Alex rubbed the back of his head at the thought of VR. His fingers slid over the plasteel and pseudo-skin cover of his external adapter for his central cerebral computer. The 3C, as it was called, is what allowed true virtual reality. Nanotechnology was perfected the year before he was born. He was one of the first batches of humans to receive antenatal nano injections.

Two months after he was given the injections in the womb, they surgically added the adapter and core computer.

The Nanos worked in tandem with the 3C to monitor the body. If there was ever a problem, like the beginning of cancer or a virus that was too aggressive for the Nanos to fix, a notice would go to the medical center closest to that person's home. No one who had the nanotechnology ever died from sickness. Sometimes they didn't even die from accidents that should have been fatal.

It was this technology that led to True Virtual Reality. TVR was a full immersion version of its predecessor. It was also why VR gamers worked hard to train their bodies. The Nanos and 3C worked with the VR systems to recreate the exact movement capabilities of the person using it.

“Alex! Do you want some of this food? You better hurry, the boys have decided to have a race to see who can eat the most,” Trin called out to him, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Alex chuckled, “Let them eat whatever. We can just order more.” He stood and stretched, then wandered closer. It wasn't the time to get lost in history. It was time for a celebration. He draped an arm over Trin's shoulder, “You didn't happen to have anything to do with this game, did you?”

She batted her almond-shaped eyes, innocently, “Me? I'd never do anything like that.”

“She bet Bree that Urie could eat more than me because I'm practically an old man,” Nick said with a smirk.

“Doesn't that make you an old lady, Trin?” Alex asked with a laugh. Nick was only twenty-two, and she was five years older than that.

Trinity huffed and poked Alex with a gentle elbow to the side, “What I said was that compared to Urie's vigor and stamina, he was practically an old man.”

“How did that get turned into an eating contest?” Sometimes the train of thought of his team confused the snark out of him.

“That was me,” Bree raised her hand, “Mostly because I didn't think Urie could stop talking long enough to eat more than a single plate of food.”

Urie stuck his tongue out at Bree, “I've been the quietest person in the room all night, except for boss.”

“You've been quietly singing that song you were belting during the event. That doesn't count,” Bree countered.

“Oh, I have an idea! Instead of an eating contest, let's make the boys carry us around the room. The first one who drops is the one who loses.” Trin said, her finger in the air as if to form an exclamation to her epiphany.

“Let's all eat first. Then, later, you kids can have your race. I want to celebrate with everyone,” Alex stalled their shenanigans and reached for a glass of Star berry wine. He held the glass up. The rest of his team scrambled to do the same.

“To the best team, a man could ask for. You've made me so proud,” He smiled, and the group smiled back. Trin, with her usual giant grin, Bree with her calm, half-smile. Urie was smirking, which was okay, that was his go-to smile, and Nick's smile was gentle and easy-going.

“Thank you,” Alex said, barely getting the words out without tearing up. He tossed the contents into the back of his throat, in an utter abuse to the great Star berry name. His group followed suit.

“We love you too, boss,” Bree said softly.

After that, the noise of the team climbed back up until they sounded like an army of people instead of just five. They ate, joked, and laughed. Alex thought it was perfect.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hours later, the food was decimated. Nick surprised everyone by winning the carry race, though it was a close one. The wine was consumed in vast quantities until everyone was almost drunk. The Nanos wouldn't allow their hosts to become completely inebriated, but they were tipsy enough to enjoy it.

Alex was back in his preferred leather chair. Urie and Trin were entwined in a love seat, and Nick and Bree were relaxing on the couch. The small talk was maybe the best part of the whole evening, in Alex's opinion.

“I'll be right back, I'm going to call my pod. I sent them a message earlier, but I want to hear their voices,” Nick said, then went out to the balcony to make his call.

“That's the good thing about having a pod with Urie,” Trin said and pinched his cheek gently. “I always have my love with me.” Urie turned his head and kissed Trin's fingertips. Trinity looked over at Bree, “Breeby boo, what did your pod say about our win?”

“Well. I don't know. They kicked me out two months ago,” Bree spun her wineglass by its stem as she spoke nonchalantly.

“What?!” Alex, Trin, and Urie all exclaimed in shock.

“Why didn't you tell us,” Alex asked gently after he got control of himself. A pod was a big deal. The economy and how difficult it was to raise children had destroyed the nuclear family. Most people married in groups that someone had dubbed “pods,” and it stuck. Schools had switched to virtual locations with the creation of TVR. One or more of the adult pod members took care of the littles during the day, while the rest of the adults worked. If it was a large enough pod, they even made their own communities.

Bree had been in a pod with four others. She hadn't been officially married into the pod yet, though it had been practically a done deal.

“I didn't want anyone distracted. We were working our way to the finals, and things were going good,” She shrugged.

“What happened,” Urie asked with sympathy.

“They wanted me to quit the team and be their nanny and brood matron. I think they were looking for a reason to kick me out. They knew that I didn't want to get pregnant, but they wanted me to gestate all the babies for the pod,” Bree smiled wryly.

“What the fog hopping hell!” Urie said at the same time, Trin said, “They didn't fucking deserve you!”

Alex winced at the F-bomb. It was still one of the curse words considered bad enough to get a person fined. Trin just racked up a shiner. That seven-hundred credits was going to burn later, but she'd said what all of them were thinking.

Bree laughed. The sound was just as sweet as she was, and they all couldn't help but smile at the infectious tinkle.

“Look,” Trinity started as she crawled off of Urie's lap, “we know how amazing you are. We love you.” Urie stood up behind Trin and nodded over her head, letting Bree know Trin was speaking for them both.

“Let us show you what it's like to be in a real pod,” Trin moved to Bree and held her hand out. Urie mimicked her, holding his hand out two. “No trying to force you into a mold you can't stand. No judging you for your wants and desires. Just acceptance, love, and the best sex you've ever had.” Trin's giant grin was back.

Bree laughed, and took both their hands in her own, “So show me what I was missing.”

The two pod members tugged Bree off the couch and lead her to their room. Urie looked over his shoulder to Alex, “You're welcome to join our pod too, boss.”

Alex simply shook his head, “Not tonight, I have a headache.”

It had the effect that he was going for when all three of his teammates cracked up.

“We love you, boss,” Trin said with a grin.

“I love you guys too, just not in that way,” He winked, “Go have your fun.” He waved them away.

“Yes, Boss!” They replied and stumbled out of the room, arms already freely groping each other.