Greetings, readers.

Another Dakota-centric fic; Because that is not how S2:12 should have happened.

Before we get into the story, however, I would like to thank The Amazing Cat for being the first to comment! I can't express enough how much I appreciate the feedback, and I'm really glad you enjoyed it! :)

At any rate, further feedback is always welcome. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. There is much angst, however. You've been forewarned.

Without further delay, the story.

Faithless

MML Fanfiction featuring Dakota and Cavendish

ASDM

Cavendish and Dakota had just managed to get into the vault of weaponry— who knew role play could actually be that effective? Cav would have to remind himself to thank Dakota later for all the times they'd used costumes and it actually worked. Then again, perhaps he wouldn't.

Dakota hadn't meant to be so opposing, but he really couldn't say that he'd seen the alien spaceship. He was eating lunch and facing the other direction! Could you blame him? Cavendish didn't seem too upset, though, just disappointed that he wasn't taking his word for it.

It hurt to see his partner like this. After everything they'd been through— after everything he's been through just to keep this man alive —and Cavendish was acting like this (again). When would he learn to find contentment in the present? Had he not learned a thing from their previous job about trying to climb the position ladder?

Apparently not.

Their boss' total lack of concern and unreasonableness had driven Cavendish over the edge. In fact, their job at P.I.G. was probably worse than with B.O.T.T., and that was saying a lot considering how much the time-traveling duo had put up with there; Degradation, demotion, and finally disemployment. All that knowledge, determination and skill wasted on pistachios and renaissance toiletry.

All alien ships that enter Earth's atmosphere are required to notify us when they're abducting people. I would certainly know of any unauthorized abductions before the two of you would. Block had said.

"Excuse me," thought Cavendish, "but how is it logical that unauthorized alien abductions could be tracked by P.I.G.— they're uncharted and unaccounted for unless they notify the P.I.G. agency!" the older partner scowled as he continued venting off in his mind.

You can't predict an alien abduction, either, so that was some absolute shade they were trying to pull over his eyes. Of course, Cavendish knew their superiors didn't really care about them— but for Pete's sake, they didn't come all the way from their job site to the office just to tell a make-up story! (Of course, there was that mix-up in the sewers with the anti-gravity device, but that's besides the point. And they didn't go to the office, they used their home communicator… so there.)

The taller time-traveller continued picking out a few weapons of his choice while Dakota strongly protested. A large, dangerous-looking one fell into his hands, and he immediately felt an overwhelming sense of purpose and importance in what he was about to do, despite having his idea shot down all afternoon. In fact, Dakota was still doing it now and Cavendish was ready to silence him at this point.

"Cav, wait. I don't think we should be doing this…" Dakota interjected once more, really hoping Cavendish would change his mind. Ever since he'd met this man, he'd never willingly gone against protocol—no instant. All those times they destroyed the pistachio trees? All Vinnie's idea, and that was after they'd already saved the world and knew without a doubt that they could not allow the pistachio to be saved. So that one doesn't count. Neither do all the other times before that when their mission failed due to some extravagant Murphy's Law scheme and they had nothing better to do than enjoy the rest of their day— those don't count either! But now, out of the blue, Cavendish was going to forsake everything that he'd worked to accomplish, go against every principle he'd ever stood by, and go rogue like this. And for what, a promotion? A job title that didn't even exist? They already saved the world! Why couldn't it just be good enough?!

Dakota knew he was going to have to talk his partner out of this.

While he did commend Cavendish for sticking up for what he believed in— it was always one of his best, if not the best quality about him —something was off about how Cavendish was going about it. He wasn't in it to save the world or do the right thing, he just wanted to get that position. And Vinnie was not having it.

Of course, Cavendish didn't see it that way at all. He knew without a doubt that it was his responsibility to save whoever just got abducted, especially since no one, not even his partner, believed him. Well, if Dakota wasn't going to help him he'd be better off by himself.

Cavendish scoffed at his partner's remark. "Really now? You don't think we should be doing this? Are you kidding me? You're the one who's always wanting to break the rules!" He steamed. He didn't let his partner speak yet. "Oh, I get it," he sneered, his already frowning face contorting into something more hateful, "it's fine if you want to do whatever you want, but as soon as I develop an agenda you have a problem!"

"CAVENDISH, STOP!"

And the man stopped, a look of surprise etched on his features. He'd not expected such a tone out of his partner. It'd literally come from nowhere— he was the one upset here, not Dakota! He finally started recognizing the state of his partner: one of total distress.

"How can you say that?! You know that's not true!"

"Oh, but do I?" He shot back, also pained by his partner's seemingly lack of concern for his own feelings. "I've been at this bloody job for over 20 years, and not once has our situation even slightly improved! We never do things my way, you're never focused long enough for us to actually accomplish anything and you certainly don't ask for my opinion. I've had it with everyone's selfish behavior! It's my turn to be selfish for once!"

Because truthfully, Cavendish was tired; tired of dying and living, day in and day out, trying to make something of himself when everyone else was holding him back. He was tired of dragging his unused potential along like a ball and chain, he wanted to take it and carry it with him wherever— and whenever —he went, and actually use it at some point. He wanted to add something to this world, to have a meaningful impact on time, and to make a difference against all the odds.

Dakota stood there in disgust, his present mien sending Cavendish a wave of regret down his spine and into the pit of his stomach. It worsened when Vinnie's disgust actually turned into anger.

"I'm selfish? I'm selfish?! I have gone back in time countless times, risking my life, my job, and everything to save you! We have been together since day one, and in all our failures, of all the disappointment I have stood by your side and taken it from everyone around us. All of your negativity, insults and complaints I have overlooked, because I knew that you weren't really mad at me— you're mad at our situation.

But I'm selfish?" Dakota's final words weren't in anger, but in sadness. His wrath had passed just as quickly as it came, and all that was left was utter defeat.

Cavendish couldn't think of anything to say.

"I'm selfish?" he echoed. "I guess you're right, though," he said at last, wiping the lone tear off his cheek. "I am selfish. Selfish for saving you when the time stream wanted you dead, selfish for taking that last egg roll, and selfish for wanting to save this partnership."

"Dakota—"

"I'm sorry I didn't believe you, I'm sorry okay?! But you're going to leave because I didn't believe you?"

It was here in this moment that Cavendish really saw what he'd been doing. No, he hadn't meant to be so rude to his partner, and no, he didn't truly want to leave him— he managed much better when they were together. But he could see what all of this talk of going rogue looked like to him now.

And yes, Dakota was right; if he was going to go rogue, he didn't have to push away his partner to do so, or even be selfish to achieve his dreams even if he thought no one else cared. Because Dakota did care, just in a different way.

Unfortunately, Cavendish still had a point to all of this.

"I suppose you're right about that, Dakota, and I'm sorry. But why didn't you believe me?" That was the one thing he couldn't understand. "If you value our friendship as much as you do, then why didn't you believe me when I said I saw an alien spaceship abducting someone? I'm not making this situation up for attention!" Cavendish watched as the guilt set in, his partner's head drooping in shame.

Why hadn't I believed him? Dakota thought. I should have believed in him. That's what I'm doing all this for, right?

"I'm sorry," Vinnie choked out. "I'm sorry- I should have believed you — you're right—I'm so sorry Cav," he said weakly, burying his head in his hands in an attempt to hide his face. He continued apologizing, over and over like a mantra until Cavendish had had enough of his partner's embarrassment.

"Dakota," he said gently, as if he'd only meant it for Dakota to hear, "Once was enough." He allowed a small smile to slip from behind his mustache as he took Dakota's hands away from his flushed face, daring his friend to look him in the eyes. He could feel the shorter man shaking from where he held his wrists, and a shy, twisted frown graced Dakota's normally exuberant features.

Cavendish didn't like this look on Vinnie. He looked more terrified than ever before, as if losing him would kill him.

"You don't need to keep apologizing, Dakota. Let's just go." He added. Thankfully, the embarrassment on Dakot's face faded and determination stepped forth, allowing the man to adopt a more confident smirk.

"Yeah, let's go save the day." He said at last. And together they finished gathering any necessary supplies and raced off to find the spacecraft before it left Earth's atmosphere.

Thanks again for reading! It truly means a lot to me.

Stay updated on any more fics I might post soon, and be sure to comment down below if you have any questions, ideas, comments or cries of outrage. Thanks again!

Salutations and Fairfarren,

ASDM