Disclaimer: Oooo, I'm gonna cry now. . . TT

Author's Note: Oh my goodness! Already over 40 reviews! Thank you so much you guys! You're spoiling me. . . (don't stop. (;) I hope you continue to have fun with this, because things are only going to get better from here. . . (Anyone else think we should have the two Chronos engage in mud wresting? Anyone. . .? XD)

Please enjoy and R&R!

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DOUBLE TROUBLE

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Chapter Two: Daffodils and Delusions

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"Chrono!"

The muffled name filtered through Sister Kate's large glass windows curiously well, bouncing off the walls like an invisible ball. Both Chronos stiffened at the summon, as if that metaphorical play toy had whacked them upside the heads. Rosette wanted them. . .

So they needed to have been there five minutes ago.

Bolting to their feet so fast that their chairs tipped and crashed loudly to the ground, both devils began to head for the door- or, at least, attempted to. The head nun, it seemed, had different plans for them.

"And just WHERE do you THINK you're both going?"

Little Chrono and the Sinner- who had been subtly trying to surpass the other on the way to the exit- paused; snapping the woman slightly irritated looks from over their shoulders. "Yes?" both questioned- the child at least trying to feign politeness. The elder of the pair seemed in much more of a rush, however: protectiveness glittering in his sharp amber pools.

Kate took a surprised step backwards before quickly composing herself.

"We still have quite a few details to sort out," she reminded them coldly, shooting the taller of the two a particularly icy glare. "And I will not have any more disturbances in my convent! Having to deal with one sealed devil is enough, but a split one. . . !" A sigh escaped her, fatigued lashes fluttering closed. "Out of the question! Simply out of the que-!"

"They've already left," the Elder cut in, a grin detectable in his tone. Kate froze in disbelief, opening her eyes to find that, indeed, they had (somehow) managed to fight their way out the thick wooden barrier during the half second that she'd allowed her mind wander. The pen she'd grabbed subconsciously crumbled in her vice-like grip.

"He certainly is fast," the second Remington piped up, drowning out the sister's scream of frustration. "But not as fast as I can be. . ." He winked suggestively. And in response she fell into her seat again, choking back another screech and burring her face in her hands- as the rest of the men turned, surprised.

("When did you wake up?" the inventor questioned, turning to his magazine's worn centerfold.

"A few minutes ago. I got a good look up her habit when she walked over me. Mmmmmm. . ."

The gray haired man clucked his tongue approvingly, ignoring the spurt of steam that shot out of Kate's ear. "Astonishing. If the Doppelganger 1000 had worked as it should, I'd hope that all of the clones would have been as sturdy as you. . . She had you out like a light, you know."

"Yes, well- I'm an astonishing guy. In more ways then one. (wink)"

". . . Let's keep the innuendo directed towards Sister Kate, shall we?"

"Oooo. . . Never fear! I have enough love to go around!"

The first Remington glanced up from his Bible, looking disgusted. "Yes, never fear," he mocked, "I'm fearing enough for all of us, right now. For God and the Blessed Virgin are all looking down upon us at this very second, condemning us to eternal damnation for the use of such a blunt and disgusting crack at sodomy-!"

And he, once more, began to rant. . . and rant. . . and rant. . . and nobody listened. Just like during Sunday masses.)

"Why me. . . why now?" the head nun breathed helplessly, permitting herself a few more moments of weakness before straightening when a question struck her; the memory of the fleeing demons and her previous word choice reminding her of an early inquisition. "Why. . . why. . . why? Elder," she scowled darkly, puzzlement etched on her face. She chose to ignore the fighting "twins" beside her, who were tugging on opposite end of the Bible like it was some sort of lollypop meant to be shared. . . in this case, as a murder weapon. Ironic. "Elder, I need to ask for clarification on something."

"Oh?" the old man, who had been toning out the Remigntons after their earlier conversation as well (it was becoming eerily easier to do), glanced over the top of his periodical. "And what is that?"

"Chrono," she frowned, wheeling her chair around and pressing a solemn hand to the glass, watching Rosette as she fruitlessly ran across the gardens, looking for her devil. "Why is he the way he is? I mean, sure he's been divided, there's no question about that- but previously you were hesitant to group him into the same category as the father. . . s. . . and yourself. Why is that?"

He stiffened, rustling the glossy pages of his magazine; biting his bottom lip. "Well. . . now, how should I explain this. . . ? Hm." Standing, he sashayed over to the chalkboard and began to draw his infamous stick figures again (which, if it was at all possible, looked worse now than before). "I suppose," he began thoughtfully, eyeing his work- which included two "men" labeled REMINGTON, two ELDERS, and one short, one tall line baring the name CHRONO- "that the easiest way to start is to remind you that human bodies and demonic bodies are not built in exactly the same way. Sure, a devil as high up the ladder as Chrono has many human characteristics. . ." he doodled a few random fingers and toes and the boy's much-beloved pointed ears- ". . . but his body is, essentially, that of an entirely different species. Because of that, the Doppelganger 1000 affected him differently."

"How so?" Kate pressed, immensely glad that both priests were currently involved in a heated catfight. Remington 2 apparently didn't see the humor in having his hair yanked, and Remington 1 was having a hard time accepting his freshly-pressed robes being torn. . . And so they wrestled, grappled, and rolled across the floor- Kate simply lifting her feet to allow them passage when they tumbled through. "Besides the obvious, I mean."

The inventor grimaced a bit, brow furrowing as he turned away from his poor diagram. "Apart from the looks. . . it seems that- whereas the previous. . . myselves. . . and the currently split Remingtons have simply divided in two. . . that is to say, they're working on opposite extremes but still in some sort of contact with the same brain. . . that hasn't happened in Chrono's case."

"Meaning. . . ?" the woman pressed, flustered and worried. Elder blew out his cheeks, very serious.

"Meaning that, in essence, we now have two completely different devils living in our convent."

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Rosette, having been extensively trained in exorcism and all of the skills necessary for surviving in such a profession, was abnormally slow when it came to realizing and processing what was going on around her. At least, when it came to low-pressure circumstances. For example, when Azmaria had thrown her a surprise party. And last April Fools, when the Elder had talked Chrono into chucking water balloons at her while still in her white nightgown. And just about every day, when someone ran up behind her and scared her out of her wits.

Like now.

"ROSEEEEEETTE!"

"Eeek!" the nun yelped, jumping in surprise when she felt a pair of warm arms wrap tightly around her middle; unannounced and unashamed. In fact, only a little winded if the panting was anything to go by. "Chrono! Where were you? And don't do that!"

"Sorry, Rosette!" the demon chirped perkily, tightening the embrace he'd locked her into and sliding around her hips, their clothing rubbing together oddly as he repositioned himself in front of her- not once letting go. The girl flushed, her eyebrow giving an unnatural tick. 'What on Earth. . . ?' "I was really busy with a few idiots. . . But I'm here, now! What's going on?"

Staring flatly at the crown of his head, she struggled to find the words she'd suddenly lost. "Well, I was just. . .um. . . that is to say. . . would you let go of me!" the young woman cried, giving a few weak wiggles- her cheeks continually growing darker. In return, Chrono let out. . . was that a purr?

Speaking of the demon, why was he acting like he had covered his front with glue and had stuck himself upon her? And why was it that- if she stood still enough- she swore that she could feel his lips skim across the plane of her stomach in a way that she most certainly did not condone? (. . . Well, that's what she wanted him to think, anyway.) Her expression darkened, watching his childish face turn a joyous shade of pink; a wide grin shaping his mouth.

". . . !"

He squawked in shock as her fist met his skull.

"Chronooooooooo," she rumbled warningly, pealing him painfully away from her body (it took a lot more muscle than one would think, looking at him) and knuckling his noggin. "What in God's name are you DOING?"

"Owowowowowow! I was only giving you a hug! I'm sorry, Rosette! I thought you liked hugs- I didn't mean to make you mad! Please don't stay angry with me! I honestly didn't mean to! Please, Rosette. . . don't hate me. . ."

And then- in all of his demon glory-. . .Chrono began to wail. Cry and sob and weep gigantic crocodile tears that caught Rosette so totally off guard that she spent a few long moments simply gawking at him- fists motionless and pressed against his temples. His arms dropped limply to his sides soon after, knees buckling slightly; maroon orbs jammed shut as huge crystalline diamonds leaked out from underneath his eyelids- spilling down his chubby cheeks and splattering against the bright green grass.

Bipolar often?

"What th- oi, calm down!" She attempted to sound composed, but instead her voice came out panicked and shaky. In all of the years she'd know him, Chrono had never acted like this! Was he sick? Was he hurt? Had he finally snapped? Possible stories and worst-case scenarios pounded against her already tired brain, driving her to the brink of a mental breakdown. "Good lord, what has gotten INTO you?"

He snuffled, blinking his blurry rubies up at her. A hand made its way to his mouth, and he soon began gently gnawing his right index knuckle. "I. . . I just don't want you to despise me, Rosette. I know I'm a tainted devil, and that I'm the root of all of your problems, but I'm just as good of a man as anyone else! But. . . but. . . but I'm afraid. . ." he whispered, lowering his gaze to his feet; voice becoming a forbidden, hushed whisper. "I'm afraid that I'll lose you, Rosette. . . Lose you to someone better or smarter or wiser. . . I don't think I could take that. If that were to happen, I don't think I could continue to live."

". . ." The nun was beginning to wonder if she'd forgotten to wake up this morning, because this was all sounding very much like a dream she'd had a few weeks ago. (Only Sister Kate had been hula hooping in the background and Satella had decided she was in love with Elder. A strange dream it had been. . . but not a bad one. If she ignored Kate and Satella and Elder, anyway.)

"And. . . and so. . ." the devil slowly lifted his chin, having collected him and placed on a mask of self assurance and hope. "And so I was. . . I was going to tell you, Rosette, that I. . . that I lo-!"

"Rosette! Rooooseeeeette!" Sister Claire's sweet tone cut through the increasingly tense scene like a knife- silencing the boy's next words and leaving Rosette to notice how close their faces had become.

"!" She pulled away quickly, blue eyes bulging. 'What the hell has gotten into me! Oooh, Chrono, you're gonna pay for this-!' "What is it?" she snapped loudly back, frustrated and oddly angry. Spinning on her heel, she noticed the younger sister waving from the open-air vestibule. Chrono peeped out from behind his Contractor, as if feeling strangely timid.

"Come on, it's time for our chores! You promised to help sweep out the church, today- remember?"

"I didn't! Mary said that Sister Kate had told her-!"

"Never mind, let's go!"

"But-!" the blonde began to protest, but quieted herself when she felt her devil brush her arm- a little more tenderly than he usually did.

"It's all right, Rosette," he beamed, still an adorable shade of light magenta. "I'll do it for you! We can talk later, okay? We should discuss this more privately, anyway. . . oh! And before I forget," he paused, twisting around mid-dash towards the other girls, "what's your favorite kind of flower?"

". . ." She started, jaw slack in shock. "Wh-?"

"Oo- forget it! I'll surprise you!" Chrono . . . sang. . . before racing blissfully off to join Mary, Claire, and Anna; who, having caught only the last part of the conversation, looked torn between amusement and surprise. The teasing- therefore- began the moment he was in earshot; but instead of rising to the bait, he pleasantly laughed it off- lost in dreamy musing.

. . . Scary.

Rosette stood there dumbly for a little while longer, trying to piece together what had just happened. It wasn't April Fools again, was it? She ticked off the days on her fingers. No. . . it was already May. . .

. . . So what the hell was that!

A prank, that was what. It had to be.

And so- sure that she had been tricked and fuming because of it- the girl stalked furiously off, lip curled in disgust at how stupid she had acted. 'Ooo, I'm sure that moron Chrono and dumb Claire and Mary and Anna are all having a GREAT laugh at my idiocy right now. . .GREAT JOB, Rosette. . . I'm such a-!'

Completely lost in thought as she was, the girl didn't notice that she'd turned the stone corner in a blind rage- until she ran smack into someone's chest.

Someone's very shapely chest.

Someone's very shapely, muscular chest.

Someone's very shapely, muscular, warm chest.

Someone's very shapely, muscular, warm, BARE chest.

Backing away- her face hot as a flame- Rosette began to open her mouth to apologize. . . When she found herself staring into the amber pools of the last person in Heaven or Hell that she had expected.

Chrono.

In his Sinner form. (A little more frazzled and sweaty than usual, perhaps- it looked as if he'd run a marathon- but in his Sinner form no less.)

Upon noticing her taken aback and disorientated appearance, the devil's lifeless expression melted into a warm smile. "Thank goodness!" he breathed in utmost and unmistakable relief, crouching down so that they were at eye level. "I was so worried about you, Rosette! I was sure that bastard would have tried to do something to you!"

Reaching out a callused- and yet very gentle- hand, he trailed his fingers carefully down her blanched face and shoulders, as if testing to make sure she wasn't broken. His search was meticulous and unabashed, no embarrassment or shame in his eyes when he ran his hands very close to what many would consider the "danger zone".

Then he frowned.

"Rosette," he murmured, anxious- catching her attention while his jeweled forehead glittered in the sun. "You're as white as a ghost- your knees are shaking! That horrendous child didn't hurt you, did he?" His wings flared at the thought, a growl escaping him.

". . ." Rosette didn't answer. She was too busy fumbling for her pocket watch; yanking it close to her eyes so that she could examine it. And when she did examine it, she noticed that something wasn't right- it wasn't moving any faster. Not that that was a bad thing, but- but why wasn't it reacting to his metamorphosis? Here was Chrono, right in front of her, in his true form! She should be on her knees panting right now!

And while she was on the subject of Chrono, why the heck was he here? Wasn't he with the other sisters cleaning th-?

"Rosette! Rosette!"

The demon beside her hissed and straightened, bony braid sharpening; instinctively pulling the exorcist close. Rosette was in such a state of stunned bewilderment that she couldn't have formed a protest if she had wanted to.

And if she was pale and shocked before, it was nothing to what she felt. . .

When she saw him- Chrono, only little again- running towards her from the church with his arms full of freshly picked daffodils, a cheerful grin on his face until he noticed. . . himself.

Then he glared, doing another emotional 180.

"You!" they snarled in unison, ferociously baring teeth and talons.

It was then that the oncoming breakdown hit Rosette at full speed- and her world went black.

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There was a question in a review for last chapter that I forgot to address in the above authors note, so let's do it down here, shall we? (:


Q: Huh. . . interesting. So is the Glue Factor and the Doppelganger 1000 and stuff all your original idea, or were you inspired by something/someone else?

A: Nope- I'm proud to say that they were all my original ideas. But if you're interested in inspiration, here you go-

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 'DOUBLE TROUBLE' FIC:

I got this idea while watching a musical group on Saturday Night Live. . . Green Day or something, I think. Not sure. Anyway, while I was listening and they were going on about having to "travel the road of life alone" (it was a pretty good song) I suddenly got this parody image of Rosette tripping on a road like that. . . which made me think of joking around with 'double vision' ("Ooo, Chrono. . . I didn't know you had a twin. . ." kind of thing) which then lead to the initial idea for this fic. (Yes, my mind travels very, very fast from point A to point L. I've got a really funny one from where I went from Roadkill Raccoon to Veronica and Logan from Veronica Mars making out in less than two seconds. That was an interesting chain of thought, that was. . .) I actually have my note for the very original story line right here (I just jotted it uber quick down on a piece of random scrap of paper)- doodled notes and all:

"Rosette bumps her head (or something) and it has her seeing double- both child & adult Chrono. (They really split?) Which will she chose? (Is it a trick? When will they be one again?)"

Of course, a plot like that is FULL of holes. For example- come on, she bumps her head? She must have seriously damaged her brain for Chrono to remain split after that. It made more sense, then, that something happened to Chrono, which is where the Doppelganger machine comes in. (Personally, I don't think the machine in and of itself was all that creative- but that's all right, it was just a plot device. (;) After that, I started to play with the idea of how this machine screws things sideways. Well, Chrono lives around the Elder's house, right? So why not have it be one of the Elder's malfunctioning inventions?

That worked well enough. . . but where was the Elder when it combusted? It wouldn't have blown up by itself, so he must have been there. And why would he be fiddling with it if he already thought it was perfect? So I threw in Remginton, too, to give Elder a reason to be trying to make it work. And if Chrono was split, it wouldn't make sense for them NOT to be. So that's how they all ended up doubled. As for the Glue Factor- well, I needed some way to put them back together, and so the idea just sort of fell into place.

I won't go into any details about each Chrono as of yet, because I don't want to spoil the story- but let me tell you, it was hard to cleanly wrap this fic up, just because of what each Chrono represents. I went through about three outlines before I came up with an ending that made me happy. So I hope it makes everyone else happy, too!

END OF HISTORY. . . FOR NOW. (Depending on if anyone wants to know anymore. . .)

Whew! And now, after that long and pretty pointless bit on the past of this fic, I bid you farewell! Good night, my loves, good night!