JESUS

It was all Kat could do not to scream his name and wake the apostles. She turned and found herself quite suddenly in the arms of her light, her lover, her savior. . .

It was bliss, it was blinding pleasure, it was happiness, it was joy, and it was glory. . .

Kat had never known anything that could compare to the feeling that swelled through her body, just because he had put his arms around her. Was that love that thrilled through her body?

Then Kat was crying, sobbing softly into Jesus' neck.

"Shhhh," he rubbed her back," it's alright Kat."

"Jesus," she whispered, his name felt so good in her mouth. . . "Oh Jesus," she looked up," Are you alri. . ." She stopped. Even in the darkness she could see the half dried blood on his face and in his hair. Then she realized that he was trembling. She moved her hand to his neck, his pulse was racing. "Jesus, what's wrong." It was a stupid question.

Jesus looked away, towards the apostles. Kat saw the pain flicker across his face as he looked at his best friends, sleeping while he was in such terrible anguish. More awful to Kat was that Jesus wasn't angry. He was hurt and sad and alone on his last night before he died. By this time tomorrow, Jesus would be dead on a cross.

Kat choked and looked down, pushing the thought from her mind.

"Come," said Jesus," come little one, come with me. Comfort me, you are the only one tonight. You and my father in heaven."

"I love you Jesus," Kat thought, tears spilling down her face," I don't want you to die." She took his hand and he led her up through the trees.

They emerged out onto a little outlook. Far away, across the trees and the gloomy valley, was Jerusalem.

Jesus sat down, looking out towards the city. Kat sat beside him, putting her arms around him and hugging him tight. Jesus bent his head, a tear slipping down his face. "I'm afraid."

"I would be too," said Kat.

Jesus looked to her and a smile appeared suddenly on his face. "I am glad you are here."

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else tonight," Kat said softly after a long moment. "I couldn't leave you out here all by yourself the night before you die. I couldn't bear you to be in such anguish and. . Have to bear it alone. I wish. . . I wish you didn't have to bear it at all."

Jesus put an arm around her and squeezed her. "I have to bear it Kat," he said," or else lose what is dearest to me, my fathers will and my own." They were quiet for a long while.

Kat looked at Jesus's face in the moonlight, thinking very quietly to herself that there had never been anyone so handsome as him. Surely he was the most handsome of all men.

"Am I your own?" She asked.

"My beloved is mine. . ."

"And I am his," Kat hugged him. "I am all his."

Jesus laughed, a sound that made Kat's heart flutter. To have made him happy on the most anguished night of his entire life. . .

"Jesus," Kat asked," do you love me?" Not because she doubted, but because she wanted to hear it from his own lips.

"I love you," said Jesus, smiling at her.

Kat glanced around, making sure that no one was watching them. Then she cupped a hand to Jesus's ear. "I think you're cute," she whispered.

That made him laugh again. Kat closed her eyes, listening to the wonderful sound. It made her happy to hear him laugh. It was the most joyous sound she had ever heard and strangely, it was comforting.

Then Jesus stopped laughing and Kat felt his body stiffen. She opened her eyes and asked quickly what was wrong. Jesus stood and pointed out across the valley. Kat stood.

There on the road, still a good two miles distant, were the lights of torches. Kat stared. She heard Jesus take a long breath and blow it out slowly. "So soon my little one," he said and his voice ached with sorrow," so soon we must part." He turned to her. "I wish that we could spend another hour together here in the garden."

Kat through her arms around him and began to sob and wail. "But you CAN'T go," she cried," they'll kill you and take you away and I'll never see you again. . ."

"Kat," said Jesus, the tone of his voice made her look up. He saw her grief and he embraced her quietly. His voice was soft as he spoke. "Beloved, know that death could never part us. Know that nothing could part you from my love, I would never allow myself to be parted from you. . ."

"But what if I go to hell?" Kat asked.

Jesus gave a cry of anguish and crushed her to him.

"Kat, oh my darling Kat, never speak of going to hell," he looked down into her eyes. Kat couldn't bare the terrible pain in his eyes. "Kat," he said softly, and he was trembling," my little one, nothing hurts me more then when my own choose to reject me forever."

"Is that why some go to hell?" Kat asked. "Because they reject you?"

"Nothing that anyone could ever do to sin and go against my will could ever be worse then the pain I fell when my own leave me forever," there were tears in his eyes and on his cheeks, "I am Just Kat, sins must be paid for but. . ."

"Surely we deserve it."

"Perhaps but I do not wish it, I would do anything to keep my own from. . . Hell."

Kat was quiet. "Who are your own?"

"I am the God of everyone, all are my own and I love them each the same as you." Jesus kissed her forehead.

"Now my little one, see why I must go?"

"Jesus," Kat asked.

"Yes."

"Do you need us? You are God, couldn't you be happy without us?"

Jesus cocked his head and looked down at her, his brown eyes serious. "I can't think of life without my people."

"Do you love us that much?"

"Yes." Jesus looked up at the torches. "Kat, I want you to hide here where they won't find you."

Kat began to protest but Jesus shook his head.

"I will not have you hurt," he looked at her.

"I will follow you," she said stubbornly," I can't let you die alone."

"Your Guardian will watch over you. Promise me Kat that you will not do anything that will endanger yourself."

"I won't," said Kat softly," I promise. Oh Jesus," she hugged him tight, feeling the tears forming in her eyes and blinking them back," I never want to let go of you." She choked back a sob. Slowly, she let her arms drop from around Jesus and they stood in the moonlight looking at each other.

"I'll miss you," she whispered, blinking very hard now.

Jesus smiled. "I'll come for you every Sunday." He reached out and touched her cheek. Kat shut her eyes to keep the tears back. "If you meet my mother," his voice broke and he stopped for a moment before going on," tell her that I love her."

"I will," said Kat, now unable to stop from crying. "Good. . . Good-bye Jesus."

"Farewell," said the Lord, then he turned and walked back to the apostles.

Kat stood in the moonlight, tears flowing unchecked down her cheeks. Then slowly, she followed Jesus, hiding by a tree near the disciples.

"Are you still sleeping?" She heard Jesus say to them. "Behold, the hour where I am to be handed over to the hands of wicked men is here. Get up, let us go. See," Kat saw the torches all led by one man," my betrayer is already here."

Judas.