Thanks for all the reviews people! You made me very happy!! And so I give you this, on the most sacred of birthdays. And I'm vanishing for a while cos I'm off to Download festival to apprechiate the thing that is rock! YAY!!!!!! Hopefully this will tide you over.
After his last encounter with a reflective surface Allen had tried to avoid looking into anything that might show the shadow of the fourteenth lurking behind him, and for the most part succeeded, though his strange behaviour had started to attract more attention, so much so that Inspector Link had taken to tailing him closer than he had since he was first assigned the task.
Of course, this did nothing to improve Allen's frame of mind, and the more his mood darkened, the more rumours and speculation began to spread through the Order.
Naturally, it was the world's worst kept secret that the memories of the fourteenth Noah were embedded in the mind of one Allen Walker, but everyone had assumed- hoped, prayed- that the one exorcist that seemed the least likely to fall into sin would be able to hold the presence at bay.
The more time passed, the more obvious it became that Allen was falling. It was never openly talked about, of course, but even those not particularly close to the white haired exorcist noticed the increasingly less subtle changes in his behaviour, and the continuous, stubborn presence of the agent of the higher echelons of the Order.
0o0o0o0o0
"It's getting worse, Supervisor" the calm emotionless voice of the inspector informed the Chinese man sitting opposite him. "Walker cannot be allowed to remain in Headquarters any longer."
Komui shook his head in denial. "I'm not sure I agree, Inspector Link. Allen Walker is not a threat to this establishment, and the sooner that you and your superiors come to terms with that, the better it will be for everyone involved." Dammit, he shouldn't be arguing with this man, Leverrier's peon, but he couldn't sit idly by and let them rip Allen from the Order.
Link didn't seem fazed by Komui's raised voice or sharp tone, instead fixing him with cold eyes. "Allen Walker may not be a threat to the Order, supervisor, but the Fourteenth is, and the longer the Walker remains out of custody, the likelihood of that threat coming forth increases."
"Custody?" Komui echoed in disbelief. "You're going to lock him up? Like a criminal?" If word of this got out to the residents of HQ… there would be hell to pay- Central could well face an uprising…
Link frowned slightly, the most expression he'd shown since entering the room. "What else did you think we would do? Allow him a free rein? You should be grateful that he is not being executed on sight."
Komui felt himself growing increasingly angry, "so instead of a quick death you're offering him a slow one?" He huffed out an irritated breath. "Allen wants to remain active for as long as possible, to complete missions and do his duty before he loses himself completely, and you're denying him that chance if you take him away. I know for a fact that Allen would rather die than sit locked up in some cell waiting for the Noah to take over."
Link said nothing, but his posture shifted a little, an unconscious gesture that revealed his unease.
Komui gaped at him. "You… you're waiting for the Noah to take over!"
"The Fourteenth's knowledge is priceless."
"The Fourteenth's knowledge will cost the life of one of my exorcists!"
"These exorcists belong to the Pope! They are not yours; they live to serve the Vatican in anyway deemed fit."
The Chinese man scowled, angered beyond belief. "They are people, living, breathing people, not tools" he said, his voice flat and calm. He was well past hot, burning rage, settling into cold fury. These people were not tools to be controlled at the whim of a distant group of men. This man was talking about his friends, his sister, like they were expendable- only living to dance to their tune.
"They are exorcists" Link said, as though that settled everything. "I have a report to make; I trust you will inform Walker? Make sure you impress on him the severity of what is occurring. If he is as loyal to the Order as you suggest, then he will not shirk his duty. We depart tomorrow."
Komui shook his head in disbelief as the inspector swept from the office, shutting the door firmly and sending cool zephyrs across the room, ruffling the paper strewn across the floor. What on Earth did he do now?
0o0o0o0o0
Allen fidgeted uncertainly as he sat on the couch in Komui's office, rubbing the healing gashes on his right hand beneath the usual white glove without realising what he was doing. The very air in Komui's cluttered office had his nerves on edge, and the anxious expression on the supervisor's face did nothing to reassure him that he was about to receive good news.
"Allen," Komui began after several more tense minutes, "Central has… decided that you are too much of… of a risk to stay here any longer."
Allen just blinked at him stupidly. "I'm sorry… what?"
Komui sighed heavily. "Leverrier has issued an order for you to be detained indefinitely away from Headquarters, saying that the presence of the Fourteenth has progressed so far that you have become a danger to the Order, and as such should be removed and confined until further notice."
Allen swallowed tightly. "They're… they want to lock me up?" He made a small noise of disbelief when Komui nodded solemnly. "But…" and he looked so hopelessly lost in that moment that Komui was forcibly reminded that the exorcist before him that usually seemed so strong was still nothing more than a child. "But I'm still in control" he said helplessly, imploring Komui with his gaze to tell him that this was all some cruel 9gn
Komui's face twisted in an unpleasant grimace. "They want you locked up so that if" when hung unspoken in the air "the Noah does take control, he is already in captivity."
"They want to use the memories of the Fourteenth to fight the Earl?"
"So I believe, but that is beside the point. I have no intention of letting them take you."
Allen frowned. "No, I can't let you put yourself at risk for me, your position here is too important to jeopardize for one person."
Komui slapped his palm on the desk in an uncharacteristic display of anger. "Dammit Allen, my duty is to the people in the Order, not to the damn bureaucrats that sit around a table and play around with their lives. We've got to get you out of here, tonight."
"And what? I spend the rest of my life on the run? What happens when the Fourteenth finally does take over? You'll have another Noah on your hands then, one you could have prevented ever appearing."
"If you truly believe that you will be a risk to the people you care about, I trust you'll do the right thing" Komui said simply. "But I am not about to send you off with those snakes. God only knows what they'll do to you. They want the Noah, and they don't care what they'll have to do to you or your body to get at him."
Allen lowered his gaze. He didn't want to be carted away like some lab experiment, to spend the short time he had left in captivity- he wanted to do something with the time he had left- to prove that his existence wasn't for nothing. But to abandon the Order, his friends, his entire life at Headquarters… "I don't want to leave" he whispered desolately.
Komui smiled sadly in response. "I'm afraid you have little choice, Allen. You either leave tonight on your own, or in custody tomorrow."
"What will I do?"
"I hope you will continue to fight against the Earl. Just because you are not with the Order doesn't mean you aren't still an exorcist." The supervisor rearranged his beret absently. "It'll be tough, but I know you'll manage. I'm sure suspicions will run rife at first for us here once you've gone, but once it quietens down I'll find some way to contact you. Just stay alive 'til then."
Allen wrapped his arms around himself dejectedly. "I can't say goodbye, can I?"
"No, Allen, I'm afraid not. We have to get you out of here as soon as possible without Link noticing anything. I've set a distraction to go off shortly; it'll clear the Ark room for you. I don't care where you go, just get away from here as fast as possible." He made a face as though going over a list in his head. "Johnny packed some stuff for you, obviously we couldn't risk running into Link in your room, but he managed to get some things together… I think the best thing you can do now is head down to the canteen and get something to eat. Remember, don't say anything, to anyone."
Allen nodded. "I won't, don't worry."
"When the alarms go off, get straight to the Ark. Your case is already down there waiting." Komui stood, walking round his cluttered desk and standing in front of Allen, hands on his shoulders before pulling him into a rough hug. "Look after yourself. I'll contact you when it's safe to do so."
Allen nodded, pulling back. "I will. Thank you, for everything." He turned to go but Komui's voice stopped him.
"I'll need your coat, Allen."
A brief look of pain crossed the exorcist's face as he slid his arms out of his black and silver coat, handing it to Komui wordlessly. He gave the older man a small, heartbreakingly sad smile before turning abruptly and leaving the office.
0o0o0o0o0
"Hey Sweetie, what can I get for you today?" Jerry beamed as his favourite customer appeared at the hatch to the kitchens.
Allen smiled in response, considering his options carefully before rattling off a list of all the things that he would likely not find readily available on the run.
Jerry gave a wide grin when he heard the order, which seemed even larger than had been usual lately. "Alright, I'll get right on that!"
With a word of thanks Allen stood to the side as he waited, looking over the other people in the dining hall fondly. It was hard to keep the saddened look off his face as he realised that he might never see these people again after today, but he knew that his freedom relied on remaining as positive looking as possible. Luckily he hadn't been all that cheerful lately so if someone did notice that he was less than happy at the moment they wouldn't pay too much attention to it.
"Here you go!" Jerry exclaimed exuberantly as he presented Allen's order with a flourish.
"Thanks Jerry, you're the best!" Allen said as he collected his meal and turned to find somewhere to sit. He spotted the familiar red head of hair at a nearby table and made his way over to sit with Lavi.
"Hey Moyashi-chan!" Lavi greeted as Allen slid onto the bench opposite him. "Haven't seen you around much lately, what have you been up to?"
"I've been around" Allen said around his first mouthful. "You know Link- he's had me up to my eyeballs in paperwork. And I'm not even sure why! All I know is he has me doing his work!"
Lavi laughed at him before falling silent and just watching him as he ate. It was rather unnerving actually. Allen made a 'what?' noise around his current mouthful. Lavi shook his head and leaned his chin on his hand, elbow propped on the table as he considered him thoughtfully. "Are you okay? I mean, really? You seem happier than you have been lately, did something good happen?"
Allen just frowned at him. Dammit, he'd been over compensating! He lowered his fork and leaned forward conspiratorially. "Tell me something Lavi, who do you see sitting at this table?"
Lavi gaped at him unattractively. "Uh… you?"
"Exactly. Just me."
"Ah," Lavi sat back with a grin. "No Two-spots."
Allen returned the grin, finding it came with only a little conscious effort on his part, glad that Lavi had accepted his excuse without question.
"How long have you got 'til he kidnaps you?" Lavi asked
Allen nearly choked. "What?" Did Lavi know something about the plans to cart him away?
Lavi looked confused at the reaction. "Won't he be coming to drag you away to do more work soon?"
"Oh" Allen realised his mistake. "Yeah, I guess so. He's doing a report or something at the moment. If I'm lucky I can be out of here before he comes to find me."
"Well, no one here will give you away" Lavi winked. He gestured at the pile of cooling food, "but you better get on with that or you'll still be eating when he comes to track you down."
Allen made a vague noise of agreement and picked up the speed of his consumption, shoving food down his throat like there was no tomorrow. For all he knew, there wasn't.
Lavi looked amused at the sight, casting his eye around and waving as Lenalee walked through the doors. She came and sat as his side, wrinkling her nose a little at the admittedly disturbing sight of Allen vacuuming the contents of his plates down without pausing for breath.
"What were you talking to my brother about for so long this afternoon?" she asked curiously.
Allen swallowed, thinking quickly. "Nothing important, I was just hiding from Link. You know he avoids Komui's office if he can help it."
She didn't seem too convinced by the rather weak excuse, but let it go. Lavi's attention had sharpened however, so Allen hastily went back to eating to try and avoid further questioning. It looked like Lavi was about to speak when a loud blaring alarm cut through the ambient clatter of crockery and gentle hum of voices in the dining hall. Everyone looked up at the speakers, mouths hanging open and cutlery suspended from slack fingers.
"What's going on?" Lenalee asked looking between her companions. Neither looked like they knew what the alarms meant, but there was something about the expression on Allen's face that made her pause- a mixture of some kind of sick dread and steely determination.
"I don't know, but we better go and find out" Lavi said, rising from his seat and joining the crush of people trying to get through the clogged double doors, dragging Lenalee behind him with a firm grip around her wrist.
"Wait Lavi!" she said, trying to get free "Allen…"
"He'll be okay, you know he has to go and lock down the Ark if we're under attack" Lavi said without turning round. "We need to find out what's going on!"
She tried to turn around and catch sight of the familiar white hair, but it was impossible to see anything among the crush of people taller than both her and Allen and she allowed herself to be dragged away.
0o0o0o0o0
Allen knew he had to act quickly. When the alarm sounded he was supposed to go to Komui's office to make sure it was a serious attack and meet up with the inspector there, but since he already knew what was going on and needed to avoid Link at all costs, he headed straight to the Ark room which should be vacant by now. He was lucky that he had made sure he memorised this route in case of a real emergency, else he suspected he would never get there before Link realised something was going on. He had maybe five minutes to get away before the whole world went to hell.
Just one more corridor to go- he was going to make it! Then he crashed into something that his memory informed him that shouldn't have been there.
He looked up in shock at Kanda, who just glared down at him.
"Watch where you're going" the older exorcist snapped, obviously in a rather foul mood. Allen said nothing as he got to his feet, attempting to move past Kanda. Time was running out, he had to get away now, but Kanda put out an arm and grabbed him roughly around his bicep. "Where are you going?"
Allen looked up at him. "Kanda, let me go, please-"
Kanda frowned at him, then looked back over his shoulder down the corridor. "You're going to seal the Ark?"
"Yes, so let me go, I've got to-"
"So where's the inspector?" Kanda replied with a raised eyebrow.
Allen couldn't reply to that, everyone knew he wasn't allowed near the Ark without supervision. "Kanda, please, let me go…" he said quietly, tugging on his still captured arm uselessly as he tried to get away. The seconds were ticking away, for all he knew, the inspector could already be there waiting for him. He suddenly found himself slammed into the wall, a pair of hands on his shoulders pinning him into place.
"You're running away" Kanda growled slowly. "What the fuck Moyashi?"
"You don't understand, there's no time!"
Kanda scowled at him. "You're a fucking coward, running away because the going's getting rough."
"No! It's not like that!"
"Then what is it like? Tell me that before I drag your sorry corpse to Komui's office."
"You idiot!" Allen snapped, still tugging futilely at Kanda's hands. "Who the hell do you think set the alarms off so I could leave?!"
"What?"
"They're going to arrest me! Take me away from the Order! Komui's helping me get away before that happens, and you're getting in the way! Goddammit Kanda, let me go!"
Kanda dropped his hands in surprise, allowing Allen to push him away and take off at a sprint down the corridor. He stood for a moment, still processing what Allen had screamed at him in his desperation, before turning abruptly and following the departed exorcist.
"Kanda Yuu, have you seen Walker?" a sudden voice called to him from the direction that Allen had approached from. He turned and offered the short blonde man a furious glare.
"Well?" Link asked sharply and Kanda's glare stepped up a notch.
"Why the hell would I have seen the Moyashi?" he snapped. "Isn't he supposed to be with you?"
"Yes, but obviously he is not!" the smaller man returned irritably. "Well if you have not seen him; please continue with whatever it was you were doing. Apparently it is a false alarm." He muttered something about 'idiot supervisors' and 'robots' before stepping past Kanda and moving swiftly down the corridor in the direction of the Ark room. The blaring of the alarm cut off suddenly and Kanda felt abruptly deafened by the lack of noise.
Deciding that following the inspector would be a little suspicious; he turned away and started the walk back to his room. Less than a minute had passed when the harsh roar of the alarm started again and the short form of the inspector dashed past him in the direction of the supervisor's office.
Kanda allowed himself a small smirk as he spun on his heels and walked back in the opposite direction, pushing open the flapping door to the Ark room and glancing around. Although it would be hard to call it the Ark room anymore, since there was no longer an entrance to the Ark in there.