Soldier Keep On Marching On

Skepticism

The most expensive thing in the world is trust. It can take years to earn. And just a matter of seconds to lose.

**********

With only a strong word from one of the nurses about keeping the wound clean, Aiden was in the clear and discharged. Roy would stay until the afternoon and while Aiden wanted to stay until then, she had a train to catch. She packed her things and headed to the train station, not without leaving a note for Roy with Riza telling him not to push himself and to keep up with the exercise routine. The entire ride was spent either with short snoozes or watching the scenery go by. It was at those times she wished she had brought something more to read other than the journal, which she didn't dare take out in public.

Maes was waiting for her at the train station when she arrived. One look at her leg and he said: "Just what am I going to do with danger seeking people like you?"

"Love me, feed me, never leave me," Aiden deadpanned. Then she grinned as Maes pulled her into a hug. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I was gone too long."

She picked up her suitcase and hung it over her shoulder. Getting out of the train station was a little difficult as it was more crowded than usual. The apartment wasn't too far away and neither of them minded walking the short distance.

"Well, what can I say? No one else appreciates me and my family. Oh! Speaking of which," Maes pulled a picture from his blue jacket and held it out for her to see. "Elicia looks so cute in her mother's clothes! Doesn't she?"

Aiden smiled as Maes fawned over the picture of his daughter. Elicia was smiling up at the camera, wearing a woman's blue blouse like a dress, a pearl necklace around her neck reaching her stomach, and a purple hat completed the ensemble. She could faintly see the evidence of Gracia's flats under the blouse.

"Isn't she adorable?" Maes gushed.

Aiden laughed and nodded, brushing away the stray tear in the corner of her eye. Tristan would often do the same, dressing up with whatever he could find around the house. It usually ended up being one of her tank tops, a jacket belonging to Jessica, his own pants, and flip flops that belonged to both Aiden and Jessica. He only ever took the left ones.

"Elicia will be a beautiful one when she grows up," she nodded.

Maes' glasses flashed as he pushed them to the bridge of his nose. "Any boy that goes near her will die." It was surprising to see the dark aura surrounding Maes, but it wasn't entirely out of the normal when the protection of his family was on his mind. "Off topic, how's Roy?"

"As far as I know he's fine. He almost cracked a rib and there is a cut on his side, but other than that he's the same snarky ass we all know and love."

"That you love maybe," Maes grinned, prodding her side.

"Shut up," she mumbled, slapping his hand away and quickening her pace when the apartment complex was in sight. "Bye Maes!"

"You can't deny it forever!"

"I can and I will!"

"Ooh! Is that a partial confession I hear?"

"Goodbye Maes, see you at work tomorrow."

Aiden bounded up the steps quicker than a gazelle being chased by a lion. She knew Maes suspected her feelings - hell he more than likely wanted them together, but she didn't think he'd straight up accuse her. Although she should've expected as much, Maes wasn't one for subtlety. Either way, Aiden's face was red by the time she reached her apartment.