A/N: I just got through with this and now I'm about to hit the sack. The weekend was rough, so ya'll are lucky that I even touched my computer let alone got an update ready. Hope ya'll like this. G'night or day, which ever you have when you read this.

Take care,

-SugarLandBabyGirl

Chapter Three

After marching away from the graveyard and the Bishops, Dallas mindlessly wandered around the huge expanse of the church, but not daring to approach any closer. Honestly, the place gave her the creeps. A cold feeling washed over her whenever she got within four yards of an entrance into the heart of the church. If she had believed in such things, she would have thought that something was following her, haunting her as it were. "Ridiculous hokey nonsense," She muttered under her breath, brushing her sweep cut bangs away from her eyes with a lazy motion. She sighed tiredly when she happened upon what looked to be a greenhouse full of fragrant flowers. Her nose scrunched up in dislike and she was glad that she had remembered to take her allergy pills earlier that day. The absolute last thing she needed at that moment was to have her troublesome allergies start acting up.

Not having a clue as to where she had ended up, Dallas pinched the bridge of her nose to help ward off the oncoming headache. She was not lost. Dallas was too proud to ever admit it when she was directionally challenged. Just sidetracked, she corrected herself mentally with a frown. She eyed the many colorful flowers with complete distain. Did she hate flowers? Not entirely. They were just useless. They served no purpose in life, at all. Dallas figured if it didn't serve a purpose then it was worthless and flowers fit right in to that category. Aleara had loved the nasal annoyances. Her favorites were white roses, lavender and lilies. Aleara had always wanted to have her own flower garden when they were younger. Dallas supposed, in a way, that her sister had gotten her wish, whilst living at the church.

The pain was back. It had never really left, only dulled while her mind was on other things. With her shoulders squared and her back ramrod straight, Dallas eased down onto an ornate concrete bench. It wasn't comfortable by any means, but at least she knew that her legs wouldn't just suddenly give out on her and send her sprawling to the ground. She just sat there basking in the silence, staring at nothing in particular. She stayed like that for an undetermined amount of time, before her peace was unexpectedly disturbed by the sound of cheerful laughter and the soft thuds of running feet. Dallas was partially hidden between three rather large and horrendously fragrant rose bushes. Luckily she had a good view of the rest of the greenhouse, so out of boredom and partial interest, she waited for the intruders to come into sight.

Dallas wasn't surprised when she saw two little boys run past her, she had figured that only children could laugh that easily and carefree. But when she saw a nun walk in with another little boy on her hip and a little girl attached to her hand, the dark auburn haired woman paused. With narrowed eyes she gazed over each individual child and after a moment she nearly stopped breathing. Those four we her sister's, of that she was damn certain. But the number was off. There should have been five, another little girl if Dallas wasn't sadly mistaken. No, no she was sure there should have been another little girl about eight years old, but the only female Dallas could see was the one permanently attached to the patient nun's side. Dallas frowned in confusion and doubt. Perhaps they weren't her sister's children after all.

But she swore they looked just like or a perfect mix between her sister and brother-in-law, all of them excluding the second youngest boy. He looked eerily similar to Dallas herself. He had the same dark auburn hair, only shorter and the same unique gunmetal blue eyes that Dallas had inherited from her father, the infamous Field Marshal Deklan Liese. They had to be Aleara's children. There was no other explanation for their uncanny resemblances. Confused, Dallas studied the children from her convenient hiding spot. The oldest of the brood was a lanky boy about ten years old. Dallas could tell already that he was going to be tall and imperially slender, like his maternal grandfather and his aunt. He had short auburn brown hair, which was browner than the little boy he was playing with and serious set grey eyes the shade of smudged graphite.

Dallas knew, from experience, that he would make a topnotch soldier when he was of proper age. It was deeply rooted in his blood after all. The second little boy was the one that could have been Dallas' twin. He looked to have been about seven, and was already showing signs of his military heritage, as he playfully wrestled his older brother to the ground. He probably wasn't going to be as tall as his brother or as slender, but he too would make a good soldier, if his actions were anything to go by. The next child was the only little girl. She was incredibly shy, fragile and reserved, still clinging to the nun like the older female was her very lifeline. That one was not fit for the military. She was a tiny version of Aleara. She had the same hair color as her mother, a warm light brown with distinctive red tones. Her soft cloud gray eyes however, belonged to her father.

The last child was a perfect mix between his parents. He had feathery mahogany blond hair. The blond belonged to his father, Bael and the dark gray eyes he inherited from his paternal grandmother, Elaina. He looked to have been no more than three years old at the most. He was too young yet for Dallas to be able to tell if he was military worthy or not. In a few years she would be able to tell, but at the moment he was sleepily sucking on his thumb, drool slipping down his curled hand and onto the nun's shoulder in a slow steady stream. The situation was only made once when the toddler rubbed his bubbly snot dripping nose on the nun's robes. Dallas' face scrunched up in visible disgust at the sight, she was even more sickened when the boy began to pick at his nose and put those fingers back into his mouth. After the nun patiently wiped the snot and drool from her clothes and chastised the boy for putting his dirty hands into his mouth, he slipped into a light slumber.

Dallas could not believe that her sister actually wanted her of all people to take care of children, even if they were blood related. Dallas suppressed as shiver of revolution and glared dangerously at a nearby flower that had the nerve to invade her personal space. It was a dark red rose; the color was so deep that it almost looked black in the right light. Dallas' eyes slid from the innocent flower back to her sister's children when she heard a commotion. The two oldest boys were once again wrestling. The oldest was winning this time, but the younger was fighting for all his worth. His face was set in a look of determination that Dallas found herself to be proud of. His gunmetal blue eyes were narrowed and his teeth were clenched together so tightly Dallas wondered if they would break under the pressure. His lips drew back in a snarl as he withered beneath the older boy and with a particularly wild kick, that was perfectly aimed, the smaller boy sent his older brother sailing over his head in a great deal of pain.

The nun jumped to her feet with a loud gasp and began lecturing the boy, while his brother curled up in a fetal position moaning in pain. The youngest boy was startled awake and began to cry, loudly. The kid had a great pair of lungs, unfortunately. The mini Dallas frowned and started yelling at the nun, which caused the little girl to start crying for her mother. Dallas watched on unimpressed as the older boy finally got a hold of himself and proceeded to tackle the smaller boy to the ground. Another wrestling match ensued, and Dallas having seen and heard enough to last three lifetimes decided to take her leave. Silently she snuck out of her hiding place, without glancing back and quickly headed towards the exit, eager to get away from that chaos. When she got to the exit, which was also the entrance, she nearly sighed in relief but almost instantly wanted to groan aloud when she spotted familiar white robes out of the corner of her eye. Instead of doing either, she frowned, and turned to face the blond Bishop.

"You wanted something, Bishop?" She asked stonily when he did nothing but take deep drags from his cigarette, much to her disgust. After finishing off his cigarette, Frau shifted to catch the military woman's gaze. "They're actually good kids, despite what you may have just seen." He told her seriously, while trying to keep his tone passive. Dallas' eyebrow twitched, but she held her tongue. "They miss their parents, especially the oldest two." Dallas could understand that. "I don't think the youngest actually understand that their mother is gone for good yet." Frau's gaze shifted from Dallas' face to the greenery when the shouting grew louder. He sighed under his breath feeling sorry for the poor nun who had been put in charge of the children. He'd have to go break the oldest boys apart in a minute. Dallas watched him closely noticing the disappointed frown pulling at the edges of his lips.

"Why are there only four children? The last I heard she had five, another girl." Dallas asked pointedly, her curiosity finally getting the better of her. The Bishop's head turned around so fast that she suspected he nearly broke his neck. His expression was one of confusion and she swore anger flashed in his eyes before sadness touched at his irises and then his face fell into a placid mask. "You don't know?" He asked lowly, his tone unidentifiable. "Apparently not, otherwise I would not be asking, Bishop." Dallas returned, her tone touching at frustrated. "Adalia, the oldest girl, contracted an illness a year ago. She didn't make it." He told her coolly, his gaze steadily growing colder as he spoke. Dallas' eyes momentarily went wide from shock, before she quickly schooled her expression. Her sister had not told her that in any of her letters, but then again Dallas had never actually asked.

"I see," Dallas had no idea what to say but apparently that was not what she was supposed to say as the blond Bishop's expression darkened considerably. His clear blue eyes turned acidic and Dallas silently mused to herself that if he could have killed her by glaring alone then she would have suffered a positively horrendous death. "If you'd have bothered to be her sister then you would already know this." Before Dallas could form a retort he spoke again, his tone as deadly and condemning as his gaze. "Do you even know their names?" Dallas squared her shoulders in defense, that last jab hitting her particularly hard. No, she did not know their names. She would not admit that aloud, but she needn't have to as the Bishop seemed to be able to read the answer in her gaze. "Go back, they don't need you." He scoffed before briskly brushing past her to take care of the escalating fight.

Dallas stood there staring ahead at nothing, even after his departure. She grit her teeth and her gaze narrowed dangerously. Dallas had never actually hated anyone, even her enemies, but that blond Bishop was coming as close to being loathed as he could be. 'Blond bastard, what the hell does he know?' Dallas ranted in her mind as she stormed away from the greenhouse, as angry as she had ever been. He was right of course, about the children not needing her in their lives. But what stung the most was his accusation that she hadn't been a good sister. Dallas had her faults, everyone did and maybe she hadn't been around when Aleara needed her most, but they lived separate lives. Aleara had always encouraged Dallas to do what she wanted, to pursue her dreams to the fullest and to not look back. Was doing just that a mistake?

"He doesn't know shit! Stupid God loving bastard," Dallas cursed the blond aloud, ignoring the horrified nun's she stormed past. She was too lost in her anger to care. Who had protected Aleara from an abusive suitor? She had. Who had reset her bones after Aleara fell down the stairs? She did that too. Dallas had protected Aleara as much as she could, before her sister met Bael and Dallas had been shipped off to the Military Academy on permanent basis. Dallas was the protector. She couldn't cook or tend to the home like Aleara could, but that was not Dallas' strengths and that blond Bishop had no right to accuse her of being a bad sister when he knew nothing of what Dallas had done for her older sister. As much as Aleara had taken care of her, Dallas' made sure to pay her back tenfold.

She was one more accusing comment away from snapping and blasting that blond with a Zaiphon he would never forget. But if she did then she would disgrace her station and the Military, so that was a no go. She would have to find something to do while she was at the church, or avoid him altogether. The second option sounded better than the first. By the time she had cooled down from her burst of rage, she realized that she had managed to find her way back to her hawkzile. The angry Lieutenant Colonel sucked in a deep nerve calming breath and sat down on the hawkzile. She had already shamed herself enough by actually letting that Bishop get to her and then losing her temper. She had never lost it like that, not even when she was young. What was wrong with her? Dallas ran her palms down her face and sighed heavily. It was the church, she realized moments later. She had been on edge since she had first stepped foot in that place and that Bishop only made it worse.

"Are you alright?" A kindly voice asked. Dallas tensed at the familiar voice and immediately straightened her posture. "Yes. Thank you for asking." Dallas' firm gaze met soft violet and she knew without a doubt that he had witnessed everything. The other probably had too. They seemed to travel in pairs most of the time. "Do you want me to leave now, Bishop?" Dallas asked bluntly, thinking that was why the shortest Bishop was there. His soft childish features turned troubled and he shook his head. "No, of course not. Why would you think that?" He asked confused. "I cursed your friend and your God. I scared the nun's as well. Do you really want me here, Bishop?" Dallas asked challengingly, her gaze penetrating. Surprisingly the youthful Bishop only chuckled softly at her explanation and didn't seem fazed by her intimidating expression.

"I do not believe that you wish any of us here ill will, even Frau." Dallas' expression darkened at the mention of the blond. "Don't be so sure of that Bishop." She returned stonily. Labrador only smiled gently, as if he understood. "Frau overstepped his boundaries, but you must understand that he really cares for those children and only wants what's best for them. He doesn't realize that you are what's best for them, yet. Eventually so will you." The short Bishop explained knowingly. Dallas eyed what could easily be a small clone of Ayanami with furrowed brows. He sounded so sure of his prediction, as if he knew what the future held, but Dallas was highly doubtful. As if sensing her disbelief Labrador smiled again. "You don't realize it now, but you two have much in common. Just give it time and you'll see." With those last cryptic words the little Bishop turned away and walked away just as silently as he had appeared.

'Strange people,' Dallas rolled her tongue over her bottom teeth and shook her head. She had really got herself into a bizarre situation this time. She couldn't walk away from the church, yet. Aleara's bills and will needed to be taken care of before she could go back to the Academy, where everything made sense. She was not staying any longer than she absolutely had to. She had seen the children, so all that was left for her to do was take care of the children's finances and then she was through with them for good. The blond Bishop seemed to have them under control well enough, so they would be looked after in her absence. Perhaps she would see one or two of them again later in life, if they decided to join the Academy. 'Highly doubtful,' Dallas immediately corrected her outlandish thinking. There was no way anyone at the church would let them join the Military, especially the blond.

Dallas stayed perched on the hawkzile for a least another hour, before she decided that she had calmed down enough to return to the church. She stripped her cloak off and stashed it. She really didn't care about hiding who she was. It wasn't like she was ashamed. There was no reason for her to be in the first place. She was honorable and served with distinction. Her battalion had the lowest mortality rate for both civilians and soldiers and one of the highest success rates among the whole Military. That was not something many others could claim. Lead by example, her father had taught her and if you're a good, respectable leader then people will follow you without reservation. Dallas could strike fear into her soldiers but she preferred not to. Honestly, Dallas thought she was quite lenient with her subordinates, especially with one pesky Major.

Dallas paused before an entrance into the church. The two Bishop's she didn't mind were only yards away and she needed to speak to them about a place to stay. The strange feeling of being watched and haunted by something she couldn't see prickled at her skin. With determined strides she broke through the invisible barrier and the feeling instantly dulled to a level that she could easily ignore. Her dark auburn bangs shifted to cover her left eye and she nodded in a silent greeting to the red-haired Bishop when he greeted her almost as kindly as the purple eyed Bishop. After a short moment of pleasantries the two Bishops showed her to her room and told that they would come get her when dinner was ready and that she was welcome to explore the yard until then if she so wished to.