I do not own soul eater

Chapter 19

Miley's Location

Spirit proves his worth?

"So you've located her?" The Lord Death inquired while turning his head to one side.

"Yes, but they seem to be moving her. We are going to have to wait till they are done transporting her." She said while adjusting her glasses. "I think we should wait on telling Stein and Marie." The analytical weapon added.

"Are you crazy? They deserve to know." Spirit demanded.

"I just want to wait till we are sure that we have her. If we lose the signal. Stein will take off on his own like he's done so many times before."

The lab was dark, which was reflecting Stein's mood. He could not even focus on his experiments. He clicked away on nothing not really paying any attention to what he was writing at the moment. He did not care about any thing expect finding Miley. She was in the hands in the witches and it was his fault. He sighed and took another long drag on his cigarette. He pulled the pack of his pocket and discovered he only that three left. He really needed to slow down. Sure he smoked but not this much. What was making act this way? Did he dare say that he was stressed, but it was wasn't the right word. He always smoked more when Miley was in trouble. He would have to ask Marie about what he was feeling. She would understand much better then he would. He would have to wait till she got home though he wasn't sure when that might be.

He gave up on typing it wasn't getting any where. Finished off the cigarette and quickly lit up the next one. He sighed deeply. He stood up a brushed off his lab coat. With Marie in the state that she was, it would be better for her to come home to dinner waiting for her. After another drag he walked into the kitchen. He entered the kitchen and much to his surprise he found nothing... Absolutely nothing that he could use to make food. It looked like he would need to head into town. He sighed and pulled his pack out again. Two left, it was time to take a trip.

He slowly made his way downtown, he found Maka and Soul just outside of the grocery store. They seemed to be bicker with each other but they seemed to break it up when they noticed him. He was glad that Miley going missing was only effecting him and Marie. He would hate for the kids to lose their focus so close to the end of their final year. Maka hurried over to him. Stein had a feeling they where more worried about him then, they where themselves.

"Hello Professor, how is it going?" She inquired. "Is there any news?"

"Not that I'm aware of. You two should focus on your studies with the finals right around the corner. She wouldn't want you guys to put your lives on hold for her." She nodded at him.

"How are you doing?" She asked. Did it seem like something wrong? Marie had ask him that so many times, true he still couldn't explain the feeling in his chest. He knew he was not feeling alright but he could not tell them that, if he was not alright then nothing was. Nothing phased him.

"I'm fine, I just more concerned about Miss Marie." Was that alright to say to them? Did that give away their relationship? No, that should be fine, she was his partner and do they live together. "Have you seen her this evening?" Now that was normal conversation, much better, He really needed to gather his thoughts. This was not like him at all. Both students shook at their heads. He wondered where she might be. It was not like her, he sighed, he felt that strange feeling grow. He still was not sure what to call it. It was not concern, it was like concern but multiplied by some exponential number. It was fear, would admit he was afraid for Miley, and if she was going come back in one piece. He would never voice it aloud.

He entered the store, he decided to try to take Marie's mind off Miley for a while. He decided that making her favorite dinner may help. It might make her feel a little better. He quickly grabbed what he needed. He also made sure to buy several packs of cigarettes. He was going to need them. Maybe he should try to get some sleep tonight. He doubted that either of them would, not knowing where she was... He needed to keep his mind clear.

He heard the door open. He felt a small smile spread across his face. He did love the feeling he got when she walked into a room or the house of that matter. Her wavelength just filled every corner of the house. He just placed the plates on the table. Marie entered the room. "Franken, I'm impressed the light is..." She stop looking at the table. "Franken, do you we need to talk?" He knew that it would worry her, he always made breakfast and she made dinner. It had not really changed since she had come to stay with him.

"No, but are you right? You've been out for while, I was starting to get anxious."

"You where getting anxious?" She hurried over and placed her hand on his forehead. "It's really bothering you isn't it. You can talk to me about it."

"I just needed something to keep me busy." He said while pushing her toward the table. No point to put all that work in then have to eat the food cold.

"Franken, you are always busy. Miley going missing is effecting you more then you want to admit, I miss her too Franken. You can't bottle things up like this." She said while cutting into the fine meat he had prepared for her.

"Please Marie, I'm not really in the mood to talk about my feelings right now. I'm not really sure what I'm feeling right now." Shit, he had not meant to say that. "Never mind, I know it's bothering you more." He added trying to get his mind off the tight feeling in his chest. "I can't believe that I was stupid enough to leave her alone. Especially after that attack." She was right it did bothered him, but he wanted her to stay clam.

She reached out and touch his hand. "This isn't your fault. You know that right?" She asked her voice shaking lightly. "The way you said it, it was almost like she wanted to be taken." She added, while squeezing his hand.

"That sounds like her, she knew it would be better if she was taken then anyone else." He rubbed left eye with his free hand.. "If they find out who she is, she's dead." He muttered bitterly.

"Don't say that Franken, I don't want to think about it. She's going to be find, we'll bring her home." She voice began to shake more. It was his turn to give her hand a squeeze. Only Marie could make him at on indistinct right away. He tried logic with Miley first, know that it would not really work with her.

Miley sat on the floor. She took a deep calming breath. She ran her fingers over the cold stone floor. She knew they would come and get her. It may not be right away, but they would. Even if everyone else called it hopeless, Sti... her parents... would come and get her. She felt a small smile spread over her face. She thought of Mason, now it was time to solve a puzzle.

Mason... how did she feel about him? She could not stand being away from him. Was that weird? Or was it just the bond between her and Mason different, well then again she knew that. But was it really love though? She did not really know what love felt like? Her mind wandered back to the night before she left. They had been so close why hadn't she kissed him. She wanted too, but she had missed her chance. What if she didn't make it back? No she was going to make it back, and when she did, she was going to tell Mason how she felt. That she loved him.

She was brought back from her partner by the door creaking open. She looked up but had to shield her eyes from the light. All she could see of the witch was a silhouette, that feeling returned, like Miley knew her. Even just an outline seemed to connect to some far off memory of someone Miley couldn't place. "Hey, what's your name?" The figured asked in a tone that showed she already knew, Miley had to make her think she was wrong, if not she was dead.

"Miley Stein," She had to be convincing. She was never good at lying but in away, it was true, her name wasn't Miley Stein but sometimes she felt like her. The witches knew Stein didn't have a child but she didn't have a choice, it was either do die now. She had never been so scared.

"Do you really think I'm stupid?" She demanded. "I know you are the Summers girl." She laughed bitterly. A dye job and a pair of glasses isn't going to hide that from any of us girly." It really bothered Miley how her soul seemed so familiar yet so foreign. "I've seen you before and you have been getting in our way."

Miley had an idea. She hoped it worked. She wasn't good at lying but maybe just playing it back might make it more believable. "Summers?" She asked, hoping she sounded convincing. "You mean that girl from my dad's homeroom?" She said rather annoyed. "I have more skill in my little finger. She's nothing my a freak and a drama queen, her partner is the real power in their team. I mean, I'm shocked he even stayed with a freak like her." She would have to remember not to repeat this to annoy one. Stein and Mason on the top of the list, Stein would skin her alive and she did not want to see Mason upset. She would want to spend time with him, which would be rather hard if she was locked in her room and knowing Stein he would do that.

"So you found her?" Marie asked excitedly.

"Yes," Asuza said turning to her fellow Deathscythe. Either they found the tracker and trashed it or we found her. I'm almost one hundred percent that we've got her."

"Miley wouldn't have let that thing out of her sight. She would have made sure to keep it hidden. It's the only thing she really has left from them." He felt the feeling in his chest loosen. His mind started slowing down a little he could think again, well almost.

"So tell me Staff Meister," laughed the witch, "How brave are you now?"

"You don't scare me." Miley said calmly back. "You can do what you want with me." Miley knew she wasn't really fooling anyone. "You can kill me if you want, but I can tell you right now, what ever pain I feel you feel at least double that." Miley told them in all honesty.

"Well, what will the reaper do?" The witch asked in a fake sweet voice.

"It's not the reaper you have to worry about." Was Miley reply before she knew no more.

Stein lit a cigarette, he finally been able to slow down. He knew he and Marie would be back to normal when Miley was safe. He took a very long drag but he didn't feel much better. He looked over the city. It wasn't like him to come to the roof. He didn't go to his usual spot because he would reminded of Miley, though the roof held memories of the small girl as well. This was where she had fallen from trying to protect Angela. Miley had really proved herself that day. She has used her own body as a shield. He shook himself he needed to get Miley off his mind. Even if it was just for a little bit. After another long drag he sighed. He felt a light breeze ruffle his hair, usually a very pleasant sensation but nothing seemed to be pleasant these days.

"Odd, finding you up here." Came a familiar voice from behind him. He didn't have to turn to know who it was.

"Hey there, Spirit." He held out his pack of cigarettes. It was rare that Spirit smoked but, Stein was willing to share so Spirit just took one out of the low pack.

"You pack seems low, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just a little worried about Marie." He said off hand. Spirit knew about his and Marie's relationship before they had really gotten back together.

"I've never seen you so panicked before." His former partner said off hand while looking out over the city.

Was that what he was feeling? If Spirit could that meant it was clear a lot of people. No wonder Marie had been acting the way she had. Stein wondered why Spirit was looking for him. He looked at Spirit to ask and got his answer. "I don't think you should go." Stein had Spirit up against a wall his fist an inch from his face when he regained his control. He couldn't believe that Spirit had said that, this whole thing was his fault. He pulled Spirit shirt tighter.

"What if it was Maka?" He demanded, he hands where shaking. This was why Spirit was Stein partner for five years. He could push his barriers but that wasn't always a good thing.

"Then our places would in exchanged." Spirit said. He stood his ground. Stein was impressed, he never seen Spirit so serious before. "You need to clam down. I've never seen you in such a wreak before. She really means a lot to you doesn't she."

"More then I seem to understand." Stein said, while letting go of Spirit's collar. "I told her I would be there to keep her out of trouble. She knew who the witch was and I told her we needed the evidence first."

"Well you did need to." Spirit pointed out. "That's totally normal. She knows that you will keep that promise."

"Miley went to prove it on her own. Just one tap then the soul protect would have fallen right off. Damn." Lighting the cigarette that he quickly brought to his mouth. He really needed to slow down.

"See, this is what I mean. You're way to close to this. Let Sid handle this." Spirit said while adjusting his tie.

"I can't." He muttered while staring out at the setting sun. "We both need to be there. She needs proof that we are there for her." He said to himself.

"What are talking about?" Spirit could not tell what his old partner was muttering to himself. He had a feeling that he did not want to.

"Never mind, I need to head back anyway." He said quickly. Spirit watched Stein walking away. He had to ask one more questions of his old friend.

"What are you going to do if she's gone?" He asked gravely.

Stein turned back to look at him. His face calm. "She's not trust me." He blew out a large cloud of smoke. "Are you coming?" He asked as he walked away.

Spirit was unsure how Stein knew that Miley was alright, but soon got his answer. Mason was waiting for them in the Death Room. The weapon would have been falling to pieces if his meister was gone.

"When are we leaving?" Mason demanded. It was clear to Stein that the weapon was filled int on what was going on.

"As soon as you calm down." He said. "We need to go in with level heads. Mason you need to be extra careful, you are going without a partner. I want you to keep toward the back." He told the weapon. He sighed, he needed to level his own head as well. He was glad to see the determinism in the boy's eyes. He knew that there was no point of telling him to stay here. He wouldn't not while his meister was unaccounted for. "We're not going to get her, just to lose you."

"Got it," Mason said while nodding at him.

Stein just wanted to get Miley and get her home, but his feelings where nothing compared to Mason's. He sighed. He didn't like the feeling in his chest. He felt like he was missing something. He was right.

A shout out to mcoyne thanks for being a fan! It's been awile since I've done one of these. See you next everyone!