Everyone awoke the next morning, feeling their bodies ache. They stretched and groaned from the exhaustion.
"Good morning, sleepy heads!" announced Doc cheerfully. "I took the liberty at making you all pancakes! I hope you're all hungry!"
"Are these real pancakes are some of those vegan-shit cakes?" Grif asked, fearing the answering.
"No, silly." Doc said, putting his hands on his hips. "I made them like how mothers attend."
Grif rolled his eyes and made his way to the table.
"Well... they smell normal." Grif said after he took a whiff of a plate full.
"These look great, Doc!" Donut exclaimed as he picked up a plate. "Awww and you made little hearts with strawberries in this one!" He gushed.
"Just like you like 'em!" Doc smiled.
"Kill me." Grif mumbled as he picked apart his pancake. "Who puts fruit in a pancake?!"
"A fruit." Sarge replied as he grabbed the maple syrup.
"Be nice." Wash said as he went to the counter to pour himself a cup of coffee. He took out his pill bottles and emptied a pill into his palm before popping it into his mouth.
"I need some tea." Virginia said as she rubbed her temples.
"I already made a fresh batch." Doc said and held a cup out to her.
"Aw Doc, you are just a catch!" Virginia beamed as she took her cup.
"Awww!" Doc blushed.
"...stupid Doc..." grumbled Simmons as he leaned over his plate.
"Good morning, everyone." Kimball came out of her bedroom and joined them at the table. "I hope you all got some much needed rest."
"Definitely. I know I passed out." Carolina said.
"Which is strange because you never sleep." Wash chuckled before he sipped his coffee.
"I do, too." Carolina snapped.
"Yeah, when you're not off getting in secret late night training sessions." Wash mumbled as he raised an eyebrow at her. Carolina smirked and shrugged.
"There's a reason I was top of the charts."
"Maybe that's why I stayed at rank 14. I valued my sleep more." Virginia chuckled. Wash joined in with a chuckle.
"Well, I want to let you know all about the conversation I had with the UNSC this morning." Kimball interrupted.
"Oh?" Wash asked, his eyebrows risen.
"Yes..."

"It's good to hear from you, Kimball." Said a familiar voice over the line.
"Good to hear from you, too. How are things on your end, Mr. Hood?" Kimball asked.
"Please, call me Terrance." He cleared his throat a bit before continuing. "So, the Reds and Blues had a bit of a... hiccup... yesterday with their plan?"
"Yes... unfortunately. They were close to capturing the fugitives, but they escaped." Kimball explained.
"Yeah. Some of my men told me about what they came across. I have a diving team there, stripping apart that wreckage."
"Tell me, Terrance... did you have a shipment or something of bomb makings go M.I.A?" Kimball decided to be straight-forward, rather than dance around the question.
"...How'd you know that?"
"Because the Reds and Blues found it in the base."
"Well, I guess that solves that mystery." Terrance sighed. "Before the fugitives were broken out, we had a UNSC freighter go M.I.A. with it's delivery. It was supposed to make it to base, but was never found."
"And the driver?"
"Also, M.I.A. We presume he's dead. We had two other men aboard that shipment and they are also gone."
Kimball slumped back in her seat.
"Well, let's hope that all those makings for the bomb are underwater and ruined."
"I've beefed up security with any and all shipments. We are taking extra precaution so that if Temple and his crew try anything, they won't succeed."
"How can you be sure?"
"They are ordered to Kill-On-Sight." Terrance explained, massaging his forehead. "I'll let you know about the findings in the lake, and if we have any luck tracking them down. Please, keep me informed of your team and if they have any more bright ideas."
"I must get ready for a video conference. I hear the people of Chorus about my televised death are upset."
"Yeah... put them at ease, and please, keep the missing bomb equipment out of the presses." Terrance asked.
"I wouldn't want to make you look bad." Kimball said as she sat back up in her chair.
"I appreciate it. Take care, Ms. Kimball."
"You too, Mr. Hood."

"How did the press conference debacle go?" asked Donut before shoveling a fork-full of pancake into his mouth.
"Well, the people are understanding that it was ploy to try to capture the fugitives. They are... mostly relieved that I'm alive and well." Kimball shrugged. "A bit upset that the fugitives weren't captured, but, understanding."
"We were so close." Tucker said angrily. "So damn close."
"You will get them." Kimball said. "What's on everyone's agenda today?"
"I'm gonna need another robot kit." Sarge spoke up.
"Another plan?"
"No. For Lopez's body." Sarge pointed to the head of Lopez, which sat on the table near the couch.
"Understood. I'll make sure my guards pick up one today."
"We'll probably run some drills." Wash said before taking a bite out of his pancakes.
"More drills? Dude, we almost died yesterday. Can't we take a fucking break?" Grif whined.
"Agreed. My whole body is sore." Tucker said as he rotated his shoulder.
"Sore is good." Wash said. "It means your body is still working."
"I don't think-," Doc began to speak up.
"The more you push yourself, the less sore you'll get it." Wash interrupted.
"Uh oh. Hard ass Wash is in the building." Tucker said, putting his hands up to his side.
"Have I steered you wrong, yet?" Wash asked, looking down the table at Tucker. Tucker sighed, stretched his arms over his head and leaned back in his chair.
"Uuuuugh..."
"That's what I thought."
"Give them a break." Carolina spoke up, and everyone turned to her in surprise.
"Come again?" Wash looked at her.
"Yesterday, was a hard day. We lost. We nearly died. Let's take a day to get our heads back on straight. I think we all deserve it." Carolina turned her bright green eyes to Wash. He stared at her for a moment and felt her hand on his knee. A smile crossed his lips.
"Fine. Take it easy today, everyone."
The group cheered.
"But tomorrow, I'm going to ride you all hard."
"Bow chic a bow wow." Tucker blurted out.
"Dammit, Tucker." Wash sighed.
"I like to be ridden hard." Donut added. Wash threw his hands up in the air.
"You are all ridiculous!"
"This conversation is turning me on. Anybody else?" Kaikaina asked. Wash put his face in his hands.
"I. Hate. You. All."
Then, the group broke out in laughter.

Sarge sat in the middle of his bedroom, having sporadic tools sitting next to him. Kimball's team was quick enough to get the robot kit that he had asked for. He had the legs of Lopez propped up in front of him, and he was attaching the parts with a screwdriver while humming. He felt on the ground for the screws, staring intently at each individual piece as he assembled Lopez. His eyes gazed over at the lone helmet of his Spanish friend, before looking back at the parts before him.
"Don't worry, Lopez. I'll have you back together, in no time."

Grif and Virginia were sitting on the couch, laughing hysterically at what was on the television screen. Simmons was in the bathroom, but once he had finished, he came out to see the two laughing.
"Hey guys, what you watching?" Simmons looked at the television to see him, dressed in his armor, running from a U.F.O., screaming about the aliens trying to steal his penis.
"W-What... where?!" Simmons looked at Grif and back at the television. "You fucking dick! Where'd you get this?!"
"I recorded it when we were time traveling." Grif said. "Remember those camera functions they installed when were training to fight Felix? I kept mine." Grif said as he pointed to his head.
Virginia was shifting her eyes to Simmons and Grif while putting her hand over her mouth.
"You son of a bitch!" Simmons screamed and jumped at Grif, throwing his fists rapidly.
"Ow! Not the face!" Grif begged as they rolled onto the floor. Virginia shrugged and continued to laugh.

Tucker lied in his bed with Kaikaina curled up to his side. She had her head on his shoulder and she was drawing hearts on his chest with her fingertip.
"You're awfully quiet." Tucker said to break the silence.
"I was just thinking...," Kai admitted.
"Thinking about what?"
"Yesterday."
"Why?" Tucker said. Kai propped herself up on an elbow and looked down at Tucker. Her dark eyes looked sad.
"Because I almost lost my brother and you. That was scary. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
"Aw babe, you got nothing to worry about." Tucker said and pulled her back to his body.
"I have to worry. What if I can't save you next time?" Kai asked, and the question lingered in the air.
"Then... I guess we'll have to rely on luck." Tucker said, then he kissed her on her forehead.

Wash had dragged a chair from a neighboring closet to the training room, and watched as Carolina was doing back flips.
"I like how you tell everyone to take it easy and relax, but here you are, pushing yourself." Wash said as he crossed his feet at the ankles and leaned back in his chair.
Carolina spun on her heel and did a series of kicks.
"You don't become number one by taking it easy." Carolina smirked.
"I see that. But, shouldn't you also treat yourself to a nice, easy day?" Wash asked as he leaned forward onto his elbows. Carolina paused kicking and looked over at Wash.
"What did you have in mind?"
"Um, I dunno." Wash shrugged. "Cuddle?" A smile stretched across his lips. Carolina walked towards Wash with a mischievous grin on her face.
"Cuddle, hm?" Wash began to look worried as she got closer to him.
"I was joking. Don't kill me." Wash put his hands up in the air.
"I'll cuddle you if I'm the big spoon." Carolina suggested as she leaned forward and put her hands on Wash's knees.
"Hey now, you're hurting my masculinity." Wash said, acting offended.
"Oh, sorry." Carolina chuckled. "I didn't realize a big, strong manly man would ever use the word 'cuddle'."
Wash jumped up from his seat.
"That's it, missy." Wash stepped into a fighting position. "I think it's time I show you how much of a man I really am." Carolina threw back her head and laughed.
"Oh, bring it on!" Carolina stepped backwards onto the mat, replicating his fighting stance.

Kimball had a chef come in to cater for dinner. She figured she'g give the team a break from cooking.
Grif nearly pounced on the table when he saw the layout of various dishes before them. Chicken, mashed potatoes, salad, stuffing, bacon-wrapped scallops, shrimp cocktail, buffalo chicken dip, asparagus, steamed carrots and vegetable egg rolls.
"Oh God, I've died and gone to heaven." Grif said, nearly drooling. He was the first to skid into a seat and prepare his helpings.
"Quick. Get some food before he eats it all." Sarge ordered as he took a seat.
"Same some for us, you fat fuck." Tucker snapped at Grif.
"You don't want me to waste away. I need to watch my figure." Grif said as he grabbed his pudgy belly.
"This is wonderful, Kimball. Thank you." Carolina said, being proper.
"You're so very welcome. It was my pleasure." Kimball said as she filled her plate. "I figured you all could use some pampering. It's not easy to relax when your life is on the line."
"Ain't that the truth!" Donut said as he scooped a helping of mashed potatoes onto his plate.
"I'm so happy to see the vegan options!" Doc squealed and scooped up some asparagus.
"After a good night's rest, we'll run some drills in the morning." Wash announced.
"Fuck!" screamed Tucker.
"Tucker..." Wash said as he glared at him.
"At least we don't have Freckles threatening our lives." Tucker sighed.
"Affirmative." Came the familiar voice of Freckles from Caboose's side.
Everyone went silent, and devoured their meals, mentally preparing themselves for the next day.

Simmons went into his room after finishing his meal. He slipped into a comfortable pair of shorts and tank top, when a knock came to his door.
He opened it and found Virginia standing at the opposite side.
"May I come in?" She asked.
"S-Sure." Simmons stepped aside, allowing Virginia to walk in. Virginia locked her blue eyes on Simmons. She was dressed in shorts with a tank top. Her long hair flowed down over her chest.
He quickly felt his heart race as he sat onto his bed.
"I thought I'd come keep you company." Virginia said as she crawled next to him in bed.
"Oh, okay." Simmons squeaked. He cleared his throat from the high-pitch noise he just released. Virginia chuckled.
"It's cute how nervous you get around me." Virginia commented as she laid her head on his shoulder.
"Nervous? Who said anything about being nervous? I'm not nervous." Simmons rambled on, trying to wave it off.
"Uh huh. You're a terrible liar." Virginia said with a smirk.
"When have I ever shown being nervous?" Simmons asked, sounding offended.
"Weeell..."

Virginia was sitting at the dining room table, which Simmons was fixing due to Grif putting all his weight on it.
"Stupid Grif." Simmons grumbled as he fixed the table. "There!"
"You know how to work a drill." quipped Virginia. Simmons started to blushing as he put his tools away. As he walked away, he dropped his tool box and tripped. "You okay?!"
"Yeah! Um, yeah! I'm good." He cleared his throat. "I'm good. I'm fine."

"I can tell when you're nervous." Virginia said. Simmons sighed, feeling defeated.
"I guess... I'm just... I'm not used to getting attention. I was never popular." Simmons admitted.
"Being popular is overrated." Virginia said.
"I wish my dad saw it that way." Simmons murmured. "He... he drilled it into me that it didn't mean squat if you weren't..."
"Weren't what?"
"Desired, I guess. 'You need to be popular, be a football player, win the hearts of women', he would say. He was so disappointed in me when I would talk about math, or science, or physics... I never did the things that he wanted. My dad was the football star. My dad married his high school sweetheart. He was adored by everyone. He was a legend in his town. But... me? I seemed like a constant source of disappointment. Then... one day... he just left. No word. Nothing."
Virginia ran her hand over Simmons' hand. She watched his green eyes as he looked solemnly into nothingness.
"That's a lot of pressure to put on a kid." Virginia said in a soothing voice. She reached up and brushed her fingers through his chestnut colored hair. He turned his head to her.
"It is!" He released a sigh. "It's hard to match up to him. I always feel like I'm not good enough. I guess that's why I always get... nervous..." Simmons' eyebrows lowered as he stared sadly at Virginia.
"Well, I like you for who you are, Simmons."
"Richard."
"Richard." Virginia smiled as she said his name. "Sienna."
"Sienna?" Simmons rose an eyebrow.
"My real name." Virginia and Simmons were now smiling, staring into each other's eyes.
"It's beautiful." Simmons whispered as he put a hand onto her cheek.
"You don't need to be anybody else, but yourself." Virginia said, and in that moment, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.
Simmons melted against her lips; his cheeks burning red. The moment held and when they slowly parted, he stared at her.
"I like where I am right now."
"So do I."