Hey guys. My apologies for the two and a half month absence, but you know, school and stuff. Yaaay.

Anywhosies, this chapter may be short, but that's because it's more of a filler than anything. Plus, next chapter will have plenty of FAX for you all to read up on.

Enjoy!

MPOV

The celebratory robes were precisely as I had remembered them when all us Archangels first received them in our first life. When we had first been bequeathed with them, none of us ever thought we would have to use them in order to channel Our Lady, and so it was conceded to lay them to rest inside the confines of an ancient, hand-carved trunk latched shut with a wrought iron lock. After a quick turn of a key, the precious garment was removed from the chest's clutches and returned to its rightful owner.

My robe hung delicately over my arms then, feeling as luxuriously smooth as freshly spun silk. I stood stark-naked in one of the many bare rooms tucked away in the massive house, the air around me thick and dark even with my newly developed eyesight. Calm and alert was my breathing cycle; the threads woven into the fabric were alight with electricity that jumped off the material and sprawled across my nerves. Without another moment of hesitation, I undid its delicate lace buttons and carefully stepped inside.

Like a river of silk, the robe melted over my skin, kissing and hugging at every one of my newly-carved curves. A feeling of peaceful bliss erupted deep inside me, drawing out a sharp gasp of pleasant surprise. The burst of power that bloomed inside me surpassed anything I had ever experienced before, spilling over any weakness I may have possessed and patching it up with fragile golden threads. Pure whispered past my mind and I knew without a doubt that that was exactly what I was feeling.

As I stood there reveling in these blissful sensations, a knock was rapped against the door. Through a tug in the web, I was instantly keyed into Fang's presence on the other side. Grinning, I gathered up my skirts and glided across the room to swing open the door.

A giggle sprung past my lips before I could stop it, though my hand clamped down over my mouth in an attempt.

Fang sliced me a glare. "Don't say anything. This was the fashion back then."

"What is there to say? You look stunning," I drawled.

When Fang had first tugged out the black material of his robe from the trunk, I had presumed it would be some sort of suit fashioned with classic ornaments. I was completely wrong. Rolling his eyes, this boy before me was wearing the exact same robe as me, minus the petticoat that frothed from beneath my skirt. Though it molded into the creases of his muscles perfectly, the midnight robe was cut exactly like a dress, and it certainly wore that way. He looked ridiculous.

Crossing his arms, Fang struggled to keep a smile from crawling up his lips. "Are you done yet?"

"I don't know," I replied seriously. "That robe is pretty sexy."

Though his chest trembled with silent laughter, he refused to further fuel my fire. Taking my hand in his, he merely shook his head and began leading me down the stairs. I was trying hard to calm my nervous giggles down, biting the inside of my cheek and keeping my eyes focused in front of me. Now, with the meeting of Our Lady so close, butterflies had roused in my stomach with heartbeats thrumming as fast as their wings.

Calm down, I chanted to myself. It had to have been the twentieth time I thought it.

My mind was whirring with anticipation, nerves short-circuiting. What if she thought we were failures for calling upon her? And if we haven't lived up to her expectations? Would we be sent back up to Heaven? Or damned, expelled down to the pits of Hell? I heard stories about Hell form some of the demons that I killed over the years. It's not that often one of them creeps up onto Earth, but when they did, they came with a vengeance that terrified me. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it'd be like to live in the very cesspool that created them.

Fang gave my hand a tight squeeze as we walked towards the barren living room, sensing my agitation through the web. I couldn't help but wonder if he had the same concerns that clutched me with fear. I vaguely remember long, long ago Fang telling me a story of Our Lady; he was the only one who remembered her from when we still resided in heaven. His memory was strong like that. Surely Fang didn't get as nervous as I did. But I guess that's why we were so good together: he was a strong, steady ox to my spooked cat.

Kneeling on the floor with lavender robes pooling about her, Fang's mother lifted her head up to smile weakly at us. Her arms raised, beckoning for us to come stand next to her. "Come, children. If we don't start soon, we'll be mulling around until dawn."

I swallowed the bundle of nerves choking the base of my throat and forced my lips to twitch in response to her motherly drive. The floor was icy cold under my bare feet, but I made no complaint, keeping my focus on the methodical motions Fang's mother was taking to lean across the circle of pure white candles arranged on the floor, carefully lighting each. When she was done, she gradually rose beside us to flash a warm, comforting smile. I released a breath I hadn't known I was holding. It was time.

Raising her hands high in the air like an ancient tribal goddess would, Fang's mother turned her head heavenwards with shut eyes. Then there was silence.

I wasn't sure what I expected, but I suppose I had some grandiose ritual in mind. Instead, she breathed deeply through parted lips until the candles began to flicker. Ever so subtly, the flames began to raise, lengthening until they could expand out and form a ring of fire. Golden notes of light began appearing in the air inside the circle, swirling and gathering together until finally creating one collective ball of shimmering light. With a blast of light that seared my irises, the golden particles began melting away into an angelic form.

She was more beautiful than what my meager imagination would ever be able to come up with. Snow white, wavy hair soft as silk; a luminescent heart-shaped face the perfect background to her warm honey eyes and merciful lips. Wings as white as her hair unfurled behind her in a vivid mass. My eyes soaked in the texture of the feathers, imagining how immaculately soft they must be to the touch. And then, she smiled.

Realizing I was gawking like an incompetent fool, I blushed and bent into a quick curtsey. "My Lady." Beside me, Fang copied my actions, bowing at the waist with a murmur.

"Gabrielle, Metatron." Her lips hardly moved an inch, but the words filled the room like a thousand wind chimes dancing in a breeze. "I was patiently waiting for this moment. To what is it that my children inquire?"

It was Fang who spoke first, confident, unlike me. "My Lady, Gabrielle and I are so very close to encasing Michael in Hell, but we must ask your assistance for one task."

"Elaborate, please."

"We need the help of our fellow Archangels. Gabrielle has a remarkable hypothesis that if we all band together, unlike the past centuries, we will be able to efficiently encase Michael."

"Gabrielle?" she inquired, elegant brows sliding up in question.

Mustering up whatever courage it was that I possessed, I took a step forward. "We ask that you please reveal the other Archangels to us so that we may fight side-by-side in this battle. The task Michael provides us is far too large for Metatron and I to take on alone; we must be with the others, just as you originally designed us to work."

The smile that sprouted on her lips whispered pride. "My magnificent children. You have planned not only fervently, but precisely as well. I am pleased by your eagerness to bask in this challenge with the others, and will undoubtedly bestow your request upon you." She paused, letting Fang and I grin and re-clasp our hands together in relief.

"Be wary, though, dears. Each of the Archangels will immediately begin to bloom tomorrow. You must be observant to discover their true identities, and make haste with it; they will be terrified not knowing what is happening to them."

"Of course, my Lady," Fang conceded, bowing his head shortly.

"My duty has been fulfilled here, then." Giving us one more heart-warming smile, the golden motes began to absorb her form once again. "Best of luck, my children. I know you will not fail me."

I instinctively slipped into a curtsey, extending my genuine thanks out to her. By the time I stood back up, she was gone.

After Our Lady ascended back to her throne in the Heavens, Fang's mother simply collapsed to the floor with a breathy sigh. Though Fang and I both rushed to her, he assured me that this was normal; she had recapped him on what would happen to her while I was busy dressing. Expecting her to be out for a long while, we brought her up to her simplistic bedroom and laid her gently down in bed.

I completely understood how drained his mother was. Even I felt fatigue plague me, and all I had done was talk to Our Lady. I could only imagine what it must have been like channeling the woman.

Stripping my robe from my skin, I quickly slipped one of Fang's plain black tees over my slender frame. The plush cotton clung to Fang's delicious rainwater scent, making me smile fondly to myself as I stepped into an old pair of athletic shorts also borrowed from Fang. Leaving the rest of my clothes neatly folded on the floor, I padded quietly down the hall towards Fang's bedroom.

Since the two of us were so worn out, we decided to both just crash here. And since his bed was the only unoccupied piece of furniture in the house, it was only natural to share it.

But still.

Even after spending hundreds of lives with this very boy, I still felt butterflies flutter awake in my stomach as I made the walk to his room.

Pausing in the threshold, I anxiously watched Fang's steady rise and fall of the chest as he laid on the bed, arm tossed lazily over his eyes. His hair was already tousled, though he'd hardly been in that position ten minutes. Biting my lip to control my grin, I quietly tip-toed inside the room, trying not to wake him up. After what seemed like eternity, I reached the bed and gingerly tried to slip in unnoticed. I thought I had succeeded, too, hunkering down under the blankets with a silent cheer for my stealth—and then, in the time it took me to expel one breath, Fang had rolled over, roped his muscular arm around my waist, and crushed me against his chest.

Trembles of quiet laughter coursing through me, I turned onto my other side, expecting to see an awake Fang staring back at me. But no; somehow while he was asleep, he must have sensed me come close, because his eyes were still shut and he was still deep, deep in sleep.

Heart swelling, my face completely softened as I studied his gorgeous features. My fingertips lightly traced the contours that constructed him, the soft, burning lips I longed to kiss. How I ever earned this boy was beyond me, but I wouldn't trade a second of the time we've spent together. Not now, and not for eternity.

Because without him, there would be no light.

And there we have it, those two cute Archangels. If you want to see this little scene continue, go ahead and review for Fax in the next chapter(;

Speaking of, I'm going to be typing that little number up right after this is posted, so expect to see the next chapter up either Monday and Tuesday.

Because of my promise to finish this story before the new year, I will be posting avidly (i.e every few days or so) in order to meet the deadline. I can't wait to share the ending for this story: it's been patiently waiting on my computer for two years now, and I just know you guys will love it.

R&R(:

*Shiver*