Return of Time

11 of ?

AN: Well this one gave me a little bit of a hiccup. I kept seeing Chris running around the convent crying and acting much as Azmaria did when she first arrived there. Ah, the joys of an over-active imagination. Anyways here it is after a bit of a wait. The former lovers meet once again, and daddy-dearest has a few words for his trouble making son and his former enemy.

I'm quiet you know
You make a first impression
I've found I'm scared to know
I'm always on your mind

Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
I somehow find You and I collide

Howie Day - Collide

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"Has there been any word Father Remington?" Christopher asked quietly as the older man came into Sister Margaret's office.

Ewan shook his head. His blue eyes were filled with sorrow as he looked at the gathered exorcists. "I'm sorry, but we haven't been able to discover anything of her location. We have however discovered that it was in fact a demon that stole Chrno away from us."

Jasmine started to cry. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't asked her to go to the store for me…"

"No." Kathleen stood and glared at the younger woman. "It's the demon's fault not yours. How could you have known." She swept her arm out and waved at all six of them. "None of us could have."

"I still can't help but feel that it's my fault."

Sister Margaret turned from the window behind her desk and spoke quietly. "We have reports stating that the demon who stole had tried several times in the weeks before to take her. If it hadn't been for Chrno's extraordinary luck, she would have been taken before this." She sat heavily in her desk chair. "As it is she was to meet with Pandemonium's new representative tomorrow."

Julian stood and moved to stand next to Sister Margaret's desk. She looked to the director. "Chrno told me about this. If you wish I will go in her place."

Sister Margaret nodded. "We need to have someone there. You and Sister Kathleen will go. Take care with the new representative. His father warned us that he is a bit hot-headed."

"His father?"

"Duke Duffau. The Duke has been an ally and the chief advocate of peace for many years. He has been the only one standing between us and the complete take over of the human world by Pandemonium. Chrno and Rosette Christopher were the one's to forge the alliance with him in the twenties and that was why I had hoped that she would represent us at this meeting." She shook her head. "But with her gone, I don't know how well things will go. Duke Duffau will be there with his son, and he's expecting Chrno."

Kathleen smiled tightly. "Well then, I guess we're just going to have to tell him."

Julian nodded. "The truth is usually best in situations like this."

Sister Margaret nodded. "I hope you're right."

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Chrno woke to sunshine in her eyes and the cheerful voice of Ryuu as she sung an old Japanese folk song to herself. She watched silently as the younger demon joyfully dusted and cleaned the room. After a few minutes there was a soft knock on the door.

Ryuu moved slowly to the door knowing that her master was wanting to be introduced to his guest. Opening the door, her smile widened. "Come in Master."

Chrno rolled her head to peek from beneath her lashes at the door. She watched as a russet haired young man walked in. He was dressed very well and it spoke to his wealth.

"Is she awake?"

"Not yet master." She bowed. "I can wake her if you wish."

Gabriel shook his head. "No, let her sleep." Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, he brushed a stray hair from Chrno's face. "She is beautiful."

"Yes master, she is very beautiful." Ryuu bowed and left the room.

"You are a pervert."

Gabriel glanced down at the supposedly sleeping nun. "You're awake."

Chrno glared up at him, taking care to study his features discreetly. Somehow she was not surprised by his demonic features. "Let me go."

"I can't do that."

Chrno sat up and turned her head from him. "I have a very important meeting to go to today, and your interference could be disastrous."

Gabriel shrugged. "Too bad. I wanted you and I have you. I don't let go of that which is mine. And you my dear Sister, are mine."

Chrno growled before swinging a punch at the boys face. Gabriel laughed as he caught her fist.

"You are exquisite when angry Mary."

"If you won't let me go, then get out."

Gabriel let go of her hand and stood. Bowing he moved to leave. "Very well. I will for now."

Chrno growled loudly in rage as she grabbed the bedside lamp and flung it at the closed door. "Bastard!"

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Duke Duffau's head came up from the book that he was reading at the sound of a crash. He had to wonder what his son was up to that was producing the sounds of destruction in their normally peaceful home. When a second crash came a moment later, he sighed and stroked his beard thoughtfully. A third crash prompted him to investigate. Finding one of the guest rooms to be locked he arched an eyebrow. Calmly pulling a skeleton key from his pocket he unlocked the door and ducked his head slightly as a music box was thrown at the door. Carefully stepping into the room he smiled at the sight that greeted him. A young violet haired girl was searching the room for something else to throw. "Does throwing things make you feel better?"

Chrno's head came up sharply at the sound of her old ally's voice. "Duffau!"

Seeing her crimson eyes he understood. "Chrno the Sinner." He moved past her and sat in on of the chairs near the window. He motioned for her to sit. "I am surprised to find you here in my home."

"Your home?" Chrno's voice was confused. "But what of the boy? And the Japanese girl?"

Duffau stroked his beard. "Ryuu Mahou is a servant. I saved her life years ago. She works for me in repayment." He sighed. "As for the boy," he paused to sigh again, "He's my son, Gabriel Santo."

"He's half human."

"Yes. I took a human lover nearly twenty-five years ago. He's her son."

"The new representative in the peace talks, I presume?"

Duffau nodded. "I believed that your Order would respond more favorably to a half-demon, than it has to me. More common ground you could say."

"He's not American."

"No. His mother raised him with her family in Italy. I felt it was the best place for him to be. He would not have been accepted in Pandemonium, and I did not want the Order to find him before he was ready to face them."

"Why?"

Duffau merely smiled secretively. "You'll find out soon enough."

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