The memory flashes again, to them standing by the waterside. But this place is different. It's not a tropical beach, it's the jewel-tinted waters of a distant moon. Two buildings are visible in the distance. The sky is awash with soft colors.
This place is one he connects with more. It's more familiar than the other beach.
There are two buildings. For two teams, of course. And a large planet filling up most of the sky.
"Iris. This is Iris, isn't it." He almost asks 'the moon we live on?' but a different word sleeps out, as his voice sounds sure, not questioning. "Home."
He hasn't had a home in a long time, but he can tell this is it. This is home.
"I had no idea our lives were so -" says the other Wash.
"Don’t say it," says the other Carolina.
"Come on, fun! Admit it. And much needed friend time."
"I see you more as a brother at this point."
"Cause you can’t get rid of me?" he says impishly.
She laughs.
"Knowing your siblings were a bunch of mad-cap AI, I prefer friends," he continues.
She laughs, but then eventually sighs. "I know we worked this out, but I’m really sorry, Wash."
"Hey, you gave me some time without a brain injury. I’m thankful for that. I’m at peace with what’s next."
The realization hits her the same time it hits the present Wash. "What do you mean?"
He sighs and says slowly, "Our last mission."
"This is our last mission." A pause and then her voice chokes up. "Wait, there’s no mission here, is there. You didn’t bring me here for that."
"No."
"You’re going to fix the last paradox, the original. You’re saying goodbye."
"Goodbye? I was still me wasn’t I? Cerebral Hypoxia, it’s manageable. It’s a small price to pay for saving the universe. Right? Carolina?"
Her voice is choked enough that it's obvious she's crying. "Yeah."
"You know I love you right?"
The present Wash breathe in an abrupt little breath at that, at the ease of it.
no subject
The memory flashes again, to them standing by the waterside. But this place is different. It's not a tropical beach, it's the jewel-tinted waters of a distant moon. Two buildings are visible in the distance. The sky is awash with soft colors.
This place is one he connects with more. It's more familiar than the other beach.
There are two buildings. For two teams, of course. And a large planet filling up most of the sky.
"Iris. This is Iris, isn't it." He almost asks 'the moon we live on?' but a different word sleeps out, as his voice sounds sure, not questioning. "Home."
He hasn't had a home in a long time, but he can tell this is it. This is home.
"I had no idea our lives were so -" says the other Wash.
"Don’t say it," says the other Carolina.
"Come on, fun! Admit it. And much needed friend time."
"I see you more as a brother at this point."
"Cause you can’t get rid of me?" he says impishly.
She laughs.
"Knowing your siblings were a bunch of mad-cap AI, I prefer friends," he continues.
She laughs, but then eventually sighs. "I know we worked this out, but I’m really sorry, Wash."
"Hey, you gave me some time without a brain injury. I’m thankful for that. I’m at peace with what’s next."
The realization hits her the same time it hits the present Wash. "What do you mean?"
He sighs and says slowly, "Our last mission."
"This is our last mission." A pause and then her voice chokes up. "Wait, there’s no mission here, is there. You didn’t bring me here for that."
"No."
"You’re going to fix the last paradox, the original. You’re saying goodbye."
"Goodbye? I was still me wasn’t I? Cerebral Hypoxia, it’s manageable. It’s a small price to pay for saving the universe. Right? Carolina?"
Her voice is choked enough that it's obvious she's crying. "Yeah."
"You know I love you right?"
The present Wash breathe in an abrupt little breath at that, at the ease of it.
Carolina sighs and chokes out, "I love you too."
Wash turns to the present Carolina, confused.
"What did I mean about saving the universe?"