WERE OUT OF THE FLASHBACK. Took 3 years and a world wide pandemic, but we did it baby! In all seriousness, thank y'all for reading. Please stay safe out there.

Captain Mikasa's desk was filled with so much paperwork that awaited her attention. All part of her new responsibilities since elevating her rank. Thankfully the time she spent years ago with her Heichou taught her more than just sexual pleasure. She impressed many because while she was offered an assistant, she didn't really require one. Levi had taught her how to keep things organized and sorted, and she emulated it to a T. Even Erwin had been surprised with her efficiency, sometimes making comments of how she reminded him of Levi. Which made her proud since in his memory she wanted to exceed so that his death would mean something.

The kettle on the stove rang with the pressure of the boiling water, Mikasa walked to it and poured it into her mug. So much had changed over the years. The last 4 years had been such a rollercoaster but the fierce fighter eventually came back. She always exceeded in combat, but once Hanji began to heal her emotional wounds she trained and trained. If she was a force to be reckoned with then, now she seemed unstoppable. The ruthlessness, now was calm and collected and aimed at her enemy. She walked back to her desk and sat down, her hands pulled a few sheets of paper to her face, eyes skimming the words quickly.

A sound of a door slamming open as Sasha ran into the room hysterical with a confusion of emotion slapped on her face. "MIKASA!" she screamed.

Mikasa choked on her morning tea, and rose to her feet to meet Sasha at the door. "Is everything alright?" Her first thoughts consisting of logical conclusions to why her best friend looked worried but happy? It was unfortunately a look that left mikasa feeling uneasy, as if she could not put the pieces together.

Sasha grabbed her wrists and escorted her to the corner of the room without a moment to hesitate. Mikasa followed in an attempt to figure out what the hell was going on. The soldier took a deep breath and sighed as if preparing herself for the delivery.

"What is happening Sasha," Mikasa's frustration was getting the best of her. "Is Eren okay? Or is it Armin?"

"Levi is alive…" a soft whisper leaving the poor girls lips as her eyes began to water. Mikasa blinked, unable to comprehend what she had just said. Her stomach dropped, and she could feel her breakfast at her throat. There was absolutely no way that those words were true, it had been more than 4 years. Under no circumstances could Levi survive living outside of the walls for that long.

"I don't think I heard you correctly" she blurted out trying to get her body to calm down. She had to be mistaken, unable to contain the pain that she had subsided even hearing his name weighed heavily on her.

Sasha looked at her seriously and stared directly into her eyes as she repeated words, "Levi is alive." she took a deep breath. "I was in Erwin's office sorting out a few documents for him. When an officer from the Garrison came in unannounced. He apologized for the intrusion but told Erwin it was of the upmost importance. He handed Erwin a letter from Pixis, as soon as he read it he instructed the officer to hold Captain Levi and that he would personally go meet him within the city. The commander's was completely surprised and you know he's not the type for that to happen to. He must have forgotten that I was also in the room and…"

"How is it even possible?" Mikasa didn't want to automatically allow the damns of happiness to flood through her. There had to be a mistake. "Maybe its another Levi…" Mikasa needed to catch her breath.

"I have been working for Commander Erwin for a year, there is no Captain Levi in any of the divisions." Sasha quietly responded. "Plus Erwin, was absolutely in a state of shock. I mean I have never seen him so out of wits. He looked like he had just seen a ghost," she paused for a second. "I think it is the impossible darling, he's back."

Mikasa felt the most happiest she could ever be, she fell down to her knees as wanting to thank what ever made this happen. She would finally be able to hold him, to kiss him, to have him be her… Her thoughts were interrupted by the awful realization that around her finger a delicate ring shun proudly reminding her of her commitment. "Eren"

"I know," Sasha met her on the floor. "That is why I couldn't wait, you had to be one of the first to know. Erwin instructed me specifically to only let Hanji know of the news. He left immediately. I am on my way to tell her-"

"Sasha I need to go find him, I have to see him." Regardless of everything Mikasa was exploding with the longing to make sure he at least in good health, she wanted to know everything that had occurred during these long years. She avoided the thoughts of how she would tell him that she was engaged, or how she would tell Eren that Levi was such a big part of her life. It was going to be complicated on every front but she had to manage somehow. He was alive, and regardless of what would have to occur, it was vital for her to find him.

XXX

"Hanji you don't understand," Mikasa pleaded "I need to see him, to be with him."

Hanji turned to look at her, she dropped a stack of papers setting them down with a THUMP. "Mikasa, I understand. But my hands are tied. First and foremost we need to make sure he is okay. He is being examined by all of the military's best doctors. Second we cannot Levi to go into a state of shock," Hanji looked softened. "I know you want to see him, and both you and I know how difficult it was for us to move past everything." She pushed her glasses up, "As soon as we get all the information we need, there will be a time and place for you to finally get the meeting you deserve. Sasha should have been more mindful before disobeying Erwin" Hanji did not enjoy being a rule pusher, but she couldn't just ignore this. This could have major implications in the future if Sasha was going to continue being Erwin's secretary, she prayed this was only different because it involved Mikasa.

"I just want to make sure he's okay, I need to speak to him, before he gets information he doesn't understand. Sasha only looked out for me because of all that has happened. It is not her fault" Mikasa could not help the treacherous tears escaping her. "I need to explain myself to him," She chocked on her words. "I need to beg him to forgive me, for betraying everything. I shouldn't have followed the orders, I should have gone back to—"

"Mikasa if anyone should be apologizing it should be Erwin and I, we should have sent for a search party. I mean after all we did call for a retreat. Our cowardice, cost Levi years. Trust me I am stopping myself from barging in that room to beg as well," Even Hanji looked like she was about to burst at the seems, "I will do everything in my power to arrange for meeting once he is cleared. That is the best I can do," Hanji sighed. "Erwin will send word for me when he sorts things out, you will accompany me. But it is crucial you follow every order I give you."

"How is this even possible?" Mikasa need an explanation, "People don't survive out there for long, even a few weeks would have been a miracle but 4 years. That is unheard of"

"I am wondering the same thing, we were only 6 hours away from wall Rose. Not to undermine, this miracle, for I am thankful he was able to survive. How was he able to live for as long he did?" Hanji sighed, "I'm sure the Military will be asking these same questions."

"The Military?"

"Of course Mikasa, I'm sure they are dying to know why Erwin sent him out there," Hanji looked like she wanted to punch something.

"Wait what?" Mikasa could not comprehend. Was this part of a plan, Mikasa's body tensed up with building rage. "Hanji was this part of a plan Erwin conceived?"

Hanji gazed up to Mikasa's glare, "NO ABSOLUTELY NOT!" she tried to calm down, "Erwin and I mourned our friend Mikasa like you did. He would never endanger Levi like that, we both loved him as if he were our family because he was."

Instantly that surge of rage dissipated to regret, "Im sorry Hanji, I should not have implied."

"I comprehend that this is a lot to take in; but Mikasa I can promise you that Erwin and I only wanted the best for our friend. I only say that because I'm sure that it will be a conspiracy made up by the Military Police to create distrust with the corps."

"Why would they succumb to that?" Mikasa asked.

"They need to have dirt against us, and now this is the perfect gift for them." She gritted her teeth, "They could use this happy moment to turn it against, us we need to be very careful"