WARNING*

This chapter may contain depictions of violence, strong language, sexually explicit scenes, and mention of loss of a child.

Mature audiences advised.

Chapter 8: Changes

16, December 2014

Alexis

It had been three days since Noelle had nearly died. I stood in the kitchen with a cup of coffee, a warm knitted shawl over my shoulders. Sage had gone with Azrael to a natural disaster in Kenya. She would be gone a few days. I sighed as a knock sounded on the front door and Vergil let himself in. He had been coming over a lot the past three days, sleeping on the sofa in the den or keeping watch over the house. I didn't mind the company. He kept my anxiety down with his straightforward answers and cool demeanor.

Vergil walked into the kitchen and met my gaze from the doorway. I gave him a halfhearted smile and turned back to the window. The sound of Yamato being set down on the island was the only indication Vergil had stepped closer before I felt his body behind me. His strong arms slid around my waist as I leaned against him. My body was tired. All of my energy and aura had been going into continuing to heal Noelle. Vergil was stiff but no longer protested as I rested my head against his broad chest.

"How is she today?" Vergil asked softly.

"Still resting. She hasn't changed much. I changed her bandages and gave her a sponge bath today. She's still healing but there isn't much more I can do." I told him.

"She will come around. Her body just needs time to heal."

I just nodded and took a sip of my coffee before setting the mug on the counter. Vergil rested his chin on top of my head and held me tightly. I felt my heart flutter though I pulled away from him. His grey blue eyes met my cerulean orbs as I turned towards him. There was a calmness about him today that I hadn't seen in him before. He reached up and touched my cheek, brushing a stray strand of blonde hair away from my face.

"Can I get you anything?" I asked softly.

Vergil shook his head. "Not right now."

"I thought Nero and Lady were on watch today…" I inquired as I stood by the counter.

"They need rest. Dante is out on a job and everyone else has been on watch or on jobs."

I nodded, as I wrapped my arms around my abdomen. Vergil's eyes traced over my body as he stepped closer. I couldn't help but blush under his stern gaze. Something about this man had my body reacting in ways I didn't expect. I had gone from hating being in the same room as this man to melting under his frigid gaze. His hands rested on the kitchen island behind me as he caged me between his arms. Besides the moment I had thought he was going to kiss me three days ago, Vergil had been stiff and reserved when touching me. His left hand gripped my chin firmly as he tilted my face to look up at him.

"You know, It has been an awful long time since a woman has intrigued me as much as you do." He said softly.

"Oh?" I said. God, my voice was dripping with sex. I felt a heat deep in my core.

"You dress so provocatively, knowing it gains you attention. You have an attitude when any male looks at you or comments on your body. And yet here you stand, blushing like a school girl for me." He raised an eyebrow. Was he teasing me?

"I don't…. I don't know what your talking about…" I whispered, captivated by his eyes.

"You are such a little brat." He commented, smirking.

I scoffed. "I am not a brat!" My attitude returned as I tried to pull away, not wanting to prove his point.

Vergil simply slipped his right arm around my waist and pulled me tightly to his body, his head tilting down as his lips met mine. My eyes closed as I melted against him. He was gentle with me as he pulled away, running the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. My eyes met his and saw the amusement dancing in his grey-blue irises.

"Yes you are. And you are mine."

"Says who?" I asked with a slight frown.

"I do. You intrigue me Alexis. As much as I wish you didn't… And you will find I do not like to share."

"Possessive, are we?"

"Very. I—" He cut off as a thump was heard upstairs.

My eyes went wide as he instantly pulled away, grabbing Yamato as I sprinted upstairs to Noelle's room. The brunette lay on the floor, gasping from the pain as tears streamed from her eyes. Her wings lay in a heap over her body as I made it to her side. Vergil stood behind me, concern written across both our features. I knelt down, running a glowing hand over her head and back. Noelle whimpered softly in pain as I checked her wings over and felt her bandages for any wetness.

"Vergil I can't lift her… I need you to help me get her back on the bed. She can sit up against the headboard for now." I said softly, earning a grunt from the man.

The cold demeanor he usually carried had returned as I shifted out of the way, letting him have room to scoop Noelle up and set her on the bed, pillows behind her lower back to support her. She was taking slow breaths as she tried to grit through the pain in her side. Vergil stared out the window as I lifted Noelle's shirt up to the edge of her sports bra, checking her injuries with my aura. I sighed when I found nothing.

"Noelle, babes, what were you thinking trying to stand on your own?" I asked her softly.

"I woke up alone…. I can't…. I can't be alone." She said softly.

"Hey. Easy hun," I told her as I put a hand on her shoulder, sensing her anxiety rising. "You aren't alone. I'm here. We have someone watching the house to keep you safe."

"Can you tell us what happened?" Vergil asked, his voice low but still cold.

Noelle stiffened and her wings twitched as she tried to wrap them around herself. She groaned in pain as the bones in her wings popped and shifted from the lack of use after healing. I brushed her hair over her shoulder as I sat on the edge of the bed beside her. She had a frantic, pained look in her eyes that I recognized all too well. I looked over at Vergil who had his arms crossed over his chest.

"She will tell us all at the same time. We can gather everyone in the kitchen downstairs once she can move a little better." I told him firmly.

"I will call Nero and the girls. Call your sister home. She is needed." He said.

"Sage isn't here?" Noelle interjected.

"No." I said, turning back to her. "She had a natural disaster in Kenya. Azrael needed her help. It will be a good day or two until she gets back. But I can call her."

Noelle opened her mouth to speak again, but quickly closed it, looking down at her hands.

"What is it sweetheart?" I prompted softly.

"Nothing… He won't come anyways… He made it pretty clear he didn't want anything to do with me."

"Stop that." Vergil chided her. "Dante has been worried sick since we found you in a pool of blood atop that roof."

"He…. What?" She said looking up quickly. "He said… I don't understand."

"My brother is a fool to think he can just turn off his feelings, especially for you."

"I wonder where he picked that up from." I mumbled wryly.

Vergil gave me a cold stare. "He still cares. He is on a job but I will tell him to return." He said before stepping out of the room.

Noelle let out a long breath as she relaxed against the headboard. I got up and got a fresh glass of water for her, returning to her side to help her sip it. She closed her eyes as I set the glass on her bedside table. Her normally bronze skin had a pale look to it and she was in need of a good meal. Her body had bruises covering it and she was definitely still struggling to breath deeply.

"Rafe fixed your wings. I had to stitch a few wounds and you'll need to heal naturally…. You'll scar…." I told her.

"You found me. And I survived…" She retorted.

"Yes. You did. I wasn't sure if you would make it when we found you."

"I was so weak against them. It was like all my training was useless. Their speed and strength… I couldn't do anything."

"Noelle… You survived what would have killed most. You aren't weak. Once you heal, we can train more." I reassured her.

She simply shook her head and fidgeted with the edge of her blanket. I sighed and stood up, intending to get her something to eat. Her hand gripped my wrist as she looked up, eyes wide.

"Please don't go…"

"Hey…" I said softly, "I'm just going to get you some food. You need to eat."

"I can't… I can't stay up here alone. Please."

"Let me get Vergil. He can carry you down to the couch. You'll need to fold your wings though." I told her.

Noelle nodded and bit her lip as she fully stretched out her wings and folded them neatly to her back, the white feathers fading as they returned to the golden tattoo outlines along her spine, outlines that were now edged with nasty pink scars. I held her hand until she took a few deep breaths and gave her a soft smile.

"Okay. I'm going to step out and get Vergil. I will be right back sweetheart. I promise." I reassured her.

She nodded and I stepped out into the hall, walking to the end where my bedroom door was opened. Vergil stood at my window, talking on the phone in a low tone. He hung up as I leaned on the door frame and turned towards me. I crossed my arms as I looked at him.

"Dante will be back in the morning. He said he will come straight here."

"Good. Can you carry her downstairs? She doesn't want to be alone but needs to eat. I figured we could settle her on the couch." I told him.

Vergil nodded and followed me back to Noelle's room, gently scooping her up in his arms. Vergil was careful to keep his arms snug around her but also tuck her injured side against his body to keep from accidentally bumping it. Noelle tried not to move too much as Vergil followed me down to the living room. I set up extra pillows on the sectional and moved so Vergil could set Noelle down. The brunette winced as she adjusted and accepted the fuzzy throw blanket from me off her favorite chair.

"I will be right in the kitchen if you need me," I told her, handing her a bottle of water that Vergil had retrieved from the fridge. "I'm going to make you something to eat."

Noelle nodded but I could tell she was grateful for the open concept living and kitchen space, where she would be able to see me and not feel closed off. Vergil followed me into the kitchen, leaning on the counter out of my way as I started grabbing things from the fridge to make Noelle some scrambled eggs and oatmeal. I raised an eyebrow at him as he folded his arms over his chest and watched me.

"Yes?" I asked, slightly annoyed by the grey eyes trained on my back.

"You become very motherly with her when she is injured…" He commented.

"It's not something I can help… It's in my nature as a Healer. I do it to Sage too."

"It is… strange to watch… but it does explain a lot." He said.

"Oh?" I frowned as I started on the oatmeal. "Explain."

"You put on this show of being a proper lady but it is all because of your station. You mother and worry, but no one worries about you the same way."

"My sisters worry plenty. I'd like to think my brother does as well."

"Do they? You are the caretaker. The homemaker. Do you not tire of what is expected of you?" He inquired.

I didn't answer. There was a burning in my chest at his words. Like he had taken my deepest thoughts and spoken them aloud. Maybe that was why I was so attracted to him. Vergil was cold and ruthless. His reputation and past preceded him. I was so careful and collected, raised by upper class humans, with manners and an unspoken expectation to behave and keep quiet. But Vergil allowed my attitude and let me challenge those rules. When it frustrated him or annoyed him to the edge, he would put me back in my place, but never in a way that suggested I needed to change myself. Somewhere in my heart I believed I craved that attention and control. And I knew if he asked, I would give it to him.

Vergil watched me cook for Noelle and take the tray of food to her. I let her eat in peace and returned to the kitchen where I began cleaning up the dishes. Vergil had remained in his spot as I worked. I could feel the tension between us so I wasn't surprised when I went to move past him and his arm snaked around my waist. He pulled me tightly to his body and tilted my chin to make me look at him.

"If I said something to upset you, you can tell me." He said.

I shook my head. "No. The opposite… You have a way of seeing through my barriers and straight into my heart. I'm just not used to that."

He was thoughtful for a moment, holding me firmly. "When I rejoined with my humanity… I regained feelings I had closed off for decades…. It gave me a new perspective on the relationships in my life. How to better understand people."

"Like your son?" I asked.

"Yes. Like Nero. Although I don't think we are fully used to each other, it is nice to know he doesn't completely resent me."

I nodded and fidgeted with the edges of his jacket for a moment. "Do you know what happened to his mother?" I asked softly.

"Nero said she died when he was young. I never inquired further."

"Did you…. Love her?"

He had an amused look in his eyes. "Are you asking because you are jealous or because you want to know if I am capable of loving a woman?"

"Neither. I just want to get to know you…" I said quickly.

"Hm." He grunted. "No. I did not love her. Not in the sense that your romantic little brain thinks. She was a passing fling, though I suppose I could have made it work had I known of Nero's existence sooner."

"You missed so much of his life… Its tragic, really."

"I cannot change that. But Dante seems to think I am making good on building a relationship with him now." He said as he let me go, tilting his head towards the living room to indicate I should check on Noelle.

I sighed as I pulled away from him and went to check on my charge. Noelle had balanced the tray on her lap and was dozing. I took the tray, flipping the blanket up over her torso before walking away. Cleaning up was easy and I was satisfied that she had eaten all of her scrambled eggs and most of the berry oatmeal. When I was done putting the dishes in the dishwasher, I leaned back on the kitchen counter, hopping up to sit on it. I wanted to continue the talk with Vergil but he had moved to the patio door that led to our fenced backyard and was staring out at the early afternoon clouds.

"It seems it has begun to snow." He commented.

"Is that rare?" I asked.

"Dante said it snows here a couple of times a year. But it hasn't in some time. And I only remember a few snowfalls as a child."

"I hope we can have a white Christmas …" I said softly.

"Christmas?" He questioned, turning to face me.

"Yes. The celebration of the birth of Christ? In the last month or so of digging up information on us angels, I would have thought you would read a bible." I teased.

"I'll add it to my To-Do list. What do you do for this Christmas?"

"Well I usually decorate. I need to get that done soon…" I said, chewing my lip as I thought. "We each make or buy each other gifts. Just useful or small things we think the others would like. And Christmas eve is Noelle's birthday. So we make a special dinner and Sage bakes her a cake."

"Interesting." He hummed.

"You guys are all invited if you want… Noelle might like the company. And if you come, Dante might." I said.

"Not likely. But good try. I doubt they even celebrate this 'Christmas'" He said.

"I cannot believe you are almost five decades old and don't know what Christmas is." I giggled.

Vergil raised an eyebrow and the next thing I knew, he was in front of me. His hand was on my chin again as he connected our lips in a fierce kiss. I was surprised, gasping softly which granted him access. His tongue was gentle as it explored and I could feel the heat in my core spark instantly. I was blushing red and panting softly when he pulled back, resting his forehead against mine.

"Tease me again, brat, and I will make sure to punish you properly." He growled, amusement in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes and felt his hand around the back of my neck, squeezing gently. My phone rang, yet another interruption, and I fished it from my back pocket of my jeans, answering it when I saw the name on the screen. Sage voice was a welcoming warmth of ease as she checked in, letting me know Azrael would return her the next morning. I ended the call with a soft sigh once she finished our check in protocol and set the phone on the counter.

"She will be returning soon?" He asked after leaning on the counter beside me.

"Yes. Tomorrow morning. Looks like I will need to go shopping so I can make a big breakfast tomorrow. I doubt you and the rest of the Devil May Cry team will be the only ones to join us."

"You expect others?" He said warily.

"Yes. With what is going on, Sage will have informed Az… And I know Rafael briefed my brother and Gabriel. I expect at least two Archangels to be joining us for the meeting. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them showed up yet this afternoon." I said with a heavy sigh.

"Well then I best call Nero to come babysit while I take you to the store. Because I can assure you that you will not be going alone."

"I appreciate it… But I should wake Noelle and tell her…"

"Alexis." He said as I hopped from the counter and walked toward the living room. "Let her rest. If she wakes before we leave, she can be told." He commanded softly. "Go upstairs and get changed. I will call Nero."

I turned to face him, ready to protest and argue but his eyes told me I was best to pick my battles. I shook my head and went for the hallway to the stairs. My room was at the farthest end of the hall and I closed my door most of the way before hunting through my closet for a sweater to put over my cropped t-shirt. I ended up tossing a hoodie over my bra, the t-shirt landing in my basket beside my dresser. The soft hoodie was warm and I pulled my long blonde hair up into a messy bun on top of my head.

I returned to the main level of the house to find Noelle still resting and Vergil nowhere to be seen. I frowned and extended my aura to scan the area around the house for trouble. I found nothing and my heart sunk a bit. An eerie chill started to creep over my arms as I went to the front window of the living room and looked out. My fingers danced at my lips as I watched the snow falling outside. I can't believe he left. I thought, irritation bubbling in my chest.

A noise in the kitchen caught my attention and I turned to see Vergil stepping back into the room with Nero and Lady in tow. He met my gaze but I looked away. Noelle blinked and looked up at me, clearing her throat.

"I'm going to the store Nells. Nero and Lady are here to keep you safe okay." I told her, touching her shoulder gently.

"Yeah. I might just sleep…" Noelle said, shifting the blanket as she settled back against the couch.

I nodded and walked into the kitchen giving Lady a soft touch on the shoulder and a small smile. "Thank you both for watching her. We won't take long." I said.

"Take as long as you need. It's gonna snow quite a bit so make sure you get everything you need." Nero said.

"Yeah." Lady chimed in. "We aren't in any rush."

I nodded and grabbed a notebook and pen, scribbling out a quick list of things to get before grabbing my bag and phone. I looked at Vergil who seemed quite reserved compared to this morning, and headed for the door to put shoes on. A hand steadied me as I nearly fell over pulling on my boots and I shot Vergil a thankful look. I pulled the front door open and grabbed an extra jacket from the coat rack, stepping out into the snowy afternoon with the stoic blue devil in tow.

A/N Whew. This chapter is a little longer. I didn't realize how long it was getting but I guess it made up for the shorter chapter from before. I strive to end them naturally and this chapter was meant to be a bit of fluff and filler to set up for the next. There's going to be a lot of talking in the next chapter or two so bare with me. I hope you all don't mind the abrupt switch of third person to first person.

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

Story available on AO3 andWattpad.