Disclaimer: Same as chapter 1 and I'm not writing it all out again...

WARNING: MIGHT BE SOME MILD SWEARING – SO BE WARNED. READ AT OWN RISK.

All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.

'Thoughts'

"Speech"

(Soskai - pronounced Sos-kay) (Saska - pronounced Sas-ka)

Summary: The 'Pack has some questions... MichaelxOFC

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

An Archangel's Heart

Chapter Three

"It's about Michael..."

"Yup, kind of expected that. So, go ahead then; what do you want to know? But remember I don't lie and I don't make hard truths pretty."

"You just tell it like it is' - yeah, we know." Rusty nodded; they all respected and loved her for that. She didn't patronise them or pity them; she did treat them like their opinions counted and that they deserved to know what was happening, good and bad.

"So, first question, from Soskai..." Soskai was a little boy about four, he and Saska had been their most recent rescues. Going on the similarity of names and ages (Saska was around three), Ariella figured they were probably cousins. She'd found the children near the bodies of what looked like a medium sized family group judging by the facial similarities between the female corpses...well, the ones that still had faces. Ella grinned at Soskai, sitting with his arm round Saska, as Rusty asked "is Michael going to die?"

"I honestly don't know; he won't seem to wake up. In fact I was about to come get you to stay with him whilst I go out for a scavenger hunt" It was what they called Ella's expeditions for supplies and food.

"Was he very sick then? Coz he's a angel, and a big boss angel too - surely them's immortal?" the young boy frowned, clearly puzzled.

Ella nodded "I thought so too, but it seems they can be hurt like us sometimes and if that hurt isn't looked after then they die."

Rusty and the others thought about this for a moment, then shared a look between them. He nodded and turned to Ella "like 'die' die, or just angel die?"

It was her turn to look thoughtful "is there a difference?"

Rusty shrugged "that's what we're asking you..."

She sighed "short answer is - I don't know. I mean is there even a heaven anymore? Even if there is, is there actually anyone still up there, assuming it is even 'up'? The thing is, even those of us around when the poop hit the ventilating system and started to run..." the kids all pulled faces and giggled, Ella smiled "...who did believe in God and the angels, we never really...thought about the details, you know?"

Rusty nodded "sure, we get that - but didn't you ask a grown-up or someone?"

"What did they know, Rus? People, even kids, who said they'd died and come back only ever spoke of tunnels with a light at the end. Some adults mentioned family members who died before them coming to meet them and, in their cases, telling them they were 'too soon' or it wasn't their 'time' yet and sending them back. But they were laughed at, ridiculed; the kids were bullied, the adults called 'crazy' and ignored. By the time everyone realised they were not 'crazy', an eightball was gnawing on their elbow joint or they were the eightball."

Ella shook her head as vivid memories of events she kept buried suddenly threatened to engulf her. That could not happen; she really needed to keep the anger, frustration and helplessness she'd felt as a twelve year old, a deep set rage that still seethed under the surface, on a tight leash.

She knew the rule she'd been raised with, the one she'd never broken - never, ever lose her temper. So she dug her fingernails so hard into her palms she knew they'd probably bleed a little. "The thing is Rus, no one knows; that's it, period, end of story. But that doesn't mean Michael shouldn't be helped."

She looked across at the unconscious archangel, lying motionless in her bed and sighed "of course if he doesn't wake up soon, then all bets are off."

Soskai shuffled forward, his little face concerned "would you leave us?"

Ella shook her head vehemently "I might have to leave Phoenix Post, but you guys are totally coming with. I gave you all my word in blood..." she pointed to the rusty coloured thumbprints on the wall by her bed, one for each child she'd 'adopted' "...that once you were with me, that was it. We were family, no arguments. Where I went, so did you; where you went, so did I. That stands now and always will."

"We go because he's dying?" Rusty wanted to be clear.

"He's not dying, not now - I don't think so anyway" she shrugged. "But he's not waking up either. However, I still need to do my part here - guard duties, Post duties, scavenging, hunting. It doesn't stop because of Michael; lots of folks here have been good about all this, especially my Pack..." she smiled proudly at them and they all grinned in return "...but the fact is I got chores same as everyone. We don't operate like Vega or the other big settlements do - we all get the same; we all work, we all share. It's all equal; and I don't get to change the rules just because they're inconvenient right now."

"You should maybe talk to him." Rusty offered "when Ollie..." he pointed at a boy of about ten who was a close friend "..got that real bad fever, you used to talk to him until you were hoarse. Telling stories and stuff about your life. Maybe you could do that with the angel there? Give it one last shot Ella, we got your back. Me and Jonah…." Jonah was Rusty's best friend, deputy, and second eldest at eleven "we can keep things even – we can even do the hunting and stuff for you."

Ella hugged them "you two are my eyes and ears; you all are…." She looked at all the children who, once again, beamed at her. Another reason they all adored her was because she treated them like they mattered; like their opinions and ideas were truly relevant.

Any information they had, any intel they gained, she always thanked them for and always listened – really listened – to them. Listened as well to their stories of the day; laughed with them, held them when they cried or woke up screaming with nightmares. She was there if they were hurt physically; or if, as she put it, their 'heart hurt' – Ella was the sole constant in their lives, and they knew how hard she worked to make sure of that. She knew how much they needed at least one person to just stay put and not vanish….

She was also well aware they were 'different' and never held it against them; told them she was like them and they had to stick together. Watching her fight, they understood. As far as the Pack was concerned they sun rose and set with Ella. Together, they formed a formidable group; though they didn't know it…..not yet.

As people used to say, before the War, 'God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform'. But if God wasn't around…well, someone else had to take charge and ensure Good triumphed in the end didn't they? And, of course, 'they' had…Ella and her Pack had a vital role to play in what was coming; of course none of them knew it yet – but then Good didn't always have to be the boy scout and play totally fair did it? Sometimes even the Light could play tricks in the Dark….