Tess held her angel girl as tightly as she dared, tears rolling down her mahogany face as her heart broke over the pain-filled sobs that tore through Monica's weakened body. Nothing Tess could say alleviated Monica's devastation, and Dr. Stanton had even suggested a sedative to calm the young angel. Tess refused at first, saying that Monica just needed some time, but after nearly 30 minutes of solid crying, Tess thought it might not be such a bad idea. She pulled away slightly so she could look into her friend's reddened brown eyes. "Monica, you need to calm down," Tess told her gently, but sternly. "Your human body cannot take this much longer."

Monica's only replies were gasps for air strangled by sobs. She tried to get enough air into her lungs to formulate a reply, but the best she could do was a hoarse whisper. "I can't do this again, Tess… I just can't…."

Tess took her charge back into her arms, and rocked her gently. "Yes you can, baby, because you are a strong angel," when Monica shook her head against Tess's chest, she continued, "You're a lot stronger than you think you are."

Dr. Stanton came into the room carrying a small syringe. She motioned for Tess to join her at the far side of the room, and as much as it pained the older angel to leave Monica's side, she disengaged herself from her friend's grasp and crossed the room to where the doctor stood. "This has gone on far too long," Dr. Stanton began, "I can't allow her to go on like this in her weakened state. The last thing we need is for her to work herself up into an infection."

Tess nodded, "I agree. I've never seen her like this, but I guess it's to be expected with what she's just been through. One question though… How much worse is this next round going to be?"

Dr. Stanton shrugged. "Honestly, it's hard to say. Monica reacted worse to the first round than most patients, so I can't really tell you how bad this round will be. It may be no worse, and it may be a lot worse."

Tess looked toward Monica, who was still crying, though not as violently as she had been before. The doctor walked over to the bed and injected the small amount of clear fluid into the angel's IV. "Monica, I'm giving you a sedative to help you calm down. I don't want you to make yourself sick, okay?" For her part, Monica didn't even seem to hear the doctor, as she clung to Tess as soon as the older angel had sat down on the bed again. Dr. Stanton looked to Tess and said, "She'll probably sleep for the next few hours because of the sedative, and I would imagine that the exertion will keep her out for most the day.

"Thank you doctor," Tess replied absently, as her attentions were focused completely on her charge. As soon as the doctor had left the room, Tess noticed that Monica was already starting to calm. She wasn't as tense as before, and her cries had somewhat diminished. Her breathing hitched though, as it does when someone cries so hard for so long. Tess rocked her friend gently, and rubbed her back, hoping to do anything to help. Knowing that Monica always loved to hear her sing when the young angel was upset or frightened, Tess began to sing softly in her rich voice, the words coming from the Father Himself…

Nothing formed against you will succeed
As long as your heart's turned toward me
You'll get through this
No matter what it takes
I believe in you for Heaven's sake
You'll get through this
Oh yes you will

As she finished the refrain, Tess looked down at Monica and was grateful to see that the sedative had taken effect and her young friend had fallen asleep. Laying her gently against the pillows, Tess pulled the blankets around Monica's small form, and then decided to go to the cafeteria for a cup of tea. It was no sooner had she walked out the door, that she saw Andrew coming down the hall.

"How's she doing?" He asked as he approached his older friend. As soon as Andrew got close enough to see the look in Tess's eyes, though, his question changed to, "What's wrong?"

Tess hesitated for a moment, wondering the best way to field Andrew's question. She finally decided that the truth was the best avenue, and so she got right to the point. "The doctors were just in with her, and they told her that the first round of chemo didn't do the job, so she needs to go through a second round."

Andrew's eyes widened, and he paled slightly. "Why? If Kayla's in remission, why is Monica getting worse?"

"I don't know, Angel Boy. The only thing I do know is that He has a plan, and apparently part of that plan involves Monica staying here," Tess told him.

Andrew nodded, his expression still incredulous. "How'd she take it?" He gestured to the closed door leading to Monica's room.

"Not well at all. The doctor finally had to sedate her in order to calm her down. Dr. Stanton said she'd probably sleep for the rest of today."

Tess led the way to the cafeteria, and as Andrew followed, he knew his worst fears had been realized. He knew Monica wasn't telling him everything, and she especially hadn't told him how sick she really was. He didn't expect anything like Tess's announcement, and for the second time on the assignment, he felt anger creep into his heart. This time, there was another emotion to deal with, though… hurt.

***

Today is the start of my second round of chemotherapy. In addition to what I had before, there's more of that red, plastic- looking stuff that gives me the bad taste in my mouth. There are also pills, big horse pills that are a near impossibility to take. I haven't felt any side effects yet, but it's only been an hour since the treatment. Tess is going to stay here with me tonight, and I'm so grateful to her for that. I don't want to do this by myself.

Although I know that ultimately, this is all part of God's plan, I keep wondering why I keep getting worse. I don't know how I'm going to be any good to Kayla or anyone else if I don't get any better. I know logically that angels can't die… but God forgive me, my heart is actually afraid of that very thing. I guess I know how humans in these kinds of situations feel now… It's really terrifying…

Monica closed her journal as Tess returned with a cup of herbal tea clutched in her hand. She sat down next to Monica's bed and pushed the tray that held the young angel's dinner toward her. "What's the point, Tess? I'm just going to lose it later," Monica said softly. Tess saw her friend's point, and decided not to push the issue. The two angels sat in silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts.

Several hours later, Tess found herself holding Monica's hair back from her face as the young angel threw up for what seemed like the hundredth time. The sounds coming from her small frame were painful to hear, and even more heartbreaking was the pain in her dark eyes as she rested between bouts of nausea. This time, Monica was too weak to make it to the bathroom, so she had to use a kidney-shaped dish every time she became ill. Tess hated to see her angel girl like this, and Dr. Stanton was right… this was far worse than the previous time Tess had seen Monica after chemo. Tess was grateful that the Father had been giving Andrew assignments at times where Monica was at her worst as the older angel didn't think she had the energy to deal with the conflict that was sure to happen upon Andrew's finding out the real situation.

Monica sank back against her pillows as the nausea subsided yet again, and whispered hoarsely, "Tess, I don't think I can do this anymore…. Everything hurts so badly... It hurts to just 'be'…"

Tess had heard these very words from many humans facing the situation Monica was currently, and those words always worried her. It meant that the spirit was dying, that it was giving up. "Baby, I know this is hard, but the Father has a plan. Just remember that, and hang in there. I know you can get through this."

"I wish I could agree with you, Tess, but I'm just not sure." Monica's voice held that tone of resignation again, and it broke Tess's heart to hear her friend's lyrical voice so heavy with hopelessness and sorrow.

Tess looked heavenward and whispered a desperate prayer as Monica began to curl herself into a ball from stomach cramps. "Father, she's been through so much tonight… please give her some rest."

Tess felt the Father's gentle presence drift down to her heart, and she knew her prayer would be answered. Monica slowly began to uncurl herself, and her body softened as her muscles released the tension they had held for so many hours. "Relax baby, and try to sleep," She said, "I think you're going to be alright now." As Monica drifted off to sleep, Tess, the angel who always unwaveringly insisted that God had a plan, found herself wondering for the first time why this was happening.

***

Tess left the hospital later that evening, after feeling something tugging at her to return to their apartment. She checked on Monica one last time, making sure the young angel was sleeping somewhat peacefully, and then drove across town to the apartment building. As she ascended the steps to the entryways, she passed the bank of mailboxes that lined one wall. Tess had never before had a reason to look at them since, being angels, they didn't receive mail, but tonight one particular box caught her eye. It was labeled K. Johnston, and the number of the apartment embossed on the brassy surface was 506, which was right across the hall from the angels' own apartment. Tess glanced skyward and smiled, as if sharing a private joke, and then started for the elevator.

When she reached the door to apartment 506, Tess rang the bell and waited for Kayla to answer. "Tess! How are you?" Kayla said excitedly as she opened the door and reached to embrace the angel.

"Hello, baby," Tess said, hugging her back. "It looks like we're neighbors." She pointed to the door across the hall."

Kayla motioned for Tess to come in, and the two took seats in Kayla's living room. "How does it feel to be home?" Tess asked her.

Kayla's smile lit up her face as she replied, "Wonderful! I can't believe how much I had missed this place. But, it's still so unreal to have my life back… almost like living in a dream."

"That's why you should make the most of each and every day. They're all a gift from God," Tess said. "You know that better than most people now. "

"I guess I do. How's Monica doing?" Kayla asked, changing the subject.

Tess's eyes flickered with sadness, "Not so well, baby. The first round of chemo didn't do the trick, so she had to start a second round today. I just left the hospital about an hour ago, after she finally fell asleep."

Kayla paled slightly, concern plain on her pretty face. "Oh, no…. do they think this round will work?"

Tess shrugged, "They don't know."

Kayla absently traced the patterns on the upholstery with her finger, "I was going to go see her in the next day or two, but do you think it would hurt her to see me recovering?"

"I think she'd love to see you, baby," Tess said, "Monica's a little down right now, and I think she could use some encouragement from someone who knows what she's going through."

Kayla nodded. "I'll go see her tomorrow then. I'm still on mandatory leave from the school until I get better, so I won't be going back until fall." She laughed, "The principal is a personal friend, and she wouldn't hear of my coming back before I'm stronger."

Tess chuckled, "I don't imagine that chasing after a bunch of second graders all day is part of your doctor's plan."

Kayla laughed, and then sobered, "You know, Tess, I'm really glad that I met you and Monica. You guys helped me fight when I didn't think I could, and now I'm so glad that I did. You have been like angels to me, ya know?"

Tess smiled widely, and replied knowingly, "Well baby, sometimes things like that just happen."