Writers Note:Taken after the "Promised Land" episode MIRROR IMAGE: {Excited
about their upcoming anniversary and having Claire all to himself, Russell embraces her
tightly to dance. This causes Claire to wince and later in the shower she discovers a painful
lump in her breast. The following day Claire slips away to a local women's hospital alone.
There she becomes fast friends with Rachel, a young woman she meets in the waiting
room. Rachel becomes really shaken after learning she must face the mastectomy of her left
breast. Everything's changed for her now. She's scared. Angry. Rachel decides to break
things off with David, her fiancee. Claire consoles her on their drive home. Once at the
trailer park, Claire gently finds the words to tell Russell of her own ordeal. At the hospital
with Russell for the first time, Claire's mastectomy proves inconclusive. She must undergo a
biopsy. The entire family is told of what Claire is facing. Josh and Dinah are quietly
alarmed. Nathaniel is very vocal about not wanting Claire in the hospital where "people go
to die". Hattie pulls them back from the edges, by reminding them that God is the one who
holds their family together. Rachel comes out of surgery feeling groggy, yet more resolved
to face life on her own as "half-woman" now. During Claire's surgery, Russell shares his
wisdom and hope with David. Then Russell ducks into a stairwell to pray. He tells God of
his fears of losing Claire. He's full of pleading questions. Tess appears; lighting the stairwell
and dispelling the darkness of Russell's doubts. Claire's biopsy is negative. The entire family
celebrates as Russell and Claire renew their vows. Rachel and David join in, committed to
each other and the life that is still possible for her to lead.}
Writers Note: This is more of an "Promised Land" story than "Touched By An Angel". Monica is in from the start to the finish but like I said is more of an PL story.
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The heart monter goes flat. All you can hear in the surgery room is one long buzzing nose.
"Time of death: 3:15 PM." The doctor said gravely as he removed his gloves and than his
mask and than his hat.
"Time to go home Claire." Andrew said glorying on the right side of Claire.
Claire gets up and off the table and turns to Andrew. "I'm ready..."
Suddenly Claire sits up sweaty in the bed she shared with Russell in the trailer. Her breath
comes heavy and she looks wildly around but could not see Andrew. She brought her shaky
hands up to her face and pulled back her sweaty shoulder length brown hair from her face.
"Poor Claire she had another nightmare." Monica said to Tess from where she sat at the
table watching Claire Greene trying to come to terms with the nightmare she just had.
"Claire isn't afraid of dying she is afraid of leaving her family behind without second
thought." Tess said kindly.
Monica looked at Tess in understanding. "So is Claire my next assignment."
Tess looked at Monica "You got it Angel girl. You are the Angel of TRUTH; and the only
one who can help Claire." With that Tess disappeared.
"Don't worry none Claire you will be all right." Monica said softly as she watched Claire
get off the bed gently so not to wake Russell and moved to the sink to get an drink of water.
Claire took the glass from the counter and quietly filled it with the tap water and turned and
saw that she hadn't waken anyone up. She walked to the table and sat down next to Monica
not realizing that Monica was there and took an sip of the water.
"Oh God help me. I need help." Claire prayed softly. She set the glass softly down on the
table and folded her hands in front of her and closed her eyes and prayed to her Heavenly Father.
"I'm here Claire. I'm here." Monica said looking lovely at the praying woman.
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