It's been one tiring week with Elizabeth at the Varia headquarters. Though, it wasn't all bad. She was just a child and practically no one knew how to deal with her since we were all assassins. The only one who knew remotely what to do with her was me and Levi. Though, it was fun to see her interactions with Xanxus. He was surprisingly good with her and she looked up to him. She'd color alongside him as he finished paperwork. It was rather endearing. When she was done, she'd show it to us with a determined look. She wanted our approval. At first, Xanxus just looked at me not sure what to do. I took control of the situation.

"Wonderful work, Elizabeth."

"You think so?"

"I do. Though, you still have a lot of room for improvement." She looked at Xanxus and shook her hand holding her picture.

"Varia quality?" She asked, the two of us looked at him for his response.

"Almost."

When she went back to her seat, he looked at me and I nodded. He did a good job. Elizabeth would even try to train when we would. She'd try to copy whichever workout looked the easiest. In the short time she's been with us, she really fit in. Chen brought back a folder on the Bonilla family like I requested. There was nothing suspicious. They were the cleanest family I've seen and that didn't help the anxiety I felt.

Then, there was the fun time last night. We were all eating dinner as always. Everyone was chatting in some form. It was mostly about missions and other annoying things that happened. Then, Elizabeth chimed in wanting to be part of everything.

"I had a mission too!" We were all, obviously, confused.

"You did?"

"Yeah! My mission was to help organize cards."

"What kind of cards?"

"That's a secret! Mission details are a secret. Right, papa?" She turned to Xanxus with the biggest smile she could muster up. The entire room went deadly quiet. Since when did she call him papa? That must have been when I was gone for a meeting this afternoon. The rest of the Varia was too afraid from Xanxus to say anything.

"Right." He answered her. She let out a pleased giggle before going back to eating. After I got Elizabeth into bed, I went to my room and saw Xanxus at his desk.

"I never thought you were that cruel to give a seven-year-old a mission, papa." I teased playfully. He tensed and looked at me with anything but amusement.

"She wouldn't leave me alone. I dropped a deck of playing cards and told her it was a secret mission to put them back in order. It kept her quiet."

"When did she start calling you papa?"

"This morning."

"I see you took it well."

"I took your advice."

"You did well without me. I'm just glad no one said anything."

"They wouldn't dare."

"I'd love to say the same but idiots will be idiots. Haven't you worked enough today? You've been at it since early this morning. Let's go to bed."

Nono instructed us to bring Elizabeth to her parents' funeral. It would be at a small funeral parlor. He even knew of her ability and still gave her to us. I don't get his logic at times. Elizabeth seemed to know where we were all going. She held my hand and squeezed it. When we got there, she was ripped away from us by her uncle. We couldn't do anything. Elizabeth didn't look back either and that worried me. Though, it did clue me in to her real strength. Her ability was amazing but her mental strength was just as strong. It had to be.

The Varia sat in the back. I noticed how her grandfather was missing. He couldn't have been late to his own son's funeral. Throughout the entire thing, I felt uneasy. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was weird how Elizabeth didn't cry at all. However, I knew she was being strong. Xanxus took note of my gloomy mood and put his hand on top of mine, squeezing it slightly to calm my nerves. After the short funeral, Elizabeth looked over at me with a smile. She ran over to me and hugged me.

"Elizabeth?" I got to her level and let her hug my neck as tightly as she could.

"Thank you, mama."

"For what?"

"Everything." She hugged even tighter before letting go. "Bye, mama." Why did it feel like her last goodbye? She was hesitating to go.

"Do you really want to go?"

"I have to."

"That isn't what I asked you." She got quiet and refused eye contact.

"I want to go back home. My things are there. I'll be fine, mama. I'm strong."

When she ran over to her family, I felt even worse than before. Did they know of her power? From the time I spent studying rules of the Italian mafia, the next in line to a family would be the one most fit to run it. Elizabeth is a child. She won't be able to run it anytime soon. She'll be safe for now unless they were crazy.

"Let's go back home." Xanxus pushed my back gently. "If you act now, you'll ruin the plan."

"Huh?" He took my hand and walked out to the car. No one was following us. "The others have a mission. Plus, we need to talk." He waited until we were back in our room to talk. The silence from then to now really bothered me.

"Well?"

"The head of the Bonilla family has been killed." I was right to assume that. Sometimes, I hated my gut feeling. "Nono told me secretly. No one knows other than you and I."

"Why?"

"It was murder. Nono has his suspicion who it is, but no one can act yet."

"Why wasn't I told?"

"I thought it'd be better for you to take care of Elizabeth. I'm sure you already had your suspicion."

"I did. So, what do we do now?"

"For now, nothing. Don't worry about her. She'll be fine. Nono put her under protection of CEDEF. They'll keep a constant eye on her."

"That makes me feel better." I sat at the desk he was at and leaned onto it. "It feels later than the afternoon."

"Did it bother you going to a funeral?"

"Yes." I answered honestly. I'd usually say I was fine, but I did promise to be more open with him.

"Do you want to take a nap?"

"I'm not tired."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I don't know what words to use. I guess numb would be the most prevalent thing I'm feeling."

"Is there anything that'll make you feel better?"

"I don't know."

"Cuddling usually works."

"I sleep whenever we cuddle and I don't want that."

"Wait here. I'll be back." He left the room. I wonder what he was going to do. I might as well dress into something more comfortable. I really don't think I could concentrate on anything. Xanxus came back a few minute later and put a steaming mug of something sweet on the desk.

"What's this?"

"Your special tea." To say I was surprised was an understatement. I took a sip and had to stop myself from cringing. He kept watching to see my reaction. "It isn't good…" He muttered.

"Y-you forgot sugar."

"Honey wasn't enough?"

"How much honey did you put?"

"A teaspoon."

"That's hardly enough."

"I'm sorry." He looked defeated.

"You don't need to be sorry at all. The fact that you even tried making this means a lot to me." I took another sip with a smile. "It isn't all that bad without the sugar."

The next day, we were all told of another dance in a couple of days. This time, Dino will be hosting it. I wasn't thrilled at all. In fact, none of us were. Still, we had to go. "The dance won't be bad this time." Squalo commented as we did some paperwork. Xanxus was currently in a meeting at the Vongola headquarters.

"Why do you say that?" I asked as I looked up from my own paperwork. Squalo held up one finger.

"No one expects an attack."

"But there could still be one." He stuck another up.

"Dino has really good chefs."

"Is that the real reason?" A third finger went up.

"Xanxus will be alone." I could feel my face start to heat up.

"And why is that a good thing?"

"He'll be yours for the entire night." My hands were shaking with embarrassment. "See? It isn't too bad after all, Shiori. Even if there is an attack, I'm sure you two won't separate after what happened."

"Why do you keep pushing this, Squalo?" I was annoyed. Embarrassed more than anything, but still felt annoyed.

"I'm only trying to help you two."

"You're not helping!"

"VOI! Be grateful for what I'm doing! You'll be thanking me in the end!" I groaned and let my head drop onto the desk. "You know how he's worried you'll get hurt because of him, right?"

"He told me."

"He asked my opinion."

"What did you tell him?"

"It was his move to make."

"After that?" I lifted my head up. I knew Xanxus was not one to ask anyone their opinion unless necessary.

"He asked what I'd do."

"Stop giving me one sentences here, Squalo. I need more." I threatened.

"I insinuated I'd make it official."

"A-and what did he say?" I asked quietly.

"He didn't say anything." My face soured. That wasn't what I was expecting. This put Squalo into a laughing fit.

"I don't appreciate you laughing at me, Squalo."

Soon, we were all ready for the dance. Squalo told me his plan of action tonight. It was to keep Xanxus and I together as long as possible. Apparently, he told it to the rest of the Varia. That in itself annoyed me. Even Chen was in on the plan despite working for me. She'd definitely scare anyone who wasn't already afraid of Xanxus. When we arrived, we were greeted by Romario.

"Stay by my side." Xanxus whispered.

"I will."

"At all times."

"I didn't plan on leaving you." Inside, Dino hurried over to us.

"I'm glad to see you all made it. Don't worry about tonight. This is just a friendly get together. After what happened to the Vongola, I wanted Shiori to know these parties are actually fun and not full of murderous intent."

"You didn't have to do that, Dino." I said with a slight pout.

"Well, leaving now will only put us in a bad light. We might as well stay for a while." Squalo said.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea! I even pulled out the good bottles of wine for tonight." Why were alarm bells ringing in my head? Dino gave me a wink before leaving to greet the next guest.

"See, Shiori? The party won't be bad." Squalo cheered. That asshole! He got Dino in on this too! The party soon got on its way and Xanxus already found himself a glass of wine. I quietly stayed by his side with my glass. Squalo was glaring from his place in the room.

"Stupid shark."

"What's he doing now?"

"Irritating me."

"Don't pay attention to him then."

"Harder said than done. You know how he gets."

"I do. Then, do you want to dance to take your mind off of it?" I suggested. There was no harm in it. Plus, it would distract him.

"Might as well." He took the bait and finished his drink. I hoped he wasn't a lightweight. I put my glass down before being led to the other people dancing. It was when we were dancing, I realized just how tall he was. He was at least a head taller than me. He held me closer than Squalo did. We heard a crash but kept going. The two of us looked over and saw Dino on the ground.

"Poor Dino."

"He's always been like this. Don't pay attention to him."

"I still can't help but feel a little bit bad." He turned me so I wouldn't be able to look. He pressed me closer to where our bodies were pressed against each other.

"Pay attention to me. He isn't worth your time."

"And you are?" He growled and squeezed my hand.

"Didn't I tell you to only focus on me, that I'm your priority? No one else."

"You did." I still remembered his outburst from what felt like so long ago. That was the first time I could hear how worried he was about me. It was probably a first for him too.

"Then stop giving others your attention."

"How can I possibly do my job or even interact with others?" He wasn't impressed with me at the moment. He couldn't give a good reply because there was none. "Though, if you're really worried, I'll only keep my eyes on others for a short period of time. That way, you'll have most of my attention."

"That's better."

"How much more of my attention do you want, Xanxus? We're already so close." I wouldn't dare openly say how we'd sleep together. No one had to know.

"I want it all."

When the dance stopped, Xanxus went for a third glass of wine after sneaking a second glass behind me back. He kept me by his side whenever me moved. Squalo walked over. "Don't you think you should lighten up?" He asked Xanxus.

"I'll do what I want." Squalo looked at me.

"He might be able to take his liquor, but wine really gets to him. Don't let him drink anymore."

"Don't tell Shiori what to do."

"You're already buzzed, aren't you?"

"I'm fine." The two men kept having a lover's quarrel. I just watched the two. Xanxus would always win against Squalo in a battle of stubbornness. However, the only one that stood any chance of getting him to do anything was me.

"Xanxus." He looked at me. His glass was empty now. He drank it to spite Squalo.

"Mama! Papa!" A familiar voice shouted with enthusiasm. Elizabeth ran over and hugged me, snuggling her head into my abdomen. The two men stopped arguing.

"What are you doing here?" I asked brightly. I was excited to see Elizabeth.

"My uncle took me here. Hey, can I go home with you? I don't like staying with uncle."

"Why is that?" She looked uncomfortable. "You can tell us anything, Elizabeth. The three of us are the scariest people here. No one will hurt you as long as we're here." I said gently.

"He hits me whenever he wants." This put a bitter taste in my mouth.

"Did you tell anyone?"

"No. They all hit me."

"Are there any marks?" She nodded sadly.

The three of us went into a back room. Xanxus and Squalo guarded the door while I let Elizabeth showed me the marks on her body. Her torso, arms, and legs had multiple bruises. They weren't even places where a child would get them naturally by playing.

"Do they hurt?"

"Only when they're touched."

"Thank you for showing me, Elizabeth."

"Am I in trouble, mama?"

"You're not." We left the room.

"Well?"

"Nono needs to get involved."

"I'll get him." Squalo left us and brought Nono to us within a few minutes.

"Hello, Elizabeth."

"Hello."

"It's been a while. How have you been?"

"I'm better now that I'm with mama and papa."

"They must have you feel safe." She let out a giggle.

"They do! Plus, they don't hit me when I'm a bad girl."

"I heard. Would you like to stay with them?"

"Can I? Uncle said I'm his and no one can take me away from him." That pissed me off.

"It will take time to be able to stay." Nono mused quietly.

"Nono, if I recall, the contract with the Bonilla is almost up. Their boss has died and no heir has been named to take place as head of the family. In that contract, there is a small loophole." I spoke up. The information Chen gathered for me would really come in handy right now.

"Oh?"

"The Bonilla still owes the Vongola one gift. As of now, they have nothing they could give us. They're not that powerful or have money to make a difference." They all knew where I was going with this.

"I'm not sure if they'll agree. Elizabeth is technically the rightful heir. It'd definitely be difficult."

"Shall I handle the negotiation then? I'm sure they'll agree once I explain their situation."

"Go right ahead. The second my friend was killed, we secretly cut ties with the family. Go do your job, Shiori."

"Very well. Let's go, Elizabeth. I'm going to talk to your uncle."

"Don't! You'll get hurt." She tugged at my dress.

"We'll be with her. No one will hurt her." Xanxus said.

"O-okay…" The four of us walked right to her uncle.

"If it isn't the Varia! I'm surprised you brutes even decided to show your faces. I never thought parties were your thing."

"Excuse me, but I have business with you in regards to your contract to the Vongola." I said in a calm, professional manner.

"Huh? What about it? Who are you exactly?"

"How rude of me. I'm Shiori, the Varia's cloud guardian and the Vongola's negotiator. There are some clauses in the contract I'd like to talk about in private."

"I'll humor you, girl. We'll talk in public. I wouldn't want to go missing."

"Very well." Elizabeth was hiding behind me, tugging at the skirt of my dress from anxiety. "Upon reading your contract, I realized the Bonilla still has one favor they owe the Vongola."

"That? That promise is older than dirt. Is it really necessary to keep it?"

"If it's in the contract it is important. Are you willing to break your contract with the Vongola?" He kept quiet.

"What does the Vongola want from us? We don't have much you could want."

"There is one little thing. I'm sure it'll benefit you as well."

"Oh? And what is that?"

"Elizabeth." His face contorted into complete disgust. He had deep seeded hatred for her. He looked like my egg donor in that moment.

"Her? Why does the Vongola want that child? She's practically useless. All she does is run around and annoy the hell out of everyone."

"We don't need to tell you our reasons, sir. We would if it was in the contract."

"You want her? Take her. I don't care. With her out of the way…"

"You'll be able to become head of the family." I finished his statement. He looked surprised.

"How…"

"I'm not dumb. The Vongola in the past may have overlooked this, but you can't hide from me. Do you agree to give Elizabeth to the Vongola?"

"I do."

"Very good. With that, the contract between our families have been severed. If the Bonilla has any desire of becoming an ally to the Vongola again, please form a new contract. I will be available for meetings in the future." His mouth dropped.

"Y-you can't do that! You tricked me, you bitch!" A blade was put to his neck. Chen was right beside him.

"She give me the order, you die. Think carefully."

"Does Nono even know?" He questioned.

"Let's go. We got what we wanted." That's when he saw Elizabeth peeking her head from behind me.

"You! Did you tell them anything?"

"We were told you and her other relatives abused her. There is proof. Please don't dig a grave for yourself. You'll only shame your family more than you already have."

We left the flabbergasted uncle and met with the rest of the Varia. "What was all that about?" Levi asked.

"Elizabeth is part of the family now."

"I'm back! Mama and papa saved me."

"Welcome back! That's good to hear!" Lussuria said, matching Elizabeth's excitement. A song began to play.

"Levi, can we dance? I never danced before." She asked.

"Sure. I'll teach you."

When the two left, I noticed another glass of wine in Xanxus' hand. That was number four. "What?"

"No more."

"A little more won't hurt." He drank half of it while keeping eye contact with me. Was he doing this to annoy me? If he was, it was working. "See?"

"It isn't affecting you yet." He scoffed and put the glass down. "If you're really that bored and don't want to be here, you can leave. You've stayed long enough."

"Let's go home then. We'll drink there." He took my hand before leaving towards the door. I looked back at the rest with panic. There was no saying what was about to go down when we got home. I didn't know how Xanxus acted when drunk. Squalo mouthed, 'You're welcome', with a small smirk. I'll get him back. I'll make him suffer. By the time we got home, Xanxus was starting to cling onto me. We weren't even inside yet!

He got out another bottle of wine when we got into our room. "Don't you think you've had enough?"

"Drink with me." He sat at his desk with two glasses. He poured the wine and took his glass.

"Can I change first?"

"No." The answer was strict. I took the glass and sat down across from him. He was obviously annoyed.

"What is it now?"

"Sit on my lap."

"Huh?"

"That's an order." I begrudgingly did as I was told and sat sideways on his lap. A strong arm wrapped around my waist to give me support. I wasn't entirely uncomfortable since I was leaning into his chest. We sat in silence and drank our wine. For me, I only sipped at my glass.

"Why did we come home to drink?" I asked.

"It's quiet and we're alone." He leaned forward to put his empty glass down. How can this man drink wine this quickly? "Do you not like it?" He asked.

"I'm pacing myself unlike you."

"I'm done for now."

"For now?" His now free arm wrapped around my legs and pressed me into him. "Aren't I close enough?"

"I want more." My heart started racing and I'm sure my face turned red considering the heat radiating off of it. What exactly did he mean? He took my glass out of my hand and set it down. His grip on me tightened.

"More?" I questioned nervously.

"I want a lot more." He kissed the top of my head. Oh no.

"Are you drunk?"

"A little." His words were slurring a tad bit.

"Hey, Shiori."

"What is it?"

"Let's get married."