Hello all! This is my very first fic for the Edge of Tomorrow film. I simply loved it, and I really wanted to write a story for it but never got any good ideas until now. Please be kind. I have made up the characters of her team (James, Mark, and Brady as well as Aldridge). It's my idea of a prequel to the movie.

Rita Vrataski battled the fake alien Mimics with all her might, swinging her weapon with such strength and ferocity it almost scared her. She hadn't ever pictured herself here in this particular war. All she had ever wanted to be growing up was a school teacher, yet here she was in an army at war. Life was funny that way. In the end, this job suited her. She channeled her buried anger and rage and unleashed it upon the enemy. It felt good.

"Sergeant Major Vratasky," a voice said, interrupting her. "Rita!"

"What?" she snarled, losing her focus. The leg of a fake Mimic slammed into her, throwing her into the air. She landed hard on her back, losing her wind for a moment.

"Oh, shit. I'm sorry," the man said, bending to help her up. She yanked her arm away, furious.

"Why are you interrupting me?" she demanded.

"I have a new recruit that I think might be a great asset to your team," he offered. Rita stared at him. Sergeant Major Aldridge was a bit pushy at times, and this was one of those times.

"I'm not taking anymore recruits," she snapped. She kept her arms crossed tightly in front of her. She felt the sweat from her training trickle down her back. She wanted to be left alone. This was how she processed things.

"You just lost one," Aldridge said softly. "My condolences, by the way."

"Don't," she growled. Yes, it was true. She had lost one of her team members recently. It was part of her rage she was letting go of today. Misty had been a really close friend.

"Right, well...it is important that your team have as many members as it can. I'm introducing you to..."

"I don't want them," Rita cut him off.

"Oh yes, you will," Aldridge said. He turned to the entrance then. "Come on in!" Rita watched in annoyance as a man appeared. At first, she was taken aback by his image. He had a closely shaved head, a level stare, and a very lanky but muscular build. He came over to them and stood beside Aldridge, his legs apart and his arms crossed. He took in Rita from head to toe, making her feel unnerved.

"Who is this then?" she asked, clearing her throat.

"This is Lee Christmas," Aldridge said. Lee nodded at her.

"Christmas?"

"That's right," Aldridge nodded.

"All right. Show me what you can do then," Rita said, tossing her hand in the direction of the mechanical Mimics.

"You're giving me a test?" Lee asked. His British accent startled her even more. She had not expected that from him. That meant he shared her homeland.

"That's right," she said stiffly. "If you're good, you stay. If you're bad, you go."

"Got it," he said, moving forward.

"Is this really wise? He's never seen this before," Aldridge started. Rita watched carefully as Lee picked up her weapon and got into a stance. The mechanical Mimics were activated, and she watched in amazement as he danced, dodged, and weaved all the while delivering perfect blows and well organized strikes. It was almost as though he was one with the weapon.

"Is that satisfactory enough?" Aldridge asked her when it was over. Lee came back towards them. Rita had to work to keep her shock and awe from showing.

"That'll do," she agreed.

"Great. Lee, you go with her and get settled. I have to go see to some other business," Aldridge said, shaking Lee's hand. He gave a small bow to Rita. Then he was gone.

"All right," she said. "This way."

...

Lee wanted to release the smile he'd been holding back after seeing Rita's shock at his abilities. He kept it under wraps, though, as he didn't want her to find any more reasons to be an asshole to him. She led him to a separate barrack where the rest of the elite team stayed. Rita introduced them all to him. James, Mark, and Brady.

"Pleased to meet you," Lee said, giving a nod to each of them. James was the only one who shook his hand. Lee was reminded of Hale Caesar when he looked at James. They were of identical build and size with hulking muscles and were African American. They could have been twins. Mark had an Italian look about him, and Brady was Caucasian. Lee felt a twinge of grief then, thinking about his Expendable team, but he shook it off. It wouldn't do to have a break down in front of everyone.

"I'll leave you to it," Rita said, going to leave again.

"You gotta eat and sleep sometime, Rita," Brady said. Lee got the sense that Brady was the one who looked after everyone's physical health.

"When I'm dead," she retorted, disappearing.

"Where is she going?" Lee asked.

"Back to train. She never stops," Brady sighed. "Especially since Misty died."

"Misty was?" Lee questioned.

"Our fallen member," Mark answered quietly. He made the sign of the cross then.

"How recent?" Lee wanted to know.

"Last week," James told him. Lee felt his stomach clench. He wondered if it was the same battle he'd been at. He assumed it was.

"Well, I know what that's like," Lee said. The others looked at him curiously, but he didn't offer anything more.

"Dinner is in an hour," Mark pointed out. He gave directions to where it was located.

"Thanks," Lee said, going to leave himself. He was in the mood for some training.

...

Rita swung and swung. The sound of metal clashing on metal was very satisfying. She kept imagining all the Mimics who had been at that battle last week when Misty had been killed. She released a howling scream then, slamming her weapon so hard into the fake Mimic that it split in two. She let the weapon drop to the floor, her heart crashing against her chest, tears streaming down her face.

"You sure showed him," Lee's voice said behind her. She swiveled, wiping harshly at her face to hide her tears.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"I'm training. Is that illegal?" he asked.

"No. Just stay out of my way."

"I wouldn't want it any other way," he said, hiding his smirk. Rita caught it, though, and she frowned. What was so amusing about his statement? She decided to confront him.

"What does that mean?" she challenged. He gestured to the destroyed piece of machinery.

"I happen to like my head screwed onto my neck, thanks," he said. She gaped at him as he turned to occupy the other side of the room where he started wacking away at the machinery. She forced herself to look away. She wasn't sure exactly how well she was going to get on with this man. He was already a little bit under her skin.

...

Rita passed Lee's bunk that night to go into her secluded room. It was empty now that Misty wasn't sharing it with her. It was the only thing separating her from the men. She was told it just was the proper thing to do, sleeping separate from the men. Rita just went along with it; she did enjoy the privacy. As she passed Lee, she noticed him looking at a photograph. He quickly folded it up when he saw her slow down.

"Good night," he said, tilting his head slightly.

"Good night," she replied. She crawled into her bed, exhausted. Her body was aching and screaming at her, but that just meant she'd had a good workout that day. She would not rest until the alien scum was gone from Earth. She would not let them take over her planet. As she fell asleep, she couldn't help but wonder just who was in the photograph that Lee had been looking at.

The Next Day

Lee awoke to a bustle around him. James, Mark, and Brady were moving quickly to the breakfast hall, leaving him alone. Rita's door was closed, so he knew she was still in there. Lee pulled off his shirt and dug for his uniform. As he was doing so, Rita suddenly appeared. They both froze, and Lee felt slightly uncomfortable at her gaze.

"Morning," he said, breaking the silence.

"Not for long it isn't," she answered, finally moving past him. She went into the opposite direction of the food hall, and Lee already knew where she was going. He had to admit, she was relentless. She reminded him of Barney a little bit. Determined, hot headed at times, and stubborn.

"Rita didn't come?" Brady asked when Lee showed up to get some food. He shook his head.

"Damn that woman," Brady growled. "She can't live off of nothing. She needs the energy."

"I've seen her stuff her face in private," Mark told him. "Lay off her, okay? She's grieving."

"I'm grieving too, but I still have to eat," Brady protested. Lee listened to them bicker some more while he poured some coffee into styrofoam cups. He grabbed some sugar and cream in case, and he headed over to the training area. He found Rita in some sort of yoga position, or so it looked like anyway. She was face down with her hands flat on the ground and her legs stretching in the air behind her.

"Coffee?" Lee asked, coming closer. She looked at him, a flash of annoyance crossing her face.

"No food or drink on the training course," she snapped. Lee stepped the three steps back over the line and sat down cross legged. She watched as he sipped his coffee carefully, looking at her. She felt her mouth water a little. Coffee was good, and it was hard to come by. She made herself finish her pose first before going to join him.

"You're awfully crusty, aren't you?" he asked once she took it from him.

"Excuse me?"

"You really don't like letting your guard down," he corrected.

"That only gets you killed," she scoffed.

"Well, you can still be on guard but be real," he insisted.

"So why are you here, Lee Christmas?" she asked, changing the subject. "What brought you here from wherever it is you came from?"

"Well, I heard you needed help, so I came."

"Bullshit," she laughed. He looked at her sharply then.

"Why is that bullshit?"

"Because. Nobody just shows up here to help. Everyone who can run, runs. No one wants to face these monsters. They're demonic, and they kill fast."

"You've survived," he pointed out.

"I'm tough," she responded.

"As am I," he said. She didn't break his gaze, wondering just exactly where he came from.

"Thank you for the coffee," she said, standing up. He watched her head over to start training again.

"You really should eat," he called.

"I already have one Brady in my life, thanks," she called back. He thought he caught a small smile on her lips, but it was gone very quickly. He finished his coffee and started to train beside her. Perhaps if she saw how seriously he took all this, she'd be less harsh on him. Lee hadn't had to prove himself to anyone in a long time. He found it almost a welcome challenge.

...

That night, rumors erupted about another battle approaching. Rita felt herself tense automatically. So soon? She knew she had the act of a tough bitch, but inside there was a small part of her that was terrified. She didn't exactly want to die. No one knew how she really felt, though. At least, that's what she hoped. She wanted her team to look at her as the strong, tough ass leader she was.

"So, Lee. Where ya from?" James asked once they were all on their bunks. Mark was playing Solitaire while Brady was studying charts. Rita went to stand next to him to look too, all the while listening to Lee's response.

"I'm from America," he answered.

"Not always I assume from your accent," James pointed out.

"You're right. England first. Then America. Now, here."

"France," James laughed.

"That's right."

"You're a lone wolf, huh?"

"I wasn't always," Lee answered quietly. James waited for more, but it didn't come. Rita turned to look at Lee then. She couldn't help herself. His tone indicated something had happened to his team, not that she cared. Well, she did a little, but she didn't want to show it. She caught him looking at her, so she turned away quickly, feeling burned.

"I'm sorry to hear that," James offered.

"It's all right. Shit happens. Now I'm here," Lee finished. Rita could still feel his eyes on the back of her neck.

"Rita?" Aldridge called, poking his head into their barrack. "A word?"

"Sure," she said, leaving to join him. She felt relieved. She didn't want Lee's gaze to burn a hole in her skin.

"Will you be all right?" Aldridge asked.

"I'll be just fine. Why are you asking me that?"

"Just wanted to make sure. How's Lee turning out?"

"He's fine," she answered hotly. The less she talked about him, the better. She didn't want to admit that she admired him. She certainly didn't want him to know that.

"Good. Hopefully we win this battle," Aldridge said, tucking his hands into his pockets and walking away. Rita felt a sick feeling in her stomach then. Why had he sounded as though they were going to lose?

So what did you think? Worth continuing?