The Pride of Echelon 3

One of Them

"AK, my dear... How are you holding up?" Said Springfield, as she handed her a cup of warm tea. "You've been tossing and turning in your bed ever since we got back. Is there something troubling you?"

"I... I guess I'm doing alright." Replied AK, as she took a sip. "I'm sorry I woke you up with all my rustling, I just have a lot on my mind..."

"You don't have to apologize to me, AK. I pretty much assumed that you had something on your mind. I could hear you huffing and puffing to yourself in bed." Said Springfield, adding two sugar cubes to her tea as she stirred her cup with a tiny spoon.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was making that much ruckus. Usually things don't stress me out as much. But this week man, it's just been killer, you know?" She said as she took another sip from her tea, almost finishing it. "You got any more of this? This is some gourmet shit Springfield."

Springfield chuckled, as she refilled her cup with more warm tea. "I'd be pretty scared if you just kept to yourself after what happened this week, let alone what happened several days ago. I still get shivers down my spine every time I think about it. I'm just happy you're actually open about it. You're not bottling it up for once, which is a good thing. But since you're here and awake, I think it's time we have a good talk. Girl to girl." Said Springfield. "You don't mind that, do you?"

The look on AK's face went from sadness to happiness, as she grew a little smile on her face. "Honestly, I wouldn't mind that one bit." She said.

"Good then, let's get started shall we." Springfield then took a long sip of her tea, finishing it. She then placed it down on the table next to her, crossed her legs and laid her hands on her lap. There was a long pause where the two girls didn't say a word to each other, just staring a their surroundings  as their eyes glazed over each other. Waiting for one of them to make the first move and break the silence.

"It's about her, isn't it AK?" Said Springfield. "You haven't been yourself since we got home. And to be honest, it wasn't that hard to pin point it."

AK didn't say a word, as she avoided looking her in the eyes. Not wanting to let her see the pain in the souls of her eyes. 

"About what happened to Uzi? FNC?" Asked Springfield.

"Both..." She replied, as she took a small sip of her tea.

"I'm going to try and remove any doubt that you have about yourself... From that night in the caves and the helicopter ride back home, you never left your friends sight. You came back for Uzi when you ran without her, and you never ever left little FNC when she was severely injured." Said Springfield. "You held her hand for the entire ride back home until the medical technicians arrived. Same with Uzi, you didn't leave the medical facility until you knew for certain that she would be ok."

AK didn't say a word. She just looked Springfield deep in the eyes as she sat there listening.

"You are not a monster, AK,  you never were. I don't know if you believe that or not. You may have done a lot to them, but that's all in the past now. This mission has changed us all. You have changed AK, and I believe for the better."

Springfield sat closer to AK and held her hand.

"You're actions will not go unobserved. And you don't have to go through this alone. You have your teammates. Me, Grizzly, and soon both Mini Uzi and FNC. Soon we will be all under the same roof. And it'll be thanks to you." Said Springfield. "We can be a family again. Doesn't that sound-"

AK lunged towards Springfield, grabbing ahold of her and never letting go.

"Gah!" Gasped Springfield.