No missions for the last few days. Either it was a quiet period or I wasn't told if there were missions. It suited me just fine, really. I'd been able to build a tentative bridge with Collette and that was ok.

We'd arranged the weird double date for Saturday. Chris was still going along with this and I got the sense he was only doing so for my benefit. I realised he, maybe, didn't like humans that much. I was an exception so that made me feel very special.

Saturday arrived and I found myself in my room with Victoria. She had seemed so subdued. I guessed she thought she'd be all alone again and I felt really sorry for her. I wanted to reassure her, but wasn't sure how to go about it.

"You and Chris could just go on a date together. Forget all this crap." She said, digging around in my closet.

"I guess we could. I just want to make everything all right." I replied, and she nodded.

I liked Victoria. She understood things and that was awesome. She pulled out one of my jumpers. It was the one with cartoon cats on and she stifled a giggle. She held it up and I shrugged.

"I bet he'd love this." She laughed then.

"Hey, shut up. I never said I was good at fashion." I fought back, weakly.

I settled on the jumper with thick tights and boots. Victoria vanished and reappered with a bag. I stared at it and she grinned.

"Let me do your make-up." She said. It wasn't a question. She might have held me down.

"I don't really wear make-up." I said.

It was true. I did, however, spend a lot of time watching videos on YouTube of how to contour and do perfect eyeliner wings. I had tried once and ended up looking like a clown. I agreed and Victoria sat in front of me.

It was weird having someone do your make-up. I didn't know what she was doing. The whole process took about twenty minutes and she finally pulled back and smiled.

"Done. Have a look." She said.

I got up and walked to the small mirror on my desk. I blinked a couple of times. The make-up was understated and natural. I smiled a little and Victoria appeared next to me, looking proud. Her phone beeped and she removed it from her jean pocket.

"It's twelve. You need to head off." She said, and then sighed.

Victoria walked me to the stairs of the dorm. She seemed to like Chris. When she opened the doors he was seated on the brick railing.

"Someone decided to change things up." She grinned.

It was true. Chris had shaved the sides of his head. There were several little spikes jutting out from the top of his head on either side. I walked in front of him and he smiled.

"Wow, you look different." I blurted.

"Good different." He replied, smiling.

He was dressed casual again in a jacket also covered in spikes. Victoria was looking on in wide eyed fascination.

"You two look like complete opposites." She said.

"Opposites always attract." Chris replied. He actually smiled at Victoria.

I blushed at that and my face flushed even more when he gripped my chin, angling my face to see my make-up. I couldn't really tell what he was thinking. I managed a shy smile.

"Cute." He chuckled.

Victoria gave me a hug just before we left and wished us luck. I got the sense we'd need it. Chris took my hand and we walked together. It hadn't snowed in a few days and the sky was a bleak grey colour.

"Excited?" I asked.

"Oh yeah, can't you tell." Chris replied.

We got to Bewitched early and sat in one of the booths. I was sorely tempted to reach up and touch one of those spikes on his head. My arm extended and I pressed one.

"Having fun?" Chris asked, lips tilting into a smirk.

"I-i was just curious." I replied, snapping my hand back.

"Be as curious as you want." He said, eyes locking onto mine.

Our little moment was interrupted by the dinging of the bell above the door. Collette and Hunter had arrived. Collette looked eager whereas Hunter looked beyond bored. His default look. Collette rushed over and smiled. I gave her a hug which she returned. She let go and looked at Chris.

"You must be Chris." She gushed.

"Yeah, nice to meet you." Chris replied, surprising me by being polite.

He didn't reach out and accept Collette's hand shake though. She seemed to realise, but sat down. Hunter sat next to her. He didn't look at me or Chris. This must have been severely embarrassing for Hunter.

The waitress appeared and took our orders. It was silent and I sat there in tense apprehension. A cold hand grasped mine and I glanced at Chris. His eyes were observing Collette and Hunter. He noticed me looking at him and smiled.

"So, how did you two meet?" Collette asked.

I hadn't thought about this. What should I say?I couldn't say we met in the Netherworld. Collette would be weirded out.

"Through mutual friends." Chris replied.

Collette looked confused. I could see the wheels whirring in her mind, but she said nothing. The food arrived and the meeting lapsed into silence again. Collette did most of the talking though. Hunter was finally watching us, well, watching Chris.

"Watch out, sweetie." Collette smiled.

Hunter stood and let her pass to go toilet. When she left, his eyes narrowed somewhat. I wondered what insults he'd throw. Chris was leaning on his hands, observing Hunter. The same smirk on his face seemed to be annoying Hunter.

"I think my father would love to meet you, Chris." Hunter said.

"I have no interest in meeting your family." Chris replied.

Uh oh. I glanced at Hunter and he scowled. His features darkening. That same face I'd found handsome was now ugly to me.

"I only mean since you're a demon, right?" Hunter grinned. "Crocell, is it?"

Chris' eyes flashed black for an instant and Hunter chuckled. He then looked to me, grin growing on his face.

"So, you know who I am. Congratulations," Chris smirked, raising a brow. "And what do you intend to do with this information. Check yourself into a secure unit, perhaps."

Hunter's face became a mask of fury. Instead, he looked to me for the first time since this meet up.

"Junko, a demon's name can give your power over them," He sneered, then looked at Chris. "This monster would never tell you because it wants power over you."

"I think you should go, Hunter." I surprised myself by saying.

Hunter shook his head and got up, sliding out of the booth. Collette had finished in the bathroom and was approaching. Hunter streaked past her, grabbing her hand. He paid then dragged her out the door.

"Well, that was entertaining." Chris said, and I looked at him.

"Is-was that your real name?" I asked.

"Yeah, it is. All demons have one." He said, shrugging.

I managed a smile then. I'd seen a few movies about demons. All of them involved some hellish creature possessing an innocent girl. The brave preists would discover the demon's name and cast it out. How had Hunter figured it all out though?

"How did Hunter know?" I asked.

"There are families all over America that practice exorcisms," Chris replied. "If Hunter's last name is either Jacoby or Samuels then he's part of one of the biggest families."

"I think it's Samuels." I said, and Chris glanced at me.

"Derek Samuels is a fanatic." Chris smirked.

I'd never heard Hunter speak of his family. All I knew was that we had more enemies now. More to worry about. Would Hunter's father come here and hurt Chris? A cold trail of fear danced down my spine.

"Will they come here? You know, to hurt you?" I squeaked.

"I'm 840 years old. They've tried before. They'll try again," Chris said, shrugging. "I'm bored here."

We paid and left. I tried to ignore the looks people were shooting our way. Chris seemed to ignore them a lot easier than I did. I guess I still wasn't used to being in a relationship. It had been about two months that we'd been together.

"Happy two months anniversary." I smiled.

"Does that qualify as a long time to you?" Chris asked.

"Yes, considering the circumstances." I snapped.

His brown eyes flicked down to me and he smiled, interlocking our fingers.

"Happy anniversary then." He said.

*********************

"If a human spirit is grounded for too long it becomes hostile." Ariana said, reading the large book to me.

This was what she called light reading. I visited the Netherworld on Sunday before college resumed again. Chris had gone somewhere. When I saw her on the grass I rushed over. I longed for her to reveal her interaction with Mike, but so far, she'd been quiet.

"That's when they start becoming poisonous." I said, recalling when the Lady of Springwood had cut me with her nails.

"Yep, if it cuts another human, the grey death begins." She stated, shutting the book.

That was morbid. Her gaze lapsed across the way towards Debbie's house and I waited for her to lay her cards on the table. Come on, Ariana.

"Did you speak to him?" I asked.

"I-i tried. He ignored me." She said, voice cracking.

Ouch, that seemed kind of cruel. I suddenly felt an intense loathing for this guy. How could he let prejudice colour his view of her. So what if she was part angel. Did that even matter?

"Well, ain't this a sight." I recognised that voice anywhere.

Eric had appeared, flanked by Evangeline. Her head was lowered and I glared at Eric. He was standing, hands on his hips, smirking down at Ariana.

"Good Morning, Sir." She stood, bowing slightly.

"Pathetic, little angel," He sneered.

"Is that anyway to treat a girl?" Keith had appeared.

He was shorter than Eric, but that didn't stop him. Ariana turned and glanced at Keith, smiling a little. Eric looked unimpressed and started to walk away.

"I have a mission for you, angel," He hissed. "With any luck you won't return alive."

Evangeline looked at Ariana and reached out, patting her shoulder in kindness. Ariana lifted her arm and pressed the panels on her bracelet. Her eyes went wide at seeing the mission and she slumped a little.

"What's up, Ari?" Keith asked.

"He's sending me to Winchester again." She sighed.

"What? That's insane. That place is crawling with ghosts. Some of them are so full of venom that humans have died." Keith snapped.

"I can't clear it properly. Last time a little girl died." She sniffed.

"What if more than one person cleared it?" I asked.

They both looked at me. Ariana sighed and shuffled nervously. Keith walked towards me and touched my shoulder.

"Eric gets really pissed if other legions help." He whispered.

"That's not fair." I said, voice rising.

I walked towards Ariana and took her hands. She looked shocked by my sudden actions. I knew just what to do.

********************

"Winchester, Junko? Really?" Chris had arrived back and I'd sort of barged into his office.

Ariana had come with me and she seemed ill at ease inside the other legion house. No one paid her any mind apart from unofficial members of the legion like new recruits. Keith had come with us. He was leaning against the far wall, watching, possibly enjoying the show.

"Ariana can't do this alone." I said.

"How many times has he sent you there?" Chris asked Ariana.

She jumped, face tinting red. I guessed she wasn't used to a legion leader responding with concern and kindness.

"Three times, Sir," She said. "Last time I was responsible for something bad."

"I did hear what happened. It wasn't your fault at all. Don't let Eric convince you otherwise," Chris replied.

I glanced at Chris and he met my gaze very quickly, eyes darkening slightly. I looked away and back to Ariana. She looked determined.

"I'll speak to Lemmy and Debbie. We could probably send a few people with you." Chris said.

Ariana's eyes widened and she blinked, eyes glassing over a little. She bowed and said thank you a lot. Keith pushed away from the wall. Before I could react though, she'd rushed over and was hugging me.

"Can Junko come with me?" Ariana asked.

"I'll think about it." Chris replied, and she smiled.

Keith patted my shoulder and led Ariana away. Why did I get the feeling I had been duped?

"S-sorry I interfered." I mumbled.

"You're very good at it." Chris murmured.

He stood and walked towards me. Our eyes met until I glanced at the floor. He leaned down, closing the distance and kissing me. I squeaked at the contact and parted my lips. Ths kiss deepened and we ended up on the couch. When we pulled apart my breathing was heavy and my lips felt swollen.

"Can I ask a question?" I sat up, leaning my head on Chris' shoulder.

"You're going to anyway." He chuckled, using his hand to move my hair from my face.

"What if I wanted to give you my soul?" I said.

"Then it wouldn't be a well thought out decision." He replied, lowering his hand to trace down my arm.

"How long would it take to make a decision like that?" I pestered.

"How long is forever." He murmured, lips tracing my neck.

I gasped when he started sucking the skin, nipping every now and then. My head tilted to the side, allowing him access. His hand continued downwards and skimmed my breast through the material of my dress. I whimpered, face heating up at the sound.

"W-we could at least discuss it." I gasped when he squeezed my breast.

"Or you could be a good girl and listen for once." He replied, teeth grazing my neck again.

I suddenly felt really warm and my skin prickled. Chris' hand paused in its movements and I thought he'd stopped for good until he pulled my hands so I was on his lap, facing him. A nervous sweat broke across my body. I'd never done this before. My hands trembled.

"Sorry, I'm nervous." I said, shakily.

"It's ok. Just get used to being close." Chris replied.

"How long have I got?" I mumbled.

"Forever." He smiled this time.

I managed to smile back and couldn't help the feeling of giddyness in my chest. It felt like my heart was going to burst through. I felt light-headed and my emotions were running wild. Was I falling in love?

Notes