Mortal Kombat; A Second Chance

~A/N~ Eno-on: Welcome back everyone, I hope you all had a pleasant Easter.

Eno-on: Today will be a bit of an interlude before the next story arc starts, so without further ado...

"Speech" 'Thought' "Read Text"

Disclaimer: I don't own ~'Mortal Kombat'~

~Chapter 16 Back to Work~

Mileena leaned on the car door, tired but excited to go back to the base, while she enjoyed spending time at home, she couldn't help but feel restless.

She didn't even realize she dozed back off to sleep until Lewis shook her in the parking space, she yawned as she climbed out of the car, before following the doctor inside.

As they walked through the doors to the building, she could help but reach up to her new mask self-consciously, she released a breath she didn't know she was holding when she felt it firmly in place.

"You're okay Mileena" Lewis soothed softly "nothing is going to happen today"

The doctor's words calmed her "thanks mo-Lewis" Mileena stuttered, hoping that her slip up wasn't noticed.

Lewis didn't visually react to what the younger girl said "alright, I'll see you later Mileena" the doctor started to turn down a side corridor "have a good day"

Mileena nodded and continued on her journey with a noticeable cheer in her step, she continued on her journey through the building remembering her way to the briefing room, where she assumed Sonya would be.

When Mileena reached her destination she saw the blonde major slouching in a chair, rubbing her temples in an effort to calm down.

"Morning Sonya" she said claiming the empty seat at the table.

"Hmm, oh morning Mileena" replied the blonde lifting her head in greeting, exposing the bags under eyes.

"Is everything okay?" the younger woman asked.

Sonya was surprised at the level of concern in the question "there's been issues showing up all over lately" she sighed "it feels like every problem makes two more"

"How can I help?" Mileena asked, determination clear in her voice.

"What?"

"How can I help?" the hybrid repeated "if you hand one of your problems over to me, I can take care of it for you, so you can get a break"

"Thanks Mileena, I appreciate it" said Sonya looking her in the eyes, before her gaze drifted down slightly "what are you wearing?"

Following the major's line of sight she realized what Sonya was asking about "Lewis got me some new masks" she answered happily, the mask in question was a dark pink colour and decorated with a black smile.

Sonya decided not to comment on the apparel, she looked down at her notes, trying to find a problem for Mileena to handle "think you could go and talk to Sareena?" she asked "she's been very withdrawn since we returned from the Netherrealm"

"Ok"

Mileena followed the directions she'd been given, recognizing the area as one similar to where she had been staying, she knocked firmly on the door "Sareena? Are you in there?" she asked gently, there was no response "I'm coming in ok?"

When she didn't hear any objections she opened the door and peered inside, she noted the lights were off by how dark the room was, she focused her sight and could make out a figure sat on the bed hugging their knees to their chest, Mileena stepped into the room, flicking the light switch on as she did so.

With the room illuminated she could see the sole occupant, it was very clear that Sareena was not in a good state, her body shook with barely contained sobs and exhaustion, her eyes were red and puffy with tears still streaming down her face.

Mileena was speechless, despite how little she spoke with others, even she could tell asking what was wrong was a bad idea, silently she crossed the room and sat down on the bed next to the demoness, with a word she pulled the older woman into a gentle but firm embrace.

As if a switch had been flipped Sareena's riged form collapsed limply against her, the sound of the older woman's sobs filled the room, Mileena continued to rub the demon's back.

Minutes went by without a word before Mileena decided to try her luck "I'll listen if you want to talk" she could feel Sareena stiffen as the words left her mouth "you don't have to say anything if you don't want to"

"I…" she replied in a raspy whisper "thanks"

"I'm here to help"

Sonya rubbed her temples in annoyance as she walked down the corridor, she'd just discovered Sub-Zero had left the building without telling anyone, at the very least Scorpion had told her his intentions to visit his ancestors home, Jax was going through therapy and the chances of him returning to active duty were looking slim and Jade's attitude towards Mileena had put her in a sour mood.

"Hey Sonya" called a voice from the wall.

She turned to source only to see "Johnny" she greeted "did you need something?"

"No offence but look like you have enough on your plate" he replied pushing off the wall to start walking with her "I think you either need a nap or some coffee"

"Both of those sound amazing" she admitted "we're still facing to fallout from the Netherrealm"

"I know I can't stick around forever but, you need a hand?" Cage asked.

"Thanks Johnny" she replied sincerely "you know gave me that same offer earlier?"

"Cool, I still have to thank her properly for, you know saving my life" he responded "I feel bad about doubting her now"

"It's okay, I had my doubts at-" Sonya was interrupted by her stomach rumbling loudly "how about we finish this conversation over something to eat?"

"Did you mean the cafeteria or eating out?" Johnny asked "cause if its the second one, I know a great place in town"

"I'd like that Johnny"

Mileena sat in stunned silence, Sareena had just recounted the events of what happened in the Netherrealm, she was stunned at what the demon was forced to do and terrified at the thought of having to do the same, the hybrid could feel tears of her own pool in her eyes, she had no idea how to help, so she just held the demon close and let her continue to cry.

"What were they like?" asked Mileena without thinking "i-if you don't want to talk about them, that's fine" she quickly scrambled to fix the question she blurted out.

"Kia was the youngest of the three of us, she was fierce and determined and she would never back down from a fight, we argued but we always made up in the end" she stopped for a moment to recompose herself "Jataaka was the middle child, she put up a tough front but she was a softy to us, she made sure to keep Kia grounded and she had the stupidest laugh" Sareena chuckled before bursting into tears again "and I'll never hear it again"

The two girls sat in their embrace sobbing together as the minutes turned to hours, Mileena calmed down after at the one hour mark and Sareena slowly followed, neither moved away from the contact for a while before slowly the older woman started to pull away.

While Mileena was a little saddened by the loss of warmth, she knew this wasn't about her and let Sareena dictate what was happening.

"Thank you Mileena" she said softly "I'm not better, but this helped"

Mileena reluctantly climbed to her feet "when you want to talk let me know and we'll talk okay?"

"I will" Sareena answered "if you don't mind I'd to be alone with my thoughts for a bit though"

She nodded and left without another word, once outside Mileena then decided to head towards the training room to work out the excess energy she could feel after that heart to heart.

~A/N~ Eno-on: Geez that took way longer than it should have.

No-one: I'm sorry things have been hectic, luckily we'll be getting to something easier soon.

No-one: By the way, Happy Pride everyone, until next time.

No-one: I'm No-one Special.

Eno-on: Eno-on out.