(Red vs. Blue) Project Freelancer: The Other Agents

Paradise Lost

___3 Weeks Later___

"May I interest you in another Colada, senorita?" D.C. offered to the one sharing his quarters.

Puerto Rico refused the offer, however, and said, "No. What if we get called for something? I mean, I get we're on leave, but we're still technically everyone's CO's."

"Don't worry about it," he tried to ease her concerns. "Lousiana and Alabama are helping personnel with chores around the base, the Sim Troopers were doing fine, Maryland and her friends are out on the town, and we even got a souvenir for Maine."

"But we did just bail them out at three in the morning," Rico reminded him. "That's the fourth time this week. You sure they won't find another way to get in trouble?"

"I'm sure they will," Marvin shrugged and plopped down next to her and offered the freshly mixed drink. "But don't you want to try and get a bit of relaxation in before another call comes in?"

Puerto Rico pondered the point for a bit before nodding and accepted the beverage. "You're right. Kids are asleep, so now's our time to unwind." A pleased smirk spread across D.C.'s face and he proposed a toast.

"That's more like it," he bumped his glass against hers and they both indulged. Rico rested her head against his shoulder and embraced the quiet. Quiet which didn't last terribly long. "Comms have been down, though" her husband pensively swirled his drink. "The only confirmation the sims are okay is Ham and Vermont's testimonies when they got back."

"I'm sorry, but who was it that insisted that I relax?" she chastised him.

"I know, I know," he set his drink down and stood up. "It's just, don't you wanna know if they're actually alright?"

"The Reds are fine for sure," she stated and went for another sip; then she paused with a wide-eyed look. Setting down her cocktail with a groan, she said, "The Blues are probably going to get themselves killed without comms."

"Why do we have such stupid kids?" he asked and helped her armor up.

"Because somebody hates us and doesn't want us to exclusively have angels," Juanita snapped her helmet on in unison with Marvin.

"This has to be the worst honeymoon ever," he massaged her shoulders and admired the sight in the mirror.

His dearest leaned against him and sighed, "Of all time."

_____

"So, let me get this straight," Valencia tried to wrap her head around everything Annabel had told her. "Those three idiots not only held medical licenses, but they also somehow managed to win a fortune on a race?"

"Yup," her pale-haired sister nodded.

"Then how in the h**l did WE end up with them!?" the frazzled friend grabbed her own hair.

"Their files don't mention anything, but I'm sure they had good reasons."

"I somehow doubt that."

"I'm more curious about the above-ground fish farm," Connor spoke up.

"They coulda at least tried ta bury um," Louisiana chimed in from tending to the bubbling pot before him. "I ain't hearda nothin thatta grow from on top tha dirt. Errybody aright wit spicy?"

"Why are you asking when you're on the second batch?" Jerry rebuked, his voice muffled by cup of ice over his swollen lips.

"Jus checkin who still ain't eatin," Liam said without facing them. The culinary genius inhaled the aroma from one of the various pots before perking up and warning, "An Bell, you bess keep that s**t off tha food or you isn't eatin neither!"