Since Hanji ended up witnessing everything I had no choice but to tell her. I cringed when I confided that I had feelings for the Captain. I cringed even harder when she went off about how I lied about Edward.

Even more so when she wasn't under the impression that he was fine. If anything, she scolded me more than exclaiming how right she was about Levi being my type. But I sat through it and endured.

It wasn't like I was listening to her anyway. I was too busy drowning in both guilt and sorrow. I had upset Edward and even more so with Levi.

Was I just the certain woman to anger those I care about? Hanji wasn't as upset but she went to look for Edward. That was hours ago.

Now, I had a meeting to attend to. One that I dreaded down to my core. I clutch the papers in my hands as I make way to the meeting room.

I force myself to only think about my job. However, it was quite difficult considering how my mood was quite dampened. Reaching the doors I don't hesitate and push them open.

As expected Erwin stood before Military Police officers with Dawk at his side. Everyone had surrounded a rather large table. I caught a glimpse of neatly placed papers atop the wooden surface.

When I enter the room, the hushed whispers stop and all eyes were on me. I avoid their stares, setting my shoulders straight while holding my chin high. Striding into the room, I make way towards the table.

"I guess, you were waiting for me, Commander?" I ask briskly when I realized he too was staring. I glance over to him his expression neutral as ever but with a tad bit of warmth coating his cerulean eyes.

"Yes," he replies. "But Levi is late also."

I couldn't help but scoff at his name. It was the only way for me to numb that ache radiating through me. The murmurs began once more and I became invisible. I didn't mind, I wasn't in the mood to talk anyway.

"Well, isn't this a surprise."

Two men strode pass the other police officers to stand before me. I had recognized that voice and found every fiber in my tingling to resist the urge to slam a fist in his face. I spare them a glare, I came face-to-face with stupid smirks.

"I thought Commander Erwin didn't want you working on the case?" Booker sneers.

I give him a little scoff, "Guess he changed his mind."

After that incident at the cafe with Edward I hadn't seen them around since. It did bug me that they were here in Trost but it bugged me more when I realize they're working on this case also. I wasn't in the mood for their childish teasing.

"Or he got tired of you asking," Arron butts in with a mocking smile. I turn to them fully, setting my arms crossed under my breasts. For a second, Booker's eyes flickered to my chest. I roll my eyes at his act.

"You seem somewhat better, Booker," I drawl. "I didn't think you'll be up and about after being slammed down on a table."

I think I struck a nerve. It was not Booker who acted but Arron. He instantly got in my face with teeth bared and eyes cold as ice. I simply look up at him, disinterested in his way of intimidating me.

"You had no right to do that to him," he snarls.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did your boyfriend end up badly injured?" My sarcastic comment brought a rouge color to tint his cheeks.

It wasn't enough to hold him back, however. No, instead, Arron's eyes blazed as if he wished to burn me with them. I held my ground, setting my stony glare on him.

"You got some nerve," he growls. "What can you do here, huh? All you ever bring is death."

"Don't talk like you know me."

"Oh, come now, Emma. Let's get the truth out there, a member on your squad was murdered," Arron breathes. "Don't you feel a little disappointed you weren't the one to kill—"

He sucks in a shaky breath cutting his words off. I had roughly grabbed him by the collar to bring him down to my height. His spine was bent awkwardly and he tried to shake his way out of my grip.

It only caused me to tighten my hold and make sure he could have a hard time breathing. I brought my face near his making sure he could see the raw anger burning up inside me.

"Another word out of you and I'll rip that tongue out." I threaten darkly. I was well aware of the stares setting upon us.

Erwin behind me was ordering me to let go but, I couldn't listen. I didn't want to. Everything pools into my right fist, driving it into a shake of fury.

"And even after that," Arron grunts. "Won't you still feel upset you weren't the one who sent your soldiers to their deaths? You may put up a good show of how upsetting it was when Chris died but I know you. We know you. You don't care, all you care about is making a name for yourself and proving you're one of the best."

His words were like infliction wounds upon my skin. Each word was a cut deeper. I hate him, hated this.

Maybe this is what I needed. Maybe the temptation to pummel him to the ground would suffice me. Erwin was yelling but I was ignoring him.

And Booker as well. All I wanted was to slam my fist in his face. But even that was taken from me.

When I had raised my fist, my action was stopped midway. A loud slap echoed throughout the room. Arron blinked in astonishment while I clicked my tongue in displeasure.

"I think you two had enough bickering for one day."

Levi's icy gaze settles between Arron and I. He held my fist tightly, his ivory hand wrapping around mine. That simple touch brought tingles upon my skin.

"You insolent brats," he tsks. "You're lucky I stopped you, otherwise you would've made a mess in this clean room."

"Tch," Arron scoffs and roughly yanks off my hand. "Nice knowing you're still an obsessive clean-freak."

"And it's nice knowing you and Booker are still the same asshats from the Academy," Levi fires back.

I was sure that caught them both off guard. I guess they weren't expecting Levi to bite back. Despite the heavy tension, I couldn't ignore the fact Levi still kept a grip on my hand. But he had lowered it, keeping a nice from grip on me.

"I'm tired of hearing the same shit. Quit picking on Lieutenant Wolfram or so God help me, I will put you two on bathroom duty for a damn month. And I don't care if you're in a different branch, I will force you." Levi sweeps his sliver eyes between Booker and Arron. They stiffen on the spot, I could tell how they hated this. They hated how Levi talked to them, they always had. "Is that understood?"

Immediately, they shout their agreement with a frown. I was surprised Erwin or Dawk didn't intervene. But, after all, it was always Levi who would handled this sort of crap.

Both Arron and Booker had avoided my gaze, clicking their tongues as they blend in with the other officers. Erwin had announced it was time to start the meeting.

My hand was jerked backwards when I attempted to crowd the table as well. Glancing over my shoulder Levi had set his intense gaze upon me.

"Are you okay?" His question sent my senses into a bewildering phase.

I could only stare at him blankly as if I hadn't heard a word he said. But they rang loudly in my head and it was never-ending.

"You're asking—if I'm okay," I breathe.

"Are you slow today or you chose not to hear me?" He fires hotly. I shake my head, confusion had over swept me like a violent wind gust.

How could he ask such a thing? Especially after the horrible mistreatment he gave me. Not only was there confusion dwelling within my core but also anger. I do my best to wield that against him.

"Oh, I heard correctly," I clarify. "I'm just wondering how you came to the conclusion of having the right to ask me that. You know, since you shamelessly yelled at me before my comrades."

Levi had groaned, his eyes narrowing in pure impatience. I could tell he was hot with anger by the tightening grip around my hand.

"We're not having this conversation."

"Tch, then don't act like you care."

I yank my hand away, leaving Levi in a boiling rage when I strode away. I couldn't bear to confuse myself even more over him. Right now, I didn't even want to think of Levi.

Erwin had noticed our little quarrel and eyed me in questioning. All I could do was nod for procession. Just like that, Erwin continued talking and I tried to forget Levi's stupid question.

Can't he see what he was doing to me? The anger, the confusion, can't he see how it all troubled me? Half of me understood what was being discussed at the meeting while the other, turned over Levi's strange behavior.

I decided to place most of my energy into the second option, it had caused me to not fully respond to what was being asked.

"I'm sorry, Commander, what did you say?"

I was sure Booker and Arron snickered at my foolishness but I didn't care. Erwin though, releases a heavy sigh and points at the map on the table.

"Dawk has given us the exact locations of each murder. They're marked with red dots." Glancing at the map, I take notice to the six dots upon the map of Trost. I stare at them, allowing my eyes to adjust to their oddness.

"Four are connected," I point out. Taking the closest pen, I connect the dots creating a simple square. They enclosed a large area on the east side of Trost. It was like an enclosed fence, trapping a creature inside. "These four dots, which murders are they?"

"The first four," an officer informed.

I nod wordlessly, my mind rolling into gear. I wasn't sure where I was going with this but, what I theorized was troublesome. And I was sure Erwin and Dawk sensed that for Erwin had questioned me.

"What are you thinking?" He inquires. "Could this be another pattern of theirs?" After a moment I nod slowly. I set my pen atop the map.

"That's possible," I agree. "The first four make a square around this certain area. And if we take account the other two dots, which are inside the square, make a line. It's like they're trying to trap whatever's in this spot."

I circle the small area where the second square could possibly enclose. Yet, as I stare at the circled spot I couldn't understand. What was so important here?

"I'll send some police officers to scout that area," Dawk announces. "I don't know if Lieutenant Wolfram's theory is correct but it's logical. These killings are meant to show some sort of meaning. Whoever's the murderer, is thinking this through." 

His words meant little to me as I began to ponder about the murderers ulterior motive. What was it that they wanted? Were they trying to draw attention to them with these murders?

My eyes were kept firmly on that spot as I rack my brain for anything close to a connection. Nothing seemed plausible for their motive except for one. One that chilled my heart slightly.

My apartment building was within that circled area. I wasn't sure if that was connected in way but I couldn't help but rule that a possibility. However, I don't inform Erwin.

I keep it myself. There was no proof of my suspicion which meant there was good chance it was a coincidence.

"Emma, any report on Cadet Cam?"

Erwin's words sent me into a falter. I've felt all eyes on me waiting for a response. Instantly my heart sank at the information stored within me.

Could my information be enough for them to arrest Edward? Or suspect him? Those thoughts brought a shiver down my spine.

"Spit it out, brat," Levi abruptly hisses. His steely eyes were firmly set upon me. "I don't have time for your stupid feelings."

I tsk at his irritating behavior and disgusted scowl. Damn him and his stupid assumptions. I was getting tired about how he thought of me.

"Nothing important," I reply, keeping my gaze locked with Levi's. "Cadet Cam simply visits the streets of Trost quite frequently."

"Not to mention how he ditches training and his cleaning duties," Levi mutters.

"No one asked you, Captain."

"Well, it seemed like a good bit of information I was sure you'll leave out."

"Alright, enough," Erwin butts in before it could be taken further. "It seems Cadet Cam leaves HQ a lot. That's not enough to make him out as suspect. So, keep watch Lieutenant. As far from what I heard, he seems harmless."

I don't think he realizes how such simple words brought a fluttering notion to my core. However, I despised the idea of watching him considering how things went earlier. Minutes later Erwin had announced dismissal while ordering a set of officers to scout that area as early as tomorrow.

It was then that many began to shuffle out of the meeting room. Many of the police officers hurried off to whatever the doing previously. It left me little room to exit the room first.

Booker and Arron lingered for a moment making sure their icy glares were upon me before leaving. Just as it was now Dawk, Erwin, Levi, and I left I decided it was time to leave.

"Emma, I need to talk to you." Levi's deep voice brought my body into sort of vibration.

Despite the cold chip to it, I couldn't help but savor the sound of his voice. Glancing over my shoulder Levi nods with a glare. I wanted to object but when I hear the door shut, I knew Erwin and Dawk already left.

I curse mentally, standing my ground. "What now?" I seethe.

Levi doesn't respond immediately. Instead, he eyes me up and down in consideration. I swallow thickly.

"I wonder, if you tell Edward about your attempt to give the rest of the information about him and reward you." He swerves around the table, stalking towards me. I eye him with a scowl as I cross my arms.

"When are you going to drop this Edward-and-me nonsense?" I demand.

"When you'll admit you have feelings for him," he stops before me, giving a feet of space between us.

"My god, for the last time I don't like him!" I groan. "The fact you keep assuming is pissing me off."

"I wouldn't have to if it wasn't so damn obvious, Emma." He snaps.

I couldn't stand it anymore. I couldn't stand to see Levi glare at me with such anger. With such hate.

"Then what the hell do I need to do to get you to believe me?" I exclaim. "I'll do anything if it'll allow to see how I'm not lying."

Levi frowns thoughtfully but his silver eyes blazing. He ponders for a moment before releasing a small scoff.

"Anything?" He questions roughly.

I nod almost instantly, "Anything."

I couldn't tell what Levi was thinking but I notice a small gleam in his gaze. It was both intriguing and worrisome. He crosses his arms, his gaze hardening while his expression was cold as ever.

"Alright then," he breathes. "Strip for me."

/\/\/\/\/\

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