Chapter Four

Author's note: I didn't think I'd be up this late starting this, not after the eventful day that I've had. There was a Japanese Festival in town and I spent seven hours there, buying a bunch of anime posters, key charm things, delicious bread and going to several different panels. I learned a lot about the real life samurais and got to bond with my bff's other bff. We bonded over our love for the Justice League and Harley Quinn. So needless to say, I've had an eventful day. Oh and I got to wear a real kimono and got my picture taken. Kimono's are surprisingly comfortable to wear.

I'm shocked to see that Rhynie has gotten so popular, I'm not joking. I love receiving all of your reviews~! Keep them coming because they literally keep me going. I do not own MDAS.

Rhynie slept for three days, Duke was never far and Tanya visited frequently to play doctor. The scientist reported every other hour that Rhynie's injuries were healing nicely, which gave everyone a sense of relief. The team didn't want to get their hopes up, but they hoped Rhynie would join them in their fight against Dragaunus.

"You can't be serious?" Duke was frustrated. Rhynie had just woken up hours ago and was currently with Tanya in the showers. She still hasn't wrapped her head around her situation and Wildwing was already preparing for war.

"She has insider information about the Raptor, she can get us inside and we can finally finish off Dragaunus. We can go home." Wildwing was anxious to get home, they all were, but Rhynie needed more time.

Duke scowled and spoke through clench teeth, "My answer is no."

"I'm not trying to take sides here, but isn't this Rhynie's decision?" Nosedive asked. The arguing teammates glared at their youngest member and then back at each other.

Mallory sighed and scratched the back of her head, "I hate to side with Nosedive, but he is right. All of this is Rhynie's decision and I can tell you right now, from a soldier's point of view, she's going to have some serious P.T.S.D."

Wildwing temporarily dropped the subject, especially when Duke walked out in the middle of their meeting. He passed Tanya on the way and asked to talk their fearless leader out of his crazy plan for the time being. She couldn't promise anything, but she agreed with Mallory's theory of the possibility of Rhynie having P.T.S.D.

He walked into his room, half expecting Rhynie to still be in the shower room, but when he looked up from the stats of their next hockey game opponent he nearly jumped out of his skin. Rhynie was standing before a bunch of newspaper clippings of thwarted crimes, victorious hockey games and battles against Dragaunus. She was ringing her hair dry with a towel, while a short white towel clung to her body.

Paper fluttering to the ground caught her attention. She beamed up at him, "How'd your meeting go?"

Duke stuttered, his cheeks flushing, "N-n-not exactly good, but we can talk about that later. Let me find you some clothes."

Rhynie followed Duke around while he searched for something for her to wear, he could hardly think with her being unable to keep herself covered. He managed to find one of his jerseys and a pair of shorts, giving up on finding anything that would fit her. He could have asked Mallory, but even her clothes would have been a tent on his love. She was skinner than he remembered, he couldn't remember if she was that tiny when he last saw her or if she lost that weight during her year of torment.

He kept his back turned to her until he felt her nimble fingers grasp his shoulder. Duke turned around and Rhynie walked right into him, her arms wrapping around him; burying her face in his chest. He was a little shocked at first, but he eventually embraced her, his arms holding her close—never wanting to let her go again. He could never get used to holding her, to feel her warmth as if she had never died. The grip around her back tightened as Duke shifted his arms to her shoulders and lower back, his face hiding in the nook of her neck. They fell back against the wall and slid down to the floor.

"Duke…" Rhynie struggled to move her head to look up at him.

"I'm sorry," Duke apologized, "It's still a little hard to believe that you're alive."

His hold loosened, Rhynie positioned herself to sit sideway in his lap; her back resting against Duke's propped up knees while her legs towered over his right leg. Her head rested against his shoulder while she looked up at him. Duke could see that she was tired; the bags underneath her blue eyes and hazed expression gave her away. She leaned into the hand that caressed her face, her long eyelashes tickling his dark grey skin and placed one of her hands on top of his.

"I know the feeling." She whispered as she leaned in to kiss him, but Duke stopped her by turning his head away. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing…I just…" Duke swallowed the lump in his throat. "You've been through a lot. I don't want you to do anything that you're not ready for."

"What would make you think that?" Rhynie pouted.

"Well for starters, you're shaking." Duke held up her hand to prove his point.

She angrily pulled her hand out of his, her glare burning a hole in the carpet, "I'm just excited, that's all."

Duke was shocked, she had never lie to him before and he had never seen her look so hateful. He cupped her face and forced her to look at him, but she still avoided his gaze.

"Hey, would you look at me?" Duke pathetically begged, but she refused him.

Rhynie stood, walking away from Duke before he caught her by the wrist. He immediately released her when she yelped in pain. She turned her back towards him while rubbing the sensitive flesh. Duke sauntered up to her, holding her from behind and gave her a cheek a quick peek.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that." Duke whispered in her ear, "I'm used to chasing harden criminals and Saurian losers. I guess I have to relearn how to chase a hot tail feather like you."

Rhynie rotated around in his arms, laughing. "While you're at it, learn some new pickup lines because that was terrible."

Duke placed a hand over his heart as if he had been shot, "That hurts Rhynie. I'm trying to comfort you and you just shoot me down."

Rhynie grabbed him by the cheeks and smooshed them together, "I forgot how much of a drama queen you are."

There was a loud ponding on the door, "Yo Duke! Phils' here, he wants us to start practicing."

"Who's Phil and why does he sound disappointing?" Rhynie asked sarcastically.

Duke held in his laugher long enough to tell Nosedive that he would there shortly and as soon as the youngest duck was gone Duke broke out in boisterous laughter, leaning over and using Rhynie for support. The one eyed duck talked Rhynie into coming to their practice and the moment she met their manager she leaned over to Duke who had just finished putting on the rest of his gear to tell him that she was right. He entered the ring snickering, leaving the rest of his teammates wondering what he was one.

Wildwing approached Duke, "Can Rhynie skate?"

"That depends on what you had in mind." Duke replied vaguely.

"Just a little game of two against five. What position does she play?" Wildwing and Duke skated towards Rhynie, but they kept their voices hushed.

"She's a great defenseman, she can either play offense or defense. But it's really up to her."

"What's up to me?" Rhynie asked bright eyed.

"How would you like to shake things up?" Wildwing asked mischievously.

Rhynie beamed, "I'm in for shaking things up. What did you have in mind?"

Wildwing informed her of his plan while they ventured back to the locker room to find her some gear. Duke and the others practiced their slap shots while the two were away.

"So what exactly are we in for?" Mallory asked apprehensively.

Duke chuckled darkly, "Let me put it to you this way Mal. She's a rare defenseman, she play both offense and defense and can switch between the two at the drop of a hat. She can defend the net as if she were defending someone's life, but her offensive is brutal. I have never seen anyone match her skills on the ice."

Author's note: I can't think of another place to stop, so this is good enough.