I know, I know, I have other stories to update! My muse has been very uncooperative lately, and this was all she could come up with! Anyway, I hope you like what she came up with. I've tried to keep the characters as authentic as possible, considering the story is AU, but if there's anything I've missed, please let me know!

Time Heals

Vulnerability

Nuada had come to terms with his fate. He had surrendered the crown to Red, albeit unwillingly, and it had been destroyed. He had agreed to call a truce with the human world, on the condition that he would not spend eternity in a prison of any kind. His sister had thought it a good idea for him to work for the BPRD, so he could learn more about the good in humans. Nuada hadn't been convinced it was a good idea, but he didn't have much choice.

He still didn't like humans much. As far as he could see, they were still greedy and selfish. Still only concerned with their own short lives. However, he had learned that not all humans were like this. The human Liz; despite having a rather fiery temper, literally, she cared about others. Most humans would have been too prejudiced to date a demon like Red, but Liz loved him. They'd even had twins, who looked human enough, aside from their red skin and short little tails.

Then there were the human agents. Granted, he hated most of them, but a couple were tolerable. It also proved just how tolerant and open-minded humans could be if they chose to. Unfortunately, most humans were only concerned with having more. More money, more fame, more power. More of anything and everything. Humans were more interested in material wealth, than the world around them. They polluted the planet with their technological advancements, overpopulated the world with their kind by constant breeding, destroyed the beautiful forests that once adorned the entire planet, and hunted many other species into extinction because of their greed. Nuada had long since lost any minute amounts of faith he had in humanity, a long time ago. They simply wouldn't be fulfilled until they destroyed themselves, most likely taking the rest of the world with them.

The BPRD were to get a new member to their team; a young woman with unusual abilities. She had the ability to heal any form of injury, no matter how severe, and the ability to hurt, even kill. Unfortunately, she was utterly terrified of her powers. She was afraid to get close to people, and even hated being touched, thinking that her touch would kill someone. She'd gone to great lengths to avoid people altogether, and had even voluntarily admitted herself to a psychiatric hospital. Telling the Doctors that she thought her touch could kill someone, was enough for them to give her a private room, with little contact from others. She was never locked in her room, and could sign herself out anytime she chose, but she never did.

Manning was in his office reading the young woman's file for the hundredth time. She was only 27, and yet her parents had both died suddenly when she was just 13. The causes of death had been listed as a heart attack. It was this entry that had first sparked the BPRD's interest in her. They had scoured through thousands of unusual cases, looking for other people with strange abilities. Liz couldn't possibly be the only one, though until now, all had proved unsuccessful. Having someone who could heal would make a wonderful asset to the team.

Manning rubber his eyes and leant back in his chair. He wasn't sure how he was going to introduce such a shy, introverted, socially inept woman to a demon, a firestarter, a fishman and two members of Elvish royalty, not to mention Johann Krauss, or Dr Clank - as Red had called him on many occasions. Nevertheless, she would be arriving in less than half an hour and he had to assemble the team well before then to bring them to speed on the new member.

He closed the file and left his office, locking the door behind him. He walked the few hundred yards to the main library, and found Johann, Nuada, Nuala and Abe waiting for him. Red and Liz were, of course, nowhere to be seen. They were always late. It was usually Red's fault. He had no respect for authority.

The argument could be heard all the way down the corridor, along with many agents running to get out of Liz's way. She was no doubt on fire as she walked and shouted. If anyone could make Liz have an episode, it was Red.

She entered the library, still on fire, and singeing the carpet as she walked.

"I mean it Red! You keep those cats off my clothes, unless you want them served for dinner!" Liz screamed at him.

"Alright, alright. I promise. Just calm down," Red said, trying to placate her.

Liz took a deep breath and willed herself to calm down, the fire dying out, leaving her pendant glowing around her neck.

"Sorry, the cats were shredding my clothes," Liz said by way of explanation.

"It wasn't that bad," Red mumbled.

"Don't start, Red!" Liz warned.

"Enough! Now, our newest recruit will be here soon. Her name is Anna Medford. She's 27, and she has the ability to heal. We believe she also has the ability to harm, with a simple touch of her hand. We think she could even kill a person with it," Manning said.

"Think?" asked Red.

"Yes. She's only ever killed two people, albeit accidentally."

"Who?" asked Liz.

"Her parents," Manning replied.

"Oh my God and we're hiring her?" Liz said, completely shocked.

"She was 13 when it happened. It seemed that she only started manifesting her powers at puberty. She had no idea what they could do. It's had a very profound affect on her. She turned into a complete recluse, even going so far as to have herself willingly committed, refusing to interact with anyone, for fear of harming someone. She also stopped speaking soon after admitting herself to the hospital. I guess with no one to talk to, she didn't see the point. She also doesn't like to be touched, so don't try to shake her hand."

"Why are we even bothering with such a neurotic mess?" Red said, none too tactfully.

"She could be essential to the team. Someone who can heal could be invaluable."

"I hate to be pessimistic, but if she can't touch people, how is she going to heal them?"

"We're hoping that the more she's around people, the more she'll open up. She's not really been around people for a long time. Who knows what will happen? Either way, we couldn't possibly end up worse off," said Manning.

"If she's kept herself locked up for so long, how did you get her to agree to join us?" Liz asked.

"We told her she'd be safe here from the outside world. She won't be going out on missions until we can be sure she has a handle on things, so she'll be able to get to grips with her powers here, without having to worry about hurting anyone. Look, we don't know if this will work out, okay? Just try to make her feel welcome. Try to include her in things, but don't crowd her. Just act normal."

An agent entered the library, and signalled for Manning.

"Sir? She's here," the agent informed him.

"Alright. Everyone, she's on her way in. Remember, be nice," Manning instructed.

The group turned to the door and watched in silence as Anna entered, flanked by a couple of agents. She was a small woman of around five feet, had a slender build, and long red hair. The group couldn't see her face as she had her head down, and her hair covered most of her face. Her clothes seemed several sizes too big for her, and she had her sleeves covering her hands. Manning approached her, but was conscious of getting too close to her.

"I'm Agent Manning. Welcome to the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defence. I'll introduce you to the team. Over here, we have Abraham Sapien. He's our resident psychic."

Abe waved a webbed hand and nodded his head at Anna.

"Next, we have Liz Sherman. She's human, but she'd also a firestarter."

Liz demonstrated by allowing her hand to ignite as she waved. Anna jumped back slightly at the display.

"Hey, it's okay. I have a good handle on it," Liz said, making the flames die out.

"Over here, is our resident demon Hellboy, or Red, as he prefers," Manning said, directing her to Red.

"How's it going?" Red asked, offering his left hand out for her to shake.

Anna jerked her hands back to her chest and pulled her sleeves right down over her delicate hands. Her shoulders hunched as she took several steps back.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot you don't like to be touched," Red said, smiling sheepishly at Manning who was shaking his head in desperation.

"Okay, well, over here, we have Princess Nuala of the Unseen Realm, and her brother, Prince Nuada," Manning said as he stepped towards the two Elves.

Nuala inclined her head and smiled down at Anna. Both Elves completely towered over her. Nuala reached almost 6 feet, with her brother being several inches taller. Anna was almost entranced by their ethereal beauty. Although where Nuala had kindness in her eyes, Nuada had an extreme fierceness in his. The intensity was enough to make Anna lower her head so her hair curtained her face.

Reluctant to allow the Prince to scrutinise Anna for too long, Manning quickly moved on to the final member.

"And this is our resident paranormal expert, Dr Johann Krauss."

"Welcome, mein fraulein," said Krauss, clacking his heels together and bowing in greeting.

Anna stole a look at the mechanical man, and almost smiled. He seemed very strange, and yet he didn't come across as freakish at all. Overall, they were rather an odd bunch, but considering her own abilities, she'd probably fit right in, if she would allow herself to open up.

Since Anna wasn't about to introduce herself, Manning thought it wise to show her where she would be staying.

"Right, well, that's the team. I can show you your room, if you like?" he asked.

Anna simply looked up at him through her hair.

"Right, okay, well… it's this way," Manning said, directing her out of the library.

The rest of the group were left in the library, thinking about the woman they had just met.

"She seems a little fragile. Do you really think she'll be an asset to us?" Liz asked.

"Perhaps she needs time to bond with us. She does not know us yet," Abe offered.

"Maybe. I guess we'll just have to see what happens. We can't force her to open up."

Nuada wasn't sure what to think. She did indeed seem very fragile. She was so small and delicate. He didn't think she could possibly handle being part of the team. And yet, for the few moments she'd looked at him, albeit through her hair, the vividness of her green eyes held a certain strength in them. It was doubtful that she was aware of it. Only time would tell if she could unlock that strength. She certainly wasn't what he was expecting. He expected to see someone rather hostile and antagonistic around people, but she was completely the opposite. So shy and timid. For a moment, he'd felt as though he needed to protect her. He quickly shook the feeling off. Protect a human? It simply wasn't his style. He did it for the BPRD because he had to, not because he wanted to. He had no idea when he'd be allowed to leave, but he didn't plan on working for them forever.