Stephanie groggily blinked awake, her senses slowly returning. She felt warm—wrapped in something soft and comforting. Puzzled, she touched the material around her, her fingers brushing against a fabric that felt like a miniature blanket. Her eyes shot open, panic setting in as she realized what it was.
"W-where did this blanket come from?" she stammered, her voice hoarse with grogginess. She pushed the blanket away but froze, her heart pounding when she noticed she was wearing an unfamiliar garment. Glancing down, she saw a light blue, medium-sleeve dress. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment when she realized she wasn't wearing her bra or underwear beneath the dress.
"Okay," she gulped, quickly wrapping the white blanket back around her body. "Where are my clothes?" Her eyes darted as she whispered, "Wait, where am I?"
Attempting to stand, she stumbled as her legs wobbled unsteadily. Stephanie fell back onto the surface with a soft thump, wincing as pain shot through her legs. "Ow," she muttered, adjusting herself to stand again.
"What was that?" a voice suddenly called out, startling her. It was close—far too near. The ground beneath her hands trembled slightly, the vibrations growing stronger. Someone was approaching. The footsteps stopped abruptly, and Stephanie's breath hitched. She pressed herself against the surface, willing herself to stay hidden.
"Huh, that's weird," a Boston-accented voice muttered. "When did the blanket start movin'?"
The edge of the blanket lifted slightly, and Stephanie found herself staring directly into a pair of wide, baby-blue eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, and a shriek tore from her throat.
"Whoa!" Scout yelped, stumbling backward and dropping the blanket back over her. "What the hell?!"
Stephanie scrambled beneath the blanket, her breathing quick and shallow. She flailed, trying to disentangle herself, but the fabric trapped her further. Scout watched, momentarily frozen, before his instincts kicked in.
"Hey, hey!" he said, his hands moving to pin the blanket's corners to the table. The struggling bundle immediately stilled, her panic evident. "Relax, okay? I didn't mean to scare ya. You scared me! I didn't even think you were, uh… alive."
Scout winced inwardly. Way to go, dumbass. That's really comforting. He knelt at the table's height, his tone softening. "Alright, listen. I'm gonna get you outta there, but no more screamin', okay? Just gimme a sign if you get me."
The bump under the blanket shifted slightly before a tiny hand peeked out, weakly giving a thumbs-up. Scout blinked, then realized. Of course, she understands me. She's a tiny human, not a damn bug. Shaking his head at his obliviousness, he carefully grasped one corner of the blanket and began lifting it, slow and steady.
When the blanket was removed, Scout finally got a good look at Stephanie. She was curled into a tight ball, her hands covering her head and her tail protecting her legs. She was trembling, and her tiny frame radiated fear.
"Oh shit, she's terrified of me," Scout muttered, chewing his thumbnail nervously. What do I even do? How do you calm someone barely the size of Engie's palm?
"Scout?" a voice called from the doorway. Scout jumped, quickly turning to see Medic entering the room. The doctor raised a brow, his gaze sharp and questioning. "What are you doing here?"
"Nothin'!" Scout blurted, standing up too quickly. "I was just, uh, lookin' for bandages! Yeah, scratched myself up runnin' again."
Medic's unimpressed expression said it all. He stepped closer, his keen eyes catching Scout's nervous sweat and darting gaze. "You are lying, Herr Scout."
Scout groaned as the Medic brushed past him toward the table. The doctor froze when he saw the borrower. She had retreated under the blanket, her trembling form visible beneath it.
"Oh mein Gott," Medic murmured, kneeling to the table's height. He spoke softly, his voice filled with genuine surprise. "She is alive."
Scout grabbed Medic by the strap of his coat, pulling him back. "Doc, you're not gonna, y'know, do anything to her, right?"
"Nein," Medic replied calmly, prying Scout's hand off his coat. "She is far too small and fragile. And, might I remind you, she is a civilian. I do not harm civilians unnecessarily."
Scout crossed his arms, still skeptical. "Yeah? What about that guy whose whole skeleton you took out?"
"That was a patient, and it was a professional experiment," Medic said sharply, his patience waning.
"Yeah, well, she's your patient now, so—" Scout's argument was cut off as both men noticed the borrower had disappeared from view. Their eyes swept the table until they landed on her trembling figure, huddled under the blanket with her tail poking out slightly.
Medic sighed, his gaze softening. "She is frightened. We must calm her down before doing anything else."
"Yeah, easier said than done," Scout muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Medic knelt again, his hands resting lightly on the table's edge. "Fraulein," he said gently, his tone calm and reassuring. "We are not here to hurt you. You are safe now."
The borrower didn't respond, her small frame still trembling beneath the blanket. Medic glanced at Scout before pulling back slightly, giving her space.
"Okay, so she's alive," Scout said, crossing his arms over his chest. "What does that mean for us?"
"It means you go inform the others," the Medic replied, calm but firm. His sharp gaze flicked toward the trembling blanket, which shifted slightly in response to his words. "I will stay here to ensure she recovers fully."
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Scout muttered, nodding. He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "Y'know, Solly's gonna call a meeting as soon as he hears about this, right? He's gonna want answers and fast."
"Ja, I am well aware of how 'efficient' he can be," Medic said dryly, waving a dismissive hand. "You should go before his impatience leads to another speech about discipline."
Scout gave a short laugh before turning on his heel. "Alright, I'm on it." With that, he jogged out of the medic bay, the door clicking shut behind him.
The Medic sighed, muttering in German, as he turned back to the small figure on the table. Carefully, he lifted the edge of the miniature blanket the Tailor had provided, revealing the borrower underneath. She flinched at the movement, her wide eyes locking on his as her body stiffened.
"Ah, there you are," Medic said softly, his tone lowering to reassure her. He reached out gently, his fingers brushing against her arm. She froze entirely as if bracing for pain or hostility. "No need to be afraid. I'm just checking my patient for signs of hypothermia."
The word "patient" seemed to give her pause. She looked up at him hesitantly, her tail coiling tightly around her legs. The Medic continued his examination, placing two fingers on her forehead to check her temperature. His movements were deliberate and precise, mindful of her small size.
"Gut, gut," Medic murmured, withdrawing his hand momentarily. "No fever. That's a relief." His eyes lingered on her momentarily, curiosity flickering in his expression. "To see someone so small… it is fascinating."
The borrower remained silent, her trembling beginning to subside. Medic's fingers gently curled around her back, and she flinched again, instinctively pressing into herself. "Hmm," he murmured as he carefully examined her. "No irregular breathing, circulation seems stable, and body temperature regulation appears normal. Remarkable."
His voice was calm, almost clinical, though he softened it when he noticed her nervousness. She watched him cautiously, her small hands gripping the edge of the blanket as if it were a shield.
The door to the medic bay creaked open, breaking the moment. Scout popped his head in, looking slightly sheepish. "Uh, Doc? Solly wants you to bring her to the meeting room."
Medic sighed heavily, turning his head toward Scout. "Now?"
Scout nodded. "Yep. Said he's not gonna wait."
Exhaling sharply, Medic muttered something in German before looking back at the borrower. Her fearful eyes met his, and he paused, softening his expression. "Do not worry," he reassured her gently. "Everyone will listen. They will understand once you explain." He tilted his head slightly. "You can speak, ja?"
The borrower nodded slowly, answering the Medic's question as she adjusted from where she was while staring up at her. Her body resumed trembling as her tail tightened its grip around her body.
"Gut, gut," Medic replied with a slight nod of approval. He cupped his hands slowly, careful not to startle her further. "Now, let us go."
As his hands closed gently around her, the borrower let out a startled squeak, shrinking further into herself. The Medic froze momentarily, glancing at her with a rare flicker of empathy. "I will not harm you," he said softly. "You are safe."
With careful precision, Medic lifted her from the table, cradling her securely as he made his way out of the medic bay toward the meeting room.
Stephanie trembled, her arms wrapped tightly around her tail as she felt uneasy being held in someone's palms. The fear of being dropped loomed in her mind—nothing could brace her if the Medic's hands faltered. Her sharp, wary eyes darted to his face, studying the doctor with a reputation for using questionable methods. She had no idea if she could trust him.
Scout trailed behind, his footsteps echoing faintly in the corridor as the trio moved through the new base. The walls were smooth, pristine, and unblemished by the wear and tear she had come to expect. There were no holes or hidden paths between them that might allow her to escape. This realization tightened the knot of anxiety in her stomach.
Someone must have found me after I fell, Stephanie thought, gripping her tail harder. That dove dropped me, and now I'm here. Her mind churned with questions and unease as her surroundings reinforced her lack of control. There are no escape routes. No place to hide. Nowhere to run if they decide I'm a threat.
The faint murmur of voices ahead snapped her from her spiraling thoughts. The Medic pushed open a door, and the chattering voices grew louder, more distinct. Stephanie's heart sank like a stone in her chest. She twisted slightly in the Medic's palms, her gaze flickering over her shoulder. Her breath caught as she saw the rest of the RED team gathered around a large table. Their voices trailed off mid-sentence as they turned to face the doorway, watching the Medic enter with the Scout following behind.
"There you are!" a booming voice rang out, breaking the silence. The Soldier stood abruptly, his commanding presence filling the room. "What the hell took you two so long?"
"Doc was carryin' her!" Scout shot back quickly, nodding toward Stephanie, though he avoided looking directly at her. "And I was followin' behind him in his pace."
The Medic glided toward the table, exuding calm like a serene lake as he carried her in the palms of his hands, being careful with his small passenger. In stark contrast, a tempest brewed within Stephanie, churning with a cocktail of emotions. Heavy, ever the gentleman, pulled a chair out for Medic.
"Danke, Heavy," Medic said, offering a curt nod as he settled into the seat. Stephanie's heart pounded in her chest, her small frame trembling harder as she felt the Medic's hands shifting toward the table. His fingers uncurled slowly, releasing her onto the cold, smooth surface.
As soon as her feet touched the table, Stephanie's eyes darted upward, her breath catching in her throat. Every single pair of eyes in the room was locked onto her. The weight of their collective gaze was suffocating, pressing down on her like a physical force. She scrambled to her feet, her tail instinctively curling between her legs as she hugged herself tightly. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, each breath sharp and shallow as she fought the overwhelming urge to flee.
The silence stretched, unbearably heavy, as the team processed the sight of her. Stephanie's mind raced with self-blame and fear. This is my fault. I should've been more careful. I shouldn't have let myself be seen. I'm trapped and don't know what they will do with me.
Scout shifted uncomfortably in his seat, breaking the silence with a muttered, "Uh, she's, uh, real small, huh?" His voice cracked slightly, betraying his nervousness.
"Such tiny woman," Heavy rumbled softly, his deep voice carrying a note of awe. He leaned forward slightly, his massive frame casting a shadow over Stephanie, who shrank further in response.
Pyro let out a muffled squeal of excitement, clapping their gloved hands together as they leaned closer. The lenses of their mask reflected the light, making it impossible to read their expression, but their curiosity was evident.
Medic's voice cut through the tension like a scalpel. "Calm yourselves," he said firmly, his eyes briefly scanning the room before returning to Stephanie. "You are scaring her."
Stephanie's knees wobbled, her body trembling as she tried to steady herself. Her mind screamed for her to run, to hide, but there was nowhere to go. The vast expanse of the table felt like an open field, and the giants surrounding her loomed like mountains. She curled her arms tighter around herself, her tail trembling like her legs.
The Medic leaned forward, his tone softening as he addressed her. "You are safe, Fraulein," he said gently, his sharp eyes momentarily warm. "Nobody here will harm you."
Stephanie's gaze flicked toward him briefly before darting back to the others. Heavy's kind but imposing stare, Pyro's unreadable fascination, Soldier's rigid posture—it was too much. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as her breathing quickened again. The fear was too overwhelming, too immediate.
"Doc, you sure about this?" Scout's voice cut in, his tone hesitant. "She looks like she's about to pass out."
"Give her time," Medic replied, calm but resolute. He turned his attention back to Stephanie, his movements deliberate and slow. "Fraulein, you do not need to be afraid. Take a deep breath."
Stephanie tried to follow his instructions, but her breaths were shallow and ragged. She hugged tighter, her knuckles white as her tail wrapped around her left leg, and the room blurred. All she could do was hope that her fear wouldn't get the best of her and that these giants truly meant no harm.
Stephanie scanned her surroundings, feeling uneasy, as she hugged her tail tightly against her chest. The RED team's collective gaze bore down on her, their expressions ranging from curiosity to suspicion. The Soldier broke the silence, his commanding voice cutting through the tension.
"Alright, borrower," he said, leaning slightly toward her. "What were you doing in the previous RED base?"
Stephanie flinched at the directness of the question, her words tumbling out in a nervous rush. "I—I was isekai'd here!" she blurted, her cheeks flushing when confusion swept across their faces. She quickly corrected herself. "I mean… I was killed in an accident and somehow ended up here after my death."
"Wait, hold up," Scout interrupted, his voice rising. "You're a ghost?!"
"No, no, I'm not a ghost!" Stephanie exclaimed, shaking her head emphatically. "I'm human." Her gaze flicked downward to her tail and hands, her voice softening uncertainly. "…Or at least, I think I am."
"When exactly did this happen?" Sniper asked, his brow furrowed as he leaned forward slightly.
"A few weeks ago," Stephanie replied. "I woke up in… I think it was called the respawn room?"
The Medic perked up at her words. "So, you were revived in some manner?" His sharp gaze intensified as he spoke, revealing his scientific curiosity.
Engineer crossed his arms and shook his head. "If the respawn machine revived her, she would be in the database," he countered. "But she's not. I checked everything in the system just last week."
Stephanie tilted her head, curiosity overtaking her nervousness for a moment. "Wait, the respawn works through… a database?" she asked cautiously.
"That's correct," the Engineer replied with a nod. "It's highly classified information."
Stephanie's face paled at the word classified. "So… this meeting is because I've been around things I wasn't supposed to see?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Exactly," Soldier confirmed with a nod, his stern gaze unwavering. "We don't take kindly to intrusions—intentional or not."
"I wasn't trying to intrude!" Stephanie stammered, her voice shaking. "I was thrown into this world with no warning. I didn't know what to do! I'm three inches tall—how else was I supposed to survive except by hiding in the walls?"
The Civilian leaned forward slightly, his tone calm yet firm. "Surviving isn't a crime, Ms. Allen. We don't harm civilians without cause."
Stephanie's shoulders eased slightly, though she remained cautious. "I swear I only focused on survival," she said earnestly. "I overheard things, yes, but I never deliberately eavesdropped on anything… classified." She gestured vaguely with her hands, her words trailing off.
"Alright, fair point," Scout muttered, scratching his head. "She's been through enough without us grilling her."
"Still," Soldier said, leaning closer. "You're sure you didn't learn anything critical? Anything about our operations, the machine, or other teams?"
"No," Stephanie replied quickly, shaking her head. "I didn't focus on that. I just—" She hesitated, her voice wavering. "I just tried to stay alive."
The Soldier straightened, considering her words, as Heavy spoke up. "Little girl survived. She deserves safety," he rumbled. "But BLU, YLW, and GRN cannot be trusted. They would exploit her."
"True," the Engineer agreed. "We've dealt with too many spies and medics from those teams poking around. They'd be relentless if they caught wind of her existence."
Stephanie hesitated, the weight of their words sinking in. "Does that mean I'd… have to stay here?" she asked cautiously, her tail twitching nervously. "What if someone decides I'm a liability? Would you… lock me away or—?"
"Nyet," Heavy interrupted gently, his deep voice reassuring. "You are safe here. We do not harm those under our protection."
"We'll make sure no one lays a hand on you," the Tailor added, his voice firm. "But in return, we need your word that anything you've seen or heard stays between us. This is not information that can leave our base."
Stephanie swallowed hard, her gaze darting between the team members. The idea of trusting mercenaries—people who fought daily in violent battles—felt risky. But the alternative was far worse. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet their gazes.
"I promise," she said firmly. "I won't share anything classified."
The Soldier nodded in approval. "Good. Now, let's start with introductions. What's your name?"
"Stephanie," she replied softly. "Stephanie Allen."
"That doesn't sound like a borrower name," Scout remarked, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Are you sure you're not just—?"
"I'm not a borrower," Stephanie interrupted, gesturing toward her tail. "I know I look like one, but I'm human. I think I've been… shrunken."
Her words caused an uproar. Voices overlapped as the team reacted to her revelation.
"No way!" Scout exclaimed, his hands flying to his head.
"Ah, that explains her garments," Medic murmured, adjusting his glasses as his mind worked quickly.
"Bloody hell," Sniper muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
Stephanie raised her voice slightly to cut through the commotion. "I know this is surprising, but I have a bigger question: How do I return to normal size?" Her eyes scanned the room, silently pleading for answers.
"We'll figure it out," Medic replied confidently. "There are many possibilities to explore. But for now, you'll stay here at the RED base, out of sight from visitors or other team members."
Stephanie nodded hesitantly, brushing stray strands of hair from her face as she asked, "What are your names?"
The team began to introduce themselves one by one:
"Jeremy," said Scout.
"Soldier," the Soldier barked proudly.
The Pyro tilted their head and let out a muffled noise, prompting a shrug from Medic. "Pyro prefers to remain mysterious," he said with a slight smile.
"Tavish DeGroot," said the Demoman.
"Mikhail," rumbled Heavy.
"Dell Conagher," said Engineer, tipping his hard hat slightly.
"Dr. Herbert Ludwig," Medic said with a slight nod.
"Mick Mundy," added Sniper with a casual wave.
"Classified," the Spy said with a smirk, taking a drag of his cigarette.
"George Harringson," the Civilian said formally, gesturing to the two bodyguards beside him. "These two are simply my bodyguards."
"Nathaniel Sikandar," the Tailor said, though his voice was hesitant.
"And I'm Sean MacCarrick," the Janitor added cheerfully.
Stephanie exhaled slowly, her tension easing slightly as she looked at the group. "It's… nice to meet you all," she said, her voice soft but genuine. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress as she added quietly, "Maybe… you're not so bad after all."
The team exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of amusement and curiosity. For the first time, a tentative bridge of trust formed between them.