No' everyone 'ere is suspicious of ye. Ye don't even know the periodic table. Harmless as a mouse."

"Does Scout know the periodic table?" Lisa asked snarkily before she could stop herself.

"We aren't talkin' 'bout the Scout. We are talkin' 'bout you. Lil' Miss Backup. Got 'lot a big shoes t' fill. So, let's start wit' mine." Demo cleared his throat and handed her the paper. "'ere's yer homework. Expect ye to have it memorized within the week."

"I guess this really is important stuff, huh?" Lisa murmured softly observing the chart.

"Important?! Ye bet yer da's kilt it's important!" Demo exclaimed slamming a fist on the table, causing Lisa to jump. "One crossed wire…one wayward pinch o' potassium chlorate…one errant twitch…AND KABLOOEY!"

Lisa leaned back in her chair and observed as Demo launched on an impassioned tirade on the art of demolition. Lisa sighed softly to herself as Demo began to discuss the basics of the chemicals, he works with on a small blackboard behind him. This was going to be a long lesson…

(Hours later)

Lisa trudged exhaustedly to the kitchen to have dinner. After a grueling four hours of studying with Demo, he'd finally let her go with a long list of assignments to complete before the next week when he was planning on meeting for lesson two.

As she walked down the hall to the kitchen, a delightful, savory smell wafted to her nose. Her stomach rumbled at the scent and she quickened her pace to see who was cooking. She reached the kitchen area and was met with the onslaught of savory aromas and the freshness of some form of bread. Engie stood in front of her at the oven, pulling out a large sheet of yellow bread. A large pot bubbled on the stove.

"Hello, Engie." She greeted, trying not to salivate.

He turned to her with a kind expression.

"Evenin' Backup. Glad to see you're not skippin' dinner."

"It smells amazing. What is it?" Lisa asked as Engie gestured for her to sit at the table.

"Ah this? Jus' a simple Texas chili and good ol' fashioned cornbread. Careful, it's hot." Engie warned as he set a steaming bowl in front of her and a large piece of cornbread in a napkin.

The large, warm bowl of seasoned beef and beans was topped with a dollop sour cream, a few pieces of jalapeno and a generous smattering of grated, cheddar cheese.

Lisa offered up a quick prayer and dug in with her spoon. A burst of warm, southern flavors hit her tongue and she moaned softly in delight.

"Engie, this is amazing."

He smiled softly at the praise as he grabbed a bowl for himself.

"Glad ya like it."

He then walked to an intercom on the wall and pressed the button,

"Grubs up!"

Engie grabbed a bowl and a square of corn bread and sat next to Lisa. They both ate in a comfortable silence. Lisa attempted to keep some form of manners even as her stomach screamed at her to shovel and then get more.

Scout was the first to bound in for dinner, quickly followed by Heavy and Soldier. They all sat at the table and began to eat too. Soldier and Scout bantered as Engie chuckled in amusement and Lisa was just thankful she wasn't being interrogated again. As she was eating she noticed the flame burning low under the pot. The food in her mouth suddenly tasted acrid as the two letters in her pocket suddenly felt very heavy. She needed to get rid of them.

Lisa finished her portion and rose to wash her dish as the others chowed down.

"Ya finished already?" Scout questioned muffled, as he attempted to shove his piece of corn bread in his mouth.

"Yeah. I got here earlier than you. Thanks for dinner, Engie!" Lisa thanked as she left to find some way to dispose of the letters.

She decided to head outside to find a burn bin or maybe somewhere she can bury it. As she headed outside, she saw Pyro standing by a large barrel. The sky was beginning to darken, stars slowly beginning to glisten in the open sky above. As Lisa walked closer, she was ecstatic to find a flame burning brightly. She just had to be sneaky. Throw it in when Pyro turned or left…

"Hello Pyro." She greeted coming over to the barrel and standing in front of it, holding out her hands to warm as the desert air slowly began to drop.

"Hrrrmwrrm." Pyro nodded to her before turning back to stare at the flames with her.

As the sky finished turning dark and the stars began to fully blanket the heavens above, Lisa was beginning to get nervous. Maybe now wasn't a good time for this…maybe she could get rid of them some other way?

Then as fate would have it, a shout came from the base.

"Pyro! Can ya come 'ere a minute? Could use your help!"

"Errgee! Hrrmwrrppphh!" Pyro called back before running in the direction of the voice.

'Finally.' Lisa thought as she watched Pyro's form disappear into the building.

She waited a few more moments. Listening for anybody and trying hard to scan the darkening surroundings for anyone. After determining that the coast was clear, she brought out the two letters and after reading them one more time. She tossed her grandparents letter in first and watched it burn. She then lifted Vincent's letter and as she was about to drop it, she saw a shadow from her peripheral vision. She dropped the letter in shock and turned to see…nothing. She looked to her hand and the note was gone. The flames still burned brightly…too brightly to check if it had fallen in. Feeling a chill that she doubted was from the cold, she went to head inside after checking around the bin to see if it had fallen around it. Nothing there. Lisa bit her lip nervously, but what could be done? She was just paranoid. She went to wait inside until it was time to meet Vincent.

(Midnight)

Lisa had snuck out of the base with little issue. She watched warily as the sentries whirred and focused on her as she passed the entrance and the canvas disguise. She walked cautiously out to the freeway. No headlights shown on the road. No sounds…except those of the night creatures of the desert. She wrapped her arms around herself and patted the gun at her side for comfort.

"Psst! Bright eyes!" hissed a voice.

Lisa jumped, hand on her gun to see Vincent emerging from a place he had been hidden by rock. Emotion swelled in her chest and a sob tore from her throat as she gasped,

"Vinnie!"

She ran and threw herself into his arms. One of his arms wrapped securely around her waist and the other came up to rest his hand on the back of her head.

"Vinnie. How the…how did you find me?" She cried into his chest.

"Bright eyes. I don't think there's anywhere ya could go dat I couldn't find ya. They hurt ya? I swear to God if they did, I'll kill 'em all myself." Vinnie said pulling her back to look at her.

"I mean…I can't…I can't tell you much. You're already in danger being here." Lisa whispered to him. "I can't meet you often. They're already suspicious of me for being a…imposter or something. They were very clear in saying that I can't tell anyone what happens in the base."

"Lisa…how the heck did you even get mixed up in dis? I've started snoopin' a bit. You're way in over your head." Vinnie questioned his brown eyes shining with concern.

"Didn't Grammy and Grampy tell you? The bakery van I was driving was full of weapons. I was blackmailed into coming here. I was forced to sign a contract and work as mercenary or be sentenced to life in prison. Can you get me out of here?" Lisa rushed gripping his arms.

"That…that is so illegal, Lisa."

"Getting me out of here or the fact that I'm here to begin with?" Lisa smarted back.

"Well…I suppose both. The people you're working for…the companies are very powerful from what I've seen. I'm gonna keep snoopin' until I figure out what's goin' on and find a way to get ya out. I swear, I'll die before leavin' ya here on your own." Vince stated strongly.

Lisa's green eyes widened fearfully and she quickly grabbed his shoulders and gave him a shake.

"No. No, you idiot. If you're in danger you leave. You understand? You leave. Don't do that to Grammy and Grampy. I don't even understand how you found me. How did you get a job at Mann Co? I thought you worked as a consultant in New York!"

Vinnie gave her a sad smile and said,

"Hey, I promise when you're somewhere safe, I'll explain everything. I promise, ok? But I'm not goin' anywhere 'til your safe. Got it? Not leavin' ya here."

"Vinnie. You said it yourself. These people…whoever my employers really are, they're powerful. They don't take kindly to threats and as I said. My coworkers are already suspicious of me for whatever reason. Please…please run if there's danger. I…I can't lose anymore…" Her throat closed and her eyes blurred with tears as her hands dug into his shoulders as she began to tremble.

His eyes widened and quickly turned remorseful as he grabbed her hands.

"Lisa…hey. I'm sorry…I didn't mean that. I won't die. I'm tough. I'm sorry, I worded that poorly. I won't die. Ok?"
"Promise me…promise me, Vinnie. If there's danger to yourself…you'll get out of here. If I tell you to run, that you'll run. Please…for me, Grammy and Grampy." Lisa shuddered eyes closed tightly as her body trembled.

"I…I.." Vincent stammered, hesitant to agree.

"Please, Vinnie. Please. I won't be able to live with myself if something happens to any of you because of me." She begged tears rolling down her face.

"Ok…Ok. Ok, bright eyes. I promise. We have to think of a code word that means, 'Vinnie, you 'bout to die. Run for the hills!'" He joked playfully trying to coax a smile out of the distressed woman in front of him.

Lisa wiped her eyes and gave a watery laugh.

"I don't know. What do you think? What would immediately tell you to run?"

"Other than the word, 'run'?" Vinnie teased.

They both thought silently for a few moments before Lisa pulled away with a laugh and asked,

"Hey, do you remember when we went to that one Chinese place in Queens? We both got terrible food poisoning from the food there."

"Yeah…dat was awful. I still can't stomach fried rice after dat." Vinnie replied with a grimace.

"How about that? I'll somehow get the word. 'Queens' to you."

"Hm. That'll work. Same for you? If I think you need to get out of dodge…I'll send the message to you too?" Vinnie asked.

"Sure. Sounds good. I have a feeling I'll probably be telling you first though." Lisa replied grimly.

"Well, let's both hope it doesn't come to that." Vincent replied ruffling her blonde curls on her head.

"Ow! Stop it, Vinnie!" She griped, swatting away the offending hand.

He chuckled softly before looking at the sky above them.

"Well…I'll let Grammy and Grampy know you're ok. They've been worried sick about ya. I'll try to meet with ya once a month. Once I have a place set up near by to live, I'll find a way to give ya a number to phone if ya need me."

"Well…don't settle in Teufort. I know that much." Lisa advised.

"Noted." He grinned before punching her shoulder gently.

Lisa wrinkled her nose at him and rubbed her shoulder.

"Oh, c'mon. It was a light tap."

"Still hurt you jerk." She grumbled.

"Missed ya, Lis." He grinned turning away. "I'll hopefully see ya soon. Keep ya head low. Don't do anythin' I wouldn't do!"

"Oh yeah. That REALLY narrows it down for me." She teased back with a lighthearted grin despite her heart sinking at the fact that he had to leave.

Vincent walked a motorcycle to the road and mounted it before giving her one last fleeting look.

"Stay safe, Lis."

With that, his engine revved softly before he disappeared into the night.

Lisa stood there in the chilly desert watching until his taillight had completely disappeared. She sighed to herself and rubbed her arms for comfort before heading back to the base…completely unaware of the pair of eyes watching her.

Author's Note: YAY! Next chapter complete. I hope you all enjoyed it! I am trying to get at least one chapter out a month. I'm on break so hopefully more chapters will come soon! Please comment and let me know what you think! They make my day.

Here's the translation for the French above. DISCLAIMER: I do not speak French. I used a translator on Google. If one of you does speak French and wishes to inform me the proper way to say these things, I will gladly listen.

Vous etes fort au-dela de toute mesure et grandement aime: You are strong beyond measure and greatly loved.

Tu me manques, ma colombe. Prends courage.: I miss you, my dove. Take heart.