A/N: When I had finished "A Christmas Carol: Dave Rossi Style", I ended it on a note that even surprised me! I have to admit that I let emotion and personal tragedy get the better of me and I lashed out at people who criticized me thru my characters (yes, I spelled it "THRU"). I also hurt a lot of people who took that opportunity to turn and walk away. I don't blame them. But a couple of people stayed…one of them, my dearest friend Matt. He encouraged me to write this sequel, and wouldn't let me post until I had a few chapters in storage. And though he'll say he shouldn't, he's getting writing credit because this is his story, too. Besides, he DID choose the song prompt.

For Matt. My truest friend who knows when to kick me in the ass and when to let me have my space. You are the greatest and I am so blessed. Can you believe it's been 4 years since we first chatted?

Song prompt: "One Hello" by Randy Crawford.

DISCLAIMER!

A/N2: I wrestled with myself over the idea of continuing this story. One of the main reasons for quitting was that I no longer felt like writing. But then the events of Sept 11, 2012 happened, and it really hit home the subject matter that I was dealing with in this story of fiction. After talking with my sister, Em (yes, I have an Emily-for those not familiar with my tongue in cheek references), she said that I should continue. But I still feel nervous. See, this story's concept was done back in Dec 2011, and the first 5 chapters were written back in April/May 2012 - LONG before Ambassador Stevens was brutally murdered by Al Qaeda. There is no way I could have known that while I was writing about Emily Prentiss arguing for more security in Jordan, Ambassador Stevens was sending letters and cables to the State Department requesting MORE HELP in Libya! Honestly, I am not affiliated with the State Department or anyone who works there; this story was purely imagination, and I did not expect it to hit so close to home, but I will post it as I had written it MONTHS ago. It is NOT my intention to offend anyone.

This story, and its remaining chapters, is dedicated to the memories of Chris Stevens, Steve Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods.

One Hello

Perched on a cloud overlooking the earth below, Ray rested his chin in his hands and sighed. He wasn't sure if angels could feel melancholy, but then again, he wasn't an angel, so he probably could feel depressed. Was it wrong for him to have wanted things to work out so he could earn his wings? Had he been too selfish in wanting Dave to be redeemed so that he could move up and be in the 'elite group'?

But it hadn't worked out and now he sat on a cloud in heaven looking for an answer that didn't come. Yes, Dave had been redeemed and Em had made her peace with him, but they hadn't married to have a happily ever after. Maybe that wasn't the way things were meant to work out, but he had bet his wings on it. He had known Dave Rossi longer than just about anybody - save for Emma - and he knew that he had put his money on the right horse.

Until reality had thrown a wrench in the whole thing and now he was friendless and wingless. Was it possible that he was in hell in heaven?

"I thought I might find you here," Zoe spoke softly.

Ray didn't bother to look up. "I needed to think."

"You've been doing that a lot." She walked over to him. "Mind if I sit down?"

Ray shrugged. "Go ahead."

"What's bothering you?"

"You wouldn't understand."

Zoe smiled softly. "Try me."

"I failed Dave."

"No you didn't," she contradicted.

"Yes, I did, Zoe. I made a promise that I would straighten Dave out so he and Em would have their happy ever after. Now he's alone and she's off to follow thru with her destiny to die loving him for the rest of eternity." Ray shook his head sadly.

"I thought I explained that it wasn't our job to get them together, but to save Dave from total destruction? Emily's destiny is out of our hands."

"Why?" Ray questioned stupidly.

"Because that's the way it is. God has other plans for her."

"But to let her die…?" Ray tried to wrap his brain around the fact that the woman he had come to admire was going to be one of them very soon…or at least one of his friends. He couldn't because he wasn't an angel.

"You know by now that God's plans are what's best. We can't begin to understand why things are done the way they are, but we need to accept," Zoe comforted.

"It isn't fair. Dave was almost there! He had found his redemption; he was on the right path!"

"It wasn't their time." Zoe sighed and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "What's really bothering you?"

"I failed. I risked it all and in the end, I lost my chance at having my wings and being an angel," Ray admitted reluctantly.

Zoe looked at Ray for a long time without saying anything. What could she say to make him feel better? Death and heaven was different for everyone. And though she and Ray hadn't not known each other on earth, they were ultimately brought together by one man: Dave Rossi. The man they had admired and respected and wanted to be most like. The man they had lost their lives over. The man who had given them peace in the hereafter.

It was weird how it all worked out in the end.

But none of that was going to help Ray and make the pain in his heart go away. Nothing was going to ease the loss of his wings. Except for may be the news she had found out and come to tell him.

"It isn't over," Zoe stated.

Ray looked up in surprise. "What do you mean it isn't over. Dave was saved and Emily dies. The Big Guy has made His decision. And from what I can remember, it's pretty final."

"Not always. Things change. And when there is a chance for a person to be happy, then He's pretty willing to change His mind," she consoled. "Remember that when we took Dave on his journey, there were extenuating circumstances; Dave was on a highway to hell and so was the team. We saved them."

"Only to lose Emily in the end," Ray groused.

"That's not for certain…"

"I saw it! Emily goes to Jordan and dies and Dave mourns her for the rest of his life!" Ray argued. "That's their destiny."

Zoe shook her head. "I guess since you've been here on the cloud thinking by yourself, you missed the last thirty seconds. Something has happened to change destiny….maybe," she corrected.

Ray's head snapped up. "What do you mean? Did they get back together? Did Dave go after her?" he rushed on excitedly. His friend deserved happiness in every way, and if it was in his power to give it, then come what may…

"You might have your wish," Zoe replied. "And since you are willing to go to the end for Dave, the Big Guy thought you might want this task." She looked at him with a soft smile.

"What task?" he inquired. A thrill went thru him, but at the same time he tried to hold himself back.

"Guardian Angel."

"Guardian Angel?" He frowned as the words dawned on him. "I can't…I don't have wings," he reminded Zoe.

"If this goes the way it should, you will have your wings."

"But…" Ray tried to make sense out of the request. "Dave has you, and Em has Emma…where do I fit in?"

"Remember the morning that Em dies?"

Ray nodded. "Christmas 2015 in Jordan. She was killed by a terrorist during an assault at the embassy," he recalled from memory. "She was protecting a little girl."

"She was. And now that little girl is going to be your responsibility," Zoe stated.

"My responsibility? Why? I mean: who is she and why is it important to guard her?" He held his breath and waited for the other shoe to drop.

"Claire Marie Elizabeth Prentiss," Zoe replied simply. "Em's daughter."