Click...Click...Click...

Spiked heels tapped the steel skeleton of a roof, the tiles and plaster had been torn off by a previous storm. It had been a few days since he had conversed with his "partner in crime" so he decided to pay a visit. Only his previous deceased masters and the dark sorcerer knew what he looked like outside his mortal skin, thus when the Undertaker saw his blackened shadow enter his drafty, torn up shoppe he smirked eerily. The corpse of a blond boy was in his arms, stitches covered the blond boy's face and his skin was as pale as someone who had been drained off all their blood. It was obvious that he had been eviscerated as well, a long length of stitches ran down his bare stomach, "Oh, Mr. Michaelis, I must thank you for this specimen. His corpse was a perfect variable, his soul now resides asleep in some young child. Only then shall I see if this dark magic works,"

"It was no trouble," Sebastian smirked, sitting down on a burnt stool, "I still have no idea why you're conducting these experiments,"

"The board thinks I am conducting experiments to hide the essence of a reaper from demons; better their demon hunts and investigation." he chuckled, setting the body down in its coffin, "It's a shame how the boy died, but I suppose it is comforting to know he shall live on in life,"

He clasped the coffin shut, "Alois Trancy, Jim Macken, sleep comfortably. You'll awake a few days from now in a new life,"

"Who's body did you place him?" Sebastian asked.

"A boy who is in a coma, he is dead already. Alois will awaken in a new body, I will at least be half-way done with my experiment," he kissed the coffin. Sebastian chuckled, swishing some of his hair off of his deformed, grotesque face.

"I don't see the point, you cannot change the body through the soul," Sebastian chuckled, "As a demon, I know,"

"Oh, I am so close," he turned to the demon, "Soon, each reaper will be a likeness unto me, will be perfected in their shape-shifting. They too will be both a corpse and a reaper. I just need the right formula,"

Sebastian chuckled again, "It is hard to imagine someone who was as sickly as yourself is capable of this...Or even capable of those...surgeries,"

Undertaker chuckled eerily, grinning happily, "Oh, I am still patient zero. Aren't I?"

It had been four months since Sebastian Michaelis had arrived in Russia, it taking a month to arrive in the country. He was currently relaxing and taking his time in the snowy country as he looked for a new master. Despite the early signs of spring the snow was still incredibly deep, the cold did not bother him though. The vengeance of Hell burnt within him like the constant circulation of blood through his veins, blood of each soul he had consumed. He was looking for a contract, it had been three years since he had eaten...Oh, how hunger strained him. The pain did not bother him, much like the cold, because he could smell the sin of Lust steaming deep within this land. It was so far away, but the soul that produced that enticing perfume drove him; he licked his lips. Perhaps he send Undertaker the corpse when he was done? He had completed his work with Grell through not only his own abilities, but through demon blood as well.

It'd be a shame to let that research pause, then again...Why not wait until those other demons in the Labyrinth Death Row rotted? He certainly didn't want them smelling the mortician's work on Grell and exposing his remaining existence. He'd wait at least a year before returning, he decided.

Grell stood atop a balcony, the spring breeze blew through her long, untamed hair. It was early in the morning, and chilly. There was a slight chill in the gentle zephyrs of spring time, snow melted in the distance and a scent of blooming flowers filled the air. She looked good for someone in her state; her skin still in its previous glory, her hair still soft and silky, and her limbs still slim and toned. She looked more energetic than ever as her eyes glowed by the refraction of light from the sun through the clouds and into her endless eyes.

"The garden is coming out beautifully this year," William approached her from behind. Grell had been sleeping in his room for the past four months since the near-miscarriage. She touched her swollen belly; she was rounding out nicely and the baby was moving. She didn't respond, she was focused on the life kicking inside of her as it were saying hello. It was five in the morning, the sun was starting to rise earlier and earlier along with her. William touched her ungroomed hair softly, oh how tangled her hair got over the night as she slept. He placed his robe over her body, she was only wearing a long nightgown, "You should come inside, it's chilly,"

"I feel warm, William," she told him, staring out to the blooming, red roses, "I'd like to stay out here for a little longer,"

She turned to him with a soft smile, "Besides, the baby needs some fresh air,"

"He's not outside your belly yet Grell, you have four more months," William told her.

"She's not due for four more months, William. And her name is Undrea," she took his hand and held it to her belly, "It just feels like a girl, my little Undrea,"

"Honestly, Grell," he sighed, hiding back a small chuckle, "Undrea? That is quite close to...his...title,"

"It's the least I owe to him, to give his child some sort of identity to her father," Grell rubbed her belly softly, "When she's born she won't see him, unless she wants to look at his corpse,"

She frowned somewhat, "And it wasn't a pretty sight, that was the only time red turned ugly,"

It had been four months since her husband had been buried, since he had been laid to sleep in the coffin he and Grell conceived their child in. It had been four months since she nearly miscarried, but in a strange twist it had revealed a deeper problem. Grell's Thorns hadn't been the cause since they were gone, Gregory explained the whole of what had happened to her after Michaelis had cursed her, and used her blood to make a treatment for Thorn Victims everywhere. Alan was doing much better, and had been promoted to an investigator even he was doing so well! That was not the malady ailing her though, when she had been raped and beaten her nerves had been damaged by the scythe that had impaled her. The damage sent blended messages up her spine and into her brain which had caused her high fever and other symptoms. Other tests confirmed that because of what Michaelis did, Grell's own hormonal patterns were still adjusting to her new body and so her baby was spared from the abortion chair. It came with a downside though, after the baby was born it'd have to be tested purely of its own DNA. If it was a reaper Grell would have the rights to her child, if it was part demon she'd gladly give it to death. She spat at the idea of a demon spawn inside her, especially the spawn of a demon that had slaughtered her husband. After that lot of tests and confirmations, Grell had been forced to retire.

It was moreso because of her ailment, it still affected her day in and day out. There was no telling when a vague signal could be sent to her brain and cause her to shut down. The pills needed to help allieviate the nerve disorder were dangerous and could make her miscarry. The Board knew that without the pills more damage could occur aside from the inital damage. The aftermath of it all without medication wouldn't cripple Grell, but it could hinder her and working would only exasperate her condition. They had arranged her investments and retirement fund properly, she was set on the mere interest since her assets had been transferred into her privitzied account. All seemed well in the big picture, the fact her baby was safe, her well being was safe, and her husband had been buried honorably (without criminal charges, the investigators concluded that the demon had taken the mortician's sycthe to hold Grell in place during the rape) was quite comforting. There was a catch though; after the baby was born and confirmed a reaper, she'd have to marry William.

She had packed up and moved in, and in order to treat any attacks she had in her sleep, she was now sleeping in her superior's bed. Their relationship couldn't have felt more platonic. Grell had warmed up to him, to the idea of living with him since he was the key to saving her baby. The idea of marrying him though was...Was..."You should get back to sleep,"

Rather uncomfortable...

"Hm?" Grell cocked her head to the side, "What did you say? I was thinking about more important things,"

William sighed, taking her hand and leading her back into his bedroom, "You need your rest, Gregory put you on this regiment for a reason. Besides, you have to rest up for your physical therapy later today,"

"I feel on top of the world," Grell sighed whimsically, "I want to go for a walk in the garden, and smell the blossoming roses. I want to go to the Labyrinth and bring cookies for the guys. I haven't been there in months,"

"Out of the question," William dead-panned, sitting her down on the bed, "You're in too fragile a condition to be in that place,"

"But William~!" Grell whined, pulling the covers over her head and making a nun's makeshift habit for her hair, "I'm not a nun, I can't keep myself cooped up in here, I need to go outside and have fun. Spring's coming in so beautifully~! Late, but beautifully~!"

William sighed, "We can go for a walk after breakfast. I took the day off so we can discuss the wedding preparations,"

Grell frowned and laid back, hands on her stomach, setting her makeshift habit loose, "I don't see the point...Why do we have to get married so I can keep this baby?"

"Strange, Sutcliffe," William laid back down besides her, "As I recall, I remember plenty of times you proposed,"

Grell snickered somewhat, "Will you say "no" at the altar?"

"Considering the circumstances, I won't have that privilege," William turned to her, touching her cheek, "But we have to discuss it,"

He kissed her forehead, "Get some rest, breakfast is in three hours,"

"William," Grell pushed him away softly, "I have to know, if we're going to be married...When we consummate the marriage...I have to know, do you feel anything at all for me?"

"Grell Sutcliffe," William paused for a moment, "I won't make love to you until you consent, now get some rest,"

Maybe that's all the answer I need...