Oh man, I must like you guys to be updating twice in a day! lol I love you guys actually, and I am so happy that you are all enjoying the story so much! Who is excited for the new episode tonight?! *me! me! me!* oh, except I don't have a tv, so I can't watch it till tomorrow! GAHHH! So my outlet for deprivation frustration- updating! Also songs that inspired the last two chapters and this chapter are *Addicted to you-Avicci, Rather Be-Clean Bandit, and Empire-Shakira* check em out! They are good songs to write to, at least for me! Ok, enough rambling! Hope you enjoy! Please review! xoxo
Saturday morning rolled around and Gabriella briefly considered not going to training. She was still upset with Michael for freezing her out for no apparent reason. She hadn't seen him the rest of the week and had made no attempts to go see him. He was a grown man, angel, person…he could walk or fly and come talk to her if he wanted to, and he clearly hadn't wanted to.
She and Ben had spent more time together, working in the hospital together for long hours, and then taking him and his family to get housing. He had decided that he would rather live by himself and give his brother and sister-in-law some privacy and a chance at a normal life. He had found a small house about a mile from Gabriella's place, and it was only two blocks down from his family.
She had spent a good chunk of the evening at his place last night, having dinner and just sitting and talking. She was pleased to find that Ben had a sharp mind and had read as many books as he could get his hands on. They had discussed their favorite books and when she had left he had once again brushed a kiss against her cheek, his hand pressing into her back, pulling her close. Gabriella smiled at the memory.
It had been years since she had been interested in anyone, and it was so refreshing to find someone who was as kind, intellectual and funny as Ben, who understood what her work day was like.
Now, as she walked to the East gate dressed in black spandex workout pants and an emerald green tank top and her sneakers, she smiled, anticipating the dinner she and Ben were supposed to have at her house tomorrow night. Her smile widened when she saw Alex leaning against the truck. He pushed himself away from the truck and came over, enveloping her in a warm embrace. Laughing, she returned his hug, grateful to have such a kind friend in Alex.
He slung his arm around her shoulder and smiled down at her, "You ready to get your ass kicked?
She laughed, "By you? I think you're going to be surprised."
He grinned, "We'll see." They climbed into the truck, Alex calling shotgun. Michael appeared and climbed in, starting the truck, speaking to neither of them.
Alex turned in his seat to give her a questioning look, jerking a thumb towards Michael, mouthing "what's up with him?" She shrugged and turned to look out the window. If Michael was going to continue to be an ass, then she was just going to ignore him.
A while later they arrived at the same house as before, and after unpacking the truck, headed for the backyard to begin training.
Michael turned to Alex, "I want you to start on firearms training for a warm up, and then we can move onto sparring."He turned to Gabriella who already held a small practice knife in her hand, "Shall we?"
She gave him a wintry smile and moved further out into the yard away from Alex, to avoid any messy bullet related accidents. Michael stripped off his jacket and advanced on her, lunging in with his own knife, making a swiping motion across her abdomen which she neatly avoided before lunging in and slamming her elbow into his solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him momentarily.
He stumbled, giving her the time she needed to throw a vicious right hook with the knife in her fisted hand. She felt his head snap back and took some twisted delight in causing him discomfort. Michael recovered quickly though and advanced back on her, his eyes glittering with anger. His wings popped out and he spun, using them to try and knock her off balance.
Gabriella tucked and rolled away to the side, only to see Michael descending on her from above, his knife landing on her throat, just as she brought her knife to his femoral artery in his thigh. His hand forced her head back to an uncomfortable angle, "You die" he hissed.
She pressed her blade sharply against his leg, "So do you" she hissed back.
They lay like that for a long moment, both breathing heavily, until Alex's voice carried over to them, "So, uh, is someone going to teach me at some point today to do that?" Michael stared into Gabriella's eyes for another moment and then pulled away, standing up. He offered her his hand, but she simply rolled to the side and pushed herself up.
She grinned at Alex, who hadn't missed the tension between the two as they fought, "You should probably fight the angel today Alex. I wouldn't want you getting hurt." She tossed him the knife, which he caught with a look of surprise.
She sauntered over and picked up the sniper rifle from the table, "I should get some practice in with this. I'll be back." She grabbed some bullets and headed back into the house. Alex saw Michael watching her go with a pained expression, which quickly fell from his face when he saw Alex watching.
He waved, "Come, let's train."
After an hour of training Alex in hand to hand, with knives, swords and guns, the men went out to the truck to see if Gabriella was there. Not seeing her, Alex expressed his concern. Michael gave him an impassive glance before stating, "She chose to walk off, it's up to her to make her way back safely." Alex stared at him, incredulous. He knew Michael had some issues with expressing his feelings, but he also knew that Michael thought of her as at least a friend. He should be showing more concern.
"I'm so glad to hear such concern for my well being!"
Michael and Alex both turned to see Gabriella walking towards them from behind the fenced in yard. She gave Michael an icy stare before turning to Alex, "How are your wounds feeling? Can I check them?" Alex nodded, now very concerned at whatever was happening between his friends. He lifted his shirt so she could check the wounds.
She poked and prodded for a minute and then pulled away, "They look really good. How do they feel?"
"Not too bad, a little sore" he replied.
She nodded, "That's great progress!"
Alex turned to Michael who was sitting on the tailgate of the truck, pretending to ignore them.
He rolled his eyes at Michael, "Hey I have to tell you something. While we were waiting for Gabriella to come back, one of my tattoos changed, and I could read it."
Michael stood up straight, his attention focused, "What did it say?"
Alex sighed, "I don't understand, so maybe you will. It said, "One to save humanity, One to save Heaven", do you have any idea what that means?"
Michael shook his head no, silent, thinking. Finally he spoke, "I have never heard of another prophecy of another savior. I need to investigate this." Without another word he spread his wings and leapt into the sky.
"Seriously?" Gabriella muttered, shaking her head. She threw the bags of guns and other weapons into the bed of the truck, and headed for the driver's seat before calling to Alex, "You coming?"
Alex looked to her, "We shouldn't wait?"
She shook her head, "Hell no. He's like a cat; he'll be back when he wants to be." Alex laughed at that and climbed into the truck.
After arriving back in Vega the departed ways and spent the next few days waiting to hear from Michael. Gabriella had a wonderful dinner with Ben at her place, spending the evening cuddled on the couch, listening to music and simply spending time together. Finally, on Wednesday evening Alex appeared at her door. They walked to Michael's together, Alex finally divulging that he and Claire Riesen were an item. She warned him to take care if they were intimate, she was engaged to William Whele, and it would look suspicious if she turned up pregnant before the wedding.
He told her they were being safe, and Gabriella laughed when his face blushed at his own statement. She thought it was admirable how much the two loved each other. She hoped to have that someday; she didn't know if what she had with Ben was that, or just the beginnings, but it certainly was exciting. Once inside Michael's quarters they sat at the dinner table from the other evening, both of them noting the large cracks in the table. Michael entered the room and stood across from where they were seated.
He took a breath and then revealed, "I went to see my brother, Gabriel. He knew nothing of this prophecy either."
Gabriella and Alex shared a look before Alex shouted, "Are you out of your mind?! He could have killed you!"
Michael shook his head, "No he doesn't want to kill me. He just wants to destroy humanity."
Gabriella gave a sarcastic laugh, "Oh is that all? So what are you going to do now?"
Michael stared at her for a moment then ducked his head and spoke, "I am going to travel and find scrolls and texts I believe will help to understand this."
Alex stood, "I'm coming with you."
Gabriella nodded, "If the two most important people to saving humanity are leaving Vega, then so am I."
Michael was already shaking his head when Alex finished speaking and now he spoke, "No! Neither of you are coming. You will stay here." Alex made a noise of disgust and stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
Michael felt trapped in the room with Gabriella. He could tell she was angry. She too rose, and he expected her to storm out as well but she didn't. She stared at him for a long time and then shook her head in frustration, "Michael, I don't know why you are upset with me, and why you are acting like an ass. But I survived 18 years outside these walls. I was trained by both of my parents to survive. I am a doctor and a fighter. If anyone should come with you it's me."
Michael felt his insides twist. He wanted to refuse her, to make her stay here, but he knew she would find a way to follow him, putting herself in danger doing so. If she just came with him it would be easier. Finally, he nodded, slowly.
Gabriella gave him a weak smile, "Ok, well we'll need to come up with a story for the Senate as to why you and I are leaving Vega for who knows how long, and I'll need to take a leave of absence."
Michael nodded, "I'll tell the Senate that I believe I have found a weapon to help us fight Gabriel, and I need you there to help protect me, and to keep me alive. They should appreciate that."
Gabriella nodded, "Sounds like a solid plan." She walked towards the door, and pulled it open, but stopped short of leaving. She turned back, "You know, I am your friend Michael. If you want or need to talk to me about something, you only have to start talking and I'll listen." She waited a moment and when he didn't speak she shook her head in frustration and sadness before leaving the tower.
She walked home, hoping that this trip would help her and Michael repair whatever was wrong with their friendship. She didn't like being on the outs with him. She far preferred the angel when he was being sarcastic and droll, making her laugh. This stiff, cold man was the person that everyone else encountered. She sighed as she shut her door behind her and headed to bed. At least she had dinner with Ben tomorrow night to look forward to before she left. She changed into her pajamas and got into bed, emotionally and physically exhausted. She needed a vacation, but what was coming up was certainly not going to be a holiday. She could only hope it wouldn't make things worse with her and Michael.
Also I know I skimped on the Alex training, but I hope that you still enjoy the chapter. There will be more Alex later! Promise!