Carolina and Washington stood looking at the ship that was going to take the sim soldiers back to Blood Gulch. They'd been allowed to stop here at Valhalla to pick up whatever they wanted to keep. Personal keepsakes only. No UNSC property. That had to be stressed several times to Caboose.

Wash traveled light. He didn't have anything to salvage. He guessed Carolina didn't either.

"You know, you could come with us," Carolina said gruffly, breaking the silence.

"You're leaving?"

"Don't tell anyone. I trusted you with that information. Epsilon doesn't want anyone to know where we're going."

"Is – Is he in there...now?" Wash asked.

Carolina's body language turned wry. "No. You can relax. He's hanging out with his former team."

"Former?"

"Since he remembers everything now it's only natural that he wants to explore who he is," Carolina said. "And I want..." She didn't finish.

Washington paused and looked down at the ground before he spoke. "I'm sorry about your dad."

Carolina stared at him. After the incredulity passed, she said, "Jesus, Wash."

"It wasn't much of a secret. I – I think we all knew in the project. It was how he looked at you. It was personal."

Carolina looked away. Then she muttered, "Thanks."

"I'm learning what it means to be human again," Washington said.

Carolina glanced at him.

Washington offered half a gesture. "I got pretty messed up. For a while there I was more machine than man."

"I didn't think you'd ever talk about it," Carolina said.

Washington tilted his head slightly in the way that meant he was smiling. "Yeah, well, the guy that passes for a shrink around here says that learning to talk about it is the first step towards healing. I guess I'm done not healing. I want to move on."

Carolina looked at him blankly. "They have a shrink?" Horror dawned on her face. "Don't tell me it's Caboose." She glanced away, at the distant pair of sim soldiers in blue armor. "I've been trying to figure out what he does. That would explain so much. No wonder they're all crazy." She looked back to Washington with distaste. "And that's why he's so goddamned patronizing. I should've known. Every time he's around he talks to me like a baby."

"No...Caboose is just stupid," Washington said. "I was talking about Doc."

"Wait. The medic is also the psychologist?"

"According to him," Washington said with a laugh in his voice.

"I'm not sure that's any better," Carolina said.

"They're loyal," Washington said abruptly.

The amusement on Carolina's face slammed back into stoicism. "What?"

"You're wondering why I'm going to stay with them. It's because..." Washington turned and surveyed his team. Tucker was now on fire. Caboose was throwing dirt at him to try to put it out. Tucker was shielding himself with his arms. "They're loyal."

"No offense, Wash, but that seems like their only virtue," Carolina said.

"It's the only one I need. Excuse me, Boss. I have a fire to put out." Washington crossed the grassy clearing at a run. "Tucker! Stop, drop, and roll! Didn't anyone ever teach you about safety?"