Title: Secrets Untold

Authors: Justine and Megan B.

Rating: PG

Summary: While the angels are on vacation in a rustic cabin, Andrew and Monica will d discover the meaning of "forbidden love".

*Prologue: Strange Feelings*

Monica twirled her shoulder-length auburn hair around her finger as she stared out of the window of Tess' Cadillac. Her brown eyes focussed on the overcast sky and the falling rain. The day wasn't going as well as it should've been, and the weather added nothing cheerful to it.

She could just make out the voice calling her from the front seat, but her mind was off in another land, daydreaming and staggering back and forth amidst the passing traffic and rolling rain drops on the window. She could even sense Andrew's presence next to her, his emerald green eyes piercing right through her mind, reading every thought of hers. But for some reason it didn't compete with her brain. Finally a gentle tap on her knee snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Monica," Gloria's sweet voice called. Her brown eyes peered worriedly out of the glasses she wore. "Are you alright?" she asked, staring intently at the older angel. For a moment, Gloria's words just echoed in her mind, making no sense at all.

"Oh…yes…" Monica replied in her beautiful Irish lilt that was now gloomy. Her attention immediately was taken back to the sky—the gray clouds that were rolling in faster as the minutes passed. She didn't intend to ignore Gloria's next words, but they meant nothing as they advanced through her mind.

"With that attitude, Miss Wings, you blend in perfectly with the weather," Tess said, staring at her charge through the rear view mirror. "Are you going to tell old Tess what's wrong, baby?" Her supervisor's voice was now more comforting. Monica could see the beautiful brown eyes glancing at her in between traffic and the road.

"Nothing's wrong, Tess," she mumbled, her words barely escaping her lips. Then she felt the hand on her knee again. Andrew smiled at her, his emerald eyes sparkling.

"Really?" He furrowed his eyebrows with an obvious look. "Come on, Monica. We know you're hiding something. You hardly heard Gloria speak to you." His, blond hair was roughly combed back. It was apparent that the crucial wind had thrown it in every which way.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Gloria. Now what were you saying?" the Irish angel asked, feeling guilt and regret rising in the depths of her soul.

"I was wondering if you wanted to stop to eat. We're nearly two miles from a small town. Then it's a forty-five minute drive to the cabin.

"Sure…that sounds great," Monica said, trying to sound as happy as she possibly could. "I'm starved," her lilt admitted. But only God and she knew that she wasn't. She pinned her auburn hair gently behind her ears, showing her dainty earrings that were shaped as little hearts.

"Then," Tess began, smiling widely. "McDonalds, here we come!"

"Oh, Tess," Andrew chuckled. "You and your hamburgers!"

"Monica," the familiar voice called.

Even though the drive to town had been less then five minutes, it had seemed like hours to Monica. Waking up to the voice, she had forgotten that she had fallen asleep. Her heart wasn't as heavy as before at the sight of her friend staring at her through the window.

"I'm coming," she mumbled. After a yawn and stretch, she slowly stepped out of the convertible and into the humid, rainy weather. Although it had stopped raining, the air was still moist and foggy.

"Okay, good. We were beginning to think you'd never wake up," the angel of death chuckled. "I waited for you for about five minutes. Gloria and Tess are waiting in line. It's very busy this time of year. A lot of tourists are here." Andrew reached over and took his friend's hand.

"Well, then what are we waiting for?" she asked as happily as she possibly could.

"Monica, I can tell something is bugging you," Andrew said seriously. He gazed at her with his emerald green eyes. "Please talk to me."

"Come on," the Irish angel said. "The food won't be there forever!" she joked.

"Okay. Maybe you'll talk after we get settled at the cabin." He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her answer.

"Maybe," she mumbled. He put his arm around her shoulder and led her to the fast food restaurant. Once they were inside, they immediately caught sight of their friends waiting in line. Gloria waved at them with a grin playing her face.

"Guess what?" she began cheerfully. "Tess is letting me get a McFlurry! I've never had one before!"

"Well, good for you, Gloria," Andrew said with a smile.

"You'll have to tell us how it is," the Irish angel managed.

"Why don't you two angel babies get one too. I've got enough money on me. He loaded us down, if you know what I mean," the supervisor said, motioning her head towards the ceiling. All three of the younger angels nodded.

"Thanks, Tess. I just might have to check out an M&M one," the angel of death announced. He looked over at Monica who just stared at the ground. "What about you, sweetie?"

"Um…" she stuttered. "I think I'll just pass. Maybe I'll have something to drink at the cabin." Her cheeks were red with embarrassment. In the car she had said how starved she was. Now she scolded herself for lying.

"But, Monica," Gloria began with a puzzled look. "I thought you were hungry."

"So did I, baby. Are you feeling alright?" Even though Tess knew the answer, she pressed on the question, hoping her angel girl would say something.

"Yes…well…" her lilt once again trailed off. "I'm just a little tired." Her cheeks lightened but not quite to the cheery pink that they should've been. They were more of a flushed color that made it obvious she wasn't feeling well.

"Well, okay," Tess said, coming over to her angel girl and putting an arm around her. Andrew backed away to give the supervisor and charge a little time. "But please, angel girl, if anything is bugging you, please talk to me. Or talk to Andrew or Gloria. We're all here, baby."

"I know, Tess," Monica spoke softly. She gave her supervisor's dark hand a gently squeeze and smiled slightly. "I will."

"Good. Now do you want us to get this stuff to go so you can rest?" the supervisor asked.

"No, that's okay. You guys enjoy yourselves. I'll just relax in the booth," her Irish lilt said.

"Alright, if you insist. Now are you sure I can't get you anything?" Tess looked her charge straight in the eye. "I know you really want something," the eldest angel chuckled.

"Well, maybe a…" Monica paused and read the menu one last time. "Maybe a drink would be fine."

"You name it!" Tess exclaimed, feeling rather disappointed that her angel girl wasn't eating anything.

"A Diet Coke would suite me. Is that okay?"

"Whatever you want, Monica," the supervisor said sincerely. "But diet?" her tone squeaked. After a simple nod, Tess sighed. "Alright. I sure didn't teach you this. These humans worrying about their weight constantly has sure gotten to your head, Miss Wings." Monica let out a slight giggle.

"Oh, Tess, is it a crime to have healthy food…well in this case drinks?" Monica asked, her brown eyes sparkling.

"No, I guess not. But my opinion would be…"

"Can I help you?" a teenage girl with dazzling blue eyes asked. Her red hair was put up neatly in a bun. Tess turned away from her charge and ordered the four angel's lunches. Andrew carried the tray to the booth Gloria had selected. Monica had to laugh at the youngest angel's happiness. And all over a McFlurry too.

The Irish angel pretended to be busy sipping her pop, but really, inside, she was hurting with feelings that needed to be spilled out. But now was not the time to be sharing her problems with her friends. They were having too much fun—especially Gloria. After gobbling up her cheeseburger, the youngest angel focussed her appetite intently upon the ice cream.

"Yum!" Gloria exclaimed after swallowing her first bite of her McFlurry. "This is a lot better than I thought it would be!"

Andrew, who was just beginning his dessert agreed, "Yes, definitely. I think I've had one of these once in my life. Butterfinger flavored…" his words trailed off as he thought. Next to him sat a non-social Monica who was fingering her straw.

"You want to taste?" he asked, elbowing her softly. She stirred and looked up, meeting eyes with her friend's.

"Um…no thanks," she said, looking back down at her cup. "I'm going to go get a refill. Andrew?" Andrew nodded and scooted out of the booth, waiting for her to do the same. He then sat back down and watched her fill up her cup with more pop.

He shot a glance at Tess that was oblivious to the rest of the world. And fortunate for him and Tess, Gloria hadn't noticed it. The glance said how worried each other were for their friend. Of course it had been a long day of traveling, but what explained the way she was acting?

"I'll just scoot in," Andrew suggested when Monica returned with a full cup of Diet Coke. Monica nodded and sat on the edge of the booth. She obviously didn't want to be near anybody—or socialize.

"I think I might as well try one of those little apple pies…maybe two," Tess said, licking her lip. She stood up and started towards the counter that was now not as busy. "Monica," she asked, looking back at her charge. "Would you like one? I hear they're mighty delicious!"

"No thanks, Tess. I'm just not hungry anymore. But thank you," the Irish angel replied softly, again fiddling with her straw.

"Ok, angel girl, whatever you say."

Andrew and Gloria exchanged glances when they saw Tess purchase two apple pies. The eldest angel always was hungry—especially when it came to dessert. But Monica seemed to not even notice her supervisor's appetite, as was her mind fixed on other things.

"Hey, Monica?" Andrew asked.

"Huh?" she mumbled quietly.

"Would you like to wait out in the car with me while Tess and Gloria finish up?" the angel of death asked. The auburn hesitated, twirling her hair around her finger.

"I guess." Her voice was hardly known to anyone but him.

"Gloria, would you mind?" Andrew asked the youngest angel who sat with a spoonful of ice cream ready to travel into her mouth. She shook her head and ate up her McFlurry. Andrew smiled at his friend and told Tess where they'd be. The supervisor gave him an obvious look that said to talk to Monica. He gave a slight nod and followed a weary Monica out to the convertible.

"Hey, honey," the angel of death started. His emerald green eyes were filled with pain at the sight of his best friend. Her brown eyes were growing red and her body was weak. "Maybe you should rest now. You can put your head in my lap."

"No, thank you, Andy," the Irish angel whispered, her voice becoming so soft as the moments passed. "I'll just kind of doze till we get there." She managed a slight smile and slowly crawled into her seat in the back of Tess' red Cadillac. Andrew did the same on the opposite side of her. For a few minutes, they both stared out their windows, not even turning to see what the other was doing. But then Andrew decided it was time.

"Monica, we need to talk," he blurted out as he ran his fingers through his short, blond hair. A look of silenced pain crossed her face as she turned to face him.

"And what about, Andy?" her meek Irish lilt asked.

"About the way you've been acting lately. I know I was going to wait till we were settled at the cabin, but the sooner we get it over with, the better." His lush green eyes stared into the depths of hers. "Will you please talk to me?"

"Well, there's nothing much to…" She paused and studied the ground. "It's just a little stress from the last assignment…and the one before that…and…oh forget it!"

"No, I can't forget it, Monica. Wait…" his words trailed off. "It's because your work hasn't been as well as you would have liked it to be, isn't it?" Then he thought some more before adding, "All your past assignments have something in common, don't they?" he asked, studying her face carefully.

"What? That I failed them all?" she cried, tears filling her brown eyes.

"No, Monica." He put his gentle hand over hers. "They all had to do with marriages. Is this human love bothering you?" Monica slowly nodded and let a couple tears fall from her brown eyes.

"Oh, Andy, I've been so terrible. I've let God down these last weeks." Her eyes were red with sting and her cheeks were tear-streaked.

"Oh, Monica, I'm so sorry," the angel of death told her sincerely. "I should have seen…I should've known…In your last assignment the couple you were working with split up, in the assignment before that, the two teenagers refused to listen to you or their parents and they ran off…and oh…" his words were lost into the dark afternoon. The blond buried his face in his hands and let out a heavy sigh.

"Andrew, it's not your fault, my friend. I was too stubborn to mention anything that I just don't blame you." Her brown eyes started to flood once again. Then she lost it all—all her senses.

Everything.

"Come here," he said softly, taking her arms and gently pulling him into his embrace. She stayed in his grasp, held securely in his strong arms. Her head was resting upon his chest, the world not known to her at the moment. Agony and guilt had overcome her. And that wasn't a bad thing. At least she had gotten her emotions out. It had been time.

Her sobs died down, and his tenseness was relaxed. Everything in her heart was coming back to life now. And all it had taken was his comforting words and his warm embrace. She could always count on him to lighten her day when her spirits were down. But suddenly a peculiar feeling came over her and she jumped up. Mascara and eyeliner outlined the circles under her eyes.

"What is it?" he asked, puzzled.

"Oh…I don't know," she stuttered. "Um…look, here come Tess and Gloria," the Irish angel mumbled in her lilt. Andrew could tell that she was trying to change the subject.

"Hey, angel babies," the supervisor greeted. She started for the driver's seat when Gloria quickly cleared her throat.

"Um…Tess, if you don't mind, you promised me something," the youngest angel reminded her. Tess looked around innocently and stood up straight.

"Oh, yes, I believe you're right, little angel," she added guiltlessly. With a short hesitation, the supervisor threw Gloria the keys to her "kingdom" and shook her head. She put her hand over her forehead and looked up at the sky. "Father? What am I doing? What am I…"

"Tess, don't worry! I'll do fine!" the little angel laughed. Monica didn't react. She only wiped away the makeup from her cheeks. Andrew let out a chuckle and put his arm around his best friend. He then promised himself to go deeper into the subject they had been discussing—but later. She needed to rest when they arrived at their final destination.

To everyone's relief—especially Tess'—Gloria pulled the convertible out of the parking lot with smooth maneuvers and sped down the highway at a fair pace. It seemed promising, but not quite promising enough to Tess whom kept mumbling prayers to the Father. She would never completely let go of her baby.

"So, Tess," the angel of death chuckled. "How far is it to the cabin?"

"Forty-minutes…and don't remind me, angel boy, or you'll never see that forty-minutes!" she jokingly threatened.

"Alright, Tess," Andrew said with an innocent grin. "I had just forgotten!" he lied.

"Monica, are you still tired?" Gloria asked the older angel after glancing in the rear view mirror and seeing her yawn.

"A wee bit," the Irish angel replied, closing her eyes and resting her head on the cold glass of the window. She flinched when that same strange feeling as before came over her. Realizing that it was something about Andrew's touch around her, she wriggled out of his grip. He cast her a blank glance and turned away.

She's just tired, he figured. She needs her rest.

******

Monica was now more awake as she walked through the wooden doors. The cabin was as rustic as anyone would imagine a cabin in the middle of the forest to be. The whole structure was constructed out of logs. The inside smelled of oak and cedar. The walls were left their original color, but there was a campfire scene border that lined the top and traveled all along the living room. Chairs and stools were furnished with a beautiful stain, along with most of the other furniture. And couch was a moss green cloth that matched perfectly with the rest of the cabin.

"Ah…my first stay in such a secluded place," Gloria sighed. She was the first one to speak since entering their temporary home. Tess was the first to the kitchen, not admitting to anyone that she was looking for food. The nearest town was about a twenty-minute drive, and she didn't really want to make a trip to the store. Fortunate for her, the refrigerator was packed, and the cupboards were full. There was plenty of cooking utensils.

"Angel boy, would you please light a fire?" the eldest angel asked. He nodded at her request and left to check the woodpile outside in the shack.

Monica dropped her luggage and traveled over to the bay window. The brown drapes were pulled, and she slowly opened them, revealing the wondrous sight of the lake and the creek that ran nearby.

"Oh, isn't it lovely?" Gloria asked the Irish angel whom absentmindedly gazed out over the view. "Monica?"

"Yes…it is," she quickly added, her lilt now fading away into the woods. Suddenly Andrew's tall and handsome figure caught her brown eye. He was carrying in a few wood pieces, stopping to gather them more closely every once in a while. He seemed to make her daydream, bring her thoughts away from that world and into another. There was something so strange…

"Well, angel babies, what should we plan for supper?" Tess asked, joining the two in the living room.

"Supper, Tess?" Gloria asked in her sweet and cheerful tone. "We just ate lunch," she giggled. The eldest angel shot the youngest a quick glance that said otherwise and turned to Monica.

"Angel girl, would you take little angel upstairs to pick out some rooms. I'll be happy with whatever I get and I'm sure Andrew won't complain."

"What's that?" Andrew's familiar voice echoed as he entered into the cabin. He grinned as he faced his supervisor, his emerald green eyes sparkling. "Just make sure not to get me a room by this angel girl of ours," he chuckled. "She tends to snore…" his words trailed off when a blow was sent to his arm.

"Well you snore too, Andy!" the Irish lilt wailed. She frantically tried to hit him again, but he easily blocked her weak maneuvers.

"Face it, angel girl," he laughed. "Girls just don't have the strength to fight," the angel of death joked. But that evoked her anger even more as her rosy cheeks turned red. In between a laugh and a cry, she raced after his fast form, moving through the mazes of furniture.

"Want a bet?" she asked, sticking her fists jokingly in front of her face.

"Um…" Seeing the happiness that rolled into her eyes like clouds of fog disappearing, he double backed. "Maybe not!"

"You can't back out of this now, angel boy!" she exclaimed. She moved after him. Little did she know he had relaxed a bit, not realizing that she would try to bring him down. So with all the strength that was in her, she tackled him, them both toppling over on the couch. Standing by the bay window was a laughing Gloria, and in the kitchen door stood a stern supervisor.

"You babies are going to kill yourselves if you don't settle down!" Tess said in an angry tone even though her laughing face said otherwise.

Monica's face turned red with embarrassment as she realized that she had just tackled her friend onto the couch. He looked up at her and folded his arms behind his head.

"Happy now?" he asked, his green eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Um…" the Irish angel gulped and jumped off of him. "Yea…" she stuttered. "Sorry, Andy, I didn't…well…I didn't mean to…But hey, I beat you, didn't I?" she asked with a grin playing her lips.

"I let you do that," he told her, running his fingers through his blond locks as he sat up. His cheeks were also red. Monica couldn't tell if it was from the excitement or from embarrassment. But neither one seemed to fit the description of his face. There was something else there…

"So, Tess, should we go pick out our rooms now?" the angel of death asked quickly, as if trying to avoid the subject. Perhaps he was also feeling something strange just like Monica…

"Go ahead, angel babies. You two, Gloria," the supervisor motioned to the upstairs. "On second thought," She grinned. "Save the master bedroom for me." Her brown eyes were filled with expectation.

"Don't worry, Tess, we will," Monica told her supervisor, returning the grin that she was cast.

"Oh…I didn't mean that…" Tess was cut off.

"Tess, we think very highly of you," Andrew told the eldest angel. "You've supervised us for many years. Don't you think that it's time we return your actions?" he asked politely as possible.

"Well, angel boy, I don't know what to say." But suddenly seeing the look that his emerald eyes held, she continued, "What do you want now?"

"I was just wondering if…" he stopped. "Could you make some apple pie for dessert?"

"Apple pie?" Gloria asked sweetly. "She just had apple pie at McDonalds…"

"Oh, little angel, that's just fine. I wouldn't mind eating more than one…two a day. But, angel boy, do you think that after you get situated, you could ride into town and get the ingredients? I don't think they were prepared for us to make pie," Tess told her charge. The angel of death nodded.

"I'll come with," Monica suddenly blurted out. "I mean, if that's alright with you, Andy?" Andrew focused his eyes on the Irish angel and sighed.

"If you really insist," he said sarcastically. But his tone was immediately followed by a chuckle. Actually, to him, it was a relief that Monica wanted to come with him. He was enjoying her company. Now that he knew what was wrong with her, he felt it easier to talk to his friend.

******

"Oh, isn't it great to have the wind flying through your hair and rain not being mixed in with it?" the Irish lilt of Monica asked.

"Yea…" his words trailed off. He was focusing on the road in front of him, trying with all his might to keep his thoughts to himself. He was still worried about her, even though she had lightened a little bit. "It sure is a beautiful day." Her brown eyes gazed up at the clearing sky. Finally, blue was beginning to be exposed. She nodded her head in agreement.

"So…we're getting ingredients for apple pie?" she giggled. He handed her a list of things Tess had asked them to buy. The handsome angel of death nodded and let out a chuckle.

"You know Tess," he sputtered out.

"Yes, she very much is fond on her food. How far away is this town anyway?" the Irish angel asked.

"We're almost there. It's about a twenty mile drive," he answered solemnly.

"Oh. We really are secluded then," she teased, realizing that practically no one lived near the cabin they were staying in.

The drive seemed pleasant the rest of the way. It was indeed a beautiful day. The birds were chirping, the animals could be seen scurrying around the side of the road, and the wildflowers were in bloom. This summer day was proving to be better off than anyone had predicted.

"We'll be there in about five minutes, Monica," Andrew announced after a few moments passed by. "Then we'll stop at the nearest store and pick up these items. Then…" He paused, eyeing her in the depths of her thoughts.

"Then…what?" she asked, her auburn hair blowing into her face from the open convertible.

"Then we stop at the coffee shop and I buy you a mocha latte—and no decalf either!" he told her with a grin.

"Oh, Andy!" she cried, grabbing his hand. "Thank you!"

"You're welcome. I thought that since we are on vacation and all, it's about time you tried a regular," he chuckled. Her smile was the most beautiful thing he had seen in a while. That smile brought back great memories. It had been so long since she had been really happy.

The two stopped at a grocery store and purchased the few items, then it was immediately off to the coffee shop to make Monica's day. And the instant that warm liquid coated her throat, her day, indeed, was made. She thanked her friend more than one time for the delicious drink, and each time he returned her gratitude with a beaming smile and sparkling green eyes.

As they rode back to the cabin, his arm around her, he knew that that vacation was going to go much better than he had expected—and little did he know what was in store for the both of them.