Chapter One

A/N: Hello there and welcome to our story! We did have a similar premise on a different account back in the day, but since we can no longer access that account, we thought we'd start fresh. Now that Pacific Rim: Uprising is coming up we thought, why not? Hopefully we still have readers who love the Hansens like we do. We only own our ocs Bianca Donnell and Julianne Caldwell, and any other characters you don't recognise.

Bianca Donnell

April 2019

The news had it that the Hansen brothers had bagged another kill. If she hadn't already heard her excited classmates whispering about it in fifth period, Bianca Donnell certainly heard it the moment she walked into the apartment. Bolting the door, the dark-haired teenager turned to glance across at the TV. Channel Nine was doing a real piece on the latest kaiju that Lucky Seven had taken down, over near Christchurch in New Zealand.

"...Herc and Scott Hansen have taken out three kaiju in as many years, and show no signs of stopping anytime soon…"

Bianca had never met the Hansens in person, but she'd heard all about them from Andy. He raved about Herc, who had been RAAF before Scissure's attack in 2014. All the news reports portrayed the older brother as reserved but diplomatic. Scott was the ladies' man, both in Andy's own words and demonstrated by the mischievous smiles and winks he'd toss the cameras. He liked the attention a lot more than Herc. The men were in their late 30s, despite girls at Bianca's high school gushing about them as if they weren't old enough to be their dads.

"Bianca, you're home." Rosa got up from the faded old couch to greet her daughter, shuffling into the kitchen to take dinner out of the oven. "Have you heard from Andy?"

"Nope." Bianca shrugged her shoulders. She and her older brother were eight years apart, but had been close ever since Scissure's attack had cost the life of Bianca's dad, Kaden. Andy had become the primary income earner of their household, joining the Pan Pacific Defense Corps at the age of 21.

Fast forward two years and Andy was one of the pilots of the mighty Vulcan Specter, Australia's second Jaeger. Whilst Lucky Seven was a Mark 2, Vulcan Specter had been the newest model, a Mark 3 - that was, until they'd started rolling out the Mark 4s in 2018. As Bianca understood Drift compatibility, the pilots had to have a close emotional connection in order to form a strong neural handshake. As Scott was Herc's co-pilot, Andy's co-pilot was his long-time best friend Linden Blayne.

It had been difficult to get used to the fact that her brother was famous, that they couldn't go to get groceries without people recognising him and stopping him for selfies and autographs. Andy took it with good grace, as he did most things, but it irritated Bianca. Sometimes she was selfish and wanted her brother to herself, yet now she felt she had to share him with the world. Andy was constantly busy. Even now, not having been involved in the latest kaiju encounter, he'd be doing a press conference or some form of media campaign.

Her phone buzzed and her face lit up at the same time the screen did when she saw Andy's name flash.

Heading to dinner with Linden & Hansens after media storm is over. Wanna come?

Bianca felt a sense of girlish excitement. She hung out with Linden all the time, but the Hansens were another matter entirely. Although they'd been piloting for longer than Andy, Bianca didn't exactly rub shoulders with many people in PPDC. For a start she wasn't even fifteen yet, and Andy kept saying she couldn't exactly ditch school and become a Jaeger groupie. Nonetheless, the prospect of meeting them for the first time felt like an invitation into some sort of secret inner circle.

The mouth-watering smell of Rosa's roast lamb and sweet potatoes made Bianca hesitate. She hated leaving her mum at home, especially knowing that Rosa needed all the help that she could get. Rosa was busying herself setting the tray on the stovetop, glancing over at her daughter as she took off the oven mitts.

"Is that Andy?"

"Yeah." Bianca placed her phone on the bench. "He asked if I want to come out to dinner with him and some of the others."

She waited for Rosa's verdict, and her permission. Despite her health problems and the fact that Andy was the unspoken person in charge, Rosa was still Bianca's guardian. If Rosa needed her to stay at home and help, Bianca would begrudgingly do so. Andy had taken care of them for some time, so she felt it was her obligation to pick up where her brother left off, to do the things he no longer had time for.

"You want to go." Rosa's smile was slightly sad. "Honey, it's alright. I've taken my medication, and you can bring the leftovers for lunch tomorrow."

Bianca tried to stop herself from looking too excited as she picked up her phone and tapped out a response to Andy. The cogs were turning in her mind - what would she wear? Should she put on some makeup or go bare-faced? She was aware she was being absolutely ridiculous, and should probably act a bit more casual since her brother was a Jaeger pilot too, but she couldn't help her sense of anticipation.

Sure. What time & are you picking me up?

The response was almost immediate.

Yep. 7.

The heart of Sydney was an interesting place these days. About half of it had been destroyed during Scissure's rampage, and to this day it was sectioned off. The Grounds of the City, the restaurant where Andy and Bianca were meeting the others, was a quaint restaurant boasting a bold green exterior and its name in red neon lights. Bianca hadn't been there before, but Google reviews told her it was pretty good.

As she and Andy headed inside, her stomach lurched as she noticed Herc and Scott in one of the booths. There was also a boy there, probably about Bianca's age. He was disinterested, too busy playing games on his phone to pay her or Andy any attention. Herc smiled and pushed himself to his feet, clapping Andy on the arm as they approached the booth. Scott leaned back and sipped at his beer.

"Good to see you, mate." Herc glanced at Bianca. There was a warmth about this guy, the same warm vibe that people got from Andy. "This must be the sister. You look alike."

"Different dads, but yeah we do." Andy was all too eager to make the introductions, gesturing between the pair. "Herc, this is Bianca."

"It's lovely to meet you." Bianca reached out to shake Herc's hand vigorously, before glancing at Scott, who raised his beer in acknowledgement. "And you as well."

"Chuck," Herc's tone became stern as he surveyed the teenage boy. "Don't be rude. Put the phone away and say hello."

Chuck. Bianca vaguely recognised the name. The media sometimes talked about Herc's son, who was in PPDC training to be a Ranger himself. Maybe he wanted to take after his dad and his uncle, but apparently he excelled in the Academy. He was only a year older than her. He heaved a dramatic sigh, rolled his eyes and put the phone down on the table. He might be good-looking if he wasn't constantly scowling.

"Hi."

"I'm Bianca," she said, hoping that maybe she could make a friend her own age. Chuck's dad was a Ranger, her older brother was a Ranger. She smiled and offered her hand.

"Mmhm." Chuck's attention had now drifted to the restaurant's menu, and Bianca's smile faltered, her outstretched hand falling to her side.

"Don't take it personally, darling." Scott put his beer down on the table, sliding across so Herc and Andy could slip into the booth beside him. Unfortunately, it meant that Bianca was forced to sit next to Chuck. "He's a little shit toward pretty much everyone he meets. Not exactly the social type, our Chuck."

The food was good, Bianca surmised as they ate. Linden messaged Andy to say he wouldn't be coming. The Hansen brothers and Andy exchanged banter and several stories about PPDC personnel that Bianca didn't know anything about. She tried to make conversation with Chuck, but it was like trying to get to know a brick wall.

"So, how old are you?"

Chuck examined her as if she had suddenly sprouted a second head. "Sixteen in August."

"Oh, cool!" Bianca made a determined effort to sound enthused. "I'm fifteen in September."

Chuck was far more interested in the burger that had just arrived, which he immediately began wolfing down. Bianca glanced across at Andy, who rolled his eyes and shook his head. Even he knew that she shouldn't expect anything from the moody teenager.

Herc muttered a stream of expletives as he looked down at his phone, glancing at his brother.

"Looks like we're in trouble. We skipped our check-up after the drop."

Scott smirked. "Dr Caldwell's livid, isn't she?"

"She is, so we should probably head back to the Shatterdome." Herc cast an apologetic look at Andy. "Sorry to cut this short, mate. You know what she's like when she's on the warpath."

"You managed to get on her bad side." Andy shook his head slowly, dark eyes glittering with mirth. "Good luck, boys."

Bianca shifted out of the booth so that Chuck could get out. He brushed past her without a backward glance, still too preoccupied with his phone. She had to admit that she was a little disappointed in him. Herc and Scott had been interesting and more than happy to make conversation, but it seemed Herc's son was another matter entirely.

"See you around," she called after them as they went up to pay their part of the bill. She noticed Herc quietly berating his son as Scott took out his credit card, something that Chuck ignored despite the deepening scowl on his face.

"They like you," Andy declared.

"What makes you say so?" Bianca raised her eyebrows.

"Well, they like me," he said, as though it was possible for someone not to like him. "You at least attempted to interact with Chuck, which is a marvel in itself."

"He definitely didn't like me."

Andy laughed. "Chuck doesn't like anyone."

He paid for their meals and drinks - despite Bianca's half-hearted attempts to give him some cash to pay her share. Having dinner with the Hansens made her want to spend more time at the Shatterdome. If the personnel were as friendly as Herc and Scott, she could definitely see herself having a good time there. Plus, as Rosa was constantly pointing out, she didn't exactly have a huge friendship circle. Oh, there were plenty of people eager to befriend her once Andy became a Ranger, but Bianca had quickly learned to pick out fakes.

"Can I come visit you at work?" Bianca asked as they headed back to the car.

Andy glanced at her, apparently surprised by the question. "Sure. You're family, I can get you a pass. There are just some areas you won't be allowed into."

Bianca liked this, that Andy wasn't treating her like a kid. When they'd initially started piloting, he and Linden hadn't been too keen on the idea of a young girl popping into the Shatterdome and exploring the place. Now that she was a little older, Andy seemed to have reconsidered the idea. Besides, if Chuck was training to be a Ranger at only one year older than her, Bianca saw no reason why she shouldn't be permitted to come and say hi - to her brother, Linden, the Hansens.

But not Chuck, because she found him to be rude and arrogant. Chuck was the one Hansen family member that Bianca wouldn't care if she didn't see again. Only as the teenage family members of Australia's finest, it seemed fated that their paths would cross again.

Andy Warner

Every time that Andy believed Chuck Hansen couldn't be any more of a little brat, the kid went and managed to prove him wrong. Bianca had tried valiantly to keep conversation going during dinner, but Chuck had been a major dick. It hadn't escaped Andy's notice how crestfallen she'd become during her attempts to make a new friend. The two had a lot in common, after all - both kids had a Jaeger pilot for a family member, both had lost a parent during Scissure's attack.

Andy remembered the attack vividly. He'd been eighteen at the time, and almost finished with high school. He remembered Rosa shutting herself away for days after finding out Kaden had been killed in the CBD. He remembered Bianca, not quite ten, confused and terrified. Her small fingers had gripped at Andy like he was her lifeline. He'd realised then that it was up to him to protect his family. Rosa wasn't well, and Bianca was still a child.

He and Linden had always possessed a friendly competitiveness, but when they'd joined the PPDC, they'd been competing against other people for the chance to pilot Australia's latest crown jewel: Vulcan Specter. Once he'd seen the Jaeger, Andy knew it had to be them. Two years later, he still hadn't quite gotten used to the fame that came with being a Ranger.

It was almost midnight by the time Andy returned to the Shatterdome after dropping Bianca home. He knew he probably should have stayed there too, gotten some rest. But as Linden often stated, there was no rest for the wicked. People never saw Andy frustrated or angry, because he kept all of that pent-up and ready to unleash in his favourite place: the Kwoon Combat Room.

"If it isn't my partner in crime." Linden's familiar voice. The blonde was pummelling a bag, but stopped at Andy's entrance. "Well, maybe not crime. Partner in heroism? Not quite as catchy."

Andy raised his eyebrows. "You skived dinner for boxing? Bloody dork."

There were rumours, outside of the PPDC and possibly within it too, that Linden and Andy were secretly lovers. Completely untrue and unfounded, but Andy realised some found it difficult to understand that a friendship could be just as strong as a relationship between brothers.

"I didn't want to see the Hansens." Linden shrugged his shoulders. Subtlety was not his strong point, and he didn't beat around the bush. "You know I'm pissed that they sent Lucky Seven out and not us. You know it should have been us."

This again. Andy heaved a sigh. While he'd been a little put out that the Hansens had been sent out to deal with the latest kaiju incursion, he didn't hold the same level of resentment that Linden did. Every time Lucky Seven was sent in, Linden would complain. He and Andy were younger, Vulcan Specter was the more modern Jaeger. The list went on.

Andy got on with his fellow Rangers, but Linden's relationship with the Hansens was more strained. Particularly with Scott. Linden and Scott had butted heads several times in the past, while Herc was far more easygoing.

"You know it isn't personal, Linden."

"I guess." Linden inspected his co-pilot, knowing this conversation wasn't going to go anywhere new. "Besides, why are you here?"

One of the drawbacks of the Drift was that it meant your co-pilot suddenly knew everything about you. Linden was well aware that the Kwoon Combat Room was where Andy came when he was frustrated. He also knew that Andy wasn't as mad about Lucky Seven being sent out. Andy didn't hold grudges like Linden.

"Herc's son. He was at dinner with us, and he was a bit of a dick to Bianca."

"Chuck's a dick to everyone. It's his default."

Andy didn't know how to explain to Linden that this was different, because it was Bianca. His baby sister had always been his soft spot. He could take Chuck being rude to him and anyone else in the PPDC, but when it was Bianca, it got under Andy's skin. The kid had enough difficulty making friends as it was. Rosa said Bianca was bullied at school, but Bianca never talked about it. The last thing Andy wanted or needed was Chuck becoming a problem for Bianca. She should be able to come to the Shatterdome and feel welcome, not like a waste of space.

"Hey, you can beat me up if it makes you feel better," Linden offered with a wry smile. They'd do combat training several days a week, and it was often amusing for observers - while Andy was six and a half feet tall, Linden was only a few inches taller than Bianca. The height difference was something they constantly joked about, although it had no impact whatsoever in combat situations.

"Tempting, but I might just make do with an inanimate object." Andy scooped up a pair of boxing gloves and got to work on the bag beside Linden's. He wouldn't admit it, but he liked to pretend it was Chuck's scowling face.

Julianne Caldwell

She was not angry, no, she was furious.

Julianne Caldwell paced the now empty laboratory, the rest of the medical team having quietly, and quickly, cleared the area. They knew better than to get on her bad side, something that a certain pair of brothers seemed to have difficulties comprehending.

Pushing a stray blonde hair from her face, Julianne went to sit at her desk. Aside from Scramble Alley, the medical center of the Sydney Shatterdome was the only other area that looked relatively high-tech. Quick builds called for simple, and most Shatterdomes were nothing more than concrete and steel, and rust, which somehow managed to come with the new buildings. If they were shooting for Soviet era missile silo, they nailed it.

Clicking through multiple news sites on her computer, the young doctor watched any videos of the fight she could, noting all of Lucky Seven's movements, attempting to evaluate the composure of both pilots inside. Then she moved on to the interviews and fan footage, gauging their reactions. None of it was promising.

Julianne leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, removing her glasses and pinching the bridge of her nose.

They couldn't send Andy and Linden, could they?

She had just started to drift to sleep, feet comfortably perched on her desk, when the sound of the door opening caught her attention. It was slow, creaking, like someone hoping to catch her asleep in order to make an excuse about coming back later.

The anger came burning back to life so quickly, something might have caught on fire.

"IN. NOW."

The sight of two men well into their thirties walking into her office like two very guilty toddlers would have been entertaining to anyone, even Julianne, if she wasn't also half tempted to beat them within an inch of their lives. 'Do no harm' did not apply to hardheaded Jaeger pilots.

Julianne stood, crossing her arms, eying the two from over the rims of her glasses. She might have been fairly tall, but the Hansens were taller still, and could not help but feel she was less intimidating than she wanted to be, despite the looks on their faces.

Scott, of course, was the first to speak. He never did know when to keep quiet.

"No contacts today, Jules? Damn shame. I hate when you hide those beautiful blue eyes from me."

Her gaze flicked over to him, then to Herc. "Article 17, Subsection 12, Paragraph 4."

"What's that supposed to mean, love?"

Herc cleared his throat, looking over at his little brother. "PPDC regulations on sexual harassment, the punishments for Rangers, specifically."

"Ah, right, not that route then," Scott replied, eyebrows briefly shooting upward. "Wait, Herc, how do you know that off the top of your head. Do you two rehearse this when I'm not here?"

The older Ranger opened his mouth to reply, causing Julianne to wonder if this hadn't been rehearsed.

"Gentlemen, on point!" Julianne shouted, regaining the attention of both Hansens. "Do you think I make you come here as often as you do for my entertainment? A doctor isn't supposed to want to see her patients all the time, and I sure as hell don't want to see you, Scott."

The younger Hansen winked. Julianne glared until he backed down.

"In case you two forgot, which I don't see how given you share each other's minds for hours at a time, you are medically on thin ice. Herc, if I don't keep you in shape, then you really won't have to worry about seeing me again because you won't be in the PPDC!"

Herc's attention was somewhere around his shoes. Scott had taken to staring over her head.

Julianne sighed, attempting to calm herself. "Get out of here, Scott. I'll deal with you in the morning."

Scott looked ready to make another sly remark, but a quick look from his brother kept him silent.

Julianne waited until the door was firmly closed before walking over to the examination table. She halfheartedly gestured to it. Herc followed the silent order, moving to sit on the table. He removed his jacket, and then his shirt, well versed in the routine that had started nearly a year ago.

Picking up her work tablet, Julianne tapped a few key things into her medical notes as she observed Herc. His left arm was stiff. He winced taking his layers off. Part of her wanted to help; part of her knew he had to handle this on his own.

Calcific tendonitis was the medical term for it. Calcium deposits on the tendons. In Herc's case, it was the tendons in his left shoulder. For a normal person, it was nothing to worry about. The effects weren't long lasting and did not necessarily call for surgical intervention.

But Herc Hansen was hardly a normal person.

A Ranger with extreme pain in his arm and reduced functionality was a liability. The PPDC would consider him a high risk and would more than likely seek to replace him, perhaps even with his son, Chuck, who undoubtedly had drift compatibility with his uncle.

Which was why she lied about it.

She flicked open a video on the screen and showed it to him. "Watch."

It was one of the news vids she had practically memorized while waiting on them. Both Hansens appeared physically uncomfortable. Herc was subtly holding his arm, trying his best to look like he was just sore from the fight. Scott was rubbing his often, appearing to not even realize it.

Julianne paused the video, putting the tablet back down. "The effects are bleeding through the neural bridge. Scott's never exhibited much issue with it before, but if the pain is strong enough…"

Herc looked away from her. "Christ."

"The reason we've been able to keep up the charade this long is because you are the right side of Lucky Seven. But if Scott gets your symptoms and locks up, the entire left side of your jaeger is shot."

"You don't need to tell me that, Jules."

"Well, apparently I do," she replied, putting her hands on his left shoulder. "Lift your arm up."

Herc did as he was told, hissing slightly as she put pressure on the appendage.

"When did the pain start?"

"Few days ago."

Their blue eyes met briefly before she turned back to his shoulder.

"It's degenerative," Julianne said, lowering his arm and slowly massaging the muscle. She heard Herc sigh gently. "I used to think it might have been from an old football injury of yours. You military types are all the same. Play hard or don't play at all."

She thought he chuckled.

"But you and Scott have managed to not completely tear each other apart in the Kwoon recently, which makes me think you're overstraining the arm when you fight. It's wearing down your ligaments. The pain you feel is the aftereffect of your arm healing itself."

"Now that doesn't sound right," Herc scoffed. "Wearing down...you saying I'm getting old?"

"You are old."

"I'm 38!"

Julianne could not help but smirk at the offense in Herc's voice. "That's old for a Ranger. And Scott's not exactly young either."

"You say that to him, he might just never bother you again."

"The point is," Julianne continued, squaring herself with Herc. "You may have to start considering letting someone else do the job."

A look crossed over Herc's face, one that she could not quite pinpoint. "The instant I can't handle the job, I'll walk away. But I'm not out of the fight yet."

"Then I need you to do better."

Living on the beach used to be considered a luxury. Houses and condominiums crowded every inch, millions of dollars each because the view was always worth it.

Now, the beach was practically barren.

Most families had moved further into Australia's interior, afraid of what lurked in the distant waters. The neighbors had told her they could see Scissure from their kitchen, a looming behemoth that had killed the feeling of home.

For those few who remained, the beach finally felt like a relaxing retreat. Wayward tourists had all but vanished, and the boats had departed the harbors. Most evenings Julianne found herself very much alone on her small section of beach.

Except for today.

Snoring very loudly from his reclined position on her lawn chair, arm thrown over his face to block the sun's rays, Jackson Caldwell looked like the picture of comfort. Dressed in thongs, cargo shorts, and a tank, with beer cans scattered at his feet, he looked like a stereotype come to life. He just needed the hat.

Julianne rolled her eyes, kicking the back of the chair.

Jackson snorted awake. "Oi, wuzzat? Heeyyy, Jules, you do still live here! Lucky me!"

His blue eyes blinked up at her, dark blonde hair and beard catching the last light of the day. Everyone always said they'd looked alike. She never saw it.

"And if I didn't? What were you planning on doing, breaking in?"

Her older brother stood and shrugged. "Ionno, maybe. I grew up here too. Doesn't seem like anyone'd notice anyway."

Closing her eyes briefly, Julianne took a breath. "How long do you plan on sticking around this time?"

She hadn't seen him in nearly six months. He'd left a mumbled message on her phone, something about a job out west where everyone else was running. He might have been telling the truth that time, given how tan he had gotten, construction no doubt, but it always ended the same. Jackson would go on a bender and inevitably screw everything up.

Jackson shrugged again, sniffing. "Depends on you, I guess. Don't have much going for me right now."

Julianne gave her brother another onceover. He was skinnier than the last time she had seen him and there were deep bags under his eyes. Whatever he had been doing hadn't gone well for him at all.

She sighed. "Alright, c'mon."

Brother and sister walked through the patio doors into their childhood home. It was two levels and simply decorated. Her parents had prided themselves on keeping the house clean always, which made shenanigans difficult for their children. But they attempted constantly, and failed just as much.

She would not have called her parents cold. All of the Caldwell children knew they were loved, but there was a reservation to them. They were serious people, and sometimes it was difficult for them to get out of that particular place they had buried themselves in. Before opening their own clinic, her mother had worked stints in the ER while her father had been in the military. They had seen things their children would never understand, and thus it took them to a place they could not follow.

Her sister, Joanna, had been the empathetic one. She kept her younger siblings in line when needed. Jackson, however, had never quite understood, and began to lash out when he could in an attempt to get something more from his parents.

And herself? She had been content to just let it be; she was the quiet one, taking in everything while leaving the actual interaction to others.

Julianne gestured to the couch in the living room. "Sit."

Jackson did as told, collapsing into the leather with a sigh. He really did look happy to be home. That hadn't been the case much when their parents had been alive. Guilt had that effect on people.

Rifling through her medical bag, Julianne retrieved a vacutainer and tube.

"You serious, Jules?"

She nodded, putting on medical gloves. "If you're going to be living in the house, I need to make sure one of your old dealers isn't busting down the door in the middle of the night."

Jackson scoffed. "Want me to piss in a cup too?"

"As if I'd want your piss anywhere near my car," Julianne replied, grabbing his arm and cleaning it. "Ball up your fist."

Her brother complied, silent as she worked. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him glancing around the house, taking in the detail.

"You haven't changed anything."

Julianne shrugged, watching the his blood enter the vial. "Don't have time to redecorate."

"Right, right, that fancy job of yours. The Pan Pacific Defense Corps. You're moving up in the world."

She met his eyes briefly as she finished up. "You're gonna want to hold that."

Julianne began to put her things away. She wasn't actually sure if she'd test the blood, but at least it let her brother know she was watching.

"I really thought you sold it, you know," Jackson said, staring back outside. "I mean, after everything else, why not this place too?"

She took a breath.

"Your room hasn't changed either. I'm sure you're sober enough to find it this time."

Julianne went upstairs to her room. It wasn't the master bedroom. She still could not bring herself to go in it. There were too many memories that she both did not want to see and did not want to lose.