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Chapter Text

Elina was busy concocting more napalm for herself, no one but herself, the ingredients, and some orange juice. It wasn’t a hard thing to do all things considered, though she wished the others weren’t so wasteful with their limited supply of gasoline.

It was no big deal though, plenty of it to go around for a few more months, though the group will have to raid more areas for that, maybe she can enlist her-

“Hey! What you up to?” Elina jumped and spilled some gas on the ground causing her to groan. She turned around to see Cellina tilting her head at her.

“Just making some more napalm, why do you need some?” Cellina shook her head, “No just curious, how do you make it so effective?”

Elina went back picking up the spilled gas and placing the rest inside the pot, “What do you mean? It's as effective as napalm should be, why would it be more effective when we make it?”

Cellina thought for a moment then turned her head to look at Elina’s back tank, “I mean…how does it explode when I shoot your guys’ tanks. Normally the liquid would just…spill out wouldn’t it?”

Elina thought for a moment then shrugged, “How should I know I’m no chemical engineer, I was a paramedic.”

“What so they didn’t tell you how it works?” Cellina questioned worriedly.

Elina looked back at her staring at her through the gas mask, “They did, but I couldn’t wrap my head around how the hell it ignited so well because of a simple fucking ingredient!”

“What do you mean by th-“ Elina quickly took out her pistol and shot the concoction of napalm she was making, nothing happened to it.

Cellina covered her ears not wearing ear protection at the moment, “Oww seriously, did you have to fire a live round to that?!”

“Oh, so what you want me to fire a blank?” Elina said sarcastically, then she picked up a bunch of orange juice and added it to the concoction.

“Not the point, you could have just…set a match on it right?” Cellina questioned before slapping herself in the head, “Right fire and bullets…wait why did you add orange juice?”

Elina pulled Cellina away from her workstation then she shot the concoction again setting the station ablaze immediately.

Cellina admired the fire for a moment, then stared dumbfounded at it, “What the fuck?! It’s the orange juice?!”

Elina sighed looking down in disappointment, “I can’t even explain that myself, because it is so idiotic that it just…why?”

“Wait if that’s all it took, then why don’t you guys remove the orange juice part of the recipe? This only spells disaster for the rest of you guys doesn’t it?!” Cellina stated loudly pointing her hand to the fire which was still burning.

Elina stared at Cellina showing no emotion given that she wore her mask then she slapped herself on the head and groaned loudly, “I joined a faction of idiots…I swear.”

Chapter Text

Caitlin was busy repairing the group’s gear for an upcoming job, Cellina’s shields always took a beating, Layla went through too many drones, Justin’s launcher jams on occasion, Hudson’s decoys flicker in and out of power, and her turrets are always on the fritz.

As a mechanical engineer, it pains her to see such good equipment being so unkempt, seriously no one seems to be maintaining anything these days. So, she decided it would be her job to do it.

As she was repairing a shield, she felt her beanie being taken off suddenly making her turn around to see the perpetrator. “Hey! Give that back will you?!”

Elina tilted her head and questioned Caitlin, “What you up to engi?”

Caitlin groaned, “Don’t call me that…I’m trying to repair everyone’s gear right now, we have a job to do tomorrow and I want to be sure we don’t get killed.”

Caitlin turned back to the shield, “Now please don’t distract me, this is important work.”

Elina grabbed a launcher and then tilted her head, “How does this work?”

Caitlin quickly grabbed the launcher, “That explodes everything, don’t touch any-“ Elina quickly grabbed another then aimed it at a window and shot the launcher exploding what sounded like the Humvee.

Suddenly ISAC came on Caitlin’s watch, “Alert teammate in distress.”

The sound of footsteps can be heard as the door is swung wide open revealing Justin covered in ash and a bit on fire. He stared at the two people angrily.

“Which one of you destroyed the Humvee?!” Elina quickly dropped the launcher and pointed at Caitlin.

Caitlin turned to Elina and then did a double take, “Wha- I didn’t do shit!”

“Engi did it, she was teaching me how your launchers worked and accidentally fired a shot.”

Justin quickly grabbed Caitlin and dragged her out. “Layla I found the perp!”

Caitlin struggled in his hold and yelled, “It wasn’t me it was the fucking Cleaner! I’m being falsely accused!”

Elina stared as the two exited the room, then she looked out the window seeing Cellina on the ground looking more burned, Layla was busy helping her out.

“Yeah…eh I’m sure they’ll be fine.” The group banned Elina from explosives for a week.

Chapter Text

The group found a firing range that was pretty well kept during the apocalypse. They assumed it was either Black Tusk or True Sons who kept them stocked with all the items needed for practice.

Once the group looked over the equipment and deemed it good to go Layla looked to everyone, "Right, since we have the opportunity to do some practicing, I'm ordering all of us to do so."

Cellina raised her hand only for Layla to look at her with a slight glare, "You aren't exempted at all."

"But I've been fighting for years." Cellina whined as she looked at her ACR.

Caitlin giggled as she took out her Vector and looked it over, "And we have been as well, we are agents after all."

Cellina huffed, "Fine, who will be going first though?"

Layla looked to her watch and then took out a dice and rolled it six times. "So it goes Elina, me, Cellina, Hudson, Caitlin, and Justin."

Elina perked up at that, "Why am I a part of this?"

Justin pointed to the Division tech on her, "You are an agent, unofficially. You are no exception either just because you are a Cleaner."

Elina sighed and nodded her head, "Fine fine..."

As the group looked over their gear, Elina turned to Cellina and poked her shoulder, "I'm feeling mischievous...did you grab that Vector from the armory?"

Cellina tilted her head, "Yeah I did, why?"

Elina held her hands out, "Hand it over please."

The agent shrugged and took out the Vector from her bag, Elina then took out the magazine and looked into it, "45 ACP...what caliber does Caitlin use?"

"9mm...why?" Cellina asked curiously and with caution.

Elina grinned under her mask then went over to Caitlin's station and swapped the Vectors, she then went over to Cellina and handed it back.

"...She will kill you if she finds out, which she will." Cellina warned as she placed the Vector back into her bag.

"But it is going to be fun." Elina said with a giggle, "Plus...you aren't stopping me."

Cellina sighed, "I had no part in the murder that will happen."

As the group returned, each of the agents took their turn, Hudson and Layla were pretty accurate as was expected, Cellina did above average, and Elina did somewhat below average which could be explained by the fact that she was wearing her gas mask.

"Will you ever take off your gas mask?" Layla asked curiously and disappointingly as she looked down range.

"For you guys never, for Cellina sure." Elina chuckled as she went to Cellina's side.

Caitlin rolled her eyes fondly then went to her station and cocked the SMG. "My turn."

"Good luck." Elina said with a grin under her mask as she stared at Caitlin.

Caitlin turned the gun to full-auto, aimed down range, and fired. What happened next was what the Cleaner described as a spray of lead. Bullets flew out the Vector quickly, a few hit the intended target, but the rest found themselves all over.

The group all stared on in silence, Caitlin placed the SMG down on the table and grabbed a casing. As soon as she picked it up she turned to Elina with a glare she could only describe as multiple knives and bullets had been aimed straight to her heart.

"Elina..." Caitlin said as she walked over to her slowly.

Elina giggled and stared back, "Yes engi?"

Caitlin's fists clenched and she charged at the Cleaner, only to be held back by Cellina. She cursed at Elina who laughed it all off.

"God damn you, you fucking mischievous, sly, and arsonistic fox! I'm going to kill you!" Caitlin yelled.

"That is if you could catch me, and get it right I'm a ferret!" Elina yelled back with a smile under her mask and ran out.

Caitlin broke out of Cellina's hold and chased after her. The group stared at the door for a moment before they all collectively turned to Cellina.

"Your girlfriend is mean." Justin said with a disappointing tone.

"More like insane." Cellina corrected with a heavy sigh as she walked out to stop the two from killing each other.

Chapter Text

Cellina hasn't been able to sleep correctly, or well she can't sleep normally anymore. Likely due to the last few years or so, being asleep alone has made her more anxious as if she would get stabbed in the back, or hit in the head by the axe of a Hunter.

It irked her on how much sleeping alone became an issue. She tried everything to get her to sleep, yet none of them worked without some kind of issue. It's why she took up night time lookout usually, it allowed others to rest and for her to protect them. Daytime sleeping was more manageable, as there were people watching her back, but the anxiety was still present.

Cellina looked at her watch and sighed tiredly, it was too late to go out on a job and too early to go chat with the others. Layla and Justin have been light sleepers, she envied that trait of theirs. Hudson was a heavier sleeper like her, but she doubted he had to deal with Hunters breathing down her back. She remembers Caitlin being in between heavy and light, but the others told her that changed after her 'death.'

Elina was always busy managing her squads in the afternoon and usually fell asleep first before she could ask. Normally they'd fall asleep together, but with the others now with them, Cellina became busier in the evening leaving Elina to fall asleep earlier than her.

She didn't want to bother her at the moment so she started avoiding their shared room in the penthouse in one of Chicago's hotels that they have made as their HQ. Busying herself with monitoring the area to keep them all safe. Of course their own guards could do that for her, but what if a rogue or a Hunter came up, she couldn't risk it.

Just as she was reaching for a coffee, she then saw it get snatched from behind her.

"Watching you slave away on a computer is not something I can get used to Cell." The voice of Caitlin spoke worriedly.

Cellina turned around and sighed, "Hunters, rogues, and all the hostile factions here in Chicago...got to keep the place monitored and all that just in case."

Caitlin then took a sip of the coffee and sat down next to her. Cellina then took it back and took a sip aswell, "...Why are you awake?"

"Couldn't sleep...paranoia and insomnia I think..." Caitlin said as she looked at all the screens.

"My fault...sorry." Cellina which earned a look of worry once again from her.

"...I...can't blame you...because you did what you had to do..." Caitlin said as she leaned on her.

Cellina chuckled bitterly and shook her head, "You should...I mean all those sleepless nights, all those nightmares of me dying, you blaming yourself..."

"Stop giving me...reasons to hate you for that." Caitlin whimpered as she then got off the chair and suddenly sat on Cellina's lap.

"What the...Cait what are..." Cellina tried to pull her away, only to have Caitlin's arms wrap around her neck and lock themselves in place.

"I can't and I don't want to hate you...I missed you so fucking much to even hate you...my partner...my teammate...why should I..." Caitlin sniffled and held onto her tighter.

"Cait..." Cellina leaned on her shoulder and whined softly.

"...Let's sleep...like we used to..." Caitlin said as she pulled away and carassed Cellina's cheek.

"...Elina is going to be...unhappy..." Cellina said cautiously, only to hear a hum from behind.

"Maybe I will, but honestly you need this." Elina said, her voice muffled by the gas mask she wore.

Cellina and Caitlin turned, but didn't pull away. Cellina tried to come up with a reason, only to feel Elina's forehead hitting hers. 

"You two are needy and hurty, I've had you for years, might be time for you two to make up for lost time." Elina said as she patted the two agents.

"...I don't deserve you two..." Cellina said tiredly as she felt her eyes close.

"You deserve more." Elina said as she looked to Caitlin.

"And you...are getting more..." Caitlin said as she rubbed the back of Cellina's head making her sleepy.

Cellina sighed as her body relaxed, she may not be able to sleep normally anymore, but what she has now, maybe its for the better.

Chapter Text

As they made their way to Cellina and Elina's shared room, Caitlin couldn't help but feel envious about them. Together for two years, she wondered what they did together, how far did they go in terms of their...relationship.

Two years without her partner felt painful, at least at the beginning. Yet here she is alive and...not very well, but maybe healing. Through recordings Elina showed her, Cellina became hardened, brutal, and merciless, but when it came to non-rogue agents, she was still the same merciful, but regretful agent she knew.

Cellina was still Cellina, just...damaged. She hated how tireless she still is, because she always pushed herself to the brink. But she couldn't hate that trait much either, because she always did it for the people she cared for, from her faction of Cleaners, to individual agents like Elina and herself.

She wished she had been there to help, she wanted to repay her for all the things she did during their time in New York. She wanted to become the partner she could rely on properly. Cellina always protected her...she wished she could do the same to her more.

At least Elina was there for her, Caitlin should be happy about someone watching over her partner. Yet she feels envious, she doesn't want to say it though, she'll deal with that when she is good to go.

Her thoughta were interrupted by Cellina moving closer to her. Caitlin smiled and gently patted her on the head, a sigh of content came out of Cellina's lips as she did so.

"Been a bit since I saw her get some proper rest. Ever since we got back here she has been pulling all-nighters nonstop to keep us safe." Elina said as she sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Heh...always the protective agent, the sacrificial lamb of our group...or dog?" Caitlin wondered aloud as she hugged her partner by the neck.

"She calls herself dog, some of the other guys say dog as well. But either way, protective agent...maybe finally less suicidal as well with you guys here." Elina said sadly as she gently rubbed her arm.

"Less suicidal?" Caitlin asked worriedly.

"You saw the vids of her charging and fighting like there was no tomorrow righr?" Elina asked which Caitlin nodded to. "Those were all during her solo jobs."

"Solo..." Caitlin's eyes were suddenly filled with even more worry.

"Most of our missions were done separately, of course we always had eyes on each other, Keener made sure of that. We could see through live feeds on our situation...ANNA also gave us, for lack of a better term, diagnostics of our person." Elina explained as she looked down on her red watch.

"Cellina always took the harder jobs, I always tried to stick with her as much as I can...but she always had me stick with our squad of agents." Elina then made a holographic image of the city. Many tall buildings were highlighted and images of what she assumed was leaders of each of the factions here in Chicago.

"Those jobs being, leader assassinations, sabotage, and just general clearing of high-risk areas." Elina said as she then looked out the window, multiple skyscrapers were in disrepair, some of them even had chunks missing due to firefights which led to the bitter ends of multiple people.

Caitlin then sat up and went over to Elina. The Cleaner continued, "She handled it pretty well...but she came back pretty injured as well...I usually tasked myself to get her back in one piece."

"You did pretty well at that, she is still whole." Caitlin nodded to Cellina, smiling in relief at her partner.

"...Not enough." Elina said as she clenched her fists.

"She always came back somewhat injured and I couldn't do anything about it. I made sure to patch her up everyday...and it kept adding up." Elina hissed at herself.

"It led to...an incident that we had. A Hunter had stumbled into our HQ and started killing everyone...Cellina ran in to save as many as she can, but when we tried to follow, a group of agents came at a bad time." Elina then went to her bag, which was placed alongside their bags, and reached into a pocket, taking out multiple watches.

"We took them out and then ran into the HQ to assist her...when we arrived though, the Hunter had struck her in the leg with the axe and was just about to execute her." Elina then removed her mask and set it down on a bedside drawer.

"The Hunter spotted us...and immediately came to us...we were outmatched heavily. We were doing our best, but the Hunter did better. One by one we fell, until it was just me and the Hunter." Elina then took out the Hunter's mask, a pair of goggles were strapped onto the eye sockets, and the entire mask had white knives raining down.

Caitlin's eyes widened and she looked to Elina then to the mask in horror and fear. "How did...how did you get out alive?"

"I almost didn't...I was stabbed in the leg, the side, and the chest, all those hits were non-lethal areas as well...the Hunter was sadistic and was practically toying with me." Elina hugged herself tighter and sighed shakily.

"Just before he could kill me...Cellina got back up and fought the Hunter." Elina sat down on the seat.

Caitlin knelt down in front of her and gently held onto her hands. "You...don't have to say any more."

Elina shook her head, "Have to finish the story...the Hunter would not relent, but Cellina...she went berserk, every stab and shot she got hit by, she brushed it off and fought the Hunter. ANNA warned us about Cellina's state, she would die if the fight lasted any longer..."

Elina sighed shakily in relief, "At the end, the Hunter took out a pistol and tried to shoot her in the head...she got to her feet, redirected the pistol up to the ceiling, and then to the Hunter...pulling the trigger and shooting the Hunter in the neck."

"She had done it...but she was in critical condition, the adrenaline numbed everything for her...but she fell shortly after." Elina laughed bitterly as tears come out and landed on Caitlin's hands.

"I was powerless...she had fought near to her death and won...but she nearly payed for it with her life...and I only lasted a minute...I'm not like you guys..." Elina said as she leaned back.

"...She...what happened after that?" Caitlin cautiously asked.

"We got her to our medical wing and did everything we can...we managed to make sure she didn't die...but she was out for a few days give or take." Elina finished and sighed shakily. "It was some of the most heartwrenching time of my life...I could never leave her side ever again after that...unless Keener told us to." Elina finished with a venomous hiss at the name.

Once Caitlin took in all the information she realized...how much she and Elina related to one another when it came to Caitlin...the powerlessness, the worry, the desire to protect...their partner...it hurt her, because of how much they relate.

Caitlin then leaned into Elina and hugged her close, her hand going to the back of her head and rubbing it, "...Sacrificial lamb...she hates people getting hurt...people she values the most. We know that better than anyone...because she has always been like that."

Elina nodded and hugged Caitlin by the neck, "...Whenever she gets injured, she looks back at you guys...she missed you guys heavily...I'm there for her, but she needs more...I'm glad we got you guys for her..."

Caitlin smiled softly as she felt her own tears flow down, "I'm...glad as well..."

The two hugged for awhile, until they heard shuffling from the bed. They turned to see Cellina staring at them, sleep still affecting her.

"Why are...you guys still up?" Cellina asked.

"Just catching up on stuff Cell...we'll join you in a sec." Elina said as she pulled away from Caitlin.

"...Your mask is off." Cellina noticed as she sat up slowly.

Elina blinked and nodded, "Yeah...yeah it is."

"...I like seeing your face...but sleep...come on you two..." Cellina raised her arms to the two others.

The two agents smiled fondly and got off the chair, they then wrapped themselves around Cellina, Caitlin in the front and Elina on her back.

"We got you Cell...just sleep and we'll handle the rest." Caitlin said as she leaned on her shoulder.

"Mmm...alright." Cellina said and yawned, she then got closer to Caitlin and fell asleep. Elina yawned as well and got closer to Cellina, falling asleep as well.

Caitlin sighed softly at the two, no one is the same as before, people were hurting. At the very least though, they are here for each other, and right now, she wishes to be closer.

Chapter Text

A museum wasn't something Elina had on her bucket list to see. Art was something she didn't fully understand, all the meanings, the way it was made, the inspiration, it felt odd for something to be so significant. Architecture felt even more odd, why would you need to make something look good instead of something more practical.

Chicago had nice music, Cellina brought her some music for them to listen to in their free time or when they trained on all her fallings as an agent. This wasn't one of those occasions though, the two agents needed to clear the museum from the faction who call themselves 'The Artists.'

"I don't get the Artists, they hold up in museums, music areas, and art galleries, use paintball guns, and spray paint...how could they be so fucking dangerous?" Elina asked her partner as they looked through the bodies of one of the Artists' members.

"Their creativity and the general psychoticness of their members. No one suspects it, but their spray paints are flammable and also corrosive. The paintballs are also coated in corrosive materials which can cause severe damage to people. With that in mind, since no one is rocking full clothing, like us, it is surprisingly effective." Cellina explained as she picked up a paintball gun, she then took a paintball and had ANNA examine it.

"And their music?" Elina asks as she picked up a speaker which had a cellphone connected to it.

"Modified to play high-pitched sounds, extremely loud noises, or music aimed to overstimulate the brain...I don't know how it works either, but even our tech can't protect us from it." Cellina sighed as she then took off noise-cancelling headphones from one of the corpses.

"Creative bunch...at least more creative than the other two." Elina said as she stood up and walked around the museum, the area now filled with spray painted walls, scorch marks, and bodies spray painted with different colors.

"And fitting for people from my city...wished that wasn't the case though." Cellina said sadly as she went and followed Elina.

Elina then turned and tilted her head, "You grew up here yeah? Did you ever take interest in the arts?"

Cellina laughed and shook her head, "Art isn't my thing, I don't hate it, but I like fieldwork and such. My friends in high school did however, they created some nice art."

"Huh...thought an agent like you would be an outcast." Elina said with a chuckle as she cooked a spray can down the hall.

"I take offense to that, not every person who wanted to be an agent was an outcast." Cellina said with a pout.

"I know...do you think any of them were part of this group?" Elina asked curiously.

Cellina shook her head and pinged, scanning the area for traps or other hostile targets. "Nope, they moved away from here before things hit the fan."

Elina nodded and continued to look around. She noticed more and more painted bodies as they went deeper into the museum. Psychotic was right, not even the Cleaners would be this...cruel or edgy.

"Psychos indeed...we should burn the bodies...the paint may be toxic as well and the inner Cleaner in me demands we do just that." Elina suggested as she kicked over a body.

"Let's call the guys over then, keep the masks on tight. Besides, this place seems clean of hostiles, we'll set this place up as a forward outpost." Cellina said as they made their way to the exit.

Elina turned back to the paintings and statues, some had crudely written words on them which she couldn't understand at the moment. "When we finish cleaning up your city, we should come back here and appreciate the arts."

Cellina tilted her head confused, "Never took you to be an art person."

Elina nodded her head, "I'm not...but Chicago is a city of arts, best we appreciate all that is left...plus I want to learn more of your home...this is the place you grew up in, might as well take in the sights with you while you tell me more about your time and life here."

Cellina smiled and nodded, "I appreciate the thought...now let's go, we still have a few more areas to clear out."

The two agents left the museum, Elina looked back and sighed softly. Things are pretty bad here, but at the very least, there is something she can look forward to.

Chapter Text

Elina can hear a faint buzz coming from her new watch. It was odd to see herself wearing tech that she needed the privilege, and yet here she is adorned with the markings of a Division agent. She was opposed to this, she now had a larger target on her back, yet Keener had convinced her to do it ever since the skirmish over by Kips Bay.

Elina clenched her fists in anger as she thought back to the operation, the many lives lost, the lives of her men, and friends alike. Some more precious than others.

A click brought her out of her thoughts as Keener closed the case that used to contain all her tech. She then took a look at her new backpack, seeing two turrets, small balls, and two drones all over the pack. She got to pack all her medical equipment and a few tanks of napalm that she made.

"Admiring your new gear agent? Unfortunately I do not have any more launchers or healing canisters, you'll have to scavenge for those with the rest of your squad." Keener said as he looked back at her from the doorway.

Elina glared at him through her mask, "My squad? I have my men to take care of, why stick me with a squad that would steal me away from them?"

Keener shrugged his own mask covering his mouth, "You aren't the leader, you are just a medic."

"Exactly, I'm a medic why pair me up with other rogues. Hell tell me why exactly I'm listening to you after the mess that was over at Kips Bay?" Elina growled angrily as she put on her bag and holstered her new flamethrower, which was also provided by Keener.

"You want power, to take revenge on those who wronged you righr? You'll kill then all, except me because I intend to win it all." Keener declared smugly as he walked out the room with Elina following closely.

"And why can't I kill you? You practically devastated Cellina's squad, you killed her in front of everyone like it was a god damn show!" Elina yelled as she followed him. "You dickhead, you and your fucking show of power...do you have any fucking regret?"

Keener stopped and looked to her, "Hmm I think not, though that doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things does it?"

"Bullshit...you are fucking lucky I can't bring her squad into this, otherwise you'd be dead." Elina threatened and continued following him once he continued walking.

"Maybe I would be, but there is much to do...now you said you were heading to Chicago correct? I would suggest heading to Brooklyn instead, you could do some proper change." Keener suggested which was met with another glare from the Cleaner.

"...It's where Cellina was and I want to at least get that place cleaned up for her. If the others weren't forced to head to South Carolina I would have gladly joined them." Elina said sadly as she looked at Ember Sentinal, the revolver's original owner now left burning back at Kips Bay.

"Hmm...I respect that, though I don't know if you'll be holding onto that gun for long." Keener then stopped by the door and opened it.

"Why? If you plan on taking it as a trophy you'll have to pry it off my dead hands." Elina declared.

"I'd...rather not kill a friend for that..."

Elina stopped moving and turned to the voice, her eyes widenning at the sight of who it was.

"Especially since I'm lacking in gear right now..." Cellina said as she went over to Elina, her watch and backpack noticeably missing.

"...Are you real?" Elina asked as she then reached for hand and grabbed it, the warmth of her hand proved that she isn't a ghost, but a live person.

Cellina gave Elina a small smile and pulled her into a hug. Elina froze at the contact, her thoughts slowing down to a crawl. Cellina was alive and here...she was alive.

"Real enough for you Elina?" Cellina said slowly.

"...How are you...we saw Keener kill you!" Elina yelled in shock.

"...Keener had a plan...and I had to follow it to the letter. Theo made my death pretty convincing." Cellina said as she recalled the plan.

"He did, good kid too, he'll be joining you two for Chicago." Keener said.

Cellina tilted her head and was about to ask, only to be inferrupted by Elina. "You two...planned this death?"

Cellina froze, then nodded grimly. "Keener needs someone to act as a ghost, dead people don't come back so...he chose me."

"Why?! Aren't you essentially abandoning your team?! You have to tell them about this, at least about this!" Elina ordered as she grabbed Cellina by the collar of her jacket.

"I...can't..." The agent said sadly.

"Why...you put her up to this didn't you?" Elina said as she looked to Keener who gave her a small nod.

"I did, but for a good reason." Keener said as he walked to them.

"A good reason better be an excellent fucking reason Keener!" Elina yelled and then felt arms wrapped around her neck.

"The government is inherently corrupt, that much is a given. But there is something more to it...to us agents." Keener then looks to Cellina and continues.

"When you look in the Dark Zone, when you look all over Manhattan, what do you see? Death and ruin, that is all you ever see. The slaughter of every person in the city...and it only adds up." Keener walked to a window.

"What makes you any different? You killed innocent people, you murdered agents." Elina spat back at him.

"And other agents killed many more...tell me, how many kills does Cellina have, how many does her squad have? Many, and there will be many more in the defense of 'what remains.'" Keener countered.

Elina looked at him and stared, her anger dissipating slowly, as Keener continued. "All those deaths for what? To save a dead city? No...its for the top brass to continue livng while we die for them in droves."

"You can't seriously think that? New York and its people-" Elina tried to argue, but as interrupted again.

"Are struggling to survive because of the incompetence of the JTF...the same incompetence thst killed your team." Keener said as he then walked around the two other people in the room.

"If they were fine with leaving us behind, why should we still follow them? Why should we continue to fight for people who will throw us away?" Keener asked rhetorically.

Cellina's arms tightened around Elina, Elina assumed she was getting uncomfortable so she gently nuzzled into her to comfort her.

"This has stopped being about a fight to retake land lost, this is about survival, and the top brass in the government are living high and mighty, while we struggle down below them. Why should we follow their rules if they don't play fair? Why should we have to pay for their incompetence? Tell me this...who has earned the right to tell us what to do?" Keener asked.

"...No one..." Cellina said making Elina look up at her in shock.

"Cellina..." Elina whined worriedly.

"The people we used to work for are irrelevant, and the game has changed...with what we found and are about to do, we're going to write our own rules and gain the power to survive...Cellina was right to join us in this, what about you Elina?" Keener finished and walked to the door.

Elina stared at him in silence, she thought his speech over and over. Everything...all his points make sense. Especially to people like her who were abandoned. People who wanted to save the city, only to be left behind. Yet...why didn't she fully believe it herself.

"I..." Elina tried to look for the words only to come up empty.

Keener stared at her then to Cellina, "You two will be good for each other, I trust that at least...there is a Black Hawk down at Central Park that will take you out of Manhattan. Take it and head to Chicago, do what needs to be done, but when I need you."

"You'll find us..." Cellina finished and sighed deeply.

Keener nodded, "Be sseeing you agents."

As Keener left, Elina removed her mask and looked to Cellina. "...I don't like how he can play with our emotions...and how right he is..."

Cellina nodded and sat down on the ground, Elina sat on her lap staring at her questioningly. "Do you...really think its right, are you sure about what you are doing?"

Cellina nodded, "There are more things he didn't tell you...but that can wait."

"Cell...Cait and the others...are you really sure they don't deserve to know you are alive?" Elina asked.

"...Keener doesn't want to take risks...so this is the best course of action." Cellina said.

"But...who is he to tell you what to do?" Elina turned Keener's words against Cellina's reasoning making her tense up.

"He said it himself...aren't you following him like you did with the government? Is...aren't you turning into a pawn for him to use?" Elina argued.

"...i..." Cellina tried to counter.

Elina smiled sadly at her and patted her on the head, "You...need to think about this properly...Keener is right about a lot of things...but you don't have to follow him like this, you don't have to say that...right?"

Cellina gave her a slow nod, Elina nodded, "...Do you think its the best course of action? To leave the rest of your team in the dark..."

Cellina stared at her, then hugged her closer and nodded, "I don't want to...but to keep them safe...to keep them away from the fights I'll be doing...its better this way."

Elina clenched her fists and sighed, "...If you are sure...then I'll follow you alrighr?"

Cellina blinked and nodded, "Alright..."

Elina sighed and hugged her close, "Lets...call it a night...I hope you don't regret...what you are doing."

"...I hope so too." Cellina said as she leaned on Elina and sighed deeply as she thought it over...at least Elina hoped she was.

Chapter Text

There are many things the group haven't thought about in a long time, a good sleep, not being injured, break days, and the ability to sit back and watch some TV. One thing the group don't usually think about now is pets. Layla and Hudson don't really think about pets even before the pandemic. Justin and Cellina had thought of getting one a few times, but they were always swamped with their respective jobs. Caitlin had a cat as a pet for a long while, but she had to give it away to a friend when New York happened.

Normally Elina would be with Justin and Cellina in the thought of getting one department, but recently she had found a friend that the others are...skeptical about to say the least.

Cellina was first to discover Elina's friend when she was looking for Ember Sentinel, normally she'd have it next to her bag when she wasn't out on the field, but recently the gun has been missing. She assumed it was with Elina or Caitlin for them to maintain, but one day when she was going to grab her gear to do some maintenance she heard the scraping of metal on the ground making her suspicious.

The hideout was always pretty secure after she and her group had done whatever they can to ensure another incident like the one time a Hunter came in and messed the place up, so she was skeptical about who was in here. Grabbing a pistol she walked around the hideout following the scraping. She heard it going into Elina's workroom, normally she would be allowed to go in, but Elina had said she wanted some private time in there, which Cellina didn't find suspicious.

That didn't matter at the moment if there was an intruder inside, so she slowly opened the door and looked around every nook and cranny. While nothing seemed out of place, she heard something coming from behind one of Elina's tanks. When she moved each one of the tanks she discovered the thief that stole her gun.

Except said thief was currently holding it like it was a pillow and not a dangerous piece of metal capable of shooting hot bullets. Cellina shook her head and rubbed her eyes in disbelief as to who the thief was. When she she opened her eyes again, the thief was still there...the ferret was still there holding her gun.

"...Okay what the heck...how did you get in here?" Cellina asked to the ferret who stared at her as if she was a threat, "I...why are you in Elina's room...wait a second, how did you get in here in the first place?"

The ferret stared then grabbed the gun and tried to run into the corner, only to be grabbed by Cellina making the ferret struggle in her hold wildly. "Hey hey! Take it easy, I'm just going to grab my revolver...and then ask Elina."

"Ask me...what exactly..." Elina said slowly as she entered the room, her mask stared into Cellina and the ferret currently struggling in her hold.

"...Fuck..." Elina cursed to herself as she removed her mask, approached the two, and grabbed the ferret, calming it down before staring at it. "Seriously...Bandit I get how you are intelligent enough to open the door, but I thought I told you to be sneakier..." Elina scolded softly.

"...Bandit?" Cellina asked surprised.

"Oh...right I uh...I may have gotten a little friend..." Elina said with a slight nervous chuckle.

"Elina..." Cellina whined as she stared at the ferret nuzzling into the side of Elina's head.

"He was cute! I found him in an old pet store and he was just sad and hungry...and he was also stealing bullet casings, but still cute as hell..." Elina argued as she hugged the ferret.

"But...how do you even take care of him, how do you feed him?" Cellina asked curiously.

"He usually deals with all the rodents and stuff in the base, I also usually feed him a bunch of meat." Elina said as she petted the ferret now named Bandit.

"How...okay look, pets are nice and all, but we are always out on jobs and have little time for downtime. How do you expect to take care of him while out in the field." Cellina asked again, trying to see how far Elina planned this.

"I...just take him with me." Elina said as she opened her bag and placed him into it.

"What...Elina the ferret is going to be overstimulated or shot!" Cellina yelled out.

"I know I know...which is why I gave him little plugs and have been making by backpack more bulletproof." Elina told her as she then took her bag and showed Cellina, which she scanned and found it to be able to stop even high-caliber bullets.

"You...seriously how far do you want to take him?" Cellina asked with a long sigh following her.

"As far as I can...soo can I keep him?" Elina asked hopeful.

"...You already feed him, gave him a place to stay in your room, and modified your gear for him...its not like I can so no now." Cellina said as she went to the ferret and petted his head, which made him bite her gloved hand. "But...do control him...and also make sure he doesn't steal more of our stuff."

"I...can't say anything about that." Elina confessed as she took out the ferret and placed him down, the ferret then running out of the room and going away to steal more things.

"...Seriously?" Cellina said exasperated which earned a giggle from Elina.

"He'll be fine...I thnk?" Elina tried to reassure her, until the two of them looked down to see Bandit...with a incendiary grenade in his hands, and his mouth on the pin.

"...Drop it." Cellina tried to order the ferret...which lead to the ferret to pull the pin of the grenade.

"Shit!" Cellina grabbed the grenade and threw it out the window which exploded and the two then heard ANNA call out to them.

"Agent in need of assistance...careful where you throw out your gear." ANNA said.

Cellina then turned to Elina who smiled innocently, "I'm...I'm going to deal with that...you keep him under control."

Elina nodded as Cellina went out the room, "Don't tell anyone please."

"I won't unless he exposes himself!" Cellina yelled out as she went to see the damages.

Elina smiled down at Bandit as she picked him up and placed on a makeshift bed behind her workstation. "Now sit little guy, I got some work to do."

Chapter Text

Elina sighed tiredly as she leaned back on the wall, having just dealt with a group of JTF and what ISAC labelled as Artists. The barrels of her weapons still spewed out bits of smoke after she had killed the last of them, the last kill she got was a heavily armored man with a sword and a small bag full of spray paint.

The holographic display showed a few errors, some system still labelling her as Ditch and not as her own codename, others like the ability to hack into camera feeds were locked from her due to her not being the labelled. Keener assured her that the tech would label her fully in time, just needed some calibration...well if that was the case, he should have warned her that the tech is still locked out and that she can't use her own gadgets at this point.

Elina reached for her gas mask and removed it, her hand held it as she rested it on her knee. The errors weren't usually a big issue, though today it had been so much more of a hinderance than a help. It only happened to be an issue when the watch labelled the JTF as friends and not enemies, she doesn't know why it happened, but it frustrated her heavily, sometimes her watch would label her Cleaners as enemies and almost cause an incident. She had the right idea of avoiding being an agent, at least with those errors in play still.

ISAC came on, "Rogue Agent approaching."

Elina's eyes widened as she reached for her pistol, a modified Desert Eagle painted black with sprinkles of white and gray all over and a fiery sword pointed towards the barrel, the gun itself labelled 'Logi's Spark.' Just as she pointed the gun she saw a beanie, gray long sleeve, and a familiar revolver, which was pointed to her head.

Once the two realized who it was, they both let out a sigh of relief and holstered their weapons. "You are alive...I mean I had no doubts, but ISAC loves to play tricks on us." Cellina said as she knelt down to Elina and checked her over.

"Yeah tricks...like labelling the JTF as allies and not enemies." Elina said as looked at her watch in anger.

"Just a slight glitch in his systems, to be fair you are a rather new case." Cellina tried to reassure her with logic, which only caused Elina to sigh in exasperation.

"I don't understand how you of all people can take it...doesn't he feel...like a nagging mother calling you in the middle of the night?" Elina asked curiously.

Cellina laughed and thought it over, "Hmm sometimes...but you sort of get used to it after awhile, though I suppose that does tend to happen when you are trained with him over and over ya know?"

"No I don't, why do you think I'm a tad bit frustrated." Elina whined as she got up. "ISAC still labels me as Ditch and you of all people are still enemies and not my teammate...I don't get it."

Cellina tilted her head in confusion then stood up. "Odd...maybe cause you don't have your his biometrics in the SHD Network?"

Elina blinked and sighed in frustration, "Keener...god damn it he is short changing me."

Cellina giggled which made Elina glare at her, "Don't laugh at me, my life was on the fucking line!"

"Sorry sorry...for someone like him, I thought he would have signed you into already given that he has Theo with him all the time." Cellina said as she grabbed the brick off of Elina backpack.

"Motherfucking 'Prodigal Son,' can't even give me enough information to operate properly...what's next he fakes his own death as well?" Elina asked sarcastically and in frustration.

"Ehh you never know...but before anything else, lets get you all set up and ready for the fights ahead." Cellina says as she connects herself to Elina's brick, "Now you are going to have to sign in, usually there would be more tech for that, but this will work until we have Theo come over and properly set you up."

Elina nodded as she removed her gloves, "So then...what do I need to do?"

"The brick should have all the tech we need, to do it fully you just need to register your fingerprints and overwrite any existing ones. I'll do that right now." Cellina then grabbed Elina's hand and pressed a few side buttons on it, the light from both the brick and the watch flickered off and turned on with a white hue.

"There you go...now we just need to place your biometrics." Cellina said as she pressed more buttons.

"How do you know all this exactly? Didn't think you'd be the type to mess with the tech." Elina said getting a shrug from Cellina.

"Just something I picked up from Conley...or well Keener told Conley to teach me...I wonder why though." Cellina said as she then grabbed Elina's hand.

"Oh so he teaches the agent that is already registered, and not the Cleaner, la di fucking da." Elina said angrily.

"Hmm...well doesn't matter, now just put your thumb in the middle of the brick." Cellina ordered which Elina complied with.

"And it should be..." A ping was heard and the white hue turned back to red, Cellina smiled and nodded her head. "There we go, all registered, anything new?"

Elina looked around seeing everything more clearly labelled, her own display no longer showing any errors and Cellina labelled as her teammate. When she scanned the dead JTF she saw them now clearly labelled as threats and not allies. "You are a literal lifesaver."

Cellina shook her head, "Says the girl who has literally saved my life in New York multiple times."

Elina rolled her eyes fondly then hugged Cellina, "I appreciate it nonetheless...now I can actually do some good, if you bothered to let me with you ya know?"

Cellina froze and shook her head, "No no, I can handle it just fine Elina...you just stick with the others alright?"

Elina wanted to argue, but sighed and nodded, "Fine fine...well I'd say we've spent long enough here, shall we get going?"

Cellina nodded then pointed to Elina's gas mask and gloves, "Might want to put those back on though."

Elina blinked then looked down and nodded, "Thanks...I should teach you how to make proper napalm when we get back."

Cellina tilted her head, "And why would I need that exactly?"

"Why not? You never know when you have situation that requires it...you know burning things." Elina said as they walked down the stairs of the building they in.

Cellina thought it over and nodded her head, "Alright...do I need anything specific?"

"Orange juice." Elina said simply causing a look of confusion to come from Cellina's face. "Trust me I don't know why either, it just works."

Chapter Text

Justin and Layla sat down by a window overlooking a courtyard, the yard itself was remodeled into a shooting range to train their people, agents and Cleaners alike. It was still odd to see them working with Cleaners, but it was more tolerable since one of them was a member of their squad.

Said member was currently training with Caitlin watching her and helping out with aiming. Normally Cellina would be the doing it, but she and Hudson are busy trying to scavenge supplies and also deal with faction presence close to their area and other outposts under their control.

"You think those two are going to hit it off like Elina and Cellina did?" Justin asked as he cracked a soda open and handed it to Layla.

"Likely, those two have gotten closer even since we came to Chicago. Even then their shared bond with Cellina would have gotten them closer either way." Layla replied as she took a sip from her soda.

Justin nodded as they watched as Caitlin moved Elina's arms to correct her shots better. Both of them sharing a conversation that the two former soldiers can't hear.

"How long has been, six to seven months give or take?" Justin asked.

"More like eight or nine I think, we took back Washington first, went back to New York, and killed Keener...though his influence on Cellina is...showing." Layla said in concern as she then picked up a canister which ANNA labelled as Eclipse.

"You are still holding onto that?" Justin asked curiously.

"It may come in handy...in a fucked up way." Layla confessed as she placed it back in her backpack Justin nodded grimly

The gunshots continued, Layla and Justin looked back to see Caitlin now wrapping her arms around Elina and moving her arms to get better hits on a target. Layla chuckled at the sight as they continued to practice.

"Elina must be embarassed right now...or excited, I can never tell through that mask of hers." Justin said somewhat irritated at Elina's mask.

"She doesn't trust many people, its fair given what has happened in the country as of late...can't blame her though." Layla said as she took another sip from her soda.

"Cellina is an exception and I'm fairly certain Caitlin is becoming an exception, which leaves us and Hudson." Justin then placed down his can and stretched his arms.

The two agents looked back at the shooting range and saw Elina place her gun down and face Caitlin, the two looked around and Caitlin then removed Elina's mask.

"Oh spicy, is our lovely engineer taking the first step?" Justin asked as he watched intently.

Layla chuckled and punched him in the shoulder, "Don't be a creep now, I'm fairly certain Caitlin is just trying to see how good Elina is without that mask of hers."

On cue, Elina picked up her gun and shot at the targets. Hitting them much better than before making Caitlin look at her in disbelief, Elina's face remained hidden from the other two.

Justin huffed disappointed...only to laugh as Caitlin grabbed Elina's face and close in hiding their faces from the others with Elina's mask...then she placed Elina's mask back on her and smiled smugly.

Layla chuckled and smiled fondly. "Guess we were both right, happy to see that."

Justin nodded his head, "You and me both, our engineer finally gets something for herself...Cellina is going to be pretty surprised...just like Elina is right now."

As the two looked down they saw Elina hiding her head on Caitlin's chest, while she laughed and patted her on the head.

"Haven't seen Caitlin be this happy in ages, glad for it to come back though. Hopefully we get more moments like these." Layla said as Elina then pushed away from Caitlin, only to be hugged tightly.

"Yeah...we should break them up though, Elina might die of embarassment." Justin joked as he stood up.

Layla nodded and got up, heading downstairs to meet the other two. It was a nice change of pace for all of them, while it may not last for long, moments like these is something that they should all continue to fight for.

Chapter Text

Cellina let out a tired sigh as she pulled her knife out of a dead Valentine Bandit, it had been a few hours since she and Hudson went out on a patrol, yet they always came across a squad or two of each of the factions down in South Chicago. Chicago had a gang problem long ago and this feels like its natural evolution of one, it concerned her deeply on how many more of these squads or groups would come out of the woodwork.

She was glad that she had to deal with only four of these groups, she was even more glad that they had only come across Artists and Valentine Bandits recently. Though ANNA had given her the heads up on Black Tusk activities, it wasn't much of a concern as compared to what she has seen in Washington. From what Hudson and Layla had told her, Black Tusk have set up a large stronghold in the area and threaten everyone there, she wondered why Keener even bothered to work with them...then again he did that the LMB and they have been...dead.

"You feeling okay over there Cellina?" Hudson asked her as he and the rest of the Cleaners came up to her, all uninjured and looking generally okay to her.

"Peachy Hudson...just thinking about the recent rise with the factions down here." Cellina said as she wiped her knife and placed it back in its sheathe on her leg.

"Are you concerned about the JTF and other agents?" Hudson asked curiously.

"They all moved up to an area in West Side, ever since me and Elina came here they've been running up higher and higher due to our increasing...danger." Cellina said as she took a pendent from the corpse of the Bandit she killed.

"You've done a lot of work, considering its been months since...New York." Hudson said somewhat bitterly and cautiously.

"I did want to clean up a significant portion of my city and get it back...the lack of proper government aid here concerns me, but ever since I learned more about Ellis I see why." Cellina hissed as she pocketed the pendent then looked to the Cleaners. "What is your squad's callsign?"

The Cleaner squad leader raised his hand into a salute, "Firefox ma'am."

"Right...Firefox I need you to go to Woodlawn and start patrols there, I got some info on Black Tusk setting up a minor outpost in that area, burn them alive and take their tech." Cellina ordered then pointed to the direction of Woodlawn, "Thermite will be there soon, assist them as much as you can and run when the fighting gets too rough."

The Cleaners nodded and went on their way leaving Hudson and Cellina by themselves, Hudson then looked around the area. "Where are we going to go then?"

"EngleWood, Elina was concerned about the area being under control of the Chemists, I want to see exactly what is going over there before I send out more squads for burning the area out." Cellina said as she and Hudson made their way over.

"You've become a fine leader for these Cleaners, caring, compassionate, and protective of them as well." Hudson said with a small smile.

Cellina nodded as she looked around, "These are Elina's people, they left New York after things went to shit and didn't want to join up with Conley, while our numbers are steady, we can't afford losses."

"I get that, when we with the JTF in Washington Caitlin would always put civilians before herself, she grew very overprotective with all the people though." Hudson said with a content sigh.

"I don't fully understand why you guys wanted to follow me to Chicago? The people of Washington would be glad to have two squads of agents ya know?" Cellina asked curiously, while she was glad the others joined her, she had thought of what would happen without them, is Washington safe or is it currently getting controlled more and more?

"One is more than enough, besides we've done our part there, its time we let the new blood handle it." Hudson said as he knelt down and picked up a discarded revolver. "Plus Caitlin missed you so much, and everyone was more than glad to follow you...as much as we tolerated the JTF, honestly Manny isn't a good leader. That and Keener's...attack on us back by the Statue of Liberty made us feel nostalgic and sad." 

"Yeah...I know...ANNA showed me the feed in New York." Cellina said as she clenched onto her ACR, while she was following Keener, there are things that she saw him do that was...too far. He was always good at emotional manipulation, but using her voice to traumatize the others...that was harsh.

"What were you doing in New York, I know Elina was there to assist Conley and stuff, but what was your mission there?" Hudson turned to her as he packed the pistol in his bag.

"Extract Theo and help him to set up all the SHD servers in Midtown. Midtown has seen better days...especially with another faction in it." Cellina said as she looked through logs about said faction.

"Oh? Who are they? Paul and Roy never said anything about a faction like that." Hudson said somewhat in surprise.

"We labelled them as Vultures, they mostly use scavenged gear and tech from the LMB and JTF ever since Keener destroyed the Midtown HQ." Cellina said as she sent over the logs to Hudson who gave them a quick scan.

"Yeah heard about the Midtown HQ...pretty pissed off about that ya know?" Hudson said.

"I know I know, I tried to tell Keener no but...power was always in his mind...especially with the whole Eclipse Virus thing he has been plotting." Cellina said with a somewhat bitter tone.

"Is...that why you kept the canister in what is essentially Fort Knox levels of Security?" Hudson had asked yet again, which earned a reluctant nod from Cellina.

"Keener handed it to me to...'hasten' my takeover. Using a virus to take something leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, even though it was supposed to be used on Black Tusk." Cellina continued her walk forward to Englewood with Hudson following.

"So burning is fine, but virus is a no go?" Hudson said which made Cellina slump down and shook her head.

"I...I'm not proud of burning still, I mean I can tolerate it now, but the screaming still takes me back to New York and I hated it...sure Elina is there to comfort me but ya know...the memories." Cellina said somewhat shakily.

"I get it...speaking of Elina, what is with you two?" Hudson asked as he got on top of a car and looked forward with his scope.

"...I'm fairly certain its pretty obvious yeah?" Cellina asked with a deadpan tone.

"Ahh so it is that kind of relationship...Caitlin must be eager then." Hudson said casually...and ignoring the look of surprise from Cellina.

"Eager for...what?" Cellina asked confused.

"To get in on the action...she's been making moves on Elina ya know?" Hudson asked as if he didn't drop the bombshell of a lifetime.

"I...when did Caitlin become so eager?!" Cellina asked loudly to Hudson.

"Uh...not sure...wait you didn't know?" Hudson looked at her in surprise.

"I...I know she was attracted to someone, but Elina is...wow." Cellina looked down onto Ember Sentinel.

"Are you going to disapprove?" Hudson asked cautiously and somewhat in a threateningly way.

"No of course not...just surprised that she would take the first step." Cellina said as she shook the shock expression off her face.

"...Oh so you are a bottom." Hudson said with a deadpan expression and a smirk, causing Cellina to look at him in embarrassment.

"Noooo...shut the fuck up." Cellina said as she walked forward and tried to ignore Hudson's teasing.

"Just saying...it all makes sense now with all the hugging and cuddling you do with Caitlin in New York, the fact you let Elina take you hostage." Hudson continued to list down things he noticed, but Cellina covered her ears.

"Shut up, nope don't need to hear it! Shush, go away, lets get this job sorted out already!" Cellina tried to order which earned a laugh from Hudson.

"And here I thought FBI agents would be immune to...this heh." Hudson said smugly which earned a whine from Cellina.

She'll have to talk about this with the others later, and also somehow deal with shutting Hudson up about this so that the others won't have blackmail on her.

Chapter Text

Practicing her own accuracy was something she'd often do when not on duty. From being a paramedic to a Cleaner, that has yet to change all that much. Some cases it was the only thing she'd do for a day to ensure she can protect her men. 

While that has yet to change, it was how she did it, before she would do it by herself, during her time as a Cleaner for whatever reason, Conley helped her practice it, even going as far as to give her little odd jobs about killing squada of whatever she could find with ISAC.

While she didn't mind that, she noticed that her accuracy improved only slightly, it irked her why that was the case until she was forced to remove her mask.

Like a space soldier with a shitty helmet, once her mask was removed it was like she had been training or decades...at least thats what it looked like to her. Truth be told she was just above average as compared to the agents she partnered with. But that was much better than what the rest of her fellow Cleaners had.

Conley had told her to take off her mask, even going as far as to telling Joe Ferro to excuse her, but she always declined...infection or not, it had become her own look, and to change that felt...wrong.

Elina heard her gun click empty and she sighed disappointed...while her shots landed, they weren't as lethal as they could be, some hitting in the sides, few hitting center mass, and none ever hitting the head. She was unhappy to say the least, she placed down her gun and loaded her now empty mags with new rounds, she has to continue practicing.

"What you doing?" A voice surprised Elina making her drop a magazine and her heart nearly jumping out of her chest.

"...You are lucky I didn't have my pistol or I would have shot you here, engi" Elina said as she turned to Caitlin who smiled innocently.

"Sorry, but I am curious right now...you have been down here for a little while now and the others are...suffice to say, disappointed in your practice." Caitlin tried to soften a blow that Elina was already well aware of.

"I'm aware...very well aware." Elina replied in a disappointing tone as she finished loading her magazines then loaded her gun and took aim.

"Do you...need help?" Caitlin asked.

"Nope, I can handle it myself...and no my mask isn't coming off." Elina started shooting, her shots still missing.

"Hmm..." Caitlin watched her closely, Elina wanted to look back, but she focused on shooting. "Aim slightly to the left."

Elina did that without hesitation, managing to land a few more shots but still missing. 

"No no...now a little to the right." Caitlin said as she looked over her shoulder.

Elina growled and did that, hitting a few more but atill missing, making her try to glare at Caitlin. "Look engi...I can handle this properly, so you can go back and mess with our gad- hey hey!" 

Elina yelled a bit in surprise as Caitlin moved her arms. "A little here...somewhere here...ANNA please assist."

Elina struggled a bit, as she then saw a little crosshair. "No no ANNA crosshair off."

"Please make up your mind, I'd rather not waste my efforts on your flirting." ANNA ordered, sounding irritated for an AI.

"Not flirting!" Elina yelled, her voice muffled by her mask, completely unaware of Caitlin's giggle.

"Fine fine...lets see..." Caitlin then wrapped her arms around her sides and fixed her aim.

"Now aim...and fire." Caitlin ordered which Elina did without hesitation, her shots hitting the target dead center and some shots landed on the head of the targets.

"There happy? Will you now let me go..." Elina said nervously as she tried to break off from Caitlin.

Caitlin gave her a small smirk then let her go, "So did that help?"

Elina wanted to glare and yell no...but she sighed in frustration as it did help her out, though her mask will still be an issue, at the very least she can at least land her shots.

"It did...thanks." Elina said as she turned around and looked around for other people watching.

"Why don't you remove your mask, seems like it would make it easier to aim and shoot you know?" Caitlin asked innocently enough.

"Yeah Conley said that too, but I told exactly these words, 'The day I take off my mask in this damn city, is the day where you have to pry my mask off and force me to do a challenge of hitting and not missing my targets in the head with one mag and lose.'" Elina challenged.

Caitlin looked to her and smirked, "Really now? Thats all it would take?"

Elina tilted her head, "Yeah it would, and I have to lose that challenge...which I have not yet so I doubt you would."

Elina was surprised when Caitlin removed her mask and smile. Her eyes widened in surprise and she looked up at her in shock.

"Well then Cleaner...prove me wrong and win." Caitlin asked thinking she would win.

Elina stared deeply in her eyes thrn smirked, "Wrong move engi."

The Cleaner then loaded her gun and took aim, firing and hitting targets, while some not particularly lethal, with her mask removed none of the shots missed their target. Once her pistol clicked empty she turned to Caitlin who stared dumbfounded.

"I won engi...now hand me my mask." Elina said as she held her arm out to reach for her mask.

Caitlin shook her head then huffed, "Fine fine...but I should give you a prize first."

Elina blinked, "Prize what priz- mmph!"

Caitlin pulled her arm closer to her then leaned in. Elina was so shocked that she refused to move, the soft lips of the engineer made her mind go blank...she expected to do it first, to be the one to take the first step like she did with Cellina...but this engineer got her first.

She then felt her mask get placed on, then saw the bright and smug smile from Caitlin "Happy now Elina?"

Elina's mind went through a quick reboot...and her first action was to hide her face on Caitlin's chest. "God fucking...damn you engi...fuck you."

Caitlin laughed and patted her on the head. "Hey hey I gave you a prize, you proved me wrong so I think it was only fair yeah?"

"You...was the kiss necessary?! I would have taken one on the cheek or the forehead, but the lips?!" Elina yelled as she looked up at her.

"Oh? Do you want me to continue then?" Caitlin said in a somewhat, at least Elina hoped, sarcastic tone.

"I...I...I'm going to say hi to Bandit!" Elina yelled as she pushed Caitlin off and tried to storm off to her workroom...only to be hugged from behind tightly.

"Nope you stay with me, I need a good hug right now." Caitlin declared as she nuzzled into Elina's neck which got a small shriek and a whine as Elina struggled.

"Hey hey hey! Let me go." Elina tried to escape.

Caitlin giggled and gently blew into Elina's ear which got her to shriek a bit louder through her mask and fall to her knees.

Caitlin then wrapped her legs around Elina and hugged. "Mine hehe."

Elina continued to struggle and whine...only to be saved by Layla and Justin.

"Alright you two lovers, knock it off." Layla ordered as she and Justin came over.

Caitlin whined, "But I just caught a Cleaner." 

Justin laughed and shook his head, "Such a forward move from our engineer."

Layla nkdded with a smile, "Right...you two get up and seperate..."

Elina sighed in relief as she felt Caitlin's arms and legs slowly unwrap from her.

"Or take it somewhere private." Layla finished with a smile.

Elina looked at her in betrayal, ANNA then came on, "Alert, agent heart rate at high levels. Recommendation, reflect with other agents and assess the situation in a private area."

"Not the time ANNA!" Elina yelled then let out a loud eep as Caitlin picked her up and went into the HQ.

"See you guys!" Caitlin yelled happily.

"No no no, betrayal of the highest order! Help, I'm being-" Elina's mask was then removed and her mouth was covered. Her fate left to the engineer's hands until Cellina came back to help her out.

Chapter Text

The agents sighed in unison as they returned to base, Cellina and Hudson finished what they needed to do and had come back with minor injuries. Chemists were always a pain, but to those who always wore their masks, like the Cleaners and agents, their main issue of using chemical bombs and whatever gas they could use on their victims proved...ineffective to say the least.

Once they entered the base they were hosed down to remove any contaminants and a once over by their resident medics. Elina had taught some of the Cleaners who weren't in the medical field more on patching people up so it wouldn't be an issue for anyone, whether on the field or back in the base. Though Justin and Elina were always Cellina's preferred medics.

"Right well potential chemical burns and probably internal issues later on in life aside, you guys should be okay to continue fighting. Your injuries are pretty minor so take it a bit easy yeah?" Justin said as he packed up and made their medical drone land in its charging station.

"Yeah yeah, I should draw up plans to burn out the Chemists first, if we have to deal with both Black Tusk and Chemists, I would most likely go insane." Cellina sighed tiredly.

"How about you get Layla to do that instead? You need rest and we can handle the planning." Hudson asked as he got of the medical cot and stretched.

"That would be nice...yeah no I'm not gonna fight you guys on that." Cellina got off and stretched. "Oh where is Caitlin and Elina? I thought I would see them by the firing range, but they were nowhere to be found."

"Oh they should be having some downtime in your room and stuff." Justin said casually as he packed up.

Cellina simply nodded, thinking nothing of it and went off to go see them, only to hear Hudson yell out, "Might as well confess to Caitlin ya know?!"

"Oh shut the fuck up!" Cellina yelled embarrassed as she took the elevator to the floor where they were living in.

As much as she would want to do that, she really doesn't want to make it awkward for Elina or Caitlin. While she was fine with sharing, as those two were always there to ground her in some way, she doesn't know how Elina or Caitlin would feel about sharing her. For all she knew, those two could be fighting for her love and not getting along...or at least Caitlin would be unhappy about having to share her with Elina since she and Elina were clearly together.

She yawned and entered the penthouse, dropping her gear and guns on the couch, she went to where she and Elina were sharing a room. Not bothering to knock, she walked in and looked at her bed. As soon as her eyes landed on Elina and Caitlin, she smiled softly at the two huddled up together on the bed, their gear left on the seat, including Elina's mask which somewhat surprised Cellina until she remembered what happened few nights ago.

Normally she would gladly join them, but she didn't want to wake the both of them. As tired as she is, she valued their health over her own more, sacrificial dog and all that. She sighed fondly and was about to leave until she heard shuffling on the bed.

"Cell...is that you?" Caitlin asked sleepily as she slowly got up from the bed and rubbed her eyes.

"Ah...yeah it is, sorry did I wake you?" Cellina then closed the door as soon as she got into the room.

"...Not really, just had my eyes closed is all, for a dystopian city like your home city, it sure still has a bunch of bright lights." Caitlin said as she fully sat up and looked Cellina up and down...her eyes suddenly filled with a bit of worry. "You're hurt again..."

"Huh...oh no...don't worry about it Cait its just some minor injuries is all, nothing major on me as compared to like...well you know?" Cellina asked, reluctant to talk about the amount of times she got injured and had to get patched up.

"...Can we...talk?" Caitlin asked hopeful, she gently got Elina off her, making sure she doesn't wake up Elina who whined softly, but stayed asleep.

Cellina looked at Caitlin and nodded her head, "I'll make some hot chocolate...but we need to sleep afterwards yeah?"

Caitlin smiled softly and nodded, she then got out of the bed and went over to Cellina. The two went over to the kitchen and heated up some water to make the hot chocolate. Caitlin grabbed a few packs of hot chocolate the group managed to scavenge and placed them in two mugs.

"How was your patrols?" Caitlin asked while the water heated up.

"It was alright, the factions weren't much of an issue for me, Hudson, and the Cleaners...well asides from the Chemists, normally I'd have the rest of the Cleaners to assist with...cleaning but..." Cellina didn't continue not wanting to worry and also not talk cleaning in front of Caitlin.

Caitlin clenched onto her mug, "...I...is it really necessary to go to that far? I know...things have changed in months but...Cell..."

Cellina sighed deeply and nodded her head, "It...is...things changed after Keener took me and led me out of New York...I know you don't like how far I've gone but...it...I don't know."

"...Cellina I know you would go far to protect the people you care for...but I..." Caitlin couldn't find the words to speak. Cellina poured the hot water into their mugs and mixed the chocolate together.

"I know you aren't exactly happy about what I did...I'm sure the others told you what happened after you got shot back in the DZ months ago yeah?" Cellina asked which got a nod from Caitlin. "Then...you know I've always been like this for you guys...but..."

Caitlin tilted her head as she took a sip from her mug. "but what exactly Cellina?"

"...I don't like it...honestly I've always struggled to use fire for all my...shots." Cellina said grimly as she went to the couch with Caitlin following. "Fire is...rough...even with Elina I still...don't feel like I'm used to it...the screams the crackling of fire...I hate it..."

"Cell..." Caitlin then placed her mug on a coffee table and gently rubbed the back of Cellina's hand.

"...And yet I still follow through with using it." Cellina leaned back a sipped her own hot chocolate. "I'd suffer through all that hell to protect you guys...and I hate that trait of myself."

Caitlin doesn't bother to speak and just lets Cellina continue to speak, her eyes filled with worry. Cellina stared at Caitlin and gave her a somewhat sad smile as she placed down her mug of hot chocolate. "I...don't like to say much of that, but...I really am just a sacrificial dog to everyone...especially to you."

Caitlin's eyes widened as she then felt Cellina's hand on her cheek, her gloves not blocking the heat coming from it. "Cell..."

"Hmm?" Cellina tilted her head, then felt Caitlin remove her gloved hand from her cheek and then remove her gloves for her, she then felt Caitlin brush her hair and give her a small smile.

"Stop...downplaying yourself...you are one of the best people I've met and admired...I missed you so much and I would fucking die for you to come back." Caitlin then sat down on her lap and clenched her hands.

"You deserve soo much more, Elina and I agree to that...you deserve so many things in life...god you deserve people to love you." Caitlin then leaned closer to Cellina.

Cellina blinked and felt Caitlin put her hands together, she then felt a slight peck on the cheek. "Elina may be yours...but I want to be with you too...I don't want to have to sit back with the others waiting to know you died out in the field...I want to stick with you to the ends of the earth...If you would allow I- mmph!"

Caitlin's eyes widened, and only leaned into the kiss more. Caitlin then closed her eyes as she let Cellina take the lead...only to whine as soon as Cellina pulled away.

"...I...don't want to continue until Elina says this is okay...I don't want to have to separate you two because of that..." Cellina asked hesistently...only to feel herself be pulled away and on top of Elina's lap, her head tilted upward to receive a kiss from Elina.

Caitlin tilted her head with a smile, "Don't forget me too Cleaner."

Elina pulled away and did the same to Caitlin, Cellina looked on in surprise and then smiled and sighed in relief, "Is that a yes?"

Elina turned to face her and pouted, "Well...your partner is mean...but we both want what is best for you."

"I'm not that mean." Caitlin tried to defend herself, but her smirk said otherwise.

"...Blowing and pinning me down on the bed to tease me is evil." Elina said with a pout...her voice sounding tired.

"...Really now...thought you were the one on top." Cellina said with a laugh.

"Your partner is fucking mean...she is a tease." Elina said fondly.

"You are cute...so did you get your answer Cellina?" Caitlin asked as she held her arms out to her.

"...More than enough..." Cellina smiled brightly as she hugged both of the people with her right now. "I love you guys..."

Elina smiled and kissed her on the cheek, "Love you too."

Caitlin laughed and pulled them onto the couch, with Elina on top of them both. Cellina whined at her position, "Why am I the one sandwiched?"

"You aren't in any room to say that pup..." Elina said with a smirk...which earned a glare from Cellina.

"Not...the time..." Cellina whined as she then felt the back of her head getting massaged to sleep.

"We can continue in the morning...sleep now alright?" Caitlin ordered as she held the two as close as she could.

Cellina nodded her head, and got closer to Caitlin, the warmth from both people making her feel sleepier. While the day was rough, this night, this situation she finds herself in, is one of the best things she could have experienced in a long time...and she would love to repeat it over and over again.

Chapter Text

The room Elina found herself in wasn't particularly eye catching. Normally the moonlight shining through the windows, the many round tables surrounding a good portion of the room, and the few chandeliers that still remained up would seem much more pretty to her, but honestly, she couldn't care less.

It was a nice room...but it was also somewhat haunting to have it be so...devoid of people. A ballroom without people is like, as Cellina would put it, a den without a pack of wolves. Elina shook her head fondly, Cellina always had a thing for being specific, it was a defining trait of her, and Elina would never do away with it.

"Its haunting isn't it? A ballroom without people, or lights...seems like a Saturn without its moons and its rather eerie." The agent commented as she made her way to Elina.

The cleaner laughed softly and nodded, "Thought you would say it was a den without its wolves."

"That one is good, but I've been feeling more planetary...and Roman." Cellina said with a smile as she sat down on one of the tables.

"You and Roman? What is Keener getting to your head now?" Elina joked as she tilted her head to the side.

"Roman stuff is nice, so long as you aren't an emperor with his Praetorian...alone." Cellina said with a wince.

"What does that mean exactly?" Elina asked curiously, not knowing the comparison.

"Praetorians were known to also kill their emperors." Cellina explained as she took out her pistol.

"So...am I to assume you will kill our dear president or the Prodigal Son?" Elina asked as she looked to Cellina with a bit of worry and caution...she didn't want a repeat of the Hunter incident with Cellina.

"...Not in the cards, but maybe...yeah maybe." Cellina said as she looked around, then saw a speaker and tilted her head. "I've been thinking."

"Now that isn't a good sign." Elina quipped with a smirk.

Cellina rolled her eyes then got off and took out a portable speaker she scavenged from the Artists. "We're in a ballroom, and it is empty...why don't we dance?"

Elina blinked, her eyes widened in surprise and her mind was thankful for her mask hiding it. "You want to dance? Never took you to be a romantic."

Cellina chuckled softly as she connected ANNA to the portable speakers. "I'm not being romantic...just bored, as an agent I had to act out a bunch of things...ballroom dancing is also nostalgic and I'm feeling rather...nostalgic."

Elina took off her backpack and stretched, "So what am I to assume, slow waltz? If so I will warn you I'm not exactly...a dancer." She said warning Cellina.

The agent seemed to pay no mind as music was picked randomly, a slow tune then played through the speakers and suddenly Elina was pulled to the middle of the ballroom, her hands held by the agent who looked at her softly.

"Well...then lets just go with the flow yeah?" Cellina asked as she then led them around the small area in a slow space.

Elina smiled as she did her best to follow along, deciding to focus on the music and on Cellina's face. Her footsteps doing their best to keep up with Cellina, lyrics came on with the music and she started to softly hum along with it.

"You following closely?" Cellina asked as she spun Elina around who giggled and nodded.

"I'm doing my best, just like our training, but with more winging and less watching." Elina said as she got closer.

"You know its unfair to keep your dance partner from seeing your face." Cellina said without a hint of irritation that Elina would assune from a statement like that.

"So? Why don't you join me then? Bring yourself to my little world?" Elina said as she moved her arm around Cellina's neck and was dipped down.

"Hmm I'd rather you join mine dear cleaner." Cellina said as she removed Elina's mask from her face, her face brightening as she saw Elina's smile.

"Hmm now that can be arranged." Elina said as she was pulled back up and contined to dance around the ballroom. Her hand then pulled Cellina's beanie off and brush her hair as they danced.

"Your eyes were always so pretty you know? Reflecting the moonlight and the ocean." Cellina commented which earned a giggle from Elina.

"Watch yourself agent, space and the ocean are dangerous things, some beyond your control when it is too late." Elina said as she was spun around.

"And why is that Elina?" Cellina asked as they came to the middle of the room.

"Because both those things...can take your breath away in a second." Elina said as they stopped and she pulled herself to Cellina into a soft kiss, earning a soft yelp of surprise from the agent...who only got closer as she wrapped her arms around Elina's neck. The music finishing up and the moonlight hitting the pair as they stayed still, the world seemingly slowing down for them.

Elina then pulled away with a fond smile and look in her eyes, Cellina's own eyes looked at her in surprise, which was swiftly replaced with the same look as she pulled her closer.

"Damn it...I wanted to do thst first." Cellina said as she pressed her forehead on Elina who smiled as she rubbed her cheek.

"Tough luck, I'm a step ahead...but you don't mind do you?" Elina said as she pulled out a detonator.

Cellina eyed it closely then tilted her head, "And what is that for exactly?"

"A little setup I did before you came in here...a little surprise I had ANNA help with...look behind me." Elina ordered as she pressed the detonator.

As the pair turned around, they saw a few turrets which then fired at the ceiling, the ceiling was then set ablaze with a heart and the initials C + E. Cellina's eyes widened in surprise then looked down at Elina who kissed her again, this time with a bit more fervor.

"Proposal strategy executed, results pending, heartrates and temperature syncing." ANNA said through the duo's watches.

Elina pulled away and was dipped down again, she then looked to Cellina hopeful. "Now my dear agent...will you take me as your girlfriend?"

Cellina laughed then pulled her up, their hands clenching together as her eyes looked back to her with even more fondness. "Unfair of you to take all these first steps...but who am I to say no?"

The pair kissed again, their watches flickered until the red become noticeably brighter. Unbeknownst to the duo at this moment, ANNA had copied and modfied their signatures on the watches, the code labelling the duo as a couple. 

"Sync complete, enjoy your new life as one, agents." ANNA said to no one in particular, the duo currently occupied with each other.

The country can burn for all they cared, but right now, the two of them decide to get lost in their small little world. They deserve the break, and they will take advantage of that for as long as they could.

Chapter Text

This was dumb...very very dumb. Cellina sighed deeply as she tugged on the rope she was currently tangled on to. The job was simple, eliminate and secure a high-rise and take down a high-value target on the 30th floor, the ground entrance was too defended for the team to brute force and the rooftop was completely off-limits to an airborne insertion. She was sure the team could have made their way in given enough time, but the target would have been long gone by then. So she and Layla devised a plan, Layla would take everyone to secure the ground entrance, and Cellina herself would take the task of taking down the target.

It was the best they could do, though the assault wouldn't start since Cellina would be the one to kick it off first with the assassination, which would then cause much panic in the ranks and disorganize all the people defending it. It was good enough, Caitlin and Elina wanted to follow Cellina, but the others said they were needed to help out on the ground assault. Cellina reassured them that she can do it, she was confident...but that was swiftly shut down after the assassination was finished.

To start it off Cellina would ascend up two floors, with the help of a defector, above the target floor then set her rope, it wasn't enough to get to the ground, but enough to get her down to the 15th floor. Their chosen signal was an explosion in the room that the target was in, Cellina would then rappel down to the 15th floor to regroup with the rest to finish the cleanup. It went well up to the point of her taking out the target, escaping, then descending down to the floor...until the explosion jammed her ascender on the rope and got her arm tangled in it which led to her to this precarious situation of being stuck between the 20th and 21st floors without a parachute or a way to get up or down. With her arm trap with no easy way to cut, unless she wanted to fall off of course, she is stuck until the team managed their way to her level.

"Just my fucking luck...hanged on a piece of rope like a piece of meat in a butcher shop getting smoked." Cellina growled to herself irritated. She struggled on the rope for a moment and just resigned to hanging on. ANNA scanned the rope and assured her that it won't break anytime soon, unless she herself manipulated it so that was good to say the least. What was not so good was the sudden ping from ANNA.

"Warning! Hostile elements incoming from above. Suggestion, ready for battle." ANNA warned through her watch.

"And now about to get shot like fish in a fucking barrel!" Cellina looked up and took out her pistol, as soon as the first target came up she shot him in the head and dodged away from him falling down the edge. A few more guys came and started shooting at her, Cellina managed to swing around to get away from incoming rounds, but wincing as the rope dug into her arm more and more.

"Cellina what's wrong?! Your heart rate is spiking and your arm is losing circulation slightly!" Elina came on with the sound of explosions, fire, and gunshots coming through the earpiece.

Cellina debated for a brief second on either reassuring her, or telling the truth and hastening their advance, potentially killing a few guys for herself, Keener told her their lives were expendable...but she never liked Keener's thoughts. But if she lied to her and it worsened...well she couldn't let them feel the guilt of her dying and them not being able to do anything.

"I'm stuck on the 20th and 21st floors! The rope tangled me and now I'm stuck with fuckers shooting at me from the floors!" Cellina said as she took down another guy who almost crashed into her.

"What do you mean your stuck?!" Elina yelled distressed.

"The explosion jammed my ascender and tangled my arm! I can't get back down safely without damaging the rope and risking free-fall!" Cellina replied as she killed the last guy who fell backwards.

"God fucking, I knew it was a bad idea, I knew it!" Elina said then Caitlin and Layla come on.

"What is the SITREP Elina?" Layla said as she shot at her targets.

"Cellina is stuck tangled on the ropes and is getting shot at by guys on the 20th and 21st floors, her ascender jammed from the explosion!" Elina replied as a scream can be heard and the sound of fire crackling through the comms.

"Say what?!" Caitlin yelled in horror and Cellina saw how the team's vitals spiked heavily.

"Justin send your drones to cover her! Caitlin, Hudson start the charge and don't stop! Elina continue focusing on clearing out the rest of the bandits!" Layla ordered.

"You better get her to safety! I have a lot of words to say about this!" Elina yelled as she continued fighting.

Caitlin come on as an explosion came on through her end, "Hang on! We're on the 14th floor right now, just...stay alive!"

"Doing my best Cai- SHIT!" Cellina cursed as bullets came from behind her, she turned around and shot at the bandits that are on the 20th floor.

"Take that bitch down! She's a sitting duck!" A Bandit ordered.

Cellina growled and shot him first, "That is my thing god fucking damn it!"

The others didn't take too kindly to that and shot at her, her pistol soon ran out of bullets and forced her to holster it. Without much else she could only take out her shield and defend against the shots. She hoped Justin's drones would soon reach her, the integrity of her shield was nearly-

"Shield Integrity at 45 percent! Integrity reaching critical levels! Be careful age- Shield Integrity-" ANNA said and corrected herself over and over as the values changed quicker and quicker.

"I get it ANNA!" Cellina yelled in anger and frustration as the automated responses continued. Her shield cracking and her arm getting tired from holding it up. She has to drop it soon, and Justin's drones have to reach her or she might be Swiss Cheese!

As soon as she thought that, the drones came up and started shooting at the floor, presumably taking down the rest of the Bandits giving Cellina a brief respite and causing her to sigh in immense relief. "Thank fuck..." Her arm quickly dropped the shield as fatigued slipped in for a moment, her arm still held tight to the rope though ensuring she won't fall.

"Warning, rope integrity compromised...lucky shots." ANNA warned causing Cellina to go wide-eyed and scan the rope.

"Estimate time until failure!" Cellina ordered.

"Time of failure will be at around two minutes Preserver." ANNA said.

"Fuck! You guys might want to hurry!" Cellina said as she did her best to not move, the wind not helping much at all.

Caitlin came on, "Shit ANNA just said it! We're almost there Cell!"

Cellina looked up to see the damaged part of the rope, which started to untangle bit by bit. This was not how she imagined she would go out, but right now...honestly it could have been worse. The agent quickly shook and locked that thought away, she'll have to survive, for the sake of her team and her city!

"Estimated time of failure, 30 seconds." ANNA came on.

"Come on...you can hold out a bit longer..." Cellina said in a pleading tone.

"10 seconds." ANNA warned.

"Please..." Cellina whimpered out. Gunshots were heard as the bullets came through from the 20th floor. Just as the rope snapped, Cell shut her eyes and braced herself for her end, only to feel her arm get caught and suddenly she was hanging on.

When she opened her eyes she saw Layla holding onto her as hard as she can, her grip tight, but enough to ensure she won't be slipping up anytime soon. "I have her! Pull yourself up agent!" Layla ordered as she pulled Cellina up.

Cellina quickly grabbed onto the edge and pulled herself to safety with the help of Layla. The two of them panting from exhaustion and Cellina's breath becoming shaky as the adrenaline coursed through her...she was alive!

Caitlin quickly came to view and pulled her away from window, immediately untangling the bit of rope still around her arm. Cellina looked up to her face and saw tears of fear and relief flow down her face.

"Thank fucking...that was way too close...too fucking...close." Caitlin whimpered out, her voicing cracking as she pulled Cellina into a tight hug, which she quickly returned as her shaky breath eased slowly.

"Why did...we are not suggesting that ever again!" Caitlin said as she tightened her hold, "You were...god fucking why do you always worry us so much?!" She yelled out looking at Cellina for answers, for something as to why she thought doing this alone was a good idea...and the explosion aswell.

"I..I didn't mean to...I was very fucking sure that-" Cellina tried and failed to come with a reason, but was shut up by a kiss from Caitlin and a whimper from her as well. Cellina slumped down as tears of guilt come through.

Cellina pulled away as she tried to apologize instead. "I'm sorry...fucking hell I'm so so fucking sorry. It was dumb...I'm dumb as hell."

Caitlin shook her head and pulled Cellina's head down to her shoulder as they comforted each other. Layla quickly went over and looked around to make sure the area was clear.

"That was...fuck...sorry." Layla apologized as she knelt down to the two agents on the ground and checked on Cellina's arm. "This was...one of our least thought out plans..."

"You think?!" Elina suddenly yelled as she arrived, the three agents turned to see her panting and bloody, but no visible wounds on her at all. Her fire axe bloody, and her posture looking exhausted, but she was still standing.

Layla moved away as Elina quickly tackled the two agents to the ground, her arms wrapped around Cellina's neck, "I knew the explosion was a bad idea, yet you didn't change it, fuck I told you to change it!"

"I know I know! I thought it...would have been the best way to cause mass chaos and also a good signal...I didn't expect-" Cellina was shut up as Elina pulled her gas mask away and kissed her. Earning another whimper from the agent.

Caitlin then wrapped her arms around Cellina's waist and held onto it tightly as she rested her head onto her chest, listening to her heartbeat. Elina then pulled away and checked her arm, immediately doing her best to restore circulation and ensure Cellina won't lose an arm.

Cellina gently cried...she didn't want to worry her partners...especially with something as bad as this. Elina glared at her deeply then held her hands and squeezed. "You are not going out on a job again until this is better! Hell I should just tie you to bed to keep you safe!"

Cellina shook her head and cried as she squeezed back, "I...I won't do it again...please I'll...I won't just...I'm sorry, fucking please I'm so fucking sorry."

Elina squeezed tighter as her own tears came out, she then turned to Layla, "I'm taking Cellina out, can you guys handle the rest of the cleanup? I'm having my Cleaners listen to you guys."

Layla nodded, "Yeah, yeah of course...take good care of her, we'll handle things here."

Caitlin wiped her tears and stood up, she then helped Elina cover her face with her gas mask and pick up Cellina and put her on her back. The two of them then started moving down as their agent whimpered and gently hugged into them. Cellina nuzzled into Caitlin's neck trying to tell her she is okay at the moment. "I...I can-"

"You are not...let us have this...just stay right there for us..." Caitlin begged which Cellina could only nod to as they made their way down. The agent continued to say apologies as they descended, she never wanted to worry her partners...she just...had a job to do.

Chapter Text

Cellina shivered as she and her partners entered the penthouse. After the mess of a mission, that she labelled "Leap of Faith," the others had agreed to keep her away from any and all jobs for as long as possible to recover. She tried to argue of course, but the other two wouldn't have it. Cellina did her best to not worry them, to reassure them that she will recover, but it did little at the moment.

Once they entered their room, Elina broke away to go tend to Bandit, leaving Cellina and Caitlin to their room. Cellina was then gently placed down onto the bed, just as she tried to get up Caitlin looked to her and stared.

Cellina froze under that stare, then looked down in guilt and her knees were pulled to her chest. She hated that stare...she knew she fucked up and it was like she was being scolded like a child by that fucking stare. She knows she deserved and all but she could do away from that stare.

"I...know...I...fuck I can't..." Cellina tried to speak, but she couldn't think of many words, she thought she was just a babbling dumbass at the moment. All things considered she did just fuck up the whole part of her mission, even though they were successful the fact that she was put into more danger than what was estimated...it was dumb.

Cellina then felt a hand on her chin and then a pair of lips on her own, she jumped a bit in surprise, but didn't dare pull away. Her arms were pulled off from her sides and she was then pushed further onto the bed.

Caitlin pulled away for a moment, Cellina saw the worried and still somewhat terrified expression on her face. Her heart froze when she saw it and she tried to move her hands to comfort her. Caitlin then pinned them down onto the bed and shook her head.

"You are...still so worried about me...Like you didn't just almost die back at the fucking building." Caitlin said with her voice slow and hurt. The subtle cracks in voice were more pronounced to Cellina which only made her struggle on the bed to comfort her.

"Its like you...why do you not care...about yourself?" Caitlin asked as tears threatened to come out of her. Cellina looked shocked at the question then looked to the side to avoid Caitlin's gaze.

Caitlin's hands clenched tightly then moved Cellina's arms together above her head, freeing one of her hands and making it move to her chin. Cellina then felt her move her head back to face Caitlin which made her want to retreat and avoid the question...but with a heavy heart she answered.

"I...am I supposed to?" Cellina said slowly, Caitlin's eyes widened in horror making Cellina regret her very poor choice of words.

"What do you mean by..." Caitlin suddenly stopped talking and her horror was suddenly replaced with anger. The grip on her hands tightened making Cellina whimper out, not in pain, but in fear. The engineer continued. "What did Keener tell you?"

"...He...Keener told me our lives are expendable...for the people we chose to give our lives to...and for the sake of freedom and power to choose..." Cellina said slowly.

"That motherfucking...lives aren't expendable! Your life sure as hell isn't!" Caitlin yelled out, her grip tightening as the door was swung open and then Elina coming in, practically tearing off her gas mask which was just as angry.

"When did he tell you? When did that fucking power hungry animal tell you that?!" Elina yelled out to her as she climbed to the side of the bed.

"N-No I..." Cellina's voice stuttered as she tried to remember, "New York...before the...hospital?"

Cellina could see her partners' expression turn into grim horror. Caitlin's grip loosening, "What?"

Elina looked at her then took one of Cellina's hands and held it tightly, "You...don't tell me..."

"It was...how I got my codename...Preserver...I preserve lives...at the cost of my own..." Cellina said with more guilt and cracks in her voice than she would have expected.

"...You have got to be..." Caitlin stood and backed away then looked to her watch, "ANNA is this..."

"I contain the exact recording of her getting the name, it is exactly that Reed." ANNA said in her monotone voice.

Elina's grip tightened, "Cell...you...god why were you thinking that...why did you believe him?!"

"Because of you guys! Always been because of you guys!" Cellina said as she sat up on the bed. Tears flowed down her face as she shook her head and covered her eyes. "You remember what happened in New York right? Those Hunters, the LMB, me getting kidnapped, I always did it for you guys...the kidnapping may not have been my main thing, but I would do it again and again to protect you guys!"

Caitlin went back to the bed and hugged Cellina closely, her arms wrapping around her waist and holding her.  "But you always put yourself in danger, we don't want that! We couldn't let you do all that for us! Its sickening!"

Elina hugged Cellina by her neck, "Do you know how fucking rough it is to see you jump straight into bullets, into fire and flames, into the fucking line of getting struck down by a crash axe?!"

Cellina wanted to argue back, but Elina placed her hand on her mouth making her unable to say anything, and forcing her to look at her face which was filled with angry tears as they continued. "We were afraid that you might not come out of it alive! You aren't expendable or invincible, you are human like us!"

Caitlin continued and buried her head in the crook of Cellina's neck. "You always jump in and save us, but get so injured! We can't...we don't that ever! Don't you see how important you are to us?!"

Cellina's tears intensified as she sobbed into Elina's hand, Cellina didn't want to hear anymore, she just wanted to comfort her lovers and move on from the day...not deal with...this! She tried to get out of their holds, to allow herself to even do her best to comfort her partners...but they wouldn't even let her lift a finger.

"You are a friend, our fucking lover, our teammate! It isn't fair that we get out scot-free, and you with a bullet or slash on you every day...its not fair that you...that you take it all." Caitlin's voice slowed as she cried into her neck.

"You...don't deserve all the pain you have endured for us...its not fair to any of us if you get hurt like this...it sucks...don't you see?" Elina said as her own tears came out.

Cellina whimpered, but nodded to them both, hopeful that she could finally comfort them...to make them relax. Caitlin then lifted Elina's hand off Cellina's mouth, allowing her to finally speak, to get a say in whatever form of torture this was...but she could only sob more as she finally got to hug her partners.

Caitlin and Elina hugged back, not ever wanting to let go of Cellina, not ever wanting to leave her alone ever again. Cellina whimpered as they then looked up to her, Elina then hugged her from behind, "Don't speak...don't speak, you can't speak and degrade yourself further...not today...not ever."

Cellina could only nod, Caitlin then rested her head onto Cellina's chest and continued with a few sobs, "You...aren't expendable...we will engrave that back into your head...because we can't lose you...we can't let you die out there thinking...that."

Cellina nodded once again, finally calming down, Caitlin looked up to her face then gently removed her beanie. Only to place it back onto her own head. "Everything about you is precious...and we can't let each other go without a reminder of each other...of what we are going to fight for to protect..."

Elina then removed Cellina's jacket and put it on herself, "You are a part of us as much as we are a part of you..."

Cellina then felt one of Elina's jackets being put on her, then she felt Caitlin place her scarf around her neck and be secured. "You are never...expendable...you are our lover...our teammate...don't ever forget that...never again."

Cellina cried tears of joy and nodded as her partners pulled down to the bed and hugged her, their hold tight as if she could never be let go ever again. In another time, maybe in the future, she hopes that would be the case...she has to remember that for her lovers...she has to remember that she isn't expendable...she has a job to do...but she has to do it to live for them both...to fight for them and them alone, to live for them...her life is theirs...and she can't let them lose it, not yet.

Chapter Text

Cellina moved through empty streets time and time again, a nature walk she calls it. The streets were filled with green that brought life back to the once populated street, sometimes though she would get distracted by hostiles that wanted her dead. It was good to walk around, kept her mind off things and also let her think of the group's next move.

That is until her arm was pulled back by one of partners, making her turn to see who it was. Caitlin stared back at her softly and cautiously as she clung onto her arm.

"Take it easy...I'm not going to leave your sight." Cellina said trying to reassure her.

Caitlin shook her head and clung on harder. "You stayed home for three days...three...its..."

"Sorry sorry...I know you want us to go back, but we do have a job to do..." Cellina said as she nodded to the street. "Need to scout the perimeter for intruders, security is...important."

"I know I know..." Caitlin said, but didn't let go of her arm.

Cellina then felt the scarf she was wearing get pulled back, making Elina then wrap her arms around her neck. "Just don't forget you are important too."

"I...I'll..." Cellina stopped talking and gave a short nod to them. Her partners clung a bit harder in worry, the prospect of removing whatever Keener had etched into her head is going to be hard.

Caitlin hummed in thought then perked up, "We should come up with a new codename for you! That should be the start."

Cellina winced and tried to lie, "But...I like my codename."

Caitlin shook her head, "For our sake, we all know that is a lie."

Elina nodded, "Never lie...we've had enough lies. Thought you knew that already?"

Caitlin nodded then saw an old cafe to the side, windows were still intact, no sign of break in. She then dragged the others to it and then into the back room.

Cellina looked around then she felt herself get pulled once again. "What the?"

Caitlin then sat on a chair and then pulled Cellina close by wrapping her arms around her neck. She then pulled her onto her lap, making her embarassed and whine. Elina then hugged Cellina's arms close making her unable to wrap her own around Caitlin making her whine.

"We...should get a new one...please." Caitlin looked to her begging. Cellina's eyes widened as she realized what is happening now...she tried to escape the stare, she couldn't yield...even if it was true that it was a lie.

"But...I did...I..." Cellina tried to defend, "Doesn't it...fit me?"

Elina then leaned close to her ear, "It does...but you think of it like you are expendable...its a product of manipulation...we hate it."

Cellina whimpered, normally she'd be able to deal with this better...but these two knew how to push her buttons, how to make her weak to them, she...she hated how vulnerable they make her and force her to confront it with them.

"Don't you...want a name that we all like?" Caitlin asked hopeful but in a tone still sounding like she was begging her.

Elina then lifted her mask and kissed her on the neck. "We can choose one...don't you think that is for the best?"

Cellina stopped struggling and went limp. She looked to Caitlin and pushed out words reluctantly...but knew it was the best choice. "Okay...okay please...I don't want to...make you guys any sadder or hurt."

Caitlin winced and gently brushed her hair, "Sorry sorry...didn't want to do that to you Cellina...its...we want what is best...this is...sorry."

Elina nodded and hummed some tune of a song, calming Cellina down and comforting the two agents. Caitlin sighed and hugged Cellina close.

"Now...what can we name you?" Caitlin asked.

"She is protective, loyal, but dangerously self-sacrificing." Elina commented as she rubbed Cellina's back, the comment earned a disapproving whine from her.

"She is also hard on the outside, very soft in the inside, and all around very sensitive." Caitlin added on as she blew into Cellina's ear making her squeak and struggle.

"Dangerous and clever, very strategic." Elina added on with a poke to Cellina's side making her jerk and shake her head.

"And finally...our puppy." Caitlin added on with a smirk and a nuzzle into Cellina's neck, which is now occupied by both of her partners.

Elina smiled then perked up, "We need to change our names too. If we want to fit her as well."

Caitlin nodded then traced her fingers all over her back. "I'll take Sköll...you take Hati."

Elina nodded then turned to Cellina, "Then...we take you as..."

Cellina then finished off the sentence, to get it done and to finally be free. "Fenrir...Fen...rir."

The two laughed and kissed her cheeks, then suddenly Cellina felt her own mask be put on, her eyes widening and whimpering.

"Perfect hehe...Fenrir, Sköll, and Hati." Caitlin then continued to kiss her.

"Let me...kiss back..." Cellina begged as she felt Elina's lips on the back of her neck.

"No no...no giving...only taking...you deserve more love, and you will take it all." Elina ordered.

"But its...please I want to..." Cellina struggled hard trying to escape and repay.

"Like we said no giving...only taking." Caitlin said and laughed. "You have given us all your love...so...take some back...and enjoy."

Chapter Text

Elina sat on as tired as hell. Its been a rough week for all of them and she didn't want to do anything but fall asleep. She was first to go up to the penthouse and the first to fall down onto the couch. She would have lit the fireplace, but her body and head only wanted sleep and rest. Bandit came over and nipped at her mask, making her laugh softly and take it off, her hand then went to the top of his head amd started petting him.

"Hey bud...sorry its been...a tiring day and I'd love to play with you...but I just...want..." Elina couldn't finish her sentence and could only yawn. Bandit then jumped onto her head and went to town with her face. Elina laughed then pulled him off and pet him more.

"Naughty boy...hmm did you get a new haul today?" Elina asked which made Bandit jump around excitedly and take off. It was always somewhat concerning what he brought back, last time it was a deactivated cluster seeker which was real fuck terrifying, but she loved him all the same, little scav.

Bandit came back and dropped a ribbon roll, Elina blinked then took it in her hand, it still had a bunch of ribbon left and it was also colored blue. Elina smiled at Bandit and petted him on the head making him jump and nip at her hand. "Good boy, I'm sure it was hard to get this...and hard to find, honestly I'm surprised you can even move up and down from place to place given how high we are."

Bandit yipped and nuzzled her neck, Elina sighed and nuzzled back rubbing under his chin. "Right then...I'll just put it down for now alright? Now lets get you to bed."

The Cleaner placed the ribbon down on a coffee table then picked her dear buddy and placed him on his bed, then picked up a toy and used it to tire him out, she was lucky that he was somewhat tired already. Once he was asleep she then walked out and stretched, just as she did she heard the crackling of fire and the soft humming of her engineer.

The humming soon turned to singing which surprised Elina slightly, she never heard her sing...sneakily she moved out to the livingroom and saw Caitlin and Cellina on the couch, Cellina had her head on Caitlin's lap and Caitlin was singing to her as she was petting her head.

Elina smiled at that then went behind Caitlin and hugged her by the neck. Caitlin eeped and stopped singing before leaning into Elina and smiling up at her. "Put your dear child to sleep?"

"He is adorable and yes I did...how is our dear wolf?" Elina asked which earned a groan from Cellina.

"I'm...not a wolf..." Cellina said as she opened her eyes tiredly.

"Its nostalgic seeing you like this, calm and sleepy." Elina said as she petted Cellina.

Cellina pushed her hand away and glared lightly, the two other people laughed at the glare and leaned back. Elina then went next to Caitlin and leaned on her shoulder.

"Glare all you want...you can't deny it." Elina said as she kissed Cellina's forehead making her smile and kiss Elina's cheek.

Caitlin nodded and smiled then looked out the window. "Pretty view...when you chose it was it intentional?"

Cellina nodded, "Of course...Chicago is my home, I know my way around."

Elina nodded then felt Caitlin pet her head making her lean on it. Caitlin laughed and gently pushed Elina's head back for her to leave a kiss on her neck.

Elina eeped and glare fondly at her, "Not funny...weakspots..."

"Yeah Caitlin seems to be...very good at finding weakspots...engis" Cellina said which earned a blow to her ear by Caitlin making her squeak and cover her ears.

"Only Elina says that...and I tolerate it less." Caitlin smiled a bit threateningly.

"Oh what don't like the nickname engi?" Elina said which earned a nip on her ear, Elina froze then blushed and covered her eyes.

"Nope...its demeaning." Caitlin said, without the irritation that should have been there.

"Oh? What should we call you then?" Elina said as she grabbed the ribbon roll, Caitlin didn't seem to notice, but Cellina did and she perked up at the roll. Silently the two of them stared at each other, then the ribbon, and then to Caitlin...Cellina mouthed a word that the two were thinking.

Payback...sweet sweet...payback.

"I have no clue, but Elina is ferret, Cellina is either pup or wolf...so probably canine related?" Caitlin said as she got to thinking.

Elina giggled and went to Caitlin's side leaning back on her. Elina then moved her head to face her then kiss. Caitlin smiled into the kiss and leaned in more. Cellina took the ribbon roll and cut the amount they needed.

"Hmm...yeah that should work...Hyena?" Elina suggested as she distracted Caitlin.

Caitlin shook her head, "Hyenas...hate the name, take by group of criminals in DC...hate them."

Elina nodded, "Husky?"

Caitlin thought it over, "Maybe...not a big fan of them though."

Cellina then went back over and gave Elina the ribbon, she then sat on her lap and leaned on her shoulder. "Hmm...Retriever?"

Caitlin stuck out her tongue which was captured by Cellina. Caitlin eeped and wrapped her arms around Cellina's neck. Elina got to work, she then started to wrap the ribbon around Caitlin's hands while she was distracted.

The two agents pulled away, Caitlin then shook her head. "Retriever is...long and doesn't fit me."

Cellina nodded, "Fair fair...soo then...should we switch out of breeds?"

"Why were we doing breeds anyways?" Caitlin asked curiously.

"Seemed more fitting for you, but we can switch it out...Jackel?" Cellina asked.

"Nope...sounds cool though, will name a drone that." Caitlin said and sighed, "Well...no ideas...sooo lets think about something...else...huh?"

Cellina smiled innocently then ducked down allowing Caitlin to see what happened...which shocked her quickly. Her wrists were tied up with the ribbon, not too tight but enough to keep her from getting free.

Caitlin's eyes widened and looked around, only to suddenly get pinned to the couch by Elina who looked at her with a playful look. Caitlin's eyes widened in more shock and realization, her head shook in denial as she tried to escape.

Elina laughed and nodded her head. "Payback dear canine."

Caitlin tried to push her off only to get pulled up and have Cellina on her back, her mouth on her neck and kissing it, making Caitlin squeal and pant. "No please..." 

Cellina giggled and whispered, "Awww can only give, but can't take...that is...surpising."

Caitlin shivered and tried to get out of the ribbons. Elina stopped her by grabbing her hands and holding them tightly. Caitlin tried to talk but could only squeal and pant when Cellina nipped her neck.

"Hehe sensitive necks...just like us...adorable." Elina said with a purr, Caitlin blushed and tried to shake her head, only to squeak and jump when Cellina nipped on her ear.

"Sensitive ears...wonder if thats how you got our weaknesses...smart engi." Cellina commented which earned another blush from Caitlin, her face much redder than before.

"Not...eng...stop..." Caitlin ordered which the other two didn't follow through.

"No no...its about time we had you in our clutches...don't you think that is fair...fox?" Elina said, Caitlin's eyes widened at the nickname her eyes filled with an unreadable expression...except to Cellina who seemed to smirk.

"Is that...oh you like fox don't you?" Cellina purred and gently held her shoulders down. Caitlin shook her head.

Elina's eyes widened then she smiled and gently patted Caitlin. "Awww...do we have a cute fox in our hands?"

Caitlin shot up as best as she can, her voice breaking from the sensations "No!"

"Does our dear engi want to get called a fox..." Elina said as she gently placed her head on Caitlin's bound hands.

"Let me...go!" Caitlin said whimpering, only to get kissed by Cellina. Elina laughed and pulled away from her hands, then going under them and wrap herself with them. Caitlin tried to embrace Elina, but was held back by the ribbons.

"Aww the cute fox can't handle it...how cute..." Elina purred, Caitlin panted and shook her head, her body shivered assumedly in embarassment. The two others laughed and pulled away stopping.

"Sorry sorry...but it was just about time you know..." Elina said as she kissed Caitlin's hand.

Cellina nodded and nuzzled into Caitlin's neck giving her a kiss on the cheek. "We'll let you go now, but we are keeping the nickna-"

Cellina stopped midsentence when they heard the whimpering. When Elina looked she saw Caitlin's eyes with tears making her panic, "Shit shit...sorry sorry...we didn't...shoot Cait hang on." 

Before Elina could untie Caitlin's hands though, the engineer pulled her hands closer to her chest. Elina blinked and went closer, she tried to untie it why did Caitlin move away, did they hurt her, did they lose-?! 

Her train of thought was cut off when Cellina looked at her face, Cellina's face blinked in confusion. "Cait...whats...wrong?"

Caitlin whimpered more, Cellina then placed a hand on her cheek and rubbed it with her thumb trying to comfort her. 

That is until...Caitlin took the thumb into her mouth and nipped at it, making the others freeze. Caitlin then whimpered out...in a desperate and begging tone

"More...please...I want...please..."

Cellina and Elina's brains took a little time to process...and when they finished, they could only smile softly.

"More? You want more...fox?" Elina said gently.

Caitlin nodded as Cellina pulled her hand away and laughed gently, when Caitlin whimpered out once again Cellina kissed her softly and cuddled her close.

Caitlin pulled away and panted, Cellina laughed and sighed fondly, "Foxes are so cute...you are cute right?"

Caitlin nodded with a desperate whimper, Elina then nuzzled into her neck and kissed. "Does the fox like being called cute?"

Caitlin nodded again making the others laugh, then Cellina rested her head on her shoulder and gave her neck a gentle nibble. Caitlin squeaked and panted going limp.

"Hehe...before we continue we just have to ask..." Elina said cautiously but still somewhat eagerly.

"...I trust you...both of you completely...I love you two...and I want more...more of this...please give me...more..." Caitlin said and gently begged, her own tears threatening to come out.

The two others smiled and hugged her close, Cellina then went to her ear, "Alright our gentle fox...more cuddles, nibbles, and kisses?"

Caitlin whimpered out and shivered..."please yes..."

Elina smiled and nodded, "Alright...but no giving...only taking..." Elina then took her mask and placed it on Caitlin.

Caitlin at first tried to shake it off, but froze when  Cellina and Elina kissed her on both sides of her neck making her squeal and go limp.

"Just for tonight...take our love like Cellina...after all...you've been waiting months for her, time to be rewarded yeah?" Elina said.

Her previously tired brain was now awake with the task of doing one thing...to treat her dear fox and give her all the love she has been missing...and it was about time she got her spot back, if only for a moment.

Chapter Text

Caitlin woke up groggily and feeling like she was bitten by a million small dogs, she has to blame Cellina for all the specific quips she now has in her head. Once she was awake she noticed she was still wearing the gas mask, her hands were still bound by the ribbon, and her scarf was around her neck.

Caitlin blushed underneath the mask and curled up, she...god these two were...why did they have to be so perfect. Caitlin looked on the bed seeing Elina by her side, she has the opportunity for payback...but noticed her dear wolf out of the bed.

She panicked for a moment, her mind raced for a moment thinking she had ran away, she looked all over the room and noticed Cellina's gear was still on the chair along with their own...where did she go though?

Caitlin stood up and pulled off Elina's mask, she'll deal with her hands later, she has to find Cellina. She then gave a kiss to Elina's forehead and smiled when she curled up from it, it was cute. She then looked around the penthouse, no signs of a struggle, no blood, nothing messy...so she was still here and not kidnapped...good, Caitlin's fists clenched tightly as she remembered New York.

Caitlin shivered and noticed a door to the balcony outside open. She walked out and looked around, she spotted her missing partner and was aboit to approach wtih a smile, until she heard something.

Humming? Did the trio have a thing for humming or was it...like coping? Caitlin looked at Cellina over and saw her with a cup in her hands. Caitlin stood next to the doorway and listened to her hum, its nice to hear her. Cellina stopped humming and turned to Caitlin, she gave her a soft smile and waved her over.

Caitlin came over and tilted her head, "You are still up...thought you were a tuckered out like the rest of us?"

Cellina laughed and shook her head, "Surprisingly enough no...had a thought and I wanted to get ready...wasn't expecting you to be awake so soon but it works."

Caitlin perked up at that, "What works?"

"Well...my confession with Elina was not how I planned it, but it was pretty good nonetheless, your confession was pretty sappy and apparently quite truamatizing to Elina." Cellina stated with a small grin.

Caitlin blushed and nodded, "I...well the opportunity was there, and Elina was just so...god she was soo cute when she is embarassed."

The two shared a laugh and Cellina held out her coffee, "Take a sip, should wake you up for this bit."

Caitlin nodded and took the cup in her hands, she took a sip and sighed in content, hot chocolate always hit the spot.

"You are still tied up? This isn't going to lead to something that requires that you know?" Cellina said teasingly causing Caitlin to blush and huff.

"I wasn't going to suggest that...especially after you two practically tortured me from not kissing you two!" Caitlin yelled offended.

"Hey you did it to me, and Elina said she wanted her spot back." Cellina tried to defend, only to catch Caitlin's hands from trying to hit her in the head.

"Its still meaaaan...we only did it cause you lied and you needed a new name..." Caitlin said sounding a bit sad,.

Cellina blinked then sighed, "I...sorry its just...he gets into your head you know?"

"Wholeheartedly yeah I know...but you didn't have to lie..." Caitlin's hands loosened up and were no longer fists, Cellina then held them tightly and gave a gentle squeeze.

"I won't do it again...but I think its time for what I have in store." Cellina said as she lowered Caotlin's arms around her neck.

Caitlin stared at her eyes for a moment and was about to ask, until she heard the sound of music. Once it started, she tensed up nervously. "I...what are you...?"

Cellina gave her a small smile as the music picked up, then suddenly Caitlin was then moved around the balcony, her hands and moves were guided by Cellina at all times. She found herself smiling brightly.

"Never took you to be one to dance." Caitlin said as she then dipped down making her giggle.

"To be fair..." Cellina pulled her up and wrapped her arms around her neck. "...neither did I, but when I did it with Elina it was...pretty breathtaking."

"Oh? More things I should be jealous about? Elina taking my dear partner's first dance? What did she take your first time too?" Caitlin said without a hint of malice.

Cellina laughed and shook her head, "We never strayed that closely...beaides that is special. Like this is hehe."

Caitlin nodded, "Good...because I've been dreaming of this."

Cellina nodded back and continued to dance. The music picking up, the sun peaking out from the horizon, they must've been sleeping for awhile it seemed.

"You know...sorry I might be trauma dumping this but I...I need to say..." Caitlin said hopeful and scared.

Cellina looked down and slowed the dance down. "Not a problem...what is it?"

"Its...you know for the past year or so, I've been thinking of you...dreaming, hallucinating, hoping that you would be by my side and not...gone." Caitlin said with her fists clenching. "Whenever I woke up turned and didn't see you...it horrified and scared me...that happened awhile ago..."

Cellina winced then brought her hands to her cheeks. "Oh Cait..."

Caitlin shook her head, "Let me...finish...whenever it happened I just...fucking broke, I hated it, hated that he took you away from me...like he kidnapped you and you weren't coming back, I had nightmares Cell...I didn't like those nightmares, because you were the victim..."

"Everyday...until two months ago...I was alone, broken, and hurting. I missed you, I would have done anything to bring you back...and now..." Caitlin looked up at her, her tears flowed down with no sign of stopping, but she was smiling. "I have you...I missed you...I fucking love you to the ends of the Earth...I love you until my dying breath...I need you...I...can't live without you..."

Caitlin then fell down to Cellina's chest and cried, her hands tried to pull free and allow her to hug her closer...then she felt tears come down onto her head and looked to see Cellina crying.

The guilt, the longing, the happiness, every single emotion that she could see was right there in Cellina's eyes...and then her breath was taken into a kiss, she felt Cellina asking for forgiveness, she felt the apology, she felt all the things Cellina needed and wanted to say in that kiss. Caitlin was happy...she felt whole...and she didn't want her to go away.

When they pulled away, they smiled and laughed, Cellina then pulled out of Caitlin's arms and pinned her to the wall. With her hands tied she couldn't resist...but at this point, why would she want to?

"You deserve so much more than I could offer...that I could give...so I will give you my all and more...no matter what happens now from here and forever...we are together...I'm never going to leave you...and I will...protect you until my dying breath." Cellina said wholeheartendly, her hand caressing Caitlin's cheek yet again.

Caitlin sobbed happy tears, so much so that she had to nibble on Cellina's thumb again...she wanted to say soo much more. Her voice going as far as to whimpering out her desires. "Take...fucking...I can't...I want...please never...never leave..."

Cellina smiled brightly as the sun shined on them, then they kissed once again. Caitlin leaned in happily, never wanting to be left alone again.

And just to be sure...she will have to do something just as special as for Elina...she deserves it for protecting her dearesr partner...she deserves to be loved by her too...and she will do it when the time is right.