Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood or any of the characters.

Chapter One

Tomorrow Is Much Too Late

"Esther…?" Abel spoke quietly as they made their way back to the Vatican. It was a beautiful summer day and Esther had absolutely insisted that he join her for a little walk around outside.

"Yes Abel?" Esther asked, smiling brightly at him, that same bright smile that melted his heart. Ever since they returned from the empire, Abel and Esther had been a lot less formal with each other. They were becoming very close; Abel seemed to be attached to Esther's hip.

"What do you say we stop for a quick cup of tea before returning?" Abel asked, smiling gently at her, when in all seriousness he just wanted to extend his time alone with her like this.

"Of course Abel." Esther said with a bright smile that suddenly fell as she felt around in her small purse and she blushed a little. "It appears I don't have anything to pay with…" She sounded so disappointed, Abel just couldn't have that.

"Don't be ridiculous! The tea is on me!" Abel said with his classical feather brained smile plastered to his face. He mentally sweat dropped as he knew he just barely had enough to pay for them both, he was really cutting it close this time. The bright happy smile that returned to Esther's face made it all worth it though.

"How kind of you Abel." Esther said taking his arm as he led her to a small tea shop. Such was becoming routine, Esther would find some excuse for them to go out and Abel would end up treating her to tea before returning to their duties at the Vatican.

The waitress knew the couple well and led them to their usual table towards the back. They didn't even need to order, for they ordered the same thing every time.

"We really need more days like this…" Esther said quietly. Abel nodded his agreement, as a comfortable silence settled between them.

"Here you go." The waitress said cheerfully handing Esther her tea and then Abel his with a considerably greater amount of sugar in it.

"Thank you Jessica." Esther said with a warm smile. The waitress smiled and headed back to the counter.

"This tea is always so good!" Abel said excitedly after taking a sip of his tea.

"I know, I wonder what their secret is…" Esther pondered out loud. With that they finished drinking their tea, talking about everything and nothing. They had learned a lot about each other this way, but there was still a lot that was left unsaid.

"We should get going." Abel said almost sadly attempting to get out of his chair, but failing and somehow tripping and landing on the ground. Esther was up in a flash and by his side.

"Are you alright?" Esther asked worriedly, helping Abel to sit.

"Yes, yes of course! Silly old me tripping, I'm fine!" Abel said flustered, waving his hands in front of his face. Esther smiled and straightened Abel's glasses as that had fallen crooked when he fell. Standing up, she offered her hand and helped the tall silver haired priest back on his feet.

"Thank you." Abel told Esther, as he went to the counter and spent what little he had left to pay for their tea. He was beginning to wonder how he was going to be able to afford to do this every week.

The sun was setting, assaulting the sky with purple and pink and then to black. Upon reaching the Vatican, Abel walked Esther to her room.

"Good night Esther, I enjoyed our walk today." Abel said, smiling gently at her.

"I did too." Esther replied smiling that same heart melting smile. "Good night Abel, see you tomorrow morning." With that said Abel nodded and turned as Esther closed her door and prepared for bed.

Abel was smiling as though he had just received all the sugar in the world when he reached his room. He always enjoyed spending time with Esther, but had yet to admit to her just how much he really enjoyed it. He could no longer deny he cared for her a great deal, but it would be awhile before he would tell her as such.

Esther had just crawled into bed and had almost fallen asleep when she heard someone creep into her room. Frightened she remained still, only moving to reach for the gun she kept on lock under her mattress.

"Abel…?" Esther called, the fear evident in her voice.

"Not quite…" A deep voice replied, grabbing her quickly but not before she fired a shot. The figure dodged easily and hit Esther on the back of the head to knock her out. She gasped in pain and fell limply into the figures arms.

Abel had heard the shot fire from Esther's room, he had been awake in his room thinking things over, and with out hesitation he was at her door. He swung the door open, and looked around for Esther, but she was no where to be found. Her bed sheets were twisted and in a mass on the floor. All that remained was her gun and a small note.

The other members of AX had also heard the shot and an array of obscenities could be heard from Father Leon as they gathered outside to door to see what had happened. The sight that met them was enough to chill even the most jovial of spirits.

Abel was standing with his back to them, he fist clenched around the note. He didn't even acknowledge his colleagues as he turned and pushed out the door past him, leaving the crumpled note in his wake. No one dared to speak, and Caterina could be seen coming up the stairs only to be completed ignored by Abel as he made his way down.

"What has happened here…?" Caterina said sternly, picking up the note. The other members gathered around her as she read the note aloud in a questionable voice.

My Dear Brother,

We have matters to discuss…

Also, if you wish to see your precious star of light again, it would be prudent to come alone…

C.

"Do we…?" Leon began, only to be cut off by Caterina.

"No, if we interfere Esther may be put in even more danger… We must let Father Nightroad handle this one… If he fails… Then we have no choice but to take action…" Caterina replied, waving her hand dismissively and going back to her own room.

Author's Note:

Yea, my other AbelxEsther fic has hit a road block, and this plot came to me during a very long car ride, so I figured I would start it out and see where it goes. No they have not met Ion and I don't know that I will even include him in this fic. The old queen is still alive, and Cain came looking for Abel. I'm just making details up as I go, so don't hold me to the series too much here. As always, review and let me know what you think. Also, forgive any errors that slip my eye.