A young couple walked hand in hand at a sedate pace. They approached a 
house that was in the middle of a large rolling grassy field. When they 
got to within a few feet of the porch, they stopped to look at it more 
carefully.

The house was basically uninhabitable. It had been abandoned for many 
years and didn't appear to have been in good condition even when someone 
did live here. No one would be returning here anytime soon.

Chrono and Rosette turned to each other with wide smiles and said in 
unison: "It's perfect."

----------------------------

With the Blessing of God
A Chrono Crusade fanfic

Written by Andrew M. Petalik

----------------------------

Spoiler warning: This story replaces everything to do with Rosette and 
Chrono in episode 24 (the final episode) of the anime Chrono Crusade.
I strongly recommend completing the main story before reading this.

Lime warning: This story contains suggestive and romantic content.

----------------------------

The spent the first week making all sorts of minor repairs to the house. 
Neither of them had the skill to do more than nail boards up over the 
broken windows, do general cleaning and removal of debris. Not a big 
surprise, considering that Rosette's previous career had been that of a 
professional exorcist from the order of Magdalene and Chrono was her 
demon contract... but all that was immaterial now. They both knew that 
Rosette had very little time left, having sacrificed most of her 
remaining life to Chrono in the final encounter with Aion. They just 
needed to make it livable.

They worked at a sedate pace, enjoying the simple pleasure of domestic life.

"And on the seventh day, they rested." said Rosette as she and Chrono 
sat on the swing chair located on the porch.
Chrono couldn't help but smile. "Rosette, how do you do that?" Chrono asked.

Rosette turned her head and looked at him quizzically, "Wha?"

"You know, say something ridiculous, yet somehow make it sound so adorable."

Rosette raised her fist at Chrono and he scooted away in mock fear... 
then they both laughed.

"Chrono?" Rosette said using her cute voice. "I'm so glad you're with me 
now. I'm so glad we met. You're the best thing that ever happened to me."
Chrono gave her a pained expression. "I've wondered about that. What if 
we had never met? Maybe you and Joshua would've had a better life. Maybe 
Aion would've left you both alone."

Rosette shook her head. "You had nothing to do with that. Joshua is an 
apostle. Aion would've come for him, no matter what."
She continued, "If it hadn't been for you, we would've never saved him."
Chrono relaxed a bit, "I suppose." He said in a pensive voice. "Still... 
I feel as if I'm somehow responsible. We never really got him back."
Rosette grabbed his cheeks and pulled on them, stretching his face a 
bit. "I have no regrets Chrono. Now stop worrying about it before I'm 
forced to hurt you." There was a silly grin on her face.

Rosette suddenly let go of Chrono and although she was still smiling, 
tears started roll down her cheeks.
Alarmed, Chrono reached over and took her hands, "Rosette, what's wrong?"

She took a couple of moments to compose herself... although she didn't 
wipe the tears away. "I was just thinking of all the things we did 
together. I got to shoot lots of stuff and wreck lots of real estate." 
They both smirked at that. "I got to know an angel. I got to be Mary of 
Magdalene... and... " she sniffled loudly and finally wailed, "I'll 
never be able to tell any of these stories to my children."

She leaned into Chrono and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her 
back as she cried. Tears ran down his face as well. He didn't want to 
lose her. Rosette had become the most important part of his existence. 
Dying didn't bother him. He had lived a long time... but now, living 
without Rosette would be unbearable. It was for this reason that he had 
synchronized his life-force with hers. When her time ran out, he would 
go with her. 'No regrets,' he thought to himself.

"Rosette, do you remember when Lerajie was making fun of me for being 
God's lap dog and giving up so much to be there?"
She leaned back to look at his face. "Un hunh," she said and nodded. 
Tears still freely rolling down her cheeks.
"I told him that I had gained so much more." After a pause, "I meant 
you. I gave up everything for you... and it was all worth it."

Rosette sniffled for a moment, then choked up, "Oh Chrono." and leaned 
forward to hug him again.

They sat together that way on the swing for quite a while. A mixture of 
sadness and happiness as they cried together.

-----

That evening, with lit candles on the rickety kitchen table, they ate in 
silence. Chrono had been dreading this conversation, but it had to be 
brought up.

"Rosette?" he said in the tone of voice he used when he wanted to 
discuss something unpleasant. "We have to look." he continued.

Rosette reached down and put her hand over the clock, the mechanics of 
the contract that had robbed her of most of her life. "I don't want to." 
she said. "I don't want to know just how close I am to dying." she 
said... the words catching in her throat. "We'll be jake not knowing. 
Everyone else in the world doesn't know... why should we?"

Chrono was at a loss. "I... I..."
"I'm sorry Chrono... I'm so scared of this. Knowing how close it is will 
only make it worse."
Chrono hung his head. "I... thought it would be better to know so that 
we can be prepared... "
"For what Chrono? It's not like we have to have things taken care of 
after we go. No one knows where we are. I just want to enjoy what little 
time we have left."
"... I... you're right. I guess knowing won't make it any easier."

They finished eating and cleared the table. They each took a candle and 
went to the bedroom.

Rosette had always taken the bed as Chrono was fine sleeping on the 
floor next to her.
They quickly got changed, Chrono, with his back to Rosette to give her 
privacy.
Before Chrono settled in on the floor, Rosette turned to Chrono and 
said, "I want you to sleep with me tonight."

Chrono's face turned beet red.

"Not like that you nasty devil, " Rosette said with a wide grin, "I mean 
stay with me in the same bed while I sleep."

Chrono only nodded and gulped as he tried to imagine how on earth he 
would be able to get any sleep. He looked really uncomfortable and made 
no move towards the bed.

Rosette noticed his expression and hesitation and gave him a sharp look. 
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with me?" She said, starting to 
fume.

Chrono shook his head and held his hands up defensively. "It's... not 
that Rosette." His voice was nearly in a panic, which only made her angrier.

"Chrono... ", she said his name in that cute angry way she always used 
just before she smacked him.

"I... I... can't imagine how I would get any sleep lying beside the most 
beautiful woman I've ever known." Chrono said, his face was flaming so 
brightly red that they almost didn't need the candles.

"You... think... I'm pretty... " she said in shock, her anger fled. 
"I... didn't think you would... you know... notice me in that way.. 
being a devil and all."
Chrono nodded... still blushing furiously.

She took his hand and pulled him towards her. "I don't want to be alone 
anymore, so get used to it."
Chrono didn't resist as she drew him into bed with her. "I never could 
turn you down", he said.

Chrono lay with his back to her, so Rosette scooted over and wrapped her 
arm around him.
He took her hand and squeezed it gently.

Rosette laughed, "What about that time at the casino?" she asked, the 
hint of a laugh in her voice.

Chrono groaned, "You nearly got your coin. Saying no to you that time 
was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I was having trouble 
breathing. Good thing you broke the handle off that slot machine or you 
would've had me begging at your feet."

Rosette's heart fluttered. "You're kidding?" She could tell he was 
blushing again. Knowing the effect she was having on him was 
intoxicating. She had always thought her attraction to him was one-sided.
He responded with resolve, "No, I'm not. Shaking your back side at me 
like that was... uh... well... you know."

"Oh Chrono", she said with a breathy laugh, "what would I do without you?"
She leaned forward and gently kissed the back of his neck. "Don't ever 
change."
A tingle of pleasure ran up and down his spine.

Suddenly, Rosette let out a huge yawn. "Good night Chrono. See you in 
the morning."
"Good night Rosette. Sleep well." he answered.

She nuzzled up to his back and promptly fell asleep.

Chrono was kind of confused. He was sure she would be mad about him 
being attracted to her... but she wasn't.
In fact, she seemed happy about it.

He pulled her hand up to face and kissed it gently. She let out a happy 
sigh and rubbed her face into his back a little more. He thought to 
himself, 'even in your sleep, you're so adorable.'

Surprisingly, Chrono had far less trouble falling asleep than he expected.

--

In the morning, Rosette woke up slowly as the sun came up. As she 
surfaced to consciousness, she realized that she was lying on her back 
and that something warm was grabbing her bosom. In a panic, her eyes 
flew open. Chrono was sleeping on his side. His arm was lying on her 
belly with his hand firmly attached to her breast.

"CHRONO!" She shouted and blasted him out of bed.

Chrono awoke about halfway between the bed and the far wall. He smashed 
into it, upside down, then slid down and landed on his head.
Alarmed, he asked, "Rosette, what's wrong?"

She was sitting up, huffing angrily, her hands crossed over her chest. 
Chrono could just see the hand print left behind on her night gown and 
turned bright, bright red. "Rosette, I'm sorry. I didn't mean... uh... "

Rosette finally calmed down and said, "Never mind Chrono. You were 
asleep and I was the one who invited you to join me in the first place." 
Then with a sly smile, "I should've known a nasty devil like you 
wouldn't be able to keep his hands to himself."

Chrono rolled over and hung his head in shame. "I'm so sorry Rosette... 
" Blushing seemed to be a forming habit for Chrono. It made her smile.

She held up her hand. "Maybe, tomorrow morning, when you do it again, I 
won't throw you out of bed." There was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Chrono's heart stopped for nearly five seconds as he looked at her in 
shock, then Rosette laughed... and he joined her sheepishly.

"Come on Chrono. Let's make breakfast and do more stuff around the 
house. I really like being an ordinary couple."
Chrono liked being described as a couple. He smiled at her in a way that 
made her heart skip a beat.

The quickly got changed. Chrono, as always, had his back to her while 
she changed. Rosette, not suffering the same constraint, was looking 
Chrono over very carefully. A plan was forming in her mind.

--

The sky had turned cloudy overnight. They had originally intended to 
work in the garden... but with the threat of rain, decided against it. 
Besides, both Rosette and Chrono where preoccupied with the sudden and 
unexpected change their relationship seemed to be taking... so they 
decided to just sit on the swing outside.

After a few minutes, Rosette turned to Chrono, which immediately got his 
attention. She then reached down, picked up the clock... and carefully 
looked at it. Then she started to cry.

Chrono gently took the clock and looked as well. "Oh Rosette... only a 
few days left."
She nodded, tears streaming down her face once again.
"It's so unfair." Chrono said, almost angrily.
Rosette nodded... but finally responded, "The candle that burns the 
brightest is the first to go out. And you have to admit, my candle has 
burned so very very brightly."
"That may be true... but you did it all for everyone else. It's so... 
frustrating."

After a couple of minutes, she responded, "well, this time now, is just 
for us. No more sacrifices. We've earned our rest."
She cried for a bit more, then wiped her eyes. "Chrono?" she asked.
"Yes Rosette?" he responded.
"When we rescued Azmaria from the air ship, I told her that I had no 
regrets... and that I couldn't waste my time on regrets, knowing how 
little time I would have... ". She choked off... and blushed.
Chrono was looking at her with a strangely... not sure where this was going.
"Chrono... " her face got even redder, "I want you to make love to me."

Chrono's heart stopped... then started to hammer with such force he 
thought it was going to explode. He had never expected this Goddess of 
woman to want him in this way. He hesitated, at a complete loss, the 
situation having taken him completely by surprise.

"Chrono... are you interested?" The look in her eyes was a mixture of 
hope and fear. Rejection would be so crushingly embarrassing. Especially 
at this strange point in her life.

"Rosette... " he said shyly. "I... " not know what to say, he reached 
over and gently caressed her cheek.
She closed her eyes and rubbed her face into his hand. He finally 
answered, "I've always been interested."

"Really?" she asked, opening here eyes just enough to make sure he was 
serious.
"Really."

Chrono reached over and gently pulled Rosette into his lap. He ran his 
hand through her blond hair, teasing it. She closed her eyes again, 
enjoying the sensation of being touched as his fingers moved to her ear 
and played with the lobe. He then leaned over and started gently kissing 
her cheek... then down to her neck.

Finally, she'd had enough waiting and grabbed his head and planted a 
serious kiss on his mouth. They stayed that way, kissing each other 
while he ran his finger through her hair, for quite some time.

They pulled away to stare into each other's eyes. Chrono put his hand to 
the top of her blouse and undid the first button.
She made no objection... in fact, she reached over to unbutton his shirt 
when a break in the clouds occurred.

A single shaft of light lanced down from the opening and completely 
illuminated the clock that hung around he neck.

"Chrono?" Rosette asked, startled. "What's happening."
Chrono looked down, then gasped in astonishment. "Rosette! Look! The 
clock is moving backwards!"
Rosette grabbed the clock and looked at it. "You're right!" she 
exclaimed. Then looked at him almost fearfully, "what does it mean?"
Chrono's face was a mask of confusion. "I don't know Rosette. It's not 
supposed to do that. I don't know of anything that can do that."

Suddenly, as one, the two of them looked to that sky. Chrono asked 
gravely, "do you approve?"

An enormous rainbow appeared and slowly covered the entire sky. A light 
rain began to fall, gently landing at their feet. The angry looking 
stigmata marks on her ankles where just barely getting wet.

"Thank you," Rosette said as the ray of light winked out.
Looking down, the clock continued to move backwards.

Chrono put his hand back in her hair and played with it for a moment, 
before pulling her back for another kiss.

He undid three more buttons on her blouse, then looked up at her with a 
grin. "You're not going to hit me for this, are you?"

Rosette laughed out of sheer happiness, then took his hand and started 
kissing it. Chrono's heart beat even faster. He put his arms under her 
back and legs and stood up, lifting her up.
She put her arms around his shoulders and snuggled into his chest as he 
carried her into the house and to the bedroom. The sweet sounds of their 
love making filled the house.

--

"Chrono?" Rosette asked.

They were both lying in bed together, under the sheets. She had just 
woken up.

Chrono's eyes fluttered open to look at her. "What is it?"
She had the clock in her hand again, "The clock is moving forward again."
His eyes fell, "I'm sorry Rosette."

Suddenly, an idea hit her. She took a careful note of the time on the 
clock, then leaned over and started kissing Chrono passionately.
After a few minutes, she drew back, leaving him breathless and looked at 
the clock again... then let out a whoop of joy.

"It seems as if the clock runs backwards for us, now, when we're... 
well... " she started blushing. Talking about it was such an 
embarrassing thing.

A huge smile lit his face. "Rosette! This is great! We get more time to 
be together!" After doing a bit of mental calculation, "we may even get 
a couple of months." Suddenly, a bit more seriously, "Is that enough 
Rosette?"
She grinned a bit sadly, "it's not like we have any other choice."
Then, with a suggestive look that made Chrono catch his breath, "I've 
never had regrets before... I'm not about to start now. Let's enjoy 
what's left of our lives as long as we can."

Chrono didn't need any urging. They two of them fell into each others 
arms and made time flow backwards once again.

--

Later that day, Rosette awoke and found herself alone in the bed. She 
threw on a night gown and went looking for Chrono. He was in the main 
room at the rickety table, frantically writing on some paper they had 
brought with them. It was obvious that he hadn't heard her get up.

"What are you doing Chrono?" she said. "Don't you have something more 
important to do," she continued while leaning suggestively against the 
door frame. Her heart skipped a beat as he gazed up at her with a hungry 
look in his eyes. He was so handsome... and the way he looked at her 
really stroked her ego. The look of raw desire she could put in his eyes 
made her feel so wonderful... so powerful.

"Uh... " Chrono said with a large gulp. She loved doing that to him too.

Rosette flashed him a mischievous grin and walked over and sat in his 
lap. He immediately gave her a hug and a kiss, which she returned.

"So, what are you writing?" she asked.
"A diary."
"A diary? Why?"

He took a couple of moments to put his thoughts in order.
"When we first came here, I was pretty sure we had almost no time left. 
Wasting it like this was out of the question... but since we've been 
given a lease on life, we should let Azmaria know that we're jake. 
Especially considering who gave us more time. I can imagine that Father, 
I mean the angel Remington would really like to know too."

"Chrono? What is this?" she said having read most of what he had 
written. "Isn't this... " she was blushing heavily, "rather lurid? I'm 
not sure I like the idea of others reading about us in this way."
Chrono blushed as well... but answered: "I've never let myself think 
this way about you before. Now that I've started, I can't seem to stop. 
Maybe I should take it out..."

Rosette had just finished reading the last paragraph. "CHRONO!" she 
shouted, "I don't remember us doing that!?"
Chrono almost managed not to blush even more, "well... not yet."

Her face fell in disbelief, a large sweat drop down the side of her 
head. "You nasty devil... " she finally said in a breathy tone... then 
hugged him closely. "Don't ever change."

--

The next morning, Rosette awoke once again with the sensation of someone 
or something fondling her chest.
She opened her eyes and slid a sidelong glance at Chrono, who's arm was 
attached to the hand in question.

He looked lazily up at her and said with a grin, "I now understand the 
Elder's fascination with these."

Rosette raised her fist in mock anger and bopped him on the head. The 
both flashed silly grins at each other.

"I hope their doing well?" Rosette finally said.
"Do you want to go back?" Chrono asked carefully.
Rosette shook her head. "No... this time is for us."

Suddenly, Chrono started to chuckle. Rosette gave him a funny look. It 
took him a couple of moments to get his laughter under control.

"I was just thinking of what Satella would say if she caught us like this."
Rosette let out a bark of laughter. "Oh my. She would certainly have 
given us an earful... especially me."
They both laughed a bit more, then Rosette continue, "You know... maybe 
not. Near the end, she was pretty fond of you as well."

Chrono climbed out of bed. He handed Rosette her clothes then quickly 
got dressed, turning his back to her as usual.

As she got dressed, she asked, "Why do you still do that?" Then in her 
more sultry voice, "It's not like you haven't seen everything I have to 
offer."
Chrono glanced over his shoulder and winked, "who said I'd be able to 
let you finish getting dressed?"
Rosette stopped, almost stunned, "you nasty, nasty devil," she said 
breathlessly, then beamed him a smile that lit up the whole room.

After she was done, he took her hand and left the house for a leisurely 
walk. The gentle smiles they both wore, a testament to the happiness 
they both felt.

--

They managed to add almost six months to their time. The blessing of God 
never failed to wind the clock a bit backwards whenever they expressed 
their love for each other, whether it was for a simple kiss or much more.

There were several passages in the diary Chrono kept, that either he or 
Rosette later tried to cross out. Still, by this point, the entire thing 
was pretty large.

Chrono had just finished writing in the diary when he put it down and 
walked out onto the porch.

Rosette was sitting on the swinging chair. Although the stigmata marks 
on her ankles were still clearly visible, they had started to heal over. 
She looked somewhat listless though. They both knew that this was it. 
The clock and almost completely run down.

"Rosette?" Chrono asked. "You look tired, why not come in for some rest."
"No thanks Chrono. I want to sit here and enjoy the sunset."

He sat down beside her and she promptly took his hand. They sat like 
that for a bit, then she said, "Chrono, I'm so scared."
He took her in his arms and hugged her fiercely, "I know Rosette. I am too."

As the sun slowly went down. Rosette's clock finished its count down. 
When the second hand reached the top, all the energy that was Rosette 
and Chrono's faded away, leaving the clock blank, just a the sun slipped 
below the horizon.

--

The next morning, Azmaria and the three sisters, Mary, Anna and Claire 
found Rosette and Chrono. Azmaria could only look at them for a moment 
in stunned shock and loss, before she turned and, in a daze, entered the 
house. The other three were already crying openly.

Azmaria looked around in disbelief. 'Could they have really lived here?'
Moments later, she found the diary sitting on table.

She began reading it and after a pause, looked up. She could almost see 
her friends doing the chores that were described in the diary.

She started to cry... but kept reading. When she got to the part where 
they received the blessing of God, Azmaria's tears turned to tears of 
happiness. "I'm so happy for you both" she said to herself. She tried to 
read a bit further, but gave up and headed outside and back to the car. 
Her tears were making it impossible to go any further.

The other sisters were taking care of Rosette and Chrono, so she simply 
got back into the car and cried for her lost friends.

--

Azmaria walked up to the tree, under which was the tomb stone of Rosette 
Christopher. She wore the uniform of an exorcist, having been accepted 
into the order.

Her friends had passed away nearly three years ago. Rosette's clock now 
hung around her neck. She had brought flowers and placed them at the grave.

"I've gotten stronger Rosette... just as I promised you I would."

"I hope you are both doing well. I finally finished reading your 
diary... including the parts you tried to hide... " she paused blushing. 
"I hope I find love like that. I miss you both terribly."

She stood up and walked back to the car. Another mission awaited her.

--

1985.

"Grandma... what's this?" a girl, not quite in her teens asked as she 
walked into the room in which Azmaria, now around 70, was talking with a 
man who appeared to be in his late 20s. He looked slightly unkempt, but 
was obviously a handsome man with bright blond hair.

The two looked to the door where she stood, holding a book bound by the 
chain that was attached to a strange clock.

"Maria? Where did you find that? I've been looking for that for years."
The girl handed it to her proudly. "It was in the storage cellar."

Azmaria took the book reverently from her grandchild. "I wonder how it 
got down there?" she said to herself.
"It's Rosette and Chrono's diary, dear." she answered Maria.

The man sat up with interest. "Diary? I didn't know they had a diary?" 
he said with a distinctively british accent.
The girl looked to the strange man, "You mean they were real? I thought 
grandma made them up for our bedtime stories."

The man laughed, "oh my no. Rosette and Chrono were very real. They were 
my friends too."

Azmaria shooed her grand daughter out of the room. "Mr. Remington... " 
she said. Even after all this time, she had never quite gotten used to 
calling him by his first name. "I've been wanting you to read this for a 
long time. You may find some answers here that you've obviously been 
looking for." she said as she handed him the objects.

"Her clock looks just like I remember it." he said a bit sadly.
"Mr. Remington... READ." she insisted. He carefully removed the chain 
that held the book closed and set it, and the clock aside.

Azmaria sat there and let him read. It took him nearly an hour to go 
through the whole thing. She enjoyed watching the expression on his face 
as it changed from sadness to happiness to near embarrassment. Part way 
through, Mr. Remington muttered, "They certainly made good use of their 
time together." This elicited a titter of laughter from Azmaria.

At the end, he looked up and said wistfully, "maybe it's time a make HIS 
acquaintance again." he said as he carefully re-bound the book with the 
clock's chain.

Azmaria smiled gently and replied. "Give my best to Rosette and Chrono 
when you do."
Mr. Remington smiled and handed her back the book and the clock. "I will."

Maria had been hiding on the other side of the entrance, watching around 
the corner. She was getting quite bored, but when Remington finally got 
up, she paid greater attention.

He took off his beat up jacket and let his angelic wings unfurl. Maria's 
eyes opened wide at the divine site.
He turned to her and winked. "Don't worry Maria... we'll meet again." He 
had obviously known that she was there all along.

He then turned back to his host. "It was so good to see you again 
Azmaria. Take care."
"Come back anytime. You are always welcome here."

Then, with a minor flash of light, then he was gone.

Maria stumbled back into the room. "I... I... can't believe it. Was he 
really... an angel?"
Azmaria smiled gently. "Yes dear."
"And Chrono was really a devil?"
"Yes dear."

After a pause. "Tell me about Rosette and Chrono again grandma. I want 
to know everything about them."

Azmaria settle back to recount how she and Rosette first met... her 
grand daughter starring at her raptly.

In the back of her mind, Azmaria wondered about angel Remington's 
parting words. Perhaps the third prophecy of Fatima was coming soon... 
and just maybe, heaven had just selected it's next champion.

The end.

----------------------------

Author's notes.

This is the first thing I've posted here in years. Although I've tried 
to pick up some of my other fics, they've never gotten off the ground. 
This one was different. I sat down and simply started typing. The story 
wrote itself.

The real ending to the anime was... unsatisfactory, to put it mildly.
In my opinion, it simply didn't do the characters justice.
I hope you enjoy this expanded ending to Chrono Crusade.

C&C is always welcome.

Although I doubt they will ever see this, I want to offer a special 
thanks to Hilary Haag and Greg Ayres, the voice actors who gave life to 
the characters Rosette and Chrono. I could almost hear their voices as I 
did the dialogue for this story... which made writing it so much more fun.

-- 
  ___________
 / Here lies:\  Ryougasai... the eternal lost hentai.
|   Andrew    |
|             |
|   I think   |          Andrew Petalik
| he's hungry | Opportunity knocks but rarely. Don't let it
|             | slip between your fingers when it does.



             .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
             | Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
             | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
             |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject     |
             `---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'