Morning yall, and happy Sunday!

It is a lovely day here, and while I'm not quite sure what all I may do, you know – carpe diem and the like! Man, this story yall, I'll talk more about it at the bottom for those who actually like to read my thoughts (but no stress if you don't lol, I talk a lot!) but yall are seriously cracking me up with your comments because it's been a while since I had some true character to character conflict, and I forgot just how sassy yall are! I LIVE for it, and I hope that you continue to stick around to see our characters through some of the…not exactly fun interactions they are experiencing right now.

Anywho, thanks for everything yall!

…

...

"So, when's your Captain getting back?" Timmy asked, sitting out against the back of the house as he casually turned a page in his book, and from the middle of the yard, Petra made a few quick jabs forward with her fist, moving through a small conditioning routine that Levi had left behind for her. She was trying to stay focused, she really was, but Timmy's constant need for conversation was making it admittedly difficult, and she tried not to sigh.

She kept her face of determination, as though staring down an invisible target in front of her, and she gave a few more jabs as she spoke, "Soon." She leaned to one side and kicked outward, "He's got a specific number of hours that he's contracted to fill and I know he said that he should hit that number today. Considering he's been out there since dawn, I don't doubt that he's probably met that quota by now, so I'm guessing he'll be here within the hour. He promised that he'd make time for my training today, he swore it, and Captain doesn't break his promises. He'll be here."

Timmy looked up from his book with a concerned expression, raising a single blonde eyebrow as he spoke, "Wait, you're planning on training tonight? Didn't…your dad tell you?"

Petra paused, standing up from the ground more completely, and she looked toward her friend in confusion, "Uh, well, I don't know considering that's kind of vague. Did Dad say something to you that I should apparently know about?"

Timmy closed his book with a sigh and gave an amused nod, "Well yeah; that we're all going out to dinner tonight – I thought that's why you were getting your training out of the way sooner rather than later, you know, so you could have the night free. Maybe you weren't aware, but your dad's been working with me to furnish the new place, and he's got a few pieces that he wants to drop off tonight. I mean, sure it's good seeing you and everything Pet, but that's the real reason I'm here right now. I thought your old man could use a hand moving everything around and getting it all loaded up. He said that since we're all together anyway, we should just go out for dinner so no one has to worry about cooking and the dishes and all that."

Petra smiled at her friends knowing and smug stare, because perhaps some part of her had been thinking that Timmy had wandered his way onto their property just to say hi, and she gave a dramatic sigh, "You know Timmy, it hardly seems fair that my Dad remembers to tell you these things, and not me. I'm his daughter, remember that?"

Timmy gave a small chuckle, "Nah, you're just thinking about it too much is all. Kinda like your Captain pointed out, I've actually been out here a lot lately, even before you came back. Considering your Dad's the one that's been making all my cabinets and dressers - since, what, early spring now? - I'm here at least once or twice a week discussing ideas, pricing, delivery and set up – he's giving me a substantial discount and as you know, his work is high quality. It's been a good relationship thus far, and it's really taken the pressure out of being a first-time homeowner."

Petra looked toward her father's workshop and gave a small smile, "No, I didn't know that at all. That's usually something Dad would tell me about in his letters, but he hasn't written me for so long now that those day to day details are completely lost on me. Even still, Dad's pretty great, you know, when he's not fighting or pissed off with me. Which as of late…is pretty much never."

At Petra's disappointed sigh, Timmy's expression sobered in a similar fashion and he watched her purposefully, "I've been meaning to ask that myself Pet, now that your Captain isn't around I mean. Uh, sorry if it's not my place but…why did you do it, you know, get married out of the blue like that? With your dad, I know you're seeing the anger side of things from him but…" her friend paused as he looked across the yard with a faraway stare, "He really thought you were coming home; it's all he talked about for months. And whenever he got word that you got married or whatever, Pet…I know he tried to hide it from me, but he was a broken man. It really messed him up."

Petra frowned at her friend's words, feeling an onslaught of guilt because she had expected as much, and Timmy paused, "And Pet…don't tell him I said this, because I think it would only upset him, but part of the reason I made a point to be around so much was just because it was clear that he needed it. He needs the orders, needs the distractions – he's pretty well convinced that you're going to die in the Scouts any day, and after already losing his wife, I think it's just tearing him apart."

Again Timmy paused, moving up from the ground and taking a few steps toward Petra with that same concerned expression across his face, "I mean, some part of me knows the military has done you good Pet. You're so confident now, and so strong. I know that you've worked really hard to make a career out of it but…you've done your time, you know? What's so bad about coming back here, settling down and just enjoying your life a little? I mean, I know it's a small town, but it's home to both of us. Once your contract ends, if you and this guy aren't all that serious, couldn't you just move back home and start over? I'm worried for you, Pet. Everyone is. People still ask about you, and still talk about you in hopes that somehow you'll be able to walk out – while you've still got legs to walk out with."

A long silence passed between them, and Petra gave a low exhale, "You've always been such a grounded guy, Timmy; I admire that about you. Looking back, you always were able to talk me down or get me to think about something in a different light – a true friend in that regard - but…this just isn't one of those times. I don't want to fight with you, or anyone else about it, but for real. I'm happy in the military – so much so that I won't let you or anyone else try to talk me out of it. Now granted, if things change after my contract ends, then…"

Petra trailed off in sudden thought, and Timmy watched her with an expectant stare, "Then…?"

When Petra didn't respond, Timmy gave a sigh, "I mean, you'd have to come back home, right? At least that's what I'd assume. Where else could you go? If you aren't doing the military lifestyle, well, that Levi guy is pretty well cemented into his role, so it's not exactly like you could stay with him. I know that's a few years off so it's all just theoretical, but still. Just think about it because it'll be a reality sooner rather than later. The military can't last forever, and your dad, your hometown will still be here for you, and your life will keep pressing forward – but that guy…he can't slow down, for anyone Pet, and you know that."

Petra's voice was a mere whisper, "…I know."

Timmy gave a chuckle at her crest fallen expression and he stood up from the ground with a sigh, "Hey, I'm not trying to get you down or anything – you just…well, you gotta look out for number one a little bit more. Now, you said you're supposed to be training, right? Anything I can help you with?"

Petra blinked at his question, surprised when Timmy slipped off the vest he had been wearing and set it on a bundle of wood, undoing a single button of his dress shirt as he walked toward her with a sudden smile, "I won't try to pretend that I know what I'm doing, but with how serious you take all this, I'll admit I'm curious."

Petra tried to hold back a chuckle as her friend stood in front of her, holding up his fists and giving his shoulders a single roll in preparation, and Petra snorted at the sight, "Well first off, get your thumb out of your fist, you idiot. That's a quick way to break your bones."

As Petra reached toward him, preparing to uncoil his hand to correct him before he injured himself, Timmy gave a smirk and suddenly grabbed her wrist tightly, pulling her to one side in a fluid and practiced motion as he carefully pulled her arm behind her, not enough to actually hurt, and Petra's mouth dropped open in surprise, laughing outright because it seemed Timmy knew more than he had previously let on, "Oh-ho, looks like someone's got moves, Timmy! When did you learn how to fight?"

There was a pleased laugh from behind her, "College. The guys would drink and get pretty rowdy, start sparring and taking bets, and maybe I learned how to hold my own because it was a nice way to get some pocket money. Turns out no one wants to bet on the bookworm."

Petra nodded, admittedly impressed and she shifted her legs beneath her, "That was actually…not a bad move. But…" she bent to the ground, low enough that it put her friend's wrist in an uncomfortably tight angle, and with a single quick shuffle to the side, the man let her go with a hiss. Petra stood up proudly, crossing her arms and watching him smugly with a taunting leer as he rubbed his wrist with a pout, "You'll have to try harder than that if you want to pin me. You may have learned a trick or two in college, but I've been trained personally by Humanity's Strongest. You don't stand a chance."

Timmy merely grinned all the more and dared to jab a single fist toward her, to which she rolled her eyes and leaned to one side at the last moment. He chuckled at her fluid movement, "Oh I don't doubt it Pet, but still…indulge me. You make such a big deal out of your training; I just want to see if it's all it's cracked up to be. It'll help pass the time, you know, just until your Captain gets back."

Petra dodged again, and she couldn't fight the grin pulling at her lips, "Timmy, I'm trying to be serious right now. Levi is…Captain takes these things seriously, and so do I, so I need to get back to my routines or-" Again she had to dodge, and as Timmy continued moving around her, baiting her and attempting to grab or pull her, Petra gave a laugh, "Timmy, you punk! Just…let me train!"

The seriousness of her words had been minimized outright by her sudden giggles, because Timmy's stance, his determined expression as he continued swatting at her was just too much, and once she gave a hearty laugh, Timmy had lunged at her outright in attempts to seemingly…tackle her?

Petra had been admittedly surprised by his sudden approach, but only for a moment. She gave him a flat stare and merely stuck her foot out, laughing at once as Timmy rather ingloriously tripped and fell to the ground. As he fell however, he managed to grab her arm and pull her down with him, and Petra could only squeak in surprise as she was forcibly pulled to the ground in a heap.

Timmy had pressed her downward across the grass, gently and being mindful of her leg, and Petra had given a determined exhale and flipped them with the remaining momentum from the fall. In a flash of movement, she was resting out on his stomach with a hand at his throat. She stared down at him with a smug expression, because even if it had come far too easily, the sparring match had ended in her success, and she gave a haughty smirk as she gripped his neck intentionally, "And that's a point for me, Timmy. Normally I'd have a blade in hand, and that would be the end of that."

Timmy laughed from beneath her and merely gave an aloof shrug, "Well normally I wouldn't hold back so much, but you're injured, so I was hesitant to bring out my A game."

Petra leaned forward toward him, giving him a challenging smile as she released her hand and merely crossed her arms over her chest, "Yeah? Well normally I'd be a lot stronger too, but with the fact my ankle is still so finicky, I also had to hold back."

Suddenly there was a new voice, low and deep, sounding off from behind them and causing them both to jolt in surprise, "And normally I don't see you fucking around with your routines just because I'm not standing over your shoulder to forcibly babysit you and keep you on task. Normally, I see you acting with a bit more discipline, Petra. The fuck are you even doing right now? Sparring with an untrained civilian, when I intentionally left you material that I expected you to complete? You shitting me right now?"

Petra gasped in surprise, looking up from Timmy and seeing Levi standing a few feet away, pulling his horse by the reins as he prepared to put the horse back in the stable. His stare on her was one of wide eyes as he looked over her present position – sitting out on Timmy and laughing like an idiot – and her expression sobered outright.

Apparently, Levi had gotten back, and while she wasn't sure if it was the arguments that had happened over breakfast, if something had happened at the Garrison, or if he was legitimately that upset with her specifically, but it was obvious Levi was in a rather foul mood.

She shook her head and shot him an apologetic nod, "Uh sorry Captain, I uh-"

"It's my fault." Timmy shifted from beneath her, and Petra moved her leg off from around him. He pushed off the ground softly, pulling up Petra in the next moment and nodding toward Levi seriously, who's eyes narrowed all the more at the display as the blonde sighed and gently pulled a leaf out of her amber hair. Timmy looked back toward the shorter male with an equally serious expression and explained further, "She said she had to train, but I wouldn't let her. Sorry, I just…I know tensions are high, so I thought I might try to help lighten the mood."

Levi listened to the man's words, then shot Petra a long stare, speaking more to her than the irritating blonde, "Just see that it doesn't happen again. Let me put my horse away, and we'll get started. You, leave her alone." Levi addressed the blonde with a serious stare, and then his attention moved back to Petra, "And you. Back to your routines, now. I haven't had that much time to train you, and now that I'm here, you're just goofing off. If you want me to take this seriously, then you better show me how serious you are in return and not waste my time."

Petra's mouth fell open, and she gave a slight nod, "Uh, right. About training – I'm sorry Captain because I didn't even know this until just a moment ago, but apparently Dad made plans for everyone. We've got some stuff to deliver to Timmy's house, things my father made apparently, and then we're all going out for dinner. We're not really going to have time to train today. I'm…sorry."

Levi watched her for a long moment and gave a silent, seething nod as he walked away toward the stable without another word; his silence somehow being even worse than his previous correction, and Petra frowned outright as she watched him walk away.

Well…that hadn't gone well.

Seeing this exchange, Timmy gave a sigh and nudged her with his shoulder, "Hey, I'm sorry Pet. Didn't mean to get you in trouble."

She gave a weary shake of her head, still watching the Captain as he moved into the stable, "No, it's alright. He's a little touchy about training, and I knew that. I guess I should have been a bit more firm but, maybe some part of me wanted the fun, even knowing it might upset Captain. It's just…" she gave a sad smile and shrugged, "It's been a hard week so far, you know? The talks I'm having with Dad aren't going great, Levi meeting Dad isn't going that great; we've all been fighting nonstop, and I just…it's all a bit much."

She gave an exhausted sigh and shook her head, "Thanks though, for not making it worse I guess. You've been a bit of a pain, but even still, it's nice that at least one person isn't mad at me right now. It helps."

Timmy gave a light shrug and gave a quiet laugh, "It's nothing, Pet. You'll get through it, and it'll work out in the end. It really will, you'll see."

She gave an unconvinced, polite smile, because she knew he was right – logically speaking time would keep marching on and she'd eventually find herself heading back toward the military base – but in the moment, it certainly didn't feel like it. She was emotionally drained, physically exhausted and fatigued, because even though her exercises for rehabilitation were simple in nature, it caused her body to ache and protest because she was still weak and still healing in more ways than one.

The fact her father was upset with her was one thing, but the fact that Levi was gone for most of the day – he'd be awake for a mere twenty or so minutes, grab breakfast and a cup of coffee and he'd be at the Garrison all day before coming back for dinner – it made it so she was back home, practically alone from sunup to sundown.

When her dad came in for a lunch break, he'd talk, they'd argue, he'd find something to complain about – the coffee was too dark, she wasn't listening to him, she wasn't being grateful, she was too stubborn, her mother would have never done such a thing – and then she'd be alone again.

Now to make matters worse, Levi was unhappy with her too. She wasn't progressing that much – wasn't taking her training seriously enough – and apparently he felt that she was all but intentionally wasting his time. Something about his words had admittedly pricked her, because even though she knew full well it wasn't what he had meant, some part of her couldn't help but feel he was saying that she, personally, was a waste of his time.

When Levi walked back from the stable, Petra struggled to meet his gaze, and she rather looked into the ground nervously, falling silent because she simply didn't know what to say.

Not two minutes later, her father came out of his workshop, and there was a large smile on his face, seeing the group standing outside as though waiting for him, "Oh hey! Sorry didn't mean to keep everyone waiting, I was just getting everything moved to the front to be loaded up and-"

The man paused as he walked across the yard, his expression turning serious as his gaze fell onto Petra specifically, "Baby girl, is that what you're wearing? I would have thought that you'd be ready by now."

Petra looked down at herself, noting that she was perhaps a little on the unkempt side. Her hair was wild and frizzy from her previous training, she was wearing the Captain's clothes again because she had done their laundry and it was still drying, and - something she was certain only added to the Captain's bad mood - there were a few patches of dirt and grass stains that marked her from head to toe.

She gave a shrug, "Oh sorry Dad, I was out here training and-"

From her left, there was a scoff from Levi, "Yeah, sure you were."

From her right, her father groaned, "Really Princess? Training again? You know how I feel about this Baby. You are taking this whole thing way too seriously. You broke your ankle, you limp back into the house day after day, and now you're out here again when you should have been getting ready. Seriously Baby, just look at you! You're wearing men's clothes, you've got dirt on your face and your hair pulled back so tight like that – Petra, you look like a boy."

Petra's mouth fell open at her father's words, and he held up a hand in warning, "Not a word, Baby. I want you to get back to the house and get cleaned up, properly. We'll be out here loading up the wagon, and when you come back out, I expect you to look like the young lady I raised you to be, understand? I didn't raise a dirty faced mongrel, so you better not embarrass me by looking like it. Go get cleaned up."

Petra gave a single, obedient nod of her head, pressing her lips together as she turned back toward the house, "Right. Yes, sir…"

As her father watched Petra walk away, he shook his head and gave a low sigh, "That girl…" He turned back toward the workshop, still mumbling lowly to himself as he walked away. After witnessing the verbal beating she had just been given, Levi looked over his shoulder toward where Petra was retreating even now, admittedly concerned because…that had been a rather uncalled for speech by her asshat of a Dad.

Sure, she had been a mess, but…a very appealing mess. His very appealing mess. He had only just slightly seen her from the front of the house as he walked down the road; seen her arrogant smile and the pop to her coiled hips. She had been wearing his clothes again, she was flushed and panting from the exercise she had been trying to complete, and he found a certain anticipation building in his gut as he moved off his horse and walked around the house toward her. Yes, to her father's point she was so fucking undone, absolutely debauched from head to toe, and gods if he didn't love it.

He had wanted to press her up against the side of the house, tell her exactly what it did to him to see her with those wild green eyes and sweat slicked skin – whisper in her ear that she had probably ruined his clothes and so he wanted them back, right now, and he'd strip her down to her underwear because the closest house was some three miles away, so what did it even matter, right? They'd have a few hours until her Dad came back in for dinner, so even if it wasn't the most ideal of circumstances, gods he was willing to take things just as far as she'd let him. He'd kiss her neck and taste the salt on her skin, tell her she needed a shower and drag her into the bathroom and conveniently not leave once she turned the water on. He'd back her into the shower step for step and follow in behind her, hold a hand over her mouth so her Dad wouldn't get too suspicious and -

And then - then Levi had really seen her, laughing and straddling another man - her stupid, useless Timmy who was hanging around for Maria only knows what fucking reason - and that had been enough for his ideas to go up in smoke.

He had been angry, upset, jealous outright because like her father had once pointed out, the blonde seemed to have the uncanny ability to make her laugh. That was a skill he himself lacked, because while he seemed to have made Petra laugh at him more than once, he wasn't exactly known for his sense of humor and the fact she was just so damn familiar with the so-called friend, so quick to smile at him, quick to laugh at his jokes and quick to give him all her attention, admittedly made Levi more than a little on edge because he had never had to compete for her attention before – he always just got it, without ever even trying. Now here this long lost friend came out of nowhere, and he'd watch her eyes lite up every time because as much as the man infuriated him, it was clear that Petra was rather fond of him.

Somewhat lost in his thoughts, Levi almost jolted when her father called out from somewhere in the middle of the yard, "Tim, Ackerman – let's put those muscles to good use. I've got a cart around back and if we all work together, it shouldn't take that much time. Help an old man out, will ya?"

As though sensing Levi's sudden inner turmoil when he didn't immediately turn to help out her father, the blonde gave a low sigh and gave Levi a light, single pat on the shoulder, speaking softly as he did so, "You know man, I get that I don't know you all that well and I get that we're not gonna be best buds, but like it or not, I do know Petra. Sometimes…she just really needs a laugh. And this…this is one of those times. Ease up a little, because it's not my smile that she wants to see right now, and honestly…it's not her Dad's either. Maybe you should think about that the next time you get onto her for trying to relax during her vacation."

Levi gave the man an all-out glare, his voice low as he spoke in warning, "Fuck are you trying to say, Timmy? Spit it out."

The blonde rolled his eyes, "It's Timothy, and I'm saying that unlike you, Petra doesn't have an escape for when it gets rough, and your chipper little attitude hits her harder than you seem to think. Now come on, James doesn't ask for help all that often so you better not miss your chance and give him a hand."

Timmy was already walking away without another word, and Levi found his dislike for the man, miraculously growing all the more. Much to his sheer annoyance, Levi couldn't deny that the well dressed, arrogant fucker was...unfortunately right on all counts.

…

End of Chapter

...

Okay, so yet another difficult chapter with more struggles and arguments and ugly words. I really hope that this story has not crossed the line into something I never meant it to be regarding her father and what is and isn't acceptable regarding relationships. This arc, as yall have well figured out by now, is honestly the pinnacle of the major conflict of this story – facing her Dad after directly defying his wishes and while not intentionally rubbing it in his face that she won out in the end, still doing that very thing none the less. Considering her father seems to be the type of person that buys into the mentality that the end justifies the means, in this plot I can't help but see that these initial interactions will be rough and full of struggle as there is an ever waging power struggle between Petra and her father, Levi and James, as well as Levi and Petra, as Petra struggles with her guilt and Levi struggles with just…keeping his cool.

Like yall have stated many times, his frustration does NOT justify his words and actions, and as always, I love when you guys keep to your guns and allow yourself to be made perhaps…uncomfortable by the situation? It wasn't meant to be sunshine and rainbows, and eighty chapters of that would surely get old fast.

In addition, I want to clarify that this is not the last arc. I personally am /writing/ out the last arc right now, and yall know that I'm a good chunk of material ahead of yall. At this point, I'm thinking this story will be about 90 chapters in total. Give or take, but that is a pretty solid estimate considering I'm writing out the last puzzle pieces now.

Either way, we are getting there, one step at a time, and hopefully yall can somewhat trust me as an author in that I'm not going to drop the ball at the last moment. I got this, and I think yall will like the outcome :)