Hiiii! Sorry that I've been sporadic with the updates. Trying to get my life together and haven't been making time for updates. This chapter is pretty damn long. i didn't even realize it until I copied and pasted it on here lol. Also just to let y'all know I'm going to be pulling on your heartstrings. more like yanking hella hard. I'm just gonna say sorry not sorry. You guys signed up for this so muahahaha you must suffer with me


"Where is my daughter?" Levi asks for the fourth time as he is led down a dimly lit hall by two irritatingly silent MPs.

"Answer me, you pigs! Where is she?" He growls.

Nothing.

They stop in front of an unmarked door after a while. One guard unlocks the door while the other holds Levi by his shoulder. He's shoved into the room and the door quickly closes behind him.

"Wait!" He tries to catch his balance, but it's difficult with his hands chained behind his back.

"Levi." That's commander Dok's voice.

"Papa?" That's… His baby.

"Ina?!" Levi turns around so quickly that his head starts to spin. The lack of food and water is catching up to him. His vision goes black for a few seconds.

"Papa?" She's sounds frightened and weak.

Levi's head still hasn't stopped spinning. He shuts his eyes in the hopes that the dizziness will subside.

"I'll unlock these for you." He hears Dok move toward him. Once his binds are free, Levi hears the door shut while Dok mumbles about privacy.

By the time Levi is free his vision is clear. He searches the room for his little girl, and at first sees nothing.

He finds her in the corner.

"Papa…"

"Ina?" His voice is caught in his throat as he approaches her. "No…" He drops to his knees right in front of her and takes in her small form.

"No no no no." He can't seem to form more than the single word as a lump the size of his fist forms in his throat.

Every visible inch of her skin is bruised. Her dress is barely functioning as such- someone's torn it damn near to shreds. Her eyes. Those beautiful eyes no longer shine with happiness like he'd grown accustomed to seeing.

"Ina…"

She flinches when he reaches for her, which makes Levi hesitate.

"You're safe now, Ina. It's okay." He's all the more gentle when he takes her into his arms.

"Papa." She whimpers. Her voice is hoarse, as though she's been yelling or screaming.

"My baby… I'm so sorry." He hugs her tighter. Holds her closer.

The first sob to break through his body is loud, and unlike any sound Levi has ever heard himself make. The next few surprise him just a bit less. He feels like a goddamn child, crying over Ina like this. But has no idea what the hell else he can do. What else is he capable of doing considering he wasn't there to keep her safe. Protect her from harm. Keep a smile on that angelic face.

His chest hurts. God it fucking hurts. What is this? Guilt? Sorrow? Why should he feel anything? Ina is the one in pain. She's the only one who's been put through the unimaginable. Nothing that Levi has been through, from his early childhood right up until fucking yesterday has ever made him so miserable.

They hurt his baby.

"I'm so sorry."

"Papa…" He feels her little hand on his tear stained cheek. "Don't cry."

She's so brave. Just like Eren said. So brave despite all the pain these monsters put her through. She shouldn't have to be. Ina is only 8, after all. So young, yet she's faced more horrors than most ever will.

"You don't have to be strong anymore." Levi whispers. "Its okay. I'm here, my baby. I won't let them hurt you anymore."

"I missed you, Papa." Ina starts to trace the outline of his face with her finger. "I missed you."

"I should never have left you, Ina. I shouldn't have left."

He's tried to live his life by making choices he would least regret. Levi is finding that he has never regret anything more than the decision to leave. He should have been there for her. He should have been there to fight for her.

"Never again." He kisses her black eye. Hoping that he can make up for all the time he's been away from her. All the time she's been alone. Can she ever forgive him for this?


"No."

"Can I at least-"

"No."

"Levi, I'm on your side. I'm trying to help you two."

"If that were the case, you wouldn't have let those pigs put their hands on her, Commander. You knew why they wanted her here. You knew."

From the very start Levi knew that if they were going through all this trouble to find a young girl, it was because they wanted to make the problem disappear. Not bring about justice.

"I can't have eyes and ears everywhere. They had strict orders to stay away from her and she was supposed to be staying with my family as a guest until she was returned safely to you. I didn't find out about any of this until your soldiers had been arrested."

"Save the goddamn excuses, Dok. I don't want to fucking hear it." If he weren't so drained Levi imagines he'd have tons more to say to Dok with an even more colorful choice of words.

"Look, I just-"

"She paid the price for your screw-up!"

"I… I know, Levi. And I'll never forgive myself for putting the life of a child at risk."

"You've ruined her…"

Levi holds her closer just out of reflex.

"I know sorry isn't enough, believe me. I just… I understand it's hard seeing your child in pain. I'm… so sorry."

"Stop with this child bullshit. Her name is Ina goddammit. Call her by her name. You owe her that much." Levi's eyes hold a world of anger but are almost completely overshadowed by pain.

"You don't get to detach yourself from this one, Dok. You didn't put your hands on her but you're the reason she's here. If I hear you call her by anything other than her name I swear to Sina I will fucking strangle you."

"I apologize. I know it doesn't mean much, but I'm taking full responsibility for what happened to Ina. I'll cover any and all expenses for as long as she needs."

"Just get a doctor. I want to make sure she's strong enough for the ride back to base."

"Levi-"

"As soon as she is cleared we are leaving. The further away she is from you assholes the better."

"Would you like to wait with the other scouts while I fetch the physician?"

They can't see her like this.

"No. We'll be fine. Just… Just tell them she's with me now."

"Of course."

Dok wants to apologize again, but knows that would just insult both Levi and the young girl. He leaves a full canteen on the table and exits the room quietly.

"Papa…"

Levi shushes her. "I'm right here, Ina. You're safe now."

He stands with the child in his arms and grabs the canteen. They return to the corner, where Ina feels safest.

"I want you to drink some of this, Ina." He holds it to her lips. "Come on. Just a little bit."

She's so weak and frail. Levi handles her like a delicate flower. Seeing her blink that swollen eye. Feeling her frantic heartbeat. Noticing the fear in her eyes with every noise outside the door. It breaks his heart.

"You have some too, Papa." Ina says after swallowing what she can. She doesn't want him to know that her throat is just too sore.

"You need it too." Ina knows what dehydration is. She's seen it more times than she's felt it, so she can tell Papa hasn't been eating or drinking.

Levi relishes at the feeling and taste of clean water. He swore never to take it for granted after leaving the underground, but now he has an appreciation for it all over again.

"How do you feel, Ina?" He's so afraid to ask. A big part of him doesn't even want to know. "How is the pain?" His voice cracks.

He's never been this affected by another's suffering. Levi hates how miserable and sad it makes him feel. But hates it more because he appears weak to someone who relies on his strength. Why is it so hard for him to keep it together? Why can't he control his emotions like he's always been able to?

It's frustrating as hell.

"I feel better now that you're with me." Ina smiles up at him. He can't stop looking at the bruises on her face and neck. How is she smiling? Just… How?

"I do hurt, Papa." She admits. Her smile fading.

"He was… Angry because I wouldn't stop calling for you." He feels her grip the fabric of his shirt sleeve just a bit tighter. "He said I would never see you again…" Her trembling worsens. "But… I didn't believe him. Be- because I knew Papa would come." She smiles at him once again before nuzzling her little cheek against his chest and closing her eyes for a moment. She loves his heartbeat.

"I… I'm so sorry you were hurt, Ina."

"It's not because of you." Ina shakes her head. "It wasn't you or big brothers and sisters. It was the monsters." She whimpers.

"They made me hurt, Papa. They hurt brother and sister."

Levi doesn't miss that crucial piece of information. He stores it away for later.

"What can I do, Ina? Tell me how I can help you feel better." Levi whispers to her.

"Stay with me."

"I will, my baby, I'm not going anywhere."

"Kiss it, make it hurt less." Ina mumbles. "Make it go bye bye."

She knows Papa's kisses won't actually make the hurts go away completely. But that doesn't mean it won't help. It will remind her that Papa is with her again. That he's going to stay with her.

He tries to smile despite the huge lump in his throat. "Of course."

He plants a soft kiss wherever Ina points to. She shows him the worst of the bruises. Where the monster hit her over and over. He pours every bit of love and compassion that he possibly can into every kiss. Hoping and praying that her suffering can finally be over.

This is all Levi to shreds inside.

He's silently crying by the end. These fucking tears. Goddammit. Levi can't remember the last time he shed tears so freely.

Not when his mother died.

Not when he was abandoned by Kenny.

Not when he was raped.

Not when he lost his family to Titans. Twice.

Now he finds himself unable to contain this dread. This sadness. He can't seem to stop crying over her. She's here, she's with him now, yet Levi still feels miserable. Still feels like something is squeezing on his heart and making it harder to breathe

Ina can feel his tears on her skin.

"Papa, it's okay now." Ina whispers.

Ina has never seen him cry before. She doesn't like seeing Papa so sad, and feels guilty when she realizes he's only sad because of her. If only she could be stronger. She doesn't want to make him cry.

"It's okay now."

Levi just shakes his head. It's not okay. His baby is in agony. She's covered from head to toe in bruises that would probably leave even him curled up in the fetal position. He can't take away her pain. Can't do more than leave a kiss on the affected areas. It's not enough. He wants to help her, to soothe and relieve her pain, but he can't.

"Papa." Ina wraps her arms around his neck. "It's okay. Please don't cry."

It shouldn't be like this. Why is she comforting him? It's supposed to be the other way around. He needs to be there for her.

"I'm sorry I can't take the hurts away." He says softly.

"But you did. You're here. We're together again. Just being with Papa again made me feel a thousand times better."

"I'm glad, Ina. It's just…" He knows he can be honest with her. They separate so Levi can look at her full on.

"Seeing you like this… it's so hard. Ina, I'm sorry I didn't protect you. I swore to keep you safe and..." His fingers gently brush over her black eye. How he wishes he could heal her with just a simple touch.

"Don't say sorry, Papa. Remember what you told me? Don't… Don't take… Re… Res… respa…." She can't remember the big word. "Don't blame yourself for what someone else did."

Dammit she's adorable. It almost makes him smile, despite the heavy feeling in his chest.

"I did tell you that. You're absolutely right." He gently runs his hand through her matted hair.

"Can we go home?"

"Yes, Ina. We're going home as soon as this mess gets resolved."

"All of us?" She's still worried about all her big brothers and sisters. "I want us to be together."

"We will be." Levi kisses her forehead. "I want you to rest now, Ina. It's okay to close your eyes, Papa is here." He continues stroking her hair and gently scratching at her scalp. He knows she likes the feeling.


"Krista? Are you feeling alright?" Armin notices the small young woman eyes hold sadness and distress and her palms are still covering her ears.

"Make it stop." She whispers. "It won't stop."

Eren shivers and closes his eyes. He knows exactly what Krista is referring to. He hears it too. It's slowly driving him insane.

Krista just starts to rock herself. "Make it stop. Make it stop."

"Krista." Armin moves closer to her. He gently takes both her hands and moves them away from her ears. "It's okay, it stopped."

She struggles with him. "No! I still hear her! She's still screaming!" She cries and attempts to bring her hands back to her ears.

"Ina was placed in a cell near the infirmary." Eren starts. "We could hear Ina screaming when… When one of the MPs… Was beating her."

"No…" Sasha places a hand over her mouth. "No!"

"I tried to get to her." Eren says with quiet remorse. "I tried but I couldn't…. And he just… He kept on. Kept…. Hurting her." He grabs his hair and pulls.

"I think I'm going to throw up." Eren mumbles.

Armin also feels sick to his stomach and releases Krista's hands to let her resume her original position. He fights back tears as guilt completely overrides his system. They've been here just over a day and she's already been hurt.

We're so sorry Ina.

"Make it stop."

The door to their shared cell opens and in walks commander Dok. None of them bother to stand at attention upon his arrival. They all look so downtrodden and defeated and just… Sad.

"Your release is underway." Dok informs them. As he thought, none of them respond to his news.

"And Ina is with her father."

The way all of their heads snap up and look at him simultaneously is a bit startling.

"Is she okay?!" Three or four of them shout at once.

"A physician is looking at her now."

"Is she being released back to him? To the captain I mean." Armin asks.

"Yes. She's being released as soon as the physician is done with the exam."

The young soldiers all sigh with relief. All except for the small blonde girl on the end. She sits and rocks herself back and forth with her hands covering her ears, her expression dazed yet pained.

"Is she alright?" Dok points to Krista.

"No." Mikasa rolls her eyes.

"With all due respect, commander, this kinda shit happens when you hear someone you love in pain like she did." Jean can't help but glare in Dok's direction.

"When one of your men was hurting Ina, Krista and Eren were next door. They heard everything. Everything your men did." Connie explains.

"She's still hearing it. We're never going to be able to get that out of our heads." Eren speaks up.

"What the actual fuck is your problem, Dok? You knew! You had to have known this would happen!" He sounds so hurt.

"She's just a little girl. All she's done for her entire life was try to survive while those dogs punished her for existing. For being who she was!" His sadness and his anger are neck and neck right about now. As angry as he wants to be Eren can't fight that lump in his throat. The pressure behind his eyes. He's been holding back tears since he regained consciousness. Right now he just wants to be mad. It's familiar. It's comfortable. Ina deserves to have someone get angry for her since she can't. She's had enough people crying over her.

"Ina was right about one thing. Titans may be more like animals, but you guys, you're monsters. And there's a special place in hell for all those men that put their hands on her."

The comment was meant to sting, and every scout can tell that Eren's words struck a chord with the commander. He doesn't respond.

"She was doing so good. She trusted us. She finally belonged somewhere." Armin can't even stop the words from leaving his mouth. "Your men just might have gotten what they wanted. They may not have physically killed her, but she could never be the same. The Ina that we spent all this time getting to know and love could be gone forever. That's on you, sir. You're not allowed to forget that. Not as long as she has to continue living in fear."

"I make no excuses for the atrocities my men committed. It was my goal that when she arrived, she'd-" Dok catches Eren's glare. "That Ina would be under my protection but… I wasn't diligent. I didn't protect her like I should have." Even though he sounds sincere, the young scouts can't help but still feel upset about this. What will his apology do? Will it erase her memories of this place? Will it take away her pain?

"Tell that to her." Mikasa doesn't look up. Just places a hand on Eren's shoulder.

"Tell that to her father." Jean adds.

"It's not enough and it won't make any of this better, but please know how deeply sorry I am for all that has happened."

His apologies almost sound like begging. If Eren had his way he would make Dok fall down to his knees and grovel at Ina's feet to be forgiven. It's the least he could fucking do for ruining a young girls life.

"Can I see her?" They all turn to Krista in surprise. How much did she hear?

"Please commander. Please. I need to see her."

Dok sighs. He knows what Levi said, but this… This has to be done. Krista needs this.

"One of you help her up." Dok orders.


"Make sure to keep her properly hydrated throughout the trip. The ice should bring down the swelling but it will still take a little while for the bruising to go away. Like I said she has no broken bones but she'll be very sore for at least the next few days. Alternate between hot and cold over the next few days. Hot baths, ice packs, warm compresses, rub downs with muscle relaxers." The MP doctor explains.

Levi hangs on every word. He wants to do everything he possibly can to make his baby feel better. Everything he can to ease her pain if only for a moment at a time.

The doctor continues. "Her body is exhausted so let her rest and keep her off her feet for at least a day. I'm going to have to recommend waiting at least 24 hours before traveling. I brought this, which she can take before bedtime. It'll help her sleep as well as relieve some of the pain."

She wraps up Ina's exam and she hands Levi the medication. "It was very nice to meet you, Ina. I hope you feel better soon."

"Thank you." Ina says quietly, trying her best to be polite.

"Um…" The physician steps away from Ina and gestures for Levi to come with her. Levi doesn't follow until he reassures Ina that he'll return to her. Watching the short exchange makes what the physician has to say even more crucial.

"I didn't want to say this in front of her, but there are signs of sexual assault. It's difficult to know more without further examination."

The weight of this information makes Levi feel weak and lightheaded. His knees threaten to buckle while his lungs are on the verge of exploding. He places his hand on the wall to keep from falling over.

"I'm so sorry, Captain."

Levi just shuts his eyes for ten seconds and tries to breathe. This feeling… It's not sadness, or anger. It's much stronger, whatever it is.

"What do I do?" He asks quietly, taking deep breaths in through his nose and out through his mouth. A technique Hange taught him after she witnessed his panic attack.

"Examining her here and now isn't a good idea. She's exhausted and in a great deal of pain. Would it be possible if I or another doctor came by to see her tonight? She'll need to be in a much more comfortable setting if we want to talk about what happened."

"Fine." Levi agrees with a short nod. "Dok will tell you where we're staying."

"One more thing, Captain."

"What?" His tone gives away just how afraid he is that something else could be wrong with his baby.

"It goes without saying, she's extremely traumatized." The physician starts. Levi rolls his eyes. Is this all she wanted to say?

"Just hear me out, Sir." Her voice is hushed. She glances at the young girl sitting on the table, holding the ice pack to her face while her eyes shift uncomfortably. She's so frightened.

"Tread carefully with her. No sudden movements, no loud noises, no unwarranted touches- not until she's ready. I say this because even though she may trust you, the trauma is ingrained in her. Just be sure not to push her into anything, even if it seems small. Give her the time she needs to heal. She's going to need a lot of patience, Sir."

Levi's glare doesn't let up. He may be new to parenthood, but he knows how to look after Ina. He knows all of her quirks and dislikes. Everything about her

"As time passes and she grows stronger, try helping her to find different ways to express herself. By that I mean it could be harmful if she keeps her past bottled up inside. She needs positive outlets, a healthy environment where she can relieve the stress. This will help promote long term healing."

His glare softens. She's , Ina's nightmares kept her from a decent night's sleep for days at a time. Worried that they'd be upsetting Ina further, they never discussed it with her. She never wanted to. They can no longer do that.

"She'll be taken care of." Is all Levi says to the physician, who is clearly worried.

"Papa?" Ina pleads from the middle of the room. She misses his presence, his protection.

"Thank you for your help." Levi walks back to his daughter and wastes no time in taking her into his arms- though he does wait for Ina to reach out to him first.

"It was my pleasure. I'm glad I could help, Sir."

"Don't put that on in here." Levi warns the doctor who was about to put her jacket on. "Not in here." He repeats.

Levi explained to her that the MP insignia was a trigger for Ina. If they wanted Ina to be cooperative and relaxed, they had to be careful.

"Best of luck, Captain." The doctor places her jacket on her arm and grabs her medical bag.

Levi barely acknowledges her.

As she leaves, Levi hears the voice of commander Dok. He better be coming back to escort them out of this wretched place. Instead there's just a knock at the door, which causes Ina to tense up.

"What?" Levi calls out.

"Captain? It's Krista. May I come in?"

Ina gasps. "Sissy?!"

"Come in, brat. Hurry up."

The door opens slowly to reveal a distraught young scout. After removing his jacket, Dok helps Krista inside and leads her to the chair at the table. Levi's eyes widen when he sees that Krista has been injured. So it wasn't just Eren. What about the others? Are they all like this? Sitting in their holding cells while their bodies are riddled with bullets?

Ina looks to Levi and he just nods at her. She waits for the commander to leave before leaving Levi's protective embrace. She walks toward Krista on slow, wobbly legs. Is that why she's having trouble walking right now? A soldier raped her? Levi just looks away and shuts his eyes once more. Breathe.

"Sissy. Are you okay?"

Krista doesn't respond. She slides off the chair and to the ground and is on her knees in front of Ina. She can barely feel the pain in her leg right now.

She brings a hand up and gently touches Ina's swollen eye. The little girl just lets her.

"How are you, Munchkin?" Krista's voice is quiet as she rests her hand on Ina's purple cheek.

"I… I'm better now." Ina doesn't want to talk about the bad feelings. She's in so much pain she can barely stand. But everyone is already so worried. She doesn't want to make Sissy feel worse.

"I'll be okay now. Sissy, why do you look so sad? Don't cry." Ina takes Krista's hand.

"Ina… When…. When those soldiers hurt you… I was in the other room. I heard you but… But I couldn't help you. Ina I- I'm sorry that they did this to you!"

Krista can't seem to control any of her emotions. Maybe it's the concussion. The doctor did say she'd feel strange. Krista can't seem to stop crying, even when she doesn't feel like it. Breaking down like this in front of Ina is just about the worst thing she could do and she knows that. She was so focused on trying to get to Ina that she didn't worry about weather or not she was in good enough shape to see her. Clearly she isn't.

What does that brat mean 'those soldiers'? Levi wonders. Was there more than one? His knuckles crack as he clenches both fists.

Breathe. You're no good to Ina behaving like this.

There will be a time and place for him to express this… What is this feeling? It goes beyond anger. Far beyond. Rage? Hatred? It bothers Levi that he can't put a name to this indescribable feeling. This burning sensation in his chest. All he knows is that he wants blood. Anyone who even thought to put their hands on his precious child must pay. He wants them to feel all of her pain one hundred times over.

The time will come. For now, he just needs to breathe. If he didn't constantly find himself holding his breath, Levi would feel incredibly childish every time he had to remind himself to breathe.

"Sissy, it's okay." Ina hugs Krista, who embraces her happily. "I'm okay now. I'm with Papa. The hurts will go bye bye."

"I'm glad to hear that." Krista smiles at the adorable and courageous girl in front of her.

"Are you okay, sissy? Big brother and you… You were both shot?"

"I'm fine, Ina. My leg is injured, but I'll be okay. It'll go bye bye too, just like your hurts."

"What about big brother?!" Ina cries.

"Eren will be okay. He… Ina he was in the infirmary with me. So he might be worried about you too. But he'll be so happy to see you."

Levi catches that piece of information. Two of them were witnesses to what happened to Ina. Even if it was just by ear.

"I was so worried about you guys!" Ina hugs Krista again.

"Don't you worry about me or the others. We're all okay, and we're all glad that you found Papa."

"Where's everyone else?"

"You'll see them soon. I promise. Just wait a little longer." Krista gently strokes Ina's bruised cheek. "Just a little longer."

"Munchkin, if I ask you a serious question, can you tell sissy the truth?" Krista whispers to Ina. No need for Levi to hear this. Not right now at least.

Ina nods.

"The second soldier. Ina, did he touch you? In a bad way?" She drops her voice even quieter.

Ina looks down for a moment. She trusts sissy. Somehow, it's easier to tell this to her than it is to Papa. Ina doesn't know why, though.

"He was inside…" Ina whispers in Krista's ear. "Inside…" She says again. "Don't tell Papa." Krista can feel the child trembling. "Don't…" Ina sways and nearly falls over. The speed at which Levi is there to catch her is beyond astonishing. When he makes sure that Ina is okay he stands and looks right at Krista, who chooses now to look away.

"Brat."

"Sir?" Yell at me. Reprimand me. Hit me. I deserve it. It was our job to protect her and we failed. She's sitting here covered in bruises and scared out of her mind because of our incompetence.

"Look at me." Levi notices Krista avoiding his gaze.

Krista uses the chair to help get back on her feet. Ina tries to assist her but Krista denies it. She stands, resting her weight on her good leg and salutes. Fresh tears fall from her eyes as she stares straight ahead.

"On behalf of the former 104th cadet class, I apologize. It was our duty to protect Ina. Our duty to keep her safe and out of harm's way. We tried sir, but we screwed up and she paid the price. Captain, I'm sorry we couldn't protect her. I'm so sorry." Remorse and sorrow drip from each word she speaks.

She continues to stare in front of her, not daring to meet Levi's eyes. She couldn't possibly. Levi trusts few, everyone knows this. Still he trusted them to look after the person most precious to him. They should have done more. They should have fought harder.

"We didn't do enough."

"Sit." Levi orders.

"I prefer to stand." Krista states, clearly trying to ignore the shaking of her good leg. It can't hold all of her weight forever. Just seeing her struggle to stand sets Levi on edge. These damn teenagers and their stubbornness.

"That's an order. Now sit your ass down before I make you."

She sighs in defeat and drops her head. Ina pushes the chair so it's directly behind Krista. The injured soldier does as she's told and takes her seat. Ina stands by the chair, her hand on Krista's arm.

Levi approaches her. "Look at me."

Krista acts as though she doesn't hear him.

"Don't think you can say anything to me without looking me in the eye. Now pick up that empty head of yours and look at me."

"Captain I-"

"Shut your mouth. You brats sure can ramble. You've said your piece, now it's my turn."

"Papa?"

"Quiet, Ina. I'm not going to say it again, brat. Look at me."

Krista slowly brings her head up and looks Captain Levi in the eye. He looks terrible. His grey eyes hold sadness, grief, anger. Anger that Krista knows should be meant just for her and her comrades.

"Was anyone else injured?" Levi asks.

"No, sir. Just me and Eren."

Levi relaxes just slightly when he hears that.

"I'm sorry, sir." Krista sounds both sincere and desperate. But it's driving Levi up the wall.

"All you idiots have done since you've come here is apologize to me. Goddammit." Levi says when Krista drops her head.

He grabs her by the hair and yanks her head back up. He's unaware of the concussion, and when he grabs her it hurts a hell of a lot more than it would were she not so beat up. But she says nothing. Just inhales sharply when his grip doesn't ease up. Ina is about to try and intervene a second time but Levi stops her with a quick glance.

"Don't you look away. I think you owe me that much." He doesn't mean to guilt trip Krista but it does force her to keep her eyes on him like he's been asking.

"If one more of you utters another syllable to me that remotely relates to an apology, I'll make you eat those words."

"Sir?"

He comes even closer to Krista.

"My God you're annoying. All these damn apologies means I haven't been able to get a word in edgewise."

"Captain, we-"

"Shut up and let me thank you!" He yells, finally releasing her hair.

"What?"

"I asked you all to watch her. I never intended for you to put yourselves in harm's way. You didn't have to stick your necks out for her but you did. For that, I'll be forever grateful. We both will." He looks at Ina, who nods in agreement.

Levi knows that they did everything they could to delay Ina's capture. They didn't leave her side until they were forced to. He can never thank them enough for what they did.

"Um… We… sir?" Krista is still slightly confused.

"I appreciate what you all have done for her, and I'll never be able to repay you."

Nothing could come close to what they did for him and his child. They risked their careers as soldiers and even their lives for one little girl. Levi owes these brats everything. He's not too proud to admit that.

"Please… Please don't thank us."

"Well then quit apologizing." He's trying not to sound irritated. "You may have failed but you still went above and beyond to keep her safe. You got shot, you dumbass. I'm thanking you morons for your efforts, not based on whether you failed or succeeded."

"Sissy, Papa is right. You took care of me when he left. You made sure I wasn't lonely and you tried to make me happy." Ina says. "I told big brother before the soldiers took us, it's okay. You all got hurt because of me. I never wanted anyone… I never wanted any of you to get hurt." She fights off her tears yet again.

"It wasn't because of you, Munchkin." Krista looks to the small girl next to her. "Don't you ever blame yourself for what these soldiers did to any of us. We love you, understand? And when you love someone, you'd do anything for them."

"I love you too." She hugs Krista and takes a deep breath.

"It's your job to relay to the other brats what I said about the apologies. One more 'I'm sorry' will land my foot down their throat. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Ina?"

"Yes, Papa?"

"The same goes for you. Don't you take the blame for anything that happened here. None of this was your fault. Are we clear?"

She nods. "Okay."

Levi sits back down and Ina joins him. He watches Ina converse with Krista while they wait for the commander to return.


Alrighty then, that's another chapter down. I'm sorry for getting this in so late guys. As usual, I don't have much of an excuse. I guess to make up for it, this chapter is like hella long. Thanks for reading this far everybody. As you can see the active climax is pretty much over. Now to wrap things up. LOL y'all know me. We still have a few chapters to go. Believe it or not, I don't have a revenge chapter planned out (there's a splash of violence in the next chapter but it's not really satisfactory enough). If there's another delay in the update, it's because I'm working on making an addition to the story. And that is 80 times harder because not only do I need to do the chapter from scratch but I need to add it in the right place because the story is already completed. y'all remember chapter 8.5, right? that was a new addition that wash't originally in the story. Let's see if I can strike again. Fingers crossed!