Following Levi into the corridor, I closed the door quietly behind us. Facing the wood for a brief moment, I gathered my thoughts.

Rescue Eren and Historia. Split the Special Ops. Get this…feeling out of the way. Face Levi and for Wall's sake, do not blush like some idiot!

I breathed in deeply, turned and raised an eyebrow at Levi, holding up my good hand. "Before you even start talking, have you cleared this with the Doc yet? If the Doc finds that I've sneaked out-"

"He's cleared it." Levi assured, a hint of annoyance in his tone. He leaned against the wall opposite me, crossing his arms.

I paused. "He has?"

"Nothing major has been broken and your stitches are well on their way to healing. We won't move out for a few more days and then it'll be a few more while we travel. By the time we start encountering some MPs, the Doc reckons you should be good for combat. As long as you don't overdo any movements until then."

I scoffed. "With the 3DMG? Impossible."

"Stop being so sarcastic, Rina. Back to more important plans, based on the information that Jack passed on, my team will head in that general direction. It seems that the only thing worth noting out there is Rod Reiss' old estate."

"Rod Reiss?"

Then a conversation that I had with Levi a while ago clicked in.

"Wait, Historia Reiss' relative?"

"Her father, to be exact."

I staggered back against the wall. "Her father?!"

Levi nodded grimly. "So whatever plan Reiss has up his sleeve, we need to make sure Historia and Eren are out of the way. Even in your slightly wounded state," he gave me a quick look over, "I would still prefer for you to come with us. However, I will leave the decision of whether any of your team come with us or not, to you."

I sighed. "I'll talk to the Spec Ops and I'll get back to you. I don't want to drag them into something if they're too wounded otherwise."

"Also, while I have you here, a few things have happened since you were out. Erwin has surrendered to the Military Police and is currently being framed for Reeves' murder."

I opened my mouth but thought better and shut it instead. If I got Levi to explain who the hell Reeves was, we'd never get to rescue the two cadets. I'd have to piece the missing parts as we went along.

"My suspicions is that he surrendered in order to protect the rest of us Corps scattered in these areas. In the meantime, Hanji will coordinate the remainder of the Scout Regiment until further notice."

"I really have got to stop getting knocked out," I murmured, "but thanks for the update."

Levi nodded in acknowledgement before hesitating. I caught it and paused in my turning back to the door.

"Is there something else you're not telling me?"

"No. Just about two days ago."

I opened my mouth in surprise and despite my best efforts, I'm sure a tint of pink dusted my cheeks. I guess he hadn't forgotten.

"Oh, uh, the…situation. On pause?" I questioned, arching an eyebrow. I'm sure the both of us would prefer to finish this business with Eren and Historia before we delved deeper into our…unique circumstances.

"Done."

With that, we parted our separate ways and I re-joined Linda, Hanji and Jack in the room. My heart and head felt a ton lighter once we had agreed to put the mushy incident on the back burner.

Hanji gave a wave of greeting.

"Has everything been sorted?" she questioned.

"Not quite yet. Any chance you can go get Sophie, Brian and Steve in here for me? I would myself but with these goddamn crutches, it won't be for another week." I sent yet another stink eye towards my wooden aids.

Hanji smirked but did what I asked. Jack came up and placed a hand on my shoulder in reassurance. He must have read my anxiousness.

"I'm guessing this is about rescuing Eren and Historia?"

I took a deep breath in, my mind still swirling with options. Fortunately, it wasn't long before the rest of my team joined us, immediately exchanging hugs and relieved greetings. As they moved around the room, I fondly watched them. I couldn't have asked for a better team and thanked whatever deity existed that we were all still alive.

"So boss, plans." Brian spoke up, snapping me back into reality. I blinked.

"Right. So Levi's team is heading off after Eren and Historia, based on the information that Jack, Linda and I retrieved. Linda will have to stay behind," I gestured to her, "and I am not willing to leave her here alone, in the case the MPs storm the building. Considering what we're riding into and how many people are going already, I'm taking Steve with me. Sophie and Brian, I need you to guard Linda, Jack and the Doc while we're gone. See if you can grab any more medical supplies so we don't die from lack of supplies when we get back."

My team saluted in agreement.

"Yes sir."

A few days passed, filled with packing, discussing, planning and in my case, healing. Soon, I was laughing giddily as I spun and pranced around the building.

"Oi, brat! Stop it with the stupid running! You'll open up your stitches! Tch."

I sent Levi a sweet smile over my shoulder.

"I'm finally healed up enough to not use the crutches, Levi! How can you expect me not to celebrate this victory?" I exclaimed, leaping to his side as he heaved his supplies onto his horse. He sent me a glare.

"Have you even finished packing?"

I sighed in defeat. I guess happiness wasn't that contagious.

Pursing my lips, I whistled sharply. Streak came trotting out from the water trough, all packed and ready to go. Turning, I gave Levi a smug smirk, at which he rolled his eyes. Deciding to ignore me now, he faced away and began barking out orders for his own squad. I shrugged to myself and reached up to pat Streak reassuringly on the neck.

"It's been a while but how do you feel about riding into danger again, buddy?"

Streak blew air out of his nose and butted my head. I winced and stepped away.

"I feel the same way."

"Have you lost your touch with horses now, have you?" Steve teased as he approached, already on his horse. I shot him an annoyed look before heaving myself on top of Streak.

"I haven't lost anything, thank you very much."

"Wow, maybe you lost your sense of humour instead."

I now gave him a dead-panned look. "I was being sarcastic, Steve."

"Let's roll out." Levi's deep voice instantly caught my attention and I glanced around to see that everyone was now good to go. Levi's squad had been split up between their own individual horses and two carts, carrying a variety of supplies and tools. Hanji moved up to join us at the front.

"I'll be meeting up with Erwin but if the Reiss estate is anything to go by, I'll meet you there later."

Levi, Hanji and I swapped nods before the Corporal signaled for us to move. Following his lead, the rescue mission for Eren and Historia was now underway.