Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the Monkey(fire): You are smart and quick witted

X: You didn't think it was OCC, did you? I struggled with what Six would say. He's not the touchy feely type. I do have some instances where he's made some emotional type speech in the show but not like this.

Raven: Glad you enjoyed it. Hope it continues to meet your expectations.

Mari V.: Gracias. Estoy feliz de que te haya gustado la historia. Me preocupa mantener la historia fiel al original y para mantener al personaje que actúa como ellos. No quiero ser más dramático. Pero todavía quiero mostrar sus sentimientos. Dios te bendiga a ti tambien.

I don't own.

When Holiday woke up the next morning, she was alone in the room with the blankets tucked around her. She wondered if she dreamed last night but the shades on the night stand told her it was real. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was almost 8AM. Being an early riser, she had slept in. She rose stiffly from the bed and realized that she was still wearing her clothes from the day before. She had been wearing the same clothes since she came. They were past presentable. Wrinkling her nose at the smell, she now regretted being snippy with Six when he offered to provide her with new clothing. Stumbling out of bed to the bathroom, she noticed that her closet did have clothes in it… now. She smiled slightly to see her old turtlenecks and black skirts. But some of her jeans and dresses were there too. She passed her hand over a blue dress she once wore to a party at a UN function. She managed to get her Six to admit she looked nice. It was like pulling teeth. But according to this Six, her Six probably had loved her. She shook her head to clear it. In her world, she had told Six that she loved him and he had rejected it… her. Now in light of what this Six had said, all those odd interactions, strange looks, and general awkwardness, was him being unable to tell her he loved her. She didn't know how much she needed to hear that, to know that their time together was not meaningless, until she heard him say it.
But now what? Did she just go home? She pulled out a pair of jeans and a turtle neck. Walking into her bathroom, she turned the shower knob all the way to hot. Waiting for the bathroom to steam up, she undressed and piled her dirty clothes in the corner. She laid the clean clothes on top of the towel rack. Someone had thoughtfully provided her with fresh towels. She wasn't sure what happened to the ones she had used yesterday. When the room was warm enough, she turned on some cold water to even out the scalding water before entering the stream. Letting the hot water run over her face and body felt good. She began to relax. Holiday thought about what she had to go back to. There really was nothing. Her Six was gone. Her Rex was gone. After White had her sister terminated, she left Providence and struck out on her own. With varying levels of success she was able to hunt down and either rehabilitate some of the EVOs or destroy them before they hurt anyone else. It was tedious and she couldn't keep up with the demand. But it was her world and she couldn't abandon it, could she? Could she stay here? They did want her here, at least Rex and Six did. The latter one admitting that warmed her more than the shower did. What was she going to do? What should she do? Holiday lowered her head.

0o0

Six stared at the ceiling of his room. He had awoken in the middle of the night with Holiday. Knowing he shouldn't be seen leaving her room in the morning, he softly extracted himself from her arms rather reluctantly. Then he stared at her for a while before pulling the sheets over her and leaving his shades by the nightstand. Why? He wasn't sure. But he wanted her to know he wasn't abandoning her again. His shades were a guarantee that he'd be back.

He quietly exited her room and returned to his. After pulling some of her clothes from storage, ie the back of his closet, he brought them to her room so she could have some fresh clothes. He didn't know why he included the blue evening gown. The dress always reminded him of missed opportunities. She did look beautiful in it and all he could manage to tell her was that she looked nice. The towels were an afterthought. When he had finished his task, he returned to his own bed. But he hadn't been able to sleep since. He remembered the warmth of her body against his and her scent. What would he do if she did leave? A dull ache formed in his chest. He did not regret telling her. He had sought to bury all his feelings deep inside. And he thought he had succeeded. He became colder, harder to the world, save for Rex and Beverly.

Then, the second he saw her, those feeling broke through whatever wall he had kept it behind, threatening to overwhelm him. He knew if he didn't tell her, he would burst. Whether it was figuratively or literally, he didn't want to find out.

His mind wandered to that fateful day when he had accidentally killed her. He had wanted to die. He made every effort to do so. And he was well on his way to alcohol poisoning if it wasn't for Rex. He prayed every night that he would wake up from this nightmare but every morning was like the morning before. She was still gone. But now…

Six tossed his covers off. He wasn't going to sleep. He might as well be productive. He had things he needed to do. Pulling open his nightstand drawer he took out his extra pair of shades.

0o0

Rex and his brother sat in his lab early in the morning.

"Bro, do you know what time it is?" Rex yawned.

"Yes it is 9:38 AM Eastern Standard time, 7:38 AM Mountain Standard time." Caesar replied.

"And either time it's too early for a weekend!" Rex complained.

"Rex, this is important. I asked you here because I was afraid if I told them…" Caesar nodded his head to the door. "… I don't know if they'll take it well."

"Take what?" Rex asked frowning.

"I have been reading odd energy signatures as well as tachyon particles around the world similar to the one that brought Dr. Holiday here."

"Yeah, so?"

"Well, let me see if I can explain it in terms you can understand…" Caesar furrowed his brow. He pulled his coffee mug and sugar bowl over. "So when entity A from universe A is deposited in universe B," Caesar pulled a sugar cube from the sugar bowl and dropped it into his coffee. "Universe B may view it as a violation of the space time continuum." Caesar began violently stirring his coffee. "So in order to rid itself of the invading entity it may in the process end up ripping itself apart."

"Que wha?" Rex gawked at his brother.

Caesar sighed. "If Holiday doesn't go home, our world goes boom…. Well actually more like…" He slurped the cup of coffee loudly.

"Bro, that's not good." Rex exclaimed with shock.

"I know. I usually take my coffee black." Caesar replied glaring at his cup.

Rex stared at his brother for a second before deciding it wasn't worth it. "So why are you telling me this? Shouldn't you tell Six or Doc?"

"Rex, were you not listening to me? I just said I wasn't sure how they would take it. I know Agent Six would be… upset by the pronouncement. I'm not sure how Dr. Holiday would react. She did say she wanted to go home. And telling White Knight… would most assuredly result in Dr. Holiday being banished."

"So you're keeping this to yourself so that you don't hurt Six? That's so thoughtful of you… Who are you and what have you done with my brother?" Rex asked.

"Please Rex, this is serious."

"I was being serious."

"Look, I don't particularly like Agent Six but you do and I don't want to see you hurt, mijo." Caesar said.

"Thanks, Caesar."

"So you're going to break the news to them."

"What?"

"Yes. He would take the news better from you."

"I get it. You're just chicken."

"No, just self-preservation. Agent Six seems… more of the kill-the-messenger type."

"No… well… maybe… yeah, probably." Rex conceded. He certainly didn't want to do it but Six was his mentor after all. He wouldn't kill him. Would he?

0o0

Holiday stepped out of her room. To her surprise, Six was standing outside with a cup of coffee.

"How did you know when…" Holiday started.

Six shrugged. "Had a feeling." He handed over the cup which she accepted.

"Thank you." Holiday took a sip. "Black. You remembered.

"I don't think you've eaten anything since you got here. I think a proper breakfast is in order." Six continued. He gestured for her to follow him. Holiday, ever the curious one, trailed after. They walked down several corridors before they reached an isolated room. Pressing his palm against the control pad the door slid open. Six with some flourish bade her to walk in.

Holiday gave an involuntary gasp as she walked in. It was a small kitchenette with a single round table in the middle. A white table cloth and a single long-stem rose in a vase adorned it along with two plates and wine glasses. Two chairs were placed strategically opposite each other. Six went to a chair and pulled it out for her. Holiday in a daze stepped over and sat down allowing him to push her chair in. She set down her coffee cup. He produced a white napkin which she took and laid it across her lap. She then turned slightly to watch him walk over to the stove. Six had put on oven mitts and was pulling out something from the oven. It smelled wonderful. He returned with cast iron skillet and coaster. Placing the item carefully on the table he began cutting it into pieces.

"What is that?" Holiday asked sniffing the aroma.

"Spinach frittata." Six answered as he scooped a piece onto her plate.

"Really? You made this?" Holiday asked surprised.

"Yes, it's edible." Six said with a smirk.

"I wasn't implying that it wasn't." Holiday blushed as she pretended to cut up her food.

"Would you like some wine?"

"Isn't it too early?"

"Whatever you'd like."

"Coffee's fine."

Six nodded. He sat down after putting some food on his plate. He watched her take a tentative first bite. Her eyes lit up.

"This is very good." She took a considerably larger bite.

"You don't have to sound so surprised. I'm a man of many talents." Six said lightly.

Holiday gave a small laugh that lifted his spirits. "Right, mercenary, Providence agent, maker of frittatas."

"Don't forget glorified nanny." He added with a half smile. He was rewarded with another laugh.

"Is this Rex a handful?" She asked as she took a sip of her coffee.

"And then some. I'm surprised I'm not gray yet with all the stunts he pulls."

"You never seemed bothered by his antics."

"I'm a very good actor, too."

"You must be."

They ate in comfortable silence.

"Would you like some more?" Six asked when Holiday finished her plate.

"Yes, thank you." She watched as Six loaded her plate with another generous helping.

"That's a little too much." Holiday protested.

"You don't have to finish it all." Six replied.

"I'm use to loading up on food since I don't know when I'll be eating next so I can't waste it." Holiday said matter-of-factly.

It pained Six to hear Holiday say that. But he kept a stoic face. "You'll have plenty of food here. Just enjoy it."

Holiday smiled at him. Six didn't know what came over him as his hand reached across the table to hold hers. Holiday seemed surprised but didn't pull away. They ate the rest of the meal holding hands.

After breakfast, Six took the dishes and laid them in the sink.

"The custodians will take care of those." He explained.

"Where are we going?" Holiday asked as he gently took her elbow.

"I thought you might want to go to one of your favorite places." Six answered.

Holiday wondered where that would be.

A few minutes later, they were standing on the roof of Providence.

Holiday looked around quietly. It was one of the places she used to go to think or watch the sunset. It was quiet and peaceful up here.

Six said nothing. He stood a little ways back giving her space.

"What do you want, Six?" The sudden question caught him off guard.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, in general, in life. What do you want?"

"I don't know." He admitted. "I use to think I just wanted to do my job, make sure Rex turned out all right, and maybe help someone stop the EVO plague."

"And now?" She prompted him.

"And now… I realize that isn't enough." He replied.

"So?"

"So I was hoping that you can help me." Six moved to face Holiday.

"With?" Her eyes would not meet his.

Six didn't answer. He gathered her into his arms. He gently lifted her chin so that their eyes met. He lowered his head and her eyes fluttered closed. His lips met hers in a tender kiss. He pulled back for a second to make sure she was okay. When Rebecca didn't protest, he kissed her again. This time it was more desperate and insistent.

Rebecca met his kisses with as much intensity. Her arms wrapped around his neck pulling him lower. His hands moved up and down her sides setting her body on fire. For Six the world faded away, except for the beautiful woman in his arms. Nothing could ruin the moment except for…

"Umm, Six? Six? Where are you?" Six's comlink buzzed loudly in his ear.

Six ignored it.

"Six? Heeelllooo?" Six I really need to talk to you." Rex was persistent.

Six pulled the comlink out of his ear and threw it across the roof, his lips never leaving Rebecca's.

Rebecca pulled away. Six merely moved his attention to her neck. "Six," she gasped. "Six, shouldn't you answer, Rex?"

"No." He captured her lips again. After a few more minutes, Rebecca pulled back giggling.

"Seriously, Six. I think you need to answer your comlink." She placed her hands on either side of his face to restrain him.

Six looked into her beautiful green eyes. He knew she was right but he couldn't bring himself to let her go. He put his hands over hers. Gently he took them and kissed them. Then he bent over and kissed her lips chastely before going to pick up his discarded comlink.

"Six, Six, Six, Six, Six, Six, Six, Six, Six, Six, Six, Six, Six, Six, Siiiixxxx…" Rex was singing his name to the tune of Beethoven's 5th symphony.

"What?" Six asked curtly.

"Finally! You know how long I've been looking for you? I went everywhere. I even checked out all the bathrooms… ALL the bathrooms… By the way, whatever Kenwyn says it's not true!" Rex babbled.

"Rex," Six cut him off. "What is it?"

"Oh, um, I, uh, I need to talk to you and Doc, right away… in person." Rex stammered.

Six had a bad feeling. "Fine, we'll meet in the lab…"

"The lab might not be a good place." Rex interjected remembering how Caesar did not want to be around the agent when the news broke.

"In my office in 10 minutes." Six shut off the comlink.

"What's wrong?" Rebecca walked over to Six.

"I'll find out in 10 minutes. But until then…" He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

0o0

Rex paced back and forth in Six's office wondering how to break the news. "Six, Doc, you know, funny thing about dimension travelling is… no that's stupid. How about… Hey, Doc, wanna go home?... that's even worse." Rex groaned. "How am I gonna tell them?"

"Tell us what?" Holiday asked suddenly.

Rex spun around in shock. "Hi, Doc… and Six… Good you're here. Thank you for coming. You're probably wondering why I've called you here…" Rex knew he sounded pretty lame.

"Rex, just tell us." Six ordered.

Rex sighed and rubbed his face. "Okay, but you're not going to like this."

Rex was right. Six did not like it, not one bit. As Rex was explaining what Caesar had discovered, he unconsciously dug his nails deeper and deeper into his palms. When Rex had finished, Six got up and left. Holiday and Rex exchanged worried glances before they both went after him.

"Six, wait. What are you going to do?" Rex asked fretfully.

Six kept walking. Rex noted with concern that it was towards the lab.

"Six, it's not like Caesar wanted to discover that Doc needs to leave to spite you or anything." Rex continued.

Six didn't answer as he turned the corner to the lab's entrance.

"Six? Six?" Rex ran and stood between him and the door. "Please don't kill Caesar."

Six pushed Rex aside and walked into the lab.

Caesar had on a strange contraption on his head that looked like a cross between goggles, microscopes, and mini-satellite dish. He looked up to see Agent Six walking purposefully toward him. Caesar stood up and pulled up the microscope goggles.

"I take it Rex told you the news?" He asked hesitantly.

Six grabbed the scientist's lapels and pulled him to his face.

"Show me the data." Six growled before roughly letting go.

Caesar stumbled back before quickly stabilizing. He brushed himself off and straightened his lab coat. Caesar pulled out a clipboard and handed it to Six. He scanned through the notes but realized he had no idea what anything meant. He handed the clipboard to Holiday. Her eyes flew through the first page. She lifted the first page to read the back. She looked at Caesar.

"Can I please see the correlating charts and real time analysis?" Holiday asked.

Caesar turned to the large monitor and opened a file with giant graph with a moving line. Six had no idea what he was looking at but from the corner of his eye, he could see Holiday frowning.

"I see." She said quietly.

"What is it?" Six faced her.

"It seems, Agent Six, that unless I leave this dimension, I could be the cause of the destruction of your universe." She said wryly.

"How can you be sure?" Six asked.

Holiday pointed at something at the screen but Six kept his eyes on her.

"There is a spike in tachyon particles in your universe. The same particles brought here by me and the EVO seems to have destabilized the space-time continuum's wall. We need to find the EVO and we both need to leave so that the wall can stabilize otherwise your world could implode on itself."

"Is there any other way?" Six asked.

"No." She said sadly. "If I can borrow one of your hand computers I can use the data on my tracker to find the cured Spit-tzu EVO. It should still be emitting the same energy signals from my world."

Six could feel his world crashing around him. "There has to be another way."

Holiday turned to him with a small ironic smile. "There is no other way. You knew that I would be returning back to my world. It just seems I need to do it more quickly than we first thought. According to the simulation you have only a few hours before your world starts experiencing total wall collapse."

Six swallowed hard. Caesar, once again being oblivious to the tension in the room, handed Holiday the computer.

"Do you know how to use it?" He asked.

Holiday punched a few buttons on the key pad and the computer came to life. She pulled out a small chip from her pocket and inserted it into the side. The screen immediately showed a blip on a map. She looked smugly at Caesar, who shrugged.

"Well, good. Happy hunting." He answered.

Holiday turned to leave.

"Wait, Doc. Let us come with you." Rex trotted to her side. "We can find it faster if we work together."

Six didn't want to find it faster but neither did he want to see the world destroyed. "We'll go together."

Holiday looked at them both. "Sure." She answered softly. Then turning quickly to hide the tears, she briskly walked out. Rex ran to catch up.

"Caesar?" Six said as he walked to the door.

"Yes?"

"Find another way." Six disappeared through the doors.