Can't Smile Without You...

Chapter One: Welcome Home

***3rd POV***

It was an exciting time...Red- Hellboy- and Liz were fighting, Abe was reading...Myers was in Antarctica.

Everyone around Bureau was wondering...when Christine would come home.

Christine was Red's little sister, she was the one who discovered the Professor's body the night he died...the night he was murdered. When Sammael was taken care of, along with the prophesy, she needed to be alone.

She left without another word to anyone...not even to Myers, her boyfriend. Red and Liz got married, wishing she could have been there.

Now it's been two years and there was no sign of Christine...

***

"Liz, come on! Please, talk to me? I did the dishes!" Red pleaded, Liz was isolating herself in their bathroom.

"Go away, Red! I don't wanna talk, okay?!" Liz snapped. Red sighed, so heavily that it was almost a growl.

"Fine...I'm sorry, it's just that it's-..." Liz opened the door. She was about to speak when she heard someone yell through the vents.

"Red!" A familiar voice echoed through the Bureau that no one expected.

"Abe! Liz!" Christine's voice called.

Red and Liz forgot about their fight, both taking off running for the lobby elevator. When they reached it, Abe was already there with Manning. And was getting a hug from Christine.

She wore a white button down, bell-bottom jeans, tan cowboy boots with three inch heels, a leather bomber jacket with a plush collar, and a gold Egyptian pendant around her neck, a cat symbol with shining blue sapphire eyes. Her dyed red hair fell in soft curls to her mid-back. Her eyes were bright blue like glaciers, always seeming to be glowing. Her skin was tanned and freckled, having been in the sun for a while.

She let go of the fish man and looked to her brother. "Hey...I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have left like that. It was a dick move...especially when you were mourning Father too." She smiled sadly, her eyes watering.

"Chris, where were you?" Red asked.

"Two years, Chris? We almost thought someone kidnapped you!" Liz said, her voice sounded hurt.

"Uhh...well, about that. I went to Africa. Spent a lot of time in Egypt, talking to mummies...they might not have brains, but they have a lot of good advice. Cleopatra's daughter let me bring back this necklace." She said, taking off her pendant carefully.

"It's not cursed, I made sure of that. Just really friggin' pretty...plus cats, so I thought you would like it, Liz." Christine handed it to her.

"I also brought back a few books that were still legible for Abe...and really nice box of cigars for you, Red. Illegal, from Cuba." Her smile became nervous as Red stared at her blankly.

"Chris...you disappear without a word for two years, when you finally come back you bring presents and hope it will be okay...? And you brought me illegal cigars?!" Red spoke harshly, stepping up to her.

"You're bullshitting with my right now to scare me, aren't you?" Her fear dropped and she smirked.

Red grinned and hugged her tightly, lifting her up off the ground. "Nothing gets passed you, sis! Welcome back." Red laughed.

He set her down and Christine hugged Liz. Christine scrunched her nose a bit when she smelled something odd on Liz...she brushed it off though.

***

Christine was unpacking when she found an old story book. "I remember you." She chuckled to herself. I was a leather bound book with a gold insignia in the center of the cover.

"The Legend of the Golden Army..." She read the title as she opened to the inside cover. There was a note...she didn't remember that.

Dear Christine,

I am so very sorry to leave you. I know that you and Hellboy will be distraught, but I was already fading. I was diagnosed with liver cancer a year before I was murdered...there was no treatment that could have saved me, even with your talents, my dear. I see how happy you are, with Myers...he is a good man. Do not live in regret.

Tell Hellboy that I love him, as I love you, my precious daughter.

Sending luck,
Father

Her heart seemed to snap in her chest. Christine's eyes brimmed so quickly with tears that it was painful. She fell to her knees on the spot, letting out my pain with racking sobs.

Where was Myers...? She needed to see him...

(sorry this is late!!!)