"Petra?"

"Mmm…"

"Petra…"

Levi?

What was he doing up? Was he alright?

Petra slowly opened her eyes to find that she was still in Levi's room, still at his bedside. But it wasn't dark anymore, as sunlight was peeking through the large window. She was hunched over with her head resting on his bed, her arms covering her face. Had she really slept here all night? Before she even had much time to react, she felt a firm hand on her shoulder, nudging her a bit.

"Petra?"

What Petra thought was Levi's voice was far from it. Petra quickly sat up, seeing that she was surrounded by her commanding officers, including Hanji, Mike, and Commander Erwin. Petra turned to see that the hand on her shoulder had belonged to Hanji, as well as the voice. Moblit was also standing beside Squad Leader Hanji, along with the doctor that Petra had briefly seen yesterday. Petra quickly snapped out of her groggy daze and stood up immediately saluting, wrinkled clothes, messy hair and all.

"As you were." Hanji smiled. "Slept here all night I see?"

"Oh! Well I didn't mean to! You see…I needed to tend to the Captain a little longer…and he was being a bit…well…stubborn…" she said the last part a little softly, with Erwin and Hanji looking at one another. They expected that sort of thing from Levi.

"And I was sitting beside him giving him more to drink…and then I guess I dozed off. My apologies…."

"It's quite alright, Petra." Erwin stepped forward. "Hanji told me about how you stepped up and really helped them last night. I'm sure it really helped Levi when you brought down the fever."

"It was nothing at all!" Petra put her hands up, looking a bit bashful. She was too modest for the most part…and usually got really embarrassed when someone praised or complimented her.

"I was just doing my duty as a soldier…taking care of my Captain." She glanced back down at the bed, where Levi was still laying sound asleep. He was sleeping more peacefully, much better than he was last night. But he still looked extremely ill, and worse, his cheeks were flushed with fever once more.

"I can see you're worried, but rest assure." Hanji spoke up. "We were able to get the vaccine. The doctor here is about to give Levi the shot."

"That's great news!" Petra's face lit up. The vaccine was finally ready; maybe she could stop worrying herself sick over Levi now.

"Now listen, the doctor is going to give Levi the vaccine first. He is more important right now. Then the rest of the squad will be getting the shot. Petra and Moblit, since you were around Levi for a good amount of time last night, you will be getting a dose before the rest of the squad, for precautionary measures." Hanji said.

"You as well, Squad Leader?" Moblit looked at Hanji.

"Yep." Hanji smiled. "Alright, now let's get to it, doc! We don't have a moment to spare."

"Yes, of course." The doctor headed over to Levi's bedside and began unpacking his bag and preparing the vaccine.

Meanwhile, Levi shifted and slowly opened his eyes.

"What the fuck…shitty glasses…?" he mumbled.

Hanji looked at him and smiled warmly. "Well good morning, sleepy head."

"What the hell is going on…?"

"The doctor is here to give you the vaccine."

"Yeah well is there a reason why everyone and their mother are in the room?" Levi growled before letting out a horribly wet sounding cough.

A worried look crossed Petra's face and she reached her hand out to him, about to say something, before Erwin stepped in.

"Levi, cooperate with the doctor. The sooner you get the vaccine in you the better."

"Yeah, not to mention you really look like shit." Hanji added on.

"Fuck you…" Levi grumbled as he struggled to sit up.

"Do you need help?" Mike stepped forward.

"No." Levi put his hand up and continued to lift himself up, blankets falling off of him.

"Wow he's in a mood." Mike mumbled to Hanji. "Worse than usual."

"Well what do you expect? He must feel terrible…" Hanji watched as the doctor readied a syringe.

Petra only watched as the doctor cleaned the skin on Levi's shoulder before piercing him with the needle. Levi feeling terrible was an understatement. She had practically looked after him all night and there was really nothing she could do but watch him suffer. Levi slightly flinched at the needle, cursing a bit.

"This will be a bit rough on the body, so he'll be sore for a couple of days in this area. This will also weaken him by a lot…so it's important to closely monitor him for the next few hours."

"So what you're saying is that there's a chance this won't work?" Hanji crossed her arms over her chest.

"There is a chance, yes, due to the severity of his condition. However, he has only been ill for a day, and the chance is minute…but it's best to wait for the vaccine to kick in just to be sure."

"Understood. Thank you for coming out here, doctor." Erwin shook the doctor's hand.

Petra only looked at Levi, who still looked as miserable as ever. Hopefully the shot given to him would take effect soon. All she wanted was to see him up and about again, for it just wasn't right seeing him so bedridden.

The commanding officers then received their vaccines one by one, then Moblit, and lastly Petra. Mike, Erwin, and Moblit left the room, leaving Petra and Hanji with the doctor, and Levi still lying in bed. Petra removed her military jacket, handing it to Hanji, who offered to hold it for her. Petra unbuckled the harness strap across her chest and unbuttoned her shirt halfway. She pulled her shirt down slightly, enough to reveal her shoulder for the doctor. He cleaned the skin on her shoulder before injecting the vaccine into her. She flinched at the needle as well; for it must really be some strong stuff if it caused Levi to make a face at it. The doctor removed the needle and put some cloth to the injection site.

"Put a little bit of pressure here, please." He said as Petra nodded and held the cloth to her skin. As the doctor turned to his bag for the roll of bandages, Petra glanced over at Levi.

He was sitting up, leaning against the headboard, with his head cocked to the side, looking at Petra. Petra's cheeks immediately flushed a deep red, as part of her chest was exposed, revealing her bra. Before she could say anything though, Hanji was already heading over to him.

"What are you doing? Sneaking a peek? Really?" Hanji flicked the side of his head with her thumb and index finger.

"Umf! What the hell was that for?" Levi scowled.

"For being inappropriate!" She made a sour face towards him.

"Are you shitting me right now? If you think that was what I was doing then you are the one with the dirty mind, not me. Why are you two stripping in front of me anyway?"

Petra blushed and turned away at Levi's choice in wording.

Stripping.

She started hoping that the doctor would quicken the pace with the bandage wrapping.

"We thought you were asleep!" Hanji placed her hands on her hips.

"So that's your reason?"

Hanji rolled her eyes before looking back at him and grinning mischievously. "You dirty old man. You just wanted to sneak a peek at Petra, didn't you?"

"I swear I will kick your shitty glasses ass to kingdom come once I'm well…"

"Looking forward to it." Hanji smiled once more and looked back at Petra, who was now quickly buttoning up her shirt again.

"Petra!"

"Yes?" Petra quickly stood up while putting her jacket back on.

"Unfortunately, I have to get back to my own squad, and the Commander has prior engagements so…your task today is taking care of Levi."

Levi only sighed and sank back into the bed. Petra, on the other hand, still tried to process what the squad leader was saying. Before she could even respond to Hanji's order, she was already heading out the door.

"Wait! Squad Leader! Hanji!"

"Yessss?" Hanji swung her head around as she reached the doorway.

"This is my assignment? Caring for Heichou…?"

"That's correct. Come here, Petra."

"Mm." Petra nodded and walked over to Hanji, who pulled her in closer and lowered her voice to a whisper.

"You see, you are the most capable of the squad right now. You know how to keep his fever down and watch him like a hawk." She smiled, causing Petra to blush a bit. "You have…well, not to stereotype, but a woman's touch. Erd and Gunther would be capable, but they lack your medicinal skills. Auruo seems to be a bit too cocky and may not keep his cool. And Eren…seems a little clumsy…he'll get his ass handed to him by Levi if he did something like try to feed him medicine…or worse…spill something like hot tea on him…"

Petra blinked, only able to picture what sort of catastrophe that would cause.

"What I'm trying to say is…I think your kindness calms him. You as a person calm him."

"I…" Petra paused. "I don't know about that…"

"Oho, I see it. Now I understand why he likes having you so close, aside from being the only one who can make his coffee the right way." She laughed, but Petra only felt her face getting warmer.

Heichou…liked having her close by?

"Now, if anything serious happens, you send a soldier to one of us immediately, alright?"

"Yes sir!"

"Alright. Until later then." Hanji nodded and exited the bedroom, shutting the door behind her.

Petra just stood in the middle of the room for a moment, staring at the floor. Her thoughts have been all over the place the past few days, and quite frankly, it was starting to get to her.

"Oi, Petra."

Petra blinked, snapping out of her thoughts and turning around to face Levi.

"Yes, what is it Captain?"

Levi was sitting up in bed again, with his tired eyes looking at her. "You are not obligated to stay here. I'm perfectly capable of handling myself."

"But Heichou…"

"Seriously, it's nothing I can't…!" Before Levi could even finish his sentence, he started coughing heavily once more.

Petra hurried over to her Captain, who was now hunched over, coughing into a handkerchief.

"Here…" Petra readied a glass of water and handed it to Levi.

After a moment of more coughing, Levi finally took the glass and drank. Petra noticed his cheeks were flushed red again, so she reached out her hand and gently placed her palm on his forehead. She then flipped her hand over and felt his forehead again with the back of her hand. Levi just laid still and watched her with exhausted eyes. He didn't say one word as she felt along his face with delicate, but slightly callused fingers. She was gentle with him; so careful, for some reason. She always had that way about her whenever she had touched him. Granted, the only other time she had touched him until now was weeks ago, when they had been drinking, and they had slept in the same bed together that night. She was sweet, but also bold. Too bold. She had taken the liberty of touching him all over, without any regards at all. She even went as far as kissing him…and it was not something he had forgotten. She was kind, and she was gentle. But underneath all of that sweetness was a feisty and rebellious woman, who sometimes didn't listen when she should. It infuriated him….but it also fascinated him…thrilled him, even.

Levi blinked.

What in the hell was he thinking? And now of all times? It was the sickness…it had to be…

"Captain?"

"…Huh?" Levi came back to reality as Petra removed her hand from his face.

"You have a fever again….so… I'm staying here."

"I don't need you here."

I don't need you here.

That same sentence from a few weeks back echoed in her head.

"But Captain…"

"Petra…" Levi cut her off once again, this time making Petra a little more than aggravated.

"Please, Heichou! You can't take care of yourself!" she began to raise her voice. "Quit being a stupid and stubborn idiot and just let me help you!"

A moment of silence fell between the two.

Levi only stared at her, blinking once. "Stupid…and stubborn idiot, huh?"

Petra's eyes widened. She called him stupid.

And an idiot.

However, before she could counter or try to take it back, Levi laid back and closed his eyes.

"Fine. Stay if you want to."

"Heichou…" Petra's face softened as Levi slightly flinched in pain. His symptoms must have come back…

Petra didn't waste any time preparing another batch of the disgusting liquid remedy and the tea paste from before. As she worked quickly, Levi fell in and out of sleep. The vaccine must have really been taking a toll on his body, as well as the sickness it was trying hard to fight off. That girl was going to continue to stay by his side all day, and even all night if she had to.

He didn't want her there.

He didn't want her there because he did want her there. She was starting to stir him up again, and he didn't want that.

His head continued to pound as he fell in and out of a rough sleep. At one point he was awoken to take more of the fever remedy from Petra. He didn't fight her this time, as he really wanted to get well already, and a day and a half has gone by already and he felt pathetically helpless. He took the concoction with no trouble, unlike yesterday, which surprised Petra. She wasn't going to complain though; he was actually acting nice for a change. Yesterday he was acting a bit childish…which she tried to understand due to his health…but this was much nicer.

"Want some water?" she asked.

"Please…" he made a face after finishing the remedy.

"Make sure you drink it all. You need to re-hydrate your system after this."

"Yeah…" Levi didn't hesitate to drink down every last drop of water before laying his head back for a moment. However, before he could get a moment of peace, Petra was back again with her special paste.

"Here." She put the spoon to his mouth. He rolled his eyes and took the paste.

"Hopefully this will be the last time…I know it's a pain." She smiled, trying to lighten his mood a bit.

Levi felt stupid for letting her face heat him up like this…but…

"It's fine…I just want to be well already…" he took another drink of water.

"I know, but it takes time…especially in your case. You need to rest. This paste should make you nice and sleepy…I noticed you have been dozing on and off."

"…Thank you." Levi said before closing his eyes once more.

Petra only looked at him for a moment, before getting up and cleaning up the area, once again disinfecting and so on.

Levi slept for a good couple of hours, with Petra checking up on him every so often. He slept pretty soundly for the most part, with the exception of once that day. Petra had walked in to change the rag on his forehead, only to see a pained look on his face as he slept. He began to sweat pretty profusely once again, but it was a good sign to Petra, for that meant his fever was breaking once more. She decided to take a cold rag to his head once more to help cool him off and rid him of some of that sticky sweat. While he was sleeping, she sat at his bedside again and took the cold rag to his face, dabbing the sweat from his brow. He started to mutter something in his sleep, and was beginning to look a little tense and uneasy. His breathing picked up pace and he began to squirm a bit.

"No...ung…!" His muttering was getting slightly louder and his face even more tense. Petra looked at him, examining his actions. A look of worry fell over her face; this wasn't his sickness…he was dreaming. But by the looks of things, it seemed more like he was stuck in a nightmare. Petra jumped, startled as Levi thrashed once and decided that it would be best to wake him.

"Heichou?" she gently shook his shoulder, only causing him to groan aloud once more. "Levi!" she shook him harder, suddenly waking him from his deep sleep.

"….!" His eyes shot open and he whipped his head towards her, grabbing her arm that gripped his shoulder and yanking her towards him forcefully. She nearly fell into him, catching the horribly cold and fierce look in his steely eyes.

"Ah!" she moaned as his grip tightened. "Heichou! It's me! Ow…! Please stop!"

Levi sat there, his hand tightly wrapped around the girl's forearm. His breathing was elevated, and he was ready to kill anything that tried to lay a hand on him…or his comrades…but…this girl. He looked into those amber eyes, ones that were full of worry and uncertainty. He wasn't in danger…

"Petra…." He breathed and immediately loosened his grip on her.

"Levi…" Petra looked at him as he shrunk back, with a look on his face that she had never seen before.

Anguish.

"Shit…" he cursed. "I was…dreaming…"

"Yes… I think you were having a nightmare…are you alright?"

Levi remained silent for a moment, as if trying to compose himself. The look of anguish quickly escaped his face as he went back to his usual calm and cool state.

"I…yes. It was just a dream…although….it's been a while since I've had that sort of dream." He sighed.

"May I ask…what it was about, Captain?"

Levi only blinked and looked back at Petra. "I dreamt of the past…that was all…"

Petra only sighed silently and picked up the rag she had dropped when Levi had grabbed her. That was all she would get out of him and she knew it. No point in trying to pry.

"Petra…are you alright? I didn't hurt you…did I?" he looked at her, sounding slightly concerned.

"Oh! No…I'm alright…" Petra rubbed her arm where he had grabbed her.

"I did…you said so…"

"I'm alright…really…" she moved close to him again, sitting in the chair near his bedside. His face was still paler than usual, and a bit of red was visible under his sickly and tired eyes. He was still sweating, which was good. It meant his fever was breaking again. She dipped the rag into the bucket of water beside her feet and rung it out, before putting the rag to Levi's forehead again.

Levi sat still, staring down at his lap and keeping his thoughts to himself. It had been a while since he had dreamt of the past…who was he kidding…it was a nightmare. He was sure that he had finally gotten over this…finally able to get the faces of his dead comrades out of his head…his memories of the underground…those little feet of a young boy stepping through puddles of blood…

No. Those memories were never going to leave. No matter how much he suppressed them…those nightmares always returned to him, one way or another.

At that moment, he felt a cool touch to his forehead. He blinked and lifted his eyes to see Petra with a wet cloth in her hand, gently dabbing his forehead. He only stared at her and she continued to dab at his face. The sickness was really making him exhausted, but he was actually gradually starting to feel better. Levi continued to watch her, actually letting her touch him because, he had to face it, and it felt good.

"Petra…"

Petra stopped and moved the rag from his face, knowing she had crossed the line between them once again.

"I'm…sorry. I was just…getting that gross sweat off of you…I know you don't like the feel. Plus the cold water was helping your body temperature level out and…um…" she started to lose track of her words.

"It's alright…it feels nice…could you do it again please?"

Petra gripped the rag a bit, trying not to get nervous. "Oh…okay then…"

She placed the rag on his forehead again and gently dabbed his sweat away again, with Levi leaning his head back and closing his eyes, liking the feel. She moved the cloth down to his jaw, and then to his neck. He opened his eyes once more after noticing her hand was straying from his face.

"You are very sweaty, Heichou…" she said softly.

"Well it's extremely warm in here…"

"No, its fine…I'm happy you are." She moved the cloth across his collarbone. "It means you are sweating out the fever so…hopefully this will be the last time."

"I see…" Levi said, not quite paying attention to her words…but to her hands.

Her movements…

Her face…

"Hey…" he gently placed his hand over hers.

"Huh…? Yes?" she looked up at him. His hand over hers was…nerve wracking. She was trying so hard not to get flustered over something so ridiculous…until the action that followed changed things.

"My chest too…it's sweaty as hell…" He moved her hand down past his collarbone and to his chest.

"Oh…sure…." She dabbed at his chest…but Levi didn't remove his hand from hers. He was guiding her hand over his bare chest…his body. About a minute went by as she continued to gently touch him with the cloth, slowly and softly, with the Captain's hand still enveloping hers.

What was he doing…? Why was he holding her hand like this?

"I really am sorry…if I had hurt you." Levi spoke up, speaking softly. It wasn't my intention you know…" he gently brushed his index finger over her knuckles.

Petra felt her face warm up. This was way too much. He was being really…gentle…and kind. What had gotten into him? She quickly wriggled her hand out from under his and pulled away, followed by her hastily standing up from the chair.

"Please Heichou…don't worry about me…you didn't hurt me. I know you were just having a bad dream so…" she quickly tried to change the subject.

"So…how are you feeling…?" She asked, trying to hide the nervousness in her voice. But Levi knew better. She had unconsciously pushed a bit of hair behind her ear, something she did when she was flustered or didn't know what to say.

"What's the matter? Did I make you feel uncomfortable just now?" he cocked his head at the flustered red head.

This only made Petra feel even more on the spot. "No…not at all!" she smiled warmly.

She had lied.

Levi sat himself up in bed and looked out the window, then back at Petra.

"I'm actually feeling much better than before…"

Petra blinked, remembering the first question she had initially asked him.

"Really? That's great!" Her face lit up. So the vaccine must have been working. And it was beginning to show; Heichou didn't look as sickly as before and he hadn't coughed once since he had awoken. She reached her hand out and felt his forehead under the strands of hair hanging over his brow.

"Ah, and your fever has gone down a lot." She smiled at him and removed her hand. "Would you…like to try and eat today? I know you hadn't eaten at all yesterday…"

"I suppose I could…I am hungry." Levi was actually extremely hungry, meaning his appetite had returned, which was good.

"Oh great!" Petra clapped her hands together in delight. "Here…" she quickly readied him a glass of water to drink and handed it to him. "Drink it all up. And I'll bring you some food alright?"

Levi nodded and Petra made her way to the door.

"Oi, Petra…" Levi spoke up again.

Petra looked back at the Captain and cocked her head. "What is it?"

"I…well, thank you…" he muttered before turning his gaze back to the window.

Petra only blinked, followed by a gentle smile.

"Heichou really is kind." She thought, before letting herself out of his room and making her way to the kitchen.

Petra entered the kitchen and started up the stove. They still had a lot left over potato soup from the night before, so she decided to warm that up so not to waste any food. As she stirred the pot, Eren entered the kitchen.

"Oh, hey Petra. I didn't even know you were still here."

"Hello Eren." Petra smiled warmly. "Yes, I've been taking care of the Captain…that's what Squad Leader Hanji wanted me to do today."

"Oh? So…how is Captain Levi anyway? Is he…?"

"I think he'll be just fine. His cough is nearly gone and his fever went back down again. He's also been sleeping a lot, so I think the vaccine is doing its job. He just needs some food and some more rest I think."

"Well that's a relief…"

"…What's the matter? You look a little lost."

"Huh? Oh…It's nothing. It's just a little boring today is all."

"Boring?"

"With Heichou being laid up and all…there wasn't much for me to do today. Everyone else was assigned different projects for the day, but, uh…Miss Hanji said it would be best if I stayed in today." He shrugged and took a seat at the small table.

"Oh, I see…I suppose it's for the best."

Eren only let out a small groan.

"I know it's a little discouraging now…because you aren't used to people looking at you like this…" Petra went to the sink to fill a small silver kettle. "But Squad Leader Hanji and the Captain…even the Commander…they only have your best interest in mind; remember that."

"Yeah…I know…but I'm not making any progress at all…"

Petra set the kettle on the stove and went back to stirring the pot. "You worry so much, Eren. In the Scouting Regiment it's best not to worry about most things…otherwise you will make yourself sick. Just always be on your guard, as Heichou has always said. I can't say I understand your situation, because well, I don't…but…" she scooped some hot soup into a bowl and walked over to Eren.

"Keep your faith in Heichou…in the squad." She smiled sweetly at him and set the bowl down in front of him. "And you really are making progress."

Eren blushed at Petra's kindness. "Thank you, Petra…"

"Mmhm! There's more on the stove. I'll be upstairs okay?"

Eren nodded and began to eat as Petra set another bowl of soup on a tray and a small teacup and headed back upstairs.

Levi opened his eyes again when Petra came through the door. She walked over to him and set the tray on his lap.

"Alright," she looked around, making sure she hadn't forgotten anything. "It's a bit stuffy in here. How about I open the window and get you some fresh air?"

"Go for it." Levi dipped his spoon into the soup and began to eat.

Petra walked over to the window and lifted it open. She felt a small breeze gently caressing her face as she looked over the lovely view of the courtyard.

"Your room has a view!" she smiled and turned around.

"Yeah I guess…" Levi said; his words muffled from the food in his mouth.

He was eating so well, which was another good sign. Maybe she didn't have to worry as much anymore…

She sighed with relief and leaned on her elbows, looking out the window and up at the sky. It was a little hypocritical of her to tell Eren not to worry, when she had been worried sick over Levi for the past day and a half. Some things just couldn't be helped, she supposed. On a different note, the weather was beautiful today, and it was a bit of a shame that she and the Captain had to be cooped up inside. However, it was a good idea to open up a few windows; a little bit of fresh air would be good for him anyway.

"What is this?"

Petra snapped out of her thoughts and turned back to Levi.

"I'm sorry?" she stood up.

"This is black tea." Levi held the tea cup in his hand and looked at Petra, his face looking a bit surprised.

"Oh, yes…it is." She smiled.

"How did you get this?"

"A shop in town."

"Really…this is my favorite."

"I know." Petra smiled warmly, catching Levi off guard a bit. He never told her black tea was his favorite…at least he didn't think so. She must have just caught on somehow.

"There wasn't a whole lot available, though…I was going to buy it myself but the old woman insisted she give it to me." She laughed a little. "She was very kind. Oh and she told me to tell you the Ross family sends their regards."

Levi blinked, as if trying to think back. "Ross family…ah. Tch…that crazy old bat…"

Now it was Petra's turn to blink, a little caught off guard. "Huh…?"

"I knew her son a while back…we fought side by side. I had rescued him from a titan once when he was a rookie. Tch, almost got eaten on his first scouting mission." He reminisced. "Though, he couldn't let that go and had to introduce me to his whole damn family, what an idiot…"

"Oh…he's a soldier then?" Petra sat in the chair beside Levi's bed, interested in the story.

Levi took a sip of tea and set the cup down. "He was."

"Oh…" Petra looked down at her lap.

"He died a year later on an expedition. This was…maybe about ten years ago? I personally delivered the news to his family…for some reason they still extend kindness to me…I don't know why."

"Maybe…because they still appreciate what you've done. It obviously meant something to them…right?"

"I let him die…how could that possibly mean anything…"

Petra frowned, looking down at her lap for a moment, before looking back up at Levi, who was just staring into nothing. It wasn't like Levi to talk about the past, in fact, why he was suddenly bringing up something so personal didn't seem like him at all. She barely knew anything about his past to be honest, aside from the rumors she's heard from other people.

"Well…that's that." Levi set the tea cup down. "Thank you Petra."

"No problem…" she stood up and removed the tray from his lap, her thoughts still lingering on his story.

"I suppose I'll try to sleep a little more…but then I would really like to get up. There are a lot of things that still need to be done."

"But…Heichou…you need to at least try and recover for the rest of the day…"

Levi turned his head and looked at her, giving her a somewhat irritated look that said something along the lines of, "Are you really trying to tell me what to do?"

Petra only sighed. "Alright. Well, I'll be downstairs if you need anything alright?"

"Mm." Levi turned over on his side and sighed.

Petra wished Levi would just listen and stay in bed for the remainder of the day but…he was stubborn. And he hated being laid up, that was clear.

Petra only shook her head before exiting the bedroom.