Legal Disclaimer: I do not own Red vs. Blue or any of the show's characters. They are the rightful properties of Rooster Teeth.
Chapter Thirty-One:
Vanessa Kimball's fingers flew across her datapad. From the opposite side of the large desk she currently shared with Doyle, she could hear the telltale tapping that indicated he was doing the same.
With a sigh, she finally set the now very hot and overused piece of tech down and stretched, "That's the last of the needed repairs." Kimball announced at length.
Doyle put down his datapad to take up his no doubt now very much lukewarm cup of tea, "Indeed." His eyes flashed a pleased look, "It's incredible how smoothly everything has gone."
The dark-skinned woman couldn't help but smile in response, "I think it's just a testament to how efficient we are when we agree on what needs to be done."
"Quite right." Doyle smiled slightly before the expression faltered on his face as though he remembered something rather unpleasant, "The preparations for the upcoming trials are nearly complete."
"I'm aware." Reaching over to the datapad once more, Kimball flicked a finger over the screen to bring up the information that had been collected on Hargrove and Price, "It seems like neither of them will be able to escape justice this time."
After all, Chorus wasn't the only region that wanted to see the two men and their Charon operatives stand trial. They were just Charon's most recent victims. A whole pile of evidence of heinous past crimes had since been compiled following Hargrove and Price's arrests at Rat's Nest.
As to how that evidence had mysteriously gotten to them…
"It's a shame that Felix, Locus, or their Insurrection cohort weren't found to stand trial either." Doyle mused out loud, though there was a knowing glint in his brown eyes, "Of course, I highly doubt it was a coincidence that our new stockpile of evidence came from a L and S, respectively."
Kimball watched Doyle absentmindedly touch the sword hilt at his side, thinking along the same lines. Given the others' accounts of Locus' and Sharkface's actions at Rat's Nest, it made a strange sort of sense. No doubt if he still lived, the two were in pursuit of Felix. It didn't absolve them of anything, but…
She sighed, "I doubt we'll hear from them again unless they want us to."
"True enough." Doyle said, a look of determination plastering his face, "If they do happen to cause trouble again, Chorus will be ready for them."
"Of course." Kimball smiled slightly in agreement, "We're going to do all we can to ensure Chorus' continued prosperity."
She reached across the desk at the same time Doyle did, their fingers intertwining. These were just the first few steps, after all.
"This goes here…" Doctor Grey mused to herself as she helped Sarge move a box in the warehouse, "Or was it here…?"
"Darlin', I think that first spot will do the trick just fine."
As the couple were setting the rather large item down on the shelf, both Sheila and Lopez entered the room, quickly dropping their held hands when they saw the two humans.
"Greetings." Sheila stated politely, "Do you require assistance?"
"Much obliged, but I think we're just about done here." Sarge informed them as he wiped a sheen of sweat from his brow, "I'd rather talk to you two about when the big day is."
Sheila and Lopez both glanced at one another in surprise, subconsciously grabbing the other's hand again.
"¿Como supiste?" {"How did you know?"}
For once, no translation was needed as to what Lopez said as Sarge let out a large burst of proud laughter alongside a smiling Grey, "You'll find you can't keep much from the two of us, dears." The dark-skinned woman told them gently, "We were just curious. No pressure or anything!"
"We haven't come up with a suitable time yet," Sheila admitted, "We want it to be a celebration everyone can partake in."
Doctor Grey nodded and smiled, "That's a lovely gesture. And we can help you sort out the date details, if you'd like!"
"Thank you, Doctor Grey." The female robot in gunmetal green armor bowed her head slightly.
Sarge guffawed and leaned over to smack Lopez's armored back good-naturedly, "If you need any fatherly advice on what to do on the wedding night, Lopez, I'm your man!"
Lopez sighed, his hand still holding onto Sheila's as he turned awkwardly away from the two smiling humans.
"Por favor, deja de hablar." {"Please stop talking."}
Katie Jensen stared in surprise at the tiny bundle of white and orange fur that Palomo showed up with in his arms. They were meeting up for their usual reading session together, so the comic in her hands fell limply to the ground as she moved forward to closely examine the tiny feline.
"Isn't that one of the kittens from the cat colony you're helping Agent Washington look after?" Jensen asked the black-haired man curiously, wondering why he had brought the animal here.
Palomo nodded his head in confirmation, "Sure is!" He gently cradled the mewling creature, "This little guy doesn't seem to have a mom though, so Kimball said I could try and look after him at our place if I wanted."
Jensen's mouth parted slightly in understanding as she instinctively extended her hands towards the dark-skinned lieutenant and his bundle of fur, "Can I…can I hold him?"
Wordlessly for once, Palomo obliged, watching with a dopey smile on his face as Jensen rocked the kitten back and forth in her arms.
"You know," she said at length as she cast a thoughtful look Palomo's way, "I bet the other lieutenants would love to take turns helping you with this project too." She grinned warmly, clutching the kitten even tighter to herself, "In fact, I'd be happy to look after the little guy some nights if you need me to!"
"R—really?" Palomo looked both rather disbelieving and ecstatic at this announcement, "Are you sure it would be okay?"
She nodded, "Volleyball and Matthews will be thrilled too!"
"Sure, that would be fucking awesome!" Palomo readily agreed, beaming appreciatively at her.
Jensen smiled as she reluctantly returned the kitten, the two blushing quite a bit at the exchange as they glanced awkwardly away from one another.
"Then Church and Santa, with the help of Carolina and the other nice doctor lady, made the lights go out!" Caboose exclaimed, clutching Freckles tightly to his chest, "And usually bumping into people is wrong, but these guys were not nice and needed to learn how to play tag better."
"I HELPED." Freckles intoned in his rather serious-sounding voice.
"That he did." Santa added in, "Though I must admit I had never thought of tag as being so chaotic before."
"Yeah. It really depends on the rules." Caboose informed him, "Church changes them a lot."
"Indeed." The alien A.I. muttered out loud.
Bones smiled patiently at Caboose's attempts to regale her, "I'm just glad you weren't hurt, Caboose."
"But I still get a lollipop, right?"
"Of course!"
From where they were sitting in a different corner of the clinic, Volleyball and Kaikaina Grif both smiled at Caboose's shout of glee. Kai had been showing the blonde the best way to make an emergency splint when Caboose came running in with Freckles and Santa to talk with the tan-skinned girl's mentor.
The conversation about what had happened at Rat's Nest caused Volleyball to regard Kai curiously, "I haven't seen Captain Grif lately." She noted, "How's he doing?"
"Oh, he's doing fine. Better, even." Kai was quick to assure the other girl, "It seems like he's finally gotten his shit together when it comes to the gray nerd and his own feelings." She smirked knowingly, "I guess having a kid now has had a good effect on their relationship too."
Having seen the two men interact with the other child rescued from Charon, it was really no surprise that the official adoption had happened so quickly. Not that there was any real paperwork to be had, given the baby's origins.
"It must have come as a shock, becoming an aunt so quickly."
"Yeah," Kai frowned in thought then, casting a worried dark-eyed gaze her girlfriend's way, "Think I'm gonna be a good one?"
"The best." Volleyball assured her, reaching over and gently clasping the yellow-armored girl's hand. Considering how great she was at babysitting Junior, how could the Kai even think otherwise? The blonde gave her a bright, encouraging smile, "No doubt you're going to spoil your niece rotten!"
Kai grinned right back, squeezing her hand slightly as she whole-heartedly agreed, "You fucking know it!"
"I'm sorry that your friend Terrence didn't decide to come back with us." John Elizabeth Andersmith said as he helped Cass clean up the dishes and silverware at her restaurant, "Though he ended up being a surprising help at Rat's Nest."
It was true too. Even though Sharkface had injured him before, Andersmith got the sense that much of the man's hostility had simply been misplaced. It seemed that the scarred man had perhaps started to see that when he went against Hargrove to aid the Reds and Blues.
"He chose his fate a long time ago." Cass assured him, a thoughtful look creasing the brunette's features, "Maybe he'll choose a new path altogether now." She smiled over at Andersmith, wiping a some suds from the tip of his nose with her index finger as she added, "I'm just glad everyone came back in one piece. You especially, John."
The dark-haired man blushed as a nearby patron cleared his throat to indicate he wanted to place an order.
"Coming right up, sir!" Cass called over to the customer, winking conspiratorially at the lieutenant as she did so.
"Would it…" Andersmith swallowed nervously and tried again, "Would it be all right if I stuck around until after closing again?"
Cass smiled broader, her own cheeks tinting red as she moved past him, "Honey, I thought you'd never ask."
"I'll say it again: what you did was impulsive and far too dangerous, Donut!"
The two men were standing in the middle of Franklin Delano Donut's apartment, having an uncustomary argument after Doc had finally worked up the courage to bring up how Donut had sacrificed himself essentially to save the medic and Tucker during the Charon fiasco. Truth be told, it was strange to see either man be so heated over anything that didn't involve nuts.
A red-faced Donut jerked his chin defiantly up to counter Doc's point, "Don't you know just how upset I would've been if something happened to my friends, Doc? To Tucker, or to you?"
"It isn't like it wouldn't be the same for me!" Doc shot back testily, suddenly looking awkwardly to the side as he quietly added, "If something even worse had happened to you, I…" The two went into awkward silence as Doc's voice trailed off, the still yet to be spoken admission hanging in the air between them.
"I…" Donut finally worked up the courage to admit to something he had been holding close to his chest for a long while (contrary to popular belief, he could keep his mouth firmly shut until prompted, darn it!), "I like you, Doc. Like-like, I mean. I have for a while now."
Doc's face took on a reddish, hopeful hue as he looked over at the earnestness in Donut's face, "I…I've like-liked you too. For a while now."
The two leaned into one another for their first, passionate kiss pulling apart finally only to remain steadfast in the other's embrace in the middle of Donut's impeccably furnished living room. The atmosphere was reminiscent of all the best romantic comedies, although the lighting on Chorus still left a lot to be desired cinematographically. Donut would just have to make do.
"Next time, if there is a next time for that sort-of thing, which I really hope not…!" Donut rambled slightly into Doc's shoulder, "Next time we'll try to stick together, all right?"
Doc smiled fondly, nodding his head in agreement, "All right."
"Wow." Tex stared at her old, battered helmet on display in Church's apartment with an unreadable look on her face, "I can't believe you still have that thing."
Church couldn't help but bristle somewhat at her tone, "Hey! It was the only thing I had from you, all right?"
The dark-eyed redhead whistled in amusement at his rather defensive tone, "Man, you are fucking whipped."
"Maybe." He muttered silently under his breath instead of his customary explosive outburst.
There was a heavy silence following that, broken only by Tex squaring her shoulders, "But for what little it's worth? I'm sorry now that I left. At least for leaving like how I did."
For a second, it almost seemed as if Church wasn't going to acknowledge her remark at all. His gaze remained fixed on the helmet, "You staying for a while?" He finally asked after what seemed to be a long inner debate.
Tex raised an eyebrow, "You would seriously want me to?"
Church looked over at her and said nothing, instead suddenly wrapping her into a hug. A surprised Tex took a moment to register the action before smiling slightly and returning the gesture. Her smile turned into a mischievous smirk a second later as she made a "whiplash" sound under her breath.
Church smiled right back in response, "Shut up, bitch."
They had been in the middle of fixing all of the bullet holes on the transport when Four Seven Niner brought out a few cans of beer, remarking on how they could make it "just like the old times when we did all day repairs."
After everything that they'd been through, Carolina couldn't agree quickly enough. Repairs were finally done, so the two were sitting and admiring their handiwork with their drink rewards in hand. "So," Niner began conversationally as she took a swig of her lukewarm beer, "The last few days were pretty intense. It's nice to have a moment to ourselves for a change."
"Agreed." Carolina tipped her can so that it tapped Niner's quickly, "We could finally get your ship looking a little less holey."
The tan-skinned woman let out a snort of laughter, "Least it isn't crash-y anymore."
"Yeah, crash-y is the worst." Carolina replied, smirking.
A comfortable silence settled over the pair, and they both drank their beer amicably in the wake of it. However, there was a matter that their speedy fixing of the transport's unplanned ventilation system brought to mind.
"I see that the repairs are nearly complete." Carolina noted, even though a part of her was apprehensive about bringing it up.
"Yeah, you know me," Niner patted the nearby transport fondly, "Can't rest too easy if this girl isn't in the best shape to fly."
It was both one of the woman's most endearing and infuriating traits.
The redhead took another swig of beer, "So does that mean you'll be leaving soon?" A part of her was really hoping that Niner would deny it, but she knew how much the woman loved being free and in the air.
For a moment, Niner silently contemplated the can in her hand. At length, she spoke, "You know, Doyle and Kimball actually offered me a job." She told Carolina, looking around the empty airfield, "Apparently Chorus is in dire need of a pilot."
"Really?" Carolina raised an eyebrow at this sudden development.
A brown-haired nod, "I'm seriously considering it too," Niner shot her a conspiratorial wink, "Especially if I can get a certain redhead on board as a co-pilot."
"I'll think on it." Carolina smirked and leaned over, kissing Niner's cheek.
Matthews stood before the door to Bitters' apartment, debating to himself whether he should knock or just leave…
He gave a start when the door opened and Bitters stood there, regarding him. The lieutenant with multi-colored hair let out an exasperated sigh before moving away, "You coming in or what?"
"Oh…um, yes!" Matthews followed Bitters inside, noticing how sparse and utilitarian Bitters' place was, as if he might leave at any second. The thought made him frown a little.
"How are your sisters doing?" Bitters asked rather awkwardly in an obvious attempt to get the conversation going.
"They're…they're fine!" Matthews assured him before fidgeting slightly, "I…um, I just wanted to come by and thank you…fo—for before."
Bitters scoffed, waving his thanks away, "I didn't really do much." He shot the auburn-haired rookie an appraising look, "You're a lot stronger than you realize, you know."
"Th—that's not true!" Matthews tried weakly protesting.
"Do you really what to know why I helped you so much then?" Bitters asked, "Because you might not like the answer coming from a genetically engineered throwaway like me."
Both of their faces had darkened with heated blushes at the real meaning behind Bitters' words, and before Matthews could protest what Bitters had said, Bitters was suddenly leaning in and kissing him hesitantly, gently.
Matthews stood there, absolutely stunned for a moment as Bitters pulled away, looking quick to apologize. But he cut himself off when the younger man grabbed his arm to keep him there, "You're an idiot." He muttered before shyly kissing Bitters back, his face red when he pulled away to add, "I really hope you've found your home here now though."
Bitters grinned, his only reassuring response being to pull Matthews in for yet another kiss.
"Look at this one!" Junior exclaimed happily as a brown tabby wrapped itself around his legs.
Lavernius Tucker and Junior had come along with Washington to help feed the cat colony. They were also going to set up new, more durable housing for the cats thanks to some building materials that Kimball helped acquire for them.
Tucker smirked towards Washington, winking conspiratorially, "I knew he'd love it." He stated emphatically, "Thanks for the invite, Wash, this was just what we needed to get our minds off of shit."
"That was the idea, Tucker." Washington smirked playfully in return, "Well, that and getting free labor out of the deal."
Tucker hit him in the shoulder, laughing, "Dude, don't fucking ruin the feel good moment!"
Washington laughed in response and, yeah, Tucker could admit it was a good fucking sound. Tucker grinned and bumped the former Freelancer's shoulder with his own, "Seriously, this is great and all, but there's still one thing I need to know."
"Oh?" Washington's laughter subsided as he regarded Tucker curiously, "And what might that be?"
He took in a deep breath. Now or never, right?
"Just when, exactly, do you intend to move in with us?"
The incredulous look that Washington was giving him was fucking priceless, "You're serious."
Tucker grinned, "Fuck yeah, I'm serious!" He told the older blond in earnest, "Our family's been through enough separation as it is."
Washington's only response was the largest smile that Tucker had ever seen grace his features, and then he was wrapping Tucker up in a hug and kissing him. The two were both grinning when they finally pulled away, Junior watching them happily out of the corner of his eye with a calico contentedly sleeping in his arms.
"Took you guys long enough."
The baby was sleeping soundly in Richard "Dick" Simmons' arms as he drew her closer to his chest at Grif's next words, "The trial should be starting up soon."
"I—I know." He managed to get out awkwardly, shifting so that the baby was more comfortably positioned, "But I don't want her, or us, anywhere near Hargrove."
"I totally get that." Grif assured him, sitting down next to the two on the couch and draping his arm over Simmons' shoulders in the process, "Besides a trial is a whole lot of fucking work."
Simmons instinctively leaned into the touch, "I'm just glad it's all close to being fucking over." He muttered, his face heating up slightly as the cyborg cast a shy glance Grif's way, "And…and that we can start our lives together now."
"I know." Grif grinned at him, "Fucking finally, right?"
"Though things are certainly a bit different than I thought they'd be." The redhead mused out loud, "What with a child and you being bonded to me."
Grif's grin only widened as he leaned even closer into Simmons' personal space, "Now I just have more of an excuse to never let you out of my sight."
Simmons smiled right back at him, relishing their closeness, "You better not, fat-ass."
The two fell into a comfortable silence for a long while, watching the infant doze peaceably.
At length, Simmons worked up the courage to ask, "Did you ever think things would be like this?"
Grif sighed and looked contemplative for a moment, "The leadup to it was way different and a lot more stressful than I'd dreamt, but…yeah." He looked Simmons sincerely in the eyes, "I'd secretly always hoped so. Even way back when we'd first met."
Simmons' breath caught in his throat at the admission, Grif's grip tightening slightly as he looked at him with widened eyes.
"It's true." Grif told him, "It's why I kept collecting all those plushies even after Kai got too old for them."
"Which explains the mountain of them we have now." Simmons smiled as he glanced at the pile by their daughter's crib. Her favorite was a black kitty plush that she had to sleep with in her crib every night.
"I've probably always been a bit in love with you, Simmons." Grif noted softly, uncharacteristically shy.
Simmons felt a warmth spreading throughout his whole body, "It…it was the same for me, I think." He smiled, "Despite all the shit we've been through, I'm glad things turned out as they did." He leaned closer into Grif, "We're together now, and we even have a family."
Grif smirked and pulled him impossibly closer, "Same."
They sat in companionable silence for a few more moments before Simmons rather reluctantly stood up, "We should probably put Huggins down for a nap, since she's sleeping already."
Grif looked amused, "Huggins?" He repeated.
Simmons flushed, "I…I heard Kai say you liked that name for some reason, b—but if you'd rather…"
"Huggins is perfect, Simmons." Grif kissed Simmons' hand and rubbed a tiny circle on Huggins' small palm before Simmons placed her in the crib.
On cue, she wrapped a hand into the soft material of the black kitty plush, her face lighting up even more in her sleep as she did so.
Grif hugged Simmons from behind, "Do you want to stay in today then, just the three of us?"
Simmons smiled and leaned into his touch, "That would be perfect."
Author's Notes: I hope I didn't just give everyone cavities by how fluffy this chapter turned out to be! But I figured I owed everyone a bit of happy after all of the awfulness and angst I put them through. XD
And yes, I even managed to sneak Huggins in there too! I would love if Grif and Simmons somehow actually adopted her in the actual series at some point (if certain spoilers get overturned, of course!). :) That would be adorable! :D
Just the epilogue left, you guys! I hope you'll enjoy it. :D
Thank you so much again! :D