Author's Notes: Sorry it's taken so long! I've been so caught up in different things. Actually a twitter RP has taken up much of my mind :B It's my first time doing an RP and I'm hooked, not to mention the summer cold I'm getting over. I've been working on this story though. I couldn't just outright neglect it.

Oh and the Kuro characters aren't mine, they're just fun to play with.

Chapter 10: Waiting is Half the Battle

William waited in another section of the hospital, away from the main waiting area. It was a smaller room, one of the rooms used for the first aid department. As the latest mission wrapped-up a small stream of officers came through to patch up minor injuries. There were a couple that went beyond just a scrape, but those would heal within a couple days at most. Eventually the room was quiet as the injured were treated and released.

William sighed and flipped through an old magazine. There was so much he was trying to digest at the moment between Talen's current state and Grell's apparent return. He wanted to tell Grell everything, but that was near impossible after being shooed away by Undertaker. It was obvious his presence was agitating Grell.

In some ways, he couldn't blame Grell. After everything he put the redhead through it was no wonder that he was treated in such a manner. He still wished he could explain himself, but that chance would have to wait until another time.

Like the everything else at Dispatch, the hospital was stark white with fluorescent lights giving the room an even more sterile appearance. Even with upholstery the chair he sat in felt uncomfortable. Picking up another outdated magazine, he idly flipped through for the sake of something to do. His mind though, drifted away from that small room he was confined in. Back to what all led up to this.

He wanted to reach out to his colleague, but as supervisor it would look unprofessional. Especially with the Council keeping an eye on this matter. Especially since he was the one who requested that they allow Grell to carry his unborn to term. Showing anything outside of his usual authoritarian bearing would look suspicious. This was a job where emotions were checked at the door. Years of working this job to the best of his ability made his own emotions grow stunted.

In many ways, he built up more walls to protect himself. While caring for other shinigami wasn't itself wrong, defending a shinigami who committed a grave offense was tricky. He could be in a lot of trouble if he was accused of risking Dispatch for the sake of his own feelings. It made him more stern than usual, as a means to hide those feelings not only from Grell, but from himself.

Yet it broke him every time he received one of those sorrowful looks. Each time Grell looked at William like that all he wanted to do was hold him and tell him things would be fine. This was outside his power now, everything was up to the Council now. It was their decision to place the child, once born, into the custody of another. Once he convinced the Council the child could be raised to slay demons the deal was sealed. The child would live.

At the same time William was angry with jealousy. Even if that night with the demon was just some fling, he hated the idea of it even happening. He was sure that it was just the damn vermin offering favors in exchange for something. Grell didn't need to be used like that, but he would fall for it anyways. Anything to spend time with one of his little "crushes".

He had a love/hate relationship with his jealousy. He hated acting out of it, like he did when Grell first announced his pregnancy. At the same time it helped him cover his feelings enough to be the uptight superior he was supposed to be. Over the past month he stole glances at Grell, watching as he tended to the being growing inside of him. The tender expression on Grell's face almost made William break at times. Knowing that separation was inevitable and was going to be done by his hand. Some days he hated himself for what he was going to have to do, since it meant hurting someone he loved.

Night time was when peace could come to him. He welcomed his time alone, away from the one person who plagued his heart on a daily basis. When he was haunted, he'd find ways to numb himself. His preferred method being alcohol. Its burn was welcoming after a long day at the office, easing his body and spirit for just a little while. Most nights it worked, some nights everything would flood back to him as he sobered up. Those times were the worst. It's not something he was proud of, or let bleed into working life. At work he kept himself at his utmost professional. At home, away from the rigors of the day, he needed relief.

William awoke to a gentle nudge on the shoulder. Lifting his glasses, he rubbed at his eyes for a moment and looked up at a doctor.

"Good evening Mr. Spears. I'm Doctor Edwards, I've been treating Miss Falcata."

"Oh, yes," he stretched his arms up over his head to wake himself further, "How is she doing?"

"She's been stabilized. Unfortunately we're not sure of whether that will last or not. Tests were run on the dagger that she was cut with. Like initially suspected she's been poisoned. The poison used was one we developed centuries ago for combating difficult demons. It seems that Miss Falcata is susceptible to this poison due to her demonic heritage."

William sighed, "That's just great. One of my strongest officers poisoned. Have you informed anybody else?"

"Just Undertaker and Mr. Sutcliff. Both of them seemed extremely worried. It looks like they'll be in the main waiting room all night."

"Anything else on her condition?"

"Aside from trying to find a way to cleanse her system of the poison she has a few broken ribs, and a shattered ankle along with various contusions. If she pulls through she'll need a few weeks off that ankle at least. That poison has affected her ability to heal from normal injuries."

"What are her chances of surviving?"

"We're unsure. We hope that if she makes it to morning the worst will be over."

William slumped down in his seat, "Honestly, I never thought I'd have to deal with this. It's a part of her job to keep everybody else safe."

"Things happen," Dr. Edwards gave William a sympathetic look, "Even if we try to be prepared for one thing, something else can pop up."

"Thank you for informing me Doctor," William put his head in his hands, "Now if you'll get back to treating her. I'd really appreciate that. Do whatever you can for her, please."

"Of course, Mr. Spears. I'll do my best," Dr. Edwards said and returned to the emergency ward.

In the main waiting room Grell was wailing into Undertaker's robes, while Undertaker tried to calm him down. He sighed sadly as he stroked the redhead's long, soft hair. His voice was soft and soothing, the same tone he'd use after many of Talen's demon hunting missions.

"Shhhhhh, I know it's rough."

"How would you know," Grell sniffled, "It's not like your child is possibly dying!"

"I've lived through many losses in my life. All we can do is hope she pulls through."

"And what if she doesn't."

"Let's not think about that right now. It could happen, but we won't know. The doctor sounds fairly sure on her treatment. The medical team is doing their best. Let's just hope that it's enough," he gave Grell a reassuring squeeze. "Believe me, I want her to pull through too. I don't feel like losing anybody else," he said softly.

"Hm?" Grell looked up at Undertaker, "You? Does that mean you love her?"

"Yes, I really do. I've realized that in recent days. We never took that aspect of our relationship seriously. Usually we just saw each other as good friends who had a little extra fun on the side. But yeah, I do love her."

Grell reached up and placed a hand on Undertaker's cheek, a soft smile graced his lips, "I'm glad she has someone like you around. From what you've told me, her life here hasn't been that happy."

"Not really, she was even more unruly when I met her. Back then she cared even less about herself, or what could happen to her. Not usually my type, but I knew she could be somebody fantastic with care and patience. She has a good sense of humor, and genuine spunk."

"I hope she pulls through, for both of us. I lost her once already. I don't need to lose her for good."

"I hope so too, all we can do now is wait."

Grell gave a weak nod and snuggled closer. He sighed and drifted off to sleep.

"Yes, sleep. The doctor said we should know by morning how our dear Carissa is doing," he murmured.

William had lost count of how many cups of coffee he'd had. Especially since he reused the same cup. He was determined to stay up the whole night if he had to, just for updates on Talen's condition.

His thoughts also drifted back to the waiting room by Emergency. Where Grell was currently. He still had a hard time believing Grell was actually here, after having given up on him ever returning decades ago. He wished he could just run to the redhead and apologize for all the pain he ever caused. That seemed impossible now. The look Undertaker gave him was enough to keep him confined here for the time being.

He had known that Talen and Undertaker had something going on together. He knew that she moved in with him years ago, and had no issue. What he didn't know was what the actual depth of their relationship was. Whether they were friends, lovers, or even mentor and student. Now he knew there was something much deeper by the way he was shooed away here.

The hours ticked by. William flipped through every magazine in the tiny room. The periodic updates he had received were all similar. Talen was stable, but not out of the woods yet. It was worrisome, he hoped there would be some sign of recovery, even something small. The medical team was trying different treatments, seeing which worked the best to cleanse her of the poison.

All he knew was, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself if she died.

He stood over the week old infant. Nobody had stepped up to take custody of her, and she needed a caretaker. Looking down at her, part of him wondered why he was so cautious of her. While he hated the fact she was half demon, she seemed so harmless laying in that crib. Crimson eyes slowly opened and stared up at him in simple curiosity.

He had overseen her birth, he ordered the extra procedure to keep her mother from making the same mistake again. It was his jealousy controlling him again and now Grell was gone. When he had the opportunity, he ran away.

William had also been there to sign the certificate, and give her the name "Talen Carissa Falcata". He had done his research first, wanted a name to signify that she was a warrior. It was odd, but his choice, since he had prevented her termination. He found her purpose, to keep her alive for the sake of her mother. Even if there was no way her mother could know. Her middle name was different, but was his own little way of trying to dissolve any guilt he harbored.

Now there was talk of sending her to some other division for her upbringing. Nobody came forward to raise her. The hospital didn't want to raise her. If nobody stepped up soon, she was going to be sent away. He didn't want that, not when she was now all that was left.

Leaning down, he scooped up the infant in his arms. It was still too early to tell which elements of her parents would show up. While she got her eye color from her father, the shape didn't look like his. Her hair was dark, but in certain lighting it seemed more red. Teeth would come in months later, and he wondered what species they would come from.

The infant squirmed and began fussing. He drew her closer to him, resting her against his chest. It felt awkward to be holding this child in such a tender manner, she certainly wasn't his daughter. He felt the need to though, because she came from somebody he genuinely cared for. Even if his actions showed otherwise. Then and there he made the decision, he would raise her. Although he knew nothing of tending to infants, he felt he needed to. For the sake of her mother.