Hi guys! So this is my -Man fanfic. The story starts after Allen gained controll over the Ark but BEFORE the level-four and Lulu Bell attacked the order. Also, I have changed some things in the timeline.

Hope you guys will like the story.

It's of course, Allen x OC

Rated M because of swearing and some possible naughtiness in the future.

Oh, my first language is not English.

Please, R&R.

(I don't own -Man)

Arghh…My head hurts.

I moaned as I slowly opened my eyes. Sharp brightness caused me to wince slightly and I raised my left hand to cover my eyes from the intruding light. For some reason I felt uncomfortable but at the same time I was dead tired and wanted nothing else but to go back to sleep. Though, the constantly growing pain in my head, and a nagging feeling at the back of my consciousness made me slowly grow aware of my surroundings. I let my hand drop onto the bed on my side and I slowly, painfully opened my eyes.

The first thing I realized was that I was in the infirmary. As I was an exorcist, this place was not unfamiliar to me. I have been here before because of some broken bones, or fractured ribs, though I had never had to spend the night here. I still spent quite some time here because of my incredibly reckless friends who got themselves hurt all the time.

Speaking of which…

Red hair caught my attention as I looked to my right. A figure was sitting in the chair next to my bed, clearly engrossed in the book he was reading. I smiled at the sight. Dear Bookman Jr. was always eager to gain new information on anything and everything. I raised an eyebrow at the thickness of the book then cleared my throat.

"L-Lavi?"

The red haired boy's eyes suddenly shot to my face in surprise, and after the initial shock left his face a warm smile appeared in its place.

"Good morning, Sleepyhead. What took you so long? Did you have a nice dream?" Same old Lavi…not missing the chance to tease you or make fun of you…even if you are his best friend.

I tried to sit up but a sharp pain in my side caused me to cry out and throw my head back into the pillow. I lifted my shirt and as I looked down I saw my whole left side bandaged. I took my time to examine myself and I had to realize that I was not in the best condition. My right hand and my head were also wrapped up, and from the pain in my ankle I could presume that it was probably sprained.

I looked at Lavi who was hovering over me with worry in his eyes.

"What the hell happened to me?!" The frustration in my voice was evident, and the pitying look Lavi was giving me made me even more angry.

"Well…the last mission you went on did not end quite well. Don't you remember?" He scratched his head looking thoughtful, his cheerfulness gone.

"I remember going to Germany with Allen…" Yes, after Allen gained control over the ark he was ordered to set up a gate in Germany,-God knows why there,- and I and Link accompanied him. But soon we were attacked by several level-three akuma. I remember that as I was distracted by three of them, a fourth one came up behind me grabbed me by my neck and sent me flying into the nearest wall. I clearly remember seeing my shiny necklace in its hands.

My eyes widened. My necklace!

"Lavi! Where is my necklace?" The bookman-in-training frowned.

"I believe Allen has it." I sighed in relief. That's good.

"I know I was engaged in a battle with several level-threes. One of them was quite nasty…even stole my necklace." I grimaced. "I know I was fighting it. But after I attacked it, everything is foggy."

Lavi sat back onto his chair. His book forgotten on the ground. It probably fell down when I tried to sit up and he was startled by my sudden cry of pain.

"All I know that in that fight you have gained several injuries." His eyes darkened." You gave us quite a fright when Allen showed up with you in his arms looking all beaten up and bloody." I ignored the part of me that suddenly felt warm by the fact that I was in Allen's arms and focused at the crestfallen face of my friend.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to scare anyone." I looked down at my hands. I clenched my fists and let out a tired sigh. I guess I am weak.

"Em…Y-your heart stopped." My head snapped up at the new information.

"What?" I asked in disbelieve but it seemed Lavi did not hear me.

"When Allen brought you in, you were not breathing. Your heart was not beating." The redhead clenched his fists. "Fortunately, the head-nurse was able to revive you. She patched you up…You have been sleeping for three days now." Lavi smiled bitterly. "Everyone was here. Even Yuu. At the end the head-nurse kicked us all out. Lenalee did not stop crying though. She was able to calm down only when we told her that thanks to your innocence you were healing quite nicely."

My innocence was not visible to anyone. It did not take the form of a deformed arm, a hammer, boots, or a sword. It was inside me. Fused together with my very soul. To be honest, I was not the battling type. Don't get me wrong, I could take care of myself. I used a sword to channel the power of my innocence and due to the time I had spent training with Kanda I had become a good swordswoman. But I was rather the healer type. My innocence gave me the ability to heal others and it also helped me heal faster. Or more like it was healing me.

"I see…And how's Allen? Is he hurt?"

Lavi smirked.

"The beansprout's fine. He did not get hurt. Few scratches, but that's all." I smiled.

"Thank God." He chuckled.

"You are amazing, Emilia Jones." I looked at him questioningly. "I tell you your heart stopped and all you care about is whether Allen was hurt or not. Could it be…" I soo did not like that mischievous glint in his eyes. "Do you like Allen, Em?"

I blushed and was sure that my head was as red as my best friend's hair.

"W-w-What? Of course not! I mean, yeah...he's my friend. Of course, I like him…as a friend." His grin widened and he raised his hand to ruffle my hair.

"You're so cute. Don't ever change, ok?" I pouted then glared at his retrieving hand. Just because he is two years older than me does not mean he can trait me as a child. But when my eyes met his, my gaze softened.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Em." I am glad you didn't die.

"Thanks, Lavi." I am glad too.

I had to stay in the infirmary for two more days. Most of my injuries were gone, thanks to my innocence. I did not heal quite as fast as Kanda but I could not complain. My arm and leg were completely healed. My head stopped hurting as well. Only my side hurt still when I made a sudden move. Other than that I was fine. At first the head-nurse was reluctant to let me leave but after a thorough check-up she gave in. And I was more than ready to leave. It was boring there even though I had visitors frequently. Lavi was usually reading in the chair next to my bed. Even if Bookman gave him some important book to read, my redhead friend brought it with him so he could spend some time with me. Lenalee was the first person I saw every morning. She bought me my favourite dishes every time. Crowly and Miranda visited me too more than once. Kanda visited me a few times too. Since his innocence was not repaired yet he did not have any better things to do. He did tell me though that I should get ready because when I get out of here he will not go easy on me and will train me until I dropped dead…

That was a joke…probably.

People visited then went away but the only person who did not visit me was Allen. Which to be honest made me quite depressed…and I felt hurt. When I asked the others if he was on a mission or something they said no. He was here. But then why? We were friends, weren't we? Why didn't he visit?

I met him when I joined the order. He was already a member by then. We became friends immediately. He was the first person who welcomed me into their little family. We have been through a lot together. We fought together, protected and comforted each other.

Soon I had become friends with the others too…and Lavi became sort of best friend to me. Lenalee was my sister, and Kanda my always angry brother who secretly had a soft spot for me. As much as he denied it I knew he did. We even looked a bit alike; I had long, dark hair as well. Though, I definitely did not look Japanese. I was born and raised in England. Maybe that is why it always annoyed me when Allen was too polite. He reminded me of the people I left behind.

I did not know where Allen fit into the picture though. I cared for him but I could not think of him as a brother…he was also my best friend but in a kind of different way. When I thought he was dead I was devastated. When I realized he was alive I had felt relief I had never felt before. When Tyki said he tore a hole into Allen's heart I almost attacked him. I have never felt such rage before…Not when my parents were killed by akuma. Not ever.

As I was heading towards the cafeteria I spotted something white on the corner. Even though I only saw it for a second I immediately recognized it as Allen's hair.

"Allen! Wait up!" As my side still hurt I was not able to run after him, and to my disappointment by the time I have arrived to the cafeteria he was already gone. I frowned and sat down next to Miranda and Marie who were enjoying their breakfast. They greeted me with smiles, and after a pleasant thirty minutes I decided to check up on the guys at the science department.

They turned out to be quite busy; still examining the egg and all even though it was still early in the morning. I arrived to see Kanda and Lavi arguing with them.

"Johnny! When are you guys going to fix my innocence?" The bookman-in-training whined as he stepped aside to avoid the scientists passing by him with huge boxes in their hands.

"Sorry, Lavi. But we have many more important things to do right now." Said Johnny while trying to balance three boxes.

"Che." Kanda's eyes ticked in irritation.

"Come on…we are exorcists. We need our innocence to fight. Nothing else is more important." The redhead frowned when he did not receive any answer. "I want my innocence back!" He shouted with an adorable pout on his face.

"It's too late for that Lavi…Though, I've never thought I would hear this from a man's mouth…Especially yours, Mr. Strike." I winked at him as I took two boxes from Johnny. The little guy smiled at me.

"Thanks, Em. It's good to see you are ok."

"Thanks, Johnny."

"Har-har. Very funny, Em…But anyway, are you sure you should be lifting boxes? Doesn't your side still hurt?" I looked back at Lavi and rolled my eyes.

"I'm fine. But feel free to take them away from me. You two have watched the scientists suffer without offering your help for quite some time. Who knows, maybe they would have repaired your innocence already had you helped them out." Lavi laughed.

"It's ok. Allen was helping them." I froze for a second then put down the boxes. I turned around to look at him.

"Allen was here?"

"Yes, you have just missed him." Again, a pang of disappointment twisted my heart.

"Oh…I see." Lavi must have noticed my bad mood because he frowned.

"You still haven't talked to him?" I crossed my arms, my lips turning down.

"No…I always seem to just miss him."

And it was true. I was released from the infirmary two days ago. I was looking for him everywhere but I could never catch him. I was starting to think he was avoiding me. Who am I kidding? He was avoiding me.

"Tch…That beansprout is an idiot." Kanda strolled over to me. "And you're an idiot too."

"Ehh?" I did not feel offended. Kanda was always saying mean things…But I was confused.

"Go to his room and talk to him." The samurai-wannabe pushed me towards the exit.

"You think I haven't tried? He was not there." Kanda rolled his eyes.

"Then wait for him. He has to return at some point." Yeah…or leave. I was quite sure he was in there only pretending that he was not there.

"You know what? You're right." I turned around and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks Kanda." Of course, I run out before he could realize what had happened and would try to kill me for it.

"Attagirl! Good luck!" Thanks, Lavi…

I knocked on Allen's door and I was pretty sure I heard noises this time too. Though, no one opened the door. I was getting tired of this nonsense and was starting to get angry. I knocked again, this time a bit more forceful. But again, only silence was my answer.

"Don't be ridiculous Allen, I know you're in there and I won't leave until you talk to me."

Silence again.

I kicked the door.

"Just what the hell is your problem?" Saying that I was frustrated was an understatement. I turned around and sat down, my back against the door. "I won't leave until you open this fucking door." I was never one to cuss but I was pissed off as hell…and I was hurt. I couldn't understand why he would refuse to talk to me. What did I do wrong?

I don't know how long must have I been sitting there when my stomach started to growl. I was not going to give up though. I may have been hungry, I may have been cold but I was not going to give up. As I was trying to figure out what was going on between us, my thoughts wandered to Allen's current situation. It must be hard for him that Link was ordered to observe him. That the order did not trust him anymore. He must be having so many questions; he must be so confused. I wished I could help him. But he was pushing me away.

My legs were starting to feel numb so I decided to get up but suddenly a sharp pain in my side made cry out. I froze and then silently whimpered as I sat down again rearranging my limbs so I would be more comfortable. I took a few deep breaths and thankfully the pain turned into a dull ache. When it was completely gone I opened my eyes, though I was not even aware I had closed them.

A shadow in front of me made me realize that the door behind me was now open. I looked up and saw my white-haired friend standing there with his head turned away from me.

"You're going to catch a cold like that." Why isn't he looking at me? "You should go back to your room." Why is he pushing me away?

His raspy voice sent shills run down my spine. It's been a week since I last saw him. He did not look any different and Lavi did not lie, he didn't seem to be hurt. But his shoulders were slumped and he looked dead on his feet. There was something wrong.

"I can't move." Ok, I can but I won't go away. I won't let you escape this time.

The next thing I knew I was lifted off the ground. Allen was holding me in his arms bridal style. I wanted to object but I was too tired to make a fuss about it. It was not a bad thing anyway. It showed that he cared. And to be honest I did not mind being held by him. He was warm and oh so comfortable. I leaned my head against his hard chest listening to his heart beating steadily. We were silent on the way to my room. I wanted to ask him so many questions but I decided it could wait until we were in a more private place. I did wonder though where Link could be but I arrived to the conclusion that I would be and idiot to let this opportunity go. As we reached my room his left hand let me go to open my door and a shiver run through me as his warm fingers grazed my tight…

A featherly touch…

Though, I was pretty sure he did not do it intentionally and probably he did not even notice it.

He sat me down onto my bed then stood up, turned around ready to leave. But he was not fast enough. I grabbed the slave of his shirt, determined to make him stay.

"Why won't you talk to me, Allen?" My voice sounded sad even to me. As I did not receive any answer my eyes narrowed and my hold on his slave tightened. "Why are you avoiding me?"

He abruptly turned around and looked at me. My breath hitched at the angry glint in his eyes.

"There's nothing to talk about." His hostile tone surprised me and it made me look down in shame even though I did not know what I did to make him so mad.

"Oh…" I slowly let go of his slave. "I see."

He immediately seized the opportunity to flee but with a sudden burst of confidence I shot up and stood in front of him, placing myself between him and the door.

"Can I have my necklace back please? Lavi said you have it." Allen looked down again and I saw his hands clench. He slowly lifted his right hand and my eyes widened when I saw that he was wearing my necklace. He took it off and held it in front of his face.

"It's funny how such a small thing almost caused your death." Suddenly, I was able to put two and two together. He was angry at me because I almost died. Because I got hurt. Well, I actually died but that's beside the point.

"Allen…" I didn't really know what to say. "We are exorcists. Getting hurt…is a risk we have to take every day. It's our job to fight." His eyes snapped to mine.

"You think I don't know that?" With two long steps he was in front of me and he pushed me against the wall next to the door. "I knew that even when I joined the order. But despite the fact that we could die anytime we go on a mission I try very hard to keep my friends safe." He put the necklace into my hand and forcefully closed my fingers around it. "They you go and almost die because of a fucking necklace." Now, I knew that there was definitely something wrong with him. I have never heard him swear before. I have never seen him acting like this. This was a completely new side of him. And it frightened me. Where was my sweet Allen?

"This necklace is important to me." I glared back at him fiercely.

"Important enough to get yourself killed, Em? You blindly went after that akuma…you didn't even pay attention to the other three behind you. Do you have any idea what it was like to watch you get stabbed by one of them and then see you fall to the ground?" Seeing that his speech was not really affecting me his glare hardened.

"You are such a hypocrite, Allen." I spat. "How many times have you gone blindly into a fight? You even tried to save an akuma's soul when you knew very well you would not make it in time before it exploded…and that you would just get injured."

"That was different. That soul was suffering. It was not some object." Oh, he was really pissing me of.

"So you're saying…" I poked his chest, "you would not try to get back something precious to you" I poked him again more forcefully, "if it was left behind by Mana?"

He grabbed my hand with his left hand while his right one slammed into the wall next to my head. I could feel his erratic heartbeat through my fingers and I felt his shoulders tense. Those usually calm and kind eyes bore into mine angrily and his intense stare made my legs go weak. Though, at the back of my mind I could not deny how incredibly ravishing he looked at that moment.

I also noticed the pain in those eyes. I have never seen him express so many emotions at once. Anger, sadness, defiance, worry, fright, desperation…all of these were present. It nearly broke my heart. He looked lost and incredibly sad.

I raised my free hand and brushed the hair out of his face that was in the way. My fingers caressed his face and I let out a shaky breath as he leaned into my touch. Those beautiful silver eyes closed and I wished I could take care of all of his problems…I wished he could be happy. I wished that I could help him.

After a few seconds his eyes slowly opened. It caught me off guard when he also raised his hand to touch my face. When he withdrew it I could see that it was wet. I was crying?

"Dammit!" I flinched as he suddenly tore himself away from me. I could only blink as he run out of the room, slamming the door behind him and leaving me standing there, already missing his warmth. I slowly sunk down onto the ground holding my hand that he held in his seconds ago.

What the hell just happened?