Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyoujin Fanfic Trilogy

Summary: Ella, Claire, and Beth get the shocks of their lives when Erwin Smith and the midget Scout tell them their reasoning for wanting Ella to join their ranks as a member of the Survey Corp. Chaotic thoughts ensue.

Warnings: a bit of angst and cussing. ^-^

Rating(s): This fanfiction is rated MA for a reason... on other sites. Here's it M. This chapter though is rated T.

Author's Note: Criticism and commentary are accepted. Flames are not. I gave your warnings in the first chapter posted of this fanfiction. And I don't own Attack on Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin! If I did, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction for it now would I?

Shorter chapter but it leads up to a whirlwind of pain, suffering, and regret. Hence the title of my fanfic? *winks*

Word count including author notes: 984

To Be... Or Not to Be a Scout?
That is the Question

"What do you want with her?" Claire's demanding voice brings everything back into focus again as I move from Beth's arms to make myself (and everyone else who's currently in my shop) a much needed cup of tea. The familiar movements kick-starts my brain enough for me tune into the conversation as I set out the proper amount of tea cups and their matching saucers.

"Her father died around the same time she disappeared eight years ago," the Squad Leader explains as I set the water-filled kettle on the metal stove and throw in a log of wood in the fire and close the grate. "He was a fellow Scout and quite a few of us had a hand in raising her until she was seven."

I prepare the tea leaves in the mini-drainers and then get out the cream and sugar as Beth points out softly, "That doesn't answer our question, Mister Smith."

He chuckles. "No, I guess not."

The kettle begins to whistle, filling in the awkward silence that follows, as I take out the loaf of bread that's done baking from the time I put it in before the MPs showed up earlier and set it out on the counter to cool.

"Ella Saddoris is an unofficial member of the Scout Regiment," the midget Scout piped up next after the silence stretches on, sounding obviously annoyed, as I slowly pour water over the tea leaves until the deem the coloring good and begin making three out of fives cups with the proper amount of cream and sugar. "We're here to recruit her and have her join our ranks. Apparently," I take the cups and saucers two at a time and hand both Beth and Claire theirs while ignoring the other to occupants in the shop, "she already knows how to use the gear. All that's needed in an analysis of her skillset to determine on whether or not the brat needs more training."

"What makes you guys think that she'll actually want to join the military, let alone the Scout Regiment, after all these years?" Claire asks as she takes a sip of her tea and gives me a nod of thanks. Beth does the same as I set down the men's with the cream and sugar right next to their cups. I pick up my cup last and take a sip without once meeting the eyes of anyone in the room.

"That's for us to find out for ourselves," Erwin chimes in again as I take another sip of my tea while looking out the window to see the bustling streets of Trost. It takes only a moment for me to figure out what to do in this situation even though I get the feeling I'll probably regret it later.

"Come in tomorrow, same time," I say and look over to meet Erwin's eyes once more. "I'll ensure you get your answer."

"*Qu'est-ce que tu fais?!" Claire cries as I feel her eyes pierce the side of my face. I turn my head to glare at her harshly causing her to flinch.

"*Il est ma décision, en premier lieu, Claire. Ne présumez pas de savoir ce qu'il est que je veux vraiment. Reculer, pour l'amour de baise!" I hiss back before meeting the eyes of Erwin Smith for the final time today. Hopefully.

"*Laisse-la. Ceci est à propos de sa vie, pas le vôtre," Beth scolds next causing my lips to twitch again. Who knew that the older woman knew French?

"As I said, come in tomorrow around the same time as now so you can get a proper answer. Come alone or with a few Scouts, whatever makes you feel more comfortable."

"Thank you," Bushy Brow (*Dieu, how I've missed calling him that in my thoughts!) says with a small nod to me before turning around to leave. I ignore the midget's staring (seriously? I know for a fact it ain't my looks. I don't know what his problem is) as the giant man puts a hand on his shoulder and motions for the door with his head. "Let's go, Levi."

It takes a moment for the midget to get moving but I can't help but fell relief when he finally does. Now, all that's left to prepare for is tomorrow...

I'm not sure I'm really ready for that conversation or not yet. Guess I'll find out later.

End Author's Note:

Translations for the French are as follows:

*What the hell are you doing?!

*It's my decision in the first place, Claire. Don't presume to know what it is I really want. Back off, for fuck's sake!

*Leave her be. This is about her life, not yours.

*God

So, thoughts?