Disclaimer : It is our sad duty to announce to you that infortunately we do not own Hellboy for it already belong to Mike Mignola. u_u

Rating : M just to be safe because eventually we'll have some scene of violence and because eventually we'll be dealing with mature subject matter.

This is "talking", this is 'thinking' and this is talking in foreign language.

Enjoy *^_^*

Hellboy : A place to belong

Chapter 1

The gravel was crunching under the tires as the car pulled in the driveway of the seaside house. The typical British fog gently covered everything.

An odd lone and bulky figure exited the car to be greeted by the cold February air, not the he could have felt it, he thought, musing at the memories brought up by the sight of the snow, as he made his way toward the shabby cottage perched on the cliff.

''Gut, Ich hoffendass dick Affe Ich bereit hat horensie.''

As the person, if he could still be called that, was about to knock on the door, he found himself welcome by the Samaritan aiming right at his head, or where his head should be if he still had one. A disbelieving red face found itself starring at it's own reflection in the translucent bowl and was replace shortly by a scowling one.

''Oh, it's you. So it's your turn now ?''

''Hello to you too, Hellboy ! Long time no see ! How was my trip ? Oh, very pleasant, such a lovely countryside. Yes, I'm still disembodied, thank you for asking. It's really a joy to see a familiar face.'' said Krauss in a cheerful voice dripping with sarcasm.

The unexpected visitor was a good surprise for the inhabitant of the house and the welcomes was far warmer that he originally expected. Krauss realized then that even if hadn't seen Hellboy, Elizabeth and Abraham in the past five months, since their confrontation with the prince Nuada, they had given him a place in their close circle. Well, enough of a place that he wouldn't kick him out of the house like all the other agents before him that tried to bring them back.

Since the three top agents quit the BPRD and installed themselves in the old cottage of the late Harry Middleton, a dear friend of professor Broom, the big red ape has been an impenetrable wall.

As they sat at the table, Miss Sherman being a good hostess, offered coffee (not that he would drink it, but he could still appreciate the gesture), Krauss took a good look at his surrounding. You could not tell that the house was abandoned up until a few month ago. Personal touches have given it a homey feeling. Some oddities in the decor proved that the inhabitant were not a run of the mill familly, for example all the homemade protective charms that ornate the doors and windows ... or the jar of rotting egg on the kitchen counter ... and the many weird scorch marks here and there ... but all in all it was home he supposed. He even read in one of the last surveillance report that they installed a giant tub for Abe to sleep in.

We exchanged the latest gossips and news about their new life and what was happening back at the BPRD, all the while dodging the important matters.

The atmosphere was almost relax before the conversation turned to an uneasy one. Everyone in the room knew the real reason behind the visit and dreaded the confrontation. 'While I feared the wild temper of ''ex''-agent Hellboy and how it could compromise the mission, the real threat is coming from someone else all together.'

''...and then Manning said : That's why the giant chicken was sleeping with you're wife.'' Hellboy began choking on the smoke of is cigar with laughter, Elisabeth was wiping tears from her eyes while stifling a hiccup and Abraham was smiling with silent mirth.

''Ha! That's Manning for you. He couldn't find his ass even if he had a map.'' said Hellboy.

''And that's why he send me here Mr. Hellboy'' The ball was thrown and I felt that a direct approach would be best. ''He can't seems to be able to make the situation here ... less ... shall we say ... strained.''

''There IS no 'situation'. And if Manning can't get that, I'll make sure to 'massage' that strain for him.'' replied Hellboy as he flexed his stone fingers.

I looked at the others for help, while I suspected that Mr. Sapien would probably approved of my arguments, I dared to hope that Miss. Sherman could be just as reasonable. No luck.

From the part of Mr. Sapien, I was only met with his strong resolve to help his best friend. And Miss. Sherman ... let just say that looking into her eyes was akin as looking directly at an out of control bonfire as you realised that you had mistaken the bucket of water for a gallon of gasoline. No help there.

"How barbarian. Is that how you solve all of your problems ? There more than just the three of you being involved here ... not with Miss. Sherman condition."

There it was, the core of the problem, the pregnancy of Elizabeth Sherman, the strongest pyrokinectic ever recorded, with Hellboy, the prodigal son of Professor Broom and also, the demon that was prophesised to destroy the world. When the BPRD discovered the proverbial bomb, well maybe in this case it's a literal one, panic swept the deck. All of the various doctors, professors, specialists, occult gurus and other professionals flew of the bat, if you would pardon the expression. They all shared theories on what could be expected, all more ridiculous one than the others; and the physicians where still pondering on how it could have happened. Well, not the "how" per say, but more on the genetic behind it.

Truly, it became the top priority to get back the agents. Also, it would be very bad publicity if the outside world learned that the bureau could not keep it's own monsters in check. All the top brass were getting nervous, 'THEY' can reproduce! It never was something they would have envisioned. And every group that were against Hellboy were having a field day ripping Manning to shred, thus making being such as us, good for the hole.

At first, I was strongly opposed to Hellboy's return. Not after I saw how they were willing to sacrifice him without a single thought. As much as I respect the concept of hierarchy and order, I couldn't condone their attitude. Much has to change.

During the three months that I was suspended for disobeying orders, I requested a permanent transfer to America. The vacuum left by their departure made it easy as they cruelly missed the man power, indeed, the effectiveness of the BPRD had drop dramatically since they left. It was that same emptiness and the poor conditions in which us freaks were treated that gave the idea on how to convince Hellboy to come back.

Professor Broom was first one who really sought to comprehend and help us so called errors of nature that did not have a place nor purpose in this world. He teach us not to hold a grunge against the humanity that feared and rejected our existence, but mostly I believe that he meant for us, that we should accept ourselves before we start expecting the same from others.

The BPRD was such a place, a safe haven for those of us who existed outside the fringe of humanity and meant no harm, where we learned to live alongside human and to protect them from within the shadows.

But with Broom gone, the BPRD was like a boat that had lost it's captain, fear installed itself where trust once was. If the place that was created to defend the world had no confidence in it's own staff, how could the world trust it back. The boat needed a captain badly, and that captain was Hellboy. He has been groomed for that role since the beginning, he was … no, he is the logical choice to lead us and the future generations. But he left.

It was one of the reports from one of our agent inside the Vatican that made me ask to lead this attempt to negotiate with Hellboy. I feared for their safety and it was time to put my plan into action. I needed to bring the team back, to regain the trust of the BPRD's superiors and to put the family in a safe place. A place were they could belong.

"My condition is none of your business" said miss Sherman, the coffee in her hand now boiling inside the cup. The camper, now realized that the bonfire had became a forest fire and that he was going to be blamed for the devastation of hundred of hectares.

"You are right, the Bureau got absolutely nothing to say about it" I replied. "But me, miss Sherman, I worry about you, about you three in fact. I do not wish for any woe to befell upon your family. I am here to help !"

As I utter these words, I saw a glimmer of hope behind all the pent up frustration and unrest that I had mistaken for courage and strength. They knew all too well that their situation was more than precarious.

I pressed on this. "I know that you are wary of the Bureau and that you did not leave on good terms. Even I, was suspended for months and I was able to witness the after-effects, they have lost their moral, Hellboy. Just in the last few months, they have lost three times as many agents than they did in the last five years. They relied on you three too much and now they have lost their crutches. It has come to their mind they are not as good nor as well prepared as you were. They need all of you to come back and if you play your cards right, it will be to your advantage. They will accept any of your demands, you have the upper hand, here."

"How ?" asked Hellboy.

Turning toward Abraham. "Mr. Sapien, wouldn't it be safer to have all the medical equipment for the delivery. I'm sure it would also be less unnerving for miss. Sherman, isn't it ?"

"Yes, I've said it often to both Red and Liz : while I may qualify as a doctor and a biologist, this is not my speciality, I just don't have the proper training. At the Bureau, we would have all necessary equipment and they also have the mean to hire a good obstetrician. While there's no complication now, I still really think that you should pass a few tests, Liz. It would be quite reassuring to know the state of your health and the one of the children."

The comment was received with a small nod from the part of miss Sherman, who seemed to be also preoccupied by this matter.

"True" I said "and their also the monetary aspect. From what I've read, you're living of your savings and Prof. Broom's heritage. Eventually the money will become scarce, and what are you going to do then ?"

"We'll find a way" defiantly answered Hellboy.

'That monkey, as stubborn as ever.'

"Oh! I'm sure that your fine disposition and honest face will get you lots of favours during interviews. And what kind of jobs will you get ? Construction ? Demolition ? Bouncer ? Ah, I know, garbage man ! You already have all the experience with the truck. No, I'm sorry but you are a paranormal investigator and the best on there is. The world need you as much as it's not ready for you. Tell me, what other solution is there ? You stay home with das kind, while Mr. Sapien offers technical support over the phone and miss Sherman is toasting customers after asking 'Want some fries with that ?' one too many time ?"

'Oh Scheiße! I lost my temper and said to much again. If I still had a foot it would leave a lousy after taste. I've lost some ground but it seem the message passed.'

"As I said you now have the upper hand and you have a chance to ask for a raise and no one is in a position to refuse you. It will also give you the opportunity to regain your possessions and to return to a familiar and safer place.

"Yeah ! I miss my cats... are they ok ? Do they feed them correctly ? The spotty one was beginning to get ..."

At that moment, I stop listening dumbfounded. Seeing the rolling eyes of both Elizabeth and Abraham, I deduced that it wasn't the first time that Hellboy ramble on this particular subject. Had I knew he like cats that much, I would have brought him a basket of kittens as a peace offering.

"... Manning wanted to neuters him but he didn't realized that it was the grey one that peed on his desk. Oh, and there was that time ..."

"Yes, yes, that is very interesting" I said, cutting his cats induce monologue "but we need to get back to the point : Why you should go back. It is after all, the reason that push me to request this assignment. While, I was in total agreement with you when you decided to quit the BPRD, and there was no one that wished you more luck with your new lives, I also witness the effects that your departure had on the BPRD and it was catastrophic," I said clearly struck by what I saw these past months. "They ... they can't protect you anymore, Hellboy. The longer you stay away, the more the tension escalate. You may not know this but you have a lot of enemies and they don't want you out there or even alive for that matter. Just you three, it might be ok, I know you can take care of yourselves, but the children change everything."

I made a pause there to let my words sink in, but I believe that they already knew all of this.

"I've come across some informations that show that you are all in grave danger, immediate danger."

"Who ?" asked Hellboy in a voice that sounded like the thunder across the mountain.

"I'm not at liberty to divulgate ..."

"WHO ?" While it's wasn't shouted, one could sense the power and the authority that lure behind the perfectly calm and even tone of his voice.

"The Vatican, for one." I said with a certain amount of shame.

If Hellboy decided to go after them it would be war and before long it could turn really ugly, really fast. I needed to diffuse the situation and quickly.

"Hellboy, you have more allies then you think. Everyone you worked with, friends and colleagues, wants to help and are taking your side. The Special Unit of the Bureau is ready to intervene at a moment notice despite how many treaties it will break. Even that doofus, Manning is spreading himself thin collecting favors and undermining his political career to keep you safe. He is risking his job, Hellboy."

Elizabeth eyes were misty and you could see that Hellboy and Abraham were touched by the attention of their ex-co-workers, but Hellboy just had to add his grain of salt.

"You say that like it's a bad thing" clearly refering to Manning. I swear, their feud only half exist for the fun they have bickering.

"It could have been someone far worst than him" said Abe softly.

"Yes, it is true" I replied "while he is a scaredy bumbling fool of a politician, Manning is a good person that worries about the safety of the public but also that of is own men, even if most of the time, it doesn't seem that way. He got a lot of responsibilities and he's just a little too self-conscious about his own image. He may be a doofus but he is serious and respectful of the rules. And he is never cruel. Just a passive person who got to make important decisions without the ability to lead peoples of actions, and he knows it. But, still he continues because it is what is expected of him."

"Even if all that you said ... might be true. I don't want them to be like me. I don't want my children to ... to live what I lived." answered Hellboy with a look that transcended time, leading him into another period of his life ... one that I didn't know of. One that trouble him greatly, and the key to is rebuttal was lying there.

"What did you live Hellboy?" I ask calmly. I am not sure if he heard me or if he was conscious that he replied.

"I grew up in a military base. It wasn't so bad I guess. There was all the guys, the soldiers that found me in Trondham Abby. They were the one that taught me everything that father couldn't teach me. How to shoot, to fight … how to be a soldier, but also how to play cards or how to fill 's shoes with molasses and to get away with it." said Hellboy smiling at the fond memories.

"And then, there was the others … The Scientists." His face grew severe. "… Father could barely keep them from dissecting me, but that didn't stop them from testing, prodding and poking everything that they could … Later, when I saw Abe in the tank and heard what they planed, I just had to get you out." He said looking at Abraham, while Elizabeth held his hand. I realise that he referred about the time they about to disected Mr. Sapien in order to perform further testing, not caring wether he was a sentient being or not.

But now the trip down memory lane was now over and the father attention was back on me like a tiger on lamb doused with BBQ sauce.

"I don't want any of that happening to my kids, Krauss. Never, and that's why we're never going back."

"It is the very thing we are trying to prevent here, Mr. Hellboy. The solution that I offer you, is your chance to make it so that they'll never be tested on. You can request this as one of the conditions for your return. Things are not the same as before. You three changed the BPRD. You proved that us freaks, can both work and live along side normal people. Those same peoples that want to help you, and like me, will never allow your children to be harmed because they are your friends."

There, I almost convince him. Now, to inspire him.

"Do not turn away the hand that is given, because if you do, they can turn it against you. They will take your children away, because they are too precious for them. They need another you. For in the world as they know it, freaks are shunned from civilisation or locked away because they do not want to open their eyes to this dark world that is ours. They will make another you of your children, so that they can put us away. Us that are bothering them, us that they wish to study and experiment upon. And these new 'Hellboy' won't have your morals, your ethics nor your convictions because of who will have raised them.

"If you choose to go back now, you will be able to protect them, teach them the right way, you will prevent other tragedies like the one that could have befallen Mr Sapien, or help other Elizabeth Sherman to come to term with their gifts. By doing so, you will not preserve civilisation like they would wish you to, but instead you will help us create a place in it for our kin. You will be the hero that helped carve their future into something bright! Will you do what want to do or what you need to do!"

Oh, the expression on his face, the puffed chest. He has the look men that could crawl a thousand miles under the rain if necessary, to deliver the message that would gave away the enemy's position. His inner hero had his ego stroked and he now had the appeal of a goal in front of him like a carrot in front a donkey … Hook, line and sinker if I do say so myself.

"But it will not be enough! We need to blitz them my friend, not let them regain their breath! And I have an idea."

I decided to wait a little before I exposed them to my plan, for it was almost time for dinner and it would give them time to 'digest' my earlier speech, if you would excuse my pun. They insisted that I explained some more but before I wished to explore with them the conditions and demands of their return to the bureau. Hellboy even made a few jokes on how he finally would be able to get a badge.

As the atmosphere relaxed I went into the kitchen, only to discover that M. Sapien and Hellboy were as useful there than a bag of hammer to a swimmer. So, I choose to help Elizabeth prepare a helping of bread and cheese that would accompany the beef stew that was cooking during the afternoon. Oh, I cursed the loss of my body, because of it I didn't smell the enticing aroma of the stew nor would I be able to taste the soft past cheese that was spread greedily on the bread. I made myself a good orator for the duration of the meal. As I witness the scene that played before me I could see that this was going to be a warm family … not just because of Elizabeth, but because of the peace and that warm mushy cheesy feeling that was felt between them and made them a family.

Usually, after dinner, it is Hellboy and Abraham who were doing the dishes. As they gathered the dirty utensils, they exchange a few jokes about beer, love and dishes that I didn't quite understood. But today Elizabeth offered to do it instead of Hellboy, I felt that she wanted to talk to Abraham about something. I took the opportunity to invite Hellboy for a stroll outside.

We walk down a flight of stair that lead to a small pier at the bottom of the cliff to get some fresh air and to gaze at the horizon now that the fog had cleared up.

That's when I choose to get the secret weapon that Manning gave me : Cuban cigar. I could feel the envy oozing out of him like the drool out of a Saint-Bernard. The "poor" man had been banned to smoke inside the house and good cigars were hard to come by in the little village where they did their errands.

And now that the big ape had his stomach filled and his brain contented with tobacco, he finally was in the mind set that I needed in order to convince him of my plan ... especially since he would be the one who would shoulder all the risk.

Therefore, I waited for him to engage the conversation. I could see the gears turning in his head, intrigued by what I said earlier.

"So ... What about this idea of yours"

"You see" I began with my metalic muffled voice "... for us freaks, the options are somewhat limited to the various side of a coin. They are those who seek acceptance, a place in the world beside humanity. Those who refuse the human race all together and seek the reclaim the earth for their own. And of course those who live on the edge, wanting simply to be left alone to their own device. We stand on the side of acceptance, trying to act as human as possible, staying within the borders or the law. Your father had given you, Elizabeth, Abraham and I a place we're we can seek such an acceptance, or an illusion of it as we witness ... since they only accept us if we are useful."

Hellboy remained silent, looking the water in a distracted fashion, contemplating the memory of an all too known situation.

"The BPRD as it is now is no solution, for we would have to live by their convictions ... Nein, it's a partial solution but part of the solution still. What is missing is our convictions, not just our owns but also their conviction. A mix of the two in order to have the acceptance we seek, to be able to live together. To have the supernatural retake it's place within the natural world. What you tried to accomplish by exposing yourself to the world was not a bad move, per say. Maybe to early, way to early but a good move if we consider that now they can't hide any of us, unless we wish to remain hidden."

"A lot of crap that did us. Getting insulted, treated as if we belong in a zoo."

"That is human nature for you, I should know I am one after all."

"Is that where you got your charming personality"

"I really walked into that one, isn't it ?"

"Hum"

"But what happen in New York was because they single you out. They ..."

"They also got Liz and Abe, they called him 'toilet seat guy'. At least they got Manning too." he said smirking at that one.

"Yes, but you are the most notorious one and you are a … a… "

"Demon?"

"Well, if you wish to be crude then yes. That made you an easy target for the media, the whole event needed to be handled better by the PR staff. That is also one of the problems that we will have to deal with but it will have to wait for later."

"You mean going on TV and stuff."

"Yes, but as I said we will look over that later. What is important now is to clam the BPRD's officials by giving them a back up in case you all go AWOL again. We need a bigger A team."

"We already bring about twenty to thirty agents on the field. How more guys gonna change anything ?"

"Nein, nein, nein my friend. What I mean is more people like us, more special agents." I said as he looked at me with an expression that was a cross between suspicion and if I had grown another bowl. "They are afraid to let you go in part because you are the best and the best, and before you was your father but now, there is no one else. If you were to form a team with peoples who have special abilities, they will have the impression that they can replace you."

"It took my father all his life to teach me all that he knew and there's nobody in the BPRD that got the skills to get all this." He said tapping his forehead with a stony finger.

"Hence, why you need new peoples that will bring a breath of fresh air to the bureau. If you teach them what your father thought you, and not just the know how but also the moral and the ideal. In their turn they will share this with others along with the idea of tolerance and acceptance. You tried to change the world by showing yourself when what you needed to do was to change way how those close to you perceived you. How the Bureau sees you. As the A team gets bigger, with more power, more skills, more important, the more it will have a say in the way of how the BPRD is managed.

"And where we'll find them huh? Under a rock?"

"If that is what it takes, yes, but you know as I do that the BPRD has extended file on people with power and supernatural origin. I know you are already thinking about some."

"Yeah … but they already got the offer and refused it, they all want to be left alone…"

"Even those who wish to be left alone wish for recognition Hellboy. I think if we are able to change the BPRD, they eventually see us as a viable option instead of a prison."

He looked really pensive of a moment, and then said, "They're not gonna let us put anybody we want in you know. They'll want to block us at every turns. They won't want to deal with something that they may lose control of."

"Like that worked with you. There are ways, we can negotiate, bargain, trade …"

"NO PSYCHICS ! They want to stick one on me for years now."

"You see ! That is what is blocking you. You are too stiff on who get close to you …"

'Oups too far'

" … Listen, if the four of us get to be able to choose who we take on the team, we might also get a say in who they will want to choose. Remember, we have the upper hand here but only if we act rapidly, before they get desperate."

I could see that what he was thinking, it could be possible.

"You know there are a lot of people like us and we can find them. They are many of such cases that passes by the bureau only to be deported or locked away somewhere they will never see the light of day again. You could stop the bureau and keep them under your watch as agent. And nobody will say anything because it will be part of your demands. A more effective solution if you will. I am sure that you witnessed many cases where they were in need of help or showed promises and where cruelly turn away or lock up."

"We can't help every cases out there you know. We're not social services. 'Hello, Supernatural Anonymous, how can I help you?' " he said mocking.

"No but we can try Hellboy. We can change the BPRD into something more than just an organisation that protects humanity but into one that also help and protect in-humanity!" I said with a mechanical hiss from my suit.

I waited silently, pensive myself, not knowing what else to say as everything of importance as already been said. My speech had exhausted me, not physically as it is impossible but mentally. I, too, was left starring at the night sky that blended so seamlessly with the blacken sea below, not seeing where neither begins. We now found ourselves in a situation that reflected what we saw. That our future was like this dark horizon and that we could either plunge into the freezing water or soar into the sky without knowing at which one we aimed.

"I'll go back inside." He said breaking the silence. "I'll talk with the others."

Two days later in the evening, the three wayward agents were boarding with me a plane at destination of the New Jersey.

I know not of the discussions held by those three, but I received their call at my hotel the next day to talk about their options, before I communicated with Manning to give their answers. When they left, I could not help but remark that they didn't look back once the home they were living in, when me I was struggling to build one for myself. It made me think that maybe, home is where the heart is.

2009-01-29

From The Bookeater

That our first chapters folk. This fanfiction is an enteprise that me and Shiroyuki decided to take almost six months ago after seeing Hellboy 2 at the movies. It took a lot of planing and effort but we made it and we aim to make a long fanfic because we are both fan of Hellboy and we want to contribute to the fandom. Their will have many particularity about this fic that many reader may not like such as OC and crossover. But we both exepect of us a certain quality of our work and we will make so that it gonna be made in the most beliving way possible. The genre of crossover will be explain in the note of the third chapters but get ready to be knock off your chair because you wont be beliving who we will bring into the BPRD. I'm praticaly sure that 90% of the crossover will be unheard of in but they all be classic that almost every bodie know. Well leave a review if you found it fun.

See ya!

Note from Shiroyuki *^_^*

Hi everybody ! First chapter, I'm so thrill.

As you all just see their was a drastic change between the text and the autor note. So now you see with what I got to work with. Decoding what he's trying to say tend to take the most time ... that and the correction. Ooooooh ! the mistakes ! but I don't dispair just yet, I do dear hoping that the more he'll write in english the less mistake he'll make ... but as I said it's a wild hope.

And being the real girl the I am, I just had to complain first but in truth I love to work with him, he's hilarious.

I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter.

Till next time folks *^_^*