A2 awoke to sounds around her, steps, voices, no, they didn't sound like machine voices, however her instinct built over the years she'd been on the run had her shoot up with a start, her hand already reaching for her Type 4O Sword.

That for some reason wasn't there…

As wasn't the forest she was sure she fell asleep into.

Nor the same tree she had perched herself on, hiding in the leaves.

Solid ground was beneath her, and…

This was… the Resistance's Camp?

She didn't remember setting foot here in forever, but…

And then the people…

There were three people looking down on her, for as diverse as they were, they all had a frown on their face.

"Neh, are we sure she's all right?" the albino one looked over to her red haired friend.

They were…

"Number 4…" the name left her mouth in a whisper.

"Positive, although…" the redhead seemed to frown harder, placing a hand under her chin, pensive.

"Number 21…"

"Oi, what the hell happened to you, Number 2?" the raven asked with her usual straightforwardness.

"Number 16…"

Her friends… they were here…

Why?

"Yes it's us, did you hit your head or something? And what the hell is that look?" the Gunner put her hands on her hips.

What look?

Oh… now that she noticed, she still had her long hair, and the signs of all those years on the run.

Why? What was happening?

Weren't they…

"You're supposed to be dead…" she spoke, her long mane obscuring her face.

"Yeah she definitely hit her head somewhere." Number 4 shook her head at the comment. "It seems she may need a thorough examination." Number 21 added.

And from the tone she wouldn't take a no.

"And most likely a bath." the Attacker proposed, as the other two nodded while she sat there listening in disbelief.

Before she knew it, the Scanner was off to… somewhere…

"I don't need a bath." it was all A2 could say, in the whole absurdity of the situation.

"No, probably even two." the Gunner replied with a growl. "Have you looked at yourself in a mirror? You look terrible."

"Wherever you've been, it looks like you've rolled in the mud, multiple times." Number 4 added, threading her hand through the long mane of white hair. "How did your hair grow so long even?"

Because it had been years?

Because after they died she no longer ever cut them again?

Or ever?

Just…

"What the hell is happening?" she asked, not able to find an explanation even as to why her friends would be here in the first place.

But she received no answer, just the fact that somehow Number 21 made her way back to them and…

She was just wearing the signature leotard they wore underneath their uniforms?

Why would she ever…?

"It's ready." the Scanner only said, motioning to her to the other two with her head.

What the hell were they up to?

"What is happening is…" Number 4 took her by the shoulders and urged her to stand, as Number 16 came closer, with a menacing aura on her.

But with the Attacker behind her she didn't allow her to take a step back, and the Gunner was closing in.

In a flash she wrapped her arms around her midriff, pulling her up and over her shoulder. "We're gonna give you a bath, one way or another!"

What?

A2 tried to struggle, but the grip Number 16 had was strong, she had no intention of letting her go.

And she had no intention of hitting her friend to let that happen.

All she could do was turn back towards Number 4.

"Number 4… help me…" she whined, hoping she'd have mercy, and giving her the best pitiful look she could manage.

But the Attacker only smiled at her, waving back.

"I'm going to see if Rose and the others have any clothes." and with that, she was off.

Number 16 didn't listen nor cared for her protests, Number 4 left, and Number 21 just followed them as the Gunner carried her in.

Somehow she appeared… disappointed.

The way she crossed her arms and frowned seemed to indicate that at least.

The Scanner was hardly expressive.

A2 didn't have time to dwell on it too much, as Number 16 quite literally and unceremoniously threw her in the bath, as she fell in with a squeak, splashing water everywhere.

So that was where Number 21 had disappeared to.

"This is exactly why I got rid of my dress." she heard Number 21 mutter, as she re-emerged and sat in the tub properly.

Looking at her, she was all wet too, and so was Number 16.

"Oh come on, it's not that bad." the Gunner rolled her eyes. "I swear you Scanners and cleanliness…"

"I'd like you to do the same, please." the tone was stern, Number 21 was in no mood to argue it appeared. "Please go hang yours outside so it dries up."

The Gunner gave an exaggerated sigh. "Fine, fine, ugh." but she still left to do as asked.

"Now, back to you." there it was the same disappointed look again.

Was Number 21 really that mad at her?

"Who would neglect themselves like this?" the redhead scowled, as she took off whatever remained of the cloth around her midsection, and then her boots.

Yes, A2 couldn't say she ever saw the Scanner be that angry.

Not so openly at least.

Which made her think that she truly messed up this time.

For how still absurd this all was.

Number 21's eyes softened shortly after. "Sit still and let me do my job now, okay?" A2 just nodded.

Well, for how strange this all was, she couldn't say that she didn't love the attention, as her red haired companion gently took the long mane of hair, and pulled them all back, inspecting them.

Plus the water was pleasantly warm too.

When was the last time she just stopped and allowed herself to relax?

If there ever had been one…

As she felt the Scanner's deft fingers through her hair, A2 noticed that Number 16 came back, and she was less than dressed the same way, and so was Number 4, carrying what appeared clean clothing neatly folded in her arms.

"I managed to get some clothing, would be nice if we somehow found a replacement of her uniform but…" no way to get that unless on the Bunker.

And they were not going back.

"It will have to do." Number 21 replied, she still wore a frown on her face. "I think I'll have to cut off most of her hair, they're too dirty and matted to fix them." she stated, showing just one of the many clumps to the other two.

"We don't have a pair of scissors though." Number 4 came to sit near them. "Number 16's knife should work just fine, with a bit more patience."

The Gunner rolled the item between her fingers for a moment, as she summoned it from her inventory, before passing it to the Attacker first, since the Scanner was busy gently dumping warm water over A2's head with a small bucket.

She allowed herself to close her eyes, and lose herself in the feeling of the warmth surrounding her.

In all senses.

Also, Number 21's hands were the most gentle thing, as she threaded them through her locks, but never hurting her even despite all the knots.

Anyone could say anything about the redhead, but if there was something, she surely knew how to treat people with the utmost care, almost like a mother, or at least, an older sister.

"Looks like someone is enjoying this." Number 4's voice made her open her eyes again, as she teased her, her bright grin flashing at her, as she passed the knife to Number 21 behind her.

"Don't tell me you did this on purpose." Number 16 snickered as she came over too, sitting at the edge of the tub. "Did you decide to reduce yourself in this state just to get spoiled?"

What? No.

She didn't…

Oh how the hell could she explain?

Thankfully, her ever loving Attacker came to her aid. "Leave her be, Number 16. I think she's confused enough already."

Well no, she wasn't confused.

Just… it was them that didn't seem aware of what had happened to them.

And to her.

It was like nothing ever happened…

Like one big, long and terribly awful nightmare.

But whatever it was, she couldn't lie that she didn't like to be spoiled right about now, how long had it been? Since all four of them were together, since something good ever happened?

Since she heard Number 4 laugh, and saw her smile at her?

Since Number 16 looked at her with her usual scowl, and judged her with her harshness.

Since Number 21 comforted her with her knowledge, and took care of her with her gentle affection and kindness.

It had been so long…

So, so long…

Whatever this was, please don't let it end, she found herself thinking.

The Scanner once again returned her attention to the long white hair, and began cutting.

It wasn't as efficient, nor swift like scissors would have been, but it was still something, as the matted strands came undone one by one, and fell around them.

Forgotten like they had never been attached to her head.

Number 21 ketch cutting until the length reached more or less her old bowl cut, much less clean, and a bit wild, but much shorter, and much lighter than before.

Like a weight being lifted from her shoulders.

Both physically and metaphorically.

In the meantime, with a sponge, Number 4 began scrubbing away the dirt on her skin, and arms.

"What's this by the way?" Number 16 idly touched her right leg, the one that had lost all the skin. "Is it how we look underneath?"

They couldn't say that they saw the metal under, neither A2 did, before her skin had burned away.

Well they knew it was there, but seeing it like this, forming their body without the skin covering it was different than just knowing.

"Yes." Number 21 replied, still focused on cutting the hair. "I will have to see if I can apply new skin on it, after we're done here." if they could find it somewhere.

Maybe the Resistance had some supplies.

"I am honestly very surprised to see Number 2 still running with her body in this state." and as a Scanner, she should know the extent of damage just by looking at her, better than anyone else.

"It does look awful." Number 16 nodded. "If I have to say so."

"You didn't have to." Number 4 mocked, with a light laugh.

Yes, she did miss this banter too.

Number 21 stayed silent through the whole exchange, placing the knife on the ground, besides the fallen hair, and taking a sponge.

She began scrubbing the dirt from her face and body, even though she had to be forceful at times, she still was the gentlest she could be with her hands.

The process got a little uncomfortable for them both when the Scanner's hands had to reach certain places, she could still feel after all, but Number 21 was diligent enough not to be inappropriate, she never would, and her hands never lingered longer than necessary.

It made A2 wonder if she ever had any kind of desires, but the redhead was never expressive.

Even if she didn't, she knew what to do for who did.

There was anything she didn't know?

Eventually, little by little the dirt came off, and the water turned pretty much black, as they finally allowed A2 to leave the tub, Number 4 waiting for her with a big towel to wrap her into.

As she did, she also wrapped her arms around her, and A2 took the hug more gladly than she would admit.

Maybe she had just missed affection and contact.

"You two get a room." Number 16 snickered as she looked at them.

But even if she said so, she still came over to ruffle A2's now short hair, messing them up even more.

Number 21 took a smaller towel, putting it on her head, drying said hair.

"Do you feel better now, Number 2?" Number 4 still hadn't let go of her, deciding to help her get dry instead.

She just gave a nod.

The three of them just wrapped her in a warm embrace.

"Don't make us worry like this ever again."


When A2 awoke again, she was alone, sitting on the same branch she had fallen asleep on.

She should have known that it was all too good to be true.

It was all a dream…

One mere dream…

Just like many others.

Just like all the others where she'd go back in time, with her friends, and when her eyes would open again, they would no longer be there with her.

They were gone.

They had died years ago.

And were not coming back.

With a heavy sigh, she looked down from the tree she sat on, there didn't seem to be enemies in sight for a change, but…

She could hear water nearby.

Perhaps…

Against her common judgment, she found her feet carrying her to the nearby stream, where mooses were quietly lingering by.

Looking down, she stared at her reflection.

She truly did look terrible, just like her friends said.

Crouching down, she dipped her hands in the water.

It was all but warm, unlike the one she'd been washed with in her dream.

With another heavy sigh, she brought the water she collected in her hands to her face.