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 tinanielsendogan: Thanks for the fave and follow!
To Manidefronsac: Thank you! Long reviews, short reviews, I take them all. Thank you so much for taking the time to review and even translate. If you're more comfortable leaving it in French, feel free, I can translate on my end too! Merci!
To T: lol! That would be hilarious! The archangels are just great together huh? Thank you!
To Mina: You know too much about me huh? Read on! Thank you!
To wiccawoman: I say nothing! Thank you so much for reading and loving my story! Enjoy this chapter! Thank you!
To Guest: Yes, the big day is coming, XD Here's more! Enjoy! Thanks for your review!
To SpenceFTW: Exactly, and stress isn't something Michael needs right now, there is going to be a big...well let's call it Revelation...later on.. ;) Thank you for your review!
To Sophik: HI! It's ok, was wondering where you were, you threw me for a loop by reviewing ch. 53 though lol. As for the slap... XD Michael has to express his frustration somehow! And yes, full strength he'd have done some damage, but he's a lot weaker right now. Unit Six just keeps getting better and better, so not what I intended when I started this. Michael wasn't banned, he physically didn't want to join, I mean come one seven months pregnant and tag? XD Oh hey I did say asshat huh? lol whoops. Cassiel had her reasons, similar to Audrey's frustration with Michael's wings.
No, she was mad not stupid, she'd never hit his stomach, his head on the other hand...fair game, she just didn't know not to use almost her full strength. That and she has a temper that gets the better of her with her elder siblings, angel hierarchy is a bit strict. Dr. Carlisle is Dr. Asshole or Dr. Douche, no one likes him except for what he can do. The horse name thing is true, name them something and they follow suit. I found that Hebrew name through Supernatural actually, but yeah...that riderless horse comes up later with Jib, don't forget that one just yet. Had to have some tipping point for Michael, he's been keeping a distance from everything and saying baby let him admit he's not only afraid he's too attached to back out. lol enjoy this chapter my dear! Thank you so much!
Chapter Fifty Six
Xxx
May 25th, 2040
Xxx
Alex was right, that wasn't the end of it.
Well, it was at least paused for a couple hours as Michael agreed to go back to sleep, laying back on the couch fully and letting the obvious fatigue settle over him again. Alex joined Kate in the kitchen, catching her up since she'd been the one to receive the call from Joel in the first place. Other than that, no one else knew or would know about what happened.
Ok...Alex and Audrey had agreed before the Lady had become sloppy drunk that they'd tell the archangel after he had the baby, and recovered enough to most likely kick Alex's ass. For now though, it was just something to forget.
Kate went to bed after Alex made her, saying he wasn't going to sleep anyway, not with what happened and with Michael still needing someone nearby. She left instructions and Raphael's second monitor, if the fetal heart rate went up again and stayed up for more than ten minutes, Raphael needed to be woken up immediately. Same thing if it dropped suddenly.
Right now though, it was hovering in the high one-seventies, having gone down since Alex left, but it kept spiking randomly even with Michael having not moved from the couch all night. Part of that was the archangel hadn't eaten anything yet, but no one was pushing it at the moment since the last thing they needed was for Michael to start throwing up.
Alex had resigned himself to a quiet night, settling with a plate of sandwiches as he began flipping through Audrey's computer pad and her notes on the bridge that connected one half of Red Ridge to the other. There was another one, but it was farther up in the mountains and a pain in the ass to get to...aka right now Michael would probably get sick from all the bumps and turns. But the bridge crossed the violent river, allowing those living in the Lodge or in cabins like Unit Six's to access Central City.
That quiet night went down the drain when Alex heard the floor creak from the living room. If one of his unit was up and bugging Michael, or if Raphael was up bothering his brother…
The blonde was going to be pissed…
Scratch that, it was neither...Michael was the one up and wandering around.
Or, pacing actually, and looking pretty upset.
"That's not what Raph meant by resting."
Michael outright growled at him, hands not leaving his back as a counterbalance as he paced around the room. The glare he shot at Alex was full on pissed off and decidedly uncomfortable looking.
"Needed to move." The archangel finally snapped, passing Alex without meeting his gaze again. The blonde sighed loudly, but stepped out of his way entirely and sat on the back of one of the couches, feet on the cushions as he rubbed at his eyes.
"Whatever, you fall over Audrey's gonna kick my ass."
Michael snorted but didn't comment, making two complete circuits around the room before he spoke again.
"Why are you still here?"
That was easy to answer, voice firm and reassuring, "Because you're obviously not feeling well and I shouldn't have been in the other room anyway-"
"I'm fine Ale-"
"It's not just for you Michael."
The abrupt snap made the archangel shut up, pausing in his pacing long enough to see the irritation and concern flickering across Alex's face, it wasn't just keeping an eye on the archangel, it was Alex's peace of mind too.
Michael sighed, grimacing openly as he tried to stretch his back and resumed walking, this time slower like he was just moving to provide the motion for the baby to go back to sleep. Judging by how the day had been going, the baby was only kicking if Michael was moving though...the archangel was disobeying orders for his own sake as well.
"Everything ok?"
Nodding, one of Michael's hands moved to his side, resting over a spot likely getting bumped. The longer the archangel moved around the room, the more he seemed to relax, reassuring himself things were ok...at least somewhat considering the heart beat monitor hadn't been removed from the room, likely only disconnected by Michael himself when he got up.
"You should probably stretch your wings tonight."
"You mean this morning?"
Alex glanced up at the clock, they'd made it well past midnight now. "Yeah."
"Why?"
"Because if you end up in surgery in a few hours the last thing you want is your back to be hurting later from stiff wings."
Michael hesitated but nodded, gesturing vaguely to the back door and outer deck instead of just stretching his wings inside.
It took Alex a minute outside to understand why, but watching the relief cross Michael's face as the black feathers flared in the cool night breeze was a big hint.
Wind through the feathers was as close as the archangel was ever going to get to flying right now. Especially if he had surgery later.
The archangel leaned on the railing silently for several minutes, wings almost moving as if on their own accord as they flexed. Alex had to actually shift where he was standing to see the shine on his mentor's face when the silence was broken by a faint noise.
Before he could say anything Michael's breath hitched, voice strained and tight.
"I don't want to do this."
"What?"
"I don't...I don't want to end up in surgery…"
"Michael-"
"I can't Alex," Michael turned to him, one hand moving to his stomach in open fear, "I can't stand the risk...I don't want...I can't lose…"
He broke off with a choked sob, struggling to calm down as his other hand gripped the railing hard, wings shuddering in agitation.
Alex didn't let him pull away, resting a hand on the archangel's shoulder and rubbing it gently until his mentor turned to him entirely. Michael held on to Alex with one hand tightly, the other not leaving his side as the human's arms wrapped around his shoulders.
"Sshh...it's ok...it's going to be ok Michael…"
"The risk-"
"Is a helluva lot smaller than it has been this entire damn time."
Michael stiffened at his words, either relaxing a minute later or just giving up on the fight.
"It'll be ok." Alex repeated, knuckles brushing his mentor's back gently as the archangel slumped against his shoulder. Michael moaned softly as his rubbing turned harder to ease the pain, and Alex had to gently push Michael off him with a sigh.
"Hey, why don't you try laying down again ok? I'll even find a heating pad if you want."
Thankfully the archangel complied, wings arching out to their fullest before retracting away with ease, the rest of the trip to the couch wasn't as simple, Michael needing Alex's help to remain upright let alone walking.
Alex winced at the swollen ankles as Michael eased down again, laying back with a heavy sigh after pulling the heartbeat monitor belt behind his back. The Chosen One had to adjust its position himself after Michael pulled his shirt up enough, both of them staring at the screen until the fast paced rhythm reappeared.
Still one-seventies.
"Don't know if that's good or bad that it didn't change."
Michael shrugged, "Stable at least." He muttered, one of his hands drifting along his stomach lazily as his gaze remained locked on the screen. Alex just shrugged himself, standing up from the coffee table to pull a light blanket off the other couch and snapping it open. His mentor didn't really move when it was draped on, nodding a little in thanks as Alex pulled a chair over and sat back, propping his feet up on the couch next to Michael's legs.
The archangel remained silent for a long while, still not sleeping as Alex shifted to get comfortable and rested his head back.
"Do you know where Morgana is?"
"No...want her here?"
"Not really, just curious." Michael replied, and Alex glanced back at him.
"You ok?"
There wasn't a lot of hesitation this time as Michael's hand slipped out from under the blanket long enough to wipe at his face before retreating under the warmth, guess Alex made the right call this time.
"No Alex I'm not, but there's nothing you can really do about it."
"How are you physically?"
Michael shifted a bit, "I'm in pain," He admitted flatly, "Not as bad as it has been before, but not very comfortable at the moment."
"Think you can sleep or do you want me to get someone?"
"Not much they can do right now, but I'm alright Alex...just wish that would go away."
And he meant the sudden rate spike, the monitor showing 189 BPM for a solid thirty seconds before settling down.
Alex sighed, "Can you sleep with noise?"
Michael's eyebrow shot up, at either the randomness of the question or the inquiry itself Alex was too tired to tell.
"I sleep in a room with Ethan snoring off and on all night, what do you think?"
"Take that as a yes." Alex replied, leaning forward enough to adjust the monitor like Kate had explained, turning on the volume so the heart beat played out in a steady cadence. It would beep louder if there was any sudden spikes, up or down.
Michael seemed to relax at the sound, even if it was a bit faster than it really should be with the archangel resting, the noise was constant and strong.
Alex settled back in his chair, letting his feet rest on the couch again as Michael shifted enough one of his legs was brushing against him to ensure he was there even as the archangel moved to lay half on his side to actually sleep.
At least the baby didn't move when he did so, otherwise Alex would have had to adjust the Doppler again. This way Michael was asleep within minutes, Alex following soon after.
Xxx
Waking up was slow and Alex really wished he wasn't blinking awake right now as it was still dark outside, and being almost June that meant sunrise was pretty early. It wasn't the monitor's steady beat that woke him up either, Alex had to take a minute of sitting there with his eyes closed to figure out what woke him up.
The heart rate monitor read 191 and wasn't changing at all, but it was Michael that had disturbed the human. Somehow he'd twisted to the other side in his sleep, almost facing the back of the couch as he lay kind of curled up on the cushions. Not all that surprising since little was truly comfortable anymore, the archangel moved in his sleep a lot.
Michael kept letting out soft noises as he slept, sounding like he was in pain.
Alex was actually second guessing the sleeping part, judging by how pale Michael had gotten he was only in a heavy enough doze that the soldier sitting up fully and leaning forward to rest a hand on his arm didn't wake him. The archangel twitched, a whine sliding from his throat that was definitely a sign of pain now. Starting to gently rub his arm for comfort, Alex fumbled for the pager. Someone needed to be up...now…
"Alex?"
William Whele was suddenly behind him, holding an armful of folders he quickly set aside as Michael shifted unconsciously, this time the whine was a bit louder as his face stretched into a grimace that didn't fully leave as he settled.
"Is he-"
"Not sure, don't want to wake him up just yet, but I need to get Kate so she can wake Raphael up."
The floor creaked above them, David Whele watching from the second floor, "I'll alert your Unit Lannon, William come let Gabriel know but don't wake up Jeep in the process."
Alex had honestly forgotten the Consul was in the Lodge, or that William frequented it with working with...whoever right now.
Either way it was a help, he didn't dare leave Michael's side as the archangel outright moaned, not pulling his arm from Alex's hand but tensing all the same when he shifted. William was done first, leading Gabriel back to the living room as he collected his folders and disappeared somewhere else. The half awake archangel was instantly alert when Michael hissed in his sleep, shifting uncomfortably to the point Alex was sure he was going to wake himself up. He didn't and Gabriel sighed as he headed to the back door, likely intending on getting to Cassiel and the hospital first, if the angels were keeping Michael a secret or at least limited, a medical call across Red Ridge wouldn't help matters.
Connors and Ethan appeared next, jogging down the stairs as silently as they could while still making haste. Noma must have assigned them to specific tasks as Ethan headed to the bags by the front door and started digging through them to shove items in the duffel over his shoulder.
"Kate and Noma are trying to get Raphael up, but Nomes figures tight clothes after surgery is kinda a bad thing." Connors quipped in explanation to Ethan's actions, but his smile was weak, bordering on nervous as he leaned on the back of the couch and watched Michael shift for a minute. "How is he?"
"I don't know, woke up to him doing this, the heart rate is up again but it's just staying there, nothing else...I kinda don't want to wake him up just yet."
"Don't blame ya, he looks exhausted."
"I am." Michael moaned, not moving from how he was facing the cushions.
"You ok boss?"
"No…"
A door slamming echoed softly in the Lodge, and Alex rubbed Michael's arm gently, "Raphael will be out in a bit."
"Mhm." The archangel was still for a full minute, tensing faintly before he shuddered. The two soldiers couldn't tell if it was in pain or from cold but Connors adjusted the haphazard blanket all the same. They remained like that for several minutes, Michael silent except for soft noises and both soldiers anxiously caught between watching for the others and trying to make the archangel feel better.
"Sit him up."
Both of their heads jerked up as Raphael walked from one side of the second floor to the other, yanking his shirt over his head as he moved.
"What?"
The archangel stopped, turning to look at them directly once his shirt was off entirely and his muscled torso was bared, "Sit him up, now. Need to see if he's walking out to the truck or am I paging an ambulance."
Alex grit his teeth and the sharp orders, but bit back any complaint first because Michael was already trying to move. Secondly, both Connors and Alex watched Raphael turn his back to them, and saw a pair of nasty scars running down both sides of his back. Neither spoke, sharing a quick look and a nod to keep it quiet, though Alex was going to confront him later about it.
Michael saw none of this, grimacing as he had to use both of them for balance as he eased upright, hand on his stomach as he panted for air once just slightly more vertical.
"You ok boss?"
He shook his head, but twisted to rest his feet on the floor before leaning back again, Connors had smartly slid another pillow behind him so he wasn't back too far. The archangel looked drained just from that, but was breathing a bit easier as he rubbed at his stomach as if to soothe the baby.
"Please tell me it's moving."
The archangel nodded, "Not very nicely but yes, it's the wrong way though."
Connors stood up to stretch, back cracking loudly as Kate tramped down the stairs, "What ya mean?"
"Breech position," Kate said, "Feet down, head up, bad idea to deliver like that so most of the time that means C-section. Think it will flip anytime soon?"
Michael shook his head, "Not with how quiet it's becoming," He glanced down, hand never ceasing to move as Raphael followed Noma down the stairs, "Almost need to startle it back into place."
"That's a horrible idea." Raphael interjected, picking up the monitor screen and shaking his head at the numbers. He went on while he unhooked everything, Michael using his arm as hand hold so he could lean forward enough to get the belt off, "Heart rate is already up, the last thing we want is a shock. Any other day, I'd agree with you, get the baby to move by almost any means necessary. Right now though…"
His brother didn't need the order, hands tightening on Raphael's arm as Alex jumped up to help get Michael on his feet. All too like a few hours ago, Michael instantly leaned on the soldier to keep his balance, groaning uncomfortably as his hand dropped from Raphael's shoulder to his side.
"This isn't good…"
"Are you alright?"
At least this time, Raphael was trying to be considerate of his brother's nerves, Alex suspected someone-Noma-had chewed him out about it.
Michael shook his head again, "No...but I can walk...just…"
"Something's not right." His brother finished, earning a nod as Connors stepped in to help Alex.
Kate reappeared suddenly, Alex hadn't even realized she'd left until the front door banged shut, "Hummer is running and cooled off, it's already hot out so I've got the A/C cranked up, bet we'll have storms tonight with all that humidity."
Growling softly, Michael started to move, being halfway held up by the two soldiers as Kate walked ahead of them. "Just what I need, something else to keep me awake."
Connors chuckled, "Ah c'mon boss, look at it this way, by tonight you get to hold your kid!"
Alex had to flash his unit mate a grateful smirk as Michael visibly relaxed at that, a faint grin actually making it to his face as they headed out to the waiting vehicle.
Xxx
The sun was just starting to try peering around the mountains as Alex let out a slightly impatient sigh. With Raphael driving they were making decent enough time considering he was able to see better in the dim twilight compared to any human. Gabriel had flown ahead to ensure everyone was ready at the hospital for their arrival.
Michael was quiet, leaning on Noma in the middle seat as he actually slept during the drive. Any rest right now was a good thing in Alex's book so no one was talking. Luckily Kate had settled guards last night, Reilly and Jackson were meeting them in the maternity ward. Meaning the brunette was copying Michael...and Noma by the looks of it...and catching some sleep.
Alex couldn't make himself settle down, nor could Ethan for that matter, Connors was sitting up with Raphael and either reading the papers in his lap or dozing but he was too far away for the blonde to tell. The two guys in the far back alternated between staring out the windows or watching Michael sleep, neither was helping their nerves.
In all likelihood this would go just fine and like Connors said in a few hours Michael would be recovering in his room, the baby either with him or safe in the nursery.
But both Alex and Ethan hadn't been selected for Vega's Archangel Corps for just taking facts as black and white.
Something wasn't sitting right with them and for the love of...anything...Alex was hoping it had nothing to do with the baby.
Xxx
Michael winced uncomfortably as he laid back on the operating table, while it had made the trip from the front doors to the OR theatre faster, the wheelchair ride had left his hips and back throbbing.
Cassiel didn't complain as he gripped her hand, needing the support to lay back without falling as he swung his legs up and stretched out. Once still, she moved away to keep preparing, and Michael couldn't help but fidget.
The breath he let out was either relieved or nervous, he couldn't really tell. One thing for sure, his heart rate was starting to creep up like the baby's had, and Cassiel shot him a look from her counter off to the side. He tried to calm down, at least a little...the car ride had settled the fetal heart rate down back into the upper end of the normal range, but the baby had also resoundingly stopped moving. Michael sincerely doubted it was asleep, not after his struggle to get out of the vehicle and then transferring first to the wheelchair and just now the table.
He also knew from past experience that his nerves usually meant a lot of motion, but yet there was nothing. And Michael was pretty uncomfortable right about now.
Surgery aside, the only people in the room with him were Cassiel, Jeanette, and Roxi. Neither nurse was talking as they went about their tasks, and Cassiel and Michael weren't exactly on casual chatting terms. Unit six was stationed outside the doors with the two new people further down the hall in charge of stopping anyone who came looking. Dr. Carlisle and Marci were scrubbing in, while Raphael was finishing with Kate on pagers and later transfers. Michael wasn't too worried about that...he was however irritated that Noma hadn't been cleared to assist, at all, she was banned from the OR since her arm still needed the cast. Another week or two and she could just have a protective support brace, and be allowed in as back up...Michael wished he'd made it that long…
Or full term would be ideal but apparently that wasn't going to happen-
"Brother?"
Michael turned his head, not daring to move too much as Cassiel and Jeanette had already begun setting up the drop cloths and curtains around him. Once both doctors were in the room ready to go, Michael would have to lay on his side while a temporary epidural was put in, rendering him basically numb from mid chest down. While able to move his arms, Cassiel had threatened to hurt him if he dared move more than his head and neck. Once he was numb, the cloths would go up and they'd be good to go...
Raphael dropped onto the stool by Michael's head, hand gently gripping his shoulder as his eyes locked on his brother's.
"Who do you need?"
"What?"
A low noise slid from the healer's throat, "I know you're nervous, and upset over Sgt. Bank's denial to assist, so I ask you now before we begin, who do you need? Besides her, you can have someone in here with you, they'll sit here out of the way while we do this."
Michael just about wilted in relief, eyes closing as he made his choice.
He didn't look up again until that someone settled on the stool, elbows resting behind his head as they leaned forward casually.
"Never been in an OR conscious before." Alex teased, earning a weak snort from Michael as he met Alex's gaze. He bent an arm up past the curtain hanging across his shoulders, grinning a bit when Alex took his hand for now since he'd have to let go pretty soon. The sigh he let out told Alex all he needed to know, and the Chosen One bent his head down to whisper in the archangel's ear while everyone else was distracted.
"It's going to be ok, I'm not leaving you."
Michael nodded a little, grinning when Alex rested his chin on Michael's forehead a brief second before straightening up as Roxi came over with a cover scrub for Alex. The nurse helped the soldier pull it on and tie the straps, handing him a cap to wear before she turned to Michael, "Wanted to talk to you since he's here. It sometimes takes a little bit for Baby to figure out they're on the outside so don't freak out if there's no loud noises at first, we'll get Baby all cleaned up and breathing good right away ok? That loud scream usually comes after the doctor starts checking them over fully."
Again Michael nodded, eyes flicking at Alex as Roxi turned to him now, "Now a question for both of you, Michael mostly, with the epidural in and everything, you can't hold Baby until you're out of here and in your room later. But if you want, Alex can for a bit and bring Baby to your head for a few minutes while you get stitched back up and everything. Do you agree to that?"
"Yes."
Alex jumped a bit, but nodded once he met Michael's gaze, Roxi leaving before she could pick up on Alex's apprehension.
"Michael-"
"I trust you."
The human grinned, smirking after a minute as he leaned back on the table again, watching the medical staff bustle around the room for several minutes as Michael remained silent.
"Alex?"
"Hmm?"
"There's an incubator isn't there?"
"Yeah, and some other stuff too, Noma would know the names, but hey they're all just precautions, there's a crash cart in the corner too but we won't be using that will we?"
Michael didn't answer, even when Alex nudged him gently. The archangel instead just shrugged, falling silent again as Dr. Carlisle strode in to the room, decked out in full green scrubs before Jeanette assisted him into the rest of his surgical garb.
"Not my original plan for the morning but not the worst turn of events either. Talk to me people, let's get this show on the road."
Alex huffed loudly, "I see what you mean by asshole." He griped, and Michael snorted in response. Not a single word to him from the doctor apparently, but judging by the quick conversations and adjustments he was making, the doctor was in no way on edge or anything about this.
His confidence was something Michael was seriously lacking.
Again Dr. Carlisle's ultrasound exam wasn't shown to the archangel, but honestly Michael didn't care, he could hear well enough and the steady heart beat playing out in the room alongside his own was enough.
The baby was still breech, and turned so the face was up, or facing the archangel's belly button, instead of his spine. Not an ideal position for a normal delivery at all.
Good call in this case to go ahead with a C-section.
Xxx
Now Kate was pretty level headed, she had to be with her mother, Jeep, and numerous angels all over the place.
What she wasn't good at was keeping her temper in check in times of a crisis, more angels had gotten cussed out because things had gone wrong horribly fast than anyone could probably count.
Lucifer was usually receiving the brunt of these "discussions".
Today...Kate had no choice but to keep her cool, especially once Cassiel got paged out of the OR to head down the hall for a moment.
None of the soldiers on guard were truly prepared for both Raphael and Cassiel to come barreling back up the corridor in a panic, the male archangel bellowing for Dr. Carlisle to stop.
Xxx
Michael jerked on the operating table painfully as Raphael just about slid through the doors, yelling at the doctor literally seconds away from sticking a needle in Michael's spine.
"What the hell-"
Dr. Carlisle never got the change to finish as Cassiel jumped forward, wings snapping out over Michael as a shield.
Just in time for the hospital to shake like it had been struck.
Jeanette screamed while Roxi swore violently, Michael couldn't see any of them, only his sister's shoulder as she pulled him up into a sitting position once it was clear he hadn't been numbed yet.
"Fuckin' fence has been compromised, there's hostiles within the borders." Now Raphael sounded like the military healer he was, barking orders at the two doctors to get the hospital prepped for incoming.
Michael hissed in pain as Cassiel was shoved away, Gabriel taking her place in a flash as he'd just arrived from downstairs.
"This is going to get ugly, we don't need you in here as a target." He explained, picking Michael up without waiting for an answer. Not that he was going to get one, Michael for one agreed, the hospital could not be compromised in any way, and two...hostiles in Red Ridge meant only one thing and that had the pregnant archangel struck silent.
Furiad had found them.
Xxx
Kate's prediction was way off, the rain storm was already in full swing once Michael was back in the hummer, Raphael driving once again and Noma beside Michael. This time though the silence was broken by pelting rain competing with everyone else checking weapons and preparing for a fight.
Between Kate's and Gabriel's radios, it was clear something had gone horribly wrong, especially once the news reached them that the cabin was destroyed.
How in the blazes any enemy angels got that far into the woods before being stopped was a big problem, right now though they were streaking along the river back to the Lodge, there was a safe room in the farthest wing. It was the only one outside of Central City, they had to get Michael away from everyone else so if it did come down to a fight, there was more room and less at risk.
Michael was just plain scared, he was too nervous to tell if what he was feeling was shaking, nausea, or the baby moving restlessly with his panic. A combination of all three wouldn't surprise him either-
Gabriel growled suddenly, trying to peer out the windows.
"Do you hear that?"
"No."
"I wasn't asking you Michael."
Raphael flicked his gaze to the rearview mirror, "Hear what?"
Growling again, Gabriel glanced up to him, "You can't hear it?"
"Again hear what?" Raphael snapped, Michael's brow wasn't the only one furrowing in confusion, what was he going on about, not hearing-
*whoosh!*
Oh...that…
The sonic blast hit the road to the side of the hummer, throw in the rain and Raphael was swearing over top of several people screaming as the vehicle started to lose control on the muddy road. He lost traction entirely, sliding back towards the angry river at a rather fast pace.
"Raphael do something!"
"I'm trying!"
"Connors get off me!"
"Everybody out!"
"NO!"
Michael was suddenly getting drenched by the rain as his door flew open, Noma either getting dragged out or fell out before a set of hands grabbed Michael and yanked. Either way he was suddenly kneeling on the ground with a warm body pressed against his back as he ducked the next blast. This one was farther off target, sending water splashing everywhere as the hummer slid into the river.
Wings thrashed as someone landed nearby, but Michael didn't get the chance to see as his warm shield moved suddenly.
Cassiel was pissed, her scream of rage was more like a wild cat's roar, feral and savage as she hissed at the higher angel trying to come closer. She was not a fighter, but Father help anyone who dared anger her enough to pick up a weapon.
Gabriel caught his brother as Michael slumped to the ground, leaning back against his twin as they stared at the blonde archangel when she screamed again, wings flaring in dominance.
"Cassiel! Stop being a fuckin' peacock and kill him!"
She didn't need Gabriel to tell her twice, lunging forward at such an inhuman speed that Michael almost couldn't catch it. The higher angel was done for in seconds, but Cassiel almost didn't stop until Raphael dragged her back with a growl, snapping at her in the language Michael couldn't understand.
It took her a minute to understand, the wild look in her eyes fading just a bit as she recognized the words.
Michael couldn't help but smile as she was set down on her feet, turning to walk away…
Before spinning around and kicking the angel's head with a note of finality.
Raphael laughed, loud and full as he lead her away from the body at last, wrapping an arm around her with a smile.
Gabriel helped his brother up, wrapping a wing around him to keep at least some of the rain off even though they both were soaked to the bone already. Cassiel was much calmer when they neared, smiling as she sheathed her blade, her brother accepted her loving hug with a smile. All was forgiven and he let her wing join Gabriel's to keep the rain away as they stood in a circle.
"Well isn't this familiar." Gabriel taunted, Michael didn't respond, glancing over Raphael's shoulder and seeing Unit Six slowly picking themselves up out of the mud, Kate was already trying to either radio for back up or looking for something, she kept walking along the river and staring down the bank. Alex joined her once he was upright.
"..What do you mean you couldn't hear that?!"
"You heard me Gabriel, I didn't hear the blast coming!"
"How?!"
"Because I can't!"
Michael didn't have time to question Raphael's shout, he was only able to duck against Gabriel's chest as all four archangel's had to take cover from the next blast.
Xxx
It was Raphael's scream that made Alex turn around, the archangel's back was bloody and torn from the blast, and from his wings…
The black...masses...were just awful looking, whole chunks of feathers missing, the arches bent at crumpled angles...both had entire sections just gone, as it the wings were only a half to maybe two thirds as long as they were supposed to be, horribly uneven and ruined beyond repair.
Alex wasn't the only one staring as Raphael backed up a step from his siblings, hunched over as he roared in pain. It took a full minute before he forced the crumpled pair of...bones and feathers really, to retract away again, obviously uncomfortable as he straightened up.
That explained the scars Alex saw.
But not what was going on, that's for sure, Alex caught Kate's confirming nod before he jogged over to the archangel's, doing everything in his power to ignore the fact the rest of his unit had opened fire on incoming angels.
"Michael-"
"Raphael what the hell happened?!"
Michael was ignored, even when he repeated the question and tried to grab his brother as he came closer, heaving for air raggedly but was upright and able to pull a gun from his belt.
"Enough! I will not speak of this, not while we're about to get killed! Alex did Kate-"
"Yeah we got it, Michael we need to move. Now."
Xxx
Start of his day...up and pacing in the Lodge living room because he couldn't sleep and for once desperately wanted to feel the baby kicking or at least moving…
Next was sleeping a bit, not too bad, but then he'd drifted in and out of dozing to bouts of aching muscles and just not feeling well.
The car ride to the hospital hadn't been bad, it gave him a good half hour of actual sleep on Noma's shoulder. It was the laying around in the OR theatre waiting for the inevitable that had send his nerves on a trip down haywire lane.
Then a large chunk of the fence had been destroyed, the concussive blast had rattled all the way through the mountains, shaking the hospital on its foundations and nearly sending Michael to the floor.
At least his sister caught him…
Now...Michael was just done, he was either going to pass out pretty quick from stress or start himself into premature labor...neither was a good idea.
His mind was so fogged from it all, he missed most of Alex and Raphael's conversation as Gabriel rushed away to join Unit Six in checking the area, someone was going to have to go for help or something considering the hummer was almost entirely submerged in the river.
The thunder boomed overhead, the noise rippling across the skies like Death's cadence as Michael clung to Cassiel as she tried to keep him shielded from the wind, rain at this point was a given but hypothermia wasn't something she wanted to deal with.
"...the caves are at least safe from the wind and rain, and definitely more defendable than out here."
"Yeah no shit, Gabriel's still hearing incoming-"
Michael stiffened, finally catching up to the conversation as he watched Alex's hand twitch on his hip, fingers flexing around the handle of a knife.
...no…
He didn't even realize he'd said that out loud until Alex turned to him in confusion, not understanding why the archangel was suddenly trying to back away from him.
Xxx
"Brother just come...the caves are safer than out here, Furiad won't rest until you're dead-"
"No!"
Alex almost joined in one the argument, one because Raphael was right, and two because Kate was shouting for them to get moving as more angels approached, and Alex doubted they were friendly.
But Michael's face stopped him, this wasn't just the archangel disagreeing to move, he was outright terrified of going into the caves, gaze shifting nonstop as he tried to pull away. Later, Alex would ask just what the hell was his problem, and why his eyes kept locking on the soldier's fighting knife on his belt.
Right now, he-
"Get Down!"
Lucifer's order was followed instantly, Alex lunging forward to trap Michael against his chest as they both hit the ground on their knees. Raphael was hunched over them first, Cassiel making up the last shield as her wings curled around them. Alex could still smell the smoke in the air from the flames, hissing as the heat permeated the rain and bodies and started to lick at his skin underneath all the armor.
It disappeared just as fast as it came, the rain beating out the impromptu inferno just as fast as Lucifer taking down the attacker in fell swoop.
Alex pulled Michael upright, carefully wrapping an arm around his shoulders as Cassiel hissed in rage. The dark haired archangel leaned against the soldier gratefully, shaking almost hard enough to fall again is Alex hadn't fisted a hand in his coat they'd thrown over the hospital gown and pants.
He was still protesting, voice stuttering and shaking as he tried to pull away from Alex, the soldier just held on tighter, cheek resting against the wet hair as Michael choked on the tears.
"It's ok...I won't make you go in there...it's ok…"
Michael nearly wilted in relief, flinching as the sounds of the fighting only escalated with the booming thunder overhead.
Turning just enough to scan the road, Alex really wished he hadn't.
Gabriel had somehow convinced Noma to run, seeing as her fighting would end in serious problems, she'd vanished back down the road to at least reach the bridge a mile back and the guards on duty there with hopefully working radios. Meanwhile, Connors and Ethan had joined Kate in the trees, not bothering to restrain their gun fire as Red Ridge's angels knew better than to get between the forest line and the enemy once bullets started flying. Gabriel was dealing with a trio of winged eight balls, he would have been easily able to overpower them if it weren't for the mud, he was too soaked to take to the skies and the ground had absolutely no traction. As it was, he was holding his own, just like Lucifer and Cassiel, taking on any higher angels stupid enough to get near their wings or blades.
Judging by Michael's faint smirk, the way they fought was something he knew all too well. The blonde and red head fought back to back, wings almost brushing as they moved, occasionally shifting to fight together. Meaning Lucifer grabbed his sister's wrists and swung her around and let her long legs clock a couple angels in the head before flinging her at the nearest one as hard as he could.
Really impressive…
Well...until Alex watched Raphael grab an eight ball by its head and ruthlessly snap the neck to the point the head nearly came off.
Blood mixing with mud was disgusting.
Michael must have thought so too, groaning as he slumped against Alex, "I think I'm gonna be sick…"
Ariel saved both of them the trouble, landing abruptly in between them and the fight as a pair of hummers roared past them, flood lights blazing as gun fire overpowered the rain for a moment.
"Father help the idiot who decided to blow up the fence." The female snarled, yanking a folded section of fabric from where it had been tucked on her belt before slinging it around Michael's shoulders. The cloak barely covered him, considering it couldn't reach one side at all with Alex still keeping him on his feet, but it was another layer between the archangel and the weather.
Alex growled, "Yeah well...God can go fuck off and damn that idiot to Hell while he's at it."
The female almost made to slap him, stopping with a growl when Michael humphed softly in agreement, huddling closer to Alex for heat as his sister's wings stretched above them as a feathery umbrella. Instead Ariel sighed, resting a hand on Michael's shoulder as his free hand moved to his stomach beneath the cloak.
"Are you alright?"
He nodded a little against Alex's shoulder, "Exhausted...but alright, I just want to get out of here."
"No shit brother, another truck's coming in a moment, let's get you farther from this."
Michael nodded again, straightening up a bit more and beginning to ask about the interrupted surgery.
Furiad landing in front of them cut his words off with a strangled choke.
The red clad angel sneered, voice dripping malice as he swung his blade idly, "Ndaiziva kuti akakuwanai mukoma …"
Alex tensed at the growling Enochian, knowing full well Michael couldn't understand a word of it, but Ariel could and she hissed at the Power, lunging at him with a roar.
And got clocked in the face with an Empyrean blade.
Naomi chuckled as her older sister dropped to the ground, out cold with an already healing cut bleeding on her forehead as Naomi kicked her over onto her front, stepping on one of the wings as Furiad chuckled, staring down the human soldier and pregnant archangel with nothing less but death in his crimson eyes.
"Varinganiswa kupererwa kwandiri Miguel?" He snarled, a deadly gleam making him smile, "Sei kutambudzirei achihwanda zvisingadzivisiki, muchafira namaoko angu. Hapana achamira kutonga kudenga."
Michael was shaking, caught in shock so badly he couldn't respond even if he had understood Furiad's words. Alex was caught up in staring at Naomi's sneering face, sword swinging like she was bored as she flicked debris from her leather jacket.
Wood debris…the fence...Naomi was border patrol and…
Long distance scouting.
"You...you bitch!"
She chuckled again, sword swinging up to rest on her shoulder casually as Furiad wrapped an arm around her waist, "What? Think I was going to just ignore what you can do Alex? You're the Chosen One, we've been looking for you for far too long, come now...don't make this harder on everyone."
He just growled again, hand dropping to the knife Michael apparently hated today, it would only be good for one throw, if he was lucky maybe he'd get in those scheming grey eyes.
Or in one of Furiad's as the Power snickered, "Uya hanzvadzi regai kurwa neni, chete zvichaita kurwadzisa zvimwe...kana kuita, nzira kana ini vachanakidzwa vachiteura ropa rako."
One thing Alex could pick out from that, even if Michael couldn't, was blood, he had no idea why, but that just sounded like a death sentence.
Michael was breathing heavily, gasping for air in fear as he tried to make his legs work to back away, still leaning on Alex to remain on his feet, though the soldier was pretty sure that wouldn't last much longer. And he was hoping it was because the truck was coming and not Furiad was going to kill them.
Looked like the latter was going to be the only option as Naomi stepped away as Furiad's wings arched high behind him.
"Father taught us to be generous brother, I shall do so for you this day, choose who dies first...You...or Alex."
The archangel didn't respond, for a moment Alex truly feared for his and Michael's life, and judging by his mentor's hand pressed against his side anxiously, the baby wasn't happy either.
Alex didn't get the chance to even think past that as Furiad lunged at them, Michael cried out...shock or fear tinging the noise more than anger as he spun away from the Power. Michael's wing brushed Alex's back, shielding them both as Alex braced his mentor upright the best he could even though he was hunched over awkwardly.
The blade never came…
Instead Alex peered past Michael's wing when it abruptly slumped to the ground lifelessly, both of them staring at the long blonde hair hanging in wet tangles down an armored back, the strands almost woven into the flared wings as the slim shoulders heaved.
Uriel hissed as she stepped forward, away from Michael and towards Furiad, pausing just long enough to roll Ariel off her face so she could breathe, the black haired archangel already choking as she woke up and started to move more. The blonde didn't concern herself further with her sister, stalking towards where Furiad was pulling himself from the mud.
Only to come face to face with not one…
Not two…
Not three…
Alex winced a little as Gabriel socked Furiad in the face, denting the helmet into his cheek as the five archangels in actual fighting shape surrounded the Power and Naomi.
"Tribunal anyone?"
Lucifer chuckled as Ariel swished her sword at her side, wings flapping loose some of the mud clinging to the feathers.
Uriel smirked, "No time for that sister, I was thinking more of a shred and scatter? We can play hunt the pieces."
Gabriel winced, laughing as Raphael caught the weapon he was tossed, guns were useless now, only blades were at home in the hands of Heaven's finest Archangels. As soon there would be blood…
Except Michael tried to stand up further when Alex did, nearly buckling in the soldiers arms as he screamed.
Jeep was suddenly on the archangel's other side, completely turning Alex's attention to Michael instead of casting glances at the others. Somehow, Jeep convinced Michael to try to retract his wings, the appendages getting in the way and almost smacking both humans as Michael was caught between trying to stand and falling to his knees.
Alex gripped his arm better, trying to keep him upright as he openly cried in pain, shaking as Raphael dropped to his knees in front of his brother.
The human turned to see Furiad and Naomi fleeing the riverside, Ariel yelling in anger before taking off after them. Guess the archangels had gotten distracted by their brother, not that Alex could blame them, Michael was in agony and unable to tell anyone why.
Xxx
"Michael! Fuckin' answer me!"
He was answered with a groan, Michael clinging to Alex's vest with all he had as he finally convinced his wings to lift off the ground, narrowly missing Jeep's head with the tense feathers.
"Some...something…"
"Brother-"
"...ripped…"
"Oh Father please no…"
"Raph?"
The healer gulped as he tried to get Michael's hand to move from his side, growling even as his hands shook from nerves, "God please don't let the placenta be ripping…"
That drove a bolt of fear past Michael's pain, and he tensed as he finally pulled his hand away from his stomach, grabbing onto Alex's vest to remain still.
"Shit!"
Raphael's swearing didn't help, and Cassiel was already in the air as Jeep guided Michael's shoulders straight.
Michael screamed again as his wings retracted, the pain exploding from his hips to his back.
And mercifully faded into black as he collapsed...
Review Please!
Tada! Hey if you guys ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me and ask! I love chatting with readers!
Note: I finally found a language to use as "Enochian"!
Translations:
"Ndaiziva kuti akakuwanai mukoma..."
I knew I would find you brother
"Varinganiswa kupererwa kwandiri Miguel?"
Why bother running from me Michael
"Sei kutambudzirei achihwanda zvisingadzivisiki, muchafira namaoko angu. Hapana achamira kutonga kudenga."
Hiding only prolongs the inevitable, you will die by my hands. Nothing will stand in the way of Heaven's justice.
"Uya hanzvadzi regai kurwa neni, chete zvichaita kurwadzisa zvimwe...kana kuita, nzira kana ini vachanakidzwa vachiteura ropa rako."
Come brother, do not fight me, it will only hurt more...or do so, either way I will enjoy spilling your blood
