And now for the romantic, fluffy Valentines Day special. Some of these focus on the female family members (Crimson *triplets' mother*, Striker *Angela Hansen*, and Cherno), while others focus on the parental figures (Coyote and Tacit *who Stacker and Tamsin see as a little daughter*) and a secret admirer (not telling), and a very romantic gesture at the end which was in itself a long way coming but we should have expected it.

Starts out with a memory from Gipsy (she's still in the infirmary *the day after the whole Human-Kaiju incident* at the beginning).

Chapter 26

"You're a long way from home," a gentle voice murmured.

Gipsy's sensors flicked on just to see a young Japanese woman standing on her ruined chassis.

"You've been through a lot…haven't you," the woman hummed, looking at Gipsy's shattered helm, her nonexistent left arm.

"You could say that again," Gipsy thought, a slight spark lighting in her core.

The woman noticed and a small smile painted over her face.

"You think you have some fight left in you?"

The wind moaned through her frame, but to the woman, it seemed that the Jaeger was agreeing, sitting up ever so slightly.

"I wonder what you were called," the woman wondered out loud, putting her hand on the remains of Gipsy's Conn. Pod.

A memory passed through Gipsy's frame.

"Isn't she somethin'!" Raleigh grinned, "Yance…she's perfect!"

"We still got to name her," Yancy pointed out from his perch on the Jaeger's foot, "Seeing as we're the only one's she'd turn on for,"

"How about…Gipsy?" Raleigh asked.

"Gypsy," Yancy deadpanned.

"No you idiot, Gipsy with an 'I'," Raleigh growled, socking his brother in the arm, "She looks like a Gipsy,"

Yancy stumbled as the Jaeger seemed to move slightly under him.

"She's a bit dangerous too!" he added.

"Danger…hey! Gipsy Danger, that's what we'll call you," Raleigh beamed, patting the newly christened Jaeger's foot, "You like that?"

A soft humming noise confirmed it.

The woman's eyes widened.

"Gipsy Danger," she breathed.

Gipsy's ruined frame creaked as the woman said her name. She needed a new Pilot…Yancy was gone…Raleigh was still alive but Gipsy didn't know where he was.

This woman saw a Drift memory…could she be her new Pilot?

"Well, Gipsy, why don't we get you out of here, huh?" the woman asked, and the Jaeger let out a relieved sigh, making her laugh, "Oh…I'm Mako by the way. Mako Mori, Marshall Pentecost's adopted daughter,"

"Well, Mako Mori," Gipsy thought, "You're more than that now,"

The techs hooked Gipsy's frame to the Jumphawks and Mako said a quick goodbye, promising that she'd be back soon.

"You're one of my Pilots now,"

…

"I want you to stay far away from the inside of that Jaeger at all times," Stacker ordered.

"But why?" Mako asked, looking up at the gunmetal blue Jaeger, "She's not even activated,"

"You haven't seen the reports on the Drift trials. Twenty candidates…all of them either rejected, comatose or…they're not going to be talking to anyone anymore,"

"But the Hansens Drifted…"

"The only thing Herc got out of that Drift was a name, nothing else. She's rebelling. She wants her pilot back…she's determined,"

"I thought you said they weren't alive?"

"The older a Jaeger is…the more I revise that statement,"

"So you're going to get him then?" Mako asked.

"Maybe if she has Raleigh Becket back, she won't be so hard on the new Pilots,"

"Yeah right," Gipsy thought as she watched the conversation, "I know who I want, Marshall, and one is standing here, the other is in Alaska. I'll keep rejecting them until I get both my chosen pilots with me,"

"How's my Lady?"

Gipsy's eyes fluttered open at Raleigh's question and she nuzzled into his hand that was stroking her hair gently.

"Five more minutes, Raleigh," she mumbled sleepily, "Don't want to go to school,"

"You ain't going to school for a while, Gipsy girl, not after what happened," he reassured her, "the drama teacher's having a fit, but he'll get over it,"

"Ah, right, that,"

"Good thing we've got the principal on our side, right?"

Gipsy hummed a nod and snuggled deeper into the sheets while Raleigh gave a soft chuckle.

"Well…you could go if you want…"

"No," Gipsy growled, "I'm not moving from this bed and you can't make me,"

Raleigh gave another laugh as he ruffled Gipsy's hair, making her give a squawk of indignation before she pulled the sheet over her head.

"Hey, Gips?" Raleigh asked.

A glint of gold peeked up from above the sheet.

"I've got a question…it's about Mako,"

Gipsy sat up, groaning softly as she did and making Raleigh start forwards. Gipsy waved her hand. It was good that she started to move, but she was still sore and stiff from her ordeal.

"Why don't you ask her?" Gipsy asked, finally.

"Because it concerns her and I want to make it a surprise,"

A sly grin passed over Gipsy's face.

"Is this what I think it is?"

"Maybe," Raleigh admitted, "What do you think?"

"Hel…"

"Gips…"

"Heck yeah!" Gipsy amended, throwing him a cheeky smile as she embraced him.

Raleigh let out a sigh of relief.

"Well, that's one half down…now for the other half," he muttered.

"I'm revising my earlier statement…I'm coming with!" Gipsy grinned trying to get out of bed.

"Wha…no! Stay," Raleigh ordered, "The medic will have my head if we let out you before you're all healed up,"

The gold gaze hardened.

"Doctor's orders…he threatened me with a foot long needle, Gips," Raleigh shuddered.

There was a long pause.

"…Fine…" she grumbled.

Raleigh patted her shoulder.

"You'll be out probably later today," he promised, "We'll just have to see,"

"Good luck," she called as he got up and started out the door, "you're going to need it!"

She sunk down into her bed.

She'd just have to ask Tendo for the security footage.

"Raleigh…"

Said Ranger looked up as Gipsy backed into his room early the next morning. She had been released late last night, just like Raleigh thought she would…but she was a lot more paranoid now than she ever had been.

"Gips, what's wrong?" he asked tiredly.

"Someone has been in my room!" Gipsy hissed, hiding behind Raleigh's door, "I told you we needed to put guards there!"

Raleigh frowned and picked up the pipe that he kept next to his bed. Ever since Gipsy had woken up from her ordeal, she had been bugging him about putting guards on the outside of hers and the other Jaegers' rooms.

It might have been nothing, but it'd still be better to be safe than sorry.

He gently shook Mako's shoulder and the young woman's eyes blinked open.

"What…?"

"Gipsy said someone got into her room," Raleigh explained.

Mako's eyes darkened and she got up, slipping her shoes on as she came to Gipsy's side.

"I don't want to go back," Gipsy whimpered, trembling as she hid behind her Pilots.

"Come on," Raleigh said, leading the group to Gipsy's room.

He gently nudged open the door before leaping inside, pipe ready. Gipsy gave a soft whine and buried her head in Mako's shoulder, her gold eyes just barely peeking up.

Raleigh gave a laugh.

"You girls can come in," he told them as he stuck his head out the door.

They both walked in and saw a bouquet of red roses and a heart-shaped box laying on Gipsy's nightstand.

Raleigh held up a card.

"Looks like Gipsy's got a secret admirer," he chuckled, handing Mako and Gipsy the card to see it.

Mako threw Raleigh a grin as Gipsy poured over the card. They both knew who sent it…

Gipsy had no idea.

The female Jaeger paused, looking up at her Pilots as they shared a smile and her visage grew suspicious.

"You two know something," she growled, closing an eye.

"What do you mean, Gips?" Raleigh asked innocently, "We don't know nothin',"

"Uh huh, sure you don't,"

"I'm serious about…oh look Gipsy, chocolate!" Raleigh said, clearing his throat as he held up the box.

"Don't try to change the…wait…chocolate?" Gipsy asked, her mind snapping away from her suspicions and focusing solely on the red box in Raleigh's hand.

Raleigh barely avoided having his hand taken off as Gipsy snatched the box from him and jumped on her bed, opening the lid. Her gold eyes glowing brightly as she saw how many choices there were.

She'd never seen so many!

"I guess he did a good job then," Mako suggested softly to her co-pilot.

"He's still got a ways to go before I deem him ok to date her," Raleigh growled.

"Herc and Stacker are going to kill us when they find out," Hu whispered hoarsely as he and his three other brothers snuck down the streets of Hong Kong.

"They can go jump in the Breach," Jin hissed, "We haven't seen her in years,"

"Yeah, and she and the rest of the world think we're dead," Cheung added.

"Aren't they supposed to?" Crimson asked as he accidently kicked a trash can, causing the triplets to shush him, "Sorry,"

"Crim, you didn't have a mom…you wouldn't understand," Jin said, "Besides…if Mom finds out that we were alive and we didn't come see her…"

The triplets all cringed while Crimson looked at them, very confused.

"Is she really that bad?" he asked.

"Who do you think taught us how to fight?" Hu asked, "Mom…she didn't put up with anyone giving her crap that's all I can say,"

They all stopped in front of a store, the triplets pulling down the bill of their hats as they, and Crimson, all walked into the store. The tiny bell on the door rang and an older woman at the counter looked up.

"May I help you?" she asked tiredly.

Crimson noticed that she had very deep circles under her eyes, her face was drawn with grief and fatigue. Though who could blame her? The woman lost all three of her children on the same day.

"We were hoping to find Ling Wei Tang here," Crimson said, "Are you…"

"The last Wei Tang alive," the woman sighed, "My sons died a little over a year ago, they were Jaeger pilots,"

"I'm sorry, but you're wrong," Crimson said, "On both accounts, you're not the last Wei Tang…"

"Because we're still alive," Hu smirked, taking off his hat and his sunglasses as the other two did the same.

Ling's hands shot up to her mouth and she made a small cry in the back of her throat as tears started streaking down her face.

"My sons!" she cried, rushing forwards and embracing them, "My boys!"

Crimson gave a smile as he hopped up on the counter, the Wei Tang pendant tumbling out of his shirt as he did.

"Mom…there's someone we want you to meet," Jin started as he and the other triplets looked up at the Jaeger.

"Don't be frightened…he's a friend and the reason why we're standing here instead of still being in the afterlife," Cheung told her as Ling turned around to face Crimson.

Her eyes locked onto the pendant immediately and Crimson's face turned as red as his armor as he gripped it, his gold eyes looking sheepishly up at his Pilots' mother.

"You three weren't fooling around with anyone where you," came the low growl.

"What!? No!" all three triplets protested, "Mom, he's too old to be any of ours,"

Crimson started choking and Hu walked over, thumping his back to get him to breathe.

"His name in public is Zhu Wei Tang," Jin explained, "But at the Dome and around our family…"

"Crimson," the Jaeger gasped, clearing his throat, "My given name is Crimson Typhoon,"

Cheung nodded at Jin, who went over and flipped the Open sign to Closed, while Cheung went over to Crimson, helping the Jaeger take off his hoodie and letting said Jaeger unclench his second right arm from around his waist. The red metal creaked slightly as Crimson brought the appendage to his side and hopped off the counter.

Ling's jaw worked as she looked at the Jaeger. Her sons had died with that…that thing! Crimson recognized the look and turned away. He had a feeling it would end like this, with her look of anger and fear. Who wouldn't be? Her sons died in him…and now he came back with said sons and hoped against hope to become a true part of the family.

According to that look…it was going to remain a dream.

"You're the reason they came back," Ling finally said.

The Jaeger looked up and locked his gaze on the woman. She saw a fourth copy of her sons when they were that age, but seeing gold eyes in that face…it was unnerving. Further underlining the fact that it was no human teenage boy in front of her…as if the third arm wasn't enough!

"Yes," Crimson admitted, "The one who sent me back…he knew it was hard to find Pilots for me…I was designed for them and them alone,"

"Crimson wasn't the only one sent back," Hu said, "Neither were we, but we were all put under orders not to say anything. Not to the world, not to our friends…not even our families,"

"And that's why you haven't come back," Ling sighed.

"We didn't want to enforce any secrets on you," Crimson said, "The Beckets have their own problems with Gipsy…we didn't want to put it on you,"

"Crimson actually wanted to meet you," Jin added, "But with Stacker and Herc on us all saying we couldn't leave the Shatterdome…we couldn't,"

"So we all agreed to keep it from you," Cheung finished, "Crimson…let's put it this way, he wouldn't speak to us for a few days,"

"I wanted to meet the mother of my Pilots," Crimson muttered, "Can you blame me for being upset?"

A small smile creased Ling's face as she gingerly came forwards and put her hand in Crimson's metal one. The Jaeger jumped at the contact. No one really touched that arm, not even the triplets.

"You saved my sons…and I see them in you, Crimson Typhoon," she said softly, "You bear our clan's symbol and name. You have brought great honor to this home,"

A spark of hope lit up in Crimson's eyes.

"Would it…would it be…alright…" Crimson stammered, "If I called you mom…because all I have of family are the triplets…and they're like my older brothers,"

"I would be honored," Ling smiled, freezing slightly as Crimson embraced her but then returning the embrace.

The triplets gave one another a knowing smile and joined in.

"He looks almost cute when he's asleep," Chuck snickered, turning around to look at Striker, who was curled up on the back seat with Max sleeping beside him.

The three of them, and Max, had managed to take a chopper to Australia, and now they were going into the heart of Sydney.

"Give him a break, Chuck," Herc sighed, "He's had a long night,"

"I think we all have," Chuck pointed out, "With those…things back…and in human skin like Striker and the other Jaegers…not to mention Gipsy gettin' kidnapped by the Category V and nearly getting…well…y'know…and then that IV's comment about Striker…"

"When I see that Kaiju again…either of those two, I'll rip 'em apart," Herc growled as his grip on the wheel tightened, "Striker did not deserve to be called that,"

"Yeah…maybe something cuter…to fit his looks right now,"

"Say that again and I'll toss ya into the ocean, Chuck," Striker growled as he sat up, "I'm not 'cute',"

"No…you're right…you're adorable when you're asleep,"

"Shuddap!"

"Boys…" Herc warned.

They both bowed their heads.

"Where are we going?" Striker asked as he looked out the window of Herc's rental car.

"Y'll know when we get there, Striker," was Herc's reply.

"Well, this place looks a little better than the last time we saw it," Chuck shrugged, "Right Striker?"

Striker paused, biting his lip and shrugging helplessly.

He didn't remember much about the Mutavore attack…seeing as he was kinda drifting in and out of consciousness at that time.

"Chuck, he probably doesn't remember," Herc chastised.

"I remember some, Dad," Striker sighed, "Just not all. I've got major gaps in my memory. We all do, well…not Gipsy,"

"How'd she like your little gift?" Herc asked, looking at Striker in the rearview mirror.

The amber gaze widened.

"Who told you abo…I mean, what gift?" Striker panicked, backpedalling desperately.

"Come on, Striker, I know about your attraction to her," Herc replied, "I also know about that kiss ya gave her,"

Striker started sputtering indignantly while Chuck started snickering.

"Ya kissed her?" he smirked, "Way to go, Striker!"

"Shut up, Chuck," Striker growled, leveling a fiery glare at his older brother, "Or I'll sic the dog on ya,"

Chuck looked at Max, who snored on Striker's lap.

"I am thoroughly terrified," Chuck deadpanned, "Striker, I've looked death in the face and kicked it in the shin, I ain't afraid of your threats,"

"Remember, I did the same,"

Chuck paused, trying to think of a comeback. When he couldn't…Herc started laughing.

"He's finally got ya," the older Hansen chuckled, "Anyway, Chuck, ya got the rose?"

Chuck held up the long stemmed, red budded flower.

"Good, 'cause we're here," Herc told him, parking the car and getting out, "C'mon, boys,"

Striker gently poked Max awake and put his leash on him before getting out of the car and standing next to Herc while Chuck came around the side.

"Follow me," Herc said, walking up a large grassy hill.

They walked for a few minutes until they came to a small white tombstone.

Angela Hansen

May 4, 1980-September 2, 2014

Herc took the rose from Chuck and knelt in front of it, putting the flower on the stone lip.

"Hey, Ange," he started, voice gruff, "Last time I was here, I told ya Chuck was with ya…well…I might have fibbed a bit,"

Chuck laid a hand on his mother's tombstone.

"Hey Mum," he smiled, "Sorry I had to leave ya…had to keep Dad and my new little brother in line…well, maybe not so little,"

Striker scuffed his foot uncomfortably on the grass. This was a Hansen thing…this wasn't for him.

But he was rooted to the spot.

"C'mere, Striker," Herc said softly.

Striker came closer to the stone and knelt beside his adopted brother and father.

"This here's Striker Eureka," Herc said, "You'd like 'im Ange. A regular Hansen…though sometimes I wonder if it's a good thing,"

He gave a laugh.

"Doesn't always look this handsome, but he's a good kid. Stubborn as all get out though…must get it from you,"

"Oi, have to say, Dad…you're just as bad!" Striker protested.

"See, what I tell ya?" Herc grinned, swiping at tears.

Striker shook his head before turning towards his family.

"Can I…talk to her?" he asked, "Alone?"

Herc and Chuck both nodded and Chuck took Max from Striker. As soon as they left, Striker turned towards the stone.

"I bet I'm gonna feel pretty silly talking to a rock," he muttered, "But if you're listenin', Angela…I want to say I'm sorry for lettin' Chuck die. I should have tried harder but I couldn't save him and for that I'm sorry,"

He closed his eyes.

"I swear, I'm not gonna let that happen again to him, or Herc, or any other human," he growled, "I'll die first. I just…I wish I could have seen ya. The best I get are from Herc and Chuck's memories of ya. Ya kept them on their toes. I've found someone who does the same for me…but I don't know if she feels the same way I do about her. I wish ya were alive…y'd know what to have me say to her so I don't look like a bloody idiot. So…yeah…um…I guess I'll let ya be in peace. Thanks…Mom…"

He got up and started walking towards the car…

But he could have sworn he heard a soft female laugh.

Sasha woke up when Vitali licked her nose.

"Ack, dog, off!" she growled playfully as she swatted at the St. Bernard.

Vitali yipped and hopped off the bed and trotted out of the room.

"Nyet! Cherno, it goes like this!" Aleksis growled from outside.

"Vitali! There you are!" Cherno's voice cried, "Been looking all over for…"

"Cherno!"

"Oh…right…so like this?"

"Da," Aleksis sighed exasperatedly.

Sasha chuckled softly to herself before quickly laying back down and pretending she was asleep as the two men in her life gently opened the door and snuck in.

"She still asleep?" Aleksis asked.

"Da, Papa," Cherno answered as he worked his way around the bed as Aleksis gently kissed Sasha's forehead.

"S Dnem Svyatogo Valentina, Sasha," he said.

Sasha opened one of her eyes and looked at her husband and adopted son.

"And to you," she murmured, sitting up and eyeing the tray Cherno sat down on the bed.

"We surprise you?" the Jaeger asked, eyes bright.

"Surprise? You two make more noise than Kaiju," she chuckled, "I heard you down the hall,"

"You woke up?" Aleksis asked.

Sasha looked at Vitali, who was cowering behind Cherno's leg.

"I skin that dog…" Aleksis growled.

Cherno's eyes widened and he picked up his pet, hugging it close.

"You do no such thing!" the Jaeger protested, "You never find him!"

"Cherno, he was joking," Sasha reassured him, "I see he gets his sense of humor from you, Aleksis,"

"Very funny, Sasha," Aleksis sighed.

"I thought it was," she smirked.

Aleksis shook his head and turned to Cherno.

"You have the gift?" he asked.

Cherno nodded, smiling as he brought out a small, carefully wrapped present.

"You got me gift?" Sasha asked, "Aleksis…you know how I…"

"This one is more of a memory than little trinket," Aleksis reassured her as Cherno laid the present on the bed.

Sasha closed an eye and carefully started to open the gift.

"Sasha…" Aleksis groaned, "We are not saving paper,"

The woman shot her husband a look and socked his shoulder, making Cherno chuckle as Vitali yipped and Nadya mewed.

With a final rip, Sasha got the paper off the box…only to see that it was duct taped shut.

"That was Cherno's doing," Aleksis smirked.

Sash glared at him again, but Aleksis had gotten smart and had moved out of her reach.

"Our son is good wrapper," Sasha said, "He make sure that he gets it done so that we cannot see the inside,"

"Until we're ready!" Cherno beamed as Sasha finally got the box open.

Laying inside, was a dark green painted steel locket.

"Cherno gave some of his armor to make it," Aleksis said, "He was very…adamant…about it. The only thing he let me do…was put the picture in. He is very good with his hands. Making something tiny like that with his much bigger hands,"

The woman gently picked up the strong chain and opened up the compartment and saw a photo of Sasha, Aleksis, and their golden-eyed son inside.

She held the chain out to Cherno, who gently fastened it around his mother's neck with surprising gentleness.

Sasha touched the oval pendant and gave a soft smile.

"It is beautiful," she whispered, "Spasibo,"

"Ne za chto," both men smiled as they came into a family embrace.

"You sure they'll be ok with this?" Tacit asked as she and Coyote walked down the hall, "I mean…is this normal?"

"I don't know what is normal anymore," Coyote shrugged, "Besides…it's a human holiday. I'm still learning. Christmas was…unique."

"And don't forget New Years," Tacit reminded him.

"Ah, watching Chuck and Raleigh go on a drinking contest…and then Dad showing them up and winning as those two keeled over…that was funny,"

"I never would have thought Stacker could do that," Tacit mused as they made it to the two doors.

Coyote knocked on Tamsin's door…only to receive no answer.

"Maybe she's with Stacker?" Tacit suggested as she knocked on said former Marshall's door.

The white Jaeger was right, as Tamsin opened the door.

"Hey, Roni, hey Coyote," Tamsin grinned, "What's going on?"

"We um w-wanted t-to give you th-these," Coyote said shyly as he and Tacit both held out two small bouquets of flowers.

Tamsin's smile grew even bigger as she took the flowers.

"They're lovely!" she told them, "Thank you!"

"And w-we got something for D-Dad t-too," Coyote added.

"Come in," Tamsin said, stepping aside, "Stacks…you've got visitors,"

Stacker stood up from his desk and looked at the two Jaegers. Coyote took out a small back, fumbling with it for a second before managing to give it to his adopted father.

"I-It's from R-Roni and m-me," he stammered, his cheeks flushing bright red.

"We weren't sure what to give you," Tacit explained, "We…didn't know much about this holiday,"

Stacker opened the box to reveal a small, gold fountain pen. He picked up the gift and turned it over, noticing the engraving that sprawled across the side.

"'To Dad, love Coyote and Tacit'" he read before looking up at the two Jaegers, both of which were looking at him expectantly.

"I-I knew that you liked to w-write," Coyote explained, "I-It was the only thing we could th-think of,"

"I would have to say…this is the best gift anyone has given me, Coyote," Stacker said, putting a hand on his adopted son's and his adopted daughter's shoulders, "You both gave a gift that came from the heart,"

The blue and gold eyes lit up happily as even brighter grins painted themselves over the two Jaegers' faces.

"Raleigh…" Gipsy groaned as her Pilot dragged her out of her nice warm bed, "Why did you wake me up…?"

"I thought you might want to see this," he replied as they walked outside.

Gipsy started balking as soon as she set foot out of the Shatterdome, yanking her hand out of Raleigh's and sprinting back behind the doors.

"Gips?" Raleigh asked, turning to face her.

Gipsy shook her head, almost in a terrified fashion as she shrank away from the doors.

Raleigh winced, he forgot that she didn't want to go outside…not after that happened.

"Gips, it's ok," he reassured her as he came towards her, "There's no one out here but you, me and Mako,"

Another violent shake of the head.

"No one's going to get you," he said, "There's no Kaiju, no Slattern…"

As soon as he said that name, Gipsy's eyes blazed in fear as a soft whimper escaped her throat and she backed even further into the shadows, sinking to the ground and drawing her knees up to her chest.

"Hey…" Raleigh started, kneeling down and putting an arm around her, "Easy, Gips…its ok, I've got you. He won't hurt you…he'll never hurt you again, I promise,"

She buried her head in her arms, shaking.

"Would it make you feel better if you stayed inside?" he asked.

A tiny nod.

He gave a nod of his own and stood.

"I'm going to be on the beach, ok?" he told her, "The others are here…if you need me, you know where I'm at,"

Gipsy peeked up and Raleigh ruffled her hair again, making Gipsy swat as his hand.

"Are you afraid?" she asked.

He gave a 'sorta' nod.

"Don't worry," she told him, "You'll be fine,"

"So will you,"

Gipsy shook her head.

"I've got a long way to go," she muttered.

"You'll get better, I promise,"

"Just go," Gipsy teased, "She's waiting on you,"

Raleigh gave a smile and started out the doors. He walked onto the beach and saw Mako standing about twenty yards in front of him.

"Nice night, huh?" he asked as he reached her side.

She nodded, putting her head on his arm.

"The moon is big, the stars are out…" Raleigh continued.

"No Kaiju," Mako grinned.

"No Kaiju," Raleigh agreed, "It's just…perfect. And kind of romantic too,"

"You do know that he's probably watching your every move from the Shatterdome,"

"Yeah…I bet he is," Raleigh agreed.

Silence fell between the two for a few minutes.

Raleigh looked up at the stars…and he could have sworn he heard Yancy saying: "You idiot, ask her!"

Knowing where his brother was…he probably was saying something along those lines.

He turned to Mako and gently took her hand.

"You and I have been through a lot," he told her as she turned her dark gaze on him, "You lost your family at a young age, I lost my brother. But…we've stuck it through and we've overcome it and I…gah! Let me start again,"

Mako gave a short laugh as Raleigh collected himself.

"Ok, let's try this. Mako, I know I've known you for about a year," he said, "And that year…let's just say…it was both heaven and hell for us both. We came together over Gipsy, then lost her and Pentecost, then got her and the other Jaegers and the other pilots back…and then the whole Breach reopening but that's beside the point,"

He fumbled with something in his pocket and Mako raised her eyebrows as she watched.

"We've been through a lot, and we still stuck together…heck, I even braved the wrath of former Marshall Stacker Pentecost when he found out I was dating his daughter!" he continued, making Mako crack a smile, "I even braved his wrath to do one more thing. I asked for his…and Gipsy's…blessing,"

Before Mako could ask for what, Raleigh pulled out a small blue velvet box and knelt down, revealing a small, silvery diamond ring.

"Mako Mori, will you marry me?"

Mako didn't move, her mouth was in a small 'O' as her eyes flicked from Raleigh's face then to the box and back again. Raleigh's heart thudded painfully in his chest. What if she said no? What if she laughed? What if…

"Yes,"

Yes? She said yes?!

Her smile outshone the moon and the stars together as she embraced Raleigh.

"Yes, Raleigh Becket, I will marry you," she beamed.

Yancy watched as Mako embraced Raleigh after he proposed.

"Finally, Rals," he chuckled, "How long were you going to wait?"

"Did he do it?" Matador Fury asked as he and a bunch of other Jaegers and Pilots came up.

"Yeah," Yancy smiled, "He did it. My little brother just got himself engaged,"

Aw, finally Raleigh asks her. I've been planning this for a long time, but I couldn't think of where to put it...and then this came along. So it was just perfect! The wedding won't happen until the war's over (because we've got to have Yancy and the others involved, don't we? Not to mention, it'd kinda suck if there was a Kaiju attack on that day).

I was thinking about Newt having an admirer outside of the Dome...and giving him something Kaiju related...and having the Jaegers flip out when they saw it the next day, but I dunno. You guys have any thoughts about that?

Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please let me know!

Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)

Máriessë ar mára tecië

Farewell and fair writing

Elhini Prime signing off.