A/N: So I've got good news, bad news, and good/bad news. The good news is, I've already written the next chapter, I just need to edit it. The bad news is, this chapter is only half length because I feel like it, to give more impact to the next chapter. The good/bad news is, the next chapter is the last chapter. I can't believe it, but there's just one chapter left!

So basically, you guys have one last chance to tell me suggestions and comments before it's over for good. Not to mention, the more you review, the faster I'll edit, the sooner you'll get the last chapter! (Though I might write an epilogue someday~)

Yeah. Enjoy!

And please, drop a review on your way out! c:

Scout nodded grimly, taking the offered memory stick from Engineer. "I call dibs on not telling Soldier!" he exclaimed.

Sniper turned to Engineer with a shrug, saying, "You know more 'bout this stuff than I do, mate." He stepped back, shaking his head. Engineer sighed, but didn't argue.

"'sides, you're better at convincing people t'agree with ya', man!" Scout added, smiling crookedly. The Texan seemed to be in a better mood, after that, and the two left him there, still tinkering with the machine, even though it was useless at this point.

Sniper and Scout headed up to the rafters, peeking out through the side of the protective walls to get a better look at the RED base. All seemed quiet over there, and Scout couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. "Maybe they're leaving us alone fer' a day," he murmured, and Sniper snorted in disbelief.

"Doubt it. They didn't lose anyone in the attack, they'd be just as well goin' after us now, since we're all disorganized. Dunno' why they aren't. 'fact, I'd be surprised if we don't see 'em today."

"Yeah, guess you're right," Scout said, and they moved back inside. "Guess there's no point in refortifying, then, huh?"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'NO POINT', MAGGOTS?" The roar echoed down the hallway, and Scout flinched, almost laughing at the chance of being caught saying that one thing, by Soldier of all people. He appeared at the end of the room, and stomped over. "YOU BETTER NOT BE GIVING UP, YOU MONGRELS!" He'd just reached them, and they did their best to avoid plugging their ears. "Back when I was in the army, you didn't just give. Up. No, you either won, or you died on the field!" Scout rolled his eyes, preparing to sit through another one of Soldier's rants, but the general stopped, then. "Why aren't you two refortifying the walls?!"

"Better ask Engineer," Sniper supplied quickly, tilting his head in the direction of the Respawn room. Scout resisted touching the memory stick in his pocket. If he lost it, it was over. For all of them.

The day passed slowly, achingly slowly, and Engineer spent the afternoon trying to get Medic's gun to work on Demo. Unfortunately, it had been destroyed in the building collapse, and everyone's spirits seemed to drop at that. Soldier stayed holed up in his war room, pacing back and forth, angry that his team – whatever was left of it – was backing out. Spy was nowhere to be found. Sniper sat down at the shooting range, and Scout was left jogging around the base, desperately wishing he could go for a run outside. Too dangerous though, now.

By the time the sun set, he was twitchy and fidgety. It didn't help to hear that Demo had fallen into a coma, and there wasn't much they could do for him now. Too much internal bleeding meant he would die soon, if the concussion that had put him into the coma didn't first.

When Engineer finally decided it was dark enough for Scout to be able to sneak out, they gathered in the Supply room. It was just the four of them, now. Four when it used to be nine. Scout was reminded of his family. Four brothers where there used to be eight, now four members of BLU where there used to be nine. Was he doomed to this for his whole life?

No. He could change it, this time. Death wasn't permanent. Not if he succeeded.

"You ready to go, kiddo?" Engineer asked, looking him over. Scout nodded, not even bothering to correct him, not with such an important – and dangerous – task looming over his head.

Just then, a thunderous boom shook the base, and Scout cursed. Sniper had been right – RED wouldn't leave them alone for long. As if he needed RED on his tail while he tried to cut a hole out of the fence.

"Time to go, ladies!" Soldier shouted, and they nodded. The plan was that Soldier would lead the attack, Engineer would be his backup, and Sniper would make sure Scout got out of the bases. Once the runner was out of sight, he'd go and help the other two, futile though it may be.

Scout waved goodbye to Soldier and Engineer. Soldier saluted him, and Engineer waved back. The Texan smiled at him, and so did Soldier, in his own way. Which was an expression of stoicism. He nodded to the two and rushed down an opposite hall with Sniper. Around twisting hallways, to the side of the base, where – hopefully – none of the REDs were. If they did decide to go that way, well, Sniper had his bow, and Scout his Scattergun. Though he planned on saving ammo, because he might need it later, depending on how hard it was to get into the other bases.

Scout was running just behind Sniper, routinely glancing back to make sure they weren't being followed. On just one of those lookarounds, Scout heard a flurry of sound, and he was suddenly grabbed from the front and shoved against the wall, his attacker groaning in pain. He bristled, about to attack, when he realized it was Sniper. And then he saw the shiv sticking out of the Australian's stomach, glistening wetly. He barely held himself up against the wall, much less Scout, and the runner was left grasping for a response in shock.

"Go on. Git," Sniper forced out, almost choking on the words. He finally released Scout in order to reach for his own kukuri. "It'll be…my pleasure…to take care of this weasel."

Scout wanted to protest, he wanted to pull out his bat and help, he wanted to kill RED's Sniper, but he knew that all of these would spell disaster. Sniper had thrown himself in the way to keep Scout safe – he couldn't waste it.

So he ran.

He slipped out from under Sniper, turned, and ran. He made it and skidded around the corner before RED's sniper even had the chance to spin and see him. Considering going through the sewers, but deciding it was better to just take his chances outside, he knew he would be able to run past anyone out there, and escape.

Moments later, he was outside, in the quiet air. Safer than in the base, where he could hear the sounds of battle echoing in the dead air. He breathed a sigh of relief, and headed toward the fence, the one topped with barbed wire, that they'd always known to be electrified. But it wasn't now. The buzzing was gone, leaving only silence.

Scout glanced around, searching for enemies, finding none at first. And then he froze, spotting RED's Spy approaching purposefully, hoping he hadn't been spotted.

As his luck would have it, of course he had. So this adventure would end as it began.

"Come to finish what you started?" he asked spitefully.

"Quite the opposite, little bunny. I came to make sure you get out."

"What?" Scout waiting for the trap to spring, for the catch, for anything. But it wasn't forthcoming. Not even a request to take RED's logs to another base. Then again, maybe they hadn't figured it out. BLU had always been the higher-class team. RED had simply been the one that worked together better, excelling in teamwork and group life.

"As I said. I am here to assist you in escaping. What, you think I didn't know?" he laughed. "Just because you can see me does not mean I cannot observe the goings-on in your base." He smirked, and Scout noted that he seemed perfectly alright, suddenly. Maybe they'd figured out how to use the medigun. Maybe it could cure the headaches. Or maybe Medic had taken out the spy's chip. Not that any of that mattered.

"And why would you want to help me? Unless you've suddenly gone colorblind, I'm BLU. Not your teammate."

"No, but you are my son."