Hey guys! I'm so sorry for not updating sooner! I've been super busy and I've had a hard time writing this chapter. I knew where I wanted to go with this chapter and I did not want to give too much detail but I wanted the intention of this chapter to be clear. So as always, please read and review and let me know if you have any questions or are confused about any parts. Thanks for all your reviews!

StarsSky101: Thanks so much for your review! You almost hit the nail on the head with your guesses. I won't give too much info away but the upcoming chapters will definitely help clarify why Sarge snapped and did this to Grif. Glad you enjoyed!

AgentTex: Thanks for the review! Glad you liked it and I hope this makes you happy.

Rurple101: Thanks so much for your suggestion. It's a great idea-I will definitely try to use it. It might not be until after the main plot is over and I have time to go back and fill in details. Who knows-maybe another story? Thanks for your review!

Ayayne458: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. I wanted to show gradual deterioration with Sarge and maybe the cause of it in some chapters. Hope you like!

AgentDavidWashington: Thanks so much! Glad you like this story! Hope this chapter is enough to tide you over until I update again. Thanks!

LittleMissSunshine: Thanks so much! I apologize for the long wait and I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations!

Black_Jack278: Don't worry about not reviewing sooner! I haven't updated in forever… 0_o Thanks for your review! I'm glad that Grif's excuse worked-I wanted characterize him as somebody whose being abused would. Thanks so much!

Aniphine: Thanks so much! This chapter is definitely not my best but I really wanted to get another one out for ya'll. Thanks again for your review!

Thanks for all your reviews! Please enjoy!

"Simmons! Grab my hand! Help!"

Grif's panicked yell echoed through the snowy cliffs, the orange private sliding toward the edge and his death. His maroon armored teammate sprang into action, throwing his assault rifle down and diving towards his falling friend.

Simmons stretched a gloved hand out, his fingers reaching out desperately for Grif. At the last possible second, just before the orange soldier disappeared over the edge of the cliff, their hands made contact.

"Hold on, hold on! Don't let go!" Grif's grip on Simmons' hand was tight but the red-haired soldier could feel that his hold slipping. Fear seized his heart, his green eyes wide. With every passing nanosecond, his fellow friend and teammate was slowly plunging to certain death.

A frightened gasp escaped the Hawaiian's lips as he felt his hands completely leave Simmons' grasp and his body start to descend rapidly toward the icy grave below. He flailed his arms in a panic, trying to grab Simmons or anything to anchor himself, but to no avail. As he plummeted down the cliff edge, he let out a cry of helplessness, Simmons' yell of his name echoing with his in the cold mountain range.

Simmons stood in shock; unwilling to glance over the cliff, least he see Grif's mangled body. He could feel his heart pounding in his ribcage, his breathing ragged with emotions. Tears sprang to his emerald green eyes as reality began to set in. Never again would Grif annoy him with his laziness or disgusting habits. Never again would Grif eat all the food in the base and leave his trash everywhere. Never again would Grif leave his side of the room like a hurricane went through it.

As much as Simmons bitched about Grif and nagged him about picking his armor and his stuff, Simmons really didn't know what he would do without Grif. And now…now he was without his best friend that he had spent the last few years with. Simmons swallowed and took a shuddering breath, trying to reign in his raging emotions. For nearly six years, Grif had been at his side, accompanying him through all of their crazy adventures-now…now Simmons had to face the rest of his military career and life without Grif-his best friend.

Wet, crunching footsteps sounded behind him, signaling Sarge's approach. Trying to gather his wits about him, Simmons prepared to turn and face his commanding officer, when he heard a voice that made his heart stop.

"Help! Simmons!"

Grif's yell for assistance was music to the maroon private's ears; Simmons dashed forward hastily, frantically looking over the lethal edge. About ten feet down, hanging onto the Meta's brute shot, was Private Dexter Grif. The weapon was wedged into the icy wall; Grif gripping the cold metal desperately. As each second passed, he felt himself slowly slipping towards certain death.

"Grif? Grif! Hang on!"

Simmons yelled down towards his teammate, elated to see him alive and but worried that Grif would soon lose his grip and plunge to his death. Turning around from where he was crouching, Simmons spotted Tucker running towards him. He knew there wasn't much time to waste and waved at the teal soldier to hurry.

Tucker skidded to a stop next to him, sending up a flurry of loose, powdery snow. Looking down at Simmons, he nodded to the red-haired man. Before beginning Grif's rescue, he turned to Caboose, yelling, "Caboose, come here! Now!"

Hearing an affirmation of his orders, Tucker turned back towards Simmons, "Caboose will anchor us. I'll hold onto you and lower you down to get Grif. 'Kay?"

Simmons nodded, taking a deep breath as he mentally readied himself. Gazing down at his orange companion, he hollered, "Grif, hang on! Tucker's going to lower me down to you. When he does, you'll need to grab hold of me. Got it?"

"Y-Yeah. I got it," Grif replied, yelping a bit at the end of his sentence as the Brute shot lowered even further. "Hurry up! This thing isn't going to hold for much longer!" Desperation and fear laced his voice as he sunk even further.

Simmons was silent as he watched Caboose grab Tucker's ankles, the teal soldier giving the maroon private a nod. Taking a deep breath, he kneeled down close to the edge, waiting until he felt Tucker's gloved hands wrap securely around his armored lower legs. Slowly, but surely, Simmons dropped off the cliff, hanging upside down and reaching out towards Grif.

The orange soldier waited until Simmons was close enough to grab him before shakily extending a hand to him. Simmons grasped his hand securely, long fingers wrapping around his wrist.

"Okay, Grif, give me your other hand! Hurry!"

Grif hesitated for a few seconds, afraid to let go of the one thing preventing him from falling to his death. His friend seemed to understand his feelings and spoke firmly, "I won't drop you Grif. I've got you."

Swallowing quickly and taking a deep intake of air, Private Grif counted to three and let go of the Brute shot, swinging his free hand up to clasp Simmons' hand tightly.

Grif panted, taking deep breaths and slowly calming himself down, plopped down in the snow under the watchful gaze of Simmons. The Hawaiian had taken off his helmet, his brown hair obscuring his eyes. As his heart rate slowly returned to normal and he could move without shaking, he turned to face his rescuer.

His red-headed friend was kneeling behind him, his own helmet removed, worry, concern, and…something else in his bright green eyes. Gathering his wits about him, Grif opened his mouth to talk when Simmons cut him off with a tight hug. A squeak escaped his lips as he was shocked by the open display of emotion that Simmons was showing. After a few moments of hesitation, Grif awkwardly returned the embrace.

"I'm glad you're okay. Don't ever do something like that again!"

Only years of knowing the maroon-armored soldier would let Grif know the true meaning behind those words. Even after years of bickering and name-calling, the two had become friends and Simmons had more than covered for Grif and kept some of his darkest secrets. As Grif looked into Simmons' eyes, he smiled gently and replied, "Don't worry. I don't think I'll be going cliff diving again anytime soon."

His response was met with a snort and a roll of the eyes as Simmons stood and held out a hand for Grif. Taking the hand for the second time in minutes, Grif allowed himself to be pulled up. As the two walked towards the rest of their companions, Grif couldn't help but be disappointed that their embrace hadn't lasted longer. Fortunately for Grif, the man he walked next to was sharing the same feelings.

If only their commanding officer hadn't been watching them closely and seeing what had occured between them.

Hope you like this chapter. It's definitely not my best but I feel bad for taking so long to update. Hopefully the next one won't take so long. Thanks again for reading!