All right. Just a heads up. This is my first RvB multi-chap. I'll be updating (hopefully) every Monday.

Please understand that I only own Cali, Tau and any characters you come across in this fic unfamiliar to you. I based this off of season 10 Freelancer flashbacks and it follows the same base plotline. Obviously, I have taken creative license.

Rooster Teeth and Halo's creators deserve all the credit.

Welcome To the Life

Cali feels as though she's been standing forever. Her hands are cold and sweaty against the glass as the doctors work over a prone figure. She draws comfort from the body standing beside her.

"How long?" she asks. Not because she actually wants to know, the fact terrifies her. She knows she'll have to go through the same thing herself very soon. She just wants him to think about something other than his old friend's skull being cracked open for the implantation.

"Two hours," he hisses through his teeth. Then he leans his forehead on the window with a long groan.

She looks at him carefully. She sees the frustration in the way he holds his shoulders tight and in the lines etched around his deep green eyes. The Freelancer's jaw is clenched in worry. She puts a gloved hand up on his silver shoulder guard. "Hey, they're almost finished. Maine'll be up and about by tomorrow morning."

He pushes a hand through his spiky blond hair. "And what if he isn't?" he demands, slamming his hand against the Flexi-glas.

She idly thanks the reinforced panel for its strength and bites her tongue. He isn't done with his outburst yet.

"What the fuck am I supposed to do without him? We've been a team since day one. They can't just put me out there alone; I'd have the shit kicked out of me as soon as I hit the ground without Maine!" He breathes in through his nose sharply. She can see the angry words lined up next on his tongue. For some reason though, he bites them back. "I'm sorry, I-I'm just so worried and – "

"Stop it," she interrupts firmly. "Don't apologize Wash. You can't just shoulder the burden. You know I'm here for you."

Agent Washington peels his face from the window and catches her eye. "Thanks," he sighs.

She gives a shrug, gold pauldron bobbing in and out of her view. "Don't –"

"I mean it," Wash cuts her off. "Thank you Cali. I know I'm being an ass. It means a lot to me that you're here."

"You aren't being an ass Wash. You're worried. There's a difference." Cali winces at the use of her nickname. Sure, it's all she's gone by as long as she can remember but it isn't what he has called her before.

"How soon is your implantation?" he asks, changing the subject awkwardly.

"Day after tomorrow," she agonizes. She sighs and squeezes his shoulder tightly under the exoskeleton. "I'm going to see who's on the training floor. I might stay and watch."

He just nods and returns to watching the doctors. She doesn't want to leave him alone but, right now, it's what he needs.

Agent California follows the familiar windowless hallways of the Mother of Invention to the training area. She spots a few armoured figures loitering about in the observation balcony – Snipe Central they call it on account of any spectators' tendency to slam decisions made by practicing Freelancers. Carolina is standing with her weight on one foot, the other out to the side and arms loosely crossed, bored as always. Next to her is York who is watching the match below with interest. The blue-green-seafoam – whatever colour she is – Freelancer has her helmet on the floor by her boots and her bright red hair is in its usual low ponytail. York has his own helmet on.

"Who's down there?" Cali snaps up their attention from the match.

"North and South are having their asses handed to them by Wyoming," replies York without turning. No surprise that the Dakota twins are practicing together.

Cali steps up to the window without a thought. When York flinches she curses her carelessness. "Sorry, I'm so stupid York, I – "

The tan figure slowly drains the tension from his body. "I'll be fine," he cuts off her hurried apologies without his normal spark. "I should get used to people coming up my blind side."

"How long are the twins gonna take this? It's been three rounds already," complains Carolina. "Just quit arsing around and shoot him already."

Cali ignores the team leader. "God, York I-I'm sorry."

He chuckles. Cali can hear the false ring to it. "Where's Wash?"

Cali bites her lip again. "Watching Maine."

York turns to her quickly. "Oh shit, I forgot! How is he?"

"Maine's stable. Wash is practically tearing his hair out. I just spent an hour with him," she reports to their mutual friend.

"Yeah? Tell you what, you keep Carolina from joining the bout, I'll keep Wash's hair on," suggests York, quietly enough Number Two won't hear him.

"As soon as they're done I'll meet you," replies Cali. She takes York's spot on the railing next to the double paned glass. She looks through her gold and forest green reflection to the action.

Below, the first round of lockdown paint is nearly over. South took a dozen hits to the chest and arms. Her magenta and green form is in a tangled heap in the centre of the floor. North ducks behind a tall, rectangular pillar and reloads his paint pistol. On the other side of the arena, Wyoming tries to hack a thick glob of purply pink paint from his right leg with the butt of his own gun.

Cali knows if she was in North's position, she would have moved forward by now. But North's fighting is nothing like hers. Instead, he'll let the white sniper make the first move, then pick him off. And that is exactly what happens. As Wyoming goes down with a thick wad of paint smeared across his visor, FILSS awards the twins a point.

"About time," growls Carolina.

Cali just blocks the other woman out. She watches as the paint turns liquid again and runs off the Freelancers' armour. The Dakotas reload under the observation deck as Wyoming wobbles over to the far wall.

After the fourth round of lockdown paint the twins lead 4-2. Wyoming's counter attacks have dissolved to him sloppily attempting to dispatch one sibling while the other shoots him from the exposed flank. It is a manoeuvre that they have employed often against Cali and larger teams to great effect.

As he picks himself off the ground yet again, Wyoming throws down his pistol in frustration. His heavily British accented voice is heard for the first time in the session. "I've had it! You win this time Dakotas." Then he storms off to the armoury to turn in his pistol.

"Looks like he's going to be pissed when he checks the Board." Carolina doesn't sound too bothered by that fact.

Cali can't help but disagree. Maybe the news of the training session will distract Wash for half a minute, though. It's been a long time since Wyoming lost to anyone other than Carolina, Tex or York. She passes Carolina subconsciously so she isn't forced to chat in the corridor with the higher-ranked Freelancer. Cali heads back the way she came.

Washington is still leaning on the pane separating him from his friend. York is holding up the wall behind the silver and yellow Freelancer, watching him carefully. His helmet is mag-clamped to his side.

"You guys didn't miss much," says Cali. "After you left York, the twins got their act together and creamed Wyoming. Carolina has predicted a change in the standings tonight."

Wash shoots her a look over his shoulder briefly before returning his attention to the medical proceedings. York claps Cali on the back.

"He even threw a fit," she adds.

"How badly did they beat him?" York asks with a grin.

"Three points in seven rounds. Mostly scored by South since her brother and Theta insisted in playing Target."

"They won't change the Leader Board from that," Wash says unexpectedly. "There isn't enough to go on."

"Yeah, well, we all know Carolina. She's been obsessed with the Board ever since Tex knocked her off top spot," York puts in bitterly.

Cali joins Wash at the window again. On the other side, the doctors seem to be finishing up. She watches in silence as the white-robed people go about their work. She tenses when a weight settles on her shoulder. She is about to lash out when she realizes it is only Wash's arm pulling her close. Cali leans into his chest, still a little uncomfortable anyone can see the affectionate gesture. She and Wash haven't been officially a couple for long and, even though the Director and Counselor haven't forbidden relations between Freelancers, it wasn't something that the Marine Corps would have allowed and Cali's old habits have never gone away.

York barks out a laugh that hurriedly morphs into a cough or three. He makes an excuse and leaves a short while after. Once he's gone, Wash puts his face in Cali's dark red hair. She hears him take a deep breath in and blow it out noisily. She, being as close as they are, can almost taste the stress coming off him in waves.

Then the head medic gives a thumbs up to his audience. Maine is wheeled into the adjoining room. He will be under close observation until regaining consciousness.

"Let's see what they say," Cali suggests.

Wash doesn't object. They walk shoulder to shoulder down the hallway until their path crosses that of the medic's.

"I'm happy to inform you that Agent Maine will be up and showing his AI about by tomorrow morning," begins the man. "When Maine momentarily woke, he knew where he was and what was going on around him."

Cali thanks him for his time. He bobs his head and sweeps off for a nap. She checks Wash. He is the most at ease she has seen him all day. "You want to drop by before turning in for the night?"

When he nods, they tag onto a group of medics going in that same direction. They are allowed five minutes with the sleeping Freelancer. Wash stands at the foot of the bed and watches Maine's huge chest rise and fall. Cali stands back a bit from the men. When the doctor sticks her head in to announce they need to leave, Wash looks very tired but relieved.

"I'll visit before they take you, all right?" says Wash.

"That would be nice," replies Cali. "I'm looking forward to seeing you one more time before my whole life changes."

They reach Cali's room. "Night Wash."

"See you Cali." He looks away. "Thanks again for waiting with me."

She grins. "I was happy to help." Then she ducks into her room.

For any of you scratching your heads, the Dakotas beat Wyoming 5-2. See y'all next Monday!