Time seemed to pass like a flowing river and she was in the middle of it, being pushed and pulled, the world moving around her, while she remained unyielding, like a statue. The heavens whirled overhead, stars dying in brilliant, colorful deaths and birthing new galaxies with their next breaths.

She lifted her hand slowly, watching as it cut through the air, particles shedding around it in a rainbow of colors that her mind could barely comprehend. She wiggled her fingers slowly and exhaled in amazement as the particles spread, glowing brightly as they moved outward towards the river banks and trees.

She smiled leisurely, watching as the world around her changed. The trees along the riverbank wavered and shattered, their dust floating in the air until it coalesced and reformed into broken and ruined houses, the floral smelling grass disappearing into shrubby desert land.

Sorrow seeped into her heart at the sight of her surroundings.

The last time she had been here…

She inhaled sharply, pain rippling through her body, pain so intense she thought she would rip into a million pieces and still be saturated with agony…

She had died.

The world around her shattered like glass, pieces of the sky falling to the ground to fracture into a billion irretrievable pieces, the shards flaying her skin into a bloody pulp.

She screamed, a wordless agony, her voice echoing through time.

Gabriel sat up, a sheen of sweat covering his chest, panting softly. The nightmare had been almost too real. Devery had stood in a river, surrounded by beautiful trees, branches gently shuddering in the wind as she looked around in wonder.

She had lifted her hand and watched as the world around her shattered, the pieces of it turning to dust as they fractured around her and turned into the dusty, wasted landscape of Mallory.

Then, before he could get to her and save her, she had screamed, high and agonized until it rippled through his consciousness and forced him awake.

He swallowed hard and ran a hand over his face, trying to scrub away the memory of the bad dream, his mouth filled with a horrible taste. Whether that was from the dream or the over abundance of alcohol he had consumed of late, he didn't care to speculate.

Rolling over on the bed of palm leaves he had made for himself he stumbled outside and watched as the waves crashed into the beach, his head nearly splitting open from his hangover. He began to wonder if what he had dreamed could be real, if wherever Devery was, he had seen her.

God had told him she would be back.

It had been a month since her visit, and he hadn't hear anything since; the island had remained as deserted as it had been when he had first arrived, and he had continued to drink himself into a stupor every day and night, trying to forget, trying not to hope.

Slowly though, hope began to spring within him anew, and he began to consider the value of returning to Mallory.

He watched as the tide rose and fell, ebbed and flowed, the sun growing higher in the sky and sinking, his thoughts flowing with the tide. As the sun slipped below the horizon he slowly slid his armor back on and hooked his cape around his shoulders, his fingers fumbling with the now unfamiliar clasps.

He looked around at the beach one last time and heaved a slow sigh, resigned to the idea that he wouldn't be coming back.

If she wasn't in Mallory…he would end it.

The dirt shifted beneath Gabriel's boots as he landed, his palms sweaty with anxiety. Every flap of his wings that had brought him closer to this point had made him worry that he was placing himself in a position to be hurt further, and if he was honest with himself, he didn't think he had much left in him to withstand more pain.

He walked slowly through the ruins of Mallory, observing how the passage of time and the elements had further destroyed the town. The crater where the missile had landed had begun to fill in, the earth slowly reclaiming the land.

His steps carried him through the town until he came to the edge of the crater, the tips of his boots just barely brushing over the rim and into the sandy dirt. He peered around cautiously, looking for some sign that Devery had returned.

The wind ruffled the hair at the base of his neck and he shivered; there was an expectant feeling in the air, as though something large was coming. The air within the crater began to swirl, dirt and debris rising to form a wind tunnel that spun faster and faster, the air shrieking around it.

Gabriel stumbled back as the wind tunnel spun and shook, shrieking and howling. He watched with wide eyes as long, slim limbs appeared between the whirling bits of debris and dirt. Abruptly the wind ceased and the air grew so silent Gabriel could hear each harsh breath that he drew, his heart pounding.

He could barely believe the sight before him.

Devery hung, suspended in the air, her pale limbs bare and her long black hair dangled away from her face, her eyes closed in a silent expression of peace. Cautiously he stepped forward, his heart thrumming so fast he thought he was going to be sick.

He took gentle, wary steps forward, so afraid that she would fall from the air and be hurt before he could get to her. She remained floating, however, until he stepped close and stared down at her, his eyes wide with amazement.

Her body was freckled with the brand marks he had been so familiar with, though now there were significantly less. Her skin was pale and smooth in large swaths, and he could see the gentle rise and fall of her chest, indicating that she was, in fact, alive.

His breath shuddered out of his chest as he stared down at her, panicked joy swirling through him. Slowly he leaned in and wrapped his arms around her, letting out a soft gasp when their skin connected.

She fell into his arms and he cradled her close, tears burning in his eyes. They dripped out slowly and pattered against the soft skin of her face, glistening like pearls.

"You're getting me wet."

Gabriel inhaled sharply and looked down into her face, a disbelieving smile breaking out on his face when he saw her eyes were open and she was smiling faintly at him. Hysterical laughter bubbled out of his chest and he pulled her tightly against him as he fell to his knees, a sob of joy shuddering out of him.

Devery's arms wound around his neck, holding him tightly, her face buried in the crook of his shoulder as they both cried softly. Gabriel could feel her heart beating rapidly under his palm on her back and he stroked over her spine slowly, trying to convince his stunned mind that she was actually real and here in his hands.

When Devery shivered in his arms Gabriel pulled back from her and unclasped his cloak, draping it over her gently. She smiled softly at him and pulled the edges around her, lifting her hand to his cheek, "You look tired," she murmured.

He lifted a shoulder carelessly, a grim smile on his face, "I couldn't sleep without you," he replied, his brow furrowed with emotion.

Devery felt her heart sink at his words and her fingers brushed gently against his cheek, "Oh Gabriel," she murmured, her eyes filled with sorrow. She shifted in his lap and gazed intently at him, "How long have I been gone?" she asked softly.

He swallowed hard and gave her a weak smile, "Five months," he told her, the agony of every one of the 152 days she had been gone rippling through him. His hands tightened on her unconsciously, holding her closer.

Shock rippled through Devery; how had she been gone that long? She gazed around in confusion, looking at the ruins of Mallory surrounding them and then back to Gabriel's face where she could see lines etched deeply by grief.

"Let's get out of here," she murmured, smiling softly at him. He nodded sharply and gathered her in his arms, spreading his wings and lifting them into the air. She watched as the ground fell away and the world soared beneath them, the wind whistling in her ears.

Gabriel flew north, away from Mallory as fast as possible, carrying Devery close.

Devery sat cross legged on her bed, listening to the shower run.

When Gabriel had landed in front of the house they had taken refuge in on their journey back from the North Pole she had been astounded until he had entered the security code and pushed open the door with a wide smile, "Welcome home," he had murmured.

It warmed her to think that this could be their home, together.

She was surprised to feel neither hunger nor exhaustion, but she supposed that being dead had more to do with that than anything else. Gabriel had been worried while they flew that she would be cold, or hungry, or tired, but she had found herself warmed by being close to him, fed by his touch, and alert with anticipation.

She was still slightly stunned at the realization that she was alive and back with Gabriel, and that she had managed to kill Lucifer. Gabriel had told her that Noma and Alex were dead as well, despite not being in the house when the missile fell.

The water shut off and a few moments later the bathroom door opened in a waft of steam, ushering out Gabriel, a towel wrapped around his waist. He smiled warmly at her and strode across the room, resting a knee on the bed beside her, his hands pinioning the mattress at her hips, his face just inches from her own.

She couldn't fight the smile that spread across her face as he leaned in and brushed his lips across her cheek, the action so sweet and tender it surprised her. His nose bumped against hers as he brushed his lips across hers in a light, sparing kiss that ignited a fire under her skin.

"I thought you would never come back," he whispered, his voice broken with emotion as he swallowed hard, his throat working to fight against tears.

"Shh, I'm here," she whispered, pressing her lips against his firmly, her chest tight with emotion. She lifted a hand to rest against his chest, feeling his heart beat rapidly against her palm. Her fingers dug into his skin gently as she kissed him, trying to assure them both that she was real and wasn't going to disappear if he simply let go.

Gabriel shuddered against her and a breath later he rolled, pulling her tightly against him, his hand sliding up her back to hold her firmly against his body. Her hands clutched at him as she kissed him with fervor, a moan sliding from deep in her throat.

Devery pulled away, panting softly, to smile at him and ran a hand over his chest, "I missed you," she confided. Her brow furrowed gently, "I sort of thought you would be with Michael and Uriel, running things in Vega," she murmured.

"I don't give a shit about Vega. I don't care what's happening there unless you're there," he replied, brushing back her dark silky hair, smiling wryly at her.

Devery lifted a brow, "What would you have done if I had never come back?" she asked with trepidation.

Gabriel stared at her uneasily for a long moment and then smiled grimly, "I think you know," he replied softly.

Devery struggled to control her breathing at his confession, her heart constricting in her chest. The idea of Gabriel killing himself sent a chill through her that left her breathless. She shook her head vehemently, "You can't ever do that," she urged, "I need to know that you won't ever do that when I die someday," she murmured seriously.

Gabriel frowned at her, "I don't want to be without you," he sighed, his eyes dark with sorrow. "I've already done it for five months and it nearly drove me mad," he told her softly, shaking his head.

"If you understood the agony I felt at losing you," he whispered in a broken voice, his face creased with sorrow, and looked away, trying to hide the tears in his eyes. Devery placed her hands on his cheeks and gently turned his face back towards her, her thumbs stroking his cheekbones.

"Don't hide your grief from me," she whispered, her heart aching. "Don't ever hide who you are from me Gabriel, because it's who you are that I fell in love with," she murmured urgently. Tears broke out in her eyes and her throat grew thick with emotion.

"Don't you ever doubt that we'll be together, forever," Devery whispered, tears blinking out of her eyes as she smiled waveringly at him. Gabriel exhaled harshly and blinked tears out of his own eyes, drawing her close for a passionate kiss that had her arching into him, sinking her fingers into his warm, muscled flesh.

Gabriel pushed at the hem of her shirt, tugging on it until they had to break apart, sharing a brief grin before he tossed it aside and leaned back in to kiss her, their bare chests pressed together. Devery hissed in pleasure as Gabriel's teeth nipped at the delicate skin behind her ear, his hands cupping her waist and holding her close.

His mouth moved slowly over her neck, savoring the taste of her once more. He had thought for a time he would never hold her like this again, breathless with desire in his arms, murmuring his name in encouragement.

He palmed one of her breasts, rubbing his battle calloused thumb over her nipple until it hardened and she was mewling with pleasure, her back arching into his touch. His mouth replaced his thumb a moment later, his other hand moving to cup the opposite breast, working to pleasure her further.

Devery slid her fingers through his hair and slid her hips against his, seeking friction. She had missed this, she realized, though she couldn't rightly remember her time being dead, she felt an ache in her heart when she thought of it.

Gabriel touched and teased her until she was wet with anticipation and panting with desire, her fingers raking down his back, her hips eagerly rolling into his. His lips trailed wetly down her abdomen to the band of her pants, nipping at the skin of her hips until she was breathless with need.

His fingers curled into her waistband and yanked her pants down, tossing them aside along with her underwear before he continued his trailing kisses, his fingers massaging into her thighs, spreading them apart as his teeth nipped into her outer thigh.

Devery trembled under his touch and arched, gasping out his name softly, begging for more. Gabriel slid his hands higher, grasping her hips and holding her down as his lips closed over her wet center, his tongue stroking over her repeatedly.

Pleasure built in her belly, hot and heavy, her eyes sliding shut and her fingers twisting in his hair, holding him in place as her hips writhed against his mouth. Gabriel grunted softly and dug his fingers into her hips, pleasure thrumming through him at the sounds she was making.

His gaze traveled over her body, watching as her breasts heaved with pleasure, her nipples pearled and her skin flushed. Her head was thrown back as she moaned, her hips rolling against his mouth.

Gabriel lapped at her clit eagerly, sliding one of his hands down to curl two fingers into her, smirking against her as she whined in pleasure. Gods, he wanted to stay this way with her forever.

He wanted the taste of her always in his mouth, the feel of her trembling body forever in his hands, and the sound of her hoarse voice crying out his name always in his ears. Her fingers tugged on his hair and it sent a bolt of pleasure straight through him, his cock throbbing within the confines of his towel.

He felt her silky heat fluttering around him as he stroked the rough patch of nerves within her, urging her faster towards her orgasm. Her legs trembled near his face, her back arching off the sheets as she cried out, "Oh Gabriel!"

As she trembled and gasped he pulled away, tugging off his towel and tossing it aside. When he knelt over her, Devery wrapped her hands around his waist eagerly and drew him close for a hot, passionate kiss that left them both even more breathless.

Her hips arched against his cock, teasing him with her slick heat and he groaned, "I…I can't wait Devery," he panted, rolling his hips back against her, "I need to be inside you," he gasped against her lips.

She tugged at his bottom lip and nodded sharply, "I need you too," she whispered, her voice hoarse.

His teeth nipped at the skin of her neck, enjoying her soft gasps for a moment before he angled his hips and thrust into her, groaning at her heat sheathing him so tightly, so perfectly. It was like coming home, he decided remotely as he began thrusting into her, his mouth still sampling her skin.

Devery wrapped her legs around Gabriel's arching her hips up into his powerful thrusts, her fingers digging into his bicep and back. A fine sheen of sweat broke out on her chest as they moved against each other, time seeming to fall away until there was nothing but their two bodies coming together, pleasure building with each touch, kiss, and thrust.

Gabriel pulled her closer and rolled so he lay under her, his hands firmly on her hips, holding her in place as he thrust up into her, watching as she shuddered and gasped. Her hands reached down to brace against his chest, her fingernails scraping into his skin in a bite that was blissfully painful.

He guided her slowly up and down his shaft, his breath coming shorter as he felt her tightening around him, her walls spasming in pleasure. Devery moaned and dug her nails into him harder, "Oh Gabriel…please…harder!" she pled.

He complied by sitting up and pulling her harder against him, enjoying her gasp as her clit ground into his pelvis. Devery wound her arms around his shoulders, rolling her hips down against Gabriel's as he thrust up, his cock hitting that oh so delightful spot within her so that she cried out his name.

She felt like every inch of her was on fire with pleasure, everywhere that Gabriel touched her burned, but she wanted more. One of her hands curled through his hair and she tugged, urging him on, "Harder Gabriel," she gasped.

He complied readily, his breath gasping against her skin as he pounded into her, the bed shuddering underneath them. She whined and leaned back, arching into his movements, her fingers curled tightly into his hair for support.

Gabriel leaned in and captured her nipple with his teeth, tugging on it until she bucked and cried out, her hips faltering as pleasure shattered her. He sucked the nipple into his mouth for a moment and then tugged on it again, listening to her moans as he repeated the action on the other breast.

Devery reached down and began rubbing furiously on her clit, desperate for release. She cried out Gabriel's name needily as they moved together, their bodies twisting together in a sheen of sweat and sex.

Gabriel was close now, his balls aching with fiery pleasure as Devery's heat throbbed around him. "Devery…I'm going…" he could barely speak he was so short of breath, his body burning from exertion.

She nodded and rubbed harder on her clit, her eyes sliding shut as she cried out, her body bucking and arching against him. He felt it a moment later when she came, heat flooding him and coating her thighs.

Devery gasped out his name as she came, burning starlight glaring behind her closed lids as Gabriel continued to thrust into her, his soft grunts accompanying his hoarse rasps of her name. They clung together as she trembled and he thrust into that heat that so perfectly captured him.

His hips canted hard into her a few thrusts later, and he stiffened, spilling himself into her with a cry, his face cradled against the crook of her neck. Devery clung to him, her heart pounding in her chest as he pressed a kiss to the sweaty base of her throat.

Gabriel's fingers trailed over her lower back, skimming up slowly and sending shivers over her still sweaty skin. He lifted his head and met her dazed eyes, a tired smile creeping across his lips.

"Welcome back," he murmured.

Devery laughed softly and shook her head at him, leaning in to brush a kiss against his lips. "That was a good welcoming," she replied hoarsely. She slid from his lap and curled beneath the blankets, tugging on his bicep until he followed her.

His arms curled around her waist and pulled her close, smiling when she reached up to brush back the sweaty hair that had flopped into his eyes. Her fingers trailed over his face slowly, running over the sharp lines of his cheekbones before gliding down to touch gently at his full lower lip.

He watched her as she touched him, a soft curiosity in her face.

"If someone had told me when I was 16 that I would fall in love with the same angel who had very nearly killed me and destroyed my life," she laughed softly, a look of disbelief on her face, "I would have thought they were mad," she confided.

Fear plucked at his heart; did she regret loving him?

It must have shown in his face because she smiled reassuringly, tapping her finger against his lip, "But I think everything that happened was necessary. We needed to meet each other, to get to know each other, to understand each other and our pain, before we could ever find ourselves on even footing; before we could ever learn to trust each other," she murmured.

Gabriel lifted a brow, "You trust me?" he asked, his voice colored with surprise. After everything they had been through together, good and awful, he had no idea how she could possibly trust him. He wanted her to, he wanted to be someone she relied on, not just someone she could fuck and feel good with.

Devery heard the hesitance and worry in his voice and paused for a moment; did she trust him? He had fought alongside her, nearly giving up his own life in the process of killing Lucifer, but he had never seemed to regret it.

In fact, if anything, he seemed happy to help her, so long as they remained together. He wanted her to trust him, and the only reason she could see for that desire was his love of her.

She stroked her thumb over his cheek and smiled softly, "I do now," she whispered, "With my life," she assured him.

Gabriel felt his heart stutter in his chest at the simple words and gathered her close, burying his face in her neck, too overcome to speak. She swallowed hard and ran her fingers through his long locks, inhaling the sweet, salty smell of him against her skin.

They lay together like that until they both began to relax, drifting to sleep in each other's arms.

Devery sat on the front porch of the house, watching as a light rain pattered down on the grass and pines surrounding the house. She had a flannel blanket wrapped around her shoulders and a mug of tea warming her hands, but in truth she didn't really feel the chill in the air.

It had been a month since she had come back from the dead and in that time she had seen both Michael and Uriel for short visits, but neither she nor Gabriel were inclined to leave this house which had so recently become a sanctuary for them.

Nearly every day Gabriel would wake her with breakfast in bed, a slow, languorous round of love making followed by a rigorous session of training on various weapons. It was a routine that was keeping them busy and well-trained, but she worried…things had been peaceful since she had killed Lucifer, why did they need to keep training?

It felt like they were inviting bad luck back into their lives, which she knew instinctively was stupid, but something kept shivering over her spine, a foreboding feeling that she couldn't shake.

She felt like…they weren't done.

"How very astute of you my Knight," a soft measured voice murmured.

Devery flinched and looked up to find a familiar form standing before her. God had chosen a female form this time, an older woman with grey streaks in her dark hair, her coppery skin seeming to shine in the grey afternoon light.

Devery swallowed and set aside her mug of tea, rising slowly to her feet, feeling absolutely naked without any weapons on her hips or thighs. The only thing she carried was a sabre clip knife tucked into the waistband of her pants at the small of her back, and she hardly thought that would be enough if she decided to attack God.

God smirked and leaned against the railing of the front porch, watching her with a thoughtful expression. "You wouldn't get an inch before I would smite you," she confirmed softly.

Devery pulled the flannel blanket tighter around her shoulders and smiled grimly, "If you're here you must want something," she sneered, "Whatever can I do for you?" she asked sarcastically.

God laughed wryly, "You can do what you were born to do Knight; save this world. Your work is not finished."

Devery felt a dark foreboding swelling within her at God's words and looked out at the misty yard, fear and anger nearly choking her. "What does that mean?" she demanded softly.

"It means your days of rest are over."

"Hush, little baby, don't say a word,

Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird.

If that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.

If that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's going to buy you a looking glass.

If that looking glass gets broke,
Mama's going to buy you a billy goat.

If that billy goat won't pull,
Mama's going to buy you a cart and bull.

If that cart and bull turn over,
Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover.

If that dog named Rover won't bark,
Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart.

If that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little boy in town.

So hush little baby, don't you cry,
Daddy loves you and so do I."

The soft whimpers of the baby slowly died away as the last refrains of the song quieted on Noma's lips. She smiled beatifically down at her son as she laid him in his crib, his small chest rising and falling, his rosebud lips puckered as though he was still nursing.

If Lucifer hadn't taken another woman under his wing and cast an illusion on her so strong that it fooled the rest of the angelic hosts and humanity, Noma most certainly would be dead. Alex and the fake Noma had died in the bomb blast in Mallory while she was hidden away, kept safe by Lucifer's powers.

She had felt it when Lucifer had been killed, the child within her thrashing at the death of its father.

She brushed at his fine black hair and smiled softly, "Daddy loves you and will be back to see you soon," she whispered.

AN: Well...that's it! This story of Devery and Gabriel is over. As you can tell, it's also NOT over. I'm working on two other stories right now (Forgotten Savages and Empire of Blood) and I'd like to finish at least one of them (Probably Forgotten Savages) before I start writing any sequel to this story. I truly hope you all enjoyed this story, and I appreciate every single follow, favorite, comment, review, etc. Please review and let me know what you've thought of the story. xxx