Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood, or any of the characters.

Chapter Four

You Want How Many?

Ion awoke as the car came to a bumpy halt. His neck was stiff from having his head tilting to the side the way it was. Stretching only slightly, it was then he realized Esther was still sound asleep on his shoulder. The events of yesterday came rushing back, and a sickening sense of panic wormed its way into his chest.

Father Nightroad got out of the car and walked around to open Ion's door, waiting for him to get out. Not wanting to wake Esther, Ion took her up into his arms and carried her bridal style behind Abel. Besides the occasional sleepy mumbling, Esther remained asleep, her head still resting peacefully on Ion's shoulder.

The Vatican? Ion thought following Abel through the large doors. For the building being so large, there didn't appear to very man people around. It was still pretty early in the morning, perhaps they were all asleep.

Abel led Ion through many hallways and through a few doors before stopping at one. Knocking only once, a woman's voice answered telling him to come in. Abel opened the door and led Ion and the still sleeping Esther inside. Motioning to the couch, Abel watched as Ion gently set Esther down waking her in the process.

Ion calmed Esther as she looked around in confusion, and took a seat beside her. Abel thought it was quite endearing the way Ion took care of the girl, and with a gentle smile turned to Caterina.

"The count of Memphis…" Caterina spoke evenly, with authority. Ion looked to her; it had been awhile since someone had addressed him as such. Caterina shifted her gaze to Abel, and there was an unspoken conversation between them. "So they do not know very much of what happened this past night…"

"I only wanted to recount the events once…" Abel said, the gentle look falling from his face into one of seriousness.

"Then let us hear it…" Caterina said, waiting patiently for Abel to begin. Esther held lightly to Ion's hand, taking solace in his presence and also in hopes to give him some support.

"The Duchess of Moldova's close acquaintance, Lady Alexandrian was assassinated." Abel began retelling how he had arrived to find Esther cornered by the Terrans, and the home in ruins. He then told of taking Esther to the Duchess and everything that had ensued while he watched over Esther and Ion.

"When the last onslaught of Terrans came through, the Duchess was captured, and they wanted to trade her from the count and Esther… They wanted to use young Methuselah as their martyrs to create more anger among them…" Abel sighed.

"This is quite a problem…" Caterina said, averting her serious gaze to the window, and then to the young pair sitting on the couch. All the color had drained from Ion's face as he sat on the edge of the couch, looking as though he were about to run out of the room and hunt the Terrans down himself.

Esther still kept a hold on his had, as if she intended to hold him there herself.

"We need to do something about this!" Ion said, his voice shaking.

"Calm down…" Abel said gently. "You are frightening Esther… Getting angry will not help your Grandmother now. We need time to plan out our moves…" Ion's eyes narrowed slightly as he tried to control his temper. Abel was right, Esther met his gaze shyly, and Ion knew his out burst had startled her.

"Sorry Esther..." Ion said, controlling his voice. Esther nodded a little.

"It's alright, I understand." Esther said supportively. Ion nodded, of course she understood, she had just lost her Grandmother. She always seemed to understand.

"So what do we do…?" Ion asked.

"For now, you two need to rest, we will think of some way to save your Grandmother…" Caterina said in a tone that required obedience from all. "Father Nightroad they are under you care…" Abel nodded, seeming to have already predicted this would be the case. After all, he was the only one they really knew right now.

"Follow me…" Abel said kindly to Esther and Ion. Esther smiled and tugged Ion up after her following closely to Abel. Though he towered over her in height Esther didn't really seem to mind the Father's presence. Ion allowed Esther to drag him in whichever direction Abel led them, too lost in his own thoughts to register where they were going.

"Good morning Father…" A young maid said getting ready to get breakfast ready for Caterina.

"Good morning!" Abel replied joyfully. "On your way back would you mind making me a cup of tea?"

"Not at all." The young maid replied. "Would you like anything with it…?"

"Thirteen sugars please." Abel replied continuing on his way. The maid nodded, seemingly used to his odd sugar addiction. Esther giggled lightly, and Abel turned to give her one of his classic feather-brain smiles.

"That is a lot of sugar Father Nightroad…" Esther said.

"Ah, but on the contrary it is just the right amount!" Abel said, continuing to smile, happy that he was able to lift the young Methuselah's spirits. Her companion on the other hand would be a lot harder to rouse from his foul disposition. Who could blame him though, there was much to be done, and Abel knew the young count would not be content until they came to a solution….

Author's Note:

Alright, another chapter out. I have an oh so wonderful plot forming here. Some of you may be able to figure out which way I'll have it turn, but it's not that simple. Though this may be a bit predictable, I promise to try and write it out well. Thank you to all who have reviewed. It's nice to know that some take the time to let me know what they think. As always I apologize for any errors that slip my eye.