Hi guys! Sorry it's been a few days, but yesterday (7/24)was my birthday, and I took a break for some me time at the spa(yay groupon!) and dinner with friends. Tomorrow (7/26)I'm moving into my new place(with no mold!) so there will probably be another small delay until we get our internet set up, and i recover from unpacking lol Anyway, thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoy the chapter, and please review, because I love reading them!xoxo
Over the next two weeks Michael and Gabriella worked on translating the books and the notebook they had found. They studiously treated each other with respect, but were careful not to get drunk or sleep in the same bed anymore. They had crossed a line that couldn't be uncrossed, and now had to deal with consequences.
One afternoon towards the end of the week, Michael sighed and shut the book he was working on. Gabriella looked up from the one she was working on, "What's wrong?"
He shook his head, "These books don't hold the answers we need. I think they are telling us to go north, to Washington. But we are dangerously low on supplies and I think we should go back to Vega to give a status report and resupply."
Gabriella smiled, "If that's what you think would be best." Michael sighed and nodded. After another day of packing, cleaning weapons, and gathering supplies for the drive back, they took off. Two and a half day later they drove through the gates of Vega. Gabriella smiled widely, so excited to be home, and to be able to see Ben.
Michael grabbed her arm to stop her a moment when she had gathered her bag and was about to leave."We need to meet back up here in three days."
Gabriella nodded and assured him she would be back. She hauled her bag over her shoulder and walked quickly back to her house. She stuffed her clothes into the laundry and then stood under the steady stream of the hot water in the shower, grinning at the feeling of finally being in a real shower. She scrubbed her whole body, finally feeling clean. After she got out, she pulled on underwear, sweats, and a tank top, tossing her hair up into a bun, before settling into her bed with a book and a cup of tea.
She had fallen asleep after reading for a few hours, and woke when she heard someone knocking on her door. She rose from her bed, stiff from travel, and was thrilled to see Ben at her door. He swept her into his arms, kissing her firmly. Her arms wound around his neck, pulling herself tighter against him. She was so happy to be back in his solid arms. They made their way to her room and sunk to her bed, collapsing into each other's arms, making love for what felt like forever.
The next morning, Gabriella woke in Ben's arms, with him watching her. "Morning" she whispered with a smile, leaning in to press a kiss to his lips.
He pulled away, frowning, "I need to know, are you back for good or are you leaving again?" Gabriella stared at him, confused, their night had been wonderful, and now he was upset with her?
"We will be leaving in another two days. Why?" she asked.
Ben sighed, "I miss you, and I'm worried that you are going to be hurt out there. I wish you would stay here. Please stay." He looked at her with pleading eyes, but all Gabriella felt was frustration with him for even asking.
"I can't do that Ben, Michael needs me. We are close to finding a weapon to fight against Gabriel with."
Ben's eyes narrowed, "Michael needs you? Huh….you two are just friends right?"
Gabriella took a moment to reign in her anger at Ben, "Yes, we're just friends. Why don't you trust me?" she glared at him.
Ben took a moment, "I trust you, I don't trust him…I've heard rumors about his…proclivities, and I just have my doubts about him."
Gabriella frowned deeply, "Ben, he's never been anything but respectful, caring and kind to me. If you can't trust him, trust me to know how to stop any unwanted advances, ok? But I really think you should give him more credit, he's an archangel after all."
Ben sat silent for a long time and then nodded slowly, "Ok. I have to get back to the hospital, I'll see you later ok?" Gabriella nodded and pressed a light kiss to his cheek before he left the house.
Ben walked over to Michael's tower and was let up to see the angel. He stood before Michael, angry, staring him down. Michael stared back at him impassively, waiting for the other man to say something.
Ben finally broke and spoke, "Gabriella says you two are just friends, but I don't believe it. I've seen the way you look at her, and I know you love her. She is going to die if she goes with you. Please, if you love her, tell her she should stay here. She'll actually have a chance to help people here in Vega."
Michael couldn't believe what he was hearing. He glared at Ben, "You have no idea how valuable Gabriella is to Vega. She is valuable beyond words to me and Vega." He stared coldly at Ben, "If it were true that I loved her, I would advise you watch your back, because I will protect her until the end of her life, and destroy anyone who causes her harm." Ben stared back just as coldly, and then nodded, before leaving.
Soon after Alex came to visit Michael. He embraced Michael, happy to see him back safely. They sat at the large table and Alex spoke, "I want to come with you this time. I think that I can help you guys stay safe, and help you find the chosen one for heaven. If not me, then who?"
Michael sighed, he was hesitant, but he had begun to think the same thing on the drive back. He had the thought while reading the translations that having Alex and his tattoos near the translations would help them figure this mystery out faster. "Very well, we leave in two days, I will inform the council."
Michael stood before General Riesen and Consul Whele, having explained the situation. They were furious, trying to force him, Alex and Gabriella to stay. He waited until they had quieted for a moment, and then spoke. "Gentlemen, you are welcome to try and stop us. We leave in two days via the East Gate. We are going to try and find something to help end this war. You have my best wishes in your attempts." He walked out of the Senate chambers and went to work on provisioning their trip.
Two days later, the three met at the East Gate. Gabriella had already said her goodbyes to Ben, who had told her to be careful, and that she better come home safely. Gabriella had felt guilty for her excitement at the idea of leaving with Michael and Alex.
She had smiled sadly and told Ben to be happy without her, and that she would see him again eventually. He had been saddened, knowing she was saying goodbye, perhaps for good. Neither knew how long she and the others would be gone for, and Gabriella knew it would be easier if Ben could happy with someone who was actually in Vega.
Michael took the first shift driving, informing them that they were driving towards Seattle, Washington. After days of driving, dodging and fighting 8balls, the wearied and slightly wounded group came to a stop in front of a log cabin in the woods, miles from the center of Seattle.
Michael turned to the other two, "I am going to leave the books from California here with you for you to work on, and fly into Seattle and try to find other books." He was already out of the humvee and taking off as Alex and Gabriella protested.
Alex laughed, "Come on, let's get all this shit inside, he'll be back eventually." Gabriella smiled and nodded. They began to unload the humvee, and unpack everything in the cabin. There were only two bedrooms, both of which were quickly claimed by Alex and Gabriella.
"Guess Michael's taking the couch huh?" Alex joked with a grin. Gabriella laughed and agreed.
A short time later, Michael came stumbling through the front door, the bag he had taken with him stuffed full of books. Gabriella looked at him in shock; he had large gashes across his thigh, chest, and an open cut on his temple. He seemed to barely be hanging onto consciousness. She ran across the small interior of the cabin and pulled the bag of books off of his back and supported his weight.
She led him to the bathroom and had him sit on the toilet before grabbing her medical supplies. Alex came in from chopping wood and upon seeing the blood in the entry way, followed her back to the bathroom. She pulled Michael's jacket off gently, and then over his protests, cut off his clothes. "Nothing I haven't seen before" she whispered with a tense smile.
She gave him a small towel to cover his lap with nonetheless, and proceeded to clean each long gash, muttering apologies when Michael hissed.
"So what happened Michael?" Alex asked.
Michael's eyes were closed, his face etched with pain, but he spoke, "I encountered three 8balls on the way out of Seattle. I was able to put them down, but not without sustaining injury." Gabriella finished stitching up his wounds and rubbed them with iodine, then wrapped them in bandages.
She looked up into Michael's pale face, "You need to hydrate, eat and sleep."
He shook his head, "I'm ok" and tried to stand, promptly passing out from blood loss and pain. Gabriella caught him, cursing. Alex helped her carry him into her room, laying him beneath the covers.
After getting him settled Gabriella went back to the bathroom and cleaned up her work, washing Michael's blood off, her hands shaking as she did. She went back to her room and settled into the rocking chair in the corner, eventually falling asleep as the adrenaline wore off.
A few hours later she woke, and saw that Michael was shifting in the bed. She went out to the kitchen and made a pot of oatmeal, fortifying it with spices and powdered eggs. She handed Alex a bowl as he worked on translations, and took another bowl back to Michael. Michael was awake in the bed, looking groggy to her, but awake was good.
She set the bowl down and helped him sit up. She handed him the bowl of food and went to get him a bottle of water. She smiled as he drank the whole bottle after finishing his oatmeal. "Guess I know what I'm talking about huh?" she teased.
To her surprise, he actually looked guilty, "I'm sorry I'm such a bad patient."
She shook her head, smiling, "I've had worse. Now let's check your temperature, you look flushed to me." She slid the thermometer under his tongue and rummaged in her medical supply, pulling out antibiotics and painkillers, deciding that both were probably in order here. She took the thermometer out when it beeped, frowning when it read 101.6.
She opened another bottle of water and handed Michael antibiotics and painkillers, "Take these please." Michael nodded and swallowed them down quickly. Normally he would have fought her, or any doctor on the necessity of taking medication, but he felt like shit. Gabriella sat by his side, holding his hand, gently rubbing the back of it with her thumb until he was lulled to sleep.
She pulled her hand free and grabbed up the empty oatmeal bowl, heading out to the common area. She smiled when she saw Alex asleep; face down in a pile of books. She dropped the bowl in the kitchen and came back to him, gently waking him, "Go to bed Alex, I'll take watch tonight." He nodded sleepily and shuffled off to bed.
Gabriella cleaned the oatmeal bowls and ate what was left in the pot before cleaning it too. She grabbed a blanket, shotgun, and her 9mm before heading back to sit by Michael's bedside. By 3am she had come back inside from walking the perimeter and checked in on Michael.
Instantly she could see he was worse. His face was pale; he was covered in sweat, and wracked in shivers. She helped him sit up, feeling his skin burn beneath her touch. "Shit" she whispered. She doubled down on the antibiotics and the painkillers, helping him to drink the water to wash them down. Michael didn't even seem to know what was going on, he was muttering words in what sounded like angel.
She considered putting an IV in, but thought he had a chance of fighting this off through the night if she could get him to keep drinking water. She was also counting on his angel strength to help. She dampened a rag and began wiping his face, trying to keep him comfortable as he tossed and turned in his feverish state.
A few hours later, as the first light of the sun crept into the sky, Michael settled into a calmer sleep. Alex came into the room, "Hey, go get some sleep, I'll watch him." Gabriella nodded her thanks and wandered over to Alex's room. Kicking off her shoes she collapsed onto the bed and promptly fell asleep exhausted.