They all watched in mild forms of shock as Michael took the hit, and went down.

They could all hear the thump as his body hit the ground, the clinking and clanging as his sword hit the ground as his hand released the hilt, his shield falling to his side. Blood was pouring from the wound in amounts that should have startled them into action and yet they all remained solid to the spot. They had never thought they would ever see Michael of all people go down like he had, it was just unheard of.

Michael was strongest.

Michael was the fastest.

He was the Lion of Heaven.

He protected them all, fearlessly, unended.

And yet here he was laying on his back on the ground with blood spewing from an injury that was most likely threatening to his life and above him laughed and howled a Leviathan. Cackling at the sight of Heaven's most feared most powerful weapon laying before him on the ground. Most likely suspecting that with their toughest out of the battle that the remained would run away with their proverbial celestial tails between their legs.

He choked on his cackle, when the fledgling Michael had jumped in to protect popped its head up, tears tracking down his face as he slowly crawled on top of his big brothers chest. The big brother who had let him cuddle up next to him last week when he had come to his room in the middle of the night crying because of night terrors.

The Leviathan (whom we are now going to call Rick) took a step back as the angels all turned to glare at him, as one.

Raphael and Gabriel rushed forward, one going for the fledgling and the other for their fallen brother.

Lucifer and Azrael, Light and Dark, both glared so hard it was a general question if there was any way an angel with such power could make someone else spontaneously combust. Darkness and Shadows swirled around the younger of the two, his eyes going a complete obsidian color, the Hounds by his side growling as such that it echoed around them all, waiting for an order of attack.

Ready to kill at his command.

Lucifer fared no better, much as the darkness has swirled around Azrael, the light swirled around the elder. Cascading his entire body in a halo of swirling energy. His eye, much as his counterpart's, swirled a magnificent white. He was more in-tuned with his power and his emotions therefore he was more likely to attack with strategy. Azrael was raw power.

Castiel was side to side with Balthazar, practically matching each other in stance, blades in hand. Both calculating warriors, looking for the most opportune moment and place to strike first.

Anna and Uriel, much as the other two, were side by side. One with dual swords and the other with a single sword, both watching his every move. Their eyes were cold, full of power, threatening to anyone on the other side of their glares.

Gadreel, the most obvious of the bunch to be out of practice, was still a force to reckon with. In his hand a large flaming sword from his days as Eden's guard, an unnatural cold fury clouding his vision as he looked the very being who had taken the most merciful soul he'd ever come in contact with down without a single care in the world up and down. Raw energy, assumed to be straight from the Garden itself swarmed around his arms and wrists.

He was immediately over come with the feeling that he had clearly not thought this through.

Gabriel was reaching for little Samandriel, grunting at the strain it took to be able to disentangle the fledgling from his eldest brother. Tears trekked down the child's face as he was finally pulled away and the Messenger cradled him to his chest, making sure to keep his facing away from the form of his downed brother. Even the archangel had a hard time looking away from the one whom he had always thought to be invincible.

"I's sorry! I didn' mean to! I's sorry!"

The boy was hushed gently, pressed harder against Gabriel. It hurt him deeply to know that his pleas and cries were not simply for his fallen brother, but the thought that he would be punished now that he was hurt. Even if one did want to punish him (which they didn't! He was a mere child for Dads sake!) they would withhold the urging's in the fear as to what might become of them should Michael awaken and find out what had come to pass in regards to the fledgling he had come to favor.

"We know little guy! We know! Mike's gonna be ok! We just gotta let Raph help him!"

He felt the child nod against his chest in understanding, but there was still an ever present feeling of tears soaking his shirt after that.

Raphael's hands shook as he gently examined his big brother, unsure as to what he was supposed to do, shock clouding his thoughts and visions. There was blood lots of blood! Michael was not supposed to bleed like this! It just wasn't right!

Gentle hands enclosed his wrists in their grasp, slick with blood, still warm to the touch, and he sucked in a deep breath at the touch. Michael was staring up at him with those eyes that made him want to melt sobbing as the fledgling he once was into his older brothers chest, Michael would wrap his wings around them both and rock them until his sobs had subsided before digging in to see what had upset him to such a state in the first place.

But this time that would not be the case, his older brother could barely keep his arms up, his face was paling by the moment, and blood was starting to stain both of their robes.

"Steady hands, Little Healer, Chin up."

He nodded, probably more times then was necessary, and took a deep breath to collect himself. He did not have to fear the Leviathan coming after him. He would be lucky if there was a piece left for him to rage on once his brothers and sisters were done with it. His head shot up, stepping into the role of Head Healer after a long iffy start, his eyes searching out someone who could help him lift their brother off the ground.

Lucifer marched forward, the sky darkening as his entire deposition took a spiral downwards, the light bunching at his hands as he clenched his fists so hard that the knuckles popped.

"How dare you touch him!"

He spoke for the entire group, the entire host who although not present felt the pain of their eldest brother. They were all connected to one another, everyone felt it when he was struck and now Lucifer was channeling their rage through himself, a sure death warrant for the one it was aimed at. The Leviathan was not so sure of itself anymore. Backing away until his back was jabbed with the sharp blades of the angels behind him.

They'd kill him, slowly, make him suffer. Tear him apart piece by piece, atom by atom. It would be made sure that there was nothing left of the scum who dared harm their eldest brother, their protector.

Castiel and Balthazar were behind him, waiting for him to try and make a move. Lucifer was shaking with the amount of energy gathering around him, his entire visage vibrating. No one got to get Michael but him.

It was an unspoken understood thing.

Michael watched around the dancing spots in his vision as his younger brothers and sisters took their rage out on the thing that had attacked him, his entire being starting to go numb, Raphael's shouts of orders and for aid were starting to dim.

The last thing he remembered was Lucifer getting obnoxiously close to his face before everything went dark.

It was a long time before Michael woke once more.

Touch and go for a long while and Lucifer would often times find his younger brother in one of the washrooms, sick as a dog,a s he ran on his fifth night of no rest as he tried to help their older brother. He'd ordered him to get rest for himself in the end, despite the protests Raphael had put up, as soon as his head had hit the pillow he was out like a light whilst the morning star grumbled fondly under his breath as even though in deep slumber his grip on his shirt was impossible to remove.

Joshua came by daily, leaving fresh flowers in their brothers room, nodding his head in greeting when he would leave and one of the other Archangel's would be standing there and he'd utter about brightening up the place.

Anna came by the the fledglings almost daily, especially Samandriel, who was a nightmare to separate from his side when it was time for them all to go; lots of kicking and screaming was involved.

Castiel and Balthazar visited as much as they could, often times just sitting in one of the many seats around his bed and talking to him about trivial things; the weather, the latest missions, the newest batch of warriors under Lucifer's training, about how somethings were still mysteriously missing from the armory, simple things just to pass the time and to use as an excuse to stay longer then others did.

Uriel would leave little trinkets around the room, simply sitting in the chair beside his left hand and staring at him. He was a man of few words, but those who knew him well enough knew that him just being there was more then words could describe.

Samandriel had a habit, much to Anna's annoyance, of sneaking away from the fledgling groups and sending everyone into mild panic at his disappearance only to find him hours later curled into his biggest brothers side sound asleep.

Lucifer came to visit as much as possible, talking to him as if he wasn't talking to an unconscious body, he'd lean back in the chair he'd sat in and prop his feet up on the edge of the bed rambling away, those who knew him though knew that it was a nervous thing he did when he was frightened about something, sometimes he'd bring Sandalphon with him and they'd show Michael the newest song they'd been working on together.

Gabriel came around when he could, bringing assortments of sweets from different places and different time periods every time he did. Sometimes he'd break down into sobs and beg him to wake up, telling him how sorry he was for leaving, and that he rather died then chose a side, and that if he woke up then he'd promise to never leave his side again.

Raphael was around more then anybody, always healing him until the point he nearly passed out himself. Talking and humming to keep them both company.

It was a long time before Michael woke up.

Everything was warm, and fuzzy, there were voices around him.

Loud voices full of cotton.

That made no sense.

"How many times have I told you to allow yourself rest, he won't get any better nor be any happier if he wakes and finds you passed out on the floor! Honestly Raphael your not a fledgling anymore! I would have thought you would have known better!"

What? What was going on? That sounded like Lucifer, why was Lucifer yelling at Raphael?

"Samandriel, honestly, you cannot keep running away! I know you want to see Mikey but you have to tell someone where you're going!"

Whap, whap, skin on skin.

Crying of a fledgling, his favored fledgling.

There was a warm light weight near his feet, something was rubbing against his arm, and another was clutching at his left bicep curled up against his side. For the first time in a while, his brilliant blue eyes fluttered open slowly, his eyes clearer then he'd thought they'd be. Something tugged at his arm and he looked down quickly, a warm smile lighting his features at the sight of little Samandriel curled around his arm, soundly sleeping into the late hours of the night.

Castiel was leaning on the side of his bed, one arm wrapped under his head as he slept away, his dark naturally unruly hair brushing against his arm. Meaning that at the bottom of his bed was none other then Balthazar, curled up in a ball, and sleep on a bunched up blanket he had procured from somewhere.

He looked around the room he was in, taking in his new surroundings as the last thing he remembered was being stabbed by the Leviathan trying to use the fledgling's against them and everyone unleashing chaos on the poor beast.

He almost felt bad for it.

There on a chair, a large chair that resembled that of an recliner, was both Uriel and Anna curled into each other sleeping softly.

Azrael was on the counter, much to his amusement, surrounded by his two Hounds, using Nero as a pillow and Dante as a blanket.

He raised an eyebrow at where Gadreel was leaning against the wall, sleeping away in what looked like according to him a very unpleasant position. Standing sentry over his room.

Lucifer, Gabriel, and Raphael were snoring softly, curled up into each other in a way they used to do when the younger two had been much much younger and nap time had rolled around.

Sandalphon was wrapped up securely in Lucifer's arms, using the elders bicep as his pillow as he slept on.

He sighed, not wanting to disturb any of his dear younger siblings, but he had to use the bathroom. Castiel was in a surprising deep sleep, as was Balthazar and he imagined that Gabriel might have something to do with that, but Samandriel was another problem all together. His grip tightened every time he tried to more, and normally he found it endearing but in this instance he really had to go.

He gently turned the fledgling around into his side, smiling faintly as the youth latched onto his neck. With him in this position Michael was able to gently swing his legs over the side of the bed, an arm under Samandriel's little warm bottom, and silently walk his way to the washroom to relieve himself.

Upon entering his room after using the facilities, he was greeted by Raphael and Anna both yawning in sync. They both paused, looking at each other, and the archangel smiled fondly when the younger angel turned away blushing. They both looked up when they heard him chuckle softly, both jumping from their seats to meet him half way. Anna 'accidentally' kicked Uriel in the shin as she jumped from their chair, he let out a loud yelp that woke Gabriel who elbowed Lucifer in the face. Lucifer shoved Gabriel off of him with a grunt as his hands shot up to his bleeding nose. Gabriel grabbed onto the back of Castiel's chair as he was sent flying to the floor with a loud yelp and pulled it down with him, Castiel woke with a start and was pulled to the floor with Gabriel, grabbing onto the blanket in a meager attempt to keep himself up right and ended up pulling it along with Balthazar to the floor along with him. Azrael woke at the same time Gadreel did because of all the noise and commotion, looked around the room in mild annoyance before laying his head back down on Nero. Gadreel slid down the side of the wall with a groan as his back cracked.

All in all it was a very eventful moment, only Sandalphon and Samandriel had miraculously stayed asleep, and Azrael's ever present worry for the entire situation was once again amazing (did you note his sarcasm there? Not it please and thank you).

"Michael!"

Anna rammed as gently as she could into his chest first, he sucked in a deep breath at the bout of pain it caused but he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and did not have the heart to scold her. He eye balled her hand in a cast and lifted it up to get a better view, his eye brow scrunching in concern.

"What is this?"

She blushed and ducked her head, he made a sound in the back of his throat that clearly stated that this particular conversation was far from being over. Raphael took up her spot a moment later and he pressed the younger archangel close with his spare arm. He pressed his lips against the younger's ear, his eyes watching as all of his siblings that had gathered in the room waited in a formed line to see him next.

"I knew you could do it Little Healer"

He got a mere sniffle as a response and a nudge as he shifted a tab closer somehow without disturbing the sleeping fledgling.

It was a long line of tears, sniffles, and reassurances until he finally came to the last of them all. Lucifer just looked at him shyly, bags under his eyes, and his face an even paler hue. He took a step forward, inciting the contact as he drew his startled brother into a hug, and somehow with them both still carrying a fledgling each on their hip they managed to hug one another tightly.

It rumored that Lucifer may or may not have shed a few tears, but Michael would never tell.

He was able to make it back to his bed, and after everyone had been reassured that he was fine (and they were not all the same as he) everyone had calmed considerably. Uriel and Anna had returned to their seat, curling back into one another. Gabriel and Lucifer returned to the couch they had vacated, the younger apologizing for breaking the others nose, Lucifer ruffled his hair in good nature.

Gadreel had taken one of the seats at his request, he refused to look away from the Guard until he did as he asked.

Raphael was back at Lucifer's right.

Balthazar had reclaimed his spot at the end of the bed whilst Castiel took up his chair once more.

The room over all fell into a comfortable silence.

"Azrael, your present concern is ever charming"

He got a grumble as his response from the Angel of Death, Castiel spared his a look before turning his gaze back towards the elder archangel.

"Azrael has been keeping your essence inside your body and grace for almost three weeks, there have been some close calls"

No wonder the boy was exhausted then.

After that everyone settled back down, some talked among themselves and others went back to sleep, he was happy to see that Raphael and Lucifer had returned to the realm of dreams too.

He smiled down at the warm weight in his side, gently brushing his fingers through the small fledglings hair. Samandriel's nose twitched at the touch, and his eyes slowly fluttered open. Michael smiled down at him gently and others watched with smiles as the fledgling stared up at him before excitedly wrapping his tiny arms around his chest as best he could.

"Mikey your 'wake! Your 'wake!"

"I am little one, and I hope you have been a good boy for those watching over you"

He cast Anna a knowing glance and looked down at the boy in his side. Samandriel's lower lip quivered and a few tears gathered in his eyes.

"They did'n understand MIkey! I mades you get hurts and I just wants to see if you were ok! It was my faults that they got you an I'm so sorry! Pwease forgive me!"

"Oh Little One," He pulled the fledgling around and onto his chest despite the pang of pain as the pressure built up, pulling him into a snuggle and pressing a kiss to the boys temple, "None of that was your fault, they had thought that they could use the fledglings, such as you, to get to us. I would never allow harm to befall you! Don't you ever utter those words again, or I will personally see to it that it never crosses your mind again."

Samandriel nodded, snuggling in closer and falling back to sleep just as quickly as he woke up. Michael shook his head fondly, settling back into his many pillows, looking at the many brothers and sisters gathered around as he absentmindedly scratched at the back of Samandriel's head. He asked hushed questions of concern to those he noticed with bandages and injuries.

"Enough worrying about us, we are fine, it's us who should be worrying over you"

Was his response when he had asked Uriel about the large gash that was butterfly bandaged up on his left shoulder. He narrowed his eyes in a way that many of them were used to and some even shifted from foot to foot, it was not his fault, it was his natural instinct as their older brother to worry over them constantly and smother them when they were unwell and he was able to.

Just as none of them were too old for a good bout of tickles, just to see them smile, and a good cuddle after. They would forever be those small babes of down they had once been according to him.

Lord Almighty, is this what Father felt like?

Bout time Michael got a turn! Even when he's down he still worries over his brother and sisters!