Hey guys...so I hope you enjoy this chapter, and the good news that I am going to make this a long, long fic! I decided today that there is a story that needs to be told, and rushing it would make the story crap, so yea, it's going to be long! I have at least two more chapters planned out, so as I get a chance to write I will upload! As always, thank you so much for your awesome reviews! Please continue so I know what you do/don't like! Thank you my dears! xoxo
Gabriella slept in till a sinful 8am on Sunday, rising and dressing after a quick shower. She was going to work in the clinic until three today, and then have dinner with Alex and Michael. Who would have thought that she, a regular person in Vega would be hanging out with the Chosen One and an Archangel? Laughing softly to herself she walked down the street and into the clinic, not surprised to see that the waiting area was already full of people.
Once a week she volunteered her services here for the people who were too poor to go to the hospital. After finishing up a few minutes of paperwork, her day of patients began with an old man who had fallen and smacked his head. She reassured him that her services were free, and that there would be no charges for anything. She stitched up his head wound and returned his shaky hug, smiling.
This was the best day of her week.
Her last patient of the day was a young woman, 24 years old and about 22 weeks pregnant. The girl said the father couldn't be there, but Gabriella suspected that he wouldn't ever be there. They chatted about the girl's hopes for the baby, what names she had picked out for it, and her job as a nanny. Surprisingly, the girl's bosses had agreed to let her continue working after she had the baby, and bring it with her. After giving her and the baby a clean bill of health Gabriella left the clinic at 3:15pm. She was only a little late, but she was quick about getting around usually, so she wasn't worried.
After entering her house, she walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, wanting a hot shower after her long day. She walked into her bedroom and stripped off her clothes and tossed them into the laundry basket, noting that it was getting full. "ugh..laundry" she muttered. She walked back into the bathroom and ran a hand under the water, pleased that it had heated so quickly.
She stepped in and washed quickly, scrubbing her hair clean from the sweat and dust of the day. She decided to shave her legs, it had been a few days and they were getting itchy. After finishing, she shut off the water and grabbed her towel, wrapping her hair and pilling it on top of her head. She wound the other towel around her body and walked back into her bedroom, coming to a halt in front of her closet.
What does one wear when dining with the Chosen One and an Archangel?-she wondered to herself. She didn't have many special occasion outfits, and wasn't sure if this qualified as one. She finally pulled out a v-neck, empire waist royal blue silk dress that she had bought years ago, and had promptly never worn. She pulled the tags off and decided now was the time. She pulled on her underwear and went to dry her hair-no sense in sweating up the dress -she thought.
After she had blown her hair out, she checked the time, 4:35pm! She swore and ran back to her room, plopping down in front of her vanity to do her makeup. She used a light concealing powder on her face, mascara and then applied bronze and eggplant shadow to her eyes, highlighting the brow bone with a light gold color. She grinned at her reflection; she hardly ever wore makeup, but her mom had taught her how to apply it before she died "just in case".
She stood and went to her dresser, pulling out the bottle of perfume that had been her mothers and spritzed some on her wrists, her chest and behind her ears. She slid into her dress and zipped it up, feeling satisfied when she looked at her reflection, until she realized she still needed shoes…dumbass! She ransacked her closet and finally came up with a pair of caramel colored wedges that had ribbons to tie around the ankle.
Going to her jewelry box she slid a gold cuff on her wrist, a gold necklace with a drop of amethyst wrapped in gold wire, and matching earrings. She admired the final product, "Dressy, but not too dressy" she said to herself. Looking to the clock she hissed when she saw it was now 5:05. Where had the time gone? She stopped before leaving her room; did she need to bring supplies to change Alex's bandages? It had seemed like Michael still had some the last time she was there. She grabbed her large satchel and checked to see what she had stored there from the clinic. Bandages, scissors, and some tape.
That should be good.
As she looked at the bag, she had a girl moment and hated the way it looked with her outfit. She once again ran to her closet and pulled out a smaller black handbag, stuffing her medical supplies along with her keys and ID badge in it. Satisfied, she ran out of the house, letting out a "eeck!" when she saw that it was now 5:15. She needed to get to Michael's fast.
Gabriella arrived at Michael's tower at 5:25, according to her phone and was told by the guard to turn right out of the elevator when she reached the top. Considering she hadn't ever gone that way when she exited the elevator, or looked to see what there was to the right, she was intrigued. After the doors opened she turned right and saw a solid wood door, partially open, through which she could hear Michael and Alex talking and laughing.
She pushed the door open and was greeted by a shout of "Doc!" from Alex, who held a glass of wine, and a smile from Michael. She smiled and laughed at Alex, and then let out a little "oof!" as he enveloped her in a tight hug. She laughed, patting his back until he stepped away and placed his hand on her elbow, guiding her to the table.
She smiled at him as she sat next to him, "I take it this means your wounds are feeling better?"
He nodded, "Would you like to check them now?"
She nodded, "If you wouldn't mind, and then we can enjoy our evening together." He stood for her and unbuttoned his shirt, leaving it on. She stood and pulled the bandage off, noting that there was no redness, and so no infection. The wounds were already starting to scab over, which was wonderful. She smiled up at him, "This is great! You can leave the bandages off now. I would suggest washing gently and treating them with more antibiotic cream after, but they look great."
Alex smiled proudly, "I've been changing the bandages at night and giving them some air."
She laughed, "You're smart, that has really helped." Alex buttoned back up and they sat down.
Michael held up the wine bottle, "Would you care for a glass?" Gabriella nodded and held up her glass, holding up a finger to stop him from pouring too much. They sat drinking for a while, talking and laughing. She and Alex discovered they loved the same beer and both preferred 9mm handguns for close combat. Ahh the little things!-she thought to herself with a small smile.
Eventually dinner was served and they all dug into it with relish. After they had finished dinner and sat chatting awhile longer Alex stood and excused himself, "I have a meeting with someone special" he said with a wink.
Gabriella waved goodbye and Michael nodded. She turned to Michael, "So who is the someone special?"
He looked at her incredulously, "Really?" she shook her head no, and he laughed softly, "It's Claire Riesen."
Gabriella sat for a moment, processing, then, "Huh, well I guess it makes sense. Whatever." She sipped on her wine, enjoying the buzzy feeling under her skin. She so rarely drank wine, it was more expensive and therefore out of her tiny budget.
Michael had been stunned by Gabriella when she had entered the room at the start of the evening, her long black hair flowing around her face, the tips of it teasing at the tops of her breasts, swelling in the V of her dress. She looked so stunning in the color, her eyes seeming to be brighter and deeper at the same time. When he had seen her shoes, the bows, he had swallowed, imagining taking them off of her, along with everything else.
Now, as he watched her sip her wine, he could see the alcohol putting a glow in her cheeks and eyes. She was lovely.
"Is Alex able to go back to training now?" he asked, hoping to move his thoughts away from dangerous territory.
She nodded and ran a hand through her hair, pushing it back, "I don't see why not, in maybe another two days. He can start doing firearms training and some weight lifting now. I just want the scar tissue to start to build." Michael nodded his assent, and filled his own wine glass, feeling little, even after many glasses.
Gabriella stood, momentarily unsteady and then smiled at him, "Do you mind if I go out on your balcony? It's such a nice evening. I thought it would be nice to watch the stars come out and feel the breeze." Michael stood and came around the table, offering her his arm.
She laughed, "Such a gallant flyboy!" and took his arm; the two of them walking back into his bedchamber and out onto the balcony.
Michael held up a finger, "Wait here a moment." He came back a minute later with the chaise lounge and drug it out for them to sit on. Gabriella sat gratefully and leaned her head against the back, staring up at the night sky. Michael sat next to her, worried he was sitting too close, but she hardly seemed to notice. He followed her suit and stared up at the sky.
After a few minutes of silence she turned and stared at him, "Does it look different from up there? The stars I mean."
He nodded, "It's so much vaster. You can see it all. Every galaxy, every world is there, laid out beneath you like the most beautiful carpet." She stared at him in wonder; she could only imagine such glory.
She stood and moved to the railing and looked down, and then back to him. "If I jumped off of here, would you be able to catch me?"
Michael stood and moved to her side, wrapping a hand around her wrist, "Why would you want to kill yourself?!" he asked alarmed.
She shook her head, "No, I don't want to do that. I want to feel what you feel when you fly. It's different when you're a…passenger. I want to feel the wind rushing past me." Michael stared at her, not really understanding her impulse.
She sighed frustrated, "How would you feel if you lost your wings?" He flinched, remembering when he had cut his own wings off in the beginning of all of this, and then regained them.
"I did lose my wings for a period of time. It was…horrible. To be stuck like that. To envy every flying creature."
She nodded, "Now do you understand?" Michael sighed and nodded. He held out a hand, "If you wish to try it, I will catch you." She smiled excitedly up at him and then bent to remove her shoes, tossing them over by the chaise. She climbed the railing, and felt Michael's hand steadying her.
She stood for a moment and then looked back at him, grinned ecstatically, and leapt from the railing. She screamed, and then laughed as the air whooshed past her, her hair and dress flapping in the wind. She spread her arms, pretending they were wings, and closed her eyes, enjoying the fall. After a moment, she felt warm arms surround her and felt her descent slow. The steady beat of Michael's wings continued as she opened her eyes; they were ascending back to the balcony. As they came to rest on the balcony Gabriella turned in Michael's arms and leaned up, brushing a kiss against his cheek, "Thanks for the catch Michael."
As she pulled away she saw his eyes flick to her lips, and he leaned in infinitesimally closer-holy crap! Is he going to kiss me? What?!-she was screaming in her mind. Suddenly, he pulled away and walked away, reappearing moments later with her purse. "I don't wish to keep you too late Gabriella. I know you begin work early tomorrow, and have had a long day today. Thank you for your company tonight."
She stared at him for a minute and then chalked up the almost kiss moment to too much alcohol on both their parts. She sat on the chaise and quickly strapped her shoes back on, and then stood, grabbing her purse from Michael.
"Thank you for the lovely food and company. I suppose I'll see you around." She walked to the elevator, and this time, he didn't follow.
Michael stood on the balcony, berating himself for allowing himself to get that close to kissing her. He knew better! Yet with her standing in his arms, her musky perfume scent swirling around him, and her soft body pressed against his, he had wanted nothing more than to kiss her so thoroughly she saw the stars he had described.
He needed to focus on training her and Alex to survive this world. He needed to train Alex to help him save humanity. He needed to focus on anything other than thoughts of Gabriella.
Making a noise of frustration, he stripped off his clothes and headed to the shower. He stood under the hot water and tried to scrub away her scent, but it filled his nose, driving him crazy. He imagined what her skin tasted like where she had sprayed the scent, in the soft spot behind her ear. He had accidentally brushed a hand against her breast when he had caught her, and had been thinking of how her full breasts would look filling his hands, or bouncing as she sat astride him, moaning his name.
"FUCK!" He moaned, and pounded on the shower wall. He finally gave in to his weaker self and began to pull on his dick, imagining it was her hand, his breathing growing labored as he moved faster, until finally he came with a groan of her name. He leaned against the shower wall, overcome with emotion.
He had never felt this way about Becca, and he knew it was dangerous for Gabriella that he harbored these emotions for her. He shut off the shower and toweled off, climbing into bed naked. Michael lay for a long time, wondering if there was any way to not want Gabriella, to change his feelings for her. Probably not, he decided, he was probably just screwed. It would be best if he kept it to himself and ensured her and Alex's protection. There could be no more to their friendship than that; friendship.
Ooooh I'm sorry did you think there would be some action?! HAHAHAH nope! :) I know, twisty and evil of me, but I will say that it's going to be pretty one sided for awhile. So get used to some angsty Michael. Hope you enjoyed!