Author's note: I do not own Trinity Blood or its characters. This is set five years after the end of the anime.

In Which There Is a Homecoming, a Proposal, and a Treaty

Abel let out a sigh as Byzantium appeared on the horizon. They were almost home. At least, Ion was almost home. He still had some traveling to do before he'd reach Rome, but at least he could find a comfortable bed and a warm meal here, and hopefully, Seth would take care of his passage back to Rome. Ion was practically bouncing with excitement, and Abel smiled. The young Methuselah had grown up quite a bit over the five years of their journey, but there were still traces of the boy he'd been when they first met. However, Abel hoped that this homecoming would be happier than Ion's first.

A half an hour later, he and Ion were seated in the parlor of the Duchess of Moldova sipping tea. Mirka was clearly pleased to have her grandson home. She had insisted on them keeping the story of their travels for now.

"We'll have plenty of time for that later, and you'll probably not want to repeat it too many times, so we will wait for a larger audience. Most of the people you'll want to tell will be at the treaty signing any way."

"Treaty? What treaty?" Ion asked.

Mirka smiled. "We've made some very good progress towards peace since you've been gone. Queen Esther has been instrumental in helping get the Empire and the Vatican to sit down together. There's a formal treaty signing in two days. We were worried that we were going to have to put it off, but that doesn't seem like a problem now. It's a three way treaty between the Empire, the Vatican, and Albion."

Peace. Abel smiled. How long had they been working towards this? And now it seemed like they were finally going to achieve it. Abel wasn't naïve enough to believe that a treaty would put an end to all of the problems, but it would help.

"How is Esther, I mean Queen Esther?" Ion sounded tentative and nervous.

"Queen Esther has been doing a marvelous job." Mirka smiled knowingly. "She has really grown into her position. She's been such a help with the treaty negotiations."

Ion flushed, and Abel hid a smile behind his teacup. Ion still carried his strong affection for Esther. Abel found it rather charming. The two youngsters were well suited to one another and made a good pair. He rather hoped Ion would continue to pursue Esther. They were good for each other, and he could tell that they would make for a very strong couple.

"Any way, I should let you to get some rest. We'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon for the treaty signing, and we'll be needing to get you two proper clothing for the event."

Abel began to feel nervous. Past experience had taught him that when a woman said he needed 'proper clothing' he was in for several hours of torture. Of course, given the fact that he was a priest, there was a limited amount of things he could wear. That at least was comforting. A maid showed him to a bedroom, and Abel gratefully took in the well appointed bathroom. Hot showers were the closest thing to heaven that he knew of. And the bed looked very tempting.

A hot shower later, Abel curled up in the softest bed he's seen for a long time. Closing his eyes, it wasn't long before sleep came calling. He surrendered easily to its embrace. And it was with reluctance that he left it. However, the little maid standing at his bedside wasn't about to let him stay asleep. As she had also brought him food, Abel was inclined to forgive her. After polishing off his third helping of French toast, Abel was ushered into an anteroom where a man with a measuring tape was waiting. Abel let out a sigh.

The next hour and a half was spent being measured and fitted for clothing. When he was finally allowed to escape, Abel found himself being dragged off to join Ion for a briefing about the actually treaty signing ceremony. Thankfully, Abel would simply be part of the Vatican delegation and wouldn't really have any responsibilities other than being polite and making sure no one got killed. Ion, on the hand, had apparently been tapped as one of the treaty signators. He had the fun of being drilled in the proper etiquette and in practicing his part of the ceremonies.

Once that was done, they were all hustled aboard an air ship and were on their way. Abel stared out the window and couldn't help but wonder how things had changed in the five years that he had been gone. There had been little to no contact in those years. An occasional letter had made its way to him, but he'd had precious little news. Typically those letters were from Cardinal Sforza. They tended to be a little formal and stilted, but they kept him apprised that everyone at AX was doing fine. He was always instructed to take care of himself and to contact the Vatican if he needed their help. She never included any news of problems and difficulties, but Abel knew that was more to keep him from worrying rather than their lack.

He had missed all of his fellow agents and especially the cardinal. Caterina had always held a special place in his heart. She had given him a reason to let go of his past and start living again. He'd watched her grow from an uncertain young girl into a powerful and stubborn woman. He knew she felt guilty over the measures she had taken to revive him for the battle in Londinium. Abel didn't blame her. Caterina had done what she thought was best and what was needed at the time, and he had a feeling that Lilith would have told her the same. He had known he could trust her when he gave her the code to Lilith's capsule, and her actions hadn't betrayed that trust. Abel hoped he had convinced her of that.

His first letter from her had been an apology and explanation of her actions. Caterina had come perilously close to speaking of things the two of them had skirted around for years in that first letter. He'd written back almost immediately. Abel only hoped that he had convinced her that she had done the right thing and that she wasn't guilty of anything. He was looking forward to seeing her again as well as seeing the rest of them. Abel was so proud of Esther. She had really risen to the occasion, and by all accounts was doing a wonderful job as Queen of Albion. Some time during the trip he nodded off. When Abel awoke, it was dark out, and all he could see out the window were the lights from city below. With a sigh, he got up and decided to find a bed.

Their landing in Paris woke him in the morning. Breakfast was served onboard before the whole group headed off the plane to meet the welcome party. Abel recognized both the AX agent who met them as well as Colonel Spencer.

"Welcome to Paris." Father Havel smiled at them. "You all should have about an hour to freshen up before the ceremony starts. Rooms have been arranged for everyone, and your luggage is being taken there as we speak."

Abel let himself be swept off with the rest of the party. His bags were waiting in his room, and his new uniform was already hung up waiting for him. With a sigh, Abel sank onto the bed, taking a moment to compose himself. With another sigh, he heaved himself off the bed and headed for the shower. Time to get this treaty signed. Then he could go home. Half an hour later, Abel emerged from his room dressed sharply in his uniform and looking every inch an official AX agent. One of the various staff members led him to a room where he found the rest of the Vatican party assembling.

Almost immediately Abel found himself on the receiving end of hugs and welcome homes from his fellow agents. Even Hugue was there accompanied by a young woman who shyly introduced herself as Sister Agnes. Sister Kate finally grabbed his wrist, dragging him out of the knot of agents and towards the Pope and his siblings.

"Lady Caterina." Kate was almost beaming. "Look who decided to join us for the treaty signing."

Caterina stood there in her most formal robes and a serene smile on her face. Abel couldn't help noticing she looked paler than he remembered and a little worn.

"Father Nightroad, I take it that your business has been taken care of and you'll be returning to us."

"I have, Cardinal Sforza. I was on my way back to Rome when I was informed of the treaty signing here."

Her smile suddenly shifted to one he remembered from the young girl he'd saved, and Abel had Caterina in her arms. He hugged her back, hiding his frown in her hair. Something had changed about Caterina. She pulled away after a moment.

"Welcome home, Abel."

The moment hung between them before Caterina quickly switched back to a more formal demeanor addressing the room. "I believe the ceremony should be starting soon. We should be getting into our places."

They all assembled and began the procession to the hall where the treaty signing would take place. The delegations from the Empire and Albion were already there. Abel smiled to see Ion and Esther standing close to one another, both blushing and speaking quietly. Esther's hand was clasped in Ion's, and the look on the young Methuselah's face was rather intense. Esther was nodding in response to something Ion was saying. Unfortunately, before he could watch things develop between them the ceremony began, and they were forced to separate and take up their positions.

The ceremony was really quite boring. There wasn't a single attempt to disrupt it, and the speeches got to be a bit much. Abel bit back a grin at Ion's brusque signature before the young man resumed his position at Esther's side. The two took up their quiet conversation again, Esther's hand finding its way back into Ion's. Abel found himself watching the pair rather than paying attention to the ceremony and fighting the urge to take Caterina's hand in his own. The ceremony began to wind down to the final speeches. The whole ordeal was almost over when Esther's glad cry of "Yes!" interrupted the last speech.

Everyone's attention was drawn to the two just in time to see Esther lean forward and kiss Ion on the lip. Ion had both of her hands held in his own. Esther beamed at them all.

"He proposed."

The Duchess of Moldova burst into laughter and grinned at Francesco. "I told you he was the perfect choice. The ink's not even dry yet, and he's getting the ball rolling."

Ion was clearly confused. "What?"

Cardinal de Medici frowned. "Did you read the treaty? It clearly states that the Queen of Albion will marry an Imperial noble, specifically the Earl of Memphis. You signed your agreement to the proposition."

Ion gaped at them before looking at Esther. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Esther smiled. "I liked it that you asked me for yourself not because you had to. You were the only one I'd agree to marry."

He kissed the palm of her hand. "If this is what you really want."

"It is. I do want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Abel watched the scene with a smile until Mirka uttered the fateful statement.

"Now we just have to plan the wedding."