Disclaimer: I still own very little.

A/N: And the chapter for the 4th is here, long and shiny! Aziraphale and Crowley both have some problems. An appearance from one of the archangels is included.

Chapter 4:

Present Problems

Aziraphale sighed a bit as he distractedly rearranged his books for the umpteenth time. He had absolutely no idea what to get to Crowley. Everything the demon might want he had already. So, what to get him?

The sound of the door being opened made him raise his eyes. However, the next second he froze, just staring at the newcomer. The angelic aura the guest was emitting was simply overwhelming, leaving him just standing there and wondering just what he had done to merit a visit from one of the archangels.

"Ah, Aziraphale," Gabriel said with a bright smile. Even though his clothes were very human, from his nice white coat to his worn-out sneakers, he still managed to appear otherwordly beautiful. Of course, that was something any angel could achieve if they put their mind to it. Even Aziraphale could manage it if the need arose. This far, it never had. "Don't be so stiff, my dear boy. I still do consider you my little brother."

A brief smile rose to the lower angel's lips. Ah, yes -- his elder brother. Although they were all created from the same essence, and were not really related to each other by blood, the angels did form imaginary bonds. When he had been one of the cherubim, Gabriel had acted as his elder brother. Greatly respected and well above him in the ranks, yes, but still his brother, and thus not something to be feared.

"Forgive me, Gabriel," muttered Aziraphale, his eyes downcast. "I hardly deserve to be called your brother anymore, though. You are an archangel, and I'm a mere principality."

An odd grin crossed Gabriel's face, one the meaning of which Aziraphale was unable to decipher. "It may appear so, yes," the higher angel then said. "However, you are my brother -- and you are welcome to ask for my help if you need any." The azure blue eyes twinkling, he then asked, "Well, do you need help?"

Now, Aziraphale chuckled weakly, finally able to relax a bit. Whatever was or wasn't between them, it was rather obvious that Gabriel's visit meant no trouble to him. Therefore, he could relax at least a bit. "Unless you know what to get as a Christmas gift for a demon, no, I don't need your help," he said.

"Ah, yes. Your dear demon," Gabriel said, a smile still on his lips as he sat down on a chair that seemed rather surprised to actually exist -- a moment earlier it hadn't. "Don't worry," added the archangel as he saw Aziraphale's expression, "I do not judge. In fact, I quite support your relationship, as does Raphael. Michael doesn't disapprove, and even Uriel, unwilling as he may be, has been forced to accept it. As long as we four are on your side, you have nothing to worry about from Above." With a tiny grin, he continued, "You see, He has told to leave you be. Raphael and I were in your favour even before the command came out, though -- as long as you're happy, I'm happy for you. You two make such a sweet couple!"

For a moment Aziraphale couldn't come up with an answer, his mind busy trying to understand the possible meanings of this. So, to distract both himself and his guest, he hurriedly offered, "Tea?"

"Yes, please," Gabriel replied with a smile. Accepting the cup that was handed to him, the archangel then sipped at his drink, looking like it was perfectly normal for him to have tea in the middle of a dusty bookshop. (Whether Gabriel had locked the shop's door or Aziraphale had actually had the presence of mind to do so remained unknown. The fact was, however, that nobody entered the shop.) "So. This demon of yours -- Crowley, isn't he? Originally Carowiel, I believe -- what does he like? Does he like books, clothes, music, anything -- well, aside from virgin sacrifices and torturing kittens, that is?"

"Gabriel, that is not funny," moaned Aziraphale, too scandalized to even think about whether it was appropriate to say such a thing to an archangel. "Crowley would never torture kittens, and he always says that virgin sacrifices are just disgusting -- apparently the virgins dying isn't half as entertaining as them becoming non-virgins." To even his own surprise he actually managed to say that with only a tiny hint of blush on his cheeks. Oh, yes, Crowley was definitely rubbing off on him. "As for what he likes... well, if there's some new trendy electronical gadget, he probably has it already. He doesn't care much for books --" at this, his voice took momentarily a scandalized tone, although he had already gotten used to this particular quirk of his lover -- "and whatever clothes he wants he just miracles for himself. I think his music collection is about as perfect as my book collection -- it's nowhere near complete, but I certainly don't know what he's still lacking." With a sigh, the angel then finished, "It's very hard to come up with a gift for somebody who has literally everything he happens to want."

Now, Gabriel's expression was sympathetic. "Oh, I know," he said. "I've spent most of this month wondering just what I'm going to get for Raphael. By this rate I'll just give the same thing as last year."

"Oh?" Aziraphale now turned curious. "And what was that, exactly?"

"Well, that's between Raphael and me," the archangel replied, his sapphire eyes twinkling cheerfully. "Let's just say that it began with a kiss and ended nowhere near as innocently."

The lower angel blinked a couple of times. "So... Raphael and you...?" he finally managed to utter.

"Yes, Raphael and I," Gabriel confirmed happily. "We've been together since before time. So, forever and ever -- literally. It's quite logical, you see," he then added. "Uriel is and has always been a lone wolf, and Michael is too caught up in his work to notice anything else. So, we were drawn together, and, well, one thing led to another. The usual story, you know. And we're quite happy about it, too."

For a moment Aziraphale remained silent. Then, however, he simply shook his head a bit to clear his mind and was okay -- six millenia among humans had made him rather immune to surprises. "So, what do you suggest I get for Crowley?" he then asked. "That's why you came here, isn't it?"

"See, little brother? You still know me," Gabriel commented lightly. "Yes, that is why I came here. You see, I was taking a look around, and then I came across this little treasure..." And he drew something from somewhere that had nothing to do with physical pockets and everything to do with angelic miracles.

Aziraphale took one look at the thing the archangel now had in his hands. And stared.

Then, a grin started to spread on his face.

Crowley muttered curses under his breath as he walked down the street. This was bad. As a demon, he hardly celebrated Christmas aside from getting so drunk that he passed out, staying at Aziraphale's place so that the angel's aura would protect him from the holiness of the gathered Host. However, to Aziraphale, Christmas was very important, and so were all Christmas traditions. The angel wouldn't say anything if Crowley didn't get him a present, the demon knew that, but there would be a slightly disappointed look in the blue eyes. And that would hurt Crowley more than anything else could.

There was a problem, though -- just what should he get for his angel? Well, a rare book would be a perfect gift, sure, but where'd he suddenly find one that Aziraphale didn't own already?

A woman with her arms loaded with gifts suddenly ran into him, accidentally knocking his sunglasses down. The poor woman's apologies were forgotten as she got a good look at his eyes. Being on a bad mood, Crowley didn't even bother to make her forget about it. If he had a bad day, then everybody else could have one as well -- and running into an angry demon and knowing it could spoil anyone's day. However, he didn't feel one bit better as he continued his walk through the busy streets.

Suddenly, however, Crowley felt a familiar tug at the back of his mind. At first, he was confused. He'd felt the touch of an angelic aura, that he knew. However, he was confused, as he recognized this aura -- it was Aziraphale. But he'd got the picture that the angel was going to stay at his bookshop the whole day...

Deciding to follow his instincts the demon turned at the next corner, hurrying through the sea of people. The tug of the aura got slightly stronger, but it was still very weak, so much weaker than his angel's strong presence. Still, he knew he was close to the source of the aura...

Suddenly, Crowley stopped, knowing that he should not continue any more. Looking to his side, he saw an ancient little store selling antiques. And there, right in front of him, lay the object that was giving out this aura that was impossible to tell apart from that of Aziraphale.

It was beautiful. Heavenly -- or, rather, hellishly --, dangerously beautiful. It was perfect.

A/N: Aww... two little cliffhangers in the same chapter. Don't you just love me?

Next chapter: Crowley admires whatever it is that caught his eye. (Any guesses?)