Medic woke up, drenched in sweat in front of the mirror. The pain must have been too much and he passed out. He got up and gasped in pain as his back felt like someone had taken a rusted knife to it. He winced and hissed as he prodded his finger at the words now burned into his skin. It was real alright, so he wasn't crazy. At least not any crazier than he already was. He saw it was the next day and he wondered how long he had been out for.

He quickly got up from the cold hard floor and pulled his shirt back on when he heard someone's fist pounding against the door. By the loud and heavy thumps against the door, he figured it was either Heavy or Soldier. So he opened the door and was greeted by the scowling face of Solider Quickly hiding his disappointment it wasn't Heavy, Medic smiled at Soldier.

"Herr Soldier! What can I do for you?"

"It is 08:00 hours! And it is also time for our monthly check-ups. I wanted to be the first to make sure I don't have any foreign diseases. Like an accent or weird facial hair!"

Medic was about to say neither of those things classified as diseases but decided to bite his tongue and nodded in understanding.

"I see. Well come in and we can get started."

Soldier grunted in reply and without warning, pushed past the doctor and nearly set the man tumbling to the floor. Soldier sat down on one of the medical cots and Medic told him to take off his shirt. He complied and the German doctor wasn't surprised to see several fresh bruises and cuts on the crazed patriot's chest and back. Fighting both his enemies and sometimes even his friends, Soldier was like a magnet for injuries. Medic produced a stethoscope from a drawer and pressed it against Soldier's upper back.

"Okay. Please give three deep breaths."

Soldier took a deep breath and exhaled with a groan. Something wasn't right inside the man. Both physically and mentally. Medic nodded and Soldier took another breath, this time coughing hard as he tried to exhale. The German man waited for this comrade to stop and when he did, he looked towards with a look of worry.

"Soldier, have you been smoking lately?"

"Of course I have! Three packs a day. What kind of question is that?!"

Medic tutted in disapproval, "That is what's causing your difficulties to breathe, John."

"Well you're the doctor here, aren't you? You can fix me."

"Soldier, this can only be fixed by you. Stop smoking."

Soldier grumbled in annoyance and pulled his shirt back on. He muttered something about Medic being a quack and a Nazi before leaving the medical ward. As soon as the war-crazed maniac left. Medic slumped into his chair and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"This is going to be a long day. . ."

X X X

Medic went through several more check-ups during the morning. Then a quick uneventful lunch break came and went and he was back at it. This time his next patient was Pyro. Medic remembered what he promised Dell and he knew this would be the best time to do it.

Pyro was already in their underwear and sitting patiently on the cot, having already taken off their mask and their suit, both lying next to them in a pile. Pyro was covered in burn marks, both new and old. Several scars crisscrossed their back and Medic wonder who or what happened to make these vicious wounds. As Medic examined the pyromaniac's scarred flesh, he kept an eye out for anything that proved Dell's suspicions. He didn't find anything though but then smiled as he had an idea.

"Pyro, could you please lift up your arms above your head?"

"Okay, doc. Whatever you say."

Pyro raised their arms above their head and Medic scanned his eyes and smiled bigger as he found Dell's last name, Conagher, hidden underneath Pyro's arm, right below their ribcage and small enough to not be noticed unless you knew where to look. Medic told Pyro their examination was over and they were in perfect health for someone covered in burns. Pyro smiled and thanked him, thinking it was a compliment. They then left and Medic followed soon after, heading towards Dell's workshop to tell him what he discovered. Dell was busy tinkering with another machine and didn't notice the doctor's arrival until he tapped the man on the shoulder, making him jump in surprise.

"Christ, doc! It'd be nice to let a man know 'fore you sneak in on 'em."

"Sorry, Engie. But I have some good news. About your earlier problem."

Dell set down his tools and smiled with excitement, "Really? Whaddya know?"

"Pyro has your last name tattooed on them. Right below their ribcage."

"You're serious? Course you are.", Engie shook his head and clapped his friend on the shoulder, "You're amazing doc. Absolutely amazing."

"You're welcome, Engie. Now if you excuse me. . ."

Medic was about to make a move to leave the Texan's room when Dell stopped him again with an outstretched hand.

"Wait! Medic, there is something else."

"Ja? What iz it?"

"Can you tell Pyro to meet me in the base's courtyard. I need to make sure you're right."

Medic raised an eyebrow in question, "You don't believe me?"

"I do, I do. But. . .I gotta make sure."

Medic nodded and said he would before leaving to find Pyro. Luckily it was rather easy to find the firebug as they were always either in their room and in the base's recreation room. Medic found them in the rec room, watching static on the television. Pyro smiled when they saw Medic and he returned it.

"Hey, doc. How ya doing?"

"Good. Pyro, I've just been looking for you actually."

Now Pyro's smile was replaced with a confused frown, "Me? Why? Is there some more medical junk you need me to test?"

Medic shook his head, "No, no. Nothing like zat. Dell needs your assistance in his workshop as soon as you can."

Pyro smile returned at the mention of their friend, "Okay! I'll head right over."

Pyro leaped from the couch and headed towards the direction of Dell's room. Seeing as his work was done, Medic returned back to his room to see if he could figure out more about his new tattoo. He got to his room and shut the door behind them, only to notice something was waiting for him. Sitting alone in the darkened room was Heavy. The large Russian sat up a bit and nodded towards his friend.

"Mikhail, what a surprise! What are you doing here?"

"Please sit, Ludwig. . ."

". . .We need to talk."