The two men stood facing each other, thoughts of Shion and what she meant to them racing through their respective minds. Tension thick enough to drown in filled the air.

"How could you do this to her? All she ever did was love you." Allen growled, his anger awakened and burning. "You can't imagine what she went through after you died."

The Red Testament; otherwise known as Kevin, didn't move a muscle, he stood stock still gauging this man he had not planned for. "Do not presume you know the reasons for my actions." He said in a soft unemotional voice.

The lack of caring, of emotion enraged Allen, taking a page from the book of Jr he yelled, "You bastard! How could you claim that you loved her and now be so cold and calculating?" He pointed back at the still limp form of Shion that lay in MOMO's arms. "This is your fault, you did this to her."

"I did what was necessary." He replied in the same calm tone. " It is as it should be."

Clenching his fist in frustration and barely controlled rage he stepped toward this man he had envied, "You were her world, the thing she lived for and drove her." Glaring at the unmoving figure he continued, "She still wears the necklace you gave her, and the nightmares, god the nightmares she has about your death! She never admits to having them but I have seen her twitching and moaning when she falls asleep working."

A shadow that might have been surprise passed over Kevin's handsome but cold features. "I did die as I was supposed to and it served its purpose, she finished KOS-MOS, the rest…" He paused as if something were caught in his throat, "she was not supposed to hold onto me."

"She did, and now you have to deal with it, if I don't kill you first." He threatened. Looks of shock and a collective gasp from the group assailed his ears, but Allen didn't care.

"You were supposed to take my place Allen, she was to love you." Kevin said softly, pain lacing his stoic timber.

Allen felt his muscles tighten then release to the point he almost collapsed. "What?" He mumbled, rocked to the core by the revelation, not sure if he should believe it.

Nodding Kevin explained, "After I died you were put in place to help her recover and be the guiding force to her eventual awakening." He looked at the still shocked Allen, " I have no reason to lie about this, it is the truth."

Allen slowly shook his head, clearing the cobwebs, "But..why? Why did you lead her on?"

Kevin lifted his arm slowly, causing Jr and Ziggy to bring their weapons to bear on him. "There is no need, I will not attack you."

Unbelieving they kept their weapons trained on him as he reached up and removed his hood, revealing the dark hair that had characterized him before his death. "It was part of the greater order, she needed someone to give her purpose, open her mind and soul up to what could be possible." He dropped his hand back to his side and surprised them all by sighing.

Still confused Allen asked, "But you didn't have to make her love you; if you knew what was going to happen that was cruel, vicious."

Suddenly Kevin seemed to grow larger, his presence looming over them; eyes flashing dangerously, "Do not tell me what is cruel, I know all to well cruelty and it's many forms!" As suddenly as it has come the display of power was gone, leaving Kevin looking older and by the slump of his shoulders exhausted.

"I didn't make her love me, that was her choice, just as it was mine to love her." He looked up, into Allen's eyes, hoping to find understanding. "I loved her because she gave me the strength to do what I had to, I needed her."

A groan pierced the air causing Allen to whip around. Shion's hand groped out for something, finding MOMO's hand she gripped it tightly. Her eyelids fluttered open. Allen rushed to her side, kneeling in front of her, blocking her view of Kevin. "Chief, can you hear me?" He asked worry tinged in his voice.

"A…Allen?" She replied groggily focusing on his face, "What happened, I thought I saw…it couldn't be though."

"Shion."

Eyes widening, Shion began to sit up, only to have Allen place a hand against her shoulder, "Shion, don't do this, please, lay back down."

She met Allen's concerned eyes and for the first time saw the love that had always been shining in them. She knew the voice that had called her name, she heard it every night; "Thank you Allen, but I have to know…I need to understand." He nodded in defeat, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop her, he squeezed her hand and felt her squeeze back.

Closing her eyes she stood, gathering her self, she opened them. "Kev..in?" she said voice catching.

He nodded. "I came here to meet you Shion…" At that moment the wall exploded outward and KOS-MOS stepped through, she quickly scanned the room and identified everyone before turning back to Kevin. "You are Kevin Winnicot, former head of my development team, died T.C. 4765, by your clothing you are also identified as one of the figures involved with the destruction of the system known as "Proto Omega" and the death of the former leader of the Ormus Organization. Threat Assessment: Highly Dangerous." She raised her arm as it began to glow and change.

"KOS-MOS no! Don't!" Shion screamed, flashes of the past slamming through her mind.

Kevin stood still, facing Shion and gazed into her frantic eyes, "Forgive me Shion." He turned his back on her and raised his own arm at KOS-MOS, a soft glow emitting from his palm.

The world filled with blinding light and a deafening roar, Shion's screams drowned out in the chaos.

-------------------------------------------------

She woke slowly. Climbing out of the darkness she felt the soreness in her body and heard a ringing in her ears. Cracking her eyes the light flooded in, she squinted as a shadow fell over her. The face swam before her, sandy brown hair, faded blue eyes. "Allen." She thought. As he came into focus she saw his lips moving, "…ok?" She heard through the fading ringing.

She nodded; feeling his hand holding hers, it was warm. Out of the corner of her eye she saw scorch marks on the far wall and the last few moments crashed back to her. She looked up at Allen desperately, "Where's KOS-MOS? What happened to…?" A figure moved into her line of view over Allen's shoulder, "The person known as Kevin Winnicot has been terminated." Stated KOS-MOS.

Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the room again. "No, not again, why?" she questioned herself. Pressing a hand to the ground she sat up, dizziness overcoming her. "Maybe he isn't" she thought:if he could do it before…" A spark of hope lit inside her as she wiped away the tears and tried to look past her friends that had gathered around her.

"I am sorry Shion." MOMO said sadly when their eyes met. She moved back to stand by Jr's side. Kevin lay against the far wall; his body slumped over, hair obscuring his face. Even admits all the cloths she could see the hole in his chest. She shuddered, "No…"

She started to fall back, wanting to curl up and block everything out, but she felt strong arms catch her and pull her close. She looked up to find Allen's kind but pained face looking down at her. "Che…Shion, I'm sorry."

Looking up at this man she had ignored and berated so many times, she found herself comforted by his touch and the strength that radiated from him. She pressed her body against his, "Allen? Please hold me?" Without a word his enfolded her in his arms.