"A lady called me, so beautiful and blessed

That I at once implored her to command me.

"Her eyes outshone the light of any star."

-Divine Comedy

Chapter 2

Lady smiled at the photo and wiped off the dust that collected there, revealing the shine of the lovely lady inside the frame, "Here, you should keep it in a safe place."

She wanted to ask about his mother, but refrained. There was something in the glint of his eye, like some kind of deep sadness that she couldn't penetrate. It was bad enough that he had lost his twin back there. Seeing him with tears in his eyes made her see him in a different light.

Lady realized then and there, that it was even before that that she had felt differently about him. It was after her defeat and his speech about his father and brother. Maybe it was to keep his ego in check, or that he genuinely cared about humans. It didn't matter. What mattered is that she liked this guy. He was good, unlike her father, but she knew her father was once a good guy. How else was Arkham able to persuade her mother, innocent as she was?

Dante took it and smiled at her, "Thanks. So, you stay here while I head out really quick to get us something to eat?"

It was her turn to chuckle, "You and I sound like the archaeologists term for hunters and gatherers and I'm the noteworthy female gatherer, stay home while the man brings home the bacon."

"Yeah, and don't forget to clean up a bit before I get back." He joked, a quick wink directed at her as he walked towards his desk and inserted his mothers photo inside, reminding himself that he'd get a new frame.

"Oh, don't worry. I'll have the kitchen all cleaned up too. On my hands and knees." She added the last comment innocently, though when she looked up at him, his face lit up playfully,

"Ahh, I like the sound of that. Can I watch?"

"Get going or I'll die of starvation. You don't want that on your conscience, do you?"

He grinned, "You're rather playful, I didn't think you'd be so…." He stopped smiling, a serious expression on his face, "….like this."

Lady walked over to the couch and picked up her hot tea and took a sip, her eyes caught his, "You mean, because I'm all gun crazy, shooting you in the head vigilante-can't-keep her fingers off the trigger that I can't even crack a smile or heaven forbid, make a joke?"

"Yeah, you're such a sour puss back there. Granted, you can't be a sweetheart when you just want to take out your old man. But it's a good thing I knocked some sense into you back at the library." He grabbed his sword and placed it behind his back, preparing to leave. Just before he walked out of his broken doorway, he glanced at her, "I don't think there are going to be any problems for awhile," Dante looked outside, his light blue eyes scanning the perimeter and felt the wind brushing his silver strands, "If you run into any demons, I'll be back before you know it."

"Who counted on you anyway?" She saucily replied back, but he was gone, out of earshot and Lady took a deep breath, "Okay, now, guess I can see what I can help out around here."

By the time Dante got back, he noticed a few small changes and though he wasn't really expecting her to do anything, there were a few demon heads she had placed atop the counters and some weapons too.

Since there weren't any doors for Dante to open, he had startled her, and she turned, "Oh, you're back so soon. Mmmmm, that smells great." Lady eyed the pizza box, the pepperoni scent wafting over to her, "I'm so starved."

They sat together and ate, joked and drank tea and the soda cans that Dante brought as well. Lady felt so much better after getting something down. She hadn't had the urge to eat anything for so long when all she wanted was to track her father down. The tears still stung at the back of her eyes, but she was determined to be strong.

"Have you decided on a name for your business?" She mumbled, chewing her cheese and pepperoni pizza, licking her lips to get the last bits of crumbs, making her lips oily and shiny.

Dante leaned back, blew the platinum bangs out of his eyes and groaned, "Oh I don't know. I thought maybe Devils never cry?"

She laughed. He looked at her questioningly, "You find that funny?"

"I'm sorry." She cleared her throat and swallowed, "It's just that since you and me have been laughing and joking for the past half hour, it's not that I'm being insensitive. I think, well, okay, that sounds great…..but…"

"But?" He leaned over to her, "What?"

"Don't, Dante." She laughed again, "Now you're sounding so serious. I mean," she giggled, enjoying the inquisitive look the half demon was giving her. He had such a serious expression, but she knew in the steely glint of his light eyes, there was humour.

"Don't what?" He looked at her lips and the happy amusement of her face. Then realized he wouldn't get far with her and leaned back: Damn, get a hold of yourself, Dante. She didn't want you back there and she's not about to let you make a move on her even if you saved the world for her.

"Are you staying the night?" Dante said gravely. "Or are you leaving right away?"

Lady noticed the change of atmosphere and slightly smiled, "I should go. I have so much to do."

"Look, you do whatever you want, Lady. I'll help you get rid of the demons from this world for you."

She looked at him levelly, almost taken aback at the seriousness of his expression and said, "That would be great."

So that's it, he thought, no thanks, just it'll be great, fine, then, "Besides, it's what I LOVE to do. What better way to spend the rest of my half breed life. Fighting those sons of bitches is what I live for. Nothing would please me more."

"I know."

She set the cup down and her eyes flew to his. Lady didn't want to feel awkward, but she did, "I know you enjoy it."

"Because I'm a demon?"

"Yes, because you're a demon." She hoped that placing a bit of playfulness in her tone that he'd take away that grim expression. Maybe because he was thinking too of his brother; being so recent and painful.

"I have to get going soon, so I guess I'll just figure out a way to get home. I still have a job to do."

She left him some phone numbers wherever she was, keeping in touch with the devil hunter.

And that was the last time he had seen Lady for long while.

Next chapter, enter Virgil.