Conner had to go through 6 months of intensive physical therapy to use his new arm and leg at a level that would allow him to return to duty.

It took him 1 month to be able to stand; putting any weight on his leg was causing him considerable pain. And the arm was not any better. Yes he was gaining feeling, as the bio-metrics synced to the living tissue in his shoulder, but lifting it felt like trying to lift a 100 pound weight that was trying to tear itself clear of the flesh it was attached to.

He would not complain, he was a soldier, this was just another mission and he would not fail, but at night he would have to hold Cassie's hand just to fall asleep. The worst was yet to come.

Jaqui went in to full on drill sergeant mode. Conner's pain came from the fact that the metal limbs were significantly more powerful than the rest of his body; he needed to gain muscle mass or he would forever be in agony. He trained 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, resting only for high protein meals and snacks.(supplied by Cassie who was a surprisingly great cook- and it gave her a reason to stay by his side.)

For 3 grueling months Jaqui had him alternate between weight day and cardio day. Weight day ended with him sitting in a bath of ice while Cassie cooked dinner. Then she would help him get to bed and cuddle with him until he fell asleep-but she would be gone the next morning -she had to be. Their relationship was still against regulations. Until one day -she got permission.

"Daddy!" she nearly jumped back. She left Conner's house around 1 am- when no one was ever around.

"I'm head of security, I've known for months." he said casually leaning on a street post.

"Why are you here?" her heart was racing.

"to determine wither I want to tell you to go back inside." he walked towards her, shaking his head in disbelief. If Sonya knew what he was doing she would go nuclear. "From the day Conner arrived you have been the happiest I've seen you in a long time."

Cassie nodded, she felt it too.

"Conner is a good man. If you love him- you're what he needs."

"how do I know if I love him?" she knew she loved him, but she needed to hear her father's answer.

"can you imagine a world without him?"

Cassie started to cry and could not stop. Her father gave her a hug and left. Cassie did as he said, she went back inside, got in the bed and just held him-simply grateful for that moment.

And she was grateful next day was cardio day. On cardio days, she got to massage his aching body. She always loved to touch him but now his body was so epic she got aroused at just the sight of him. They would both get completely naked and she would work his muscles with deep tissue massage and deep stretches, until he couldn't take it anymore and needed his release. Their favorite position was with him on top, so she could fully experience the intensity of his strength.

Towards the end of his time training with Jaqui, they sat down for a water break. "I want to thank you for everything, thank you for believing in me."

"You remind me of my father." she touched his metal arm. "He went through some dark times, but what saved him was the support of his team and the love of my mother. This was all before I was born, but after hearing the stories, I was inspired to always give 100 percent to support the people I care about; there is always light at the end of the tunnel." she meant every word.

For the remainder of the time Takeda and Kung Jin taught him how to use his new limbs to enhance his combat and shooting abilities. This consisted of them hanging out in the training room, working as a team in virtual missions. But at least they only did this for less than 4 hours a day.

Conner was finally feeling like himself again and since Cassie was "allowed" to stay overnight his outlook was even more positive.

One day Cassie woke up early, deciding to make breakfast in bed. She made eggs, bacon (lots of bacon because bacon is awesome) and toast. It took her a good 30 minutes; surely he had to be awake by now.

She brought in the food on a folding table, but Conner was still asleep. She put it all to the side.

Cassie kissed his lips, and the blankets to sneak a glimpse at his sleeping body. She kissed his abs, hips, down to his massive erection. She licked the head of his cock and worked the shaft until made him cum all over her hands. She licked his cock clean, and then licked her fingers, as he woke up.

Smell of bacon and the morning orgasm was such an amazing treat."Cassie, you're so good to me. I don't know what I did to deserve you." it was in that moment he knew what he wanted/needed, to marry her, to experience her love for the rest of his life.

Later in the day he decided to discuss this with Takeda and Kung Jin.

"I'm thinking of proposing to Cassie." He said as they took a break to get food from the vending machine. Since his day was shorter Cassie and Jaqui were re assigned to assist other units- so no good food until dinner.

"Cassie?" Kung Jin snickered.

"you think she'll say no?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"no, she'll defiantly say yes, but Cassie is one of the guys- I just can't picture her in a wedding; in a dress , as someone's wife. But go for it, you already practically live together."Kung Jin shruigged while opening a coke.

"I have to agree- Cassie loves you, and you will make each other very happy, but I would ask a certain person for permission." Takeda was referring to a certain base General.

"Understood, thank you." He knew what he needed to do.

Conner left early and stood outside Sonya's office.

"Major Stryker ?" she nearly walked past.

"My I have a word General?" he said nervously.

"Come in. I have a few minutes." She opened the door.

"I know you don't think highly of me, but I would like to ask for your daughter's hand"

"hand? are you admitting to a relationship with a subordinate?" she said sitting down.

"I love her."

"So you're saying if I had security throw you off MY base right now I would be breaking my daughter's heart?" she asked in the most sarcastic way possible.

He simply nodded. He was not about to argue with her. The worst she could do was make him leave.

"Is she pregnant?" she asked with a angry tone.

"No." That assumption was so disrespectful Conner felt like just leaving.

"Can you please give the guy a chance?"Johnny Cage appeared in the doorway.

"You! You knew about this?" she slammed her fist on her desk.

"Yes, -Do you remember what Cassie was like when she came back from San Francisco?! Do you remember what Kano did to her?! What that monster Tremor did to her?! She is happy and that's all that matters." Conner had Johnny's blessing, Sonya would come around in time.

The next day Conner got Jaqui to take Cassie out for some girl time, so he would have a chance to make the ring. He had seen her hands enough to make an educated guess about the size. He had packed up tools from his past

This would be the first item he made since moving to the base and the first item he made with his new hand. The gold was from a cross his mother gave him before she died of ovarian cancer. (Since she had never been married to his father there was no "movie-like" moment of her giving him her wedding ring to pass along to his future wife.)She gave it to him before his first deployment; she said it would keep him safe. To him, it represented her spirit watching over him.

Their team got an assignment to patrol the activity of the Sky Temple. Raiden was still keeping the energy source guarded by the souls of Scorpion's clan and their job was just to make sure everything was still functional. They could also take in the beautiful view.

"I never get tired of coming here." Jaqui.

"When it's not being attacked, it's quite nice."Takeda added.

Conner turned to Cassie, "Cassie, " he held her hand.

"yeah?" she was looking away from him. The moon looked hypnotically bright, like the lights of heaven.

"Throughout my life I haven't had allot of experience with relationships. In my line of work it was always better to not let anyone get close."

Cassie agreed, it was like how her mother was the reason her parents weren't together.

"but I love the time we've spent together, they way you make me feel- I want to feel this way for the rest of my life.

Conner got down on one knee, " Cassie Cage, will you do me the honor…."

He didn't have to finish. She could only nod 'yes' she was shaking so badly she her throat not take in air. He put the ring on her finger, it was perfect. She kissed him, holding on to that moment for as long as she could.

The rest of the team was clapping.

"That was lovely. Y'all but I think we've spent enough time out here." Jaqui declared. "and I really want to check out the ring."