A/N: Hey guys, Biocide again. I meant to post this on Sunday, but i got lazy and didnt finish editing it. Then yesterday, i found some places that needed improvement. So i looked at it today, and said screw it :)
Thank you 5islovesaidkittifreak and BlueBassist for reviewing :3
BlueBassist, i'll work on getting the timeline better to understand; in my mind the story makes sense and those random time changes are like a scene change for me xD hopefully this chapter is better to follow... if not, i'll keep on trying. :)
Disclaimer: If I owned anything of Halo besides my oc's, i would think that my oc's would be in there... for at least a moment.
Enjoy and r&r please! ^^
I awoke with a groan. The heels of my palms rubbed my eyes, then my fingers massaged my temples.
"Hey, you okay there Jay?" I cringed.
"Yeah, just great. I'm the only one that keeps on blacking out, getting the shit beat outta me, and having my head feel like it just took a beating from a pack of brutes. Just fucking great." I growled, sitting up with difficulty. Discovering a bottle of painkillers on the side table, I snatch it and shake out two pills, popping them into my mouth; ignoring the offered glass of water. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, stopping when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"You should rest; you can't work with those injuries." Jacob said.
"Yeah, and staying in the smelly medical bed is anymore helpful." Without another thought, I pushed myself to my feet, grabbing the nightstand to help steady my body. "I'm fine" I said before Jacob could tell me to get back down.
He sighed. "Fine, but don't come whining to me when the medics get on your ass." I was already stumbling to the door.
"Like they will live long enough to do that."
Pausing at the door, I looked back. "How long have I been out?"
"Hmm... two days." He replied, and I nodded. The door slid open and I pushed the shocked nurse aside.
"Ma'am, you're not-
"Save it," I growled. "I'm not staying here, I've already been here long enough, I ain't gonna be stuck in this hell hole any longer. If I need to rest, I'll go to the b's." I told her over my shoulder, exiting the room and into the short hallway. I groaned, my thumb and pointer finger pinching the bridge of my nose; pleading for the drugs to kick in. Jacob apologized to the nurse then caught up to me.
"You didn't have to be so rude to her."
"She and the rest of these shitheads are the same, so I'll treat them the same." I let my hand fall, giving up hope for my headache to subside anytime soon.
He sighed, "Then mom is one of these 'shitheads'?"
He watched as I froze. I was silent for a few moments, before I began walking at a faster pace. "That's different. She's the only one who doesn't act like her patients are babies." I didn't see, but I knew he was smiling, yet he said nothing more.
Dear mom and dad,
Everything is well, although the Covenant just attacked the ship we were on. Don't worry, Jacob and I escaped just in time; safe and sound.
I glanced down at my slow healing wounds- most of them had reopened when we were fighting- and grimaced.
We are currently on the UNSC ship, Road to Victory, and we've met up with some of our friends while making more. They are well too- we are comfortable around them and I happily make a fool out of myself like I used to with you guys.
"Ahh… I'm stuffed!" I cried out with a smile.
"Congrats." An eye roll follows the comment.
"Hey," I turn to the one diagonally across from me, "You'd be happy to be full after an attack on your ship too, Kyle. It feels like it's been ages since the last time I ate!" I replied, my smile beaming. Jacob laughs from across the table.
"That's because you kept on fainting before we could get a spoonful of mush into you!"
I grimaced, "if that ever is attempted again, the guy feeding me will no longer be able to reproduce."
"And if it's a woman?" George asked, sitting next to me.
"Then their kid won't be able to reproduce."
"Is that really fair?"
"Of course; 'oh hi kid, look at what your mom has brought to you- now you won't be able to make babies and it's all your mom's fault!' Yup, that'll kill the mom for sure. The only thing worse than not being able to have a kid, is having the kid mad at them completely." I said, using exaggerated hand motions before finally nodding in my own approval.
"What if they don't have a kid?"
I turn to the person on the other side of me, Matt. "Oh, they will. You can count on it." The table was silent for a few moments before people started to laugh.
"You, Jay, are one weird kid." Kyle said, laughter quieting down.
"Don't call me a kid damn it!"
He laughed.
How are you two doing? Any news for us? Is everything okay on Harmony? From what I've heard, the aliens still haven't come close to your galaxy, which is a huge relief. If anything would happen to you guys it'd kill both me and Jacob.
On my last mission before we had to pull out, I met an elite. Face to face too. It was terrifying yet thrilling as well. You can't imagine how much I've wanted to see one up close and alive. They're amazing creatures; I have no idea why we are fighting them when we're so much alik-
I paused, then erased that paragraph. Parents never do tend to like the things that are trying to kill your children, much less your entire race.
The military is cool; I get to handle a lot of guns and stuff, just like I wanted. I can easily beat someone up- that's reassuring isn't it? Haha, remember when I used to pin Jacob down whenever he got on my nerves? I can do way more things now, but you probably don't want to hear about what I can do. Just know that Jacob and I can take care of ourselves if necessary and that we miss you. The military has its perks, but nothing compares to home!
I sighed, remembering that hell hole.
Well, I got to go, I have to go check in and see what my schedule will be for my temporary stay on this ship. I'll write to you again soon, Jacob says hi. We miss you both terribly; we hope to see you soon.
Love you lots,
Jay
I put down the pen and held my head in my hands. Long moments passed before I sighed; even the breath of air being let out sounded strained. I stared at the letter for a long time before folding it and sealing it into an envelope. I hesitated with the envelope in my hands, then gave up, stood up, and exited the room. Walking down the hall a bit, I proceeded to shove the letter into the mail slot.
Stepping out of the room, I made my way to the cafeteria. Taking the long way around, I passed the office and picked up my schedule. Even though we'll probably be posted on a new ship soon, it's better than being bored out of my mind for the rest of my stay here. Staying clear of the infirm, I made it to the mess. Unlike other doors, this one swung shut behind me.
Hah, reminds me of the kitchen. I could probably time it just right, open the door and…
My train of thought was interrupted when I saw someone wave me over to a table. Forgetting my moment worth distraction, I made my way over and promptly jumped into a chair, ending up in a slumped back messy position; legs apart, and arm over the back of the chair, and my neck tilted with a lazy grin.
"Yo dudes; sup?"
Jacob shook his head, returning to his sandwich. The others either smile and shake their heads, or ignore me completely. I don't mind, I know they don't mean anything by it. I try to swipe a strawberry from my brother's tray, but my hand instantly recoils. Shaking it, I glare at my hand's attacker.
"Get your own." Jacob smirked, his hat hiding his eyes. I rolled my eyes with a smirk, then stood to get some food.
Coming back to the table with some Chinese food; my favorite beef lo mien, I sit and snap apart my chopsticks, then, gleefully, shoveling it into my mouth.
"Disgusting."
I glance to my left at the passerby, Abby, and smirk. "Then why are you in the military if you don't want to get dirty, princess?" I replied.
She scoffs before continuing on her way. I glare at her back before resuming to wolf down my grub. Pausing with a half full mouth, I glare down at my tray. "I thripping hafe fer."
"Jay, no talking with your mouth full." Jacob smirked, jerking his fork in my direction. I replied with a snap of my chopsticks and a friendly glare.
"Yeah, I don't know why prisses like her even joined this gut retching, gory war anyways." Matt said, looking at her a few tables away in disgust.
"Yeah but you've got to admit, they do bring some entertainment." George grinned, but was replied with a smack on the back of his head. "Ow!"
"Yeah, some entertainment you've got there. Ya sick fuck." Sonia said with her Hispanic accent, giving him a half hearted glare. He just grinned again.
"Anyone up to sparring later?" I asked, a challenging look in my eyes as I leaned over the table and looked at everyone.
"You are so on!" Kyle spoke up, pasta sauce flying. I wiped some of it from my arm with a mock look of disgust, then grabbed Jacob's hat and put it on my own head. Before he could complain, a voice called out.
"Mail's here!" We turn to see Andy with a messenger bag, him being given the unofficial job of being the mailman. He tosses small rubber band held stacks to the addressed people or has people pass them down to the rightful owners.
Kyle and the others caught their bundles when it was their turns, and started opening them. I sunk down in my chair more and brought the hat's rim down so it shadowed half of my face, but the frown was obvious. With a thud, a letter landed on my tray, making me glance up unhappily. Jacob gave me an encouraging glance before he began opening his own letters from our parents, friends, and a few from his girlfriend.
Trust me, when I found out he had gotten one, I had to ask him why, when, and just how.
I sighed and reluctantly picked my lone letter up. Tearing the envelope open, the letter fell out onto my lap. Raising an eyebrow, I picked it up, catching the second piece of paper that was folded inside of the first. Looking at the first one, I recognized my mom's work before I read the first word. Yeah, the bright yellow and pink flowery stationary was a hint. Damn it hurts to even look at it.
Hello honey,
Got your letter; how are you? Your father fell off the ladder, again, while cutting a dead branch off; broke his leg but he's alright. I'm fine, busy with the scrap book club and taking care of your father. You should really send us a picture or two sometime though; I want to make a scrapbook for you! Then we can show your boyfriend it!
I took a momentary glance at my covered shoulder and the left side of my chest with a smirk. She'd freak if she found out I went through with it.
Have you gotten a boyfriend yet? You really should, I want grandchildren!
I rolled my eyes, I'm only just an adult and she wants me to be a mom already. Typical mother.
How has life been going since you sent me the last letter? I wish both of you are safe and sound, no injuries I hope.
I look down at my body and grin like I spited her.
How has your talent at cooking been doing? I bet you're volunteering to be a cook on the ship all the time! Make your infamous cookies for your bo!
I groaned. The only reason I found that talent was because mom forced me to go into a cooking class. "It'll help find you a man!" she kept telling me.
Well, that's all the news for now, send a letter soon!
Lots of Love from Harmony,
Mom
I rolled my eyes, tossing the letter carelessly on my tray before grabbing the second piece of paper. Brightening visibly at the address, I eagerly tear into it.
Hey Jay
How are you? How's military life going for you? Hah, it's been so long since I've seen you! Hopefully you remember your ol' friend Ty now, huh?
… Ok that's all the sentences that begin with an H for now. Heh heh. But seriously, WRITE MORE! I'm lonely.
I smirk at the mini picture of a pouting puppy scribbled under the sentence.
Pfft, anyways. I'm doing good; being a mechanic is awesome by the way. I get to work with tanks! TANKS! The thing you blow shit up with! It's super cool, dude; a dream job. And guess what? I get to test each one I work on! Yeah it might backfire on me, but it hasn't happened yet so OH WELL! Haha- I miss you.
A sad stick figure is by the last word, making me smile.
Met some other mechanic friends here on Xyhen II- who comes up with these names anyways? Did we just copy the aliens or what? Anyways, I get a kick out of them, last week we played a prank on the lab rats-
I rolled my eyes at Ty's nickname he gave the scientists.
-Yeah… they were pretty ticked about their lab being on fire and… syrup coming out of the fire alarm sprinklers… Hey- it wasn't that big of a fire! It only… covered half their lab in soot… and they have to replace a bit of equiptment…. And clean the syrup up with pancakes- but they should THANK us for that! Well… except for the guy who's deathly allergic to syrup… starting to regret the prank- STOP THINKING!
Uh, yeah… Videotaped the whole thing, I'll show you it if it isn't confiscated by the time we next see each other.
Hey, killed any aliens yet? I bet its so cool seeing them in real life! I don't know about you- well, I do, but… yeah- but I'm going to be the first human who's friends with an alien! That will surely get my name in the papers, wouldn't it? What types of guns do you normally work with? I bet you'd make a great soldier with a shotgun. Remember when we always used to pretend to be in battle, and you would act like you had a shotgun? I remember when you actually fired one for the first time. WOW that was hilarious!
I manage to hide a laugh as the memory played in my mind. Never again will I forget about the recoil on that thing.
Xyhen II is good… no aliens yet sadly. ;P
UGH sometimes it's just so boring here… on days off anyways. You know me, sitting on the couch and watching cartoons. I don't care how many times people say that cartoons are for kids- you learn from them! How else would we learn that a frying pan would hurt if you're smacked by it? Not me! :P
Well… nothing else to report…. Have any battle wounds yet? :D
Have you been promoted yet? They must've by now! If they haven't, I'll come over there and beat the shit out've them until they do!
That's all I have to say for now…
DON'T DIE
Ty
I shake my head with a smirk before stashing the letter in my pocket.
Returning to my now cold noodles, I think. So many things has happened….
My train of thought was interrupted by a sharp prod to my right shoulder. "Hey, what the-"
I stop, look around, and mouth a soundless "oh…"
Putting away my tray, the janitor returns to his business as I exit the marine-empty mess hall. Must've spaced out longer than I thought…
I sighed, making my way to the training room. Upon entering, I sighed again. Empty; must've spaced out longer than I thought. Walking back to my room, I stopped off at Jacob's. I knocked on his door, my earlier thoughts still hanging over my head like a dark cloud. I could have… so many times….
"Jay?" A hand waved in front of my face, catching my attention.
"Huh, what?" Looking up at him, seeing a concerned face.
"That's what I want to know. Where've you been? Kyle kept gloating that you chickened out because he was too macho for you to beat." His soft chuckling died when he noticed the look on my face. "Jay, what's wrong?"
I sighed, shaking my head. "I don't know."
He beckoned me into his room and sat me on his bed, taking his desk chair for himself. Moments passed before he turned slightly to work on a few reports, giving me some time to collect my thoughts and process them into words. Minutes flew by and I sighed again, catching his attention.
"It just feels like… like everything has happened so fast…"
"Well, it kind of has." He shrugged and I nodded, eyes glued to the floor.
"Yeah, but…. It… it just hit me… I… we could've… so many times…. I… it…." My eyes pricked with tears and I gulped, closing my eyes; stubbornly holding back the tears.
He put his hand on my right shoulder, making me look up into his comforting gaze. "We survived, remember that. We're here now, that's what's important."
I nodded, eyes returning to the floor.