Roadside Distractions (Carolina)

[Agent South Carolina]

With a hum of thought, Carolina didn't really say anything to that. At least he could ignore it. Sometimes, ignoring your troubles was the only way to deal with them - she knew that well enough. Blowing a hint of extra air out her nose, a kind of a relaxing sigh, she looked at the sky again for just a moment. There was so much, and yet so little, that she could say at a time like this.

"Do you ever wonder what life would have been like without the BWC...?" It was a subject change, but only slightly. It was in the same area. She was genuinely curious though - she wasn't sure what would have happened. She'd probably eventually be released from active duty in the military - but what then? What would she be today if they hadn't called her back in?

She remembered when she was little wanting to be a marine biologist... The animals had fascinated her, and the chance to be closer to them was something she'd always relished. That dream seemed so far lost, though, so far gone, that it almost didn't seem possible anymore. She wasn't sure how she'd take the lack of action, the lack of movement. There was nothing in it for her - not anymore.

So really, what would she have done? Would she have settled down? Gotten a life? Would she have gone back to school to learn more? Neither of those options seemed appealing to her, though. She was honestly quite glad that she wasn't stuck with them - that would have been an incredibly boring life. What was there for her if there wasn't action, after all? She doubted she'd have 'found' the Autobots, after all - or been captured by them, for that matter. That had been a mistake.

But then, life would have been so much easier. So much less pain, less regret. Would the trade be worth it? Would she really have a happier life? It would be hard to decide, if ever a case came up... But it wouldn't. She was stuck with it. Still, hypotheticals were hypotheticals - and sometimes they started a conversation. Normally she'd avoid them, but then, normally she wouldn't be in this situation at all.

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[Agent New York]

"All the time." York answered quietly. He couldn't even remember what he had been like before the BWC. He couldn't remember what he'd wanted to be, where he'd wanted to end up. There was just the memory of the military, and the offer to sign up as a new breed of soldier. It had sounded good at the time, so he had taken it, and climbed his way up the ranks.

"Sometimes I regret it." He added after a while, deciding there wouldn't be a better moment to let his load off. "I mean, signing up for that. Everything we did..." He trailed off. Better not to go down that route. "But then, sometimes I'm glad I accepted. Without the BWC, I wouldn't have met the Freelancers. I wouldn't have met Wash and North and the others... I wouldn't have met you."

He had no idea how she'd react to that last part. That was the quiet way of admitting his feelings for her. Perhaps the only way she would accept him telling her. Outright yelling it wouldn't really work. It had to be subtle, unnoticeable by anyone but the two of them. But they wouldn't know what would happen unless they tried. That was his hope, anyway.

[Agent South Carolina]

Carolina listened to his reply with a distracted attention, processing his words slowly, right up until he hit the end. She wasn't sure how to respond to that - it took her a moment to realize she'd stopped breathing. With a slow, deep breath, she gradually replied, hesitant, not sure what to say. The subtle hint may just be an over evaluation, after all. No need to get all caught up over it. Just return another one.

Of course, she knew, deep down inside, that York would always be more than a friend, and that he thought the same way of her. It was on that inside part that she was scared to open, for fear that the world might change, that something could go terribly wrong. She feared to open it, because she didn't want to end in hurt. "I don't know what I'd do without having met you, York - or the others. If there's one thing that I'm grateful for, it's that we met, and that we're still together now."

She was scared to get any more personable than that, any closer. She was scared to open herself to him, and hoped that he wouldn't misinterpret her words as a rejection of any sort. With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes again, not sure if there was anything else to say, not sure if anything would happen now. Would they stay distant? They were in uncharted waters, metaphorically at least, and she wasn't sure what they'd find.

And if they did get together... She certainly hoped that if things went wrong, they'd still be a team. Nothing would hurt her more than the splitting of a team, particularly if it were for purely emotional reasons. There was a reason she'd never expressed any feeling for York before, and she was afraid that it might be a mistake now. She was afraid of what would happen if they got together, but even more than that, she was afraid of what would happen if they stayed apart. Would somebody else come along and take him, leaving her unknowing of what it would have been like to have... To have loved him? Even for just a little while?

The words crossed her mind hesitantly, uncertainly, as though it were a new concept, one that she wasn't prepared to handle. She knew everything she needed about fighting, but when it came to peace she was lost. What was next? Where were they going? Who would take it away?

She wasn't sure if she wanted this. The urge to leave, to run - and keep going, as long as she could... It struck her hard, and she almost cringed - almost. But she managed to stay relaxed, managed to stay afloat on the water, even though the calm sea that was normally her mind had turned into a vicious storm.

What was next...?

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[Agent New York]

York glanced her way with a soft smile, knowing that was the closest he'd get right now. Maybe someday they'd get over their fears of what their relationship might have to go through in order to become firm yet peaceful. But there was a long and dangerous path up to that point, and he didn't even know if either of them would make it. He had the same fears as she did.

There were so many things that could go wrong. What if it just didn't work? Would the team be forced to divide because of it? He didn't want that. Carolina had been his reason for sticking around this long. If she hadn't of been there, he would've become a solo Freelancer a hell of a lot quicker, even with Wash and North around. He knew she felt the same way; he'd been there when she needed him the most, he knew.

"You and I both, Carolina." He replied.

Then it struck him. Carolina. For all the years that they had known each other, worked with each other, counted on each other... he had no idea about her real name. She was a codename, just like the other Freelancers. Just like him. He had never asked because they weren't allowed to share their real names. The Director had wanted to keep their identities a secret.

The Director was dead. The BWC was dead. Yet they still had their codenames.

[Agent South Carolina]

She wasn't sure why, but for some reason, the code names just didn't seem right anymore. She understood why the Director didn't want them knowing each others names - it would be one more thing to go by if one of them were to die - but the Director was dead. He was gone. There was no more he could do against them - at least, not directly. Her eyes stayed closed, her posture relaxed, though her heart - no, her mind, it was all a matter of mind - still cringed at her, her denial at the opportunity to pull York close, to hold him.

They'd have to make baby steps. And first, they'd have to know each other - the real them, not their codes. She opened her eyes again, looking back up at the sky, the clouds, the wintery blue that shown through the slightly grey puffs. It was surprisingly clear for this time of year. "My name isn't Carolina." She spoke a moment after he did, like most of their conversation had been, hesitant pauses behind everything they'd said to each other. "It's Kate. Katelyn Hughes. That's my birth name, and that's what I want to be known by - not as Carolina. Kate."

She didn't want to die without people knowing her real name. She was a long, long way from home, and the chance that they'd get her to her family was slim. She didn't want to be left in their memory as Carolina. Poor Carolina. Remember what happened to her? She felt sorry for Florida and Georgia, who had been stuck with that fate. She felt sorry for anybody who was stuck like that. If people remembered nothing else about her, they better remember two things - her name, and that she went down fighting.

She wasn't sure if York would share his name, too, but if he did, she'd safeguard it, remember it, treasure it, in the hopes that he'd do the same. She'd learned that names were important - because they stuck with you for the rest of your life. There was little else to be said for it - names mattered, and she hoped that she would be remembered by hers.

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[Agent New York]

It was like she could read his mind sometimes. York couldn't say he minded; it made things a hell of a lot easier. Plus, if they were going to do this sort of thing, they needed to get to know each other a little more than current jobs and skill sets. "It's nice to meet you, Kate." He chuckled, glancing at her with a grateful expression. There weren't many people he could share all of himself with. "I'm Sean. Sean Duggan."

That felt good. He hadn't used his name in such a while that Freelancer New York was scared he might have forgotten it. But it came back to him easily, which he was thankful for. It would've been awkward if she told him her name and he couldn't tell her his. She might think he was lying, and feel offended. It was a good thing he could remember it.

[Agent South Carolina]

She smiled - actually, genuinely smiled - leaning her head back in the water a bit. If she weren't laying in water, that would be akin to looking to the sky. It was a vague movement of happiness, but the water softened it into a seemingly meaningless motion. "Nice to meet you too, Sean. Beautiful day, isn't it?" She spoke almost jokingly, that same smile turning into an amused smirk. The seriousness of their moment had left in as soon as they'd introduced each other, almost as though their names, spoken aloud, had broken a wall of some sort, had stolen that little blanket of calm comfort.

It was nice, to get to know each other for once, instead of how they could help each other as a team. The real them, not just the suited warriors. She was afraid that once they put the suits back on, they'd be back to just that same state, that same, plain, professionalism that had kept the team. She could now honestly say that York - Sean - was a friend, and she liked that. It seemed more real, somehow.

She grinned at him for just a moment longer, looking over the contours of his face. It was surprising how much they missed when they were in those suits, when they were playing action hero for the Director. Hopefully they could start to make it up, to catch up to each other, one step at a time. One step and then the next gets you where you're going...

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[Agent New York]

"It is, isn't it?" York- no, Sean. Could he call himself Sean now? As normal as it felt to say his real name again, a part of him still felt attached to his state name. It had been a part of him for a good while. But maybe calling himself Sean wouldn't be so bad. Okay, then. Sean held her gaze for those few sweet moments. He loved her appearance - her striking hair with her gentle eyes. It was something unexpected in most people, but it complimented her completely.

Maybe they could reduce the formalities with the team as well. Maybe they could drop the state names altogether - leave behind the BWC and start something new. Just be the special ops team that they should've been. The military soldiers, referring to each other with surnames, sure, but that was what the military did. They didn't have to be anything special. They could be a good fighting team, but they didn't have to be the higher ups.

They could be normal. After so long, they might just get back their lives, their identities... themselves.

[Agent South Carolina]

Katelyn sighed, a happy sigh. "It's a wonderful day to be alive..." Really, actually, alive. Human. A person, not a tool. A true, full fledged living being, free in heart and soul... Today was a wonderful, wonderful day. Even if it was a bit chilly. Freedom had never, ever tasted so sweet. So, with a grin on her face, she closed her eyes and rested once more, letting the sweet, sweet water keep her afloat. She may as well enjoy the time she had, before it was time to go - because it wouldn't last forever.

It was nice to know that maybe, just maybe, they could get to know each other past simply being a team. That would be very, very nice. Hopefully the others would think so too - after all, they couldn't go by state names forever. They'd get their lives back, just a bit at a time.

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[Agent New York]

Sean liked it just as much as Kate did. It felt so much better to feel at least somewhat normal. He could deal with the armor. He could deal with the helmet. He could even deal with Delta. But he wasn't going to let his identity be nothing more than a state name any longer. He could finally be himself. Something that he never thought he would have the opportunity to be.

The mention of his AI partner got him thinking, though. Would Kate come to accept him just as he had? Sure, they hadn't always got along, but without the assistance of the little green leprechaun, as she had put it a while ago, he probably wouldn't be alive in most situations. Maybe it was her own bad experiences, with both him and the two AI that she had been given originally, that tainted her judgement.

He hoped he could change that someday.

[Agent South Carolina]

Carolina's thoughts strayed very specifically away from AIs - at least, at first. She was thinking about what she'd promised the Autobot- at least, loosely promised. That she'd hunt down Maine... That was a hard promise for her. Maine had been a friend, at one point - even one that was fun to irritate. Kicking him out of that window had definitely been amusing, thinking back. At the time it had been the most sensible action, but now it was amusing. To think that that might be one of the last positive memories she had with the man was disturbing - she'd never even heard him speak, wasn't sure if he was capable. But the AIs... She shuddered at the thought of each of those little buggers picking apart the white suited man's mind, each of those AIs driving him mad... She wasn't sure if he had a reaction even vaguely similar to hers, but she was sure that AIs had potential for good - and a lot of bad. She had to admit, the little green leprechaun that York - Shaun - kept with him was one of the better ones, even if he'd been the one to mark the beginning of her apparent downfall.

But she hadn't hit the bottom yet, and she had a promise to fulfill - which reminded her... Would York be willing to join her? To ally with her? That's what she had wanted to talk to him about the other day, what she'd expressed to him without words... She hadn't had that conversation yet. Unfortunately, to have it, she'd have to break the moment, and she didn't really want to do that - but the conversation had to be had. "... I need to ask you something." Hopefully it would be as simple as that - she'd ask, he'd say yes, no discussion or convincing. She was still trying to convince herself, really, but it had to be done. If they were lucky, they could calmly converse... But she was honestly scared for Delta. More Sean than Delta, but Delta was the reason that York would be in danger in the first place - she wasn't sure if that bugged her or not, but she was still of the opinion that AIs only caused trouble. If this conversation went as simply as she hoped, there would still be hope for the rest of the day. If not... Well... They'd burn that bridge when they got to it - and hopefully they'd still be standing on the same side.

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[Agent New York]

York - he would forever consider himself as York, even when others called him Sean - knew full well that the peaceful moment wouldn't last. Carolina's Boss Face that she had given him back at the Autobot base had not been revealed to have a reason behind it yet, and he had a feeling that was what she wanted to talk about. He turned his head to look at her, indicating that he was listening.

Quietly, he checked with Delta. Even if the green AI was waiting back at the Warthog within his helmet, they still maintained a thought connection. Whilst there was no mental feeling inside his head, the voice was still there. {"Everything okay back there?"} He asked.

{"There is no one within the area but yourself and Agent Carolina."} Delta replied with a quiet voice, almost as if he was fearful that the former Number One could somehow hear him. {"I will notify you of any changes."}

He sent a quick grateful acknowledgement, before turning his attention back to Kate.

[Agent South Carolina]

Carolina, too, looked over, studying his face carefully as she spoke, hoping to gauge his reaction a bit more as she spoke. "You remember the promise I made to the Autobots while we were there?" She'd never said promise while they were at base, but with Carolina, when she said she'd do something, it was a promise. She continued speaking before she would allow him to respond. "I'm going to need your help with it - if you agree." That was one thing that a good part of her would kind of miss - now she was on equal terms with everybody, which meant that every time something needed done, she had to ask if they were willing to do it, instead of just ordering it be done and moving forward. Things would go much slower if this kept up - a good team needed a definite leader, and now only their faith and willingness would allow that.

However, that was a misgiving for another time. Right now, she had to ask York for his assistance. She didn't have to tell him that it would be dangerous. She didn't have to give too much information about the situation - not only did she not have any, he probably actually had more than she did. She was in a jail cell for a few precious days, and apparently he'd just started being noticeably active the same day she had. What a coincidence. Green eyes gazed intently into his eyes - both of them, she refused to treat the other one as extra - as she waited for his reply. Hopefully, hopefully this would not be an overly long discussion, because if it was, she was afraid they'd wind up on different sides - and she wasn't ready to split up. Not yet.

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[Agent New York]

York blinked in surprise at her question. She had asked something that, surely, was the most obvious thing in the Universe? How could she think that he would ever leave her to do what she had agreed to do by herself? He needed her as much as she needed him; he was the one who had encountered the Decepticons, after all. He'd met their Leader and their Medic, for crying out loud! But he wasn't really angry. Never angry at Carolina, at Kate. He was just a little shocked by how much she had really changed.

"I'm not going to leave you to do something like this by yourself." He told her with a determined expression, even if the left side of his vision was dark and there was no point narrowing that eyebrow. It got the message across. "You have my agreement, believe me. And you always will."

[Agent South Carolina]

Oh thank god. She'd almost been afraid that he wouldn't want to help, wouldn't want to aid her - partially because she wasn't the boss anymore. {"Are you sure it's not because you're afraid you aren't good enough?"} The thought hit her like a brick. She'd had it in her subconscious for a while, that tiny little fear, but it hurt to think about it. It hurt to acknowledge it. She'd worked her ass off for them, and still hadn't been good enough - the previous number one. Now she was second, second to that monster of a woman, second in the eyes of her superior, even though she'd never wavered from their orders, no matter how sadistic or horrible they got. Even when they wanted to put one of those unstable things in her head - and not just one, but two! And then, when it failed, cut them off like they were nothing... She felt like there was a hole in her mind from that, and she couldn't decide, sometimes, if it would have been worse to keep them. She didn't remember what had happened with them there, but she did know that it had been then that had marked her forever in their minds as second best. Her rage had been great - it had been that moment that had marked the director's death, whether he knew it or not. Kate was not one to be tampered with.

Instead, she forced her first reaction down with a smile, hiding her thoughts as she had been so good at doing for so long, pushing them back again. Sacrifice had to be made for forward progress. So much sacrifice that sometimes people went mad... She would not be one of those people. "You have no idea how much that means to me, Sean. I'm glad that I can still count on you." She was almost giddy with relief at his response, despite the initial slap in her head. She honestly wasn't really certain why she'd had any doubts in the first place, and hoped that the man in her vision right now hadn't been hurt by the implications. But at least now she had a team - even if it was just a two person team, it was a team. Solo work, as she had recently learned, really didn't go far - unless the cage was far from the site of infraction, of course. But now she knew she had somebody she could depend on by her side - a team mate, and a friend.

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