Present Day...

Main POV

I didn't sleep last last night, after playing cowboys and aliens with Caboose and the others, I went back to the shop and finished off the repairs on my armour. Once I was done I headed for the roof, watching the sun slowly rise over the hills, the sky turn from an inky blue to a dusty pink. A new day starting and washing away the one before. I stared off into the distance, not noticing the rising heat of the day until my golden skin was practically cooking. The good thing about being half latinx was I didn't really get much sunburn. If I wasn't, I'd be toast already.

"So this is where you got to," Wash commented, sitting beside me in the morning sun.

"Do you never miss it?" I asked, still thinking about what he'd said last night. "Was it really that bad?"

"No," he shook his head. "I sometimes miss the people, but I'm glad that chapter of my life is over. I'm done seeing the project tear down the people I care about."

"I bet this wasn't where you saw our lives going when we were sitting out on your roof, watching the stars," I said.

"You could say that," he replied. "You wanna unpack your stuff today? Or are you running off again now your armour is done?"

"To where?" I asked. "If you're right and Carolina is AWOL and everyone else is dead, makes sense to stay with you. Who else am I to look for?"

"I'm glad I was so captivating it made you wanna stay," he replied sarcastically.

"What did he tell you?" I asked.

"Huh?" Wash asked, turning away from the horizon to look at me.

"When I supposedly died," I said. "What'd the Director say? What did everyone say? Did they care? Did it cut up North? Did I let him down?"

"No," Wash shook his head. "You could never let him down. He'd be proud you made it out alive, that you found us. He'd be so happy you're here."

Several Years Ago...

Washington POV

"And it is with great sadness and regret that we relieve Agent New Hampshire from her duties one final time," the Director said, giving his head one final bow and walking away from the podium.

North took the opportunity next, to speak on behalf of his beloved. He walked across the cargo bay floor and towards the podium that had been placed here for the event. There was a sour look on the Director's face and it soured even more the further along North got on in his speech.

"It's funny, I know we were soldiers that took a lot of risks in high stakes jobs, but I never pictured myself standing here today. Though I can't say I ever pictured Dee's funeral, as her fiancé I tried only to imagine the happier times, if I had to plan one we'd be well into our 90s. I'd already be in my grave and if, by the ill will of god I wasn't, I wouldn't be long behind her. There would be a large open medow behind us, on some barely discover planet and it would be just her and the dinosaurs bones in the ground. See I always pictured when we went out it'd be in a quite world, and we'd be free. We'd be in a place untouched by war and she'd have a place that matched her purity that I fell for all those years ago. And I'm falling apart knowing she never got to see the end of it.

I don't think I'm ever going to forget Diana, it's amazing I can even function without her. I was doing just fine before I met her but ever since I did she was everywhere I looked. And now I'm only with her when I close my eyes. And I don't think I'm ever going to give up on the hope, since we never recovered her body, that she might still be out there. See, my baby was this girl who managed to come back from everything. She had the world throwing tragedy after tragedy at her and no matter the atrocities she faced she always came good. She always stood strong again, in a way, I think she was the strongest out of all of us and now she's not here. I hope someday I'll find her and I'd like to find her there with her arms folded and tapping her foot, angry I kept her waiting so long. But that might be a dream that doesn't come true."

He'd been crying through the whole speech, tears rolling freely down his cheeks as he somehow managed to stay strong, speak with his voice unwavering through its entirety. I however had been choking on my grief since I woke up this morning from yet another nightmare. And now it was my turn.

"When Diana and I were kids, she was always getting herself into trouble, taking on fights that were much bigger than her. Too big, some would say, but she never let what others said bother her. She always knew what was right and that's the thing about her fight I admired so much. She just wanted to do what was right. She continued on that here. But what I remember most about her was that curious side, anything you had that you were interested in, she always had the time, the patience, to sit there with you and listen. She ask questions and then she'd go learn more, just so she'd have something to talk to you about. She did that when we were kids, it's probably all the effort on her part that's the reason we were friends longer than a day, I was a pretty weird kid, with very boring and strange interests. And yet we'd have sleepovers at my house, sitting out on the roof and watching the stars. She always wanted to come out here, have her own adventures and, although she's just not her right now, I know it's definitely a comfort knowing we're sending her off to the stars to have those adventures. I just hope, she takes us with her someday, to be apart of the trouble she gets into," I managed.

I'd thought a lot about what I was going to say up here today, but, I didn't actually write a speech. How could I? How do you say goodbye to your best friend? Your first crush and later your first love? And how do you do it choking on the regret you never even told her how you felt? And knowing you'll never have the chances you had again.

I walked away from the podium and the small group of us that was left walked up to the observation deck. We watched as someone came in to remove the podium and the folding chairs, clear everything that would get sucked away, out. And then we stood on ceremony as the anthem of the New Alexandria Republic played and the flag was folded beside the empty coffin. Those soldiers left and then there were six suites up soldiers, gravity boots locked to the ground as the airlock opened up. The coffin was shoot out into space and the soldiers coked their shotguns. There was the ceremonial shots fired and then the airlock closed. It was over. She was gone.

"I meant it," I heard next to me. It was just North and I stood by the window now. South, Wyoming, Maine and Massachusetts we're standing off by themselves talking quietly. I didn't really know why South was here. She always hated Diana and she wasn't the type to be here just to support her brother, I didn't think.

"Huh?" I asked.

"I said I meant it," he told me, turning towards me, mouth away from the security cams. "I don't think she's really dead."

"North.." I started. Denial. He was in that stage of grief.

"No," he said. "York is gone, Carolina is dead. CT is dead. Virginia is dead. But she's not. She's not. I know she's still around, I can feel it."

"North," I sighed.

"No, Wash, you said it yourself, you're her best friend. Can't you feel it too? Something doesn't feel right, he always hated her. I know she's not here right now but I also know she's not dead. I'm gonna find her. Are you with me?" He asked, lookin at me hopeful, determination written all over his face, sounding in his voice. But she was, she had to be dead. Where else could she be?

"No," I said eventually. Bluntly. "She's dead. She's gone."

Present Day...

Main POV

We sat on the roof for a long time, morning sun turning into afternoon sun before I sighed, thinking about what he'd asked. I could also feel my stomach rumble. But, the thought of food made me feel a bit ill.

"You wanna come with me to get my stuff?" I asked. He looked to me, opened his mouth and then paused, looking me over for a second.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I'll come with you."

"I walked here from near Red base," I told him. "But we can drive back, if you still wanna."

"You think I'm so out of practice I can't handle a little walking?" he joked. "Come on, let's go so we can grab something to eat when we come back."

We walked down the outside ramp leading to ground level and headed across the canyon. It never ceased to surprise me the shear number of red and blue bases that were located in canyons. It was peaceful, waking through the sunshine, in civvies for the first time in years. With the Sand Fleas I usually changed out of my under-armour suit into the spare and put all my armour plates back on. There was never a time longer than 30 minutes that I was vulnerable and even then, I was surrounded by a whole team of highly trained ex-soldiers to watch my back. But I felt relaxed here. I knew something was going to happen eventually, I was ready for it, but I wasn't constantly worried about it. Not just yet anyway.

"What are you thinking about in that head of yours?" Wash asked when we were almost across.

"It's nice here," I replied and he hummed.

"I had my hackles up for a while, wondering when someone was going to find us, figure out I wasn't really dead, track us down somehow," he told me. "But then they didn't. I think we've finally found a spot to just chill for a while. But that really depends on what Carolina brings our way next time we see her."

"I can't wait," I replied. "I miss her. So much so I want to see her even if it means the next time I do we're walking into a firefight."

"I can't imagine it was easy for you, desperately trying to get back to your friends only to fight out most of us are dead," he said and I nodded, climbing into the passenger side of the warthog. There was a pause, I wanted to say something but I didn't know how to ask.

"Are you..." I stopped, no that wasn't it. "Did you.." no. "Ugh."

"What?" he asked, looking a combination of amused and concerned.

"It's not that I want to ask if you missed me.." I said awkwardly.

"I did," he nodded.

"Is it better? Is what I'm asking. I know you never wished I was dead or anything but it's been so long and where I go trouble usually follows and you still don't know where I've been and well..." I put my head in my hands. I still hadn't gotten any better at talking. "Is it okay that I'm back? Are you angry? Do you want me here? Are you happy I'm back."

"You idiot," he sighed, shaking his head. "I'm happy every time I get you back in my life. And trouble has always followed you, I knew that back when we were children. I never got over your death, I'm glad it was a fake, even if it does make me incredibly angry knowing the Director faked it. And why the hell did he hate you so much? Don't take this the wrong way but, why were you were so special? Why you?"

"Been asking myself the same questions for years David," I sighed. "I just done want to be extra stress for you. I don't want to impose on what you have here. Of everyone in that damn project, you're the one who deserves happiness the most."

"You know I want the same for you, if we're going off what we've been through," he said.

"Yeah I've had my share of unfair blows from life but I mean because of who you were before. I miss goofy Wash who got tricked into eating inside his helmet, I miss David who got picked on in the playground and liked gardening and stars. What eight year old likes playing in the dirt not for getting muddy but for the flora? You fucking dork."

"Thanks Newbs," he shook his head. "Just remember, you used to come over specifically for the nights under the stars and the gardening lessons."

"I hate getting dirty," I fessed. "I only came over for those stupid plant care seminars to hang out with you."

He started laughing. Really laughing. It felt like years since I'd heard him laugh like that. I smiled, god we were stupid. I didn't like getting shit under my fingernails that's all. I could wash off the grit and the grime, Holt water washed all that away, but the stuff under your fingernails took time, took work. But I hate dirt now because all it reminds me is being pressed against the dirty polished concrete floor of my cell, laying in a pool of my own blood after another round of failed interrogation. It reminded me of bodies on top of me, begging god to kill me so I wouldn't have to live with what happened and praying someone would come and find me because as much as I knew I couldn't cope, I didn't want to go.

"You okay?" He asked as we pulled up and I say unmoving in shotgun. I nodded.

"Thank you for coming," I said.

"It was a brief stroll across Thame canyon, you and I know I'd have walked a lot farther for you," he told me.

"Back then," I said. "For rescuing me. I never said thank you, to anyone, ever. Because for a long time I was angry they didn't just kill me, because it was too much to handle. Because people looked at me differently because I felt differently, but I'm grateful. It's still hard, I'm still not better, not ready to let go but I'm grateful. To still be here, that you came and got me."

"I'll always come for you," he told me. "There's a reason we keep running into each other. I don't know what it is yet, but it's us, we're supposed to find each other."

"So it's okay I want to stay?" I asked.

"Always," he breathed. I saw his hand move over to me and then her remembered what I was like. He pulled his hand away again. I didn't want to be like this, to flinch at even the touch of my best friend. I trusted him, I knew he'd never hurt me, but I still couldn't do surprises. And I know not being able to comfort me took its toll on him too.

"Come on," he said, pushing himself out of the driver's seat. "Let's get your things inside."

I smiled softly and nodded, getting out of my side to pick up my things. I went for the crate but he got in before me and left me with the two duffles instead. We headed into the base, deciding on coming back for the heavy artillery and ammunition later.

I jumped when we made it to the central space, Tucker and Caboose sitting on the couch by the kitchen counter silently, scaring the life out of me.

"You guys are awfully quiet," Wash commented.

"Where have you two been?" Tucker asked.

"And what's in the box?" Caboose asked excitedly. "Is it presents?"

"It's not presents. And as for what's in it," Wash shrugged. "You'll have to ask Newbie, it's hers."

"Ooh miss nice lady, what's in your box?" Caboose asked.

"Not as much as what will be later tonight, bow chika bow wow~" Tucker called.

"And on that note," I said, walking off to the corridor with all the residences. I was followed immediately by Wash.

"I figure we'll put you in this one here, it's right next to the Sergeants quarters so you'll be near me if you need anything and it's meant for the officers so it's bigger than the ones down the hall where Caboose and Tucker stay in the Private's rooms," Wash explained. "Plus it's kinda lonely down here by myself." I laughed. "I thought I'd want the space and separated myself from them, Caboose and Tucker used to share in their last base but when me moved here they took a room each, giving themselves the space they needed but put themselves close enough to know they weren't alone."

"I won't leave you alone," I said softly.

"God, don't I know it," he joked. "Decades and still no peace from you."

I pushed off the wall, headed for the crate. Now or never. I jammed the tip under the wooden lip and pried in open, nails being forced out of the wood with a creak. First thing I came into contact with was an old, leather bound photo album. Everyone else kept their photos on their holo-boards or in their armour storage cells but my dad had always been old fashioned and then so was I. I missed him. Of all the people of lost, he was the one I was most upset about. Everyone else was dead, I knew that. I suppose I knew he was dead too, in his line of work if you don't come home from a job, you're dead. But he just didn't come home.

I pulled the photo album from the crate, running my fingers over the cover before sitting down on the floor beside my belongings. I flicked through the pages, there he was, grinning back at me with a younger version of myself. She didn't know how lucky she really was. I smiled, seeing a picture of me and baby David from when we were kids. Not a care in the world.

By the time I got to Project Freelancer, I was on the verge of tears. Why did everyone have to go? Why had this happened?

There was a picture from my first New Years on the ship, Carolina was in the background, face palming as York was stood between myself and Wash, an arm over each of us and a bottle in each hand. He was kissing a blushing Wash on the cheek, grinning goofily as he did. I was smiling cheerily at North who had been behind the camera. There was mistletoe abover our heads, I remembered, York had kissed us both on the cheek, starting with Wash and telling me not to worry, I wouldn't be left out. Wash and I weren't even meant to be drinking that night.

I was laying on the red room couch, sweats on and a book in hand. York had glided into the room, shoes slippery on the floor as Wash and Carolina walked calmly behind him. He bounded over to me as soon as he saw me, massive grin on his face.

"Hey there cutie, you ready for a party?" He asked excitedly.

"Some party it's going to be," I rolled my eyes.

"What, you're not psyched?" He asked and I shook my head, putting a finger in between the pages of the book I was reading and closing it most of the way.

"I'm not going," I told him and he stepped back a step, affronted.

"Why not?" he demanded, walking up close and leaning in to my face.

"I'm not old enough to drink, I don't want to get all dolled up to watch a bunch of other people get to hammered to stand and make bad choices," I explained. "Parties like this arenonly fun if you get to participate."

"Oh don't you worry about the booze kiddo," York told me. "Carolina and I have that all worked out."

"Wait," I turned back to the redhead. "You're helping him?"

"I might be team leader, but I'm not completely stiff," she rolled her eyes. "Parties like this are important to the team, we work hard we deserve to blow off some steam. And Wash isn't old enough either, he's only two years older than you. And you're not missing out on team bonding time."

"So you better go get ready for tonight, meet back here in a few hours," York told me.

"Yes sir," I laughed, mockingly saluting him. He brought a hand up to boop me on the nose as I did, making me giggle. I pulled away and pushed myself up off the couch, walking around him and heading for my room to spruce myself up a bit.

Hours later, hair teased and short skirt, I found myself standing next to an awkward Wash who was wearing nice jeans and a grey t-shirt. He kept looking at me and every time I turned to look back at him, he awkwardly jerk away.

"Are you okay?" I asked and he stuttered.

"You sure this is a good idea?" he asked.

"We're not going to get in trouble for drinking, people drink in the army all the time. We just couldn't bring our own because we had no way to get it," I told him. "Don't worry about it, you're 20 anyway, what's one year?"

"You're only 18, aren't you worried?" he asked. I snorted.

"You missed some great high school parties David," I told him.

"Somehow, I'm not sure they'd be my thing," he replied and I laughed.

"Yeah but I'd have made you go anyway, we were best friends you had to come," I explained. "Now come on, let's go make up for lost time." I grabbed his hand and dragged him into the thick of it, past Carolina and Wyoming who were watching York do a keg stand.

He squawked awkwardly when I grabbed him and started running, making me giggle as I led him into the dancing space. He looked so uncomfortable only making me laugh more. After a few songs a swaying York brought us over some more drinks, red soda cups filled with very strong booze. I knew this even before I drank any because as soon as Wash brought the cup to his lips he winced. I laughed and took a deep swing of my own and started dancing with York who cheered me on the whole time. After downing the contents of his cup, Wash loosened up a little and began to put a bit more life into his dancing and the more and more refills he got the more he became a dance macchine.

York and I watched Wash come out of his shell, laughing and joking with him and I smiled, this certainly wasn't the shy David I met when I was 6. York shook my shoulder and when I turned to him he put a finger to his lips. Using the same one, he pointed up to the ceiling where a sprig of mistletoe was hanging and I smiled. He then reached for Wash, grabbing and gave him a sopping wet kiss on the cheek. Wash squealed and fought against the kiss and York laughed. I turned away from the spectacle and met eyes with North, who was standing there with a camera. I grinned at him and he took a snap. I wanted to say something but he disappeared just as quickly.

"Don't you look so disappointed, Newbie, there's plenty of York to go around," York called and I looked back at him. I giggled as he leaned down to give me an equally as wet kiss on the forehead and then the nose before booping me like he had earlier.

"Where's everyone else?" I yelled over the thumping base.

"What?!" York yelled back.

"Where's everyone else?" I asked.

"I'll show you around," he called, nodding. I turned to see if Wash was coming but he'd disappeared into the crowd to continue his boogying. Or to avoid another kiss. I laughed, shaking my head.

After being escorted around the party to various groups of soldiers, meeting the people my team hung out with and making friends with a few more of them. Hours went by and it was nearly midnight and I hadn't been able to talk to the one person I wanted to.

The music was stopped and there was a loud cheer from the crowd as someone announced the countdown was about to begin. I heard the click of a camera beside me and looked up to see North smiling softly. His cheeks held a light alcohol glow to them as he stood there. Seemed while he was off playing photographer he was also getting equally as drunk.

I smiled up at him as the countdown started, hoping this New Year brought only good things. I glanced up and spotted more mistletoe, mentally thanking York for handling the decorating. The crowd reached 1 and then let out a roaring cheer and I grabbed North's hand. He paused, turning back to me.

"Happy New Year," I said and he grinned back.

"Happy New Year Diana, here's to many more at the Project," he said warmly. My heart fluttered. Now or never. New year, brave Newbie. I kept my hand on his and pointed up at the mistletoe with the other.

"It's tradition," I told him and he nodded softly, leaning down to press his lips to mine.

Sparks flew as they touched and what I had intended to be a short sweet kiss that maybe let him know how I felt and would inspire more kisses in the future, became much more. Passion took over and we fought desperately to keep kissing as the too loud music started back up.

He took my hand and lead me, kissing along the way off of the dance floor and out the hallway. Pressed up against the cold metal walls of the ship my heart soared. This is more than I ever could have asked for, it was everything I wanted. My crush of the last 7 months was kissing me back. He liked me.

Rolling along the wall we eventually made it to the elevator and he picked me up, I wrapped my long legs around his waist. The buttons for the lift pressed into my back and I hoped we wouldn't stop on every floor now.

We were just outside his room and I paused in the passion, this was it, this would be my first time with anyone and how perfect was it that it was with him. Sure I hadn't imagined us being so drunk, but it would do. He sensed my hesitation and pulled away. The cold air between us sobering. He frowned.

"I'm so sorry, I let the alcohol get the better of me," he told me. I was confused.

"What?"

"Diana, you're a great girl. Don't take this as a rejection," he said. "You're just too young for me, and you're drunk. This would be wrong. It's wrong of me, someone who's old enough to know better, to do that to you."

"What.." I tried to say and he leaned down to kiss me on the forehead before going into his room and closing the door behind him.

Before I really understood what had happened, tears were already streaming down my cheeks. I let out a sob. What had just happened? I had everything I wanted and now in the blink of an eye, it was gone.

"Hey honey, what are you doing down here, shouldn't you be at the party?" I heard and turned around, seeing Tex standing a few feet away. I let out a wail and her face softened. "Oh no, baby what happened?"

I started running to her and she stepped forward, opening her arms to me. I held her close, sobbing into her shoulder as she rubbed my back. Tex had been nice to me ever since that big street fight, I wondere if she'd felt bad or something.

"I was going to sleep with North but he told me I'm too young for him and shut the door in my face," I told her.

"What?" Tex asked.

"We kissed under the mistletoe and he took me down here but when we got to his room he changed his mind and left me here," I sobbed. "Doesn't he like me?"

"Oh baby it's not your fault," she told me. "Sometimes things like this happen. So he changed his mind, that's his right and it's okay. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. You're a beautiful young girl, someone's going to come along one day and see you as their whole world. Maybe that'll be North, maybe it'll be someone else. Who knows? But don't let one night get you down."

"Thanks," I nodded softly.

"You want me to take you back to the party?" she asked, wiping the tear tracks off my cheeks. I nodded. "It's only midnight, there's still way more fun to be had."

We stepped back into the elevator and waited for it to take us back up to the floor with the rec-room where the party was still in full swing. She hadn't taken her arm off of my shoulders and was glad, relaxing into her touch. I'd never been upset about not having a mom, I had my dad and he was my best friend in the whole world, even if we did fight and argue over boys and parties. But having Tex in my life now filled a gap I didn't know I had. It was an odd sensation, having a team mom. Especially when no one else had the same experience with the woman.

In the corridor by the rec room I almost jumped out of my skin, hearing before I had the chance to turn, someone running at full pelt behind me. There was a clunking of glass bottles against glass bottles and I saw York shoot past me with a large array of spirits tucked under his arms. I hard Tex scoff and shake her head at the site and I just smiled. I loved my team. I was going to truly enjoy my time here at Project Freelancer.

I huffed, trying to breathe out the lump building in my throat. I could feel soft tears crawling down my cheeks as I ran my fingers over the pictures. I suppose it made sense now, why York had always acted the way he did, if like Wash said, he was trying to shoot his shot. I knew there was some flirting here and there, but after my time on the other side of enemy lines, I always thought of York in a big brother kind of way. I'd assumed it was mutual.

"I miss you," I sniffed, naked hands tracing the the worn edges of the pictures.

"Hey," I heard from above me. Wash who had been standing in the doorway, squatted down to be at eye level with me. "What happened?"

"Memories," I replied, showing him the set of pictures from New Years.

"Ugh," Wash groaned. "What a night to regret. It started out great, you and I were hanging out then I went off on my own for some unknown goddamn reason. Should have been a sign to stop drinking right then and there."

"What happened?" I laughed. "You look like you're chewwing on a bee."

"Close," he replied, sitting on the floor beside me. "I slept with South that night."

"WHAT?" It was like hearing about a car crash. Shocking, horrifying but I couldn't leave without the juicy details.

Washington POV

I wiped the slobber off my cheek, York getting entirely too friendly for my liking. I looked around and somehow I'd managed to lose them in the crowd. Damn, I was enjoying dancing with Dee. I moved around a bit, getting squashed by other partiers, but after some slight shoving, I realised I was stuck. Wedged in between a short brunette and a cute redhead I decided to continue on my earlier quest, dancing like I had never danced before. There were, after all, worse places to be. Plus, if Newbie was ever going to find me again I had to stay put. I think I was the one who had wandered off anyway. I couldn't remember anymore. The more I drank from the red cups, the less I could recall, but the better I felt. I was on top of the world. No one was as great as me. I was the King of Project Freelancer and no one could tell me otherwise.

"Hey Wash," I heard and turned to see South smirking up at me. Great, the Devil. "You're drooling," she told me, cackling before disappearing off into the crowd. I'd be incredibly unlucky to run into her again tonight.

Time was skipping for me, at one point I was playing beer pong and now I was across the other side of the room doing a keg stand. Why did I keep drinking? I was so wasted, I didn't need anymore. Next time someone offers me something to drink, I'm saying no. I've had enough. Sorry but no thanks.

"Hey Wash, refill?" York offored, shaking a red cup at me.

"Fuck yeah!" I cheered, snatching the cup away and taking a hefty swig.

He chuckled and left me to it. I'm sure I was doing something before I spoke to him. Yes, that's right, I had to get back to Newbie. She was probably worried about me by now, I can't believe I left her alone at a party where she barely knew anyone. Think Wash, think. Where could she be. Well, I know she's a head shorter than me, so I'll just look down and see if I can find blonde hair. Great plan, Wash, you the man. I let out a wooping cheer and everyone around me echoed it. I really was the man.

After what felt like forever of wandering around, squishing past throngs of dancing people I spotted a head of blonde hair about a head shorter than me. Yes. I did it, I'm a genius. Go David, go David. I raced over to her and grabbed her shoulder. Perfect, now was my chance to do something about how I felt, I was after all, the King of Project Freelancer. Why wouldn't she want to see me. The blonde turned around and my lips crashed on hers, it was a hot, sloppy and wet kiss and she let out a shocked whine of protest. Shoving me off I pulled back to look down at the incredibly pissed off face of South Dakota.

"Shit," I blurted out.

"You're not so hot yourself, dumbass," she replied. "Let me guess, you wanted to kiss one of the other blondes on the team? Now, is it Newbie? Tex? Oh I know, you were feeling experimental and looking for my brother."

"Fuck you," I spat and she grinned.

"If you kiss me again, maybe I'll let you," she replied, pulling me down for an angry kiss.

I don't remember leaving the party or much else after that. I had brief moments of clarity, flashes of hot, hard kisses, hair pulling, rolling over and fighting for dominance. I remember being so conflicted on whether or not I was horny or angry. I let out a groan. There was chuckling at the end of the bed. I opened my eyes, wincing instantly. I went to wipe my face but found myself handcuffed to the bed frame.

"What the hell?" I looked up at my wrists.

"Rough night?" I heard and looked back down to the foot of the bed to see CT, shooting me a cheeky smirk.

"Please get me out of here," I groaned and she chuckled, walking around and reaching over me to release me from my bindings.

"There you go champ," she giggled. "Looks like you had a New Years you're not likely to forget in a hurry."

"Wish I could," I replied.

"You'd better get dressed and get out before anyone finds you here," she told him. "Or else you'll never be able to forget it, even if you want to."

I sat up, looking around for my clothes. I paused, wait, did this mean Connie had seen me naked? I found my entire body blushing. Crap. I cupped my hands to cover my crotch and continued the search for my clothes. I ducked under the bed, looked around South's side of the room, nothing.

"Uh," I croaked, voice breaking. "CT have you seen my clothes?"

Main POV

"Wait, she stole your clothes?" I asked, he nodded.

"She stole them and I had to borrow stuff from CT just to get out of there and back to my own room," he explained. "She ended up giving me a pair of her ex boyfriend's boxers and a t-shirt she'd borrowed from you. I don't know what was more embarrassing, walking out of there naked or in a too small, girl's t-shirt and another man's boxers."

"I wondered what you were doing with that," I told him. "CT told me she'd given it to you to give back to me and you were so weird about it."

I walked into the locker room, York and North were in the back corner with towels around their waist. York was sitting, legs wide, on one of the wooden benches while North was stood by his locker rolling on some deodorant. Wash wandered round from the other side of the lockers in a towel, fresh out of the group shower. He looked up and jumped, startled by my presence.

"What are you doing here?" he stuttered and I laughed.

"It's a communal locker room, dummy, I'm allowed to be here," I told him. "Now, CT says you have my t-shirt?"

"Why would she say that, what did she tell you?" he demanded, running over.

"She said she was on her way to return it when she bumped into you, said she'd give it to you instead," I explained and he visably relaxed.

"Oh."

"So you going to give me my shirt or not, you weirdo?" I demanded and he leapt into action, scurrying off around to the girl's side of the locker room. "What's up with him?" I asked and looked over at York and North. North shrugged and York grinned.

"Oh I don't know," York said slyly. "He's probably a little, tied up, with his thoughts at the moment."

"Oh come on," I heard Wash groan from the other side of the wall of lockers. I laughed, covering my mouth with my had.

"Whatever you're teasing him about, that's between you three," I said pointing at York who grinned.

"You're a good friend," he told me.

"Apparently a better one than you," Wash grumbled handing me my t-shirt.

"I really thought everyone knew," he told me. I sniggered.

"Nope," I told him. "Just those four, unless you ever told anyone else."

"Nope," he said. "And this secret dies with you."