─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The celebration was nothing short of amazing. Riley couldn't remember the last time she celebrated something and felt as much happiness as she had now, besides for her last birthday which seemed as if it was ages ago. From being in Mount Weather her entire life, there were holidays and short parties, but they never celebrated surviving almost nearing the end of the world. Hearing the radio play some decent, upbeat music made her pleased as she clutched a cup with Jasper's favorite made drink in it.

Clearly, there was a lot to celebrate. Riley didn't even know where to begin. But after thinking about it, she realized it was finally her break to pull herself together. She could start to move on, let go of Mount Weather and Maya, her family, everything that was difficult to remember. She knew it wouldn't be an easy process, and there would be times that the memories would hit her harder like they had before, but this time Riley wanted to believe that it would be different. It would always be there, but she deserved the easiness of pressure being lifted.

The idea of letting go and moving on was scary to say at the least, but thinking of it further, Riley thought that it was time to do so. She hadn't wanted to grieve every day anymore, and felt as if it was the beginning of starting new with the people in Arkadia once they finish cleaning up the mess that the war with ALIE left. She was glad not to be in the middle of war anymore, after they were done with the second one.

Riley even possibly considered that she was one of them, and not apart of Mount Weather anymore. With the people she's befriended, Monty more than anyone, she felt as if she could start fitting in without sticking out like a black sheep.

Riley looked over her shoulder to see Monty working and smiled, lighthearted. When catching her eyes, he smiled back before averting his attention back to the radio he was attempting to fix after the cords were sliced.

All of a sudden, Jasper came sliding in, quite literally, on his feet. Riley couldn't tell if he was drunk again or back to his old self, but he was clutching a cup and a pitcher so she assumed that he was working on it. As he approached them, Harper held her cup out from beside Riley, allowing him to refill it.

Even though Jasper was under the influence of the chip, Riley still couldn't stop picturing what he said to her from hours ago. The words repeated in her head as he gestured to her cup with the pitcher, and she knew she needed a refill on the drink if she wanted to forget as of now. Jasper noticed her reluctant action as he poured after she held the cup out and made his sincere type of apology. "Sorry about the.. You know."

Glancing up as she brought the cup to her mouth, Riley let her blue eyes flicker up to meet his while he spoke. She could at least see he looked remorseful by it, but still was hesitant on the forgiveness. "Reminding me that I'm the last of my people, or telling me it's my fault?" She questioned, sharper than she had meant to be.

Piping down, Riley had to prompt herself that what he had said was against his wishes. Jasper hadn't been friendly lately, but even he knew his limits. Guilty, Jasper attempted again. "Can I plead the chip?" He requested with a short grimace by feeling the bitterness practically radiating off of Riley.

Caving in, Riley gave him a curt nod. They just survived a war, and all she wanted was peace and to overlook the pst. She knew that it wasn't really him speaking, and he didn't mean it. No matter how drunk or angry he'd get, he wouldn't have thrown the painful memories in Riley's face against his free will. Riley lifted her cup after taking a drink in his direction that he repeated, glad she accepted his apology with a short smile.

Moving on to Raven, who was bent underneath the computer desk, Jasper was prepared to pour her a drink as well in her cup but she quickly popped up and slapped a hand over the top to decline the offer. Frowning, Jasper watched her crawl out. "We saved the world, you're supposed to celebrate," he pointed out. "I think that's a rule."

Agreeing, Riley lifted her cup again in a salute. She knew it was important to contact their friends and find out who was alright or not, but to be able to let loose was what Raven and Monty deserved as they were originally the two to do all the work.

"I'll celebrate when I know the others are okay and when I get the mainframe back online," Raven responded firmly, sitting on her chair and typing away at the computer as it powered back on.

Finishing off her drink, Riley set the cup on the table again and spun around in her chair to face the pair. She eyed the lit up computer screens, missing the way that Jasper looked longingly at them. "Is it weird I want back in?" He finally spoke up in a quiet mumble.

Riley had expected that, honestly, knowing that it was the first time that he was eventually happy in so long. If she had taken the chip when she had the chance, back when Jaha offered it to her, she'd be the same way. But she was fortunate enough to be happy now without the chip.

"It's not weird, Jasper," Raven assured him, as if she understood too. "Are you okay?" Jasper shrugged, unsure, despite the drink in his hand making him feel better. Understanding, Raven paused her typing for a minute to look over at him. "There's nothing like a little pain to remind you you're alive." The recited quote made Riley tilt her head, grasping how true it was.

Raven cleared her throat after Jasper answered, joking around about an upgrade, standing and limping over to the radio. "Okay, everyone out!" She announced. "Go on, take the music with you. I need quiet to fix the radio."

"Raven, we won," Harper spoke, concerned with the idea of leaving Raven alone. "I'm sure everyone's fine in Polis."

"I hope so," Raven agreed. "But just until I'm certain."

"Do you need help with the radio?" Monty offered.

"Rule one of engineering, no drinking on the job," Raven insisted, waving them away. "Go on, celebrate. Please, enjoy yourselves."

Deciding to comply, Harper nodded, sliding off her seat. "Well I'm starving. I'll go raid the kitchen," she informed the others. Riley nodded, waving her good-bye and watching as her friend paced out of the control room.

Riley knew that Raven was serious on wanting to be left alone, so she chose to make her exit with Monty after gripping his wrist and pulling him out. She was finally happy, and even if it was just for a moment and couldn't last, she would savour every second that was being given.

━━━━━━━━

Riley kept the blanket pulled up to her collar bones, not wanting a repeat of Harper, Raven or even Jasper bursting in on them clothless once more. She looked over, brushing aside the piece of hair sticking to her sweaty neck and seeing Monty was in bliss as before. She smiled, leaning over and pressing her head against his shoulder, resting and comfortable.

"If this is how we celebrate, I hope more good things start happening," she disclosed in delight, settling in catching her breath. Hearing him out a snort of laughter, Riley could feel Monty's arm be draped over and his fingers thread through her hair. She slowly grinned, a fluttering feeling in her chest when noticing the creasing under his eyes as he laughed.

After he calmed, Monty glanced over, meeting her stare. "Um, now that everyone's coming back, I just.." He stammered through a clumsy explanation. "I just don't want to pressure you, or want you to think I'm expecting anything other than friends." He sounded so insecure and doubtful, that it made Riley ache for a minute. She didn't want to be only friends, and wanted him secure on it.

"Um, I think I've been clear that the idea of being more is important to me," Riley affirmed, coming off as firm as possible. Monty's face softened and he seemed much more relaxed than before. He even looked hopeful. She tilted closer, pressing her hand on his chest and convincing him further. "I've already told you this is the happiest I've been." To deal with losing the taste of joy she's been given was something Riley knew she couldn't handle.

To Riley's relief, Monty was on the same page as her. Riley knew the light she has been given after losing everything wasn't going anywhere. She grinned in content, closing her eyes as he leaned forward and held the side of her face as he kissed her. She reached up, gently cradling his neck and wishing that she'd never have to face the real world again.

Unfortunately, the real world had to barrel in and knock down Riley's walls quicker than she had wished for. The door to their private room flew open and she swiftly pulled away, peering over her shoulder to see it was Raven with an urgent look written being plastered on her face. The mechanic noticed that the pair wasn't wearing any clothing and awkwardly shifted before expressing guilt with a short apology. "Sorry."

Monty sat up, pressing his back against the wall. "Knocking's not your thing, is it?" He questioned, referring to the last time both Raven and Harper barged in after him and Riley were in the same situation like this.

Ignoring the question, Raven only shot a strict demand at them. "Get dressed and meet me in Engineering," she ordered. The command caught Riley off guard, and it wasn't very hostile, which made her feel uneasy. If Raven was this serious, to stop their short party after surviving, than something was really wrong.

Completely lost, Riley's eyebrows furrowed. "Why?" She asked after a moment, almost as if she hadn't wanted to hear the answer. "What's wrong?"

Hesitating with her hand on the door, Raven regretfully shook her head before answering.

"We're all gonna die."