I placed my last top in my bag for my mission with Levi. I sniffled slightly and rubbed my eyes, which were puffy from crying. It had been about two weeks since Charlie died and the guilt was still eating at me.
I closed my eyes and an image of a small girl flashed through my mind. I shook my head and the image dissappeared. I heard a knock at the door behind me.
"Who is it?" I called, the pain obvious in my voice as much as I tried to hide it.
"You know who." A familiar voice chimed in reply. I sighed and crossed the room to open the door. I wasn't really in the mood for dealing with Hanji but what could I do?
"Come on in Hanji." She refused to let me call her commander. We'd become quite close since she almost squeezed the life out of me after my trial. Her expression changed from one of joy to one of concern.
"Are you alright?" She asked me the worry seeping into her voice. I let out a shaky sigh, nothing got past Hanji.
"Honestly no, It's been almost two weeks since Charlie died and it's still bothering me." I replied, the tears threatening to fall once again. Hanji immediately drew me into a hug.
"Minda, losing people here is a regular occurrence, the pain never completely fades but it gets easier to deal with, I promise." She said gently as she released me.
I smiled. "Thanks Hanji." She smiled and ruffled my hair gently.
"Part of the reason her death affected me is because of my parents." I said as I resumed packing. Hanji gazed at me obviously curious.
I sighed it was about time I told someone this story.
"Part of the reason I became a killer is because my parents were in a similar line of work. They were dealers. Drugs, guns, you name it they smuggled it. One night one of the first times I ever went on a job it went south. It turned out our 'clients' were undercover MP as my parents tried to get me out of the area they were shot by a military dog and I barely escaped with my life. I was 10 at the time. I spent three years on the streets."
My voice softened. "I saw the worst humanity had to offer I was beaten by drunk officers every night. Raped more then once. After the last time I decided enough was enough and received my guns and outfits and my heeled boots from a black market dealer who had owed my parents a favor. For three years I built my team who quickly became like a family to me. They in turn helped me build my company and we began to make a profit. The rest you know."
Hanji simply drew me back into a hug "No one can hurt you anymore Minda, I'm always here for you just know that." She said, warmth in her voice.
"Thanks Hanji your like the sister I never had." She smiled and left, leaving me to my packing. Unbeknownst to me at the time, someone had been listening outside in the hallway.
I finished my packing and put my guns in their holsters at my waist, pulled on my knee high leather heeled boots on, and last but not least my leather finger-less gloves that help me keep a grip on my guns and the cables I used to fly around the city.
I smiled at the memories of flying through the cities at breakneck speeds, shooting MP dogs in midair.
A harsh pounding on my door pulled me back to the task at hand.
"Oi hurry up brat" Levi called harshly. I growled under my breath.
"I'm coming." I yelled back. I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.
~A few hours later~
Levi and I were sitting on a roof near what I believed was my team's new office. Night had fallen and Levi was getting pissed from sitting on a dirty roof all night.
It was nearly dawn and we had seen no movement. "Oi, how much longer are we gonna be here, it's filthy."
" Quit your bitching princess it's nearly dawn if this is where they are they should be returning soon." I replied. Levi walked over and slapped me across the head.
" I said watch your mouth." He sat down next to me.
"You know." Levi paused and I shifted to look at him. "I overheard you and shitty glasses before we left."
I could tell my eyes had widened. He shifted his gaze from the streets onto me. It felt as if he was searching my eyes for something.
"Is that so?" I replied my eyes not leaving his. Something felt right about this, that he knew my story and his eyes told me his was similar.
"Minda, that past will never leave you, but don't try to hide it, use it. To make you stronger." His voice faded. He shifted closer to me and put his arm around my sholders, pulling me close to him.
This suprised me and I blushed but Levi didn't seem to notice. I relaxed into him and exhaled. This felt good, it felt right.
"Thank you Levi." I said as both our gazes returned to the street. He didn't seem to care I had just used his name.
"Only call me Levi when we are alone." His voice was soft, warm. It almost felt as though he was calling me brat out of affection.
I sighed that little girl flashed through my mind again.
"Minda there's movement down there. I looked where he was pointing and saw what appeared to be 4 adults and a child going into a run down warehouse.
His arm returned to his side and we both stood "that's them." I whispered, Alexis has unbelievable hearing.
I laughed "Try to keep up" I said and jumped off the roof, Levi close behind he used his 3DMG and I my cables.
The cables I used were from 3DMG gear however I had a small retractor built into my gloves, to draw the cables back in. When I threw the cables I used my weight to propel myself foward.
We landed in front of the door and sure enough the door flew open. Alexis was about to punch me until she realized it who it was. Instead she embraced me in a tight hug.
"We missed you, boss." She said nearly in tears.
"You know why I'm here." I said as she let go of me.
"Yes boss we had a spy in the courtroom. We are ready to enlist if that's what you want." She said as noticed Levi standing beside me.
"Alexis this is Captain Levi." They both nodded to acknowledge each other.
She led me into our living/ meeting area. The room was large with a couch against one one wall, a dining table against another, and in the corner opposite those was a few boards and a table we used to work out job details.
Rose ran over to me first, she was the same age as me and the second to join our crew, Alexis being the first. Alice came over next wrapping me up in a huge bear hug. Finally Sam waved at me from the couch, not bothering to get up.
Finally a little girl ran into the room and over to me I picked her up, hugging her fondly "Hi baby did you miss mommy?"
She nodded excitedly and Levi came over to me raising an eyebrow.
"Levi, this is Deseriè, my daughter."