Note: Thanks to everyone who gave me their opinion on this series. I love feedback! Oh by the way, I swear this is not self-insertion. I just really like the name Rowan. That’s why I use it as my pen name. So chill already with the flames in regards to that.

Episode 5

"I simply want to know why she is being held, that’s all." Lu slammed his fist down on the desk in frustration.

"Calm down, we may be friends but I am still your superior and I won’t tolerate your temper Captain." Mariemaia answered meeting his gaze. "To answer your question, the woman is being held until her background check clears and we get some answers."

"Answers about what? She saved our lives, and helped to save the lives of everyone in the colony." Lu struggled to keep his anger in check. He simply could not comprehend why the Preventers were acting this way. If anything they should be thanking Rowan for stepping in.

"I realize that Captain, but in reality her skills in a mobile suit are what is causing my suspicions. No one can fly a suit that well without some kind of training. Things simply don’t add up, and she’s not being overly cooperative with us."

"What do you expect? She puts her neck on the line for us, and what do we do for her… we throw her in the brig." Lu was beginning to loose his control again. "Look, she got into this mess because of me, so let me talk to her."

Commander Mariemaia raised a questioning eyebrow at Lu. Well, this woman has certainly made an impression on him. "Very well, you may speak to her this afternoon after the interrogator has finished with her."

"Interrogator? I thought you were handling this." What’s going on?

"Earth sent in a special operative to question her separately. Something to do with a classified project. It’s none of your concern and I have work to do, so if we’re finished here Captain…" She gestured towards the door of her office.

"Yes, we’re finished for now Commander." Lu said rising. As he was about to leave the office he turned "Commander"

"Yes"

"Thanks." Mariemaia nodded and Lu left the office.

***

Rowan met the man’s steely blue gaze as she answered. "For the last time, I am a suit mechanic. That’s it. When you work around those machines as much as I do you learn a few tricks."

His expression did not change. "There’s something you’re not telling me. No one could be that good without training."

Rowan had just about had it with this guy. "Are you saying that because you’re not that good with a suit?" This guy doesn’t scare me.

Suddenly the man began to laugh. "The report didn’t exaggerate, you do have guts, but believe me I will find out what you’re hiding by any means necessary." He rose from his seat and walked over to her side of the table. "As far as the other matter goes you’ll hear from someone as soon as your background checks out." He leaned down so he could look her in the eyes. "Watch yourself little girl…this isn’t a game. If you cost any of these people their lives I will hunt you down, and no one gets away from me."

Rowan didn’t flinch at his threat. He’d carry through with it; she knew that much, but she wasn’t planning on letting anyone die. She gave him an answer to his unasked question. "Understood." She could almost swear she saw the faintest hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. So this guy does have a setting other than menacing.

He stood back up and nodded. Before she could look up the man was gone.

She stretched in her seat. Gods I’ll be glad when I can walk around a bit again. She heard the door start to open. "I thought we were finished with the questions for the day?"

"If you’re tired I can come back later." A familiar voice said. Her pulse began to quicken. Shit it’s him, I bet I look like hell… wait a minute what am I thinking he’s the reason I’m in this cell in the first place.

"No stay, I’ve got a few things to say to you." She snapped turning to face him. Her heart rate went from fast to double time. He was wearing the same type of uniform as when she had first seen him. Tight gray pants, equally well fitting jacket, his dark hair obscuring part of his face; he was gorgeous. Down girl. Gotta keep the hormones in check. You should be furious with him. You saved his neck and his people threw you in a cell.

"I’m so sorry Rowan." He said running a hand through his hair. "I tried to tell my Commander that we have nothing to fear from you but, she’s not listening."

Rowan stood and moved closer to him. Gods, what is he doing to me? "What makes you say that? How do you know if you can trust me or not? Your commanding officers clearly don’t see things that way." They both stepped closer.

"I’m not sure why actually. I just feel like I know you." They were almost touching now. Lu’s hand brushed her cheek. What am I doing? I hardly know this woman. Green eyes met blue, and Lu’s resistance drifted away. "I do know you."

Rowan looked into his eyes and she could tell that he meant it. If only you did… She pulled away. No, he can’t… I can’t. "No one knows me. And they wouldn’t want to know me if they did." She turned away from him.

"What do you mean?" Lu said grabbing her shoulder.

She shrugged him off. "You should probably go."

"Rowan if I said something to offend you…" Lu said trying to reconnect with her.

"No." She said turning to face him again, her face a blank mask. "But you should still go. I’m tired and I don’t need the person responsible for my being here in my face right now." That should make him leave.

Why is she pushing me away? Lu shook his head; he knew when to pick his battles. "Alright I’ll go but we will speak again later."

***

Two men watched the scene play out over vid screens. "Looks like my son has grown attached to the mechanic."

"Yeah."

"What do you think, will she be an ally or a threat?"

"She is still hiding something. I’m sure of that. She’s no mere mechanic, but something tells me we can trust her. Besides, we need someone like her to handle the machine. What about the other one?"

"Alex is on his way to L2. The information he brought with him checks out. We know exactly who we’re up against."

"And Jade?"

"Already assisting Duo with the construction."

"That makes five pilots."

The other man nodded his head. "I pray that they will be enough."