Ailey here! Sorry for the cliffy last chapter. I'll try to update on Thursdays or, Fridays. I don't own Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin. If I did, well, *evil laugh* Well then. Ahem. On with the fic!

Eren stared in shock at the girl. She took no notice to him, though; due to the fact she was too busy taking Jean's order. ("A glass of bourbon" "You're a minor, yes I know you're a soldier, it's probably too strong for you, no, you will get drunk, and I'm a minor, so I can't even serve it anyways." "Dammit")

The girl slid her eyes to Eren. "Stop ogling me and order,"

Eren slipped out of his trance. "Oh...um...I'll share with Mikasa."

Mikasa smiled at Eren, then death-glared at the girl. Since Eren had no idea what was going on, he glanced at Ymir for help.

Jealousy she mouthed.

Mikasa caught Ymir "Am not…" she muttered.

The girl sighed. "Is that all?"

Eren smiled at her, trying to show some form of recognition. "Yeah, thanks."

Her cold façade broke for a millisecond when she glanced at him. As soon as the tenderness came, it left, and the coldness was back. "You're welcome."

The meal followed a few minutes after her departure. Hot food was piled up on plates, and it made Eren's mouth water at the sight of it. Just as she set down the last plate with a clink, two Military Police men walked in.

"Shit!" the girl hissed. Ducking under the table, she quickly brushed out her braid, leaving soft waves down her back. When she popped up, she had a big smile on her face, which quite frankly scared the group of teenagers.

Still smiling, she skipped over to the men. "How may I help you sir?"

The man regarded the girl. "We are looking for a criminal. Tall, has bloody knuckles and hair in a braid."

Eren's eyes widened. The girl was a criminal? No wonder she rushed in so quickly.

Her face soured. "Oh no sir, we don't keep that kind 'round here. All of the criminal activity is about three alleys down. That's where the dealing and fights go on."

"And how would you know that?" One of them asked sharply.

"Why, I hear some fine gossip down by the fountain: this person beat that person, this person lost real bad, that person died, the lot."

The men relaxed. "Damn criminals. You think we'd get a break from those dirty bastards."

The girl nodded sympathetically. "Of course. You poor things must be exhausted from chasing those people down. Thank God we have y'all to keep us safe."

The entire tavern was sniggering, and Eren caught a few mutters of "Oh, yes, thank the MPs for keeping us safe and sound!" Eren stared at the Military Police men in disbelief. Were they actually buying this?"

Apparently so, because the taller man puffed out his chest and responded with a smug grin, "Of course. Best branch there is. Can't have civilians gettin hurt."

The girl smiled wistfully. "I'm dreadfully sorry, but I need to get back to my customers. Have a nice evening and stop by if ya need a drink."

After winking to the men and ushering them out, she turned back to the table and sighed. "Thanks for not ratting me out."

Armin glanced at the table and stuttered out, "W-what did you do to get the MPs after you?"

The girl raised an eyebrow. "They were kicking at a little kid. Couldn't be more than five years old. So I punched both of them in the nose, and I'm pretty sure I broke their wrists too after they tried to fight back."

"Defender of the weak, then?" Mikasa piped up.

"No, I just don't like unfair fights. A five year old, most likely an orphan, against two grown men with their families fed and well in their warm homes within the inner walls." She shook her head. "Disgusting."

Eren stared at the girl in amazement. She stood up to the Military Police (something most people are afraid to do), broke a few of their bones, and got away with it.

"What is your-"He asked.

"Nina Banis." She interrupted. "And you?"

Jean smirked and tried in vain to look as good as possible. "Jean Kirschtein."

Ymir snorted and rolled her eyes. "Ymir. Don't ask for my last name."

"Christa Renz!" The blonde offered with a smile.

"Armin Arlert."

"Mikasa Ackerman."

"And you?" Nina gazed at Eren.

"Eren Jaeger." He whispered.

Nina's eyes widened, showing off the odd color combination. "The Eren Jaeger?"

He nodded, unsure of what he should do.

She leaned into the table and whispered, "I heard Zeno is going to release his thoughts on you. I think the odds of him being on your side are pretty good. He's rational, so his opinion should sway the public's thoughts."

"And you didn't hear it from me!" Nina added on with a hiss. She flew to the next table, ignoring the confused stares from the soldiers.

"Why would people not want to mention Zeno? If you just converse quietly, the MPs can't hunt you down." Eren pondered.

Armin and Ymir exchanged a look.

Ymir scoffed. "Because he's questioning the King. The last thing we need is a rebellion inside the walls with all of those titans outside."

"Anyway, how did that girl know what he was going to publish next?" Jean yawned. "Whatever. Who cares about that, she was hot."

Mikasa immediately looked at Eren in fear he was going to agree. But he was far into his own thoughts to be bothered with Jean's "hot chick" matters.

"Eren…?"

"Hm?" Eren snapped out of his daze. "Oh, I, uh, thought I recognized her."

Jean smirked. "Really? You…know a hot girl?

Eren flushed red. "N-no, no, nothing like that. Her voice just sounded familiar…"

Connie looked up from his plates. "Well, she is an amazing cook. She gave me an apple cobbler she made herself. Just the right amount of cinnamon." He looked at Christa. "If I marry her, do I get cobbler every day?"

Christa giggled. "Course not silly."

"But-"

Armin stood up. "Everyone's finished. Let's go look around while it's still light out."

One by one the group stood up. Eren was the last, turquoise eyes trained on the kitchen door to see if Nina would come out again. She didn't.