TWP: Hey, I'm back! I'm really starting to get ideas but alas, so many ideas, so little time and of course, everything piled up in one story makes it a disaster.

Disclaimer: I only own Ava. No one else. Oh, and Tristan and Duke, if someone remember them.

Komui stared at Bookman, who had his arms crossed with a grave look on his face.

"Are you serious?" The old man nodded. "I'm very serious. She may be the Heart." Komui put a hand on the wall for support as he felt his knees turn to rubber.

"You mean to tell me that Ava may be in the possession of the Heart…" It was unbelievable. Bookman had given him a full explanation on what had happened after their arrival at the scene and Avas golem, Cam, had also showed him what she/it had recorded of the battle. Komui realized after thinking a bit about it that the cause may have been that her sorrow had triggered her Innocence in some way. The way she had acted had not been humane; it was more like she had become a living weapon.

"The way you describe it… It's almost like you're saying she was an Akuma… Not of Dark Matter but of Innocence."

"It may very well have been so. She was dangerous Komui; she knew nothing of friend or foe. I've never witnessed anything like this in my lifetime and I have found nothing like this mentioned in the records either. Lavi and I will research this when we return to HQ." Komui sighed as he sat down.

"Allen is the 'Destroyer of Time' and Ava may be the Heart. This is too much for me right now." He felt so tired. The General was alive but not well, or rather, sane was the word he was looking for. "And when she wakes up and learns of what happened to her mentor… poor girl."

"General Yeegar was her mentor?" Bookman asked and Komui nodded.

"General Yeegar was the one who found her. He didn't give me any details and there isn't much to be found in her personal file either but from what I know they had a father-daughter relationship. She respected him and loved him very much. And to top it all of I did a reading on her health with a tool I made with the help of Hevlaska." Komui seemed even sadder and Bookman noticed this.

"What did you find?" He asked and Komui looked up. "Parasite types don't live as long as other humans because of the strain the Innocence put on their bodies…" Komui began but paused. He didn't need to continue because the old man understood.

"She's lost time, hasn't she?"

"The readings aren't accurate but even if I made Hevlaska check her out it would be the same. She may only have lost a few days or she can have lost years. I can't be sure of how many." Komui stared at Bookman with a serious expression. "No one can know about this. Especially not Krory, Lavi, Allen or Lenalee. I'm going to tell Ava myself when she wakes up but the others will hear it from her only!" He said sharply and the old man nodded.

"I have no interest in blabbing about the girl's personal health." At this Komui gave a wry smile. "At least we agree on something."

"Lenalee, you should get some rest." She looked up and saw Allen and Lavi look at her in worry. She gave a weak smile and shook her head.

"I'm alright." She said but they gave her a look that said that she had no choice but to listen to them so she sighed and stood up and followed the two before stopping. "What about Ava? Shouldn't we check on her first? See if she's awake?" She asked and Lavi turned around.

"I'll do it." He said and left them. Once he came to her door he knocked once, then twice.

"Ava, you awake?" He got no response so he opened the door thinking that she was still unconscious but once he was in he saw that there was no one in there. The only thing in there was the bed sheets that lay crumpled on the floor and also a few bits of bandages.

"Shit!" He swore and ran out again, wondering where she could have gone when he found another piece of bandage to his left. A thought struck him and he ran for General Yeegars room. He opened it slowly and peeked in, the voice of the broken General reaching his ears.

"The Lord Millennium is in search of you,

Looking for the Heart now,

Have you heard the news?

I was not the one he sought,

Maybe it is you."

The song gave him goose bumps but he had found who he was looking for. Sitting on her knees with her arms and head resting in the old man's lap, Ava slept. Her face was turned towards the door but her eyes were closed. She looked so peaceful it made his gut wrench when he thought about what had happened.

"The Lord Millennium is in search of you,

Looking for the Heart no,

Have you heard the news?"

Lavi walked up to them and reached for Ava, intending to bring her back to her own hospital room, but she suddenly spoke.

"When I was a kid… I loved to listen to him sing." He paused and retracted his hand as her eyes opened. "He was always so nice, I felt like I had a family again. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have had the strength to fight Akuma." She said and turned to look at the old man.

"I was not the one he sought,

Maybe it is you."

She stared at her former mentor who only kept his gaze on the roof over them, continuing to sing the song like he was in a trance. Lavi didn't say anything. There was nothing he could say that would be able to cheer her up and not make things worse. She stared silently at her mentor for a few minutes.

"He said I was strong… He always complimented me on my skills. He complimented the beauty of my wings and my speed." She paused again before she reached up for him but hesitated and let her hand fall down again. "And I failed him. I failed him when he needed me the most."

"Ava, you know that's not true." Lavi said as he kneeled down beside her and put his hand on her shoulder.

"I wasn't strong enough! I wasn't fast enough! If I had been stronger he wouldn't have been reduced to -to this!" she turned on him and pushed him away causing him to lose his balance and fall back. She immediately turned back to Yeegar who continued to chant the song and stared with an expression filled with grief.

"Don't you dare tell me you know grief! You're the successor to Bookman!" She whispered and buried her face in the General's lap. "You don't know how… this feels." Her whole body began to tremble terribly before heavy breathing could be heard.

"I just… I'm weak! I'm not strong enough… I'll never be strong enough!" She breathed heavily; trying to control her body, stop its trembling and keep herself from crying anymore but Lavi had already gotten off the floor and was behind her again.

"Ava…" He grabbed her shoulder and turned her around to face him. His heart gave a squeeze with a foreign feeling as he saw her expression. She was desperately trying to keep the tears from falling and he rubbed her arms.

"It's okay to cry." What else could he say? He knew it wasn't healthy to keep one's emotions to oneself at times such as these. She stared for a moment before she threw herself into his chest. It surprised him and he fell back on his butt again with her draped across his chest. He didn't know what to for a moment. He had never encountered a situation such as this before. Slowly he put his arms around her and she tightened her grip on his jacket.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it, Lavi I'm sorry!" She cried out.

"The Lord Millennium is in search of you,

Looking for the Heart now,

Have you heard the news?"

He glanced up at the General, silently wishing that he would stop singing, even if for just one moment, so they wouldn't have to be reminded why they were in this situation. She really didn't need it right now. His left hand slid up to rest on the back of her head.

"You're right. I'm the successor to Bookman, so I don't feel what you feel. It's alright." He said and she broke down.

"U-uwaaaaah!" He rubbed her back and hair as she cried and rested his chin on the top of her head. "It's alright. Just let it all out." He said softly.

"It's alright."

"I was not the one he sought,

Maybe it is you."

The day after Ava woke up only to find Komui in her room, sitting in a chair. His expression was grave and she felt dread course through her veins.

"Don't… please don't." She said and hung her head when he closed his eyes. She pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them. "I thought so. I had hoped he would survive."

"I'm sorry Ava." Komui said but she shook her head. "Don't. There's nothing you could have done so you shouldn't feel sorry." She smiled weakly.

"He was beyond saving…" Komui stood up and walked over to her bed and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I know you have a lot on your mind and what I'm going to tell you isn't something you need right now, but it's important that you know." She looked at him quizzically and he took a deep breath.

"Ava, what happened after you found General Yeegar has shortened your lifespan." Her eyes widened in shock and he sighed. "I'm sorry, but it's important that you know this so you won't do it again."

"Do what?" He looked at her in confusion now. "What do you mean? What is it that I can't do again?" she asked.

"You… don't know?" He was confused now. Didn't she know what had happened? Had a memory loss occurred or had she simply buried the memories because of the trauma of losing her father figure?

"What do you mean Komui? What is it that I don't know?" She grabbed his sleeve and stared at him in desperation. "What happened after Bookman and the others saved me and Yeegar? Lavi didn't tell me how they fought off the Noah before they left!" His eyes widened in surprise.

"What do you-? Ava, it wasn't Allen and the others who fought the Noah, it was you." Ava's eyes widened in both shock and fear and she was frozen until she snapped out of it and shook her head.

"No way… I can't remember it. You must've gotten it wrong. I-I can't have fought the Noah, I'm not strong enough to hold two of them off. They knocked me out because I had my back turned to them!" She insisted but Komui shook his head and held out her golem.

"Cam recorded it and so did the Bookman. Watch." He demanded and Cam showed them the battle between her and the Noah. It had been short but Ava was horrified of how she had fought, and it was also in a form she had never used before. She was horrified at the sight of the creature she had become. She watched as Tyki ripped her wing off and how she had transformed completely, how she relentlessly attacked the Noah and how they had fled when the others had shown up. She turned even more worried when it seemed like she was about to attack her allies but Lavi stopped her and then she turned back to normal.

She embraced herself and shook with terror. Had she really become such a monster, even if it was only for a short time? What would have happened if they hadn't been able to return her to normal? Would she go around attacking humans? Would she kill her comrades? Images of bodies lying around her appeared, the same bodies that Road had seen though Ava didn't remember that, and then they were replaced with everyone she knew at the order. Lavi, Allen, Lenalee, Kanda and Bookman lying in a circle around her, the Science Dept. a little farther off, the Finders weren't even recognizable anymore but someone grabbed a hold of her. Krory stared at her with cold, dead eyes.

She screamed.

Komui immediately reached for her.

Everything went black.

"Why? Why did you kill him? Your own brother! And what are those things on your back?"

"I-it wasn't me! Mommy, it wasn't me!" The hand and wing on her back grew bigger as another man ran up to her. She turned as she heard his heavy footsteps. He transformed, her mother screamed, sounds of gunshots could be heard and then there was a sea of blood. It was her turn to scream.

Amber eyes opened slowly, the white roof slowly coming into focus.

"You're finally awake." She glanced to her left and saw Komui smile gently at her.

"Where… am I?" She rasped out and reached for her throat, surprised at how hoarse her voice was. Komui chuckled and replied that she was back at the Order and that she had been unconscious for a week. She nodded in acknowledgement and closed her eyes again.

"Are you tired?" She shook her head.

"No."

"It seemed like you had a bad dream. You were tossing and turning a lot." There was a pause.

"It was only a dream." Komui waited, wondering if she would say anything more but she didn't.

"Krory should be finished with his mission soon. You want me to tell him you're here when he comes back?" She opened her eyes again and tried to sit up and winced as she felt dull pain on her back. Komui helped her up and asked again.

"Yeah… I would like that." She smiled and he nodded, walking out. She inspected the infirmary room she was in and found her jacket. She slowly put her feet on the ground, testing their strength before standing up. She was a bit wobbly at first but she managed to get to the chair that her jacket rested on. She searched her pockets and found what she was looking for. A pack of cigarettes and her lighter. She went up to the window and opened it before she lit a cigarette. She took one long drag before she breathed out.

"That feels good." She breathed and took another one. She was half-way finished with it when an Exorcist came in through the door.

"You're still on that crap?" She turned and saw Daisya Barry walk in with a grin. She smiled happily and put out the cigarette and laid it on the windowsill. "Daisya!"

"In the flesh, girlie." He said and walked up to her giving her a hug she happily returned.

"How are you? How did your last mission go?" She asked and he laughed while ruffling her hair.

"Isn't it supposed to be me asking those questions since it's you who's in the infirmary?" She blushed in embarrassment and he chuckled. "I'm fine, really." She answered his unspoken question and reassured him with a smile when she noticed his worried expression.

"Doesn't look fine to me." He poked her bandaged back lightly and she winced. "I almost didn't even touch you. What kind of Akuma could get the best of you?" He asked and she frowned darkly.

"It wasn't an Akuma… It was a Noah." She growled and his eyes widened.

"Shit, really?" She nodded and told him how they looked and how she had been just a few seconds too late from saving her mentor. He hugged her again reassuringly and let his fingers run through her soft hair.

"It'll be alright, Ava. It'll be alright." He whispered as she clutched his jacket. She wondered if she should show him what Cam had recorded of the fight but terror passed through her when she thought about it. What if thought of her as a freak? What if he shunned her? She couldn't risk it. She shook her head and he loosened his grip and looked down.

"What's wrong?" She looked up with a smile again. "Nothing. But I've really missed you." She said and he smirked.

"Missed you too." He leaned down and caught her lips with his own as his arms snaked around her waist and hers wound around his neck. She moaned into the kiss and he chuckled as he released her. She pouted in disappointment.

"More." She demanded childishly and he grinned mischievously. "Nope. You're hurt after all and need a lot of rest." He teased and she growled before pushing him to the wall.

"I'll manage." She smirked and kissed him again and since he had only been teasing her he had no objections. The only thing he didn't like was that he was the one who was pressed to the wall. He turned them around but was careful not to aggravate her wound further. He left her lips and left a wet trail down her neck causing her to moan louder as his hands slid up and down her sides and left butterfly touches. Of course, just at that moment…

…Krory came in the door.

"Ava! I didn't know you'd been hurt- Oh I'm so sorry!" They both froze and Ava looked over Daisya's shoulder only to see Krory covering his eyes while Lavi stared unashamed with both thumbs up. She blushed furiously as Daisya raised an eyebrow confused.

"My cousin." She whispered embarrassed and he rubbed his head sheepishly before he walked up to Krory. He held out his hand and cleared his throat, causing the older man to uncover his eyes and look at it. It took him a moment to register that he was supposed to shake it.

"I'm Daisya Barry. Pleasure to meet you." The nineteen year old boy said politely.

"I-I'm Arystar Krory. The pleasure is all mine." Krory shook his hand in the same polite manner.

"What, not gonna shake my hand?" Lavi complained but Daisya only smirked. "I already know who you are Lavi." Lavi pouted though. "No fair. Polite to Krory-kins but not me!" This caused them all to laugh for a while before Daisya told Ava that he was actually just going to check up on her before he left on a new mission.

"Do you have to go?" She asked. She knew she was selfish when she said that since there were so few Exorcists and so many Akuma but she really wanted him to stay for just a little longer.

"Sorry babe. Wish I didn't, but I'm going to find General Tiedoll with Kanda and Marie. I'll be back as soon as I can though, so don't you worry." He gave her a chaste kiss before he whispered into her ear. "And then it'll be just the two of us, I promise."

"I'll look forward to that. Stay safe" She whispered back and he kissed her one last time before walking out the door.

"Bye, angel!" She waved until he closed the door.

"Didn't know you were together with Daisya." Lavi said as she walked up to the windowsill again and relit her cigarette.

"Now you know." She grinned. "What is that?" Krory suddenly called and pointed at the cigarette.

"What does it look like Arystar?" She raised an eyebrow as she held the cigarette out so he could get a better look at it. "It's something called a cigarette and-"

"I know what it is but I didn't know you smoked!" He whined and she shrugged.

"It calms me down."

"But… but you're smoking!" She sighed as she felt a headache grow and rubbed her temples. "Yes, I'm smoking. You got a problem with that?" She glared and took another drag before breathing out again.

"Of course we do! It's not very ladylike!" Lavi pointed at her accusingly and she shook her head.

"So, Krory, how did your first mission go?" She asked as she blew out smoke-rings. His mood fell and she noticed this. "What happened?" She asked concerned but he shook his head and said it was nothing before he headed down to the cafeteria, claiming to be famished after his mission.

"What's wrong with him?" She asked as she finished her cigarette and threw it out the window before closing it and taking in the view.

"The town's people had gotten attached to the Akuma there. Because of the Innocence purifying the area, we found out that he had apparently been a good guy." Lavi closed the door and walked up to a chair and sat down.

"So it was only a reminder of what happened back then…" she muttered and he nodded. Lavi sat in silence for a while before he grinned.

"Didn't know you had a tattoo." She blinked and looked down at herself and noticed then that the only thing covering her upper body was the bandages around her chest. She blushed crimson and covered her chest before grabbing her jacket.

"Perv!" She hissed angrily. "You could have said something earlier!" He grinned mischievously.

"And not being able to enjoy the view? Hell no. Besides, I thought you realized, what with Daisya feeling you up in public." She glared at him before huffing and lit another cigarette.

"Ava, what happened after you found General Yeegar has shortened your lifespan!" She lifted her hand to rest against the window and then rested her forehead against it too. How much time had she lost? Months? Years? She didn't know. She was sure she would get an accurate answer if she asked Hevlaska but… did she want to know? She closed her eyes as she realized that the answer was no. She was afraid to know, she didn't want to know how much time she had lost because she was afraid. Even if she knew how much time was gone, she wouldn't know how long she would live anyway since no one knew how long their lifespan would be. She hadn't even told Daisya, and she felt bad for it. He deserved to know, he was her boyfriend after all.

"Ava?" She was startled out of her thoughts by Lavi putting a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She replied curtly and he frowned too. "You're lying."

"I'm not!" She glared at him but he glared right back, although his glare was more playful. "You blink your eyes a lot when you lie." She stared at him wide eyed.

"What are you, my stalker?" He grinned. "Maaaaaybe." She huffed and threw her unfinished cigarette out of the window, stalked back to her bed, threw off her jacket and got under the covers before turning her back to him as she lay on her side.

"Sooo, where'd you get that tattoo anyway?" Lavi asked as he lifted the covers and examined it. It seemed to be of a simple tribal design, thin black strokes and thick blades of a huge number that made the image of wings. She promptly slapped his hands away and covered herself.

"What are you doing?" She questioned and he shrugged. "I wanted to get a better look. It's pretty well made after all." She wondered if he was mocking her or actually complimenting the design but the smile on his face didn't indicate any mockery at all so she relaxed and took it as a compliment.

"I got it two years ago. The mission was to exterminate the Akuma in a town and one of the people I happened to save was a tattoo artist. He offered to make a tattoo for me for free so I took him up on the offer." She told him. "He wondered what I wanted and I said to give me wings, so he did. They're completely different than the ones my Innocence look like though."

"Two years ago huh. That's not too long ago." He grinned. "Maybe I should get one too. It looks cool."

"If your master was thinking like that it would make things easier. Hell, General Yeegar scolded me for two whole days after he found out." The mood in the room suddenly went dark at the mention of Yeegar and Lavi searched his brain for something to say but the girl beat him to it.

"Lavi… why didn't you tell me what happened?" He looked up confused. "What do you mean?" She stared at him straight in the eye and he saw that there was no depression, just determination.

"Why didn't you tell me what happened when the Noah fled."

"You mean you don't remember?" He asked rubbing his head while she shook hers.

"You think I would remember raising my hands against you guys?" She muttered as she recalled the recording from Cam. "You think I want to remember that?" Lavi frowned again as she stared at the sheets before he recalled what had happened. It was true now that he thought about it that she had been acting weird, really weird and that it was a high probability that it wasn't really her that had been talking. Also, she could have buried the memories from the trauma.

"Sorry, I thought you remembered."

"Well, obviously I didn't." Her voice was soft and despite her choice of words she didn't sound like she was angry or accusing anyone. "I don't want to remember it either." She pulled up her legs and rested her forehead on her knees again.

"Hey, what's up with that attitude?" He ruffled her hair with a grin. "The Ava I know would show some guts and take control of her life." She looked up at him, mouth agape. They hadn't known each other for long but he already knew that much? Slowly, a genuine smile crept up on her face and Lavi could swear he had never seen anything as beautiful as that.

"Thanks, Lavi. I appreciate it." Then she kicked him out of the room. "Now, leave me the hell alone for my beauty sleep!" He groaned as he lay on the ground.

"Well, you need it!" He called back and the door was almost ripped from its hinges when she opened it with a murderous glare on her face but the boy had already run away.

TWP: And that was the seventh chapter. Yaaaay. I'm happy that you guys review, I really appreciate it! The button down there will be lonely if you don't click on it! And I bet you didn't see the fact that she had a boyfriend coming, huh? I really love Daisya. He was one of my favorite characters even if he didn't get much time in neither the manga nor the anime.

And before you ask, yes, this is a LavixOC fic.