Disclaimer: The Fallen series and Unforgiven are copyrighted to and belongs to Lauren Kate. All characters belong to her (But Cam belongs with me, too. ) I'm just playing in her sandbox and receive no financial gain from this.

CHAPTER ONE: PERFECT MELODY

CAM

Cam still couldn't believe he was back at Sword and Cross.

He might have acted confident about the whole Lucifer ordeal, but there was one point during his time in Crossroads when he thought he would lose and never get to see this place again. He never expected that this place would be special; it used to be just another stage for the same old performance they have been doing for thousands of years… But now it was so much more than that.

Sword and Cross was the place where he met Lucinda in her last, cursed life; it was where they found out that everything had changed; it was the place where he decided to go correct whatever mistakes he had made. It was a place of second chances.

And now, right here, holding Lilith's hand; it was the happiest place on Earth.

She was facing him now, her face etched with confusion. Her lips were parted in what he knew would be a bunch of questions about the place, that he couldn't help but smile and lean closer to her. He wanted to kiss her, right now. His shoulder brushed hers, and just when their noses were almost touching…

"Hey there, lovebirds," a high-pitched female voice said in a teasing tone. "Missed me?"

Cam let out an exasperated sigh and turned towards the direction of the voice. Arriane Alter was leaning against a parking bollard, a wicked grin playing on her pale lips. She had grown her hair longer, compare to her shaved 'do just a few moments ago in Crossroads. She was wearing the usual Sword and Cross dress code – black jeans, black top and black boots. On her wrists were some leather cuffs, and one he recognized as the school's tracking wristband.

"Arri," he said in an evidently annoyed tone. "We're busy now. Can we ignore you another time?"

He could hear Lilith laughing softly beside him that he couldn't help but smile, his annoyance evaporating in the process. He squeezed her hand tenderly before he shifted his attention to Arriane. "What do you want, Arri?" he asked.

"Well, I need you to get to class before Mr. Cole shows up," Arriane explained as she tapped her chin with her pointer finger. "And I'll go ahead and give a tour to my new girl right here!"

"Wait… Me?" Lilith asked with a completely lost look on her face.

"Yes, you!" Arriane squealed as she hooked her arm around hers. "We're going to have so much fun!"

Cam couldn't help but groan. "What are you talking about? She doesn't even go here."

"That's what you think," Arriane said with a big smile. "While you were busy thinking of ways to win Lilith back and pitching coffee cups on devil's faces, let's just say Roland and I paid another visit to Tarkenton's office. Aside from that real nice pig paperweight I took from his desk, we also took her school records and submitted them here."

Cam frowned at the mention of Roland's name. He went after Lucifer, and he wasn't certain they would see each other again. Roland and Arriane… They have done a lot for him. And he wouldn't be able to thank them enough.

"Cammie…" Arriane cooed as she waved her hand in front of him. "Are you listening? You should go to class! It's the first day after winter break."

"Or I can ditch it," he replied with an arrogant smirk. "That's what I always do anyway."

"Eenk! Not this time," she replied before giving him a light shove. "I still have to help Lilith change her clothes into reform school chic and bring her to Randy."

"I can do that myself, you know," he argued, crossing his arms. He didn't want to leave Lilith yet. He only just got her back. Just thinking of losing her from his line of vision was excruciating. "You should go to class."

"Sorry, brother," Arriane said with a big smile. "I have a doctor's note. See?" She showed him a hastily written note and shoved him once more. "I'm excused from classes until lunchtime!"

"You forged that," he accused her. "I know you."

"And you have no proof!" she replied confidently, sticking her tongue out.

Cam ran his hand through his hair in frustration. Arriane just wouldn't give. He opened his mouth to argue when he felt Lilith's hand on his shoulder.

"I'll be fine," she said with an encouraging smile. "You should go."

"But…"

"But what?" she asked, her blue eyes boring into his.

He shrugged and pulled her for a hug. He could hear her heartbeat matching his, and there never was a more wonderful sound. It was a song. Their hearts beating together as one. He closed his eyes, and said, "I love you."

"Sappy," Arriane commented. "Move along, lover boy!"

Lilith tapped him on the shoulder and said, "I love you, too. Now I think you should go before Arriane creates a ruckus."

He sighed and released her. "Okay. Promise me we'll have lunch together later?"

"I promise."

He could hear the smile in Lilith's voice, and it was more than enough to make his stomach flip flop with happiness. He pressed his forehead against hers, an easy smile etched on his face. He had never been happier. He reached into the pocket of his leather jacket and pulled out a green guitar pick, with the number 44 printed on it.

"This is my room number. Come by anytime."

"Is that your standard pick up line for potential girlfriends here at Sword and Cross?" Lilith asked in a teasing tone, as she took the guitar pick from him.

"Not really," he chuckled as he pushed her lightly towards Arriane.

He watched as the two girls made their way towards a distant cinder-block building. They haven't gotten far when he decided to call Arriane's attention.

"Arri!"

The skinny, dark-haired angel turned to face him and yelled, "What?"

"Take care of her for me!"

He heard Arri giggle and with a shrill voice replied, "Don't I always?"

He chuckled and shook his head as he made her way to Augustine. After thousands of years of existence, he had never been more thankful for their friendship.