I do not own Red vs Blue.

And here's the final chapter. I had a lot of fun writing this, and I hope you enjoyed reading!

Until next time,

AnimationNut out.

Peace!

The morning light filtered through the gauzy curtains of the infirmary. It seemed ludicrous to Grif that the thick, bullet-proof glass was draped with such decorative cloth, but he supposed there had to be some cheer existing in the middle of a war. He wasn't usually awake to catch the first rays of sunlight. But he could make out the yellow splashing across the tiled floor in ripples through the thin fabric of his blankets.

The only reason he was up at such an early hour was because he had an unshakeable desire to contact his sister. He had tried to ignore it, at first, tossing and turning restlessly until he finally surrendered. Dr. Grey was bustling around her office, moving so quietly Grif wouldn't have known she was there if he hadn't already been awake when she walked in. He called out to her and she was by his side immediately, ready to inspect whatever pain ailed him.

She wasn't at all irritated when he requested her to bring him a tablet so he could call his sister. While most of the soldiers were discouraged from making personal calls due to the strict rules on outside communication, Kimball and Doyle had a soft spot for the Reds and Blues.

Dr. Grey returned ten minutes later with a slim black device. She warned him to keep quiet before disappearing back into her office. To avoid disturbing the few slumbering patients, Grif yanked the blankets over his head and hooked it to the metal bed post, creating a blanket fort.

Though it was morning on Chorus it was approaching afternoon where Kai was, though it didn't really make a difference in the never-changing environment of Blood Gulch. "Yo bro!" she greeted enthusiastically, answering on the first ring of the video call. "Wassup?"

"Not much. Currently lying in the hospital wing after being shot in the neck."

Not fazed in the slightest by this revelation, Kaikaiana said in awe, "Cool! Do you have a sweet scar?"

"I don't know. Dr. Grey won't let me take off the bandages. But I do have Carolina's soulmark."

He recounted the story for her and she listened with rapt attention. An envious glint shone in her eyes. "Lucky."

Grif felt her longing and loneliness flow through their soul-link and he frowned. "Hey, don't be like that. You'll get Wash and Carolina's soulmarks before you know it."

"I don't know about that," she said with a raised brow. "You guys are taking forever to win this war."

"Oh, please," said Grif with a scoff. "I'd like to see you do better."

"You're on. I'll be on the next plane."

Though they had had this conversation several times, it was difficult to tell whether or not she was joking. Grif took the safe route by saying sharply, "Don't even think about it. The second your ship comes into Chorus' atmosphere Felix and Locus will have it shot down. If you happen to survive it and they figure out who you are…"

He didn't continue, as imagining what the two mercenaries would do to Kai if they ever got a hold of her was too unpleasant to contemplate. Sensing she had agitated him, which she usually took joy in, Kai felt sheepish.

"I know, I know. It just sucks. You left me here all alone."

Flinching at that, for Kai still harboured genuine hurt for being left behind, Grif could only shrug. "I'm sorry, Kai, but you know there wasn't anything we could do. Command gave us orders."

"You could have at least told me where you were going," said Kai with a huff.

"I did," said Grif. "I told you we were going to Rat's Nest."

Kai blinked at him, the corners of her lips turning down slightly. "Ooh. That's a place? I thought you were making fun of my hair."

"That explains why you punched me," muttered Grif, the memory of Kai unexpectedly decking him in the face bringing back a phantom pain.

"Lemme see."

Kai had a tendency to jump rapidly between subjects in a conversation. Grif paused to mentally backtrack before coming upon what she might be referring to. "What, Carolina's soulmark?"

"Duh."

Grif lifted the edge of his blanket, careful not to unhook it, and peeked out. Some patients were awake while others slept on. Dr. Grey would be out soon to make her rounds, but Grif doubted she would check on him. She had already given him a clean bill of health—the extra twenty-four hours of hospital stay were a precaution more than anything else.

"Fine," he said, letting the blanket fall back into place. "But if Dr. Grey catches me, I'm blaming it on you."

He rested the tablet against his knees and picked at the white bandages wrapped around his neck. Kai watched with eager eyes as he peeled it slowly off of his skin, eventually revealing the cyan handprint curled around his neck.

"How did it feel?" she asked.

"Nice try," said Grif with a smirk. "You're going to have find that one out for yourself."

Kai flashed him a rude gesture that caused him to break into laughter. The blanket was suddenly ripped away and Grif's laughter turned into a startled scream, instinctively flinging the tablet at the figure who had intruded upon his space.

Tucker grunted and stumbled backwards as the tablet slammed into his chest before clattering to the floor. "Ouch! What the hell, man?"

Dr. Grey strode into the infirmary, radiating displeasure. "What did I just say?" she asked frostily.

"We were quiet as a mouse with socks on!" protested Sarge. "He's the one jumpin' like a jackrabbit!"

Dr. Grey's eyes zeroed in on Grif, specifically the exposed wound on his neck. "And what do you think you're doing?"

Recoiling at the dangerous tone, Grif said meekly, "It's not my fault. My sister wanted to see it."

Clicking her tongue, Dr. Grey grabbed fresh bandages and rewrapped the wound, using a bit more force than necessary. When she was finished, she regarded the observing group and said, "Like I said, you are welcome to stay, but you must. Be. Quiet."

"Yes ma'am!" they chorused.

Lips forming a fond smile behind her helmet, Dr. Grey made an 'I'm watching you' gesture before starting her work for the day. His heartbeat returning to normal, Grif gave Tucker's stomach a shove. "What is wrong with you?" he snapped.

"What's wrong with you?" returned Tucker with a laugh. "Irritated that I interrupted private time?"

"You're disgusting. How did you convince Dr. Grey to let you all in here?"

"She is a nice lady," replied Caboose.

"She is," agreed Simmons. "And soulmates have priority visiting."

"Yeah, but there's also a cap at three visitors at a time," said Grif. "Isn't that why you came to see me in pairs yesterday?"

"Yeah, but only because we weren't sure if she'd let all of us in at once while you were recovering," said Donut, easing himself into the chair by Grif's bed. "Once you were better, she said we could all see you when visiting hours were open!"

"Turns out she's never had a patient with eleven soulmates before," said Doc in amusement.

Kai was an absence they did not miss, especially for Washington and Carolina, who were astutely aware of the unfilled yellow mark on their bodies. Remembering that he had been mid-conversation with Kai before Tucker unintentionally scared him, Grif cursed.

"Kai—damn it, Tucker."

Washington bent down and retrieved the tablet. "Nice reflexes, by the way."

"Thanks," said Grif, accepting the device.

"If only you moved that fast everyday," said Sarge with a sneer.

"Oh, shut up." The tablet began to trill and it was Grif's turn to answer on the first ring. "Sorry Kai. Tucker's an asshole."

He flipped the tablet around so she got a clear picture of their soulmates huddling near his cot. Brown eyes sparkling, Kai said cheerfully, "My babes! What's up?"

"Trying and failing to keep your brother out of trouble," replied Church, flickering over Caboose's shoulder.

"Aw, that's nothing," said Kai dismissively. "We've been in worse scrapes when we were kids."

"I don't recall ever getting shot when I was a kid," said Grif flatly.

"No, but you did get run over by a motorcycle when you gave that dude the finger."

"Oh." Grif's brow furrowed. "I don't really remember that."

"You hit your head pretty hard. I had to take you to the hospital on the back of my bike. You left a trail of blood the entire way!" When the others gaped at them, Kai asked defensively, "What?"

"I know you guys had a wild childhood," said Simmons in disbelief, "but seriously. How are you still alive?"

"Not a clue, dude," said Grif.

"I'm amazed the base is still standing," said Lopez flatly.

"Of course the base is still standing," said Kai with a huff. She was the only one of them with the ability to fully understand Spanish, though she was awful at speaking it. "Well, one of them, anyway…"

"Wait, which one?" asked Church and Sarge in unison.

Apprehension crossing her features, Kai said hastily, "I don't remember."

"What do you mean you don't remember?" demanded Church. "I swear, Sister, if you burned Blue Base to the ground—"

"I didn't do anything," interjected Kai. "One of the raves got a little out of hand, that's all."

"You're still doing those?"

"Of course I am. A girl needs company! If I spend too much time alone, I'm going to go crazy."

Kai tried to stay upbeat, but the sadness rose in her chest and settled like a heavy weight. She missed them and she knew they missed her.

"Don't worry hon," cooed Donut. "You'll be here before you know it. Promise."

"I know it's hard. It's hard for us too," spoke Doc. "But we will reunite."

"We definitely didn't expect to be detoured for so long," said Simmons regretfully. "We'll make up for lost time."

"Even if we have to soak this planet in the blood of our enemies, we'll make sure this planet is safe for your arrival," said Sarge gruffly.

"We will win this war," said Tucker confidently. "You do have two more soulmarks to fill in, after all."

"And you have two soulmates who can't wait," said Washington feelingly.

"Getting the chance to meet you face-to-face is part of what keeps me going," said Carolina sincerely.

"What's the other part?" asked Sarge with a smirk.

"Caboose," deadpanned Carolina.

"Yay!" he cheered. "I'm her favourite!" Directing his attention back to Kai, he said earnestly, "We will have a party when you arrive!"

"I like parties," said Kai, perking up. "Can there be alcohol and strippers?"

"Hell yeah," said Tucker immediately.

"Hell no," shot down Washington.

"Why are you such a cop?" asked Kai, disgruntled.

"I'm not a cop," said Washington in exasperation.

"You sure act like one."

"Sue me, I like order. Raves are the exact opposite of order."

"They're not that bad," said Kai dismissively. "Sure, someone got a bit wild with the fireworks and set Red Base on fire—"

Sarge's vicious swear caused Kai to cut herself off, a stricken expression on her face as she realized she accidentally spilled the beans. Simmons let out a horrified squawk while Donut lamented the loss of his perfectly decorated room. Lopez and Grif remained unaffected by this news, the latter rolling his eyes at yet another one of his sister's antics.

"You careless useless tramp—" began Sarge furiously.

"It's being rebuilt!" Kai said hastily. "Soon. I think. Uh, love you got to go!"

She hung up amongst Sarge's rambling and Church's hysterical laughter. Caboose gave a despaired Simmons an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I can help you paint when we get back!"

"That's the last time we leave her alone," grumbled Sarge.

"Oh well," sighed Donut, resting his chin against his hand. "It's always good to redecorate every once in a while."

"Sucks to be you," snickered Tucker.

At the scowl on Sarge's weathered face, Grif smirked and said, "She apologized."

"She's real torn up about it," he scoffed.

Indeed, Kai's amusement hummed through their soul-links, remorse over the accidental destruction of Red Base non-existent. Grif settled back against his pillows, the grin spreading across his face as love, affection and ire rolled through him. The soulmarks on his body seemed brighter in the fluorescent lighting, standing out proudly against his skin.

Church could not stop laughing at Sarge's misfortune and Dr. Grey, brimming with exasperation, kicked them all out. They bid Grif farewell, with the promise to see him later on in the evening, and departed quickly under Dr. Grey's supervision.

Grif felt them, all of them, their emotions humming through him. It was the best sensation in the world, to have what no one else did. To be permanently linked with his eleven soulmates, to experience their negativity and positivity, and be so emotionally attached that it was sometimes difficult to bear.

He felt whole. He felt completed. And it had been worth every second of anxious, desperate, torturous waiting.