Cortana ran through the ship wasting no time getting to the Pelican bay just as John stepped off. He stopped as she ran to him.
"Its over." He said quietly as the medics came in followed closely by Halsey and Tanis. "Fred took a couple of hits from a grav hammer. Other than that we're fine." Halsey just narrowed her eyes at him.
"I'm checking you all over whether you like it or not." At the John just held up the hand he didn't have wrapped around Cortana in surrender. Cortana just smiled as she pulled his helmet off giving him a quick kiss.
"Daddy?" John smiled down at his daughter before he leaned down and picked her up.
"Yes my little demon." He said hugging her tightly to him.
"Are the monsters gone?" She asked quietly as she nuzzled his neck.
"They're gone my little one and if they do come back I'll make the go away again." John said kissing the top of her head before they followed Dr. Halsey and the other to the med bay.
Fred winced as Kelly continued to yell at him berating him for making such a stupid decision. He didn't know when it had happened but like John falling for Cortana he had fallen for the one woman that had always been there for her. After listening for a few more moments he grabbed her hand effectively stopping her rant as she looked at him quizzically.
"Fred?" Was all she had time to get out before he pulled her down into his lap and proceeded to kiss her. Kelly let go of the anger she felt as the kiss deepened. As he pulled away due the need to breath he gave her a small smile. "Why?" She whispered resting her forehead against his
"Cause I want you." He said kissing her cheek. They looked up as someone cleared their throats.
"You two can do that elsewhere after I'm done." Halsey said with a wry smirk on her face. Kelly just blushed deeply before she got off Fred's lap. "Well besides some bruising you're fine Fred but take it easy and I mean it." She said pointing a finger at him. He just smiled and nodded as Kelly helped him up off the table a John and Cortana came in.
"Everything okay Fred?"
"Yeah just some bruising but I'll be fine been ordered to take it easy. I expect I'll have some help with that." He said looking at Kelly whose alabaster cheeks stained pink before they left.
"Only you two truly seemed to defy the odds with everything." Halsey said as she patted the table waiting for John. John smiled and passed Tanis to Cortana as he sat down. He hated the scans but understood the necessity of it. He watched Halsey as she read over what the scans had detected. "As I suspected no lingering damage, you'll be fine by tomorrow." She said with a small smile.
"Okay daddy?" He just nodded as Tanis crawled into his lap. John kissed the top of her head. Cortana was by his side as he stood.
"Master Chief…" John looked to the Arbiter as he entered the med bay. "Everything alright I assume." John nodded as he settled Tanis on his hip.
"Arbiter…it's over." The Arbiter nodded as the group left the med bay. "Thank you for your help."
"It is we who are thankful but now I take my leave may the next time we meet be under better circumstances." The Arbiter said holding out his hand. John nodded took his hand.
"I agree may we meet again Arbiter but until then safe journey." John said letting go of the being he never thought he would count as a friend.
"Safe journey to you as well. May you and your family be blessed." The arbiter said before he turned to leave. With that they left to meet up with the other Spartans in the mess hall.
He smiled as he watched his brother and sisters talk as they ate.
"Sir…" He looked down to see Riley standing beside him. "If you don't mind I'd like to eat with you."
"RILEY!" John just laughed as Tanis reached out for the man who had saved her.
"You'd be more than welcome." He said resting a hand on Riley's shoulder. Fred looked up and waved them over. John nodded for the young man to follow him.
"So John what now?" Kelly asked as he sat down.
"Now we go home and live our lives." He said looking at his wife and daughter. "We live Kelly we live." He said as the ship began to make its way back to Earth.