Hope you all enjoy! Thank you to my beta-readers, as always, BrambleStar14 and Minaethiel for making me look good. And thank you, as always, for joining me on this adventure.
Do-Over
Written by TunelessLyric
Can we be just who we are?
Doesn't matter if the road is far
'Cause there are no regrets and there is no stress
Together we are limit, limitless
-Amaranthe, 'Limitless'
Hannah had the afternoon to herself. Phoenix got into civvies, packed a few sidearms and their favourite blades and piled into the Pelican headed for the city. She was content to sit back and listen to Aaron and Jason tease each other the entire flight. Harper pointedly ignored her, but whatever had happened after leaving him in the gym, things looked like they were starting to soothe between him and his favourite teammate. Scabbed-over knuckles aside.
Everyone scattered the moment Phil powered down the engines. Apparently there was some last-minute shopping to be done for Jason's rebirthday presents. Hannah had a few stops of her own to make, primarily the pharmacy for womanly things that funnily enough did not fall under 'standard issue military medical supplies'. That done, her next stop was a liquor store. Apparently even the URF didn't believe in providing its personnel with alcohol. Given the seven rebirthdays she could look forward to celebrating annually, it seemed like a good idea to have something in the way of provisions. And when the weather turned warm again in the spring she was confident there would be a return to fireside camping.
Then she met up with Lucas. The engineer had wanted to get a late lunch with her, Aaron and Geist. They were waiting outside a red brick café, looking for all the world like a couple with a younger brother third-wheeling. Especially when Aaron got Lucas into a headlock and the Scot squirmed in an attempt to free himself.
The civilians passing barely spared the quartet a second glance.
It felt oddly normal, walking over and fixing Aaron with a look. "If you two can't quit horsing around, I'll take Geist for lunch and you guys can meet us after," she said with a smile.
Aaron released Lucas, holding up his hands in surrender. "If you'd heard what he said about my fashion sense, you'd let me knock a few teeth loose."
Lucas straightened his jacket and eyed the questionably-dressed pyro, sidling up to Hannah's side.
"Paul, the last century called. They want their style back," she threw over a shoulder as she let herself into the café.
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing? It's retro!" Grumbling to Geist about the loud print of his shirt, Aaron followed.
"Any idea what Phil and Mike are doing?" asked Hannah as soon as they were seated.
Lucas pulled the straw from his water and peered at it, evaluating its structural integrity if she had to guess. "Enjoying a little quiet time away from the rest of us."
"Especially Geist." Aaron jerked a thumb at the assassin.
Geist blinked slowly, letting out a long breath.
"Man never shuts up," Aaron couldn't resist adding.
"They probably went for tea and crumpets or whatever antique tradition felt quaint enough." Lucas set the straw aside and took a long drink of water.
"Should have taken Aaron with them. He's dressed for the occasion," said Hannah. She grinned when a heel found her shin beneath the table.
"That's it. I'm not your personal tattoo artist anymore. Find someone else to give you your team piece. See if I care," he sniffed.
"Empty threats and you know it." She tapped her chin as if in thought. "Though if you've given Geist enough lessons, maybe he'll do it for me."
Geist's mouth curled slightly at the corners. "Vote of confidence," he said.
"Traitor," muttered Aaron, turning his attention to the menu, arms crossed.
Nobody brought the topic of Jason and Harper up. Though Hannah was still being subjected to ribbing about Jason showing up to breakfast in the same clothes he had on yesterday. And Lucas allied himself with his fashionably-challenged friend on that front.
"I'm aware there's nothing for me to say that'll change your mind about the state of our hair and what it suggested," she finally said. "But I want you to know that's what happens when you fall asleep with wet hair and a second person in a one-person bed. Try it some time, Aaron. We'll see how you look in the morning."
He grinned around his mouthful of sandwich. "Not one to kiss and tell either, Steele. I own a comb. Maybe you should try one."
"We'd never know if Lucas ever scored by your own logic," she fired back. "He lives in his bedhead."
"It's called style," he answered, patting his hair to check what shape it was. "You uncultured swine wouldn't know it if it hit you in the face. Er, wardrobe."
Hannah rolled her eyes. "Do you think I'd still be alive if Jason and I hooked up and then walked into the mess hall looking like we had? Harper would have shot me on the spot."
That gave Aaron pause. "Point taken. Case closed, mates. Bliz and Shaw have a chaste relationship. It's wholesome and shit."
Even Geist chuckled.
After their meal, the four teammates wandered down the street to window shop. They ended up in a music store, browsing through the shelves. Lucas spent most of the visit examining a stereo system with his usual intensity when confronted with a complicated piece of technology. While he unravelled its mysteries, Aaron plucked the strings of a variety of guitars. Judging from the look on Geist's face, he wasn't very musically inclined. But he sure tried. Hannah found what she was looking for and they left the store shortly after.
They bumped into Mike one block later. He looked as if his state of zen had been totally recovered after the tumultuous week they'd had. For the most part, he was content to hang back and observe with Geist. The two made the silent shadows to the lights of Aaron, Lucas and even Hannah. Upon seeing them, foot traffic parted to let the group through. A buffer surrounded them, something unspoken suggesting that normal people should keep away.
Hannah didn't mind. She was too busy laughing and joking with her friends.
"Well, don't we look comfortable?" Phil was sitting on a bench, people-watching.
Aaron groaned. "If this is about my shirt, mate, I've heard it all from this lot already."
"I meant the five of you all giggling like a group of schoolchildren." The team second got to his feet. "Except Geist. If you ever giggle, I'm running the other direction as fast as I can."
Geist shrugged.
Mike checked his watch. "Dinner reservations are soon," he said.
This time it was Lucas' turn to groan. "I'm starving."
With a chuckle, Phil led the way to their usual restaurant. By the time they arrived, Harper and Jason were already waiting with a bottle of wine. The blond shot Hannah a warning look that she did her best to shrug off. She sat down across from Jason, sharing a smile with him. The hand resting against his tightened to a fist as Harper watched the silent exchange.
"Okay, rebirthday boy, open your gifts," demanded Aaron, plunking a shopping bag in front of Jason.
In the space of a few seconds, a true pile had collected on the table. Hannah had to move her glass aside to make enough room. Packages in nearly every shape, size and level of giftwrapping took up most of the eating space.
"Not every day your best mate turns two," Phil said with a smile.
"No wonder he has such a juvenile sense of humour," put in Aaron.
"Paul, what the fuck have you got on?" Jason seemed to notice the shirt for the first time, resulting in a comically genuine double-take. "You are not one to talk about age. Maybe we go back to having Geist dress you in the morning, yeah?"
"I will take my present back if you don't stop."
Grinning, Jason reached for the bag closest to him. "Nah, I'll open it and then it'll be too late for you to do anything."
Leaning back in his seat, Aaron crossed his arms and jerked his chin at the bag. "Someone record this so I can see the look on his face."
But no phones came out as Jason tore through the wrapping. His hands stilled as he peered into the gift. "Seriously?" Shaking his head, he pulled out the same gaudy print Aaron had on. He glared across the table at the pyro collapsing against Geist as he cackled. "I actually hate you, Paul."
Aaron waved a dismissive hand. As soon as he caught his breath he managed, "There's something else in there."
Jason balled the shirt up and shoved it back into the bag. After rooting around for a moment, he came up with a folded piece of paper. He spread it across the table, letting the low lights wash over the sketching paper. "That's really something," he breathed.
Aaron grinned and said, "Well, had to make a few adjustments given recent events. Is that your green light?"
Nodding, Jason held the picture up to show everyone else at the table. A phoenix with spread wings and curling tail paused mid-flight. One entire wing was shaded dark while the other was dappled with stars.
Murmurs of approval rolled through the team, a few reaching out to pat Aaron on the back for his work. The artist winked at Hannah. "Don't worry, haven't forgotten about you. Just, y'know, had to have this in a timely manner and you only brought yours up this morning, so…"
"It's fine," she answered. "That's fantastic work."
"All right, stop before his head gets too big," said Lucas, pushing his present forward pointedly.
"Lucas is right. Everyone stop, it's his turn to be told he's a genius." Jason palmed the package and worked at the ribbon holding it all together. When he found the end of the knot and pulled the free end, he peeled open the box with excitement. First he pulled out a red card and flipped it open to reveal nothing more than a black permanent marker music note scrawled across both halves of the card.
"You'll have to put your armour on to use it," explained Lucas. "I made some adjustments to your GPS and suit system, then the link to your speakers. With some engineering magic that I refuse to divulge to anyone, you can create your own tunes with your motion."
"You're a genius," said Jason, mouth dropping open.
"Yeah, well, we knew that already. Keep digging in that box, yeah?" The pleased smile was all Hannah needed to see to know Lucas was preening.
With another amazed shake of his head, Jason returned to fishing in the box. He choked on a laugh, hooking out the mug with a finger.
I'm the other guy the mug declared in decidedly floral and curly script, complete with a rainbow-striped handle.
Harper slammed a hand on the table and howled with laughter, tipping his head back.
"Somebody explain?" asked Hannah, lifting an eyebrow.
"The Boss has a matching mug. 'You should see the other guy'. Took months, but there's the punchline," supplied Phil, rolling his eyes.
She managed to force a chuckle, twisting a napkin into a tight knot beneath the table.
"When you're done looking completely offended, mine next," suggested Mike. He nudged a pair of matching boxes wrapped with classic birthday paper complete with party hats and ribbons.
Opting for the bigger one first, Jason laid his head on the table and groaned.
"Sorry, mate, come again?" The sniper leaned forward, cupping his ear.
"Are you trying to say something about my shooting, Baxter? Because it's fine." Resigned, Jason held up the laser sights. "You're hilarious."
"If you screw with the sights on your SMG one more time, I'm reporting you for damaging outfit weaponry," Mike retorted. "These are good for you. Save you a court martial." He smiled.
With a sigh, Jason pulled the other box toward him. This was much smaller, fitting in his hand easily. Removing the bow, he lifted the lid off and grinned. A flash of silver danced in the light, flipping into his hand so he could hold it up and show it off. The coin was stamped on one side with a phoenix, its beak open and sparks dancing around it. The opposite side displayed the almost-sun symbol of Club Errera. "That's honestly great," he said, looking up. "Thanks, Mike."
He shrugged like it was no big deal. "Happy rebirthday."
Jason reached for the next gift bag, an overly sparkly disaster of silver and gold swirls. Eyebrows rose as he checked the name on the tag, but he didn't say anything until he peeled off the tape and peered inside. "I don't want to get us tossed from the restaurant, but Geist, these are amazing."
The assassin nodded. "You're welcome."
A knife handle appeared over the edge of the bag, an engraving catching against the light over their table. Rise. And another. Again.
"I love them." Jason mouthed machete and mimed cutting something to get the point across.
"'Rise again'?" said Aaron. "Didn't know Jason was short for 'Jesus Christ'." He yelped at a muffled stomping sound from below the table. "Just saying is all."
"Before someone else says something horrifying, open mine," suggested Phil, clearing his throat.
Snickering, Jason tore into the neatly-wrapped box. A collection of stills bound with simple white string rested in orange wrapping paper. Hannah leaned forward to see better as Jason carefully fanned them out to reveal shots of the team, a portrait of himself as a Marine fresh out of bootcamp, a poker game in session, a trio of worn out Phoenixes sprawled across the gym floor with exhausted smiles, one after the other and they were all of Jason.
He leaned back into his chair, shoulders dropping as he let out a long breath, just shuffling through to see what had been captured. Hannah caught a flash of a blonde ponytail and sucked in a breath.
"Thanks, mate." Jason caught Phil's eye and they exchanged a nod.
Harper reached forward and tapped a finger on a plain black bag meaningfully. Jumping as if he had forgotten the rest of the team were present, Jason shot the team leader a look. Hannah busied herself with a sip of water, not wanting to read the intention.
In the end, Jason pulled out a couple slender pieces of metal. She recognized them immediately, wearing a similar pair around her own neck. These tags were stamped with the familiar ONI triangle, feathered wings on either side. As blue eyes traced the letters that formed his own identification, Jason smiled.
Harper bent his head to whisper something in Jason's ear. The red cheeks in response made Lucas and Aaron laugh long and loud, credits passing behind Geist's back.
Telling herself it wasn't to distract Jason from the blond, Hannah pointed to the last present waiting on the table.
Slipping the dog tags into a pocket for later, blue eyes met their match over the table. His smile brightened before he set to work on his final gift. The way he lit up at one look, the joy that spread through his posture as he lifted the headphones from the package made her forget all about Harper. There was simply Jason Shaw and the genuine happiness as he turned them over in his hands.
"Thanks, Hannah," he said, nudging her knee with his own under the table. "You didn't have to get me anything."
She shrugged. "Everyone else did. I'd feel bad if I showed up to your party empty-handed."
Settling the headphones back into the bag, Jason glanced around at the others. "I mean it. None of you had to get me anything. Just wanted to have a good day with you all."
"Please stop before the waterworks start." Aaron held up a hand. "Let's eat, drink too much wine, then go clubbing."
Apparently taking a page from Hannah's book, Jason threw his new shirt at the pyro. "Shut up and eat, my moment's been ruined."
Together, they cleared enough space for the meal starting to arrive at their table. They fell into easy conversation, if a little less rowdy than their usual mess hall fare. Harper spent most of the time with one arm resting on the back of Jason's chair, but Hannah had her feet tucked between the rebirthday boy's. And he kept shooting grateful looks her way every chance he got.
When the wine bottle was empty, the bill paid, presents packed away and compliments sent to the chef, Phoenix trooped back to the Pelican to stow Jason's gifts. At least, the ones he didn't keep on his person, since the dog tags rested against his UNSC set and Mike's coin had been pocketed.
Hannah moved some of her shopping aside to make more room in the cargo storage. Jason poked the pharmacy bag and threw her a curious glance, some of the heat from that morning flickering in his eyes. She winked and headed back down the ramp, eager to get to a nightclub for a good drink and some good music.
Apparently everyone else was as ready to spend a few hours packed into an uncomfortably close dance floor with a pile of sweaty strangers because they followed Harper and Jason happily enough. Above the city, the sky darkened and a few bright stars began peeking through the black. Hints of aurora licked through the skyline.
The club was still fairly empty when they arrived, the hour a little early for the real parties to start. But by the time Hannah had ordered a drink and gotten comfortable at the table Phoenix had claimed as their own, a true crowd had formed. Lights strobed to the music, spinning over raised hands and a sea of heads.
"Nice spot." Aaron had to shout to make himself heard over all of the noise.
Jason opted to nod and save his voice, smiling. Even Geist looked like he was enjoying himself, letting Aaron lean against his arm. In fact, for the first time in weeks, they all seemed at ease.
"Happy rebirthday, Jay!" Harper held his glass up to toast Jason.
Hannah quickly lifted her own drink with a grin. As the team all echoed their leader, she heard a few call out his first name, his last name and at least one, "Hunter!"
Phoenix was informal like that.
There was a moment of quiet in the club as the song ended while they all drank. Hannah put her glass on the table and jumped to her feet as a new one started softly. "I love this song," she said, already on her way to the dance floor.
It was easy to mistake the friend following her for another. This night for another. But it was Aaron behind her, not one of her Orange teammates. Shaking herself out of the memory, she let the music grab her and carry her away. For those precious moments, there was no war. No ONI, URF, UNSC. No lingering ache in her side when she woke up in the morning. No weight settling on her shoulders.
Just the other bodies on the floor turning the pop love song into a call and answer with the boy band who used a smattering of English and some other language she didn't speak. She joined in, all but shouting out the words she recognized. Beside her, Aaron and Lucas wove in and out of view as they had a private dance-off.
Even after that song ended, Hannah stayed to keep dancing. Sometimes by herself, sometimes with the pair of redheads, sometimes even with Phil. Eventually she was too warm, too out of breath to continue. Grateful for being so short, she pushed through the small gaps between other patrons until she was free of the crowd. Mike and Geist were her only teammates at their table, watching the rest still on the floor.
She dropped onto a stool and tossed her drink back.
"Looks like you're having fun," Mike said into her ear.
Nodding, Hannah waved at Aaron, who had realized she wasn't beside him anymore. Not far away, she spotted the familiar pair of light and dark heads. Harper had, unsurprisingly, carved out the most space for himself and Jason.
Geist pointed toward the bar, mouth twitching in amusement. Lucas checked that his collar was even and his hair somewhat tamed before stuffing his hands into his pockets and approaching a brunette with legs about a mile long.
"Five credits says he gets shut down again," said Mike.
"How about you buy me a drink when you're wrong?" challenged Hannah.
He smiled. They shook on the bet as Lucas slid into the stool next to the woman. He leaned against the bar casually and offered his most self-assured grin.
"Are you two betting on my boy?" Aaron flopped down next to Hannah, following their gazes to where the brunette turned to the engineer and a conversation started.
"Your boy?" Hannah asked hotly, crossing her arms. "Pretty sure I'm a better wingman than you."
That shut Aaron up for the moment. He reached for his beer instead of answering.
"Think he was dancing with some other girl earlier," said Mike. He shook his head. "He needs some serious practice."
Hannah just watched in silence. Wondering if it was practice Lucas needed or to get his mind off the almost hanging over his head.
At the bar, her friend said something that made the brunette laugh and gently shove his shoulder. He waved her off, grinning as if he did this every Friday night. The woman held her hand out and pulled him out onto the dance floor.
"I'll take a whiskey," Hannah held her empty glass out to Mike. "Neat, please."
Shaking his head, the sniper got to his feet. As he turned to go, she caught a pleased smile. Aaron prodded Geist and dragged his reluctant partner out to dance for a couple songs. Phil eventually joined them, still notably alone. Lucas continued to spend his time with the woman at the bar. From time to time Hannah spotted them kissing. She couldn't help but smile at the sight.
She got up to fight her way back to the rest of the team while Mike followed. They got halfway to the group when a hand caught her wrist and tugged. She whirled, looking up into Jason's face. Grinning down at her, he pulled her off course until they found a corner for themselves.
Hannah forgot about everyone else in the room. The club. The city. It was just her and Jason dancing together, moving together like they should have so long ago. He brushed a hand over her cheek, down her arm, across her back every chance he got.
After a few songs, she grabbed his arms and pushed him back into the deep shadows against the wall. His hands were in her hair, hers settling on his hips as she leaned against him.
"Happy rebirthday, Jason," she breathed when he bent his head. She felt a silent laugh in her own ear before he started tracing her jaw with his lips. Each touch sending a shock rolling through her skin. He worked his way steadily to her mouth to kiss her deeply.
She answered with her own longing and the desire to match. All that mattered was his touch. The way he tasted as he held her tight. Reluctantly pulling back, she gazed up at him. "Can't stay too late tonight," she said. "You should come back to my place anyway."
Staring back with something approaching awe, Jason answered, "Of course I will."
"Then let's get out of here."
Harper didn't say anything when Jason dropped back to walk next to Hannah. She laced their fingers together, heart light as Phoenix returned to their Pelican. Harper kept his attention on his conversation with Phil in the cockpit rather than joining the rest of them in the troop bay while Jason laughed with Hannah.
Back at the base after their free day, she helped haul all of Jason's presents back to his disused room in the barracks. He locked the door behind her, dumping everything on his desk without a backward glance.
"Got a lot of great stuff this year," he murmured, cupping her face with both hands.
"Pretty jealous of that shirt," she said. Stretching up, she put her arms around his neck. "Would bring out your eyes."
He let out a breathy laugh, not taking those blue eyes off hers. "You outshine all the rest of my presents, Hannah."
"I don't think there's a bow big enough, but if you want to unwrap me, I'm all yours, Jason."
His throat worked as he tried to swallow, drawing her eyes. Tugging against his neck gently to make him bend, Hannah pressed her lips to his skin. She felt his pulse near frantic against her touch. She felt fingers slide under her shirt, tracing over the scars that had nearly killed her.
The ones that had brought her to him.
The heat in his gaze spread through her, thawing part of her heart until she remembered the ODST she had been that night two and a half years ago watching that DJ.