Author's note: If you haven't gone back to Chapter 10, I had to retcon some stuff due to an oversight. It's towards the end after Raleigh finishes the phone call.

Forged in Fire, Chapter 12

Hong Kong Shatterdome

Gipsy Danger repair bay

May 12, 2025

1600

Raleigh swore fluently in several languages as he realized that the loop of wire was badly misshapen. I can't seem to get this right. Maybe I need to rethink my approach. What other materials could I choose from? He rummaged through the drawers of supplies and tools. Wait a second, what's this? Raleigh picked up the item and walked over to the workbench. He put it down gently and pulled up a chair. Looks like it's the right size, but I'll need some way to be sure…

"Whatcha workin' on, Beckett boy?"

Raleigh jumped. "Jesus, Tendo. You scared me." He looked at the Chief Technician. "I'm working on a secret project to surprise Mako with."

Tendo looked at the mystery object. "Uh-huh. I've seen your handiwork. That's not yours."

"You're right. I just found it in one of the toolboxes." The Ranger looked back at the little object. "It looks like it's a good fit for my project… but I need some way to be sure it's the right size."

Tendo leaned in closer. "I hope you're not planning on actually using that in your project."

"No, but I can sure use it as a reference for some of the tools I'll need to make for the project."

"Ah. I see some of Mako's mechanical aptitude has rubbed off."

"Yeah, and I'm going to need every bit of it to make this work." Raleigh looked back up at Tendo. "And I'm going to need your help."

"Whoa, no. If Mako finds out I'm involved in even the slightest manner, she'll pressure me for details. And you know how well I hold up under duress from her."

Raleigh laughed as he remembered Mako's hunt for clues about her upcoming birthday surprise. Poor Tendo was cornered for half an hour before I rescued him. "No worries. I just need you to borrow something real quick."

"What do you want me to borrow?"

Raleigh leaned over to whisper in Tendo's ear.

Tendo grinned. "I think I can do that. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Thanks."

1730

Mako walked into the hangar. It's quiet… So he's not forging something right now. Let's go take a look. "Raleigh?"

Her voice echoing in the cavernous space of the hangar was her only reply.

Mako walked into the workspace. She checked a particular drawer. It hasn't moved. Good. She closed the drawer. What was he working on?

Raleigh popped out of a nearby empty garbage can. "BOO!"

"YAAAAAIIIII!" Mako seemed to levitate about a foot in the air as she looked for Raleigh, terror clearly evident on her face.

Raleigh began to laugh so hard that he fell over, gasping for breath.

"Omoshirokunai, Raleigh!" Not funny, Raleigh!

"Your face… Oh, that was priceless…"

Mako walked over to him, hands planted firmly on her hips. "I will have to get you back for this, you know."

Raleigh rolled so he could see her. "Oh, I'm counting on it." He kicked the trashcan away. "So, about dinner…"

Mako looked at him, waiting.

"How about we go out on the town tonight?"

"I… No, I'm not comfortable with it right now. We're still fresh in people's minds… and there's a significant Church of the Breach presence in town. We'd be spotted instantly."

"Point. Okay, how about a picnic atop the Shatterdome?"

"That sounds like a plan. I'll get the food if you'll get the blanket."

Raleigh stood up. "I'll meet you at the stairs in… 20 minutes?"

"I'll be there."

1800

Mako and Raleigh sat atop the Shatterdome, enjoying the relatively clear skies and fresh air. Off to their left, on Stonecutter's Island, they could see Leatherback's skeleton, now missing a few ribs due to the demolition. They looked at it, remembering the fight.

"Mako… why do you want to go back to Tokyo?"

She looked at Raleigh. "Closure."

He nodded. I know that feeling. We'll both get it soon.

They ate silently for a while, simply enjoying the company of the other.

After they finished eating Raleigh spoke. "Mako, I have something for you…"

"Oh?"

Raleigh smiled as he pulled a bomber jacket from his duffle bag. "Yancy would have wanted you to have it."

Mako took it from Raleigh and held it up. The Gipsy Danger crest was splashed across the back. Four kill markings were printed on the right breast, and the nose art from Gipsy was on the left. Mako's name was now in place of Yancy's on the name tag. "Raleigh…"

"Try it on. It's probably going to be a little big on you."

Mako slipped into it. It was indeed too large, but she wouldn't have it any other way. "It's perfect." She reached over and hugged him. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome, Mako."

She let go of Raleigh. "I've caught bits and pieces of Yancy through the Drift…"

Raleigh reached into the duffle and pulled out a bundle of pictures, a grin on his face. "I come prepared."

Joy lit up Mako's face. "I thought you were going to throw those away when I first saw them off the wall!"

"Nah. I was going to box them up and store them, but with Jazmine and me back in contact, I decided I would make a photo album from them to give to her. But before I do, I wanted to let you get to know Yancy." He looked at her. "He would have liked you."

Mako smiled.

Raleigh pulled out a photo. "Ah, Budapest. Yancy and I …"

Airspace above Tokyo, Japan

May 14, 2025

1545 JST

Mako stirred as the engine pitch changed. We're descending. She looked out the window as the Boeing 777-300ER began its descent into the airport. Raleigh held her hand gently as he continued to sleep.

Mako had always loved to watch the wings of airliners during the climb and descent. There's so many mechanical systems operating in harmony. The flaps, the engines, the gear, the spoilers and thrust reversers… I love it. It all has to work together to take 250 tons of metal, composites, and passengers from zero speed and altitude to cruise and back. As Mako thought about this, the plane banked and began to lower its massive flaps, slowing the plane from its headlong rush through the air to a more sedate speed suitable for landing. Gradually, other systems came into play as they slowed further and descended towards the runway. It's a symphony of machinery, conducted by the pilots… Much like a Jaeger.

Raleigh awoke to the whine of hydraulics shoving the landing gear into the airstream. We're here. He looked at Mako, and smiled at her fixation on the wing. I love that look. She's so happy around machines. He looked across the aisles at a passenger in the middle seats who was clearly terrified. Others, not so much. His attention returned to Mako as she closed her eyes, waiting for somethi-

The tires chirped gently onto the pavement of the runway, and the plane settled back to earth.

Mako's eyes flew open, a childlike glee visible in them as she looked at Raleigh. "We're here! I'm finally…" Her face fell. "I was going to say 'home,' but… I don't know what home means to me anymore."

Raleigh held Mako's right hand in both of his. "For me, it's wherever you are." He smiled.

They were still holding hands as they retrieved their luggage, walked out of the airport, and hailed a cab.

Low-cost hotel near Tokyo Boneslum

1700 JST

Mako and Raleigh walked into the lobby of the small hotel, setting off a small bell. The host came to greet them.

Mako and Raleigh both bowed to the host, and Mako started the conversation. "Kon'nichiwa, watashitachi wa 2 no tame no heya o sagashiteimasu. Futatsu no betsubetsu no beddo." Hello, we're looking for a room for two. Two separate beds.

The host paused for a moment before replying. "Sumimasen ga, watashitachiha ima, riyō kanōna shingurubeddorūmu ga arimasu. Sore wa ukeire rareru ka dō ka?" I'm sorry, but we only have single bed rooms available right now. Is that acceptable?

Mako and Raleigh looked at each other and shrugged. Mako turned to the host. "Hai, soreha kyoyō sa reru." Yes, it is acceptable.

"Yūshū. Watashi ni shitagatte kudasai." Excellent. Please follow me. He grabbed a pair of electronic keycards and handed them to the Rangers, then headed down the hall to the elevator. He hit the button for the seventh floor, and they stepped in. "Anata wa dono kurai taizai shite iru?" How long are you staying?

"Ni-paku." Two nights.

The host looked at Raleigh. "Come to see Kaiju Festival with girlfriend, yes?"

Raleigh stared the little man in the eye. "Kanojo wa watashi no yoki yūjindashi, watashi wa kanojo o sapōto suru tame ni koko ni iru. Kanojo wa kōgeki de kanojo no kazoku o ushinatta." She's my good friend, and I'm here to support her. She lost her family in the attack.

The host bowed deeply in embarrassment. "Gomen'nasai. Anata wa eigo matawa nihongo o konomudeshou ka?" My apologies. Would you prefer English or Japanese?

Mako glared at Raleigh, remembering how she felt when Raleigh had pulled that trick on her. "English is fine."

"Good."

Ding!

They left the elevator and headed down the hallway. They reached the door, and the host opened it for them. Mako walked in first, with Raleigh close behind. The host bowed and left. The Rangers surveyed the room. A single king-sized bed, two alarm clocks, and a bathroom. Raleigh looked at Mako. "Cozy."

Mako flopped out on her side, the same side she had been on with Gispy. "Isn't it odd how we keep taking the same sides we had been on in Gipsy Danger?"

Raleigh looked around. "You can have the bed, of you want. I'll grab some spare blankets from downstairs and make a spot for myself on the flooOOF! Mako, leggo."

Mako dragged Raleigh onto the bed, then rolled him over and sat on his legs. "Mr. Beckett, you are going to be sharing the bed tonight. I insist."

"And I insist on letting you have the bed."

"I appreciate the gesture, Raleigh. That willingness to let me have the bed to myself is proof enough that you won't want to do anything other than sleep in it. It means a lot to me."

"You're my friend, Mako. You're not someone I would sleep with lightly. We've got a good thing going, and I don't want to ruin it by thinking between my legs."

Mako leaned forward and kissed Raleigh on the forehead. "Thank you." She climbed off Raleigh. "Want to go get some dinner?"

Raleigh didn't have a chance to respond before his stomach rumbled. "Does that count as an answer?"

Mako laughed, and they both walked out of the hotel room hand in hand.

Mako and Raleigh's hotel room

2145 JST

The two Rangers sat on the bed, watching the news coverage of the upcoming Kaiju festival. Raleigh looked at Mako. "Newt would be in heaven there."

Mako nodded, causing her blue highlights to swing out into the light.

"Mako, ever since we met, I've always wondered about your hair. Why the blue tips?"

She sighed and laid back against the pillows, playing with the dyed hair. "It's been a reminder of Onibaba's attack. The blue Kaiju blood, Coyote Tango's blue Conn Pod window, the blue dress I was wearing…" She trailed off, lost in the memories.

Raleigh wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him, still playing with her hair.

"I've been thinking about getting rid of it, though. What do you think?"

"Mako, you could have a full head of electric blue hair, and I wouldn't care." He put his hand over her heart, then touched her head. "It's what's in here, and here, that I love so dearly, and that I was willing to give my life for. Still am, as a matter of fact."

"That's sweet, Raleigh." She scooted over onto Raleigh's lap, then dragged his arms around her.

"So, what's the plan for tomorrow?"

"I want to head out to where I rode out the attack."

"Sounds like a plan. What time do you want to leave?"

"Whenever we're ready." She rolled over to look Raleigh in the eyes. "Thank you for coming, Raleigh. It means a lot to me."

"You're welcome, Ma-mmmphh"

Mako kissed him.