–In the 21st Century–

February arrived with the usual splendor. Cold mornings, half-melted snow, giant half-melted ice sculptures catapulted into your math class, and dreary gray skies. However, for Jefferson County Middle School students and staff, there was one thing to look forward to: the school play! And with little less than two weeks until the opening day, everyone was starting to get equal parts nervous and excited with all the tasks still at hand.

The set was more than half complete, with some students staying after school to help with set building, costumes were being designed and assembled, and some of the teachers were working around the clock to replace some of the Murphy's Law damaged equipment.

It seemed everyone was in a good mood lately, despite the usual February dreariness.

Milo, Melissa, and Zack were hardly paying attention to the general uplift in atmosphere at the school, they were more focused on their phones and texting. More specifically, Melissa's phone and a very certain set of text messages.

"Has Monty M.G. messaged you again?" Milo asked as he stuffed his math book into his locker, pulling out his history textbook in its place.

The redhead shook her head, anxiously refreshing her messaging tab in hopes that M.G. would respond again. "I sent him a couple of messages this morning on the bus, but that was four hours ago! Do you think I'm coming across as nervous and needy and that's why they haven't responded?"

"That depends," Zack said, "what did you send him?" Melissa handed her friend her phone. Zack raised a brow as he read, "'Hey, M.G., any new findings to report on?' and 'Uh, M.G., you there buddy?'"

Milo shrugged. "Compared to some of your other texts, this one seems pretty chill."

Zack scrolled up through Melissa's messages with Monty M.G. And apart from the initial contact a week-and-a-half ago, the conversation had been purely one-sided, with the many—and, notably, increasingly anxious—texts from Melissa's side filling u most of the tab. Apart from the lone 'Nothing yet' from M.G. five days ago, there was not much to talk about concerning this conversation. "I'm sure they have a reasonable explanation for not contacting you." Zack told his friend placatingly.

"Like what?" Melissa took her phone back from Zack, sighing in frustration. "He's busy with work?"

"Maybe he's busy collecting intel!" Milo suggested cheerfully. "Like a super-spy…"

"And what makes you think he's a super-spy?" Zack asked skeptically.

"The nickname, the shady text, the information on said text…" Milo listed off.

Melissa smirked. "Our boys' got a point."

Milo paused thoughtfully before turning back to Melissa. "Hey, Melissa, can you pull up that picture M.G. sent you?"

Ignoring the bell that signaled they should be heading to class, to Zack's chagrin, Melissa quickly scrolled up and opened the tab. Instead of handing it to him, for fear of repeating the Smelly Blanket incident, the redhead merely flipped the screen over to show him the picture.

The young boy squinted at the picture before looking at Melissa. "Mind zooming in on the girl again?"

"Guys, shouldn't we be heading to class?" Zack's question fell on deaf ears as Melissa quickly zoomed in on the girl in the picture and flipped it back to Milo, who once again squinted his eyes in thought.

"Is it me, or does that girl kind of remind you of Lotte?" Zack and Melissa's eyes widened at Milo's. Melissa flipped the phone over and her and Zack stared at the blurry image of a girl screaming in agony. The two each raised a brow in skepticism. Now that Milo mentioned it, the clothes, the shape of the head, and the general posture (or at least, what they could make out) did remind them of Lotte. Except for the long dark hair; it was hard for Melissa or Zack to picture Lotte without her trademark short, neon green hair.

Just then, the two-minute warning bell sounded off. As Zack double checked to make sure he had the right textbook, Melissa shut her phone off and pocketed it. "I guess she does kind of look like Lotte…"

"But why would Lotte be in that picture? And why would she be in such pain?" Zack asked.

Milo stuffed his history book into his backpack and shrugged. "We'll probably have to wait for Monty M.G. to text Melissa back." Milo went to shut his locker, only for the door to fall off its hinges when he grabbed it. "You guys might want to tell Mr. Draco I'm going to be late."

The final warning bell sounded off. "We will." Zack assured his friend as he and Melissa started to dash down the hall towards Mr. Draco's classroom as Milo pulled out a welding mask and torch from his backpack.

Luckily, the duo arrived just in time to not be marked tardy, Mr. Draco looked up from his lesson plan to greet them. "Cutting it a bit close, aren't we children?"

Melissa smiled sheepishly. "Won't happen again, Mr. Draco."

The maybe-vampire smiled good-naturedly. "See that it doesn't, Miss Chase. Hey, where's Milo?"

"His locker broke and he told us to continue our journey without him!" Zack stated, striking a dramatic pose.

Mr. Draco laughed at instructed the two to take their seats. Once they were seated and attendance was taken, the teacher stood up. "Now, children, today we will be continuing our lesson about the Roaring Twenti—" The maybe-vampire dissolved into a coughing fit, placing a hand to his throat, he winced slightly towards his students. "Darn allergies. Excuse me, I need to get a drink." The teacher returned to his desk, opened one of the drawers and pulled out a partially opened bottle of Green Gush.

Lydia, form her spot near the window, wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Yech! Mr. Draco, you like Green Gush?"

After taking a long sip, Mr. Draco turned to his student. "Yes, don't you?" Most of his students shook their heads and vocalized their dislike of the drink. The maybe-vampire chuckled, "It's funny, I didn't used to like it. But now I can't get enough of it! It's like the flavor's been upgraded. I can't seem to stop drinking it…" After taking another long sip, Mr. Draco placed the cap tightly on the bottle and placed it in his drawer.

As their teacher began a lecture on the wonderful year that was 1922, Melissa and Zack exchanged odd glances. Perplexed at how someone who actually found Green Gush appealing, and their outright praise of it.

Especially someone like Mr. Draco who—as far as the children were concerned—never liked Green Gush before, and probably only drank blood or the color red.

–In the year 2176–

Chip approached Mr. Block's office; the epitome of calm, cool, and collected. The manila folder in his hands contained some of the most vital details to the plan yet. Any normal person, no matter how experienced, would be shivering in their boots at the pressure of the mission.

However, thanks to Chip's TICC, he wasn't even concerned.

Before he opened the door, Chip paused and glanced down at the folder in hand. "And you're sure it's convincing?"

"Positive." His TICC assured him. "The PDF was taken from the Bureau's own information center and the signature is 99.9% accurate. The only way Blockbrain will know it's a fake is if he checks, is if he has the time. And according to my sensors, he doesn't."

Chip smiled confidently, knocked on the door to Mr. Block's office and (after waiting a few minutes for the barking order to enter) strode confidently into the office. Mr. Block, who held up a finger to motion for one extra moment while he was on the phone, looked beyond exhausted. After another five minutes of Block assuring and screaming at whoever was on the other line that "I'm looking into it, just give me more time, dammit!" slammed the phone down and glanced up at Chip wearily.

"Make it snappy, I have at least fifteen more calls to make before 2 PM."

Chip handed Mr. Block the folder. "I just figured I'd drop this off to you while Brick's on lunch."

Mr. Block raised a curious brow at the folder but did not open it. He nodded once and waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, carry on."

"Of course, sir. Won't trouble you any longer," Chip smiled, turned on his heel and left. After he left, Block immediately dialed the next number on his list. It took another forty-five minutes—and three more phone calls—before Block was able to rest for a moment. After doing so, he narrowed his eyes at the manila folder Chip handed to him.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Block reached over and opened the folder and was mildly surprised to see a form entitled 'Partner Change Agreement' with Agents Chip Wolowitz and Brick Dalton's signatures on the bottom.

–Meanwhile, in the year 2176 with Brick–

Brick smiled warmly at the agents passing him in the hall, greeting them with a chipper "How're you doing?" They seemed surprise by his actions but responded warmly anyway. It felt weird. Doing all of this… this social interaction. Normally Brick wouldn't even acknowledge anyone below a First-Class Agent Rank (with a few notable exceptions), but his TICC was instructing him to greet everyone warmly, so that is what he would do.

He didn't want to get another shock treatment after all.

"Hey, Brick!" The top-agent turned to see Aiden quickly jogging up to join him. The pink-haired man smiled brightly up at him, "Fancy seeing you here…"

"Repeat after me," The TICC told him, "Well, we do work here, silly."

"Well, we do work here, silly." Brick smiled charmingly, causing Aiden to giggle.

"I guess we do." The pink-haired man glanced away shyly, a blush dusting his cheeks. "I like your outfit by the way. Gaston le Mode is so retro!"

Brick shrugged nonchalantly. "I figured I'd try a new look. You can only wear so many suits, right?"

"You're doing wonderful, Brick. Now, casually remark that it's your lunch and say you'll see him around. Aiden and Jonah have a mission they need to attend to." The TICC instructed.

Brick paused at the entrance way to the breakroom. "Well, I'm on my lunch break. I'll see you around ok?"

Aiden smiled brightly, still blushing. "O-oh yeah! Totally! I'll see you around…" With a bit more pep in his step, the second-class agent left to go find his partner. Brick paused as he watched the man leave, a thought occurring to him. "Hey, TICC, you know I'm interested in Dakota, right?"

"Yes, Brick. You've made this clear on multiple occasions…"

"So why does it seem like you're making me flirt with Aiden?"

"You're just going to have to trust me Brick. My quantum processor has seen many favorable futures if you form a closer relationship with Aiden. Although I would advise against looking at his partner directly in the eye for the next thirteen hours."

"Why?" Brick asked nervously.

"You would suffer from severe bodily harm. The kind that makes a seasoned trauma surgeon anxious…"

Chuckling nervously at the thought, Brick smiled and entered the break room. His nervous smile became an elated grin when he spotted Vinnie Dakota. The grin diminished slightly when he saw Vinnie wasn't alone. Unsurprisingly (but still a bit disappointing), Vinnie was sitting at a lunch table with Cooperdink and that crazy, green-haired girl who punched Chip in the face a few weeks ago… Or was it a month ago? Brick was starting to loose track of time.

Brick noticed that the three at the table were watching someone leave through the door at the opposite end of the room, but he couldn't tell who. He thought he recognized the figure but before he could question it, his TICC forced him to keep his eyes locked on the table.

"Follow my lead, and this ensuing conversation will be a breeze." Brick already felt his nerves begin to escalate—a side-effect of being around Vinnie—but a small tingle down his spine seemed to calm them. With a confidence that he was 100% was the TICC's doing, Brick approached the table. "How's it going, you guys?"

"How's it going, you guys?" Brick parroted. Cooperdink raised a brow at him, seemingly surprised that Brick was associating with him of his own will. Lotte meanwhile gave a low-whistle.

"Someone's got some pretty big boom-stick to show their face at work today." The green-haired girl snickered to herself, and then outright giggle upon noticing Cavendish's reding cheeks from her choice of words.

"What're you talking about?"

"Savannah." Vinnie informed him, and Brick was momentarily distracted by how cute Vinnie was with the cheap light from the fluorescent lights form above them shining down. "She seems pretty pissed at ya, buddy."

"Oh?" Brick replied, barley paying attention, instead focusing on Dakota.

"Yes. She seemed quite, er, hostile." Cooperdink informed him, snapping Brick out of his Dakota-induced trance.

"That's weird, I haven't seen her since…" Brick paused as he realized he hadn't seen Savanah in quite some time. Come to think of it, most of his time since receiving a TICC had been with Chip. Brick knew Savannah was angry with him for spreading that rumor, but he had figured since he had thus far avoided confrontation that everything was ok.

Lotte chuckled wickedly to herself. "Hostile and pissed are putting it lightly." She turned to Brick and gave him an evil grin. "She's out for blood. Probably yours." Brick gulped nervously as Cavendish nudged Lotte.

"I wouldn't worry so much 'bout it." Dakota assured. "I mean, yeah, Savannah can be pretty lethal when she's angry, but as long as you're willing to talk it out like an adult, ya should be fine."

"Fine with what?" Block asked the group as he approached the table. He leveled a confused look at Brick. "What in the name of the Holy Roman Empire are you wearing? You look ridiculous!"

"Uh… Gaston le Mode?"

"I think he looks Retro." Lotte smirked.

"I don't really care what you think." Block told her curtly. "I just need your signature on this form." The head of the bureau handed Lotte the form, which she balked at in surprise.

"What the hell, Blockbrain?" Lotte pointed an accusatory finger. "You bend over backwards to give Chip a new partner and yet I practically had to beg to get temporarily assigned with these two, Chuckleheads?!"

"We're sitting right here, Lotte." Cavendish pointed out. "There's no need to shout…"

Ignoring her friend, Lotte leveled an angry glare at Block. "I see how it is; even though Wolowitz and I are in the exact same position, his needs and his Partner Change Agreement is more important than mine!"

"Partner Change Agreement?" Brick reached over and yanked the papers out of Lotte's hands. Sure enough, there was a Partner Change Agreement form in his hands, with both Chip's and his signatures on it. Only problem was, Brick didn't remember signing it.

Did Chip forge my signature?! Brick wondered. He received a small shock at the base of his neck.

"Just play along." His TICC told him sternly. "As far as Blockbrain knows, you signed it."

I… don't know if I want a new partner.

"Do you think I care? You're getting one anyway. Besides, after what you did to Savannah, do you really think she wants to be your partner?"

As Brick was left to think over this, Lotte continued her angry tirade towards Block. "Where was my partner change agreement? Huh? I was the one who filed for a new partner first! Where's my justice?!"

Block winced and pinched his brow. "I don't have time for this! I have congressmen and investigators alike breathing down my neck about that hacking. Just sign this so we can be done with it." Lotte only sneered at him. Block rolled his eyes. "Let me put it to you this way: if he has a new partner, you're less likely to be stuck with him."

While she still looked pissed off, Lotte sighed heavily before pulling out a pen from her pocket and angrily scribbling her signature on one of the available lines. Once complete, she flung the papers at Block without so much of a warning. Block reorganized the papers and gave an exasperated groan as a thank you before mumbling about going to find Savannah.

As soon as Block was out of the room, Lotte straightened her jacket. "Well boys, this has been a nice chat. But if you'll excuse me I'm gonna head outside and, oh, I don't know, kick a tree." The green-haired girl angrily stomped her way out of the break room, shoving anyway out of her way if she had to. The three men watched on for a moment, slightly fearful of what an angry Lotte could do to anyone who crossed her.

It was Cavendish who broke the silence with an awkward laugh. "Well, if you two need me, I'm going to go, I don't know, save a tree." The mustached man clung to his hat as he made a mad dash to catch up to his companion and prevent a tree-homicide. Leaving Brick alone with one Vinnie Dakota.

The nerves were starting to settle in again.

"Calm down, Casanova." The TICC told him, artificially calming him. Brick was still nervous, but less so now. "Just go up to him and make casual conversation about anything."

Clearing his throat, Brick approached Dakota. "Your partner is quite… temperamental."

Dakota laughed a bit. "Yeah, she's lethal."

"I guess her, uh, skill-set goes to waste cleaning renaissance potties, huh?"

"Not always. One time she drop-kicked a squire for asking to many questions about her hair into the castle moat. No one bothered us after that…"

Brick smiled slightly as Dakota resumed eating his lunch. This was the longest conversation he had with Vinnie Dakota since… he couldn't really remember when. That's when he felt his TICC buzz slightly in the back of his head. "You have no idea what to say, do you?" The lack of an answer from it's host was enough of an answer to the TICC. "Ugh. Repeat after me: 'So it's not weird. Having an extra partner after having been in a duo for so long'?"

"So, it's not weird? Having an extra partner after having been in a duo for so long, I mean." Brick repeated.

Dakota shrugged. "I guess it was a little awkward that first day, but after that Lotte just opened right up. She's a cool chick to be around."

"Right, right…" Brick trailed off for a second. After feeling another, more prominent buzzing towards the back of his skull he continued. "Pretty cool chick, eh?"

"Oh yeah. Pretty cool…"

"Now say: 'Oh. So, you… and her…'? Exactly like that!"

"Oh. So, you… and her…?"

"What? No! No, Lotte's just m' friend."

Brick quietly sighed in relief. It was not the TICC, but more his own curiosity, that made Brick continue. "So, you're not seeing anyone right now? Not interested in anyone."

Dakota's ears turned a lovely shade of pink and a shy smile crossed his handsome face. "Well, I mean, there is this one guy that I'm kinda into…"

"Oh, really?" Brick managed to keep his voice even, despite the overwhelming feelings of joy and hope threatening to choke him u. The TICC probably had something to do with it. "Would I know him?"

"Maybe… we all work together and…" A dreamy sigh escaped the tracksuit wearing man's lips. "He's really smart, strong, and just a wonderful guy…"

"So, how long have you been into this guy?" Brick asked, appearing friendly to mask his probing questions.

"If I'm bein' honest, awhile. But recently, something's just sorta… I dunno, changed. It's like he's a whole new person."

Is he talking about me? Brick wondered.

"Of course, he is, I've been activating your pheromones since we've entered the room. I cannot envision Vinnie Dakota talking about anyone else." The TICC told him. "Keep it up, Romeo…"

"He sounds like a great guy."

"Yeah, he really is." Dakota raised a brow at Brick. "Is it weird that I'm telling all of this to you?"

"No! Not at all." Brick smiled shyly at the man. "It's kind of nice, just talking to you like this."

"Yeah, we've never really done it before." Dakota smiled. "Mind if I ask you something?"

"Go right ahead."

"This guy I'm into… I know he's worth it and he's been puttin' all of this effort into our… I guess our relationship. I just, I dunno, I want to make sure he's comfortable with this. That he knows that I'm ok with whatever he wants. The problem is, I dunno how to tell him that. Any suggestions?"

Swallowing back the ecstatic nerves (again, probably with the TICC's help) Brick gave Dakota one of his most charming smiles. "I think the best thing to do is to talk to this guy, tell him how you feel and see what he wants to do."

"You really think that will work?"

"I know it will." Brick said earnestly, gazing into Dakota's sunglasses covered eyes. Brick felt the urge to reach over and remove them, but before he could even move, a faint yet distinctive crashing sound was heard coming from the foyer. Utterly spoiling the mood.

"What the hell was that?" Brick asked.

"Ooh, right, Lotte went to go kick a tree…" Dakota winced.

"Wait, she can actually kick a tree?" Brick asked. "And knock it down?

"She can kick several and knock it down, actually." From the break room, the two agents heard a low murmur begin to start. "I should probably go help with damage control." Dakota quickly swallowed the rest of his lunch and stood up from the table. As he headed for the exit, he paused and turned back to give Brick a friendly smile. "Hey Brick, thanks for the advice."

Brick smiled shyly. "Hey, anytime." The top-agent felt a slight buzz at the base of his head and suddenly, before he could stop himself, he spoke again. "Uh, actually, if after you've done damage control, maybe we could talk—"

Vinnie Dakota chuckled good-naturedly. "I appreciate you wanting to help and all, but I think I need to have this talk with Cavendish by myself. Don't worry, I'll put your advice to good work!" Dakota gave the top-agent a friendly wave as he left the room.

Brick's heart dropped into his stomach. The TICC caused all sorts of buzzing in his head as it continuously kept repeating "Warning! Warning!" in his head. Without his consent, the TICC took control of Brick's legs and escorted him out of the break room and to an opposite end of the Bureau.

Before they left the room, however, Brick was able to mutter "He likes Cooperdink?!"

–Meanwhile, with Savannah–

Savannah brushed past the agents in the hallway, giving those who dared to look at her a glare. She was on the hunt for Brick, and frankly, had no time to deal with anybody's stupidity or those goddamned rumors. Luckily for her, at this point in her career, she had mastered the 'Don't-fuck-with-me' glare. It was a weapon in and of itself.

As she reached the staircase, she noticed Chip walking towards her, a smirk on his face. Savannah sent him a glare, and while he faltered slightly, the second-class agent continued walking towards her. "Terribly sorry about the news, sweetheart. I tried to talk him out of it, but he seemed insistence."

Savannah raised a brow. "What?"

"To think, if Brick hadn't already gone to Block and requested me personally, I could've been your new partner." The curly-haired man slides an arm around Savannah's waist, startling her and effectively creeping her out. "It's a shame, really. We could've been a great tea—ow! Ow! That's my arm, ow!"

Savannah frowned at the man as she pinned his arm behind his back and began twisting it. "You have ten seconds to explain what the hell you're talking about."

"I-it was Brick's idea! I swear!"

"What was?"

"The new partner agreement! He gave it to Block this morning, and he convinced me to sign it." While Savannah did stop twisting his arm, she didn't let go of Chip. She was to in shock about what he just said. "He… He told me you knew…"

Savannah twisted his arm again, making Chip squeal in a very emasculating way. "Where is he?" The woman growled.

"I-I think he went outside! Get some fresh air and all?" Savannah let go of Chip, effectively dropping the man on the floor. Chip watched her go, praying that Brick knew of some good hiding places.

–A little bit later, with Brick–

Brick paced back and forth in the corridor. He just couldn't come to terms with it, he was in shock. His TICC—while silent—was buzzing in the very back of his brain, preferring to just calmly recollect itself after the initial failure.

"Dakota likes Cooperdink… He likes Cooperdink… Vinnie likes Cooperdink."

"Yes, this has been well established already." The TICC told him.

"But… But why?!" Brick ran a hand through his hair. "I mean… I'm attractive, I'm tall, I'm funny, and charming!"

"Uh… sure. Let's go with that."

"How could Vinnie be into a guy like that?! Cooperdink's a walking cornstalk with a mustache!"

"You gotta admit, it's a pretty cool mustache."

"And what the hell were you doing?!" Brick asked, angrily. "You turned me into a marionette back there! Not cool…"

"I was merely escorting you off the premise to avoid a confrontation with Vinnie Dakota." The TICC told him. "Besides, it's quite obvious that Vinnie Dakota doesn't see you as relationship material."

"I know! Why do you think I got you in the first place?"

"Are you really sure that you want him?"

"Of course!"

"You realize that there are many opportunities for companionship considering your line of work."

"Are you kidding me?" Brick asked.

"It is not." Brick looked over to see Chip approaching him, a suggestive smirk on his face. "There are plenty of opportunities." The first-class agent wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"Ok, TICC, I don't know what your insinuating here, but no." Chip rolled his eyes and leaned up against the wall.

"Tough crowd. The TICC has a point, though. Becoming the kind of person that would impress Vinnie Dakota would take more than… working out a few bugs."

"What'd you mean?" Brick asked.

"You need to Reboot your reputation." Chip told him. "Supercharge your social standing."

"You need to upgrade."

"Huh?"

"You need to show Vinnie Dakota, show the Bureau, that you really have changed."

Chip smirked and glanced over his shoulder. "I think I know what your TICC is getting at. I'll get out of your way buddy." As Chip moved to hide behind the corner wall, the TICC buzzed loudly in Brick's head.

"Stimulating limbic system for sympathetic response." And just like that, tears were welling up in Brick's eyes. His hand moved to cover his mouth and his whole body shook, as if we was on the precipice of sobbing. That's when Aiden rounded the corner.

"Brick, there you are! I came looking for you as soon as I finished my mission." Aiden told him.

"I-I'm sorry," Brick apologized, "but I don't know why I'm crying."

"Well I do," Aiden said, wiping a tear from Brick's eye, "and I want to say that I'm sorry. I didn't know that when Jonah flipped the switch all the cryogenic pods would deactivate."

"Wh-what are you talking about?"

"Oh my god, you don't know?" Aiden swallowed before finally blurting out, "Gaston le Mode is dead!"

Brick blinked in confusion before the news finally registered with him. "Wait, Gaston le Mode is dead?!" There was a slight buzzing in the back of Brick's head before he began to sob uncontrollably. Aiden was quick to embrace the man in a comforting hug. "I-I thought he died decades ago?"

"He did, but during the end of the millennium he got really sick and was selected to be apart of a group of people cryogenically frozen until the cure was found." Aiden glanced down bashfully. "That is until Jonah flipped the wrong switch and sort of… overheated the pods." Despite how disturbing he found this, Brick could not do much more than continue the sob, the TICC seemingly having control over all of his functions. "I mean, I was never really into him or his fashion because he was a big jerk to his employees, but I knew that you liked him so…"

As Aiden comforted Brick in this trying time, a thought dawned on the first-class agent. Did you know this was going to happen?

"Of course not."

So, it's just a coincidence that you told me to buy all sorts of Gaston le Mode outfits?

"Of course not."

Suddenly Brick felt sick. Did you KILL Gaston le Mode?!

"Not exactly. My quantum processor allows me to envision probable futures. While I did not know that today, Monsieur le Mode would become akin to a boiled egg, I was aware of a… favorable outcome."

Brick paused and pondered this news. Favorable for who?

"Y'know, Brick," Aiden said, trailing his fingers up Brick's arm, "you don't have to be alone right now." The pink-haired man smiled sweetly.

"Brick, you need to upgrade your image to a more likeable one. Here is a kind, likeable man who likes you." As Aiden pulled Brick towards a nearby exit, the TICC instructed him on what to do next. "Follow him where he leads you."

And Brick did. He allowed Aiden to lead him outside of the Bureau and to a nearby park. The pink-haired man smiled, inhaled, and exhaled deeply before turning to Brick. "This is my favorite place in the entire city. There's so much fresh air here! And a downed tree apparently…" Brick looked and saw what looked like a Redwood tree that was knocked down. Oddly enough, the top of the tree seemed to have landed in the foyer of the Bureau. "I wonder how that happened?" Brick glanced away. "Yeah, it's a mystery."

Aiden pulled Brick closer to the center of the park. "~Being here, with you right now. Our future is so clear, our union is so near!~" The pink-haired man hugged Brick close, looking up at him with star's in his eyes.

"~Being here, with you right now. I'll tenderly guide you..." Brick was startled, but not at all surprised, when his TICC started to harmonize with Aiden. The buzzing in the back of Brick's head intensified and suddenly, the only singing he could hear was coming from his TICC. "~Just take me inside you: forever.~" As the TICC sang, Brick noticed that Aiden's once sparkling brown eyes, turned to a startling neon green.

Startled by this, Brick jerked back slightly and ended up loosing his balance and falling flat on his back. When the first-class agent glanced up again he saw Chip looking down at him with a wide grin. The curly-haired man yanked Brick to his feet before he too started to sing. "~Your life was so pitiful before but now it's time to go all the way and more.~" Chip glanced at Brick, his neon green eyes flashing before the TICC joined in again. "You gotta' get an upgrade!"

Brick raised a brow. "~Upgrade?~"

"Upgrade! You gotta' get an upgrade!"

"~Upgrade?~"

"Upgrade!"

The TICC's buzzing grew louder in the back of Brick's head and, despite how well things had been going, Brick couldn't help but feel a strong sense of guilt. Mainly for leading Aiden on like this. The TICC continued to sing. "~Don't worry about the guilt you feel. Just take a breath and seal the deal.~"

"~Damn! Gotta' get an upgrade…~" Chip shrugged his jacket off and began to twirl it around as if doing some odd little dance to try and seem cool. "~You gotta' get an upgrade!~"

To try and get some distance so he could think this offer through, Brick sneakily jumped over the downed tree and slid up against the nearby building. Unfortunately, he was not alone. Sitting on the front steps to the Bureau (or, at least, a section of steps not covered by tree limbs) were Vinnie Dakota, Cooperdink, and Lotte. The latter seeing to be in a very sullen mood.

"So, what did we learn from all this?" Dakota asked his green-haired companion, nodding slightly toward the tree.

Lotte sighed. "Kicking trees until they fall is not a healthy form of aggression release."

"And?" Cooperdink prompted.

"If I want to release some aggression, I should either sit and meditate. Or maybe find a building that's supposed to be demolished anyway because then at least my strength and aggression could be put to good use."

"That's not necessarily… Ah, never mind, it will still work." Cooperdink shrugged.

"Wan' us t' go with ya when ya explain yourself to Block?" Dakota offered.

"Nah, you two relax for a bit, I've put you in enough strain today." Lotte slowly stood and shook some dust and snow off of her. "Well, let's hope I don't murder him when I explain what happened."

"I suppose I should get started with the incident report." Cooperdink made to stand but Lotte waved a dismissal hand.

"Don't worry Cav, I'll fill it out. I can still fake your signature like back in the good ol' days."

"Ain't ya just the beacon of integrity, Lotte?" Dakota smirked teasingly.

"You betcha." Lotte winked at the two men before heading inside.

Dakota chuckled a bit. "She's a spitfire, alright. Was she this violently temperamental back in the day?"

"Believe it or not she was worse."

Dakota smiled as if to say, 'Not really, but sure let's go with that' and shyly glanced to the side. The younger man than took a deep breath before turning back to his companion. "Hey, Cav?"

"Yes, Dakota?"

"You had fun yesterday, right?"

The older man blushed slightly and smiled. "Of course I did."

"Great! I mean, er, I… What I'm trying to say is… Would you want to do it again?" Dakota glanced down nervously. "Like on a normal… regular basis?"

Cavendish's eyes widened, and his blush deepened. "Dakota are you asking me to be your boyfriend?" Brick's heart sank as Cavendish asked the questioned.

"Y-yeah. I am. B-but only if you want too! I don't want to push you to do anything you don't want to do—" Cavendish gently grabbed one of Dakota's hands and smiled at the man.

"Dakota, I think for once in my life I know exactly what I want." Dakota blushed a deep red and he looked utterly starstruck. Brick, meanwhile, felt as f he had been hit in the gut with a two-by-four. "But, I don't think I can give you a proper response if you don't ask me."

Dakota smiled and laughed a bit before he began to sing. "~Do you wanna come over to my place tonight? We'll go to dinner and see a movie or get some takeout. I think that's groovy!~" Cavendish smiled fondly at the man sitting beside him as he nervously continued. "~Unless you wanna do something else, then that's alright. If you're sure this is what you want to do…?~"

"I'm sure." Cavendish told him.

Vinnie Dakota looked near close to bursting. "~Oh yeah, yeah!~"

"~I've never felt this way before. I don't know if you know it, but I am sure that it's time we take an upgrade.~" Cavendish sang to Dakota.

"~Upgrade?~"

"~Upgrade! We can be each other's upgrade."

"~Oh wow!~"

"~Upgrade!~"

"~Y'know I am happy, but this is new. Still, are you absolutely sure this is what you want to do?~" Dakota glanced at Cavendish, searching the man's face for any sign of hesitation. He wouldn't push Cavendish into doing something he didn't wan to do, after all. He loved him too much for that.

To his surprise, and utter delight, Cavendish's face morphed into one of determination as he grabbed Dakota's other hand and sang, "~I think I'm ready for an upgrade.~" which led to the two men singing, "~Ready for an upgrade!~"

Brick sank to the ground, ready to allow the utter melancholy of heartbreak overtake his soul, but before he could, Chip appeared at his side. The curly-haired man slapped him roughly upside the head before he and the TICC continued to sing. "C-c-c c'mon Brick, can't you see. We got a plan, now be a man.You start with Aiden," Chip gestured to the pink-haired man sitting calmly on the park bench, "and then, progress! And we assess and soon, success will intervene by which, I mean... Vinnie."

Brick glanced back over towards the object of his affection. "~Vinnie…~" The two men stood up, still hand in hand, and walked back into the building.

"Vinnie …Vinnie… Vinnie… VINNIE!~" Brick screamed in agony as his TICC and it's legion of robotic voices practically fried his ear drums with their singing. The man staggered to the side, clutching his ears in pain.

"There are too many voices in my head!" Brick said, his voice breaking slightly. "I just… I just need a minute to process all of this." After a moment, he glanced over to Chip. Brick frowned. "Alone." Chip merely raised a brow. "Dude could you and the technological chorus line leave me alone for five minutes, so I can think?"

Chip blinked for a second and then, eyes flashing, smiled curtly. "Of course. Take your time…" As the man walked away, he heard his TICC say "Temporarily Offline Protocol: Initiated." And suddenly the buzzing in the back of Brick's head stopped and he sighed in relief.

After pulling himself to his feet Brick wandered aimlessly inside the Bureau, rubbing his temples as he tried to process everything. Hopefully, his TICC and Chip would listen to him and give him a moments peace to think. However, as of late, life had a way of throwing Brick into a wall. And not in the metaphorical sense either, someone literally snuck up on Brick and chucked him into a nearby wall.

The first-class agent slid down the wall, landing head first before falling flat onto his back. He blinked in confusion, "Ok, I think my first response is OW!" He was then roughly yanked to his feet and looked directly into Savannah's withering glare.

"What the hell is your problem?"

"Savannah? Oh my gosh, I'm so happy to see you!" Brick's head was slammed against the wall again.

"You have a lot of nerve to say that to me." Savannah snarled. "First you ditch me on a mission, then you don't speak to me for three weeks, and then you request a new partner without even talking to me?!"

"I-I would've spoken to you, but I haven't seen you in three weeks." Brick told her sincerely.

"You really expect me to believe that? I walked right past you in the hallways multiple times in the past week alone!"

"What're you talking about? I honestly haven't see you since…" Since he got a TICC. Brick held up a finger and smiled sheepishly as he stepped aside. Then quietly muttered "Reactivate."

"Systems: Online." The familiar buzzing in the back of his head returned and the TICC spoke. "It's called optic nerve blocking."

"Why haven't I seen Savannah since—wait, what?"

"Optic Nerve Blocking. I have been blocking… Savannah from your field of vision."

"Why?" Brick asked.

"Brick? Who are you talking to?" Savannah asked. "And why are you standing there like a creep?"

"Savannah is a link to Brick 1.0. She is a weak link to your terrible self." His TICC told him. "If you want to upgrade, you have to be willing to make some sacrifices."

"Seriously, Brick, what the hell is going on with—" Savannah paused and suddenly, the words that Lotte spoke to her yesterday entered her head. It's like he just… forgot I existed… I don't know when it started, but it's just like overnight be became a different person. Savannah placed a hand on Brick's shoulder. "Brick are you ok?"

"Think, Brick; do you really want Savannah to hold you back?" The TICC asked him.

"Brick, seriously, what's going on? Are you in trouble?"

"You can't let her interfere with your plans to win Vinnie Dakota."

"Brick, you can talk to me."

"Don't listen to her, you can't trust her. Trust me!"

Brick winced at his TICC's sudden increase in volume and took a step back, his head in his hands. Savannah, taking this as a sign that she was going to far, held up her hands as a sign of peace. "Ok, how about this, I'll got get my car keys and we'll go out to lunch and talk this out like a normal person ok?" Brick gave her an unsure look that Savannah responded with a weak smile. "I'll go get my car keys, ok?"

As Savannah headed towards the garage, Brick noticed Chip walking towards him with a knowing look. Brick glanced back towards Savannah forlornly. "~I already know what it's like to... be the loser. I should find out what it's like to... not be the loser.~" Brick glanced at his reflection in a nearby by window. "~I don't wanna' be special. I just wanna be as chill as life will allow… Should I take the upgrade?~"

From behind him, Chip quietly approached him and with a wicked grin, began to chant "Upgrade, upgrade, upgrade, upgrade"

"~Should I take the upgrade?~" As Brick glanced up at his reflection, he was momentarily blinded by a flash of green light. When his vision cleared, he was surprised to find Vinnie Dakota standing behind him. If Brick had been in his right mind, he would have realized that this Vinnie had strange, neon green eyes and a sort of robotic movement about him. The Vinnie in question lovingly laid his head on Brick's shoulder and kept whispering something into Brick's ears. A long, continuous string of, "~Now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now, now!"

Brick tried to grab Vinnie's hand but as he did, he disappeared in a flash of green light. The first-class agent made up his mind. "~And I wasn't sure before but now I wanna' go all the way and more! So gimme that upgrade!~" Chip smirked and shook Brick's hand, as if agreeing to a deal and the TICC buzzed loudly in the back of his head. "~Gimme that upgrade!~" Chip then gestured out the window to where Aiden was sitting on the bench. "~Tried to be genuine and true, but now it's time for something new. So gimme that upgrade! Gimme that upgrade.~" The pink-haired man waved cheerfully and gestured to the door nearest Brick. The first-class agent approached the door with a look of determination. "~Really it doesn't matter how I'm getting the upgrade right now!"

"Brick," the agent in questioned glanced over his shoulders to see Savannah looking at him expectantly, "are you coming or what?"

The man didn't spare her a second glance. "Optic Nerve Blocking: On." And suddenly, he could no longer see or sense Savannah's presence, it was as if she didn't exist anymore.

"Now, let's get to work." His TICC told him. With a determined grin, Brick strode out the door to meet Aiden and the two men left hand in hand, the TICC buzzing in the back of Brick's head.

Chip smiled after his companion—and new partner—pleased with the work. "Our works not done yet," his TICC reminded him. He brushed passed the shock and offended looking Savannah and headed towards the stairs to the computer lab. As he did, Chip noticed Lotte casually walking back up the stairs. As she reached the top of the stairwell, she paused and waited for him.

Before he descended down the stairs, he paused to stand next to her. The ex-partners each facing a different direction. After a second, Lotte turned to Chip and raised a brow at him from behind her trademark sunglasses. Chip smirked wickedly in response and nodded only once. Soon, Lotte mirrored his look and the two continued on their separate paths.

As she walked towards Savannah, the wicked grin changed to a sympathetic expression. "Oh my god, Savannah, I saw everything!" The green-haired girl placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Are you ok?"

"He… Something's not right…" Savannah shook her head in slight disbelief.

"Let's not worry about that right now. C'mon, I'll buy you something to eat, my treat." The green-haired woman began to lead the first-class agent away from the door. "Hey, maybe we could talk to Block about us being partners? After all, it seems we're each other's only options right now." Lotte sent Savannah a smile in an attempt to cheer her up. The agent only frowned. A corner of Lotte's mouth turned down. "Hey, you don't need Brick. I'll help you out and soon, you'll be back on top again!" She glanced at Savannah's outfit and her mouth set into a thin line. "And we can start by getting you a new dress, cause that one does not look good on you…"

"~Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!~"

This is it guys, we're over the halfway mark! 6 chapters to go. On a side note, how many of you hate me for this chapter. Hehehe…

On that note I'll be taking a brief break from this story to work on scholarships, personal projects, and a couple one-shots I have in mind. However, I tentatively promise to have the next chapter up sometime after July Fourth (two-weeks after at the most if all goes as planned).

So until next time, stay safe, support net neutrality, and have a fantastic day!