A/N: Ok folks (mainly those that aren't getting here from my tumblr post), this may or may not be the last chapter for this particular fic. I haven't decided yet, BUT I do have another segment planned out that I am going to start posting probably next Monday...we'll see. Keep an eye open. Enjoy!
"WILL SOMEONE GET CABOOSE OUT OF THAT TANK ALREADY!" Church screamed.
"Aw come on Church, he just wants to show you how much he loves you," Tucker laughed as Caboose fired the canon again at Church's hologram image. "You know that's how he shows affection."
"Then I think it's your turn!" Church growled.
"Whoa, no I don't think so. I'm solid. At least you can't die this time," Tucker chuckled.
"Hey Caboose," Carolina chuckled walking up to the tank. The turret turned to point at her. "How about you come out of there? Ally has something she wants to tell everyone about."
"Ok!" Caboose agreed eagerly. "Is it another tea party?"
"Maybe," Carolina answered. "Come out of the tank and find out for yourself."
Caboose did as she said and jumped down to go over to where Ally was standing with Wash and the others. Church appeared next to her, "You couldn't have done that sooner?"
"I just wanted to make sure you knew how appreciated you were," she shrugged as she walked back over to the others.
"Yea…real appreciated…"
"Stop complaining. You're a hologram, you're fine."
"Momma, are you ready now?" Ally asked impatiently as she hung between York and Wash.
"I'm ready whenever you are sweetie," Carolina nodded.
"Kay," Ally smiled before looking out at everyone. "So while you guys were all down here fighting, Aunty Emma and I had our own mission and that was to find the perfect vacation spot for everyone."
"Wait…" Grif interrupted her next breath. "Vacation as in we don't have to stay here and work?"
"Duh Uncle Grif."
"Though we will come back and help once it's over," Carolina added. "I already told Kimball we would."
Grif let out a loud groan.
"You can certainly stay behind if you want," Carolina pointed out.
Grif straightened up, "Psh, no. The kid worked hard on planning a vacation for everyone. I would feel horrible letting her down. I am totally going….just might get lost and not come back."
"Hear that guys," York chuckled. "Make sure we have tabs on Grif at all possible times."
"Way to give your plan away dude," Tucker laughed. "So where are we going?"
"Aunty Emma and I found this planet nearby that has a ton of resorts on it so that's where we're going," Ally replied bouncing. "I picked out the one by a beach cuz it looked the most relaxing. Plus there's tons of fun stuff to do!"
"There is a catch," Emma added when there was a murmur of agreement. "This planet is strictly passive, so no weapons and no armor. We have to leave everything on the ship when we get off."
"Lady, that won't be a problem," Grif commented before glancing at Sarge. "Well for me."
"But Freckles needs a vacation too!" Caboose whined.
"And I don't get anywhere without my shotgun!" Sarge added.
"They're going to be on the planet, they just can't come off the ship," Emma huffed. "You can visit them whenever you want. The hangar where the ships park won't let you leave with them. Some sort of specialized security system."
"Either way, sounds pretty fantastic to me," Tucker nodded. "When do we leave?"
"Wash and I need to stick around for a day or two yet," Carolina sighed. "Once we're no longer needed here, then we can head out."
"Hey Em, wait up," York called behind her and North as they were heading back to the ship.
"What do you want?" Emma groaned. "And I swear, if you say-"
"Chill," York chuckled. "I was gonna ask if you had any way of getting in contact with Earth at all."
"Would just have to make a trip over to the communication temple. It's got the best signal. Why?" she asked giving him a suspicious look.
"There's a few people I want you see if you can reach and have them meet us at the resort," York shrugged.
"Like who?"
"Well, mostly Tucker's kid, maybe my adoptive parents if they're up for it," he replied scratching his head. "I know they'd love to meet Ally."
"Do they even know you're alive?" she narrowed her eyes at him.
"I may have sent them a covert message years ago…But like I said, that's if they're up for it," he replied. "Besides, I think it would be real nice for Tucker to get to see his kid too, ya know? I don't really know enough about the others' family…so if you want to do some research or can or whatever, maybe it'd be nice for them to see them too."
Emma gave him a calculating look before turning to look at North. He shrugged, making her roll her eyes. "I'll see what I can do, but I make no promises. Especially if they only have forty-eight hours to get there."
"They have those super speedy shuttles and it's not like they're that far…ok maybe they are."
"Like I said," Emma chuckled. "I'll see what I can do, but I make no promises. We'll grab some stuff and head over in your ship."
"You're the best," York gave her two thumbs up before hurrying back to where Carolina was standing with Wash and Ally.
"Ya know," Emma sighed as her and North made to continue the direction they were going, "He acts like such an immature asshole sometimes and then he turns around does shit like that."
"Yea," North chuckled. "He's a big hearted idiot."
"What was that about?" Carolina asked as York got back to them.
"Nothing," York smirked. "Just working on seeing about some surprises once we get to the Resort. Speaking of surprise…Wash?"
"What…?" Wash asked sounding unsure.
"How do you feel about hanging out with Ally one night so I can take this one here out for dinner?" York asked wrapping an arm around Carolina.
"York, that is unnecessary," Carolina sighed.
"I could do that I suppose," he shrugged. "If Ally's up for it that is."
"I'd love to hang out with you Uncle Wash! It'll be fun!" Ally squealed.
"There ya have it," York chuckled. He looked at the unpleasant look on Carolina's face. "Stop. How long has it been since you and I had an honest to goodness date?" She went to answer and he cut her off, "Exactly. If it'll make it easier for you, we'll see if North and Emma want to double."
"You're ridiculous…" Carolina sighed.
"Just go Momma," Ally giggled. "There's lots of shopping there too so maybe you, me and Aunty Emma can go shopping and find you something pretty to wear!"
"Oh joy," Carolina chuckled. "Are we forgetting the fact that we don't really have money or anything?"
"Aunty Emma has that all taken care of," Ally giggled. "Don't worry, nothing illegal."
"Now I am worried," Carolina chuckled.
"I just said to not worry, Momma," Ally smiled. "They have tons of water slides and stuff. Can we go down them all?"
"You make a list of everything you want to do and we'll see about getting as much of it done as possible how bout?" Carolina answered.
"I can do that! Can we go back to the ship so I can start doing that?" Ally jumped until she was bouncing in front of Carolina.
"We can," Carolina replied. York swooped in behind Ally, picking her up to swing over his shoulder as she squealed in delight. "Wash?"
"Might as well," he nodded as they started walking.
"Oh! You and Momma have to tell us all about the fight you had!" Ally pointed out from her perch.
"You don't want to hear about that," Wash chuckled.
"Yes I do! Daddy does too! Right?" Ally asked looking at York.
"Sure do," York nodded.
"We'll tell you all about it when we get back to the ship," Carolina smirked. "I have to say Wash, I forgot how much I enjoyed fighting with you."
"Same," Wash nodded holding out a fist for her to bump.
"Did he fall off any cliffs?" York asked.
"The whole thing was surrounded by a cliff," Wash huffed.
"Which means that you probably almost fell a few times," York smirked.
"You know, I'm a lot more capable than what you keep saying I am," Wash growled.
"I know. It's just fun to rile you up," York replied as Ally giggled from his shoulder.
"Aren't they adorable?" York whispered in Carolina's ear as they looked down at Ally who was curled up against Wash, both fast asleep on the couch in the common room. "I almost don't want to move them…well Ally. We could throw Wash off-"
"Stop it," Carolina smiled, elbowing him gently. "I'm sure they'll be ok. I'm surprised Wash let her siddle up that close. He always seemed awkward around her."
"Meh," York shrugged. "He's like a stray cat. A little exposure at a time and soon they're purring all over you."
"Whatever you say," Carolina yawned. "I'm ready for bed. Come on."
"Don't have to tell me twice," York chuckled as they turned to head back to his room.
"North and Emma gone for the night?"
"Yea. They took my ship over to the Communication Temple so Emma could make some calls, do some research, make some more calls," York shrugged.
"What kind of calls are we talking?" Carolina asked. "I know you said surprise, but I really hope I'm not included in that."
"It depends if they feel like making the trip," York smirked. Carolina narrowed her eyes at him. An idea struck him. "Which speaking of, what are we doing?"
"What do you mean?" Carolina asked. "And I still want to know who you mean."
"Well we're coming back here to Chorus, but are we settling down here or are we finding someplace else or are we going to just float around in space for the rest of our lives?"
"I don't know," Carolina sighed. "I guess it depends what the UNSC has to say once they get involved here. Emma mentioned starting something similar to the Project, but I haven't really thought if that's what we should do or not."
"I'd say the people here on Chorus could use a bit more training up," York offered.
"I wouldn't disagree with you," Carolina nodded as she sat down on his bed. "The question is though, what the UNSC is going to do here once they get involved. I honestly don't have any other answers for you other than we have to wait and see."
"Alright then," York conceded. "Guess we'll talk about it once the vacation's over?"
"Probably safest bet," she agreed as he stepped closer to her. "Not that I feel very confident about leaving Kimball here to deal with things-"
"I think she'll be ok. She has Grey here, plus the Lieutenants and it's not like we're going to be super far away."
"If something happens while we're gone-"
"Then we will come back and deal with it. I think they have everything under control. They still need to rebuild their Capitol though if you ask me, there's all those other cities around the planet they can use. And once the UNSC gets supply ships here, they're going to be all set. Now can we focus on something a bit more urgent maybe?"
"Like what?" she asked narrowing her eyes at him. "And you still didn't answer my question."
"Which question?" he grinned.
"Who are you trying to surprise me with?"
"Worry about it if Emma says they're coming," York shrugged as he placed his hands on the sides of her face.
"You do realize I'm exhausted, correct?" she sighed as he leaned forward to kiss her.
"Just let me do all the work," he chuckled as she leaned back onto the bed.
"That'd be a first…" she mumbled giving him a smirk.
"Come on now, be nice."
"Not sure I know the meaning of the word," she grinned as her hands moved to lift off his shirt, her leg hooking around his hip. "So Statue of Liberty, huh?"
He pulled away and glared at her as she let out a laugh, "Who told you?"
"I have my ways," she replied giving him an evil grin. "Did you really think I wouldn't hear about it?"
"I was hoping you'd hear it from me so as to not be tainted by other's viewpoints of it," he pouted.
"Oh stop," she reached up to kiss him. "What happened to your urgent business?"
"I don't know, you said you were tired," he gave a dramatic sigh. She rolled her eyes at him before shoving him over onto his back. "This does not seem like you are as exhausted as you implied. You lied to me."
"I did no such thing you ass," she laughed as she moved on top of him.
"There is one more thing I'm curious about," York chuckled. Carolina huffed at him, the air stream blowing her bangs out of her face. She raised an eyebrow at him. "You gonna marry me now?" She looked down at him. York propped himself up onto his elbows. "Well?"
"York…"
"Don't you dare give me some damn stupid excuse," he smirked.
Carolina rolled her eyes at him, "I wasn't going to."
"Well, you weren't going to say 'no, never in a million years' were you?"
"Course not, but-" she paused as he grinned at her. She rolled her eyes at him again, "I'm more shocked than anything that's how you're asking me."
"What, you want pomp and circumstance? Wine and chocolate with fireworks under a starry night sky after watching the sunset?" he chuckled. "Didn't think you for that type of gal."
"Shut up," she chuckled.
"I mean if you really want me to go over the top with it, I will gladly involve our daughter as well. She'll be pleased as hell if I ask her to help me set up something-" Carolina cut him off with a kiss.
"If I tell you yes, will you shut up already?" she grumbled at him.
"Is that a promise?" he asked, his grin even wider.
"Depends, are you promising to shut up?"
"This is me we're talking about," he pointed out wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her down. "But I'll consider it. As long as you still say yes that is."
"Fine," she huffed. York kissed her eagerly before rolling them over and going to push himself up off the bed. "Where the hell are you going?"
"To wake up Wash and Ally and tell them the excellent news of course."
Carolina jumped up and grabbed him, pulling him back onto the bed, "No. No you are not. You can tell everyone later if you must."
"You're right," he chuckled. "I should put a ring on that finger first."
"I don't need a ring," she growled.
"Sure you do."
"York…"
"Once Ally finds out, she's going to insist."
"Only because you'll make her cuz you're an ass. Now are we doing this or can I go to sleep?" she huffed.
"Doing what?" he asked giving her a blank look. She narrowed her eyes at him and went to roll over. He stopped her, pushing her back on to her back so that plant kisses down her neck, "I'm kidding."
"You're an ass."
"Love you too, Lina."
A/N: Also...if there's anything anyone wants to see in particular in up-coming story chapters, feel free to let me know and I shall see what I can do. Thanks for reading, you all have been fantastic! ^_^
A/N update:
Hey all!
Giving everyone a heads up the next installment is up if you haven't seen it yet! It should be simple hahah "promise: vacation" because yes it vacation time. Also, I have seen your requests and will do what I can do provide. Already have some ideas floating around in order to make some things happen. It may be awhile so be patient and hang on.
Thank you for reading! I have enjoyed seeing all comments and reactions and truly appreciate each and every one of you. You are all awesome and amazing and I give each of you a virtual hug.
3 me, the author.