"Shinigami-sama. I have found out what is wrong with Marie." The scientist said without preamble once he entered the Death Room.
"Ah, Stein-kun! How nice to see ya!"
Stein ignored the pleasantries. "I need someone to break a spell."
Shinigami-sama tilted his head to the side. "Come again, Stein-kun?"
"Marie has a spell left on her from Laryn. It's preventing her from transforming and she is suffering from severe night terrors. I need someone to break the spell." Stein explained.
"Ah, well, see, that's a bit of a problem." Shinigami-sama said.
"I don't see how. We have captive witches beneath Shibusen. Surely one of them can be coerced into removing the spell on Marie."
"And if they cast another on her? None of us know enough of magic to remove it."
"Kim Diehl then." Stein said stubbornly.
"She's out with the other Spartoi, Stein-kun." Shinigami-sama explained patiently.
"Call her back in."
The death god looked at him. "I can't do that, Stein. Their mission is important."
"So is Marie!" Stein said forcefully. "She's one of your death scythes, yet it seems like you don't give a damn about her! You left her to die to a witch's hands! You refuse to help her now!"
Silence followed the man's rant.
"I care." Shinigami-sama started.
Stein cut him off. "You do not! You would rather allow her die than sully your hands!" The scientist's face was animated.
"I care about every soul, Stein-kun. Every man, woman and child; inside of Death City and out. I cannot send aid for a single soul when it may cost hundreds their lives. Please, understand." The death god sighed.
Stein was silent, his hands in fists at his side.
"Stein-kun." The man didn't respond, just twisted his screw. "Stein-kun, do you understand why I am reluctant."
"Because the fate of others is more important to you than Marie's." He said simply, his face neutral.
"I have to maintain the world, Stein-kun. I want nothing more than to aid Marie-chan, but I cannot, because to do so right now when there are those who need Kim-chan in the field and too much of a risk to her safety to trust any of the captives we have would be more detrimental than allowing her to, unfortunately, suffer through it for now."
"Again, the fate of others is more important to you than Marie's." Stein said, lighting a cigarette as he turned to leave. "If you will not help me, I will find another way. Her fate is more important to me than any other, the world be damned."
Shinigami-sama watched the man leave. "I'm sorry." The being whispered quietly.
Stein walked through Shibusen's empty halls and tried to focus his mind. Marie was weak, and without proper sleep she wouldn't be able to regain her strength.
Without warning Stein slammed his hand into the wall, his wavelength crackling around his hand and discharging into the wall, leaving a large hole and masonry rising into the air.
"I told you she was going to die. I promised you, didn't I?" Stein ignored the apparition appearing in front of him, resuming his trek back to the outside and back to Marie. The apparition pouted and then appeared in front of him. "It's useless. You can't break the spell on Marie. You don't know anyone who can. She'll die soon."
Stein swung his fist through her and heard a strangled cry. Blinking, he focused and saw none other than Kim Diehl and Jackie standing in front of him, Jackie supporting Kim.
"Come with me you two."
"Hakase Stein, we have to report in."
He grinned at the two girls. "It can wait, there's something important I need your help with."
Kim stood in front of Marie, chanting. Jackie stood beside her and stein could see that the two were resonating, Kim drawing on Jackie for more power. Marie was asleep, and Stein was watching her soul carefully. Blair sat in her cat form, watching Kim closely.
Kim stopped chanting, her breath coming fast. "It's going to take more than once, Professor. I can stop by tomorrow?"
The man nodded and the two left. He sat beside Marie on the bed. "Thank you, Blair. You're welcome to go home now."
"I'll come visit Marie-chan tomorrow, nya!" She purred out, rubbing against the sleeping death scythe's hand.
Stein just nodded. "I'm sure she will enjoy that, Blair."
Blair left the room and Stein sighed, his hand resting on Marie's shoulder where the death scythe was sleeping on her side. To his surprise she rolled her, sleep heavy in her eyes and looked up at him, one hand reaching out to him.
"Franken?" She said quietly.
"Marie?" He caught her hand with his own.
"You… you were gone so long." She said in a voice barely above a whisper. "Blair said you'd be back soon, and I tried to stay awake, I really did. But you were gone for so long."
Stein could see the tears forming in her eye and he did what was becoming second nature to him. He leaned over the prone woman, pressing his lips to hers. She made a small gasp into the kiss and he pulled back, a genuine smile on his face.
"Are you still tired, Marie?" He could see the slight panic that set over her face as she nodded. With a chuckle he stood, sliding off his shoes and lab coat. He then slipped into the bed beside her, and pulled her into his arms. He could feel the contentment radiating from her soul as she sighed and curled into his arms. She was asleep in a few minutes.
He lay there holding her in his arms, watching her soul as she fell deeper and deeper through the stages of sleep. He watched the hours tick by, and Marie's soul remained happy and docile. A smile crossed his face as he let himself drift to sleep.
'Apparently whatever Kim has done is already helping Marie.'
A/N: I hope that you enjoyed this! I'll try to get another chapter up soon. Thanks for the reviews, love you all! :D
I don't own Soul Eater.