Warning: This up to date through chapter 170. Spoilers may be present.

Disclaimer: D.Gray-Man does not belong to me. The only character here who does is Laire... The lyrics aren't mind either, they are from "Hospital" by The Used.

Before I cross my heart,
And hope to die at all…

"Ah… It's great to be back…"

Lavi stretched contentedly, arching his arms jovially above his unruly red hair as he exited the Ark. What was a pristine white, albeit empty city one moment immediately transformed into the bustling Science Division of the Black Order.

Home.

Despite the recent move the Order had been forced to undertake, things had nearly resumed their old pace as everyone began to resettle. Even the rather unorganized scientists seemed to be back into their normal cycle of all-nighters… It was an almost comforting sight.

"Oi! Old Panda!" The Bookman-in-training called over his shoulder as he continued forward, using his keen eyesight to locate the elder. "I'm going to get some oof-!!"

Lavi's words were cut off as he was stampeded and subsequently knocked over by what seemed to be a… Running cardboard box?! Wait. There had been box involved, but there was definitely something driving it forward… And that something was now sprawled on top of the male Exorcist.

A young woman pushed herself to her knees, whining at the newly-acquired aches shooting through her body. One hand ran shakily through already-tussled short blonde hair, straying for a moment at the black tips, as if to check if they were still intact.

And then her eyes met Lavi's, and it took every fiber of his being to resist shoving the girl off of him.

He knew those eyes from somewhere… A light brown mixed with an almost sickly pale green that, when in the proper light, almost looked yellow. At the current moment the look in those eyes was one of seemingly genuine shock and confusion, but the teen had a distinct sense that that expression could turn to one of murderous intent within a second. But… That was all just in his imagination, wasn't it?

However, before Lavi could even continue his thoughts , the female had shot to her feet, grabbed his arm in the same motion, and was currently doing her best to pull him upright .

"O-oh no! I'm sorry, I really am, Mr. Exorcist! I put too much in my box and I couldn't see over the top!! Are you all right?"

It took him a moment to fully snap out of his reverie, but once he did so the Bookman stood hastily and brushed himself off, giving his wayward smirk to the flustered female.

"Don't worry about it, I'm fine. I wasn't watching where I was going either…" He trailed away, taking a moment to examine the creature in front of him a bit more substantially.

She was actually around his age, or maybe even a year older, judging from her height. The aforementioned black-ended locks hung in layers around the girl's light complexion, nearly shadowing those familiar eyes. (But they couldn't be familiar, could they…? And where had he seen them?) A long white lab coat hung limply around her shoulders, open just enough to reveal a simple red tank and black jeans stuffed into heavy boots. Despite her overall disheveled appearance, the box-wielding blonde actually wasn't too unfortunate-looking.

But that was beside the point… She was talking again, obviously feeling a bit awkward under the Exorcist's gaze.

"Um… My name is Laire. I'm a new member of the Science Division… It's nice to meet you, Mr. Exorcist." The young lady introduced herself, managing a rather hasty bow, which was returned in an equally quick manner.

"Nice to meet you, Laire. I'm Lavi." He responded, feeling one gloved hand reach up to scratch his head as a force of habit.

A scientist, huh? No wonder she looked so frazzled.

(But where had he seen those eyes?)

Shaking the nagging question from his brain, the redhead finally glanced towards the ground about him to find it scattered with books, pencils, and other assorted objects. All contents of the speeding box, no doubt… He could now understand why Laire had been unable to see.

He was just about to offer to help with cleanup when the blonde abruptly whirled around and started heading off, offering him a good-natured wave.

"I should really be going now… The others need my help! It was nice meeting you Lavi!" Laire called over her shoulder, her lab coat fluttering behind her and she trotted amongst the rest of the Science Division, soon vanishing from sight.

"W-wait! Hey! What about your…" Lavi began to gesture at the floor, still littered with the girl's spilled belongings… Only they were gone. Completely. There was nothing left, not a single pencil nor book nor piece of paper. Even the box was gone. It was as if every sign of the female scientist's presence had suddenly vanished, leaving only photographic memories within the mind of the apprentice Bookman.

(But where had he seen those eyes?)

Take off my mask,
And leave the lies to the liars…

All right... I've never done this before so any USEFUL feedback/reviews would be greatly appreciated.