Disclaimer: I don't own Trinity Blood. Back off.
"I can stay!" Stella's happy squeal could be heard down the steps where Abel and Demetry had been anxiously waiting.
Both had their own secret hopes as to where Stella would be going. Demetry hoped that his baby sister would come back with him, but Abel was hoping his new friend would not have to, knowing that it would hurt her in more ways than one.
Demetry flashed a sad smile in Abel's direction. "Well, I guess she's staying." He held out a hand to Abel, who started to shake. The Titan's grip tightened. "If anything ever happens to her, I'm coming to get you first." He said in all seriousness.
"Eh?"
Stella came running down the steps, but tripped on the temporary sister's habit she had been given. With a small 'oh', she began to fall. Remembering Demetry's warning, Abel rushed to help her. He caught her elbow and ended up falling himself.
Stella picked herself up and helped Abel up. "What in the world did you do that for?" She asked.
"Eh… hehe…"
"So I'm guessing that you've made an arrangement?" Demetry asked, saddening.
Stella nodded. "You are going to depart tomorrow morning for your country. You will have complete control; the Cardinal has a treaty for you to look over. Basically it says that you will gain all rights as Emperor as long as you share any technology and remain at peace with both Albion and the Vatican. It seems there is enough trouble in Albion after the death of their queen a year and a half ago." She didn't see Abel's cringe. "It seems that they only want you to remain neutral in case troubling times are ahead."
Demetry's eyes narrowed. "You know that is not what I mean."
Stella smiled impishly at him. "Of course, but come on, did you think that I was going to answer you directly? Yes, Demetry, I'm staying here. They will provide payment and I will work here. I must get my own food, lodgings and the Cardinal wants me to at least try church." Stella shrugged. "Apparently it's not too late for a murderer who lives forever." She noticed Demetry's crushed look and hugged him. Stella could only reach his waist, as Demetry was as tall as Abel. "Look, you know I can't go back, besides, there's nothing for me there. I'm not into the whole power thing. Besides," she leaned forward and dropped her voice, "you know you need someone to tell you how things are straight. I've heard about a man here, head of the Inquisition. He's a little, you know. I'll tell you what is going on. Humans are still humans."
Abel pretended he didn't hear. "So… er Stella? Do you know where you are going to go?"
Stella shrugged. "Right now, Demetry and I will share a room for tonight. I doubt we will go to sleep. We have decades to catch up on." She smiled. "Anyway, there is still question as to who I'm being partnered with." She glanced down at the paper in her hands. "It seems that you, me, Leon, and Tres will all be scrambled into two groups of two." She made a face. "Hmm… I don't know if I would be able to handle Tres's silence."
"We all know that." Demetry said, smiling.
Stella didn't take the bait. "Come on, you." She turned away, pulling Demetry's hand. "We need to talk." She called over her shoulder. "See ya, Abel."
Abel waved half-heartedly. Great, I'm pretty sure that Demetry was serious. With that little firecracker around, you'll be dead within the month. He sighed and went to the kitchen to fill his stomach.
Stella ignored the pain she felt as Demetry left her and Abel at the train station. It's not like you are never going to see him again. Come on, you two will see each other in no time.
Demetry hugged his sister and kissed her forehead. "Be good. Don't do anything stupid. And try not to embarrass me." He shook Abel's hand. "And you, remember what we talked about before." He jumped onto the train.
Stella waved and watched the train rush past. When it was gone, she turned to Abel. "What did you guys talk about before?"
"Er… um… nothing." Abel smiled.
Stella raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes, unconvinced. "Right." She said sarcastically. "Come on then, I have to make sure you get back all right and then I have to go out apartment searching."
"Hey! Who do you think is protecting who?" Abel asked, affronted.
Stella pretended to think for a minute. "Hmm… I know I'm protecting you."
Before Abel could reply, his stomach did audibly. He put an arm across it. "Er… seems I'm hungry."
Stella rolled your eyes. "I feel like a mom. Next time eat before we leave." She shook her head. "And you seriously think you are in charge." She laughed briefly before walking towards the exit.
Abel thought about what she said for a moment, and then realized that she wasn't there. "Hey! Wait up!" He yelled, tripping over his own feet more than once in his attempts to catch up to her.
When he finally did, she looked sideways at him. "So, I have a quick question."
"Oh?"
"Why is Father Leon so much younger than everyone one else?"
"You're younger than everyone else." Abel pointed out.
"Not true, technically, I'm probably the oldest one there." She thought for a minute. "Besides you, maybe."
"True. Father Leon senior brought Father Leon to us when he was an infant. No one knows when he was conceived or even who his mother is. Why do you ask?"
Stella shrugged. "I want to know more about him. It's you, Tres or him that are my new partner, and I want to know more about you guys. Tres is an android and you… well… you are…"
"What? I'm what?" Abel asked, slightly nervous as to what the answer might be.
"You are a compassionate, kind, scatter-brained, nervous priest who is willing to take in any stray off the street even though her brother happens to have been born to wipe out your species." Stella grinned at him.
Abel pouted. "As I've said to numerous friends in the past the only reason I appear to be scatter-brained is the situations I am constantly put in by others!"
"And you forgetting breakfast this morning was because Sister Ellen was holding the food hostage?" Stella said, referring to the nicest Sister in the entire church.
"Hey! That's not fair. And it happens to not be my fault, it's yours for waking me up in a hurry to say good bye to your brother."
Stella pouted pitifully, glad to finally get her revenge on him for making her blush on the train. "You mean you didn't want to say good-bye to my brother, even though he considers you one of him best friends?" this was partly true. After all, how many friends could Demetry have after decades of isolation?
Abel was flabbergasted. "Hey! That's not fair."
"Come on, Father Nightroad." Stella said, picking up her speed.
A/N: a little bit of fluff in this chapter. Review!