Hey there, lovely people! Here's the next chapter. Wow, So I checked the word count and this is the longest one yet. I hope you guys don't mind that. Also with this chapter you'll notice the slight shift in focus in terms of main characters. I don't want to say anything just yet. You guys are smart, maybe you'll figure it out. Enjoy!


Although Ina seems to be getting more comfortable with her surroundings, there are still some things that can't change so quickly. No matter how well she feels during the day, whenever she closes her eyes, she sees the face of a soldier trying to hurt her again. Night after night she finds herself hiding under her bed in the infirmary, crying while also trying not to make a sound. But night after night, big brother is there. He brings the light with him and reminds Ina that the monsters are all gone. He stays under the bed with her even though she knows it makes him uncomfortable. He holds her and talks to her about the ocean, or reminds her of the nice day she had. Ina has never been more thankful for big brother.

"Do you think they're becoming too attached?" Hange asks Levi as she watches Ina take Armin's hand from across the room during breakfast.

"Who?" Levi inquires.

"Armin and Ina. I went to wake them and I found them cuddled up under the bed again. I guess I don't know why that's happening, but it had me thinking that Armin might be getting too close."

"Are you suggesting Arlert has an agenda?"

"I don't know, Levi. We all trust him, he's intelligent, kind, and very understanding, but… I just don't know." Hange isn't sure why she feels so uneasy. "Maybe I'm wrong. I mean it could be nothing. I just feel the need to be overprotective. I don't want her to get hurt." She confesses. The sheer concentration and concern she exhibits is enough to make Levi pay more attention.

Levi knows that Armin's intentions are pure. He can tell by the look in the teenagers eyes whenever he is with the young girl. Ill intent can be spotted a mile away, especially if it's the only thing you ever saw for the better part of your life. Still, Levi would be a liar if he said his gut was always right. He's been wrong before. While he doubts Armin has any wishes to harm Ina, he can't help but understand Hange's concern. He, too, wants to protect her. She's seen enough horrors for one lifetime. Levi has it in his power to keep her safe and healthy, so that's what he'll do.

"I'll speak with him. Watch her until lunch." He finishes his tea.

Hange just nods, that uneasy expression still lingering on her face.

"Stop worrying."

"Just… go easy on him."

"What the fuck is easy? Do you want the truth or not?"

Hange sighs in defeat. "The truth. Definitely the truth."

"That's what I thought. Go easy…" Levi rolls his eyes.

When it's time for her tea, she joins the captain at his table. Most everyone has left by this time and only Hange, Levi, and Ina remain.

Ina wishes to return to big brother. She feels so uneasy when he is not with her. She's come to rely on him whenever she gets that bad feeling in her chest. He is always able to say something that calms her down. Something that makes her feel safe. Ina never wants that feeling to disappear.

Her wishes are ignored and all but destroyed when Hange speaks.

"Armin has training and he needs to focus. You'll be with me today."

"But-" Ina stops herself. Don't protest, you might get in trouble. She nods her understanding. "Okay."

Neither soldier is blind to her discomfort.

"You'll see him again at lunch." Hange tries to reassure her.

Ina just nods again. Don't cry. The captain does not like tears. Don't upset him. You belong to him now, don't mess this up.

"Okay." She feels a horrible pressure building up in her chest. It's that bad feeling that big brother makes go away. It won't go away without him here. Ina folds her arms and drops her head. She's yelling at herself to just make it all stop. Make the pain stop. She has to try.

"May I use the bathroom?" She mumbles just loud enough for Levi to hear.

"Let's go." Levi pushes his cup back ignoring the look of confusion on Hange's face.

"Oh… No that's… Never mind." Ina just takes another sip of tea. It calms her nerves only just enough that she doesn't feel so on edge.

"Ina, come with me." Levi stands.

"Yes." Ina climbs down from the bench and stands at attention, almost like she's awaiting orders.

"Let's go." Levi starts walking and Ina follows diligently behind him.

Levi stops abruptly in an empty hallway and kneels in front of Ina. As soon as she notices his eyes on her she tries to look anywhere but at him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Ina responds automatically. She continues looking down to avoid his piercing gaze.

"Ina, what's bothering you?"

"Nothing, sir."

"I told you, it's Levi. Not Captain, and definitely not 'sir'."

"Yes, Levi." She looks up at him again. "I… I'm fine. Honest. I don't want to cause any trouble for you."

Levi sighs. "You're not causing trouble. But I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."

"I will." Ina nods slowly. "Sorry."

"No more apologies. Don't be afraid to speak your mind."

"Okay."

"So tell me, what's going on?"

"Can I… Go with big brother?"

"Not while he's in training. Hange will be looking after you until lunch. Ina, why are you crying."

"I'm sorry. I'm trying to stop." Ina tries to back away only to run into the wall behind her. She wipes her tears and tries so very hard to breathe.

"Ina," Levi slowly reaches out to touch her shoulder, but regrets it when she flinches and shuts her eyes, turning her head in expectancy of a slap to her face. Just like Krista said she would.

"I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe here." He whispers. "It's alright."

"Big brother makes me feel safe. Bad feelings go away." Ina admits.

"Do you feel safe with me?"

Just as he expected. She says nothing.

"Ina, do you think I would hurt you?" Just saying it out loud makes his skin crawl. Makes him feel disgusted with himself for no real reason.

"I'm trying." She can barely lift her head. "I know… I know you're the good soldiers." Her voice trembles.

"Don't force it." Levi can't help the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He wants her to trust him, but he knows better than anyone that trust has to be earned. She has every right to keep him at arm's length.

"Don't do anything you're not comfortable with."

"I… Um… Thank you." Ina nods.

He sighs again. "Armin isn't going anywhere. He just has other responsibilities." When Levi brushes stray hairs from Ina's face, she doesn't flinch. "I know how you feel, Ina. I know that it's frightening to be alone in a strange place. But you have to realize that you aren't alone. Yes, you have Armin, but you must remember that the rest of us are also here to help you. Myself included."

Now both his hands rest on her shoulders and he can feel Ina beginning to relax. She's never heard anyone speak with such a sense of honesty. Ina owes a lot to Captain Levi. She hasn't forgotten that he saved her life That he promised to protect her and that he's very patient with her despite her erratic behavior. She realizes the captain has done nothing but go out of his way to help her, but she's still shrinking away from him. Ina hasn't even given him a chance

"I'm sorry, Levi. I… I don't mean… I'm not- not trying..." Ina doesn't know how to make her thoughts into words. There is so much she wishes to tell him. Ever since she talked to him that morning, her trust in Levi has surpassed even how much she trusts Armin. And to Ina that is saying something. Big brother makes her feel safe in the moment. Levi gives Ina a sense of security, and that's a feeling she's never had before. Why, then, does she shrink away every time he so much as turns in her direction? She doesn't know and she can't explain it. It doesn't feel fair, but it's almost like she has no control over any of this. Her body reacts before her mind can catch up and before she can even think about what's happening.

Levi just shakes his head. "It's fine, Ina. No one here expects anything of you. That wouldn't be fair to you. Just do what feels right."

Levi can't for the life of him understand why he's putting so much energy into looking after this kid. Can't understand why he cares what she thinks of him. So what if she's afraid of him? Half the world is afraid of him. That doesn't stop him from doing his job. Doesn't stop him from being damn good at his job. All of that is what Levi tells himself every time he looks at Ina. It doesn't matter if she's afraid. But for some reason, Levi knows that's a lie. It does matter to him. He doesn't want it to. He wishes it didn't. He wishes that he wasn't constantly thinking about her. Wishes that he could close his eyes at night without double checking to make sure she was comfortable and okay. But he can't. Levi always finds himself talking with Hange to make sure that the physical therapy went well and that Ina has no pain. He tried going to bed once without checking on her. Tossed and turned all night.

What the hell is this kid doing to him?

"It's going to be alright." Levi reassures her once more.

Ina nods, her eyes not leaving his face.

"When Armin has completed his tasks, you can spend the rest of the day with him and the 104th."

Ina's face lights up at the prospect. "Really?"

"Yes." Goddammit she's adorable. He doesn't even realize he's smiling until it's too late.

"Are you ready to head back now?"

Ina shakes her head, slightly embarrassed. "I really do have to use the bathroom." She smiles sheepishly.

"It's right over here."


"Sit." Levi orders.

"Thank you, sir." Armin tries not to sound intimidated. He's never been in Levi's office. Eren left this place with a black eye last time he was here. While Eren probably had it coming because of his big mouth, Armin can't help but feel slightly apprehensive. He doesn't heal like his Titan friend.

Levi says nothing at first. In fact, he barely acknowledges Armin. He sits at his desk writing in what looks like some kind of journal.

"Uh… Sir?"

"Brat?" Levi still doesn't look up from whatever he's writing.

"Can I ask why you've called me here?"

"No."

Silence resumes. It's loud as ever in Armin's anxious ears.

"About the kid."

"Yes, sir?" Armin has calculated the many ways this conversation could go. Let's see which route the captain takes.

"Originally, I had planned to ask these questions in a different setting." Levi starts. "But after speaking with her, I realize that's probably not necessary." His attention is focused more on his pen than on Armin.

"Sir?"

"You're spending a lot of time with the smaller brat."

"It's only because she asked-" Levi stops Armin right there.

"Doesn't really matter what she asks, now does it?" He says quickly.

"Sir, are you insinuating that I would try to hurt this girl?"

Levi's silence is all the answer he needs. Armin sits back, baffled and somewhat insulted. "You think I'd to to her what those MPs did?"

Again, Levi's only response is a glance in Armin's direction. That is exactly what he's asking.

"Captain?!" Armin did not mean to raise his voice.

"You want to know why we keep ending up under the bed?" Armin's question almost sounds like a challenge. It's intriguing. Levi just lets Armin answer his clearly rhetorical question.

"She keeps dreaming about these MPs doing who knows what to her. It takes me nearly half an hour to convince she's no longer with those psychos on a good day. Some nights have been far worse." Armin takes a breath. He hates bringing this up. It's no ones business but ina's. She's embarrassed enough.

"Ina begged me not to let them take her again, that she couldn't do it anymore- whatever 'it' was. She was lying in a pool of her own sweat, while all the pain from her past tortured her. She wouldn't even come out from under the bed after she realized it was just me in the room and not those sick bastards." Armin shudders just thinking about the many things someone could have done to make Ina so afraid. Just recalling seeing the pain she was in makes Armin feel so helpless.

"Why… Why on earth would I want to make her feel that way?!"

The Captain just looks at him. The silence is driving Armin crazy.

"You want to know why I haven't left her side?"

"Seems you're going to tell me anyway."

"Hell yeah I'm going to tell you. After being asked such an insulting question I think I deserve to be heard."

"Is that so?"

"How can you- just-" Armin groans loudly, not even showing the full extent of his frustration. He never realized how infuriating the captain could be sometimes. But he probably just feels a little more on edge because he's already upset.

"I'll have you know, Captain," the formal title is spoken with the most sincere form of sarcasm, "that I spent the majority of my childhood under the boots of my enemies. I would pick myself up day after day only to be pushed- shoved into the ground whenever it suited them."

Levi is finally paying full attention to Armin. He says nothing, only because he knows Armin is far from finished.

"I understand why you're asking this." Armin continues. "Really I do, but forgive me, are you fucking kidding?!" His blue eyes are wide with irritation and disbelief. He leans back and moves his hair from his eyes with a heavy sigh. Levi's only response is a smirk. The first rise he's seen in Arlert. Proof that the brat possesses the same fire that kept Levi alive his entire life.

"Captain I'd sooner start a fight with you that I know I'd lose than do anything to hurt a small child, much less Ina." Armin feels his hands shaking with a wild torrent of emotions.

"I'm not like you, sir, I'm not strong. People don't look at me with fear of what I could do. I'm weak, and I know that. Kids like Ina and me had no choice but to depend on others because we could not protect ourselves. In her case, she had no one." Armin informs. "I know it doesn't matter much to you, but I'm to Ina who Eren and Mikasa have always been to me. Without them, I would be nothing. I'd be dead and not a damn person would care. I certainly wouldn't be sitting here having this bullshit conversation if that were the case."

Levi raises an eyebrow at the last comment.

"Forgive me for speaking freely, sir. I apologize for mouthing off." Armin isn't really sure if he means that. At least not right now.

"By all means, brat, continue."

"I have grown attached to her. I know little time has passed but I care about her. Like I said, captain, I understand why you asked. It makes sense. What does some brat in the survey corps have to gain from letting a little kid trail after him?"

"What do you have to gain, Armin?"

He's caught off guard by the question.

"Well, sir." Levi notices Armin attempt to swallow his nerves.

"It's not about what I have to gain, and it never has been. It's about her. I want that look in her eyes to go away. I want her to know the good side of humanity. My friends helped me to do that and more. With them, I felt safe, important… And like I was worth something. Worth more than the mud those kids used to throw at me, more than the dirty alleyways in Shiganshina where so much of my blood has been spilt. Ina has that chance, sir, and it means everything to me that I'm the one giving it to her. So yes, I'm willing to be there when she needs me. I'll sleep on the floor if she doesn't feel safe in her bed, I'll talk her through the panic attacks, I'll do her physical therapy, whatever it takes, sir." His heart is pounding. Armin never imagined he'd be bold enough to share this much with the Levi. He never imagined the Captain would care.

"Eren and Mikasa never gave up on me. Even when I told them to forget about me, they stuck by my side. Ina needs just that, sir. She needs to know there are good guys. People that won't give up on her. We can be those good guys." Finally his heart starts to slow. Armin feels himself sweating. Wow, he got pretty worked up just now.

"You were right, captain. It's not all about what she wants. I want to do this. I could have taken one look at those eyes and ran away from the whole thing, but I didn't. I'm naive like that, sir. I believed I could help her and that's what I'm attempting to do so long as she needs it."

Levi doesn't take his sharp eyes off of Armin for even a second. The younger scout waits… What for, he isn't sure yet.

"It's not naive to have faith in someone." Levi comments quietly. "Don't let anyone make you think for a second that you've made a foolish choice." He orders. "Your friends didn't second guess themselves, nor should you."

"Yes, sir. I'm seeing this through to the end."

More silence.

"I wasn't born strong, Arlert." Levi admits.

"Sir?"

"You said you weren't strong like me. I wasn't always this way." He makes eye contact with the younger soldier once more.

"I've had my fair share of ass kickings." Levi says matter of factly. "None of that is relevant, though. True strength isn't determined by how many titans you can bring down or how you measure up in a fist fight. It comes from persevering hardships, and pressing forward despite our weaknesses."

"Yes, sir."

"You may lack physical strength, but in these shitty times, strength of character is just as important. Without that and courage of heart, physical prowess means absolutely nothing. No one in the corps is taken for granted, because we need more than brawny idiots with sharp swords and dull minds."

Armin just nods. Is the captain offering advice? Is this a heart to heart? He has no idea, so he just listens.

"I know you had no intentions of harming the girl."

"I understand, sir."

"You're doing well with her. She still hasn't completely adjusted, which is to be expected." Levi leans back in his chair crosses his arms.

"I know." Armm sighs. "I can convince myself that she's already better, but she isn't. I guess it was wishful thinking." He lowers his head.

"She's been through more than most of us can imagine." Levi knows Armin doesn't need that reminder, but says it anyway.

"I know. It's just… Really hard watching her in pain. I just wish…"

"She has to take her time. You of all people should know that."

"I… I do." He sounds defeated. "Just more of that hopeless optimism."

"Not hopeless, Arlert. Maybe just… Unrealistic. I grew up on the streets just like she did. It's not a lifestyle that can be easily forgotten. It becomes a part of you."

Armin notices the faraway look in Levi's eyes. The Captain probably has his own share of awful memories.

"Keep doing what you're doing, Arlert. You've made more progress in this short time than Hange or I ever could."

"Well I think that's just because she didn't know where she was. Now that she understands she's surrounded by people that only want to help her, I think she'll start to open up a little more." Armin thinks of her as a cherry blossom that has yet to bloom. He can tell Ina has a bright personality. She's just not ready to show it yet. She doesn't know how. When she does learn to open up, Armin knows everyone will love her. Maybe she'll even manage to break through Captain Levi's cold exterior.

Armin has no idea that she already has.

"She just needs time." He concludes.

"As I was saying, continue to look after her. This isn't a daycare center, so if you're going to be taking her everywhere you need to keep an eye on her. Should she come into harm's way, whether by accident or otherwise, the entire 104th class will answer to me." Levi's tone is dark, pure honesty laced with malice dripping in each word. It sends a shiver up and back down Armin's spine.

"Understood." Armin tries his best to hide the tremble in his voice.

"Dismissed. You'll find her with Hange."

"Sir." Armin stands, salutes, and could not possibly leave fast enough.


"How was your day?" Levi chances striking up a conversation with Ina as they have their evening tea. He can't fathom why he feels so compelled to sit and talk with some kid, but he is. Hange has left with Armin to prepare Ina's physical therapy and the only other remaining recruits are those tasked with cleaning up for the night.

Ina nods after she takes another satisfying sip of her herbal tea. "Good."

"Does your back feel better?"

"A little. I'm… I'm still sore." She's retreating more into herself. Levi feels he should wrap this up.

"Your therapy should help. Are you ready to go?" He downs the last of his tea.

"No!" Ina says suddenly. "Sorry." She lowers her voice and drops her head, something Levi notices her do quite a bit.

"Can… We stay a little longer?" She asks.

"Sure."

Ina decides that she'll try to be bold. She sits up and grabs the teapot, pouring more for Levi as well as herself.

"Thanks." The smallest of grins crosses his face. This is the second time today that her Captain has smiled at her. She likes it, he looks more calm that way.

"Thank you… For making me tea every night." Ina tries to speak a little louder.

"I'm glad to know it helps."

"Um…" Ina wants to talk to him more. Get to know him. Give him that chance that she's given everyone else. "How… How long have you been a soldier?"

He finds the question odd, but answers it nonetheless. "A little too long, I'm afraid."

Ina looks at him with confusion.

Levi shrugs as he tries to elaborate. "Maybe ten years? No that's not right. I've lost count actually." His quiet chuckle surprises them both.

A/N: I just threw in a random number I actually have no idea how long he's been in the corps or how old he was when he started lol. I know it's probably wrong but hey the story is still intact.

"Really? But… does that mean you were a kid when you started?"

"No way in hell- sorry." He makes sure to censor himself going forward. "I was in my twenties-"

Ina nearly chokes on her next sip. "Huh?"

She isn't the first and she won't be the last person to misjudge his young-ish appearance. It's the height, Levi knows this. He used to find it incredibly annoying but after all these years he just finds people's surprise funny as hell. Mostly because of how embarrassed they get when they realize their gross miscalculation. He straight up laughs for the first time in… What has it been? Weeks? Months? Can it have been years?

Ina's hands practically jump to her face and she stares at a spot on the table. She's embarrassed, Levi thinks as he watches her. Dammit she is adorable.

"I'm a little older than you think."

"Oh." Great she tries talking to him and he laughs at her. Just perfect. "Sorry."

"I'm not laughing at you." Levi takes a breath. Was laughter always this exhausting? "I'm not making fun of you. It's just that I get this a lot and by now I find it rather funny when I tell people my actual age." He starts to bounce with laughter again. "It's priceless."

Ina is finding his laughing contagious. First she smiles, then finds herself giggling. Levi has never heard a more... enchanting sound in his life. It's about as high pitched and squirrely as he'd have imagined. But instead of the sound battering against his ear drums like he expected, it resonates with him in a way that's not entirely familiar. It reminds him of the time when she was screaming and crying in pain. Except this time, not only does he enjoy the sound, he wants to be the one to make her laugh. To keep her smiling. She sounds lively and energetic and happy as she covers her face and continues to laugh. Levi feels proud to have brought a smile to her face. Why? He's starting not to care why and just roll with the punches.

The unlikely pair laugh until they're both tired of the sound.

"Wow… I haven't laughed like that in so long." Levi muses as he finishes his second cup.

Ina takes a deep breath. "Me… Me neither. It felt good… To laugh. Good in my tummy." She likes the fluttery feeling deep in her belly and and how her body is always light and airy.

"Does feel pretty good, doesn't it?"

"I never really… I never had any reason to laugh before. Not even in my dreams." Ina confesses. Another sip of tea makes her feel a little better.

"Can I share something with you?"

Ina just nods and holds on to her teacup tightly.

"I grew up in this place called the underground, and I spent a lot- if not most- of my childhood living on the streets."

Ina looks up at him. "Like me…" She's grown quiet.

Levi just nods at her realization. "Like you. I didn't really have much to laugh about either. I just had to survive."

She nods her understanding.

"Becoming a soldier saved my life, ironically. Had I remained on the streets, I'm sure my luck would have run out on me."

"So you like it here?"

"Like probably isn't the right word for it. Being a soldier is a dangerous line of work. Any of us could die at any time. But… There's something about having a purpose. Putting my skills to use and searching for the truth. That makes it worthwhile for me."

"Could… That happen for me? Could I…. Find my… my purchase?" (Wrote this by accident but I could totally see a cutie patootie like her mixing up her words so I'll keep it).

Levi has never found anyone this cute. It's bothering him just how cute she is. Has he even used the word cute in a sentence before meeting this kid? He clears his throat just to avoid laughing again.

"I think so." He pushes his cup to the side. "You're in a safe place for the first time. Now that you're off the street and your strength is returning, you have a chance to simply… be a child. I'd advise from experience that you not take that opportunity for granted."

Ina shakes her head. "I won't. I won't."

"But you're young. You don't really need to figure out your entire life right now, anyways."

At first she just nods.

"Thank you." Ina is staring into the abyss of her teacup.

"You don't have to thank us. That's not why we're helping you." She looks up at him once again.

"Then why are you helping me, Captain Levi?"

"We-"

"No." Ina interrupts him. "Why are you helping me, Captain?"

"It's Levi."

"Please… Please answer my question." Nervous and embarrassed as she is, Ina's brown eyes look right at him. They seek an answer.

"I don't really have a clear answer." Levi starts. "I guess it's not all that different from why Armin wants to help you. I don't want you to suffer anymore than you already have. I know what that's like. No one deserves to live in fear the way you have." He notices that Ina is hanging on every word. So he continues. "I had a hard childhood, but I was able to fend for myself. I realized not everyone has that luxury. Young kids like you were at the mercy of those more powerful than you. People whose sole job is to keep you safe were abusing their privilege. It's disgusting. I'm not answering your question." He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. Stop rambling you idiot. "I can't really explain why I'm helping you, Ina. You deserve an answer but… I don't really have one. I just know that I want to help you. With us, you have the chance rely on others to be strong and to keep you safe. I think that's how it should be, and so I choose to help make that possible."

Ina takes one last sip before sliding off the bench. She walks over to stand next to where he sits. Levi assumes that she must be ready to leave now. So he stands too. He's not really prepared when she wraps her tiny arms around his middle.

"I know you said to stop, but can I thank you one more time?"

Levi responds by returning the hug. She is just too damn cute. It's almost annoying to Levi how absolutely adorable this girl is.

"Just this once."

He can't help the smile the spreads across his face. That's four times she's made him smile in a single day. What the hell is it about this girl? It's not even that he doesn't mind her presence. Levi actually finds himself in the best of moods whenever she is with him. is that strange? Does that make sense?


"Well it's about time!" Hange exclaims when Levi and Ina enter the infirmary hand in hand. "Armin fell asleep on his feet so I sent him to bed."

"Sorry…" Ina replies sheepishly.

"We decided one cup of tea wasn't satisfactory so we had another." Levi doesn't really seem to care. He enjoyed this time he spent with Ina.

"Well, glad you had fun, but I've lost my assistant. Ina, are you okay with that or do you just want to call it a night?" She walks over to where Ina stands, still holding onto Levi's hand.

Ina looks up at Levi. "Um… Can you help? Only… Only if you're okay with it."

"Sure."

Hange nearly jumps when she sees Levi smile down at the little girl.

"Well…. Let's get started."


And that's it for this chapter! I hope everyone sticks around to see all the twists and turns I have in mind. Thank you all for reading. Also, to reply to my guest reviewer: I know it's going to sound hard to believe, but I never once drew the comparison between Armin and Ina and Levi and Isabel. How... I'm not entirely sure because when you pointed it out it seemed like... incredibly obvious. Must be my tunnel vision. Also, yeah I think this chapter might explain a lot more Ina's feelings about Levi vs her feelings about Erwin. To her, Erwin is just another soldier with a generic and intimidating face. But Levi is the person who rescued her from the rubble. He's the person who finally convinced her that her days of abuse were behind her. The sense of security that she feels with Levi is an important part of the story. You'll see why as I continue. She sees Levi in a way that no one else can and in turn, he understands her struggle in a way that even Armin can't fully appreciate. Thank you so much for your reviews. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! -Mimi