Disclaimer: I do not own D. Gray Man. This work is not beta-ed, any mistake is my own.

Ari let out a long sigh, leaning her head backwards and allowing her arms to hang off the tub. The hot water does wonders for her sore muscles. The mission wasn't as difficult as she had expected but trying to kill a slithering Akuma in a ravine was still quite a feat. It is times like this that she appreciates the small luxuries that occasionally come with her job even more. Located just outside of a town named Jupe, this charming lodge not only has ensuite baths to all seven rooms but also serves food that rivalled Jerry's back at the Order. Starving when she had finally returned to the lodge, she decided food first, communicate later. After a warm meal of haddock chowder and freshly baked bread, she updated Komui and was scheduled to return to HQ on the next midday train. She wonders who would be around when she gets back; if a certain redhead would be there.

"Gosh."

She hadn't been keeping track of the exact number of days but it had definitely been a while since the infirmary. She had been stuck in that sterilised hall for two weeks. Any longer and she would have flipped all the perfectly aligned beds over in frustration. Thankfully, there was a constant company of people to prevent her thoughts from drifting to less than happy matters. Lenalee came by every day until she was assigned to Dublin. Sometimes, Reever and co. would tag along, much to the chagrin of the matron. Kanda also visited occasionally, usually after his training session. Despite frowning through the usual 20 minutes, she knew he was concerned in his own way.

Lavi never visited. But if she was honest with herself, she would not deny the glimpses of red hair that she had managed to catch during that two weeks.

It was a relief to be sent on an assignment as soon as she was discharged. Komui was still visibly concerned when he had sent her off to Aberdeen with a no-nonsense look and a simple 'break a leg'. While waiting for her outgoing train at the platform, she encounters Lavi for the first time in weeks. Initially, she noticed Bookman exiting the carriage and instinctively nodded at the man. He returned the gesture before making his way to the station exit. Then, she made eye contact with familiar green. Shit. The surprise on Lavi's face disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. He coughed, awkwardly. Unsure of what the appropriate social protocol was, she gave him a small nod. He responded with a gentle tug at his headband and left. That was when she let out a breath she had not realised she was holding.

The next time she sees him was after returning from Scotland with Daisya. She mentally cursed their timing when they arrived back at HQ on the 13th.

"I was hoping to avoid the festivities," she muttered.

"Now, now Ari. Think of all the food that Jerry will prepare for tomorrow. I can't wait!"

She shook her head at drooling Daisya when they had completed debriefing in Komui's office.

True enough, there was an abnormally long table set up in the mess hall the next day. Fortunately, the space was spared of ribbons, frills and hearts. She was in knots after Lenalee's story of a previous Order-Valentine shenanigan gone wrong when Lavi joined in with his usual cheery self, Daisya and Noise in tow. Soon, most of the Order was hanging out at their end of the table. In midst of all the chatter and laughter, she had sincerely believed that things will eventually be alright with Lavi. Perhaps she jinxed herself with that thought. She remembers the bright smile on Lenalee's face before Lavi and Daisya decided that the table was a perfect stage for a poetry recital. A cruel sense of déjà vu reminded her of the conversation with Bookman at Christmas.

"Bookman?"

"Ari, you are a smart young woman. You must be aware of what I want to discuss."

Her gaze followed the smaller man as he moved past her. There was a sense of dread pulling at her gut.

"I would not want to assume."

"I know of your association with my apprentice. It would be unwise to continue any further."

"I assume you do not refer to our association via the Order."

The cold, telling eyes staring at her when he turned around was all the answer she needed.

"Sometimes, he gets carried away and momentarily forgets our role as Bookmen - we observe and record history, objectively."

She does not miss his emphasis on the final word. Her grip tightens around the neck of the whiskey bottle.

"You may know the semblance of Lavi but do not presume to know the person behind the name, if any of him is left."

If he noticed the slight widening of her eyes and the almost silent gasp, he said nothing. He folds his hands behind himself and began to return to the noisy mess hall.

"I'm glad we have come to an understanding, Ari."

It takes all her willpower to not let go of the bottle and give in to her shaking legs.

"Hey, Ari? Are you okay? You seem pale."

She blinked out of the memory and glanced at Lenalee's concerned face. She gently shook her head, forcing a smile to reassure the girl.

"I think I'm still exhausted from the mission. Plus, Lavi and Daisya aren't exactly poetic." Lenalee chuckled.

"Go rest, I'll handle the boys."

"Are you sure? They can be quite a handful when excited." Lenalee smiled and squeezed her arm lightly.

"I'll be fine. Now go, before they notice."

She pulled the younger girl into a hug before leaving the mess hall. She could feel a lingering gaze on her as she left. She never found out who.

"Arrrrrghhhh…"

Groaning, she pulled her arms into the tub and shifter until the water was up to her nose. She closed her eyes and breathed, the bubbling sounds oddly calming.

I have decided to put all this behind and focus all my frustration on the Akuma. So, this is neither the time nor place to be reminiscing.

To be continued …

A/N: So I was on a roll last night and this is the product. Figured I might as well write and upload it before it leaves me, never to be seen again.

Still drafting out their next encounter, in which the talk might possibly happen. Am struggling to keep Lavi and his Bookman duties in-character. Maybe that's why there's more emotion in this chapter than the previous.

TL;DR thanks for reading/reviewing and next update indefinite