-Gassy-

"Someone tried logging into Ze's account," Diction says, narrowing his eyes as he looks at the screen in front of him and I feel a bit... confused.

"What do you mean? When?" I question, surprised he'd just keep me here sitting in front of him for so long before barely telling me this now. Diction rolls his eyes and turns the screen of his computer towards me revealing a small screen that had popped up on his screen.

"Literally right now. Got the notice he tried to log in and for me to talk to him about getting a new password. But that's not the part that worries me, what worries me is that he shouldn't be able to access it anywhere unless it's on our particular server, here at base. Either Ze is now actively trying to hack into our system or he told someone on base his password and they're trying to log in for some reason." I hesitate, my mind going through several different possibilities.

"But there'd be no reason for anyone on base to go in there, even a traitor all they'll see if his useless emails and files that are more easily accessible through the researchers' accounts," I mutter, saying what we're both pondering on.

"So Ze must be trying to hack into our systems," Diction explains and when he sees my worry he sighs and looks onto the screen with a bit of a troubled expression. "That means three things. One, we have an actual threat to our safety because he's the only one who knows how to hack into the system that he made. Second, if he is trying to right now it'll take him at least three days, according to him when he first made the system and spoke to me about it. And third, he's recovering his memories if he remembers his password which means he may not even want to hack into our systems anymore." I stay silent, listening carefully to his every word and becoming a bit nervous now with the new threat while a bit hopeful at the fact he must be recovering some of the old Ze. Unless it's all just details about the base in which case he'll likely destroy us with his knowledge about how this entire place works, having been the one who developed it. But it's not like all of us can migrate, nor can we change the system too extremely because our own researchers will take a few weeks to figure out Ze's system. Sighing I close my eyes, feeling a bit bitter by the fact that Ze is now acting as our biggest threat currently over the other normal Hidden.

"Well, we have to tell our researchers to start working on that as well, even if it will take a long time we have to do something about it," I mutter, a bit irritated our choices are now extremely limited. "I'll... Damn we really don't have much we can do right now, right?" I complain and he simply nods, seeming equally irritated. They're driving us to a corner and we're completely out of options. Of course one of the reasons why we're out of options is my own fault for making that mission in the first place and losing quite a few lives. Lives lost because of me, every person involved in these bases have to live with that constantly weighing down our conscience. We'll have to set up a big event for those guys and celebrate the huge accomplishment that was.

"Just recovery I guess. I'd appreciate it if you go check the usual spot Chilled leaves his notes. Other than that tomorrow training begins for new recruits, and the usual base trip when we get new members. We can't forget about having a good time even when we are in troubling times, it's a part that makes IRIS IRIS. You can leave early after finishing the usual tasks," Diction says and I nod, sitting back in the chair nearly forgetting about that whole trip thing. But it was one of the events that brings this base together even after troubling times. Taking a deep breath I get up from the chair and leave the room, slowly clicking the door closed behind me I close my eyes momentarily. That trip reminds me now of the trip we had when Chilled and Ze came, before anything was complicated at all and before Ze was really anything at all to me. But that's wrong, that's where I became closer with Ze and began seriously developing feelings for him, even after everything that happened there. And that's also when he apparently found out I was a traitor in the first place and still stayed friendly with me.

Now that I think about it there are plenty of places and moments I've had with Ze when he was working here and we were happily together. I nearly forgot about all of them after trying so hard to, but Ze's probably forgotten about them by now and he didn't have to try at all to. He must be lucky, he didn't have to be tortured by the memories for the last two years at least unlike me and all of the people who love him really. Even his family... his family we haven't even contacted about possibly locating his body, alive but invisible. Shaking my head I make a mental note to possibly contact them if Diction agrees with it and continue walking towards the lab where Mark and several others I haven't bothered to remember the faces of. At least now I can actually stand being in this lab in the first place though, unlike in the past. It is proof that I have steadily improved and thought through the relationship I've lost now, as depressing as it sounds.

"Gassy, still haven't figured anything out," Mark says when he sees me, his arms a bit full with the different kinds of things in his hand. Watching him as he stumbles around the others and smiles, talking to them so casually before coming up to me with a bit of a strange color on his cheek.

"No, I didn't come here to question you. Your experiment proposal was approved, you get to bring three others with you and choose some soldiers to guard you guys. I was supposed to tell you earlier but I was distracted," I explain and he immediately beams with a large smile, immediately turning away from me and informing the rest of the guys here. I chuckle as I watch him talk so happily with the others before turning towards me with bright eyes as he suddenly grabs my wrist.

"Will you come with us? I know it's a lot to ask, and you just be busy but I'd really like for you to be there," Mark says happily and immediately I hesitate. It's not that I don't like the guy, or the rest of the researchers, but when I recall the last time I guarded some scientists out for a little field trip.... Mark notices my discomfort and his bright face immediately dims down as he seems confused and upset. "Of course, you don't have to... you don't have to look that reluctant," Mark pouts and I take a deep breath and quickly shake my head.

"No, no, it's just... I did the same with Ze and Chilled back in the day and it was a bit... of a memorable trip. I guess, it's just because of that I'm a bit hesitant but yeah, I'll totally help you guys out if nothing comes up first. Don't worry about it," I ensure him and pat his head. Mark doesn't know because he's new to the base but that trip I had with Ze, that was what got us together. Because of that trip so many things changed for me, it makes it a bit unsettling to think about another trip like that without Ze. Mark smiles again but there's a slight sadness in his eyes.

"Like I said, you don't have to, but thank you," Mark says before retreating back into the lab leaving me just watching after him, a bit curious by the suddenly awkward atmosphere. Stepping back I close the lab door and take a deep breath before backing out and hurrying back to my office. After quickly rearranging my files and getting tomorrow's work in order that's all I really need here and back out of the base as a whole. I do need to go to the usual spot Chilled leaves his notes though, and it's the first time I'm the one to actually look for notes. I leave the base territory and continue walking into the woods, ducking under the branches and just hurrying forward before the larger and empty meadow appears. In the distance I spot a blur and immediately some nerves come chilling through my system as I speed through in my mind the several possibilities of who it can actually be. Slowly walking forward I watch the blur as he doesn't seem to have noticed me yet until I take a few steps closer.

"Hey! You! Is this where Chilled usually leaves notes?!" The Hidden suddenly shouts very loudly and unlike what I was imagining. Taking a deep breath I head forward and approach the seemingly safe Hidden who doesn't move a single inch towards me as if expecting me to freak out. "Oh, good, you're Gassy. I recognize you. You're trustworthy," the Hidden comments and I just narrow my eyes, extremely confused by the unfamiliar voice.

"I'm trustworthy? Who are you?" Suddenly the Hidden moves slightly and I just hesitate as I watch it move in place as if doing something I can't see.

"Oh, sorry, my name is Leonardo. I am working with Chilled, and indirectly the humans momentarily."

"And why would you do that?" I question very suspicious as the man moves slightly around the large rock that Chilled leaves notes at. I don't even know if this guy is telling the truth and possibly just completely bullshitting now but by the fact he hasn't attacked me seems pretty reliable. Unless he's playing the long con and is attempting to gain my trust somehow, which I wouldn't doubt at all by how deceptive they seem to run.

"We have a common interest. That is stopping this insane Hidden killing humans kind of idea. Soon the Hidden will begin to suspect me as well and I suspect I am going to be fired fairly soon. When that happens they will murder me and other events will follow. Before they do that, I need to make sure Steven is in a safe place." I raise an eyebrow at the name and the Hidden sighs in response, walking slowly around me. "Yes, I mean Ze. He's in my care right now as he has been for the past two years, your welcome, he was not an easy kid to raise. Anyways, the Hidden are soon going to begin experimenting with his memory since he seems to be recovering some memories. Chilled has noticed too, there are few times when he mentions something from his past. I need you humans to take him into your custody before the Hidden use him and he's completely brainwashed. Can you do that?" I hesitate, a bit surprised at the sudden proposition before nodding and crossing my arms suspiciously.

"And how exactly do I know this isn't a trick?" I ask and the Hidden in front of me stops his actions circling around me. Taking this as thought I narrow my eyes towards the blur, expecting it to leap towards me at any second. "I know how you guys work, you really try to act trustworthy and innocent but you're really always thinking something through at the back of your head. What exactly are you gaining through giving us Ze?"

"Nothing, actually," Leonardo says sounding sincerely surprised. "Well, I guess I'd lose an ally? Right now I'm the one who raised Ze, I'm all he really knows other than Chilled. You could say I have the highest place in his heart right now," he teases, seeming more wanting to piss me off more than anything. "Don't look at me like that, I'm kidding. I have no interest for the kid, I just like teasing him a bit. Anyways, because of his trust and loyalty I trust him as an ally. And as a friend and ally of his, I see that him staying with the Hidden for any longer can be dangerous for him. And as a friend I'm worried about him since he seems to be recovering a few memories which he's running away from, he's torturing himself more than necessary." I stay silent, evaluating all of the words which this man is saying and judging whether he is actually being truthful or not. Sighing I scratch the back of my head, feeling a bit unsettled that I'm actually thinking about trusting this random Hidden. But... only Chilled knows about this specific spot, and his words seem truthful, I might just trust this guy based on that.

"Fine, bring him here. We'll set up an ambush on Ze," I explain, finally deciding to trust this Hidden and look in the direction of the blur. "Assuming he won't plan on coming willingly."

"He won't. As I said, he's loyal, and his loyalty lies conflicted with the Hidden right now. I'll bring him here, tomorrow at... I think he'll be free at dusk. So... let's shake on it?" Leonardo says and suddenly I spot the blur outstretch slightly. A bit warily I hold out my hand towards the blur and he grabs a hold of my hand. "I'll see you tomorrow then. Be sure to be ready, Ze is a runner. Just please don't kill him trying to capture him, that'll be a shame," he says almost sarcastically but I just sigh internally and accept this guy is just a little messed up. "I'll see you tomorrow. If not, assume I'm dead."

His hand lets go of mine and without another word, he vanishes in front of me, leaping away back into the forest. I make a mental note of the direction he jumps in just to note there is a Hidden base in that direction before turning around and returning to my car parked out a while from here. Ze, I might just get to see him tomorrow. Well, I guess when I think about it I don't literally get to see him but just know he's there. Suddenly I feel chills down my spine and warm butterflies in my stomach as if I'm getting ready to meet up with my crush or something. I can't lie, I'm nervous to see Ze again, to talk to him and know he doesn't remember shit about me while I've been recalling every memory for the past two years. Bitter yet excited, that's how I'm feeling about the entire situation. Gripping onto the wheels of my car tightly I suddenly get the sensation wanting to cry yet laugh at the same time. Without thinking I lay my forehead on the wheel and shut my eyes tightly. I'm relieved, worried, shocked, sad, angry, and happy all at the same time I don't know how I'm supposed to take it.

-Ze-

"So, what have you been doing while I've been stuck in here?" Chilled asks with a knee up to his chin as he rests his head on the knee that is damaged. I stare at him, feeling a bit uncomfortable showing up in front of him after avoiding him for so long but I was worried about not seeing him for so long. And yet, he's acting like everything is normal and like I haven't been purposely avoiding him for so long. Sighing, I sit on the corner of his bed and bring up a foot to the bed frame of the only good looking bed in the entire base that Chilled gets to keep all to himself for being injured.

"They've been assigning me to a lot more studying and research. I've been remembering the old experiments we used to do," I mention, although not completely true, true to some extent. While I remember the material and recognizing that I did have a partner when looking into a particular subject that I recalled the information on. Ever since that day the memories have been slowly silencing as I continued to work on it quieting down and doing my best to just not think about the single liners I've mostly remembered. Mainly all things that Gassy had said to me in the past that I've been remembering. Plus a few from Chilled and family, but it seems like Gassy has been in many important moments. Shaking my head and pushing those thoughts away I look back to Chilled who seems to be staring at me with a thoughtful gaze.

"Old experiments, huh? Remembering anything else?"

"Chilled, you know I've been avoiding remembering anything other than pure knowledge," I complain causing Chilled to frown with a disappointed glint in his eyes. "Why do you want me to so bad? It's not like I'm planning to see anybody anytime in the future."

"Why not?"

"Because if I do I'll be with the Hidden needing to kill them," I explain and he frowns again, lowering his head and looking up to me with the same puppy dog eyes he'd been making towards me since the moment I walked in here. "And if I do plan to not kill them I'll be a traitor and get killed so I don't really have a choice, do I?"

"Oh come on, fuck that. You won't die when you have all of IRIS and me on your back."

"But I don't right now. I don't want to risk anything, Chilled," I complain, unwilling to admit that in the end I'm just afraid I'll be hurt by remembering not by the memories themselves but by myself. I've hurt many humans by now, including Gassy who I'm completely confused about. It's not that I remember him but I'm familiar with our past now, I'm aware of it and it worries me about what will happen when we encounter each other next, if we will.

"So basically you're being a sissy and just want to watch out for yourself?" I hesitate when he mentions it and frown when I hear his apparent disappointed sigh. "You know, the old Ze would do anything for his friends before himself. And don't pull that fucking 'I'm not the old Ze' bullshit on me you're both the same. It's just that you have to remake your memories and friends. We both know that you would risk a whole lot for me right now after we've become friends again." Flinching I turn away from him, unable to deny the mini heart attack I had when that explosion set off directly in front of Chilled and the anger I had at myself for being unable to help him. I came away without a mark all thanks to Leo, but Chilled came out like this all thanks to Leo as well even if he did manage to save my ass from that situation.

"So, what do you want me to do then? What does the great ChilledChaos want me to do? You want me to go sacrifice myself to IRIS and let them kill you?" I complain and he just smiles and shakes his head.

"Well no, of course not. I work something out to peacefully get you there." I roll my eyes in disbelief before getting off his bed. "By the way, I never told you my full code name. You are beginning to remember, whether you like it or not."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. As soon as my memories are recovered the Hidden will make sure I never get them back," I complain and Chilled can't say anything in return. He knows it's true, the moment I become hesitant with the Hidden and the moment I begin to long going back to IRIS, those memories will be completely destroyed for good along with possibly my life. Maybe that's another part of the reason I don't want to remember, just knowing that good memories are there and in my past, it's a bit relieving to know I didn't have it all that bad back then.

"Ze?" I blink at the voice and turn to Leo who enters the room silently and walks quickly into the room, grabbing onto my arm. "You were here. Come on, we need to go," Leo says seeming to be in a hurry. I blink in surprise but quickly say goodbye to Chilled who just smiles and waves in return.

"We need to go? Where? It's getting late. I thought the elders didn't like me going out when it's dark." Leo says nothing in return and just focuses on pulling me through the halls and eventually off of the base when I begin to get a bit suspicious. "Um, Leo, where are we going? Are we supposed to be doing this?"

"Technically? Yes, don't forget that I'm also an elder, whatever I say goes," Leo says with a cocky smile I feel like ripping off of his face. Rolling my eyes I continue to follow him and glance up towards the sun in the distance. It's almost down and getting dark outside, and once it's dark it'll be hard for us to find the way back to the base. I'm a bit worried, but if I'm with Leo he should know how to get bac to the base so I'll stick close with him. "Are you cold? Here, have this," Leo suddenly comments after also glancing up to the sky and takes off his long and black coat after noticing he pulled me out while I wasn't wearing anything that could have saved me from the nearing cold.

"Leo, will this take long? What do you want to show me?" I ask, just trying to see what he really wants while trying to keep up with him when he suddenly bursts into a sprint after making sure I was warm. He looks back at me with a smile, happier than usual which is surprising but it's a bit refreshing seeing him make this nice and happy smile.

"Yeah it'll be a while. Don't worry, I just want to show you something." I stay silent, keeping myself from commenting on my suspicions but try my best to keep up. Soon the trees around us thin out into a large empty meadow full with small yellow, orange, and blue flowers scattered around. Looking up to the sky it took us a while to get here, the sky being completely empty of the sun and only twinkling with stars and the moon. "We're a bit late," Leo mutters as I glance over to him who seems a bit disturbed by something. While his mind seems to wander I just stare up at the sky and become worried as my thoughts begin to wander as well. The more I think about my memories the more they become recovered and the more I get out into danger. When I remember anything, would I hate Leo for being the one to pull me away from my other life? I don't... want to hate him, even if it is a case of Stockholm syndrome or some fucked out shit like that, I sometimes enjoy the time we have together.

"Leo," I get his attention as he seemed preoccupied but focuses on me after hearing my voice. "If... hypothetically, if I get my memories back someday... would you have to get rid of me? As your job of taking care of me?" Leo looks shocked, momentarily before frowning and shaking his head, stepping over to me and pulling my head towards him into a hug suddenly. This uncharacteristic hug of his makes me frown as well and look up to him and it shocks me breathless as he smiles gently to me with a warm expression I had not seen since I first met him and he first took care of the emotionless me.

"Steven, you're my friend over anything. I may have intimidated you at first and all, but that was just tough love, alright? I wouldn't hurt a single hair on your head, okay?" I frown and look down, feeling a bit embarrassed amongst this situation, refusing to look at his eyes even as he pulls away, seeming distracted. "Love ya, Ze. That's why I had to do this." I blink in surprise and slowly turn from Leo and just as I suspected from his talk, I find countless human soldiers all guarding the tree line with big guns all pointing directly at me with focused eyes. I nervously take a step back and feel Leo's hands grab onto my arms and lean down by my head. "Calm down, Ze. Go with them peacefully. They'll help you out. I promise." I shake my head, my hands trembling as I grasp onto Leo's clothes behind me but suddenly he pulls away from me and I continue to walk backwards trying to grab him but when I peek around to see he's vanished on me.

"Ze!" I freeze at the familiar voice and look to the source, finding Gassy walking forward in front of the group with an assault rifle in his hands, not the usual shotgun meaning he does not intend to kill me. "Come here, Ze. We don't want to hurt you, just drop your knife and come peacefully and nobody has to get hurt." Leo... he abandoned me. Gassy steps closer, putting his gun back and holding a hand out towards me like I'm some sort of animal. "Ze," he repeats with a deep voice as he approaches closer. Staring at the hand for a long time I shake my head and turn around, bursting into a sprint without a single word.

"Goddamnit Ze!"