***Warning***
Chapter may contain strong language, violence, mention of traumatic events including loss of a child, and explicit sexual scenes.

Mature audiences only.

Chapter 11: Christmas Eve

23 December 2014

Noelle

It was quiet in the house. Sage had gone out to finish her last-minute shopping, dragging Nero with her. They had grown close over the last few days. I was genuinely happy for her and Alexis. But had seemed to find something in the young devil hunter and his sire. It was a nice change for them. Alexis had confided in me about her tryst with the stoic and cold half demon. When they had returned after her little coffee escapade, they had ended up falling asleep together on the sofa in the den. Alexis had been upset since they had woken up and Vergil had left shortly after. He still hadn't come back or called.

Currently, Lady had been my guard. Alexis had been slaving away at Christmas cookies and had just gone up for a shower. I sighed as Lady flicked through the channels on TV, stopping on a Christmas movie. She looked over at me with a bored look.

"It'll be nice to celebrate Christmas this year. Most of the time it's just Trish and I." She commented.

"Alexis always tries to make a big deal of it. I'm glad she was able to get everything on my list for me this year." I said softly. "I didn't think you guys really did the whole Christmas thing… Ya' know… with the demons and all…"

"Trish and I do. Not for the religious reasons of course. But for the gifts and gatherings. We try to get everyone something. I thinks its too painful for the guys, so they avoid it, though last year Dante let us throw a Christmas party." Lady said with a grin.

I nodded quietly.

"How's the walking going?" Lady asked.

I shrugged. I wasn't able to do stairs yet, but I had begun to slowly walk from various places. My muscles were weak, but I could manage a dozen or so slow steps. Alexis had said it was progress. She had set up handrails in the basement for me whenever I wanted someone to carry me down there to work on it. Truthfully, I was annoyed with my slow progress and wanted nothing more than to be healed already.

"It's going as good as I could expect I guess. I hate not being able to train or fly or anything. Alex said my stitches are healing and I should be good to have then out after New Years."

"That's progress. You're healing faster than the average human still. You'll be back to normal in no time… Will you be able to fly again?"

"Not right away." I said, shaking my head. "It's gonna take a bit to build up my strength again. But training with my wings out will help."

"Well I hope you can get back to it soon enough." she said softly. "Hopefully everyone is back for your birthday party tomorrow." She said.

"It's all right. You all don't need to feel obligated to be here."

"Girl stop. We love a good reason to celebrate. Besides, you deserve it. You only turn twenty-five once." Lady said with a laugh.

I nodded. I doubted Dante would show up. Things had been friendly between us, but the tension was still there, and the uncertainty. Still, I had made sure to put something on the list for him. The girls and I had decided to get the devil hunters something small and meaningful. Alexis had gotten Vergil a book. Sage had picked up a new hoodie for Nero. And I had gotten Dante a new phone case that had pizza slices on it. We had all gone in on a gift for Lady, Trish, and Nico, getting each of the women travel kits for when they were on missions. We had all made kits for ourselves in the past and we loved them. They included a variety of things that made life easier on the road.

All of the gifts sat under the large tree in the living room, neatly wrapped in colorful paper and gift bags. I had made sure to get all of mine wrapped up and had Nero place them down here this morning. I looked up from the pile of gifts as Alexis came in the room, a small plate of Christmas cookies in hand. She set them on the coffee table and sat on the sofa next to me.

"Sage and Nero will be back shortly. I need to get a few things for tomorrow. Lady, want to go shopping with me? Sage is going to start Noelle's cake and Nero needs a break for a little bit…" Alexis said.

"Sure." Lady said, stretching. "I'll happily go with you."

Alexis hummed in thanks, focusing on the movie on the TV. We all watched in silence until the front door opened. Sage was giggling as she stepped inside, followed by the sound of Nero laughing. Alexis stood as the redhead and the young hunter walked in, shaking snow from their coats. Lady waited until the pair had settled their things before standing. Sage came back downstairs after a few moments, nodding to me.

"I'm gonna start on your cake, sweets. Any flavor or color preferences?" She asked.

"Strawberries and cream?" I asked as Alexis shuffled around with Lady, getting ready to go out.

Sage nodded and went to the kitchen as Nero plopped on the couch next to me, snagging the remote. I waved to Alexis as she and Lady left, focusing on whatever show Nero was choosing.

Alexis

Lady and I walked towards the inner city, a comfortable silence between us. We reached the main street with the small market I frequented just down the block. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, the sudden stillness of the late winter afternoon making me stiffen. Lady had noticed it as well, her body going rigid. I felt the demonic energy spike as I turned towards the feeling. A soft thump made me whirl, eyes narrowing. The air felt heavy and the sudden realization that there were no humans around had me bracing to summon my twin blades.

Lady touched my arm. "We need to go." she said softly.

"You're not going anywhere." A feminine voice said. "Not until I say so."

I turned to the voice, eyebrows rising at the sight of a thin girl, pale as the snow with coal black hair. She wore a red velvet gown and black strappy heels, and she was seated on the edge of a railing along a building. Lady stepped in front of me as the girls' coal black wings unfolded from her back and a dark smile flashed over her red eyes. I felt a chill trickle down my spine. We stood in the calm silence as she stared at us, unwavering as aura rippled off of her.

"Who are you?" I asked, slipping my hand into my pocket, and gripping my phone.

"I don't think you are at the liberty to ask any questions." The girl said simply, her honeyed voice making my teeth clench.

"You are a fallen… The one who attacked my friend?"

"Hm? No. That was my sister and the boys. Quite a number they did on the little bird. I wish I had been able to join their fun."

"Why are you here?" Lady asked.

"Silence, human, lest you irk me, and I deal damage you most certainly will not recover from." She growled.

"What do you want?" I asked, bringing the girl's attention back to myself.

"I came to see what all the fuss was about." She said as she looked at her nails as if she were bored. "But it seems the little bird is still healing, and you don't seem like much of a threat."

"You would be wise to not underestimate those who oppose you." I growled softly.

A dark mist appeared beside the girl, and another female stepped out with a tall male beside her. This one wore all black leather pants and a corset with tall boots. She must have been the girls twin as their pale features were nearly identical. The male beside her was tall, lanky, and thin, adorned in black skinny jeans and a black denim vest that was open to show off his muscles. He kept his hands in his pockets and looked bored.

"Sister. What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here like this. He will get angry." The new female scolded, only to be waved off by the one in red.

"I came to see for myself. If this is the best of Heavens arsenal, they will be no threat. The devil hunters stand no chance."

"Come now Kin-Kin. We must get you home." The male said, looking down at her.

"Fine Alexander. Take me back to my rooms. Ains… Give them something to play with before we leave, hm?" The girl in red said as the male picked her up.

They stepped back into the mist and disappeared as the female in all black stepped forward. I braced, my twin blades appearing at my side. The girl simply scoffed and shook her head.

"You best hope you are skilled, little flower. Or you may not survive until the usurper demon king arrives to save his little pet."

"Tell me your name." I said firmly, demanding. "So I know what to put on the headstone when I bury you and your friends."

"I am called Ainsley. But it wont be my name carved into stone when this is over. Send Noelle my love." the girl said, laughing as she disappeared.

Lady grabbed my arm and I turned, my eyes widening as several Fury had started to appear. I slid my onyx blade, Salvation, free of its sheath and braced. Lady had pulled out her phone, presumably calling Dante or Vergil. She hadn't brought Kalina Ann with us since this was an unexpected encounter. I would have to try to hold off the demons until back up could arrive, and there was no way we were calling Nero with the fallen angels being in the city.

"Lady run! I can hold them off for now." I said, watching at the demons prepared to strike.

"I can't leave you on your own. Vergil would kill me."

"You are human, and you have no weapon. Please. I can't fight off this many and protect you." I said, desperation in my voice.

"Alexis…"

"Go! Get back to the house and warn Nero and Sage."

Lady sighed but nodded, taking off back toward the townhouse. The Fury must have sensed my hesitation as they began to attack in pairs. I pulled Exile free, the onyx steel a twin to its partner. My blades blocked the Fury, but my speed was much slower, and it was evident I wasn't meant to be a fighter. I felt the tip of a claw on my cheek and blood trickle down my chin as I ducked too slow. I cursed as my wings formed at the draw of my blood.

It was several moments of trying to not get shredded before I felt them. Demonic energy and pure rage. A portal caught the corner of my eye and out stepped Dante and Vergil. Dante looked pissed, but the sheer rage in Vergil's glowing blue eyes sent a shiver down my spine. I ducked away from another attack as the twin devil hunters stepped in. The two made short work of the small hoard, barely breaking a sweat. I cleaned my blades in the snow and slid them back into their navy and royal purple sheaths before letting them disappear.

Vergil was before me in seconds. Icy rage still lingered in his eyes as he gripped my chin, tilting my head to look at the cut on my cheek. I met his gaze briefly but glanced away as his thumb wiped the trickle of blood off. I gasped as he leaned forward and licked along the cut, feeling it tingle as it started to heal. Dante stood back a bit, watching with his arms crossed.

"You were told not to go out alone." The red devil growled.

"I wasn't. I had Lady with me until the Fury showed up. She had no weapon, and I couldn't protect her and myself. I told her to go back to the house." I countered.

"We will discuss this at the house. Dante… Go check on Nero and the girls. Alexis and I will finish her errand and return shortly." Vergil said, still holding my face, though his grip had lessened a smidge.

Dante simply nodded, walking in the direction of the house. I freed myself from Vergil's grip, looking down at the snow dusted sidewalk now covered in demon blood. A frown marred the blue devil's features as I gently stepped past him to continue on to my destination. He didn't press for us to talk, simply gripping the Yamato and falling in step beside me. My wings faded as we walked in the cold silence.

I entered the small grocer's, quickly gathering the things I would need for the last-minute preparations. Vergil silently but adamantly took two of the bags, leaving me with only one to carry. The walk back was nearly silent, the emotional and sexual tension between us something you could cut with a knife. It made me want to scream, but I held it in, keeping my face schooled in a calm mask.

We had nearly reached the front walk of the townhouse when Vergil finally sighed. "You are angry with me."

I looked up at him and shook my head. "Angry? No…. Upset… Increasingly."

"Same difference."

"It is not. If I were angry, I wouldn't be speaking to you." I said as we entered the house.

Sage rushed to me, taking the bags as Lady gave me a tight hug. "You're okay!"

"I am fine. I sustained a small cut, but it was taken care of." I said as she and Sage both looked at the thin pink line on my cheek.

Noelle had stood, with help from Dante, and slowly met me halfway between the front hall and the couch in the living room. I supported her as she leaned on me, pulling me into a hug.

"Lex… We were so worried when Lady called. You all right?"

"I'm fine, Nells. The guys showed up in time. We can worry later. The next couple of days will have so many people around that no one will dare to try anything." I told her softly.

Noelle nodded and I helped her get her balance so she cold slowly walk back to Dante. She stumbled a bit as he caught her, helping her to sit once again. It made me smile softly as I watched them. Maybe there was hope for them after all. I turned away from the group, going to the den and taking a seat on the loveseat. I felt his presence before he knelt in front of me.

Vergil touched my chin, looking at the pink mark on my cheek with a frown. His thumb ghosted over it as he met my gaze.

"Tell me what has you so upset with me?" he asked softly.

"No thanks."

"Alexis…" He let out a sigh that seemed strained.

"What do you want me to say? You took a job right? And had to come back and save me again. Is my body the expected payment as thanks for your little rescue?" My words held more bite than I intended, and he visibly stiffened.

"Is that what you think this is?" His tone was cold.

"You haven't talked to me since we slept together. What am I supposed to think?"

"And? You can think whatever you wish." He stood. "I will be leaving. You are safe now. See to it that you stay that way."

I stood, catching his arm. "Wait. I'm sorry. I just…"

"You what? Regret it?" Vergil looked at me, his steely blue eyes cold and hurt.

"No… I don't. I thought… Maybe you did…" I said, letting go of his arm and looking down.

Vergil

My hand slid through her hair and cupped the back of her neck as the words left her lips. She squeaked softly in surprise as our lips met in a deep, demanding kiss. She lost her balance, but my free hand slipped to the small of her back as I pulled her close. I only let her go when we both needed the breath, the burning in my lungs worth it for her.

"Never. Think that I regret a single moment of sharing my bed with you." I growled softly. "I merely needed time to… reason with all of this."

"Reason?" She seemed confused.

"Things moved very quickly. I am… not used to this. I desire you. Need you. It is as if that need for power all those years had transformed into a desperate yearning for you."

"You are scared…" She said softly, reading the deeper emotions as my eyes softened for her.

"Everything I have ever loved has been taken from me. I was given a second chance. Given my family back. And now… To have you. To want and need you like a man needs air to breathe… Is terrifying."

"Because you are afraid to lose me…?"

"Exactly." I sighed, pressing her cheek to my chest as I held her and breathed in her sweet scent. "You terrify me, woman. But I cannot deny these feelings for you."

I felt her smile as she hugged me tightly, staying in each other's embrace as I let her scent and the sound of her heartbeat lull me into a more relaxed state.

24 December 2014

Noelle

I hate my birthdays. Now I would never tell Alex or Sage this, since they always went all out. But being born on Christmas eve was a pain. I sat on the couch, listening to my sisters in the kitchen. Dante sat beside me. He had come over for breakfast and to switch out with Lady for the day. I felt him rumble softly with a chuckle and looked his way.

"What?"

"Do those two always act like this?" He asked.

I nodded, looking back at the two girls who were whispering and laughing as they worked on appetizers and icing the cake Sage had made. They were preening and giggling like little old ladies. It was quite comical to watch. I shook my head as they cackled again.

"This is typical for my birthday every year. They go a little overboard."

"I can see that. Except this year you're gonna have a big party with all of us."

"I really appreciate you guys all celebrating the holidays with us." I told him, putting my hand on his.

"You make it sound like you guys haven't celebrated in a while."

I sighed. "This is the first Christmas we have all been together in a long time. Usually Gabe comes to see me, and Alexis would be with Sage. And then we would flip every year. But it really is nice to have them here with me this year."

"So you've spent your birthday alone before?" he asked softly.

"Yes. A few times."

He was quiet for a moment. "I know how that feels. Having two birthdays with Vergil again is something I never thought I would get again. I almost didn't want to celebrate."

"Why did you?"

"Vergil asked me what I usually did. I told him nothing. And in classic Vergil fashion, he told me that wasn't acceptable. So we started doing a cake and a little get together with the crew."

"I'm glad you have him back. He seems like he's adjusted well from what you've told me."

"Yeah. I think the last few weeks have been good for him with Alexis. She's making him a lot less grouchy."

I laughed and shook my head. It was nice to just sit and talk with him like this. It made me think of the few months we had been together. I leaned my head on his shoulder, earning a sigh from the red devil. He let me stay like that, dozing on his shoulder as we watched some Christmas comedy show.

Time seemed to flow by quickly and soon Alexis had set up a buffet of snacks and a taco bar, a tradition for my birthday. The rest of the team arrived and were eating and conversing with each other. I managed to walk around a little, sitting on the sofa or in a chair in the kitchen. Just before the cake, I shot Alex a look, slipping into a jacket as I stepped outside into the backyard. A chair had been placed out there and I carefully sat in it.

The quiet that came with snow was a welcoming silence as I breathed in the cool air. I heard the laughter through the sliding glass door and sighed. Footsteps in the snow had my body stiffen. I moved to try and get up only to sigh in relief as a figure stepped out of the shadows.

"Easy sister. It is just me." Gabe's voice called out as he stepped closer and knelt down in front of me.

"Gabe… You came."

"I would never miss your birthday, little bird." He said, giving me a hug. "Though I regret not getting you a gift."

"I don't need a gift Gabe. Just seeing you is enough." I told him, squeezing tight.

"You have grown so beautifully, my sweet sister. May this next year be better than ever."

"Thank you Gabe. Help me stand?" I asked, holding my hand out.

Gabe took my hand and helped me up, guiding me to the door. He gave me a proper hug and helped me inside before leaving the same way he came, leaving footprints in the fresh snow. Alexis gave a quizzical look and I simply nodded, confirming our guest. I moved to the table to blow out my candles.

25 December 2014, 11:30pm

Alexis

I sighed as I locked the door and turned off the porch light. We had a full house tonight. Trish and Lady had taken the guest bedroom downstairs. Nico was in the den on the pullout. Dante had gotten drunk on eggnog and was asleep on the sofa in the living room. Noelle was curled up on his chest, a fleece blanket covering them both. Sage and Nero had gone up to the attic for the night, meaning they didn't want to be heard. I had cleaned up the Christmas wrap cand started locking up as everyone fell asleep.

I turned around and startled slightly when Vergil stepped into the hall. He shook his head, pulling me close as he started up the stairs to my room. I closed my bedroom door as he pulled off his vest and hung it from my vanity chair. I turned, moving to him, and wrapping him in a hug. His plain back t-shirt was soft against my skin as he wrapped me in a hug. I stepped away, yawning as I entered my closet and changed into black satin shorts and a blue tank top. When I emerged, Vergil was laying in my bed, his jeans neatly folded on the vanity. He had pulled the blankets back and patted the bed as I shut off the light and crawled in next to him.

"This was a good Christmas."

"It was. Dante really liked the phone case Noelle got him. And I appreciate the book." He said.

"I'm glad we all had a good time. Thank you for staying over tonight." I said as I snuggled up to his warm body.

"Of course." Vergil said, putting his hand on my cheek and kissing me softly.

A/N I won't lie. I struggled with this chapter. IT was a lot of filler that needed to come out and I feel like I half assed it. But Christmas and Noelle's birthday aren't big focal points. Just things that need to happen for relationships sake. The next chapter will pick up after a bit of time passes.

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

Story Available On: Wattpad and AO3