"Well then my advice to you is this - does it matter? The odds of either of you surviving to long enough a civilian life are slim to none. Agent York was living as a thief, sleeping in abandoned buildings, dreaming of the day he would see Agent Carolina (in this life or the next). Agent Texas gave him one last reason to be a hero. Even if your situation is dire, would it not be better to have each other, then not?" Delta stated.

North smiled, as usual Delta offered the most logical solution, but this time with a sense of humanity, "York's personality really rubbed off on you. Can i ask.."

"he was shot twice in the side, the first round broke his ribs, the second punctured his lung. Agent Texas, who already abandoned her AI offered to move me, but I stayed behind to make sure he felt no pain. It was.." the monotone AI's voice was wavering with human emotion, "it was the least I could do for a friend." said Delta returning to York's armor.

"Thank you Delta, but before I go did you want to say hi to theta?" he asked.

"I would like that very much Agent North." Delta said, reappearing.

"Theta come on out." He said, back to his confident, kind, personality.

"What is it North- Oh my swirls -DELTA! I can't believe it's really you!" Delta was the child-like AI, smaller with a cute little voice.

"I have missed you as well Theta." Delta said, his voice was unchanged but it was obvious he felt something in that moment. "I am happy to get to see you one last time."

One last time? Only then did theta notice Delta was emanating from the dead body of agent York. "I'm so sorry about Agent York. "Theta knew this meant Delta was destined to be re-assigned or even destroyed.

"Thank you Theta, you are stronger then you know. Please watch over Agent North, he is your friend and soon he will need you. And Agent North; it has been an honor to know you." With that he went back to York's armor.

"I will." Theta said feeling the weight of the situation, "So what now North?"

"Let's go find her." He sent theta back to his armor as he left to search the area for his sister.

South was waiting by the vehicle she mentioned earlier, she could not bring herself to leave.

"Were you crying?" he put his arm around her. He felt her rest her head on his shoulder.

"I don't cry." she said in an emotional voice."Get in loser, I'm driving"

"I assumed as much since you're not half blind." He was happy; whatever time he had left there was no one he would rather spend it with. They drove 4 hours west, to a cave where they could finally rest. North was able to find tinder and wood for a fire. They still had plenty of food and water. They didn't talk about project freelancer. They kept conversation to happier times, when they were kids, doing chores on the family farm, and gardening, caring for the animals, and making one hell of a tree house.

"Do you ever miss home?" he asked her while eating MRE's (military rations that did not taste like item on the label.)

"no." she said directly. There was nothing to miss. "Well, maybe my cat, before daddy shot it after coming home drunk at 4 am." She said seriously before bruiting in to laughter. "Nah fuck all that, our childhood sucked, that was the reason we became space marines." She said adding hot water to her boil in the bag rations.

"together." North added.

"what?" South looked at him.

"Being together; even now my happiest memories were always of when we're together, just as friends." He said.

She smiled "I was just thinking about the time I beat up the kid who shoved your head in a toilet In 3rd grade?"

"Wow, of course you remember that." He rolled his eyes.

"I hope that fucker's dead." She smiled with her usual punk persona.

After an awkward pause they both laughed. Both of their minds and hearts flooded with positive memories; she remembered how they would cook dinner from whatever was in the fridge, and let the baby animals in the house, not even considering the consequences."

He remembered when she would bandage his scar covered back; she was an angry bully but always his best friend. "You were always my hero." He said from his heart. They were content and happy enjoying each other's company. They fell asleep on opposite sides of the camp fire.

Just as she kept her secret he would not reveal that he was still suffering from seizures. Theta would make sure he was not in pain as he continued to measure the loss of brain function.

"Theta I need you to be my eyes." said North, he could feel his mind dying.

"I know. I won't leave you." Just like in the torture chamber Theta would always be there for him.

"Thank you, I owe you so much." North said as he fell asleep.

South looked at him. That day in the recovery ward when she said 'I love you' she was still angry, but now it was clear, her brother was the love of her life-for whatever that was worth.

In less than 2 days shit would hit the fan; South would awake to the sight and sound of Agent Maine's Brute Shot aimed at her head. "What do we have here?" said Maine's Sigma AI.

In that moment South was grateful she and her brother both slept in full armor.

"We missed out shot at Delta; give us Theta and we'll let you live." Maine stroked the barrel of the gun down her chest, "after we have a little fun…"

"I don't think so." North was 2 feet behind him with his duo rifles pointed at Maine's back.