A/N: Please ignore the fact that this is nearly six months after the last update! Please also ignore the passage of time. Mucho apologies to Mma63 and SuzSeb for having to take so long. But, exams finished, free woman until September! (Even if I need a job…)
Alright, this actually takes place the next evening after the last chapter, so like I said, sorry about the delay. The next chapter takes place in February, and then I'll probably be about up to date with the chapter after that. This is the one author's note you're getting so…sorry for the delay!
Gabriel was furious. "How can you all be so blind?"
"We're not being blind Gabriel," the council leader stated quietly. "We're just considering all the facts."
"Then here is a fact to add to 'all'. I saw that demon lash out at Alex! He could've destroyed everything she's worked for! He is a danger to everyone around him, humans and us alike. You have to do something about him!"
The indistinct figures around him murmured amongst themselves and Gabriel felt his anger increase.
"You all claim that you're giving her a fair chance but you're not! You're setting her up to fail! Don't think I don't know what you're doing!"
"Gabriel's right," a female voice stated. "We must do something about this demon. It's not just Alex who is at risk from him. Once she has attained redemption or damnation, he will find another victim. We can't ignore this anymore."
"Why should we give her favourable treatment?" another voice, male this time, demanded.
"Not favourable, fair. There's a difference. We don't have a choice anymore. She's been set up for a fall, and still she has done her job time and again, more times than is fair to her."
Gabriel felt himself relax slightly as the debate raged on. More people joined his side, arguing that they'd banished other demons before, why couldn't they banish this one. Finally the council leader called for silence.
"My decision has been made ladies and gentlemen," he informed them calmly. "Does anyone have anything else to say?"
"I hope it's the right decision," Gabriel called up to him. Throughout the debate, there had been several threats of councillors leaving if Gabriel's request was not met. They may not like Alex, but they still had a keen sense of justice.
"I certainly hope so."
Gabriel could only hope that he would be able to tell Alex that she was safe when he went to see her. He didn't think he could face her if he had failed in this one thing. She'd never asked anything of him, and she hadn't asked him this, but he felt he had to do it.
Nick watched Alex sleep. She'd been sleeping pretty much since they got back very early that morning. She looked peaceful, although her eyes were a bit red. He was sat in the chair in his room, letting her rest. He was going to wake her up in a little while to try and get some food into her. She hadn't managed to keep anything down earlier, still too in shock for her stomach to accept it. He stood up and quietly headed for the kitchen, leaving the door open in case she needed him.
He reached the kitchen and jerked back swearing as he saw the sophisticated Gabriel sat at his kitchen table.
"Apologies," Gabriel stated calmly. "I just wanted to check on Alex."
"She's sleeping," Nick stated.
"I'm aware of that. I was hoping you would be able to tell me how she is."
"Shaken up. What happened back there? She wouldn't tell me."
"An old enemy decided to make his presence known and attack her. I've spoken to the council now. They don't have much of a choice anymore."
"A choice about what?"
"Some demons get to dangerous to leave roaming the world, we have to…dispatch of them. The council aren't so fond of Alex, but with me seeing an attack on her, they can no longer deny the danger she's in."
"But she can't be killed…can she?"
"No, but she can be seriously wounded. May I see her?"
"Of course, just give me a second to get her something to eat."
Gabriel nodded and remained sat at the table while Nick made toast. Nick watched the man out of the corner of his eyes. He seemed genuinely concerned for Alex, which was something that Nick was grateful from. The few things she had let slip he knew that most of her kind didn't like her, it was good to know she had someone on her side. And if what this man said was true, she had a powerful ally in him. Toast made, he led the way back to his own room. Gabriel's eyebrows raised as they passed the spare bedroom and Nick flushed.
"My own bed's more comfortable," he felt the need to explain his actions.
"You don't need to explain yourself to me," Gabriel dismissed the explanation with a slight grin.
Nick shook his head, still feeling his cheeks burning as he set the toast on the nightstand and rested a hand on Alex's shoulder. He was reluctant to wake her but she had to eat.
"Hey there," he whispered as she blinked up at him.
"Hey," she mumbled hoarsely. Nick helped her sit up and handed her the glass of water. She sipped at it. Then blinked as she noticed Gabriel for the first time. "Gabe…" she murmured. "What're you doing here?"
"Checking up on you Al," Gabriel replied, moving forwards as Nick handed Alex the toast.
She looked at it, and then took a small bite.
"How you doing?" he asked quietly.
"Alright I guess," Alex shrugged. "As well as can be expected."
"That's good. I have some good news. The council's agreed. They're going to do something about him. You're safe."
Alex stared at him as she processed that information. Then she nodded slightly. "Thank you."
Nick sat down beside her on the bed, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders as she ate. Gabriel stood watching them for a moment, then shook himself out of his reverie.
"Good night then," he nodded. "I'll leave you two in peace."
"Good night Gabe," Alex smiled as Nick inclined his head to the man. Once Gabriel was gone, Nick looked down at the woman in his arms. Her eyes looked content.
"So you're safe," Nick ruffled her hair affectionately. "You don't have to worry about that guy anymore."
"No…" Alex agreed. "I don't…that feels good, knowing that I don't have to worry about him attacking me again…"
"How many times has he attacked you?"
"Only a couple. I always managed to escape though."
"Obviously. Otherwise I doubt you'd be here."
"I would. I just might not be in quite such a good state."
"That not upsetting your stomach?" Nick gestured at the toast.
Alex shook her head, continuing to eat it, snuggling further into Nick's side. This was comfortable, it felt normal, like Alex had been there all his life. Like she'd always spent her nights, curled against him eating toast. Nick pressed a kiss to her hair, one hand stroking her it.
"I'm not a puppy," she mumbled, setting the plate back on the nightstand. "I'm a grown woman."
"Yeah, but you're also recovering from an attack by a mad demon. You'll forgive me if I like to make sure you're real."
"Of course I'm real. Now, stay there, you make a nice pillow."
Nick chuckled quietly as Alex adjusted her position, one arm wrapping around his stomach and her head laying on his chest. He kept one arm around her shoulders and rested the other across her hips, tracing idle patterns with his fingers. Her breathing evened out quickly, and Nick found himself following her into sleep.
Greg knocked impatiently on Nick's door. He'd held off on visiting Nick and Alex until New Year's Eve, despite wanting to know how Alex was. He also knew that they needed space. The door opened and Alex was stood there, looking flushed and breathing heavily.
"Is that Nick's shirt?" Greg asked her curiously as she gestured for him to come in. She looked down at it, almost confused then grinned.
"Yup," she nodded. Once inside, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"How you doing?"
"I'm doing well. Gabe told me they're banishing the demon who did this, so…life's looking pretty damned good."
Greg grinned as Nick appeared in the lounge.
"I thought someone had stolen my shirt," Nick commented, pulling Alex into a hug and kissing her forehead. "Hey Greggo."
"You two are looking good." There was a wealth of unspoken meaning behind Greg's words and Alex went bright red. "What're your New Year plans?"
"Hanging around here," Nick replied. "Watching TV and playing games. Care to join us?"
"Is there alcohol involved?" Greg asked eagerly.
"Of course," Alex nodded. "You can't have a good New Year's party without consuming copious quantities of alcohol. I should know. I've been to enough New Year's parties."
"I'll bet you have."
"I could teach you a thing or two about drinking young man!" She pressed a kiss to Nick's cheek. "I'm going to go start cooking up nibbles."
"Brilliant. Have I ever told you I love you?"
"A thousand and one times darling."
Greg chuckled as Alex headed for the kitchen. He waited until she was out of earshot before turning to Nick. "Well?"
"Well what?" the Texan asked confused.
"Well what's going on with you two?"
"I'm not sure…we're sort of taking things day by day…it's a little confusing sometimes."
"It would be. I wish you good luck Nick. Just remember – she might not always be here."
"I know Greg, I know. But I love her. I can't stop the feelings in my heart."
Alex listened to the boys conversing from just behind the kitchen door. She smiled sadly to herself. She loved Nick. But she couldn't possibly do anything about it in the way she wanted to. There would be no big white wedding for her. There would be anguish, heartbreak and pain for both of them. No matter how much she wanted to stay, she couldn't. It just wasn't allowed. Still, she had a stupid grin on her face when she went back out to them.
Later that evening, they were all lounged out around the TV, a Cluedo board between them. Greg was telling Alex off for cheating, Alex was protesting that if she didn't cheat, the other two would 'whoop her ass', and Nick was laughing at the antics of the other two.
"Oh come on," Alex grinned, restating her point again. "You two are CSIs I'm not match for you without a little…creative thinking."
"You looked at those damn cards before you put them in!" Greg protested.
"I looked at one of the cards!"
"Nick back me up here!"
Nick tried to get a sentence out through his laughter but failed miserably. Alex and Greg both glared at him before turning back to their futile argument. Both were stood in their opinions that they were the one in the right. Nick grinned to himself. This was a good feeling. The three of them, sat here, amicable arguments, low key atmosphere, a crappy movie on the TV, and a board game they were all enjoying. He really could get used to this.