A/N: I needed to write could think of what to write, so I went searching for websites that have writing prompts. Which really meant digging out my copy of Writer's Digest and seeing their list of top 100 writing websites of 2008. This prompt came from or something like that. It was prompt number...I don't remember there are over 300 of them. Anyway this is most definitely the first chapter in a very short story. And I'll let you read on.

In the Power of the Beholder

If I had the power to change something, I would change...like I haven't already decided this? Shaking her head Lady pushed up so that she was leaning back on her elbows while reclined on the floor. Her two story loft apartment was usually pretty calming and open feeling, but right now it was just lonely feeling. The rain pattering at her her windows was not helping matters either. It was so quiet and sometimes she even felt that it wasn't even a place that had a tenant.

Staring blankly out the window her brow furrowed as she allowed her thoughts to wander. Memories from her childhood flooding back. Her mother, such a graceful creature. It wasn't much of a wonder how Lady had ended up so talented in acrobatics. Not that it had helped Kalina Ann when Arkham decided to kill her. She shuddered pulling her knees up to her chest as she sat up, wrapping her arms around her legs she rested her head against them. That would be the one thing that she changed. Her mother would still be here.

And her? Well she wouldn't be going out every couple nights to hunt demons and brushing up against a half-demon on top of that. She'd be in college finishing those dreams that had seemed so important before her death. She'd be going somewhere in life somewhere that wasn't so single-minded, or maybe it would be but at least it wouldn't be so violent. She snorted, who was she kidding she'd come to enjoy that part of the job. Imagining her long dead father's face on the faces of all those demons as she pulled the trigger. On the rainy nights that thought comforted her the same way the thought that if her mother were still alive her life would have been different.

And then there'd be that intolerable moment where she'd actually feel sad. For if her mother was still alive and working Lady never would have met Dante or Trish (although meeting Trish she could have done without). If Kalina Ann were still around she never would have killer her father. Hell she probably wouldn't have known of his obsession with demons and gaining power at all. She could have lived with that.

"Who are you kidding you wouldn't trade any of this..." Pushing herself to her feet in fluid motion Lady walked to the phone and hit the speed dial for some where.

"Devil May Cry." A familiar smooth voice answered in a haughty way making Lady's lips curl in displeasure.

"Put the idiot on the phone." She muttered at least attempting to sound annoyed with the other woman.

"Hm? What's got you in a huff?" Trish asked.

"Just get Dante."

There was several long seconds of silence as she assumed Trish went to get Dante. as far as either of them knew she had another case that she needed his help on. Which half made sense and half didn't, usually she would have ridden over and briefed him on it as he read a magazine and Trish ate pizza. Loathe as she was to admit it she could really use the asses company right now.

"He's indisposed at the minute."

"Trish, if I have to shoot you in order for you to actually put him on the phone I will." She did not have the patience for this bullshit right now.

There was the muffled sound of a very obviously masculine chuckle before his voice greeted her.

"Hey kid, you don't sound to happy." He teased.

"Shut up and get over here... and bring a pizza." She added the last bit after hesitation. She wasn't really sure she would eat any of it but even if she didn't he would.

"Any reason why?"

"Dante..." She breathed her tone meant to betray the warning she wasn't speaking. She bit her tongue from saying please, he didn't rate, no matter how many years went by, high enough to have the satisfaction of hearing her plead.

There was a snort followed by a sigh, "Well if I have to I guess I can. I'll bring the pizza babe."

The phone was buzzing with the dial tone before she could tell him not to call her babe. At least he was coming that was always a plus. Of course it didn't change the fact that she'd been moping mere moments ago. A fact that bothered her greatly, she didn't mope she did anything but mope.

Crossing the room she sat on her couch and turned on her laptop, trying to distract herself with her usual habits as she waited. At first not seeming to work but when it finally did it seemed that Dante had finally decided to show up with the pizza. Or at least she was assuming it was him when she heard the knock at the door. Locking the computer so only she could get back on it (purely precautionary but hey paranoia had kept her alive for quite some time at this point), she stood stretching her arms over her head as she walked to the door.

There was another impatient knock making her grumble as she peered through the peep hole checking that it was indeed him before she undid the deadbolt and pulled the door open.

"Took you long enough." She grumbled reaching for the pizza box. She was starving and she wasn't going to be denied something even if it was only pizza.

"Sorry traffic was horrible." He grinned at her letting her take the box and followed her as she lead the way to large main room. His eyes taking in the fact that she had removed the mats that had covered the floor last time, his blue eyes searching for them in the dim lights. He found it funny he'd always pinned her for being the type to keep the lights on at night after dealing with demons day in and day out.

"By bad you mean you were too lazy to move fast."

"And endanger the pizza? You're funny Lady." He exclaimed popping the top open and taking out a slice and shoving half of the slice into is mouth and chewing as he watched her get plates, looking amused when she glared at him after seeing the slice in his hand.

"Since when, you're always telling me to chill out." She turned the box so she could get at the pizza and gingerly plucked a piece from the gooey circle of cheese and bread. Lady didn't quite understand how he survived on this stuff alone but she was thankful to be able to forgo actually making herself dinner tonight. She wasn't in the mood to do any cooking.

She watched as she shrugged leaning back against the corner tearing another chunk off his slice of pizza and chewing before turning his attention to her. "So what did ya need?"