Thanks so much, all. >>57 Haven't found an archive site... but it would probably be a good thing, yeah. I just don't know much about any good ones. >>59 Ah-- I think I understand why this is confusing... I know when I introduced Jean and Luc in a fic on LJ, that was his diagnosis after trying to kill himself in a fit of romantic grief. But then in their incarnations in this universe, they're both alive and fine, and a different BLU Spy went through this separate trauma, and... actually, might be doing as much good for the ex-asshole stalker BLU Sniper as the other way around. Speaking of the whole asshole stalker period... ~~~17: Loyalty~~~ It is not a 'company picnic'. 'Company picnic' implies a lot of outdoor activity and unpleasantness. Besides which, it might be fun for somebody, and I don't think our employers are at all interested in fun. It is not really a training event, either, though there are some filmstrips and things. After all, it is not as though any of us need retraining, we keep up our skills every day we are on the field. More a reminder, of corporate loyalty. And, old friends have an opportunity to mingle. This matters very little to me, I was never close to any teammates I am not stationed with now. The Engineer, though, has looked forward to catching up with just about every man he has ever met in this war. He sees the other Spy-- the man I knew only by reputation, though I suppose we have been in the same little waiting room once or twice-- and the Pyro and I both trail after him when he goes to talk to his old friend. Most of my fellow spies are in one corner, talking amongst themselves. From across the room, I could not be sure of which was Jean, but I can go over later to speak with him a bit. It looks as though they have finally found a replacement for the man lost to an old respawn error, and I suppose I should introduce myself there as well. Most of the classes are socializing amongst themselves, despite the freedom to speak with anyone. Perhaps they make their own friendships, while waiting to be sent someplace new. There are enough Scouts that they've all gone off to play ball in the parking lot. This Spy, though, the Engineer's poor old quiet friend, is standing about with a Sniper. I think nothing of that fact, until our little group approaches the two and I recognize him. I tense up, on the inside. Under the layers of masks I wear even without a mask, the veneer of professionalism, under all of that there is a part of me preparing to fight him. He just nods to me sheepishly, as the Engineer greets the other Spy. "It's good to see you." This Spy says, and even from behind him, I can see the Engineer is pleased... touched, even. "You're doing better, then?" He squeezes the Spy's arm, and the two break off, not far, just two steps away from the rest of us. "I, uh, took that advice you gave me." The Sniper stares up at the ceiling. "Worked out pretty well, so... So thanks, for that. Owe you one." "Forget about it." I look from the Sniper, to the Spy. He is by no means talkative, but he makes answers, and when the Pyro joins in the conversation, he speaks a little to her as well. "As long as it is working out well for everyone." "Yeah." Certainly this Spy seems more at ease than he was, any of the few times we sat in waiting rooms together to be assigned a new base. I suppose that means the Sniper is actually good for him, as strange as that seems. I suppose that means the Sniper took what I said very much to heart. It should make me glad, perhaps. I still do not like the man, after what he did I will never like the man, but I do not have to see him much or often, now that we are not on the same base anymore. He does not behave the same way with this other Spy, that is the only thing which is going to matter when we all return to our own bases. I move to stand with the rest of my class, and Jean makes room for me to stand with my back to the wall, between him and the new Spy. "You spoke to that one?" He motions to the Spy whose company I had vacated. "What does he seem like?" "I do not know. He speaks, some. I am not familiar with his most recent records." "Improved, but..." One of the Spies blows out a thick blue plume of smoke. "Now that we are seeing some fresh blood, there are positions in intelligence, that do not require being out in the field. Perhaps now BLU can afford to remove him from battle and put him behind a desk. There are no consequences to freezing up behind a desk." Jean laughs. "A desk job. I wonder if there is vacation time with that? But... Ah, for me, I think I would miss... certain parts of the battlefield." At that, he slides a knowing look to me, and I chuckle appreciatively. Not that a desk job wouldn't be a nice eventuality, I can't run around killing people forever. No one can. If that kind of transition works out for this other Spy, then maybe someday... if there is ever a different way for my own Sniper and I to be together, even without the war... For this other Spy, I do not pretend to know how that move might turn out. I do not pretend to know what he and this Sniper feel for each other, if indeed they feel anything beyond the physical need for someone else. As much as I dislike this BLU Sniper, I still hope that there is something, for the Spy's sake, which will carry through. As little as I care for sides in all of this, I find I hope for that much, for this man who occupies the same position that I do. ~~~FIN~~~