Zaphiel looked around the not quite deserted streets of the sleepy little town, a frown on his face. He could feel the pull of power flowing from the slowly unraveling Veil separating the human world from the Infernal. It was a cold, familiar aura that left a coppery taste in his mouth, much like the battlefields from the First War in Heaven had done. It was not a feeling he had ever hoped to experience again. "Well, we can't do this out here. Not the proper ambience for a tribunal – or at least what will pass for one tonight."

Andre jerked a thumb at the ramshackle church behind him. "What about in there? Seems appropriate."

The older angels eyed the wooden structure with care. "The boy has a point, brother. Best to do this in our Father's House." Seraphiel moved to stand beside his sibling, arms crossed across his chest.

Joe looked back at his friends, praying they stayed where they were. "Yes – let's this inside away from prying eyes."

Zaphiel also looked down the road, making a mental note of each of the human (or not so human) residents gathered at the end of the street. "I think it would be wise to have an audience so that all will be seen to be done as it should be. Go, invite the residents of this little village into their church that they may see how and why you are to be judged." Laying a hand on Seraphiel's back he gently guided both the other, senior angel and his companion to the door of the church, slipping quietly inside as Joe turned back to his friends.

The Midnighter's hurried to his side, surrounding him protectively. "Who the HELL was that?" Olivia asked, her voice tight with concern.

Joe hung his head. "Zaphiel – eldest of the Thrones and the angel designated by our Heavenly Father to pass judgement on wayward angels. He's here to proclaim my guilt as a deserter and hand down the sentence decreed by Heaven."

"Manfred sees him in the form of someone he fears" Emilio said, his deep voice husky. "Is he taking on an aspect of this human for some reason."

Joe shrugged. "Probably not. It's probably just a face that appeals to him. Thrones are… hard to describe. Zaphiel is the oldest of his line and most known for his understanding of the aspects of both heavenly and earthly justice. He's Seraphiel's equal in age and ferocity but where the elder Seraph will cut you down slowly with his blades the elder Throne will whittle you down with words. Either way – you end up begging for mercy before you die."

Lem's blue eyes seemed to shine even colder and brighter as Joe describe his angelic brothers. "What do they want with you? Surely by now they know that your former mentor Bowie is dead but not by your hand. Are they here looking for justice for her?"

Joe shook his head. "I got the distinct impression Seraphiel was just as glad to be rid of her – saved him the trouble of offing her himself. No, they are here to deal with the fact that I ran from my post, fell from Heaven to Earth and have been running ever since." He sighed, rolling his tight shoulders, trying to ease their tension. "I've been expecting this for some time. Just never thought Heaven would send the oldest of the angelic hosts to deal with me."

"Deal with US" Olivia hissed, stepping forward to grip his arm. "You haven't done anything to deserve their punishing you and we're going to make sure they know it."

Lem smiled slightly. "Considering our less than stellar actions against Bowie I have to wonder just how effective we will be."

Emilio glanced back at his church, golden light leaking from the windows and door frames. "They won't start a fight but they will finish it. It would be best all for all concerned if we didn't put them in that position. Like Lem – I'm not sure we could do much more than get in their way."

Creek shivered, the cold night air seeming even more frigid than it had been before. "Maybe we should get Fiji? She might have something that would work on them even if it only gives Joe a running start."

Joe shook his head, his eyes sad. "I'm not running anymore. It's time I faced up to my actions and took whatever punishment they have planned for me. It's the only way for Chuy and the residents of Midnight to be safe from Heaven's judgement." He stared back at the church, his hands in his pockets. "Zaphiel has asked that you come and bear witness to this event. I've never heard of human's witnessing angel being punished by Heaven but…"

"Always a first time for everything" Lem replied, stepping up to put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "If you want us there then lead the way." The other's fell in behind the vampire as the angel led them back towards the church. No one noticed the small figure of the cat, Mr. Snuggly, following them from the shadows.