A/N: Some roundabout Lavi/Lena angst, and time for a lead-in to (upcoming) action!

This chapter contains some references to earlier chapters. Just putting that out there in case some of the memories characters have sound familiar. ;)

...aaaand I'm now shooting to end this fic at chapter 20 if I can. Only a couple more things to cover, and it's a nice round-ish number (double the prequel's length, tho OTL).

Lavi and Imelda were out walking. 'Patrolling,' they called it. It was a fine day in Sète and there was little else to do for the time being. Especially considering how much of a third and fourth wheel the two of them were to Lenalee and Raphael. At a peaceful time like this, young lovers should be able to spend time alone together. Right? What Lavi wouldn't give for a sky full of Level Ones to smash into dust right now. For those nice, satisfying explosions. For the sense of greater purpose. But—

It's not like being the next goddamn Bookman is fucking purposeless! Damnit!

If there weren't going to be any akuma, maybe he could crash his fists through a wall, or ride his Innocence out over the ocean until he was all alone, and scream until he lost his voice? Something…

"You're not hiding it well," Imelda accused, wagging a finger in his face. "But it's okay."

"Huh?" It was instinctual— only natural to him to put on a pretense of ignorance if the slightest chance existed for a delicate issue to be dropped. He looked right in her eyes: "No idea what you mean."

"The jealousy, obviously," she answered coolly, yet without a hint of offence at the lie. "You were all loose and carefree at breakfast, but the tension— the heaviness in your every step now… it's painful to watch."

Lavi's lips pressed together in contrition. He noticed now that their aimless strolling led them back to the same little footbridge they had visited with Allen, two days before.

"You know I know about your feelings, Lavi. Go ahead and vent a little. It'll help."

"Think so?"

"Yeah," she smiled sadly.

In truth, a rueful Lavi realized, his inner self wasn't truly distinct from his outward persona. It was only numb to his longing. Or so he'd like to think, even then.

His last defences were frighteningly weak. Every layer of his being felt something.

So… "Ladies first."

"Hmm?"

"You're gonna tell me what's got ya so down all the time, Imelda."

If he was to heal by bleeding emotion, this girl was in for some bloodletting too.

oOoOo

"Well shit…" Lavi had winced through the story and continued to grimace even now. But it wasn't like he wished he hadn't heard it in the first place. Imelda could tell he was just fishing for something relevant, yet reassuring to say. The thing was, the world of Exorcists, Akuma, the Black Order, Noah… wasn't the most uplifting to draw from.

"I'm sorry. That's why I didn't want to burden anyone else with this stuff—"

"No, no, you haven't. It's good you've let someone… me… in… is all." Lavi seemed to reflect to himself on something he just realized. It probably had little to nothing to do with what Imelda had just told him, but she was okay with that. Very okay with that, in fact, if it turned out sharing her problems might help him too. "That's a lot to have been through. All that injustice… and just plain bad luck."

"I know I shouldn't say this, but there's just so much I wish I could have done differently."

"You know why you shouldn't say that, though. Right Imelda?"

She tilted her head, unsure and inquisitive.

"It's not because you you'll feel bad if you think about it. We can't all just forget—"

She felt her brows furrowing as if on their own…

"—but we can at least stop blaming ourselves for everything that goes wrong on our 'watch.' Ya know?"

Imelda realized she was staring at the ground now. (Lots of good pebbles there to throw.) She spotted a small figure skipping by her and Lavi on the bridge, too. She didn't catch the face but it reminded her of the girl from the other day—

Oh no, where are my manners?

She looked back up into Lavi's eyes for a second. "I-I-I guess?"

As if reading her mind, Lavi snatched up one of those pebbles. He tossed the little bit of gravel up and caught it in his hand a few times before launching it over the railing of the footbridge. It flew for some time before plunking down into the water. She smiled a little when he winked and handed her one of her own to throw. Clad in dark-grey uniforms, a trio of schoolgirls passed by; gasping, giggling, and whispering into each other's ears.

People must think we're a couple!

She suppressed a bitter laugh, squeezing the rock in her hand.

Lavi's the heartbroken 'single' and… I'm just barely—

"It's not easy to let go…" Lavi resumed with eyes very distant; his mind elsewhere even as he spoke. "But maybe think of it like clearing this bridge. One small stone at a time."

"If I could, I'd just take a big push broom and clear them all— wipe all of it out…"

Actually, I want to get to one side, wreck the whole thing, and start all over.

"Well actually…" Lavi began hesitantly, then changed tack, his tone disappointed and almost accusatory; "You just want to forget everything. Don't you?"

Imelda's features hardened, becoming almost defiant. "Every day back at HQ I'm tempted to ask the Science Department if they can help me— i-if they can—"

"Erase memories?" Lavi finished by way of interruption, expression now as impassive as hers was. Appraising. "So what's stopped you until now?"

'Wait— Stop! Please, you can't!'

'A shame my dear— you do seem like a lot of fun… but you're dangerous.'

'Aaaughhh, God, it fucking hurts!'

Someone's laughing. Who's laughing?

'Young Miss! Excuse us, Young Miss!'

Voices played through her mind— random and disjointed— blocking out all other thought.

"Hellloooo… Imelda? Whoa. You okay in there?"

"Uh… sorry." She feigned sheepish embarrassment. Though he could surely see it was an act, she gambled he wouldn't be able to sense the horror she'd just relived.

"Distracted?" His lips were firmly pursed.

"Umm… you asked what sto— what's been preventing me… from asking them to…"

"Yeah. So what was it?"

"Respect… and responsibility. I can't forget about all the people I failed."

"So, in other words, guilt." Lavi let his gaze drop here.

Those same three schoolgirls were on their way back again.

Her mouth formed several shapes, yet no coherent phrases pushed out of it.

"You seek forgiveness from those who aren't around to give it." Lavi's eye was kind; sad, tired maybe, but not judging.

He wasn't judging her at all, she realized. Not like she thought. "I…"

"Monsieur, Mademoiselle—" the children called out, laughing, and Imelda felt a chill go through her body. She stiffened as she turned to face them. Although they were smiling, there was no coherent emotion in their clear and pretty eyes… except one.

Lavi plastered on a big grin for the little girls, answering in French: "What can we do for such pretty young ladies—?"

"Back, get back!" Imelda shouted. "They're akuma!"

oOoOo

Raphael was playing the piano again, but this time without the groupies. Well, there were some young girls checking him out here and there— dashing young Exorcist and all —but they kept their distance; unlike female Finders, administrative workers, and support staff back Home. Both then and now, Lenalee reflected, she was… annoyed. All in all it was an odd sort of 'jealousy.' She never really cared so much about girls looking at him. She wasn't insecure at all that one of them would draw his affections away from her. Honestly, she just wanted to know what was on Raphael's mind when he played.

He finished a tune he'd been plunking away at— sometimes light and absent-minded, and sometimes forced and fitful. Lenalee figured he must be uncomfortable about something. He began to look up at her now, pausing a moment to smile awkwardly at a pair of girls who applauded. Considering Raphael habitually forgot about such girls as rapidly as he noticed them, it surely wasn't what was discomfiting him. Or was it?

He breathed an inaudible sigh of relief when she jerked her head to indicate he should return to their table. With him being more of a 'big picture' type, Lenalee was reasonably confident he wouldn't notice her struggle to stop tapping her finger impatiently on the side of her virgin cocktail glass ('Yeah it's morning, but meh. Not like I'm having alcohol'). Certainly not the way she kept recrossing her legs under the table…

"I'm so relieved," he breathed as he slipped into the seat next to her, slumping over slightly. Several pairs of eyes that had been following him all simultaneously widened and looked away.

"You looked for a minute like you might be in over your head there, Raphy."

For a moment there was a panicked look on his face that looked suspiciously like it was answering 'I was!' but then he simply stated: "I'm very glad you're here, Lenalee."

"It'll be our turn to patrol the town soon, so…" So… what? Lenalee wasn't sure what to say or do anymore. He was so comfortable with her most of the time, and she was glad of it— wouldn't have it otherwise —but something was just off.

'No idea whatcha mean, but there's nothing another girl could offer that you haven't got!'

Lavi knew just what to say, back then— the last time Raphy was at the piano. Lavi had always been so in tune with her feelings. So… attentive. Raphael wasn't exactly ignoring her though. He was just socially awkward was all. She knew better than anyone that he cared and he meant well, but Raphy just wasn't the kind of person to pick up on subtle emotional cues. Nothing like Imelda… or Lavi, for that matter…

"Something wrong?"

If it was Lavi, he'd be reaching over and putting his arm around me, or joking about taking baths together… wait, why do I have to keep comparing them like this?

"N-no, not at all," she smiled in an entirely unconvincing manner.

Even Raphy wasn't fooled. "I'm sorry, but you literally looked so upset just then."

"Huh?"

'—he's not nearly as awkward as he thinks he is.' Imelda had said, a day ago.

B'rain flapped down to nest on Raphy's head, Timcanpy-style.

'He's a really great guy. I guess he just needs people to remind him of that once in a while.'

"Um well, I wasn't upset exactly, but I admit I was a little concerned you might not be having that good a time."

"Wha-what? Things have calmed down so much and now I'm here in this great town, and I'm with you, and… things literally couldn't get any better…"

He doesn't sound very convinced, himself. What's wrong with us?

When I think back, it's always been this way. We've always been… holding back…

"Hey Raphy, do you think…"

"...think what?"

"Maybe—"

BOOOOOM!

The entire building trembled with the shockwaves from some kind of explosion or heavy impact outside. And there was screaming. So many voices screaming. For Exorcists.

"Akuma?" Raphael's eyes widened.

"B'rain, can you fly up and lead the way? I'll carry Raphy. We're going straight there."

The brilliant red bird streaked out the tavern window and hovered there, awaiting the two Exorcists quickly emerging from an adjacent door. A clock struck nine o'clock as all three took to the sky.

oOoOo

Madame Jugan sipped calmly at her tea. Allen and Marie adjusted their dropped jaws, Luke's eyebrows met his hairline, and Kanda's lip curled in distaste at the complications that would undoubtedly arise. Even Timcanpy hovered skeptically, scrutinizing Christophe, who sat with arms crossed and expression haughty.

"E-excuse me, but you mean for us to believe that— that you're both Innocence?" Allen asked, incredulous. Timcanpy landed at Allen's left shoulder in an offended 'huff' …of sorts.

"Correct," Christophe answered. "Is this really so hard to believe?"

"T-talking Innocence!" Luke uttered in delight.

"In human bodies," Marie added, sounding disturbed. "With beating hearts…"

"Doesn't surprise me at all," Kanda interjected with noticeable contempt. This wasn't just his ordinary brand of surliness coming through, Allen observed. "Explains the boat—"

"Wait," Allen cut in, "If you're Innocence then how about back in Sète? The young woman and little girl! Were they also— Were they t-two more—"

Christophe smiled. "Well yes. Both are innocence, like me. 'Mamà,' however…"

"That was me." Madame Jugan giggled. Giggled! Then she stood up and changed her appearance to resemble the young 'mother' again, right then and there.

"What?!"

Ha-hem. She cleared her throat before returning to her older form to retake her seat.

"Oh wow. That's so weird!" Luke looked more intrigued than shocked. "So not only can Jeanne change ages at will, but you've even met other… er… other ones?"

"Y-yeah," Allen answered him. "I guess…?"

'Mais moi… je… n'suis pas… une Exorciste, chérie—'

'Vraiment?'

So that little girl that thought Imelda was— that little girl was—

"I… then you've been following us, haven't you?" Marie asked, obviously bothered.

"We certainly have, but we wouldn't be so uncouth as to let any of you detect us," a stuffy Christophe assured.

"So in other words, the ones you've been sensing aren't us," Madame Jugan offered.

"I keep telling you, Marie, as soon as whoever it is comes out, I'll just slice 'em up," Kanda sneered. Allen looked away lest his mind wander at the site of his boyfriend squeezing the covered blade at his side. "Simple."

"That's uh… easy for you to say, Kanda." Marie replied, barely retaining his usual tact.

"There are two other… entities… tracking the bunch of you right now." Madame Jugan— Jeanne —revealed. "We have absolutely nothing to do with either of them."

"Two! But—"

"Entities?"

"Ooh how scary."

"Tch."

"Beware, Exorcists."

"But… but that's it, isn't it? Our mission's done!" Allen tried. "If you're Innocence well um… pardon me… but…

"Beansprout's right. You're coming back to HQ with us."

"Oh no. Not us," Jeanne laughed.

"Especially not me," Christophe emphasized.

"We're experienced enough to work on our own. We don't require humans to synchronize with… anymore."

Anymore?

"Maybe they heard about Komui's tinkering…" Luke hazarded the silly guess with his typical air of amusement, despite the circumstances. "Oh the dirt I've heard about—"

"If you mean what he does to Exorcists and Innocence, then it's true, all of it…"

"Don't let Lenalee hear you say that, Allen." Marie chided him lightly.

"I think she'd probably just agree with me."

"What is it you want from us," Kanda demanded, unmistakeably disgusted; "Innocence."

Christophe turned to Jeanne and nodded his proud little head.

"I've surrounded this place in illusions in order to prevent your pursuers from hearing or seeing things they shouldn't. I shall release that barrier momentarily."

"Love." Christophe spat the word, for some reason sounding very angry: "A lone human surrounded in feelings of love. You will find just such an Exorcist for us."

"L-love?" Luke began to repeat, but suddenly froze in place as a severe Christophe approached. The Finder's facial expression was stuck; he remained still as a statue.

What's going on?

A strong wind began to encircle the small group as Christophe turned his back to all but Luke and… spread his wings.

That's right, if he's Innocence, then…

"Luke!"

With a somewhat apologetic expression, Jeanne spoke once more: "Be on your guard now, Exorcists. Things will become dangerous."

Strongly circling winds picked up all the dust and dirt on the ground, sending it swirling around them and into their flapping clothes; grit forming in their eyes.

"Luke, are you there?"

And then all of a sudden, as if nothing had happened, the four of them were sitting at their breakfast table again; hair and clothes ordered as ever. Wait, four of them?

"What happened to—?" Marie began.

"I don't know."

"Tch. They're just gone."

"What happened to what?" Luke asked, smiling in his usual carefree way as if he hadn't just been closed in on by a freaky, winged, child-like Innocence.

"Uh-err…"

"Oh, you mean Jeanne and Christophe?" Luke gestured to two relatively clean breakfast platters at the empty seats in his vicinity— so there were traces left of their presence at least.

"Y-yeah."

"Well it was a little rude of them to leave early, but they at least apologized and left some money, right? No harm done."

"Apologized?" Kanda scoffed.

"Jeanne would have asked us to excuse their early departure, I'm sure." Allen speculated.

"Right, she begged our pardon. You don't remember? How strange!"

"Strange doesn't even begin to describe this…" a bewildered Marie commented.

Somewhere nearby, a clock struck nine o'clock and began to chime.

"Oh well," Luke went on, "At least it's settled where we're going next…"

"It is?"

A/N: Thanks for reading! If you enjoy this or my other fics, and you think it might be nice for me to write a drabble on the topic of your choosing, do I have a proposition for YOU! I will explain the details in an upcoming (untitled as of yet, lol) drabble collection, so please watch my account for it!