Author's Note: Another twist!

Chapter 6: Divine Gift

Dante and Nero had a rocky few weeks after the whole Mallet Island incident. For the first few days Nero had to sleep with his father because the nightmares were so fresh in his mind. Dante just woke up, scooped his son up into his embrace and settled him into bed.

"Daddy," Nero whimpered as he held onto his father who in turn stroked his hair in comfort. "I'm scared."

"I know Kid, I was too…." Dante admitted. "I thought I…." He held Nero close, and Nero gasped as he heard his father's harsh sob. Nero held his father tight.

"I love you Dad…"

"I love you too Son…. never forget that." The Devil Hunter whispered. Nero hugged him tight and grinned. Not in a million years, Old Man.

Nero and Dante were like glue, staying together when Nero wasn't in school. The younger devil was thankful to go back to school and see his friends. Compared to the horrors he saw on Mallet Island; school was a welcoming distraction for Nero.

Dante organized his files and what not, anything to keep his mind busy. He cleaned, balanced the books, hit everything on his to do list. He even helped Nero with his homework. He kept his liquor locked up and out of sight. He refused to get drunk knowing that his son was struggling to deal with the night terrors.

Trish was awkward around the Redgraves at first, for she hadn't gained their trust yet. Dante kept a wary eye on her, and Nero was skittish, staying close to his father. She was impressed on how paternal the younger Son of Sparda was. Little Nero was adorable as he was powerful in his own right and she couldn't blame the child for being nervous around her. If hadn't been for Nelo Angelo protecting him, she would've hurt him.

"Master," Nevan said to Dante as they both watched Trish and Nero outside the office as Nero played with his remote-control airplane. "I can watch over the Youngling. The blond I am not crazy about."

"Neither am I Doll," Dante said as he cleaned his guns. "but everyone deserves a fighting chance don't you think?"

"This is true Sugar." The demoness said with a fanged grin. "You are your father's son."

"Did you and my old man have a little somethin' going on?"

"Alas no, but what sweets it would've been…." Nevan sighed dreamily. "Such a handsome devil…." Dante snickered and lightly smirked. He knew the demon witch had a soft spot for his old man.

"I bet it would've been a wild time!" Dante teased. Nevan looked at him and batted her eyes.

"Oh Honey, that's putting it delicately."

"Oh HO!" Dante laughed. "Come on, my ears, so innocent…."

"Who are you kidding?" Nevan joked. "We know about your stash…."

"Oh hush!" The Red Clad Devil Hunter laughed. "My son doesn't need to know that his father has a wild side…."

"Why, your father had a kinky side." Nevan said with a grin. Dante howled with laughter. This was rich!

He was about say something when the phone rang. Dante slammed his fist down, catching the receiver easily.

"Devil May Cry?"

"Nero, time to come inside!" Dante called from the window as he wrote down the details in his ledger. He heard Nero groan but say ok before grabbing his plane and walking inside with Trish.

"I know you wanted to play more," Dante said as he took a knee. "But your old man just got another call."

"Daddy, this isn't fair, I feel we just got here."

"I know Son, but it has to be done. I did call Aunt Lady; she'll be here, and I need my little man to help her around here. If you need, you can also call on Nevan." Nero grinned. He was rather fond of the Demon Guitar Devil Arm. He placed a hand on the guitar and Nevan came forward, scooping up the child into her arms.

"Hello Sugar," She purred as she kissed Nero on the cheek, making sure her kiss was harmless to the child. She adored Nero and she was pleased that he in turn adored her.

"Hi Nev," He said with a grin. "Looks like I'm with you and Aunt Lady. Daddy has to go out on a mission again."

"Oh, Sugar don't pout, we will have a grand time." Nevan cooed. Nero grinned as she hugged him, and Dante chuckled. If I was into babes, she'd be my pick. Nero loves her and she's not bad on the eyes. Nevan is crazy about Nero too… He finished his guns, holstered them and geared up. Afterwards, he handed the Sparda sword along with Luce and Ombra.

"They're on loan," He said. "You're coming with me on this mission."

"Thank you, I'll meet you there." The She-Devil said. Dante nodded and Trish left. Dante hugged Nero and nodded to Nevan. Lady came in and Dante grinned.

"All right Ladies don't miss me too much. Nero, who's my little man in charge?"

"I am!" Nero crowed proudly. Dante chuckled and ruffled his son's hair.

"That's my boy!" He said with a wink. "Be good to the ladies, I love you." Dante said as he looked at Nero. Nero grinned and waved his father off.

"I love you too Daddy! Kick 'em where it hurts!"

"You bet I will Kid!"

Dante drove to meet the contact at the museum. It seemed that demons were planning to rob some artifacts and that didn't fly with the Devil Hunter. These demons need a hobby….wait scratch that, if they did I'd be out of a job…. He blinked when a glint of blue flames caught his eye on the water. What the fuck…. He went off road and parked. There on the beach, not moving, was a black and blue armored demon with a familiar looking sword besides him. The purple cloak was in tatters and the armor was heavily cracked.

"Vergil!" Dante cried as he went to the fallen body. The armored demon was unconscious, and his armor continued to crack. Dante hoisted the demon knight easily over one shoulder and picked up Yamato. He loaded both into the car and made a U-Turn back to Devil May Cry.

"Daddy!" Nero cried as his father walked in. "You're back so….NELO!" The child cried as he recognized the unconscious Demon Knight. "Daddy what's wrong with him?"

"Seems that he's hurt very badly Nero." Dante said. "Grab that heavy blanket there and follow me." Nero nodded and followed his father as he placed Nelo Angelo on to his couch. Nero wrapped him up then looked at his father.

"What do we do now Daddy?"

"We wait until he wakes up then we'll take it from there." Dante said softly as he picked up his son. "Come on, let's let him sleep." Nero held onto his father as Dante walked out quietly, to call on the contact, and hoped for Nelo to wake up soon.