Disclaimer: I do not own Dominion, its locations, characters, plot, etc. I do own this crazy idea and a love for angels, and a few characters thrown in...

Summary: Six weeks post 1x04 The Flood, AU. Ever since Michal returned to Vega after being stabbed, some of the Corps soldiers noticed he wasn't always the stoic, aloof archangel Vega's known for years. And Alex is about to find out why. Also...William Whele has a secret to tell about a night that went normally to everyone else but was actually something much bigger.

To Olicityforever: Thanks for the faves and follows!

To GuestM: It would do wonders for him wouldn't it? Michael's just had a rough time and letting people in usually leads to him getting hurt so he stays pretty withdrawn, maybe that will change soon...Michael swears when he's tired, pissed, in pain, or all of the above, in Raph's case he was doing something and moved wrong, technically an accident that he wasn't sorry for. Roxie was needed, just because I like her and yes Unit Six is happy too. Raphael was getting hints that things weren't quite right, but he wasn't told all the details outright. Like you said, Michael doesn't exactly talk about his feelings. And you're sort of right about Michael's grace keeping the baby alive. Yeah! lol I guess so, but this...as you've noticed is a curve ball for the angels, Kate and Lucifer know nothing should happen so they're ok. But yeah, it's a concern for some. Thank you so much for your review!

To Megan: Lol everyone wants to meet the baby! Not there yet, getting closer. Thank you!

To T: Morgana is just awesome, nanny is one word for her lol. Michael has his blades, not directly on him when they left Vega, but his Unit grabbed them. Carla had them when she brought those two bags onto the chopper. Thank you!

To DominionFan2778: I think everyone is wanting Unit six back, and to find out some real answers about Michael huh? Roxie was thrown in because I love her and couldn't resist. Thank you!

To AttillaTheNun: lol I published the first chapter in May, but the story line date was December lol, and yeah, it's taking me awhile huh? I just started a new job that gives me lots of free time so tada posting a chapter! Unit Six...they are MIA, don't know where they are. And? lol. To Pam: (really? lol XD) Similar situations for other people, or are really careful, or like Ethan...not exactly keeping to straight couples, angels are technically genderless so... ;) Noma isn't an angel out of convenience, it was easier to leave her human in this fic. Eventually yes, but not yet. Almost everyone thinks it's a girl! lol Thank you so much!

To SpenceFTW: Loki? lol idk on mischievous dog names. Aww lol Alex being Michael's...nice! Yeah a lot of people say girl. And yes, Twins would make sense (there's something for that coming up later lol) but he's a twin when created, not born. So Michael himself doesn't have the predisposition for having Twins. Thank you!

To Mina: Went from the fast lane to the slow lane...turtle slow...lol I know what the baby is, of course, but no one else XD What, a cute little girl with Michael's angelic face and intense eyes wouldn't be adorable? lol boy then huh? Ok fine SPOILER: Michael WILL fly again, and yes, the six pack returns...maybe...lol ;) Thank you for your review and enjoy this chapter!


Chapter Fifty Four

Xxx

The river was loud in his ears, the roaring water that was in reality so far away, was so loud as it echoed on the cold rocks around him, sounding like he was surrounded by the rushing river.

A moan hissed from his throat, and he struggled to sit up further as the pain radiated from his back to his stomach, clenching the aching muscles even tighter. This wasn't cramping...not with the pressure on his hips steadily getting worse every time the pains made him almost stop breathing…

By the time his mind caught up with what the heck the pains were, he'd managed to lift a shaking hand to his side, and figured out why it was impossible for him to sit up.

Michael's hand pressed against his large belly, and a contraction almost drew him to screaming, choking out for air instead as limping footsteps clattered towards him. He finally looked around more than just at the swell of his stomach, seeing Alex jogging towards him completely drenched and holding both his sword and automatic gun up as he glanced over his shoulders every couple steps.

Lightning lit up the sky briefly, illuminating the cave mouth and revealing the pouring rain outside the makeshift shelter the archangel found himself in.

Alex dropped to his knees with little ceremony, already wrapping his arms around Michael's shoulders when the archangel leaned against him, hissing air between clenched teeth.

"How's it goin'?"

"Hurts…" His voice was just about gone, rasping and hoarse as he panted for air, not caring that he was only getting colder by huddling against the soaked human.

"How far apart are they?"

It took Michael a minute to understand what he was asking, a contraction rippling over his stomach and making him groan and cling to Alex until the pain receded enough for him to lay back against the rock. "...minutes…"

Alex swore softly, rubbing his hands up and down Michael's arms to try and keep him warm, "Too fast then...shit…"

"Alex…"

The human didn't seem to hear him, watching the cave entrance as a particularly deep boom of thunder shook Michael to his very core.

"Alex-"

Michael cried out, gasping for air as Alex spun back to him again, holding on as the archangel hunched forward with the contraction, he fell back groaning, leaning against Alex's chest for support, taking comfort in the soldier's presence.

"Easy...it's ok Michael...shit...it's ok…"

The archangel didn't believe him, but it was all Michael had to stay grounded so he let Alex ramble, just remained holding on to the soldier as another contraction made Michael moan softly, too weak to even move this time. Michael knew it was far from over, but he couldn't do it…

"Michael!"

He jerked awake, grimacing in pain. Alex sighed in relief that he hadn't passed out, shifting his grip to hold on to Michael better.

"Gotta stay awake…"

"Mhm…" Michael let his eyes close again though, resting against Alex while he had the chance, the distance between the contractions, while small, was also erratic and uneven. Something was seriously wrong...but there was no way he nor Alex would be able to do anything about it, Michael wasn't even sure he could really move his legs let alone get up at this point. Judging by how shifty and nervous Alex was, leaving wasn't an option even if Michael could move.

They were stuck...Michael was in labor, it was going wrong, and they were alone…

And the archangel was getting weaker by the minute as the next contraction made him dizzy to the point he couldn't see for a solid minute after the pain faded away.

Alex held on tighter when he moaned in pain, sagging against the soldier completely as he lost the ability to fight this anymore.

"Hey...c'mon, keep talking to me…"

"Can't…"

"Michael-"

"I can't...Alex...please…"

Please don't leave...please don't move...please don't let the baby die…

"Michael, c'mon stay with me-"

He couldn't do it, kinda figured this would happen, he'd go down right at the end. And apparently take the baby down with him…

Alex flinched when his hand moved, the archangel blindly finding the knife on the soldier's hip and passing it to him directly.

Considering Michael barely shifted on the next contraction due to lack of strength...it didn't take long for Alex to figure out what the archangel meant.

"No...no way, Michael c'mon just stay awake...please...it'll be ok."

No amount of pleading would change this, Michael couldn't even respond at this point as he went limp against Alex's chest, letting out a breath as the darkness beat out the pain...

Xxx

May 23rd, 2040

Xxx

Someone was poking him…

And it was starting to piss him off as the action began to stir him from unconsciousness, not that this was a bad thing right now, irritation aside the last thing he wanted was to keep dreaming.

The poking ceased momentarily when he rolled off his back, curling slightly on his side to remain comfortable...or as comfortable as he could get anymore. After a moment of nothing, the poking person shifted instead to rub his back, and that got his attention.

Also known as he let out a pained noise and the hand rubbing pushed harder, working into the muscles better as he sighed softly.

"Are you going to wake up boss or just keep making noises at me?"

He didn't answer.

"Michael...wake up …"

Nothing.

"C'mon sleepyhead...I'm not gonna let you spend the day in bed."

That earned a moan, partially in response and partially because his back hurt so much.

"I'll get the heating pad out…"

Michael huffed, but tilted his head just enough to glare at Noma before sagging back into the pillows, "I'm not moving."

"It's almost eleven am, I think at least getting something small to eat would be a good idea."

"Still not moving."

"Breakfast in bed."

"Still requires me to move."

"Michael…"

He huffed again, shifting to pull the sheet back over his shoulder as Noma pulled away a moment. This time when she returned to rubbing his back, the pained noise that slid from his throat lasted longer, drawn out as he tensed at her touch.

"You're really hurting aren't you?"

All he could respond with was a moan, hissing in air between clenched teeth as someone else entered the room.

That someone became the current hour's miracle worker as they had brought the heating pad, though they were still partially on the shit list since both the newcomer and Noma made Michael sit up enough to be propped on a few pillows with the pad against his spine. He still sagged into the support, grimacing in pain for several minutes as the two soldiers adjust the blankets.

"But why me?" Kate whined.

"Because I'm already at the door, and I said so."

"I outrank you."

Noma snorted, "Not in this case." With that she was gone, off to do or get whatever, either way Michael was in no mood to argue or question, just knew that Kate was the one sitting next to him, and wasn't fully happy.

Not that he could blame her, she purposefully gave him space whenever she could, knowing she was the outsider and new person in the tight group Unit Six had become in a few short months. That and Michael wasn't exactly looking for someone else to get to know and then lose...not when those he'd finally let in prior to her had been ripped away so violently.

Kate sat silently, being a constant and steady presence, but letting Michael handle this as he chose, which came down to the archangel trying to move his leg to be comfortable and having to grab her arm in pain as he tensed. This time the whine came from his throat and not hers. Kate slid a couple pillows under the blankets and his knees, relieving that discomfort, but it didn't relieve everything.

"You ok?"

"I would be...if it would stop rolling over."

"The baby? You're kidding…"

"No."

"At thirty-three weeks still flipping?"

Michael nodded, shifting so he could guide her hand to his stomach, holding her palm high on the bump for a moment. Her brow furrowed after a moment, "Nothing...or at least very little."

With that he moved their hands completely down to the bottom, watching her distant gaze carefully before understanding lit up her eyes as they both felt the kicking.

"Oh geez...Does Raph know the baby keeps turning over like that?"

He shrugged, "I told him awhile ago, I'm not sure how much he listened."

Nodding Kate gently pulled her hand away, but just enough so Michael could comfortably hold onto her arm as he tried to get comfortable, "Mind if I give him a call once Noma gets back in here?"

"Go ahead." Michael replied, rubbing at his face a little before slumping further into the pillows, his free hand gently rubbed his side, thoughts wandering for a moment in the silence.

"Katherine."

"Hmm?"

"Does it...does it bother you...or my brother for that matter...that you will never...never have children?"

Kate made a face as she thought it over, shrugging a little and pulling her legs up onto the bed to sit cross legged, "It used to, the news didn't really set in until after I had been fully discharged from the hospital here, not even in Vega. But I was two days out and I went outside to enjoy fresh air and move around a bit, and came across a friend of mine. We'd grown up together but she got married at eighteen and had twins five months later, a shot gun wedding."

Michael smirked a little, watching her face closely.

Now the brunette went on a bit hesitantly, "The twins had me listed as their godmother...it had been like that since they were born. But seeing them a year later, just after I was told I couldn't ever have any kids, I lost it. Rachel never saw me, but I took off into the woods until I was far enough away no one would hear me scream."

The pain in her green eyes was enough for Michael to hold her hand a bit tighter, glad she gripped back instead of pulling away, something she obviously had done before since she still hesitated, time may have lessened the blow, but that didn't stop the scar from hurting.

"Luc found me near sunset, all cried out and hoarse from screaming, he held me as I cried again, and has tried to be there every time since. He's known for years he could never have kids, doesn't stop him from loving just about any that he meets...but he knows one of his own wouldn't be a good idea. Unless of course he miraculously does what you're doing."

Michael chuckled softly, shaking his head a little as she went on, "As for me...it took awhile, but I moved on, do I want kids? Yeah, I do, but I also know in war and in life, shit happens and sometimes kids need a family, and maybe one that doesn't have any to begin with."

"You would adopt."

"Exactly, though at the rate both of us are going, we won't ever get to that since the most we see of each other is flashes once a week if lucky."

The archangel cringed slightly, "I haven't exactly been welcoming have I?"

"Eh, he's used to that, your siblings go through more spats and rounds of silent treatment than teenage girls. Nah, Luc and I just don't want to take in a kid and then go out to war. Not like you can put parenting on hold because life changes."

"And if the war doesn't end?"

Whatever possessed Michael to ask that, was the same force that made him hiss at his own question, leaning back and closing his eyes in frustration.

Yet Kate didn't pull away, nor did she ignore him, shrugging a little before speaking, "Then it doesn't end...if it's meant to be, it will happen...otherwise, there's plenty of puppies to spoil running around somewhere."

Michael snorted, "You said godmother?"

"Yeah...it's more of an acronym now though, 'guardian over death', the person or persons who have the legal right to take in someone's child should they be unfit for parenting or die. Almost everyone in Red Ridge has some sort of arrangement for their kids, for anyone in the military it's required."

That got the archangel thinking, "Your mother mentioned Lucifer would not ask you to marry him-"

"Try he's asked, I've said yes, but we can't get married until ranks line up or some shit...ask Ariel about it, she said it was some angel thing."

"But if there are children involved...yours or not, then any ranks are void. Aren't you the godmother for those twins?"

Kate sighed, "I was, Rachel pulled my name from the list after I got back into active duty. She was discharged for family purposes and once she had the twins she expected me to do the same after I got hurt so badly. I refused and went back to doing what I love, keeping everyone safe. Next thing I know, Lucifer is asking my mom permission to court me and I'm getting the paperwork notice saying my guardian status has been revoked."

He nodded in understanding before turning slightly as someone...or someones paused outside the door, soft voices barely audible through the wood.

And the quick flash of a sound of kissing…

Michael bit back a snort, glancing at Kate as she smirked, nearly losing control and laughing as she mouthed an explanation.

"Noma and Alex."

The archangel smiled, forcing his face to relax as the door creaked and one set of footsteps faded away. Noma entered as Kate hopped up, the black haired woman setting her tray of food down on the bed while Kate headed out to call Raphael.

But not before flashing Michael a look and winking as he smirked, luckily Noma was oblivious to their exchange, which helped in the long run, meant Michael could annoy the hell out of Alex without the blonde getting any forewarning.

"Oh!" Kate leaned back in the door, "Michael, my mom called earlier, if you want to there's a council meeting this evening, you're welcome to sit in on it."

Noma laughed as the archangel groaned, "It's your favorite thing boss! Paperwork!"

Michael just threw a pillow at her.

Xxx

For some stupid ass reason, Michael agreed with Kate's idea. If nothing else it was something to do and distract him from his sore back and that reoccurring nightmare. Even letting his wings out for awhile to stretch as he'd been doing every couple days now wasn't helping the aching muscles. He'd gone so far as to take Ethan's idea and retreated to the basement and spent an hour in the bath pool with the jets on.

Nothing…

As for that dream...this had to be the sixth or seventh time he'd had it, every time it changed a little, but the basic idea was the same, he went into labor somewhere he nor Alex could get help, and each time Michael got closer and closer to dying.

Not very pleasant...

At least though he had something to do this afternoon. It took longer to get ready considering even with the elastic band on his jeans, Michael was quickly running out of room in his clothing. It took even longer to find a shirt that didn't stretch super tight over the growing swell, or wasn't big enough at all. Michael finally had to settle with a just big enough tank top, pulling his coat on even though it was a little too heavy now with the warmer air in the mountains, it kept him covered. He didn't care, he had a feeling this meeting was a little more formal than the one Audrey had made him go to. The open yet formal invitation was enough of an explanation.

That and once he'd agreed to go and let Kate call her mother, the Red Ridge native had gotten everyone else into uniform, even Noma minus the protective vest, she was armed but assigned as Michael's escort, if they had to run she was stuck to his side like glue while everyone else shot like hell.

AKA they also had to look professional for this even though they wouldn't even be in the room…

Or judging by his dark jeans and actually decent shirt, Alex just might be. Someone had scrounged up a nice button down, or had brought it when they'd brought the soldiers actual clothes instead of the uniforms they'd arrived in. Apparently the bags Carla had shoved on the chopper had been strictly Michael's.

Either way, the ride to the Lodge was rather amusing considering somehow Morgana had gotten past Alex and was now curled at Michael's feet in the front of the hummer. The rest of Unit Six were scattered in the vehicle checking weapons and chatting, mostly about whether or not Joel would give them range time to practice since they didn't exactly have much to do right now. Kate was adamant all she had to do was bribe the angel with some cookies from Audrey and they'd get a chance to 'blow stuff up', but there was the chance someone else had garnered Joel's attention and booked the range for awhile.

If that was the case, Lucifer would step in and pull rank, which meant the archangel would likely have a spat with his younger brother over equal range times and what not.

Something Michael was all too familiar with from so long ago, and had no desire to get into now.

Nor was he in the mood to go back to sleep tonight, he had a feeling the dreams would come back...if it wasn't the bad one...it was made up stuff...like having this baby in Vega with the rest of Unit Six still alive and with him…

He didn't know which was worse...wasn't sure which hurt the most.

Xxx

Even before reaching the correct hallway in the Lodge to get to the conference room, it was glaringly obvious this was very different from not only that first meeting in the Hub, but also senate meetings in Vega.

Red Ridge was half monarchy, half council based for leadership and decisions, Audrey had a lot of power, but she truly valued other opinions-

"Michael!"

And not just those from here. Since the archangel turned from greeting Jeep to see Lady Arika of Helena coming towards him with another Red Ridge man at her side.

"Lady Arika, I did not expect you this soon."

"Neither did I, but Evelyn insisted and wanted to ensure communications were being handled."

AKA she had information that could not be shared via data link, radio feed, or even letters.

She shrugged though, smiling warmly to the archangel as she went on, "But I digress, the meeting has not yet started, allow me to introduce you to the liaison between Red Ridge and Helena, Stephan Lancaster, he is responsible for the trade agreements I had intended on introducing to Vega for textiles, seeing as Red Ridge has a higher production margin with wool over cotton. Stephan, this is Ariel and Uriel's elder brother, Michael, Vega's protector who you never had the chance of meeting the last time you accompanied me to Vega."

"A pity I assure you." Stephan teased with a smile, shaking Michael's hand firmly, "My pleasure archangel, I apologize but I must speak with Evans before she leaves again."

That's basically how the next half hour went, Arika moved off to speak with Riesen privately about Claire, but between Jeep and David Whele who had joined the pair in standing off to the side, Michael was introduced to basically everyone on the council. And this was around the soldiers filing back and forth as escorts, dropping off reports for those unable to make to the meeting (Sarah Reed was excused, she was in surgery from a broken leg after a mechanics accident, kinda what she gets for being in charge of the automobiles) and as heavy lifting since someone broke...something...and it had to be replaced five minutes before Audrey arrived.

When she did, the whole Lodge knew it, mostly because it was automatic at this point for any soldiers, human and angel, to step aside for Lucifer as Red Ridge's Commander, but also since Gabriel was at his side in full armor with his wings arched behind him. Everyone moved respectfully for the pair, and for Audrey who was in a rather professional dress with her hair up again since she was on Lucifer's arm.

If Michael hadn't already known about the heavy alliance between the archangel and the woman, it was never more obvious than right now.

Or throughout the meeting. It couldn't be called a council session, not in Vega's eyes at least. To Michael, it was a thousand times more productive than the former city.

For starters, the meeting was held in a conference room with a screen for projections and files, so everyone could see the same thing all at once. And there was food, though that might be the biggest plus to Michael right now considering he was starving yet again.

But the meeting was so different than what he was used to...after getting a plateful of food from the buffet someone had set up beforehand, the majority of his time was spent sitting back and just watching it all. It was as if the whole point of the meeting was to not be formal. Besides for strict votes that were recorded, the gathering could be mistaken for an afternoon meal between friends as they discussed work over drinks and food. The noticeable difference was how the conversation ebbed and flowed between Lucifer and Audrey, while the Lady of the Ridge held a lot of power, there were still one or two people who would contest some of her statements-basically those wanting to draw things out and table discussions. That's when Lucifer would speak up, sometimes with an alternative, but that was rare. He backed her otherwise, and with Gabriel also speaking on her behalf, there was little opposition to getting things done.

Democracy at its finest when guided by a strong leader who could tame the masses…

And effectively introduce Alex to everyone, saying point blank who he was, what he was, and that if anyone got the chance to inform Arthur he was here. It only took Lucifer growling once for everyone to just accept the knowledge and let it be. The line between human affairs and angel ones was solid.

The meeting in truth lasted a couple hours, to Michael it felt faster because it went so smoothly, the time passed faster.

Once the conference room had been emptied out, Audrey leaned back in her chair completely, huffing out a breath and glancing to Gabriel with a smirk, "Tada! See what happens when people talk things out instead of coming to blows?"

Michael's twin snorted, shaking his head as he munched on something covered in chocolate, obliging when Michael motioned for him to pass the plate along.

Guess chocolate replaced cheese right now in cravings, ten fold considering Michael couldn't even set the plate down before a sharp kick hit his side. He ignored it for the sake of actually getting the food in the first place, grinning a little to himself as Audrey and Lucifer continued to tease Gabriel about conflict resolution. Meanwhile Jeep and Alex were going over old images the older of the two had collected over the years, viewing them on the projection screen and discussing the similarities in the ancient scripts and the tattoos. Alex was making more wisecracks than actual contributions to the conversation.

They were all silenced by a vicious thunderclap, the sound literally shaking the lodge as the skies unleashed their pay load.

Audrey winced, "Man...looks like you all are here for tonight, I don't trust that bridge one bit."

Michael nodded in agreement, picking at his plate idly as the Lady stood up and adjusted her dress. She glanced at the clock, brow furrowing for a moment as she stared at Michael, earning a raised eyebrow in question.

"Yes?"

"Care to come see something I've been working on? Supper isn't for another hour and I know you've been eating this entire time."

The archangel shrugged, standing slowly and with difficulty, nodding when Lucifer appeared at his side to help. It was definitely getting harder to move. Or to even just stand considering his ankles began to throb within seconds of being upright.

His hesitation to follow Audrey immediately made her pause at the door, her gentle smile fading upon seeing his struggle to just remain upright.

"Or would you rather just move to the living room and put your feet up?"

Michael shook his head, walking slowly but steadily forward, "No, I want to move around, have been sitting too much today."

"Dammit."

Both turned to see Jeep grudgingly passing Alex a handful of money with a growl, the blonde was snickering, winking to Michael when the archangel's eyebrow rose in question.

"Alex…"

"Nothin' Michael, just a bet on how well Jeep supposedly knows you."

Audrey snorted, "You bet on Michael staying put huh?"

Jeep growled, "And lost."

"Obviously."

Michael just shrugged, stepping past Audrey as Alex stood up to follow them, leaving Jeep to sulk.

Xxx

It wasn't the walking, it wasn't the size of the lodge and that their destination was down one wing to another whole section of the building, it wasn't even the flight and half of stairs he had to climb that did him in.

No, it was the plateful of chocolate covered strawberries.

Meaning they didn't even reach their destination before Michael was in the bathroom bringing up everything he'd eaten in the last few hours.

And the baby was not happy about this.

"Somebody didn't listen to me…"

Michael groaned, knowing full well Audrey had indeed warned him of the fruit somewhere on the buffet table, that didn't stop his current sentiment or ease the nausea, "...I hate you…"

"No you don't."

He grunted, making to retort and instead leaned forward as far as he was able to as he threw up. Jeep rubbed his back gently, being a constant support where he sat behind Michael kneeling on the floor so the archangel had something to lean against as he tried to slow his breathing. It did little good, anytime he managed to slow down enough to lean back against Jeep, either the nausea returned full force or the baby took the slight reprieve to do a somersault in complaint, both didn't help at all and it was only leading to Michael puking more.

Alex passed him the water glass when he looked over, glad the blonde had hung around instead of joining the rest of Unit Six in the dining hall with the present soldiers. As much as he preferred their company over many others, Michael would rather it be Alex around right now.

"Hungry?" Audrey spoke up again, stepping back into the bathroom fully changed from her gown.

Michael sighed and grudgingly nodded, "Yes…"

"Gonna have you eat in about twenty minutes."

"What good does it do if I just bring it back up?" He was fully admitting this time his reply came out as a whine, just not in the mood for this at all as one hand held his head up while the other rubbed his side, wishing at least one of the two internal rollings would just stop.

"Because food is still food, even if it's just a swallow of water it will help." She replied, leaving again with a note of finality as Michael groaned, retching again with a cough.

Xxx

Alex grimaced, wishing he knew a way to ease Michael's pain right now, but even peppermint, candies or tea, would just come back up within the next few minutes until the archangel could settle down.

Would probably help if he wasn't being internally assaulted at the same time but Alex had no idea on that one either.

Jeep shifted as Michael leaned back again, eyes closed as he braced an arm on the man's leg to cover his face with the hand. While forcing oneself to breathe slower wasn't always a good idea, easing into it being the preferred method, Michael was getting desperate since he was just about slumped against Jeep and the stool behind him. Alex's adoptive father sighed softly, keeping one arm lightly wrapped around the archangel's shoulders while the other he rubbed the knuckles along Michael's arm, the steady rhythm almost in time to Michael's breathing. Gave him something to focus on and match.

"Wanna switch spots? Pretty sure your leg isn't liking that position."

Chuckling, Jeep shook his head, "It's stiff but not hurting, 'sides, Michael's half asleep anyway so moving isn't going to help right now."

"...am not…"

Alex but back a chuckle at the soft pout, grimacing again as apparently speaking was the latest bad idea as Michael leaned forward again and heaved, at least it was dry heaves now, he'd hopefully stop pretty soon.

Settling back again took longer as the archangel's legs refused to move quickly, finally untucking from how he'd been sitting on them as he winced.

"Ankles hurting?"

"They have been since I got up this morning."

"You mean this afternoon."

"Whatever."

Jeep snorted, fingers digging into Michael's shoulders better as he groaned softly, neither was quite sure if it was in relief or in complaint, but the archangel remained still for several minutes.

Long enough for Alex as he bounced to his feet, Michael knew what was coming, grabbing his arm instantly once he was there.

Alex did regret having to get Michael upright, the archangel was in no mood to move and too tired to function almost as it was.

In this case Jeep made the executive decision and helped them to Audrey's suite, muttering under his breath that she could kick his ass for it later.

Xxx

"Ok, gonna try something I wanted to do when I was pregnant with Kate, didn't get the chance to since she came on her own time." Audrey said, adjusting her grip on her water glass. Michael ignored her for the moment, content to nibble at his plate as he laid out on the Lady's couch, head pillowed on her lap with his swollen ankles propped up to hopefully ease the pain.

He did however pay attention as she carefully set the cup on his stomach, arranging it just so on the swollen bump so it wouldn't fall over.

"Why?"

Audrey shushed him, winking at his furrowed brow and waving at Alex to make him keep still, "Just watch…"

"Audrey, that's really cold, why-"

The glass quivered, water shaking as the baby twisted and kicked just underneath the cup. Michael held his breath, and then busted out laughing as the glass was kicked again and the water splashed higher.

At least Audrey was able to grab the cup before the shaking archangel made it fall over, mostly because she wanted her drink back, but also that's why they were eating in her suite, Michael had absolutely no intention of getting up anytime soon.

Not that anyone was blaming him…

Xxx

Now Alex snickered as he watched Michael start to lose the ability to remain awake, nodding sluggishly for Audrey to move his empty plate, actually it was his second but anyway…

The Lady of The Ridge hummed softly when he shifted on the couch, hand moving to rub his side idly while Audrey's combed through his hair as if distracted. Made Alex wonder a bit had she ever done that years ago...or for that matter had his mom.

And it made him wonder something else, that had truly been bugging him for several months now.

"Hey Michael?"

"Hmm?"

"What law do angels have that says having kids is bad? I mean I get the Nephilim were pure destructive creatures, but if this baby is human than why is Furiad and the others throwing such a bitch fit?"

His mentor sighed softly, "Angels, no matter the rank, have set rules they must follow, one of them being love all of our Father's creations but it seems that one gets ignored the most."

Alex snorted faintly, knowing full well by Michael's tone he specifically meant Gabriel at the moment.

"But this one," He gestured vaguely to his stomach, "Is a foundational law, and part of the reason Lucifer was imprisoned in the first place...We are not allowed to create."

"Then what the fuck happened with the platypus?"

Michael chuckled, a grinning breaking the slightly depressed expression that had slid onto his face in the last few minutes, "Partially me being drunk, and also the five oldest archangels were told to come up with an idea of a new creature to inhabit earth. Our Father gave us each a domain, mine was water, and told us to come up with something. It was Gabriel and Raphael's idea to involve a little too much alcohol as we thought things over."

"So a loophole."

"No." This time Jeep answered, Michael was yawning anyway at the moment, "They came up with the idea, but didn't perform the creation itself."

"Mhm," Michael rubbed at his eyes, shifting to lay better in Audrey's lap, "We are not allowed to create on our own, that was the first law Lucifer was breaking when the Nephilim began to appear, he gave the permission for some of our brothers to have a little too much free will. This...this is just as bad or even worse considering it is solely on me."

Audrey growled, smacking his shoulder abruptly, "Stop saying that. If it was a bad thing, you'd be dead by now-"

"Alex had apparently decided he's going to stand in the way of that-"

She smacked him again, this time Michael shut up so she could talk, "I don't mean Furiad or any other Power, I mean I bet you my very soul-who knows what's going to happen to it once I kick the bucket anyway-your Father would step in if he felt such ingrained laws were being broken, and I don't know about you but I don't see any natural disasters around me..."

Her statement was rather moot considering the storm outside deemed it time to let out a vicious thunder clap, the rain only pouring harder now.

"Current weather conditions not included."

Xxx

It was easy to stand up and follow Jeep from the room now that Michael had fallen asleep. Hopefully it would be a restful one since he'd drifted off midsentence. After Audrey's sharp arguments, Michael had either silently accepted her thoughts, or was just giving up for the night and ignoring her.

Alex was more leaning towards the latter…

The two men had made the pair staying in the suite more comfortable, Alex taking one of the thick blankets from Audrey's bedroom and draping it over his unconscious mentor. Jeep had somehow managed to bang the ottoman into almost every piece of furniture on his way to Audrey, sliding it under her legs as she leaned back to not wake up Michael.

He must have been out of it since Jeep had in no way been quiet.

Alex's adoptive father stopped him once they'd stepped out the door, closing it carefully since the wood had tendency to bang when latching.

"Yeah?"

"Alex...had Michael spoken to you, or any of your unit about after all this? After the baby is born?"

Shaking his head, Alex shrugged, "No, honestly besides the senate and captains finalizing a rough plan for maternity leave in Vega, we've all been more worrying about keeping him safe and helping him day to day. None of us really brought up anything past the delivery, the girls did a little bit, but nothing concrete."

Jeep sighed, rubbing at his face in frustration, "As much as he seems to want to avoid it, we need to do so then."

"Everything ok?"

It made Alex's heart skip a beat that Jeep shook his head, "This war didn't get put on pause after the attack Alex-"

"I know-"

"No," Jeep snapped, leading Alex away from the door as both of them tensed, "You don't know. There's been an attack on New Delphi a week ago, and according to our scouts and outer border patrol-the one outside the fence...Furiad's scouts are getting closer. Audrey and Arika have locked down all communications between here and Helena, only verbal wording, not even standard paper reports on trade. There has been nothing from the Camp yet, but everyone is desperately trying to keep a leak from happening. And not just about Michael."

Alex stiffened, looking away as he leaned against the wall and let the news sink in.

Jeep continued after a moment, "Furiad is targeting anyone from Vega, going after leaders whether old or ones who stepped up in the crisis, Claire Riesen has been put under special guard with Queen Evelyn and we're still waiting on news from the Senators in New Delphi. This war is getting out of hand...at least with Gabriel, he was just wanting you and only you, occasionally letting some eight balls loose to blow off steam and keep the threat ever present. This...is back to how it used to be, annihilation."

That made the blonde swallow thickly, hands balled into fists at his sides as he stared blankly ahead. Jeep was wise to back off a step, not that Alex would swing at him, it was more the Chosen One's arms were swirling with the irate tattoos.

"I don't know what to do." He admitted softly, refusing to turn and face the man he used to call dad, now he was plain uneasy around him.

Jeep sighed, "Neither do I, but that might not matter if things don't settle down soon, you may have to step up the plate and take a swing blind."

Xxx

May 24th, 2040

3:45am

Xxx

Besides the becoming almost clockwork need to use the restroom every hour or so, Michael wasn't entirely sure what woke him up. Audrey didn't snore in the slightest and he'd been mostly comfortable on the couch until after he'd gotten up and thought about returning to sleep.

Instead he wandered the quiet halls until he made it back to the main section of the lodge, carefully easing down the stairs as his back protested his continued movement.

Only two people of Unit Six were awake when he made it to the living room area, watching the last of some movie in the otherwise dark room. Noma and Ethan were sprawled out on the floor sound asleep, the smooth talking soldier almost snoring with how he was laying on his side, hopefully he wouldn't move and end up competing with the thunder outside the lodge.

Kate was curled up against Lucifer on one of the couches, both of them sound asleep with the archangel keeping a protective arm around his fiancé-to-be even while oblivious to the rest of the world.

Mostly, he blinked awake as Michael moved closer, nodding slightly before resting his head back with a contented sigh. Alex looked up from watching the movie, gesturing for Michael to take the other end of the couch he was one since Connors was stretched out on the third one. Or at least the only other one positioned around the TV.

Michael eased onto the cushions carefully, curling up against the side with a sigh. Connors moved enough to toss him a blanket, otherwise remaining still as he either actually paid attention to the movie playing with silent subtitles, or was falling back asleep.

Either way the archangel wasn't interested in the film, instead tucking the warm fleece around himself before picking up a handful of papers spread out over the coffee table in front of Alex.

Most of the symbols made no sense whatsoever, and he first suspected either someone got really bored and tried to draw with their non-dominant hand, or a child had done so. Then he caught fragments of clarity, a word or two in Hebrew or Latin. Old habits made him take one of the pens and fill in what he could understand, the completely random words had no context in his mind.

Until Alex took the papers from him, staring for half a second and beginning to fill in the rest as if on auto-pilot.

Watching him for a moment, Michael's brow furrowed as he stared at Alex's exposed arms, the tattoos had changed. And not just some subtle shifting like when Alex was lost in thought or during meditating, this was drastically different.

The scattered papers and half buried Bible made more sense now, as did Lucifer's scrawling notes around Alex's badly written Hebrew text. There's the reason Lucifer was still hanging around.

It never ceased to amaze Michael how alike and yet very different he and his brothers were, and how balanced. Michael's handwriting was bordering on beautiful almost artisan like script, Lucifer was caught between that and Gabriel's almost always illegible chicken scratch.

He didn't let himself dwell on this for long, watching Alex work for a few more minutes until his head was nodded again. This couch was immensely more comfortable as he grabbed one of the pillows on the floor, tucking the blanket around his shoulders better as he gave in to sleep.

Eventually Alex would set down his notes, and Michael would find them later in the morning.

Right now though the Chosen One shifted to let Michael stretch out his legs more, his own resting alongside his mentor's so Michael would sleep easier.

And luckily he did, sliding into peaceful black that not even the thunderstorm raging outside could conquer.


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Wow long chapter...my bad...

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