Chapter 7: Heartbreak

*Flashback*

Ark stood up, stretching with a groan as his joints popped and creaked in protest. He had officially been cleared from the infirmary a week ago, and was struggling to keep his place on the leader board. At the moment, Arkansas was number 11 on the board, right under Arizona. There had been a sense of paranoia about the Mother of Invention ever since the mysterious Agent Texas had arrived. Carolina had seemed more on edge than usual since Texas bumped her down to the Number 2 Freelancer.

"Ark, what are you doing…?" Came Zona's sleepy voice, startling Ark. He had thought she was asleep still.

He turned to face her; she was still lying under the covers on his bed, blond hair splayed out around her. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you." Ark whispered, walking over to sit on the bed beside her.

'Zona rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, sitting up to face him. Grabbing the covers, she pulled it up to cover herself for modesty's sake. "Yeah well… Couldn't sleep again?" She questioned.

Ark nodded slowly. "I was gonna go for a quick jog around the ship, so I could get some rest when I'm back." He glanced over at the digital clock on his wall, which read 3:42AM.

"If you say so…" 'Zona grumbled, turning over and pulling the covers over her head.

Smiling, Ark stood back up and left the room as quietly as possible. Thank God she didn't ask why I couldn't sleep. He thought as the door hissed shut behind him, before beginning to jog in the direction of the mess hall.

By the time he reached the mess hall, his lungs burned and he was breathing heavily. Guess I misjudged the distance a little… Ark thought with a groan, as he sat down at the first empty table he could find. Looking around, he saw that the usual night shift crew was gone. The only one in the room with him was another Freelancer, a woman in light tan and teal armor.

As soon as he had sat down, he saw her whirl around with a surprised look on her face, as though she hadn't been expecting anyone. But in an instant, she grinned and grabbed her helmet off the table, running over to join Ark at his table. Smiling, she spoke. "Hey there, what's your name? I'm new here. I just arrived and got my armor, pretty cool right?" She spoke rapidly, nearly overwhelming Arkansas instantly.

Holding up his hands, Ark motioned for her to slow down with a laugh. "Name's Arkansas, I'm number 11 on the leader board." Nodding, he replied. "Oh yeah, I've been here for a year and I still think the armor's freakin amazing!"

The new Freelancer had a kind face. She had grey eyes and was a brunette, with her hair set into a ponytail like Carolina often did. "Oh sorry, my name's California." She chattered on, "I was looking for the Director's office to report in, but I couldn't find him. One of the crew guys said I should wait here for another Freelancer to show me his office. It sucks that I had to beat it out of him though." She smiled, although now Ark could see an evil glean in her eyes.

Ah, hence why the night crew is gone. I'll have to keep an eye on her… Ark let out a forced laugh before standing up. "Well California, I'm assuming you still need directions to the Director's Office?"

"Just call me Cali, sounds more fun than California" She stuck out her tongue as if to prove her point, before laughing and standing up and hefting her helmet under her arm. "Could you please?"

Spinning around to face the mess hall's exit, Ark shot back, "If you can keep up!" before he sprinted out and towards the Director's Office.

Eyes widening in indignation, Cali shouted, "Cheater!" before starting pursuit of him.

About 5 minutes later, Ark stood panting by the door to the Director's Office. It had taken everything to be able to keep ahead of Cali in her MJOLNIR armor, whereas he only had on a black hoodie and jeans, with track shoes on. "Well, here we are…" He gasped out.

Smiling widely at Ark, Cali quickly launched at him with a hug, trapping him. "Thank you!" She smiled.

Ark half-faked a choking noise, as she nearly crushed him with her armored embrace. "No…Problem…" He choked out, before Cali let go, realizing her mistake.

"Whoops, sorry. Still getting used to the armor and all that… I'll see you around! Bye!" She spoke, before the doors slid open and she walked through. As soon as she passed through the doors they slid shut behind Cali with a hiss.

Shaking his head, Ark turned back to head down the mess hall, only to come face to face with an irritated 'Zona, who also wore a black hoodie, although with black shorts instead. He visibly jumped back in surprise, "'Zona! What… I thought you were sleeping?"

Glaring, Arizona replied, "Well I was, until I decided to go out and keep you company. Wasn't too hard to find the only source of noise in a sleeping ship, but I come and find you with another girl?" She raised an eyebrow, obviously wanting an explanation.

Son of a bitch. Ark cursed inwardly, running his hand through his hair nervously. "I jogged down to the mess hall, and she was there. New Agent apparently, Agent California…" He trailed off, waiting for any reaction.

'Zona gave none, only nodding silently for him to continue.

"So she told me she couldn't find the Director's Office, so she asked me to help her, and I did." He ended lamely.

"Then what was the hug about?" She pressed on, seemingly determined to pin him down with something.

Ark let out a groan, "She hugged me to thank me, are you seriously getting upset over that?"

"Noooo, never." 'Zona replied sarcastically, albeit with a dangerous edge to her voice.

Drawing himself up to his full height, Ark shot back. "Look, I try not to complain about you and North, who is your ex that I KNOW you still care about." His harsh tone was lined with jealousy and pain, not anger.

Although shorter, 'Zona glared daggers right back at Ark. "I fucking told you, I chose you already. Now quit being so fucking paranoid about it!"

"Maybe I would quit being so paranoid about it if you would quit giving me reasons to be!" Ark shouted, all the frustrations he had been holding back for so long beginning to hit the surface. Shit… This is bad, but I don't really give a shit now!

"Y'know what? Do whatever you want, think what you want. I don't care anymore!" 'Zona threw up her hands. "I'm done!" She then turned to stalk off.

Ark wasn't giving up that easily, he quickly strode behind her. "What the hell happened to the 'Zona I know? You never give up! That's the 'Zona I fell in love with, the one who cares. Where did she go?!"

Spinning around to face him, Ark could see that 'Zona had tears running down her face. "Oh yeah, well maybe you don't know me at all then!"

He stopped, and in that moment Ark could feel his entire world shatter with that sentence, he felt something in him crack and snap to pieces. "Maybe I don't. Maybe I never did know you…" He spoke quietly, with a dark air about him.

'Zona spat back at him, "Now you're getting it." Before turning on her heel and walking to her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

It took everything in Ark to stay on his feet. He felt worse than the one time he had gone against Tex in a hand to hand combat session, worse than the time he had been run through by an Elite's energy sword, which had pierced his lung, worse than every physical wound he had ever felt. It took him a moment to realize why. Not only had 'Zona hurt him, but she had taken him with her. He felt the pain of emptiness, of echoes.

Shaking his head, Ark quickly shot off at as fast a pace as his body could maintain towards York's room. No way I can go back to my room after this, not for a while… I hope he's got room to spare.

Knocking on York's door, it opened quickly to reveal York wearing a solemn expression for once. "Couldn't sleep, heard the whole thing." It was the only explanation York offered, opening it wide enough for Ark to step through.

As Ark walked inside, he saw that there was a makeshift bed created on the floor, already set up. He turned to thank York, but he only waved it off with a small smile. "It's no problem man, really."

Unable to leave it unsaid, Ark quietly spoke. "Thank you, really…"

"Ah shut up, just get some rest. It's too early for this crap. Or any crap actually…" York trailed off, sliding back into his own bed.

With a sad smile, Ark laid down on the makeshift bed, knowing sleep wouldn't be coming anytime soon for a long, long time.

*End Flashback*

'Zona grunted as Cali's punch connected with her gut, before returning the favor. Cali easily blocked the sloppy punch however, then swept her leg around and knocking 'Zona unto the ground with a groan. "Best two out of three?" Cali offered pathetically, reaching her hand down to help 'Zona up.

"Sure, whatever." 'Zona spoke tersely, brushing aside Cali's hand before standing up on her own.

Cali just sighed and shook her head, before raising her fists in preparation again. "So what's wrong today?" She questioned.

Launching a harsh offensive, 'Zona leapt into the air and kicked at Cali. One was blocked but the other foot connected with her shoulder, spinning her off balance. "I said nothing!" 'Zona growled, running forwards to totally deck Cali in the head with her fist.

California hit the ground hard with a cry, rolling up to her feet unsteadily. "You keep saying that," she began, "But I'm seeing a different story here." Cali coughed out, preparing herself for the inevitable charge from 'Zona. After a few moments, she looked over to see 'Zona shaking in anger, with tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I didn't…"

Whatever Cali had been about to say was cut off as 'Zona ran out of the room without another word, shoving her way past CT and Wash, who had been deep in conversation up until that.

"Hey!" Wash cried in indignation as he was pushed out of the way and against the wall. CT merely shook her head with a sigh.

"Just leave it, Wash…" 'Zona heard CT mutter, before she ran past them both and slammed the door to her room.

She sat on the edge of her bed, tears rolling down her face. Why did you have to make such a big deal out of it…? Zona thought with a mix of anger and sadness, gripping her pillow and throwing it with all her strength against the wall. Although she was wearing a tank top and not armor, it still made an audible slam as it hit the metal plating.

Look who decided to grace us with his presence again! I probably just miss spelled that, but whatev's. After being gone for... Ehhh a long enough time, Captain Flowers is back with chapters 7, 8, and possibly 9!