Chapter Ten:
The next day, Angela watched Sawyer work on his marksmanship. He wasn't the world's best marksman, really, but he was trying his hardest. He missed his mark again and muttered in frustration under his breath. A small smile crept to her mouth. He noticed her smile and challenged her to do better.
Smiling and shaking her head at his foolishness, Angela crossed the deck to his side. "What if I helped you instead?" she offered. He readily accepted her offer. "Chilao." One of Nemo's crewmen launched a target into the air. It landed in the water over 500 yards away.
Angela motioned for Sawyer to put up his rifle and he obeyed. She put her hands on his and said quietly, "I know Mr. Quartermain taught you how to do this, but after you do all he's taught, and before you fire, I'm going to add something." She took her eyes off the target and looked up at Sawyer.
In her opinion, he really wasn't that horrid-looking. He had a sort of a boyish charm about his sandy blonde hair and smiling blue eyes. What she loved most, though, was the fact that he was always smiling. She rarely saw any Mortal do that. "What?" he asked, seeing her look up at him.
She smiled. "Nothing," she answered. "Now, what I want you to do is relax. You're usually very tense, I've noticed. So relax. To relax, you need to breathe. Deep and steady breathes. When you're ready, you may fire. But remember to take your time."
After a quiet moment, Sawyer fired. The target burst into many pieces. He had hit it. "I did it!" he said excitedly, once again becoming a little boy. "Thank you, Angela."
She smiled. "Not a worry," she said. "Keep practicing. Good afternoon." She turned to leave. Before she could, however, he took her by the hand and pulled her close to him. They looked deep into each other's eyes. As they did so, she realised exactly how much she cared for him. He leaned to kiss her, but she pushed him away, saying, "I'm sorry, I can't." She disappeared into the ship.
As she hurried down the corridors, she thought frantically, This can't be happening. Not again. I cannot allow myself to do this. I cannot allow my heart to tear in two again. She reached her quarters and entered, closing the door and laying down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Life is short and time is swift, Angel…"Gabriel, how could you say such a thing?" she whispered into the dark of her room. "I am a Guardian Angel; you know I cannot allow myself to…" She didn't feel comfortable finishing her sentence.
You cannot allow yourself to lose him, Angel…"I cannot lose what I never had, Gabriel," she countered. "The entire idea is impossible."
In dreams and in love, nothing is impossible, Angel…"Gabriel, honour is the reward of virtue," she said. "And I will obey God's commandments for His Angels. End of discussion."