The man sat in his office surrounded by papers covering his desk. He was supposed to be reviewing them. He had given up on the task some time before. A brisk knock drew his attention to the door in front of him.
"Come in."
"Am I interrupting anything important?" asked the familiar voice. The girl entered despite receiving an answer. The door shut behind her. The girl was of shorter stature. Her attire and vibrant orange hair gave their person away if her attitude ever failed.
"Just paperwork as usual. Did you need something Fou?" Now sitting comfortably in the chair opposite Bak's desk, Fou asked their question.
"What's got you thinking so hard?" Bak hadn't meant to wear his concern. Fou was always more observant than others within their branch.
"You always pick up on things quicker than others. To be honest, I'm worried about a few things," the man confessed, leaning back in his chair more comfortably. "Between the European Branch and managing our end of things, I'm not convinced everything is going to pan out how we plan." Fou looked thoughtful, something rare for the sharp shooter she was for sarcasm.
"What does Komui think about everything?" Bak smiled, thinking about his friend.
"You know Komui; optimistic as ever. I can see where his sister gets it." The girl stood promptly from their seat and made room for themselves on the desks surface. Paper was in the way, so she found a place for it. Bak eyed Fou.
"You weren't doing the paperwork anyways. Don't even try to convince me. It's doing more on the floor than it was up here anyways. Now back to what I was going to say." Fou was blunt. She always had reason for what she did, even if it wasn't always the preferred way. "If Komui and the red head have a plan, I say you should put some stock in whatever crazy idea they have cooked up." Bak nodded in agreement.
"I'll give the kid this much, not just anyone can follow in Bookman's shoes. That old man is set in his ways. I wouldn't say he's exactly easy to get close to let alone work under."
"And frankly, Komui can be like a giant child, but he doesn't do anything blindly. I've know him as long as i've been here. I believe he knows what he's doing. Now I have a question for you Bak."
'She looks serious,' the man thought.
"Do you think you can keep your end of the deal?" She wasn't looking at him, but Bak knew well enough what he was supposed to say. He knew what he should be doing.
"If Komui can keep Levllie in the dark, then I can probably do my end of things." Fou turned her head.
"Probably?" they asked with a raised eyebrow. Bak laughed to himself. He had been played once more.
"I know we can, okay? Now go on, I need to clean up your mess of my paperwork," he quipped with a grin.
"I'm leaving, I know you're busy." Before letting the door close behind her, she turned to meet Bak again. "I'm here if you need me Bak. Anytime." The door was closed, and quiet again. Almost too quiet. 'I know you are Fou," Bak thought, satisfied. He began to pick up his scattered work and started the long process of his forgotten task: actually completing the paperwork. It would be another two or three hours later, but later than sooner everything was read and signed. Bak stretched, getting ready to leave his office for the night. It was practically morning now. With the candle blown out and everything in order, he was off to bed.
Bak walked the short corridor to his room, He moved first to light the candle at his bedside. Another bed sat near his own, and its occupant was still unconscious. Bak sighed. Nothing had changed in the week of his friend being here. Their condition was the same.
"At least their condition is stable," Bak mutterted. He rubbed his eyes tiredly. It was time for bed he decided.
(Line Break)
Talk filled the room as everyone ate dinner. Lenalee sat with Miranda and Kanda.
"When do you head out for your next job?" Lenalee asked in between bites.
"Marie and I are supposed to leave tomorrow morning," Miranda replied. Dinner continued this way until the room became more and more vacant. Kanda, having got Lenalee's attention asked, "Did you want to go to bed early tonight?" She smiled, nodding.
"That sounds good. I was falling asleep at dinner today anyways." They brought their dishes to the front for Jerry and headed together for bed.
With a good night's sleep and the morning early on the rise, a sharp knock came.
"If that isn't your brother, I swear someone's going to die," Kanda muttered, sounding half asleep. Lenalee laughed, sounding just as much asleep as kanda.
"I'm sure there's a good reason for knocking this early. Let me get up and look half dressed before I open the door first." Kanda chuckled. "Besides, I'm pretty sure you would meet your maker first if he caught us now." She glanced at herself, basically naked.
"I think you look perfect the way you are." She gave him a half serious face.
"If we both weren't half asleep I would hit you over the head. Now hurry up and get dressed silly. And you know my brother would win. Don't deny it."
"Just a second!" Lenalee called to whoever was waiting at the door. Finding her skirt and leggings, she put them on.
"Do you see my top?"
"Right here," kanda tossed the black uniform top her way. Finding the undershirt first, she put the uniform top over. Finishing with the last button, Lenalee made sure Kanda was ready as well before opening the door. She found Jhonny waiting on the other side of the door. He was breathing hard.
"Did you run here? Where's the fire-" she started to joke.
"You need to get to Komui's office, now. He's, he's back." She didn't need to hear more. Lenalee ran passed the other, Kanda calling her name in pursuit after her. Johnny was still uncertain about telling his friend anything.
'But she deserves to know,' he thought.
"Lenalee! Slow down." The samurai's calls fell on deaf ears. She reached the big office doors rather quickly as she had sprinted there. She paused for a second.
"It has to be Allen. It has to be." She had to hear herself say the words. It would make it real. She had to hear his name. She was going to see his face. "Stop. Lenalee!" His voice wasn't worried. It was urgant. Kanda called again. She didn't wait. She pushed the doors open. Her eyes found Leville first. Lenalee found her brother's eyes across the room. He looked scared. She could tell by his expression that he didn't want her to be here. The CROWs had formed a half circle around someone; no doubt their 'prisoner.' There was a little space to see in between them, and then Lenalee saw him.
She saw Lavi.
"Lavi?" She knew it was him, but she had to hear him. He had to speak to make this real.
"Lenalee, it's been awhile." Kanda was behind the girl now. "Kanda. You look good."
"Stop grinning like an idiot. What's going on here!" Kanda demanded. Lenalee interrupted whatever Lvellie was going to say.
"Why are you here Lavi? I don't understand." Lvellie held his hand up, giving the CROWs a command. They strengthened Lavi's restraints, causing him to grimace in discomfort.
"This does not concern you Lenalee, Yu Kanda. The traitor is to be taken to a holding cell." Kanda pulled the girl tightly into his arms.
"We need to go," he whispered. "Were not helping the situation." Komui met his sister's eyes again, pleading silently, but still effectively the same thing. The CROWs began to escort Lavi out of the room. Kanda pulled Lenalee out of the way. Fighting his grip, she struggled to get away. She needed to talk to Lavi. She still had questions.
"Where's Allen? Please Lavi, please tell me." Lvellie has the CROWs pause a moment.
"Answer the girl Bookman. If you don't, this is going to be ten times worse for you." Lavi heard the order, wishing he hadn't. He looked away from Lenalee. He wouldn't- he couldn't look his friends in the face now. Lavi found the man's eyes, staring Lvellie in the face;
"He's dead." His voice was barely audible, unfortunately loud enough for both Kanda and lenalee to hear. Lvellie wouldn't have let anything else pass as acceptable. Her knees caved, and Kanda barely catching her small frame.
"Stop lying. You're lying Lavi!" she screamed. The CROWs left the room on command now, Lvellie following close behind. He had said something to Komui but it went unheard by most of the room. Lenalee fought Kanda's hold on her. She was still screaming, but steadily wearing herself exhausted. She wasn't seeing straight and she finally caved into Kanda's hold, letting him take her weight. Komui only watched as his sister cried silently now. He didn't think he could help his sister right now, if he could even help himself.