DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of the characters from TBAA. They belong to Martha Williamson and CBS. I do however own the words to the song "Safe in the Father's Arms."
Remember, God loves you!

A/N: I wanted to do a story that showed Tess/Gloria bonding a wee bit. I hope everyone likes it.

"Gloria's Gift"

Gloria sat down in a field in Heaven, bored as ever. She along with Tess and Monica had just completed their last assignment for the day and now they had some time to themselves.

As soon as they had gotten back, Monica had challenged Andrew to a volleyball match, leaving Gloria and Tess to their own devices.

Tess, who had been reading a book, glanced up and noticed Gloria just sitting there, doing nothing. She put her book down and approached the younger angel.

"Gloria? Are you okay?" Tess asked, noticing that Gloria had been quiet since they had returned from helping Danni find her earthly father.

Gloria nodded, although the frown on her face gave it away.

Tess shook her head. She sat down beside Gloria and pulled the younger angel into her arms.

Gloria started at the sudden movement, but relaxed as she felt Tess pull her in for a hug.

"I'm sorry, little angel." Tess said, referring to startling Gloria. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay." She heaved a sigh, which confirmed Tess's suspicion that something was bothering her.

"Gloria? What's the matter, baby? You can talk to me, you know. I know I'm not Monica, but I do love you and you can still talk to me."

"I know." Gloria replied, a far off look in her brown eyes. "It's just that…"

"What is it, honey?" Tess asked, praying Gloria would give her a straight forward answer this time.

Gloria shook her head.

"I don't know. It's just Danni had it so hard. I can't imagine not knowing our Father and spending my whole existence thinking He didn't love me. It breaks my heart knowing what Danni went through."

Tess gave Gloria a much needed hug. She knew her 'little angel had been discouraged ever since the assignment had started, but she wasn't aware just how much it had affected Gloria until now.

"They're together again." Tess told Gloria, hoping it would cheer her up. "And that's what matters. Yes, Danni had it hard, but God got her through it. And He'll continue to carry her and her family through whatever storms are ahead."

Gloria nodded. She let the last remaining tears fall before a small smile spread across her face.

"Thanks, Tess."

"Aw, no thanks needed, little angel. I love you and I'm always here if you need to talk. Now, I have a surprise for you."

Gloria's innocent brown eyes lit up.

"You do? What is it?" She asked all traces of sadness gone.

Tess chuckled.

"Now if I told you that, it wouldn't be a surprise. Come on. Trust me, you'll like it." With that, Tess helped Gloria up and led the younger angel to a room that was reserved for the choir.

Upon arriving, Gloria gazed around the room, her eyes wide with wonder. She knew what this room was used for. She had listened to Tess sing here a few times before.

"Tess, what are we doing here?" Gloria asked, obviously taken aback by their destination.

Tess grinned.

"Well, I figured you needed something to do when we're not on assignments. And besides, you have a better chance of making it in the choir than Monica did." She smirked, making Gloria frown.

"Tess!" Gloria chided her superior. "That's mean!"

Tess shook her head.

"It's the truth, baby. I love Monica as much as I love you, but Lord knows she can't sing. You on the other hand, have been blessed with the gift of music. Now, let's see if you can return the gift. Hmmm?"

Gloria nodded, a small smile spreading across her face. She loved to sing. She also wanted to thank her Heavenly Father for blessing her with the gift and this was the perfect way to do so.

Despite Gloria's eagerness to glorify her Heavenly Father with song, the little angel still felt bad for Monica. She knew how much her supervisor and best friend wanted to glorify God with song.

"Will you stay?" Gloria asked, suddenly realizing how many angels were there that she didn't know. She spotted Mika and gave him a smile.

"Of course." Tess told her, knowing Gloria was probably nervous due to not knowing a lot of the angels here.

Gloria sighed with relief.

Just then, an elderly angel came over to them. She looked kindly enough, but Gloria stuck close to Tess. She gave the newcomer a smile, despite her apprehension and held out her hand.

"Hi, I'm Gloria."

"Well it's nice to meet you, Gloria. I'm Clara. Have you come to join us?"

Gloria nodded, a small smile spreading across her face.

"I guess. Tess thought it would be good for me to try out."

Clara nodded in agreement.

"Well Gabriel is right over there." She said, pointing to the angel of music. "He's the one who will be testing you."

"Testing me?" Gloria asked, a nervous tone to her voice. "What do you mean, test me?"

Clara gave Gloria a reassuring smile.

"Oh, it's nothing to worry about, Gloria. All you have to do is sing a song that you're familiar with and Gabriel will determine if you have the gift of music."

"Well our little Gloria certainly has that." Tess assured Clara. "She sung with me a few months ago and the Father has definitely blessed our little angel here."

Clara nodded.

"Amen to that." She commented. With that, Clara bid both Tess and Gloria good bye before heading over to a table with music on it.

Just then, Gabriel came over. He gave both Tess and Gloria a warm smile.

"What brings you here, Tess?" Gabriel asked, gazing from Tess to Gloria and back again.

"Well, I've thought Gloria could join the choir. It would give her something to do when we're not on assignments for the Father."

Gabriel nodded. He then turned to Gloria. He saw a look of fear on her face and hastened to put her mind at ease.

"Don't worry, I don't bite." He assured her, giving Gloria a friendly smile. "It's nice to meet you, Gloria."

Gloria managed a small smile for him.

"It's nice to meet you too."

"So, can you sing?" Gabriel asked, getting right down to business.

Gloria nodded.

"Yes. I've sung for various assignments and I've even sung with Tess once or twice."

Gabriel nodded.

"Well, do you mind showing me what you got?"

Gloria giggled at this, the ice officially broken between them.

"Okay!" Gloria agreed eagerly. With that, she took a deep breath and started to sing a song she had learned for a recent assignment they had been on.

Trust in the Father

He'll show you the way

Back to a place where

You'll always be safe

In the Father's arms

There's nothing to fear

No pain to feel

You won't shed a tear

If you trust in Him

And keep the faith

Then you'll always

Have a place

You'll always be

Safe in the Father's arms

Upon the ending of the song, Gabriel was smiling. He had heard enough. Gloria was definitely choir material.

"So, what's the verdict?" Tess asked, a hint of anxiety in her tone. She wanted Gloria to join the choir as much as Gloria wanted to join.

Gabriel grinned.

"There's no question about it, Tess. Gloria can definitely join. She's definitely choir material." He gave Gloria a gentle smile before whispering something in Tess's ear. "You said Gloria's Monica's caseworker, right?"

Tess nodded, knowing where this conversation was going.

"Yes. Monica has done wonders with our little Gloria. Gloria is very close with her."

Gabriel nodded. He then turned his attention back to Gloria. But before Gabriel could open his mouth, Gloria beat him to it.

"When can I join?" She asked, her voice eager.

Gabriel chuckled as did Tess.

"She's an eager one." He commented, making Tess laugh again.

Tess nodded as she pulled Gloria in for a hug.

"Yes that she is. Our little Gloria is something all right."

"How about tomorrow?" Gabriel said, turning to Gloria. "You can start tomorrow and any other time you don't have an assignment."

"Thank you!" Gloria exclaimed, excitement and gratitude written all over her face. "Thank you!"

"You're quite welcome, my dear." Gabriel replied, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth.

When Tess and Gloria returned to meet Monica and Andrew for dinner on Earth, Gloria couldn't stop talking about the choir. She was excited to join and she liked the fact that Tess would be there sometimes as well.

Tess was glad that her little angel was happy. She loved it whenever any of her angel babies found something they enjoyed doing.

And as Tess watched Gloria at her first choir rehearsal the next day, a smile of pride crossed her face. She was happy for Gloria and also very proud of her. Her little Gloria had come a long way. Tess knew that Gloria was going to do wonderful work for the Father.

And as for Gloria, her smile filled her face as she joined Clara and the other angels in signing "When You Can't Move the Mountain." She was happy to be a part of the choir and for the first time since becoming an angel, she was where she belonged. And as she sung the last note of the song, Gloria felt her heart soar. She had never felt more content than she did at that very moment. And the fact that she was glorifying her Heavenly Father with the gift He had blessed her with, only made her feel even more at peace.

THE END