The Reaper had been pretty determined and pleased with himself when he'd first set off. He was still both of these things, though maybe a little less, as well as tired and hungry, two days later. He was pretty lost, wandering the English countryside now.

And then he spotted a familiar-looking house in the distance.

The Demon had just collapsed onto a couch in the parlor after being sick in the bathroom. The past few days, he'd often had to entrust things he would normally be doing to the other servants; his body was just too fevered and sick. They seemed to be doing well, even with Ciel's young daughter and infant son.

Sebastian squeezed his eyes shut, the light coming in from outside was suddenly much too bright.

Grell casually let himself in through the enormous doors; it seemed nobody was watching much at all. He checked several rooms before coming across his target: Sebastian, who was dusting a bookcase.

"Sebastian!" The Reaper hurried over to him and took both his hands. "How are you feeling? What've you been up to? Ah, I missed youuu!"

Sebastian tried unsuccessfully to free himself.

"Grell, stop. How did you get in?"

The Reaper scrutinized him. He looked pale and weary, sounded exhausted, and his hands were abnormally warm.

"Why, 'Bassy, you should be resting." He gently stroked the Demon's face. Sebastian pulled away.

"I'm fine. Now, how did you get in?"

"Through the front door, of course. You're obviously not fine, Sebastian. Now come on, you need to lay down. I think some ice would be in order." He began to firmly tug the Demon towards a couch.

Too weak to resist anymore, Sebastian asked, "Why are you here, then?"

"Because my Reaper spell worked, 'Bassy."

"…what?"

Grell turned and smiled at him, eyes gleaming. "My Reaper spell worked, dear 'Bassy," he said excitedly. "You're carrying our little baby right about…" he gently rubbed Sebastian's lower abdomen – "...here."

Angry, the Demon began to reply, but instead gasped as an intense headache came on. Grell took his jacket off and tenderly laid him down. "I'll be right back."

On the couch, Sebastian was a torrent of indecisive emotion. He wanted to murder, he wanted to scream, he wanted to sob, he didn't know what. The bundle of ice Grell brought back with him felt blissful on the back of his neck, but did not soothe his fury.

"Why would you do that?" the Demon said, trying hard to keep his tone even.

"Well…"

"Sebastian?" a female voice inquired. Sebastian sat up with a struggle.

"Lady Elizabeth…"

So Grell explained the whole thing to a nonplussed Ciel Phantomhive.

"He seems pretty incapacitated," the Earl commented.

"Yes… I'm quite worried."

"I'll need someone to act in his stead until things… improve."

"Hmm?"

"It's only fair you should be that person, don't you think? If tou prove yourself capable, I'll allow you to stay."

Grell jumped up. "Yes, I'd like that very much! I won't let you down."

"Very well. Start by helping with dinner preparations tonight."

Later that night, in what was now both Sebastian's and Grell's bedroom. The latter was sitting at the mirror, patiently combing out his long red hair. Sebastian lay in the bed clutching a pillow, facing away from him purposefully, feeling a little nauseous.

Dinner had been a success. Grell would do everything he could to stay, for Sebastian's sake as well as the baby's. The aforementioned's stomach rumbled a little. The Demon closed his eyes and prayed he wouldn't be tasting his meal a second time. Damn that infernal Reaper…

With an affectionate gaze at his dear Sebastian, Grell slid into bed. "Goodnight, my love."

"Good night, Grell," Sebastian said through gritted teeth.