Author's note: Sorry it took a while I've been busy :P enjoy :D also thanks to those of you who have given me reviews, the comments are realy helpful :D

Disclaimer: I don't own CC


Chapter 3

Sister Kate sighed heavily down the phone, relief washing over her. "You found him,"

"Yes," Remington replied. "You were right about the oaths. He can't disobey an order,"

"Thank God," Sister Kate muttered. "And the others?"

"He's meeting them now. Though I don't know if we'll be able to trust them so easily,"

"You've heard the rumours. From what our sources say they aren't about to do anything against his orders. We'll simply control them through him," She heard his hesitation and sighed again. "Remington we've been through this. There are plently of demons who are already helping us. The benefits outweight the risks,"

"But those demons came of their own will," Remington pointed out.

"Sometimes the free will of a few has to be sacraficed for the good of many. We're doing the right thing Remington,"

After she hung up Remington couldn't stop himself thinking of it be the right thing for her too?

***

Rosette practically skipped down the corridors towards Joshua's room that evening. She and Micheal had played rookie all afternoon and hidden out in the park, talking under the shade of the trees. There had been a few more kisses too. She knocked lightly on his door and waited for him to reply. After a couple of minutes she frowned and knocked louder.

"Joshua? Josh!"

She banged harder until the door suddenly opened. Her brother stood in the doorway, towering over her. His eyes were closed, pain etched in to his face. Her good mood dissapeared instantly. She reached out and took his arm, leading him back in to the room. He sat on the edge of his bed and clutched his head in his hands.

"What have I done?" His whipered, rocking slightly. "What have I done,"

"You did nothing!" Rosette assured him, wrapping her arms around him. "It was Aion. It was all Aion!"

Joshua buried his face in her lap as she made soothing noises and stroked his hair. Sometimes he sobbed, sometimes he got so angry he would break anything he could get his hands on. It passed in a couple of hours, like it always did. Rosette tucked him in to his bed and sat by his side, holding on to his hand.

"Rosette?" he whispered. "Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

"Of course," Rosette whispered. Even when his mind was his full seventeen years he was still so vunerable. It was past midnight before Joshua finally dropped off in to a fitful sleep. Rosette was dozing off where she sat by the time Father Remington poked his head round the door. She put her finger to her lips and he nodded. Stretching she stood up and tiptoed out of the room. In the hallway she tried and failed to stifle a jaw cracking yawn.

"A bad night?" he asked.

"He's remembering everything he did." Rosette muttered, shuddering despite herself. She still didn't know everything that happened in the four years she and Joshua had been apart but from the few things he'd told her about she felt she was better off that way. "Looks like I'm stuck here for the night," she yawned again, her eyes drooping. "Well, come get me if he wakes up,"

"Rosette, wait. There's something I need to tell you,"

"Can't you tell me tomorrow?" Rosette mumbled, already walking away. "I wouldn't be listening properly anyway,"

Remington hesitated. "Fine," he sighed. "It can wait. Go get some sleep,"

Rosette smiled sleepily at him then dissapeared down the corridor. Sighing, Remington checked in on Joshua one last time before heading to his own room. He was a coward and he knew it. But she was finally getting back to her old perky self. He didn't want to be the one to complicate her life all over again. Tomorrow he would definately tell her.

Rosette was up and dressed by seven the next morning, a personal best for her. She didn't bother knocking when she reached Joshua's room. He was still asleep, his face twisted slightly as he muttered incoherently. Rosette sat down at the small table by the window and absently sifted through the piles of paper spread out over it. Suddenly one caught her eye. It wasn't typed like all the others but the handwriting was too neat and careful for a twelve year old. She hadn't ever known him to write anything as a seventeen year old. Curiously she read the numbers.

Behind her Joshua was starting to stir. She turned to him with a bright smile which faded as soon as she saw the blank expression on his face.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Rosette. Your sister," she explained calmly.

"Sister?" he asked incredously.

"Yes. You're in the Order of Magdelene headquarters."

"Really?" he looked around him with wide, blank eyes then turned back to her again. "Who are you?"

By the time Rosette took Joshua for lunch in the great dining hall she was exhausted. He gasped in awe at the size of the huge hall and chattered away to everyone happily, often repeating himself. The others were patient with him and smiled sympatheticly at Rosette. They had all seen him like this. It was the worst of all the others because it lasted weeks not days. Rosette served him up a plate of food and lead him to a table. He babbled cheerfully about things that didn't make sense while Rosette nodded and pretended to listen.

"Good morning," Remington greeted them happily, sitting down beside Joshua. "How are we today?"

"I'm fine," Joshua replied, slightly shy. "Who are you?"

"I'm Father Remington. I work here at the Order,"

"Oh. Cool," Joshua said, already loosing interest. He turned to Rosette and frowned. "Who are you?"

Rosette resisted the urge to throttle him and smile widely. "Rosette. Your sister. Remember?"

He shrugged and tunred back to his lunch. Remington sent her a sympathetic look over the top of his head. "Do you want me to watch him for a bit?"

"Would you mind? I need to tell Michael I can't leave the Order today,"

"Michael? I thought you hated him?"

"Yes, well," Rosette rose to her feet, trying to hide her blush. "I won't be long,"

"Okay. I'll take him up to the library. You'd like that, wouldn't you Josh?" Remington asked.

"Yeah!" Joshua frowned. "Who are you?"

***

The low Jazz music drifted through the smokey club, weaving through Chrno's mind, soothing it. It blocked out the unwelcome thoughts in his mind and the low chatter of the others. He knew they didn't understand why he always arranged their meetings in clubs like this. He told them it was because it was less suspicious. Really he just liked the music. But he would never admitting to liking anything. Any emotions at all were strictly forbidden when it came to controlling these demons. Their conversation was light and cheerful. Sandrine said something that made Frederique and Nicodemus laugh. James remained silent, obviously the butt of the joke. Axel said nothing, as always.

Finally Chrno opened his eyes. The other's were quiet immidiately, all of their attention on him. He looked at them all individually, choosing his words carefully.

"I've never told any of you much about my past," he started. This was an exageration. He hadn't told them anything. All they knew was that he didn't want to be found and anyone who gave any one of his locations away would be punished. He didn't really want to tell them now. But it was unavoidable. He knew them well enough to know they would keep their mouths shut and, in this quiet VIP section of the club they wouldn't be overheard. "Well a couple of days ago an old... friend caught up with me," The atmosphere suddenly tensed as they glanced anxiously at each other. He held up a hand dismissively. "Don't worry it was none of your fault. Just a couple of lowlife scum. They have been dealt with."

The relief was obvious as they all relaxed back in to their chairs. Chrno leant forward in his own seat. "Before I met you I had been living in a convent, the Order of Magdelene, for nearly four years," He could tell they were surprised though they were careful not to show it. "I was contracted to someone who lived there. I swore oaths to the convent without a second thought. Stupid, you might think. But at the time I was too caught up in emotions to think it through." He paused again, sighing at his own stupidity. "And now they have come back to haunt me. This friend of mine has informed me that these oaths were and remain binding. And he has called me back to defend the Order against their latest enemy,"

"Not those pathetic rebels calling themselves Sinners?" James demanded arrogantly. "These humans really are ridiculously vunerable,"

"So it would seem," Chrno replied. "These 'New Sinners' have grown in numbers and wealth recently though. They're becoming more powerful in the demon world. If we aren't careful, we could be knocked down a few pegs,"

"Ridiculous," James muttered but Chrno knew he was just being cocky.

"I will return to the Order because I have to. I request that you join me. It is, of course, entirely up to you,"

"To fight with these people of God?" Fredrique asked doubtfully. "They actually want to work with demons?"

"They've done it before," Chrno said. "To defeat Aion," He ignored the low hiss that escaped their lips. "Apparantly it worked quite well,"

There was a thoughtful silence which no one seemed to want to break first. Finally Axel stood up. He looked Chrno in the eye and nodded. Chrno inclined his head. Axel never spoke but he was easy enough to understant. Following his lead everyone but James rose to their feet. Sighing, he slumped in to his chair.

"Fine," he moaned. "But I want my pick of the girls,"

"Actually, we aren't allowed to come in to any girls unless it is necessary for a mission and all of that will be supervised," Chrno explained.

"There's plenty of far more experienced girls in New York," Nicodemus pointed out in his aristocratic voice. "I say, why on Earth not? Should be interesting, don't you think?"

Interesting, Chrno thought. Yeah, right.

***

"Hey Rosette listen to this! The Romans used to all sit together in groups when they went to toilet! And they would eat until they were sick and then start eating again!"

"Really? Fascination," Rosette stared out of the window at the darkening sky. They'd been sitting in the library all afternoon and she was starting to get slightly tired of hearing random facts about the Romans. "I think it's time we started to get back Josh,"

"Aw but it's only eight o'clock!" Joshua protested.

"Yeah and you need your sleep. Come on before I get Sister Kate down here,"

Joshua dragged his feet the whole way to his room, his head still burried in the book he'd borrowed. Rosette waited outside while he changed in to his pyjamas then came to tuck him in. He smiled up at her from under the covers, his big innocent eyes already full of sleep. "The Roman's had three types of kisses with all different meanings," he muttered, his eyes drooping shut.

"That's nice," Rosette said soothingly. "Now try to get some sleep,"

He was already breathing heavily. The drive home seemed to take forever. By the time she got home she was completely drained. Her hands were aching like they always did after a stressful day. She went to slip her key in the lock when she realised the door was already open. Suddenly alert, she pulled out her hand gun and pushed open the door.

"Woah! Put that thing down before you hurt someone!"

"Michael? How did you get in?"

"Remington gave me his spare key," Michael replied smiling guitily. "He figured you might need some TLC,"

"Thanks but I don't think I'm going to be very good company tonight," Rosette apologised. "I'm so tired. I just want a nice hot bath then go to bed,"

"That's what I thought," Michael took her hand and pulled her in to the bathroom. The bath was full with rose petals floating along the top. The room was lit solely by candles. "It's a bit girly. Azmaria said you might like it,"

"I love it," Rosette whispered, swallowing down the lump in her throat. She gave Michael a quick side glance. She hoped he wasn't expecting to be invited to join her.

"Great! Well, you jump in then and take your time. I'll start the dinner,"

Rosette took her dressing gown from him and sighed appreciatively. She locked the door and slipped out of her clothes in to the steamy water. The smell of flowers filled her nose, relaxing her whole body. She sank further in to the water and felt her eyes slide shut. It had been so long since anyone had looked after her she'd almost forgotten what it felt like. She stayed in the water until it began to go cold then reluctantly dried herself down and pulled her dressing gown on. Michael smiled when he saw her.

"Dinners almost ready," he announced. "You do like pasta?"

"Yeah, I love it," Rosette breathed in the warm smell and smiled.

In her room she debated about whether or not to get in to her pyjamas. She decided that it was too early for him to see her ratty flannel nightdress and pulled on a plain blue dress instead. He served up the pasta and they sat together at the small kitchen table to eat it.

"Thank you for this. I've been eating takeaway pretty much every night since I moved in here," she admitted after finishing a second helping.

"My mother died when I was little so I learnt how to cook for my dad," Michael said. "It used to make him happy when I perfected one of her recipes,"

"That's so sweet,"

He shrugged, blushing slightly. "So, bad day, huh?"

Rosette nodded, hesitating slightly. She'd never talked about Joshua to him before. He knew the bare facts of course. Hed been there when they had found Joshua and brought him home. But she felt like she was betraying her brother by complaining. "It's hardest for me when he's like this. But it's easier for him. So it's selfish to complain,"

Michael stared at me for a moment with a strange expression on his face then reached out and pulled my hand in to both of his. "You know I'm here for you. You can complain all you like. Promise I won't tell,"

Rosette blushed, unsure what to say. She gazed back at him and before she could stop it, she suddenly wished she was looking in to a different pair of eyes. Coughing she pulled her hand back and began to clear the plates away. "Will you be at the Order tomorrow?"

"No. I'm going out of town for a while,"

"Really?" Rosette tried and failed to hide her dissapointment. "For how long?"

"Just a week or two," He smiled, obviously pleased that he would be missed. "Don't worry. I won't run off with any other girls,"

"Not that it would bother me if you did!" Rosette protested.

Michael smiled and pulled her towards him. "Well it would bother me if you ran off with some other guy so I'd really like it if you could start wearing that habbit again,"

Rosette pulled a face and he laughed. She hadn't worn that horrible thing since she'd moved out of the Convent. He lifted her face up to his and planted a linguring kiss on her mouth.

***

Chrno pulled himself away from the group of ladies surrounding him and signalled to Axel that he was leaving. He wouldn't normally be going alone but he wasn't in the mood for that kind of company tonight. He stepped out of the club and breathed in the warm summer night. "Leaving so soon?" Sandrine was leant against the brick wall, dragging deeply from a cigerette.

"I'm tired," Chrno replied, taking the cigerette she offered and lighting it from her own. They inhaled in silence for a moment. Chrno was aware of Sandrine's violet eyes on him but chose to ignore it. Everyone was all too aware of her crush on him. She didn't do much to hide it. But he refused to get involved with someone in that way. One night stands were as far as he went. He took a final drag before stomping it out on the ground. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said. They'd arranged to meet at his place the next day so they could meet Remington. He wasn't entirely certain how that meeting would go. He couldn't help himself half hoping James would loose his temper and take a swipe at the annoying priest.

"I could come with you," Sandrine said suggestively, pressing her body up against his.

He smiled wryly. "Thanks but it might be a bit crowded with the priest on my couch,"

"I don't mind an audience,"

Chrno smirked and gently pushed her back. She pouted slightly but didn't try again. He didn't look back as he walked away, his mind already on other things. According to Remington, the Order was paying for three very nice appartments to house the demons. They wouldn't be allowed inside the convent unless it was strictly buisiness. She was being more lenient with Chrno, mainly because he was completely under their thrall. Lost in his thoughts, Chrno didn't notice the sudden chill that ran up his spine or the way the street lamps suddenly flickered in to darkness.

"Penny for them,"

Chrno stopped at the soft, velvety voice but didn't turn around. "You need to ask now?"

"You seem troubled, friend. I heard about the tricky situation with the priest,"

Chrno tried not to react but it was hard. He hated feeling so utterly exposed. No thought was his own. No actions or words. He turned round to face the source of his frustration. The man, if you could call him that, was impossibly old. His skin was a valley of creases, his blind eyes sunken in to his face. His fingernails were gnarled and yellow and the suit he wore made his already frail body look like porcelein.

"I have to say, things are certainly starting to turn interesting," He had never told Chrno his name. Chrno simply thought of him as that man. His cracked lips turned up in to a smile. "Well, we must always look on the bright side of things. At least we'll be able to see our dear Rosette, yes?" Chrno visably bristled, unable to stop himself taking a thretening step forwards. The man laughed and held up his hands. "Peace, friend. I only meant to point out the positives."

"What do you want?" Chrno demanded rudely. "I assume this isn't just some social call? So let's cut the crap,"

"Amazing. She sparks so much emotion in you. Even after all this time. It makes me feel as though she was worth saving," his smile widened slightly at Chrno's obvious discomfort. "You're right. I haven't called on you simply to catch up. I know what the priest is asking you to do. This Order of Magdelene has been causing me trouble for some time. They seem intent on destroying my collection. Honestly, they treat me like I'm some common Satanist,"

"I thought you hated the New Sinners," Chrno pointed out.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, they are a nuissance. But they are merely a fly on the horses back." Chrno waited suspiciously to see where this was going. "You've been asked to help them bring down the New Sinners. I want you to sabatage the operation,"

"And how do you propose I do that? I have to follow their every order," Chrno pointed out.

"But you serve me first. You owe me her life and therefore you owe me yours,"

Chrno clenched his fists. Was this true? He'd never given him a direct order before. "How?" he repeated.

"Do everything they say. Fight with them, reunite yourself with your dear one. I will keep in touch and when the time is right, we strike," He smiled once more at Chrno and began to walk away in the opposite direction. He stopped himself suddenly and glanced back over his shoulder. "Oh and Chrno? Enjoy her company. Let her love you. You've lost some of your shine lately and I prefer my belongings to be in mint condition,"

Chrno watched him dissapear, a bitter taste in his mouth. For a second he tried to hold on to the anger that had flushed up in him so readily. But already it was just a dull thud in his chest. It had been so long since he'd actually felt anything for longer than five minutes he was begining to wonder if he was a zombie instead of a devil. The part of his brain that produced emotions had been bunged up good and tight.

Remington was asleep on the couch by the time he got home. Chrno thought seriously about smothering him while his gun was safely out of reach then decided against it. He was tired. He could always kill him in the morning. In bed he stared up at the dark ceiling, willing sleep to take him. Insomnia was all he needed right now. It had been almost three months since he'd gotten a decent night sleep. He forced his eyes to close. Come on now, just think soothing thoughts. Lying in a peaceful field, the sound of running water close by, a light summer breeze brushes over his face. Someone laughs, crying out his name as she runs to him. Happily she collapses next to him in a bundle of blonde hair and soft skin. He listens to her babble away and sighs, contented. Suddenly she rolls on to her side so that she's leaning over him. He turns his face in to her hand as she strokes his cheeks and lifts his head to close the gap between them...

Chrno started awake to the sound of Remington bustling around in the kitchen, humming loudly. Groaning, he pushed himself in to a sitting position and ran his hand through his matted hair. After three years she still owned him. He was so selfish. If he really cared about her he would let her go. He stays there for a few moments, wallowing. Then, as usual, the feelings starts to fade. He climbes out of his bed and starts to move through another day.

***

Remington shifted uncomfortably under the hostile glare of the five demons. Chrno had stepped outside to take a call and had yet to return. The silence was tense to say the least. From what Chrno had told him, these demons weren't used to keeping company with humans, let alone priests. They saw themselves as above and beyond the mortal race. He coughed and tried not to fidget. He'd given Chrno his only gun without a second thought. Now he wished he had it. How long could one phone call take? On cue, Chrno re-entered the room. He stood by the window and for a long moment seemed to be completely lost in thought. Remington noticed how the others waited patiently, respectfully even, for him to start.

"Okay," he said in a firm tone. "Father, you have told us your Order's conditions. Now they have a few of their own to set,"

"I'll do what I can," Remington promised. As with all the demons he had negotiated with to get them on side, he recognised the need for some compromise.

"First of all, no one from the Order may set foot on the properties we will be provided without our permission,"

"Done,"

"Secondly, they will be treated with respect and trust. They have chosen to help the Order out of their own free will and should therefore not be treated like criminals,"

"Of course that goes without saying,"

Chrno nodded, all buisiness. Again Remington found himself searching for any sign of that young boy...

"They understand why they are not allowed to come in to contact with anyone unless its necessary. They simply ask that they be treated the same way. They want as little contact with members of the Order as possible. They are used to a private life and would like it to remain that way,"

"Understood. Is there anything else?"

Chrno hesitated. He refused to meet Remington's eye. "Will... will she be a part of this operation?" his tone remained brisk, no hint of emotion to it.

"Yes. She's in the militia. It's complusory," Remington replied.

"Right. Then I have a condition to set for both parties." he turned to face his demon followers, his voice comanding and unquestionable. "You are not to talk to Sister Rosette Christopher unless it is necessary to the operation. You are forbidden to mention anything about the time you have known me to her. Understood?"

There were mumbles of consent, tainted with a strong taste of curiosity. Chrno turned away, clearly not intending to explain himself and they didn't push him further. "I think we're all done then,"

"Excellent. I'll ring Sister Kate and have her draw up the contracts so that they will be ready by the time we reach New York. Your tickets are bought and ready. We leave tonight,"


Slightly rushed but i really want chrno to come back to the order asap XD