Previous:

I fully got up from the bed and bent down to where my whole chest was planted to the ground. I looked around under the dark bed in search for my weapon. I spotted it and smiled. There you are you little... huh? I paused for a moment noticing a object resting in the far corner of the bed. I went to reach for it sliding my body closer under the bed, but my curiosity was interrupted by a sound of two knocks on my door. I stopped looking toward the direction of the sound and grabbed what I originally came for and shifted out from under my bed. I dusted my self off and opened the door putting the knife in my pocket. I looked at the gentlemen standing in front of me and smiled at him.

"Hey! I know it's not exactly dinner time but me and the fellas usually have ourselves a nice fire pit to just hang around and eat for dinner when the girls are gone, well most of them that is. I just wondeirn' if you wanted to come and help us out." The nice country man insisted that I'd come and help out with the crew. Of course, I didn't pass up the opportunity and nodded with a smile on my face. It seemed to be contagious as the Engineer himself smiled back and put a hand on my shoulder. "Glad you could be of serve. I reckon you'll enjoy yourself tonight."

I watched him leave and turned around to grab my watch and went to leave the room, but I paused to look at my bed. What was under there? It looked sort of rectangular, like a book. What was a book doing under my bed? Had the last member who sat the same title left it by accident?

"Hey you alright?" The Engineer said looking back at me. I looked toward him and shut the door behind me joining him on his walk outside. I looked at my watch reading the time.

3:52 p.m

Alright, just a few hours of helping set up, eating with the team, help cleaning up, and then I will be able to go back to my room and see what exactly was under my bed. Sounds good.

Continuation:

~{:Chapter 12-Familiar Sensation:}~

Fires are what I feared since the incident. Their torturous red and orange glow, it always haunted me. They gave me the wrong intentions, destruction, darkness, depression. I could never get use to them, I would always have these flashbacks of what happened. I tried, I really did. I needed to shove them aside and move on, but something just didn't seem to cooperate with me. It just would not work, no matter what. No amount of therapy can disintegrate this memory, nothing can prevent it from turning it into ashes. That's something I would have to live with for the rest of my life, but everyone has a bad memory. You may not see it now, or perhaps you have already. Either way it will come to you one day, it's going to hit you, hard. Maybe you won't even see it coming, I didn't. The point being, everyone will have a memory that will hang over their shoulders like a demon. Now don't get me wrong, there will be plenty of great memories to go around, but there is always that one. The little irritation that sticks with you, like a shadow. Yeah a shadow. At some point you may not see it, but when the time comes, it will be waiting for you. There will be no trick to get rid of it, but there is a way to put it aside. Getting back to my phobia of fire, I honestly didn't think it was possible to leave this burden that always plagued my mind. I didn't think I would be able to feel THIS free. If it weren't for the stories, the discussions at the fire pit, the strange warm feeling I got by the fire, things would have turned out differently.

It was me, Engineer, Sniper and Pyro who were instructed to get the chairs, firewood, and fuel-that wouldn't be to hard because, well, Pyro duh. Medic and Heavy were given the instructions to grab any blankets and a health kit just in case, the two Scouts would bring the food, lastly the Demoman and Soldier would bring the drinks. I followed behind the Sniper and Engineer back toward the shed, or garage whatever suits your fancy. I felt a gaze toward me and looked at the Pyro, there seemed to be a skip in his step which made his joy contagious. He waved a cute little 'hello' tilting his head so innocently. I smiled and waved back, a cheery mumble coming from the maniacs muzzled gas-mask.

"Here we are." The Engineer said feeling accomplished. We made our way over to the shed, Engie opened up the doors and we all got inside. "You two get the chairs and me and Pyro will get the firewood."

I nodded at Engineer already grabbing, what just looked like, beach chairs under each arm. The two left to go grab the firewood as me and Sniper were left to carry back the chairs.

"You good sheila?"

I gave out a mumbled 'Mhm' and turned to head back to the located fire pit-it was just behind the base. I walked out of the shed with a total of two chairs, I heard footsteps behind and glanced back at the Sniper who was holding two under each arm. It made the trip easier and more effective to say the least. We dropped off the chairs and headed back. The trip back seemed to drag on a little longer, and so the Sniper thought of bring up a conversation.

"Thanks for helping out, makes the job easier." He gave a lighthearted laugh and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah it's no biggy." I kept my head forward keeping my eyes on the shed that was seen in the distance. Although, I could have sworn I saw a smile creep onto the Aussies face through my peripheral vision.

"How did it go with the two mongrels? They didn't droive ya' too crazy did they?" The Australian looked my way, but I kept mine the same.

"They are... interesting... Not too bad once you get to know them."

I could see the Sniper nod and sigh. "Don't know what it is, but it seems loike you got a charm to ya'."

I heart thumped out of my chest, what did he say? I kept my gaze still and straightforward, we were coming up toward the shed again and went inside. I think Sniper could notice the how tense the air became because he quickly intervened.

"The Team... They uh seem to have a loikin' to you. Oi noticed it, Pyro is usually shy around new recruits like you, but Engineer told me he saw you drawing with the bloke. Trust me, that doesn't just happen mate. Not to mention the way FemScout approached you, she doesn't really hang out with the shelia's. Girls in generally I guess, mostly the guys but she was different around you. You're definitely different from the last female spoi that's for sure."

I listened to him feeling good about myself. The team really was getting use to me weren't they. I grabbed the two chairs placing one under each arm, Sniper grabbed the last two chairs continuing with his words. It wasn't until the last part when he said 'different from the last female spy' it caught my attention. I walked a little slower so Sniper could catch up and so that I could carry on the conversation for a bit longer. When I looked toward him his hands were tense, his knuckles showed some white. This indication provoked something inside of me, curiosity. I got the intentions that he accidentally summed up something he wasn't suppose too.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"...Well...Before you there was another Female Spoi loike you. Got around well with the team, no one really complained about her. She had a great connection with our Spoi, but one day she went crazy. Don't know whoi, she seemed sane when she got here but then after a few months she just started... Well let's just say she wasn't herself anymore. There have been some rumors of how." He sighed thinking if he should bother continuing. "Some say that she went crazy from all the death that surrounded her, or she went crazy from losing herself. Oi guess she wasn't prepared for being a Spy, people thought that maybe she went off the deep end because she became too paranoid and forgot her own identity. Others say she was possessed by a demon that led her to her craziness. But you know they're just rumors, no one really knows whot happened and might not ever find out. After the incident with the feminine spook no one really went near her room. Miss Pauling came around and cleaned out the sheets and put in new clothes, that's about it after that. The room's been sittin' there for a few years now, collecting nothing but dust." Sniper began to scratch the back of his neck, I guessed it was a nervous tick of some kind.

I nodded intrigued by the new information. Perhaps that was what the book was about, or maybe a journal? Definitely something interesting.

We came upon the camp site and set up the chairs around where the campfire was going to be. It wasn't long before Pyro and Engineer came along with firewood carried in their arms. The two dropped the piles of wood in the middle of the site having the chairs surround the outside. I looked around counting ten chairs, perfect.

"Looks loike it's coming together pretty nice." Sniper shifted his weight to his side while he crossed his arms.

"I'd agree with that partner." nodded the Engineer.

"MHPHM!"

I gave a little laugh.

"Hey Pyro lets go check on the others to see if they need any help." The Texan looked at his friend and then back at us. "We'll be back in a few."

I watched Engineer and Pyro go off to see how the others were doing, leaving me and Sniper to be left behind. I saw him walk off to sit down in one of the plastic beach chairs. He tried his best to recline back to relax. I followed behind sitting next to him and looking more toward the sky trying to think for a bit. Despite the sun being lower toward the horizon it was still hot as hell outside. I exhaled deeply feeling pretty good-ever just take a deep breath and feel all the tension just dissipate-my stress was gone. I closed my eyes just paying attention to all my instincts my smell; my hearing; my touch; my taste. The air smelled like the first day of spring, everything is new and fresh. I could hear the wind hit against my eardrum, the sounds of birds call above the skies, and the breathing of another human being nearby. The drop of sweat running down my mask, filled with a salty like taste. I could feel the cool ground trying to penetrate the bottom of my pants that surrounded my ankles, the breeze brushing it's delicate fingertips across my face and into my hair. It all felt so...peaceful.

I re-opened my eyes and looked at Sniper. "So...What do you usually do during these campfires." He looked a little shocked with me for starting the conversation. I wasn't really known for starting them, and to be honest I was shocked myself. The moment seemed to call for it, no one else was around anyway.

"Well..." Sniper said scratching the scruff under his chin. "We usually tell stories, drink, eat, have fun. And when oi mean by have 'fun' oi mean watch Soldier and Demo fight. They sure give some good entertainment, bunch of drunks oi say. But oi shouldn't be the one to talk, oi've been through some tough hangovers."

I nodded acknowledging him. "I see. Well it does sound entertaining I'll give you that." I started picking at skin of my fingers unconsciously, again.

I didn't notice Sniper moving his eyes toward the motion of my fingers. "Uh sheila... You alroight?"

"Huh?" I stopped picking and looked back at the sharpshooter.

He gestured his hand toward mine. "You were doin' something with your fingers there."

"Oh? I was?... sorry it's a habit..."

"You don't have to apologies about it. Oi use to know someone with that problem. They usually did it when they were nervous or anxious about somethin'. Bloody bloke would always make himself bleed because of it, he told me sometimes he wouldn't know. By the looks of it oi'd say you got that trait."

"Yeah, you could say that." I shoved my hands under my thighs.

"Yeah? Well whot are you nervous about then?" The Aussie asked, seeming curious.

I shrugged. "I'm just..." I took a moment, tried figuring out what to say without seeming so scared all the time. I couldn't just say nothing and move on, he already knows somethings up. Even right now, as I pause to think of what to say, his mind is already waiting for a correct answer. I sighed. "I'm just anxious, in a good way. I haven't really talked or interacted with a human being for a while, properly at least. I lived out on the streets trying to survive, hiding away from the cops, defending myself when the time called for, tried to get food and water, and looked for a place to stay warm on cold nights." I didn't want to give eye contact to the Australian, I didn't feel embarrassed, I felt regretful. A part of me wishing that I didn't tell him, but it felt good to talk to someone. Besides, Sniper didn't seem like the kind of merc to just gossip about things like this. They're personal.

"Hm... You know, believe it or not oi was just like you in the beginning."

"NO!" I said as sarcastic as I could.

He gave a smirk and continued. "Yeah betta' believe it, mate. Oi was quiet for the first few weeks, maybe a few months, okay fine a year. Didn't talk to any of them except Engie, soon it just slowly graduated to one more merc at a time." Snipers eyes grew with passion. He seemed interested in the topic, perhaps it was the love of telling stories, or possibly to make newbies like me comfortable.

"Yeah, I've already talked to Pyro, Spy, and you."

"Talked to the Spoi eh? Oi think he was the last merc oi talked too. He seemed too preppy for me, oi don't know." Sniper shrugged and looked at the dusty ground. "Hehe... It's weird to think about. We actually ended up becoming good friends anyways."

I nodded and smiled. A few minutes after Sniper finished I heard the sound of a group of voices coming closer. I sat up in the cheap beach chair and looked to where the voices were coming from. Just from the distinctive accents I could tell who each of them were. One of them held a strong Irish accent, the second one had a warming country accent, and the last was LOUD.

"ALRIGHT MEN TONIGHT IS GOING TO BE A CELEBRATION OF AMERICA!"

"Aye Soldier, you keep thinkin' that." The Demo agreed trying to keep his friends spirits up.

"It's going to be an interesting night fellas."

"YES!"

"AYE!"

They approached the little camp area, all holding a case of beer or some other beverage. Me and Sniper sat looking at our fellow teammates in content. Demo sat down in the chair across from Sniper, Soldier sat beside his drunk friend, and Engineer sat in the middle of Sniper and Soldier leaving a gap for his own buddy. Demoman stretched out his legs and sighed sitting back in the chair before grabbing himself his own alcoholic beverage.

"Ahhhhh..." Demo exhaled relaxing. "So... where are the two weasels? My stomach is callin' fer food."

"Not sure what the two are up to this time." The Engineer shook his head.

"Probably arguing about what food to bring, the mongrels do this every time."

"Yeah, maybe I should-"

As if the two were listening in the Engineer talking, they both came over with two plastic bags full of food.

"Speakin' of the devils."

"Hey guys, don't start the party without us."

"Wouldn't think of it mate."

The female looked at the Aussie "Yeah, don't know if that was sarcasm but I'm gonna pretend it isn't."

The FemScout plopped onto the chair next to me and sat the plastic bag between us. The Scout did the same but next to his companion. Everyone was almost here, all together in one place. I looked around already seeing Demo and Soldier pop open a cold one and drink as if it was there last day alive. Sniper and I were waiting patiently for the rest of the mercs to come over. In the mean time both the Scouts didn't second think the option and began digging through the bags telling us what they got.

"So I got us some chips annnnnnnddd... Oh look MORE CHIPS!"

"Wait that all you two brought?" Asked the Texan.

"Yeah pretty much." Answered the boy with the need for speed.

Sniper straightened his back and leaned forward to look at the Scout. "Are you bloody serious?! Then whot took you two so bloody long to just grab some bags of chips?"

"uh..."

The two looked at each other for a moment, giving each other facial expressions. From that I could tell the two were doing more then just 'getting' bags of chips. I could spot a little tint of a blush across the two faces.

"You know what, never mind. Whot kind of chips did you bring."

"Well I brought barbecue and just regular potato chips." The female looked at her counterpart giving him the spotlight.

"I got some regular, some kind of sour creme chips, and barbecue as well."

Scout tossed the plastic bag near the middle of the group and sat back in the chair relaxing. I looked around seeing most of the mercenaries, four more; two more. The Medic and Heavy came along. Heavy held a bunch of blankets in his hands piled one over the other, Medic held a few as well balancing a health kit on top for precautions. As I've heard, sometimes these gatherings can end up in the infirmary with some of them getting stitches. Fun.

"Heavy brought blankets for everyone." His voice was deep and thick with Russian accent in the mix, at least he tried with his English.

"Thanks bud." said the Scout as Heavy handed him a small blanket. One by one each of the (wo)men got a blanket in case if the wind decided to pick up during the night. Everyone seemed to get situated placing their blanket in a spot that was most convenient for them.

"Say... Anyone know where Pyro went?" Engie seemed a bit worried for the firebug. Everyone looked around or shrugged not knowing.

"Ah, actually, I believe he vent to go get somezhing. I couldn't understand fully vhat he vas trying to say but he just went off."

"Hm... I see. Well maybe he forgot somethin'."

"WAIT! I THINK I SEE HIM!" Soldier yelled out of nowhere partially startling me in the process. Everyone looked to where he was pointing seeing a shadowy figure walking toward us.

Engineer stood up and walked forward a bit narrowing his eyes through his goggles spotting the man Soldier was talking about. The figure then darted toward us holding up a bag and something else... Was that a... unicorn?

"There you are Pyro. What's that?" Engineer asked pointed at the brown looking sac.

"MMMHMHMHMH MPHMMHP HMPHMH!"

"Whoa whoa whoa there fella, slow down now."

The little firebug seemed to be out of breath, either from fear or excitement. It's hard to tell with him sometimes. Instead of speaking again he sat down in the spot reserved for him and gently placed his stuffed animal beside him. Like a little kid he patted the inanimate objects head. His arms then opened the sac he was wavering around a few minutes ago. Inside he brought out some pokers, graham crackers, marshmallows, and bars of chocolate.

"I'll be darned."

"HEY! We were suppose to bring the food!"

"Chill would you, I mean come on it's chocolate!" FemScout starred at the like a predator, licking her lips.

"That seems more loike it."

"So zhats vhat you've been up too."

"PYRO! IS... THAT AMERICAN CHOCOLATE?"

Pyro happily nodded to the American Soldier, with compliance he made a thumbs up.

"Good work Soldier!"

"MMHPH!"

"I'll take that as a thanks private!"

"SO! When are we eatin' my stomach is callin' fer food."

"Yes, Demo we know mate."

"Good!" He took a swig of his drink before belching out a nasty burp. I scrunched up my face in disgust, I don't mind burps but I have my limits. At least show some kind of modesty.

Seeing most of all the mercenaries here made me all anxious inside, a good anxious though. I was excited to see everyone talking, joking around and seeing their real personalities really check out. Though, there was something poking me, in a mental kind of sense. A thought was poking me in the back of the head, someone was missing. I didn't see the Spy anywhere, in fact for the whole day. I was curious to where he was, Engie did say that everyone-the men-attended these kinds of get-togethers. So why wasn't the Spy seen at all. I felt like something wasn't complete, something was missing. It didn't seem to bother the others, I guess if it didn't bother them then it wouldn't bother me. I decided to let the thought rest in my mind and enjoy the night as it was.

The night had appeared before all of us. The stars were spread out in the sky revealing it's sparking beauty, the moon planted above glowing in it's lunar hue. It was time for the fire to be lit.

"Alright lets start this party! PYRO GET THE FLAMES GROWIN' PAL!"

He hesitated in thought quickly looking at my gaze and then taking out an innocent match stick. He striked the match against the dry wood giving off a distinct sound. A tiny flame concentrated of orange and yellow grew as the Pyromaniac threw the match into the piles of wood. Slowly the flame consumed its offering burning the earthy brown wood to a deathly black ash color. I stared at the flame for a while, but I felt different. Not a feeling of fear or hesitation. It was more of a feeling of warmth and fascination, if I dare to say. An object was being passed around catching my attention, the pokers with a white fluffy marshmallow on top. Sniper passed one to me and I smiled to myself almost overwhelmed at the sight. When was the last time I had a marshmallow... When was the last time I got to spend quality time with friends and roast marshmallows with them. I hadn't realized how long it had been since I'd experienced these types of events. How much time in my life that i'd taken advantage of, forgetting the great times I spend with my family. From your prospective you might be thinking "Wow all that from a marshmallow?" Yes. It's weird what types of little things can set off a thought such as this one. If I weren't in front of eight men and a women I would have cried right then and there. They would have been tears of joy, of love and comfort. I really missed these kinds of moments in life, I swear I was on the verge of tears.

"Oi sheila, you alright?" I looked back up seeing most of the mercs looking at me confused and/or worried. I nodded straightening myself out and having the marshmallow hover over the flames. I tried ignoring the rest of the men who were still possibly looking at me, trying to figure out what was going on inside of my head. Another part of me was glad the Spy wasn't here, or else he probably would have known and figured out what I was thinking about. I didn't want self pity, I made the choice to run away and put myself into this position. No regrets at all.

"Any one got a story? Or have something they would like to just talk about?" Engie was the first to speak.

"I do." The doctor announced. "I may have a new idea of how to get zhe uber-charge to be a few seconds longer. I think I may have figured out zhe formula and how to manipulate it, but zhats it's just a theory so far. I'm still vorking on it."

"That's great to hear doc, can't wait to see how that works out. Could really be an advantage to our side if you do figure it out."

"Indeed mein freund, yes indeed." A devious smirk crept upon the doctors face, it made me smile...weird.

"DOKTOR IS VERY SMART! He will figure it out and make team win da?"

"Ja, heavy. I vill try my best."

The connection I saw the two have made me want to scream with happiness, but that's too late because I was screaming internally. AW... CUUUTEEE... Alright time to come back to reality. Breath in... Breath out...

"OH SHIT!"

"BLOW IT OUT BLOW IT OUT YOU IDIOT! HURRY BEFORE... ahhhhhh." FemScout looked at the ground seeing the burnt marshmallow splat onto the ground.

"Whoops."

The females head turned sharply looking at the Scout in annoyance and frustration. "Whoops? Are you serious, look at what you did you wasted a perfectly good marshmallow..."

He shrugged looking at the poor black and white fluff that was now on the ground. "It's gone now, what do you want to do about it." He looked at his companion and instantly regretted it. His eyes widened as her grin grew.

"No...no no no no... that's fuckin' disgusting."

You know those moments when you have a really good connection with someone, whether it be a best friend or significant other, you just look at each other and you know exactly what they're thinking. Yup. That's exactly what happened.

"Do it." She taunted.

"Naw uh, not a chance babe. Why don't you do it!"

"Pft, I'm not the one who wasted it."

"Doesn't matter it's gone now no going back."

"Just eat it you chicken." The female teased.

"You gotta be kidding me, I ain't eating the stupid marshmallow from off the ground."

"Oh come on sweet cheeks, it shouldn't taste that bad." FemScout picked up the gooey mess and held in front of Scouts face.

"Yer not afraid of a bit of dirt are you lad?" Said the Demoman, he was poking at the bear.

"SON, you will eat that marshmallow!" Soldier joined in on the peer pressure. Scout looked at the marshmallow nervously before taking the sticky mess from the FemScouts hands.

"Hahaha now eat it!" She smiled.

"I hate all of you..." Scout said before shoving the burnt dirt sprinkled marshmallow into his mouth, his eyes closed shut while chewing the piece of glob. I flinched keeping one eye closed and the other open. I felt disgusted yet intrigued to see if he would actually do it, boy did he prove he could. Sniper shook his head pulling his hat down in front of his eyes, Engie laughed with Soldier and Demo, Pyro covered his innocent eyes with his gloved hands, Medic rolled his eyes mumbling something under his breath, and Heavy just watched confused to why he ate it. Scout swallowed the mass and opened his mouth sticking his tongue out.

"THERE SEE I ATE IT! ACK! Neva' doin' that again."

"Good job babe."

"Yeah yeah shut up..."

The female chuckled and sat back down wrapping her arms around him, giving a small peck on the cheek. She laid her head on his shoulder wrapping them both into the blankets. The atmosphere calmed down letting the nights light glow in peace. The hue of orange and yellow danced around with our shadows. The sound of fire popping and cracking filled our ears with tunes. We chomped on our snacks leaving evidence around our mouths. With full belly's we sat back in our chairs, some of us grabbing drinks and settling in. I took a bottle of water, I never got into alcohol. I never found the smell appealing so I steered clear away from the temptations to try it, besides water's better for you anyway. I wrapped my blanket over my body covering my shoulders. I took a deep breathe inhaling the smell of burning wood, it took me back too when I was younger; back to when I would take walks outside during cold nights and fill my nostrils with the scent of burning wood.

"You know, when I was younger on nights like this I would sneak out of the house and run out into the field just to lay down and stare at the stars. When the weather was just right you could practically see the whole galaxy. Not a cloud in the sky, just you, the songs of the insects, and the stars. Man do I miss it."

"Sounds noice..."

"Sure was." said Engineer sighing.

"Oi remember getting up in the mornin's to feed the horses we had. When I was around 10 or 12 me dad showed me how to feed 'em, soon he had me waking up early in the mornin's just to feed them on me own. Became a routine, before oi knew it oi was walking up at 5 every morning, sometimes hours earlier just to watch the sun rise. Oi can still remember the feelin' of the cool-warm wind blowing on my face."

"Really? Well try feelin' the wind up in Boston during the fall and winter. You'll be wishin' you were back inside, that is if you're a tourist or somethin'. You get use to it after a while once you've lived there. Haha... You know what I remember eatin' my ma's soups! MAN! Now that's somethin' to look forward too. During cold winters she would always make what she called "special soups" for me and my brotha's for dinna'. That stuff always would stick to your mind. That...That was somethin' to look forward too."

Everyone kept quiet once the story telling began. We all listened to whoever had to speak, some of us laughed other were almost in tears missing their own family members. But being grown men who were at a constant check with their ego second thought on crying.

"Heavy remembers coming to America for first time. I left family to get money to help raise family. I send money to them each month for them to survive. Heavy misses sisters and mother, we protect each other through tough times. But now Heavy has another family to protect at the same time."

He looked around the small fire pit circle and smiled, holding his supporter close. Even though his English wasn't exactly spot-on it did have me in his grasp. They were thoughtful and loving, the words 'another family to protect' gave me the weak knees-that is if I were standing. It sent my heart beating even faster, with excitement and determination. He was right we are all family, we protect each other with our abilities and skills. We all have our own unique gifts.

"I REMEMBER HAVING A ROOMMATE. HE WAS A WEEIIIRRDDD ROOMMATE, ALSO HAD NO RESPECT. THE PANSY WOULDN'T PAY RENT, HE ACCUSED MEEE OF NOT PAYING THE RENT. JOKES ON HIM, I LEFT. NOW HE HAS TO PAY ALL THE RENT, WHILE I HAVE A BETTER ROOMMATE INSTEAD. At least he doesn't yell at me every month."

"Wait, you have a roommate?" asked the Sniper quite confused with the rest of us. From what I understand I thought each mercenary was presented with their own room.

"OH COURSE! HIS NAME IS LIEUTENANT BITES AND HE KNOWS HOW TO SURVIVE LIKE A SOLDIER! UNLIKE YOU MAGGOTS!"

"WHOA WHOA WHOA! Who da fuck is Lieutenant Bites Soldier?"

"My roommate of course, haven't you been listening Private?!"

"No... Sold-uh-who or what is your roommate."

"MY PET...RACCOON...HE'S MINE!"

"YOU HAVE A PET RACCOON INSIDE THE BASE THIS WHOLE TIME!"

"UM...YES!"

"So that's what's been biting my legs during the night?! Thought it was some joke experiment Medic was doin'!"

"I can assure you I'm not doing any experiments... at zhe moment zhat is. And Scout I vould advise zhat you see me in my infirmary after zhis."

"What? Why..."

"Raccoon's can carry a deadly virus called Rabies."

"R-RABIES?!"

I felt the FemScout scoot closer toward me and away from Scout. He looked at her offended. "HEY, look I don't got any rabies alright... Right?"

"Right... Ve vill see. But Soldier how did you manage to get a Raccoon into zhe base."

"I DON'T KNOW!"

"Of course... I vill be meaning to see all of you sometime tomorrow to test you to see if you have rabies as well." replied the Medic.

"Roight, well oi sleep in me van so oi'm good right doc." The Sniper seemed confident in his words, no contact; no virus right?

"Not exactly Herr Sniper, just as a precaution I vill be seeing you as vell."

"Whot? But oi didn't even-"

"Sniper! I. Vill. Be. Seeing. You." The Medic spoke sternly, which got to the Sniper as he obeyed the orders. Medic can be soft spoken most of the times but when he wanted to get business done he was determined to have it happen.

"Fine..."

With a smile of victory the Medic was pleased with his compliance. The fire was starting to dim with the tension that was earlier brought. I stayed wrapped in my blanket watching the fire and some of my new colleagues chat. After a little I saw Engie bring out something in the corner of my eye, it was wooden, was shaped like a pear at the base and toward the top became more skinnier and straight. Strings constructed the sound of the instrument, along with the hinges that stuck out from the sides at the top of the music making device. A slow steady tune was played from the guitar calming the atmosphere some more. The mellow slow tune played some of the mercs to sleep. I watched their eyes drift into unconsciousness being placed into another world of dreams. Medic was laid gently on Heavies large muscular arm, using it was a pillow. Heavy took care of his Medic, placing both his and the Medic's blanket on him carefully. Demo must have either passed out from all the drinking or fell asleep from the lovely song, Soldier stayed by his friends side in a sitting position starring at the fire in content. Although, from the position of his helmet it was hard to tell if he had fell asleep in that stance or was in another world. The two runners were back to back with blankets around them, their eyes closed in a trance of sleep. Pyro stared at the fire, both, watching the flames of the fire and listening to the tunes his friend was playing. Sniper sat back in the chair with his bottle of beer on the ground next to the front of his chair, hands underneath his head starring up at the starry night, lanky legs stretched out with the bottom of his shoes facing the fire.

If I wouldn't have seen what these guys have done, what they are here for, then I would have thought they were regular men. I would have thought they were just a bunch of diverse men having a good time. I turned to my side in the chair huddling my legs close to my torso, tucking the blanket into the spaces that were left open for the cool night air. Before I could recognize it my eyes themselves were drifting into oblivion. The sounds were gone the sights were now black. The cold had escaped from the warmth and my heart was pacing at a slow rate.

I felt someone lightly tap my shoulder. Two taps and a few whispering words. I opened my eyes still half asleep and unaware of what was going on. I looked up at the man bent down beside me and then around the general area. It place seemed darker than I remembered, the fire was stomped out a few ashes trying to survive with the little bit of life they had left. Most of chairs were stacked back up together and most of my teammates missing.

"You awake? Oi would have left ya' in your peaceful slumber but oi figured that you'd want to sleep in a bed that wouldn't give you stiff muscles in the mornin'."

I stayed quite and just nodded. I pulled the blanket from off me instantly regretted it. A gust of wind picked up having me shiver like a leaf. "Winds pickin' up, let's getcha in before you get a cold." I stood up a little too fast and lost a little of my balance and instinctively grabbed onto the end of my chair for support. A heartbeat of adrenaline kicked in from the mini-heartattack. I stabilized myself and took a deep breath.

"Crikey you alright mate?" Sniper relaxed his shoulders from getting ready to grab me, probably to prevent me from falling flat on my face.

"Mhm" was all I managed to get out before starting to walk toward the base. I held the blanket close around my shoulders keeping in as much warmth as possible. Sniper strolled behind me in case I stumbled again or passed out from exhaustion. I made my way inside the base walking down the hallway, up the stairs, and down the hallway again toward my room. I came upon my door and rested my head on the door just standing their surprisingly really comfortable in my situation. I felt a wall of heat behind me and speak.

"Oi'm no professional in this kind of stuff, but oi'm pretty sure that isn't how you open a door."

I groaned at his comeback, but only heard a pathetic laugh instead. What I'm tired... I don't like being messed around with when I'm half conscious. He twisted the knob to my room and held me back to make sure I didn't fall with the door. "Now can you make it to your bed or do oi have to help you with that as well."

I turned my head toward him and looked at Sniper unamused. If I was less tired then I was I would have shoved him to the side and gone off to bed. For a man who looked like in his late 30's early 40's he sure had the mentality of a teenager. AND THAT'S COMING FROM A TEENAGER! He held up his hand in defense and backed away, I kept my eyes on his and didn't leave them until I closed the door on his face.

"Whot? No 'thank you' for opening the door?" His muffled voice coming from behind the door.

Silence.

Ignoring him I slipped into bed. It felt good to have a cushion to surround me instead of stiff plastic supporting you. My head rested on the fluffy pillow taking advantage of its softness. As soon as my body went into a full relaxation mode I slipped into a temporary coma. Just like that, I was out like a light.

To be continued. . .

Hiya! Like I said, about a month would go by before I'd post anything. Hope everyone had a great Spring Break, also an April Fools day as well. Where you pranked? or the pranker? I hope you like this chapter, I wanted to focus on a little bit of quality time with the male mercenaries. Don't fret the females will soon be next as well as the BLU side of the mercs as well.

HM... Where is that Spy, I know he's hiding somewhere. Perhaps in the next chapter he'll pop up.

I just want to thank all the people who've stayed with this story so far, even with the reviews, favorites, and follows! A HUGE THANK YOU TO YOU ALL! Now I must flee and finish other work that involves schools! See you guys probably in another month!