Hey folks! Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I've just been a little unmotivated, but I really wanted to get something out to you guys! I hope you like it, sorry this chapter might be a bit dull. ;P


A month had passed since the dance. The weeks of sleet and snow were far behind them as the train bumped beneath her team. They were being sent somewhere called Harvest, which was thankfully far warmer than that desolate chilly mountain.

Tracy sat in her train car, lazily peering out the window at the scenery flashing past. Her suitcase was above her, packed with everything she could find in the short amount of time they were given. Scout was in the seat in front of her, lying on his back with a baseball magazine obscuring his face. He snored, but rather than annoying it was almost cute.

The train was rickety and old, from the dust covering the floor to the worn leather seats. Tracy sighed, leaning back into the squeaky fabric.

Not much had happened after the dance, despite her worries. She had neglected to tell her team about the note, or the possibility of a man from her past stalking her. That was the only conclusion she could come up with. Victor was stalking her due to selling out her friends. Their old friends.

She couldn't blame him either. Had she been the one to find out Victor had sold out Julie, James, and Zach, she would have been furious as well. But she didn't believe that all he wanted was to talk. His smile... it still sent shivers up her spine.

Victor had been more than just a friend. It wasn't exactly romance, but there had definitely been something budding between the two before everything came crashing down. He was definitely a specimen, pretty as a peach. Not someone you'd imagine as a criminal. Pale, almost creamy platinum blond hair and the brightest blue eyes you'd ever see. He was almost angelic in appearance. Yet now that she was here, with real friends, she recalled his actions to be... questionable at best.

He'd always agree to any plan she'd schemed up, never objecting to the possible morals. She may had been bad, but he knew far too well what they were doing. And he seemed to relish the crimes far more than she ever did. Victor would always laugh when they got away, chattering feverishly about how mad the people would be when they found out their possessions were taken right under their noses.

Tracy sighed and shook her head, the memories fading. She didn't want to think of Victor. But the fear that he could pop up at any second put her on edge. She didn't know if his intentions were violent, and that scared her.

Footsteps shook her from her daze, startling her as she whipped her head around to see who it was. Sniper cocked a brow, a small grin on his face.

"Spooked ya?"

Tracy snorted, waving a hand. "You wish. I was just daydreaming."

"Well, better be bright eyed and bushy tailed. We're nearing Harvest in about five minutes." He stepped closer, kicking Scout. The boy jumped, his magazine flying to the floor.

"Whu? No, I don't wanna go to school ma..." The Bostion grumbled, glassy eyes closing once more as he snuggled back into the seat.

The Australian chuckled, a tad annoyed but far too amused to be completely angry. "Mind wakin' him up soon? Don't wanna drag him out."

"Why am I his babysitter?" Thief snorted.

"Cus he won't be mad at you." Sniper pointed, rolling his eyes. "'Sides, I had to leave my van behind to get repairs. All my shit is still in my van, and I don't wanna hafta deal with the lil shiet."

"Fair enough." She shrugged, picking the magazine from the floor and tucking it into Scout's luggage. "But don't expect the same treatment twice."

"Fine, fine. See ya when we get there." Sniper waved his hand as he strolled down the row of seats, disappearing through a door.

Tracy stretched, turning her gaze up to her luggage. The constant moving wasn't exactly ideal, but she was happy to be out of the cold. She was certain the others would be too, although the Heavy was probably impervious to the extreme cold.

It felt like only a few seconds when they finally arrived into town. It was midday, with leaves falling from the trees. Tracy had no idea what state they were in, her sense of direction completely broke since she had been taken from home.

Turning to the Scout, she dragged him from slumber and grabbed her luggage, bumping shoulders with the other passengers as she made her way off. She was almost lost when she caught sight of her team, Spy taking role call as if he were leading a pack of kindergartners.

Spy turned to her, nodding. "It seems we are all present. Our destination is five mile out of town. Unfortunately, since the Sniper's transportation..." He coughed, mumbling something about a piss wagon, "... has been left behind for repairs, a bus will be picking us up in an hour. Try not to get lost."

The team looked amongst themselves, then to the town. It was small, but sizable enough to have a bar and a line of stores. Tracy still had a sizable chunk of change from the gambling incident, so her first idea was some clothes and food. All the items she had been given had, well... lets say been worn out to the point of rags. War did that to your wardrobe. Sneaking away from the group, she went into a women's clothing store.

She instantly remembered she was dressed to look like a man, so talking to the sales representative was awkward. Tracy decided to just say she was buying something for her girlfriend and gave the rep her size. She chose whatever fit and wasn't too revealing, mostly colors in blue or purple. There was a red hoodie she had her eye on, but she wasn't quite sure if she wanted to risk it.

The rep followed her eye, smiling. "She like red?"

"Red? Er, uh... right, the color. I mean, I guess." Tracy stuttered, shook from her thoughts.

"Since you're buying so much, we can give you a discount. I hope the lucky lady appreciates everything you bought her!" The Saleswoman sang as she took the hoodie off the rack and packaged it with the rest of the clothing. Regardless of the fact the woman was pushy as hell, she did appreciate the discount and despite the color, she did really like the hoodie.

"I'm sure she will, thanks so much." Tracy smiled, taking her bags and speed walking out of the store before she could be wrangled into buying something stupid like scarves and frilly panties.

Her team was nowhere in sight, but she had a pretty good idea where everyone was. The bar, of course. To get a nice drink would be the first thing on the minds of men who had to sit on a train for two hours with no service. With some effort, Tracy forced her new clothes into her suitcase before entering the establishment.

It was a homely little place, wood floors and walls with a small fireplace. The seats around the bartender were near full, with each merc taking their respective seats. Tracy jumped into the last remaining one, just beside the Pyro. What Pyro would do in a bar, Tracy had no idea. The fireplace wasn't even lit.

Her team greeted her with shouting and slaps on the back, a few already slightly buzzed off liquor. Tracy ordered a random drink from the bottles stacked behind the bartender, lazily sipping without really paying attention to the flavor.

"Mon dieu, if any of you start a brawl, I will replace all the alcohol at the base with oil." Spy grumbled, sipping from a shot of scotch, staring grumpily at a light fixture on the ceiling.

"Lad, you best you don't." Demoman grumbled, taking personal offense to the threat.

"Last time you idiots started a fight, I had to pay for the damages you did to the bar while the Medic dragged you back to base. So do NOT start anything." Spy growled, giving the Scotsman the stink eye, lighting a cigarette. Demoman scoffed, turning his head back to the Soldier who was boasting about his time during the war to the others. Medic and Heavy weren't impressed, rather mumbling a reply while ignoring him.

Tracy turned to the Sniper, who was staring into his glass, swirling its contents around with a grimace on his face. He noticed her looking and perked up.

"Like the drinks?" He asked, taking a sip from his glass.

Tracy shrugged, "Not bad. Yours?"

"A little harsh. I don't drink alcohol too often, makes me unsteady." The Australian set the glass down, stretching his back and popping his shoulders. "Can't get a good shot if I'm swaying side to side."

"I see what you mean." She chuckled, turning and bumping the Spy's shoulder. "Hey, how soon is that bus arriving?"

Spy pulled back his sleeve, checking his watch. "They should be arriving within the minute. Gentlemen, let us take our leave."

The group got up, paying for their drinks and making their way outside. It was near evening by now, the sun beginning to set. The bus arrived near the train station, honking the horn for their attention. They walked aboard, taking their seats.

They arrived within fifteen minutes, which made Tracy wonder why they hadn't just walked. But considering the fact Spy probably didn't want his fancy shoes to get dirt on them, she didn't question it further. The place was small, with either base being surprisingly close to one another. It was a farm, with wheat fields and a pumpkin patch behind the fence surrounding the battle ground. A single control point was in the middle, which meant this was a king of the hill kind of battle.

The barns had recently been refurbished for living in, with everything a group of ten people would possibly need. There was even a balcony, which Tracy was certain that Sniper would appreciate. The air was fresh and cool, the falling leaves crisp underfoot.

As soon as they stepped through the door, and before Soldier could say anything, Tracy laid a hand on his shoulder. "Let the team figure out who they want to bunk with, alright?" She chuckled, patting his shoulder before walking upstairs. Soldier straightened, surprised, before his face became thoughtful.

There were five rooms each, three on the second floor and two at the ground floor. Tracy invited the Pyro up, considering they had been a good roommate.

"Want to bunk together again?" She asked, and the Pyro giggled with glee, running to a room to procure it for their own.

The sun began to set, quickly turning the sky down to a warm purple. Her team was huddled around the fireplace, eating and drinking and generally having a good time. Tracy sat beside the Heavy, who was crooning a Russian song while the Medic swung to the beat. True, Tracy couldn't understand a lick of it and the Russian's voice wasn't exactly melodical, but it was still fun to listen to.

Pyro was poking at the fireplace, seeming to consider if they should stick their hand in the fire. Demo and Soldier were playing cards by themselves, while the Sniper was on the balcony with Spy, smoking a few cigarettes. Scout was probably taking a jog, since there was a long stretch of road nearby, and the Engineer was in the workshop off to the right of the base.

Just as Tracy was going to lean back and relax, the door opened from the kitchen. The Engineer entered, catching her eye and clearing his throat for everyone's attention.

"Thief, you got a visitor." He called out softly. Tracy immediately stood up, her muscles tensing. She already knew who it was.

She stepped to the door slowly as the man walked through.

Just as she thought.

Victor.

"Nice to see you again, Trace."


Update: 2020

I'm thinking about continuing this story, please let me know if you are interested!