She knew it wasn't Levi when a bullet came flying her way. Nathalie's reflexes kicked in. She jumped out of the way. She looked at the table where she had all her samples. Her eyes widened. No! There was in no way she was going to let it all go to waste. She had to protect those samples. She had to protect her notebook. It had all the answers. It had everything they needed.

Nathalie saw two soldiers from the Military Police barging in with their rifles in their hands. She kicked her chair to their way. They moved out of the way and pointed their rifles at her. She heard footsteps from behind her and before she even knew it, a hand was around her neck from behind, choking her. Nathalie gritted her teeth. Bastards.

She stepped on the man's leg powerfully with her own. He winced. She elbowed him on the jaw and the other two started firing. She grabbed the man that she had elbowed and she used him to shield her body from the bullets. The man's blood spilled on her clothes. Dammit. Her skirt was ruined.

"Just take her out already!" One of them shouted to the other, but before they had the chance to place down their guns and attack on hand-to-hand combat someone else attacked them from behind.

Levi's punches and kicks were sharp, fast, and precise. It only took a few of them for the MPs to fall down unconscious. Nathalie let down the man that had been shot at many times only for Levi's hand to find its way around her waist and pull her protectively against him. His eyes, wide in alarm, met her own.

"Those bastards didn't hurt you, did they?!" Levi asked worriedly. His thumb found her cheek making sure he had her attention. He was breathless. He must have been running.

Nathalie shook her head. She escaped from his arms and she started stuffing her samples back in her bag as hastily as she could, and most important of all, her notebook.

"We need to get you out of here," Levi grabbed her hand and started dragging her away with him.

"Why would the MPs attack me?!" Nathalie asked as they ran downstairs. His fingers were almost painfully tight around her own.

"Because you know things you're not supposed to," Levi answered but he heard footsteps.

He urged her to get into one of the many offices around the hall that they were now in. The offices were empty and dark, but the halls had torches all around that were bringing enough light in the Survey Corps HQ. That office was empty and dark as well. They should be able to hide.

There were more MPs. Of course, they'd send a battalion for Nathalie. Word had gone out that she had fought titans with mere daggers. There's no way three MPs would be able to take her out. And Levi's assumptions were correct. A hand was thrown around her protectively as he leaned and peeked through the keyhole.

"Do you think they got her?"

"I did hear a couple of shots, sir, but I'm not so sure,"

Levi was right. They were many. He could take them out on his own empty-handed and he wouldn't break a sweat, but he had to take her out of there as fast as possible. He turned at Nathalie. Her back pressed against the door. She tried to whisper something, but his fingers found her lips, sealing them back closed. They had reached the ground floor. They would be able to escape through the windows.

He nodded his head at the direction of the windows in the office and she nodded. If she didn't know him as well as she did, he wouldn't be able to tell her an entire plan through just a look. His fingers were still tight around her own and they approached the windows. Much to their luck, the stables were right beside that part of the building. He pulled the window open and he jumped out. She jumped out as well, careful not to make a sound. It wasn't too high, but high enough to make her doubt herself.

But he caught her. Levi's hands were tight around her, and he cursed when he realised that footsteps were once again approaching. Of course, they'd check the stables. It was still dark. There were no lights at the back of the building and anybody could grab a horse and sneak away.

Levi turned only to see that they were actually very close. There was no way they had enough time to grab a horse and start riding away without having the damn MPs chasing them. Maybe he'd have to fight after all. But Nathalie had a better idea in mind. Her hand found his shoulder, drawing his attention.

"Kiss me,"

Levi turned and looked at her confusedly. "Nat, this is no time for-"

But she grabbed his black jacket bringing him closer and before he had the chance to finish what he had to say, her lips crushed against his own and he instantly forgot what he had to say. She had never kissed him so ferociously before. Her tongue met the back of his throat and he groaned. Shit. He was beginning to catch up on what she was trying to do. But still, this was too risky and too exciting, but brilliant nonetheless.

His hand found her hip, settling a leg around his waist and he kissed her back just as ferociously as she did. He knocked her back against the brick wall. His fingers clutched in her thigh. Levi bit down on her lip and she let out the filthiest moan he had ever heard. It made his blood go south. Fuck. If they kept this up, they'd be putting more than a show outside the freaking stables.

"Everything clear, officer?"

A superior's voice came from behind and the officers found themselves unable to come up with a clear answer. All they had were two people making out at the back of the building and they doubted if the woman was Nathalie Burgess. Nathalie Burgess should be on the run by now. These two were probably drunkards from a nearby bar and they had just ended up out there.

"Everything clear, sir!"

"Get your asses back here!"

"Yes, sir!"

The MPs left fast enough, but Levi wouldn't stop kissing her until she actually pulled back. Her taste, still on his lips. His hands still too tight around her, but she still managed to get away. How could she always know how to do that? It frustrated him. She still caught his hand and guided him over to the stables to get a horse and ride away.

"Let's go!" She whispered.

"R- Right,"

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It wasn't news that she was going to like. Moblit didn't like this. It was in the middle of the night and he barely had any idea how it had happened. He couldn't think of any possible way of how the intruders got in and killed off Pastor Nick. The room was guarded at all times by soldiers.

Moblit was the only one with a key for Hange's door. She would be sleeping, but she would skin him alive if he didn't let her know right away. He unlocked the door of her apartment and he walked in. It was dark, but he had an oil lamp in his hand that was enough to light his way. They were staying in their apartments. A building beside the Survey Corps HQ that housed most superiors of the Scouts.

She was indeed sleeping. A rare occasion for her, since she never slept and she only spent nights after nights in the labs. But this time, she was actually sleeping. Her hair were a mess against her pillows and her goggles were resting beside her on the bedside table.

Moblit almost hated himself for waking her, but he had to. She'd never let him see the end of it if he didn't. His hand found her cheek, cupping gently. His thumb brushed across her soft skin and she finally opened her eyes looked up at him with a sly smile.

"Aww, hey, Mobby," She stretched out her arms as she lied down on her back. "Here to have some fun?" She raised an eyebrow and Moblit tensed up right away.

Moblit tensed up right away. He could not deny the heat on his cheeks, but he proceeded to do what he did best. Scold her. "Oh my God, Hange, we're not even together for crying out loud!"

"But you'd like for us to be, right?"

"I- I- t- that's IRRELEVANT!" Moblit cried out. He was so thankful that it was dark enough for her not to be able and see the blush that had spread across his entire face.

Hange laughed amusingly before her hand reached for her goggles and she put them on. "So, if you're not here to have fun, then what are you here for?"

Moblit sighed and braced himself for the reaction. "Pastor Nick… he's been murdered,"

Her eyes widened. The smile disappeared right away. "WHAT?!"

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The kids were asleep by the time Levi and Nathalie reached the HQ. It was silent, and dark, and they headed straight to bed. Some rooms were upstairs and some others were downstairs. The Captain's room was upstairs. The two of them walked in Levi's room. It was large enough for the two of them. The bed was a double, and there was a large desk to serve as an office. There was a fireplace as well and Levi got the fire going to bring some light in the room.

Nathalie sighed, pressing her back against the closed door of the room. That was close. She let her muscles to finally relax and she sat by the edge of the bed to take off her boots. She stood back to place her bag on top of the desk and she started taking out the samples that she had saved the last minute. It was nothing but bottles with liquids.

"Is it okay if I put these here?" Nathalie asked turning over at Levi as he fixed the fire with a twig. He had knelt down on one knee. The light that came from the flame graced his sharp features and Nathalie only found herself staring at him longer than she was supposed to.

"It's our desk. You do as you like," Levi said as he stood back up. A finger reached for his ascot, loosening it from around his neck with a single move as he approached her. His raven hair fell messily on his forehead. Sharp eyes stared down at her softly. "You're not hurt, are you?" Levi asked again when he noticed the blood stains on her shirt and her skirt. Nathalie just shook her head and gave him a reassuring smile. If it wasn't for him, she had no idea where she would be right now. His hand reached down around her waist. He brought her body closer. He could feel the texture of her bandages beneath the fabric of her shirt. She was in a white buttoned shirt, and a grey long skirt. Her glasses were hanging from a rope around her neck. He took them off for her and placed them beside them on the desk. "How's your wound?"

Nathalie's hands reached for his ascot, untying it with delicate moves. "It's almost gone," She frowned. "It's going to leave an ugly scar though," She placed the ascot on the table beside her glasses and her palms rested flat on his chest, right on top that white buttoned shirt that he was wearing beneath the black jacket.

She pushed off that black jacket down his shoulders, and she set off to place it in a nearby coat-stand. She turned around to approach him, only for both his hands to slip around her waist and bring her close once more. Nathalie smiled up at him, but he seemed deep in thought as always.

He had almost thought he lost her, today. Thank goodness, he was fast enough to get there on time. He did not doubt her skills though. She had already put up quite a fight against the MPs. Still, one wrong move could've ended her life, and if that had happened, she wouldn't be there, staring with those bright blue eyes up at him. He wouldn't have the chance to hold her like he was holding her now and he would be sinking in his misery, and the depression, deeper than ever. His hands tightened around her. So, so precious.

"Stop thinking," Nathalie said as if she had read his mind.

Both her hands found each side of his face and he sighed at the instant release that she brought him. He closed his eyes and rested his face in her soft hands. He complied to her words and stopped thinking. He didn't say anything. He just buried his face in her neck and he picked her up. He always picked her up so easily, as if she weighed next to nothing. Her hands tightened around his shoulders. Gentle fingers found his hair. He sat down on his chair with Nathalie in his lap and his face still buried in her neck.

He didn't know how long he held her there, or how long her fingers were gently caressing through his hair. Her skin was warm. He nuzzled his nose in her neck and breathed her in. Eyes, closed. They just sat there in a large moment of comforting silence. There were no words to be exchanged. He just wanted to know that he was holding her and that she was safe because of that. It was only in such moments that he could close his eyes and his mind could know peace. Or at least, the closest thing to peace that he'd ever known.

Nathalie pressed silent kisses in his hair, his temple, his forehead. He hummed and sighed in satisfaction. What was he going to do without her? Without these? Her gentle touch, her kisses, her warmth. He never thought he was so touch-starved. Yet again, it made sense that he'd be. The tender way his mother would hold him as she'd kiss his forehead. Memories that were so long-gone and forgotten where now brought back that Nathalie was kissing his forehead with that very same tenderness. She was so precious. So damn precious. And she was all his.

He couldn't allow to lose her. Never again was he going to let himself suffer through the same pain that he did as he watched the corpse of his mother rotting. Still, in the end, he realised he didn't care about himself suffering. He had done horrible things. He'd deserve to suffer. But not her. She deserved to live and be happy and he would do anything to achieve that.

Nathalie wasn't going to let him fall asleep in the chair. She had let him multiple times before just because she knew he'd shout at her for waking him. She would cover him in blankets even when he'd pass out in uncomfortable positions on his office. But she wasn't going to let him torment his body like that.

"Levi…" Nathalie whispered softly in his ear and he finally lifted his head off her neck and looked down at her with tired eyes. "…we need to go to sleep,"

Levi nodded in agreement. He was about to stand up and carry her to bed, but he just stopped to look down at her, and realise once more how much breathtaking she was. Soft, white, porcelain skin. Pale-brown hair that barely touched her shoulders. Bright blue eyes. Soft, pink lips. So simple, yet so beautiful.

He kissed her. He had to. He wanted to meet her taste. He wanted to feel her fingers as they tightened around his shirt. His tongue met her own and she sighed in satisfaction. "I love you," He moaned in her mouth, before he let go of her lips and he trailed kisses down her chin, her cheekbone, her neck. His fingers clutched around her clothes as he pressed kisses and nips on her soft skin. Nathalie's hands found his hair again. She stroked them tenderly and it made him sigh against her skin. "I love you so damn much,"

Nathalie's heart fluttered beneath her chest. A bright blush spread across her face. I love you. She couldn't believe this was coming from him. He had told her lots of times since that day in the hospital, but just listening to him saying it, it made her heart burst and she knew that was it. He was the one. Him and no other. She wanted no other. Ever.

"I love you too, Levi," She pressed kisses on his temple. "I really, really do,"