Chapter 10

AN/ Soooooo, hi! How is everyone? Good? No? Really? Ummm…okay now, are those pitchforks really necessary? Could we not just…nope?...okay, talking behind locked doors it is. So it's been noted by a few of you that I've been MIA for a while.

Long story short…lots of health issues (see my latest RB update for the full story…I'm afraid I have very little desire to write it out again, so sorry if this is my only story that you read, but I hope you understand) anyway, all that boring, irritating health stuff is over with. I am currently enjoying good health, enjoying my family and friends and well my life in general.

On to other more important things….I'VE WRITTEN ANOTHER CHAPTER! I KNOW RIGHT?! So can we put down the pitchforks and talk like relatively mature adults? Awesome…HI THERE! :-) So, yep new chapter. Continues straight on from the last one…but as I know it's been stupidly long I have written a small summary below. Just to help everyone recap and because I am just that nice…and perhaps feeling a little guilty about how long it actually has been. Have I said sorry yet? No? Damn…well I am horrendously so. And on that note. Can I just say a quick thank you to everyone who has asked me to continue, be it as a review or a PM. I'm afraid I only read them a few weeks ago, but still, each one put a dagger through my heart as well as made me feel so wanted. So thank you. All of you. For the guilt daggers and the feeling of wantedness (Again, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY WORD…It's staying!) You guys are just awesome. Have an imaginary cookie. They taste delicious.

So I'm going to shut up as I've had little sleep due to a little thing called Gishwhes and my mental capacity is still not 100%. Let's just head to the summary and from there we can pop in and see what Sierra and crew have been up to.

Summary – Sierra has been living in Vega for roughly 15 years. She looks after the V1's, giving them a place to call home, feeding them, giving them water and warmth. Because of their loyalty towards her she has managed to successfully turn the ruins of the Bellagio into her home and office. From here she helps higher angels escape Gabriel and enter Vega.

Recently she ran into the archangel Michael, who is drawn to Sierra for reasons he cannot fathom. It turns out that Sierra is actually the last living descendant of Judas Iscariot. Because of her ancestors' actions she is having to atone by helping Alex Lannon (the last living descendant of Jesus Christ) end the angel wars. A task that she has been training for all her life with her mentor Lucifer. She confides all of this to her only friend. An angel corps soldier by the name of Ethan who is currently helping her spy on Alex.

It comes to her attention that Michael has also been bringing angels into Vega and in a moment of exhaustion lets him know she knows. This causes Michael to go looking for Zadkiel, a higher angel Sierra has helped enter Vega. Michael comes upon Gabriel using Lewis / Rhamiel as a puppet to attack Zadkiel. Michael manages to stop Gabriel, but he loses contact before Michael can talk to him.

ooooOOOOoooo

"So she helps angels" Alex waited a heartbeat. Receiving no response from Michael he dropped into the unused desk chair and stared at his guardian currently going through his training. "Let me guess, you knew that too. What don't you know?"

"Not much" came the dry response, causing Alex to grit his teeth.

"She had a go at me about visiting Claire. Did you know that? Just harangued me in the middle of Main Street. Who does that?"

"Clearly she does"

"Well it's weird" Alex mumbled in reply, before they both fell into a relatively comfortable silence. Michael continued working through his stances as Alex found himself lost in his own thoughts, relaying last night's events.

After The Ghost had seemingly disappeared through the wall, Alex had spent a good 10 minutes trying to untangle himself from the young woman's petrified grasp. Speaking softly he had eventually coaxed her into releasing her death hold, if only to give himself a little room to breathe.

"You're going to be okay. You're safe now. But we do need to leave" he said hesitantly, aware that the slightest hint of urgency could cause the barmaid to resume her hysteria.

"They…they could be out there" her voice quivering as her eyes went wide. "Please…please don't make me go out there"

"We have to go eventually." He cajoled softly. "We don't want to be found here" he felt her body tense, felt her breathing quickened "if we go now we can be gone before anyone shows up…"

"It means leaving.…" as her body began to tremble once more Alex gathered her back into his embrace, holding the frightened barmaid as tight as he could "I won't let anyone hurt you" he murmured into her damp matted hair "I promise. I'll be with you the entire time"

The gentle nudge under his chin had him inching away, allowing her to look up at him. Her fear filled eyes searched his face. Seeming to find something there she nodded meekly. "Just don't let go"

"Never" he promised before rising to his feet and holding out his hand. Reaching out she entwined their fingers, pressing her arm fully against his before leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Okay, one thing before we go." Looking down at her he could almost feel her apprehension "My name is Alex. What is yours?"

"Casey" came the muted response after a few drawn out moments.

"Isn't that a guy's name?" nudging her gently with his elbow he was grateful to see a glimmer of a smile in reply, even if it was only visible for a second.

"I don't want to die" Casey whispered her terror still seeping through.

"You won't, not today, not if I can help it" Hugging her briefly to him he turned them both and headed for the side door. With each step he felt her become heavier, her resistance increasing as her feet began to drag. "Please Casey. I need you to trust me now. I need you to have faith"

The resultant sob and shaking of her head were the only answer he received. Before he could continue the side door was flung open eliciting a scream from Casey as she threw herself behind him.

"Honest to God, or whatever…I knew you hadn't left!" The Ghost stood in the doorway glaring at the both of them. "It's been 15 minutes you complete moron. You're lucky the damn Angel Corps haven't turned up"

"You!"

"Me! Get the girl and come on"

"Noooooo!" backing away, her head shaking from side to side, she began to bang her fists against her temples. Her entire body was shaking as her mouth worked wordlessly.

"Oh for crying out loud!" Glancing briefly in Alex's direction the Ghost stalked towards the petrified girl. "I get it. I do. You want to hide. You want to curl up and pretend that everything is normal. I get it." Her voice grew softer as she approached the now sobbing barmaid. "But it's not." She reached out and surprisingly Casey allowed The Ghost to touch her chin and raise her head. "I'm sorry" she continued, looking into Casey's eyes "I'm sorry your life just caved in. I'm sorry your world just collapsed. I'm sorry that you almost died today" at the last part Alex saw the Ghost's eyes flicker to Casey's neck. "You don't deserve today" she muttered, almost to herself.

Alex coughed slightly on seeing The Ghost lose focus. With a quick nod, which he took as thanks, she returned her attentions to the quivering mess in front of her. "I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to do. Alex doesn't want to make you do anything you don't want to do. We only want to keep you safe" at the last word Casey seemed to come back to herself. "Safe?" she echoed, her voice holding a flicker of hope.

"As safe as any of us are in Vega" The Ghost responded wryly "but to do that, we have to get out of here. The clones will be coming soon and we cannot be found standing around. So please. I am begging you. Can we go?" staring at the young girl, Alex felt something jolt into place. "You're a barmaid right? You've dealt with big burly morons…hey a little like this idiot" she continued, throwing her thumb in Alex's direction. "Well, you've just had a run in with two…slightly bigger, slightly burlier morons. But you can overcome this my girl" She cupped Casey's face in her hands and tried for a genuine smile. The fact that barmaid didn't run screaming indicated the smile worked. "You've got this in the bag. See the big burly moron behind me? He's insanely good. Not at anything…he seems pretty useless at most things to be honest, he's just good. From the bones out. He is just good" Alex watched as Casey's eyes flickered to him and then back again as she laid her hands over The Ghost's. His mysterious new friend merely nodded before letting her hands fall. "Stick with the moron behind me and you can conquer this. I promise." He saw Casey stand a little straighter, he watched as the petrified young woman steadied herself and emerge that little bit stronger.

Finding Casey's gaze resting on him he smiled in what he hoped was an encouraging way. "Will you promise not to let go?"

"I promise" Alex responded gravely, determined to keep that promise at all costs as he held out his hand.

"Fantastic!" The Ghost clapped her hands together in a relatively sarcastic manner, something that impressed Alex. He hadn't realised one could relay such sarcasm just by clapping. "Let's get this show on the road" she continued as she walked resolutely towards the door. As Sierra passed him she winked, her face creasing into a smile before disappearing into the light of the new morning. Alex and Casey followed immediately after, Casey clinging to Alex's arm. Heading into the side alley, Alex found he was not particularly surprised to see the Ghost had already disappeared.

"Where'd she go?" came a quiet voice

"Back to wherever it was she came from" he muttered, more to himself than to his new companion. "The Ghost's current whereabouts are not our concern right now. We need to get as far from here as possible" Spying a narrow path at the back of the alleyway he made up his mind "Come on, we need to move" half urging, half pulling Casey he hurried them into the semi darkness. Contradictorily to his earlier words, the fact that the Ghost had come back to check on him had decided one concern for him.

"I'm not telling the Riesen" Alex said aloud, breaking the relatively comfortable silence between him and Michael.

ooooOOOOoooo

Sierra watched as Alex disappeared down the back path. It would lead him out close to the old convention center, if the barmaid was indeed a V2, then it was close enough to get her home without being seen. Sierra had only visited the largest V2 living quarters twice and in Sierra's mind that was two times too many. Initially it had been designed to hold manual labourers when sleep was an absolute must. At the beginning, when the wall was still being built, the V2's had worked in shifts. Those not working would eat before locating the first available bunk and falling gratefully into it. Little had changed bar the office like separators denoting one living space to another. They still ate in the canteen, they still shared shower and toilet facilities, and they were still treated like dogs. Sierra closed her eyes for a second to regain her composure. The current government had a lot to answer for but that would be Alex's job once the angels had returned to heaven. Talking of which. Sierra glanced once more at Alex's retreating back and disappeared into the shadows. Locating a small grate on the floor she eased it back before jumping down and replacing the cover. Closing her eyes, she allowed a few seconds for her vision to adjust. Opening them she nodded to her three helpers' currently holding one, perhaps two, very unconscious angels. Only Ethan had been happy about coming back, but at the end of the day Sierra ran the mismatch group, her decision was always final.

"Okay, now we can go" Taking her place once more under the arm of Zadkiel's friend? Enemy? Frenemy? She motioned for helper 1 and 2 to head out. "Take the path back through Alpha. We will head Echo way." She surveyed their patients, sighing as she did. "If you can leave the usual message at grate 4 for a medic that would be appreciated. We'll see you back at the medical." Watching them both nod, she felt a tug of concern as they disappeared off with Zad between them. While she may never admit it to the pain in the butt angel, she had grown rather fond of him. His lack of human understanding aside, Zadkiel was kind, patient, calm. He had a stillness about him that comforted Sierra, he seemed to have roots buried so deep that not even a hurricane could shake him. That consistency appealed to her on so many levels, not least the fact that she was forever moving, forever looking over her shoulder. If she were to lose him….a nudge from Ethan had her shaking herself from her morbid thoughts and instead focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

It was hard going. Not all tunnels on their chosen path were wide enough, nor high enough to carry the 'maybe an' angel between them. Numerous times Sierra found herself either pulling or pushing the heavy weight through compact shafts, constantly apologising to the unconscious being for each unintentional bump, each accidental drop. From the sounds of the words coming out of Ethan's mouth, he was enjoying this trip as much as she was.

"Seriously, was India really not an option?" Ethan complained after the third attempt to manoeuvre the unconscious body through a small tube. "Damn it!"

Sierra grimaced as whoever it was' head rebounded from the bottom and hit against the top. "That'll leave a mark. And yes" she answered quietly. "India goes too close to the market. At this time of day any sound might travel. We do not need a curious bystander, or even worse, a curious guard, coming to check a strange noise"

Grabbing the feet once more she signalled for Ethan to try pulling again "Alpha and Echo are the safest by far, especially as we are carrying bleeding angels. Granted Echo is the slightly more convoluted path, but I could not ask more of them than I ask of myself"

"Not even this once?" Ethan's response was muffled as he bent down, his face nestled in the crook of their charge's neck as he attempted to pull from the armpits "God this man stinks!"

"Ethan!" Sierra dropped the feet she had been currently holding, mentally apologising for any pain it would later cause "He has clearly been in one hell of a fight, with Zad…I think…I don't know, but anyway, he has clearly been fighting for his life, so just drop the attitude. The sooner we can get him to medical, the quicker we can assess his injuries and the sooner you can be free of this burden."

"I didn't mean…it's not that I…" looking down for a brief moment Sierra could see Ethan trying to regain his calm "…you're right. Of course you're right. Okay. Let's do this!"

After a few more attempts, and a few more unintentional bumps with the concrete, they managed to successfully navigate the tube. Following through Sierra dropped down into a very familiar crossroads. Quickly scanning to make sure they were alone, she indicated towards the opposite grate. Only a few more to get through and that last one was the smallest. It should be easy sailing from here."

Only getting a grunt in response, Sierra lead the way, once more finding herself under an increasingly ripe armpit.

ooooOOOOoooo

Sierra sighed before settling herself down against the hard concrete wall. She turned her face up to the darkness and felt a gentle breeze caress her worn features. It had taken everything she had to finally get the angel back to medical, the stairs at the Bell had been horrendous. She dreaded to think of the bruises the poor man…the poor angel…was going to have. Once in medical it had become clear that Zadkiels companion was indeed a higher angel, something that Sierra had been hoping against hope wasn't the case. It meant trouble. Higher angel fighting higher angel…in Vega? So many reasons ran through her already chaotic mind. Clearly she would be having frank discussions with both, the fact that Zadkiel was adamant they retrieved his companion gave her hope that things weren't as horrifying as they seemed, but what other reason would cause a higher angel to go after another. Surely this fight proved that Gabriel had spies in Vega…if that was the case, she needed to start working on Alex a lot sooner than planned. Sighing deeply once more she closed her eyes, enjoying the respite if only for a moment.

The beating of wings found her smiling instinctively. Forcing her face into a more acceptable expression she watched as Michael descended. "Didn't realise the damn things were open at the top" her irritation evident in her greeting.

"Good evening to you too Ghost" Michael bowed slightly, surprising Sierra before situating himself across the crossroads.

"No 'little' this evening?" she queried, confused as to Michael's seemingly current indifference. This was not the Michael from their first encounter, neither was it the Michael from the Stratosphere.

"How are Rhamiel and Zadkiel?" his eyes boring into hers, daring her to lie.

"You were there…" the knowledge hit her like a ton of bricks. Of course he was there. On top of that thought flowed more questions. 'Did he hurt them?', 'Why?', 'What was he after?', 'Was this because she had brought Zad in?' Before she could voice her growing anger Michael stood and began to pace. The nervous energy, coming off him in waves, silenced any outburst she may have made. This Michael scared her.

"Yes…" he began, turning to her, before turning away and continuing his pacing. "I…I…I was too late…" the forced admission, stuttered out through gritted teeth, seemed to deflate him as he slid down the opposite wall, his head falling into his hands. "I failed them both" the whispered confession doing little to alleviate Sierra's mounting worry.

"Too late for what Archangel?" the strangled laugh emitted from the hunched archangel threw a sharp pain through Sierra. The archangel was humourless the majority of the time, it was nothing new, but the lack of warmth behind his choked laughter caused Sierra to pause in her questions. Instead she slowly got to her feet and hesitantly moved to his side. Gently she placed her hand on the side of his calf. "I am sure you did everything you could Michael."

Hearing her finally call him by his name, and with such softness, broke something in Michael and he could not help the tears that fell. Not knowing what to do, knowing only that he was in pain Sierra embraced him. Wrapping her arms around his hunched shoulders she held him. No words were spoken, no comforting murmurs exchanged. Sierra understood his need for silent release, and she was content at merely letting him know that he was not alone.

After an unknown period of time had passed, Sierra felt Michael stirring. Pushing away and unwrapping her arms she sat a few feet back, her gaze never leaving the usually stoic archangel. "My thanks" came his mumbled appreciation. "You did not have to…that is to say…" seeing Michael floundering, Sierra took pity.

"It was nothing and we need not speak of it again." Tilting her head she studied her new acquaintance. "However, if you are willing, I would like to speak of last night…" trailing off, she allowed Michael to determine the outcome.

After what seemed like an eternity, he glanced in her direction. Just like their first encounter she sat motionless, her face blank, and her interest obvious. "It will take some explaining…" he began, unsure where to even start.

"I have nowhere to be Michael" the use of his name not lost on either of them "Here is the only place I wish to be"

Turning to stare at his current companion, Michael found the burnished gold eyes that had haunted his sleeping and waking hours staring straight back. He found he could not look away from their depths, their promise of understanding, and their promise of acceptance. Taking a single deep breath he began.

Once he had relayed all he knew, he sat back, waiting on her response. Once more she surprised him.

"I'm sorry" and she meant it. The pain Michael had had to endure, the conflict he must deal with on a daily basis. It must weigh heavily on him, such a task to undertake, such a mission to accept. "Rhamiel? …and Zad will be fine. They are recovering in a medical ward being cared for by their own kind. They will survive this."

"Zad?" Michael smiled at the very human nickname.

"Zadkiel is such a mouthful" smiling back, Sierra was pleased to see him responding with something akin to amusement "I shortened it. He hasn't complained. Yet."

"I very much doubt he ever will." Michael grew quiet, studying her and to her own surprise she let him. "You seem to have a knack for befriending higher angels my Ghost"

Her resulting shrug caused another smile to grace his features before it fell to the way side "Have they said anything about the other night?" he enquired tentatively.

"Not yet, they were still sleeping when I left" Sierra gestured to their surroundings. "I thought I would take a leaf out of your book and find somewhere peaceful. Somewhere I could take a moment and get my thoughts in order"

"Then my apologies…" Michael rose as if to leave

"Your apologies for what? Are you leaving?" confusion flooded Sierra as Michael stretched his wings.

"Surely my remaining here will only destroy that peace." He explained, smiling down at her, a message hidden amongst those vaguely familiar words.

"You would have assumed." She grinned back at him, quite aware of the reversal of roles.

"So I may stay?" For all his bravado Sierra heard the smallest hesitancy in his question. "I do not currently find your company stressful…." Letting her double meaning hang she was relieved when Michael retracted his wings and resettled, a little closer to her than before.

"So you bring in higher angels?" he glanced sideways while asking the question, unsure if he was overstepping their newly found comfort zone.

"So you bring in higher angels?" her accompanying smile was enough to let him know she was not taking his comment as an accusation. "It would seem we are both at fault on that particular issue" Sierra continued, her head down as she studied the dusty concrete floor.

"According to Alex we are very much alike…"

"There are a lot of things, according to Alex, that I would happily debate…did you know that he helped last night?" Looking up, Sierra was hoping that changing the subject would deter her archangel from his current course.

"I did. He informed me moments after he had returned the young woman to safety." Michael paused as if trying to decide if it was worth continuing. After arguing with himself for a few minutes, during which Sierra merely sat and waited, he threw caution to the wind. She most likely knew anyway he reasoned with himself "How would you say he acted…would you say he behaved…did he compose himself…did he…"

"He was the saviour in all but name" Sierra interrupted, happy to stop the slightly embarrassing ramble currently spewing forth from Michael.

The responding sigh was all Sierra needed to hear. "However…that is not our main concern" she continued hesitantly.

"The Riesen…" Michael stated.

"The Riesen" Sierra echoed. "Can you control his response Michael? I believe you when you tell me that Rhamiel had no say in being used. I believe you when you tell me that there are limits to what Gabriel can do in that form. I even believe you when you tell me that higher angels have only just joined this infernal war" pausing she placed her hand on Michaels knee. "But can you tell me, in all honesty, that you think the Riesen will?"

"I plan on speaking with him tomorrow" Michael found himself affirming "Before that however I am going to see my brother" he held his breath awaiting her outrage. Instead, like so many times before, her response astounded him.

"Do you think that will help? Do you think Gabriel can still be reasoned with?" her interest peaked, she leaned forward, pressing slightly harder with her hand as his knee balanced her.

"I…I can only hope." Her closeness unnerved him. "I must try. He is my brother. He was the first voice I heard. The first touch I felt. I owe him to at least try."

"Family" one word, barely uttered, but filled with so much emotion. Realising he was staring at her she smiled self-consciously as she sat back. "The things you find yourself doing for family" she clarified. "I think it is admirable of you to try." Shrugging as his jaw dropped she continued "Family is what ties us together. There is a quote…by someone named Henal Long. They believed that so much of what is best in us, is bound up in our love of family. That it remains the measure of our stability because it measures our sense of loyalty." Smiling sadly she touched a small pocket over her heart. Looking back at him, a deep sadness was etched in her gaze. "Loyalty is incredibly hard to find in this day and age. Humanity just doesn't seem capability of it anymore. If ever. I find your loyalty to Gabriel says more about you than any war story told over an open fire."

"I…thank you…" Michael could only stare at the incredible woman in front of him, unable to form words other than a meagre thank you.

"But put aside our hope for Gabriel's enlightenment…what will you tell The Riesen?" Her face had fallen serious as she waited for his response.

"I am unsure. As you have already, correctly, acknowledged, I am unsure if General Riesen will believe the truth"

"Then perhaps it would be wise to tell the Riesen a little white lie?" the accompanying smile had Michael raise his eyebrow.

"What exactly did you have in mind?" he asked.

ooooOOOOoooo

AN/ Well? I hoped you liked it. Sierra and Michael are finally starting to find common ground. It's not going to be smooth sailing, clearly, but it's a start. We will be popping in to see how Rhamiel / Lewis and Zad are doing and Bixby finally makes a return in the next chapter. Unfortunately I didn't really realise how difficult it is trying to write a story with so many characters. It doesn't help that Riesen and Whele will both be making an appearance in the next chapter too. Things are starting to kick off and poor old Sierra will find herself very much in the middle of it all.

I hope you all do stick with me, I know I've been a little (by a little I mean a hell of a lot – think tanker size lots) rubbish. But I'm back on a regular writing schedule…finally, and as long as my darling muse sticks around I'm hoping to update bimonthly (twice a month…not every two months…HOW DOES THIS WORD HAVE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MEANINGS?!)

Anyway, until next time. Thank you all once again. x