Authors Note:

So that last chapter being in the first person was a good try but for now, I'm sticking with the third person method. And now onto the story.

It took weeks and weeks before she finally made it here. After traveling from base to base and doing odd job after odd job, Carolina finally found the location of the team that was responsible for Freelancer Commands downfall. The Red and Blue Simulation Troopers that were now stationed here, formerly known as Outpost 17. Thus far all the intel that she had gathered over the years somehow led to this place. Valhalla.

She grabbed the ring hanging from her dog tags and gave it a kiss, wishing for good luck. She'd hoped that kiss would've made it to Washington somehow and then, climbed down the side of the large mountain and approached the entrance of Red base. She could hear some nonsensical conversation about how showers were regulations. There was no reason to reach for her pistol.

"Grif I do not want to discuss this anymore.! You need to shower on a regular basis, its regulation!"

"Why? Are suits are ventilated, they push out the stink."

Carolina took a deep breath and finally stepped out of cover and walked around the exterior wall to where the reds were in view. The leader in plain red armor took notice of her first, but he mistook her for a blue.

"Your just gonna giv- ahh. Freeze you dirty blue!" He shouted and raised his shotgun at her. She wasn't affected at all. "You see Grif, I told you those green wavy lines would give away our position."

"Oh." The orange soldier turned to face her. He seemed unaffected as well. "Wait, so did the UNSC send another blue?"

Carolina pulled out her list of the Sim troopers dossiers for Red Team. There were only three reds stationed here Red Leader, and two privates. Or one private and one Minor Junior Private Negative First class. Whatever that was.

"You guys were part of the team that brought down Freelancer Command?" She asked. "Dexter Grif and... it just says Sarge."

"Oh man. Listen lady we're not in the mood for signing autographs or-"

"I'm Agent Carolina, formerly apart of Project Freelancer. I'm looking for any information on the possible location for, someone."

The two went strangely quiet for a moment. They shared a quick without saying anything. Soon enough the maroon colored private approached from the stream below. Carolina's presence caught him by surprise. "Hey Sarge I'm back from my scouting mi-whose thi-"

"So. FREELANCER you say. What are you up to these days." Sarge finally responded, by now he had lowered his weapon.

"And you say your LOOKING FOR SOMEONE?" Grif asked, trying to hint to Simmons on possible trouble.

"Thats, right. Do you have any information that might be helpful?"

They all shared a look again as though mentally agreeing on the same response. This was already taking to much time and she was getting nowhere.

"Nope."

"Drawing a blank."

"Sorry."

Carolina drew a long and disappointed sigh. Her attention then went to Simmons.

"Your Simmons right?" He nodded. "You something about scouting mission. Do you have anything useful for my mission."

"Well, its not so much as a scouting mission. More so just walking over to Blue base and asking whats up." He then turned toward his teammates. "By the way, Tucker and Caboose are coming for movie night."

"Excellent scouting report Simmons. Grif! Start up the Popcorn machine." Sarge said.

"For once I'll gladly follows orders Sarge."

Carolina couldn't help but looked down and shake her head in disappointment even more. This was a complete dead end. "Is there nothing else?!"

"Nope."

This information was useless, she was going over to Blue base anyways but non the less she thanked him and proceeded toward the other side of the canyon.

Once she was clear from range Simmons ran to Grif. "Do you think she's after you know who?"

"She did say she was looking for someone, I don't know man."

"But don't you think we should warn them?"

"I don't probably."

Carolina climbed up the large hill between the two bases she sat down aside a large rock. The sun was starting to set by now. She took off her helmet and grabbed the ring again. Her eyes started to water, but she pushed the urge to cry. "I'm sorry Wash. I'm trying, I'm really trying."

She put the ring back down and put her helmet back on and proceeded down to Blue base. First thing that happened was a blue soldier on fire and jumping into the stream to douse the flames. He gave a great sigh of relief.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

Caboose then leaped up with a rather chipper attitude. "Oh, hello lady. How are you?"

"I'm fine. I was just trying to build a new best friend."

Now Carolina was really confused. "Build? A new best friend?"

"Yes, well since my first best friend jumped into a computer thingy and Agent Secret Person doesn't want to be friends, that only leaves, Tucker." He mentioned Private Tucker with much distain. "So I decided to make a new best friend."

This whole conversation made her brain hurt, but there was something that caught her off guard. According to Caboose, there was one more person here, but her list said only two blues were stationed here. That couldn't be right. Before she could do anything she head shouting coming from inside Blue base.

"Come one man just come with us and have a little fun for once in you miserable life!" The yelling was followed by the sound of a glass bottle shattering. "You know what f**k it, stay here an mope."

And just like that, he stormed out of Blue base and joined them outside. "Jesus f**king christ man. I've tried and tried, but-" He noticed Carolina. "Who are you? Caboose you didn't order a stripper for that f**ktard did you?"

"Whats your problem?!" She asked.

"My problem is that asshole does only three things. Exercises/shower, eat and sleep. Thats it, he doesn't do jack sh*t, but cry about his dead girlfriend."

Carolina could definitely relate. "Have you tried talking to him?"

"Every time I try to he just, you know what why don't you try talking to him. In fact make yourself at home stay awhile. I'm f**king done, come on Caboose, lets go Red Base."

Before she could say or do anything the two blues were already going up the hill, leaving her alone at Blue Base's door. Seems as though this mystery man was the only one left to talk to.

She stepped into Blue base until she made it into the living room. The place was pretty dirty, but there was at least one person who tried to keep this place orderly. If anything she was pretty surprised that it was this clean and orderly with three guys living here. She decided to take a rest and stripped her armor off, leaving them in a nearby empty closet. As she was taking off her last boot, she heard someone approaching from the barracks.

"Who the f**k are you!" She heard behind. This mystery man sounded rather frustrated. "Well! What are you doing here!" He asked again.

The voice was to much like him. It couldn't be. She slowly turned around and sure enough it was. It was Washington, messy brown hair, greyed eyes, a bit of am unshaven stubble and he smelled of beer. But it was him, alive. "Wash?!"

Washington looked at this woman standing in the living room. When his hazy sight finally adjusted, he couldn't believe it was her. No. It wasn't her it was his mind playing tricks on him. Or it was Tucker trying to screw with his emotions. "No no no. Whoever you are, leave, now!"

"Wash!"

"I don't want to here it." He turned away turning back to the kitchen for another drink. "I don't f**king care how much Tuckers paying you, just get out."

That had to be it. It was the only reasonable explanation he could think of. Tucker paying off a prostitute to pose a Carolina, it had to make sense. But then, why did she sound just like her.

"Wash please, its me." She was on the verge of tears, both from seeing him again, but also from him not believing. How could he not. "Please believe me, its me-."

He whipped around screaming at her, tears also running down his face. "NO! Its NOT you, your F**KING DEAD! DEAD! Just like everyone el-"

Carolina then leapt forward grabbing him and planting a kiss on his lips and holding him closely. He immediately went silent. He didn't struggle or pull away, he just stood, bringing his hands to her face. It was real. "Its me David. Its me." She sobbed as she held him. When they finally pulled apart Washington looked deep into her green eyes. Those were her eyes, her lips, her hair. She was right here.

He sobbed. "Car, Caro, Rachel?!" She nodded and finally smiled at him. That was her smile. "Oh my God Rachel!" He embraced her in a strong hug and cried into her shoulder. She was right here in his arms and he cried louder.

"Its me David. Its me. I missed you."