The full moon cast its silver rays across the still lively city centre. Slipping through the nights shadows, unnoticed by the people that stumbled past him in their drunken stupor, Soultar made his way to The Nexus. The small club was located in a dodgy part of town to say the least, the distant (Well, not quite distant enough,) sounds of police sirens screaming their warning for all to hear. Every now and again he would pass a group of people shouting at each other, or some silly, alcohol fuelled knife fight. He was quite amused by humans pointless antics most of the time, but he was far too lost in his own thoughts to even notice them now.

He had lost. That hauntingly true thought replayed in his mind over and over, refusing to be drowned out by the small glimmers of hope he still held. It was stupid really, how carless he had been. When he looked back over the last few months, he saw all the things he could have changed to make things work better for himself. But, the past was the past... everything in life happens for a reason, so maybe this was just life's way of saying 'It's time to change tactics.' Well, he had to now.

Taya. That small, rosy cheeked, curly haired toddler had grown up to be his enemy and there was nothing he could do about it. It was a twisted play on fate that had lead him to crossing paths with her again. In all his life he never thought he'd see her after that night so many years ago when he left her at that orphanage. The same night he promiced her father that he would never hurt her. That pact just made things difficult now. How was he supposed to crush the BPRD when it meant crushing her in the process?

The music from the club could already be heard from across the street. He stood on the curb and watched the entrance for a moment, wondering if what he was doing was the best idea. A few cars went past, spraying water up from the puddles that made the streets glow. He wasn't used to the whole people thing, so his nerves were getting to him, though he would never admit to that. Taking a deep breath, he strode across the road straight into the bar. Smells of alcohol and tobacco greeted him, but the place was surprisingly well kept and modern considering the flimsy, decreped outside, but he guessed that was the point. The owner of this astabliment didn't want attention from humans... he was a demon after all.

A band was playing lively music on the stage, just in front of it was a dance floor that was practically deserted. Tables framed three sides of the main room, the other wall being the actual bar, where people were gathering drinks and chatting. Soultar pushed his way passed a few people and slutty looking waitresses towards one of the bar tenders. Pulling down his hood, he sat on one of the high stools and waited for the man to turn his attention towards him.

"What can I get you?" Said the huge, friendly looking man. Golem just stared at him for a moment, trying to decide how best to answerer him.

"A meeting with Genie," he kept his voice low, but a few heads still turned to look at him. The bar tender swallowed hard, the greeting smile he had previously been wearing fading away. Soultar thought that he just wasn't going to reply, the look in the man's eyes telling him nothing of what he was thinking. Then, suddenly, he waved his hand in the air, flagging down a passing waitress,

"Jenny sweetie, do me a favour and cover for me?" The girl, who looked far too young to be working in such a place nodded, making her curly blond hair bounce about her head. She gave Soultar a suspicious look as she squeezed passed the giant bartender and started to take orders.

Soultar followed him when he beckoned, weaving through the people (And the demons, he soon spotted,) towards the back room. When they were inside what looked like a small office, the man closed the door. He looked aggravated, to say the least and presided to pace the room, leaving Golem standing and watching as he did so.

"What is it you want from him?" he asked finally, halting in his tracks. Soultar was about to speak when he suddenly continued, "Who are you?" now the bartender was looking at him, trying to read his face, decide if he knew him from somewhere.

"I am Soultar Golem, here to speak to Genie and Genie alone," he replied, his voice calm and collected, even when the man's face split into a wide grin.

"I thought I'd seen your face!" he laughed. Soultar's brow furrowed. He had lived most of his life in caves, how could someone recognise him? Reading the bewildered man's expression, the bartender said, quite seriously, "It's my job to know the high ranking evil geniuses."

A few seconds went by as Soultar tried to understand what the man meant, but suddenly, it hit him.

"So you're Genie?" Chuckling deeply, the fat man nodded. Golem looked very unconvinced to say the least.

"Not what you expected?" he asked, razing a bushy eyebrow. Golem felt like he was being mocked by the giants tone and simply nodded with a grunt.

"Well, your instincts are spot on – I look nothing like this, which is probrebly the reason your here," the man sat down on the old looking arm chair by the fireplace, picking up a bottle of whisky from his desk as he went. Golem watched him pour two glasses out before he joined Genie on the chair opposite. The shape shifting demon picked up his drink, swirling it around in its container and staring at it with a mischievous glint in his eye,

"Well, am I right?" he asked, taking a swig of the bitter liquid. As the glass made contact with his lips his very being changed, simmering from the fat, happy looking bartender into a skinny purple demon, his dark completion clashing with the bright yellow suit he wore so proudly. Golem was impressed, taking a moment to glance over Genie's new body. His head was crowned with a mop of dark black hair, two small red horns sprouting from his forehead and gleaming in the dark. His eyes were also a deep but bright red, glowing almost as he passed Soultar a drink. His skin seemed cracked in places, darker streaks of purple channelling their way across his face, but Golem soon realised it was his veins.

With a single gulp he downed the whisky, swallowing the bitter liquid without a flinch.

"Yes, you are," he said softly placing the glass back down. "You're one of the only shape shifting demons that can cast his spell on others." For a moment, silence swept across the pair and Genie gave Soultar a very serious look,

"Sorry sugar," he sighed, slipping deeper into his chair, "I don't do that kind of thing anymore."

"Then I'm sorry too, because I didn't come all this way to hear those words," he replied, deadly quiet bringing venom to his tone. Genies eyes flicked to the warm glow of the fire place, trying to keep his cool. He wasn't the bravest of people and he was all too aware of Soultar's power, but he switched sides a long time ago, when he realised humans weren't just overgrown apes anymore, that they really had earned their soles.

"Was that a threat pumpkin?" he said sweetly to the pail man, who frowned at his use of the word 'pumpkin.'

"Yes, I suppose it was."

River's cave

"River?" called Johann, stepping slowly into her room. She was sat on her bed, sowing a new dress for herself. She smiled up at the gas man with a greeting grin,

"Hello!" she said, laying down her silky white material, "Can I help you Kraus?"

"Vell," he began, a hissing noise escaping his suit, "I vas curious, you are a ghost, a spirit, much like myself, yet you are able to keep your original form, and still," he paused, reaching out a hand like he wanted to place in on her shoulder, but stopped himself, "You are still... physical? I do not understand?" Her chime like giggle resonated around the room.

"Oh, dearest Johann" she whispered sadly, "I'll admit that it is rather strange being around you, you feel different somehow... but I... I don't know why I'm like this either. I'm so sorry," he watched her small fingers tap rhythmically on her knees and she refused to look at him, like she was guilty.

He sat beside her and sighed,

"Vould you be villing to let me run some...tests on you? I know it sounds strange, but I consider myself an expert on these things and zere may be a vay for me to become... more real."

For a second, she remained quiet, but her lips soon parted to say something. Just as her first word breathed from her mouth, Hellboy's voice filled the air, echoing from somewhere down the corridor,

"I'm having a baby!"

"we'd better-" she began, but Krause cut her off,

"Yes, I can wait," he said sadly, heading for the door.

Taya was the first to react to Hellboy's words, diving up from the bed and jumping up and down excitedly like a five year old that had been granted the wish of ice cream. She repeated the sentence "Oh my God!" a few times, before realising how silly she looked and calming down. Red was already rushing back the way he came, also laughing happily as he practically sprinted down the corridor. Taya stretched out her hand towards Abe, who took it in his as they followed the excited demon.

It was safe to say both Abe and Taya stopped in their tracks when a still very pregnant Liz, who seemed to be in no pain at all, greeted Hellboy with a kiss on the cheek at the doorway to the kitchen.

"You'll miss it if you don't hurry up!" she exclaimed happily, "He's almost here!" The couple disappeared into the room. The cat glanced sideways at Abe, giving him a look that said, quite clearly, that she was confused. He shrugged then lead her forwards through the door way. Inside Red was standing with Liz, River and Johann, who was shouting at Ed for trying to touch the egg they were all staring at.

"It must do it himself!" the ghost exclaimed, thrusting a dangerous finger towards the surprised looking agent. Ed jumped back, away from the egg. At the same time there was a loud cracking sound and Ed's expression paled, as if someone was going to blame it on him. Hellboy edged a little closer to the shell, placing a tender hand on its surface. In response it was nudged away by the baby inside. Red glanced at everyone in the room, silent excitement glistening in his golden eyes. Nobody made a sound as more small snapping sounds filled the air.

Very slowly over the next half hour, the dragon began to push its way out of its protective casing. Taya was sat on the surface by the sink, Abe leaning on it next to her with his long arms crossed over his chest. He had seen the disappointed look take over Taya's face when she learned it wasn't Liz who was giving birth. She was still happy, but somehow he knew she was looking forward to seeing the twins come into the world. He had never thought she was a children person, though a lot of things about her surprised him.

"it's brilliant, isn't it?" he said, feeling the need to break the quiet, "This is the only animal of its kind in the world, much like myself...and we get to watch its first step!" The noise of Taya's amused chuckle met his ears, but he wasn't quite sure what she found amusing. He tilted his head towards her in question and she put her hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah, its first steps are gonna be pretty amazing, but I bet watching Red trying to teach it to fly will be better, not to mention when it figures out it can breathe fire!" He laughed at her strange remark, placing his hand on top of hers. She soon found herself in a comfortable peace, the combination of happiness and tiredness feeling oddly welcome. She let her mind wander to places she wouldn't normally let it wonder, and she soon found herself thinking about what the future might hold for her and her new partner. Sure, they were strange, different and well... not even the same species, but nothing got in the way of love... did it? She frowned at her next thought. She had formed an image of herself in her mind, holding a baby, but it wasn't Liz's or Hellboy's, it was hers. But it was difficult to see the child she held, couldn't put the image together in her head. If she and Blue ever had a baby, what would it look like? She shook her head, it probably wasn't even possible.

"It is," said Abe suddenly, speaking quietly. The others were so absorbed in watching the dragon, they didn't even notice he was talking, "or at least... I think it is," looking slightly ashamed at himself for reading her thoughts, he hopped up onto the space next to her gripping her hand tightly. She scowled at him a little, then shook her head,

"Oh, don't worry Abe, I don't want babies," she said quickly, dismissing the though from her own mind as fast as she could. In truth, she didn't really want to plan for their future, for one, it was funnier not knowing and two... Things might just not work out. Besides, they'd only been 'together' for a few days really. Then, remembering that Abe still had hold of her hand and was probably probing her mind now, she offered him a weak smile and formed an image of a catfish in her head. Abe's features creased into a frown the moment the though reached him. It took him a second to get the joke, before they both burst into a quiet laughter, so not to disturb the others.

"That's what our kids would look like," she giggled, "And there'd be hundreds of them!" Scooting a little closer to Abe, she let her eyes settle on the egg. She didn't notice Blues face pail slightly at her words, "I mean," she continued with a mischievous smirk on her lips, "Cats have an average litter of six," Abe swallowed, "And fish have thousands of little ones, so... can you imagine how fat I'd be? Not to mention all the diapers that will need changing! It's just not happening!" They Bothe smiled at each other.

"I'm closer to a dolphin than a fish, I'd like to point out," was all he said on the matter, though he got the feeling t would crop up again when Liz had her children. They returned their attention back to the shell just in time to see a small and curious, red nose poke out from under the lid of the egg. Red gave an excited squeal, that Taya was sure he'd be embarrassed about later.

Within the next few seconds Hellboy was cradling a baby dragon, who was about the size of a Germen Sheppard dog. It was making small mewling noises, stretching out its limbs for the first time, grabbing at the air randomly with tiny talons. Its comically small wings stayed tucked into its back safely as it swished it's long tail around in the air slowly. Red looked so proud, like he himself had just given birth to the wriggling lizard.

"Isn't he beautiful Liz?" he cooed, bringing up a finger to stroke the baby's nose. It's nostrils flared at the contact and his eyes focused on the offending digit, making them cross. The fewer soppy people in the room (well, only excluding Johann and Liz,) gave a collective 'aww!' Liz traced a tentative finger along the dragons stubby black horns, watching the baby look at her with it's big, golden eyes,

"He sure is," she said softly but then gave Red a very serious look, "You better be this damn excited and soppy when our little ones arrive!"

"'Course I will be babe! I can't wait to hold my kids for the first time, but for now, are you going to help me be Peregrines mummy?" The entire room gave him a look that quite plainly said, 'what the hell?'

"What?!" he said defensively, "the name means 'wanderer' in some random language!"

"Right," replied Liz, crossing her arms over her chest, "screw that, I'm calling him Zippo."

"Hey, you can't do that! I'm his mum!"

"A second ago, you wanted us both to be his mum!"

The rest of the team, after greeting the newly born into the world and getting their appointed roles of Godmothers, Godfathers and surrogate aunties and uncles went off to bed. All except Kraus that is, who stayed behind to explain to Hellboy and Liz that a baby dragon would probrebly eat just as much as Hellboy, poop as much as all of his cats put together and have the worst teething problems in the world. Liz wasn't too happy.

The team gave progress reports three times a week, as they promised Manning. They did this to keep him happy, but it only made him suspicious because they were actually doing what he told them too. The main reason they hadn't moved from the caves was because of the dragon, but one they were all keeping quiet, even from each other, was the fact they felt quite at home where they were. More food and water, along with fresh clothes were sent over for them. The excuse they told Manning for their inability to press on to the next cave was quite simple – they're trying to convince a ghost that lives there – River, to help them. This wouldn't work forever, but for now, it would have to do.

It was on the fitht progress report that Manning showed them all something very disturbing that had been circulating the news for the last few days. On a small TV that Hellboy insisted that Manning send them, they watched the recording he had sent over to them. At first they were all very confused about why he was worried about it, but things soon began to turn nasty. The image was of a preacher – a man in a white suit, with pale skin to match it. His hair was short and platinum blond, jelled back in a sleek, neat manner. He stood before a crowd of people on podium. Taya watched him closely, every movement he made making her eyes follow him. Everything about him commanded attention, the way he walked, the way he waved to the roaring crowed, the way he smiled to them like some great world leader would. The news reporter even looked happy to see him. She was explaining something about a monster attack in America, killing hundreds. Apparently the deformed creatures had appeared out of no were and destroyed homes and people before disappearing again. The team were shocked to see pictures of chimeras flash across the bottom of the screen. The pictures were blurry, obviously taken by people fleeing with phones, but they were still recognisable. She then went on to explain this man –Kain Lone, as he called himself had predicted it days before.

The room tensed at those words, mostly because they should have known if something like this was happening, so they could go and help. Hellboy was angry already, the pictures of destruction appearing on the screen making him a whole lot worse. Bothe of his hands were clenched into fists as an image of a still blood stained rode with upturned cars and fallen rubble flashed in front of him. He should have been there to help. But, as he watched, he soon learned why he wasn't called in.

The man spoke in such a magnetic, beautiful voice, he felt himself lean forwards a little to listen.

"All of what I told you is true!" he called out to the people, who cheered in his support, "The demons from hell have arrived! But worse is yet to come, as the devil himself plots against the human race! But this demon is not a stranger to you, he has walked amongst our kind free from harm for years, earning our trust and poisoning our judgment!"

And though everyone in the room secretly knew what was coming next, it didn't stop the shocked gasps escaping their lips,

"Hellboy!"

A/N: Sorry about the update time XD Hope you all had lovely holidays!
There be a few people I need to say thanks to and praise their fantastically wonderful fanfictions!

First up – PhoenixCrystal! Your fanfic is amazing dearie! ^^ Your OC will be finished soon, I did two pictures of her because I really wasn't sure what style suited her best :P The only reason she isn't uploaded yet is because of my PC throwing a hissy fit at me ¬¬ Sorry about the wait! GO READ HER STORY NOW!

Next- TheBlueBottle, her messages and reviews are awesome! Not to mention her new amazing fic, that you need to read right now! Seriously! Now!

For you wonderful people that are still following this story, leaving comments and faving...Thanks so much! Your support helps me write each chapter!

To all the authors of fanficts I'm currently reading – I'll be leaving you reviews soon! Sorry I haven't been on in a while!