Fun fact: Sierra Wolf was created as a response to the poorly written tsundere mess that is Mikasa Ackerman. Also the kind of woman Levi desperately needs. Much as I liked Petra...their relationship was doomed from the start. :(

Anyway, damaged characters need to be done right or they come off flat and two-dimensional. While I like Mikasa as a fighter, that's pretty much the only time she's interesting. She's developed a serious case of obsessive clings to Eren over the course of the manga and it's just gotten out of control to the point I can barely tolerate looking at her face. I'd love Isayama to put Eren in a situation where Mikasa is forced to stand completely back and not interfere like she always does. Now, that'd be some character development.

Enjoy the chapter and don't forget to review! :)

When Sierra entered the spacious mess hall she found it half full buzzing with different conversations, mostly made up of Scouts, Guards and the ever-present unicorn insignia of the Military Police. It was busy enough that she could slip in without anyone noticing.

She found an unoccupied table that could easily seat six to eight people close to the entrance and sat down in a wooden chair closest to the door with its back to the wall. Ever since escaping the underground, Sierra made it a habit to pick spots that'd make sneaking up on her next to impossible and where she could see who entered and exited.

Draping her jacket over her chosen seat, she rose and joined the queue in line for food. As the soldiers in front shuffled to accept their portions she bit her lip to keep a smirk spreading. Leaving Levi in the dust was a rare feat, even though he was injured she still counted it as a small victory.

"Hey, did ya hear about the uproar in the city last night? Two titans were hashing it out in the street." A stocky man with a buzzed head three spots up and a small goatee wearing the unicorn of the MPs asked his friend, a lean specimen with wire-rim glasses and a thick mop of black hair who bore the same insignia on his tan jacket.

"Hah. Who hasn't." Running his long fingers through his hair the soldier snorted. "All I know is the Scouts barged in and made a huge mess. Like they always do."

"Yeah...but, there musta been a good reason-"

"Well whatever it is, I want no part of it. Seriously. I've got a wife and daughter who expect me to come home alive." Sierra fought the urge to curl her lip at the man's excuse not to fight.

The shorter man held out his tray as the ration of bread and soup was handed out. "True, but we gotta face reality. Whatever went down last night was huge. If a titan can appear in the middle of the Capitol itself then they can appear just about anywh-"

The server on duty cleared his throat. "Move along gentlemen. And please refrain from speaking about those...creatures." He shuddered as the pair exchanged knowing glances before walking off with their meals.

"Stop bein' a pansy. They're not going away just cause ya don't wanna talk about it."

Startled the young man's light hazel eyes snapped open only to be met with the coldest pair of arctic silver orbs he'd ever seen to date. One glance told him the short female standing there, waiting for her food, wasn't a lady to mess with.

"Um...name please?"

Her glare turned even frostier if that was possible.

"Major Sierra Wolf. Survey Corps."

The man's adam's apple bobbed as he recognized the name of the infamous Titan Ripper. Without another word he served her a generous officer's portion. Taking her tray with a curt nod she marched over to her seat, whispers trailing after her like smoke vapors, which she silenced with her legendary frozen glare.

Not three seconds after she returned her gaze to her seat. there was Levi sitting in the chair at the head of the table. No more than an arms length away.

"So ya took my advice on hopping, I see."

His eyes shifted to meet hers holding a steaming cup of black tea by its rim.

"Nope. More like I collared a random brat in the hallway."

She raised an eyebrow at his remark, dipping a freshly baked golden loaf into her soup. Why doesn't this surprise me.

"I take it yer not going on the next expedition then?"

He set the cup down on a saucer with a soft click. Expression distant.

"Not with this leg girl. That's what I meant earlier. Until I heal up, you'll be goin' nuts slicing necks."

He watched, fascinated as a wild gleam lit the younger woman's eye.

"Yes...yes...I need ta see blood on my blades..." Sierra's hands twitched of their own accord, a telltale sign that her bloodlust was waking up. "Been a while...since I've killed...don't feel right if l don't see titan blood..."

Humanity's strongest watched her crazed reaction behind the rim of his mug, hiding the beginnings of a smirk. See, this is why I can be myself around her. With Petra, he found himself changing into a complete stranger. She'd been remolding him from the inside out. But she's dead. He thought rolling his bunched shoulders. It was too good to be true. That kinda stuff doesn't last long in my world. On the other hand...I don't have to worry about holding back anymore.

"C'mon guys let's eat!" A young man's rough voice carried down the corridor outside the mess hall coming fast. "Hurry up or we'll get left with the scraps!"

"Settle down Eren. The food isn't gonna run away." Another teen's voice-this one clearly more high-strung and nervous-was clearly attempting to rein his friend in and then it hit Sierra as she took a drink of water. Heh, it's about time ya showed, titan boy.

She took a hearty bite out of the chowder-dipped bread when the three young people entered the mess hall. She paused, taking time to chew carefully so she could get a good look at the trio, and her eyes narrowed.

Well whaddya know. Asia, Eren and Erwin's girly clone.

Eren bounded through the door-Armin on his left and Mikasa guarding his back-intending to make a direct beeline for the canteen when Levi cleared his throat.

"Brats."

Immediately the Shiganshina trio snapped to attention at their superior's commanding tone. Fists tightly pressed over their hearts.

"Yes sir, Captain Levi?" Sierra bit back an amused smirk by catching the inside of her mouth with her teeth at Eren's super polite address noting the tightly wound stance and instantly focused teal eyes.

"This here's the Titan Ripper, Major Sierra Wolf. Should any of you get out of line, she is well within her rights as your superior officer to whoop yer collective asses." Cold grey eyes shifted from one face to the other giving Mikasa a warning glare before returning them to his tea. "As in carte blanche. Got that?"

Armin looked downright terrified swallowing before offering a shaky acknowledgement.

"Yes, s-sir. Understood."

Mikasa regarded the shorter woman with her usual detached stare. The instant she locked eyes with the Major she felt her body tense up with the rare urge to flee the room. She bit her lip, angry that this woman was able to trigger such an undignified state. One that she hadn't felt since Eren rescued her from the kidnappers cabin in the woods as a helpless little girl.

But Eren was a different story.

As soon as the phrase Titan Ripper left Levi's mouth his teal eyes took on that perverse shine only the truly unhinged possessed.

"How many Major? If ya don't mind me asking."

This time Sierra let a slightly crazed smirk curl her lip. I like this guy already. We talk the same language.

"205 solos and countin' kid."

Armin blinked, mouth falling open in stunned shock.

"T-Two-hundred and f-five?" He squeaked, sweat beading on his forehead. Note to self Arlert. Never, ever, EVER piss this lady off.

Eren gave the older woman one of his rare toothy smiles. Mikasa noted that out of the corner of her observant eye and immediately wanted to drag him off somewhere private. Those smiles were special as he only did that around her when they were alone. Suddenly she wished they'd never met the fiery-haired Major with the strange silver eyes. But that was her selfish nature talking. Eren had a hard enough time retaining the trust of his allies with his freakish shifting abilities, so if he made another friend she would support his decision as long as this woman didn't betray that trust.

"I didn't get that number being a team player," she said emphasizing the word team with a pointed stare at the raven-haired man seated at the head of the table.

"Oh my God. Ohmigod." Armin turned to see his best friend staring at the sanded floor, grinning like a maniac. "205 kills. All solos. Solos. Two-hundred and five kills she said...hehehehe...damn I need ta step my game up..."

"Eren let's get some food before they close." Mikasa seized her childhood friend's wrist and began dragging him toward the half-full line shuffling toward the canteen the brunette teen protesting the entire way.

"Oi! Leggo Mikasa! How many times do I hafta say it! I ain't some baby boy for God's sake-!"

Armin threw Sierra an apologetic smile.

"Sorry about that Major. It was a pleasure. Rest assured Eren's gonna enjoy working with you already. As will I."

She dismissed him with a flick of her head, watching as he crossed the room to join his friends. I can't quite put my finger on it, she mused, but there's something...off with that kid. I gotta feelin' he's gonna be scarier than Erwin at some point...

Without looking at the ex-thug taking in the spectacle with his usual bored air she started sniggering.

"So ya do realize," she drawled, amusement coloring her tone as she shot a sideways glance at her colleague. "That ya just gave me a license to maim at will."

He shrugged, shoulder muscles bunching with the action. "It's better if I lay the law down while they're all present. Besides, I hate repeating myself."

She let her eyes unfocus as she relaxed against the chair's slatted back. God, I love it when he acts like a bad ass boss. "Got that right."

The tranquil atmosphere was abruptly shattered when Evan Frei burst into the room out of breath and red-faced from running. Light brown eyes frantically swept over tables until they landed on the pair he desperately needed to see.

"Captain! Major! Terrible news!"

Immediately every soldier was on alert.

Sierra leaned forward, body tensed. "What's wrong kid?"

"Commander Erwin needs all able-bodied hands to the ramparts at once! Titans were spotted inside the walls less than twenty minutes ago!" Full-blown fear shone in his eyes. "Ma'am...Sir...Wall Rose...has been breached!"

In a flash, she was on her feet.

"You're sure?"

"The source's reliable Major. One of Captain Mike's runners spotted a herd of them!"

Cursing under her breath Sierra swept her jacket over her shoulders. If Freaky Mike was involved then the report was legit. His nose never lied.

"Wait, Major Sierra! I should go too!"

She shook her head at Eren's shouted request.

"No kid. Until we locate the breach itself, there's no way in hell yer goin' outside. It could be a trap and we can't afford ta lose you."

"She's right Eren. Listen to her. Please!" Armin begged, seizing his friend's shirt sleeve between his fingers. Mikasa stepped slightly in front of the reckless teen, ready to throw him against the wall if he continued to be stubborn.

Eren felt his protective instincts surge through his body, his need to defend humanity front and center. "But-"

"Jaeger, get your food, sit down and eat." Levi's cold voice cut off his charge's heated protest. "Let them do their job. They'll let us know if it's a false alarm."

Eren pressed his lips together then released a heavy sigh.

"All right, sir. I trust you." He turned sharply to face his new friend a protective gleam in his eye. "Please be careful out there."

She cocked her head, slightly taken aback at the fierceness in his tone but shook it off. Now wasn't the time to start getting sappy.

"No promises, titan boy. You should know by now anything can happen."

Eren furrowed his brows and cast his expressive teal eyes on the floor, biting his lip. Sierra watched him through hooded lids. It was clear the kid was distressed by her answer but he tightened his grip on his tray and walked it over to an empty table, cement in his steps. She watched Asia and Armin trail after him like shadows then turned to where Frei stood trembling.

"Let's go."

She strode past Levi's chair when his deep voice stopped her for a second or two.

"Sierra. Don't die."

Halfway out the door, she glanced over at the short man masking his concern with a command, her trauma-heightened senses overwhelmed by the sheer amount of intensity radiating from his compact frame. But instead of giving him false hope she gave him a pointed grunt.

Levi sat motionless in his chair, his stomach knotting up. Why aren't you talking back? Just tell me you're gonna-

Before he could complete his mental plea she was gone, running after the Frei kid to an uncertain fate.

Levi clenched the rim of his empty mug a little harder with his fingers. Fighting the instinctual urge to run after the young woman-bad leg or not-and crush her to his chest. Petra's death was still fresh on his mind and he couldn't stand it if someone else died right now. He wanted so badly to keep her safe but he knew she'd probably break his wrist or nose if he attempted such an action.

Although he wasn't a religious man by any means, Levi found himself praying to a God he never fully believed in to bring Sierra back alive.

TBC...