CHAPTER 8

Andrew awoke as the sun was just beginning its descent and he gazed down at Monica's pale, sleeping face, feeling a wave of intense protectiveness flow through him. Pressing his lips to her forehead, he frowned, still able to feel the warmth of her skin that had little to do with the heat of the day. Being out here in the elements were not doing her any justice and her angelic system had always been a delicate one. He needed to get her to safety.

In his heart, Andrew knew that the car was no longer an option. He had tried all he had known to do and the caddy refused to run, which left them with only one option. They would have to start walking in the hopes of finding the nearest town. He was loathe to do it. Monica's system was weak and they could only carry so many provisions with them which meant they would have to find a town or help sooner rather than later. She needed a true, hot meal, a warm bed and possibly even a doctor. The weather, surviving off sandwiches and water and sleeping on the hard ground in the coldness of the desert night would only make the little angel worse and not better. He had been wasting time, hoping she would begin to feel better, but now was the time for action.

"I'll get us out of here, baby," Andrew whispered to her and then with agonizing slowness, he slipped out of her embrace. He only had an hour or two of daylight left and he needed to retrieve from the car what they would need to take with them. They would have to walk during the night and rest during the day as they would never last long in the heat.

They had so little but there was a backpack in the car and he loaded it with what could be carried; the bit of food they had left, bottled water, two blankets and a first aid kit. Carrying the provisions on his back would allow his hands to be free to help Monica if she needed it, though he knew all too well her stubborn streak that would probably permit her from asking for his help. She never wanted to burden him in any way and he wondered if he would ever truly convince her that could never happen.

He decided to take his leather jacket as well as it would help to keep Monica warm as they walked in the darkness and just as he was about to carry their supplies back to their campsite, he laid everything down on the hood of the caddy and rummaged through the glove compartment for a pen and a scrap piece of paper. Andrew then scribbled a note, briefly explaining that they were on foot and heading west and then placed it on the dashboard of the car where a passerby would be able to see it through the windshield. Maybe, just maybe, someone would drive by soon and see it and help would be on the way.

Carrying the supplies and his jacket, he walked back to the sleeping angel. Setting everything on the ground, he sat down next to her and lightly ran his fingers across her cheek, "Angel."

Monica stirred and opened her eyes sleepily, "Andrew? Are we home?"

She was still on the verge of sleep and he smiled sadly, "Not yet, baby. How are you feeling?"

Blinking a few times, the angel slowly came to herself and slowly sat up with his help, "I'm all right," Her eyes moved to the backpack on the ground near them, "Are we leaving? Did you get the car started?"

"No, Angel. We are going to need to start walking. We can't stay here any longer. We have to try to make it to the next town. Do you feel up to walking?"

"We'll go at night?" Her lips took on a worried pucker as she looked from him out into the emerging darkness.

"It will be too hot to walk during the day, baby. We'll rest when we need to and then set up camp before the dawn," Andrew knew how much she hated the night and he took her hands into his own and kissed them tenderly, "You know I will take care of you. Contrary to popular believe, taking care of you is a responsibility I take upon myself and it is the greatest gift I have been granted."

His little wink eased any sadness she might have felt over the reference to their argument earlier, and Monica smiled shyly as she squeezed his hands, "You always take such good care of me…and I hope I do the same for you."

"You absolutely do. I would not have slept nearly as well today without a certain beautiful little angel in my arms."

Impulsively, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face against the nape of his neck, breathing in the scent of him, "I love you." She whispered as she felt his arms enclose her, "And yes, I am up for the walk. I trust you completely and I know you will get us to safety."

Emotion surged through him at her words. He pulled away just enough to meet her lips in a slow, languid kiss that had both of their hearts pounding loudly by the time it was over, "I love you too, Angel." Rising, Andrew pulled her to her feet and then reached for his jacket, "Here. This will help to keep you warm."

As he opened the jacket for her, Monica slipped into it. Though it was far too large for her small frame, it was warm and the leather soft. She watched as he slipped the straps of the backpack over his shoulders and then she frowned, "What can I take?"

"My hand," he replied, extending it to her and waiting until she had slipped her smaller hand into his own.

x

"There's a possibility we get at the nearest city tomorrow if we keep the pace." Andrew spoke, feeling the need to fill the heavy silence in an attempt to send away the feeling of solitude and abandonment that could so easily break through their hearts.

Holding his hand since from the moment they started their walk, the Irish angel looked up at him. "What are we going to do when we get there?"

There was no anxiety nor despair in her voice, it was a simple question since the most important was that they were together whatever happened.

"To be honest, angel, I'd rather wait and see how the events turn out. If this is a journey we need to go on, then I'm sure the Father will be guiding us. But we have to look for a place to stay so that you can heal, that's our top one priority now."

She smiled as her both arms wrapped around his right one. A tired but never less charming smile. "I wonder if someday I'll be able to take care of you just as well as you take care of me."

"But you do take care of me, sweet angel! How many times have you been my angel? Giving me the encouragement and telling me the right words whenever I needed?"

"Do you think we will ever get this time back?" She asked, not really feeling deserving of his praise.

"Yes, I do. Not sure of when or how, but someday we will."

"I don't want to miss what we have now, but I miss Tess and our friends... I wish I could have all those I love close to me... Is it too much to ask?"

"No, sweetie. Showing love towards others is never too much." He said, kissing the top of her head as their steady walk kept on.

Near them, invisible to their human eyes, Tess stood, looking at them with a mix of tenderness and sadness. Amazing to think that not too long ago they were a trio and would ride those roads in between assignments, creating a strong bond of friendship and affection.

"I'll pray and do everything I can for this to come back, baby." She said. "And Andrew is right, love should never be punished."

She remained at the same place for long minutes, watching Monica and Andrew as they made their walk into the dark road ahead.

"Dear Father, please protect these two angels..." The supervisor prayed. There was clear worry on her face and a lump formed on her throat as her dearest friends slowly disappeared in the night.

Adam suddenly materialised by her side and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, joining her in that contemplative mode.

"Why do I have this terrible feeling inside my heart?" The supervisor said, anguish on the tone of her voice.

"You're not the only one..." Adam spoke, his expression just as serious as hers.

Those words caused her to finally turn her eyes from the darkness and gazed at him with fear. "Do you feel it too?"

"Yes. And... I've been told to stay."

The older angel's eyes flashed with great fear as he heard those words. "What are you telling me, Adam?"

Reluctant, as he himself was not sure about the future events, the angel of death shook his head. "I don't know what the future holds for them, Tess. I was just told to remain here and wait. And I would do it any way, they are my dear friends, I just cannot accept this punishment once not even the Father has showed us what He feels about...about their feelings."

Those words were genuine but Tess felt a chill run down her spine at the presence of the angel of death right there where her two dearest friends were. It was a terrible sensation that nearly stopped her from talking.