DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own the characters from TBAA. They belong to CBS. Everyone you don't recognize, I do own.
Enjoy!
God loves you!
A/N: This story contains the subject of dating violence and rape. Please use good judgment when reading it. This idea came to me late last night while listening to the song it is named after. I hope everyone likes it!
"Leave, Get Out"
Chapter 1-Monica's Reassurance
Gloria sighed as she watched a group of middle school kids make their way into the building. She was supposed to meet Celine here to pick her up, but something wasn't right. Gloria couldn't put her finger on it, but she could tell that something was off.
As Gloria continued to watch for Celine, she felt someone appear beside her. She turned around to see Tess standing there.
"Tess, what are you doing here? Where's Monica?" Gloria asked, receiving a look from the superior angel.
"No, Hi Tess, it's great to see you? No, I've missed you, Tess. No hug?"
Gloria blushed with embarrassment before giving Tess a shy smile and throwing her arms around her superior's neck.
"Aw, now that's more like it." Tess commented, hugging Gloria back before planting a kiss on the top of her head and putting a hand through her reddish brown hair. "Aw, I missed you too, little angel. And to answer your other question, I'm here because Monica is on her own part of this assignment."
Gloria nodded, relief sweeping through her.
"So I'll see Monica soon?" Gloria asked, her voice full of hope.
Tess nodded.
"Yes, sooner than you think. But you're stuck with me for now."
Gloria grinned.
"I think I can live with that." She replied, making Tess give her a playful shove before pulling her close.
"I'm happy to hear that, baby. Now, I think your assignment's about to begin."
Gloria glanced to where Tess was pointing and her jaw about hit the ground.
Celine emerged from the school, arm in arm with her best friend, Rebecca Whitney.
"Come on, Celine. It's just one double date. I really want you to be there. You and Caleb would really like it."
"Becca, look, I just have some things I have to do, that's all. Besides, Gloria's coming over."
Becca gave Celine a look.
"Not that Gloria isn't cool and everything, but aren't you a little old for a baby sitter?"
Celine nodded.
"I know, but Gloria and I are hanging out. She's not really watching me. We're just chilling."
Gloria grinned, despite the situation that had just come up. Celine was such a sweetheart.
"You know Gloria's like a big sister to me. She's the only one who really understands me. I've known her since I was six and she's been there for me ever since. She's helped my Mom out a lot too."
Rebecca nodded.
"I know, I know." She grew silent just then and gazed at Celine's bruised right cheek. "And I'm sure if Gloria saw your face, she would want to know what's going on. She wouldn't settle for someone hurting you."
Celine glared at the other pre teen.
"I know, but I just…I can't tell her. I didn't even tell my Mom."
Becca nodded.
"Why can't you tell them? I'm sure they'd understand. You said it yourself. Gloria is the only one who truly understands you."
Celine nodded, a hint of frustration in her next statement.
"I know. But this is one time Gloria can't help me."
Gloria gasped at the conclusion of Celine's statement. What did Celine mean by 'she can't help me? Gloria had always been able to help Celine before.
Gloria turned to Tess for the answer.
"What did she mean by that, Tess? I've always been able to help her before."
Tess sighed.
"I know, little angel. But this time, it's up to another angel to do that. And I have a feeling Celine will be in good hands with her. In fact, I can guarantee it."
Gloria nodded, still confused by what had just taken place.
Celine and Becca had reached the sidewalk by now. As they walked towards Tess's car, they continued their conversation.
"You need to tell someone what's going on." Becca urged. "You can't let him keep hurting you."
Celine sighed in frustration.
"I told you, I fell in gym class."
"Right." Becca scoffed, not believing a single word Celine said. "And Monica's going to be at my house when I get there to tell me God wants me to take the job as editor of our school's newspaper."
"You never know. She might." Celine told her, sticking her tongue out at her best Human friend.
Becca grinned. She then grew serious once again.
"I'm sorry, Cel. I know how much Monica and Gloria mean to you as friends. I didn't mean to make fun of Monica's…" Her voice trailed off as she gazed around to make sure nobody was listening to their conversation "…Monica's job."
"I don't think Monica would mind." Celine told her truthfully. She then glanced up and saw Gloria waving to her from beside Tess's car. "I gotta go. Gloria's here to pick me up. Talk to you later." With that, Celine raced for Gloria's opened arms. She needed a hug from her best angelic friend.
As Gloria's arms wrapped around Celine, the just turned thirteen year old welcomed the youngest angel's embrace.
Becca followed her best friend. She wanted to say hi to Gloria too. She really wanted to see if Gloria could persuade Celine to join her and Brian for a double date with Celine's boyfriend, Caleb.
"Aw, hello to you too." Gloria said, referring to Celine. "Are you ready to go, sweetheart?"
Celine nodded.
"Am I ever." She stated, sincerely. "Where's Monica?"
Gloria giggled.
"She's at work. But she might come by tonight before you're in bed to say good night and have some ice cream with us."
Celine grinned. She liked the sound of that.
"Hey Gloria!" Becca greeted, giving the youngest angel a sincere grin. She really did like her a lot.
Gloria gazed up and gave Becca a sincere smile of greeting.
"Hi! How are you?" She asked, ruffling Becca's hair as she gave her a small hug.
Becca shrugged.
"I'm good. Listen, I had a favor to ask you." She motioned for Gloria to come closer to her, away from Celine and Tess.
Sensing that Becca wanted to talk to Gloria alone, Tess herded Celine into the back seat.
"Come on, baby. Let's get you settled. I brought your favorite CD." Tess told her, knowing it would make Celine crack a smile.
"Thanks Tess." Celine said, giving Tess a grin.
"Aw, it's no problem, baby." Tess said, sincerely.
Becca, meanwhile, was standing near the car, talking to Gloria in a hushed whisper.
"I just think that Celine and Caleb would have a good time, that's all."
Gloria nodded.
"Pizza and sandwiches at a diner doesn't' sound like a bad idea. My friend, Rafael is over there, so he can keep an eye on you guys."
Becca giggled.
"Is it just me, or do you like Rafael?"
Gloria giggled.
"Maybe."
"Anyway, can you please try and convince Celine to go? I really want her to be there."
Gloria sighed. She didn't like forcing someone to do anything they didn't want to do,especially if that someone was Celine.
"I don't know, Becca. I'll do my best. But I'm not in the business of forcing people into things. Besides, Celine might have a reason she doesn't want to go."
"Gloria's right." A voice from just behind the youngest angel spoke up, making Becca jump. "I do have a good reason I don't want to go. So just leave it alone! Better yet, just leave me alone!" With that, Celine ran back to the car and threw herself in the back seat, slamming the door behind her.
Gloria sighed and shook her head.
"I think I have my work cut out for me." Gloria observed. She gave Becca's shoulder a pat before telling her good bye and making a bee line for the car.
Once she reached it, she slid in back with Celine and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Celine, honey, what is it? Why did you snap at Becca like that? You hardly ever get mad at her."
Celine didn't pull away from Gloria, but she didn't look up at her either.
"It's nothing." Celine told her. "It's not a big deal."
Gloria ignored this, knowing it was a lie. She also knew Celine wouldn't lie unless there was a good reason.
"Does it have anything to do with your cheek?" Gloria asked, gingerly touching the bruise.
"Ow!" Celine cried out, turning her face away so Gloria couldn't touch it.
"Sorry." Gloria sincerely apologized. "What happened anyway? Did you have a bad fall in gym or something?"
"Or something." Celine muttered, but not quietly enough.
"Celine, please, talk to me. You tell me everything. We tell each other everything. I just wanna help. And not just because you're my assignment this time. I want to help because I love you and I don't like seeing you in pain."
Celine nodded. She knew Gloria spoke the truth.
"You can't help me." Celine told her, her voice tearful and soft. "Nobody can."
"Try me." Gloria urged, her voice gentle and kind.
Celine almost did. She almost blurted out everything that was going on, but something stopped her from doing so.
"I have an idea." Gloria said, trying to change the subject. "Why don't we go see Monica? Would you like that?"
Celine nodded. She tried to give Gloria a weak smile, but it faded.
"Okay. We'll go see Monica for a little while." Gloria decided. She was about to get out of the backseat, when an idea came to her. "Do you want me to stay in the back with you?"
Celine nodded. She appreciated Gloria's willingness to help.
"Please." Celine asked, her voice still soft and full of unshed tears.
"You got it, kiddo." With that, Gloria buckled herself in and waited for Tess to return.
When Tess got into the driver's seat, she smiled back at her little angel and Celine.
"Homeward bound?" She asked, getting Gloria to giggle.
Gloria shook her head.
"Not just yet."
Tess raised her eyebrow.
"Where do you want to go, little angel?" She asked. She thought she knew what Gloria's answer was going to be.
"Tess, can we go see Monica? It's not for me, I promise. Celine needs to talk to her."
Tess nodded, but reluctantly. She had a feeling that this was going to go badly once Celine saw their destination.
When they arrived, Tess got out of the car and waited for Gloria and Celine to join her.
"Celine? Celine, honey, we're here." Gloria informed her, rubbing Celine's shoulder gently.
Celine opened her tired blue eyes and blinked a few times to get the sleep out of them.
Once she could see straight, the thirteen year old got a good look at the building in front of her and started to shake. There was no way she was going inside.
Gloria noticed and hastened to ease Celine's fears.
"Celine? What is it, sweetheart? Are you okay?"
Celine shook her head. She swallowed hard in an effort not to throw up in Tess's car. She was overcome by fear and it was gripping her fast.
"Gloria, I can't…I can't go in there! Please, I can't!"
"We're just going to see Monica." Gloria assured the scared child. "This is where she's working for now."
Celine shook her head. She believed Gloria's words, but she just didn't want to go inside. What if he was there waiting for her? SHE couldn't' do it.
"Gloria, please. Just take me home. I just want to go home. Please…" Celine's last statement came out in a plea.
Just then, Tess poked her head in to see what was holding them up.
"What's going on?" Tess asked, although she already knew.
"Tess, Celine doesn't want to go in." Gloria informed her superior matter-of-factly. "Something's scaring her."
Tess nodded. She sighed and went around to the back of the car. She opened the car door and put a hand on Celine's shoulder.
"Celine, baby, do you want us to take you home and Monica can come by after a while?"
Celine nodded, too overcome by fear and tears to speak.
"Okay. All right, it's gonna be okay, baby." With that, Tess closed the door and went back around to the driver's seat.
Gloria didn't know what to make of it. She didn't understand why Celine was so afraid all of a sudden and what had caused her sudden change in behavior.
On the drive home, Celine was silent. The only sounds apart from her sobs were the birds singing in the trees and Tess's humming.
Gloria busied herself with trying to keep Celine calm. She let her know she was there through touch.
Once the two angels and teenage girl had arrived home, Celine went straight up to her room. She told Gloria and Tess she was going to start her homework, but she knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate on it. She had too much on her mind.
As much as Celine wanted to tell Gloria what was going on, she couldn't grasp it herself. How did one date turn into an endless month of beatings and fear? How did it get this bad? Why hadn't Celine just said "No, and told him to stop? Why hadn't she fought harder?
But as these thoughts ran through Celine's mind, she remembered how she had fought and how it hadn't worked.
"Oh Father, please, help me. I'm so afraid. Please, Father. Please!" Celine prayed, tears in her voice. "I'm so scared, Father."
"He knows how scared you are." A familiar and soft Irish lilt assured from behind Celine. "He does and that's why He sent us to help you."
Celine gazed up at the sound of Monica's voice and practically dove into the Irish angel's arms.
Monica wrapped her arms around the just turned thirteen year old and gave her a much needed hug.
"Monica, I can't do this!" Celine cried, her voice full of fear. "I can't go tonight!"
"You don't have to." Monica assured her, stroking her hair much like she did for Gloria whenever the youngest angel was upset. "God gave you free will, Celine. He gave all of His children free will. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. And when someone forces you to do somethin' against your will, it's wrong. And no matter what happens, God will be with you. He loves you, Celine. He does. He knows how much pain you're in and He wants to help you. That's why He sent me. He knows for the first time you can't talk to Gloria about what's goin' on. And it's not because you don't' love her or you don't trust her. It's just that you feel more comfortable talkin' to me. And God respects that and knows that. That's why He has allowed me to help you through this."
Celine let out a sob as she buried her face in Monica's shoulder.
"Monica, I'm scared!" Celine confessed, her tears wetting Monica's flowered blouse.
"I know, sweetheart. And God knows too. I can't tell you what to do, darlin'. All I can tell you is follow your heart. Do what you know is right. I promise you that as long as you do that, everything will be okay."
Celine nodded.
"Do you have to leave?" Celine asked. There was a pleading note in her voice for Monica to stay and the Irish angel heard it loud and clear.
"I'm afraid so. But I'll be back to check on you tonight and I'll stay until you fall asleep if you want me to."
"Please?" Celine asked, her blue eyes gazing at Monica with hope.
"Sure thing, sweetheart. But I want you to remember that Gloria loves you too. She does want to help you."
"I know. But I don't know how to tell her. I'm still trying to sort it out myself."
Monica nodded in understanding. She gave Celine one more hug before pulling away from the distraught girl.
"I know. But just remember that we're here if you need to talk and God is always there."
"I know. Thanks, Monica." Celine said, sincerely.
"No thanks needed." Monica told her, sincerely. "Now, there's only one thing left to do."
"What's that?" Celine asked, although she knew what that something was already.
"Let me help you clean that up. Hmmm." Monica stated, indicating Celine's bruised right cheek.
Celine blushed, but allowed Monica to put antiseptic on her injury and she took an Advil for the pain.
Just then, Tess poked her head in the room. She smiled when she saw Monica there.
"I thought you might be here, angel girl. I'm glad Celine talked to you. I knew she wouldn't be able to talk to Gloria about what was going on."
Monica nodded as she stroked Celine's hair.
"Celine and I had a long talk." Monica informed her former supervisor. "She has a long road ahead of her, but I think she's going to be okay."
Tess nodded in agreement. She then gazed down at Celine who appeared to be half asleep.
"She seems more relaxed." Tess observed. "At least she's getting some rest."
"She needs it. But I have a feeling that the days ahead are going to test her strength as well as her spirit."
"And that's why she's going to need you when that happens. This is more your assignment than Gloria's, but our little Gloria will play a big role in this as well."
"I just pray that Celine will be able to do this."
Tess pulled Monica in for a hug.
"She'll be fine. With God, anything is possible."
"I hope you're right, Tess. I hope you're right."