Thank you for the reviews and for continuing to read. Hopefully I can kick the progession up a notch!

Chapter 5-

Crona's eyes slighlty peered open as she woke up. She felt like complete death. Keeping her eyes squinted, she shifted on to her elbow to look around. She had to remember she wasn't home, she was still with Liz and Patty. She had not blacked out but it worried her for a moment to not be sure lf where she was.

The two sisters continued to sleep, Liz with her arm draped over her face and Patty with her blanket kicked off and on the floor as she lay sprawled out. Crona felt her head pulse as her dehydrated body demanded water.

Having no idea what time it was, Crona quietly got up from the couch to check the clock on the kitchen stove down the hall. Her footing was slightly off as she half tripped over a coffee table on her way out.

Making her way to the kitchen, she felt cold, warm, and horrible all rolled into one. She crossed her arms to hold herself as she walked, crossing through the main room, past a large staircase. Noticing a large clock near the door that read 6:42. She noticed it was just barely light out and decided to leave before the girls could wake up.

Crona went back to the bathroom to change back into her clothes from the day before and leave her borrowed sleep wear behind. Looking at her reflection briefly, she saw familiar black circles under her eyes from exhaustion and sickness.

She looked around the large main room one last time, trying to remember if she had forgotten anything. She opened the large doors as quietly as she could which still gave boisterous creak as they leaned open. They boomed slightly as she exited and pushed them shut. Even in the morning, the lawn of the mansion looked pristine. As she descended the circular drive, she looked at the perfectly maintained trees and flower beds. A large water fountain trickled in perfect time as she walked down the drive, hearing the sound of the water fade as she gained distance.

Luckily, it was early in Death City so the temperature was still cool. Her stomach did small flips after every few steps as she walked past fields and forests near Kid's house. She liked the laid back atmosphere here. Things didn't feel rushed. Kid's house wasn't in the middle of nowhere by any means but it was just outside of the city. Enough to have privacy. People of the town were just beginning to stir as she quickly made her way back into city limits. Her tall frame quickly appeared short as she neared the tall buildings of the town.

As she made the transfer from dirt road to the brick of the main road, he stomach gave one last rebellion, causing Crona to dash for a near by shrub and empty her stomach one more time. Crona stood up straight as she touched her sleeve to the edge of her chin and held her stomach with her hand.

"Are you okay?" a cheery voice asked, Crona looked over quickly. She was startled by someone being awake so suddenly. The blonde hair of Ms. Marie bobbed toward her as she approached Crona. She was in her jogging clothes and didn't look the least bit tired.

Technically, she wasn't Ms. Marie anymore. She was Mrs. Stein, but the students at the academy had become accustom to her original name that it was much easier to use. Many of the students and faculty couldn't believe when Stein and Marie had married. Most of the school thought it was a trick of some sort, but once the two had their first child, more people believed it was for real.

"Oh Crona! I thought that was you, what are you doing out here so early?" she questioned, shifting her mood from happy to quizzical "Also, why are you...sick?"

"I stayed with Liz and Patty and-"

"Ah, alright say no more!" Ms. Marie said, fully understanding. She believed all the students were moral and had wonderful potential, but she knew some could be more rowdy than others. Crona slightly lurched again causing Marie to look very uncomfortable while she tried to pat Cronas back to show care.

Crona loved Ms. Marie, but she still felt horrible when she saw her. If she had to pick the one person she betrayed the most at the DWMA other than Maka, it would be Ms. Marie. It had been years since Crona had put the snakes in her drink and Ms. Marie and everyone had claimed to have forgiven her, but it always stuck in the back of her mind.

Ms. Marie could give support to anybody and was one of, if the the kindest, person she had ever met.

"I'm okay though, I'm just headed home" Crona said. Ms. Marie looked concerned.

"Nonsense! You can come to my house, I have the perfect tea to help a hangover!" Ms. Marie exclaimed, causing Crona's head to throb more.

"I think Maka will wonder where I am, I don't think I told her I would be gone for so long..." Crona said, trailing off. Ms. Marie happily wrapped her arm around Crona and began to lead her as they walked.

"Don't worry about a thing, I will let her know. I think Stein has her in a morning class today anyway, so he can deliver the message. Do you have class today? Because if you do I don't know if it would be so wise to go. Maybe you can take the day off and help me" she chattered, barely taking a moment to catch her breath.

"I don't think...I should just get going" Crona said, considering the new thought of Marie's baby being there too. Crona didn't know how to deal with babies. She made a nuisance of herself when she first learned of Marie and Steins pregnancy and asked when they planned to change the babies blood, which caused mixed reactions. The group of her friends did go see the baby when it was first born. Marie had chosen the name Damien, who was born a healthy boy with light blonde hair.

Crona noticed that even Stein was on edge the day of the birth.

"Stein, why don't you come hold him now?" Marie asked from the hospital bed as the students sat around her, looking and cooing at the baby. Stein stood off in the corner of the room away from the others.

"I can wait" He said flatly. Marie looked displeased, which made Crona worried.

"God, Stein. Get over here and hold your son. You won't hurt him" Marie ordered, using the most serious voice any of the students had ever heard her use. Crona watched as Stein stood there for a moment. He was worried he would hurt his own child. He didn't want to dissect him or destroy him. Stein feared for his own madness and how it would effect his family.

Crona remembered wishing that her mother had felt so cautious with her. She never hesitated or feared to harm Crona. She thrived in it. Maybe in another world, there was a version of Medusa that had a second thought. A Medusa that didn't want her daughter to feel hurt or pain. A Medusa that wanted her child to be a child and not a kishin. A Medusa that wouldn't lock her away for days or cut her open.

That Medusa didn't exist, as much as Crona wished.

Eventually, Stein did hold his son. After that he could hardly put him down. All the fear and worry had faded away after he looked into the boys eyes. He knew he could never hurt him.

"Crona, please. It would mean a lot to me" Marie said quietly. Crona knew she didn't have an argument after that. Crona knew that she could never take back what she did to Ms. Marie and the other students, but she would spend the rest of her life trying to make it up to them. The two walked back to Ms. Marie's house as the sun rose higher.

Ms. Marie opened the door allowing Crona in first. Her eyes were draw to the floor of the living room where Damien sat in a bouncing toy. The once creepy home was now littered in baby toys. The walls still showed the arrow paintings and stitching that it had before Marie moved in, but she added her own feminine touch and then the baby added his own touch once he was born.

Crona froze as she watched his chubby harms toss more toys around and reach for a mirror that was attached to the toy. Stein sat at a desk next to the bouncer, looking up at the door. Stein leaned over and picked up a toy his son had thrown and handed it back to him, causing the baby to coo happily.

"Hey, Crona" Stein greeted, looking back to his screen. Crona waved as she kept her eyes locked on the baby. Something about him made her feel uncomfortable. He seemed...too happy.

"Hi baby! Did you miss me?" Marie asked in a high pitched voice as she scooped him up. Stein gave a barely noticeable smile as she walked into the kitchen with the baby. He quickly studied Crona's expression and body language.

"Rough night?" he asked.

"Huh? Oh...yes" Crona answered, shifting her eyes around and holding one arm with the other.

"Marie must have roped you into keeping her company today, she does get a bit lonely now that she isn't teaching" Stein said, standing up and packing his briefcase for class. Crona moved slightly further from him, moving to sit on the couch. She had to push a few baby blankets and toys over to make a space. She didn't nod or agree. She still didn't like the gear in Steins head and avoided looking at it when possible.

"Well, I thank you for helping her" Stein acknowledged.

"Stein, will you let Maka know that Crona is here today?" Marie asked from the kitchen. Stein agreed. Crona peered around the corner as he watched Stein hug Marie from behind as he said goodbye. They stood in front of the sink as Marie bathed Damien. He rubbed the top of his sons head gently as the baby reached for his father clumsily.

It was rare to see Stein show affection in moments like that, so Crona quickly ducked back to her seat on the couch.

"Take good care of them" Stein waved as he walked past her and out the door to his class.

Crona sat on the couch in silence as she waited for Ms. Marie to come back out. She eventually emerged with Damien wrapped in a towel, wet from his bath. She also handed Crona a small cup of warm tea that she promised would improve her headache and upset stomach. She dried the baby as she sat next to Crona, sitting on many baby toys in the process.

"Sorry about that, someone needed a bath though" Marie said, looking at her son who was chewing on his hand.

"What do you need help with today?" Crona asked, sipping from her glass and trying to figure out why she was there.

Marie thought for a moment. She didn't exactly need too much help, but it was nice to have some company that can actually talk back.

"Well just a few things around the house" she said "but we can wait until that tea gets you back up and running"

After the baby was dried and back into his clothes, he sat on the floor trying to use the table to stand. Crona and Marie began to clean up the living room from the many books and toys.

Crona went to the kitchen to do dishes and sweep while Marie dusted and vacuumed the living room around her son. Crona quickly finished washing and drying and came out to see the living room looking much better and the baby had fallen asleep to the sound of the vacuum, which struck Crona as odd. He slept on the floor, on a blanket.

"Everything looks great!" Marie said in a slight whisper, switching off the vacuum.

"If I can get one more favor, can you just sit with him while he naps. I kinda want to shower before he wakes up" Marie asked sheepishly. Crona agreed reluctantly "Great, he shouldn't wake up but if he does just come and knock on the door and I'll grab him".

Marie quickly headed off to her shower. Crona sat, drinking the rest of her tea and feeling much better. Whatever was in that tea was a miracle drink. She watched Damien's tiny body rise and fall with each breath as the pacifier in his mouth moved slightly. Apparently, he was a very well behaved baby according to Tsubaki. Crona did not know what to do when she heard children scream or cry. She was very relieved that he did not do that very often.

Crona heared the water from Marie's shower fainted continue. She looked in her direction and then back at the sleeping boy, then stood up and knelt of the floor next to him.

Curiosity consumed her as she looked at him. She had very little experience with babies and children and it was all very confusing. His tiny hands were balled into fists as he slept on his belly. She looked at his smooth skin, he looked like he was completely relaxed. She lightly touched her finger to the back of his hand. She wished he could speak.

As she sat on her knees, she looked up from the sleeping baby and noticed the pictures scattered on the walls. Several were just Marie and Stein, but newer once had appeared with all three family members in it. Every photo looking happier than the last. Seeing the pictures made Crona long for ones of her own. She wanted pictures of her with Maka and Soul. She wanted one with her and Tsubaki and Liz and Patty. She even considered a photo with her and her own baby but quickly brushed that aside.

"Oh, that picture is us on vacation" Marie said, nearly scaring Crona to death. She had a robe on and a towel wrapped around her head.

"I didn't k-know you were back" Crona said, blushing.

"Yep, even just a quick shower when you're a mother seems like forever" she said, peering down to check on her son sleeping soundly.

"Did...you always know you wanted a baby?" Crona asked with her curiosity getting the best of her. Marie thought for a moment.

"No, I guess I didn't. I knew I wanted to be married. The idea of spending my life with someone was my top goal even as a little girl" Marie admitted. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering when you knew... that you and Stein were going to be together" Crona asked, unsure of what to narrow her question down to. Marie sat back down by the coffee table.

"I guess...after being with him for so long it just kind of happened. When you're around someone and are fighting for the same thing, it's very easy to see the best in them even if there is bad too" she tried to explain. Crona wondered if she had too much bad for anyone to see the good.

"Maka and Soul are like that. Even if they fight, they still...never drift" Crona connected. Marie nodded, trying to figure out where Crona was headed with her line of questioning.

"What happens to those who don't find someone. If there is no other half?" Crona asked, sudden urgency in her voice.

"I used to wonder that same thing. I thought I would never find happiness. But I will tell you this: it happens when you're not looking" Marie advised "Besides, you're young. You don't need to worry about families, babies, or marriage yet".

Crona nodded. She thought about her movies. When a couple found love, it was like nothing else mattered in the world. That was a great feeling when you're in the relationship, but Crona was never in. She was always outside looking in. She didn't want to be cast aside when they were done with her. She wanted things to stay the same.

"I-I don't know if I want those things. I'm just- I want to understand them" Crona admitted "I want Maka to be happy. But I don't want them to be done with me when they start their own life" Crona explained, her voice becoming slightly shaky as she discussed her fears. Marie pulled her in for a small hug.

"No matter what happens, you will never be left alone Crona" Marie assured. "You have so many people who care about you".

Crona wiped a tear from her eye, just talking about it made it feel like a storm of emotion. Once it was all out though, Crona felt slight relief.

"Thank you Ms. Marie" Crona said. She looked at the clock and noticed Maka's class would soon be out, so she said her goodbyes.

"Come back anytime, it's just me and Da-" Marie tried before her sons sudden crying interrupted. Crona gave a small smile as she watched Marie rush back in the house to comfort him. She was an excellent mother. Crona went back home to lay in her bed until Maka came back. She took a short nap to sleep of the rest of last night, then she heard the front door open.

Crona stretched and walked out of her room to see Maka sitting at the table, writing something down.

"There you are!" Maka said, Crona was unsure if it was surprise or anger in her voice.

"Sorry, I stayed with Liz and Patty and wound up sleeping over" Crona tried to explain quickly so Maka wouldn't be angry with her. Maka scoffed.

"I'm not mad Crona, I was just worried. I figured you stayed and Stein told me this morning that you were okay" she said "Just let me know so I don't think something happened to you".

"Why don't you ground her too, since you're already acting like a mom?" Soul shouted from the bathroom. Maka frowned.

"Anyway, I'm glad you had a good time. Want to see my new arrangements for the wedding?" Maka asked. Crona nodded, happy that the wedding distracted her from further anger. She took a seat at the table.

"Okay, so when we walk in, Soul and I will stand here" she said pointing at a crude map she had drawn "followed by Tsubaki and Black Star, and then I changed the order a little..."

Crona looked over the paper to read the name next to hers.

Crona and Kid, It read with lines drawn to where they would stand.

"I thought I was with Ox" Crona asked. Maka bobbed her head back and forth.

"Well originally yeah, Kid thought it would be more symmetrical. But then he asked if he could switch and now Ox is with Patty" Maka explained. Crona's heart began to race as she tried to think of ways to get it changed back.

"You guys will just have to walk, sit next to each other, and there is some dancing..." Maka eased, trying not to make it seem like a big deal.

"Why would he want to change? I-I don't think I should even be walking. Maybe Kim would want to" Crona said nervously. Her hands on the table as she looked back at the paper.

"Crona, I thought you liked the dress" Maka asked, confused. She was begging to worry that Crona would back out.

"I do" Crona responded, not wanting to hurt her friends feelings.

"These are all your friends too, so there's nothing to worry about"

"I-I can't dance, it would just be weird and I wouldn't know what to do" Crona protested, beginning to hyperventilate and she shook her head repeatedly. She stood up to pace around the kitchen, unable to sit still.

"I thought you would be more comfortable with Kid anyway..." Maka said, raising her eyebrows. Crona began to breathe evenly to calm herself.

"...I am" Crona admitted quietly. Maka looked up at her, unsure of what the problem was.

"He said he wanted to meet up with you before the rehearsal so he could make sure you weren't so nervous" Maka said "He wanted to make sure you were totally comfortable" she said, writing down more notes in her book.

Crona looked over at her friends sitting at the table.

"When..when did he say that?" Crona asked.

"Right after the fitting. He was the one who suggested switching the order" Maka informed. Crona's heartbeat didn't slow, she wasn't sure if it was from nervousness or excitement. "He also said you weren't feeling well last night, so if you felt better tomorrow he would like to meet up".

Crona's head began to feel as if it was light as air.

"Um...I could do that" Crona agreed, Maka looked up surprised. She beamed at how much Crona had made an attempt in the last few days. She had hung out with several of her friends without needing Maka as a support.

"I'll let him know you'll be ready" Maka said smiling.

This one was a little shorter, but the next chapter will be up shortly.

Thanks for reading!