The Long Lost and Ever Handsome

   Ok, Author's Rant :3 For those who love me, please stick around :p. This is coming up early because I have had such a super lousy day today, I won't bore you with the details but it really sucked. Just thinking about writing though, made me feel better :).. And I can't hold back this chapter anymore, gals. Here it is. The Chapter. You'll know what I mean once you finish it :3.. Thanks soooo very much for almost 400 readers, lovely votes and astonishing comments. Special thanks to the ever faithful, but still wonderful, LovinLifexx for being such a great commenter, I feel like were friends :). mistybella15, I felt soo bad for leaving you hanging like I did! Chocolate-Teapot, I feel so special that you joined Wattpad just to read my story, so this update goes to you! Welcome to the Watty Family! And DakotaGarey, for being super supportive of every step that I've taken in my writing <3 Author rant, over. Promise :3

DISCLAIMER: I only own Lieutenant Lila Yale and my own twist on the story, everything else goes to Del Toro and his awesome movie!

Three more years passed and most of my time was spent in Sydney. Every now and then, Pentecost would send me for a few weeks to one of the other Shatterdomes to overlook mods or update Jaeger tech. But the Sydney dome had become my new home.     Chuck and I had come out as an official couple a year after I‘d returned from my brief stay in Anchorage after my Jaeger piloting incident. It wasn’t much a surprise to everyone, seeing as Chuck couldn’t keep his hands to himself even before we were together.     “Hey, babe, you seen Max?” Speaking of the devil, I felt Chuck’s words as he pressed his chest against my back, wrapping his arms around my middle and giving the top of my head a kiss.     Tipping my head back, I gave him a smile before his lips came down on mine for a short, heated kiss. If he hadn’t had such a tight hold on me, I know I would have swayed. When we parted, he kissed my chin and the tip of my nose before nuzzling my neck.    “He‘s in my bed, slobbering all over your sweater.” I said, feeling his lips curl into a smile as he planted a light kiss on my bare neck.    “Lovely.” He grumbled light heartedly.    “It shows he cares.” I reasoned, knowing he could never be upset with the dog.    “I meant you, love.” Smiling at his comment, I ruffled his hair a little and moved to face him.    “Your sweet.” I pecked his cheek as he moved his hands to my hips, swaying us like we were dancing to music.    “I have to keep you around somehow.” Moving my arms around his neck, I followed his light swaying.     “I‘ve seen every side of you, Chuck, and I like every bit of it.” Chuck gave me a grin, stepped back and gave my body a long, hot look starting at my feet and moving up slowly.     “And I‘ve seen every angle of you.” He said once his eyes fell on my face and he pulled me flush against him.    “Shut up.” I laughed, hiding my face in his shirt. I hoped he hadn’t seen my blush before I tucked my head away.    “I love that blush.” He whispered huskily into my ear as we stopped swaying and he gripped the bottom of my chin. Obediently looking up, I showed him unflamed cheeks and gave him a wink.    “Chuck Hansen.” The both of us jumped at the voice.     It was one of the many J-Tech’s around the dome. This one wasn’t quite a Head Tech but he was no amateur either, by his severely greasy jump suit. He looked embarrassed, like he walked in on us doing something worse than just looking at each other.    “Marshall wants you and your dad in the LOCCENT room in five.” He said quickly and turned to walk away before Chuck gave his response.     “I‘ll catch you later?” I nodded at Chuck’s question.    “You know where I‘ll be.” Motioning to the Jaeger towering over me, Striker had much work that still needed done.    “Get good and greasy for me, will ya?” I laughed, blowing him a kiss before turning to the locker room to get on my own greasy jumpsuit and tool belt.     All suited up and hard hat in hand, I looped in the tools I’d need to work on Striker’s right shoulder socket when I heard yells and hollars from the deck. Quickly, I grabbed what I needed and headed out of the locker room.    There was a large amount of the Tech’s in the middle of the room and one statement from a man who talked way to loud, shook my world to the core.    “There shutting the Jaeger program down?!”         I stopped dead in my tracks and everyone turned to stare at me. My mouth was agape, and my heart pounded. They were shutting down the program. There was no way they could do that.     “It‘s true, I just got a message from someone in the LOCCENT room. Pentecost told the Hansen‘s to get their gear and head to Hong Kong.” The loud man clarified for me as I stepped into the circle.    “Why Hong Kong?” I asked.    “There gonna keep the program running for another eight months until the Anti-Kaiju wall gets done. Then it‘s gone for good.” The man answered, getting everyone in the group in an uproar.    “You‘ve got to be kidding me?!”    “Is the UN that stupid?”    I walked away, not getting involved in the now yelling men and women as I went searching for the one person that could clarify if it really was true.     I found the man I was looking for just about to go down the steps to the deck floor.     “Chuck?” I called. He turned, surprised to see me and wrapped his arms around me. Even in my greasy jumpsuit, he still wanted to hold me.    “Hey, babe. I‘ve got news-” I stopped him short as I started talking.    “It‘s already all over the floor, is it true? Are they shutting down the Jaeger program?” I asked in one breath, gasping slightly after I’d gotten it all out.     “You always did like the Hong Kong dome.” He sighed, running his fingers through my grown out hair. It was back to being long again, with layers.    “Jesus.” I breathed. It sounded, and felt, like someone had just kicked me in the gut.     “Were gonna be fine, you hear me?” He reassured me, pressing his lips to my hair.    “I‘m not gonna let anything happen to you.” I nodded, gripping the back of his shirt in a tight hug.    “I know.” I sighed. Pulling away, Chuck leaned down and I met him halfway in a warm kiss.    “I love you.” I whispered, gaining a smile from the pilot.    “Love you too Shelia.”    ~ ~ ~    “Miss. Yale! So good to see you again! Wish it was on better terms!” I smiled and waved at the Head Tech of the Hong Kong dome.     “Me to, Gomo, me too.” I bowed to the balding man, which he returned before scurrying away to go work on getting all the incoming Jaegers into their respectable places.    “You actually like this hunk of dump?” Chuck joked, his hands behind his head lazily as Herc, Chuck and I walked into the hanger.     “I do, Chuck.” I answered tensely.     As we walked, Chuck leaned over and gave both of my shoulder a squeeze before wrapping an arm around my waist.     “Hey, loosen up, love. Everything‘s fine.” I could only nod as we were lead into one of the bays that they were placing Striker into.        “Just let Chuck Hansen take care of you.” I smiled at him, lacing my hand into his that was wrapped around my waist as we watched them settle the Australian Jaeger in.    “Herc! Chuck!” I knew that voice.     Of course Marshall Pentecost would be here. I still reported to him once a month on my progress in Sydney, and when he asked me to travel to the other domes but, it had been years since I’d heard his voice in person.      “Gentlemen, welcome to Hong Kong!” He called once again and the three of us walked to greet the Marshall.    “Wait here you two.” Herc said over his shoulder, halting us both and taking the adorable Max with him.    Chuck pressed his lips to my temple as we watched the tech’s run around, trying to get the Russian, Cherno Alpha into it’s bay. It’s massive size made it hard to maneuver. I felt my hands twitch at the prospect of possible getting to work on a Mark I.     “Don‘t drool all over Miss. Mori-” My ears perked up at Mako’s name.    Since it had been years since I talked to the Marshall in person, that also went for Mako. We tried to vid-call once a week, which didn’t always happen because we both had crazy schedules. I missed her so much, I couldn’t wait to see her.    “Mako‘s here?!” I chirped, instantly perking up at my master plan.     Wiggling from Chuck’s arms, I made my way excitedly around Striker’s foot so I could see her.    “Hey, Dad said to-” Chuck tried to stop me, grabbing my wrist and everything, but I was too excited to let him stop me entirely.    “Mako!” I shouted, smiling brightly and making my way over to the small group.    “Lila!” Mako called back, rushing past Herc and Max to meet me halfway for a air stealing hug. We both laughed and rocked as we hugged. When I pulled away, I finally took notice of the other people she was standing with.    “Lila?”     That voice.     I knew that voice.    I felt like my whole world crumbled, caught fire and burn so hot it had blue and white flames. My skin grew a cold sweat as I started shaking slightly.    Not six feet from me, stood someone that I had accepted died on February 29th, 2020. Someone that I had tried for five years to push from my nightmare, and everyday life, so I could try and move on. Someone who brought back all the crippling pain I endured  in his absence.     Not six feet from me, stood Raleigh Becket.    His clothes looked tattered, layered and well worn. A single duffle bag was slung over his shoulder. I risked a glance at his face and found myself unable to look away. Staring back at me in shock, happiness and worry were the pair of blue eyes that I had missed more than anything.       “Oh god…” I mumbled, placing my hand over my mouth as the tears threatened to fall.    “Rals-” I choked on my words as the sobs took over and I nearly fell to my knees.    If Chuck hadn’t been standing behind me, I would have bruised my knee caps. He held my elbows as he supported my weight and looked at my face, worry obvious on his.        “Lils? Whats wrong?” He asked, sounding scared when I didn’t even regard his presence.    I couldn’t break eye contact with Raleigh.    “I- I‘m just.. Is that-?” I tried to talk again but my jumbled and confused, just as I felt.        “Mr. Becket, help Miss. Yale into my office. We have much to discuss.” My gaze finally shot to the Marshall as he gave me a single glance then turned on his heels, walking back to where his ‘office’ was.    “I‘m coming to-” I placed a hand on Chuck’s arm, getting him to look at me.     Now that I had broken eye contact with Raleigh, my head was a little less foggy.    “Chuck, stay here please. I just-” I took a deep breath and moved from his grip. He gave my hand a single squeeze before fully letting me go.     I turned towards the elevators and marched towards them without seeing if Raleigh was following me. When I stepped inside the elevator, I squeezed myself against the far left corner, wrapping my arms around myself as I waited for Raleigh to step in. He hadn’t been far behind me when he pushed a button and stepped away from the door, moving to the far right corner.    His bag was still slung over his shoulder and his free hand was stuck deep in his pocket. I could feel his unrelenting gaze on me but, I refused to look at him. The last thing I needed was to pass out.    “Say something” I visibly jumped at Raleigh’s voice, moving my hands to cover my eyes.     “Anything, Lila please.” He pleaded from his corner.    “I thought you were dead.” I ground out, still hiding my eyes.    “No one told me if you survived or not. Just that Gipsy was almost beyond repair and then I got shipped off to Sydney.” I continued, taking deep breaths.    “Lila, I‘m so-” Hot rage shot through me and I moved my hands to make eye contact with him.     At the same time, the elevator stopped suddenly, making a painful creaking sound. After a few seconds of silence between us, someone shouted from above us that they’d accidentally fried a circuit to the elevator, and that it’d be a minute before they could fix it. Raleigh tried his apology again but I stopped him short.    “Don‘t apologize to me, Raleigh.” I hissed, fearlessly staring down the person I thought was a ghost of my past.    “It took me months to even leave our room without crying. Another year to work on Jaegers without supervision.” I let my anger fuel my words.     “You may have been Drifted to Yancy, but his headset in his helmet stayed on all the way till it hit that son of a bitch‘s stomach. Long after he died.” I unloaded, now pacing the elevator. He watched every step I took.    “Lila-” The one thing Raleigh should remember is that he should never interrupt me while I was ranting. Even after five years, that hadn’t changed.     “I had to cut comm with Yancy so I could focus on getting you out of there alive.” Finally walking up to him, I stood so close our noses were touching.     “Lila, I just couldn‘t deal, ok? Yancy and I-” There went my self control. It snapped like a weak twig as I started shouting.    “You were my center. My sun I revolved around. As you can tell, I still wear your damn sweaters!” I grabbed two fistfuls of his sweater and shook it for emphasis. Even flashed him the tag of the sweater that still had his initials printed inside in black Sharpie.    “Then you just up and disappear because you can‘t deal?!” I scream, pushing his chest with both of my hands.     If he hadn’t had his bag to cushion his back, I knew I would have hurt him but I didn’t care. It felt like Yancy had died and Raleigh disappeared all over again. I never thought I would hate our reunion as much as I do.     And I knew why I hated it so much. Because he left me, alone, to try and deal with both his and his brother’s sudden drop from my life. And he left me to pick up the pieces of my life because he couldn’t handle grieving.    I took several steps away from him into the corner opposite him, crouching onto my ankles and wrapping my arms around my legs, resting my forehead on my knees.     “I‘ve been dealing all by myself, Rals.” I said, the tears finally pouring like rain from my eyes.     “God, I‘m so sorry. That‘ll never fix it but I‘m sorry, love. I‘m so sorry.” I moved my face from my knees, using clenched fists to try and swipe away the pouring tears.     He stood where he was, immobile and grief stricken at seeing me in so much pain. I sniffed loudly, wiping away even more hot tears as I saw him drop his bag and nearly run towards me. I rolled off my ankles and met him halfway, letting him wrap his strong arms around me and press familiar and soft kisses in my hair as I sobbed loudly.     His hair, his voice, his smell, his eyes… Nothing about him had changed. He was still the loving Becket I remembered.     “Raleigh” I mumbled, removing my face from his now extremely soggy and snotty sweater to look up at him.     His bright blue eyes met mine and he moved one of his hands to run it through my hair. Letting out a pained sigh, I thought I saw the start of tears in his eyes as he hugged me close to him again, pressing his nose into my neck and letting out a shaky breath.    “I missed you so damn much.” I felt his words rumble through his chest as he held me tightly. I petted the back of his head and hugged him back even tighter.     “I missed you too.” I said, only sniffling once as my tears of pain slowly turned to tears of joy.     I knew I could never have Yancy back..    But I did have him back.    I had my Becket back.

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