Thanks for your patience with me, you all. And can you believe it? nearly 800 reviews! How cool it that?

I don't own the devil, but I know he loves me! Er, yeah, rather, I don't own Chrono Crusade, but I do have dibs on Dr. St. Justice. Mine!

Chap: Sunlight reflections

Sunlight poured through the windows of the office, spreading warmth over the cold wood floors and furniture of the room. Sister Kate was attempting to write her biannual report of events for the European branch of the Order. The Abbess sat back in her chair and basked in the sun's light, letting her mind drift over the events of the last three months. So much had happened in that short amount of time.

The curse of the devil Taj-mere had been cast upon Rosette Chrostopher, a sister of the Magdalene Order, and her contracted demon, Chrono the Sinner. They had countered the curse and its effects by fulfilling the requirements before any true harm could be done. (She shuddered at the idea of the 'real harm' that had nearly occurred, as she glossed over the details of just how the couple had countered the curse. Those two were entitled to their privacy after all.)

Then there had been the first devil-human marriage in a holy church in recorded history. She smiled at the memory of how Rosette and Chrono had gaped at the lavish decorations and festivities that had gone on that happy day. The young devil in particular had been taken aback at just how happy everyone was for them.

Rosette was no longer under her contract, her life no longer leached away to fuel Chrono's attacks and healing. Both of them were overjoyed at this. Not to mention the wonderful fact that since Chrono could control his time-freeze attack again, the orphanage of Rosette's childhood had finally been pulled from its stasis and the children were awake and free.

Kate steepled her fingers at her next thoughts. Due to the active, she blushed, and rather numerous events of Rosette and Chrono's marital relations, they were now expecting their first child within the next six months. Rosette had been immediately taken off of active duty, and was now confined to researching the history of any demon-human hybrids, which Chrono claimed had never existed.

The babe should be born sometime in the early fall. This would require careful monitoring, not only for medical reasons, but for security ones as well. The Order had kept a tight lid on the news of the wedding, not wanting to attract any undue attention from religious fanatics or such. But the Abbess was well aware that something like this couldn't be kept a secret for long. Especially with the Sinners on the loose. Who knew what they would think of such news, or their reaction to it? Surely they would try to come after the baby.

Measures had already been implemented to insure Rosette's safety, unbeknownst to her or Chrono just yet. She wanted everything to be in place before letting the expecting couple know about this. Remington and the Elder were taking this quite seriously, setting up barriers and wards for over fifty miles in every direction. The militia was training harder than ever, and coming up with multiple strategies and defense plans should the Sinners attack in force.

But for now, Chrono and Rosette were given free reign over the abbey grounds. Kate felt a smirk pull at her lips. They would need all the alone time they could get before the baby was born.

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Sunlight was fading into twilight as the couple sat on the banks of the lake. It had been a gorgeous day, everything just beginning to bloom for spring. Rosette had begged to get out of the library and go do something on a day like this. The librarians had agreed, still very ticked off about the fire she'd started in there yesterday to try and see better with.

So he'd pack up some lunch and, after making sure to okay it with St. Justice, had flown her out to the lake for a day to themselves.

Rosette frowned down at her belly, pinching the skin of her waist and pulling it slightly. Chrono looked at her oddly. "Are you sure you should be doing that?"

"It's just so hard to believe," she said, still frowning at herself. "I wasn't sick or picky about my food or anything. Is he sure I'm pregnant?"

"Blood work doesn't lie," the devil replied. "Besides, St. Justice was so shocked at the results he sent it through twice. Believe it, you're pregnant." He slid his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest and breathing deep of her scent. "Besides, I can smell it on you."

She twisted in his arms so that she could rest her cheek against his chest. "I smell?"

He grinned. "Like life, Rosette. You smell like warmth and sunlight and life. I really can't describe it any better." He felt her blush through his shirt and set his cheek on the top of her head. "Are you happy?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "With the baby or something else? Be specific."

"Smart-alek," he muttered. "With all of it. You know, everything."

The sister thought for a long time, making Chrono worry a bit before she answered. "I'm still worried about Joshua, about the Sinners and what they want to do. But really? I think"—she frowned—"it seems selfish or something, but I think I really am happy." She looked up at him. "Are you? And be honest with me, Chrono."

"You think I would lie?"

"No. its just sometime I can tell that you're lonely, and I'm not enough to help it."

"Rosette"—

"Not like I think you'll cheat on me, you know I'd kill you for that, right?"

"I know, but"—

"Chrono, I just think that you miss them."

He went still at her words. "The Sinners, you mean."

"Yeah." She looked down, knowing that there are some things that are like a giant 'do not touch' button for people, and wondering if she was about to hit it with Chrono. "I know that they were like your family. And even though so many bad things happened with them, I know that you still miss them. Its okay, you know. They were all you had for a really long time."

He moved his head to tuck it into the crock of her neck. "Think you know me so well," he muttered, not unkindly. "I do miss them sometimes. We used to be so happy."

She kissed his ear in acknowledgement.

"But when I'm with you, I'm not lonely, Rosette. I just get lost in the memories sometimes. And I know," he reached down and put a hand protectively over the slight swell of her belly, "that I will have even more family with me soon. You are everything I've ever wanted, love, and now you're giving me a baby. You have no idea what this means to me. I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered. She closed her eyes for a moment to try and think of something else to talk about. Before she could, a yawn nearly cracked her jaw. 'I'll just take a quick nap, a really tiny one. I do need to stockpile all the sleep I can get before the baby comes. I won't….hardly get any…..both ways of it…..after….he's born…(yawn)….'

Chrono hummed as he stretched out his arms, careful to lay Rosette on the blanket as he did so. He blinked hard to try and clear his vision. What he doing being sleepy? It was barely seven o' clock. The devil frowned at the fog that was rolling in from the forest. 'It shouldn't be coming from there. It always comes across the water for how the wind blows.' He stiffened as he felt demonic aura near them. 'Sons of bitc'—

"Sorry to call on you when its so late, Chrono, my dear," a merry voice rang out. "But we need to have a little talk with you about your lovely wife." A figure in a long white coat and cat ears in her short hair walked out of the mist. She grinned at him. "I hear you two are expecting!"

"Shader!" He near hissed. "What are you doing here? Is this your doing?" He sent a panicked glance at Rosette. Why wasn't she waking up!

"This fog, you mean? Oh don't worry, its harmless. Just some simple sleeping agents mixed with some of my own unique astral blockers. You both will be just fine when you wake up."

He stood on shaking legs, the gases already taking a disastrous affect. "Don't you dare touch my mate. I swear to god, I'll kill you, Shader."

She blinked her green eyes at him. "Why so hostile? I thought you'd want someone who's got a decent understanding of demon physiology to take care of her, not some human with theories."

"I'd rather take that chance than risk taking her to Aion, "he growled. He tried to form his armor, but as it was he could barely move his wings. The devil stared at the scientist. "How is this not affecting you too!"

She pointed to the sides of her head. "No horns, see? I've got a separate source of astral now. All of us do. And while this chat is fun, we really need to be heading back to Eden."

"You're not taking her anywhere," he snapped.

"She won't, but I will," a voice like velvet silk cut through. He tried to whirl around to face this new threat when a sharp blow to the side of his neck finally sent him unconscious.

"You didn't need to hit him so hard," Shader pouted. "We need him in one piece, you know."

"Blah, blah, blah," Rizel snapped. The spider demon hefted the larger devil over her shoulder as Shader began to carefully move the girl. "Why does he want both of them? Why not just his precious little girl?"

"Because," Shader said, a thread of steel showing in her voice, "these two may be the future of demon kind. Especially if we can't replicate their amazing results within a viable time frame. We need to run some serious tests before we can be sure."

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