White Wings - Prologue

Summary: Chas' attack at the hospital was by no means the end of his journey. His struggle has just begun, and its outcome will affect Heaven, Hell, and Earth. Possible Chas/OC.

Disclaimer: I'm making no money here. I own absolutely nothing in this fic. Zip. Zilch. Happy now?

Author's Note: This is my first Constantine fanfiction, but is by no means my first fanfiction. All I am using for info is the movie. I haven't read the book its based on, or anything like that. I apollogise for anything I get wrong, but please don't bite my head off. If you make note of any mistakes in the reviews, I will do my best to correct them, so long as it doesn't screw up my plotline. If it does, well, you're just going to have to bear the criminal inaccuracy.

I was flicking through the fics here, and struck by how cowardly Chas is portrayed in many of them. I never felt that Chas was cowardly, I just thought he never had a chance. Inexperienced, unsure of himself, alright, but not cowardly. So Chas, here's your chance to be the hero!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Where am I?"

He hovered in a state between sleep and wakefulness, peaceful and yet confused. He tried to open his eyes and look around, but an intense white light blinded him, and though he tried to shade his eyes all he could see when he opened them was white.

"Just rest, child." The voice was warm and soft, feminine, and the most lovely thing he had ever heard. He relaxed slightly as he felt her cool hand on his forehead. He felt… good. At peace.

"He's ours, half-angel." This voice was harsh and cruel, roughened with malice and spite. "You know the law."

I'm… dead? No, that can't be right. I'm turning eighteen in just a couple weeks. I can't be dead. That wouldn't be fair…

"He defies the law," the woman said calmly, though her voice now had an intense underlying edge to it. "The rules do not apply to his situation. His soul is pure and you have no claim on him."

"He hasn't earned Heaven!"

"Nor has he earned Hell."

"My master will not be pleased at this. You will learn to fear Lucifer's power, Ariel."

Her laughter had a bite to it. "Go and tell your master, and I will tell mine. We shall see what comes to pass."

"I will-"

"Spare me your threats, Ghezrhan. Get you gone."

He tried to lift his arms, sit up and look around, but his arms felt leaden and useless and the light still hurt his eyes. A soft hand pressed down on his chest, forcing him gently down.

"You'll only tire yourself, child. You must wait until this business is concluded before you can move on." He thought he heard a note of worry in her voice.

"What is going on?" he asked feebly. He felt her take his hand and press it to her lips.

"Ssh," she whispered. "I'm not sure yet. Just try to sleep."

He didn't have to work hard to obey her. After a while, he hazily registered that Ariel had been called away by some other angel. He was dimly aware of the angry, hushed argument between several angels and another demon. He was beginning to fully awaken when the sweet-voiced angel was again at his side.

"It looks as though you are leaving us again, my sweet boy," she whispered softly into his ear. Her sweet breath lingered on his cheek. It took him a second to realize what she had said. His eyes shot open despite the burning light, and he looked into her blurred face, mostly obscured by the intense white.

"You mean I'm going to-"

"You must be brave, darling. Be strong." She kissed his forehead firmly and with much emotion. He tried to speak, but felt himself fading, being pulled downwards. In several long moments, the pure white gave way to all-encompassing black.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Don't worry, there's more! I wouldn't do that to Chas!