Keith removed his blood stained clothes once he got into the room. Lucas was leaning up against the wall with a look of anger on his face. The two shared eye contact with each other but no words were spoken. The tension in the room was extremely high as Keith continued to clean himself up. Once dressed, Keith began to make his way out to start the day with no sleep.
"You've gone too far Keith."
Keith stopped and closed the door so that no one else could hear the conversation that they were about to have.
"And what was I supposed to do. Just wait it out until something else happens?"
"You could have done things differently."
"Differently or not, I did what I did to protect the people I care about. All of the citizens even from what they were planning."
"They were family."
"No…they were never family. My family died years ago. They were just people who took me in until I can have a family of my own."
"Then what does that make me?"
"Look Lucas, none of this is going to change the fact that what I did happened. I had my reasons."
Lucas made his way towards Keith and placed a firm grip on Keith's shoulder.
"You are like a brother to me, you always have and you always will. I just want to be there for you. I'm concerned for your well-being."
Keith was silent at his words.
With a sigh Lucas continued, "And forgive you for everything. You did have your reasons, but as reckless as they may have been I'm just glad that you're safe and can return home to your family."
Keith stared into his eyes and was unable to comprehend the words he wanted to say. The two of them hugged for reassurance that they were in a better place in their lives now.
Keith and Lucas discussed what they were going to do now with their lives. Considering how they didn't have much of a reason to be within the First Squad anymore, they were debating on whether or not to resign. However, there was one thing that was brought up to both of them. Their concern for Lana was what was brought into the light. Her recklessness was on par with Keith's and they were afraid of what would happen to her once she was fully recovered. They understood the agreement that was made between the two of them and the Survey Corps, but they couldn't help but to think that something else was about to happen. They wanted Lana to be pulled out of whatever involvement she was in, but they knew that due to her stubbornness they wouldn't listen to her.
A plan was devised between the two of them. They knew that she was a fighter at this point in her life. She was willing to do anything for the cause she was fighting for and this even resulted in her near date with death. Lucas came up with the idea of having her be enlisted within the First Squad. This would enable her to be under their watchful eye, but allow her to gather some intel for her allies. However, the problem was their approach on the matter. Lana had the potential to be easily recognized by those who were at the site of the kidnapping mission. Another problem that stood in their way was the process in which Lana needed to go through in order to become a member.
"The only reason why I'm in the squad is because I got a recommendation from one of the current members, and you were joined because of that," Keith stated leaning back in a chair in the mess hall.
"So what if she had a recommendation letter."
"It can't be from us, we haven't exactly been here long enough to really have a say in much. I mean sure we were put on night division and developed a little bit of a reputation but that's about it."
"Then what if it was from someone who can't talk anymore," Lucas proclaimed leaning in and lowering his voice so that others couldn't hear.
Keith sat forward, "I'm listening."
"How good are your forging skills lately?"
"It's hard to say, it has been a while. Why, who would I be forging?"
"I'm thinking that if missy got a letter of recommendation from a certain Jack Adder, then maybe the entire infiltration process will go a lot smoother."
"Wait, forge a letter from Jack?" Keith sat back and thought about the idea. "I suppose I could do that, I'd have to study some of the documents he's written but I think it should be easy. But, we shouldn't have her go under her name."
"That's a no brainer. What if she went under a disguise, a full disguise, I'm not talking just changing her clothes or hair or something. I'm thinking we put in the recommendation for some random guy that could have been in Jack's squad."
"Put her in as a male soldier, I like that. I think I have a name that will work for her too, but wait what about the people who saw her. They know what she looks like, remember the transfer mission."
"Shit you're right. What are we going to do about that? A simple disguise won't do the trick."
Lucas say up straight and took in a deep breath. "How do you feel about getting some more blood on your hands?"
Keith was shocked by what Lucas was asking.
"What if there were more bodies found due to Nina's rampage."
"Are you serious about this?"
"Could also be at the hands of the Survey Corps. What the higher ups don't know won't hurt as long as luck is on your side."
"It is still early in the morning, I suppose I can make it work. There were only a few of them. Go see Felix and the others and tell them what is going on. I will take care of the problem. We'll meet back at Jack's office."
The two of them went their separate ways. Keith was more than ready to take the risk that he was willing to take. He had bloodied his hands more times in the last few months than he has in the last few years since being within the walls. At this point he didn't care as long as it was for the sake of his family and friends.
Keith and Lucas made their way into Jack's old office where they would pull out some of the old documents. Keith sat down at drew up a letter watching his movements so that they would reflect writing style of Jack. Through careful observation and slow movements Keith was able to complete a simple letter of recommendation that would be addressed to Kenny. The next point to their little mission was to address everything to Lana.
They approached Isaacs house to visit Lana dressed in their full gear and night guard attire. They could hear rustling inside the house moments before the door had opened. Isaac opened the door and was relieved to see the two of them standing there. He graciously let them in and confirmed that Lana was fully capable of moving around on her own. He called out for her as they entered the room she was being kept in. She pulled herself out of her hiding spot and limped towards the two of them. The sight of her was heartbreaking to Keith. The swelling on her face had gone down allowing her to see out of her bruised eye. A large stitched cut was promptly sitting across her face, but that wasn't it. Bandages, cuts, and bruises decorated her body as her smile shone bright. Even after everything she had gone through, she was happy to see her friends. However, their faces lit up at the site of her being ok. Keith was about to rush towards her to pull her into a hug but was stopped by Lucas fearing that he would hurt her.
"Are you alright?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah I'm fine. What are you guys doing here? How did you even know I was here?"
"We brought you here," Keith proclaimed. "We found you with Captain Levi and directed him here where we knew you would be taken care of well. Doc, I have to hand it to you, you really are good at what you do," Keith looked over to the older gentleman with a smile on his face.
Keith couldn't believe the impeccable timing that they had. Normally Isaac would be living within the capital. However, he was inclined to visit his home in Trost for the time being.
"Well, I mustn't take all of the credit. Lana's miraculous power was what truly saved her."
Keith turned back to Lana as she wore a questionable look on her face. She was vividly staring at them up and down. Keith was uncertain as to what was going through her head as she had begun to examine them. Keith caught on to what she was looking at. Considering how they were using different vertical maneuvering equipment and were no longer required swords, their current equipment would be deemed as a questionable one. Not to mention, they were not wearing their regular Military Police Brigade attire, but were wearing attire that they would wear on a normal day to day basis when off duty.
"We were promoted, sort of. More like reassigned really. But the Captain kind of gave us the duty of roaming around at night. So we decided to wear this since we had the option to. It was the best choice for us, but the others seem to like to call us the Shadow Hunters. Silly huh?"
Lana looked up at Keith and then back down to his legs where the dual swords would normally sit. She walked closer to them to get a better look at the gear.
"Where are your swords, I see you're wearing the maneuvering gear, but they should be connected to the hilts of a sword."
"That's what we thought to, until we were reassigned. It seems that the higher ups want to keep things very secretive around here. Very few people have access to these. We were lucky to be one of them." Keith remembered the blueprints that he saw when the idea of the device was first drawn.
She walked around both of them, closely examining every little detail. Her curiosity was something that Keith had always admired. Years ago in the circus, whenever she was hard at work and not digging her nose in a book, she was usually working on the equipment. She learned how to do repairs on minor things but it had become apparent that over the years her tinkering had become more. Her mindset was intelligent and she was willing to get her hands into anything to figure how it works and why it exists. That's what makes Lana into who she is. Keith could see the look in Lucas' eyes. He knew that he couldn't bare not to tell Lana the truth any longer. Sooner or later she was going to find out what they really are.
"We are part of the Military Police Brigade Interior Anti-Personnel Control Squad. We are ordered to kill Survey Corps soldiers if needed and apprehend any disturbances displayed by citizens of the likes," Lucas stated responding to Lana's curiosity.
"Mostly we are told to take down your friends," Keith proclaimed solemnly.
"What!" Lana said abruptly stepping back. She was horrified at what she was hearing. She didn't want to believe them, but the evidence was right in front of her face. "Then…then why didn't you kill any of my friends?"
"Because…any friend of yours is certainly a friend of ours," Lucas proclaimed.
"So…let's get down to why we are really here," Keith proclaimed.
Keith filled Lana in on everything that was going on. He told her about how they knew that Nicholas had been killed around the same time that Dimo Reeves and the Reeves Company had. Knowing that the Survey Corps was not at fault of the deaths of the Reeves Company, Keith deduced that Nicholas' death may have been at the hands of the Survey Corps. Lana confirmed that she was the one who had killed Nicholas in self-defence. She informed him of the entire conversation that had happened between the two of them. In the heat of the moment, Nicholas had tried to kill Lana in the name of love. Lana in the end protected herself by driving the blade that was directed at her into his chest.
In their moment of shock, Keith continued on about how they were brought to the squad. He explained that they were ordered to make an appearance. The captain of the squad had a record of the skillset that Keith had. He explained how they were tested in order to become members. Keith and Lucas lied to Lana about how long they were actually members of the squad, keeping it between the two of them that they were present at the time that the transfer of Eren and Historia had taken place.
As the two of them continued to fill Lana in on the events that had occurred, they both decided for the best to not inform her that Keith was the cause of the deaths of Jack and Nina. They informed her that Nina was the one who had killed Jack in spite of everything that had taken place. They received word that she was after Lana's power. By any means necessary, they were wanting to get it out of her. They informed her that there were documents that were stolen, research documents from the monarchy. They were going to use what they learned to power themselves from Lana's powers.
"She just wanted to use me?" Lana asked holding onto her tea cup.
"It appears so, but it seemed like she wanted the power herself. Her screams and yells almost sounded like she wanted to try and extract the power from you," Keith said unsure if she was buying what he was saying. However, in her eyes, it was almost as if she knew.
"Is that even possible?" Lana asked.
"I don't know, but it seemed like she was convinced."
"So how do you guys feel about all of this?" Lana asked looking up from the table.
Keith and Lucas looked at each other. Lucas was uncertain on what to say on anything. To him it was clear as day that they were in a mess. To Keith, things were only going to get better for them.
With a sigh Lucas replied, "We're hurt. Our family has fallen apart. Jack and Nicholas are dead."
"Felix and the others fled, we don't know where they are right now. They could be anywhere. I'm hoping they are at least in the Underground," Keith chimed in remembering trying to talk to them earlier that morning.
"So what do we do now," Lana said hanging her head low.
Keith looked over at Lucas who gave a slight nod, "Actually, we might have a plan for you."
Lucas reached into his jacket and pulled out the letter that Keith had forged. He unfolded it and placed it on the table sliding it towards her.
"We saw how much trouble your friends were in, but we don't exactly know the best way to help them. But you do. So Keith and I came up with an idea."
Keith watched her read the document and proclaimed, "I've gotten really good a forging over the years. I mean we probably wouldn't be where we are right now if I hadn't been able to skillfully draw up some documents."
Nathanial Weismann
Military Police Brigade
2nd Squad
This is a request to send an elite soldier to join the mission laid out by the Anti-Personnel Control Squad. Their exquisite talent and loyalty is proven to be a great asset to this squad. I wish to send this soldier to you in order to help the squad succeed in the capture and termination of the Survey Corps. They are highly skilled as a gunman and a well noted swordsman as well. Their speed and accuracy is proven to be excellent and they are gifted while in the air. Upon your permission please accept this soldier as a gift from the 2nd squad.
Sincerely,
Jack Adder
Squad Leader 2nd Division
"So, this is a document for a Nathanial that you drew up claiming that it's from Jack?" Lana asked.
"Not exactly. This document is about a request that I forged to look like a request from Jack in regards to an elite soldier going by the name of Nathanial," Keith responded trying to correct her.
Confused by Keith, Lana continued, "Isn't that what I just said?"
"What Keith is trying to say is that we want you to play the role of Nathanial," Lucas stated leaning in closely.
Shocked, Lana responded, "What?! No, there is no way I'm agreeing to this! How could I pull it off anyways they know what I look like."
"Actually…we found out which of the soldiers were present at the time of your capture," Keith said looking at Lucas, "Let's just say they were taken care of and aren't a problem anymore," he continued looking back at her. "Besides, with your new hairstyle and the proper clothes you can easily pull of as one of the guys no problem."
The plan was set into motion. It was planned for her to be before the squad that evening with the paper in hand. Lana borrowed clothes from Keith to play the part. She wore the cap that she had held onto from her friend Jean, and was suited up to look like a man. She wore a black vest and borrowed one of Keith's many buttoned shirts and black pants. To help prevent the risk of exposure the shirt was a little big on her and hid her curves very well. She wore a black handkerchief over her face concealing her mouth and nose but leaving the fresh scar promptly on her face.
When they approached the building, she was very nervous. Keith could see it in her eyes. She was about to walk right into the fire that was currently causing her friends grief. With wide eyes they walked into the room. Everyone was talking about the deaths that had taken place earlier that morning. Refusing to listen in on any of the conversations, Keith approached Kenny with a stern demeanor.
"Sir, I found this recruit and this letter addressed to you," Keith stated and handed the letter to Kenny. "This was among the many belongings of the late Jack Adder."
"I see, the same psycho who got himself killed by his even crazier step mother. How interesting. I decline."
Worried, Keith looked back at Lucas and Lana. He quickly looked back at Kenny sitting on the couch. "Sir, I greatly advise that you at least read the letter."
"FINE!" Kenny shouted snatching the letter from Keith's hands.
He opened it up and began to read what Keith had wrote. He eyed Lana as he read the letter. "So this is good ol' Nate huh?"
Lana responded with a nod as she glanced over to Keith. Kenny approached her and leaned very close to her face.
"We just had several of our men killed by the hands of the Survey Corps, do you really think you have what it takes to be a part of my squad…boy?"
Keith was concerned for her as the two made eye contact. However, it was at that moment that Keith realized what was going on. This was similar to what he and Lucas had gone through when joining the squad. He watched as Lana moved quickly and without further hesitation. She caused him to fall flat on the ground. In the process she grabbed a hold of his gun and pulled it out of its holster. With a quick instance, she fired a shot just missing Kenny's head. Everyone was on high alert as Kenny could do nothing but laugh. Through her serious eyes, Keith could see how relieved she was that the plan was working.
"Alright, you've proved yourself. Now hand the gun back and grab yourself a seat," he pulled himself off of the ground and grabbed Lana by the shoulder. Kenny pulled her close to the point where his mouth was by her ear, "Welcome to the squad Nathanial."
After an unsettling meeting to discuss the potential attack on the Survey Corps, the three made their way to the barracks. Lana had been to the Military Police Brigade barracks once before but never in the interior squad side. Lucas decided to turn himself in for the night leaving Keith and Lana by themselves. Keith had guided her to her temporary room. The room was empty with minimal furniture. There was a plain bed with one pillow and a blanket with an end table right next to it. A dresser was on the side of the wall by a window that had a mirror placed on top. At the far end of the room was a closet that was completely empty.
Keith sprawled on the bed leaving room for Lana beside him. She sat next to him and pulled down the bandana that had been covering her face all night.
"So…the plan is actually working so far," she said quietly in disbelief.
"Things will work out, I'm sure of it." Keith paused and stared at her. "You know sitting here reminds me of back in the day. How we used to sit together when we were kids."
She turned to him and gave him a small smile, "Yeah. You're right, although a lot of things have changed since those days."
"Yeah, no kidding. Oh did I mention that I'm married now."
Lana sharply stood up from the bed, "WHAT!"
"Yeah, and I have a son. His name is Sebastian."
"YOU'RE MARRIED AND HAVE A KID!" she screeched.
"Not so loud," he tried to shush her, "You don't want to ruin our entire plan!" He stood up from the bed. He reached down at the bag he had brought in and placed it on the bed. He pulled out a cloth and some water. "Things are much different," he continued as he turned to Lana and began unbuttoning her shirt. "Granted there were times where I thought that my future would end up in a different place but here I am now." He grabbed her by the shoulders and gently sat her down on the bed once her shirt was removed.
Her jaw remained dropped as she listened to Keith. "I've always wondered what could have happened if things had gone a different route. Don't get me wrong, I am completely happy with my life. But still, I've always wondered at what could have been," he continued pulling the bandages off of her to clean her wounds.
"I've always felt the same. I've wondered what my life would be like," she replied watching him gently wipe away excess fluids from her wounds as a small trickle of steam rose. "To be honest I've always wondered what life would have been like if I had just stayed with the circus. Stayed with you," she stated looking up at him as put more water on the cloth.
Keith understood exactly what she was talking about but didn't want to fully admit it due to the butterflies that were in his stomach. "What do you mean with me, what about Lucas and the others?"
"Come on Keith, don't play dumb with me. You're telling me that after all of these years you're going to tell me that there wasn't something there between us."
Keith quickly looked away and placed the cloth on the end table. He didn't say anything while reaching into his bag for new roll of bandages.
"Keith," Lana said quietly.
Keith closed his eyes and reflected on all of the times he had shared with her, all of the feelings that he had with her. The moments that he had cherished so much and kept him going. He opened his eyes and saw not the wounded woman that had been through hell and back, but the young girl who he laughed with in the tent late at night.
"I will admit it," he said slowly, "I did have very strong feelings for you. I was very envious when you were with Nicholas."
"That thing? There really wasn't much between us. Yes we've kissed before, but I couldn't share his feelings. Because…" she looked out the window across the room, "because I was afraid that my feelings weren't shared with you."
Keith grabbed her arm and began to re-bandage the wound. "It's funny after all of this time we are finally getting this off of our chest."
She looked back at him with a smile.
"Man I never even got a chance to tell you how I felt back when I really wanted to. Do you remember the time when we were throwing knives at the bear during the winter?" he said to her.
"Which time?"
"The first time you were working on throwing three at once."
She nodded with a small smile.
"I was so tempted to kiss you back then when I was fixing your posture. But I didn't, I chickened out and now I will never know what it would be like."
Keith cut the bandage off of her arm and began to rewrap the next wound. As he turned to work on her leg, she had grabbed a hold of his face. With wide eyes Keith's lips had met hers. He quickly pulled himself away and was shocked by her gesture.
"There, now you can say you know what it's like."
"I'm a married man!" he sternly said.
"Sorry, I was acting on impulse."
Keith realized what was going on. If that had happened to him ten years ago he would have been overjoyed. But things really had changed. There was nothing behind the kiss, nothing other than the reminder that he was married to Robin. He was reminded of his commitment and loyalty to his loving wife. Lana sat before him with an apologetic look on her face as he knew that she was just trying to make a joke.
"It's alright, but don't do that again."
The two of them continued to catch up with each other. Keith had learned of all of the friends Lana had made within the Survey Corps. He was happy for her and her new life. Things were going to be different. He wanted to be able to keep in touch with her, but he knew that was going to be much harder than he would like. What the future has in store for them is completely in the unknown. It was hard for him to even believe that she was going to make it out safe in the end.