A small groan pierced the silence of the room, as Mercy buried her face into the navy blue sheets of the bed. They smelled like a bar of soap, and a faint smell of men's cologne. She slowly opened her eyes, content with how she woke up. There wasn't an alarm clock scream for her attention, and there was no sign of friends stomping around her apartment looking for chocolate milk or coffee. In fact, the room seemed to be engulfed in silence.

Something was off, but Mercedes couldn't quite place it, as she stared at the pale blue walls that reminded her of her parent's living room. Mercy looked down, to see she wasn't on her parent's antique couch, and if that wasn't bad enough, there were voices on the other side of the door. Panic grew, as Mercy sat up. What happened last night? She wondered, while she looked around this different room. She remembered going to the bar with Celty and the girls, but nothing after that. There was drinking, she was sure of that, and terrible

Singing, hopefully she wasn't the one singing. God she hated Karaoke. Bits and piece came back, but nothing on how she got to where she was. Mercedes hoped her friends wouldn't have let her go home with a stranger, but one couldn't be too sure, not yet.

"Good morning sunshine."

Mercy jumped at the broken silence. She knew the voice though, and that was a comfort. When she glanced over to the door, her heart slowed down. It was the one and only Izaya.

"Morning, um Izaya, how did I get here?" She questioned, unsure if she really wanted to know the answer.

"Kohaku, the bartender, called me saying you were really drunk, and that I should pick you up." Izaya grinned his fox like grin.

"Oh," Mercy blushed before smiling sweetly. "Thank you, for picking me up."

"No problem, I guess I should have been more worried about you, than I was about Celty." He chuckled, leaning against the door. "Anyways, Celty brought some clothes over, for you to change into. They are in the bathroom."

Izaya pointed to the door in front of the bed, before walking out of the room again. Mercy sighed, unsure if she was entirely comfortable with being whisked away by Izaya's kindness, but she was grateful for it. After a nice shower, and changing into new cloths, Mercy couldn't help but feel so much better.

"Celty will take you to the Airport, we've already checked your bags, so all you need to do is get on the plain." Izaya muttered from behind is computer.

"Thanks, for everything." Mercedes muttered awkwardly.

"No problem, just don't miss your flight."

Mercedes smiled before leaving the sterile apartment building, before the question popped up. How did Izaya get my bags, and check them into the airport? A small alarm went off in her head, but she didn't have time to worry about that now. When she reached the road she was greeted by the strangely quiet Celty.

"Good morning, how was the party after I left?" Mercy greeted warmly.

Good morning, it ended quickly after we noticed your disappearance. I was worried, we were worried

"Yeah sorry about that, um unfortunately the bar manager called Izaya to take me safely home." Mercy chuckled nervously. "Well you know how that turned out."

Celty nodded quietly, before offering Mercy a hand to get on the bike. Mercy accepted the helping hand, lord knew she wasn't quite sober enough to get on by herself. Once both girls fell into their groove, Celty pulled off, sending them away from the apartment like a stray bullet. Mercy's hair wiped around her body, as she watched the building blur all around her. There wasn't any feeling on the planet like this. She was flying.

The airport was only minutes away, leaving an empty feeling in Mercedes, when they slowed to a stop.

"Thanks Celty," Mercedes smiled, as she climbed off of the motorcycle. "Do you know how Izaya check my bag, when they were at my home?"

When we found out where you went, Chandasea gave me the keys to your house, and I got your bags.

A sigh of relief come from the silver haired woman that was one less thing to stress out about. "Thank you Celty, and I'm sorry about worrying you guys." Mercy chuckled nervously. "Compared to my friends I am a bit of a light weight. Also thank you for the ride here."

Distant murmurs echoed around Mercy, as she watched the young child board by herself. The girl couldn't have been more than eight, and yet she was already flying by herself. Shock, and something a kin to anger, flared through her veins as she followed the child. The plain smelled like sweat, and cold air, as Mercedes walked through the narrow walkway of the 747. When she arrived to her assigned seat, she pushed her luggage into the overhead compartment and sat down.

A movement to her right, altered her to the tiny child sitting next to her.

"Good morning," Mercy's smiled warmly. "Mercedes, but my friends call me Mercy"

"Good morning, I'm Ai."

The two smiled warmly, before silence took over again. Mercedes didn't have much experience with children, especially children who were brave enough to fly on their own. Once the plane took off, Mercy's body relaxed. Something about the turbulence always made her more at home. Ai's hands tightly gripped the arm rest, bringing Mercy's attention to her again.

"Is this your first time flying?" she asked, trying to distract the girl.

Ai nodded, still holding onto the rest, as if her life depended on it. Mercedes smiled before taking Ai's hands off the rest, and held them in her own. This action seemed to relax the young girl.

"I am truly jealous of your bravery." Mercy whispered, "When I was your age, I was still flying around with my parents."

"Where did you guys go?" Ai questioned, tightening her grip during a particularly rough bout of turbulence.

"Oh, we went everywhere. Russia, Spain, Mexico, you name it, we've been there."

"Why?"

"My mother traveled a lot through her job, and being that I was so young, she didn't want to leave me all the time. I wasn't until I was fifteen that I ever flew by myself." Mercy smiled, as she pushed the arm rest up, and allowed Ai to bury her body into her own. "Why are you flying by yourself?"

"My dad drove me to visit my mom last week, but with her busy schedule she had to send me home by myself." Her voice was small and shaking with fear. "How come this doesn't scare you?"

Mercy cocked her brow, and leaned further into her seat. She had never thought about her comfort with turbulence before, so she didn't have an answer.

"Turbulence is nature's way of rocking us to sleep." She mutters unconsciously. "It's like when your mom rocks you in the rocking chair. Yes, it is a bit more violent, but you also have to consider, Mother Nature is trying to get over a hundred people to sleep at the same time. If you listen carefully, you can hear her singing a lullaby."

Mercedes watched as Ai perked her ears up to listen. The hum of the engines responded. The child's body shook excitedly as she said she could hear it. For the rest of the flight, Ai slept against the silver haired woman. It wasn't until they needed to leave the plane that Mercy woke Ai up.

"Morning sleeping beauty." Mercy chuckled. "Looks like we have arrived safely. Now let's get you to your daddy."

Drowsiness still clung to the young blond child, as Mercy picked her up. It became evident that Ai wasn't very useful when she woke up.

"I'll take her." One of the flight attendance muttered.

Ai's body curled away from the attendant, forcing both women to stop shifting her. The attendant nodded, before handing Mercedes both pieces of luggage.

"Maybe you should keep her." The attendant paused, eyeing Mercy questioningly. "Her father is waiting near the exit."

"Good, does she have any other bags?" the silver haired woman questioned as she shifted the child in her arms to get the bags.

"No, you should be good to go."

"Thank you."

Ai shifted to get more comfortable in Mercy's arms, as she shrugged the child's my little pony backpack onto her shoulders. The air was chilled, as they strolled into the airport. Even though she still had to get her bag from the carousal she continued to the airport front doors.

"Ok little one, I need you to tell me who your dad is." Mercy murmured quietly, nudging Ai's face with her shoulder.

The small package in her arms moaned slightly, before slipping back to sleep. Mercy sighed, as her eyes danced from excited couples to cheering family members as they cheered the return of their loved one. It wasn't until her eyes locked onto an attractive man by himself, that she had any type of hope of finding Ai's father. The tall male with salt and pepper hair smiled warmly, at seeing the child in Mercy's hands.

"Are you flight attendant?" He questioned, gently taking the backpack.

"No, I just sat with her. Mercedes, but my friends call me Mercy."

"Renu, thank you Mercy," the corners of his eyes wrinkled, when he smiled at her. "I hope she wasn't too much of a handful."

"Not at all, she's afraid of turbulence though." Movement in the distance alerted Mercedes to her parent's presence. "I feel a misunderstanding coming on."

Renu followed the silver haired girls glance, and again he smiled. Both watched as her parents walked over. Mercedes's father walked over, using his air tank as a crutch, as her mother walked over with a giant smile. For years Kurena has nagged Mercy about getting a boyfriend, and by the look in her eyes, she thinks her most beloved daughter has done just that. Mercy glanced at Renu, before mouthing the words Run, I'm so sorry.

"Do my eyes deceive me?" Kurena cheered. "Or has my baby girl finally brought home a man?"

"Uh, mother -" Mercy went to interject before any further humiliation occurred.

"Not now Mercedes, I'm talking." Kurena looked at the salt and pepper haired man almost scrutinizing every aspect of him. "Kurena Sado, it's nice to make your acutance."

"Renu, it's nice to meet you as well, bu-."

"How old are you, exactly."

"Mother," Mercy growled, sending pleading looks to her father.

If anyone could reign in Kurena's curiosity, it was her husband Takuma. The frail man, smiled before patting his daughters shoulders.

"I'm sorry love, but it was bound to happen."

"I'm forty," Renu smiled, before glancing back at Mercy. "Your daughter is very nice, but we are not dating."

The look of despair washed over Kurena as Renu spoke. One could physically watch as her world fell apart, but just as quickly she placed a smile on her face. This sent a chill down Mercy's back, as she watched the two interact.

"Daddy, can't you stop this train wreck?"

"Only if your promise to bring a boy next time you visit." Takuma chuckled, sending his daughter a sideways glance. "Deal?"

"Fine, just stop this."

"And what exactly is wrong with my daughter Mr. Renu?" Kurena questioned.

"Nothing, she's very attractive, but don't you think I'm too old for her?"

Renu grunted slightly, shifting Ai in his arms. Poor thing must be tired.

"Kurena, I'm getting tired my love." Takuma croaked, leaning against his silver haired child for support. "We should be heading out."

"Not until he can explain why he won't date Mercedes."

"Mother," Mercy hissed, finally too embarrassed for words. "The doctors told us not to over exhilarate father, we need to go now."

"Please allow me to help." Renu muttered, hand the silver haired woman his child.

Kurena smirked triumphantly at her daughter, as their guest allowed Takuma to place all his weight onto his shoulder. Mercy held Ai close, as they walked into the parking area and to the car. Kurena continued talking about all the new things happening in town, as Mercy looked intently at Renu. Very few meant would help carry another man, let alone a man they had never met. Once her father was in the car, she shifted to help Renu hold Ai.

"Ma'ma, there is nothing wrong with your daughter, in fact she is very beautiful and kind." He smiled, sending a longing glance to the silver haired woman. "I just wouldn't want my daughter dating an older man."

Heat radiated from Mercedes face, before he took Ai. Kurena sent Mercy a give him your number glance, before saying her goodbyes.

"Thank you again for taking care of Ai."

Mercy nodded, "If she needs anything please don't hesitate to contact me." She muttered handing him her card. "She's a sweet kind, and I see where she gets it."

Renu nodded, before walking to where his car rested. Mercy watched intently, before getting into the car. Both Takuma and Kurena glanced at their daughter through the rearview mirror, before driving to their home. Relief washed over the two parents, as the city lights zoomed past the car. They worried, it's what parents do, but specifically they worried because their health was fading fast, and they wanted their child to be taken care of. Very little time passed by the time they got home.

"So what are your plans for this weekend?" Takuma muttered, placing his full weight onto his child's shoulder.

"Movies, movies, games, and binge watching Netflix with my parents." Mercedes smiled mischievously. "What else is there to do?"

Kurena opened her mouth to say something, before her daughter sent her a cranky glance. This was a rhetorical question, not an opening to tell Mercy what most women her age do.

"Ok, let me rephrase that, what else is there to do, when it comes to a homebody editor whose spending the weekend with her parents?"

"Well put," Kurena muttered, in a puff. "What shall we binge watch first?"

"Sense 8 of course. I'll make the popcorn."

Takuma glanced at his daughter, as she smiled again and skipped to the kitchen. The two parents were left together, wondering what they did to deserve such a child, and her friends. They practically got three for the price of one. Had they ever considered having more children? No, Mercy was good enough, and they were too busy for the one they had, let alone any more.

"She's most defiantly your daughter." Kurena muttered, pulling out blankets.

"I see us both in her, after all, she has your stubbornness." He chuckled. "Come her my love, let the young one get everything."

"DO YOU WANT ANYTHING TO DRINK?" Mercy's voice echoed through the halls.

"Indoor voice Mercy," Kurena sighed.

"WHAT WAS THAT?"

"MERCEDES USE YOUR INSIDE VOICE."

Takuma chuckled, listening to the women's interaction. He was graced enough to live with this day in and day out for years, and having it be like this again made him happy.

"O SORRY, do you want drinks?"

"Do you want anything to drink my love?" his wife questioned.

"Yes, I'll have lemonade."

Just as those words left his mouth, Mercy walked into the room holding a tray with the popcorn and lemonade. Her smile brightened, seeing her parents cuddling on the love seat. The silver haired child, placed the food and drinks onto the coffee table and closed all the blinds.

"I couldn't hear you guys," Her smile brightened up the room. "But whenever there's homemade lemonade, well that's always the first to go. Ah can't wait to stare at hot German guy for the next few hours."

Sometime during the middle of the first season, Mercedes loss her mother and father to dream land. Her phone buzzed angrily against the coffee table, as she started unblinkingly at the TV screen. Her hand reached, groping to find the damned mobile device without looking for it first.

I can only assume you've made it home safely.

Yes, Thanks again for last night

*Ballad of Mona Lisa*

No problem. What do you say about dinner when you get back?

Why not, we had so much fun last time.

*Ballad of Mona Lisa*

"What's his name?" Takuma's voice pierced the silence, making Mercy jump.

"Whatever are you talking about?"

"The boy you're texting. What's his name? I thought it was a straightforward question myself."

"Why do you think I'm texting a male?" she questioned, glancing at her sleeping mother.

"That smile of yours, it always gives you away." Takuma chuckled, before launching into a coughing fit. "What's he like?"

Mercedes smiled, watches as her father sipped more of his lemonade.

"I don't know really." Her voice lowered into an uncertain tone. "Everyone says I should stay away from him, that he's dangerous."

"But you do not agree?"

"I had dinner with him, and all we did was talk about me. Every time I tried to ask about him he avoided the question, but does that really mean he's dangerous?" She sighed, watching as the next episode downloaded. "Last night the girls and I went to the Damn Bar, and I got very drunk. The bartender called Izaya and asked if he could pick me up, and he did. Then he allowed me to sleep in his bed and made sure I made it to the airport on time. I don't know what to think about him."

"How do you feel about him?" Takuma smiled, as his wife squirmed on his shoulder.

"Um, I like him so far." Mercy shrugged, as a red haze enveloped her cheeks. "Dad, before you start getting all hope-y and stuff, he isn't interested."

"You've asked?"

"No, of course not b-"

"Then how do you know?" her brown haired father questioned, giving her a weak look. "Darling, I'm dying and your mother will die eventually. We just want to make sure you will be well taken care of. Let alone, we want to have grandchildren."

"Why can't I be well taken care of because of me?" she sighed. "Why does a man have to take care of me, for you guys to be happy? I understand you want grands, but the whole reason I moved to Ikebukuro."

"I know you can take care of yourself, but have you ever considered we want you to experience the love we have?"

Mercedes frowned not having a comeback for that. "Ok you win."

"Help me bring your mom to bed." Takuma sighed, his breath catching.

"Are you ok daddy?" she questioned, rushing to his side. "Do we need to go to the hospital?"

"No, darling one." His smiled wrinkled the sides of his eyes. "It's just late."

The weekend passed quickly, as the three watched different shows and played games. Before they knew it, it was Sunday afternoon, and they were finished with both Sense 8 and Orange is the New Black. Kurena and Takuma sat in the dining room debating what they should make for dinner, as Mercy packed her bag. The weekend went by too quickly. Mercedes glanced around her old room, breathing a sigh, unsure what emotion it was supposed to express just yet. Takuma didn't breathe a word of Izaya to Kurena, and Mercedes was happy about that.

A shrill shriek pierced the silence, forcing Mercedes to her feet and through the door. Laying on the floor was Takuma, and Kurena holding him tightly. Mercy sighed, rushing to her father's side.

"What happened?" She questioned dialing the emergency response team.

Kurena took the phone, walking out of the room and to the front door. Mercy hugged her father's face, checking his vitals to keep her distracted. The ambulance didn't take too long, and before she knew what was going on they took Takuma from her.

"Ma'ma, we need to take him." The female E.M.T said, holding the silver haired girl back as the loaded him on the gurney. "Do you know your way to the hospital?"

Mercy nodded, still fallowing her father with her eyes. The town was small enough to only need one hospital.

"Good, bring your mother with you."

With that they were gone. Mercedes glanced at her mother, before grabbing the car keys. "Let's go mom."

"Where's your bag?"

"In my room, we need to go now mom." Mercy groaned, watching her mother leave and get the silver suitcase.

"Your flight is in three hours, we can't let you miss your flight."

"Fu-dge that, I'll miss the flight and call in."

"I know your work ethic is better than that." Kurena muttered, as they got into the car. "He'll want you to go you know. In fact, if you stay he'll be very upset."

Mercedes chuckled, as she fallowed the speeding ambulance, her mother was correct of course. If her father woke up and both women were there, he would start on his work ethic speech, which would turn into his what would your being her do? Mercy hear that speech almost every day during the year she stayed home, helping take care of him.

"I'll stay until the last possible moment," Mercy sighed, pulling into the hospital.

The smell of disinfectant permeated through the hospital, as Mercedes and her mother sat in the waiting room. There are few things that Mercedes would openly say she hated, and this is one of them. Kurena chatted pleasantly to other worried families, reassuring them everything will be fine, as Mercy sat in her chair watching the doctors and nurses pass by frantically.

Who's picking you up?

*Princess Pete*

Mercy sighed, glancing at her friend's text. Was she really going to leave in two hours? If so, who is going to pick her up? Usually she would know every aspect of the plans, but things have been off kilter for the past few months. Kurena smiled at her lost child, unsure of what was going to happen to the two of them when Takuma died. The silver haired child glanced up, meeting her mother's eyes. Something told her there was much more to this situation than her parents were letting on.

I'm not entirely sure, I'll let you know if I'll be back tonight. Dad is in the hospital

*Ballad of Mona Lisa*

After responding Mercedes stood up, stretching her muscles. "I'm going to get a few snacks, does anyone want anything?"

She was addressing anyone, of the three small families, in the waiting room. Most of the children cheered, standing up to tell her what they wanted. Some of the parents protested, and sent their children disapproving glances, whereas other parents were too preoccupied to do anything. Mercy walked down the hall reciting the orders in her head.

"Mercy," a voice questioned from behind her.

"Yes," Mercy responded glancing towards the voice. "Renu, what are you doing here? Is Ai ok?"

Words spilled from her lips before she could stop them. The older man chuckled, waiting patiently for her to stop. Obviously she hadn't noticed his white jacket of his mint green scrubs, and doctors' badge.

"Yes Ai is alright, though she was very upset to wake up in the car with me, and not you." He smiled, "I'm an emergency surgeon here, why are you here?"

"My father passed out." Mercy sighed, glancing over his shoulder, to see her mother smiling. "He had chemo a few weeks back, so this is a red flag."

"I see, when he's out I can take a look at him for you." Renu's hand rested against her shoulder reassuringly.

"Thank you, it would mean a lot to us."

Things remained silent for a moment, as both parties decided on what to say.

"Let me know if I'm over stepping myself, but how would you like to go out for dinner sometime?"

Renu's hand rubbed nervously at the back of his neck, as he waited for Mercy's response. She chuckled, taken back by his offer.

"I would love to," she smiled.

"That's great, when wor-"

"But," Mercy interjected, Renu's babbling.

"But, there's always a, but."

"I'm leaving in an hour for Ikebukuro." She smiled "I'd be back in two weeks, so would you mind waiting till then?"

"Not at all, though Ai won't be here to see you. That's her mom's weekend."

"We could reschedule, if you wanted."

"I can keep a secret if you can."

Both parties chuckled, before Renu was called over the P.A. system.

"Looks like you need to go."

"Yeah, seems like it. It was nice seeing you." He smiled, "I'll call you."

"You better,"

Mercy waved as the older man disappeared around the corner. She came back to the group a few minutes later with all the snacks that were ordered. Kurena greeted her child with an all knowing smile.

"So, he's a doctor?"

"Apparently so, he said he'll take a look at daddy when he gets out of Urgent Care." Mercy muttered, opening her fruit snacks. "Want any?"

"No, those don't count as real fruit you know." Kurena paused, "Is that all he offered? Because his body language seemed to be asking more."

"Like what mother?" Mercy smiled innocently.

"Like maybe a date in the near future."

Things went on like this for another hour, before Kurena shoved her child into a taxi cab. Once again Mercedes was headed home to Ikebukuro.

Thank you again from your patience and reading. Please feel free to P.M. for anything concerning this story or just to say Hi.