A/N: Hah, didn't take long to update this time. Thank you to Emoen (thanks once again for the tip), CupcakeMonster123 (thanks for the compliment but I have a long way to make it professionally. I still need to work on my grammar for one), and The Nobody Prince (lol, I'm just trying to keep track, but I do like the name too) for the reviews. I feel proud about this chapter though. In this chapter, the readers will find a little bit more of Lina's dark past. There's some Lina and Pavi moment here, and there's some Graverobber and Shilo moment as well. I guess I want to make up for last chapter with a bit of some fluff as some would call it. Wonder if I did a good enough job with it. I still need to work on Pavi though. I just don't see him the way I'm portraying him. I hope nobody gets worked up about how OOC he is. Well, have fun reading this chapter!

Chapter Twenty-One

Lina was settled down on Mia's bed, resting. It was the first time anybody saw her in such a calm and still state. Mia laid her cool hand on Lina's forehead. She nodded when she got an estimated temperature. She pulled a blanket over her friend and left her to sleep as everyone followed her out, leaving Nate to close the door behind him when he got out last. He couldn't help but give one more worried glance at Lina before closing the door.

"Will Lina be all right?" Shilo asked worriedly. Mia nodded as she threw away all the bloodied up cloths used.

"She's lucky to be standing. She doesn't have a fever or have any infections, so she would be able to recover faster," Mia assured her.

Shilo nodded. Everyone became quiet though as they sat in the living room. Mia noticed that Shilo and Nate had questions about Lina and whether or not what Angel said was true. Mia couldn't allow them to question Lina, so she took it upon herself to reveal the truth about what Angel said.

"It's true. Lina did kill innocent lives before," Mia told them in a quiet manner. Shilo and Nate felt themselves clutching their hands into a fist. It was a startling revelation to them. Something they couldn't believe in. The one who seemed to protect the innocent was the one that used to kill them.

"What?" Graverobber asked, confused to where the announcement is coming from.

"I might as well tell you all at once before you try to come up to her and ask. Nobody should ever hate her for something that had happened way back," Mia started before she took off her glasses and started cleaning them.

"Tell us," Shilo said determinedly.

"At that time, she was running rampant because of her brother's death. Killing people blindlessly. She realized what she had done and felt guilty ever since," Mia continued simply.

"How would you know?" Graverobber asked, now curious.

"Because I was there, and she was about to kill me as well. Thankfully, she woke up from her crazed state before she did real damage to me. I only managed to get out alive with a few scratches. Unfortunately, some others weren't as lucky as I was," Mia said, "But you have to understand, her brother was the only one that she cared greatly about at the time and was the only living relative that wanted her. He was also the one that changed Lina into who we all know. Back then, Lina and I didn't know each other very well, so I was just a stranger to her. I'm sure if we had became friends sooner, she would not have let out her pain, sorrow, and anger in that way."

"You know so much about Lina, Mia. She rarely talks about herself in the four years I've known her. How could you know so much?" Shilo asked, feeling rather left out among her friends.

Why was she the only one that didn't know anything? Did Lina think Shilo would be so judgmental of her? Didn't Lina trust her enough to tell her secrets to Shilo? These questions were only a few of the many questions that plagued Shilo's mind. It was as if Lina had suddenly turned into a stranger to Shilo, which in turn made her upset at herself for thinking like that. No matter who Lina is; no matter what kind of past or hidden dark secrets she has; Lina was still her friend, and Shilo would never allow herself to despise her for something that happened before they met.

"Because I only heard stories about her from her brother before he was killed," Mia answered before she glimpsed at Luigi for a bit before turning back. Luigi caught her looking at him on time and wondered what that look she gave him meant. "I've known her brother before I ever met Lina, and he was also a patient at my clinic. He often visits my clinic because of his anxiety attacks. Her brother has always been a weak-hearted man, but he loved his sister very much. He would always be full of energy when he talks so fondly about her to others." Mia let out a rare sad smile, gesturing she respected the man.

"Her brother was killed?" Shilo asked. Mia nodded. "By who?"

"I don't know, but I have a faint idea since I checked his body before he got buried," Mia said, "Only Lina knows the truth."

"I didn't even know Lina had a brother," Shilo whispered sadly. Graverobber laid an arm around Shilo's shoulder and held her close to his chest. Shilo smiled a bit at the comfort of his warmth.

"She rarely speaks about him. It would hurt her too much if she did," Mia answered.

"The Pavi must excuse himself," Pavi said before he stood up and went upstairs.

He was about to go into the bathroom, but he stopped and looked over to Mia's room. Instead of continuing on to the bathroom, he walked over to Mia's room with quiet footsteps. He turned the knob as quietly as possible and entered the room, closing the door as lightly as he could. He walked over to Lina and watched her unconscious state. He trailed his fingers softly against Lina's face. He frowned when her brows creased together. She looked like she was in pain. He pulled back his hand and let it go back to his side.

"How long have you tortured yourself, bella?" Pavi asked quietly. He took off his white mask and just stared at her.

His expression became softer before he hovered over her. His hair slowly slid down and surrounded his face as he got closer to Lina's face. His hair brushed against her skin, but he didn't really care. He got closer and closer until his lips almost brushed against hers. He moved upwards before he softly pecked her forehead, her right cheek, her chin, and then her left cheek. He backed away for only a bit. His hair continued to brush against her skin. It seemed that Lina was sleeping heavily this time or else Pavi would have gotten punished by her iron fist. Pavi frowned and wondered how much energy she used up to sleep through all his advances. He leaned back in, his lips close to hers. He softly kissed her lips. Her lips were quite chappy, but he didn't mind. It was a very short kiss though before he reluctantly pulled back. A few minutes later, he noticed her wince back before tears started to fall from her closed eyelids.

"Shh, bella. No one will hurt you," Pavi cooed softly against her ear before wiping away her tears.

"S-save him. Save Ray," she mumbled quietly enough for Pavi to understand.

"Ray?" Pavi questioned softly.

"He's... have left," she continued to mumble.

Pavi frowned, not knowing whether to wake her up or not. He noticed her starting to sweat before she frantically shook her head. Her hands were clutching into fists underneath the blanket.

"N-no!" Lina gasped before she bolted up in a sitting position, startling Pavi. She winced as soon as she felt the pain from her injuries. One hand subconsciously hid the side of her face while the other hand went to her injured side where she was hurt from protecting Nate.

Pavi just stood there staring at Lina. It took a few more seconds for Lina to realize he was in the room. She turned to look up to see Pavi. She sighed and shook her head.

"What is it?" She asked quietly.

"Oh, the Pavi could not turn down from watching a bella take a nap," Pavi said with a smile. Lina looked at him as if he was an odd one.

"You have a weird habit, face-stealer," Lina told him. Pavi pouted at the return of the nickname she gave him.

"It's the Pavi," he corrected her. He suddenly leaned over so that his face was close to hers. "Call the Pavi's name, bella."

Lina was startled at his brave advancement but pushed his forehead so his head leaned back.

"Don't get too close to me," Lina warned him.

"Why?" Pavi asked innocently before sitting at the edge of the bed next to her. Lina rolled her eyes before she moved enough for him to sit comfortably. Pavi smiled and scooted over as they both sat side by side.

"Because it pisses me off," she answered before she laid back down with one of her hands behind her head. He lied down beside her and he was able to have a whiff of her scent. It made Pavi smile as he never really ever smelled anyone as natural as her.

"Bella smells nice," Pavi complimented. Lina rolled her eyes once more.

"It's called soap and human odor," Lina replied, "If you are trying to get on my good side, it's not working."

"The Pavi merely states the truth." Lina chuckled and turned her head to him.

"You are such a weird man. Be glad I don't feel like hitting you right now. But if you try anything just because I let you lay beside me, I will hurt you."

"The Pavi is not weird. The Pavi just loves his women," Pavi said, "And do not worry, the Pavi will not touch the bella without her consent. The Pavi has learned from the terrible damage the bella has done to the Pavi's beautiful body."

Lina smirked before looking back at the ceiling before closing her eyes.

"If you were able to, would you want your natural face back?" Lina asked him suddenly. Pavi froze at the question before he slowly turned his head to look over at her peaceful look.

"The Pavi can never return back to having his face. The surgery that would have made the Pavi beautiful was the one that damage the Pavi's face. The Pavi could remember the burning sensation, the pain, the ugly fa-" He started before she cut him off.

"Look here, face-stealer. Mia isn't like your GeneCo doctors; she's a smartass who knows what she is doing. I'm sure, even if you didn't steal faces, your natural face would be just as beautiful. Think about it," Lina told him before she yawned. "Now, get out. I still need my nap."

Pavi reluctantly got off the bed and looked over at Lina with a pout.

"Can't the Pavi take a nap with the bella? The Pavi could make the bella feel warm and good," Pavi told her while giving her a seductive wink. Lina rolled her eyes once more and wondered if he would ever learn his lesson that seduction does not work on her.

"No. Now leave," she ordered.

Pavi groaned sadly and reluctantly left the room. After he closed the door, he finally remembered he had to go do his business. He made his way to the bathroom while he wondered why Lina was being so nice, maybe her drained energy made her more kind. Either way, he felt a little warm with her around.

After a good night's sleep from having Lina's story sinking into Shilo's mind, Shilo felt it necessary to dump everything Mia said about Lina into the back of her mind. Maybe someday, Lina will tell one of her secrets to Shilo that maybe even Mia wouldn't know about.

Suddenly, every thought suddenly flew out the window when a certain man blew near her ear, sending tingling sensations inside Shilo. She couldn't believe how sneaky Graverobber could be and wondered how and when he came into her room without her knowing. She blushed when Graverobber started to stand in front of her with those blue eyes staring down at her, even a touch on her shoulder from him sent shivers down her spine. She was too conscious in their change of relationship that it made Graverobber smirk at her obvious nervousness.

"Kid, you are acting like a frightened kitten whenever I do that," Graverobber whispered near her ear while each of his hands held onto each of her shoulder.

Shilo blushed even more yet glared cutely at him. He couldn't help but chuckle.

"It's your fault. After we kissed, you talked about making love with me and then you teased me about what you would do if we were ever alone. How can I feel comfortable with that and all those advances you make on me?" Shilo angrily told him before pinching his hand.

"Ouch," he sounded before he had to pull his hand away and started waving it as if it would make the pain go away. "I can't help it. I like to push your buttons, Kid. I'm a man after all."

"Well, you just suddenly teased me more than before we kissed," Shilo told him. Graverobber let out a small smirk and then shrugged.

"That was before I walked into unknown territory and I kind of like it now since I can do this," he said before he held her close and gave her a deep kiss.

Shilo felt her knees grow weak at the touch of his lips. It didn't take long before she let him have entrance to her mouth after she moaned. Shilo was still a novice at it, but Graverobber didn't mind. Afterall, she can have all the practice she needed to perfect it. And of course, him being the teacher made the lessons more fun... for him.

He pulled back as Shilo gasped and then blushed. Graverobber smirked and then gave a light kiss on her forehead.

"Practice makes perfect," Graverobber told her before winking at her. Shilo pouted and turned away from him, her face turning more red than before. He held her waist from behind before he nuzzled his nose against her neck. She was too addicting to him. He couldn't imagine letting her go.

As for poor Shilo, she turned an even deeper shade of red at the sudden contact from him holding her so close against him from behind. His nose nuzzling against her neck didn't help matters either. Sometimes, she wonders why she lets him torture her so, but she didn't want to have it any other way. Because to her, she couldn't imagine herself being with anyone other than Graverobber.

"I love you," she whispered suddenly. Graverobber smiled.

"I love myself too," he joked.

"Graverobber," she whispered in exasperation enough so nobody would hear but him.

"Don't be uptight, Kid. You know how I feel. Nobody is going to ever compare how much you mean to me," Graverobber told her.

Shilo smiled, knowing he loved her back even though he couldn't tell her those three simple words. She wasn't going to push him since their relationship just started two days ago. But then again, Shilo couldn't imagine Graverobber saying those three words to her. And for some reason, she didn't mind at all. She loved Graverobber the way he is. No matter how aggravating he is sometimes.

"Great. Now I have that picture in my mind all day," a voice suddenly interfered their moment together. Graverobber and Shilo turned their heads to be greeted by Lina waving at them. Shilo froze and felt a deep embarrassment to find out Lina had stared at their intimate moment. "If you are going to ask, yes, I did knock. I guess I went to the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Sh-shouldn't you be in bed?" Shilo stuttered in an almost squeal as it was the only question in her mind after the shock.

"Yeah, but I needed something," Lina said calmly. If it weren't for the painkillers for her injuries, she would have teased Shilo for it. Oh well, she could always tease her after she got better.

"And that would be?" Graverobber asked, raising his right brow in curiosity.

"A book. Anything to relieve my boredom that is called 'staying in bed'. I might as well get some reading down pat before I become a clueless zombie," Lina answered. Her fingers brushed her hair to show she was a little frustrated.

Shilo chuckled and nodded.

"You really hate staying in, don't you?" Shilo asked before she looked over to her bookcase and started to search a book.

"Of course. I don't know how people can laze about in bed for too long. It's pure torture to me. Oh, and no boring stuff. You might as well throw me out the window," Lina told Shilo. Shilo nodded again. Graverobber started to sit on Shilo's bed.

"You don't look the type to read," Graverobber said truthfully. Lina rolled her eyes.

"I'm not," she simply stated. By then, Shilo found a good mystery novel Lina would like.

"Here you go," Shilo said before handing the book to her.

Lina stared at it for a bit and shrugged.

"Better than nothing, I guess," she answered. She was about to leave but just as she turned around, she stopped. "Man, I should get out often. At least, I'm seeing some progress between the two of you. Maybe if I left again, there would be some love making going on." Lina let out a smirk and left mischievously out. Yep, the effects of the painkillers were slowly fading.

Shilo stood there frozen while Graverobber couldn't help but chuckle at the comment. It didn't take long before she yelled out Lina's name in anger and embarrassment. But for some reason, Shilo couldn't help but smile. Her friend had finally returned.