Sorry this took so long, everyone. I got really sick and didn't feel like updating anything. But I'm feeling a little better now. So I finally got this written up for you all. We have some girl troubles (a fight between a couple) and some little romance things...you'll just have to see!

Chapter 29

"Meoowww!"

Striker groaned, flopping on his stomach and pulling his pillow over his head as Max started barking at both Vitali and Nadya…while Vitali's booming barks answered him.

"I'm gonna kill that dog," Herc growled sleepily as he got up out of his bed and pounded on the wall, "Sasha! Aleksis! Cherno! Get your mutt to shuddup!"

No answer, except for Vitali's barking.

"Let me try," Striker yawned, shutting his eyes and comming his brother in arms as Chuck rammed his pillow over his head.

"What?" Cherno sleepily asked, "What is wrong?"

"Get your mutt and your fleabag to shuddup," Striker growled.

"Cannot do, remember? Grounded?"

"Then get your parents to do it!"

There was silence and Herc, Chuck and Striker smiled. Sweet relief at…

Loud, pounding music mixed with barking and meowing shook the Hansens' wall. Striker cursed bitterly as he jammed his hands into his ears.

"THAT DOES IT!" Chuck snarled, getting up and taking his pillow and blanket with him, "I'm goin' to the hanger. At least it's quiet there!"

"I'll come with!" Striker yelled over the music, "I'll let ya sleep in the conn. Pod,"

Herc shook his head as his sons stormed out. No patience whatsoever. Nadya started meowing again, making Max bark at the wall and Herc sigh, pinching his nose.

"Maybe the boys had the right idea," he muttered.


"I had most wonderful rest last night!" Cherno beamed, looking over at Striker, who was glaring murderously at him.

"Speak for yourself," Gipsy groaned as Crimson's head slipped off one of his hands and plunked into his cereal bowl.

He didn't wake up.

"You and your Hardhouse," Coyote yawned, "Can't you all turn it down? When we're sleeping?"

Cherno looked up to the ceiling thoughtfully before turning to face his comrades.

"Nyet!" he chirped and the other Jaegers groaned.

"Please, Cherno, for the love of all that is good in the world, at least get the pets to quiet…and turn down the music a few decibels," Tacit begged.

"Music would not have come on if Striker not call Vitali and Nadya mutt and fleabag," Cherno replied, leveling a steely glare at Striker.

"You mean to say this is his fault?" Coyote asked as Gipsy picked up Crimson's head by the hair, watching as milk and cereal dripped from the end of his nose.

"If he would have shut them up I wouldn't have called them that," Striker hissed.

"Please, Striker," Raleigh groaned as he lifted his head from his hands, "For the love of all that's good in this world, please don't call them that?"

"We're begging!" one of the triplets added.

Striker's eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms while Cherno stared him down.

"Striker…" Gipsy started, "Please?"

The Australian looked at the American and his iron resolve crumbled under the pleading, sunlight-gold gaze.

"…Fine…" he grumbled.

"He gives up when Gipsy asks," Chuck muttered so that only Striker could hear him, "Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"Note to self: find one of the twins' pool noodles and beat youngest pilot with it," Striker thought.

"Alright, alright," Herc started, "Now that that's settled…why don't we get ready for the day? We've got a Breach to close, for good this time, and you six, have school,"

All six Jaegers groaned as they got up to get ready.


"I heard you three got grounded for yesterday," Gipsy said as they all walked into the building, "I…um…I wanted to say thanks,"

"For what?" Crimson asked.

"Standing up for me," she answered, "I'm surprised you didn't take him down in the school building,"

"I wanted to, Sheila, I wanted to," Striker growled, "Yeah, Crimson got grounded from basketball…"

Gipsy closed an eye and hissed while Crimson's head ducked.

"Cherno got grounded from the pets and from the kids," Crimson added, "Might be because he threw a bunch of the bullies and went after them with a big stick,"

"Striker grounded from…" Cherno started before Striker clapped a hand over the bigger Jaeger's mouth, embarrassed, "Mmmf!"

"From everythin' but school and the play," Striker finished, "Dad was goin' to take me out of the play, but…it opens this weekend, and it's too late to find a replacement…not to mention that the understudy is complete rubbish,"

"So does that mean…" Tacit started.

"I'm suspended from The Hunt," Striker growled, "If there's an attack, I'm outta commission,"

"But what if we need you?" Coyote asked as he pushed open the school doors.

"The most on a team has been three," Striker grumbled, "'There won't be a need for six' Dad says. So I've got to stay behind,"

"We'll have to talk about this later," Gipsy whispered as they made their way through the crowd, "Too many…kids…"

No one disagreed.


"Hi,"

Coyote slowly turned around at the female voice…

That wasn't Tacit or Gipsy.

"You're Tanner, right? Tanner Pentecost?"

The girl was easily five and a half feet tall, a good foot or two shorter than Coyote, but there was a presence about her than made up for it. Pride perhaps? Her long, honey blond hair curled delicately around her face and flowed down her back like a golden waterfall. Her eyes were about the same shade as Coyote's icy blue, but they were dimmer, not full of the electric light that was common with the Jaegers.

"Y-Yes?" Coyote stammered, "An-and y-you are?"

"You sure you don't remember me?" she asked, batting her eyelashes, "We have chemistry together?"

Coyote tensed. If he had learned anything in his time here, it was that most human words had a double meaning. And that word was one of them.

"I-I d-don't think s-so," he started, backing up but hitting the lockers.

She followed, cornering him.

"You have such beautiful eyes," she murmured, putting a hand on his chest, "They're…unique. Just like the rest of you as well…"

He closed his eyes. If Tacit saw this…

He was a dead Jaeger.


"What do you think Cherno was going to say earlier?" Tacit asked Gipsy as she took a book from her locker, "Before Striker shut him up?"

"I dunno," Gipsy sighed, "Probably something to embarrass him further,"

"You're probably right," Tacit nodded, but she had a feeling that Striker had a second reason, "Are boys always like that? Kinda jumpy around girls and…?"

Gipsy shrugged.

"I've had two boys as Drift Partners…I've never seen anything to make them embarrassed in front of a girl except when Mako and I tease Raleigh,"

"Speaking of those two…how's the wedding coming along?"

"They're holding off until the War's over," Gipsy answered, "They want Yancy as best man,"

"And Maid of Honor?"

"Yours truly," Gipsy smiled with an elaborate bow, "They've got the twins as the ring bearer and flower girl,"

"They're going to look adorable!"

"I don't doubt it," Gipsy beamed, "And…"

She froze, her face paling as she looked over Tacit's shoulder.

"Gipsy?" Tacit asked, starting to turn around, "What…"

Gipsy grabbed her shoulder and held her.

"Do not turn around," Gipsy instructed, "I mean it, Roni,"

Tacit's face darkened.

"Gipsy, I've told you once, and I've told you again," the white Jaeger snapped, throwing off Gipsy's arms and turning around, "Don't call me…"

She froze, her fists clenching as she looked down the hall and saw Coyote and a blonde girl…and the blonde was kissing her Coyote Tango.

A low growl rumbled from Tacit's chest and Gipsy held back her sister in arms as Tacit lunged forwards.

"Let. Me. Go," Tacit ordered, her arms starting to turn from flesh and blood to steel and wire.

"No," Gipsy hissed, "Tacit don't. I don't care what you do to me, I'm not letting you go,"

Tacit slammed her foot onto Gipsy's and the younger Jaeger let out a yelp of pain as Tacit spun around and kicked Gipsy in the shin, making the blue Jaeger hop up and down, cursing bitterly in pain.

"I didn't ask for your permission," Tacit snarled before storming towards Coyote.

The tan Jaeger hadn't yet seen Tacit when he pushed the blonde off him.

"S-Stop," he growled, metal lacing his voice, "I-I don't…"

"Oh, don't stop on account of me," Tacit snapped as she stopped, crossing her arms, "Do continue inserting your tongue into my boyfriend's mouth,"

"Tacit!" Coyote squeaked before clearing his throat, "Roni…it isn't what you…"

"Oh really?" Tacit demanded, her golden eyes blazing in fury as she scanned over the blonde, "Because from what I'm seeing…you were having fun,"

"I w-wasn't!" Coyote pleaded, "R-Roni…"

"Don't call me that," Tacit snarled, "You…You…Gah!"

She threw her hands up in the air and stormed off, with Coyote on her heels, begging for her to listen.

Gipsy leaned against the lockers, nursing her wounded leg.


Cherno watched the fight between Coyote and Tacit…or rather a very one-sided Tacit rant…with a slight bit of fear and more curiosity than he should have.

If he remembered right from the Drift…Sasha and Aleksis had a few spats when they were…dating was it? But they always made up a few minutes later…

Tacit apparently wasn't going to give Coyote the chance.

Cherno looked over at Gipsy, who caught his gaze and shrugged.

"If this is what being in a relationship is…I don't want one!" Gipsy said over comm., "I'm glad I don't have anyone interested in me,"

Cherno cracked a grin and shook his head.

"If only you knew," he thought to himself as he jammed his hat farther down his head and closed his locker, walking off…

And crashing into someone. Well…more like they crashed into him.

"I-I'm so sorry!" the girl squeaked, picking up her scattered belongings, "I should have been watching where I was…"

"Is ok," Cherno replied, kneeling down and handing her one of the books, "I was not looking either,"

He held out his hand and helped her to her feet.

She was a tiny creature, even by human standards, maybe just under five foot. She had braided, mousy, brown hair that fell to just below her waist. Her hazel eyes looked up sheepishly from behind thin, wire-frame glasses, giving her an intelligent, shy air.

"Y-You're Afon…Afon Kaidonovsky, right?" she asked.

"Da…" Cherno nodded, blinking rapidly, "You…you are…Natasha…?"

"You remember!" the girl beamed, "We have shop class together,"

She fingered the end of her braid nervously before looking up to meet Cherno's gaze.

"I um…I was hoping you could actually help me…" she murmured.

"With what?" Cherno asked.

"Well…I'm having a little trouble with my shop project…do you think you could um…help?"

Cherno blinked, she was asking him for help?

"You don't have to if you don't want to," she said quickly, "I can find someone…"

"Nyet, I help," Cherno finally said, a bit surprised that he actually said it, "What time you want to meet for help?"

"You think maybe 8 o'clock tonight?" Natasha asked, "We can meet at the Shatterdome doors…I noticed that you go there after school,"

"Da, seems alright," Cherno answered, "Is date then?"

Natasha gave a light blush and Cherno realized what he said.

"Ah! Nyet, not date, I mean…friendly meeting…ah…" he facepalmed, shaking his head as Natasha gave a laugh.

"You're cute when you're confused," she smiled, as Cherno turned a shocking shade of red, "I'll see you at eight,"

"Way to go, Cherno," Striker said as Natasha walked off, "Ya really nailed 'er,"

"Um…ah…what just happen?" Cherno asked shakily as he watched the tiny young woman flit through the crowd.


Crimson sulked on the bleachers, watching the team practice. It wasn't fair! Striker was the one who punched the kid and broke his jaw…and his nose…

All Crimson did was keep the kid's goons from ambushing Striker.

"Well, don't you look miserable,"

Crimson looked up to see a young woman sit down next to him. He recognized her…her mother was one of Tacit's mechanics.

Mei Song was the girl's name if Crimson remembered right.

"You're Zhu Wei Tang…right?"

He nodded.

"And you're Mei Song?" he asked.

"I'm surprised you remember," Mei said, "We've only got one class together. But other than that…you want to be down there don't you?"

"Just a little," Crimson admitted, watching the team try a new tactic, and he shook his head, "He's going to get blocked…possibly rammed in the gut…"

Mei watched with interest as one of the boys raced forwards with the ball…only to get rammed in the gut and losing the ball. Just like Crimson's prediction said he would.

"How'd you do that?" she asked.

"I play a lot of basketball with my brothers," Crimson said, "They tried that once…same results,"

"I've seen you play," Mei started, sidling closer to the Jaeger, "You're really good…but why aren't you on the team?"

Crimson bit his lip, turning away.

The real reason why he wasn't on the team was because of his arm. Those jerseys wouldn't hide the bulge the metal appendage made like his hoodie did. Not to mention they tore easily…or the fact that said arm seemed to have a mind of its own on the basketball court.

"I…have a deformity," he finally said.

It was sort of true. Compared to the others, he was the odd one.

Mei raised a perfect eyebrow and Crimson elaborated.

"It goes around my entire waist…and if I don't wear my hoodie, it's really obvious," he shrugged, "I don't want anyone seeing me as a freak…well, any more than they already do,"

"I don't see you as a freak," Mei said.

Crimson looked at her, golden eyes into her deep brown.

"If you only knew," he muttered to himself.

"What?"

"Nothing,"

Mei closed an eye but she dropped it. Silence reigned for a few minutes before Mei spoke again.

"Your eyes…I've never seen anyone with that color," she started, "Well, other than the group you first arrived with,"

"Just lucky I guess,"

"You've each got them, except for that other boy, Tanner? It just makes you a little different, special,"

"Special?" Crimson laughed, "Sure. And on top of that we've got super powers,"

"And they would be?" Mei grinned.

Crimson looked up, a wry smile twisting his features.

"Hmm, let me see…" he started, "Well Ch-Afon has the super strength, Ruri is fast, Tanner…hmm, maybe intelligence since he's the oldest. Steven, well, he's got the super ego down pat,"

Mei snickered at that, tossing her short, dark hair out of her eyes.

"Gipsy has…influence. She's kinda a leader, but she also instigates a lot of things as well," Crimson finished.

"And what about Zhu aka Crimson Wei Tang?" Mei asked.

"Well he's quite the hero," Crimson smirked, "Super good looks I'd say,"

Mei laughed and Crimson laughed with her. It felt so good to laugh with someone other than his family!

"Well, you know…I think he's right on that," Mei finally said.

"Oh?"

"Because he seems pretty good looking to me,"

Crimson's face turned as red as his armor and he looked down right as the coach blew the whistle, signaling the end of practice.

"I got to go," Mei said, standing up, "I guess I'll see you around?"

"Y-Yeah," Crimson stammered as he stood up too.

"Goodbye, Crimson Wei Tang," Mei waved as she started down the bleachers.

"…Bye…" Crimson whispered.


"She's still not talking to him?" Gipsy asked as Tacit stormed off towards the sparring ring where Crimson was waiting.

"Nope," Striker said, watching as Tacit flipped the poor Chinese Jaeger, sending him crashing to the floor with a yelp.

"He wasn't meaning to kiss that girl…she came on him," Gipsy protested, "Tacit really should listen to him!"

"But she won't," Coyote mumbled as he came up, "She's blocked me from the comm. link and she's been avoiding me all day,"

"We've got to do something," Gipsy said.

"I agree with ya, Sheila," Striker nodded, "But what? If we lock 'er up with Coyote…she'll tear 'im to pieces,"

Coyote turned a very pasty white and his blue eyes blazed in fear.

"We'll find a way, don't worry," Gipsy reassured him as she patted his shoulder, "Everything's gonna be ok,"

"I-I hope s-so," Coyote murmured.

"Everything ok?" Tamsin asked, coming up behind them and hissing as Tacit flipped Crimson again and whacked the poor red Jaeger on the backside, "Oooo, ouch, what he do to her?"

"It's not what he did as much as what she thinks Coyote did to her," Gipsy explained.

"Coyote?" Tamsin asked, looking at her adopted son.

"I-I d-didn't do anything!" Coyote protested, "It's n-not my f-fault that that girl k-kissed me. I-I t-tried to stop h-her!"

"Ah, I understand," Tamsin nodded and grabbed Coyote's hand, "C'mon, we're going to talk to her,"

"N-No!" Coyote balked as Tamsin dragged him forwards, "I-I j-just remembered! I-I've got a big assignment I-I have t-to d-do!"

"C'mon, Coyote, you've got to face her sooner or later,"

"I-I choose l-later!"


"Tacit Ronin!" Tamsin called as she and Coyote stepped into the ring, "Why don't you give Crimson Typhoon a break?"

Crimson shot her a grateful look while Tacit crossed her arms.

"I'm not speaking with him," she spat, turning away, "You won't get me to talk,"

"Then just listen," Tamsin said, "Crim, you can go…have Gipsy or one of the others get you patched up,"

Crimson nodded hastily and gingerly got up to his feet before limping out to Gipsy and Striker, who both helped him get to the infirmary.

"I don't need to hear what he has to say," Tacit huffed.

"P-Please, R-Roni…Tacit!" Coyote corrected as Tacit shot him a fiery gold glare, "Y-You kn-know I w-wouldn't do that t-to you! Sh-She c-came on…I-I pushed her off! P-Please, T-Tacit, y-you have to b-believe me!"

Tamsin stepped in as Coyote's stuttering worsened so he could barely get a word out.

"Tacit, he loves you, very dearly," she started, "Why would he fall for someone else when he's got you? Huh? Think about it…he didn't see you when he pushed her off,"

"So he says,"

"It's t-true!" Coyote protested, "C-Come h-here,"

Tacit's gaze turned wary, but she still walked forwards towards her, in her mind, former boyfriend until they were barely an inch away from each other…

Coyote touched her shoulder gently and, while Tacit was distracted, gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Tacit's eyes widened as her hand shot up to said cheek. Her gaze locked onto Coyote and the fiery, hard gold softened. Tacit had a gift for telling when people were lying to her…Coyote was telling the truth. She hadn't seen it through her anger and hurt, but she saw it now.

"You weren't attracted to her?" she asked softly.

"Why would I be?" Coyote shrugged, "I've got the girl I want…the Jaeger I want,"

Tacit's smile shone brightly but she bowed her head in embarrassment, her cheeks ruddying.

"I…I'm so sorry," she murmured.

"Don't be," Coyote answered, "I would have done the same thing more than likely,"


"OW!" Crimson yelped.

"Sorry!" Gipsy apologized as she dabbed at Crimson's blackened eye, "Hold still!"

"Note to self: OUCH!" Crimson whined as Gipsy tried to clean his face as gently as she could, "Don't OW! Make Tacit GAH! Mad,"

"Wise statement, mate, wise statement," Striker nodded before looking over Crimson's shoulder, "Speak of the devil…"

"OUCH!" Crimson screeched as Gipsy removed a splinter from his cheek, "GIPSY! THAT HURT!"

"Hey, you volunteered to take her on," Gipsy pointed out as she dropped the splinter into a bowl.

"Sorry about that workout, Crim," Tacit said from behind them, "I'll take it easier on you next time,"

"There won't be a next time," Crimson groaned as he turned to face the white Jaeger, "I'm letting Cherno spar with you from now on,"

"Good deal," Coyote answered from beside Tacit.

"I see you two are back together," Gipsy grinned, "You do good work, Tamsin,"

"Just doing my job," the Pilot shrugged before ruffling Coyote's hair and walking over to Stacker and sitting down next to him.

"I say we get those two together next," Crimson snickered, "We've already gotten one couple sorta together…"

"And that would be?" Gipsy asked.

"None of your business," Striker growled.

"Fine, don't tell me," Gipsy growled back, "You know I'm going to figure it out on my own, Aussie,"

"It'll take ya forever, Yank,"

"Striker?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up,"

Striker smirked, watching as Gipsy crossed her arms and stuck out her bottom lip. It made her look childish and quite adorable as well…at least to him anyway. He was so caught up in teasing Gipsy that he almost didn't see Cherno stagger in, wringing his hat in his hands, revealing his shock of white-blond hair.

"Cherno!" Gipsy called, "How was the date?"

"D-Date?" the Russian stammered, "W-what date?"

"Hello! You and Natasha?" Crimson added.

Cherno's face turned a vibrant shade of red and he wrung his hat even harder, looking everywhere but at his comrades in arms.

And that's when Tacit saw it.

"Oh Cherno!" she grinned, "Wow!"

"What?" Striker asked, "What is it?"

Tacit leaned across the table and grabbed Cherno's face, turning it so that the group could see a faint red mark on his cheek.

"Is that what I think it is?" Gipsy asked.

"Lipstick," Tacit confirmed, "Cherno got kissed!"

So that was the relationship chapter...who knows what will be next? Maybe the dance...or the play...or have some other human experience...any ideas? Anyone? Yes? No? Maybe? Send them to me via review or PM! Until next time!

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.