Tragic, tragic loss…

My laptop had crashed the EXACT MOMENT I was about to upload this chapter to Fanfiction. I was crushed. I had lost everything! This had been my favorite chapter yet, and it had been lost. Well I have finally gotten a new laptop and painfully rewrote it. Honestly it was longer before, but due to your long wait I will post this half as I have now broken it into two chapters. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you never have to go through the loss of so much data as I did! ~Enjoy…

Note: I do not own Chrono Crusade's characters. I do not own the angel's I borrowed from Frank Peretti "This Present Darkness". I also do not know the Italian family DeRobertis's, which owns and operates Caffe Pugliese in New York (I had simply looked up bakeries and café's in New York in the 1920's and found info on them. It looks good and I plan on actually going there someday!)

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

2 Corinthians 5:20

Chapter 17

Mary eased the car to a stop having finally found a parking spot. She sighed as she turned the key allowing the engine to idle down and shut off. Rosette had now been sitting up front with her since their first stop and was clearly no longer in a good mood. Mary just couldn't figure out what had happened since she met up with Rosette and Chrono outside the convenience store. Nothing after that seemed to bring her friends' spirits back up. Not after the stop at the post office, police station to drop off some paperwork, nor the produce stand which even had some fresh berries for sale, would bring a true smile back onto her face. Rosette's comments were few and short while clearly fuming inside while even Chrono seemed more silent than usual. What had happened in such a short time? What did she miss?

Mary let herself out then moved around front to help her sister and friend out.

"Here we go," Mary said with a happy smile plastered on her face as she opened the passenger door. Mary was hoping this final stop would finally get Rosette to smile. "Sorry about the wait. It was hard to find a parking spot. I had to park kind of far from our last stop. Do you think you are up for the walk?"

The sound of automobiles and the smell of exhaust assaulted Rosette's senses as she stepped out. She wrinkled her nose. "Ya, we'll be fine."

Chrono took a silent deep breath as he let himself out on the driver's side. He carefully shut his door and felt his way around the back to stand beside the girls on the other side.

Rosette extended her staff as she looked around the crowded city streets. They had to be within the heart of Manhattan by the sounds and smells. 'So many lost souls,' the thought kept repeating in her mind.

Mary stopped and simply looked at her friend. She had such a heartbroken look on her wandering face. This wasn't right. Mary had been so excited to be the one to take her friends on their first outing since being brought back to life, yet here stood a true saint in the making looking so sad when she should be boisterous and happy. 'Well!' thought Sister Mary. 'Not if I have a say in it!' her mind steeled herself to the task. "Ready Rosette?" Mary a little too loudly and cheerfully asked.

Rosettes head snapped back to Mary. "I guess so," she shrugged unenthused.

Mary just stared at her blank face startled. "You know Rosette, it is truly amazing that you can see me with your eyes shut. I mean you are looking right at me! That's remarkable."

Rosette weakly smiled and looked at her hand, "Ya, I guess this Spirit Vision is pretty strange."

Mary nodded smiling, but then a thought crossed her mind and she panicked. "EEEEEEEK!" Mary suddenly cried out. "I just realized! You… you're seeing me naked right now aren't you?" she desperately tried to cover up in alarm. Her worst fears were coming to life.

Rosette and Chrono blankly looked at Mary, then at each other, then busted into laughter. Mary started crying which made Rosette laugh even harder. It was just too funny; too unexpected.

"Naked? Really?" Rosette kept laughing. Chrono leaned up against the car for stability as he kept laughing just as hard.

"No," Rosette breathlessly answered. "No Mary, you're clothed!"

Mary visibly sighed in relief as she too started to giggle. "Oh good Lord Rosette I almost died of mortification!" She wiped the tears from her smiling face. "But that is strange you must admit. You can't see these car keys right?"

Rosette and Chrono heard the jingle and her hand stretched out, but both shook their heads no.

"But you can see my uniform?" Mary clarified.

"Yep," Rosette answered with smug assurance, but then thought about that. She turned to Chrono. "How come?"

Chrono shrugged. "Does there have to be a reason? It's been that way for thousands of years. I think since Adam's fall."

"Fair enough," Rosette decided.

A car honked as it passed them making them all jump from the harsh sound. Rosette somewhat glared at the retreating form of the floating man.

"So…" Chrono looked around. "Where are we going?"

Mary's smile returned. "Last stop for today! I had a little extra saved up and thought I'd take you both out for some coffee and cake at Caffe Pugliese here on First Avenue! Your favorite!"

Rosette visibly lit up, while Chrono withered inside. 'It just had to be that cafe,' he mourned.

"Well then!" Rosette perked up. "Let's get going already!"

Mary grasped her elbow and began leading her from the parking lot towards the sidewalk. Chrono was happy at least that Rosette was finally shifting her focus to something more constructive, as he extended his blind man's staff, but he still wasn't pleased with where they were going. Carefully he followed behind them.

"I love that little Italian Café!" Mary prattled on. "They always have the best pastries around! I love their coffee too. Oh, I'm so glad Mr. Remington told us about it!"

"Oh me too!" Rosette agreed as she worked to sniff the air like a bloodhound. She wanted to know the moment they were there. "I can't wait to get an apple strudel!"

"Oh that sounds good! What are you going to order Chrono?" Mary asked over her shoulder.

Rosette answered for him despite now only half listening as she concentrated on walking the path that other pedestrians ahead of her were taking and sniffing the air in search of wonderful sweet and doughy smells. "Oh, he won't go inside," she nonchalantly informed. "Never has. Never will."

"What?" Mary exclaimed. "How come Chrono?"

"Who knows? He won't answer you," Rosette answered again for him. "I've tried for years to get him to go inside with me, but he refuses. I once even tried to drag him in, but he became dead weight on the sidewalk, so I just gave up after that." Rosette snorted as she got a big whiff of a man's cigar. There was too much exhaust, cigarette and powerful perfumes swirling around her to give her anything but the start of a headache.

"Wow! Rosette you never give up on anything." Looking back over her shoulder Chrono didn't seem any different than his usual odd self. He just seemed to be slightly miffed if anything. "What do you have against old Mr. Paolo's café?" she asked bewildered.

Chrono was working hard on staying alert while trying to focus on walking as dignified as possible, though blind. "I don't have anything against it," was all he felt like saying.

"BREAD!" Rosette yelled, startling a businessman from his hurried pace. "I can smell it!"

"Yep," Mary beamed. "It's just a few shops up ahead." She led them safely across another intersection feeling very proud of her self. The cool shadow of the three story brick building fell over them as they continued on. A far off news boy was hollering about the current headlines doing his best to sell papers. There must not have been anything noteworthy that week because his hollering was all about the fallout from the World War overseas. Rosette was happily sniffing the air with excited anticipation until she saw it. Rosettes smile faltered and her pace slowed.

"Um, Mary. We wouldn't happen to be going to that shop now are we?" Rosette pointed up ahead. She stopped walking all together.

"Wow Rosette you're right!" Mary said awestruck once again. "How did you guess?"

Chrono's shoulders sagged as he let his head fall back. 'Here we go.'

A big smile crept into Rosette's face. "Because there are six angels in that one!"

"What? Really!"

"Yep! Two out front, three inside and one on the roof I think," she guessed.

Mary wasn't sure what to think about that. Her last encounter with a new angel directly resulted in an awestruck moment the young blond wasn't sure her heart would be able to withstand again anytime soon.

Rosette on the other hand didn't think twice and forged ahead waving her stick back and forth.

Mary jerked forward to keep instep and made sure Rosette would avoid the fold out billboard sign in her path as they made it to the shop. Chrono slowly followed and stopped just shy of the door front which Chrono knew were framed with two body guard like angels from the start. He openly sighed from the eagerness of his partner.

"Hello!" Rosette enthusiastically greeted the moment she reached the shop.

She received no response.

"I said hello." Rosette waved a hand back and forth dramatically.

"Why is she saying hello to the front door?" the Greek looking angel in full armor asked his partner.

"How should I know," the Arab looking angel in Eastern armor replied. He was slightly on guard with Chrono nearby and kept his hand on the hilt of his sword just in case.

"Um, yes," Rosette waved. "I'm talking to you. My name is Rosette Christopher. What's your names?"

The two angels stared blankly at the busty nun before them confused.

"But it really seems like she can," the Greek marveled.

Chrono internally rolled his eyes. "Guys, she can see you."

They both looked at Chrono incredulously.

"Seriously?"

Chrono didn't bother answering the angel. He just retracted his staff, slip the device into his pocket, and folded his arms. He was going to be there awhile for sure.

"Wow, okay." The Greek looking angel processed that. "Spirit Vision and hearing… Hello. My apologies for the rudeness. I am Seth and this here is Nathan."

"Nice to meet some new angels!" Rosette stated. "Mary, the two guys here are Seth and Nathan," Rosette relayed unnecessarily.

Mary just blankly nodded. As far as she knew, they were just a couple of crazy nuns talking to the building. It wasn't like she could hear or see God's Holy messengers.

"So what are you guys doing here?" Rosette asked. "Have you always been here at the Café?"

"We guard this stronghold from evil," Seth answered easily; happy to talk to someone new despite having seen this girl come and go in the past. "The woman here, Mrs. Antoinette DeRobertis, is a Prayer Warrior," Seth said proudly.

"Antoinette is?" Rosette marveled.

"Antoinette is what?" Mary asked worried.

Rosette laughed and padded Mary on the back just a bit too roughly. "Cheer up Mary! Angels are here protecting Antoinette because she's a Prayer Warrior. Nothing for you to worry about."

"I guess," she said still unsure.

"OH! Hey guys, does Mrs. Antoinette know you're here?"

Chrono perked up and took a nervous step forward. "Now Rosette," he warned, but one of those I'm-going-to-do-as-I-please-damned-the-consequences look crossed her face and she was off before Chrono could utter another word.

"Rosette wait!"

Rosette bolted forward and found the doorknob easily. A jingle of a bell marked her entry as Mary quickly followed in after her.

"Rosette!" Chrono moved forward causing the angels to draw their swords, however he surprised them by side stepping to the left, finding the cake viewing window he had remembered was there instead, and began tapping on the glass. "Rosette! We don't do things this way! Rosette!" he banged on the window again. "Rosette, THEY don't do things this way! …Rosette! Come on Rosette… ROSETTE!" Chrono exasperated, visibly gave up as he banged his head against the glass. "OUCH, ouch, ouch, ouch…" he sunk to the ground cradling his poor sensitive head. He had forgotten about the still raw developing cross on his forehead. This was not turning out to be a good day, he internally growled. "At least get me some MACAROONS!" he yelled back.

Seth smiled and sheathed his sword, while Nathan kept his drawn just in case. Chrono never had been a threat before, but that didn't change what he was. He was a demon who could never earn their trust, but at least he was amusing.

Back inside, Rosette felt along the countertop in a beeline to the woman working at the end. It just so happened to be Mrs. Antoinette working today to Rosette's delight. Antoinette was Pablo's daughter-in-law and an overall wonderful woman. The only other person in the room, besides the three angels in the corner, was Mrs. Ross. The wrinkly old Irish woman was a regular there at the Café and at mass as well. Nearly deaf, but always there with a sure smile, a good book, and a cup of tea.

"Hello Mrs. Antoinette! Mrs. Ross!" Rosette boisterously greeted. Mrs. Ross didn't even look up from her novel while the Italian woman seemed concern with the grown man banging on her window.

"Um… dear, there seems to be a man trying to get ahold of you," she pointed just as Chrono seem to smack his head against the glass.

"Oh that's just Chrono," Rosette waved off uncaringly. "He'll be fine."

Her eyes grew wide. "THAT'S Chrono?" she asked confused. The last time she saw that boy loitering outside was about seven or eight months ago. Not nearly enough time to grow into a full size man.

Mary elbowed Rosette warningly.

"Hn, OH no, no, no, no. That's Chrono Sr. Chrono's father… um, visiting," Rosette quickly covered.

"Then why will he not come in?" she asked still confused.

Out of the corner of Rosette's trained eye she noticed how the angels in the back seemed to stand a bit taller. Invite a demon into a stronghold?

"No, no, he's fine. He's like his son. Can't resist sweets. It's better to resist temptation by staying outside. I mean your family DOES make the best sweets in all of New York! Am I right Sister Mary?" Rosette laughed off.

"Um, yes. The best!" she agreed. Mary long since lost a grasp of the moment and was just trying to keep up with her friends thought process (or lack thereof).

"Ah, if you say so. Well it has been a while. What can I get you lovely girls?"

"I take an apple strudel and Mr. Chrono will have some macaroons," Rosette ordered as she honestly had no problem hearing her partner outside.

"Okay," she said as she turned to begin filling a paper bag. "These were made fresh just a few hours ago, but dear, why are your eyes shut honey?" Antoinette asked concerned. She felt the exchange was rather odd today as she filled the order.

"Um, well I kind of was in an accident. I've been blinded, but I hope to regain my sight someday," Rosette smiled sincerely. She didn't want to make a big deal out of it and cause worry. She'd rather laugh it off as an adventure, something different, a new challenge to conquer, than to make a friend uncomfortable or feel sorry for her. "But on to more important things!" Rosette leaned in close over the counter. "Do you know that there are SIX ANGELS guarding this shop and your family's apartments up above it?"

"Oh my," Antoinette smiled. "That would be something wouldn't it," she dreamed.

"No it's true!" Rosette insisted. "The two angels out front told me you were a Prayer Warrior for the faith and that's why they work hard to keep watch over you and your family!" she eagerly informed.

"Now that would be a wondrous thing indeed," the wiser woman marveled. It was a hard thing to imagine out right, but she did have faith.

"Um Rosette," Mary interrupted. "How about I order some pastries for our friends back at the compound while you have a talk with the other angels."

"OH RIGHT!" As if she had forgotten her not so secret mission to get information about herself. "On it."

Mary and Antoinette then watched Rosette turn towards the back corner and navigate her way through the tables. What were they supposed to think of that? Mary just gave a nervous laugh and shrugged. Rosette was just too much for her to handle.

"Hello gentlemen!" Rosette greeted as she scooted around the last table in her way. "It's nice to meet you. Seth and Nathan outside seemed nice too. My name is-"

"Sister Rosette Christopher," the tallest man in the middle answered for her. He smiled down at the teenager before him. She was such a spirited girl; bold and unafraid. He had heard many good things about her efforts in San Francisco as well as for the city all around them. "I had hoped to have warned my men here of your arrival prior to you getting here, but alas I was just a few minutes too late," he smiled warmly.

"Warn them, hn," Rosette put her hands on her hips in playful banter. "I'm not that bad am I?"

He gave a short laugh. "No, of course not, however I had hoped you wouldn't say anything to those here about our presence. Faith is strongest when we remain unseen."

Rosette folded her arms and gave a look. She wasn't so sure.

The angels chuckled. She was adorable in their eyes.

The angel on the right seemed like he could be African perhaps. It was hard to guess being only able to see different shades of yellow for these guys. The angel on the left was very oriental looking. His armor was something Rosette had only ever seen once in a book the orphanage had. However, the man in the middle seemed different from everyone else Rosette had yet seen. He was some sort of European, yet his armor seemed indescribable in design almost like he came from the sun or something. She felt a bit silly standing before such tall and powerful looking beings. Why had she thought all angels would look the same? If God had made many different kinds of people, wouldn't there be many different kinds of angels?

"My name is Armoth," the African introduced himself.

"And I am Signa," the Asian said.

"It's nice to meet you."

"And I, dear one, am Tal. Armoth," he turned to the African, "I must be going. Let me know if conditions change immediately."

"Will do Captain. Safe travels."

The two angels locked arms as a farewell, then Tal released his hidden wings and shot up through the ceiling.

"Wait!" Rosette reached up in vain. "That guy was a Captain?"

Signa nodded. "Yes, he's not stationed here. He simply had stopped by."

Rosette stomped her foot in frustration. Sneaky. He had left before she could ask any questions. "I don't suppose you guys know why I'm blind, but have Spirit Vision now do you?"

Both clearly had no idea.

"Sorry Miss," Armoth shrugged. "We personally aren't tracking your situation at present."

Rosette nodded and left it at that. She was no fool. She was quickly learning that there were many things about Chrono's world and the ways of Heaven that she never knew. It was a humbling experience. "That's okay. Well, I'll see you around then." Rosette turned to work her way back to the front.

"Allow me," Signa stepped forward. "Follow my lead."

Rosette then followed the angel, perfectly weaving around all the chairs and tables, to Mary's wonder. Mary had just finished paying for all the goodies and was waiting with the stuffed large paper bag.

"Ready Rosette?" she asked.

Rosette was content at least with her lot at the moment and held out her hands for the bag to free up Mary to get the door. "Yep! Let's go rescue Chrono from the glares I'm sure he's getting from Nathan."

Mary passed off the bag as they both giggled at the thought. The doorbell jingled as they exited and Rosette was once again assaulted by the sounds and smells of the downtown New York streets.

"Have a good time?" Chrono asked as he stood up from the sidewalk. He never could hear anything inside to his annoyance do to the special barrier that was up around this place.

"Yes we did!" Rosette said smugly.

"We got your macaroons," Mary informed.

Chrono offered his thanks to Mary, but then looked back to Rosette. She was silent and ridged as her gaze was fixed across the street. Alarm surged through Chrono, as he whipped his head around. Sure enough there, on the other side, stood a businessman with his hands in his pockets nonchalantly staring back at them… a man whose soul was blood red.

Conflict will now begin to surface! What has been lurking in the shadows will start to be brought to light. I'm going to enjoy re-writing this next scene!

Till next time!

TBC…