***TRIGGER WARNING***

This chapter contains mention of severe trauma, violence, heavy alcohol use, and loss of a child.

Please be advised.

Chapter 6: Apologies

13, December 2014

Noelle woke up to a tingling sensation in her body. She propped herself up on her elbows, groaning as Sage grinned at her from the end of the bed. Alexis was hovering next to the redhead and stepped to the side of the bed when Noelle fell back against her pillows. She looked over to the alarm clock as Sage shook her head.

"How ya feeling, princess?" The redhead asked.

"Like I got hit by a bus." Noelle rasped as she glanced over to the digital clock on her bedside table. "How long was I out?"

"About twenty-four hours." Alexis said, holding her healing aura over Noelle's heart. When she found nothing abnormal, she dropped her hand and the glow faded. Noelle struggled to sit up, leaning against the plush headboard of her bed. The clock read 9:15am and she sighed. She was stiff but felt better than she had in weeks. Her mind was clear and. As she accepted a glass of water from Sage, she felt like she was able to reflect clearly on what she could remember of the past month. She sipped the water and set it down, struggling to swing her feet over the side of the bed.

"I need a shower and probably should eat something." Noelle said softly.

"Breakfast can be arranged. Alexis has oatmeal downstairs. As for the shower, it's running right now. Can you stand that long?" Sage asked.

"Well if I fall over, you'll hear me." The brunette sighed, pushing herself up as Alexis reached out to steady her.

Sage intercepted Noelle as she stumbled to her way to the bathroom. She left the door cracked open as she stripped off her top and leggings. She stepped up the hot spray, leaning her hand and forehead against the cool tile of her shower wall. Her mind drifted to the last month, the liquor and drugs doing little to her memories. She felt like an idiot as she thought over her actions. She needed to explain everything to Dante and make him listen. Even if he wouldn't take her back, he needed to know she hadn't meant to hide it from him. The hot water had begun to turn cold, and she sighed as she quickly washed herself and rinsed off, turning off the jets of water and stepping out.

Noelle dressed in undergarments, a T-shirt, and grey leggings that had been left for her by one of her sisters. She towel dried and brushed out her brunette hair before walking out into her room. She was startled at the sight of her brother standing in her room, leaning against her bedpost. Gabriel looked up at her, his eyes widening slightly as he took in her tired appearance and sighed. Noelle walked over to her older brother and wrapped him in a tight hug. She felt him hesitate before wrapping his arms around her and kissing her hair.

"I'm so sorry, Gabe. I shouldn't have left. And I shouldn't have thrown a shoe at you…"

"Little Bird, I am not mad at you. But you scare the death from my bones when you go off on a rail like that."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"I just want you safe. If where you feel safest is with the devil hunter, then so be it. If I could have allowed you to reveal yourself sooner to save you this trouble, I would have. But even I cannot change those ancient rules."

"I know. It was bound to happen. I pray he will let me fix it. Because I miss him." She sighed and pulled back, looking at her brother's face. "I'm going over there once I eat. I need to fix this sooner than later."

"Of course. I love you Little Bird." Gabrielle said before he patted her shoulder and orbed out.

Noelle walked downstairs to find her sisters in the kitchen. Sage was adding yogurt and granola to each of their places at the kitchen table. Alexis stood against the far cabinet; arms crossed as she stared back at the white-haired man in the kitchen. Noelle felt her chest tighten as she walked to stand beside Alexis. Vergil merely nodded his head at her, never breaking his cold stare with Alexis.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here. You aren't exactly fond of me…" Noelle said softly.

"I came at your sister's call. It seems we have a common goal." Vergil spoke, his tone almost curious.

"Come eat, Noelle. Those two will be like that for a while." Sage said, sitting down at her place and beckoning the younger girl.

"Is this normal?" Noelle asked as she walked over and sat to Sage's left, taking a small bite of oatmeal and berries, testing if her stomach would allow food after the abrupt detox the day before.

"I think they're trying to see whose will is stronger. But Alex is stubborn as a mule and Ice King over there is a hard nut to crack."

Noelle just nodded. She tucked into her food, staying quiet as Alexis whispered something under her breath and Vergil rolled his eyes. The blonde took that as her win and went to sit to Sages right, tucking into her own food. Noelle finished first, rinsing her dishes and went up to her room. Sage and Alex shared a concerned look and Vergil scoffed. Alexis' cerulean eyes snapped to the male, meeting his cold, grey blue orbs. She glared, as the man folded his arms and looked down his nose at them.

"You find something funny?" She asked.

"You both look like worrisome mother hen watching their chick." He retorted.

"She means a lot to us." Alexis said, warning lacing her tone.

"You told me you would explain more when she returned. She is here. Talk."

"Why are you so interested in us?" Sage finally asked. "It's been a month of you asking questions and her dancing around them."

"I have my reasons." He replied.

"Well I hate to disappoint you, but we can't tell you everything." Sage said. "So you will get what we tell you when we decide to divulge that information."

"You can start by telling me what you can now." Vergil said coolly.

Footsteps on the stairs alerted them to Noelle's return. She entered the kitchen, wearing black insulated leggings and tall black boots. She had changed out her T-shirt for a long sleeve V-neck and an insulated denim vest that was zipped up halfway. Her hands clutched the hoodie that she had taken from Dante the night of the reveal. She looked at her sisters, then to Vergil, debating who to address first. Finally, she turned to Vergil.

"Will Dante be at the shop? I need to go return this… and talk to him. Then we can talk… All of us…" She said.

"He will either be there or at the bar. But at this hour he is most likely still passed out." Vergil replied, clearly annoyed.

Noelle sighed and stepped toward him, putting a hand on his arm, and earning a glare. "Look… I know you don't like me. But I'm tryingto fix this."

"Just do what you need to do so we can fix this mess before he becomes entirely useless."

"Right. Well I'm heading over there so… If you all are coming, let's get going." She said.

Sage shook her head. "It might be too much with all three of us. Call me if you need anything but I'll stay here and finish unpacking and cleaning up."

Alexis nodded as she finished her breakfast and put her dishes in the sink. She slipped a fluffy white down vest over her light pink long sleeve shirt and zipped it up, checking the time on her watch. She grabbed her keys and pointed to the garage door. Noelle had already gone out to the hall and headed that way. Vergil shook his head, drawing Yamato and opening a portal, walking through it before it closed.

Dante

The sunlight hitting the end of the bed woke him from the alcohol induced sleep. His demon growled at him, making him groan as he looked at the time. Just after eleven in the morning. He rubbed his hands over his face, scratching lightly at the stubble on his chin. He rolled himself out of bed, heading to the bathroom to shower and shave. He ran a comb through his hair after his shower and toweling it dry. The reflection in his mirror made him sigh. Emerald eyes flashed in his mind, and he shook his head. Those eyes had haunted him for weeks now.

Dante dressed in his typical dark jeans and black Henley. He tossed his red coat over his shoulder after slipping on his boots and left his room, heading downstairs. As he walked down to his desk, Vergil appeared via portal near the door. Dante gave his twin a quizzical look as he plopped in his chair. The elder twin simply leaned against the wall; arms crossed as he watched his younger brother. Dante kicked his feet up, his jacket laying over his lap.

"Well, you seem extra grumpy today. Let me guess, little blonde not putting up with your shit?" He smirked.

"I have no interest in the blonde beyond learning what I can about their abilities." He said, his eyes leveling with his twins.

"Sure. You keep telling yourself that. Even your kid can see she gets under your skin."

"The same way her brunette sister has gotten under yours?"

Dante's eyes darkened. "Leave her out of this." He growled lowly.

"You cannot avoid this forever. The drinking and shirking your work are getting old quickly brother."

"The hell I can't. She's gone. End of story. If I want to come home piss drunk every night I will."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Vergil said, smirking slightly as he heard a car pull up outside.

The doors to the shop opened and Alexis walked in, followed by Noelle, who looked nervous. The blonde took up a seat on the old leather couch along the wall while Noelle stood, eyes locked on Dante. The man had put his feet down as the door had opened, but now stood stiff behind his desk. Emotions flashed through his eyes as Noelle walked over and placed the folded hoodie on the desk. She stepped back, wringing her hands nervously as she looked down. Dante watched her closely, seeming to forget his twin and the blonde in the room.

"I know I'm probably the last person you want to see… But we need to talk." Noelle said softly, looking up to meet his gaze.

"We have nothing to talk about," he said, his tone low but not angry.

"Dante… At least let me apologize and explain…"

Dante moved to leave, only to be blocked by his brother and the blonde, both giving him an expectant look. Noelle sighed, looking down at the floor as she felt her eyes start to water. She turned to face him again, reaching out to touch his arm as she stepped towards him. Dante pulled away as their eyes met again, her glare softening a bit at the misty glisten in her emerald orbs. His ability to stay mad at her was short lived as the feelings he had tried so hard to drink away bubbled to the surface.

"Talk." He told her.

"I'm sorry… For not telling you. Angels aren't allowed to reveal themselves unless it's absolutely necessary. Even then it's rare. We have rules to follow. I wanted to tell you." She said as she reached for his hand again.

He let her take his hand but still seemed rigid towards her. "You knew. After the incident on the rooftop. You knew who I was and that I was looking for you."

"Yes. And I wanted to tell you. It wasn't fair to you. And I shouldn't have let myself get close to you. I really am sorry for this whole mess. But I don't regret it or the feelings I have for you."

Dante let out a sigh. "Where did you go?" he asked as he turned toward her, his hands going to her shoulders as he looked at her, his resolve softening a little.

"Back to New York…" Noelle said, looking up at him.

"Why?"

"Because I can kill my pain there. I figured if you hated me that much for what I am… Maybe self-destructing would be easier this time. Alexis let me have the riot act already. And I know running away didn't make this situation any better. But I'm here and I want to fix it." Noelle said.

Vergil stepped forward slightly. "You may not be able to just fix things, girl. There is a lot to discuss. For starters, why are you in this city."

Noelle looked over at him, her heart sinking a bit as Dante sat on the leather sofa and tilted his head back with a sigh, rubbing his eyes. She wrapped her arms around her stomach, biting her lower lip. Movement from upstairs caught her attention and they all looked as Nero came downstairs. Alexis nodded to the younger male as he looked at Noelle with surprise.

"Well I guess we have some explaining to do not that all three of you are here." Alexis prompted.

Noelle nodded. "The easiest answer to your question, Vergil, is that I do not know. Something called us here…. Or… well it called to me." She sighed. "There is a lot to explain. I guess I should start at the beginning. Alex, call Sage. She can help fill in." The brunette said, taking a seat on the edge of Dantes desk.

Vergil joined his twin on the sofa after giving Alexis a nod to sit on his desk, Nero opting for a chair by the jukebox. Alexis called Sage and spoke softly in Latin through the phone. She hung up and in minutes a white, warm light appeared, the redhead emerging from it. She leaned against the wall; arms crossed as she looked at the three males. Nero's eyes were glued to the newest arrival, curiosity filling them. Noelle cleared her throat and looked at her hands.

"We are called the Holy Trinity. A trio of Valkyrie Nephilim that work to bring Gods mission to the world. We are half blood angels, born of human fathers and angel mothers." Alexis spoke.

"We fall into three categories: a Healer, a Warrior, and a Reaper. Each one of us coincides with one of the seven Archangels." Sage continued. "We vary in age and usually work in pairs of Warriors and Healers."

"What makes you three so special?" Dante asked, looking at the redhead.

"We are all born within two years of each other, Sage being the oldest, and Alexis the youngest." Noelle chimed in. "Sage is the only reaper born in this cycle."

"The trinity is made up of the three strongest Valkyrie. We are the half siblings and female counterparts to the three strongest Archangels in our history."

"And that would be?" Vergil questioned.

"Michael, Gabriel, and Azrael." Sage said. "I am Azrael's sister, prodigy, and second in command."

"I am Michael's sister, and the apprentice to Raphael, the Great Healer." Alexis said.

"And I am Michael's prodigy. But Gabe is my brother." Noelle finished.

"Interesting…" Vergil said, watching them.

"Noelle was called here for some reason. She has had a few run-ins with a mysterious voice and incredibly old demonic energy. We are here to figure out what it is and put a stop to it. I understand y'all have this city pretty secure. But as I told the Ice King before, I am a Reaper. I know a lot more than you all think. And there is definitely something here that you aren't aware of." Sage cautioned.

"And that something would be what? More demons? We've been aware of that for months." Nero said.

"No… Sage means something else. Whatever it is, it targets me specifically when I am alone. And it keeps calling me here. I can feel the tug when I am away. Like it wants me in the city." Noelle explained. She glanced at her sisters for approval.

"Tell them." Sage said. "They need to know the jist of things."

"Tell us what exactly?" Nero grumbled.

"I am a special case of Valkyrie. Most of the time we are pure and able to control our human desires. But when I was seventeen I was injured. I was pregnant at the time and my boyfriend pushed me off a seventh-floor balcony. I wasn't able to get my wings out in time." Noelle said, her eyes filling with tears.

"Noelle survived thanks to my healing abilities… But nothing could save the child. Since then, she has had darkness in her heart. We don't get ill like humans. But she seems to have developed trauma and depression from it. Whatever called her here is playing on those thoughts and feelings." Alexis continued for her.

The three males were in a stunned silence. Even Vergil looked at Noelle with pity in his cold eyes. Dante had a frown marring his features. He had never asked her about the faded scar he had seen on her body once. But it now made sense. Nero was the first to speak up.

"If it messes with you, why stay here at all?"

"Because short of drinking myself to death and getting high on ecstasy, I cannot ignore that pull. Whatever is here is meant for me to be here. I need to fulfill this mission." Noelle said, using her sleeve to wipe her eyes.

"I ignored orders one time. When I reaped a soul out of vengeance. And it cost me. Noelle cannot afford to have that over her. It will eat at her for the rest of her life." Sage said, her hazel eyes were cold.

"You seem different from them. Even I can sense something off about them, but they come across as human at first. But you… I cannot even tell if you are human." Vergil inquired. "The Yamato has trouble with what you are as well."

"You sense the Reapers Shadow. It is what allows me to look as I do. It also is less angelic and more demonic. But I am Nephilim just as they are. Reapers are just a different breed."

Noelle felt a sudden wave of energy, familiar to the last time she had been out at the docks. It was faint, like someone had plucked a single string on a harp. She frowned as she stood, her head turning towards the windows up on the mezzanine. Alexis glanced at Sage as she stood and stepped to Noelle, touching her shoulder gently.

"Noelle… What is it?" she asked softly.

"They're here… Whatever calls me to this city is here. I can feel it. Its very faint though." She said.

"Do you want us to come with you?" Alexis asked, giving her the choice.

"No… I'll be okay… I'm just going to fly over the city and see if I can pinpoint it." Noelle said as she felt her wings form through her vest, slits in the back unbuttoning to accommodate them. Her weapons formed on her belt, and she headed for the door. Vergil stood quickly.

"We aren't done here." He growled.

"I'll be back. But I need to find this… I'm sorry." Noelle said, stepping outside and lifting off with a powerful downstroke of her wings.

"She will come back. We can answer your questions until then." Alexis said.

Vergil turned his cold eyes on her but nodded, sitting back down. "Very well then."

A/N: A little longer chapter for you. Things will start to get a little more informational from the girl's side of things. Please feel free to like, follow and review. I do like reading the comments. Chapter seven will be out in time for Christmas. Have a great Holiday however you celebrate.

Disclaimer: I do not own Devil May Cry, its characters, or material. This is purely fanfiction.

Story Available On: Wattpad, AO3,