A/N: So, I thought I'd do a little holiday story. I'm still working on Conquering Never-slowly since work has been a bear. I hope you all enjoy this take on "It's a Wonderful Life." I know there are a few of these around so I hope this is at least a little unique. Thanks for reading!

An Unlikely Angel

Chapter 1: Sort of a Fallen Angel

I'm not your typical angel.

What is a typical angel, you ask? Good question. I had always thought angels came dressed in glowing robes and shining halos. And of course, they'd have wings.

The reality is so much different. Oh, there are still wings, but you have to earn them. But the white robes? The halos? Not so much. I saw someone here wearing plaid. Plaid, I tell you. Then there's a guy who runs around here in some sort of ancient nightshirt. I wonder if anyone's ever told him that most women don't particularly care for men wearing dresses. I can't think of his name right now, but I'm told that he's only recently earned his wings. By recent, I mean in the last eighty years or so. He's still pretty proud of himself. I roll my eyes. Or at least I would if I still had them in the traditional sense; I can see others around me but for some reason I can't see myself. I don't know what I'm wearing, but since it seems people are running around here in what they died in, I have an idea.

This brings up an important point…I'm dead. Expired. Deceased. Belly up. And so is…well, I don't really want to think about that. I don't remember the specifics of my death, but I have the sense that it was violent. And cold.

So, anyway, I'm dead. Truthfully, I'm a little surprised I'm here amongst the angels. I mean, it's not like I ever killed anyone or anything, but I wasn't exactly a nice person, either. I was, shall we say, ambitious. I really didn't care who I stepped on to get ahead and as a result my relationships with my coworkers were strained and friendships were nonexistent. I had lovers, but in the last decade only two of them were not chosen for their potential to help my career.

Damn, I sound cold…but I really did have a few redeeming qualities and I did do a few things for people without expecting anything in return. Maybe that's why I'm here instead of someplace…warmer.

I resume my observation of my fellow angels. There's Rita…she was hit by a bus one Christmas Eve. She had just gotten off work as one of Santa's elves so you can imagine how she's dressed. The bells on her shoes jingle as she moves about and I honestly think she deliberately exaggerates her walk to make them louder. She's perpetually cheerful which I find curious given how her life ended. I also wonder why she remembers how she died when I only have vague feelings about it.

Come to think of it, most of us in this place know how we died. I don't understand why I and a couple of teenagers here don't possess this knowledge. I tried asking Joseph, the one angel around here who struts his stuff in glowing raiments and a full-on halo. He only smiled and patted me on the head (I think) with a wing. Sick bastard. Well, that's not really fair…he's actually very nice and he was very comforting when I first arrived here.

My 'eyes' settle now on Elvis. Yes, that Elvis. I'd heard various reports of his death. Supposedly he was found in his pajamas, but either his pajamas were bejeweled jumpsuits or there are a few perks to being a celebrity. He got his wings a few years ago but he's actually very humble-and the dude sure can sing.

I once had an annoying psych professor in college who insisted he'd seen Elvis in a smoke shop in Key West after the man had been dead for eight years. Professor James was convinced Elvis was still alive and his periodic rants about it made for some interesting lectures. The day I got to introduce the two of them here was the best…Professor James threatened to fail me before he realized he was dead via bad fugu and we were no longer in Psych 101.

He still won't talk to me.

Elvis isn't the only celebrity around here…John Lennon roams these gold-paved streets as well. He has not earned his wings yet…which makes him a little surly when his former bandmate George flashes his.

I think I'm most intrigued by an older gentleman named Joe. He seems very sad despite being in Heaven and I think he must have more than a few regrets. I certainly know how that is. He sits with me for a while each day and though he doesn't say anything, I think we both feel a little better afterwards.

Speaking of Joe, I haven't seen him yet today, so I scan the area for his thin form. It doesn't take me long to spot him, but I'm shocked as I take in his slumped form as it sits on a marble bench. He looks distraught and I immediately head toward him.

Something, or someone, blocks my path. I finally remember his name.

"Dammit, Clarence, get out of my way."

The bewinged nightgown-clad angel winces at my language and tone and I'm sure there's now a smirk on my face.

"Joseph wants to see us." He starts to motion me toward where Joseph stands conversing with the archangel Michael. Now if ever there was an angel to follow…he's always clad in golden armor and he is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. He reminds me of someone I knew when I was alive, but that guy never did anything for me the way Michael does. I fleetingly wonder if angels date…

Clarence tries to herd me toward Joseph but he's blushing now so I wonder if he's read my thoughts. I look back toward Joe. I'm really worried about him now so I continue to try to dodge around Clarence. He blocks me again and now I'm more than a little irritated.

"Just wait a damn minute, Clarence! I need to check on Joe!"

Clarence is getting agitated. "This is about Joe! Please! Joseph has a job for us."

Not wanting Clarence to stroke out (although I guess that's impossible here), I throw a last glance at Joe over what I assume is my shoulder, then dutifully follow behind Clarence.

Michael is just leaving as we reach Joseph, and if I were still alive I'd be melting at his feet. Ohhh, that smile he gives us as he passes by...I notice Clarence is blushing again and Joseph is looking at me sternly, so I rein myself in and turn toward the angel who is essentially our boss. His face relaxes into a most…angelic smile.

"Hello, Loren."

End Chapter 1