Author's Note: This is as far as I am on ao3, so hopefully now I can keep everything even. Mikasa time.

Two weeks ago

She wasn't really looking forward to this assignment. Everyone knew that the previous agents had gone missing, some even turning up dead. That 'mansion' was dangerous. They didn't have enough information on it and that made the mission high risk.

Still, she was willing to jump head first if it meant bringing down the cause of unease not only within the organization but the non-human community included. She had to protect Eren at all costs.

The first step was the warehouse. Getting into the mansion wasn't easy. Sneaking in was a definite no go. The only option being to enter as one of the girls who were kidnapped and sold. Even this was risky, the chances of being chosen were slim.

Mikasa kept herself to the shadows, keeping an eye on the flurry of activity. Dark eyes locked onto the assembly of rail cars where women in blindfolds and bindings were being shoved into.

She pursed her lips, let out a sigh, and pulled out a wrinkled map from her pocket. Show time.

Plastering a worried, confused look on her face, she stepped out from behind a building. Paper clutched in one hand, the other pushing back her hair, she approached a group of men stepping out of a black van.

"E-excuse me." Then men turned, suspicion coloring their expressions. "I'm lost." She gestured at the map in her hand. "I was told this was supposed to be some kind of audition but..." Mikasa eyed the surroundings nervously. "I'm not sure this is the right place."

The men looked at each other before turning back to Mikasa, eyeing her up and down.

"Don't worry sweetheart, this is the place. Aaron sent you, right?" Two men stepped closer, arms inviting and smirks in place.

It was a flurry of movement after that as Mikasa let herself be bound, blindfolded, and man-handled into one of the rail-cars.

After finding out how some of the women had gone missing, it was simple to act like a usual victim. Some were lured here with promises of money, other were here with information of getting into the entertainment business. Either method was easy to fall into. All that mattered now was playing the part and infiltrating the house of horrors.

Things were quiet for a while before they started moving an hour later. The sound of the whistle scaring some of the girls. Screams, sobs, and the sour smell of vomit meandered through the small space for another hour and a half as the train made its way to their destination.

Mikasa sat herself in a corner counting the seconds to judge the distance, ears and nose on high alert.

When the train came to a screeching halt, Mikasa stood from her crouched position in the corner, body tense and ready for any outcome. The binds on her wrists behind her back were simple, loose enough for her to either break or shift out of comfortably.

The scrape of the door sliding open had the girls pushing themselves as far back as possible, not that it did much when there were so many crowded into a single car.

The pleaded started as the girls were lead out, Mikasa even letting out a few protests of her own as she sniffed the air.

There was the smell of pine and the faint sound of running water. There were quite the distance away from the city. The mansion was a high class cabin if she had to take a guess. She pursed her lips.

When Annie had brought in that P.O.W vamp he had mentioned a mansion. After five hours of torture that was all they had been able to twist out of him. Things were a lot worse then they had first estimated. She needed to report to Smith. Information was key.

They were ushered into a small building where they waited until morning. The women were startled awake by a voice shouting at them. Everyone scrambled to their feet, tittering nervously. Most of the girls were too exhausted to put up much of a fight.

Bindings and blindfolds were removed to reveal a small room and a group of men with guns surrounding them. Orders were barked and clothing was removed before everyone was made to stand single file.

Mikasa kept her head down, observing with her peripherals. From what she could see, there were at least fifty women in her group. Not five minutes later, a man and a woman walked in, heading for the start of the line.

"Human or non?" The woman asked, voice high with suppressed excitement.

"H-human."

The woman tsked and moved on to the next one in line, asking the same question.

There were six women who had answered with 'non' before they reached Mikasa.

"Hmm now you look interesting. What is your profession?"

Mikasa kept her head lowered, shoulders drawn, and stance submissive. "I used to be a weight trainer."

Mikasa could see the woman bring a hand to her face, presumably tapping her chin. "That so..." There was a moment of pause before she spoke again. "What's your name?"

"Ana."

"Uh huh, and are you human or non, Ana?"

Mikasa internally debated on the answer. She was looking for non-humans, of that she was certain. As for the reason why was something she was hesitant on finding out. Squaring her jaw she looked up to meet the black-red eyes of the woman in front of her. She couldn't help the slight shiver that passed through her. She fought down the urge to tense for a fight. A strigoi was the last thing she has expected. It would be difficult to win this fight, if at all.

"Non."

The woman made an affirmative noise in the back of her throat and moved on down the line.

Ten minutes later, the group of women were separated into two groups. Those who had answered as human being led out. Fifteen remained inside, huddling together.

The woman and the man standing just behind her stepped forward. Clapping her hands, grin in place with a glint in her eye, she addressed them. "My name is Hanji and I will be taking very good care of you ladies for the rest of your stay."

Mikasa frowned, a sick feeling in her gut rising at the words.

"Now, if you could please follow me."

xxxxxxxxxx

Present day

I flopped down onto the bed, throwing an arm over my eyes. I sighed heavily at the sound of footsteps approaching my bedroom.

"So, how'd it go? Did you find anything?"

I let out a groan of frustration. "No, not really." I peeked underneath my forearm to meet wide blue eyes. "The warehouses were empty. The only clue was a set of train tracks but we can't really tell where they lead since it ended up scattering in different directions."

Armin leaned himself against the door, blond eyebrows knitted thoughtfully. "You weren't able to follow a scent?"

"No, whatever I was able to catch faded when the tracks met the first line of trees."

"Strange..." He murmured before falling silent, the quiet stretching out. Finally he spoke up, but with a topic I really didn't want to discuss. "Levi help any?"

I could've popped a blood vessel at the mere mention of his name. Instead I just rolled over and smashed my face into the pillow.

After that had happened, I had avoided saying anything to him unless it was necessary. I signaled at him if I needed to call him over and vice versa. If he said anything I only nodded my head in agreement. At least when I had shifted into a wolf while we followed the tracks I had an excused for keeping quiet.

We were able to determine that people were being kept there before being sent god-knows-where. The tracks had lead to various places but they stretched on too long for us to follow on foot. The sky had started to grow lighter before we decided to call it a night, each of us going in different directions. I didn't even know when the next time I saw him would be. I don't think I wanted to know. To be honest, I hoped he didn't show up again. Not like that would help me a whole lot. I just had to suck it up.

"I don't want to talk about it." I mumbled into the cotton. "Just let me sleep."

I don't know how he understood me, but he did, a smirk in his voice. "Whatever you say, Eren."

I was half tempted to fling the entirety of my bed at him. "Shut up."

His laugh was the last thing I registered before my eyes drifted shut. I dreamed.

Why do you talk to me?

Because I can.

How are you here?

I'm not really there.

When will you be?

Soon.

Will you take me somewhere safe?

I'll try.

They are coming for me. They hurt me. I want them to stop.

I know.

Then why aren't you helping me?

I can't.

There is anger and hurt, the smashing of something. Then, what is your name?

There is silence. Will there be no answer again today?

The reply is so quiet it almost goes unheard.

Levi.

I wake up gasping, pain pulsing through my head. I groan and fumble for the cell on the side dresser. I unlock it and squint at the numbers on the screen. Just after four in the afternoon.

I swipe a finger across the screen to look at my messages. There are two from Jean, asking how I'm holding up. A third from Reiner, looking to meet up. I contemplate my answers for a moment before a sound of something crashing into the floor reaches my ears.

Jumping off the bed, I fling open my door and make my way towards the kitchen. I find Armin picking up a chair, rubbing at his hip.

"What happened?"

He looks up at the sound of my voice. "Oh, hey Eren, nice to see you up." I grunt at him and make a beeline for the table, sitting myself in a chair. "I was rushing into the kitchen because I thought my pasta was burning. I ended up knocking over a chair. Did I wake you up?"

I shake my head at him and rub at my temples. "Nah, I had a dream but I don't really remember what it was about."

"Ah." Armin nods his head sagely, blond locks swaying gently. "I'm guessing it wasn't a very good dream?"

I shrug at him and gesture toward the stove. "What kind of pasta is it?"

Armin rolls his eyes and snorts as he turns toward the pot with boiling noodles. "I was going to make spaghetti, but you don't have any meat in your fridge. So pasta and sauce it is."

My stomach growls loudly at that and I grin at him. "Sounds good to me."

Armin only lets out an indignant snort, flicks my forehead, and gets to work mixing the meager ingredients.

Thirty minutes later had me sinking into the couch, patting my now full belly. Pulling out my phone from the jeans I hadn't bothered to change out of last night, I make a phone call. After three rings, it picks up.

"Smith."

"Hey, boss." I answer casually.

I swear I could feel the slight tilt of his lips over the phone. "Was there something you needed, Jeager?"

I inspect my nails. "There is actually."

A pause. "That would be?"

"I need the next two nights to be spent out of my house."

A smooth chuckle passes through the line. "That's fine by me, I'm not your mother. As long as you understand that you won't be let out of our sights for a while yet."

The call of the moon was strong, it was a wonder I was able to keep from ripping my clothes off right now. I can only thank the presence of the sun for that. Nighttime was a different story. I really didn't think it was necessary for me to call Smith about it, since he knew the drill. However, Armin insisted after I discussed it with him at the table.

"I know that. I'll be at Maria's. Just thought I'd let you know." I end the call and stand from my perch on the couch. I make my way back to my room, eyes searching for my bag, fingers dialing Reiner's number. My fingers wrap around the black material just as the phone picks up.

"Hey, so how do you feel about meeting tonight?"

The deep rumble of his reply has me grinning in anticipation. "Sounds like a plan."

xxxxxxxxxx

At some point Jean must have brought back my car since I found it parked outside my apartment, keys hidden behind one of the tires.

I made my way to the club, my eyes darting to the shadows keeping pace as I drove. As annoying as I found it, I knew it was necessary. I may act like I'm tough shit, but I also know when to grit my teeth and bare with the assistance I'm given.

I pull into an empty parking space right beside the building. The only benefit of arriving to a place best suited for nightly activities was that there were a lot fewer people. At times it was also kind of a disadvantage since things were a little quieter. I hate quiet.

I walk up to the entrance to find a shifter sitting there, picking at a stain on the knee of his white-washed jeans. I raise an eyebrow in question.

"Where's Chell?"

Bored eyes lift for a second before falling back to his task. "Dunno, haven't seen her for the past couple nights."

"That's weird." I murmur to myself.

The guy only shrugs and I let myself in, eyebrows knitted slightly in worry. Although not like she couldn't take care of herself. She wasn't an ancient vampire, but she wasn't young either. She had quite a few years under her belt.

I shake my head. No point in worrying about it. I had my own problems to deal with.

Entering the main room of the club, I make my way to the bar, sitting myself in a stool. There were already a few people inside, not that I found it too surprising. It was going to be six in the evening, which meant that more people were going to be flooding in soon.

There was no wait staff floating around, which was the norm the closer it came to the full moon. It could get dangerous as Weres tended to get a little rougher with each other, null necklaces or not, it wasn't very safe for humans. Both vampires and shifters could be found in the club at various times of the month, but they became fewer in number as the moon grew fuller. Only those who had both the strength and stamina to endure these last few days were present.

I sat around sipping a rum and coke for the next hour, watching people dance or fuck as I waited. Just as I was ordering a refill, the seat next to me is suddenly occupied. I nod my head at Reiner and he flashes his teeth.

"Been doing alright, Eren?"

I swirl the contents of my drink around the glass and smirk up at him. "I could be doing better."

He chuckles and shifts to reach into his back pocket. "Before we get to that, I brought you something."

I snort. "What's the point of that?"

He lifts a heavy shoulder, dropping it back down with an easy smile. "What does it matter, it's the thought that counts ain't it?"

I shake my head. He laughs and places a little white box on the counter in front of me. I lift a brow at him but he only gives me a little grin.

I put my drink down and grab it off the counter top, weighing it in my hand. "What is it?"

"Just open it."

I sigh and lift the top, revealing a little black hoop earring. I turn my head to Reiner who has an arm behind his neck, rubbing at it in embarrassment.

"You said you had your ear pierced before, but I've never seen you wear anything. Truth be told, it came with another one but poor Bert couldn't handle having the other ear pierced, so I thought, why not give it to Eren? I know you have your rules and stuff but I didn't think this was anything-"

I know he's rambling now so I lift a hand and place it on his shoulder. "Its fine. Thanks."

The big dork only smiled at me then proceeded to flag down the bartender. While his attention is elsewhere I decide to eye the little hoop. The ring itself was pretty thick, it was a nice size. What I thought was originally a black ring turns out to be a mixture of green and black. The green was very thin, winding its way around the black, swirling around in cracks. The green almost seemed to glow before being swallowed by the inky color. It was interesting, I had never seen one like this before. I fiddle with the end that is supposed to connect with my ear, debating.

It was true that I had my ear pierced at some point, judging by the hole in my left lobe. I bring my free hand to touch at the little indention. I actually don't remember how I got it exactly, simply accepting that it was there. Like with everything else, I decide not to think too hard on it.

With a sigh, I bring the little accessory to my ear. I only grimace slightly before pushing it in and clamping it shut. Nothing wrong with indulging the poor guy for now. I could always take it out later and tell him I had found it uncomfortable. Which wouldn't be a total lie. Something about the sudden weight had me feeling a little out of sorts. Almost...wrong.

Before I can investigate the feeling further, Reiner is turning back to me, eyes bright. "Looks nice on ya."

I give him a little smile and roll the ring between my fingers. "You think so?"

"Yeah," he breathes, leaning in a little closer to whisper in my ear. "Its sexy."

I laugh at that and bring an arm to rest around his neck. "How about we skip the foreplay?"

He gives me a wolfish grin before picking me up from my stool, hands on my ass, to lead me toward one of the back rooms. "I love it when you're pushy." He kicks the door shut behind us.

Author's Note: I hate fillers, but they're necessary. Shoot me.