Levi stalked into his room, wrenching off the white cravat he wore around his neck and hurling it across the room. Stupid girl, he thought, idiot girl. One day that stubborn, proud attitude of hers was going to get her killed.

He sighed, throwing himself into an armchair and kicking off heavy boots. He didn't despise the girl – Ackerman, he reminded himself – but she was too headstrong, with no concept of respect for authority. He had heard of her before Eren's trial; she was supposedly an incredibly skilled fighter, capable of taking down multiple titans without any assistance. Commander Erwin had mentioned the girl would likely be assigned to Levi's squad eventually.

"Although I'm not sure I'd want her," Levi muttered under his breath, rising to pour a tumbler of whisky before returning to his chair.

The girl's disdain for authority would endanger the entire squad. She'd have to learn that this was war, and in war, authority could not be challenged. This was a matter of life and death, not some vendetta against leadership.

A knock at the door roused Levi from his thoughts. He sighed, not wanting any visitors this evening. Still, it could be important – anything could be these days.

"Enter," he said.

The door swung open, and Commander Erwin walked briskly through, slamming it behind him. Levi's eyebrows shot up. He had rarely seen the Commander so enraged.

"Yes?" he asked the fuming Erwin.

The larger man stalked over to Levi, towering over him.

"I've just been informed that you haven't released Ackerman yet. Just why is that?"

Levi snorted. "She still needs sentencing. In case you've forgotten, Commander, that girl attacked a superior in front of the entire fucking military leadership," he said, pausing to take another drink. "I'm not releasing her until she's sentenced."

Erwin stood glaring at Levi, and then walked over to the uncorked decanter of whisky, pouring himself a glass and shooting it down before again facing the captain.

"No one will touch this case, Levi," he said. "The only option is to dishonorably discharge Ackerman – and no one wants to do that. She's the best fighter we've seen in years."

Levi shrugged.

"There will be others. Discharge her, if that's the damn law."

Erwin slammed his empty glass on the table. Fuming, he paced the space in front of Levi before again speaking.

"Her sentencing has been given to me – seeing as one of my officers was the one assaulted. And I will not discharge her, Levi," he said, holding up a hand as the captain began to protest. "I've already made my decision. Would you care to hear it?"

Levi's eyes narrowed, his gaze darkened, but he said nothing, and only nodded at the commander.

"Ackerman will join your squad effective immediately. She will be on probation for one month. Training is permitted, but she will not see active duty for thirty days," Erwin paused, and then continued. "She is under your supervision, Levi, but I swear to God, if I find out you're overstepping your authority in any way, I'll – "

"You'll what, exactly?" Levi interrupted quietly. "I'm the best fighter in this entire fucking army. You can't do without me, Erwin."

Erwin stood silently, his eyes locked on Levi's composed façade. Finally, he spoke, his voice cold.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked.

Levi paused, and then stood to pour another glass of whisky. He shot it down. Turning to face the commander, he spoke candidly.

"The girl reminds me of myself. And I'm not going to be around forever, Erwin. I die; I need someone to take the squad. If it's going to be Ackerman, she had damn well better learn to be a fucking soldier."

Erwin stared curiously at Levi for several minutes. Then he turned and walked toward the door. Before leaving he turned back to face the captain.

"Just don't kill her, Levi," he said softly, and then walked out.

Levi stared at the space where Erwin had left. He turned and poured another glass of whisky and shot it down again. Sighing deeply, he walked shakily back to the armchair and lazily sat down. The girl was going to be the death of him; he could feel it deep down.

"Ackerman," he said out loud. "Ackerman."

He drew himself up from the chair and shrugged into his boots. Snatching the discarded cravat from across the room, he walked unsteadily through the door and down the hallway to have a little chat with Ackerman.