Things are never what they seem.

The Count was a patient man by nature but even he had his limits. The detective had once again done his paperwork here in his pet shop and had left a mess in his wake. Had he not had certain feelings for the brash detective he would have slammed the door in his face, but then he would not have gotten the delicious bon-bons the detective bought him. D sighed as he picked up the rubbish his brash detective had left; he knew it was more then simply sweets that he allowed Leon to stay in his shop. D had not been looking for a relationship, and had never found anyone, god or otherwise to hold his interest for long. But Leon, Leon was different; He was wild and violent and yet also kind and compassionate. He was blind to all things supernatural and yet was as open minded as humans could be...well almost. Count D was not sure when he had fallen for Leon only that it had happened and now he wanted Leon with a passion that made him ache. D had gone out of his way to make sure that his detective was safe but also that no one else went after what was his and Leon was his! D wanted Leon to know the truth about him and his pet shop but knew that Leon's simple mind would not comprehend it. It seemed to him that Leon was able to deny or convince himself of any logical expansion when it came to dealing with his pets. Plus Leon was undeniable straight or at least he claimed himself to be; continually muttering under his breath that he was not gay. His many "Artistic" pictures of nude women seemed to be his way of demonstrating that fact. D sighed again and continued to pick up the rubbish. He went over to the settee where the Detective was sitting and frowned at the letter that was carefully placed in-between the seats. It was unlike his detective to hide things like this and as D pulled the letter from its hiding place, D's curiosity was well and truly sparked. D noticed Leon's handwriting was a lot neater then usual and the envelope was part on a very elegant writing set, very unlike his Leon. He read the name on the envelope "Eliza J Logan" Leon had never mentioned her before. Before he could even consider the consequences of his actions, D was now sitting down and reading Leon's letter.

Dear Eliza,

How you holding up? And please don't give me all that rubbish about being all right, I saw you at the funeral and you were anything but ok. I don't think there has ever been a time before you and Logan, Hell; I don't think there was a time before all four of us. You, Logan, me, Ben, just us four against the world, but no matter how close we all were, neither me nor Ben shared that bond between you and Logan. If you need me Eliza, if you need me to be there, I'll get time off and stay with you. You need but to ask girl, you know that! You knew that this could happen Eliza when all four of us became Matrix agents. We serve and protect with our lives Elisa; to make this world a better place for all things. We knew the dangers and embraced them as we did our jobs. We protect our fellow humans from ever finding about the other world. What do you think the Count would do to me if he found out that I knew what he was and knew about his so-called pets? I know what you thinking; well it's your own god damned fault for getting involved with a Kami. I know, I know! But you know as well as I do that I can not tell him; besides look what happened to Max when he got involved with one. Look just write back soon before I drive myself mad with worry and simply turn up on your doorstep!

My love and friendship always,

Leon

PS: How's our kid doing?

Once D had reread the letter, he was not sure if he should be angry or hurt. Leon knew! HE KNEW! And had known for quite some time; D felt the rage and bile build up in his stomach. Leon knew and had not said anything, allowed him to believe that he was a mere simple minded human. Completely forgetting that Leon had mentioned that he was not allowed to tell the Count what he knew; D crumbled the letter in his hand, No one makes a fool out of the Count. Picking himself up from the settee and straightened his cheongsam and went on about his choirs quickly. First, he thought he would deal with Elisa, she seemed to know Leon to well and could endanger his relationship with Leon more then she already has. And what of this child that Leon on had mentioned? That made no sense as he had clearly written that Elisa was or had been with Logan, how could this child be Leon's? The Count simply shook his head, it was no matter, and the problem would soon be over with. Besides did not all children love animals of some kind?

It was about two hours later that D's black limo pulled up out side of a small bungalow just in fount of the sea miles away from anyone. D smiled as he stepped out of the car, it seemed quite a pleasant place, the small garden was well kept with beautiful flowers and the well cut grass was littered with a small girl's toys.

"So" D smiled as he looked at the small tricycle "My Leon has a daughter. If she is as wonderful as her father, I will have to take her with me to the pet shop once I dealt with her mother." Kami's mere possessive beings by nature and nothing would stop them from claiming their mates. In D's mind Leon was his despite what ever claim this woman had over his chosen one. The smell of freshly baked cookies surrounded the house as D gently tapped on the wooden door. The door slowly opened but D could see no one had opened it. Suddenly there was a small tug on his cheongsam and D looked down in to a pair of bright blue eyes. The small toddler looked up at him with a large and trusting smile. She was in an all in one outfit that was white with small butterfly patterns on it. She had plump rosy cheeks and unruly long and curly hair that was a mix of black and brown shadings. In her arms was a stuffed rabbit that looked worn from old age and yet stilled greatly loved.

"Hi" she whispered shyly, her soft voice rang like a bell. D lost his heart to the small child and almost felt bad for thinking of feeding her to one of his pets. Had it not been for the child's eyes, D would have questioned if this child was Leon's, but the eyes gave it away. They were Leon's eyes he would swear upon it. He placed his hand on her small head and smiled at her. "Small one where is your mother?"

"Emily who's at the door?" called a female voice. D looked up as the small girl turned and ran in to the arms of her mother.

"So this was Elisa." Thought the count and she was certainly not what he was expecting. He had expected someone small and willowy with a pretty face but what was before him was anything but. Elisa appeared to be a young woman in her mid-twenties, her hair was long, thick, black and held high in a ponytail. She was tall and lean and had the frame of a fighter. She wore a pair of trainers, grey jogging bottoms and a short cut top that showed off her six pact stomach and her small shoulders. She had a bright smile and friendly green eyes. "Hello Count D. You're late and your tea has gotten cold. Please come in! I'm sure you have questions"

to be continued