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Neither of the women knew how long they’d been upright. The memory of simply laying down or taking a proper breather became few and far between. Sore legs, coated in sweat, and human and alien blood splatter upon their armor. It smelled as terrible as it felt.
Despite it all, one word echoed in Colette's mind as she and Gina made their way to the tunnels "Forward." The more time that would pass meant the more who would die senselessly elsewhere. They had to be there when Doctor Keller was ready. She gripped the rifle tighter within her hands, periodically aiming down the sights when she heard a noise up ahead.
It should've scared her how natural the thing felt in her grasp. Especially to walk through the halls and labs she'd called home with it at the ready, but that felt like ages ago now. The same couldn't be said for Gina, however, who lagged behind her with a pistol reluctantly at her side. The younger woman didn't share the adrenaline rush of her older counterpart, instead growing serious and cautious. Not that Colette would ever blame her for it, that was the last thing she would ever do.
She stopped in her tracks and spun around when she heard something hit the ground behind her. Aiming at the source only to drop the gun and run toward it instead. The sound of a terrible cough let out.
"Gina!" The young woman had dropped onto the ground rather ungracefully, resting her upper body against the wall and her pistol thrown aside. Colette went to kneel in front of her "Gina, are you alright?" Her eyes closed, chest heaving as she breathed through her mouth.
"Just give me a minute, I can..." The heaving was scratchy and pained, and her hands started to fumble at the front of her suit.
Cross had built into her suit a compartment for her inhaler, but with her hands growing shaky, she struggled to activate the mechanism to fold out the slot. Colette bit her lip and pushed her hands away, pulling out the slot and placing the inhaler into Gina's hands. She nodded thanks as best she could, pulled the cap off of the mouthpiece, and took in a huff. As Colette watched her hold it in and prepare for another huff, her heart dropped realizing that forward now had to wait. Again.
"We should take a moment to rest..." Colette relented after a few moments. Gina's blue eyes wearily shot open.
"No, I should be good to go, another min-"
"Gina." Her green eyes bore into blue. "As much as I'd like to, you need to rest."
"Then you keep going, I'll catch up." Colette laughed.
"I thought I would be the first to reach insanity between the two of us..." A smile appeared on her face, for the first time in a while, not from blasting away some aliens or soldiers. She always disliked the military anyways.
"I'm serious. Go on, lord knows you can handle your own against whatever's up ahead." Gina looked up at her, only to see a wave of thought pass through those brilliant green eyes of hers. Only to then drop solemnly.
Without a word and with a heavy clunk of her HEV suit Colette dropped to the ground beside Gina, making sure to leave a few inches between them. Save for the ambient hum of ventilation a distant alarm, silence overtook them. Polluting the air with a note of tension that found its way into their throats. Gina coughed again and turned to face her, only to find the older woman staring ahead at the wall in front of her. When it seemed like it was starting to get better, she started.
"Colette, go. I'll be fine." Colette brought her legs as close to her chest as her suit would allow, and let her head rest upon her knees. Her face now obscured by her graying hair. "You know I can handle myself right?"
"It's not about that…"
"What is it then?”
"I'm tired too." Finally, she lifted her head to reveal her glossy eyes and a frown. "I'd kill for this rush, this pull to action, I guess now I have, but when I step back for a second… I'm sweaty, my legs are sore, I don't even want to imagine what my socks smell like, the air is too dry…" Her chuckle was dry too. Gina pouted. “And I’m not leaving you behind. So, we can both just stop here for a bit…”
“Perhaps we do need the rest then…” She let her head hit the wall, breathing as deeply as possible to let her lungs recover.
Minutes passed by feeling more like hours in the dim concrete hall. Sleep pulled tugged at her eye lids as she stared at her counterpart. For a moment she considered dropping her head down and resting it on her shoulder. The maroon HEV suit wouldn’t make it so comfortable, but maybe she would’ve liked it more than the wall. Eventually her eyes caught a glance of Colette’s lips for a moment, which began to tremble.
“Colette?” The other woman lets out a shaky breath, grabbing tighter at her legs.
"I've had this thought, ever since things started going to shit. That maybe, maybe if I went in, and fought tooth and nail, got this all over with as fast as I could, that we could- we could still…" She broke, tears finally falling as she shook the hair out of her face.
Gina didn't need to hear the rest to understand what she was talking about. She breathed out low and felt the threat of her own tears as well.
“In reality, even without all this other bullshit, our plans were doomed from the minute the experiment went wrong.” Colette brought a hand up to wipe her face, recoiling at the feel of cold metal on her flustered cheeks. “Unless you consider a good date to be recalibrating all the machinery in the test chamber and writing up reports until the ass-crack of night to be an enticing date night…” It was Gina’s turn to laugh now.
“You would’ve been the reason why it lasted to the ‘ass-crack of night’,” she taps together her armored fingertips, listening to the little clink it made. “But only because you would’ve made it fun.” She smiles at the thought, imagining herself trying to keep from laughing behind a computer terminal as Colette would crack jokes, making stupid faces whenever she knew Gina's eyes were on her.
“That sounds about right.” Colette rarely ever sounded regretful, of course, these were unforeseen circumstances, but Gina didn't like it one bit. It wasn’t her. She had to do something.
She shifted her weight to face the maroon-clad scientist, her own suit awkwardly clanging and clunking on the concrete floor. The collection of noises called the direct attention of Colette, who now looked at her with a raised brow and moist streaks upon her face.
“How about we go on that date, Colette?”
Colette only stared back at her wide-eyed. Those were theoretically the exact words she could only dream of ever hearing from Gina. She blinked her eyes, once and then twice again, almost thinking that her counterpart would disappear and it would all be revealed to be a dream. In a different world, she would’ve grinned the widest her face would allow, utter affirmation in a lower suave tone and winking back at her. But this wasn’t that world, instead, she went:
“What?”
“You and me, right now, a date.” The other woman laughed again, this time fuller.
“Doctor Cross, you have truly lost your mind.” Gina moved her head closer, not daring to look away. “Wait, are you serious?”
“You know jokes aren’t my strong suit,” she lifted herself off the ground and extended a hand down to Colette. “Let me take you on our first date. Please.”
A million questions shot through her at once. What was she planning? Have they already missed their dinner reservation? How does she want a date in the state we’re in? Do we have time? Is this really happening? Does she want this as much as I do? First? Did she think there’d be more? She decided she didn’t care to answer any of them on her own. Finally taking Gina’s hand to be pulled up.
“How is this date gonna work then?” Finally, they shared a smile together.
“There’s this lovely little place in Pasadena-”
“Isn’t that in California?”
“Would you rather stay here?”
“Good point.”
“I thought so.” She thought for a moment to pick back up her train of thought. “So a nice little restaurant, usually packed when the students are in town as it was near campus. Don't go too often for that exact reason. But I’d hear that the place was much calmer in the summer.” Her blue eyes lit up, and Colette couldn’t help but stare. “Enough so they could actually fit a live jazz band! On those nights they’d push all the tables to the edge of the room and reveal a dance floor.”
“I never saw you much as a dancer.”
“Play your cards right and maybe you will.” Colette's face went hot again, she tried to regain focus as Gina started up again, turning away as she set the scene. “It’s a cool summer evening, sunset is in its very final moments. You spot me standing on the sidewalk by the entrance of the place in a shimmery dark Purple dress and heels. I finally catch sight of you and wave you over.” Gina turns to face her, and for a moment Colette can see it. The slight light of the setting sun turned into blue and then the deep darker black of night. A lone woman on the sidewalk of a well-illuminated street, how the dress reflects that light, her bright smile as she spots her. “What are you wearing on our date?”
“Since you’re breaking out the shimmery dress, I guess I gotta be fancy too…” Gina rolls her eyes with her smile still plastered. “Black pants, and dress shoes to match. For tops, a white button-up, top three buttons were undone-” Gina raises a brow- “And a matching black blazer. Then I make my way over to you.” The other woman takes a moment to really look at Colette, taking that unappealing HEV suit off and imagining the outfit. Her smile becomes a little brighter. “Oh, and I also brought you some flowers!”
Gina gasps as Colette motions pulling out a bouquet from behind her back and handing them out to her. She slowly accepts the bouquet, making sure to be gentle with it.
“These are beautiful Colette, thank you.” She motions bringing them up to her face. “I love getting flowers…”
“I’ll make sure to make note of that then.” They look at each other for an instant too long and Colette looks away. “So this’s the place, right?” Gina joins her gaze.
“Oh, yes! You know, I’ve always wanted to come back here in the summer, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do so alone.”
“Good thing we’re here together then-” unceremoniously her stomach rumbles- “that must be our queue to get to dinner then huh?” And she extends her own hand to Gina. “Shall we?”
Gina takes ahold, armor plates on their hands clinking together, and she tugs to lead her forward, catching Colette surprised. Together they walk a few steps and Gina lets go to open the door for her. Finally, both inside, Colette thanks her and takes a look around while Gina tells the host of their reservation. All the tables have been pushed to the side already, leaving an empty space in the middle with polished wooden floorboards. A band is at the back, playing something smooth and slow as a couple dances together in the middle, seemingly ignorant of the world around them.
The women are led to their tables and are presented with menus. Both take a moment to read over it before looking across to their date. Eyes caught within one another for a moment, just staring.
“So what are you getting?” Gina finally broke the silence.
“I was looking at the steak actually, I haven’t had one in ages.” She put down her menu and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She dropped her voice, “And you?” she noticed Gina was blushing, and Colette smirked.
“Me, too!” She drops her head slightly and looks inquisitively across the table. “How do you take your steak Doctor Green?”
“You can call me Colette.” She takes a sip of what she would presume to be wine, mimicking the swirling of the glass and everything. “And I take a liking to medium rare myself.” Gina takes her glass as well.
“The correct answer,” She extends the glass towards the other woman. Both let out a little “clink” before bringing it up to their lips. They can’t help but laugh at the whole of it.
“Now, Doctor Cross-”
“Gina.”
“Now, Gina, you actually went to college nearby, is that right?”
“Oh god, it feels like ages ago now, but yes! The campus is only a short walk away from here actually. I can’t believe it was only a few years ago..." She sighs long and soft while looking outward. "I suppose that's what two years at Black Mesa will do to you.” Her date look bewildered as a thought near visibly entered her conscious.
“Forgive me, but it’s absolutely mind-blowing to remember you got your Ph.D. and several masters by 22, I mean, could only dream of that! You’re a prodigy.” Colette beamed at the now blushing Gina, who now partially hid behind her wine glass.
“Firstly, don't sell yourself short Colette. Secondly, prodigies walk through the doors of Black Mesa every day, not all that special.”
“How about you don't sell yourself short Gina, a prodigy is still a prodigy, besides none of them hold a candle to you.”
“What makes you say that?”
“A lot of these younger hot-shots walk in with multiple Ph.D. 's and expect it all to be a breeze because they think they already know everything. Science isn’t about knowing everything-"
"It’s about realizing how little we know." Gina interjected with her blue eyes brighter than ever.
"Exactly! That's precisely what I'm talking about, our work takes real bravery to step into the true unknown!” She looked Gina right in the eyes. “That’s what separates you from all the rest…Plus I don’t think there’s another soul in Black Mesa who’s willing to take on Freeman in a debate on physics.”
“Thank you, Colette, I must admit something, though.” Her gaze turned to the ground, still red in her cheeks, but also looking rather proud of herself. “I think that my frequent debates with Freeman have more to do with my schooling rather than my personal passion for the matter. For the fact that MIT is indeed the rival school of Caltech.” Colette clicked her tongue
“Well, that explains the look he first gave you when I mentioned you were Caltech.” She mocked the expression he gave those years ago, it looked as if someone tried to remain deadpan while eating a lemon, Gina snorted at the sight.
“I may have not been the most active participant in student life, however, my loyalty shall remain to my alma mater.” She sighs fondly, looking out to some point in the distance. “The Campus alone would put MIT to shame…I’d love to show it to you sometimes, I think it’s prettier in the fall though.”
“Oh, I bet, even now in summer this place looks plenty better than Pittsburgh did in my years there. Have you ever been Gina?” She shook her head.
“Can’t say that I have, looking back on it, I’ve never been eastward of New Mexico." Another sip of wine. “Before I knew I landed the job at Black Mesa, I was nearly set to fly out to Michigan. Another company offered to have an all-expenses paid trip to tour their facility’s entrance.”
“Just the entrance? What was it, Aperture?” Colette opted for a long sip.
“Yes actually!” Colette mimed nearly choking on her drink, Gina kept in a laugh so that she could continue. “By the time Black Mesa offered the position, Aperture sent a letter to me asking me to sign an NDA in the case that I wanted to tour the visitors center... I think I dodged a bullet with that one.”
“You most certainly did!” She leaned forward, using her arms to accentuate her words. “I have colleagues who took on positions at Aperture, and I haven’t heard from some of them in years, decades even! Black Mesa can be intense, but at least I can still contact my folks back home.”
“I felt the same way. I just have my parents but-” Gina looked past the other woman for a second and widened her eyes. “Look! Our food!”
“When did they even take our orders…?” Gina only shrugged and acted out picking up a knife and fork, beginning to cut the steak.
Colette followed suit with her own weightless cutlery and took a bite. Slightly disappointed when she didn’t actually taste a steak, to think of it she couldn’t remember if she’d eaten today. Taking another imaginary bite, she silently vowed to get herself a steak before whatever else bullshit happening around her had decided to end her. Looking at Gina, she saw that the feeling was shared even as she tried to hide the fact. Quickly, Colette amended her vow to include getting a steak for her as well.
Blue eyes locked upon her in a gaze and she began to change her tame chewing to that of an obnoxiously loud open-mouthed gnaw. Gina feigned disgust yet had started doing the same causing both of them to giggle like schoolgirls.
“I'm guessing yours is good as well then?” Colette nodded enthusiastically. “Wonderful, I was hoping you’d like it. Anyways, I had wanted to ask, what's your family like? I don’t think I’ve heard much about them from you.” It suddenly occurred to her the reasons why someone may not bring up her family. She opened her mouth again to apologize but then Colette began.
“The Greens are not a large bunch, it’s just mom, my sister, her three boys, and then me…” She starts digging into her dress pants for something.
“I bet you’re the fun aunt, aren't you?” All Gina got in confirmation was a proud little smirk.
“I got a picture of the boys in my wallet, I'm surprised I’ve never shown you.” She unfolds something in front of Gina and begins pointing. “There’s Wallace, Wilbur, they’re twins-”
“Identical?”
“Nah, they do look mighty similar despite it.” She turns the wallet to herself for a moment then back to Gina “They’re turning eight by the end of the month, and then there’s Mason, he just turned three…” She frowned and took back the wallet, finally remembering that the wallet wasn’t even there, she let her hands fall to her sides “I haven’t seen them all since Mason was born.”
Might never see them again…
The thought hung in both of their minds for a moment, threatening to rip them out of their little world for a moment. Though its existence was blissful, neither of them could escape the fact that it was fleeting at every second. Colette, desperate to hold onto it still, began a poor attempt at scat and the tapping of her foot. It took a moment for Gina to catch on, but she got there, swaying slightly to the ‘music’. Humming along even as Colette started a more familiar tune.
“Hmmmm~ I’d always wanted to hear this song live.” She shot a look up to her date, as though the music didn’t emanate from her. “Colette, are you a woman of jazz as well?”
“Not my favorite, but Mom would always play the oldies…” For a moment she continued her little performance until suddenly she lit up with a thought. “Gina.” She dropped her voice to something smaller.
“Yes, Colette?”
“Have I played my cards right? Would you like to dance with me?”
Even at the age of 31, a question like that had the just about power to revert Colette into a shy teenage girl, asking out a date to some dance. It was nearly funny, how such a simple question could feel so heavy. Despite the vulnerability coming forth in such a way, Colette Green was not afraid. Gina was her friend first before other feelings came into the picture, this wouldn’t change that.
Wordlessly, Gina approached her without a note of hesitation and took her hands. Both minds imagined what the other woman would feel like beneath the armored gloves. Perhaps they could discover it some time, someday after, if it ever came. They didn’t dare to speak of how improbable that day would be.
“I believe we still need some music to dance, right Colette?”
“No worries, I’m on it.” She resumed her performance.
A faster little ditty, a little silly, but silly worked for now. Neither of them had a clue as to how to dance to jazz, and though Colette enjoyed the act, despite her experience, she was never a good dancer in the first place. Gina didn’t mind and neither did Colette for that matter. Together they spun, stumbled, stepped and there was nothing in the world that could take this away from them. Laughter echoed within the concrete hallway as they began to wind down, their ‘dancing’ leading them closer and closer. No longer caring about the clunking noises of their suits for the first time all day.
Then Colette began to fall, she wasn’t looking, stomped a little too hard, lost her balance, and bumped right into Gina. Before a humiliating crash to the hard concrete floor, she was caught by the other woman and held in her arms for a moment. It went silent again as they stared into one another's eyes. Gently, she helped Colette to stand again, still the two remaining just as close.
“Would you mind something a bit slower?” Gina looked to the ground as she waited for an answer.
“No, I wouldn’t mind at all.” She chuckles, “I have to warn you, I don’t know many slow ones.”
“Don’t worry, I know the perfect one.” Gina pulled on her hands once more to place Colette's arms around her.
Closing her eyes, she began to hum, soft as though the woman in her arms were the most delicate thing in the world. Occasionally she would sing a single word from the lyrics of the song. Colette couldn’t quite name the song. Their movements were bound to be awkward no matter what they did, but still, they tried. They started slow, swaying in a circular pattern, sometimes forgetting to breathe now that their faces were much closer.
“Gina?” The other woman only opened her eyes in acknowledgment. “I forgot to mention that you look stunning in this dress…” As they continued to speak it seemed as though they got closer and closer.
“And you, Colette, you look so handsome all done up for our date…” Both spoke in whispers now. .
“Handsome… I never really got that one.”
“That’s a shame, you ought to know something like that.”
“I know now. The smartest, most beautiful woman in the world just told me.”
“That's still you Colette…”
Simultaneously their eyes shot down to lips and then back to eyes. Over and over again. Until one final time when Gina looked down and back up, to only have Colette nodding back at her.
Finally, their lips met. Finally the softest parts of them meeting in a way impossible for every other part of their body. And it was sweaty and gross and Gina’s lips were dry and Colette's bottom lip was split. But it was still beyond perfect.
They stayed pressed against each other until the air in their lungs was depleted. Their foreheads came together, unable to stop smiling as they caught themselves.
“So, how was that for our first date?” Gina broke out gently.
“Perfect.” Colette’s grin was radiant. “I’ll be looking forward to the next one…”
“Me too.”