Heaven and Hell Main Office Building, London. Gabriel is alone at his desk, wearing the robes he was furnished upon reincorporation. Still barefoot as penance. Elbows on desk, hands in hair. Michael glides in. Gabriel sits back wearily in his executive chair.

Michael. Now what.

She points to the copy of the Celestial Observer on his desk.

This can only be the work of the demon Crowley.

How so? The article states that this sort of thing has been on the increase in human computer systems.

Exactly. Human systems.

Oh.

Yes. How would they even know we exist?

Gabriel sighs.

Have Baraquiel send for the twins, Michael. And Quartermaster.

Very good, Gabriel.

Michael glides away out of sight.

Gabriel reaches into the pouch under his robes, extracts a red cell phone. Taps the screen once, tenses in suspense as the connection goes through. Visibly relaxes as Beelzebub answers.

Messenger Boy.

Prince. Was it Crowley?

Ask his angel plaything. Fuck off.

Gabriel grimaces as she disconnects. Well, at least she answered. Wonders what the Observer headline would be if it ever got out that he loves a demon. The ferocious demonic manager of Hell, at that. He sits lost in thought until Baraquiel announces that Michael, The Twins, and Quartermaster are waiting. Rises from his chair and walks over to stand and gaze out at the incredible panorama.

Send them in.

The four angels approach. Gabriel turns to confront them.

Do we have any contact at all with the Angel Aziraphale?

Michael answers.

Only Uriel, our observer in Tadfield. And possibly Ammun in London. Neither has been of much use. They completely missed your Tadfield imprisonment.

Gabriel gives her an acid stare for having the temerity to bring up incident. Turns to regard The Twins.

I want you two to go to Tadfield. Find Aziraphale and speak with him. Do not threaten or arrest him.

Gabriel, demon Crowley is a dangerous foe. He discorporated us almost instantly when we approached Aziraphale.

I haven't forgotten. It was in a human consumption establishment, was it not?

Yes. What they call a "pub."

Could you observe Aziraphale while you approached?

Yes. He was facing us.

Did he look as if he were someone being held hostage? That he welcomed your appearance as a possible rescue mission?

No. He was eating.

Gabriel winces.

Did he appear afraid?

No. Surprised.

Concerned.

Have you considered the possibility that Demon Crowley was not jealously guarding a hostage? That he is instead protective of Aziraphale?

You mean he feared we would harm Aziraphale? Rather than rescue his hostage from him?

Exactly. Consider the possibility that Aziraphale is not in fearful thrall to the demon. That he is not a willing accomplice merely to avoid torment at the hands of the demon.

Michael can't resist a dig:

Evidence seems clear that they are bodily lovers, Gabriel. Aziraphale isn't a mere accomplice. He has surrendered totally.

Gabriel's discomfort about this possibility is obvious.

His abuse of his celestial body is a separate matter. One cannot blame demon Crowley for Aziraphale's habit of consuming human sustenance or engaging in lust.

The Twins interject:

Aziraphale is an angel. We do not lust. We love.

Michael's lips twitch in a faint smile, unseen by the others. Twin Dorri continues:

When you interrogated Aziraphale, he was adamant that he and the demon love one another. He seemed very sincere. After all, he was safe with us. No longer the demon's captive. There was no reason for him to lie.

Aida echoes:

He should have been thankful for rescue. But instead he was indignant.

Dorrie agrees:

And I can understand his resentment. We had him under severe restraint. Treated him as a prisoner. Not as a colleague.

Aida nods:

We did not follow the parable of the prodigal son.

Michael turns and gives The Twins a steely look.

You don't think he was prevaricating to escape the need for repentance and penance? That he was using love as an excuse for succumbing to the demon Crowley's wiles? This is the traitor who derailed Armageddon, after all.

Gabriel looks shifty for a fleeting instant before resuming his executive demeanor.

I think we must take a different management approach to redeeming Aziraphale, Michael. Efforts at retribution and tough love have been distinctly unsuccessful, I think you will agree?

Gabriel turns toward The Twins.

I suggest that you approach Aziraphale with the understanding that he does indeed love the demon Crowley. Assume the demon has not seduced him. That just the opposite situation has occurred. Proceed as if Aziraphale is engaged in redeeming a fallen angel.

There is a rustle of surprise among the four angels as Gabriel's clothing transforms into his favorite lavender bespoke suit. With elegant shoes. Michael murmurs:

Seems The Almighty agrees with you.

There is a slight rumble of thunder. Gabriel turns toward The Portal, kneels, hands clasped as for prayer. The other angels follow suit.