Authors Note: The 9th chapter of Dear Diary second to the last.

Title: Dear Diary

Chapter: 9 - Switching sides

Joe's POV

The door opened slowly, making a creaking sound. Francoise's face was tearstained, her eyes red, and her delicate features isolated into depression. I couldn't bring myself to speak, her appearance was enough to render me speechless. The birds chirps of the evenings arrival came clearly into her room, sealing the silence between us. I couldn't move, frozen in time. Suddenly I snapped back to reality from my train of thought. She was standing before me, weary from crying. I couldn't speak to her and so I did the only thing that came to mind; I embraced her.

I could feel her shock for a moment, and then her facade faded away. Her shoulders faltered, and she began to cry once more. I held her for a moment and then she broke away with sudden force. She ran away, not daring to look back, tears trailing behind her. Once again, I was frozen, watching her run away. My legs decided to move at last and I chased after her.

I went through a corridor, stairway, and various room until she cornered, she was between the others and myself.

 "Francoise, we never meant to hurt you, my dear." Doctor Gilmore spoke calmly, but with an edge of restraint. "We'll leave you alone if you wish, but at least let 009 stay with you, in case." 005 suggested helpfully, making a bitter smile unfold on Francoise's face. "Thank you for your concern but I cannot bring myself to accept your help any longer. I think that I can defend myself well enough in case that anything shows up." Francoise replied turning her head so that she wouldn't regret her sudden decision. "Very well then, we shall not pursue the matter any longer." Said Professor Kazumi, appearing in the doorway, and silently gave me a wink. My concern vanished once I  understood my alias with Kazumi.

As much as I wanted to embrace Francoise, clearing her of her pain, I held back.

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Francosie's POV

I couldn't turn back, I wouldn't. I wouldn't show how scared I was, how much I wanted to run into his arms. For an instance, I could have swore that I heard a voice behind me, a voice that contained a mocking laugh. I turned around hesitantly and then saw it--to be more precise him. It was Scarl, malevolent commander of the Black Ghost organization. A million questions aroused in my mind as I became paralyzed in fear.

Was he going to kill me? Would he do something worse? Would the others come and save me? Why did I always end up in such predicaments as these? Finally, why was I depending on them to save me, couldn't I save myself? The answer was painfully clear; no.

"Dear 003, we meet again my dear. Do not worry I see you trembling, I did not come to harm you." Francoise realized that she was indeed trembling and composed herself, what sinister plot could Scarl be devising?

"My dear, I've seen your sorrow, the sorrow those pathetic teammates of yours have caused you. Do you really think they care about you? They'd exchange your life in a second for theirs." No, that wasn't true. It couldn't be true. But if I was so sure why was I debating whether to agree or not in my mind?

"My dear I offer you an option, you can go back to them; he pointed back to the Kazumi house, or you can join us. Which are you going to choose?" Was he crazy enough to think that I would agree? Suddenly I heard a response that came from me, but I couldn't believe it.

"Yes"

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G.B. POV

This wasn't good at all, what was she thinking. As I watched her walk away with that scum of Scarl I watch them go into a safe distance and then transform myself from the rock that I was transformed into. I ran to the others as quickly as  my legs could carry me.

I breathlessly told what I had seen. I could see 009's face in confusing, and perhaps guilt. As he left to the balcony, to get some fresh air I presumed, I decided to follow. There was an awkward silence. "009, we'll get her back, I know we wi--"

"And then what? What are we going to say to her?" I knew he was right, there was no way to convince her and who knew what cynical lies Scarl would tell her by the time we arrived. I had nothing more to say to him and so I left.

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Joe's POV

How could this happen? How could I let this happen? Why couldn't I protect her? One thought was clear; this was one battle I had to win. For her, for us.

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A/N: Well that's it, the end of chapter nine. The next chapter will be the last, and there will be an epilouge, but no sequel. Sorry guys, my deepest appologies.