A/N- Hey bbs. So here is the 12th chapter. I hope you enjoy. So you will be seeing that I put song titles in { }. These are the songs that helped inspire me to write those segments. Hopefully I can help you find some new awesome artists to listen to. Also I'm going to do a Q/A on my tumblr and on private messaging here. I will answer everything and anything (except spoilers :P) so shoot all the questions you want answers to. Feel free to leave a review, because I love seeing you guys talking about the sheriff and the soldier. Also I can't stress enough, you guys need to check out GrayHoodiee on devianart and tumblr, my gawd she's hella awesome and has done some awesome work drawing up my bbs. Anyways, I hope you enjoy

nightly73 . tumblr .com .com.

(Two Days Later) {She was- Seven Lions}

She pinched the bridge of her nose as the set of keys fell to the cement of the underground parking lot. She sighed heavily and bent low to grab the cursed metal ring. Before her lithe fingers could grab at the keys, a large hand swooped them and passed them over. She stood at her full height in surprise, almost dropping the cake box in her small arms.

Her icy eyes were met with a sly grin.

"Jayce." She nodded her head toward the defender of tomorrow who chuckled.

"Caitlyn." He replied back. He leaned himself up against her sleek car. Caitlyn rose a slim questioning eyebrow. "Where in the void did you find that girl?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest and keeping steady eye contact with the sheriff. His steely eyes held a glint of curiosity.

Caitlyn rolled her eyes and turned her back on the defender, taking long strides to the elevator door.

She heard a frustrated groan come from Jayce followed by the sound of his boots echoing off the pavement. She whirled on her heels and glared daggers at Jayce. "Look, if you have complaints, I understand. I sincerely do, Jayce." She took a step closer making him take a step back. "I understand that you are angry that Vi and Dakota practically destroyed your lab. They have been both punished accordingly, as you attested to Dakota arriving at your lab yesterday. I will see that she didn't meet the requirements and give her something new to attone to for what she did. Will that make you happy?" She seethed.

Jayce looked at Caitlyn in shock. He had his arms up in surrender, hoping to fall off the sheriff's threat radar. "No, you don't understand. She did phenomenal." He sputtered out quickly. "Why would I come and complain?"

Caitlyn instantly felt guilty. She sighed heavily and brushed her bangs out of her face.

It had been a long night. She had been called in late at the station after getting reports of Jinx possibly returning to the city, with clues of fresh graffiti lining the walls of the state treasury. Her officers were infuriated that Vi wasn't on the front lines, helping them find more evidence. They had retaliated with refusing to go on patrols. If Vi was to be needed Caitlyn would temporarily lift her patrol suspension.

But they had no solid evidence, so Vi would be staying behind her desk filling out all kinds of paperwork.

"I'm sorry Jayce." Caitlyn muttered out empathetically. "I didn't mean to loose my temper."

Jayce nodded warily. "No worries, Cait." He clapped his hand on her small shoulder, a small smile spreading through his lips. "I think she's a genius. Even for a delinquent."

Caitlyn gave Jayce an offended look. "Dakota? She's not a del-"

"She pointed out a flaw in my wiring systems. I've been told by many professionals that I was one of the top hextech wirers, in all of Valoran. Yet she found a mistake that helped with my output charges for my new experiment. She may have just solved an energy crisis pattern that has haunted hextechers since the very beginning." Jayce interrupted.

Caitlyn raised an eyebrow. "She's quite talented with what she creates."

"Talent is what I have. What she has is a bloody gift, Caitlyn. It's a shame really that it's wasted on someone like her." Jayce pointed a finger at the sheriff. "She told me she was self taught. Is that true?"

Someone like her? Caitlyn thought angrily.

Caitlyn's eye twitched. "As far as I know, Jayce, she is."

"I don't believe it." He stood there shaking his head. "There is no way."

Caitlyn shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you, Jayce."

"Look, I don't offer this to many people. I know her and Vi had a wager set up about Dakota, being a possible assistant to Vi. But she won't flourish, she can't bloom under Vi. Tell her I'm offering a paid internship. Before she knows it, she will be the best hextecher in all of Valoran if she is under my wing."

Caitlyn gave the defender an annoyed look.

"Ok, I will harass you no longer. I've work to finish." With that Jayce turned on his heels and departed the underground parking lot.

Caitlyn watched Jayce leave with an incredulous look. She turned on her heels angrily and strode onward taking the elevator.

"Pompous asshole." She muttered under her breath. She was sure, that Vi could easily make something with twice as much more craftsmanship than him, with her eyes blindfolded and a hand tied behind her back.

The elevator alerted her of her arrival, and she sauntered out of the elevator and straight into the fray of officers milling to and fro throughout the office. She nodded to the guard who gave a gruff, "Sheriff," and then returned to his crossword puzzle.

Officers made a point to get out of her way as her heeled boots cascaded in staccato rhythm. The sheriff was on a mission, and anyone who got in her way would be taken out with whirlwind force. She took the turns toward her office with haste and burst open the door, to find a sleeping Vi, snoring loudly on a massive stack of yellowed parchment. Ink had poured onto her cheek from the upturned ink pot.

"Vi." Caitlyn reached over and shook Vi's shoulder roughly, waking the brawler fiercely.

Vi's head snapped up quickly. She wiped at the drool at the corner of her mouth and looked at Caitlyn with surprised violet eyes. Caitlyn placed the small blue cake box onto her desk and turned to Vi. She grabbed at Vi's cheek, tipping the pinkette's chin up and placed her soft lips onto Vi's. The brawler's eyes closed at the sensation and a low growl of pleasure rolled in the back of her throat as she turned her chair to be facing her sheriff.

Caitlyn broke the kiss, letting her thumb draw a small circle along Vi's tattooed cheek. Her lithe fingers dug into Vi's chin and directed the pinkette's dazed violet eyes to her intense icy orbs.

"You're off desk duty, Vi." Caitlyn growled.

"Cupcake?" Vi gave a worried look at Caitlyn's tone, her voice groggy and confused."You ok?"

"I want you to prove that you will be a better mentor to Dakota, then Jayce would." Caitlyn said sternly. "Can I trust you on that?"

"A mentor? Me?" Vi asked skeptically.

"Teach her everything that you're beautiful head knows. If she somehow strays near that pompous twat,I will never forgive myself. She likes and trusts you. Give her the best knowledge, Vi." Caitlyn pressed her lips to Vi's forehead.

"You're sure?" Vi asked.

Caitlyn gave a small chortle. "Do you want her as an assistant or not?"

Vi's lips turned up into a beaming smile. "I won't let her down, Cupcake."

Caitlyn grinned and sat at the leather office chair. "I know you won't, love."

(1 hour later) {People Crying Every Night- A}

Abbie had been nothing but ruthless.

"Get up!" The fiery red head bellowed.

Dakota grunted, using all her strength to do the pushup. Her right shoulder screamed in agony, making her grit her teeth. Abbie growled and slammed her boot into Dakota's back, pressing the newly turned sixteen year old, into the dark green mat.

"I don't think you're trying hard enough." Abbie grinned menacingly. She pressed her weight into the middle of her back, using the heavy combat boot. "Push up!" Abbie commanded.

Dakota looked up angrily to Abbie. She opened her mouth to have the back of her head turning victim to Abbie's boot. "I don't want your attitude, Dakota. Do as I say." She reapplied pressure into Dakota's back.

Dakota shook her head. She readjusted her hand placement, to give her better balance. Her first attempt failed miserably as Abbie added more pressure into her back. With a roar, Dakota tried again. With every bit of burning will and desire, Dakota pushed her body up into a pushup position, gritting her teeth against the pain. Her entire body shook violently as she kept herself on her injured arm. Sweat beaded at her forehead as she kept focus.

"Now, get down slowly." Abbie muttered as her relentless pressure increased as Dakota began her agonizing descent to her stomach.

She kept herself up a quarter of an inch off the mat. She could feel her arm muscle clenching at the bullet wound, begging for some type of release.

With a silent nod, Abbie released her boot from Dakota's back, making the girl give a final grunt. Dakota rolled on to her back and looked up at the high ceiling of the training center.

"Good work. We'll continue tomorrow." Abbie muttered.

Dakota closed her icy eyes and nodded slowly as she controlled the urge to scream in agony. Her chest heaved as she fought for air. Her abdomen pounded with fire like intensity, making the repairing muscles groan and strain.

Dakota's ears perked when she heard the training room door close. She clenched her teeth, and sat herself up, holding her head into her hands, letting her fingers brush through her raven black bangs. Her tight knit black t-shirt was drenched in sweat. She shakily rose to her feet and moved towards the exit.

Dakota pushed through the door and bumped into Illya, who jumped back in surprise.

Illya composed herself quickly and gave a sideways grin to the taller girl.

"Looks like you've been dragged around town by a team of horses." She hoisted the duffel bag strap onto her shoulder and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears.

Dakota raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "I feel like it." Dakota leaned up against the side of the door on her uninjured shoulder. She tipped her chin to the Noxian, who wore a light gray long sleeved shirt, that hugged her body snuggily. "So, the Sheriff, is letting you reside with us?"

"I guess she is, until we can figure out a way to get me back to Noxus without getting an execution warrant." Illya giggled out. "That may take a while, so might as well do what I do best and survive with the cards I've been dealt."

Dakota nodded. "So are you settling in well? I heard you took Abbie's old room."She crossed her left arm protectively to her right shoulder as it began to fire up with angry pain. Her thumb went underneath the shirt sleeve and did small soothing circles on the muscle, trying to quiet the screaming pain.

"Yeah, I'm pretty comfy. Your rooms are a hell of a lot better than my old barracks." Illya replied, watching Dakota soothing her own pain. "That red head's working you hard." Illya gave a small sadistic smile. She looked up from her eyelashes catching Dakota's icy eyes. Something in Dakota's gut clenched. "But not hard enough. Want to beat the shit out of each other?"

Dakota's irises widened at the challenge. She loved unexpected challenges.

But previous commitments came first.

"I would," Dakota began. "But I actually have to meet with the sheriff and finish up a report."

"Ah, I heard about the trouble you were in. Alex thought you didn't have it in you to blow up a lab." Illya gave a wicked smile and winked.

Dakota palmed her face in embarrassment. She looked up to Illya giving a small laugh. "Be careful, Alex knows how to get into more trouble than me."

"Evidence proves otherwise, soldier." Illya clapped Dakota's injured shoulder and watched as the taller girl's jaw tightened ever so slightly.

She's stronger than she looks. Illya noted in her mind. That should have made her cry out or something.

"It's a shame," Illya said over her shoulder as she strutted past Dakota, sashaying her hips teasingly. "I kind of wanted to see if you could handle me. We'll have to raincheck."

Dakota gave a wry grin, her eyes being captured by Illya's hypnotically swaying hips. She quickly averted her eyes, letting a pink flush gather on her cheeks. She ran her fingers through her bangs and shook her head. She turned on her heels and quickly exited the training room. she travelled down the long hallways taking the two flights of stairs and the final hallway toward her quarters. As soon as she entered into her room, Dakota lifted the sticky shirt off her body. She winced as she lifted her arm over her head to get the material off. She reached toward her dresser grabbing a fresh grey uniform shirt and a pair of the black denim pants. She hobbled off to her bathroom closing the door behind her.

It still felt weird to have this privacy. Sure life in the barracks was close knit and communal. Everyone knew each other's habits, but there was no privacy, no chance at being solitary with oneself.

She turned the faucets letting the hot water steam the small tiled room. She grabbed a towel from the small in wall cabinet and placed it along the towel rack. She removed the rest of her articles of clothing and stepped into the black tiled shower letting the hot water work at her tired and sore muscles. Dakota closed her eyes at the sensation, letting her mind go to thoughts of pure bliss as the heat unwinded her repairing body.

Sixteen years, Dakota thought. Countless fights, wounds and bonds.

She lathered herself with mint scented soap and her mind drifted to her mother. A small smile spread through her lips as she remembers the way her mother would wake her up on the mornings of her birthday.

Rise and shine, love She would say leaping onto her daughter's bed. Another trip 'round the sun for my little girl. She would then attack a giggling Dakota with pecks around her forehead and cheeks. Another year older. You're growing up too fast. She would then blow a raspberry on her exposed belly making the girl squeal happily.

Dakota would place her hands on her mother's cheeks trying to push the woman's face away. Muuuuuum, She would complain. Stop.

Her mother would beam her sunlike smile, the one Elric inherited, and lovingly hold her young daughter. Happy Birthday, love. You are the best thing ever given to me.

Dakota gave a sad smile as she stared at the drain. Blood commingled with the clear hot water. "Shit," She muttered as she inspected the stitching and bruised bullet wound on her abdomen. She blew out a sigh of relief as she realised it was only dried blood that washed away from the wound.

Dakota had finished her washing and stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a large grey cotton towel. She hummed at the warmth and closed her eyes at the feeling. She dried herself and replaced the towel with undergarments and her pair of denim pants. She reached into the medicine cabinet, retrieving medical equipment. She took a cotton ball and dampened it with antiseptic. She placed the ball onto the wounds, keeping the skin cleaned. She dipped her fingers into a ointment salve given to her by Matais. She gently rubbed the sensitive skin with the salve. She cut square sheets of gauze and tore strips of medical tape. She pressed the pile of gauze onto her abdominal wound, tapping the sides quickly and efficiently, then moved her dexterous hands to the shoulder wound.

Satisfied with her bandage job she nodded at herself. She slid into a dark grey knit undershirt. She shrugged on her uniform shirt, buttoning up to her neck. Her fingers ran along the golden stitched seams. The light gray shirt was well pressed, with no wrinkles gathering at the face of the shirt. She ensured that her embroidered last name and rank were visible on the left side of her chest. Reaching behind her, she winced as she angered her shoulder. Her hands brushed through her raven black locks as she tied it into a tight bun. She reached into her medicine cabinet for a small wooden box and produced her mother's wedding ring on a golden chain. She kissed at the gold band and placed the chain around her neck and the ring underneath her shirt.

She did a quick once over in her mirror and did a sideways smile. She turned on her heels and exited her bathroom. She threw her used towel and clothing into a hamper by her neatly made bed and stepped into her perfectly polished boots. She stepped out of her room and into the hallway. She turned her body to the sheriff's office door and took a deep breath.

Stay calm, be professional. Don't let your anger get the better of you. What happened, had happened and there is nothing to change it. She chanted to herself mentally. Her knuckles rapped on the large oak door and waited for a response.

There was a brisk. "Enter," coming from behind the door and releasing her breath she stepped into the office space. She kept her shoulders squared and her chin tilted up as she regarded her superior. Her eyes quickly shifted to Vi, who was leaning back in her office chair, throwing a ball up and down. The pinkette turned to the girl with a devilish grin, that made Dakota return an equally devilish smirk.

Dakota had always respected Vi. When the ex-criminal joined forces with the sheriff, Dakota knew she would help make a difference. The stories coming from the other soldiers, especially the ones who had grown up on the streets, had talked of the pink haired girl who stole from, sabotaged and defeated Piltover's top dog gangs. The girl who could whip up anything out of broken hextech pieces and make it run better than university trained techmaturgist.

Her smile faded as her eyes drifted over to Caitlyn, who placed a yellowed parchment into a folder. She rose from her office chair and gestured to one of the seats in front of her desk.

Dakota strode over and stood at attention. She waited for Caitlyn to return to her chair and dismiss her.

Caitlyn rose an eyebrow at the standing soldier who looked on with emotionless manner, her icy eyes looking to nowhere in particular.

This was odd for Dakota. Of course Dakota was professional, but she had always been a little casual around the sheriff. Had Caitlyn broken a bond? Had she ruined a possible relationship with her aggressive punishments?

Caitlyn blinked at the soldier and furrowed her brow. "At ease, Dakota. There is no need to be so military like."

Dakota didn't respond as she seated herself, keeping her shoulders in a tight posture.

Caitlyn looked to Vi, who also frowned.

"I'm going to get some coffee. Want some tea, Cupcake?" Vi asked as she stood up from her desk.

"Thank you,Vi. I would enjoy a cup." She kept her voice guarded and watched as Vi exited the room. The door clicked closed and Caitlyn's eyes gazed at the soldier seated in front of her.

"What seems to be on your mind, Dakota?" Caitlyn asked, folding her hands on top of her desk.

Dakota's mouth went into a firm line. Her body language became instantly prickly. Her eyes then went to her lap.

"Nothing is on my mind, ma'am." Dakota replied coldly.

Caitlyn's frown deepened.

"How is your rehabilitation going?" She asked, trying to steer the conversation into something light hearted while she kept note of Dakota's body language. Trying to rekindle whatever was lost.

"Captain Preston has kept in good standing of her commitment, to ensure I recover quickly." Dakota voiced out. "She's brutal, but I understand that's for the best."

Caitlyn nodded. "I've been hearing good things from your commanders. They're impressed with your work on the bathrooms. They had told me that the walls truly sparkled." She watched as Dakota shifted in her seat. "Well done."

Dakota nodded. "Thank you, sheriff."

"Jayce is also impressed with your work. He practically talked my ear off about you." Caitlyn imagined herself tip toeing around a line. "I understand you and Vi had an agreement. Something about you, being an assistant?"

A small barely there smirk, tipped the edges of Dakota's lips.

Come on, love. Caitlyn begged mentally. Open up to me again.

"I don't believe it's formal, though." Dakota replied a twinge of mirth growing in her voice.

"Jayce has informed me, that he is interested in giving you a paid internship." Caitlyn looked at the quill in her lithe fingers, rolling the smooth object with her digits.

Dakota gave an annoyed frown. "He has informed me multiple times. " Her jaw clenched. "He had made a simple mistake with his system. He was very frustrated so I stepped in and he wouldn't leave me alone for the remainder of my time at his lab. He kept asking me who taught me and he wouldn't give me space. I left after he got in my face and demanded that I become his pupil."

Caitlyn's knuckles turned white as she clenched the quill. It threatened to snap under her angry grasp. She took a second to control herself, trying to get over the oncoming protective force. If Jayce so much as looks at Dakota the wrong way…

She closed her eyes and took a calming breath. She looked back to the teenager and gave a gentle smile. "I had a discussion with Vi earlier. She is more than willing to be a mentor to you, but this is your decision and you can choose whomever you please. You have talented people standing behind you, who want you to succeed in anyway possible. "

Dakota stood up quickly, a troublesome sideways grin on her face. She placed her calloused palms on Caitlyn's desk. Her icy eyes were alight with excitement. "Vi is going to be my mentor?"

A knowing smile spread through Caitlyn's lips. "If you choose her, then yes." She chortled.

Dakota sat back into the chair and began to laugh. "Hell yeah! Of course I choose, Vi. Jayce is a creep and Vi is definitely more qualified than that pompous ass."

Caitlyn chuckled. "I'm glad to hear." She turned her chair to a paper organiser and pulled out a file. She opened the file and produced official looking parchments. "I'm going to get you to sign this sheet." She pointed to the signature line. "This is the final report, that entails of your punishments issued. This is the signature where we both agreed that you carried them out with respect and orderly conduct."

Dakota nodded taking the quill from Caitlyn's hand. She bent her shoulders as she elegantly signed her name on the dotted line. She returned the parchment and quill to Caitlyn.

"Now, I don't want you or Vi, going around blowing up labs during your free time together." Caitlyn pointed the quill toward Dakota. "Do I make myself clear, master corporal?" There was a slight teasing tone in the sheriff's voice.

Dakota gave a mischievous grin. "I can't promise anything, but I myself won't go around intentionally destroying treasured areas of highly great importance."

The sheriff rose an eyebrow. "And if you do go 'round causing mayhem, I won't be saving you from the higher ups."

Dakota snorted. "They're scared of us, you know." Dakota, formalities forgotten, leaned back against the chair with her arms crossed, a slight twinge of arrogance laced in her body language. "We're highly trained professionals, that know most of Piltover's classified activities. They're careful with how they act with us."

Caitlyn's lips turned down in a frown. "Well, that's not how I'm going to work. Discipline and respect, Dakota. Those are the key points in being a leader and to maintain teamwork relationships. I am swift to get to the bottom of problems and correcting them."

Dakota nodded. "And that's why we respect you. Pardon my language, but you have the balls to stand up to our nonsense. We all feel that you were the best choice to be our commander. "

Caitlyn chuckled." Even Abbie?" She asked with mock suspicion.

"Abbie can be prickly at times. She likes to make sure her family's safe, so you may have to give her time to get used to you. But yes, even Abbie." Dakota chuckled.

Caitlyn gave a small smile. "Well master corporal, I'm glad that you have taken this situation with maturity. You displayed hard work and remorse for your actions. Is there anything else we need to discuss? Any issues with instructors or classes?"

"No ma'am. Top in most of my classes. Second to the top in the rest." Dakota informed rising from her seat.

Caitlyn nodded. "Well, done. I'll be sure to inform Vi on your availability." Caitlyn beamed at the teenager. "She's quite excited to work with you."

"As am I." Dakota responded. "Thank you for the opportunity, Sheriff." Dakota saluted to her commander, and turned on her heels. She placed her hand on the doorknob, but froze."Oh and Sheriff. Thanks for keeping the higher ups off my ass. I seriously appreciate it, Cait."

Caitlyn rolled her eyes. "No need to thank me, love. Just don't do it again for the love of the gods."

Dakota beamed. "Yes ma'am." She opened the door and was prepared to leave when Caitlyn stopped her.

"Oh, before I forget." Caitlyn swiveled her chair and grabbed a small blue cake box that was wrapped in a royal blue bow. Her heels clicked along the tiled floor as she walked over to the young soldier. She produced the box too Dakota, who took it gingerly in her palms. "Happy Birthday." She wrapped a careful arm around Dakota's neck pulling the soldier in for a hug.

She felt the surprise rock through Dakota and then the quiet chuckle as the soldier's free arm wrapped around the sheriff's waist, completing the embrace.

"Thanks sheriff." Dakota grinned as Caitlyn stepped back. The sheriff clasped her hands behind her and rocked on the back of her heels excitedly.

Dakota slowly undid the bow to the small box and the top and sides instantly fell apart to produce a beautifully decorated cupcake. The icing was perfectly topped in delicate swirls of different shades and hues of blue. The cake itself looked perfectly formed in it's chocolate elegance. Dakota's mouth watered instantly. She looked up at the sheriff with wonder filled eyes.

"You made this?"

"Of course." Caitlyn confirmed. "If my memory doesn't fail me, blueberry was your favourite flavour right?" Caitlyn bit at her lip and Dakota gasped.

"Hell yeah! I can't believe you remembered that." Dakota grinned, pulling back the sleeve of the cake gingerly.

Caitlyn giggled. "Your mother and I used to make your birthday cake every year. It's been drilled in my head after you would beg us nonstop to make sure it tasted like blueberries."

Dakota chuckled. She took the first bite to the small cupcake and groaned into the fluffy mass. She looked at Caitlyn as if she held the key to every secret in the world. "You still made it the same way that I remembered it, too. Thank you." Dakota's eyes then trailed to the digital clock mounted above Caitlyn's desk. Her face paled. "I have to get going. I'll be late for drills if I don't get a move on. Again Cait, I can't thank you enough for cupcake I've had in a long time ." She took a springy step and launched herself forward stuffing the rest of the cupcake into her mouth as she darted past the corner and out of the laughing sheriff's view.

"Happy birthday, love." Caitlyn whispered out, before closing the door and returning back to her work.

(One week later) {Overwerk-Toccato}

Blood sprayed as the bodies collided in a fray of pent up rage and chemically induced aggression. Roars and grunts echoed into the sand pit viewing arena.

Amber eyes regarded the scene with scientific observation. He would jot down notes on certain aspects of the two bodies and how they fought; how they clung to their second chances of life.

They'd rather be dragged into the void, rather than being enclosed in death's grasp again.

Pity, he'll have to treat that fear. Have to ensure that they would never react like this on the battlefields when the time came.

He wanted reckless abandon. Uncensored movement that made the enemy tremble in fear. These were his creations and they would do him proud.

A quick staccato knock came on the pine door of the viewing room.

He gave an annoyed sigh, pinching the bridge of his metal nose.

"Enter!" He bellowed, letting the annoyance slither into his robotic like voice.

Aug, his robot boy, entered into the room carefully.

"Father, we've received word from the maniac."

"What does she say?" His eyes returned back to the two of them had broken the other's arm.

"She has spotted the experiments. She was right, the Sheriff of Piltover is housing them." Aug replied, his robotic eyes came upon the scene.

"Send word that I will be arriving in Piltover by Tomorrow. Tell her to prepare."

Aug nodded.

One of the bodies were now limp in the sand, unmoving. The other began to rip the fallen to bits, wailing and screaming all the while.

"A few more tweaks to the chemical and they should be right as rain." He commented to no one in particular.

He watched the gruesome scene as the victorious ripped the fallen's head, clean off. Blood stained the sand covered ground.

He chuckled.

"If this doesn't give that Noxian bird lover a run for his money then I don't know what will."

(That Afternoon) {twenty one pilots- Stressed out}

Thunk.

Eyes focused on the red paint. A deep, steadying breath gets held as her arm is pulled back. Her shoulder is set, her elbow is pointed to her target. She grits her teeth as the muscle gets pulled, angering almost healed wounds. She ignores it as she returns focus.

THUNK.

A satisfied smirk reaches her lips, tipping the corners toward the dark afternoon sky.

The axe head is burried deep in the makeshift target; the metal is focused into the red dot of the middle.

"Bullseye." She mutters.

Her boots crunched against the gravel of the junkyard as she approached the target.

She was somewhere in the outskirts of the massive city. Some random place where the shadows seemed more violent than the people that lurked within them. She had a run in of some street rats earlier.

Her tongue went over the new cut in her lip. The taste of salt and copper going through her palette. They got a lucky hit in. Once she incapacitated the leader of the bunch, they had scampered off with their tails between their legs.

She liked where she was now. It was quiet and lacked the sounds of the bustling city, where hexmobiles and pedestrians ruled the soundwaves. The populace was afraid of places like where she was.

The week had been one stressed filled calendar of passed dated papers and constantly practiced drills ordered in the middle of the night. Schooling was ending for the season, making exams and test rampant in existence.

She let her fingers slide through her bangs as she brushed them out of her face as she came face to face with her prized weapons. Her digits glided along the smooth metal of the handle. She smiled in pride at the craftsmanship she had instilled when she made these.

She remembers the look of the Demacian lieutenant, that caught her in the forges. So much surprise and confusion as a thirteen year old girl, skinnier than a rod, wailing away at red hot Noxian steel in the dead of the night. What in the void are you doing? He had called out over the pounding hammer.

What? She had called back ceasing the incredible racket.

What has possessed you to create such cacophony, child? He had demanded, furrowing his brow and watching as flames licked out of the forge.

Boredom! She called back with a mischievous grin, turning her small back on the lieutenant and pumping more air into the forge.

She remembers looking back to see the soldier sighing and going over to a nearby stool. He stayed there that night, blurting out tips every now and again as she crafted the metal. When she was done, she presented the twin axes to the man.

Not bad, He commented, patting the young girl's head. With a little more attention to detail you could be quite the blacksmith.

She placed her boot on the wooden board and tore the axes out of the target.

She hasn't done target practice like this in a long time.

It feels so good.

She goes a bit farther than the last time. She drags her boot in the gravel, creating a line. She goes through the movements, holding her arm back, aiming, steadying her breath and releasing the tomahawk.

THUNK!

It bites heavier into the wood sticking on target, right dead in the middle.

She snorts.

This is too easy. It's not challenging enough.

She takes a second to let her eyes search through the numerous scrap piles. She spots something letting a wolf like grin spread through her face. She scales the large piles with ease, avoiding the sharp intakes of metal that twist and turn out of nowhere. She stands at the top, keeping her eyes glued to the target.

She picks up a piece of clay and throws it up a couple of times, getting used to the weight. She looks to the next pile of trash and leaps forward. She continues her path leaping and scaling large trash piles that circle the target.

By the time she starts getting speed and trust that the heaps won't fall, she throws the clay piece toward the target and as she leaps she does a front flip, launching the axe forward.

She rolls to her feet as she lands.

She observes the board and grins wildly.

Throughout her injuries, she still has it.

She struts over to the target with wicked confidence and a killer smile as she regards the axe pinning the clay piece to the bullseye of the target, just above it's twin.

"Damn." She hears from behind her.

Whirling with unblinking speed, she unhinges the axe head from the target. She aims for the intruder and immediately drops her shoulder. She rolls her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" She asks, letting the annoyance drip in her voice.

"Your brother was worried you got taken away by some rogue gangs." Illya chuckles. "Thought I'd go out and save the damsel in distress."

"The only damsel in distress will be you, if you don't leave me alone." Dakota warned, turning back to her target and dislodging the next axe.

"What's got your panties in a knot?" Illya pokes, taking the few steps toward a pile of tires. She hops onto one of them, taking a seat on the old rubber.

"Bite me." Dakota spits out.

Illya raises a slim eyebrow, giving a devilish smirk. "Careful what you wish for, darling." She winks making Dakota groan. "You know in Noxus, we deal with stress by fighting, not throwing axes at helpless pieces of wood. It's not fair, don't you think? What's that piece of wood ever done to you?" Illya teases.

Dakota gives Illya a flat expression and pinches the bridge of her nose. "Look, I just wanted to come here and blow off some steam in a quiet place. Is that so much to ask?"

Illya snorts. She hops off her makeshift chair and takes the necessary steps so she is face to face with Dakota. "I can help you blow off some steam, soldier." She purrs softly, letting her hand hover in the space between them, reaching for her cheek.

She watches as Dakota's eyes widen and a faint blush appear on her cheeks as she realises what Illya is after.

Sucker, Illya thinks.

With quick speed, Illya grabs Dakota's neck and drops low, swiping the soldier's feet. Illya brings Dakota down with her. Dakota breaks the hold and counters Illya's attempt to flip her. The two of them roll away from each other.

"You really want to do this?" Dakota demands, her eyes regarding Illya's crouched form looking for points of weakness.

Her gut tightens when she senses none.

Emerald and ice clashed as they regarded each other.

"How else am I going to show you my teeth? I'll get you feeling as tranquil as an Ionian monk. Don't you worry darling, I'll get the stress out of your system." Illya calls out.

"Don't call me, darling."

"Aww but Darling Dakota is so catchy."

"Fuck off." Dakota snarls as she launches herself forward.

Illya waits for the last second and rolls in the gravel. Dakota skids to a stop. She plants her palm into the dirt, pushing her legs in the air as she avoids a kick from Illya. She tucked herself into a ball rolling to her feet. She placed her fists in front of her face as Illya follows suit, giving a devilish smirk.

Illya feigns to the right and strikes the left side of the Soldiers abdomen. She swings her right arm quickly, aiming for Dakota's exposed jaw. The soldier responds by ducking the shot and slamming her fist into Illya's thigh and pulling a combo into her stomach and finishing the set with a cross jab into her cheek.

Illya pushed at Dakota's chest, making the taller girl step back. Illya rubbed at her cheek, giving Dakota a wicked grin.

"You picked up some stuff from the pink haired bitch. Abbie told me, you were shit with boxing. Either that or she fucking lied to me."

Dakota snorted. "Shut up and hit back already. And stop going easy on me"

Illya chuckled and squared up.

"How'd you know I was going easy?" Illya asks moving her head to the side as she dodges another jab from Dakota. She brought up one of her pale arms taking Dakota's hook. She grabbed at her attacker's arm. She brought her knee up, ramming it into Dakota's stomach, where her stitches had been a week ago.

"I've seen you fight." Dakota wheezed out. She bit back the pain exploding in her abdominals. She broke out of Illya's hold. She ducked low wrapping her long arms around Illya's waist. She threw her weight back as she rolled herself and Illya backward. Getting into position, Dakota straddled Illya's hips and pinned her into the gravel, pressing her knee into Illya's chest. "And you're a hell of a lot better than this."

"You're right, I am."

Illya bucked her hips forward, and swung her leg up, connecting her knee into Dakota's back. She swiveled her hips rolling the soldier off her body. Dakota scrambled up quickly avoiding Illya's attempt to pin her. She got up in a defensive position.

Illya rose from the ground. "Let's turn it up a notch, shall we?"

Dakota took the first strike with a block and countered it with her elbow striking Illya's neck. Illya responded with an angry growl and ducked out of Dakota's next strike. She stepped into Dakota's instep. She fell back, planting her hand into the gravel and bringing her leg up to kick at Dakota's jaw. In the same movement she swiped her other leg at Dakota's kneecaps making the soldier unbalanced. She somersaulted through Dakota's legs and slamming her feet into the soldier's back making her fall forward.

She lunged on top of Dakota's back, wrapping her arms around her neck and her legs around her hips. With a grunt, Dakota pushed herself up and kneeled on the ground,trying to get the piggy backer of her back. She slipped her hands inside Illya's hold breaking the strong grip she held. She rolled onto her back, and elbowed Illya's abs, making the girl snarl. Dakota turned herself and was instantly met with a rolling Illya. The two of them kept the momentum, throwing punches and swearing loudly as the two fought for the dominant position. Dakota flung Illya forward, using her feet to rabbit kick the Noxian. She rolled forward, using the momentum to get to her feet and connected her fist into Illya's nose. Hearing a sickening crack, she hesitated in her next strike, leaving herself open.

Illya jabbed Dakota's face with a firecracker of a punch, making the Piltovian's already split lip, bleed out.

Dakota took a step back.

"What the fuck was that about?" Illya demanded. "Are you fucking scared to hurt me?" She asked incredulously.

"No, I just.." Dakota stammered out.

"You just what?"

"I...I… yes, ok I am afraid to hurt you. Piss off. The last thing I want is to put you in a hospital." Dakota yelled out.

"Oh my Gods. You're such a pansy. And I thought you looked fucking hot with a split lip"

"Shut up! I just don't want to get in shit! I don't need Caitlyn on my ass, getting pissed off that I'm breaking some stupid diplomatic law."

"You're right to fear that."

The two teenagers's heads snapped to the new voice.

Dakota gulped.

The sheriff strode over to the two girls. She grabbed at Dakota's cheek and inspected the bleeding lip. Dakota looked away from the sheriff.

"You fought someone else before you two got into it."

Dakota looked guiltily toward her feet. "Some douchebags tried to jump me." She muttered out. "And we weren't getting into it. We were just sparring."

"Well from now on you two go toe to toe in the training area and not into some old man's junkyard." Caitlyn ordered, pointing toward the two girls. "The poor soul thought someone was getting murdered."

Illya scoffed. "Really?"

Caitlyn turned on the girl. "Yes, really. Now the two of you get going. I'll go talk to the junkyard owner, hopefully he won't charge the two of you for trespassing. And Dakota, Next time tell your brother where you are going. He's practically sending search parties all over the city to find you."

"Overprotective idiot." Dakota mumbled out.

Caitlyn raised an eyebrow. "With your record of going off and getting into trouble he has reason to be." She strapped her rifle to her shoulders and fixed her notorious top hat. "Get back to HQ. And for the love of the Gods, Illya, get your nose back into place."

"Gods, ok, you don't have to be such a mom about it." Illya muttered, taking her nose into her palms and cracking the cartilage back into place.

The sheriff's back went ramrod straight.

"Piss off, Illya." Dakota grunted. "She's just trying to help."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Look we'll be good little kiddies and get home." Illya grabbed at Dakota's arm yanking her toward the rusted gates of the junkyard exit. "C'mon I gotta finish whooping your ass."

Caitlyn shook her head and turned on her heels.

By the Gods, teenagers are a handful. She thought as her knuckles came to rap against the small downtrodden door of the junkyard keeper.

What Caitlyn didn't realise, was the pair of pink eyes, that had watched the whole scene that played out. The pink eyes of a giggling maniac, that followed behind the two girls, stalking them like easy prey for the slaughter as they got back to HQ.

"Metal man is going to have a field day." She wrung her hands in excited delight.

(The morning after) {OCEAN- John Butler (2012 Studio version)}

The diner wasn't as busy as it usually was at this time in the morning. The sheriff and the enforcer had picked her up and decided to get breakfast, before her and Vi got to work. Dakota looked at the plate of food in front of her with exhausted eyes.

Illya had given her hell, when the two of them got into the training ring. They had gathered a crowd too. Elric and Abbie had cheered her on, while Alex was practically screaming for Illya to win. It was an intense fight, but by the end of it, the two breathless soldiers had gotten into a final bout and Illya took the victory.

"Why the long face, kiddo?" Vi had asked in between scarfing down her scrambled eggs and bacon.

Dakota looked up quickly, plastering a gentle smile on her lips. "Not long, just tired. Illya

kicked the shit out of me last night."

Caitlyn rose an eyebrow at the girl. "Your mouth needs to be washed out with soap."

Dakota smiled sheepishly. "Padron me, Sheriff." Dakota apologised. She reached for the white mug by her plate, taking a small sip of the tea, and humming in content at the warm liquid. "I get a little carried away. It's no excuse but soldiers speak in many tongues and curses are our favorite. The public has no need to hear that kind of language."

Caitlyn nodded in agreement. "I'm glad we can agree on this. Not a lot of others your age would be as mature like you are about the topic."

Dakota smiled. "I'm not like most teenagers." Dakota pointed her fork at Caitlyn. "People my age aren't put into special ops and expected to keep the certain skills I obtain. I mean I could probably pin a fly with this for.." Dakota trailed off. Her eyes had caught a certain individual walking into the diner, pulling back a hood and brushing particles of snowflakes out of her light brown hair.

A deep flush hit Dakota's cheeks and she instantly looked down at her food.

When Dakota was thirteen, she had met one of the most brilliant and intellectual girls in her entire life. Taryn Flynn and Dakota Sampson were a common name with the two of them were in constant battle to obtain top of the class since the two had met. Taryn, only a day older than Dakota, was very keen in hextech and exploration. While Dakota's heroes involved Vi, the great professor Catherine Deramore and the sheriff, Taryn's heroes were Ezreal and professor Heimerdinger. The two girls would bicker consistently over who was the more important hero of Piltover. When Dakota was fourteen she had realised that she had a major crush on Taryn. But the complicated thing was at her first ever company party, Taryn had found Dakota and her older sister, Emma, making out. Dakota wanted nothing to do with the older girl and was forced into the kiss. Emma had been intoxicated and pinned Dakota against a wall. What Dakota didn't know, was that Taryn also had a major crush on Dakota. Taryn wouldn't listen when Dakota tried to explain what had happened. It may have been two years ago, but Taryn held grudges. She had done everything she could to knock Dakota out of classes and tried her hardest to make things difficult. But no matter what, Dakota was still smitten for the girl.

"Who's that?" Vi asked mischievously, her eyebrows wiggling as Taryn walked past the table they had been sitting at, and getting into a booth at the far side of the diner.

Dakota's face was a tomato red as her heartbeat quickened and rammed in her chest.

"N-n-no one." She stammered out. She took her fork and shoved a pile of eggs in her mouth.

"Uh huh. Totally no one. So if I called her over right now and asked her to have breakfast with us, you'd be totally down with it, right?" Vi asked, giving a wide shit eating grin.

Dakota's face paled. "You wouldn't."

Vi chuckled and put her hand up and was about to shout, when Dakota lunged across the table at Vi, putting her hands on Vi's mouth. Vi pushed the girl back in her seat and gave out a throaty laugh. She elbowed Caitlyn playfully.

"Dakota's got a little crush." Vi teased poking at Caitlyn, who gave a gentle giggle.

"I don't think it's little. This seems to be something major, and with history." Caitlyn gave a wry grin and took a sip of her tea.

Dakota put her face on the table and groaned.

"It's perfectly natural, love." Caitlyn reached over the table, grabbing at Dakota's hand and ran a soothing thumb over her knuckles. "What is her name?"

Dakota bit at her lower lip and sighed. "Taryn Flynn. She's a corporal in the twelfth. Her and I used to be very competitive with each other. That is until her sister kissed me," Dakota grumbled out, twirling a spoon in her mug, letting her eyes drift with the warm liquid. She heard Vi hiss out in empathy."That ruined everything and I have been trying to fix the whole situation. Taryn has always been stubborn." She frowned and looked to Caitlyn.

"Why don't you go talk to her now?" Vi asked stuffing more food in her face. "We still got some time to kill before we gotta get to the lab. Go ask her how she is, who knows, ya might rekindle something, kiddo."

Dakota shook her head. "She hates me."

Caitlyn chuckled knowingly. "I don't think so, love. By the amount of stareing that I see out of the corner of my eye, it seems as if she's trying to get your attention." Caitlyn took another quick sip.

"Go for it, kid. I'll have your back. If things go downhill, I'll be your wingwoman." Vi encouraged. "Go over like yer gonna use the bathroom or something and pretend like ya just saw her. It'll be fine."

Dakota palmed her face in embarrassment. "No, I'm not going. I don't want her more pissed off at me then she already is."

"Well it seems that you've been caught flat footed. She's on her way, and the body language she's presenting seems very determined." Caitlyn whispered out loud enough for Dakota to hear.

"Oh this is gonna be rich, cupcake." Vi drawled out, leaning back in the booth and wiggling her eyebrows at Dakota, who was stock still and terrified.

"Sheriff?" Her voice still sounded amazing. Dakota's heart leapt like a wild horse. She carefully looked up at Taryn, who plastered on a beaming smile toward the sheriff. Her long light brown hair was braided back into a tight pony tail. Freckles dotted her cheek and nose and hid underneath her beautiful steel gray eyes. Her slender neck craned forward to get a better look at Caitlyn. She extended her lithe left hand toward the sheriff. Dakota caught a napkin being placed precariously by her plate. "I wanted to thank you, for your service. You've done so much for the city. Before my mother passed away, she had always told my sister and I that if we ever saw you in public that we should always give our thanks. You truly are the hero that Piltover needed."

Caitlyn beamed and took the young girl's hand in her own, giving a gentle shake. "Well you're welcome, darling. Your appreciation does not go unnoticed. What was your name, sweetheart?"

"Corporal Taryn Flynn. I hope you have a wonderful day, sheriff. Sometimes I feel like my thanks is never enough. So I took the honour of paying for you and your company's meal." Taryn offered, looking around the table, her eyes stopping at Vi and giving a gentle she lingered on Dakota. "Master Corporal Sampson, it's good to see you eating with your childhood heroes."

"It truly is amazing. I count myself lucky every day." She replied without missing a beat.

"Well I must get back to my work. Finals are this week and studying has merged with my eating habits. It was nice seeing you again." She placed a hand on Dakota's shoulder and turned on her heels and strutted over to her table. She slid into her booth and went to work on her textbooks lying on the table top.

Caitlyn chuckled. "She left you a note." Her icy eyes regarded the folded piece of napkin by Dakota's plate.

The teenager's eyes grew in giddy excitement. Her fingers shook as she unfolded the napkin.

Meet me in the bathroom. We need to talk- T.

"Oh my Gods." Dakota blurted out in shock. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. She refolded the napkin and placed it into her jeans pocket. She nodded to Vi and Cait. "Please excuse me. I won't be long."

Vi winked. "Be safe."

Dakota flushed furiously. "We're just going to talk." She snapped quickly.

"Uh huh. We'll have a lil chat about the two birds that caught gonorrhea later, kid." Vi teased.

"Oh my Gods, Vi." Dakota said in mortified horror as she stood up from the booth.

"Got get her, tiger." Vi encouraged.

Dakota palmed her face.

When Dakota was out of earshot, Vi produced her open palm to Caitlyn, who rolled her eyes, but finished the high five, with a slight grin on her face.

Dakota caught eye contact with Taryn for a millisecond, before her eyes went to her feet as she continued toward the bathroom. She pushed the swinging door in and waited a whole two minutes.

Taryn marched in pushing the door out of the way. She opened up the bathroom stalls, ensuring it was only them. That it was a private space.

Before Dakota knew it, Taryn's fist came flying in her direction. With quick reflexes, Dakota caught her fist in her palm, and closed her fingers over her knuckles.

Taryn with a frustrated grunt, pushed Dakota against the wall, wrapping her free arm around Dakota's neck. She placed her soft lips on Dakota's, making Dakota squeak in surprise.

Dakota pushed Taryn away, breaking the kiss.

"Ok, so you want to punch me, but you kiss me. What in the void hell, Taryn?" Dakota asked incredulously.

"You broke my fucking heart, Dakota." Taryn growled, her steely eyes glowing with fire and anger.

"My Gods, you hold onto grudges for a long time." Dakota argued. "Your sister kissed me. I didn't want anything to do with her. She got too drunk and pinned me up against a wall. I tried to explain everything, but you were too stubborn to listen. I understand that your heart got broken, but I didn't want it to happen, Taryn. I've liked you since we first met, and you have the gall to tell me your heart was broken. You wouldn't even talk to me, let alone look at me. You made life at my courses miserable, all because you couldn't take a second to hear me out." Dakota yelled. "So either get over it and we could make something work, or continue being a stubborn bitch. It's your choice to make." With that Dakota, pushed past Taryn and left the bathroom, tears threatening to flow down her cheeks.

She wiped at her eyes quickly and took a steadying breath before she sat down at her booth.

"How'd it go?" Vi asked, concern lining her voice.

"She tried to punch me and then she kissed me." She answered in monotone. "I'm confused."

"Women. Can't live with'em, can't live without 'em." Vi replied shaking her head.

"I gave her a piece of my mind, so hopefully she chews on it." Dakota pondered, taking the last gulp of her tea. "Is it ok, if we leave? I don't want to be here."

Caitlyn gave her a sympathetic look. "Of course, love." She reached into a pocket at her belt and left a generous tip on the table. Dakota followed behind the sheriff and the enforcer as she exited the diner. They stopped in front of Caitlyn's parked car.

"So we're yer childhood heroes?" Vi asked before ducking into the car.

Dakota snorted and followed suit, getting into the back seat. "You still are." She answered while buckling into the car.

Vi nodded. "Well that's heart warming. Glad I could inspire ya, kid." Vi chortled.

Caitlyn rolled her eyes as she stared the ignition, making the engine purr to life. Dakota sat in silence as she watched the sunday morning traffic mill in between lanes. Her eyes went up at the sky, looking up at the skyscrapers.

Something didn't feel right. Something in her stomach, knew that something awful was about to happen. She furrowed her brow as she inspected her surroundings.

That's when she caught sight of the blue haired maniac, standing at the top of one of the highway bridges aiming her rocket launcher at Caitlyn's sleek hexmobile.

"Caitlyn stop!" Dakota screamed.

Caitlyn's foot hit the brake, making the car jerk to a halt.

Jinx launched her rocket, just missing the hexmobile, hitting into the concrete and throwing the vehicle into the air.