"I can't believe you actually stood up for him."

I roll my eyes at Levi's bitter attitude. I don't face him but knew his instead, fiery glare was set between my shoulder-blades. I faced the window, attempting to process Elise's death.

I wondered, was she out on leave too? After all, the killings begin once someone takes leave. I tried to rack my brain of any sort of remembrance of seeing any sort of request but, couldn't.

However, it wasn't just that that was pressing down on my heart. I had to keep an eye on Edward. It's something I truly dislike, it was like I was betraying his trust in some way.

"What else was I supposed to do?" I seethe. "Sit back and watch you both lose loyalty in a solider?"

"Don't be a smart-ass," Levi snaps. "Instead of letting your emotions get in the way, you should've looked at the situation rationally."

"Oh, so the fact you kept insisting a member on your squad is an accomplice is rational?" I whirl around to send Levi a dark glare. My jaw was set tightly together while my fists were clenched. "There's no solid proof yet, your so set on making him out as the criminal? How's that rational?"

Levi crosses his arms, taking my glare as an invitation to become hostile. I don't back down when he straightens his shoulders.

"Because unlike you, I'm not stupid or dense," he growls. "Honestly, Emma, do you really think he has nothing to do with this case?"

"Yes!" I exclaim. "I know he's not part of it because he saved me."

"Or, you think know because of whatever hidden feelings you have for him," Levi spits. I make some sort of exasperated sound, throwing my hands in the air.

Unbelievable, I think angrily. Not only does he possess the power to piss me off but also to make things worse than they already are.

"So, the fact you're not saying anything proves I'm right?" Levi mocks with the cock of his head. He scoffs with a disguised look in his eyes. "Such horrible taste, Lieutenant. Bearing feelings for a young cadet who is possibly a criminal. Pitiful. I rather see you love a damn rock than that dumbass."

His words sent my blood into a boiling rage. My eyes glaring furiously at him while my fists shook.

"You know what? Fuck you!" I shout. "At least I know not to sell my friends out when I know they didn't do shit!"

"Don't tell me to fuck myself!" He roars. "You gladly did that favor for me last night if you don't recall."

His words sent me on a burning rage. My vision was foggy and my body shook. My mind was no longer in control of my body.

I could sense myself stomping towards Levi then grabbing his cravat. He grabs my collar in return.

"Oh, so we're playing like that then, huh? Then if I took that privilege away then maybe it's best we stop whatever thing we have!"

Levi narrows his eyes while setting his lips into into a nasty frown. "I see, now. You want to end it so you can spend time with your lover?" I grit my teeth and tighten my hold. Levi narrows his eyes while barring his teeth. "You're fucking joking."

I shake my head, "Of course not. If you wanna be a jackass then by all means go ahead. But that also means you get the opportunity again to go fuck yourself."

There was a heavy tension brewing between us. It was like an anvil pressing down my shoulders. But it wasn't enough for me to realize how nasty my words were to Levi.

Something flickered over Levi's eyes. He was breathing hard from the pent up anger but, he doesn't say anything. He roughly shoves me and I stumble backwards.

"I can't—I can't believe I actually slept with you," he whispers disgustedly. I pretend his words weren't like a punch to the gut. I hold my ground and keep my eyes firmly on him. "If you want to protect that idiot then go," he spats. "I won't look out for you anymore."

"I never realized calling me stupid for standing up for a friend was your way of looking out for me." I say petulantly. Levi only scoffs before turning to the door. He grabs hold of the knob and swings it open roughly.

"Don't you dare try to touch me or even speak to me unless it's about work. We're done."

He slams the door before I could say anything. It took only a moment for me to realize what I'd done. I begun to realize the horrible things I've said causing my chest to feel suddenly tight.

I wasn't sure if that's what made my feet move or not but I found myself running towards the door and out the hall. I wasn't sure if Levi went to his office or not but he was nowhere in the hall. I stopped, placing a hand on the wall.

The breathing started to become rapid, the blood in my face started to pale. I pushed him away and I didn't mean to. It was my temper that caused me to say that horrible thing.

Now, he hates me again and the mere thought was more frightening than facing a dozen Titans. I grit my teeth while glaring at the floor. All I could think was, what did I do?

"Em?"

My body leaps in shock. I whirl around to see Edward. He was striding down the hall with arms behind his head. He cocks his head as he stops behind me.

"Are you okay?"

There were so many answers whirling inside me towards that simple question. I wasn't okay, I felt like someone was squeezing my heart and was only tightening their grip. I was angry at Levi for degrading me in such a way but at the same time, I wanted to grovel and beg for forgiveness.

There were many things and so many emotions inside me that it became too overwhelming. My body only knew one way to compute it all. Tears well in the corners of my eyes. I could only stare at Edward helplessly.

"I'm not," I breathe. "I'm not—I'm not. . ." I couldn't find it in me to finish that sentence. Instead, I let the silent tears roll down my cheeks and my gaze drift to the floor.

It didn't take a long moment for me to feel the comfort of strong arms wrapping around me. The scent of blended herbs greeted my nostrils. It did little to calm me. I wanted Levi's smell. Lavender and soap.

"Hey, you're okay," Edward soothes. "Just take a moment and breathe."

We stayed like that, we were the only ones in the hall. I tried to do as he instructed but I only found myself trying to push away my panicking breathes. Edward didn't question and only said comforting words while rubbing my back.

When it felt like an eternity, I knew it was time for me to act okay. My tears had stopped long ago but the tightness in my chest only increases.

"Uhm, thanks, Edward," I mumble while pulling away. "Sorry you had to see that."

"Why are you sorry? Sorry because you cried?" He questions. I only nodded mutely.

The fact I showed weakness in front of a Cadet was truly disappointing. I never cry and if I did then it would've been behind closed doors. Instantly I remember crying in front of Levi.

He comforted me as well. I quickly push that thought away. Edward releases an airy, light chuckle.

"Emma, that's not something apologize over. Not once have you showed that sort of emotion when we met and quite frankly it frightened me."

I couldn't help but scoff. I tried to mask my amused smile but fail miserably. It made Edward place a hand on my cheek.

"I want to be the shoulder you lean on, Em. So don't hide your feelings, I'll be here." With a warm, gentle smile plastering over his lips Edward wipes away a lone tear.

My body slowly eases at his comforting touch, I even find myself leaning against his hand. At least I knew he had my back. A great sign he wasn't a suspect.

"Thank you, Edward," I say gratefully. "That means a lot."

"Anytime," Edward smiles in relief. "And if you're ready, you can confide in me."

I nod once more but don't respond. I won't talk about Levi nor will I think about him. Telling Edward wasn't something wise.

At least not now. For now, I wanted to be alone. As I depart I promised Edward to meet him during dinner along with Hanji and Nifa.

He happily agrees before watching me walk down the hall. I don't look back and kept my focus to the doors before me. I make it outside seeing that only a few soldiers were walking around.

None paid attention to me and I was glad of it. I make a sharp turn right, heading for the training grounds. Seeing a couple dummies, I've decided to go a few rounds with them. I itched you punch something and it was better than crying.

\/\/\/\/\/\/

Dinner at the mess hall wasn't something new. The stares and the hushed murmurs when I stalked by had grown accustomed to me. At least Hanji and Nifa were talking to me again.

Reaching their table I've realized it was just them two. Edward wasn't around. "Hey, where's Edward?" I ask while taking the seat across from them.

Nifa looks up with a shrug and a raised brow. "Dunno. Shouldn't you know?"

"Yeah, since you two are. . ." Hanji makes a gesture with her two index fingers causing Nifa to snicker. I roll my eyes tiredly with a sigh. I truly wasn't in the mood for her jokes.

"Obviously I don't since I'm asking," I grumble.

Hanji stops, releasing a deflated sigh. "I haven't seen him around since earlier. But I've heard talk from of the Cadets that he's been going out lately."

"Out?"

She shrugs while taking a bite of her bread. "Yeah, you know, heading out into the streets. I mean, it's no big deal but he's been going out a lot. But, hey, we heard about Elise. . ." Hanji mutters solemnly. "We're sorry."

"You guys didn't do anything," I mumble while playing with my food. "I just–I don't know. . .I'm still processing, I guess."

"Understandable," Nifa agrees. "We also heard that you're taking up on the case now. Should that be good?"

Should it? I still couldn't lay out a solid answer to that. Yes, I'll capture those psychos but, there's something about them.

Something that makes my skin crawl. I look at the two, both staring at me in concern. I can't keep all this writhing me any longer.

I was dying to talk about what Erwin is making me do. I can't say anything to Levi because he's pissed. I bite my lower lip, dropping my utensil.

"Um, I don't know," I admit. "Erwin is making me do something I'm not comfortable with."

"What is it?" Nifa prods.

With a heavy sigh, I tell them. With hushed voices we conversed over the order I was given and how Edward can be an accomplice or a suspect. They already knew about my encounter with the killers due to Edward spilling the beans. They didn't seem all too fond over my orders too.

"This is ridiculous," Nifa mutters with a frown. "Edward has proven himself as a worthy Scout! Why track his every move?"

"I agree but I also agree with Erwin." Hanji nods.

"What?!" Nifa and I stare at Hanji in bewilderment. My eyes were wide with my jaw set tightly together.

She couldn't be possibly have the same mindset as Levi. I was in no position to argue with her as well. Hanji simply stares at the table thoughtfully with a small frown.

"What Edward did that night saving you, Emma, really placed him in a bad position in the higher-ups eyes," she states.

"How?" I challenge feeling my tone becoming sharper. Nifa doesn't speak but only stares at Hanji in confusion.

"It's great that he saved you," Hanji assures. "But didn't he say he had training the next day to us when we asked him to hangout? So, how did he know you'll be in trouble? And how did he know you were in that specific area?"

I was astonished. Hanji's mind sharp as ever, possibly sharper than mine despite the slight difference in our intellect. I didn't consider that, of course, I did wonder how he showed up coincidentally.

"I'm not saying he's a suspect," Hanji quickly assures. I see the fire in Nifa's eyes and hear the harsh way she was breathing. Clearly, she said something I wasn't aware of.

"But it's smart of Erwin to have Emma watch over him. He won't suspect her and Emma has a keen eye. And if anything, Edward's just as innocent as we know him to be. There's nothing to worry about."

Hanji gives us both an assuring smile. Nifa glares possessively at Hanji for a moment longer before looking away. She releases a small sigh agreeing to Hanji's conclusion.

It seemed to calm her a bit. But for me, it did little. No matter how much I didn't want suspect Edward, a part of me gave warning to be cautious.

However, another thought came to mind that caused my skin to prickle. Sinner-to-sinner. The guy with the knife wouldn't leave my mind.

His words were fresh like the wind and it startled me. Despite the fact I wasn't sure what he meant, something in me told me I actually did. I just didn't want to dig within myself to find out.

/\/\/\/\/\

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