Many years after the oysters, which were actually quite good...but...it felt strange to eat at first...anyway, many years after the oysters, we went our separate ways...as far as he knew. I had always stayed close and thankfully he didn't seem to need me too much, because I have been recruited by both demons and King Arthur's opposing armies to become the black knight, spreading dissent and discord. The troops and I were out one day, and I heard a distinctly familiar voice, and I felt the aura tether tug, but I wasn't following it this time. Aziraphale was. "I was hoping I could meet with the black knight."

'I'm going to enjoy this a bit.' I stepped forward in my armor, which was heavier than I thought it'd be at first. "You have sought the black knight, foolish one, but you have found...your death."

"Is that you under there, Crawley?"

'Oh, Come ON!' I groaned in my mind. "Crowley!" I told him as I lifted my helmet.

"What the hell are you playing at!?" He whispered out with a confused expression.

"It's alright, lads. I know him. He's alright." I turned to face him again, shifting in my uncomfortable armor. "I'm here spreading foment."

"What is that? Some kind of porridge?"

"No, I'm fomenting dissent and discord. King Arthur's been spreading too much peace and tranquility in the land. So I'm here, you know...fomenting." I tilted my head slightly. 'Even for my liking, but I guess I know who to blame for that.'

"Well, I'm meant to be fomenting...peace."

"So we're both working very hard in damp places...canceling each other out."

"Right, well, you could put it like that." He then looked around and wrinkled his nose in slight disgust. Kind of the same reaction I had when this whole thing started. "It IS a bit damp."

"It'd be easier if we both just stayed home. We both send messages back to our head offices saying we've done everything they'd asked for, wouldn't it?"

"But that would be lying!"

'Good. At least he's still good. Not that I had any doubts, but at least there's that...especially in this age, but I still really don't want to report to Hastur or Beelzebub.' I drawled out a sound I couldn't quite name as I tried to find my next words. "Eh, possibly...but the results'd be the same. Cancel each other out."

"But...my dear fellow..."

'Well, that's a new one.' I blinked at him in mild shock.

"...well, they'd check. Michael's a...bit of a stickler. You don't want to get Gabriel upset with you."

'And just how many times has that happened for him to say it like that? I remember Gabriel. A bit of a dick.' I shifted slightly in my armor as I continued to try and convince him. "Oh, our lot has better things to do than verifying compliance reports from Earth. As long as they get the paper work, they seem happy enough. As long as you've been seen doing SOMETHING every now and again."

"No! Absolutely not!" Due to him shouting, I actually felt a violent shiver go down my own spine as I felt his aura shift into minor heavenly wrath and though it was minor it was powerful, but he apparently didn't seem to notice, or he merely didn't know. To notice, he would have to know he was giving it off, and to do that, he would have to know the full extent of his powers. However, since he doesn't, the most he likely feels is anger, frustration, and agitation. God wasn't kidding when she said he could fight. If his voice was any indication, he very well could, but neither of us wanted to. Not then. "I am SHOCKED that you would even imply such a thing! We're not having this conversation! Not another word!"

"Right." Was all I was able to manage against his anger and wrath that he didn't know he was emitting. 'Yup, conversation is over. I really don't need to make him any further upset than that. Not going to do that on purpose again. I'm his Guardian angel...well, at least he can take care of himself...if he's angry enough...and doesn't need a weapon.'

"Right!" He shouted as he walked away.

oOoOoOoOo

I just delivered two months worth of reports back to Hell along with a soul that Ligur was too lazy to collect himself, and I felt an odd tug on the aura tether. He was joyful, amused, and excited. I looked to where it was coming from and I groaned. "Oh, you have GOT to be kidding me. Why there?"

I walked in and heard an actor on stage practically shouting, and overacting. "To be or not to be! That is the question! Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows you..."

I ignored the rest as I walked up to him, remembering what he said to me just two weeks ago. "I thought you said we'd be inconspicuous here." I looked around in slight agitation as I noticed a lack of what he mentioned. "Blend in among the crowds." I enjoy being his Guardian angel, I do, but sometimes...he can be difficult. I'm meant to protect him from being too much like an angel, which is difficult when he tries to do so many good deeds and convert people, and I'm also having to keep him away from Hell and demons, and I can't do that very well anymore if we don't at least blend in a little. If I'm seen with him, it's trouble for both of us.

"Well, that was the idea."

"Hang on!"

'Oh no...' I sighed in my head as I watched Shakespeare running towards us. "This isn't one of Shakespeare's gloomy one's is it? OH! No wonder nobody's here!"

"Shh! It's him! It's him!"

'Fanboy.' I smirked briefly.

"Prithee, gentles, might I request a small favor? Could you, in your role, as the audience, give us more to work with?"

"You mean like when the ghost of his father came on, and I said, 'He's behind you!'?"

'You what? Why?'

"Just so! That was jolly helpful. Made everyone on stage feel more appreciated. A bit more of that. Good master Burbage, speak the lines trippingly."

"I am wasting my time up here!"

'You're acting like a brat up there.' I mocked in the same tone he spoke.

"No! No, you're very good! I love all the...talking."

'Really, that's the best you can come up with? I guess I'll have to say what you want to say.'

"And what does your friend think?"

"Oh, he's not my friend. We've never met before. We don't know each other."

I couldn't hide the slight laugh and the wide toothy smile that appeared on my face when he said that. 'Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Aziraphale. One day you'll know. One day you'll be ABLE to recognize that we're friends...I hope.' I quickly squashed the hope, knowing he'd be able to sense it and I continued to grin. "I think you should get on with the play!"

"Uh, yes, Burbage, please! From the top!"

As he started to recite his lines again I tried to tune him out, but then Aziraphale tried to be helpful. "To be! I mean...Not to be!" I stared at him, wondering just why he thought that would be helpful. I know we were both different angels. The only two really different angels, but more and more I'm starting to see how it is SO true for him, and it's like watching a little brother, but I also suppose that it's true considering I'm a century older than he is. Not that he knows that. "Come on, Hamlet! Buck up!"

"He's very good isn't he?"

"Age does not wither, nor custom stale his infinite variety."

I heard Shakespeare say he liked what I said and then I heard him walking away putting quill to paper. "What do you want?" I heard Aziraphale ask as I walked around him.

"What ever would you insinuate that I might possibly want something?"

"YOU are up to no good."

'Nah, really!? I've been made a demon as well as your Guardian angel! I work two full time jobs! Tell me something I don't know!' The thought came and left as quick as the wind as I answered, "Obviously. You're up to Good, I take it? Lots of good DEEDS."

"No rest for the well...good. I have to be in Edinburgh at the end of the week. A couple of blessings to do. A minor miracle to preform. Apparently I have to ride a horse."

I groaned as I remembered all the times the demons made me ride a horses. I'm pretty sure they did it just to torture me. "Hard on the buttocks, horses. Major design flaw if you ask me. I'm meant to be heading to Edinburgh too, this week. Tempting a clan leader to steal some cattle."

He started to where a calculative and confused expression. He always was smarter than the other angels. "Doesn't sound like hard work."

"That's why I thought we should..." As I trailed off, he turned towards me with a slightly risen brow and I knew I had his attention. "Well, bit of a wasted effort, both of us going all the way to Scotland."

"You cannot actually be suggesting...what I infer...you are implying."

"Which is?"

"That just one of us goes to Edinburgh, does both. The blessing and the tempting."

"We've done it before. Dozens of times now." I leaned over slightly and in a quieter but higher pitched voice continued, "The arrangement."

"Don't say that!"

"Our respective head offices don't actually care how things get done. They just want to know they can cross it off the list."

"But if Hell finds out...they won't just be angry. They'll destroy you."

'Again...who's supposed to be the Guardian angel here?' I held my hands behind my back as I continued the conversation. "Nobody ever has to know. Toss you for Edinburgh."

It took him about three seconds to think about the answer or until he finally relented, however you want to see it. "Fine. Heads."

I tossed the coin, listening to the ringing noise it briefly made. 'Oh, Aziraphale, you should know better than to agree to a coin toss with me.' Once I caught it and it landed I looked at it. "Tails, I'm afraid. You're going to Scotland."

Right after I spoke, I heard Shakespeare talking to one of the woman who were handing out flowers or food. "It's been like this every performance, Juliet. Complete dud! It'd take a miracle to get anyone to come and see hamlet."

'Oh no...' I looked at Aziraphale and already knew what he wanted me to do, and he looked so damn hopeful too! "Yes, alright..." I sighed out. "I'll do that one. My treat."

"Oh really?"

"I still prefer the funny ones."

Once I managed to miracle a bunch of people to be interested, I walked back into the theater later that night and found Aziraphale waiting for me at the door. "Oh, I did hope you would come and see it."

"Calm down, Aziraphale. I'm just here to see my hard work pay off. Let's go sit down." I walked ahead of him and sat in the front row seat I had miracled for myself and he sat in the one next to me that I had put for him. "You've seen them rehearse, yeah?"

"Yes, that's true. It's quite good. Just wait."

Wait I did, and I saw the whole play. It wasn't actually too terrible. As we walked away from the theater I shook my head as I let out a low chuckle. "Alright. It was decent."

"D-Decent! Crowley! It was spectacular!"

My smile broadened at his enthusiasm. "Yes, well, you can think it that highly if you want. I STILL prefer the funny ones."

"Whatever you say, Crowley. I could tell you enjoyed it." I looked over at him as we walked and he was smiling brightly. 'That's good. At least he can smile. I kind of feel bad about the coin toss now...hmm...' I placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him in the middle of the road. "Aziraphale...during the coin toss..."

"Yes, I know you miracled it to where I would go."

"You do?" I blinked at him shock, my hand falling from his shoulder.

"Really, Crowley. We've been around each other so much, one would think that you know that I know you a bit better than that. I knew you were going to cheat. You're a demon. It's what you do."

"Then why agree to a coin toss? You could've just said yes."

"I like the sound it makes in the air."

"Huh...can't argue with that."

oOoOoOoOo

I was in a carriage, on my way to a tavern when I felt the Aura Tether tug desperately, and on the other end Aziraphale was feeling anxious, worried, ashamed, and for some reason he felt foolish. "Stop!" The carriage stopped and I stepped out, immediately going towards where it was pulling from. Once I found it, I groaned as I shook my head. "What have you gotten yourself into now, Aziraphale?" I looked around and noticed guards everywhere. 'I guess I'm going to have to do what Aziraphale showed me.' However, when I closed my eyes, instead of focusing on a certain destination, I focused on the aura tether and soon, I found myself in a cell with Aziraphale and he was wearing chains. 'Those DO NOT belong on him!' I growled in my mind as I heard him go on a tirade of how he didn't want to be discorporated. I stopped time around the prison and the executioner as he turned to marvel at the sound of the guillotine. "Animals!" Aziraphale spat out.

"Animals don't kill each other with clever machines, Angel. Only humans do that." At my words, his anxious was replaced with joy.

"Crowley!" He turned quickly to face me and then saw what I was wearing. "Oh good Lord!"

'Really now? That sounded like you were taking her name in vain! Well, that's a bit amusing.' I just shook my head as I remembered how irritated I got as soon as I realized where he was. "What the deuce are you doing locked up in the Bastille? I thought you were opening a book shop!"

"Well, I was! I got peckish."

'What!?' My eyes widened as I stared at him in disbelief. "Peckish?"

"Well, if you must know...it was the crepes. You can't get decent ones anywhere but Paris. And the brioche."

'You have got to be kidding me!' I groaned in my mind. "So you just popped across the Channel during a revolution, because you wanted something to nibble...dressed like that?"

"I have standards!"

'Uh huh...standards...right.' I sighed out in irritation in my head.

"I'd heard they were getting a bit carried away over here, but..."

"Yeah, this is not getting carried away. This is cutting off lots of people's heads very efficiently with a big head cutting machine. Why don't you just preform another miracle and go home?"

"I was reprimanded last month."

'Reprimanded?' I questioned thoughtfully as my stared at him with widened eyes and a risen brow.

"They said I preformed too many frivolous miracles. Got a strongly worded note from Gabriel."

"Well, you're lucky I was in the area."

"I suppose I am. Why are you here?"

"My lot a commendation for outstanding job performance."

There was a sudden flash of anger in Aziraphale's aura, which caught my attention immediately. "So all this is YOUR demonic work!?"

"NO! The humans thought it up themselves! Nothing to do with me!" Once I said that, the flash of anger vanished as if it was never there.

I snapped my fingers and released him from the cuffs. He rubbed at his wrists with a slightly relieved look on his face. "Well, I suppose I should say thank you for the uh...rescue."

'No, don't do that. If you do that, downstairs will know and then upstairs will know and we'll BOTH be in trouble.' I immediately got up, and decided to tell him something around the same lines. "Don't say that. If my people hear that I've rescued an angel, I'll be the one in trouble, and my lot do not send rude notes."

"Well, anyway, I'm very grateful. What about if I buy you lunch?"

"Looking like that?" After saving his hide, he had the nerve to look at me with agitation as he let out a frustrated sigh just before changing his clothes and placing his attire on the executioner. 'WELL THEN!' I laughed loudly in my mind. 'That's something I would've done!'

"Well, barely counts as a miracle, really." At his words, I resumed time and the guards came in to collect the 'Englishman.'

"Dressed like that, he's asking for trouble." I muttered with mild amusement. "What's for lunch?"

"What would you say to some crepes?"

oOoOoOoOo

"I've been thinking..." I told him as he walked up to me in St. James' Park. "...what if it all goes wrong? We have a lot in common, you and me."

"I don't know. We both may have started off as angels, but YOU are fallen."

"I didn't really fall! I just...you know...sauntered vaguely downwards. I need a favor."

"We already have the agreement, Crowley. Stay out of each other's way, lend a hand when needed."

"This is something else, for if it all goes pear-shaped."

"I like pears."

"If it all goes WRONG, I want insurance."

"What?" I heard him ask in a confused manner as he shook the rest of the crumbs out of his hat.

"I wrote it down. Walls have ears. Well, not walls, TREES have ears. Ducks have ears. Do ducks have ears? Must do, that's how they hear other ducks." I could immediately tell he read what I wrote down, because I could feel the heartbreak he felt.

"Out of the question!"

"Why not?"

"It would destroy you! I'm not bringing you a suicide pill, Crowley!" He handed me the paper with a pained expression on his face.

"That's NOT what I want it for! Just insurance!" I handed him the note back, quickly getting agitated.

The heartbreak he felt got worse for some reason. "I'm not an idiot, Crowley. Do you know what trouble I'd be in if they knew I was...fraternizing? It's completely out of the question!"

"Fraternizing!?" I glared at him. 'That's what our friendship is to you!? That's what you think I've been doing for thousands of years!?'

"Well, whatever you wish to call it! I do not think there is any point in discussing it further."

"I have lots of other people to FRATERNIZE with, Angel."

"Oh, of course you do!"

"I don't need you!" As soon as the words left my mouth there was a sharp pain in my chest and apparently it appeared in Aziraphale's too.

"Well, and the feeling is mutual. Obviously!" I watched as he tossed the paper into the water, and set it on fire while he walked away.

"Obviously." I mocked. 'He'll get over it eventually...he usually does.'

oOoOoOoOo

I had performed my own small miracle by helping some families get out or to safety at least, as quickly as possible without it being regarded as an actual miracle. I heard the sirens, and could feel the malice, the hatred, the sickening joy some of the Germans got out of this, and then I sensed Aziraphale walking calmly down the street, and for some reason he felt slightly smug. 'That's...not right. Why would he...of ALL supernatural beings...feel smug right now?' I followed him as much as I was able without him noticing me right away, and I instantly went pale as I realized he walked into a church WITH BOOKS! The only reason I can think of for ANYONE to walk into a church with books would be to give them to Hitler! 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING, ANGEL!?' I quickly looked for one of the bombing air crafts and it took a while longer than I thought, but I eventually got it to change course and direction. At that, I quickly ran inside and they had a gun pointed at him. As soon as my feet touched the floor of the church, my feet started to burn. 'Right! I talked to God about it! She said that I'm still the same as she had made me, but that since I've been around Hell and the fallen for so long, that my aura is slightly more demonic.' I was worried it would change and she told me that just like other demons I really would be destroyed by holy water now and I couldn't go into a church. However, I've seen another demon walk into a church idiotically. He immediately bursted into flames. I just hoped that since I'm still mostly an angel it would only sting a bit, and I was really grateful I was right, but all of that information makes Aziraphale's worry about the holy water that much more accurate and understandable. I never would, but still. Anyway, as I walked forward, with my feet scorching I noticed they looked at me. "Sorry, consecrated ground. Oh! It's like...being at the beach in bare feet!"

"What are you doing here!?"

'Doing my job!' But I couldn't tell him that so I settled for, "Stopping you getting into trouble!"

"I should've known! Of course! These people are working for you!"

'Why do you always have to jump to conclusions!?' I shook my head as I continued to try and keep my feet off the floor as it stung my feet. "No! They're a bunch of half-witted Nazi spies blackmailing and murdering people! I just didn't want to see YOU embarrassed!" The ground was REALLY starting to burn! It started to feel like actual fire.

"Mr. Anthony J. Crowley...your fame proceeds you." The larger one said with a hint of disdain.

"Anthony?" He asked me with a look I have come to call his 'Seriously?' look.

"You don't like it?"

"No, no. I didn't say that. I'll get used to it."

"The famous Mr. Crowley..." The woman holding the gun breathed out in what I assumed was awe for some reason. "...It's such a pity you must both die."

'Ah well...be gentleman anyway.' I tipped my hat to her briefly as I continued to move around, avoiding the invisible licks of flames dancing at my feet.

"What does the 'J' stand for?"

"It's just a 'J', really." I answered. 'Alright to the point!' I looked at the three people in front of us and took in a deep breath, but then I noticed something at the front of the church. "Look at that! A whole fontful of holy water! It doesn't even have GUARDS!"

"Enough babbling. Kill them both."

"In about a minute, a German bomber will release a bomb that will land right here. If you all run away very very fast, you might not die. You won't enjoy dying. Definitely won't enjoy what comes after."

"You expect us to believe that?" The larger one asked while the woman seemed to actually take into account my words, but she didn't say anything. "The bombs tonight will fall on the East End."

"Yes. It will take a last-minute demonic intervention to throw them off course. Yes. You're all wasting your valuable running away time!" At my words I remembered the fact that we could both be discorporated by something like that if we didn't protect ourselves. "And if, in thirty seconds a bomb does land here, it would take a REAL miracle for my friend and I to survive it."

"A-A real miracle." I could HEAR the agitation and annoyance in his tone.

"Kill them. They are very irritating."

At his words I merely lifted my hands up to get them to listen to the whistle of the bomb falling down towards us. I felt the heavenly invisible force field that Aziraphale placed around both of us, as the bomb destroyed the church. I cleaned off my glasses and looked up at him as he spoke and lowered his hat. "That was very kind of you."

"Shut up!" I told him as I placed my glasses back on my face.

"Well, it was. No paperwork for a start." A look of realization appeared on him, and I knew what he forgot, but thankfully I didn't. Just in case. "Oh! The books! I forgot all the books! Oh, they'll all be blown to-"

He stopped talking immediately as I grabbed the bag that I put my own heavenly force field around, and I handed it to him. "There's a little demonic miracle of my own. Lift home?" I walked away, but I could feel his emotions warring wildly on the inside. There was joy, confusion, concern, wonder, gratefulness, but mostly confusion and joy.

"Um, Crowley?" I heard him say as he followed me. "Crowley! Wait a moment!"

I stopped in the middle of some of the rubble, and turned to face him, seeing the amount of confusion on his face. "What is it, Angel?"

He lifted up his bag and gave me a questioning look. "The bag, I...you...I forgot to cover the bag in a force field, but you were able to. You shouldn't have been able to do that."

"Oh, really? Why's that?"

He let out a nervous laugh as if I should know the answer. I do, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to tell him. Besides, he has to make the conclusion on his own. He has to figure it out...not ask me. I can't tell him if he asks me. He has to be sure he knows. "Well, that's because...that's divine power! You shouldn't be able to do that. You don't have any. You're a demon."

"Well, I did say to consider it my own demonic miracle."

"Yes, but...you shouldn't have been able to do that and I feel it on the bag...divine power...you...that's impossible."

"I'm hardly divine." It was the truth after all. I'm hardly divine and I'm hardly demonic. I'm a perfect mix...with more power than I should have. The power of both a high ranking demon and an Archangel.

"That's for certain, but-"

I groaned as I leaned back in frustration. "Aziraphale, are you really going to complain? You have your books, and we're still here. Plus we already know I'm different from the others."

"Yes...that's true...and...I AM grateful..."

"Just leave it be. Who knows, maybe SHE helped with saving your books."

"Yes...perhaps you're right. That must've been what happened. After all, I can feel your energy around the bag as well."

"At least that's settled. Let's get you home, Angel."

Some years after the events of the church incident as Aziraphale was calling it, the war had ended and I was invited over to his book shop to celebrate. Once I walked through the door I saw him rushing towards me. "Oof!" I shouted and looked up at the ceiling. 'And...now I'm on my back...' I patted Aziraphale's back. "Alright come on...this is a lot of affection...even for you. It's making my skin crawl." Not really, but he doesn't need to know that.

"Oh my...! I'm so terribly sorry, Crowley!" He scrambled to get up and offered me his hand. I took it and stood in front of him as I brushed off the front of my suit. "It's just...the war is over! Oh...but I'm sure...that's not good news to you."

"What!?" I asked as I immediately looked up at him. "Why wouldn't that be...erm...decent news?"

"Well...you're a demon. Don't the others..."

"Oh, the others quite enjoy it and they even placed bets. They're currently having a grand old time with some of their new...toys. I, however, didn't personally like the war."

"Oh? May I ask why?"

"Adults fighting adults and adults killing one another...eh...I'll leave it be...unless I'm asked to fight with a certain side, but once they start murdering children...that's where I draw the line."

"Yes...I believe I remember you calling the Nazis murderers...and during the ark thing...you said 'Not kids...you can't kill kids.' It seems, Crowley that you have a soft spot for children." I followed him to the back room where he poured me a glass of wine.

I took it gladly, because I had a feeling this conversation was going to go in an unsettling direction. "Aziraphale, if you're going to call me a good person...don't."

"Oh, really then? Tell me, how does sticking up for children benefit you in anyway."

I took a drink of my wine and let out a heavy breathy sigh. "It doesn't."

"Then why?"

"I don't like fighting in general. I don't like war. I don't like what it does to children. It doesn't matter which side wins or loses at some point there's a child out there somewhere that loses their mum or dad...but when you start...murdering and being cruel to children in ways I thought only HELL was capable of...it makes me sick. I evacuated some families not long before I helped you at the church. There was a mother of triplets and they were four years old." I looked in my wine glass with a smile as I remembered what one of them said. "One of them took my glasses off."

"Really!? What happened!?"

"The mother was frightened for a moment, but she eased herself. She said I must've been an angel to have such eyes. For the sake of getting them out, I let that remark slide. The child that removed them said my eyes were as yellow as sunflower petals. I carried her on my back as I got the rest of them out. When she said that...it reminded me of what I used to do before the angels fell."

"I don't think you've told me what you've done before becoming a demon."

"Hmm..." I hummed as I took another swig of my wine. 'I guess it's alright to tell him that much.' I let out a shaky breath as I remembered and I nodded my head. "You were the Guardian of the Eastern Gate of the Garden of Eden, correct?"

"Yes." He dralwed out as he raised an inquisitive brow.

"Ever wonder who took CARE of the Garden?"

At my words he immediately started busting out laughing, but when he realized ai wasn't he gawked at me. "You're...you're serious."

"Yup. I took care of the plants and I still remember how...happy I was...when God would bring a new plant or animal. They were all unamed, but that didn't matter. I took care of the plants and animals just the same."

"You...you were truly trusted with the Garden?" There was a shakiness in his breath that unsettled me and I knew soon I was probably going to regret admitting that.

"Yes." I stated before chugging the rest of my wine.

"And...you would betray what you loved so easily!?"

"I tempted Eve AFTER the angels fell."

"Yes...you keep phrasing it like that. I remember you saying you didn't fall."

"Nope. I sauntered vaguely downwards. I got there A LOT faster than I thought I would, though."

"And...you said you don't like fighting in general?" I looked up and noticed a look of bafflement on his face as if he was solving a million piece jig-saw puzzle and he was missing a piece.

"I never faught. I didn't fight then. I didn't want to. I hid in a tree in the Garden and I covered my ears to stop myself from hearing the screaming and the clashing...but I could still smell the scent of burning flesh, blood, and feathers."

"B-But...if you didn't like the fighting...why would you willingly go!? I mean...from what you told me...you LOVED taking care of the Garden. Now...you're incapable of the feeling!"

'That...is not true...technically.' I let out a sigh as I poured myself another glass of wine. "That...is something I am not going to tell you. That's my own personal secret. If you figure it out, great, but I won't tell you."

"S-So...you...but...Crowley...with everything you do...other demons wouldn't..."

"I'm different, Aziraphale. Leave it at that. Now, I do believe we were celebrating an end to a war, yes?"

His emotions didn't tense further, but they didn't relax either, and there was another emotion added into the mix. Sorrow. "Yes! Of course!" He laughed out with a fake smile and we continued to drink and I listened to his tale of how he ended up in that situation in the first place.

oOoOoOoOo

After speaking to the three people I would be sending in to get the holy water and after the conversation with the weird witch finder, I got into my car and noticed the aura tether tug was EXTREMELY close. I looked over and there's Aziraphale, and for some reason he feels distraught. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to have a word with you."

"What?"

"I work in Soho, I hear things. I hear that you're setting up a...caper. To rob a church. Crowley it's dangerous! Holy water won't just kill your body! It will destroy you!"

"You told me what you think, a hundred and five years ago!"

"And I still haven't changed my mind! But I can't have you risking your life! Not even for something dangerous. So..." I looked over at him and I saw him pull out a thermos. "...you can call off the robbery. Don't go unscrewing the cap."

I took it from him carefully and I could hear the liquid inside. "It's the real thing." It wasn't a question. I knew he wouldn't lie to me. Not after all this time.

"The holiest."

"After everything you said." He nodded his head and his heartache was so powerful and his worry was so extreme I knew that he still thought I was going to use it to kill myself someday. "Should I say thank you?" I asked thinking, 'Would that make you feel at least a little better?' However, at my words the link gave me the answer, because hints of anger mixed in with the worry and heartbreak.

"Better not." After that I offered to take him anywhere he wanted to go and although he was actually happy at the offer, the rest of his emotions were just as present. "You move too fast for me, Crowley."