Carolina had gone in to surgery for her A.I. implantation. She was to receive not one, but two A.I.'s. Despite Texas' pleas to the Director to not continue with the procedure, she was ultimately overruled and they went through with the procedure continued. She arrived in recovery only hours ago.
York stood watching from outside the Medical ward. Despite what he thought about them, he felt obligated to be here for her. Washington had already beaten him to waiting at her bedside. He was always by her side. He felt nothing but hatred for him his supposed friend. Friends don't rob friends of their girlfriends. He should be in there beside her. Not Washington. He was meant to be with her. Not Washington. He ruined everything, and all because of that dumb girl from the future. As if Time-Travel was possible.
"York, I do believe that your hostility towards the two seems senseless." Delta appeared by his shoulder in his usual green holographic form.
"Not this again D. I don't need anymore of your bull." He responded.
"Please listen to reason York. If you still believe in your relationship with Agent Carolina and wish to remember your previous friendship with Agent Washington, I believe that you wouldn't be acting so hostile towards them."
"F**k off."
"He's right you know." York turned from where the person was talking from and saw North approaching with South behind and with Theta sitting on his shoulder. She went ahead and walked in while her brother stayed outside. "You were with Carolina before. You and Wash were pals. If you really loved her, if you really thought of him as your friend then you wouldn't be bitching about it all the time."
"You can f**k off too North!"
"I'm being dead serious. You walking around angry and pissed off doesn't help yourself or anyone. You think Connie was angry about all this? No, she was miserable for the longest time, she came to us. You knew how close she and Wash were, but in the long run, in the end she was happy for them."
"Oh please, its not the same. You don't know what its like. To have someone taken from you!"
"Oh don't I!" He raised his voice a bit marched right up to his face. Theta lowered his head in sadness at remembering. He missed her too. "It was no secret what I felt for Nevada. I loved her, but she's dead. Dead! As in never coming back!" He said angrier and louder then he intended. He was glad that Recovery was almost soundproof from outside. He had to calm himself down before he could lash out at him. He took one deep breath and continued.
"At least Carolina is still around. If theres anything you can learn from Connie's death, If you were a true friend, you'd be happy for them. Maybe you could've been Emma's godfather. She's a lot happier with him then she ever was with you."
The mention of her name made his blood boil. And adding that last part just pissed him off even more. And North knew it. Thats why he said it, and then walked into the ward. Furious now, York stormed off, and away from the traitors he once called his friends.
Carolina's eyes slowly began to open and adjust to the light. She had a major headache. As expected. She looked around the recovery ward to see all the friendly faces waiting on her.
"Sorry you couldn't sleep in today." Texas said.
Texas to her right, Michigan up against the far wall, Montana and Alabama sitting by the window, the Dakota twins by the door and finally Washington by her left side. He smiled at her finally being awake.
"Hey you." He said.
"Hey. How long was I out?"
"'How long'? It's been 84 years." They all turn to look at Michigan. "About twenty-four hours. No more then a day."
"How do you feel?" Washington asked.
Carolina tried to sit up only to get a sudden mad rush to her head. "Whoa! I've got a drumroll playing in my skull. Snare drum."
"Same." Michigan says. No one pays any mind.
Carolina lies back down, waiting her throbbing headache to subside. "How bad was it when you got you A.I. North?" Washington asked.
"It was about the same at first. All I can say is take it slow and in strides. Headaches, nausea, nosebleeds... inverted penis..."
"Inverted who now?!" Washington retorted in shock. Alabama covered her ears at the mention of the male genitalia in retaliation.
The other ladies, South, Texas and his own sister Montana couldn't stop snickering. "He's kidding about that last one." Texas said.
"How would you know?" He asked. She's smug and winks.
"Relax. I'm kidding dude. Just headaches."
"Then whats this feeling running down my ass?" Carolina asked still grasping her forehead.
"Spinal fluid." Michigan states. "Need to stretch your back a little. Go for a walk to get that flowing."
When the headache finally passed, she sat back up and rested up against the wall. She took a moment to really focus on the initial tickle of the A.I.'s. She took a moment, and then asked for them to show themselves. "Come guys." She said. "Meet the gang."
After a second the two A.I.'s finally appeared. Eta and Iota. They both looked around the room seeing the faces and eyes laying on them. They remembered these faces from venturing in Carolina's memory when she was still under.
Texas-former rival, close friend, friendly.
The Dakota Twins: North-the nice one/South-the bitchy one, friendlies.
Montana-Washington's sister, goofball, friendly.
Alabama-Stickler for rules and regulation, innocence and complete sweetheart, friendly.
Michigan-They didn't dare go into that dark corner. All they needed to know was that he was terrifying. Downright evil. Friendly.
Washington-Simplified as love of her life.
They didn't say much, just quiet hellos, but they certainly seemed okay with the group. Except for Michigan of course. They made sure to steer clear from him.
"So how doing now, Agent Carolina?" Alabama called out.
"Well, I'd like to test these guys out. How about a training match? Tex?"
"Wait, are you sure? You just woke up and..." Washington said panicked and worried. Carolina managed to calm him down with a soft pat on the shoulder.
"It'll be fine. Not a real fight, just a quick match." She kind of wanted to kiss him. At least on the cheek, but she remembered. "Tex?"
"If your sure, then sure. Lets take those babies for a test run."
The two ladies were in the Arena prepping themselves for the round. Washington gave Carolina a quick pep talk before she entered. He later returned to the Monitoring Room with the rest of the other agents. North stayed behind to help her through the process of adapting to the A.I., having other voices in her head. She kinda wished Michigan was there to help. The other voices part.
When F.I.L.I.S.S. started the countdown for North to join the match her quickly left the floor. It was just her and Texas now. It was times like this she was grateful for their friendship. Instead of an angry fist-fight to compete who was really worthy of the #1 spot, it was just one friend helping the other out.
"You ready Carolina?"
"Yeah sure. Little guys are just nervous is all."
"Don't worry. Just takes time. Give them time to adjust."
F.I.L.I.S.S. started the match and the two quickly marched towards each other. Carolina woke up the A.I.'s from their sleep and tried to have a silent chat with them. Trying to get them into their comfort zone and ready for when the real fights begin. They quickly adapted, and swore to try their best.
Texas was the first to throw the punch. Carolina blocked with out a problem. Simple, good after waking up for nearly twenty-four hours. Texas then made a quick three hit combo. Carolina blocked then dodged the first two and then countered the last with a quick jab to the shoulder. Eta and Iota started analyzing Texas' movements and fighting style. She was much more of a brawler, relying on strength and power, offense was her strong suit and more then compensated for defense.
Thats when it all fell apart. Eta thought on one method, but Iota thought of another. Eta thought his was better but Iota thought hers was better. They started arguing with each other claiming they were smarter and better then the other. Arguing turned to screaming, in Carolina's head the voices took over and she couldn't control them. She pleaded with them to be quiet but they wouldn't listen. The pain was unbearable.
Texas took notice too late when she threw a perfectly blockable punch and landed it. Carolina fell back from the blow but stayed on down from the pain. "Stop!" The screaming wouldn't seize. They kept screaming and yelling. "Make them stop!" She cried from the pain. Texas ran to her side trying to calm her down.
Everyone in the Monitoring Room realized that something was far too wrong. York was ready to run down there to help. He turned around, but Washington was already gone. Half way there by now.
"Make them stop! Please! Stop the voices!" Carolina cried in agony, tearing her helmet off and clutching her head.
"What happened, whats going on?" Washington yelled as he arrived to the floor.
"The A.I.'s. She lost control."
"Well, what do we do?"
"I don't know!"
Through the crack in her eye, Carolina could see Washington, scared and terrified for her. But still here for her. She reached out to him, begging for help. "Please help me. Make them stop!"
Without wasting another second Washington called out to Michigan for help. He arrived within seconds with a gurney and a medical team in behind. Grabbing the med kit on the gurney he grabbed the syringe of his special cocktail and asked them to hold her down. He injected her and within seconds she stopped crying and was finally asleep. They all knew about his cocktail, and knew it wouldn't bring her harm.
Washington didn't bother with the gurney or the medical crew. He picked her up in his arms and carried her back to the infirmary himself. Her head lied gently on his chest. He whispered to her "You'll be okay Carolina. I promise you, you'll be okay. I won't leave your side.