Oh goodness, I am so sorry this chapter is probably going to be a little bit terrible and a little short. I've been suffering through some writer's block right now, so I had to just push past the awfulness. The next chapter will pick up with more action!

I'm also wondering if people would be interested in a companion piece that documents Allen's time with the Order while he's pretending to be an Exorcist. It would probably just be various oneshots of small adventures and situations Allen finds himself in, and would probably end with just before the Earl's ambush at the beginning of this story.

Once more, I love you my readers and reviewers! Thank you so much for your support, you beautiful people you.

Allen's heart leapt into his throat at the sight of her and suddenly he felt like a child again. She seemed so out of place on the black floor, a fragile butterfly, and he wanted nothing more than to scoop her up in his arms and hold her close and put that brilliant smile back on her face.

But he didn't.

Instead, he slipped into his gentleman mode, a costume that felt so much like a second skin to him, reaching down for her hand and hoping that she would let him help her up.

But she wouldn't.

She unsteadily got back on her feet, pointedly avoiding his burning gaze. The silence was palpable. Allen nervously cleared his throat.

"You should come inside. It's much warmer in there than it is out here."

Lenalee allowed herself a brief nod before she stepped past him and into the bright white. It was the piano room, she noted. The last time she had been in here, she was overwhelmed with happiness; the Earl had lost, her friends were safe, Allen was safe. But now she just felt empty. Empty and tired. She couldn't remember the last time she slept. She felt Allen place a hand very, very carefully on her back, as if she were a skittish animal, guiding her to the small couch in the corner.

"Lay down," she heard him whisper. And she obliged, surprising herself. It was if all of the events of the past day finally had their effect on her, plunging her deep in an ocean of exhaustion. Trying and failing to fight her closing eyes, she drifted off into a long-needed sleep.

Allen stood above her, looking down at her slumbering body, trying to calm his racing heart. He knew Road had sent her here. The door to his room had turned black, showing rather obviously that she had used her key again. And on Lenalee's wrist… his eyes narrowed. He was not pleased at all by the angry red marks left behind by Road's inhumanly strong grip.

He knelt down to softly take her wrist into his hand to examine it closely when he caught sight of his own skin. Juxtaposed by his Lenalee's milky skin, his grey skin... his fingers hovered just above her wrist before he let his hand fall to his side. How could he touch her? Instead, he retrieved a blanket from beneath the couch and covered her before retrieving Road's key from the door, which shifted back into the pristine whiteness it had been earlier.

How did it come to this? The question kept flitting through the 14th's mind as he now sat motionless on the piano bench, trying not to let his eyes wander to the sleeping figure who had him wrapped around her finger.

How could it have come to this? It had only been two years since he accepted the undercover mission to the Order. And yet, in those two years… he never thought it would hurt like this…

"Remember, Neah my child, your mission is one of reconnaissance. Become their friend, make them trust you, and make them care for you. That way when we do lead our final attack, you can destroy them from the inside."

"Yeah, I understand. But what if my Innocence doesn't trick their gatekeeper? What if he senses I'm actually a Noah?"

The two were standing outside a sheet of intense white light. The number 07 glowed brightly in a cheery red. The Earl chuckled, glasses glinting dangerously. "If it fails to do that, what good is that filthy Innocence anyway? Now run along. We'll be in touch so you won't get too homesick, my child."

The Earl tapped Neah forward with his umbrella, which squawked an indignant "Lero!" The Musician paused just outside the threshold, let out a small sigh, and stepped through…

…finding himself nearly greeting a massive stone wall with his face. At least, that's what he thought it was until the newly christened Allen peered upward.

"Oh no."

It wasn't a wall. It was a cliff.

. . .

Of course the Black Order would keep their Headquarters on a cliff, Allen thought bitterly as his hand found another rocky outcropping.When the Earl said that the Ark would be dropping him off somewhat nearby,he obviously only measured the distance horizontally, notvertically. Scaling a massive stone mountain definitely was not highon Allen's list of fantastic ways to start off the day.

Clutching his bag in his teeth, he grimaced as the stones beneath oneof his feet crumbled away. The fall would be very unpleasant if he were to lose his grip, to say the least. Luckily for him, he had finally reached the top after his three hour trek andheaved himself up, lying on the precipice for a minute to catch hisbreath, staring at the sky. Under the open expanse of blue and white, a strange sort of peace and excitement overcame him. How long had it been since he was out on his own? Granted he was on a mission, but who said he couldn't make it fun?

Holding his hands into the sky in an effort to shield his face from the sun, he curiously studied his now pale-peach skin. It had been a while since he had seen this color rather than his usual smoky grey. He had to admit he rather liked it.

Once his arms stopped having the consistency of overcookednoodles, he got back on his feet and faced the large, menacing blackcastle that was to be his temporary home now. He couldn't help the small excited smile that graced his lips. He could be anyone he wanted to be, with a new life and a new name, and he was going to make sure he would enjoy it.

Blinking, Allen shook the memory out of his head, cradling his head in his hands. That's how it had started, a new adventure full of promise and possibilities. And now?

A soft sigh from the couch prompted another glance in its direction. His expression softened as his eyes came to rest on Lenalee's face, her hair a chaotic, messy frame. She was still asleep, and probably would be for a long time, he guessed. He still didn't know what he was going to say to her when she woke up. Would she even speak to him? He had always known what to say to have his way, or to subtly push the conversation in the direction he wanted, but when it came to Lenalee, he always found himself speechless. It was always her – but she would just smile at his flustered behavior before striking up conversation. Despite his strength, she could always make him weak at the knees.

Well, sitting around and dwelling in his thoughts were not going to get him anywhere. He was never one for idleness. What was it that Road had been talking about? A meeting? Right. He stood up and quietly made his way back to the door, using the key to return to the black Ark. The freezing air slithered into the room as he hesitated, sparing one last look behind him at his sleeping butterfly before closing the door firmly behind him.

He would get her flying once again.