Virginia stared out of the passenger window as Simmons drove them down the suburban street. Everything felt so weird to her. Earth almost felt foreign.
She stared at the bloomed trees, kids playing in the sprinklers, wooden picket fences and everything seemed... normal.
She hadn't been on Earth since she was 18, and she couldn't help but wonder just how much had changed...

"You're lost in your head." Simmons commented as he reached over to squeeze her thigh.
"Oh, sorry." Virginia said, putting her hand over his. "I'm just taking it all in."
"I know. It feels weird to not being seeing tanks, explosions and aliens." Simmons chuckled.
"Oh good. It's not just me." Virginia laughed. "Everything is peaceful. Quiet. Small town."
"Your town wasn't small?"
"No, where I grew up was pretty small. Out in the country. It just feels like I'm... out of place?" Virginia explained as she looked at Simmons.
He was out of his armor, revealing the cybernetic parts that were exposed from under his maroon dressed shirt. He still looked mostly human, 'cept for the patches of metal on the side of his neck and the one completely robotic arm.
In her eyes, he looked handsome and she couldn't help but stare at him a bit as he continued to drive.

They were in a rental they picked up from the airport, and were heading to his house to meet his mom.
"I hope your mom likes me." Virginia said with a nervous smirk.
"I'm sure she will." Simmons said with a reassuring smile. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her emotions.
"I hope everyone back on Chorus is doing alright." Virginia said as she looked up towards the blue sky.
"I'm sure they're fine." Simmons suddenly sounded sad, and Virginia could tell he was probably thinking of Grif.
"How about after this vacation, we go on another vacation and go to Hawaii and visit Grif?" Virginia smiled at him. Simmons turned surprised and he glanced at her.
"R-Really?"
"Yeah, I mean... why not? Kaikaina and Tucker are back on Chorus. I'm sure he's lonely. Man, I still can't believe Tucker went back to Chorus for her."
"Yeah, who knew that asshole was such a romantic." Simmons chuckled.
"For real! He used a transportation cube to get to the airport in time to stop her from leaving. It's like shit in a romance/sci-fi movie combo."
"I'd watch it." Simmons admitted.
"You know, I would too." Virginia said.

After cruising through the town, where Simmons pointed out his former high school, the park and the embarrassing alley where he got jumped on one occasion, he turned down a long, dirt road.
Sporadic apple trees lined along the dirt road, and eventually they approached a two-story white house with a front porch. The paint was chipped and the house seemed older, but it stood sturdy. Virginia noticed a tire swing in the back yard.
"We're here." Simmons announced as he gave her thigh another squeeze. "Don't be nervous."
"Usually, I'm the one telling you that." Virginia reminded him. Simmons leaned over and kissed her lips, and then they exited the vehicle.
An older woman stepped out onto the porch, her hair a mixture of light brown and silver, pulled back into a ponytail. Her eyes were the same green as Simmons. She wore a comfortable, long sunflower dress.
"Richard!" Her eyes were wet and she wore the biggest smile. Simmons parked the car and they both stepped out of the vehicle. His mom shuffled down the front steps and he ran up to her, embracing her in a warm hug. "What did they do to you?!" His mom suddenly screamed as she looked over his cyborg arm.
"Um, well. There was an explosion and I had to save a team mate...," Simmons began to explain. His mom looked mortified as she released his arm and held his face. "Mom, I'm fine. Really."
Virginia stepped next to Simmons, trying to let her presence be known.
"Mom, this is Sienna." Simmons motioned to the Freelancer next to her. His mom looked at Virginia, smiling.
"Oh, at least you brought home a good girl!" She hugged Sienna, seeming overjoyed. Sienna returned the hug, trying to feel more comfortable. "Let's all go in! The meatloaf is almost ready." His mom grabbed each of their hands and pulled them into the house, where they were welcomed with the scent of a nice home cooked meal.

During dinner, Simmons' mom began to probe Sienna about her past.
"So tell me, what did you do in the military?"
"Um...," Virginia felt uneasy and shifted in her seat. She glanced at Simmons, who was wolfing down the meatloaf in front of him. "I was known as a Freelancer Agent."
"Oooh, that sounds fancy! What did that partake?" She stared at Virginia intently.
"Just... secret mission stuff. Classified. I can't really talk about it." Virginia forced a chuckle and took a bite of the meatloaf.
"That's interesting! Where did you grow up? You going to see your family while you're back?" Virginia held the fork mid-air, being caught off guard. Simmons looked at her with concern. She had confided in Simmons about her past, but she wasn't sure if this was dinner appropriate conversation.
"I lived in the country with my mom. She passed when I left for basic training, though. I don't know who my father is either." Virginia explained and placed a chunk of meatloaf into her mouth.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." His mom looked apologetic and sweet, not realizing she had touched on a sensitive subject. "Simmons father took off while he was in high school and never contacted us again." She explained.
"I told her, mom." Simmons said, sounding a little bothered by the mentioning of his father.
"He was always so hard on you." His mom said as she put a hand on his. "He tried to make you something that you're not." Simmons gave a nod and continued to eat, hoping this conversation was over with.
His mom suddenly lit up and she got up from the table and rushed to the kitchen counter.
"I almost forgot. You got this piece of mail." She walked over to her son and handed him the envelope. Simmons looked confused as he read the front, and then opened it.
"Holy shit. It's my high school reunion this Saturday."
"Language!" His mom snapped.
"Sorry, mom." Simmons blushed a bit and looked over the flyer, and then glanced at Virginia.
"Want to go?"
"A high school reunion?" Virginia sipped some tea and looked at her boyfriend. "If you want to, sure."
"We don't have to if you don't want to! It's totally fine. I mean...," Simmons started his nervous rambling and Virginia chuckled and gave a slight, gentle slap to his upper arm.
"I said we can go. If you want to." She repeated, looking at him with a playful smirk. Simmons smiled widely.
"Awesome. Let's go!"

After eating, looking at all the baby pictures Simmons mom could conjure up, and hearing a few embarrassing stories of Simmons as a child, they went upstairs to bed.
"I'm sorry you have to sleep in the guest bedroom. My mom is old fashion." Simmons rolled his eyes with a sigh.
"I told you it's okay." Virginia smiled at him, wearing a T-shirt that was once belonged to Simmons, but she claimed it as a night gown, and a pair of shorts. "I wouldn't want to upset her."
"Thank you for being so understanding." Simmons took her into his arms and planted a kiss onto her forehead. She smiled and looked up at him, and they exchanged a good night kiss.
"I'll be next door if you need me." He smiled at her and stepped out of the room, shutting the door. Virginia stretched and crawled into bed, putting the comforters up to her neck. She rolled onto her side and got into a comfortable position. She left the desk lamp on and stared at it momentarily before letting her eyes succumb to sleepiness.

Virginia felt hands around her throat. She kicked and thrashed, but seemed to be fighting an invisible entity.
Gun shots went off next to her head, and she could feel the knife plunge into her abdomen. She gasped as she stared into the face of Gene, but he wore the helmet of West. But it sounded like Gene... and he sounded like Simmons...

Virginia was gasping for air in her sleep as she thrashed about. Simmons came rushing into the bedroom, finding her drenched in sweat. He knew instantly she was having one of her night terrors.
He sat on the bed beside her and placed his hand on her cheek.
"Virginia? Virginia? Sienna?" He tried to talk to her in a soft voice as he gave her a little shake. She finally opened her eyes and sat up with a jerk. "Are you okay?"
Her pulse was racing as she panted. She looked like she got done a work-out.
"I'm fine..." She panted. She looked up at Simmons, her eyes looking exhausted. He looked worried at her as he stroked her long hair.
"Lay down." He instructed her and climbed into bed with her. She cuddled her body into him, feeling his arm wrap over her. Instantly, she felt safer. Simmons knew this was the only way she could sleep... she needed him. He kissed her on the forehead again and pulled the blanket over them.

Virginia awoke in the morning to find Simmons was out of bed. She looked around the room, admiring the old pastel wallpaper and wooden furniture. Everything seemed antique. She sat up in bed and slowly got to her feet.
She peeked out into the hallway and made her way down the stairs, where she could hear Simmons and his mom.
"It's unacceptable. You're under my roof and I expect you to abide by my rules." His mom sounded tense.
"Mom, she's my girlfriend. I don't see why that's a problem. We're adults!" Simmons said in frustration. "Besides, she has nightmares and she needed consoling."
"Nightmares from all the killing she has done?" His mom snapped.
"W-What?" Simmons was taken aback.
"I looked up what the Freelancer Agents are. We do get news here, you know?" His mom continued in a harsh tone. "They are trained killers. You brought a killer into our house!"
"Mom, she isn't like that anymore. Also, I went to war! I killed people. And please, lower your voice." Simmons tried hushing her, but she continued to huff.
"I will not be quiet in my own house. I can't believe my son is sleeping with such a-"
"First of all, we haven't even had sex yet. And second of all, don't finish that sentence. I won't allow you to talk about her that way." Simmons warned. His mom was shocked.
"You don't sound like my Richard. You've never talked to me like this before." She sniffled.
"That's because I've done a lot of growing up. I'm not going to force you to accept Sienna, but you accepted me for being different from dad's wishes... can't you do the same for me?"
Simmons turned and stormed out of the kitchen, finding Virginia sitting on the stairs. He stared at her, seeing the hurt expression on her face. He thought for a moment, and then walked up to her and took her hand with a big grin.
"Go get dressed. I'm taking you out today."

Virginia kept her head on a swivel as they walked through the mall. She couldn't even remember the last time she stepped place in a mall!
Simmons noticed the occasional glances to him, and knew that he'd stand out with his visible cybernetic parts, but as Virginia put her arm around his waist, he suddenly eased up.
"So what are we shopping for?" Virginia asked as she tilted her head.
"I figured we get you a nice dress to wear to the reunion." Simmons smiled down at her and put his arm around her. She was the perfect height for him, he noticed.
Virginia beamed with excitement as she walked into the nearest store that displayed dresses in their front window.
Simmons watched as Virginia looked at all the dresses - the excitement was seen on her face. He got caught in a daze, watching as she moved through the store.
"I wish Donut was here. He would help me pick the best dress for me!" Virginia pouted as she looked at the variety of dresses.
Simmons chuckled.
"Yeah, it's funny... I kind of miss him, too." Simmons admitted.
Virginia moved through the racks and pushed back some hangers, and then let out a gasp.
"I think I found a good choice!" Her voice became high. Simmons approached her as she took the dress off the rack, spun around to face him and hung it infront of herself.
Simmons smiled.
"I approve!"
"It's perfect." She played with the dress and gave a twirl.
"And red." Simmons added, smiling at her color choice.

They finished shopping and went to the food court to get ice cream.
Simmons watched as Virginia seemed giddy like a child over an ice cream cone with sprinkles.
She devoured it quickly, developing an ice cream headache and causing Simmons to chuckle.

When they got back to the house, Simmons mom was sitting in the living room.
"Both of you, please come sit with me." She patted the couch cushion. Simmons sat next to her with Virginia on his opposite side.
His mom sighed and she looked sadly at the two.
"I just want to apologize for my behavior earlier. Richard, you are absolutely right. You are an adult now. You're not my little boy anymore, and I have to realize that. I'm happy you found love, even in such an ugly situation." His mom leaned forward to look past Simmons and stare at Virginia. "I apologize for the things I've said about you."
"Thank you. I appreciate that." Virginia said with a smile. Simmons hugged his mom and kissed the top of her head.
"So, are you two planning to have kids?" His mom asked with a wide smile, and Simmons suddenly went into a coughing fit, turning red in the face.